MickeyBlog News for October 24th, 2022
Every week, I say that Disney has brought back virtually all the amenities that it canceled during the pandemic. And every week, Disney finds even more.
In the latest MickeyBlog News, I’ll list three more examples of how Walt Disney World is getting better.
Photo: orlandoattractions.com
Fantasmic! Returns
Yes, I know I just said this in the last MickeyBlog News, but I used vague terms then.
Photo: Disney
Last week, all Disney would confirm for Fantasmic! was a November return. What they could have indicated was how soon that would be.
Friends, Fantasmic! reopens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on November 3rd!
So, we’re a week and a half away from that park offering a nighttime presentation once again.
Photo: Disney
I think I speak for all of us when I say that November 3rd will be a good day.
In fact, I know I do because park reservations at Hollywood Studios have grown scarce for that particular week. You may get lucky, but you should act quickly.
Speaking of which, Disney has revealed new Hollywood Studios dining packages for Fantasmic! Here are the participating locations and prices:
- 50s Prime Time Café — $51 for adults, $22 for kids ages 9 and under
- Hollywood & Vine Breakfast — $54 for adults, $36 for kids
- Hollywood & Vine Lunch/Dinner — $71 for adults, $47 for kids
- The Hollywood Brown Derby — $73 for adults, $29 for kids
- Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano — $54 for adults, $22 for kids
- Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant — $49 for adults, $22 for kids
Everyone has their preferences here, and I may write an article about how I would order these.
For now, I’ll say that Sci-Fi Dine-In strikes me as easily the best value. However, you may struggle to book a reservation there anyway.
So, 50s Prime Time Café probably represents the best combination of value and likelihood of seating.
About the New Fantasmic!
Why are people so enthusiastic about watching Fantasmic!? The answer exists beyond the show’s quality. Disney has also upgraded Fantasmic! during the downtime.
The Parks Blog revealed new changes, and they sound spectacular. The new stuff will reward Disney fans for loving the characters.
(Gene Duncan, photographer)
A person involved with Fantasmic! states:
“Through this entire sequence, we go on a journey with our heroes.
We see them faced with a decision, and how hard that can be for them, then watch as they find that strength within themselves to push through in a truly spectacular way.”
Photo: Disney
We know that one scene will involve Aladdin characters performing a chase that includes novel stunts.
Meanwhile, Elsa from Frozen will gain a new segment involving the song Show Yourself.
These two sequences are in addition to the ones Disney previously announced. Those feature the characters of Moana, Mulan, and Pocahontas.
Photo: Disney
Somehow, Fantasmic! will feature even more characters when it returns next week!
Also Returning Soon…
Do you ever feel like the world is against you? I’m not paranoid by nature, but Disney hurt me with this week’s news.
Two of my favorite Walt Disney World activities are Fantasmic! and Akershus. You can probably guess where this is going.
Photo: MealTrip.com
On November 4th, Akershus at the Norway pavilion reopens for the first time since March 2020.
So, Disney brings back these excellent experiences on November 3rd and November 4th next week!
This seems like a good time to mention that our next Disney trip ends on November 2nd. Yeah. It’s hard not to take this one personally, Disney!
Photo: Disney
Anyway, the return of Akershus is long overdue. MickeyBlog has discussed the rumored Disney Princess crisis behind the scenes at Disney.
Staffing issues have prevented management from filling the necessary job assignments, partially because Disney is particular about people playing the roles well.
Photo: Jenn Scranton
For this reason, Akershus is one of the final Walt Disney World restaurants to reopen. Thankfully, it’ll remain a character meal with all-you-care-to-enjoy menu items.
Also, the Disney Princesses will still come to your table and introduce themselves.
The last time Akershus was open, Belle was technically hosting the event as the character spot/photo op. However, I’m uncertain whether that’ll be the case when it returns.
DisneyDailyDime.com
Someone at MickeyBlog will probably visit during its reopening week and provide additional details. Sadly, that won’t be me, though.
On the plus side, Kona Café returns on November 1st, and I’ve got lunch reservations that day. So, all isn’t lost!
As you can see, next week will be huge at Walt Disney World!
Photo: Disney
More Disney News
Let’s start with some vague but positive news. Disney has updated the official page for the Green Army Drum Corps to show that it’s returning soon.
Recently, when Disney has done this, the attraction has come back in a matter of weeks. So, this live show’s return appears imminent, possibly in November.
Speaking of next month, the Festival of Fantasy Parade will switch back to two daily performances at times. Yes, it only recently dropped to one. Sometimes, Disney baffles me.
Meanwhile, the MagicBand+ wearable has debuted at Disneyland Resort, which is a bigger deal than you may realize.
Photo: Disney
While Walt Disney World has used MagicBands for nearly a decade, they’re new to the Happiest Place on Earth.
A MickeyTravels expert posted a guide to getting the most out of the new MagicBand+ tech.
Speaking of Disneyland, It’s a Small World has temporarily closed. Cast members are prepping the attraction for its holiday overlay.
Photo: Disney
For park fans, the other significant news this week involves the announcement regarding runDisney dates.
You can read all the details about the 2023-2024 season here. You can safely expect these dates to book quickly. So, you should reserve a room asap!
Credit: Disney
More Disney News
The other possibly big story this week is only just unfolding. A Florida Politics reporter indicated that two Walt Disney World annual passholders have sued.
Without getting into specifics, the unhappy passholders believe that Park Passes have negated the program’s value. It sounds eerily similar to the Disneyland class action suit.
Photo: mouse hacking.com
I’ve written more extensively about the topic in an article that will go live this week, possibly by the time you read this.
Finally, we should all take the time to express our appreciation for Bob Weis.
The former head of Walt Disney Imagineering earned the promotion of a lifetime less than a year ago. He became Global Imagineering Ambassador, a role formerly held by Marty Sklar.
Photo: Disney
Alas, after 42 years at Disney, Weis has decided that he’s ready to retire. All Disney theme park fans are in his debt.
You can read more about Weis’ accomplishments at the official D23 site, where he provides a thoughtful interview regarding his Disney career.
What will Weis do now that he has retired? He’s working on a screenplay…for Disney. Bob Weis is incredible.
Photo: MickeyBlog
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Feature Photo: Disney
