Disney Discussions Weekly Recap for the Week of 10/13/24
All the Disney happenings from the week of 10/13/24. Catch up on the past week’s Disney news, and boy was there A Lot!
Catch up on this past week’s Disney news. There was a lot! Partly because they held back news for Hurricane Milton to pass but also to drown out Universal’s big news this week.
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This Week’s Disney News 🐭
Walt Disney World News 🏰:
I wrote a post about the LLPP details and my thoughts. WDWNT did a good write-up of the Value between Lightning Lane Multi Pass vs. Premier Pass vs. VIP Tour for Disneyland and Walt Disney World
💰 Disney Donates $3 Million to Support Florida Hurricane Milton Recovery Efforts - WDW Magic
Disney announced a commitment to aid recovery efforts by donating $3 million to assist cast members, local communities, and nonprofits leading relief efforts across the state.
🐅 Disney Welcomes New Tiger at Animal Kingdom - Disney Parks Blog
Baby boy Bakso greatly contributes to a declining tiger population, with less than 600 Sumatran tigers in the wild and managed care.
Disney Vacation Club Launches Membership Magic Beyond With Exclusive Perks in 2025 - WDW Magic
Launching on December 3rd, 2024, eligible members can opt into the package for $99, which will unlock exclusive perks and benefits that can be used from January 12th through December 31st, 2025.
Benefits:
Members and up to seven family members can purchase 5-day weekday Walt Disney World tickets and 3-day weekday Disneyland Resort tickets that come with Lightning Lane Multi Pass access.
30-day Memory Maker entitlement at Walt Disney World
Exclusive meet-and-greet experiences at the ImaginAtrium Member Lounge at EPCOT
Priority entry into the ImaginAtrium, the Star View Station at Disneyland, and a new Member lounge projected to open in Magic Kingdom in 2025.
Ability to purchase the Disney Sorcerer Pass for access to Walt Disney World parks
Option to buy one bonus One-Time-Use Point for each One-Time-Use Point purchased, effectively doubling the points available for the year.
The standard $95 transaction fee is waived for booking stays at Disney Collection Resorts and other experiences, including Adventures by Disney and Disney Cruise Line.
🦕 Disney's Animal Kingdom Announces First Dinoland U.S.A. Closures for Tropical Americas Project - WDWMAGIC
The first wave of closures will occur, with January 12th, 2025, being the final day to experience TriceraTop Spin, the Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester's Dinosaur Treasures.
DINOSAUR, The Boneyard, Restaurantosaurus, Dino-Bite Snacks, and Trilo-Bites will still be available to visitors until later in 2025.🦖 Animatronic Removed From DINOSAUR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Before Permanent Closure - WDWNT
The Alioramus (and its Brachychampsa snack) are missing from the beginning of the ride. Disney has attempted to fill out the space with some extra raptor figures. It seems to be a case of this animatronic breaking and Disney not wanting to spend the money, for good reason.
🗻 Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom Closing for At Least a Year - WDWNT
January 5th will be the last day to experience Big Thunder Mountain Railroad until 2026. Rumor is that they will replace the track and add some enhancements. Disneyland’s Big Thunder has a few features that WDW does not. I’m sure work related to the new Cars and Villians land will also be done.
🧜♀️ ‘The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure’ Opening Postponed to 2025 - WDWNT
This was set to debut sometime this fall, but Disney announced that the show’s opening will be delayed to Summer 2025. Work will begin on the theater’s exterior in the coming weeks.
I’m counting this story as This week’s Muppet News. I think this delay has to do with the Monster’s Inc. land going in this area rather than Muppets Courtyard.🦓 2024 Jingle Cruise Opening Date Announced for Magic Kingdom - WDWNT
The regular Jungle Cruise will reopen from its current refurbishment on Wednesday, October 16th, 2024. Jingle Cruise will open on November 2nd, 2024.
🎄 New Holiday Fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom - Disney Parks Blog
Animal Kingdom:
Meet Santa Claus on the patio at Restaurantosaurus from November 12-December 24
Merry Menagerie on Discovery Island
Meet Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, dressed in their festive finest at Adventurers Outpost.
After dark, see the seasonal Tree of Life Awakenings show.
Hollywood Studios
Juggling Elves - holiday helpers deliver festive cheer with a side of shenanigans as they show off their skills of juggling and comedy.
Holiday Spirit Band - A brass group playing Holiday classics
Seasons Jukebox - a marching band playing everyone’s favorite holiday classics
Returning Favorites: For the First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration; Santa greeting guests at It’s A Wonderful Shop; and Sunset Seasons Greetings festive projections on The Hollywood Tower Hotel and snowfall on Sunset Boulevard
🕯️ EPCOT Holiday Traditions and Candlelight Processional Narrators Announced - Disney Parks Blog
11/29 – 11/30 Josh Gad
12/1 – 12/2 Nico Santos (NEW)
12/3 - 12/5 Chrissy Metz
12/6 – 12/7 Whoopi Goldberg
12/8 – 12/10 Tituss Burgess (NEW)
12/11 – 12/12 Brendan Fraser
12/13 – 12/14 Ralph Macchio (NEW)
12/15 – 12/16 Gary Sinise
12/17 – 12/18 Neil Patrick Harris
12/19 – 12/21 Pat Sajak
12/22 – 12/23 Gloria Estefan
12/24 – 12/26 Edward James Olmos
12/27 – 12/28 Sterling K Brown
12/29 – 12/30 Jodi Benson
Disneyland News:
Cast Member Brings Bayou Country to Life with New Cast Costumes - Disney Parks Blog
🐻 Disneyland shared the full menu and prices for the Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree, opening at Disneyland Park on October 25th. - Scott Gustin on X.com
Opening Date Revealed for Louis’ Critter Club at Disneyland - WDWNT
Disney Cruise Line News 🛳️ :
6 Must-Do Experiences Coming to the Disney Adventure - Disney Parks Blog
The Disney Adventure will set sail on its maiden voyage out of Singapore on December 15th, 2025. This is a Singapore-only Cruise ship, so I’ll likely never go on it, but it looks insanely good! The main thing that blows me away is a whole Marvel section with rides.
Disney Entertainment News 🎬:
New Disney Cruise Line Float to Debut at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade - Disney Parks Blog
🐭 Minnie Mouse Balloon to Debut at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024 - WDWNT
‘Phineas and Ferb’ Revival Cast Announced for 2025 Return to Disney Channel, Disney+ - WDWNT
Disney Discussions Recap:
🧚 Pixie Dust ✨
Fun Facts:
Star Wars Rebels is one of our family’s favorite things Disney has done with Star Wars. It recently celebrated its 10th anniversary of the premier. I highly encourage you to check it out on Dinsey +. But in the meantime, StarWars.com put together a nice list of the:
10 Things You Didn't Know About Star Wars Rebels
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:
This week’s tips came straight from the field. Family friends visiting WDW this week:
Tron: Keep an eye on Tron’s wait time all day. If it drops below 100 minutes, go for it! Our line said 95 minutes, but we waited 90 minutes with a 30-minute shutdown so it would have only been 60.
Lightning Lane Multi Pass is almost not worth it anymore because decent ride passes are unavailable. It's not worth it for Epcot or Animal Kingdom. It is almost a must for the other two parks, but it is also a frustration.
Don’t go with boys — especially ones who like baseball, during baseball playoffs.
Mobile order a pizza from your resort quick-service restaurant and bring it to enjoy dinner at the outdoor movie night at Disney resorts.
Non-party days in MK are a good choice because you have a full day and can still see fireworks, but be prepared for super-high crowds!