MickeyBlog News for October 7th, 2024
We’re embarking on an era of hallmark change at Disney theme parks.
So, this week’s MickeyBlog News features plenty of updates about all the park updates…and a few Disney discounts you should know!
The Lightning Lane Price Increases
In the latest batch of Disney Rumors, I discussed something I hope doesn’t happen, but lots of people believe it might.
I’m mentioning it again here because it’s the tip of the iceberg on a larger discussion.
Disney officials are playing within the margins to find the optimal price points for various Lightning Lane offerings.
Management has accepted the fact that the annual price increases, while necessary to keep up with inflation, come with a downside.
They’re a (relatively unfair) topic of conversation wherein everyone slams Disney for doing the same thing every other business does.
So, Disney’s adopted a new approach recently, sneaking in a few price increases here and there rather than a wide swath of them.
That’s what we may be witnessing with Lightning Lane Single Passes (LLSP) right now.
MickeyBlog reported that the price of some LLSP offerings will increase on October 18th.
The list includes Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and TRON Lightcycle / Run.
Then, we tracked even more changes on October 21st. Some attractions like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will reach record highs.
The most noteworthy one is actually Tron, whose price will go up to $22.
That’s significant because Tron has been $20 every day since it opened in early 2023.
So, we cannot dismiss these LLSP increases as representative of standard tier/surge-based pricing.
This IS a price increase, albeit a subtle one. And it’s the best kind because you’re under no obligation to buy a LLSP.
Therefore, the only people paying more are the ones willing to do so, and that’s my preferred type of Disney price increase.
Disney Releases 2025 Discounts
Here’s the thing about Disney’s recent pricing tactics. Savvy shoppers can sidestep them altogether.
When you know what you’re doing, you can capitalize on early Disney discounts to save a fortune on your vacation.
That statement is especially relevant this week, with Disney announcing four new Walt Disney World discounts for 2025.
The remarkable part of these deals is that you’ll find one to fit every form of Disney visit.
For example, one offer provides up to a $200 daily discount for a three-day/two-night visit.
Then, there are discounts of up to 35 percent for up to 14-day visits for annual passholders!
Everyone else can book for up to 25 percent off during the first half of 2025.
The dates vary, but you can read the original post for specific details.
Disneyland Resort isn’t left out, either. We posted a couple of deals here as well, including an extension of the $50 children’s ticket offer.
You can also save up to 25 percent at Disneyland Resort hotels from January 7 through March 20, 2025.
There are a trivial number of exceptions, but I’m far from an expert in explaining the differences.
Your best bet here is the obvious one. You should contact a MickeyTravels agent to learn the best possible deals for your family.
MickeyTravels is a Diamond-level Authorized Disney Vacation Travel Planner, Disney’s highest honor.
So, these people have forgotten more about Disney vacations than I will ever know.
The stunning part is that they provide their services free of charge. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain by contacting them.
You deserve a dream Disney vacation next year, don’t you? With MickeyTravels, you’re likely to save a fortune on your trip!
Disney Park Updates
We’ve got several theme park stories to cover this week, one of which matters more.
Those of you who want to take one last class at Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy should act fast!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios permanently closes the show on Tuesday as Imagineers plan the Disney Villains stage show.
So, Monday, aka tomorrow, is the final day you can watch the whizbang action of the Lightning McQueen show!
Disney just fired new paperwork for the Villains presentation.
Therefore, we can expect the overhaul to begin almost immediately afterward.
Keep reading MickeyBlog for construction updates, although a lot of what happens here will occur indoors and out of sight.
Also at Hollywood Studios, Disney has shared the delightful origin story of Ollie, a Jollywood Nights character.
At EPCOT, an old favorite has returned. Star-Lord is back and meeting guests.
It’s a more personal encounter than the previous stage show.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a new show has arrived. Entitled Beats and Stings, it’s a Hindustani Raga performance. You can read more here.
By the way, Walt Disney World quietly celebrated its 53rd anniversary on October 1st.
Park officials understandably kept the event low-key with all the Hurricane Helene fallout occurring in the south.
At Disneyland Resort, we just learned the return dates of a couple of beloved experiences.
Jungle Cruise, an opening day attraction, quietly reopened on October 4th after a two-week refurbishment.
Meanwhile, World of Color – ONE returns on October 25th. You should expect hefty crowds on that night.
Finally, at Disneyland Paris, Doctor Strange and the Scarlet Witch (!!!) are getting a stage show!
Disney Miscellany
We’ve got several exciting Disney hotel updates this week, including my absolute favorite!
Disney has opened the new showcase for the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
You’ll find this hospitality area between BouTiki and the stairs on the first floor of the Great Ceremonial House.
Disney has added some fun bells and whistles for its new tour, which you may want to do even if you’re not interested in joining the Disney Vacation Club.
Remember that MickeyTravels can book these rooms, too, thereby saving you literally tens of thousands of dollars.
Disney recently added a few exterior touches to the Island Tower, which will open in about ten weeks.
We’re posting regular construction updates, but there aren’t many left to do. It’s nearly ready after years of anticipation.
At Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Everything Pop has partially reopened after a delay.
We’ll keep you updated when it’s fully back to normal, but the changes look great.
At Disneyland Hotel, the ever-popular Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar has unveiled this…and I want it!
Finally, I’d be remiss if I failed to note the untimely passing of Ken Page at the age of 70.
Page was a Broadway icon for his work in Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Cats before Disney unlocked his true identity as Oogie Boogie.
Fans of Tim Burton’s The Night Before Christmas are acutely aware of Page’s greatness as well as his importance to the film.
Page breathed life into the Oogie Boogie character, creating a fully-formed, unforgettable Disney Villain for the ages.
We’re all grateful for his performance, and Oogie Boogie has fittingly made Page immortal.
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!