MickeyBlog News for June 17th, 2024
Walt Disney World has just experienced its most exciting week in ages.
We had a new pavilion open and a new attraction as well! Remarkably, these debuts happened at different parks.
So, we’ve got plenty to discuss in MickeyBlog News.
Welcome to CommuniCore!
Seven years ago, EPCOT officials stated their intent to reimagine the park.
This past week, all that hard work finally came to fruition with the opening of CommuniCore Hall & Plaza.
The opening of that new pavilion marked the end of the grueling overhaul of the former Future World at EPCOT.
Pandemic-related delays and temporary budget restrictions slowed progress to a crawl.
Eventually, Imagineers completed all the projects, most notably the remarkable Journey of Water | Inspired by Moana.
Now, in the former Future World space, we have three different Neighborhoods instead.
Those are World Celebration, World Discovery, and World Nature.
CommuniCore Hall & Plaza represents the final piece at World Celebration, and it immediately adds to the relaxation options at EPCOT.
Here, you can shelter from hot/rainy Central Florida and hang out at one of the new sections.
A destination location is Mickey and Friends, which MickeyBlog previewed for you last week.
View this post on Instagram
You’ll find Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy here, and they’re all happy to see you.
I also love the backdrop, which includes a monorail drawing on one wall!
At CommuniCore, you’ll also find a stage where Disney plans to host shows and concerts.
Currently, you can watch ¡Celebración Encanto!, a delightful presentation based on everyone’s favorite movie, Encanto.
You can watch the full show in this video:
That’s the kind of exciting Disney show you can expect at CommuniCore, a happy place at EPCOT.
Tiana Previews Begin
Something exciting happened on June 11th, hinting at an even more eventful debut on the following day.
The My Disney Experience (MDE) app added the virtual queue for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which started sneak previews last Wednesday.
Disney has replaced Splash Mountain with a vibrant new ride that tells a sequel story to The Princess and the Frog.
Annual passholders could start riding on Wednesday, but as a reminder, everyone needs a virtual queue reservation.
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-cast-member-preview-129-scaled-e1717507155722.jpg)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-cast-member-preview-129-scaled-e1717507155722.jpg)
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
The only two ways to ride Tiana this summer are the virtual queue and a Disney Genie+ reservation.
So, the introduction of the virtual queue on the MDE app generated plenty of excitement.
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-cast-member-preview-66.jpg)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-cast-member-preview-66.jpg)
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
One of our ace reporters also quickly noticed a loophole beneficial to annual passholders. You should definitely read that.
Of course, Disney tech and new attractions often experience hiccups. Tiana proved no different.
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-cast-member-preview-58.jpg)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-cast-member-preview-58.jpg)
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
On the bright side, the virtual queue lasted for a full hour on the first day.
This was probably because it was only available to annual passholders, but MickeyBlog will track this for you.
![New PhotoPass Opportunities at Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/photopass-tianas-bayou-adventure-magic-shot-1536x1024-1.jpg)
![New PhotoPass Opportunities at Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/photopass-tianas-bayou-adventure-magic-shot-1536x1024-1.jpg)
New PhotoPass Opportunities at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Disney is also offering several PhotoPass options for Tiana, but my favorite one is at…Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside. I’m serious.
Finally, I should mention that the new store has opened. We got a first look at Critter Co-Op and its merchandise.
![Critter Co Op Tiana's Bayou Adventure Magic Kingdom Store Princess and the Frog](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Critter-Co-Op-Tianas-Bayou-Adventure-Magic-Kingdom-Store-Princess-and-the-Frog-100.jpg)
![Critter Co Op Tiana's Bayou Adventure Magic Kingdom Store Princess and the Frog](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Critter-Co-Op-Tianas-Bayou-Adventure-Magic-Kingdom-Store-Princess-and-the-Frog-100.jpg)
Critter Co-Op in Magic Kingdom
This store is in the former space of Briar Patch, and Disney has done a remarkable job updating the shopping options.
Many of the firefly-related items glow in the dark, which makes them must-haves for Disney fans.
The DVC Lounge Surprise
![Magic Kingdom](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-main-entrance-main-street-railroad-station-flowers-stock-1-scaled.jpg)
![Magic Kingdom](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-main-entrance-main-street-railroad-station-flowers-stock-1-scaled.jpg)
Magic Kingdom
A while ago, Disney confirmed that a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) lounge would open at Magic Kingdom.
Speculation ensued about where Disney would host it, and many people guessed Frontierland.
![Disney Vacation Club](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screenshot-2023-04-25-at-10-33-35-Disney-Vacation-Club-Reveals-Bold-New-Look.png)
![Disney Vacation Club](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screenshot-2023-04-25-at-10-33-35-Disney-Vacation-Club-Reveals-Bold-New-Look.png)
Photo: DVC
After all, Disney isn’t doing much with this space at the moment. So, the guess made sense…and it proved correct.
However, many of us are still surprised by the choice of locations for the new DVC lounge.
Disney will close an opening day attraction, Frontierland Shootin’ Gallery, and replace it with the member lounge.
Even as a DVC member, I’m pretty conflicted about this announcement.
![Frontierland Shootin' Arcade](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-02-at-21-50-26-Frontierland-Shootin-Arcade-Magic-Kingdom-Attractions-Walt-Disney-World-Resort-e1696301490518-1024x652.png)
![Frontierland Shootin' Arcade](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-02-at-21-50-26-Frontierland-Shootin-Arcade-Magic-Kingdom-Attractions-Walt-Disney-World-Resort-e1696301490518-1024x652.png)
Photo: Disney
The Magic Kingdom shooting gallery has been there since we were all children.
While the activity’s popularity has unquestionably declined, Disney did everyone a favor during the pandemic.
When Frontierland Shootin’ Gallery reopened, it was free to play after costing money for the first 50 years of its operation.
So, some curious onlookers gave it a shot and discovered a surprisingly funny interactive game.
I’m sad to report that you only have one more week to enjoy Frontierland Shootin’ Gallery before it closes permanently on June 23rd.
![Frontierland Shootin' Arcade](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Frontierland-Shootin-1024x576.jpg)
![Frontierland Shootin' Arcade](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Frontierland-Shootin-1024x576.jpg)
Photo: The Mickey Wiki
This is a piece of Magic Kingdom history/lore and is definitely something you should do if you’ll be at the park this week.
Disney hasn’t announced when the DVC lounge will open, but the conversion shouldn’t take long.
Disney Miscellany
![Country Bears reopening](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2-2.jpg)
![Country Bears reopening](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2-2.jpg)
Credit: Disney
We’ve got several other big stories to cover, some of which will impact your next visit.
For starters, we learned that Country Bear Musical Jamboree will open on July 17th.
![Country Bears](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PM102767-1536x1024-1.jpg)
![Country Bears](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PM102767-1536x1024-1.jpg)
Disney
Disney held an event the other day, and Emily Ann Roberts debuted her version of Try Everything.
Despite being a native Tennessean, I’m not a fan of country music, but I really, really like that cover.
Hopefully, the rest of the new Country Bears show will be that good.
Disney also provided more details about The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure.
Cast Members will wear sensors so Disney can present the most technologically advanced presentation possible.
In Magic Kingdom news, Tortuga Tavern just closed indefinitely. Disney actually removed the listing from MDE.
So, speculation has ensued about whether the previously promised pirate tavern is in the offing.
![big thunder mountain reopens](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/jan24-mk-big-thunder-mountain-reopen-2-scaled.jpg)
![big thunder mountain reopens](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/jan24-mk-big-thunder-mountain-reopen-2-scaled.jpg)
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Meanwhile, Disney has filed the paperwork for extensive work on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
The noteworthy part of this work is that the end date isn’t until August 8th, 2025.
That would be an extensive overhaul for a single attraction, leading to speculation about whether What Lies Beyond Big Thunder is starting.
Of course, that’s pure conjecture, but it would make sense given that the Walt Disney World development plan has been finalized.
Disney Miscellany 2
![The emotions discover the Puberty button in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2pubertybutton-scaled.jpeg)
![The emotions discover the Puberty button in Inside Out 2.](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/insideout2pubertybutton-scaled.jpeg)
Image: Pixar
This week’s other big Disney story involves Inside Out 2, which has just enjoyed a spectacular weekend at the box office.
Disney anticipated this and added a Joy character greeting at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
![Anger](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/dlr-pixar-fest-anger-1536x864-1.jpg)
![Anger](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/dlr-pixar-fest-anger-1536x864-1.jpg)
Disney
Similarly, you’ll find Anger at Disneyland Resort, which makes me a bit jealous of our West Coast companions.
I love Joy and thought Inside Out 2 was marvelous, but Disney’s heel character interactions are the best.
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Inside-Out-3.jpg)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Inside-Out-3.jpg)
Photo: Pixar
Speaking of Disneyland, the park has introduced a new option called Change Your Tickets. Hopefully, it becomes standard at Disney parks.
Finally, MickeyBlog extends its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Bonnye Lear.
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Club-33-restaurants.jpg)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Club-33-restaurants.jpg)
Photo: Also Disneyland
The Club 33 Cast Member was revered by her coworkers and the customers she assisted for decades. It’s a tragic loss.
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!