Month: September 2021

Electrical Water Pageant Getting New 50th Anniversary Scene

Walt Disney World just announced that the Electrical Water Pageant will be updated with a new scene to celebrate Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary.

The new scene joining the pageant will feature Cinderella Castle in blue, with the 50th anniversary icon in the center. Accompanying the pageant will be a special version of the celebration anthem – “The Magic is Calling.”

In the announcement, Disney said –

The beloved Electrical Water Pageant joins in the fun of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” with new celebratory scenes featuring a towering castle, swirling pixie dust and a version of the celebration anthem song, “The Magic is Calling,” bookending the full traditional show as it sails nightly across Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more on the EARidescent updates to the Walt Disney World Resort classic.

Personally, I’m glad to see that the Electrical Water Pageant is getting some love and especially for 50th Anniversary love.  I can’t wait to see this.

Holiday Storytellers Appear to be Returning for the 2021 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

The 2021 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is looking to be a lot like what we’re used to seeing, with more entertainment expected to be returning.

It was recently noticed that a casting call went out from Disney Live Entertainment looking for Equity performers to play the roles of the Holiday Storytellers in each of the World Showcase countries.

Walt Disney World recently confirmed that the Candlelight Processional will return this year.

Walt Disney World Delays Re-Opening of Disney’s All Star Sports Indefinitely

Walt Disney World announced today that the re-opening of Disney’s All Star Sports Resort has been delayed indefinitely.

According to Walt Disney World’s resort re-opening timeline, the All Star Sports Resort was scheduled to re-open on December 9, 2021.

In the announcement, Walt Disney World issued this statement –

At this time, Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort will remain closed while we take the opportunity to refresh the Sports theme area, and we look forward to sharing a new reopening date for rooms in the Sports theme at a later time.

Guests with upcoming reservations will receive communication via email and will be instructed to reach out to their Travel Professional to modify their stay, at no additional charge. This modification will have no impact to other vacation experiences that may be booked, such as Theme Park reservations or dining.

As a reminder, we’re excited to reopen Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts next month for our Guests, with bookings available beginning Oct. 14 for Riverside and Oct. 28 for French Quarter, subject to availability.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance to Go to Standby Queue

Walt Disney World announced today that Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will pause its virtual queue and use a traditional standby line for the first time in its history.

The switch from virtual queue to standby will go into effect on September 23rd.

In the Disney Parks Blog Disney commented –

We know our guests love choice and flexibility when planning their time in a theme park—which is why, starting Sept. 23, we will pause the use of virtual queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios may experience this incredible attraction using a traditional standby queue for the first time since it opened in 2019.

Virtual queues continue to be helpful with attraction access, merchandise launches, grand openings and more, and guests should continue to check the My Disney Experience app for the latest on how we’re using virtual queues across Walt Disney World Resort including its potential use at Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at a later date, or from time to time.

There is speculation that this pause of the virtual queue has to do with the launch of Disney Genie.  Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will be one of the attractions that makes use of Lighting Lane, with paid access to enter the line. It may be happening to prepare for the new system, or to give guests a chance to experience the attraction prior to the upcoming changes.

Tickets for 2022 D23 Expo to Go On Sale in January

D23 announced today that tickets will go on sale on January 20, 2022 for the 2022 D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center in California.

In September 2020 D23 announced that the delayed 2021 D23 Expo will be held September 9 – 11, 2022 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

According to the announcement, D23 Expo 2022 will be a celebration unlike any other, and will give fans a first look at plans for the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company.

Terri Schultz, Disney Vacation Club VP Promoted. Bill Diercksen Promoted as Replacement

In an email sent out to Disney Vacation Club members it was announced that Bill Diercksen, a longtime leader with Disney, has been promoted to head up Disney Vacation Club as its new senior vice president and general manager.

Terri Schultz has been promoted to senior vice president of Commercial Strategy for all of our Disney Signature Experiences businesses, including Disney Vacation Club.

Diercksen is a 20-year Cast Member, he most recently served as vice president of finance for our Disney Signature Experiences portfolio of vacation experiences after working for several years as a director at Disney Vacation Club.

Thomas Mazloum, President, Disney Signature Experiences added –

Bill is very passionate about DVC and is absolutely dedicated to delivering the most magical Member and Guest experiences while bringing new perspectives and creativity to our organization. I know that he will continue to chart a course for success at DVC and build on the many strides that Terri and the team accomplished over the past few years.