DisneyDawgs

Category: Disney History

  • Animal Kingdom Welcomes Baby Mandrill

    Animal Kingdom Welcomes Baby Mandrill

    It’s a girl! Disney’s Animal Kingdom has announced that a female mandrill was born Saturday, April 10 to mom Hazel and dad Linus.  This is Hazel’s first baby and Animal Kingdom cast members have named her Ivy.

    Both mom and Ivy are healthy and have been spotted by guests roaming Kilimanjaro Safaris.  Ivy is still clinging to mom, Hazel’s stomach and should for another week or two.  Mandrill’s are usually walking on their own within weeks of their birth.

    Ivy will join a troop of seven other mandrills that call Disney’s Animal Kingdom home.

  • BREAKING NEWS!!!

    Starting on Thursday, April 8th, guests will be allowed to take socially distanced photo pass photos without a mask on… more info to come

  • The Magic is Back! Sort of…

    The Magic is Back! Sort of…

    This is the announcement that all West Coast Disney fans have been waiting to hear.  Disneyland in California has been closed since March, 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic that has torn through the world.  Southern California was hit particularly hard by the virus and it caused the closure of pretty much all large-scale entertainment venues.  But will the number of reported cases, hospitalizations and deaths dramatically decreasing and the promise by the Federal Government that there would be vaccines available to the entire population by May.  Disneyland has finally announced its reopening day.

    In a post released on the Disney Parks Blog, both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure parks will reopen to California Residents on April 30, 2021.  Due to government restrictions, as with Disney World in Florida, park capacities will be strictly limited.  Masks and social distancing will be required.  As with Disney World in Florida, those California Residents that wish to visit one of the parks will be required to have both a valid park ticket and a valid reservation for the date and park in which they wish to visit.

    As mentioned, at this moment, only California Residents will be granted access to Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure.  There is no timetable to when residents from other states will be allowed to enter the parks.

  • Is This the Final Straw for Disney Fans? Disney Cancels the Magical Express

    Is This the Final Straw for Disney Fans? Disney Cancels the Magical Express

    Did Disney just push loyal fans to the breaking point? Could this be the final straw that deters loyal fans from visiting the Disney World Resort in Orlando?

    Disney announced yesterday that they would no longer be offering the Magical Express in 2022 for those visitors that stay at one of the Disney World Resorts.  For those that may not know what the Magical Express is, it is a FREE bus ride for those visitors that are arriving at Orlando International Airport (MCO) and takes them and their luggage directly to the resort in which they are staying.  The Magical Resort also delivers your luggage directly to your Resort Room.  It was one of the many “perks” of staying at a Disney World Resort Hotel that will no longer be available.

    For those that have not been keeping track, Disney has been slowly removing the perks and special events that made visiting Disney World special and not just another vacation.  These perks are what made them more attractive than going to other Orlando area Amusement Parks such as Universal Studios.

    Disney Extra Magic Hours

    To top off the loss of the Disney Magical Express, Disney also announced that they would no longer be offering “Extra Magic Hours” to those guests that are also staying at a Disney World Resort Hotel.  EMH were generally being eliminated before the Covid-19 Pandemic in favor of Hard Ticketed early morning or after hours events is which guests could attend for an additional cost.  Disney announced that they would no longer have EMH in 2021, but instead allow Resort Guests to enter parks 30 minutes prior to rope drop.

    Our family has been loyal visitors to Disney World in Orlando for almost 20 years now, making the trek from the Northeastern US at least once a year.  We have, for the most part, overlooked the annual and sometime bi-annual price increases, the charging for parking a rental vehicle in a Disney Resort Hotel parking lot and many other issues that have changed in the parks over the years.  But as we sit back and add ALL that has been taken away from loyal fans, Is Disney World actually worth our money anymore?  DisneyDawgs has been questioning this click here to see other posts.

    Is It Worth It?

    Is it actually worth staying at a Disney World Resort Hotel anymore when you have to pay for parking.  MagicBands and luggage tags are no longer complimentary. Disney also no longer offers luggage delivery to and from Orlando International Airport. they also no longer offers complimentary airline checkin. The Disney Magical Express will not be offered. And Extra Magic Hours will also no longer be offered. Is it worth staying at Disney World Resort Hotels for twice the price than other Orlando area resorts and hotels are charging with similar if not better amenities?

    Disney is currently nickel and dimming their loyal fans and this may be the final straw and this decision may come back around and bite them where the sun does not shine.

  • Blizzard Beach Reopens on March 7th.

    Disney has released a statement that the Blizzard Beach Water Park will resume operations on March 7, 2021.  Blizzard Beach has been closed since the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic and its opening is a welcome sign that the parks may be starting to focus on returning to semi-normal operating conditions.

    Disney has released the following statement:

    We currently plan to reopen Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park on March 7, 2021.

    Like the other areas of Walt Disney World Resort, we will welcome back Guests and Cast Members to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park in a responsible way, with a plan focused on health and well-being. We will provide more details on our Water Parks’ reopening plan at a later time.

    Barring any changes is restrictions issued by the State of Florida, we should see the first visitors in the water at the beginning of March.

  • New Hours for Theme Parks in December

    Disney has extended hours for all four theme parks for the month of December as well as extending closing times for New Year’s Eve:

    Magic Kingdom

    • December 6, 11-13, 18-19 Now 8am to 9pm, was 9am to 9pm
    • December 7-10, 14-17 Now 8am to 8pm was 9am to 8pm
    • December 31 Now 8am to 11pm was 9am to 7pm

    Epcot

    • December 31 10am to 10pm was 12pm to 8pm

    Disney’s Hollywood Studios

    • December 6-19 Now 9am to 7pm was 10am to 7pm
    • December 31 Now 9am to 9pm was 10am to 7pm

    Disney’s Animal Kingdom

    • December 4-6, 11-13, 18-19 Now 8am to 8pm was 8am to 7pm
    • December 7-10, 14-17 Now 8am to 5pm was 9am to 5pm
    • December 31 Now 7am to 8pm was 9am to 5pm

    Disney has constantly been changing hours throughout this pandemic, please check back with DisneyDawgs for any further updates.

  • Hong Kong Disneyland Closes Again Due to Covid

    For a third time Hong Kong Disneyland has closed due to rising Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong.

    With 76 new cases on Monday and 115 cases on Sunday.  The Hong Kong government is calling this their 4th wave and are implementing preventive measures throughout the country, which include closing down the theme park.

    Although the cases that were reported are only a fraction of the new cases that have been reported in Osceola and Orange counties, it represents a 7-11 times increase in reported cases in the country.

    Disney has released the following statement regarding the closure of Hong Kong Disneyland

    As required by the government and in line with preventative efforts taking place across Hong Kong, Hong Kong Disneyland park will temporarily close beginning December 2. We are in close contact with health authorities and the government about the situation and will announce a reopening date once they determine it is advisable.

    Disney Corporation

    As of December 2, 2020, the following Disney Parks remain closed

    • Hong Kong Disneyland
    • Disneyland Paris
    • Disneyland (California)

    DisneyDawgs will bring you more information as it becomes available.

  • Disney World Park Hopping’s Return Announced

    Disney World Park Hopping’s Return Announced

    As Disney slowly reopens parks during this pandemic another park feature has been announced to return.  Park Hopping has been suspended since March due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but Disney has announced that it will return on January 1, 2021.  Although it will be a little different at this point.

    With the Park Hopper Option on your ticket you will need to:

    1. Make a reservation for the first park that you wish to visit.
    2. On disneyworld.com Park Hopper hours will begin at 2PM and end at park closing, this is subject to change.
    3. Visit the first park in which you made reservations for.
    4. After the scheduled time, you may go and visit a second park.  Admittance to the second park can be limited by crowd capacity limit.  At this time, you do not have to register for the second park.


    Here are some changes that were not included with the original Park Hopper Options

    • If Hollywood Studios is your second park visited, you cannot join the virtual queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
    • ANNUAL PASSHOLDERS
      • Annual Passholders will have the same option to visit a second park after 2PM
      • Passholders must also make a reservation AND enter the first park before they are able to “Hop” to the second park.
      • At this time there is no reservation for the second park, this is subject to change.
      • This option is also dependent on if the Passholder’s ticket has black out dates.

    Although this is not the same “ParkHopper” option that we are all familiar with, it is a step in the right direction.

  • Walkway between Magic Kingdom and Grand Floridian is Open

    After about a year of construction and a new bridge, the pathway from Disney’s Grand Floridian Hotel and the entrance of Magic Kingdom has opened.

    Guest will no longer have to take a bus, boat or monorail to and from Magic Kingdom.  The pathway is hoped to aliviate some of the congestion that occurs when Magic Kingdom closes and after firework shows (once the return).

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  • ‘Frozen Ever After’ Temporarily Closing for Refurb in November

    The Disney refurbishment calendar is showing the the popular attraction/ride “Frozen Ever After” that is located in the Norway Pavillion in Epcot is scheduled to be shut down on November 2, 2020 for a minor refurbishment.  The attraction is scheduled to reopen to guests on November 7.

    If your children (or you) need to get your Frozen fix while visiting the parks during this time, remember to look for the Frozen Promenade cavalcade that through the World Showcase throughout the day.  You could also go over to Hollywood Studios and watch Anna and Elsa at the Frozen Sing Along!

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  • Disney Laying Off 28,000 Employees in California and Florida

    Disney has announced that it will be laying off 26,000+ employees due to the shutdown and effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Of the 26,000 layoffs, 66% will be part-time employees.  Disney Parks and Experiences currently employs more than 100,000 US employees and is currently reeling from a 91% profit loss during the first three months of 2020.  Most employees had been furloughed by the company up until now.

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    Josh D’Amaro, who is the Chairman of Disney Parks, states that the staffing cuts were necessary due to the “prolonged impact” of the CoronaVirus.  He also says “As difficult as this decision is today, we believe that the steps we are taking will enable us to emerge a more effective and efficient operation when we return to normal.” D’Amaro also commented about Disney Employees “They have always been key to our success, playing a valued and important role in delivering a world-class experience.  We look forward to providing opportunities whee we can for them to return.”

    D’Amaro has placed partial blame on the state of California for not loosening restrictions and allowing Disneyland and California Adventure to reopen such has Disney World in Florida.

     

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  • Will These Attractions Return

    Most everyone knows that all four parks at Disney World in Florida are running at a limited capacity, limited hours and limited attractions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

    With the amount of attractions that are currently unavailable, we began to wonder, which ones in Magic Kingdom and throughout the Parks and Resorts may not return or may not return without an additional fee.  So here is a list of the attractions and restaurants that are currently closed and those that we do not think will return to their pre-pandemic selves.

     

    Disney World Wide

    Park Hopping – Park Hopping should come back once the conditions are safe for guests to freely move from one park to another.

    FastPass+ – I do see this coming back once conditions are safe again, BUT… I would not be in the least surprised if Disney does not charge for this as Universal Studios Orlando currently does.

    Extra Magic Hours – I do not see us seeing Extra Magic Hours again. If we do, I would be very, very surprised. Disney World had been gradually getting rid of Extra Magic Hours before the pandemic hit in favor of hard ticket early-morning or late-night events at an extra price. These events were profitable for Disney, so I see the parks offering hard ticketed events and Extra Magic Hours will go the way of the old ticket books and $1.50 admissions.

    What attractions that are currently closed at Magic Kingdom due to the pandemic could possibly not reopen.

     

    Magic Kingdom
    Walt Disney World Railroad – This attraction closed in December, 2018 to make room for the new Tron Roller Coaster in Tomorrowland.  We believe that this attraction will reopen once the construction on Tron is complete.
    Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover – This attraction closed when the parks closed due to the pandemic.  The attraction did open for a short period of time when the parks reopened, but then closed again due to mechanical issues.  The attraction is currently being refurbished and should open again in the near future.
    Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – The hair and makeup salon that will transfer young girls into beautiful princesses has remained closed and there is no ETA when it will open again.  We believe that this attraction will reopen once conditions are safe.
    Casey’s Corner Pianist – The pianist outside of Casey’s Corner will most-likely return when conditions are safe again.
    Cosmic Dance Party – This may or may not return once conditions in the parks have returned to normal. Not particularly popular, I would not be surprised if this entertainment did not return.
    Dapper Dans – will most-likely return when conditions are safe again. The Dapper Dans are a Fan Favorite
    Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade – The Festival of Fantasy Parade will definitely return. This is the newest parade and Disney had invested too much money into it for them to get rid of it.
    Main Street Trolley Show – will most-likely return when conditions are safe again.
    Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party – will most-likely return when conditions are safe again.
    Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station – Another attraction that Disney invested a lot of money on just to close. This will most-likely return when conditions are safe again.
    Casey’s Corner – will most-likely return when conditions are safe again.
    Columbia Harbour House – will most-likely return when conditions are safe again.
    The Crystal Palace – will most-likely return when conditions are safe again.
    Enchanted Tales with Belle – will most-likely return when conditions are safe again.
    The Friar’s Nook – will most-likely return when conditions are safe again.
    Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade – I would not be surprised if this attraction did not return. This is a high maintenance attraction that is outdated in today’s culture for the most part.
    Golden Oak Outpost – will most-likely return when conditions are safe again.
    Happily Ever After – will most-likely return when conditions are safe again.
    The Lunching Pad – will most-likely return when conditions are safe again.
    Meet Ariel at Her Grotto – will most-likely return when conditions are safe again.
    Meet Cinderella & Elena at Princess Fairytale Hall – will most-likely return when conditions are safe again.
    Meet Daring Disney Pals as Circus Stars at Pete’s Silly Side Show – will most-likely return when conditions are safe again.
    Meet Dashing Disney Pals as Circus Stars at Pete’s Silly Side Show – will most-likely return when conditions are safe again.
    Meet Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater – will most-likely return when conditions are safe again.
    Meet Rapunzel and Tiana at Princess Fairytale Hall – will most-likely return when conditions are safe again.
    Meet Tinker Bell at Town Square Theater – will most-likely return when conditions are safe again.
    Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor – will most-likely return when conditions are safe again.
    Tomorrowland Terrace – Restaurant will most-likely return when conditions are safe again.
    Tortuga Tavern – will most-likely return when conditions are safe again.

    Above are the attractions in Magic Kingdom that are currently closed. Come back again to see our opinions on what attractions that are currently closed in Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom may or may not reopen.

    Remember, the above information is our opinion, there has been no official announcements regarding these attractions. For official releases, please visit the official Disney website.