Greetings fellow Rope Droppers,
I was hoping to tell you this morning… that I’d snagged a reservation for The Beak and Barrel, the new Pirates-themed lounge that opens at Magic Kingdom later this month.
The reservation system got so plundered this morning, no one could make any ADRs. Anywhere. It’s been down for hours. We’ll see how and when it gets resolved.
But whether you’re a reservation planner or a walkup list regular, we start with something we can all relate to: getting around.
This week’s Rundown started with 624 news stories and came out to a 4:30 read.
-Gabe
Let’s face it: MCO is probably one of the worst part of any Disney World trip if you’re traveling in. Not because we hate that signature carpet (we love it!)... but you’re either itching to get on property ASAP and pass under those purple arches, or you’re heading home.
That hypothesis was also behind Disney offerings like Magical Express and flight check-in from your resort (if you didn’t know, yes, it’s quietly making a bit of a comeback). And this week in the news, lots of chatter about Minnie Vans, the Lyft-powered polka dot transports, which will be expanding their availability as a means of airport transportation. Why you might care:
If you want that Disney character feel at the soonest possible minute
If you need car seats (up to two are available)
If you need an accessible option
If price is not a concern
It’s that last one that’s causing the most community chatter. Why? A one-way trip costs $199.
Call us crazy, but I don’t think it’s worth it. For a posh ride, here are cheaper alternatives we found online for a MCO to Boardwalk ride:
Blacklane (an on-demand car service), quoted $140 for a Mercedes Benz V Class van that seats 5
Uber Black (seats 4), scheduled ride on a Friday afternoon for $65
Mears quoted $160 for an SUV or van for 6–10 passengers. (Mears of course used to operate Magical Express, and now runs Mears Connect, the new non-Disney branded service)
Quotes from Blacklane
Is Minnie Van service supposed to be for everyone? No. Is it the only option? Definitely not. If it’s your teacup, make sure you call to book at least two days in advance. You can’t book this in the Lyft app like the point-to-point Minnie Vans while at Disney.
How about you, what’s your preferred method of transportation between WDW and MCO?
Apple fans love a September iPhone keynote, and Disney watchers have gotten used to similar developments out of Destination D23, a fan event which usually includes a so-called “parks panel,” where folks like Josh D’Amaro spill the details on what’s coming.
D23
But this year’s event is changing tracks. As Attractions Magazine noted, the August 29-31 gathering doesn’t seem to have the usual offering. The closest park-related event seems to nod to the villains land coming to Magic Kingdom:
“Join Disney Experiences (and some of your favorite troublemakers) for a panel discussion on how Disney Villains experiences come to life around the world. Hear directly from the creative minds behind new projects and attractions…”
Will we get more villains land details? Seems likely and we’ll know in a few weeks.
In any case it seems like adversaries are on Disney’s mind. A recent guest survey sent to WDWNT seems to be asking what lesser known Disney villains folks know. Sure, we all know Cruella, Hades and Scar, but what about The Horned King, Ratigan?
We don’t know how this data is being used, but it is telling that Disney is doing recognition research on the topic in the first place.
Disney Parks Blog: French Onion Soup-style Dumplings from the new Gyozas of the Galaxy booth
Lots of updates this week ahead of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival’s kickoff on August 28.
Full menus came out for each of the booths. Disney Food Blog has the details.
Emile’s Fromage Montage, a cheese-inspired crawl, is back. AllEars has the eligible items.
There’s a new booth this year: Gyozas of the Galaxy (get it?). DFB notes this one doesn’t open until September 28.
A pre-pandemic hit returns! A breakfast buffet (brunch?) at Chefs de France. DFB also has the details (this is their thing, after all). Reservations are now open.
This year’s festival runs through November 22.
👆 This brings back memories: We love live atmosphere entertainment. We’re excited that a new acrobatic chair show has debuted in the France pavilion at Epcot. Looks similar to the one you might remember, but it’s billed as different. (BlogMickey)
🚍 Hold that bus: Your next trip home from Epcot may look a little different. Construction just wrapped on some bus station updates, mostly impacting Old Key West, Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness and Coronado Springs guests. (WDWNT)
✨ GF Glow Up: The Grand Floridian’s renovation is entering a new phase, with construction on the new Birdcage Bar now under way. Remember, this also impacts the holidays, no famous gingerbread house this year. (BlogMickey)
🚧 Magic Kingdom Construction: The Rivers of America is almost fully drained now. (WDWNT) Meanwhile some folks I’ve seen in WDW Facebook groups are noting that the new walls in the Haunted Mansion queue are limiting air flow, especially in the seasonably hot Florida summer. (Queue visuals from BlogMickey.)
⚡️ Lightning Lane Watch: The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, the new stage show at Hollywood Studios, is joining the Multi Pass Tier 2 lineup starting September 11. (WDW Magic)
Spaceship Earth closes for a multi month refurbishment starting August 25. No reopening date has been announced, but Disney says it will be before the end of the year.
If you remember back to 2019 when Disney announced a major renovation, this isn’t that. Disney is calling this just a “routine refurbishment.”
We like to always finish with something fun, interesting or inspiring. Well, PSLs haven't made their seasonal debut yet, but we all know seasonal holidays follow their own Orlando calendar.
Sure, you know about the famous Mickey pumpkin decor, but this year we get something new - Dumbo!
Of course, this all has to be ready for the start of MNSSHP season this Saturday.
How'd we do?
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