MickeyBlog News for June 26th, 2023
Disney Genie+ is changing…again.
Also, we know a little more about San Fransokyo and Rogers: The Musical.


Photo: Disney
Let’s talk shop in the latest MickeyBlog News!
Disney Genie+ Adapts to Gain More Customers
Walt Disney World wasn’t hurting for Disney Genie+ customers this year. The service was already enticing half of park guests to sign up.
Still, Disney’s new park mantra under the returned Bob Iger prioritizes giving customers what they want.
Specifically, guests at EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom weren’t happy that they were paying the same amount for Disney Genie+ as the other parks.


Photo: Disney/The Street
Who can blame them? We know from the recently released 2022 theme park attendance numbers that these two parks aren’t quite as popular.
Disney has heard those complaints and come up with a good solution…we hope.


Photo: Disney
At this point, we’re just taking Disney’s word for this, but we do have some early data that supports what they’re saying.
From now on, Disney Genie+ will sell individually at each of the four parks. However, you may also purchase a four-park version as well.


Photo:visitorlando.com
So, Disney isn’t taking anything away. Instead, it’s expanding consumer options for how we spend our park money.
Starting on June 27th, which is Tuesday, each park will offer its own Disney Genie+ pricing.
The Disney Genie+ Pricing Model


Photo: Disney
Here’s how the new system looks in practice:
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom: $16 per person plus tax
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: $24 per person plus tax
- EPCOT: $18 per person plus tax
- Magic Kingdom: $27 per person plus tax
- Multiple Parks: $27 per person plus tax
Hopefully, you can tell the difference already. Guests who visit Magic Kingdom will pay the same amount for Disney Genie+ either way.
Meanwhile, anyone visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios will have a choice. You can save $3 if you don’t visit other parks that day.
Importantly, your Disney Genie+ purchase will only apply to Hollywood Studios, though. Should you decide to Park Hop later, you’re out of luck.


Photo: Disney
At that price, you may just want to go ahead and buy Multiple Parks Disney Genie+ instead.
A more challenging debate ensues when you visit EPCOT or Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
In that situation, a family of four could save substantial money by purchasing the park-exclusive version instead of Multiple Parks.


EPCOT
Image Credit: Disney
For example, at EPCOT, the pricing difference is $36 plus tax each day, although the price of Disney Genie+ will obviously fluctuate.
At Animal Kingdom, the difference would be even more extreme at $44 plus tax each day, which is the cost of a meal for many.


Disney100 Sign
So, this is something to consider. It’s also a VERY good thing as long as Disney never charges more – or at least a lot more – for the Multiple Park version.
I’ll do a deep dive on this in a few days after we have more data. It looks promising, though.
The Disneyland Resort Update


Photo: Travel and Leisure
We’ve got several different Disneyland Resort stories to cover, and I’ll just lump them together.
For starters, Nick Fury is celebrating his Secret Invasion series on Disney+ by appearing at Disney California Adventure.
As usual for the Marvel movie/tv show-based appearances, Fury will only visit for a limited time. Since he started The Avengers, you’ll want to meet him.


Photo: Marvel
At Disneyland Park, an even older character is greeting guests right now.
That’s right, folks! Indiana Jones has broken out his signature hat and whip and shown up at Adventureland. Okay, he hasn’t yet, but he will on June 30th!
@disneyparks He’s back for new adventures 🤠 For a limited time this summer, beginning June 30, spot #IndianaJones in Adventureland at #Disneyland 🐍 #Disney #DisneyParks
Like Nick Fury, Indy will only stay at the park until Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny has exited theaters. You’ve probably got about six weeks for both!
We also learned more about a different Marvel attraction coming soon.


Photo: Disney
Rogers: The Musical will debut at Disney California Adventure on June 30th.
Disney will operate a virtual queue for this show, and that’s the smart thing to do.
While nobody knows for sure how much demand there is for this musical, the suspicion is…A LOT!


Photo: Disney
With a virtual queue, people will know which show they’ll attend without having to stand in line and worry whether they’re getting in.
The virtual queue will open at 10:30 a.m. (PST) for the early shows. Then, it’ll open again at 2 p.m. for the others.
If you’re wondering what this show is, just watch this:
So, yeah, that’s gonna be worth your time.
The Disneyland Resort Update Part II
We also learned recently that Mickey’s Toontown needs repairs. That news is a couple of weeks old already, though.
The surprise involves the depth of the overhaul required. Nobody had ever tried anything like the Mickey’s Toontown reboot.
Also, Disney rushed the process, which lasted almost exactly one year. Once the themed land opened, a few issues were noticeable.
Specifically, the artificial turf and rubber flooring haven’t handled foot traffic as well as Disney had expected.
Rather than allow this problem to linger, park officials are bringing in more durable turf and flooring that will hopefully stand up better to stress.
The other concern involves some of the trees here. Disney didn’t anticipate their size correctly once the other elements were added.
So, some of these spaces are uneven, which has caused guests to trip.
Disney temporarily blocked off some of these areas and is now taking steps to flatten everything.


Photo: Wikipedia
With the benefit of hindsight, Disney probably should have performed a soft opening for a few weeks.
That tactic would have allowed park officials to identify and fix the problems quickly…and outside the public eye.
Finally, Disney has provided new intel on the upcoming San Fransokyo at Disney California Adventure.


Photo: Disney
Some of this stuff is coming much sooner than you’d think! For example, some of the unique cuisines will go on sale in mid-July!
You can order the best of San Fransokyo at Lucky Fortune Cookery and the Port of San Fransokyo Cerveceria.
Disney has also indicated that other restaurants and shopping experiences will debut later this summer.


Photo: Disney
I have no insider info on this one, but I’d guess no later than August. Otherwise, Disney would miss the peak season.
As you can see, this summer at Disneyland will be amazing!
Disney Miscellany


Photo: App Store
Quickly, I’ll point out a couple of other stories. First, the Cast Member Compliment feature on My Disney Experience has worked its magic!
In less than 16 months, guests have registered more than one million compliments!


Photo: Disney clip art
I keep telling y’all that cast members are the absolute best. Now, I’ve got the data to support it!
Just to be clear, at this rate, cast members average more than 2,000 daily compliments! The spirit of Disney remains alive and well!
On a much different note, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon just hosted the world’s largest swimming lesson! How great is that?


(Steven Diaz, photographer)
We also found out which three Disney characters will dress up as the Sanderson Sisters at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year.
Finally, in other Disney news, Travel + Leisure just announced the voting results for the Best 15 U.S. Resorts for Families.


Photo: Disney
Disney absolutely dominated this list with six (!) different resorts on the list!
Have a great week, everyone!


Photo: MickeyBlog
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