MickeyBlog News for September 10th, 2023
Disney Cruise Line just unveiled its next family cruise ship, and Disneyland debuted Tiana’s Palace.
Also, Disney settled an annual pass class action suit and then promptly stopped selling annual passes at Disneyland.
Tiana’s new outfit!
We’ll discuss an eventful week in the latest MickeyBlog News.
Editor’s note: I’ve separated all the Destination D23 announcements into a different, standalone article. You can read it here.
The Disney Treasure Will Set Sail Next Year
Photo: Disney
Disney Cruise Line pulled out all the stops in revealing details about its upcoming luxury cruise ship, the Disney Treasure.
Disney produced a high-quality video, which you can watch here:
As I joked the other day, the marketing team clearly learned from the PR blunder with Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
The first promotional video for that project was so poorly received (and openly mocked) that Disney removed it.
Photo: Disney
That won’t happen here because the Disney Treasure video serves its purpose. After watching that description, everyone will want to go.
I’ve detailed everything this cruise ship will offer, but let’s quickly discuss the highlights.
Photo: Disney
Plaza de Coco will provide a dinner experience unlike any you’ve ever seen. You’ll eat at a table facing a concert stage.
During your meal, cast members will perform one of two Coco-related stories, depending on the night of your meal.
Credit: Disney
Since the Disney Treasure’s cruises host weeklong itineraries, you’ll have time to do both during your stay.
Similarly, Worlds of Marvel will offer twin dining experiences. One is the already beloved Avengers: Quantum Encounter from the Disney Wish.
Photo: Disney
Another occurs in the same restaurant, but the story involves Spider-Man instead. That one is gonna sell out every night!
More Reasons to Love the Disney Treasure
Photo: Disney
Something else you’ll love about the Disney Treasure is its themed attraction.
Remember the AquaMouse from the Disney Wish? The Treasure will add its own variation of that water coaster.
Photo: Disney
AquaMouse: Curse of the Golden Egg will include all-new animated footage of Mickey & Minnie Mouse as they embark on a search for hidden treasure.
In terms of themed experiences, you’ll also find a lounge and a bar that will happily remind you of Magic Kingdom and Disneyland.
Photo: Disney
Skipper Society is a lounge that celebrates the stories and puns of Jungle Cruise, while Periscope Pub takes you on an underwater bar crawl.
Okay, there’s just the one bar, but you won’t want to leave due to the 20,000 Leagues under the Sea theming.
Photo: Disney
Disney has designed an entire luxury cruise around the concept of “Adventureland at Sea.”
The maiden voyage sails on December 21st, 2023, but bookings start this week. Here’s the current schedule:
- September 12th — Pearl Castaway Club Members
- September 13th – Platinum Castaway Club & Golden Oak Members
- September 14th – Gold Castaway Club Members
- September 18th – Disney Vacation Club Members, ABD Insiders
- September 19th – Silver Castaway Club Members
- September 20th – All Disney Fans
Yes, some people can book a cabin on the Disney Treasure as soon as Tuesday!
You should speak with a Diamond-Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner to find out when you can book and what the best options are for your dream cruise!
An Exciting Week for Disneyland Fans
Tiana’s Palace in Disneyland Park
Disneyland Park’s transformation of New Orleans Square started in earnest this past week.
On Friday, Tiana’s Palace opened to guests. Within a half-hour of the park’s opening, all Mobile Orders had sold out for this restaurant.
Photo: Disney
Yes, that’s how massive the demand is for a dining experience themed to the aftermath of The Princess and the Frog.
As a reminder, Tiana dreamt of opening her own restaurant, a place where everyone in New Orleans could gather and enjoy her delicious meals.
Photo: Disney
Imagineers used illustrations from the film as inspiration for the re-theme of the former French Market Restaurant.
All sorts of tributes to the movie, jazz music, and the Big Easy itself are visible here.
Photo: Disney
Just as importantly, the delicious cuisine will put a song in your stomach.
Disneyland also announced a new nighttime presentation, The Heartbeat of New Orleans – A Living Mural.
(Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort)
This show will take place on the Rivers of America starting on September 23rd, 2023.
In other Disneyland news, park officials settled the class action suit involving annual passholders and the unpopular theme park reservation system.
Credit: Disney
You can read the legal documents here:
NEW: Terms of the Magic Key lawsuit have been posted – it’s a $9.5 million settlement fund for 103,435 Dream Key passholders (approximately $67.41 pp).
Claim submissions not required. An email will be sent at a later date to all eligible class members. pic.twitter.com/wZHucw01xv
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) September 8, 2023
The gist is that Disney has created a $9.5 million settlement fund. Participants in the class action suit will receive $67.41 each.
Within hours of that announcement, Disneyland suspended all Magic Key (i.e., annual passholder) sales. It’s probably a coincidence, but it’s a funny one.
Elsewhere at Disneyland, park officials confirmed that the re-themed Adventureland Treehouse will open this fall.
At Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Hera Syndulla is now appearing for a limited time!
Transmission received: Hera Syndulla makes her debut in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge® at @Disneyland Resort starting today, for a limited-time.
Don’t miss all-new episodes of #Ahsoka Tuesdays on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/4v4vzxmsC4
— Star Wars (@starwars) September 8, 2023
There’s also a pop-up sweets shop at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa right now.
So, a LOT is happening at The Happiest Place on Earth right now!
Other Disney News and Notes
Photo: Disney
Let’s start with the most pleasant surprise of the week. Disney is offering a $1,000 Disney Dining Promo Card for a limited time!
This special promotion is available from October 27 to November 1, 2023; November 25 to November 29, 2023; December 9 to December 25, 2023; and arrivals most Sunday to Tuesday nights January 9, 2024 to March 5, 2024.
MickeyTravels
You can click this link to get a free quote from MickeyTravels, a Diamond-Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.
In international Disney park news, World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland will debut on November 20th!
Photo: Disney
Similarly, Shanghai Disneyland provided more intel on its upcoming Zootopia themed land.
Also, in case you didn’t click the link for the D23 news, the Figment character greeting at the Imagination! pavilion starts today, September 10th!
Figment
Also, Disney confirmed the official opening date for Journey of Water | Inspired by Moana. It’s October 16th.
However, annual passholders could enjoy free previews starting on September 24th. You can read the details here.
Heart of Te Fiti
MickeyBlog already got a look at the attraction. You can see the pictures here.
In other EPCOT news, tram testing is underway! Meanwhile, at EPCOT, the Hatbox Ghost will appear at Haunted Mansion in November.
Photo: @DisneyEats
Also, on the off-chance the news impacts your vacation plans, Doubloon Lagoon at my beloved Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter will close briefly.
The pool will undergo refurbishment starting on January 24th, 2023.
Photo: runDisney
Finally, runDisney volunteers should be aware of the removal of a perk, free park tickets for the day.
Okay, that’s the capper on a hectic week of Disney news! Be sure to check MickeyBlog’s archives in case you missed anything!
Photo: MickeyBlog
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below, and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!
Photo: Disney Cruise Line
