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

[Brian Noble]

They should just do what Universal does and announce it the day it opens.

They tried that with BLT.

"What tower?" -- DVC Guides for months after it went vertical.

 

[PolyRob]

What did they announce? A sponsor funded update to test track and some new songs to replace some outdated and now questionable material. AK is still blue sky, last year they announced lots of blue sky stuff and nothing came of it. When construction starts then we can say Disney is putting money into the WDW parks, but I don't see them starting any big projects in Florida until at least 2025.

I understand it's all blue sky, but it seems like this was actually done to scale with real potential of what would be in the land vs last year's mash up. The artwork looks like a true rendering showing current paths and structures requiring final budgetary approval vs an idea. Didn't Iger also just walk Dinoland a few weeks ago?

2022:


2023:

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

They’d have to eliminate all or most of the market stalls and that would be very sad

But, imagine the possibilities! They've already figured out how to make bank by dumping you into a gift shop after a ride. Think of all the merch spending if you're forced to walk through a gift shop for your whole wait.

 

[Madteaparty001]

I understand it's all blue sky, but it seems like this was actually done to scale with real potential of what would be in the land vs last year's mash up. The artwork looks like a true rendering showing current paths and structures requiring final budgetary approval vs an idea. Didn't Iger also just walk Dinoland a few weeks ago?

2022:
View attachment 792698

2023:
View attachment 792699

I feel like people don't understand what Blue Sky means so let me present: https://imagineeringtoolbox.wordpress.com/resources/the-imagineering-process-an-overview/

So while I love that Disney is definitely recognizing change needs to happen there is no confirmed final plan in place and I'm not going to act like there is. That leads to disappointment and resentment so I'm trying to stay realistic. If this plan gets approved there will be lots of changes from the original concept along the way and it's probably 7-8 years out from completion if you start the timer at the announcement.

 

[Elijah Abrams]

There's a rumor going around that Iger is prepping the company for a split and selling to Apple. Not really sure how much truth there is to it but he could just be keeping the company's profile down until he sees how the Florida lawsuits end up.

How would that split work?

 

[Gary Stocker]

Probably similar to when bank of america took over merrill lynch. Merrill maintained the brokerage aspect but clients could now bank with BoA...there are Merrill brokers in most BoA branches now.
So disney keeps the name but you start seeing Apple stuff in the parks and Mickey iPhones.

 

[Elijah Abrams]

Probably similar to when bank of america took over merrill lynch. Merrill maintained the brokerage aspect but clients could now bank with BoA...there are Merrill brokers in most BoA branches now.
So disney keeps the name but you start seeing Apple stuff in the parks and Mickey iPhones.

Then which half of Disney do you think Apple would get? Apple doesn't have business skills in theme park/resort/cruise line management.

 

[Madteaparty001]

Then which half of Disney do you think Apple would get? Apple doesn't have business skills in theme park/resort/cruise line management.

I believe it was a split between media and parks/resorts/cruise, apple buying the media portion to expand AppleTV. Here's one of the stories talking about it:
https://www.businessinsider.com/disney-insiders-think-bob-iger-end-game-apple-acquisition-report-2023-9

I don't think any merger will happen, not with monopolies being a hot button topic right now and the government eyeing a forced google split up.

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

Then which half of Disney do you think Apple would get?

The MCP from Tron

 

[HopperFan]

This update should surprise nobody:

The Cake Bake Shop no longer expected to open in 2023 at Walt Disney World

The official Cake Bake Shop website has been updated to remove mention of opening in 2023.

All of us at The Cake Bake Shop are eager to unveil the beautiful details and charm that are coming to Disney’s BoardWalk! As the excitement is building and our hearts are brimming with anticipation, we expect to open our doors early next year to welcome you to an unforgettable dining experience. Stay connected with us for more details leading up to our opening.

 

[HokieRaven5]

EPCOT Figment Meet & Greet Times Revealed

Figment will begin meeting with guests at EPCOT for the first time in a very long time. Guests will be able to find Figment in ImageWorks within the Imagination Pavilion. Here are the posted meet and greet times:

• 10am to 1:30pm
• 2:30pm to 5pm

Figment M&G hours changed to:

• 9am to 12:30pm
• 1:30pm to 3:30pm

 

[HokieRaven5]

Walt Disney World Places Casting Call for Luisa From ‘Encanto’

Walt Disney World is currently looking for a performer to portray Luisa Madrigal from the 2021 Walt Disney Animation Studios film “Encanto.” A recent casting call posted to the Disney Careers website states that the “role is for potential future special events.”

Disney Live Entertainment is seeking Disney Character Look-alikes for the role of Luisa as depicted in the Walt Disney Animation Studios film Encanto. This role is for potential future special events.

Performers will have the opportunity to bring this role to life, in addition to performing as world famous Disney Characters at our Parks & Resorts near Orlando, Florida.

Disney Character Performers play before thousands of guests each day in character greetings, sightings, and other experiences across the Walt Disney World Resort. Performers sign autographs, pose for pictures, and help create magical moments with guests of all ages.

Disney Careers

 

[1lilspark]

Walt Disney World Places Casting Call for Luisa From ‘Encanto’

Walt Disney World is currently looking for a performer to portray Luisa Madrigal from the 2021 Walt Disney Animation Studios film “Encanto.” A recent casting call posted to the Disney Careers website states that the “role is for potential future special events.”

Disney Live Entertainment is seeking Disney Character Look-alikes for the role of Luisa as depicted in the Walt Disney Animation Studios film Encanto. This role is for potential future special events.

Performers will have the opportunity to bring this role to life, in addition to performing as world famous Disney Characters at our Parks & Resorts near Orlando, Florida.

Disney Character Performers play before thousands of guests each day in character greetings, sightings, and other experiences across the Walt Disney World Resort. Performers sign autographs, pose for pictures, and help create magical moments with guests of all ages.

Disney Careers

Wine & Dine half meet of Encanto show in the Hyperion at DCA is my bet

Figment M&G hours changed to:

• 9am to 12:30pm
• 1:30pm to 3:30pm

View attachment 792890

I wonder if the hours got cut because of how long that line was …

 

[starlite_]

Wine & Dine half meet of Encanto show in the Hyperion at DCA is my bet

Casting call is for WDW, not DLR

 

[BrianL]

Wine & Dine half meet of Encanto show in the Hyperion at DCA is my bet

I wonder if the hours got cut because of how long that line was …

You know, time was that lines would self-regulate and never get "too long" as people simply wouldn't wait in a line that was more than 90 minutes or so, give or take. Today there seems to be no top-end though - people waited for FOUR HOURS to get a picture with Figment. I know that's a lot of first day excitement, but I can't imagine spending four hours of my park time doing that! If I saw that wait, I'd just move on to something else.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Disney & Charter reach agreement on cable services:

https://wdwnt.com/2023/09/disney-charter-communications-deal/

 

[HopperFan]

My guess is that they’d have to overhaul the queue to make space for much more demand and it’s possible they either haven’t figured out how to do that or it’s just not possible given the space.

They could create a queue that enters from main walkway to the left of the building to queue that you will load in the exit area .... then exit in the entrance area right into the marketplace.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Disney says the live-action Little Mermaid surpassed 16 million views in its first five days on Disney+ making it the most viewed Disney movie premiere on Disney+ since Hocus Pocus 2.

Scott Gustin

 

[mdmost]

Disney says the live-action Little Mermaid surpassed 16 million views in its first five days on Disney+ making it the most viewed Disney movie premiere on Disney+ since Hocus Pocus 2.

Scott Gustin

Which shows you why Disney+ is a problem for Disney's theatrical releases. I bet Haunted Mansion is going to get a lot of views when it comes out in October.

 

[BrianL]

They could create a queue that enters from main walkway to the left of the building to queue that you will load in the exit area .... then exit in the entrance area right into the marketplace.

I think that's the only way to do it, though I don't see why they would need to swap the loading and unloading areas - they are both right there. They would just have to change the side for loading. The only other option would be to make the entire inside of the pyramid the queue - I don't see that working. The ride would no doubt be popular!