MickeyBlog News for October 10th, 2022
The Walt Disney Company just unleashed a slew of new information about upcoming events. You will definitely want to read the latest MickeyBlog News!
Disneyland’s Surprise Announcement
On March 9th, Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park closed for refurbishment.
At the time, park officials indicated that the themed land would remain offline for a calendar year.
Imagineers needed the extra time to accomplish several goals. For starters, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway required completion.
Credit: Disney
The Disneyland version of the ride faces unique constraints. Disneyland lacks the same amount of space as Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
So, Disney must reorder some of the scenes. Also, they’ll be longer or shorter than at Walt Disney World, depending on how much room each section has.
Disney isn’t quite shoving a square peg into a round hole, but it’s a tough build.
Meanwhile, other parts of Mickey’s Toontown face dramatic overhauls. For example, park officials have promised new immersive play areas for kids.
Photo: D23
When the 2022 D23 Expo occurred, the scale models of Mickey’s Toontown didn’t vary much from the current version, though.
Sure, there’s some new stuff and renamed eateries. However, the look of the place appears similar, at least as a miniature.
Disney: Credit
We will find out soon how different the new Mickey’s Toontown is…and I mean very soon. The project is apparently well ahead of schedule.
Disney just confirmed that Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will reopen on January 27th, at least six weeks before the most optimistic projections.
Photo: Disney
Part of the explanation for this decision involves…
Disney 100
On January 27th, 2023, Disneyland Resort begins a yearlong celebration. Yes, Disney turns 100 in 2023!
Technically, the milestone occurs on October 16th, 2023, but Disney isn’t big on waiting. So, the party begins in January and lasts all year!
The Mickey’s Toontown reboot represents only a tiny part of what park officials call Disney 100. We just learned additional details, and they’re quite exciting.
First, Disneyland Park will post platinum decorations to highlight the centennial. Mickey and Minnie will wear platinum outfits as well. Everyone gonna look fancy!
Expect platinum banners and other building trimmings everywhere, especially at Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Credit: Disney
Disney had previously confirmed three new/return engagements. Guests can watch Wondrous Journeys at Disneyland and World of Color – One at Disney California Adventure.
The Magic Happens daytime parade will also return as part of the Disney 100 event. So, you’ll have your choice of daily presentations.
Credit: Disney
Disney has promised “the largest cross-country global celebration in the 100-yeat history of The Walt Disney Company.”
In fact, you won’t even need to visit the parks to catch one display. Executives announced the Disney Animation Immersive Experience will start in December.
Photo: Disney/GMA
This touring art exhibit mimics the Vincent Van Gogh version that has garnered acclaim everywhere. It looks like this:
Imagine the same thing with Disney animated movies. That’s what you can expect from the upcoming tour.
You’ll find the experience in Boston, Cleveland, Columbus, Nashville, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, San Antonio, and Toronto.
Photo: Disney/Toronto Star
Overall, Disney appears ready to turn its centennial into an unforgettable event.
The Walt Disney World Holiday Update
I suspect Disney held back some stories last week due to Hurricane Ian. Usually, we don’t get this many significant park updates in the same week.
We learned about Disneyland Resort’s holiday plans toward the end of September. Now, we finally know what will happen at Walt Disney World.
For starters, Mickey’s Very Christmas Party will debut on November 8th and then run on select nights through December 22nd.
As a reminder, many of the unique offerings during this after-hours event become free during Christmas Week as part of the proceedings.
Before then, you can experience the same joyous celebration up to six weeks before Christmas! It’s like a Hallmark movie every night of the week!
Disney will add ride overlays for Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, Mad Tea Party, Space Mountain, and Tomorrowland Speedway during the Christmas party.
Speaking of Tomorrowland, the stage there will host A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas.
Tickets for this year’s event range from $149-$199. You can speak with a MickeyTravels agent to determine the best dates to attend this event!
I’m not saying you should drop everything and do this, but I AM saying that several nights have already sold out.
Disney has also confirmed the return of the EPCOT Candlelight Processional and EPCOT International Festivals of the Holidays.
Park officials also posted an early list of celebrity narrators for the Candlelight Processional.
We’ve got some participants this year, including Shang-Chi himself, Simu Liu!
There’s a lot happening at the parks during the holiday season. So, you’ll want to stay tuned to MickeyBlog to learn about every new detail!
Disney Park and Resort News
MickeyBlog’s staff is celebrating this week. Two of our favorite character meals have finally returned after an extended absence.
While Cape May Café and ‘Ohana reopened a while ago, their breakfast servings didn’t include characters…until now!
As of last week, Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast is back at Cape May Café. Meanwhile, Best Friends Breakfast Featuring Lilo & Stitch has returned at ‘Ohana.
These are two of the best overall character meals at Walt Disney World. If you’ve never done either of them, you should rectify that immediately!
In other Disney resort news, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground has finally reopened. You may recall that it had to close during Hurricane Ian.
Cast members needed ten days to get the place back in shape after the unprecedented weather event.
Similarly, Disney has reinstated cancellation fees now that the region has returned to normal. Management thoughtfully eliminated those fees during Hurricane Ian.
Elsewhere on the Disney campus, Cirque du Soleil has announced that Drawn to Life will introduce Sunday matinees in 2023, a much-needed move.
Photo: Cirque du Soleil
Finally, at Disneyland, guided tours are back on the menu. As of now, guests may book Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort or Walt’s Main Street Story.
These tours cost $110-$160 per person and provide unique behind-the-scenes insights into how the parks work. I highly recommend them.
PS: We’re still awaiting final details on this, but Disney may have purchased the world’s largest cruise ship.
So…is Disney’s 100th going to have a big celebration at Disney World as well as Disneyland? Is it going to be at least as big as the Disneyland celebration?