Disney Discussions Weekly Recap for the Week of 10/20/24
It was another big week in Disney news. get caught up with all of it.
Another massive week of Disney-related news. Dive right in to get details on Mickey’s Christmas Party, Disney CEO news, and price increase details.
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This Week’s Disney News 🐭
Walt Disney World News 🏰:
🎥 Disney's Hollywood Studios Adjusts Morning Entry Procedure: What You Need to Know - WDWMAGIC
For a 9:00 AM opening, all guests can enter through the tap styles starting at 8:00 AM, allowing extra time to enjoy Hollywood Studios. Resort guests can access three designated checkpoints—Sunset Boulevard, Grand Avenue for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, and Toy Story Land—beginning at 8:30 AM for Early Entry. Non-resort guests will remain at these points until the park officially opens at 9:00 AM.
🚂 Disney World's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Refurbishment Timeline Updated with New Permit - WDWMAGIC
The permit has been assigned to a company known for its expertise in complex and technical projects and is valid through March 13, 2026. Following an earlier filing with Coastal Steel, this is the second permit, which expires August 8, 2025. The permits will often go a bit longer than the project to cover construction delays.
🎨 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts Dates Announced - WDWMAGIC
The festival will return to EPCOT from January 17th through February 24th, 2025.
🏮 MagicBand+ Now Interacts With Walt Disney World Stage Shows - WDWNT
Guests will experience the new “Theater Show Magic” feature at For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, Beauty and the Beast — Live on Stage, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!, Turtle Talk With Crush, and Festival of the Lion King.
Guests with the wearable will experience the band vibrating and lighting up during key show moments.
🍔 New Disney's Hollywood Studios Menu Items Coming to Sci-Fi Dine-In and Mama Melrose's Ristorante for October 2024 - WDWMAGIC
⛵️ Moana Sails in at the Island Tower Expansion - Disney Parks Blog
I love this look at Moana and the new splash pad at the new DVC Poly towers.🎄Food Guide to 2024 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom - Disney Tourist Blog
🌲 Three 2024 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Dates Now Sold Out - WDWNT
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is sold out on November 8th, November 11th, and December 5th.
WDW Price Increase News 💸:
Disney’s Fiscal calendar starts on October 1st, so they set new prices around this time every year. Honestly, none of these increases are ridiculous.
Disney World Annual Pass Price Increases by Up to $100 for 2024 - WDWMAGIC
The updated pricing affects all tiers of passes, ranging from $30 to $100 more. The new prices are as follows:
Pixie Dust Pass: $469 (previously $439)
Pirate Pass: $829 (previously $799)
Sorcerer Pass: $1,079 (previously $999)
Incredi-Pass: $1,549 (previously $1,449)
Walt Disney World Snacks, Buffets, Character Dining, and More Increase in Price - WDWNT
Valet Parking Prices Increase at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels - WDWNT
Valet parking is available at Disney Deluxe Resorts, Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, and Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. It was $39 per night but has increased to $42 (plus tax).
Walt Disney World ticket prices in November and December 2025 show slight increases depending on the theme park, with Magic Kingdom seeing the highest increase.
The new price range for 1-Day tickets is as follows:
Magic Kingdom: $144 – $199
EPCOT: $129 – $194
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: $139 – $194
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: $119 – $174
Disneyland News:
🎇 Performances of ‘Fantasmic!’ Greatly Reduced for Disneyland Holiday Season - WDWNT
Disneyland is moving the show to weekends only, Friday through Sunday. However, the show will be offered every evening during the week of Thanksgiving, from November 24-30, 2024
Disneyland Magic Key AP Sales Resume Before Christmas 2024! - Disney Tourist Blog
Disneyland will resume selling Magic Keys on Wednesday, November 6th, 2024! All four pass types will be available for purchase while supplies last. The online queue will open at 8:45 AM Pacific Time, and sales will begin at 9:00 AM Pacific Time.
Disney Cruise Line News 🛳️ :
Disney Entertainment News 🎬:
🕸️ Tom Holland’s ‘Spider-Man 4’ Sets July 2026 Release, Following ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ - Variety
The headline says it all. There are no details on the story, but Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton will direct the sequel.
Moana 2 Tickets go on sale Monday, October 28th, for the November 27th premiere - Regal on X.com
‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Premiere Date Announced - WDWNT
"Daredevil: Born Again” will drop its first episode on March 4th, 2025.
The show will see the return of Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock, Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page, Elden Hensen as Franklin “Foggy” Nelson, Vincent D’Onofrio as Kingpin, and Jon Bernthal as The Punisher.
🦇 Marvel Studios Removes ‘Blade’ Reboot From 2025 Release Calendar - WDWNT
To no one’s surprise, Blade has been removed from Marvel’s calendar for next year. We’ll have three Marvel movies next year: “Captain America: Brave New World,” “Thunderbolts*,” and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.”
🤖 Disney Poised to Announce Major AI Initiative - The Wrap
The initiative involves “hundreds” of people at the company and will primarily focus on post-production and visual effects. One of the individuals said it would also involve parks and experiences but not customer-facing.
Disney Company News 🏢:
Bob Iger’s Successor as New Disney CEO to Be Announced in Early 2026 - WDWNT
Following the announcement of James P. Gorman as the new Chairman of the Board, it has been confirmed when the new Disney CEO will be announced.
Muppets News 🐸 :
It's Time To Solve The Murder With Clue: Muppets Edition - Bleeding Cool
A new version of Clue is available featuring the Muppets. This is it if anyone is looking for a Christmas gift for me.
Disney Discussions Recap:
🧚 Pixie Dust ✨
Fun Facts:
It should be no surprise to Disney Discussions readers that the Carousel of Progress is one of my favorite Disney attractions. I recently read the following story on The View from Scopa’s Tower about who the Father from the Carousel of Progress is modeled after and how the family found out. It’s a must-read!
Magic Shot of the Week:
We all have those photos we love from a Disney vacation. Every week, I’ll share one. They will be my photos, but I’d love for you to share yours so I can include them. Email me your Disney photo to photos@disneydiscussions.com, and it’ll go in a future weekly recap.
Disney Tips of the week:
Always check the park hours before you go and check back a few times. Last week, EPCOT had a day where it closed at 5 pm for a private event. If you don’t check beforehand, it can ruin the perfect Disney Day.