MickeyBlog News for October 17th, 2022
Disney theme parks just announced a new batch of price increases. However, management also announced some long-anticipated reopenings, too.
We’ll discuss the good and the bad in the latest MickeyBlog News.
Photo: orlandoattractions.com
Price Increases at the Parks
Let’s start with the story that garnered the most coverage this week. Disney parks have settled on an odd cycle with their pricing.
During the spring, admission ticket costs increase. Then, in the fall, most other ancillary theme park expenses go up, too.
Photo: Disney
While Disneyland’s prices remain in line with inflation over the years, the expense of a park visit has surged under CEO Bob Chapek.
Part of that stems from the rising inflation rate in the United States, which also led to the largest increase in social security in 40 years.
Still, the high cost of everything has made consumers more cost-sensitive lately. As such, we all cringe a bit when Disney announces price increases.
Photo: Disney
This week’s announcement was a doozy. Park officials confirmed a new variable pricing strategy for Disney Genie+.
Lightning Lane has utilized one since its inception, but it’s a first for the other paid service, Disney Genie+.
Now, the FastPass replacement could cost as much as $22 for a single day in October. And that’s just October. You should expect even higher prices during the holidays.
In fact, we’ve already had a $22 day occur on October 15th. So, this new pricing strategy is already in effect at Walt Disney World.
Meanwhile, Disneyland has switched to $25 for its version of Disney Genie+, a 25 percent increase.
The rising costs don’t stop with these add-ons, either. You’ll find higher prices on many foods and beverages at Disneyland and Walt Disney World alike.
Photo: Center Watch
In short, Disney just executed a comprehensive vacation cost increase for all its customers.
If the thought of this angers you, I commiserate. My Disney trip countdown clock is in the single digits. So, I’m paying more for my trip, too.
The Disneyland Side
Image Credit: Disney
I won’t keep harping on the price increases, but there are a couple more things you should know.
For starters, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Lightning Lane bookings have already increased to $25 on some days.
Here’s the way that variable pricing works. First, Disney establishes a floor price for a Lightning Lane selection or Disney Genie+ purchase.
Photo: Disney
You’ll never pay less than that. However, the prices can and do increase on more popular dates like Fridays, Saturdays, and crowded park weeks.
You can develop strategies to account for this. For instance, if you’re not buying Disney Genie+ each day of your trip, you should pick weekdays instead.
The My Disney Experience or Disneyland app will display the cost of each product for that date. You should establish the most you’re willing to pay.
Then, when you check the daily prices, you’ll know whether the daily price justifies the purchase.
Photo: Disney
The other significant news involves a change to Disney Genie+. Management has converted one of the newest attractions to this service.
WEBSLINGERS – A Spider-Man Adventure had remained a Lightning Lane that required a payment per ride. Now, it’s part of the basic Disney Genie+ service instead.
Photo: Disneyland
Does that justify a 25 percent increase in Disney Genie+ price? Like I just said, you must determine that for yourself.
Finally, we have one other park update at Disneyland. MagicBand+ will officially debut on October 26th.
Walt Disney World is already using this innovative update to the original MagicBand tech. The Happiest Place on Earth will add it next week.
Better yet, annual passholders and DVC members get to try MagicBand+ early. The service will activate for them on October 19th. Yes, that’s Wednesday!
Miscellaneous Disney News
We finally received the confirmation we’ve awaited throughout 2022. Fantasmic! will return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios next month.
Credit: Disney
Disney didn’t confirm an exact date yet, but we’re in late October already. At most, Fantasmic! is a month away. They’ll want it operational for Thanksgiving Week.
The other impending return will happen at the World Showcase. Monsieur Paul hasn’t operated since the pandemic’s start.
Photo: www.disneytouristblog.com
Part of that stemmed from less of a need for a full complement of theme park restaurants over the past two years.
The other explanation involves the death of the restaurant’s namesake, Paul Bocuse. The legendary chef died in 2018.
Photo Credit: MealTrip.com
His son, Jerome, has spent the past few years settling his father’s extensive international affairs. Jerome Bocuse is also in charge of the restaurants at the Paris pavilion.
I suspect Disney was doing him a favor by not rushing Monsieur Paul back.
In that same general vicinity, Disney has also confirmed a new event. Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk will host Disney Vacation Club members on October 21st, 22nd, 28th, and 29th.
Disney calls this event the Halloween Meet and Treat. It’s free to qualifying guests and includes character greetings.
Even better, the Disney characters are wearing Halloween outfits! You can think of it as a cheaper version of Minnie’s Seasonal Dine at Hollywood & Vine.
Also, the Meet and Treat does come with complimentary snacks as indicated by the “treat” part.
Disney has also announced the return of Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Party. It’s the best way to watch the fireworks during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Reservations go on sale Tuesday, October 18th. So, you should speak with a MickeyTravels agent to schedule your party/vacation.
Disney Entertainment News
In Disney entertainment news, Mrs. Potts has gone on to the great cupboard in the sky.
Angela Lansbury has died merely five days short of what would have been her 97th birthday.
Courtesy of Photofest
The Disney Legend first starred in Bedknobs and Broomsticks in 1971. Then, she returned to Disney as the voice of Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast.
Since we’re in the Halloween season anyway, I highly recommend a rewatch of Bedknobs and Broomsticks on Disney+. It’s the Hocus Pocus of the early 70s.
Photo: Disney
In fact, Disney had to delay the project because it shared too many surface similarities to Mary Poppins.
Once that film became a blockbuster, Disney returned to the premise with Bedknobs and Broomsticks. And they even hired the Sherman Brothers for the soundtrack.
Photo: Disney
Lansbury became a Disney Legend in 1995 and earned this eulogy as an official Disney statement.
Finally, something MickeyBlog predicted ages ago is coming to pass. We’re getting a Society of Adventurers and Explorers (S.E.A.) movie!
Photo: wikipedia
I’ll explore the details more in this week’s Disney Headlines. The gist is that the writer and co-director of the upcoming Disney film, Strange World, has earned the gig.
His assignment is to create a new franchise that will tie together various Disney attractions into a single cinematic universe. It’s a big deal, friends.
Check back on Wednesday for additional details!
