MickeyBlog News for June 5th, 2023
We’ve got three massive stories to cover this week in MickeyBlog News. So, let’s get straight to it!
Image: Disney
Splash Mountain Closes
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before!
Photo: Disney
Yes, a loyal group of Disneyland fans spent the final days of May relishing their final opportunity to ride one of Disney’s most iconic rides.
History repeated itself quickly at Disney, as the Disneyland Park version of Splash Mountain closed forever only a few months after the one at Magic Kingdom had.
MickeyBlog spent the last day of each one watching the festivities unfold, and we got a particular kick out of the latest closure.
Don’t get me wrong. We’ll all miss the ride, valid complaints about its theming notwithstanding. The mood on the final night was celebratory, though.
In fact, our head MickeyBlogger almost accidentally noticed Tony Baxter taking a final spin on Splash Mountain.
Yes, we mean the same Tony Baxter who famously conceptualized the ride while sitting in traffic one day during the 1980s!
MickeyBlog noticed several dignitaries enjoying a final trip down Splash Mountain, including the NBA’s seven-foot Lopez twins, Robin and Brook.
We knew that Robin was a Disney superfan after he accidentally purchased the stolen Buzzy from EPCOT a few years ago.
Coincidentally or not, Baxter was walking to and from Splash Mountain at the same time, as everyone wanted one last crack at the perfect ride photo.
While Magic Kingdom’s Splash Mountain closed on January 23rd, the iteration at Disneyland Park remained open until the final day of May.
Since then, park officials have already prepped the area for the impending arrival of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure next year.
While North America now lacks a Splash Mountain, you can always watch ride videos on YouTube. Or you can (and should) visit Tokyo Disney Resort.
Park officials there have given no indication that they will update Splash Mountain anytime soon.
The Disney Dining Plan Returns
This past week, Disney finally brought back its Walt Disney World dining plans after a four-year absence that felt like forever to me personally.
Disney revealed that the dining plan comes in two forms this year, depending on your meal habits.
The Quick-Service Dining Plan provides you with the following:
- 2 Quick-Service Meals Per Night of Stay
- 1 Snack or Nonalcoholic Beverage Per Night of Stay
- 1 Resort-Refillable Mug
The Disney Dining Plan exchanges one Quick-Service meal for a Table Service entitlement each day. Here’s what it includes:
- 1 Quick-Service Meal Per Night of Stay
- 1 Table-Service Meal Per Night of Stay
- 1 Snack or Nonalcoholic Beverage Per Night of Stay
- 1 Resort-Refillable Mug
Photo: Disney
MickeyBlog’s Kristin Sabol has provided additional details here, and we’ll be posting a detailed guide soon.
For now, what matters is the price. For the Quick-Service Dining Plan, adults ages ten and up pay $57.01 per person plus tax daily.
Children ages three to nine cost $23.83 plus tax per person daily.
Meanwhile, the Disney Dining Plan, the one with Table Service credits, adults must pay $94.28 plus tax per person daily.
Children ages three to nine cost $29.69 plus tax per person daily.
As a reminder, you must order the dining plan for everyone listed on your hotel reservation who is over the age of two.
Photo: Disney
The dining plans begin on January 9th, 2024, with reservations already on sale for next year.
I’d strongly encourage you to speak with a MickeyTravels agent. Remember that their services are entirely free to you.
Photo: Disney
These Disney experts will find you the best possible deal and keep monitoring in case an even better one becomes available.
Next year looks to be one of the best ever for a Disney vacation.
Oogie Boogie Bash Details
Disneyland fans, I’ve got the best possible news! Oogie Boogie Bash tickets will go on sale this month!
Yes, the event will return in 2023 and bigger than ever before! Some returning favorites will thrill you as well.
Disneyland only recently unveiled the Disney100 nighttime presentation, Wondrous Journeys. It’ll go on pause in favor of Halloween Screams.
Apparently, Wondrous Journeys will host its final 2023 performance on August 31st, which means you’ll only got less than three months left for it!
But we’re here to talk about Oogie Boogie Bash instead! Tickets will be available to Magic Key holders on June 27th.
Photo: Disney
On June 29th, the general public can purchase admission at a cost of $134 and up.
You can read the full list of dates and prices here. What should you expect this year? “Luminescent sheer fabrics” worn by Disney characters!
I don’t know much about clothing, but Disney indicates that it’ll give the costumed characters a ghastly glow, which sounds amazing.
Photo: Disneyland
The Halloween events are best when they’re spookiest, so I’m all for this!
Plus, all your favorite after-hours party events will return in 2023.
Disneyland fans look forward to Oogie Boogie Bash all year. That time is almost here, with tickets available in three weeks!
Disney Miscellany
First of all, happy Pride Month to all who celebrate! Disney has unveiled a massive amount of merchandise and desserts to commemorate the event.
I’m a big fan of this “cookie,” this float, this donut, and whatever this is. Great. Now I’m hungry…and 650 miles from Walt Disney World.
Anyway, the start of June also doubles as the start of annual passholder days at the parks.
For me, this year’s highlight is the new annual passholder lounge at The Land pavilion. It’s basically just some seating near Soarin’, but that’s great!
EPCOT fans know this place as one of the best people-watching spots at the park. And you get free snacks at the lounge, too!
Elsewhere at Walt Disney World, we learned new details about this year’s Halloween Dine at Hollywood & Vine. It’s one of the best meal experiences all year!
While we were at Disneyland Park, we also met the new Ariel. The setting isn’t quite as magical as the one at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but it’s still great!
Also, if you haven’t watched our first encounter yet, you should.
In other park news, Disney has confirmed that the 2 PM Park Hopping rule will continue into 2024. I’m a bit disappointed but unsurprised.
Finally, Single Rider has returned at Soarin’ at Disney California Adventure.
For whatever reason, Disney doesn’t offer it during the Soarin’ Over California annual performances during the Food & Wine Festival. But it’s back now!
Photo: MickeyBlog
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Photo: NY Times
