Month: March 2021

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival for 2021 to Begin July 15th

Walt Disney World announced today the dates for the 2021 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival.

This year’s festival will begin on July 15th  and run through to November 20th, which is about the same length as last year’s event.

Most notably absent is that Disney is not assigning the “Taste of” title to the festival, meaning that perhaps we may see  return of a full scale festival for the first time since 2019.

This year’s event will return with Global Marketplaces, including the return of many favorites such as Canada, Greece, Germany, Hops and Barley, Appleseed Orchard and many others.

There will be many ways for guests to enjoy this year’s event, beyond just eating lots of great food:

  • Sample all sorts of delicious cheeses served in fun ways as part of Emile’s Fromage Montage – if you collect a stamp from five different Global Marketplaces, you’ll earn a prize!
  • Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak will send you on a savory scavenger hunt in search of Remy statuettes hidden all over the park.
  • Take a tasty souvenir home from the new merchandise collections, including a festival collection featuring a spirit jersey, baseball cap and so much more.
  • Listen to musical favorites performed by Voices of Liberty, Mariachi Cobre and the Jammin’ Chefs.

Disney MagicMobile Launches on Apple Devices for All Guests

Today Walt Disney World announced on the Disney Parks Blog that beginning today, all guests with Apple devices will be able to enjoy  the new convenient and contactless option for entering the theme parks and more, as part of the rollout of Disney MagicMobile service!

The new service is now available on the iPhone and Apple Watch and coming soon to other smart devices.  Disney MagicMobile service will be an easy-to-use new way for guests to experience Walt Disney World.

It is important to note that the new service will not be replacing the MagicBand, but will offered in addition to other options such as the MagicBand.

Disney put out a few helpful tips to get started with Disney MagicMobile service:

  • Create A Customized Digital Pass: Guests can create a Disney MagicMobile pass through the My Disney Experience app and add it to the Wallet app on iPhone or the digital wallet on other smart devices. You can customize your pass by choosing from several Disney-themed designs that animate upon use (including special designs just for Annual Passholders and DVC Members)! For added ease, you may also store multiple passes on a single device, a great option for families.
  • Easily Enter the Parks and More: Simply hold your iPhone, Apple Watch, or other smart device near an access point when entering the parks or using other available features, just like you do with a MagicBand. With Express Mode on iPhone and Apple Watch, guests do not even need to wake or unlock their Apple device, or open up the app, to use their Disney MagicMobile pass. As a reminder, valid park admission and a park reservation are required for park entry and must be linked to your account.
  • Discover Other App Enhancements: We’ve also added a new feature in the My Disney Experience app that allows you to automatically link your Disney PhotoPass attraction photos and videos to your profile through your smartphone. Just confirm your settings in advance of riding at participating attractions. The My Disney Experience app also enables Disney Resort hotel guests to unlock their room door using our current digital room key feature.

Guests may use Disney MagicMobile service, a MagicBand or a card interchangeably.

MagicMobile is not currently available at the parking lot entry booths, but it is anticipated that it is going to happen in the near future.

Disneyland Resort Unviels Longterm Expansion Plans

Disneyland Resort has unveiled long-term plans for theme park, retail and parking expansion. Disney plans to work with the City of Anaheim to reimagine what the resort district will look like over the next couple decades.

Disney said that they will be asking the city over the next few weeks and months for more flexibility in plans that were approved in the 1990s in order to be able to add a mix of theme park, hotel, retail, dining and entertainment on the eastern and western edges of the Disneyland resort.

Disneyland portfolio executive for Walt Disney Imagineering Jeanette Lomboy said during a media briefing on Thursday, that the DisneylandForward plan includes what could be possible in the future at the Disneyland resort with more flexibility and approvals from the city.

Because of the current rigid district structure, we just need more flexibility.  We’re excited about the possibilities and ready to dream. Believe me, we have no shortage of ideas, content or stories to tell or build.

The westside expansion envisions a theme park on the Downtown Disney and Lilo and Stitch parking lots woven around the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier Hotel.

Disney officials stated that the westside site bounded by Katella Avenue, Walnut Street, Magic Way and Disneyland Drive as more of a theme park expansion than a new “third gate.”

Concept art of the site shows a central mountain surrounded by water with buildings interspersed on the south end of the property. A mountain ridge to the west separates the theme park from nearby neighborhoods.

The westside site will connect with Downtown Disney near the unused AMC Theater and ESPN Zone.

Concept art of the northern end of the westside site shows an Autopia-like car course and a Dumbo-like spinning ride.

The eastside expansion would bring together theme park experiences, hotels, retail, dining and entertainment on the Toy Story parking lot next to the Anaheim Convention Center.

Concept art of the eastside retail area features a central lagoon surrounded by shops and a low-rise hotel with a parking structure near the corner of Katella Avenue and Haster Street.

Lomboy added –

What we do know today is that guests need and want more.  In order to give guests what they want, we need more flexibility here in Anaheim. Guests are demanding immersive integrated experiences that are not singular in their uses. We no longer think of uses as separate. Retail, dining, entertainment, theme parks and hotels are all part of the same experiences in the same place. And we need the space in our lands to create story-rich environments.

The DisneylandForward plan also includes possible new parking along Disney Way.

Walt Disney World Begins Test of Facial Recognition for Park Entrance

Today Walt Disney began testing at the Magic Kingdom a new way for guests to enter the theme park through facial recognition.

The test is optional and will be conducted from today until April 23rd.

The new system employs a touchless system that is designed to eliminate the need for the fingerprint scanners that have been used for many years at the Walt Disney World.

The technology captures an image of a guest’s face and converts it into a unique number, which is then associated with the form of admission being used for park entry.

Courtesy of WDWMAGIC

Children under 18 will need to be in the presence of their parents or guardian and have consent before participating in the test.

When visitors enter the park, they can enter through the lane designated for the test program. They must remove accessories, including hats, visors or sunglasses, and have their face mask on.

Courtesy of WDWMAGIC

Here is Disney’s statement on how the data will be collected and how the information will be used –

At Walt Disney World Resort, we’re always looking for innovative and convenient ways to improve our Guests’ experience—especially as we navigate the impact of COVID-19.

With the future in mind and the shift in focus to more touchless experiences, we’re conducting a limited 30-day test using facial recognition technology (length of test subject to change).  The technology we’re testing captures an image of a Guest’s face and converts it into a unique number, which is then associated with the form of admission being used for park entry.  Participation in this test is optional. For those interested in volunteering to participate in this effort, please make sure you arrive with valid theme park admission and a Disney Park Pass reservation.

Disney Legend Jim Cora Dies at Age 83

Disney Legend, who began his Disney career at Disneyland in 1957 as a part-time attractions host polishing 3D glasses at the Mickey Mouse Club Theater and retired 43 years later as chairman of Disney International, passed away on March 21st at the age of 83.

Cora’s influence at the company was vast,  stretching around the globe from Disneyland to Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris, so much so that it took multiple windows dedicated in his honor on Main Street U.S.A. to capture all of his contributions.

According to the Orange County Register, Cora credited his rapid rise to company founder Walt Disney who set his career path in motion with a promotion into a training and development role. The boss sent the teenager over to the Disneyland administration building to find Disney University founder Van Arsdale France with the admonition: “Tell him Walt sent you. I think he may have something for you.”

Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products and former Disneyland resort president Josh D’Amaro called Cora one of the company’s last connections to Walt Disney.

Very few people have a Disney legacy that reaches as far and wide as Jim Cora,” D’Amaro said in a statement. “His dedication to bringing Disney magic to people around the world was only matched by the passion he exuded throughout his career and for the many years that followed. I always loved hearing Jim’s thoughts about our business. He was one of our last connections to Walt Disney and he will be missed dearly.

In 1971, Cora instituted the “Disney Way of Leadership” program at the Magic Kingdom with the opening of Walt Disney World.

Prior to the 1983 opening of Tokyo Disneyland, Cora was named managing director of operations for the that theme park.  He was then promoted to vice president of Walt Disney Productions Japan, overseeing Disney’s operational and design standards.

After Tokyo Disneyland, Cora was put in charge of master planning and site research for Euro Disneyland, which would later became known as Disneyland Paris.

In the 1990’s, Cora was responsible for the creative direction of Tokyo DisneySea. He retired as chairman of Disney International in 2001. Cora was named a Disney Legend in 2005.

Disney Cruise Line Announces 2022 Itineraries and Departure Dates

Disney Cruise Line announced itineraries and departure dates for Summer 2022.  You will be able to sail to the ancient shores of the Mediterranean to explore must-see destinations such as the Greek Isles, a fan favorite offering stunning landscapes and archeological wonders. Visit other enchanting areas in Europe such as Norway and the British Isles. Voyage to Alaska for breathtaking scenery and adventure. Or cruise to the Bahamas and the Caribbean for relaxation on tropical beaches.

In addition, for the first summer ever, embark from Miami on select tropical adventures.

If you’re currently a Platinum, Gold or Silver Castaway Club member, take advantage of the opportunity to book our new cruises before they go on sale to the general public on March 25, 2021. You’ll be able to book Summer 2022 itineraries online or by phone during a designated booking window.

When to Book

  • March 22, 2021: Platinum Members
  • March 23, 2021: Platinum and Gold Members
  • March 24, 2021: Platinum, Gold and Silver Members
  • March 25, 2021: All Guests

How to book

  • Online: If you’re an existing member, simply log in to your account now to verify your Castaway Club status, so you’ll be all set to book on your designated date.
  • By Phone: Call (866) 784-1592 starting at 8:00 AM Eastern Time —or contact your travel agent.

If you have any questions about your Castaway Club status, please contact Disney Cruise Line at (800) 449-3380. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

If you’re currently a Disney Vacation Club Member, an Adventures by Disney Insider or a Golden Oak Club Member, you’re invited to enjoy the exclusive opportunity to book our new cruises before they go on sale to the general public on March 25, 2021.

When to Book

  • Golden Oak Club Members – Begins March 22, 2021 at 8:00 AM Eastern Time
  • Disney Vacation Club Members and Adventures by Disney Insiders – Begins March 24, 2021 at 8:00 AM Eastern Time

How to Book

  • Golden Oak Club Members: contact Golden Oak Club Member Services
  • Disney Vacation Club Members: to book with Reservation Points, call Member Services at (800) 800-9800; to make a cash-only booking, call Disney Cruise Line at (866) 325-6348 —or contact your travel agent
  • Adventures by Disney Insiders: Call (888) 272-0644 —or contact your travel agent

Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

Mediterranean & Greek Isles

Experience the majesty of locales like the Mediterranean, Greek Isles and coastal ports of Greece, France, Italy or Spain on a 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9- or 12-night cruise. Sailings depart from Italy and Spain.

MEDITERRANEAN

2022 Disney Magic 5-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona: 7/18

Day 1: Barcelona, Spain
Day 2: Cannes, France
Day 3: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Day 4: Livorno (Florence, Pisa), Italy
Day 5: At Sea
Day 6: Barcelona, Spain

2022 Disney Magic 6-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona ending in Civitavecchia (Rome): 6/4

Day 1: Barcelona, Spain
Day 2: Villefranche (Monte Carlo, Nice), France
Day 3: Genoa (Milan), Italy
Day 4: Livorno (Florence, Pisa), Italy
Day 5: At Sea
Day 6: Naples (Pompeii), Italy
Day 7: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

2022 Disney Magic 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona: 5/21

Day 1: Barcelona, Spain
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: Naples (Pompeii), Italy
Day 4: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Day 5: Livorno (Florence, Pisa), Italy
Day 6: Cannes, France
Day 7: At Sea
Day 8: Barcelona, Spain

2022 Disney Magic 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona: 5/28

Day 1: Barcelona, Spain
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: Naples (Pompeii), Italy
Day 4: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Day 5: Livorno (Florence, Pisa), Italy
Day 6: Villefranche (Monte Carlo, Nice), France
Day 7: At Sea
Day 8: Barcelona, Spain

MEDITERRANEAN WITH GREEK ISLES

2022 Disney Magic 8-Night Mediterranean with Greek Isles Cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome): 6/10

Day 1: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Day 2: Messina (Sicily), Italy
Day 3: At Sea
Day 4: Santorini, Greece
Day 5: Piraeus (Athens), Greece
Day 6: Mykonos, Greece
Day 7: At Sea
Day 8: Naples (Pompeii), Italy
Day 9: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

2022 Disney Magic 9-Night Mediterranean with Greek Isles Cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome): 6/18

Day 1: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: Dubrovnik, Croatia
Day 4: Kefalonia, Greece
Day 5: Chania, Greece
Day 6: Piraeus (Athens), Greece
Day 7: Santorini, Greece
Day 8: At Sea
Day 9: Naples (Pompeii), Italy
Day 10: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

2022 Disney Magic 9-Night Mediterranean with Greek Isles Cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome): 6/27

Day 1: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: Katakolon, Greece
Day 4: Heraklion (Crete), Greece
Day 5: Santorini, Greece
Day 6: Piraeus (Athens), Greece
Day 7: Mykonos, Greece
Day 8: At Sea
Day 9: Naples (Pompeii), Italy
Day 10: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

2022 Disney Magic 12-Night Mediterranean with Greek Isles Cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome) ending in Barcelona: 7/6

Day 1: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Day 2: Palermo (Sicily), Italy
Day 3: At Sea
Day 4: Santorini, Greece
Day 5: Piraeus (Athens), Greece
Day 6: Mykonos, Greece
Day 7: At Sea
Day 8: Naples (Pompeii), Italy
Day 9: At Sea
Day 10: Livorno (Florence, Pisa), Italy
Day 11: Villefranche (Monte Carlo, Nice), France
Day 12: Marseilles, France
Day 13: Barcelona, Spain

Europe & British Isles

Visit enchanting, must-see European destinations like Iceland, Norway and the British Isles on a 7- or 11-night cruise. Sailings depart from England, Spain and Demark.

2022 Disney Magic 7-Night Western Europe Cruise from Barcelona ending in Dover: 7/23

Day 1: Barcelona, Spain
Day 2: Cartagena, Spain
Day 3: At Sea
Day 4: Porto, Portugal
Day 5: La Coruña, Spain
Day 6: Bilbao, Spain
Day 7: At Sea
Day 8: Dover, England

2022 Disney Magic 7-Night Northern Europe Cruise from Copenhagen: 8/10

Day 1: Copenhagen, Denmark
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: Tallinn, Estonia
Day 4: St. Petersburg, Russia
Day 5: Helsinki, Finland
Day 6: Stockholm, Sweden
Day 7: At Sea
Day 8: Copenhagen, Denmark

2022 Disney Magic 7-Night Northern Europe Cruise from Dover: 8/28

Day 1: Dover, England
Day 2: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Day 3: At Sea
Day 4: Warnemunde (Berlin), Germany
Day 5: Copenhagen, Denmark
Day 6: Oslo, Norway
Day 7: At Sea
Day 8: Dover, England

2022 Disney Magic 7-Night Norwegian Fjords Cruise from Dover: 9/4

Day 1: Dover, England
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: Alesund, Norway
Day 4: Nordfjordeid, Norway
Day 5: Eidfjord, Norway
Day 6: Stavanger, Norway
Day 7: At Sea
Day 8: Dover, England

2022 Disney Magic 11-Night Northern Europe Cruise from Dover ending in Copenhagen: 7/30

Day 1: Dover, England
Day 2: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Day 3: At Sea
Day 4: At Sea
Day 5: Tallinn, Estonia
Day 6: St. Petersburg, Russia
Day 7: St. Petersburg, Russia
Day 8: Helsinki, Finland
Day 9: Nynashamn (Stockholm), Sweden
Day 10: Riga, Latvia
Day 11: At Sea
Day 12: Copenhagen, Denmark

2022 Disney Magic 11-Night Norway, Iceland and Scotland Cruise from Copenhagen ending in Dover: 8/17

Day 1: Copenhagen, Denmark
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: Olden, Norway
Day 4: Maloy, Norway
Day 5: At Sea
Day 6: Reykjavik, Iceland
Day 7: Reykjavik, Iceland
Day 8: At Sea
Day 9: Kirkwall (Orkney), Scotland
Day 10: Invergordon, Scotland
Day 11: At Sea
Day 12: Dover, England


2022 Disney Magic 7-Night British Isles Cruise from Dover: 9/11

Day 1: Dover, England
Day 2: Portland (Stonehenge), England
Day 3: Cobh (Cork), Ireland
Day 4: Liverpool, England
Day 5: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Day 6: Greenock, Scotland
Day 7: At Sea
Day 8: Dover, England

Alaska

Embark on a 7-night cruise brimming with adventure, picturesque scenery, and exciting ports featuring prehistoric glaciers, gold-mining relics and eclectic shopping. Sailings depart from Canada.

2022 Disney Wonder 7-Night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver: 5/16, 5/23, 5/30, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27, 7/4, 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/8, 8/15, 8/22, 9/5, 9/12

Day 1: Vancouver (British Columbia), Canada
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: Dawes Glacier, Alaska
Day 4: Skagway, Alaska
Day 5: Juneau, Alaska
Day 6: Ketchikan, Alaska
Day 7: At Sea
Day 8: Vancouver (British Columbia), Canada

2022 Disney Wonder 7-Night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver: 6/6, 8/1

Day 1: Vancouver (British Columbia), Canada
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: Dawes Glacier, Alaska
Day 4: Icy Strait Point, Alaska
Day 5: Juneau, Alaska
Day 6: Ketchikan, Alaska
Day 7: At Sea
Day 8: Vancouver (British Columbia), Canada

Caribbean

Get ready to island hop and soak up an invigorating mix of sun, sand and turquoise waters on a 5-, 7-, or 9-night tropical cruise to some of the Caribbean’s most popular port ports of call. Sailings depart from Port Canaveral or Miami.

WESTERN CARIBBEAN

2022 Disney Dream 5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami: 6/11, 6/25, 7/9, 7/23, 8/6, 8/20

Day 1: Miami, Florida
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: George Town, Grand Cayman
Day 4: At Sea
Day 5: Disney Castaway Cay
Day 6: Miami, Florida

2022 Disney Dream 5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami: 6/20, 7/4, 7/18, 8/1, 8/15

Day 1: Miami, Florida
Day 2: Disney Castaway Cay
Day 3: At Sea
Day 4: Cozumel, Mexico
Day 5: At Sea
Day 5: Miami, Florida

2022 Disney Fantasy 5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral: 7/16

Day 1: Port Canaveral, Florida
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: Cozumel, Mexico
Day 4: At Sea
Day 5: Disney Castaway Cay
Day 6: Port Canaveral, Florida

2022 Disney Fantasy 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral: 6/4, 6/18, 7/2, 7/30, 8/13, 8/27, 9/10

Day 1: Port Canaveral, Florida
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: Cozumel, Mexico
Day 4: George Town, Grand Cayman
Day 5: Falmouth, Jamaica
Day 6: At Sea
Day 7: Disney Castaway Cay
Day 8: Port Canaveral, Florida

EASTERN CARIBBEAN

2022 Disney Fantasy 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral: 6/11, 6/25, 7/9, 8/6, 8/20, 9/3, 9/17

Day 1: Port Canaveral, Florida
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: At Sea
Day 4: Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Day 5: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Day 6: At Sea
Day 7: Disney Castaway Cay
Day 8: Port Canaveral, Florida

2022 Disney Fantasy 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral: 9/24

Day 1: Port Canaveral, Florida
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: At Sea
Day 4: Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Day 5: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Day 6: At Sea
Day 7: Disney Castaway Cay
Day 8: Port Canaveral, Florida

SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN

2022 Disney Fantasy 9-Night Southern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral: 7/21

Day 1: Port Canaveral, Florida
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: At Sea
Day 4: Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Day 5: Roseau, Dominica
Day 6: St. John’s, Antigua
Day 7: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Day 8: At Sea
Day 9: Disney Castaway Cay
Day 10: Port Canaveral, Florida

The Bahamas

Cast off for a Bahamian getaway that drops anchor in tropical ports of call that may include Nassau and Disney Castaway Cay—our private island paradise. Sailings depart from Port Canaveral or Miami.

2022 Disney Dream 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral 6/3

Day 1: Port Canaveral, Florida
Day 2: Disney Castaway Cay
Day 3: At Sea
Day 4: Port Canaveral, Florida

2022 Disney Dream 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Miami: 9/2, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23

Day 1: Miami, Florida
Day 2: Disney Castaway Cay
Day 3: Nassau, Bahamas
Day 4: Miami, Florida

2022 Disney Dream 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Miami: 6/7

Day 1: Miami, Florida
Day 2: Nassau, Bahamas
Day 3: Disney Castaway Cay
Day 4: At Sea
Day 5: Miami, Florida

2022 Disney Dream 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Miami: 6/16, 6/30, 7/14, 7/28, 8/11, 8/25

Day 1: Miami, Florida
Day 2: Nassau, Bahamas
Day 3: Disney Castaway Cay
Day 4: At Sea
Day 5: Miami, Florida

2022 Disney Dream 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Miami: 8/29, 9/5, 9/12, 9/19

Day 1: Miami, Florida
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: Nassau, Bahamas
Day 4: Disney Castaway Cay
Day 5: Miami, Florida

2022 Disney Dream 5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Miami with 2 Stops at Castaway Cay: 9/26

Day 1: Miami, Florida
Day 2: Disney Castaway Cay
Day 3: Nassau, Bahamas
Day 4: Disney Castaway Cay
Day 5: At Sea
Day 6: Miami, Florida

Disneyland Resort to Re-Open on April 30th

Earlier today, Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Chapek announced on CNBC that both of Disney’s theme parks at the Disneyland Resort will re-open April 30th.

According to the new guidelines issued by the State of California, theme parks will be able to operate at between 15% and 35% capacity depending on levels of COVID in the area . For reference, Walt Disney World re-opened in last July at a 25% capacity.

In the announcement Chapek stated –

We’ve seen the enthusiasm, the craving for people to return to our parks around the world.  We’ve been operating at Walt Disney World for about nine months, and there certainly is no shortage of demand.

I think as people become vaccinated, they become a little bit more confident in the fact that they can travel, and stay Covid-free,” he added. “Consumers trust Disney to do the right thing and we’ve certainly proven that we can [open] responsibly whether it’s temperature checks, masks, social distancing, [or] improved hygiene around the parks.

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa will re-open April 29th with limited capacity ahead of the parks. The Vacation Club Villa at the Grand Californian will re-open on May 2 and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and the Disneyland Hotel will re-open at a later date.

Disneyland Resort will manage attendance through a theme park reservation system that requires all guests to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance. In order to enter a park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date are required for guests ages 3 and up. Theme park reservations will be limited and subject to availability and, until further notice, only California residents may visit the parks in line with current state guidelines. Disney says that more details about this new reservation system will be available soon.

Prior to the full public opening on April 30, Disneyland Resort will invite cast members and members of the local community as part of a soft opening.

Re-opening Disneyland will return more than 10,000 Cast Members back to work.

“The day all of us have long been waiting for is almost here,” said Ken Potrock, president of the Disneyland Resort. “We’re excited to have more than 10,000 cast members returning to work as we get ready to welcome our guests back to this happy place.”

 

Walt Disney World to Start Phasing in Disney MagicMobile Service

Earlier today Walt Disney World announced the next evolution of Disney MyMagic+ and the successor to the MagicBand, Disney MagicMobile.

Disney Magic Mobile will be launching in phases starting later this year.  The service will be a convenient and contactless way to access MagicBand features like theme park entry through the power of your iPhone, Apple Watch or other smart device.

Guests will be able to create a Disney MagicMobile pass through the My Disney Experience app and add it to their smart device’s digital wallet. Most features will be available by just holding up the smart device near an access point, just like you do with a MagicBand.

Disney said that the service and its features will roll out first on Apple devices.

Guests may choose to use Disney MagicMobile service or a MagicBand, and can alternate between the two for added flexibility.

Disney Executive Chairman Bob Iger Reiterates That He Will Leave the Company at the End of the Year

During his introductory comments during today’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Walt Disney Company Executive Chairman Bob Iger reiterated that he will leave the company at the end of his current contract on December 31st.

Just to remind everyone, Iger stepped aside from the role of CEO in February 2020, with Bob Chapek taking over the role. With this, he assumed the role of Executive Chairman and has directed the Company’s creative endeavors, while leading the Board and providing assistance to Bob Chapek during the transition period.

Iger’s comments are very significant because he has, on multiple occasions, reversed course and extended his stay at the company.

Bob Chapek Announces Disneyland Resort Will Re-Open in Late April

During today’s Annual Shareholder Meeting, Bob Chapek announced that Disney is planning for late April for the opening of both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. Theme parks can re-open starting April 1st, but Disney is choosing to use some additional time to prepare the parks for guests.

Bob Chapek said further details on the full re-opening of the Disneyland Resort will be shared at a later date.