MickeyBlog News for October 23rd, 2023
How big was this past week for Disney? Well, the company turned 100, and a groundbreaking new attraction opened.
So, yeah. It’s a memorable edition of MickeyBlog News.
Disney at 100
Photo: Disney
On Monday, October 16th, The Walt Disney Company turned 100 years old.
On the same date in 1923, two hopeful brothers plotted their Hollywood takeover.
One of them was a young idealist with a dream and a vision, while the other was a more financially savvy businessperson.
Walt and Roy with their Academy Award. Photo: D23
Over time, Walt and Roy Disney would impact the entirety of society with their contributions, creating multiple iconic pop culture characters along the way.
While both men died more than 50 years ago, their company has stood the test of time, with its current workers happy to pay tribute to this legacy.
Photo: Disney
Cast members around the world honored Disney’s 100th anniversary in their own ways.
At Hong Kong Disneyland, officials unveiled the new Dream Makers Statue.
I’d encourage you to watch this behind-the-scenes video to appreciate the loving details and thoughtfulness of the statue.
As Disney’s 100th birthday unfolded across the planet, other parks joined the festivities.
Here’s a picture that Disneyland Paris cast members created.
TikTok also revealed its unique Disney100 hub, a first in the social media app’s history. It’s a deserving one, given Disney’s historical significance, though.
At Walt Disney World, we caught several instances of filming by reporters.
Photo: Wikipedia
Also, the team at Good Morning America devoted plenty of time to Disney’s birthday, although they got something wrong.
You should watch this clip anyway, as it reinforces all the reasons we love Disney:
Bob Iger added his thoughts as well, and the Disney marketing wheel kept turning as Disney showed a clip of This Wish.
That’s the next show-stopping tune from a Disney animated classic, November’s upcoming release, Wish.
Journey of Water | Inspired by Moana Opens
Journey of Water
At EPCOT, a new attraction finally opened. Sure, many guests have experienced Journey of Water | Inspired by Moana by this point.
Disney hasn’t exactly hidden it. I mean, here’s our first walkthrough of the attraction from last month:
EPCOT opened the attraction for previews a while ago, and it’s been in technical rehearsal for a couple of weeks now.
More crowds
So, everyone could access the attraction already, but it’s officially open now.
For a limited time, Disney has even added a Moana tribute to its nighttime Spaceship Earth effects.
While exploring Moana, you’ll learn about the water cycle in all its glory.
More importantly, no matter how old you are, you’ll reset to childhood as you splash and play with all the interactive water elements.
You’ll discover water that plays music and water that splashes and water that jumps from spot to spot.
Disney took an unusual path with this attraction. It simply encouraged Imagineers to flex their creative muscle with water and nature.
Journey of Water signifies the places where the two concepts meet.
While the World Nature section of EPCOT already encompasses two pavilions, The Land and The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Journey of Water provides its core.
For future generations of EPCOT fans, the Moana attraction will anchor World Nature as its spiritual heart and soul, which is fitting for Te Fiti fans anyway.
Jollywood Nights Comes into Focus
We’re now less than three weeks away from the start of Disney Jollywood Nights, the after-hours ticketed event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Disney officials understand that plenty of mystery surrounds the first-time event. So, they’re slowly leaking information about Jollywood Nights.
Photo: Disney
We recently learned the full menu of foods and drinks you can enjoy during your visit.
That’s a stunning amount of food available for a four-hour experience. Like, this whole thing seems like a challenge for some competitive eater.
Photo: Disney
I also question the wisdom of loading up on Spicy Pimento-Kimchi Dip and Oaxaca Old Fashioned before riding on roller coasters.
So, to those of you who are visiting on November 11th, I’d encourage some discipline with your drinking and dining.
Photo: Disney
Remember that you are at a theme park, after all!
Once we have reviews from opening night, I can calibrate whether I was overreacting or not. I promise to pass along that intel.
Photo: Disney
Anyway, we also learned the procedure for entering Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby.
You’ll check your My Disney Experience app for availability. Then, you’ll add yourself to the waitlist, presuming that there’s a spot open.
Disney also informed us about the character outfits and appearances, and we even learned more about the new musical show.
Jollywood Nights is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience. And MickeyBlog will obviously report more on it as the date approaches.
Disney Miscellany
Photo: Disney
I realize a LOT has happened this week.
The most significant story, at least at Walt Disney World, is that Disney’s Blizzard Beach will reopen on November 6th. That’s a week from tomorrow.
Photo: Disney
As usual, the return of one water park indicates the closure of the other at Walt Disney World. It’s been that way since the start of 2020.
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon will close for the season on November 5th, 2023.
Photo: Disney
I’m operating under the assumption that Disney will operate both next spring, but that hasn’t happened for a while.
So, I may be wrong here. It’s 100 percent my speculation, not anything park officials have confirmed.
Photo: Disney
MickeyBlog has put together a list of new experiences coming to Blizzard Beach. It’ll be better than ever when it returns next week!
At EPCOT, Candlelight Processional dining packages are now available.
Credit: Disney
But there’s an even bigger story at Hollywood Studios. Christmas decorations have already appeared at the parks!
Before you say that’s only because of Jollywood Nights, I’ll point out something on the West Coast, too.
Photo: Disney
Disneyland Park is getting snowstorms! Remember how Halloween started in late July at Disney parks?
Well, Christmas apparently begins in mid-October now!
Photo: Disney
Speaking of Disneyland, CenTOONial Park will reopen on October 30th. Then, on November 27th, Indiana Jones Adventure will close for a bit.
Remember how Disney refurbished the attraction and added new elements early in 2023? Apparently, it needs a bit more work done.
We presume this renovation won’t take long, as Disney would rather not close an E-ticket attraction during the holiday season.
Finally, I just want to say it again. Thank you, Disney.
Photo: MickeyBlog
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Feature Photo: Disney
