Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2022 Edition

[jpeterson]

Buffet Returns to Chef Mickey’s on March 1, 2023

According to Disney, Chef Mickey’s will return to a buffet-style offering starting March 1, 2023. Chef Mickey’s had moved to a family-style offering during the phased reopening following the COVID-19 closures. Here’s Disney’s announcement:

Now through February 28, this restaurant offers family-style dining. The buffet experience will return on March 1. Check back soon to view the buffet menu.

I don't have any issues with buffets as a concept, but Chef Mickey's was one of the worst I've ever had. Certainly the worst on WDW property. The family style offering was MUCH better.

 

[loutoo]

Today there was active concrete pouring going on at the poly tower construction site. Pictures are from several days ago.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Kristoff & Sven Added to Tike’s Peak at Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park

 

[HokieRaven5]

Giant Pencil & Toothpick Flags Theming Added to Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Toy Story Land as Construction Continues

 

[Teamubr]

I don't have any issues with buffets as a concept, but Chef Mickey's was one of the worst I've ever had. Certainly the worst on WDW property. The family style offering was MUCH better.

I have to agree. I hope this is s sign that the best buffet on property (Trails End) may return soon. The family style at TE is not good.

j

 

[Brocktoon]

I have to agree. I hope this is s sign that the best buffet on property (Trails End) may return soon. The family style at TE is not good.

j

Yep, Trail's End buffet is still top of my list for returning restaurants. I don't even consider the current family style as TE in any way.

 

[rangerxenos]

Good Morning!

 

[Leigh L]

Good Morning!

View attachment 726568

We have a kitty visitor that arrived last night long after I went to bed. Very curious how he'll be around the tree!

Bummer to hear Chef Mickey is losing family style. We really liked it.

 

[HokieRaven5]

New Walt Disney World Ticket Cards Debut, 50th Anniversary Designs Being Retired

 

[HokieRaven5]

Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary Grand Finale Merchandise Collection Coming Soon!



The World’s Most Magical Celebration is wrapping up in style with one more amazing offering, perfectly named the Walt Disney World 50thAnniversary Grand Finale Collection, launching January 2023.

Here’s a sneak peek at some of my favorite items in the collection:

You will love this classic black hooded pullover adorned with Mickey Mouse and friends, featured alongside the official Walt Disney World Resort 50th celebration logo. And if you’re looking for a pop of color, the collection features not one but two Spirit Jerseys bursting with hues from the celebration palette.

To complete the look, you definitely need the golden castle-adorned Ear Headband, which I think goes perfectly with a pair of celebration-inspired Crocs.

To keep the celebration spirit going for years to come, don’t forget to accentuate your attire with a Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Grand Finale Mickey Mouse plush, Loungefly backpack, ceramic travel tumbler, or mug!

This is the perfect way to celebrate and commemorate The World’s Most Magical Celebration one last time. You can also get more mementos from the other fabulous 50th anniversary celebration collections — including the original Celebration Collection, iconic Disney Castle Collection, retro-themed Vault Collection and the high-end Luxe Logo Collection.

All of these collections will be available at the Walt Disney World Resort, and on shopDisney, while supplies last.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Second Showing of Fantasmic Moves to After Park Close Next Week

Here’s a look at the current Fantasmic schedule:

• Now – December 25: 7:30pm, 9pm
• December 26 – January 7: 8pm, 9:30pm*
• January 8 – March 2: 8pm

*after park close except 12/31

 

[HokieRaven5]

Disneyland Resort Reveals New Details for ‘Wondrous Journeys’ Coming to Disneyland Park Beginning Jan. 27

The Disney100 celebration at Disneyland Resort will include many special limited-time offerings taking place around the resort all year long, and will kick off with one extremely special new nighttime spectacular: “Wondrous Journeys,” created by Disney Live Entertainment.

This all-new nighttime spectacular will celebrate 100 years of Walt Disney Animation Studios in an experience that ignites the dreamer in all of us. “Wondrous Journeys” will feature nods to every film released by the iconic studio over the past century, with music, characters and special moments from favorite stories including “Encanto,” (depicted above), “Hercules,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Peter Pan,” “Frozen,” “Treasure Planet,” “Big Hero 6,” “Moana,” and more.

After three decades in the motion picture business, Walt Disney created a whole new form of family entertainment in 1955 with the opening of Disneyland park. That’s why Disneyland, Walt’s original park, is the perfect place to debut “Wondrous Journeys.”

The spectacular will also feature an original new song, “It’s Wondrous,” that promises to capture your heart and spark your imagination. Check out this behind-the-scenes look at the recording session for this song, and hear from some of the creative minds behind this new spectacular:

Throughout “Wondrous Journeys,” you will embark on an adventure filled with artistry, music, storytelling, and heart as we celebrate the dreamers at Disney Animation who have shared their imagination and talents with the world for one hundred years.

State-of-the-art projection effects will surround you with blank pieces of paper, pencil sketches, and splashes of color, as the artistry of animators breathe life into beloved characters from Mickey Mouse and Bambi to Ariel and Mirabel. And in a thrilling moment of heroism, Baymax soars high above Sleeping Beauty Castle inspiring us all to fight for our dreams.

Special lighting effects, projections, and more carry us on an adventure full of possibilities, excitement, heartache, and determination that help us realize we all face trials and triumphs along the way to making our dreams come true.

Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, the façade of “it’s a small world” and the Rivers of America will turn into an artist’s canvas and bring stories to life all around you. And on select nights, “Wondrous Journeys” will go even bigger with the addition of sparkling fireworks in the sky above Disneyland park.

 

[jesskeys91]

Disneyland Resort Reveals New Details for ‘Wondrous Journeys’ Coming to Disneyland Park Beginning Jan. 27

The Disney100 celebration at Disneyland Resort will include many special limited-time offerings taking place around the resort all year long, and will kick off with one extremely special new nighttime spectacular: “Wondrous Journeys,” created by Disney Live Entertainment.

This all-new nighttime spectacular will celebrate 100 years of Walt Disney Animation Studios in an experience that ignites the dreamer in all of us. “Wondrous Journeys” will feature nods to every film released by the iconic studio over the past century, with music, characters and special moments from favorite stories including “Encanto,” (depicted above), “Hercules,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Peter Pan,” “Frozen,” “Treasure Planet,” “Big Hero 6,” “Moana,” and more.

After three decades in the motion picture business, Walt Disney created a whole new form of family entertainment in 1955 with the opening of Disneyland park. That’s why Disneyland, Walt’s original park, is the perfect place to debut “Wondrous Journeys.”

The spectacular will also feature an original new song, “It’s Wondrous,” that promises to capture your heart and spark your imagination. Check out this behind-the-scenes look at the recording session for this song, and hear from some of the creative minds behind this new spectacular:

Throughout “Wondrous Journeys,” you will embark on an adventure filled with artistry, music, storytelling, and heart as we celebrate the dreamers at Disney Animation who have shared their imagination and talents with the world for one hundred years.

State-of-the-art projection effects will surround you with blank pieces of paper, pencil sketches, and splashes of color, as the artistry of animators breathe life into beloved characters from Mickey Mouse and Bambi to Ariel and Mirabel. And in a thrilling moment of heroism, Baymax soars high above Sleeping Beauty Castle inspiring us all to fight for our dreams.

Special lighting effects, projections, and more carry us on an adventure full of possibilities, excitement, heartache, and determination that help us realize we all face trials and triumphs along the way to making our dreams come true.

Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, the façade of “it’s a small world” and the Rivers of America will turn into an artist’s canvas and bring stories to life all around you. And on select nights, “Wondrous Journeys” will go even bigger with the addition of sparkling fireworks in the sky above Disneyland park.

Really excited to see this! We are WDW people making our first trip to Disneyland later this year and I’m so excited to be there during this celebration. Will be extra special!

 

[DisSurfer878]

Disneyland Resort Reveals New Details for ‘Wondrous Journeys’ Coming to Disneyland Park Beginning Jan. 27

The Disney100 celebration at Disneyland Resort will include many special limited-time offerings taking place around the resort all year long, and will kick off with one extremely special new nighttime spectacular: “Wondrous Journeys,” created by Disney Live Entertainment.

This all-new nighttime spectacular will celebrate 100 years of Walt Disney Animation Studios in an experience that ignites the dreamer in all of us. “Wondrous Journeys” will feature nods to every film released by the iconic studio over the past century, with music, characters and special moments from favorite stories including “Encanto,” (depicted above), “Hercules,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Peter Pan,” “Frozen,” “Treasure Planet,” “Big Hero 6,” “Moana,” and more.

After three decades in the motion picture business, Walt Disney created a whole new form of family entertainment in 1955 with the opening of Disneyland park. That’s why Disneyland, Walt’s original park, is the perfect place to debut “Wondrous Journeys.”

The spectacular will also feature an original new song, “It’s Wondrous,” that promises to capture your heart and spark your imagination. Check out this behind-the-scenes look at the recording session for this song, and hear from some of the creative minds behind this new spectacular:

Throughout “Wondrous Journeys,” you will embark on an adventure filled with artistry, music, storytelling, and heart as we celebrate the dreamers at Disney Animation who have shared their imagination and talents with the world for one hundred years.

State-of-the-art projection effects will surround you with blank pieces of paper, pencil sketches, and splashes of color, as the artistry of animators breathe life into beloved characters from Mickey Mouse and Bambi to Ariel and Mirabel. And in a thrilling moment of heroism, Baymax soars high above Sleeping Beauty Castle inspiring us all to fight for our dreams.

Special lighting effects, projections, and more carry us on an adventure full of possibilities, excitement, heartache, and determination that help us realize we all face trials and triumphs along the way to making our dreams come true.

Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, the façade of “it’s a small world” and the Rivers of America will turn into an artist’s canvas and bring stories to life all around you. And on select nights, “Wondrous Journeys” will go even bigger with the addition of sparkling fireworks in the sky above Disneyland park.

Really cool to see Treasure Planet get some representation!!

 

[Madteaparty001]

I don't have any issues with buffets as a concept, but Chef Mickey's was one of the worst I've ever had. Certainly the worst on WDW property. The family style offering was MUCH better.

Agreed. The first and only time I went not only was the food terrible but, because of the monorail, birds are able to get in and they were sitting on the little mickey statue above the buffet

 

[HokieRaven5]

Disney’s Blizzard Beach to Close Through Christmas Day Due to Low Temperatures

Due to forecasted low temperatures, Disney’s Blizzard Beach will be closed from Friday, December 23 through Sunday, December 25. While Disney has not made an official announcement regarding the dates past Christmas Day, temperatures are forecasted to be below 70 degrees through December 28, leaving it likely this closure will last through that date.

 

[HokieRaven5]

‘Lilly Belle’ & ‘Roy O. Disney’ Railroad Testing as Disney Targets Early 2023 Reopening

Disney World has not announced a reopening date, but Cast Members expect testing to continue for a few more weeks – reopening sometime in the first quarter of 2023.

 

[rangerxenos]

Good Morning!

 

[HokieRaven5]

Cast Member Previews for Reopening of Walt Disney World Railroad Have Begun



Cast Members arrived at Fantasyland Station this morning for an opportunity to preview the Walt Disney World Railroad before it reopens. The train has been closed since 2018 due to the construction of TRON Lightcycle / Run, and the route has been altered to accommodate the new attraction.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Walt Disney World Railroad Returns With All-New Voiceover

Cast members and Imagineers are celebrating a moment of nostalgia at Magic Kingdom Park this week as we prepare to welcome guests aboard the Walt Disney World Railroad once again for the holiday season. This opening-day attraction returns with a completely refreshed track looping the park, and another new surprise for fans and first-comers alike.

Not only did this historic train undergo track updates and maintenance—as 100-year-old vintage steam trains do—the creative minds at Walt Disney Imagineering also seized this moment to revisit the narration and introduce an all-new voice to bring guests into the beloved stories they encounter as they travel from one magical land to the next. “The familiar whistle of its steam engine will be complemented by exciting new sounds and voices,” the team of Imagineers shared. “A new conductor has assumed the role, carrying on the long tradition of warm welcomes and amusing anecdotes while adding fresh commentary and story to the journey.”

The creative voiceover process is as detailed as the train operation itself, and it all starts with our conductor. For these meticulously restored steam trains, we know the scenic grand circle tour must be guided by a voice our guests can envision and resonate with. Someone who grew up on Main Street, U.S.A., dreaming of the day they’d be on the railroad. They’ve now achieved that dream, and they know everyone and everything at Magic Kingdom … an unofficial mayor of sorts. This conductor is humble, genial, and knowledgeable, and he’s eager to help passengers of these iconic steam trains get to their destinations around the park he loves so dearly.

While our conductor points you to the familiar sights on your left and right, we embrace what makes Magic Kingdom a place unlike any other, where you can escape into completely new worlds and celebrate with characters you love. This legacy attraction now holds true the very nostalgia of opening day and blends it with the wonder of new adventures, immersing you into story after story as it loops around the park. You may even encounter a character or two along the way!