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

[Ensusieasm]

Anyone know if Mears buses operate for late flights? I know sunshine flyers has like a 10pm cutoff.

Mears operates 24 hours a day.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Extended Evenings Hours may be coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World

Disney's Animal Kingdom looks like it may be about to offer its first Extended Evening Hours event on November 8, 2023.

Regular hours for November 8, 2023 are 9am to 7pm, with Extended Evening Hours then scheduled from 7pm to 9pm. Extended Evening Hours is a benefit for guests staying at Walt Disney World deluxe hotels, and offers 2 hours of additional park time after regular close.

On MDE for November 8:

 

[rangerxenos]

Anyone know if Mears buses operate for late flights? I know sunshine flyers has like a 10pm cutoff.

Yes, and there's a good chance late night that you might get a smaller van with direct service rather than a bus with multiple stops, dependent upon if there are other people coming in around the same time and where they are going.

 

[rangerxenos]

Good Morning!

 

[Brocktoon]

Guests Staying at Fort Wilderness Asked to Stow Items by 6pm, Alternate Accommodations Possible Due to Hurricane Idalia

As we continue to monitor the weather, we are asking that all Fort Wilderness Guests remove and stow all outside items, including tents and décor, and take in camper awnings by 6 PM on Tuesday, August 29. If you’d like to depart early or discuss alternate options for your vacation, please contact us at (407) 939-2744.

I was at the Fort during Nicole last November when we were evacuated. The communication could have been better and didn't help with the stress, but Disney was able to relocate us and our RV to Art of Animation. The AoA staff was amazing and efficient, and within a few hours we were out of the Fort and already on the skyliner to check out Galaxy's Edge before they closed for the storm.
That night and next day while the parks were closed, the CMs went above and beyond accommodating everyone from the packed food court to having all sort of entertainment for the kids. They did their best to make it giant hurricane party.
After the evacuations last year, I figure they're even better prepared for this season.

 

[SealedSeven]

Anyone know if Mears buses operate for late flights? I know sunshine flyers has like a 10pm cutoff.

They merged together and it's 24/7 (was for Mears, not sunshine in past). Should have no issues with them!

On MDE for November 8:


View attachment 789342

Please have AK be an extended night next August.....

 

[Brian Noble]

An after-dark ride on Everest was my White Whale for many years. I finally got one in...I don't know, 2017 maybe?

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Please have AK be an extended night next August.....

I wish this, too! But it's probably only happening during holiday/party seasons. Maybe if it's really popular Disney will take the hint and do it more often.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

An after-dark ride on Everest was my White Whale for many years. I finally got one in...I don't know, 2017 maybe?

Try a Moonlight Magic event! I know, hard to plan for and even get in. But it's my favorite Moonlight Magic.

 

[jlundeen]

They merged together and it's 24/7 (was for Mears, not sunshine in past). Should have no issues with them!



Please have AK be an extended night next August.....

I'm just hoping they don't start replacing MK's Wednesday night extensions with more Christmas parties... there are already only a few non-party nights (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday), and Monday is deluxe extended Epcot night.... if they take Wednesdays away that leaves only Saturday night available for deluxe guests, and Monday and Saturday for non-deluxe.

Even leaving Wednesday as regular hours if they want to do extended AK or HS would be preferable to replacing with a party.

 

[HokieRaven5]

I'm just hoping they don't start replacing MK's Wednesday night extensions with more Christmas parties... there are already only a few non-party nights (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday), and Monday is deluxe extended Epcot night.... if they take Wednesdays away that leaves only Saturday night available for deluxe guests, and Monday and Saturday for non-deluxe.

MK isn’t scheduled to have an Extended Evening Hours after September 20th on the current calendar.

DHS is filling in as the second EEH during the expanded Halloween parties, there’s a week with 2 EP nights, and then it looks like it could be DAK and EP during MVMCP and Jollywood Night time.

 

[jlundeen]

MK isn’t scheduled to have an Extended Evening Hours after September 20th on the current calendar.

DHS is filling in as the second EEH during the expanded Halloween parties, there’s a week with 2 EP nights, and then it looks like it could be DAK and EP during MVMCP and Jollywood Night time.

Yeah, that's what I'm afraid will happen for the MVMCP dates, too. It's a shame that folk who pay for entire day at MK don't get some kind of break for party days, but more importantly, lose the opportunity to watch the fireworks.

Booking more and more extra ticketed events while charging full prices for day guests feels like a money grab to me.

But if they do regular hours, THEN the party, it would at least make if seem like you are getting full value for your day ticket.

 

[voxparse]

An after-dark ride on Everest was my White Whale for many years. I finally got one in...I don't know, 2017 maybe?

One of my all time favorite AK memories was an after dark safari ride. The animals were so much more active even though it was hard to see. As soon as our son is 8, we're doing the night vision one for sure.

 

[Brian Noble]

It's a shame that folk who pay for entire day at MK don't get some kind of break for party days

ProTip: party days are some of the best MK days ever. Crowds are super-low and it is easy to get done pretty much everything you want with time to spare.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Ticketless Package with Dining Plan Now Available to Book at Walt Disney World

Disney World has announced that ticketless packages with Dining Plans are now available to book. Here’s the announcement:

Ticketless packages with Dining Plans are now available to book through Walt Disney Travel Company for stays at Walt Disney World beginning January 9, 2024. This change will accommodate Guests who have booked back-to-back reservations at different Disney Resort Hotels, by allowing them to book a room and Dining Plan without having to add tickets to the package.

 

[Naomeri]

Ticketless Package with Dining Plan Now Available to Book at Walt Disney World

Disney World has announced that ticketless packages with Dining Plans are now available to book. Here’s the announcement:

Ticketless packages with Dining Plans are now available to book through Walt Disney Travel Company for stays at Walt Disney World beginning January 9, 2024. This change will accommodate Guests who have booked back-to-back reservations at different Disney Resort Hotels, by allowing them to book a room and Dining Plan without having to add tickets to the package.

And also benefits passholders It’s about time Disney made a positive change for us

 

[HokieRaven5]

The San Fransokyo Gate Bridge is now open. San Fransokyo Square at Disney California Adventure Park officially opens tomorrow.

 

[HokieRaven5]

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.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Disney’s ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ to be Released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray October 10

 

[HokieRaven5]

Parking Tram Testing Begins at Disney’s Hollywood Studios