MickeyBlog News for September 26th, 2022
This week in news: a new much-anticipated new terminal opens at Orlando International Airport and a massive Hulk appears at Disney California Adventure.
We’ll talk about these stories, changes at two parks, and some holiday updates in the latest MickeyBlog News.
Terminal C Opens
Generally, Orlando International Airport (MCO) updates are little more than a footnote in our updates. This week is different, though.
A new multi-billion-dollar expansion has opened at the airport. This new location, Terminal C, is where you’ll arrive for many of your flights.
At least nine airlines will operate out of this facility. So, its long overdue arrival fundamentally changes the way many tourists travel to Orlando.
The pandemic forced delays and other hiccups in the creation of Terminal C. Throughout the process, airport officials and Orlando’s Mayor swore it’d be a game-changer, though.
The project planners for this technologically forward location have promised an enhanced customer experience.
For guests, the appeal is a new airport terminal that’s clean and capable of tracking bags more efficiently than ever.
Terminal C is the first major expansion at MCO that factors in modern tech, thereby streamlining the process.
The above video shows the process for smart bins with electronic tags to transfer your luggage safely and efficiently. It looks amazing.
This past week, the new terminal hosted its first guests, and the first flights went reasonably smoothly. However, that’s because few guests traveled on them.
Airport strategists cleverly offered a tiered approach to traffic levels. In fact, the new terminal won’t host a full array of guests until the end of September.
That’s why the first significant news story about the terminal is a bit alarming.
Well, the Terminal Opens Less Than Smoothly
Please remember that mishaps happen during the early days of any new business. MCO had a doozy.
After the first few flights went smoothly, reports surfaced of baggage delays at Terminal C. Then, social media kinda went nuts.
A system malfunction caused the delay…and it was a doozy. Here’s a MickeyBlog article about the situation.
Here’s the airline’s quote:
“This was the result of a baggage system issue managed by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority which was fully outside of Aer Lingus’ control. We apologize to customers impacted for any inconvenience caused.”
That kind of customer service falls somewhere between “not our fault” and “not our problem.”
When the airline throws the airport under the bus like this, it’s never good. It’s also telling.
MCO promised the airlines that it would deliver a state-of-the-art system. But unfortunately, this new way of baggage handling didn’t last 24 hours before its first incident.
An airline is blaming the Orlando International Airport (MCO) after its passengers waited hours to receive their luggage at the airport's brand new, multi-billion dollar Terminal C on Tuesday. https://t.co/F9iOyvEmru
— FOX 35 Orlando (@fox35orlando) September 22, 2022
This tweet shows frustrated guests standing there doing nothing as they await their bags. Some of them did it for several hours.
The airport’s CEO accepted full responsibility for the issue and reinforced that the airline did nothing wrong.
Terminal C’s revolutionary new baggage transfer system failed an opening test by breaking down during its first major stress test. That’s…not good.
Thankfully, the terminal has operated smoothly since then. So, hopefully, we’ll look back on this as the tech equivalent of opening night jitters.
If you’re flying into Orlando via Terminal C in 2022, you may want to pack a few essentials in your carry-on just to be safe, though.
The new terminal may need some time to get the kinks worked out.
Meanwhile, some customers complained that they couldn’t get to their medicine. I’d hate for that to happen to you.
This Hulk Is Truly Incredible
When Disney+ debuted The Imagineering Story, one episode showed brief clips of what’s coming next at Disney parks.
Nearly three years later, that day finally arrived at Disney California Adventure.
The Incredible Hulk has appeared as…a life-sized version of the character. Yes, Disney has unveiled the Project Exo tech that’s so remarkable.
Disney has constructed an almost incomprehensibly large Audio-Animatronic capable of independent movement and actions.
This Hulk, dressed in his Quantum space travel suit, makes quite the impression when he appears. Here he is:
I love the touch of having smoke appear. Also, you can tell that this tech is remarkable because the cast members cannot look away from it.
I’ve watched several online videos of the Hulk’s appearances thus far. In all of them, Disney’s hard-working employees are as mesmerized as the rest of the crowd.
We’re talking about people who watch the magic happen all day at their jobs. However, Project Exo is so special that draws the attention of even the most jaded workers.
The Hulk waves, talks, interacts with Tony Stark (well, his disembodied voice), and poses for pictures. It’s an awe-inspiring presentation.
Seriously, Disney theme parks should include magical moments. I’m talking about the ones where Disney does the impossible, but children fully believe it’s real.
This Hulk character greeting legitimately represents one of the best examples of that in the past 20 years.
Disney has built a massive robot that moves around of its own accord and poses for pictures. Don’t take this one for granted. It’s a stunning triumph!
Miscellaneous Disney News
With Disney KiteTails coming to an end, Disney’s Animal Kingdom officials are planning ways to fill the void.
Coincidentally or not, Tree of Life Awakenings will return on October 1st, the day after KiteTails’ last showing. Beacon of Magic comes back on that date as well.
Guests at EPCOT should be aware that The American Adventure has closed for refurbishment.
Disney hasn’t provided a timeline for the closure. So, you’ll need to keep reading MickeyBlog to learn when it returns.
At Magic Kingdom, the big news is the impending change with the Festival of Fantasy Parade.
Since the presentation’s return this past March, Disney has hosted two daily parades. However, it’ll now go back to its standard once-daily 3 p.m. performance in October.
Disney will add another daily Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade as a substitute.
I’m squarely in the camp that cavalcades are better than parades because they’re quicker and reduce crowding in the primary walking paths.
In holiday news, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party has already sold out at least one date and possibly more by the time you read this.
Those of you who plan to attend the event should purchase tickets now. Also, if you want to meet Santa Claus, I have a new option for you.
Maria and Enzo’s Ristorante will host Breakfast with Santa. This 90-minute experience includes a keepsake photo with jolly ol’ Saint Nick.
The restaurant will host this event on 13 different mornings, including the entire Christmas Week. It’s $50 for adults and $30 for children.
That’s a small price to pay to get everything you want for Christmas this year!
Finally, I have the best news imaginable for you. Walt Disney World has removed the COVID-19 warning from its site. So it’s finally over, my friends!
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Feature Photo: Disney