Walt Disney World Resort Amenities Returning Soon
October continues to signify the magic date for Walt Disney World guests, as something else good is happening on that date.
Yes, you’ll get to spend more time at theme parks than guests who aren’t staying at official Disney resorts.
I’ll explain that, talk about the reopening of a beloved restaurant, and discuss some exciting enhancements coming to Walt Disney World soon.
Extended Evening Hours
Okay, Disney hasn’t released as many details as we’d prefer on this topic. However, here’s what the company just said.
Guests staying in Deluxe Tier Disney resorts will receive a unique amenity this October.
We’ll receive Extended Evening Hours at Walt Disney World’s theme parks. However, that’s not the best part.
Disney will offer this amenity in addition to the previously announced Early Theme Park Entry option. That feature will debut on October 1st.
So, on the day of Disney’s 50th birthday, guests staying at official Disney resorts (of all tiers) may enter the parks half an hour early.
Early Theme Park Entry will apply to every theme park on every date. We know less about Extended Evening Hours, as it won’t be daily.
Disney also chose not to reveal a start date for this amenity. However, the official wording suggests that guests staying at Deluxe properties get extra park hours.
I don’t want to read too much into this or get you too excited. However, if we take Disney at its word, only a fractional number of guests will qualify.
Most vacationers stay in Value or Moderate Tier properties. Therefore, the only people likely to visit during Extended Evening Hours are DVC members and wealthy guests.
Courtesy of Disney Tourist Blog
This benefit sounds like one that DVC members have clamored for Disney to add for years. There may be caveats, though. Keep checking back for additional details.
Let’s Talk Disney Dining
Casey’s Corner has reopened! The story broke rather suddenly after more than a year without Walt Disney World’s best hot dogs.
Courtesy of Disney Tourist Blog
The staple of Main Street, U.S.A. didn’t reopen with Magic Kingdom due to social distancing issues behind the counter.
The tight space required cast members to stand too close together. Also, park officials recognized that the extra space would help foot traffic at Emporium.
Ergo, we’ve gone a year without Corn Dog Nuggets, at least at Casey’s. Thankfully, the restaurant returned on June 30th, just in time for fireworks!
Apparently, the timing isn’t accidental, as park officials wanted Casey’s running when Happily Ever After comes back. And that happens today!
In other Disney dining news, the company finally commented on the currently absent dining plan.
While Disney again refused to name a date, it did acknowledge that the Disney Dining Plan will return.
I wish I could offer more specifics, but Disney only stated “a later date” for the dining plan.
Characters Returning at Resorts!
The other vital piece of intel this week counts as proof positive that Walt Disney World has returned to a pre-pandemic state.
Courtesy of Disney Tourist Blog
Just before the lockdown, Disney has leaned hard into character appearances at DVC resorts. I know that I loved meeting Stitch at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort just before this nonsense started.
According to the Parks Blog, these encounters will return just in time for the 50th-anniversary celebration.
Disney has promised that characters will appear at the various official resorts, not just the DVC ones. Even better, they’ll wear their EARidescent outfits!
Yes, you can take a picture with your favorite Disney characters without ever leaving your hotel!
Again, Disney didn’t list specifics and indicated the appearance will be random. I suspect that the lack of details stems from the suddenness of the pandemic’s end.
Much remains up in the air as Disney scrambles to host a full-throated birthday party rather than the understated affair most had expected.
Still, let’s bring all these stories together. In October, staying at a Disney resort means you get to interact with characters at your hotel AND visit the parks early/stay late. At some point, you can buy the dining plan again, too.
Courtesy of Disney Tourist Blog
All the Disney news lately is universally positive!
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