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

[NJlauren]

I feel so bad for those with trips this week and next, this is going to really wreak havoc.

I do feel awful for people, I’m hoping it not as bad as they think and by Sunday things are most back to normal!

 

[OppR2nist]

There's really no better place to be during a hurricane than WDW. Those buildings are made to withstand winds above cat 5. The CMs may not have the option to go home during these times, but historically they work hard to make the experience enjoyable for all, themselves included. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but it really feels like a vacation within your vacation.

 

[mousehouse23]

There's really no better place to be during a hurricane than WDW. Those buildings are made to withstand winds above cat 5. The CMs may not have the option to go home during these times, but historically they work hard to make the experience enjoyable for all, themselves included. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but it really feels like a vacation within your vacation.

I used to be a Disney TA, and had a couple of clients stay at the resort during a hurricane. Not to minimize the danger and devastation AT ALL, but they actually thought it was a great time to be at WDW. They always felt safe, well taken care of, and after the storm passed, the lines in the parks were pretty much nonexistent! Plus, it certainly made for a memorable stay.

 

[mrsap]

Half of Animal Kingdom Starbucks Location Mysteriously Closes​

Currently, a sign is posted at one of the entrances to Creature Comforts, informing Guests to enter via the other side of the building. Once inside, a black curtain divides the store in half. There is no word from Disney on why Creature Comforts is half closed or what exactly is happening behind the scenes.

 

[MidnightMeeko]

​

Half of Animal Kingdom Starbucks Location Mysteriously​

View attachment 705743

Pay no attention to the man giraffe behind the curtain.

 

[chiburple]

I'm sure everyone at DW will be very safe. I just feel bad for the CMs who can't be home with their families or can't evacuate. Hope everyone is well and this passes without much fuss!

 

[mrsap]

Preparation Begins for Hurricane Ian at Magic Kingdom​

As we walked into Magic Kingdom, we noticed preparations for Hurricane Ian at Walt Disney World Resort.

One of the first things we noticed was the cake removed from the entrance topiary. However, the larger topiaries and decorations remained in place.

The pumpkins near the entrance to Main Street, U.S.A., were removed, likely as a safety concern due to the high winds.

The larger decorations, as we see with the pumpkin scarecrows, have remained in the small patches near the front of the park, still making it a festive entrance.
The pumpkins appear to have been hastily removed, as you can still see the dirt they rested on. However, we expect these to return quickly after the hurricane.

The recent construction on Center Street has been halted due to the weather.

*Click link for more pics.

 

[DisSurfer878]

Attraction list on the site currently shows:
Alien Swirling Saucers
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
Slinky Dog Dash
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Toy Story Mania!
And more!

So, it seems that they aren't keep RnR or ToT open, just the newer attractions. Although, the And More certainly leaves room if they need it.

ETA- maybe not. The MK list is also only 7 attractions although they say it will be 20. Weird that they would highlight saucers over the thrill rides, though...

Maybe trying to reel in people with kids? Like "hey this is kind of late but look!!! Fun for kids!!"

 

[mrsap]

Disney World Theme Parks Closing for Hurricane Ian​

The Walt Disney World theme parks will be closed September 28th and 29th.


This is a breaking news story and we’ll add more when it becomes available.

 

[1lilspark]

Half of Animal Kingdom Starbucks Location Mysteriously Closes​

Currently, a sign is posted at one of the entrances to Creature Comforts, informing Guests to enter via the other side of the building. Once inside, a black curtain divides the store in half. There is no word from Disney on why Creature Comforts is half closed or what exactly is happening behind the scenes.


View attachment 705742

View attachment 705743

I saw on Twitter it was due to flooring work being done but take with grain of salt

 

[Helvetica]

Disney World Theme Parks Closing for Hurricane Ian​

The Walt Disney World theme parks will be closed September 28th and 29th.


This is a breaking news story and we’ll add more when it becomes available.

Yeah… They just told us at AKL.

 

[mrsap]

Lobby Closed as Construction Continues on Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel at Disneyland Resort​

Disneyland Resort has issued a notice detailing changes affecting guests due to the ongoing transformation of Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel to Disney’s Pixar Place Hotel.

The main entrance is now closed. Guests are required to enter via the hotel’s rear entrance.

The lobby is also closed. The check-in process has been relocated to the Pacific Ballroom.

 

[VAtink]

Heads up for anyone in or planning on going to Epcot tonight to eat at the F&W food booths, was just told by a CM the food booths will be closing early at 7 tonight.

 

[Helvetica]

Moonlight Magic - Animal Kingdom tomorrow is cancelled and it will not be rescheduled.

 

[mrsap]

Disney outlines resort check-in times and offerings at its Walt Disney World hotels during Hurricane Ian​

Guests must check in to resorts on Sept. 28, by 3 p.m. Please feel free to reschedule your trip or cancel; any customary cancellation fees will be waived.

Guests that are checked in by 3 p.m. Wednesday will be asked to shelter in place at their resort for the duration of the storm, this includes any resort-to-resort transfers.

Guests are strongly encouraged to enjoy food and beverage offerings at the parks and Disney Springs before returning to their Resort hotels.

Dining options for Guests staying in our Resort hotels will vary, and in some cases may be very limited. Where available, restaurants will accept walk-ups only; Guests will not need dining reservations.

Characters will not be available in character dining locations on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Grand Floridian Spa will close at noon Wednesday, Sept. 28.

 

[mrsap]

Disney extends multi-day ticket usage window due to Hurricane Ian related theme park closures at Walt Disney World​

Following Disney's announcement that Walt Disney World will be closed September 28 and 29, Disney has extended the ticket validity period for multi-day tickets.

Partially used multi-day theme park tickets with a usage window impacted by Hurricane Ian related park closure will automatically be extended to use the remaining entitlements through any date through September 30, 2023.

 

[mrsap]

Pre-Ian Construction Work Continues at Grand Floridian​

There, Disney Vacation Club opened more than 200 new resort studios that celebrate a “Mary Poppins” theme.

At Boca Chica, the bulk of the observable work lately has focused on replacing the roof. Completely surrounded by barriers, the enormous building on the Seven Seas Lagoon continues to be completed covered in scaffolding from the ground to its top floor.

Crews on large cranes worked to replace exterior siding. Similar to Big Pine Key, the exterior emergency stairwells also appear to be getting an update.

With fencing now surrounding the barricaded walls, crews yesterday also appeared to check boards for stability. Later in the day, Walt Disney World began announcing closures in advance of Hurricane Ivan’s arrival tomorrow.

With an extensive refurbishment underway, the Boca Chica work at the Grand Floridian could extend well into fall. Narcoossee’s closed in mid-July to begin its overhaul.

As of now, Walt Disney World continues to project the restaurant to reopen sometime “next year,” according to the restaurant’s webpage.

 

[mrsap]

Soar No More: Disney KiteTails Has Final Performance Early Due to Hurricane Ian​

This afternoon at 3:10pm, kites filled the skies of the Discovery River Amphitheater for the final time. Disney KiteTails was originally scheduled to end on September 30th but had its final performance this afternoon instead. Cast Members and managers made an announcement to guests in attendance that it would be the final show and the skilled performers took a “final bow” after the show by taking one final lap around the lake.
Even though the Walt Disney World theme parks are only closed September 28th and September 29th (for now), Disney made the decision to end Disney KiteTails today and Cast Members were notified this afternoon. We made it out to Disney’s Animal Kingdom just in case it was the final performance and captured video of the final show featuring The Lion King.

It wouldn’t be KiteTails without a bit of a mishap, and true to form, the Simba kite took an early bath in the third-to-last show, but was quickly dried off and secured.

 

[OSUZorba]

Yeah, I suspect a 'voyage to tranquil outer space' won't be the same if 24/7 you constantly hear high winds and a deluge of rain outside, with possible flooding in your space ship.

The Dagobah experience...

 

[OppR2nist]

The Dagobah experience...

The Kamino excursion.