MickeyBlog News for June 10th, 2024

What have you missed this week in Disney news? Oh, it’s a lot.

We got our first look at Disney’s new private island, we learned about when an expansion tower will debut, and some changes came to Disneyland.

I’ll bring you up to speed in this week’s MickeyBlog News.

A First Glance at Lookout Cay

When Disney invited MickeyBlog to visit its new private island, we couldn’t very well say no, could we? It would’ve been impolite.

Thankfully, our staff had an amazing time exploring the new destination.

In case you haven’t kept up with Disney Cruise Line, the new Disney Cruise Line (DCL) destination is Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.

We’ve had a look around the island, and, well, it’s special. Disney has added tons of unique entertainment here.

In fact, MickeyBlog uploaded a preview of the new Lookout Cay show, RUSH! A Junkanoo Celebration.

Yes, that’s Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Daisy Duck dancing in their unique Lookout Cay gear.

There’s a lot of that going around, and you can even buy your own.

We were lucky enough to catch a first look at the Lookout Cay merch available to tourists.

While roaming the luxury island getaway, we put together a list of all the Disney characters you can meet here.

We’re talking about the entire Sensational Six and Chip ‘n’ Dale in new environments and outfits. It’s so magical!

Of course, you’ll also want to dine and drink while you’re there, and MickeyBlog has you covered with this info, too.

True-True BBQ and True-True BBQ Too will be two of your go-to options while you’re spending the day at Lookout Cay.

I also want to draw your attention to this picture. Ostensibly, it’s just a shot of the restaurants, yet it shows so much more.

Look how clean and fresh this entire place is and how much thought Disney put into the building designs.

Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is an absolute masterpiece of cruise tourism, something you’ll appreciate while walking around.

More about Lookout Cay and Cruises

The truth-in-advertising part of this is we were Disney’s invited guests. So, we’re obviously inclined to say nice things.

However, I didn’t make this trip, yet I’m still talking it up because I’m in awe of what Disney has accomplished here.

For more than 25 years, Castaway Cay has charmed guests with its tranquil island vibes.

The excellence of Castaway Cay raised expectations for Lookout Cay, yet Disney has more than matched them.

You can have plenty of fun relaxing in the sun, but let’s remember the island days are only a small part of a Disney cruise.

There’s a reason why Disney Cruise Line (DCL) has soared in popularity over the past decade, why DCL is expanding its fleet.

The cruises themselves are why you’ll want to take one over and over again.

Then, you’ll get to visit Lookout Cay or Castaway Cay or many exotic tourist destinations.

You should speak with a MickeyTravels agent to learn more about how to visit Disney’s newest island, Lookout Cay.

Disney Cruise Line is also offering a special limited-time discount on down payments, making this an ideal moment to book.

Disney Confirms the Island Tower

Okay, we’ve got another update on the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.

Disney just confirmed the official opening date and the various room types, two of which are intriguing.

The Island Tower will open on December 17^th, just in time for Christmas and Hanukkah travel, with the latter holiday starting on December 25^th.

Disney posted an introductory video for this expansion tower at the Polynesian. You can watch it here:

There are several notable takeaways from this clip. The first is that the Deluxe Studios here will include dishwashers.

Disney has chosen that strategy as a way to achieve its stated 2030 environmental goals, which is commendable.

We could see more dishwashers in hotel rooms as a way to eliminate tourists’ reliance on paper plates and cups.

While in the Island Tower’s rooms, you’ll notice many homages to the movie, Moana, some of which are subtle.

For example, a manta ray provides the wall art in one room.

Should you pay careful attention, you’ll notice Maui’s hook added into the image, just as a Hidden Mickey resides upside down above it.

Disney has populated many of the rooms with Earth and Water themes, but it’s the room types garnering headlines.

Once again, Disney has added Duo Studios as a room type. These tiny spaces only accommodate two guests.

That makes them either a romantic opportunity for traveling couples or a relationship stress test.

Of course, the showstoppers at the Island Tower are the Two-Bedroom Penthouse Villas.

These suites instantly become some of Walt Disney World’s most expensive rooms due to the inimitable views.

Up to eight guests can hang out in these suites and admire the view of Seven Seas Lagoon, Magic Kingdom, and plenty more.

We’ll provide more details about these rooms as December approaches.

Disneyland Miscellany

We’ve got some stuff happening at Disneyland. For starters, Disney just paused Magic Key sales again.

Ordinarily, that’d be the biggest story at the park, but it’s not.

Disney has also closed two shows quite suddenly. The first of them, the Club Pixar dance party, is understandable.

Guests expected something quite different from this experience based on recent Disney history.

Alas, this one skewed quite young and wasn’t well-received. So, Disney closed it two months early.

The shocker is that Doctor Strange: Mysteries of the Mystic Arts, a popular Avengers Campus show, will end on June 30^th.

Accurate or not, analysts are connecting the dots between these closures and the recent choice by costumed Cast Members to unionize.

MickeyBlog is also tracking some Inside Out experiences at Disneyland Resort.

There’s this, and then there’s the news that Anger (!) will host a character greeting soon! That’s gonna be spectacular.

Disney World Miscellany

At Walt Disney World, MickeyBlog took what I consider a more accurate video of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure than the one Disney posted last week.

For whatever reason, Disney’s clip showed some of the wrong walls, accidentally hiding the vibrant nature of the experience.

Our clip shows what a magnificent dark ride Disney has created here.

We also caught a preview of Mickey & Friends at CommuniCore Hall & Plaza. Remember that this place opens tomorrow, June 10^th!

A Cast Member posting also unintentionally confirmed that Disney Jollywood Nights will return in 2024.

If you missed out last year, something fascinating happened with this after-hours ticketed event.

The first night was something of a disaster, but it quickly improved significantly.

By the final night, nobody wanted the experience to end. So, I’m happy to report that we’ll get it again in a few months!

Finally, I should mention that the Disney Vacation Club Member Lounge has closed at the Imagination! pavilion.

Disney is reportedly repairing/replacing the elevator here. During the DVC Lounge’s absence, a temporary replacement has opened.

You’ll find this one at the Odyssey pavilion at a spot close to where the EPCOT Preview Center used to operate.

The temporary lounge basically just offers a sitting area and a choice of a few free drinks and snacks.

Sadly, there’s no Coca-Cola Freestyle machine here, but it’ll still provide an escape from the heat for the next six weeks or so.

Okay, that’s everything for now. Have a great week, my many loves!

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