Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2023 Edition

[Gusey]

The Luca themed dining room is now officially opened! It still smells new! In DLP

https://twitter.com/x/status/1646446954623139843

 

[Douglas Dubh]

EPCOT is one giant pub, 365 days a year. I'm extremely skeptical that any restriction on liquor sales exists, let alone is the motivation for a week without a Festival.

Yeah. I was a little skeptical when I heard it and tried to convey that in what I wrote. Still why not have a summer festival? They could have the International International Festival featuring all nations but mostly America.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Disneyland After Dark Celebrates First Pride Nite at Disneyland Resort, June 13 and 15, 2023



During Pride Month in June, Disneyland After Dark will bring the first-ever Pride Nite for two unforgettable evenings at Disneyland Resort!

Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite is a separately ticketed event which celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community and allies, and will be held on June 13 and 15, 2023, inside Disneyland park. This after-hours event includes themed entertainment, Disney characters, one-of-a-kind photo opportunities, specialty menu items, event merchandise and more! It begins with a three-hour pre-party mix-in from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. PT, then the private party runs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. PT, when guests can ride some popular attractions after regular park hours.* A theme park reservation is not required.

In addition to the special offerings during this event, guests will receive unlimited digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos** taken during the party, along with commemorative keepsakes including a souvenir credential and event guide map.

Here are the exciting details!

Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite​

June 13 & 15 2023 at Disneyland Park

• Celebrate at the Pride Nite Cavalcadefeaturing Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Clarabelle, Donald, Daisy and Goofy dressed in special attire as they make their way through the heart of Disneyland park down Main Street, U.S.A.!
• Join Stitch at the Ohana Dance Party at Tomorrowland Terrace, where a DJ will be spinning great tunes with joyful energy at a dance party that celebrates “ohana” – family!
• The Pride Nite Dance Club will come alive along the Rivers of America, inviting everyone to dance and enjoy music under the stars.
• Kick up your heels with country line dancingat the Golden Horseshoe!
• Picture yourself in fun photo backdrops with inspirational messages or Disney characters and enjoy unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads.**
• Enjoy after-hours access to iconic Disneyland attractions such as Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones Adventure and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, usually with shorter wait times.
• 
• 
• 
• Nibble the night away with savory snacks and sweets specially made for the party such as the Chocolate Almond Churro at New Orleans Square, Spiced Beef Potato Loaded Bites at Red Rose Taverne, a Berry Cheesecake Funnel Cake at Stage Door Cafe or a Grapefruit Lemonade Soda at Galactic Grill, to name a few!

A limited number of these Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite tickets will go on pre-sale for Magic Key holders beginning April 18, 2023 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT) and to the general public on April 20, 2023 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), on Disneyland.com, subject to availability.*

*The number of tickets available for each event date are limited, and event tickets are valid only for the specific event date and hours. Parking fees are not included in the ticket price. Tickets must be purchased online and are not available on the day of the event. Limit eight (8) tickets per person, per event date, and no discounts apply. Tickets not required for guests ages 2 and under. Tickets are non-refundable and may not be resold or transferred for commercial purposes. Certain attractions and offerings may not be available during the event, including without limitation. Costumes are subject to Disney guidelines and should not be obstructive or offensive; please check special event costume guidelines at https://disneyland.disney.go.com/faq/parks/dress/ for restrictions. Disney PhotoPass service is subject to the Disney PhotoPass terms and expiration policy found at Disneyland.com/photopass-terms-conditions/. Online registration required. Only select attractions, experiences, offerings, and services will be available during the event. Event, event elements, and available offerings may be modified and limited in availability, and are subject to restrictions, change or cancellation without notice or liability. No refunds given for any changes or cancellations whether due to inclement weather or otherwise. Visit Disneyland.com/updates for important information to know before visiting the Disneyland Resort.

**Separately priced Disney PhotoPass packages, including the photo packages offered at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or other locations, are not included with the unlimited digital photo downloads.

 

[Kip Herner]

Disneyland After Dark Celebrates First Pride Nite at Disneyland Resort, June 13 and 15, 2023

View attachment 753002

During Pride Month in June, Disneyland After Dark will bring the first-ever Pride Nite for two unforgettable evenings at Disneyland Resort!

Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite is a separately ticketed event which celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community and allies, and will be held on June 13 and 15, 2023, inside Disneyland park. This after-hours event includes themed entertainment, Disney characters, one-of-a-kind photo opportunities, specialty menu items, event merchandise and more! It begins with a three-hour pre-party mix-in from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. PT, then the private party runs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. PT, when guests can ride some popular attractions after regular park hours.* A theme park reservation is not required.

In addition to the special offerings during this event, guests will receive unlimited digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos** taken during the party, along with commemorative keepsakes including a souvenir credential and event guide map.

Here are the exciting details!

Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite​

June 13 & 15 2023 at Disneyland Park

• Celebrate at the Pride Nite Cavalcadefeaturing Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Clarabelle, Donald, Daisy and Goofy dressed in special attire as they make their way through the heart of Disneyland park down Main Street, U.S.A.!
• Join Stitch at the Ohana Dance Party at Tomorrowland Terrace, where a DJ will be spinning great tunes with joyful energy at a dance party that celebrates “ohana” – family!
• The Pride Nite Dance Club will come alive along the Rivers of America, inviting everyone to dance and enjoy music under the stars.
• Kick up your heels with country line dancingat the Golden Horseshoe!
• Picture yourself in fun photo backdrops with inspirational messages or Disney characters and enjoy unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads.**
• Enjoy after-hours access to iconic Disneyland attractions such as Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones Adventure and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, usually with shorter wait times.
• 
• 
• 
• Nibble the night away with savory snacks and sweets specially made for the party such as the Chocolate Almond Churro at New Orleans Square, Spiced Beef Potato Loaded Bites at Red Rose Taverne, a Berry Cheesecake Funnel Cake at Stage Door Cafe or a Grapefruit Lemonade Soda at Galactic Grill, to name a few!

A limited number of these Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite tickets will go on pre-sale for Magic Key holders beginning April 18, 2023 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT) and to the general public on April 20, 2023 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), on Disneyland.com, subject to availability.*

*The number of tickets available for each event date are limited, and event tickets are valid only for the specific event date and hours. Parking fees are not included in the ticket price. Tickets must be purchased online and are not available on the day of the event. Limit eight (8) tickets per person, per event date, and no discounts apply. Tickets not required for guests ages 2 and under. Tickets are non-refundable and may not be resold or transferred for commercial purposes. Certain attractions and offerings may not be available during the event, including without limitation. Costumes are subject to Disney guidelines and should not be obstructive or offensive; please check special event costume guidelines at https://disneyland.disney.go.com/faq/parks/dress/ for restrictions. Disney PhotoPass service is subject to the Disney PhotoPass terms and expiration policy found at Disneyland.com/photopass-terms-conditions/. Online registration required. Only select attractions, experiences, offerings, and services will be available during the event. Event, event elements, and available offerings may be modified and limited in availability, and are subject to restrictions, change or cancellation without notice or liability. No refunds given for any changes or cancellations whether due to inclement weather or otherwise. Visit Disneyland.com/updates for important information to know before visiting the Disneyland Resort.

**Separately priced Disney PhotoPass packages, including the photo packages offered at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or other locations, are not included with the unlimited digital photo downloads.

Ok, serious question from me, as this is the first time I have seen it, but what is IA?

 

[mdmost]

Ok, serious question from me, as this is the first time I have seen it, but what is IA?

Intersexual and Asexual.

 

[Kip Herner]

Intersexual and Asexual.

Ok, thank you.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Two New Fall Discounts Announced for Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

When you book either of the offers listed below by May 2, 2023, your stay will also include a $150 Resort Credit to use at select locations at Aulani Resort.

As with many discounts Disney offers, the longer you stay, the more you save when you book this special offer using your Disney® Visa® Card. Explore savings below:

• Ocean View and Partial Ocean View Rooms:
  • Save up to 30% for stays of 5 or more nights
  • Save up to 25% for stays of 4 nights
• Other Select Room Types:
  • Save up to 25% for stays of 5 or more nights
  • Save up to 20% for stays of 4 nights

This offer above is valid for consecutive-night stays, most nights from August 23rd to November 18th and November 25th to December 22, 2023.

The offer below is for all guests wishing to travel to Aulani. And similar to the one described above, the longer you stay, the more you save:

• Save up to 25% on select rooms for stays of 5 or more nights
• Save up to 20% on select rooms for stays of 4 nights

No matter how long you stay, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable vacation with fun for the entire family.

This offer is valid for consecutive-night stays, most nights from August 23rd to November 18th and November 25th to December 22, 2023.

 

[sachilles]

Yeah. I was a little skeptical when I heard it and tried to convey that in what I wrote. Still why not have a summer festival? They could have the International International Festival featuring all nations but mostly America.

One would imagine some accountant has a report somewhere showing why it doesn't make financial sense during that time.
At this point, they pretty much need all of those "temporary" food booths, as it's become expected at the park. Certainly they need to reset them between festivals. Unsure if they change equipment in them based on menu(I'd doubt it).
I suppose it could be some sort of self imposed prohibition/reduction to help keep the locals in check.

They could certainly use for stand up tables/trash can tops around the world show case to support these booths.

 

[rlk]

One would imagine some accountant has a report somewhere showing why it doesn't make financial sense during that time.
At this point, they pretty much need all of those "temporary" food booths, as it's become expected at the park. Certainly they need to reset them between festivals. Unsure if they change equipment in them based on menu(I'd doubt it).
I suppose it could be some sort of self imposed prohibition/reduction to help keep the locals in check.

They could certainly use for stand up tables/trash can tops around the world show case to support these booths.

Maybe they will have a pre-Food & Wine Festival preview for those barren weeks and charge extra for the privilege!

 

[HokieRaven5]

Wong, the Sorcerer’s Supreme, will make his Disney Parks debut at Hong Kong Disneyland starting tomorrow (April 15).

https://twitter.com/x/status/1646865531742441473

 

[BrianL]

Wong, the Sorcerer’s Supreme, will make his Disney Parks debut at Hong Kong Disneyland starting tomorrow (April 15).

https://twitter.com/x/status/1646865531742441473

Wongers!

 

[HokieRaven5]

DisneyBand+ testing is underway on the Disney Wish:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1646885127027294215

 

[kylenne]

Wongers!

Madison should do a M&G with him.

 

[BrianL]

Madison should do a M&G with him.

That's "Two N's, One Y, but not where you thi-ink!"

 

[Teamubr]

One would imagine some accountant has a report somewhere showing why it doesn't make financial sense during that time.

From what I've read in the past, the festivals were intended as a marketing tool to draw people, particularly locals, in during less busy times. Summer is typically a busier time with familes with school age kids coming. Locals are also a lot less likely to come out in June/July/August due to the heat.

j

 

[HokieRaven5]

Some insight surrounding EPCOT from an interview with Scott Mallwitz at WDI

This isn't the EPCOT you remember: Top Imagineer explains why the park 'will never be completed'
EPCOT has changed. Future World is gone. New neighborhoods are taking shape. And it's hard to envision what's next with construction walls obscuring one of the largest transformations in the Florida park's history. It's a lot for longtime EPCOT fans to take in.

Scott Mallwitz, executive creative director of Walt Disney Imagineering, gets it.

"We're EPCOT fans as well," he said. "I was here a couple of weeks after opening, first year, and had the opportunity to visit, and I was just blown away. Many years later, to be able to come back and lead a team thinking about how to set the park up for the next 30 years is just incredible."

He pulled back the curtain for USA TODAY on Disney Imagineers' plans for EPCOT's future and homage to its past. "You have to go back first, right?"

EPCOT goes back to form​

Walt Disney's vision for the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow was an actual city of progress, where people lived and worked and travelers visited, marveling at the possibilities of American ingenuity. EPCOT went in a different direction after Disney's passing, but Imagineers revisited his ideas for inspiration for the park's current transformation.

"What were they thinking? What challenges were presented? What weren't we able to do that was part of the original version?" Mallwitz asked.

If you look on the floor of Connections Café & Eatery, which opened last year, you can see some of that vision in renderings of concept art for Progress City.

"Those kinds of little tone pieces, little homages to our own history are also going to be reflected in this project moving forward in many different ways," Mallwitz said.

Easing the brutalist design​

One thing guests can expect is more open spaces, like Walt Disney envisioned for the residents of EPCOT.

Guests may already notice a shift away from what Mallwitz referred to as "we need a big building, a big building, a big building" and the brutalist architecture that prevailed when the theme park was built.

"The problem with brutalism is that unless you introduce the art piece ... it just becomes a giant sculpture that you don't know how to relate to," he said. "I think that's what happened with some of our buildings over the years, and now we're going back and peeling back."

Imagineers are removing physical barriers and leaning into the park's "hyper, hyper symmetrical organization," another signature of Walt Disney's original plans. They've opened the line of sight from The Land all the way to Mission: Space and completely transformed what was originally CommuniCore East, then Innoventions East.

"The difference is striking, as you see, between what used to be Electric Umbrella and what is now Connections," Mallwitz said of the bright and open dining space. "It's the same building. It's just different materials, different applications, different sensibility."

What are the 4 new worlds at EPCOT?​

Former Future World is now carved into three different neighborhoods: World Celebration, World Nature and World Discovery. World Showcase marks the fourth neighborhood.

"I think Future World was a concept that was difficult to understand. I think the only reason it became easier to discern is that it clearly wasn't World Showcase," Mallwitz said. "So it was time for us to think about it differently."

• World Celebration sits front and center, extending from EPCOT's main entrance north, belling out toward World Showcase.
• World Discovery sits to the east, incorporating Mission Space, Test Track and Guardians of the Galaxy, which opened last year.
• World Nature sits to the west, incorporating The Land, The Seas with Nemo and Friends, and the Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, opening later this year.

Beyond common themes, neighborhood-specific graphics will tie areas together.

"World Nature leans into greens," Mallwitz said. "World Discovery leans into warm reds, and World Celebration leans into kind of an EPCOT blue, but really a different expression of that."

World Celebration​

World Celebration will give EPCOT's festival programming space to "blow out their ideas, something they've never been able to do before," according to Mallwitz.

The neighborhood's new CommuniCore Plaza will feature a garden with seating and space for guests to enjoy entertainment from a covered performance stage, snacks from festival kiosks inside the plaza or simply, conversation.

"We can host something as small as a violin duet or a Burning Man installation," he said.

Adjacent CommuniCore Hall will offer roughly 8,000 feet of climate-controlled exhibit space for additional festival offerings that won't depend on Florida weather.

"What better place than in the front, right? " Mallwitz said. "On grade, accessible at all points, and then the space itself as well is subdividable in two, so we can actually have two different sets of programming happening at the same time. Oh, and by the way, that programming can then be broadcast to the external component, to the external courtyard, or shared in whatever format we'd like ... Our opportunities shouldn't be limited by our facility, so let's let our facility help us get where we want to be."


The building itself will be embedded with LED paneling so "that we can change color, we can pulsate, we can reflect what's happening in there," Mallwitz said. "We can defer or lean into any programming that is happening on Spaceship Earth and kind of create that celebration, create that connection."

Two other World Celebration areas of note are Mickey & Friends, a permanent location where guests can meet Mickey Mouse and his pals, and Dreamer's Point, which will feature a new statue of Walt Disney.

World Nature​

World Nature will invite guests to celebrate the Earth and think about their relationship to it.

"These great pavilions, Land and Seas, tell that story and can continue to tell that story in the next 30, 40, 50 years," Mallwitz said. "The addition of a wonderful, interactive experience like Journey of Water even deepens that, enriches that."

The self-guided outdoor trail will teach guests about the importance of water while they playfully interact with it, like Moana.

"Its relationship to the Seas pavilion, I can't wait for people to see that," Mallwitz added. "It's hard to see now, but it's really kind of locking in this whole idea about stewardship and connectivity with the planet that we live on and share with everybody."

World Discovery​

World Discovery leans into EPCOT's original themes of innovation and ingenuity, with the added ingredient of adrenaline. All three of its attractions get guests' hearts pumping.

"Let's energize ourselves about innovation and ingenuity and exploration," Mallwitz said. "Get all that energy over there."

For now, the newest attraction is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Disney is reevaluating the concept of its previously announced PLAY! pavilion, which had been eyed for the former Wonders of Life site.

Looking ahead​

Walt Disney said EPCOT "will never be completed" but "will always be in a state of becoming." Even though its incarnation as a theme park wasn't quite what he imagined, he was right.

Imagineers went into this current transformation thinking about how guests will interact with the park for decades to come.

"They know that guests will continue to change, our behavior will continue to change, the way we interact with our parks, but also our personal devices will continue to change," Mallwitz said. "How can we set the groundwork for continued evolution, but also keep it focused on our EPCOT messaging?"

That's what they're working on behind those construction walls.

 

[HokieRaven5]

New Acts Added to Cirque du Soleil “Drawn to Life” at Disney Springs

 

[HokieRaven5]

Disney Eats Instagram Guardians of the Galaxy Skyliner Popcorn Bucket Coming to EPCOT April 17

 

[BrianL]

Some insight surrounding EPCOT from an interview with Scott Mallwitz at WDI

This isn't the EPCOT you remember: Top Imagineer explains why the park 'will never be completed'
EPCOT has changed. Future World is gone. New neighborhoods are taking shape. And it's hard to envision what's next with construction walls obscuring one of the largest transformations in the Florida park's history. It's a lot for longtime EPCOT fans to take in.

Scott Mallwitz, executive creative director of Walt Disney Imagineering, gets it.

"We're EPCOT fans as well," he said. "I was here a couple of weeks after opening, first year, and had the opportunity to visit, and I was just blown away. Many years later, to be able to come back and lead a team thinking about how to set the park up for the next 30 years is just incredible."

He pulled back the curtain for USA TODAY on Disney Imagineers' plans for EPCOT's future and homage to its past. "You have to go back first, right?"

EPCOT goes back to form​

Walt Disney's vision for the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow was an actual city of progress, where people lived and worked and travelers visited, marveling at the possibilities of American ingenuity. EPCOT went in a different direction after Disney's passing, but Imagineers revisited his ideas for inspiration for the park's current transformation.

"What were they thinking? What challenges were presented? What weren't we able to do that was part of the original version?" Mallwitz asked.

If you look on the floor of Connections Café & Eatery, which opened last year, you can see some of that vision in renderings of concept art for Progress City.

"Those kinds of little tone pieces, little homages to our own history are also going to be reflected in this project moving forward in many different ways," Mallwitz said.

Easing the brutalist design​

One thing guests can expect is more open spaces, like Walt Disney envisioned for the residents of EPCOT.

Guests may already notice a shift away from what Mallwitz referred to as "we need a big building, a big building, a big building" and the brutalist architecture that prevailed when the theme park was built.

"The problem with brutalism is that unless you introduce the art piece ... it just becomes a giant sculpture that you don't know how to relate to," he said. "I think that's what happened with some of our buildings over the years, and now we're going back and peeling back."

Imagineers are removing physical barriers and leaning into the park's "hyper, hyper symmetrical organization," another signature of Walt Disney's original plans. They've opened the line of sight from The Land all the way to Mission: Space and completely transformed what was originally CommuniCore East, then Innoventions East.

"The difference is striking, as you see, between what used to be Electric Umbrella and what is now Connections," Mallwitz said of the bright and open dining space. "It's the same building. It's just different materials, different applications, different sensibility."

What are the 4 new worlds at EPCOT?​

Former Future World is now carved into three different neighborhoods: World Celebration, World Nature and World Discovery. World Showcase marks the fourth neighborhood.

"I think Future World was a concept that was difficult to understand. I think the only reason it became easier to discern is that it clearly wasn't World Showcase," Mallwitz said. "So it was time for us to think about it differently."

• World Celebration sits front and center, extending from EPCOT's main entrance north, belling out toward World Showcase.
• World Discovery sits to the east, incorporating Mission Space, Test Track and Guardians of the Galaxy, which opened last year.
• World Nature sits to the west, incorporating The Land, The Seas with Nemo and Friends, and the Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, opening later this year.

Beyond common themes, neighborhood-specific graphics will tie areas together.

"World Nature leans into greens," Mallwitz said. "World Discovery leans into warm reds, and World Celebration leans into kind of an EPCOT blue, but really a different expression of that."

World Celebration​

World Celebration will give EPCOT's festival programming space to "blow out their ideas, something they've never been able to do before," according to Mallwitz.

The neighborhood's new CommuniCore Plaza will feature a garden with seating and space for guests to enjoy entertainment from a covered performance stage, snacks from festival kiosks inside the plaza or simply, conversation.

"We can host something as small as a violin duet or a Burning Man installation," he said.

Adjacent CommuniCore Hall will offer roughly 8,000 feet of climate-controlled exhibit space for additional festival offerings that won't depend on Florida weather.

"What better place than in the front, right? " Mallwitz said. "On grade, accessible at all points, and then the space itself as well is subdividable in two, so we can actually have two different sets of programming happening at the same time. Oh, and by the way, that programming can then be broadcast to the external component, to the external courtyard, or shared in whatever format we'd like ... Our opportunities shouldn't be limited by our facility, so let's let our facility help us get where we want to be."


The building itself will be embedded with LED paneling so "that we can change color, we can pulsate, we can reflect what's happening in there," Mallwitz said. "We can defer or lean into any programming that is happening on Spaceship Earth and kind of create that celebration, create that connection."

Two other World Celebration areas of note are Mickey & Friends, a permanent location where guests can meet Mickey Mouse and his pals, and Dreamer's Point, which will feature a new statue of Walt Disney.

World Nature​

World Nature will invite guests to celebrate the Earth and think about their relationship to it.

"These great pavilions, Land and Seas, tell that story and can continue to tell that story in the next 30, 40, 50 years," Mallwitz said. "The addition of a wonderful, interactive experience like Journey of Water even deepens that, enriches that."

The self-guided outdoor trail will teach guests about the importance of water while they playfully interact with it, like Moana.

"Its relationship to the Seas pavilion, I can't wait for people to see that," Mallwitz added. "It's hard to see now, but it's really kind of locking in this whole idea about stewardship and connectivity with the planet that we live on and share with everybody."

World Discovery​

World Discovery leans into EPCOT's original themes of innovation and ingenuity, with the added ingredient of adrenaline. All three of its attractions get guests' hearts pumping.

"Let's energize ourselves about innovation and ingenuity and exploration," Mallwitz said. "Get all that energy over there."

For now, the newest attraction is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Disney is reevaluating the concept of its previously announced PLAY! pavilion, which had been eyed for the former Wonders of Life site.

Looking ahead​

Walt Disney said EPCOT "will never be completed" but "will always be in a state of becoming." Even though its incarnation as a theme park wasn't quite what he imagined, he was right.

Imagineers went into this current transformation thinking about how guests will interact with the park for decades to come.

"They know that guests will continue to change, our behavior will continue to change, the way we interact with our parks, but also our personal devices will continue to change," Mallwitz said. "How can we set the groundwork for continued evolution, but also keep it focused on our EPCOT messaging?"

That's what they're working on behind those construction walls.

This is all well and good, but I actually LIKE Brutalist architecture!

 

[BorderTenny]

Disney Eats Instagram Guardians of the Galaxy Skyliner Popcorn Bucket Coming to EPCOT April 17

View attachment 753208

I'd rather have a Cake Toast stand.