December 2021 – A Walk With The Mouse

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon to Open Soon

Posted on December 30, 2021December 30, 2021 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

The 50th-anniversary magic continues at Walt Disney World Resort as Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park prepares to reopen on January 2, 2022. Offering tropical family fun for all ages, the park’s reopening will mark the return of favorite attractions and the debut of new menu items and other commemorative culinary features.

Known for its immersive storytelling, thrilling water attractions, and family fun, the Typhoon Lagoon tells the fabled tale of a rogue storm and its ensuing tidal wave that wreaked havoc on a formerly pristine waterside paradise. From topsy-turvy architecture and storm-strewn nautical gear to the stranded shrimping ship, Miss Tilly, impaled upon the summit of Mount Mayday, each detail brings the legend to life for guests in different ways.

The Return of Favorite Typhoon Lagoon Attractions

Popular attractions and features will delight guests, including exhilarating slides, flumes and wet and “water-ful’’ play spaces for every member of the family. Among the favorites:

Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool, America’s largest outdoor wave pool where guests can “hang 10’’ while bodying surfing on the perfect wave every time.
Miss Adventure Falls, a fast-paced family raft attraction created, as the story goes, when Captain Mary Oceaneer – a seafaring treasure hunter – got her haul caught years ago in a rogue typhoon, scattering her treasure across this tropical paradise.
Crush ‘n’ Gusher, a thrilling water coaster featuring three 400-foot-long tube slides named for the various fruits they once transported.
Castaway Creek, a scenic lazy river encircling the entire water park, offering gentle passage past shady grottoes, gushing waterfalls, overhead rope bridges and lush rainforest landscapes.
Humunga Kowabunga, offering a choice of three adrenaline-filled body slides set against the steep inclines of Mount Mayday.

Surf Programs Restart

The Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool uses state-of-the-art technology to create the perfectly controlled wave each time, including right, left or center peaks.

Learn to Surf – Ideal for all skill levels, surf lessons offer guests the chance to learn to surf during group lessons with a certified surf instructor.
Private Surf Bookings – Guests can host their own private surfing event for up to 25 individuals during select times. Private Surf is returning on January 7; bookings are now available.

New Frozen Dessert Bar Menu

Guests will encounter a selection of mouth-watering new DOLE Whip menu offerings at the shipwreck-inspired eatery, Snack Shack. In addition to two Moana-inspired DOLE Whip character cones, guests can tantalize their taste buds by building their own tropical flavor combination with their choice of mango, lime, raspberry or pineapple DOLE Whip.

Adults can complement their custom DOLE Whip creation by mixing in tequila, coconut rum or dark rum. The Snack Shack at Typhoon Tilly’s will also serve the Habanero Lime Galley Shack Swirl, a new signature cocktail balancing spicy habanero, sweet mango and tangy lime flavors.

Celebratory Anniversary Menu Items

To mark the 50^th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort, Typhoon Lagoon will add several new menu items and features as part of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” such as:

Walt’s Chili Nachos(Snack Shack) – A new twist on a classic favorite, this playful interpretation of Walt Disney’s beloved chili recipe features house-fried tortillas, cheese, guacamole, shredded lettuce, tomato, onion, sour cream and jalapeño.
EARidescent Ice Dream Cone (Happy Landings) – This birthday cake-flavored soft-serve swirl in a white chocolate-dipped cone honors the celebration with EARidescent sprinkles.
Walt Disney World Popcorn Bucket (Main Change) – Available throughout the celebration, this popcorn bucket features whimsical illustrations of iconic Walt Disney World landmarks along with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their 50^thcelebration fashions.
50^th Anniversary Refillable Mug – The new 50^th anniversary Refillable Mug will be available at all dining locations and features celebratory Disney Water Parks-inspired artwork that pays tribute to “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.”

Replacement Signs Spotted for Disney’s Magical Express

Posted on December 30, 2021December 30, 2021 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

With only a few days left in 2021, Walt Disney World Resort is beginning the signage removal process of the complimentary airport transportation system known as Disney’s Magical Express. Disney previously announced the Magical Express service is coming to an end with the last day of operation is December 31, 2021.

There are currently two forms of transportation to be offered in the new year as Magical Express replacement options, both non-Disney services that come with a fee. Mears Connect and The Sunshine Flyer will be traveling to and from Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Walt Disney World Resort hotels for select fees.

Now, the Magical Express signs once found at Disney World Resorts are being replaced with standard “Airport Shuttle Departures” signs.

@followyourdreams_travels took to Instagram with the following photo and note: “They have already begun to install in the Disney Hotels, the new signs to indicate where to wait for the paid buses, replacing those of the Disney’s Magical Express. The Magical Express that operates free to and from the Orlando Airport transporting Guests, stops providing the Service on December 31, 2021. Guests will be able to book a bus to and from the Airport paying for the service.”

Mears Transportation service fees will be $16 (per adult) / $13.50 (per child) for a one-way trip or $32 (per adult) / $27 (per child) for a round trip. For the express car service, Guests can pay $250 for a round trip with up to 4 passengers, with an additional $55 per additional passenger.

The Sunshine Flyer service fees will be $17 (per adult) / $12.50 (per child) for a one-way service. Or, you can purchase round-trip tickets for $34 (per adult) and $25 (per child).

Disney Guests Left Devastated After Four Hour Wait

Posted on December 30, 2021December 30, 2021 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

Via InsideTheMagic

Imagine waiting in line for a Disney attraction for hours, only to end up reaching the front of the line to be told the ride is broken? That was the case for some Guests this past week.

At Walt Disney World, arguably the most popular attraction can be found at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Rise of the Resistance tends to have the longest wait times in the Park. For Guests looking to skip the line and purchase a single pass for Lightning Lane, the ride is the most expensive option (continuously varying pricing around the $17.00 mark) due to its popularity.

In a recent post on Reddit, Basuit commented on the Walt Disney World subreddit page to share their experience, or lack thereof, with Rise of the Resistance. It seems this Disney Guest waited in the Batuu standby queue for 4 hours, only to have the ride break once they got to the front. Of course, this is always a possibility as rides tend to temporarily go down often; after waiting hours, it would be a tough pill to swallow.

The Guest stated:

Wanted to share our very very disappointing experience with Rise of resistance on 12/23. Started line around 3pm onward and it took almost 200 mins to reach final stage. Right before sitting in to the riders we have been told attraction is temporarily unavailable due to some technical issue and we we’re given ILL pass to come back when attraction becomes available.

Not sure if anyone experienced this before but for us it was very painful experience to stand in the line for such a long time and finally they simply said attraction is not available. I felt they could have handled situation in much better way.

As it was almost 7.30 pm and also, due to our other planned activities outside of park we had to call it a day. Not sure if they were able to resolve the issue during last hour, anyone was able to go?

This past week has been an incredibly busy one at Walt Disney World, which is likely why the wait was a whopping 4 hours! As noted in the story, the Guests were given another Lightning Lane pass for the attraction once it was running again, however, after the disappointment from waiting for hours, they decided to go home.

Disney describes the attraction as:

An Attraction on a Scale That Is Impressive, Most Impressive
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is a massive attraction with multiple ride systems that is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced at Walt Disney World Resort… or anywhere else in the galaxy!
Accept a Mission from the Resistance
The Resistance needs your help! Hidden in the forest outside Black Spire Outpost, the Resistance is gathering recruits for a secret mission.
With the First Order desperate to extinguish the spark of the Resistance, the mission is bound to have unexpected twists and turns. When your transport is captured by an imposing First Order Star Destroyer filled with legions of stormtroopers—and even Kylo Ren!—you’re going to need all the help you can get. Fortunately, a covert team of Resistance fighters—including Rey and BB-8—is at the ready to give you a fighting chance to escape… and a chance for the Resistance to rise.

Disney World Bride Kicks Out Cheating Groom

Posted on December 30, 2021December 30, 2021 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

The idea of having a Disney Fairytale Wedding is a dream for many a Disney-loving bride-to-be who wants to feel like a real-life Disney Princess, if only for a day.

One Walt Disney World Resort bride, however, did not have the most traditionally magical experience on her big day at the flagship Disney theme park property.

Per an Instagram Reel posted by Cookin’ With Megg, and originally shared by an anonymous source who reached out to her:

“When I worked at Disney, we had a wedding where the bride made everyone flip the plates over before the dinner. Each one had a different picture of the groom with a different girl. She kicked him, his friends and family out. And celebrated not getting married. One of the wildest parties I’ve seen!”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cookin With Megg 👩🏻‍🍳 (@cookinwithmegg)

Commenters were obsessed with the bride’s unconventional event, with geneticsbycalyx writing, “Maaaaaaan to have been a dude in a goofy suit for that party.”

Another Instagram user, notofficialnaru, posted, “yo i would love to go to a wedding like that.”

Although the situation was undoubtedly a little bit sad for the would-be bride, it sounds as though she handled it with aplomb and got her just desserts (and maybe some spare wedding cake) in the process.

Worker shortages could threaten plans of holiday merry makers visiting Disney World

Posted on December 27, 2021December 27, 2021 by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, Uncategorized

According to the latest estimates, more than 109 million Americans–nearly one-third of the United States population–are traveling or will travel during the holiday season from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day through New Year’s Day, despite the uptick in numbers of coronavirus cases, spearheaded by the omicron variant of the virus.

Among Americans and United States destinations, the favored holiday travel and vacation spot this season is Central Florida, specifically the Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios Orlando, and Sea World Orlando.

But the U. S. workforce is woefully lacking this season as a labor shortage threatens to put a damper on travelers’ plans that include visiting a Central Florida theme park.

Some travelers are Florida residents, while others are visiting the Sunshine State from somewhere else in the country.

Alex Merisier of Miami and her sister-in-law headed north to Central Florida for a change of pace.

“Well, we wanted to do something fun for the holidays. We haven’t done anything fun during COVID, so we figured, now is the perfect time,” Merisier explained.

And while it’s good news that tourism and air travel are rebounding following closures across the country last year in response to the pandemic, a worker shortage stares that rebound right in the eye. Non-Disney family travel destinations and attractions are working to fill empty positions, and hotels in the Central Florida area are looking to hire front office employees and housekeepers.

Restaurants in the area face the struggle of attempting to hire sufficient staff for the demand of customers.

Recently, on December 13, the Walt Disney World Resort hosted a job fair at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Convention Center. Disney World is in desperate need of new Cast Members to fill open culinary, housekeeping, custodial, and bus transportation roles.

The Walt Disney Company has been offering bonuses to employees hired in certain roles at Disney World, such as chef assistant positions. These roles have come with a $1,500 sign-on bonus. Other hard-to-fill positions at Disney World have been offered with $1,000 sign-on bonuses, and there has even been an incentive for current Cast Members to refer friends and family as referral bonuses have been available as well.

In Orlando and the surrounding area, there are more than 3,000 open positions at local restaurants, nearly 3,000 openings at local hotels, and almost 2,800 open spots at Central Florida theme park locations, according to Indeed.com.

The latest estimates state that in 2022, 1 in 13 jobs related to travel and vacationing will go unfulfilled in large communities like Orlando where tourism is a huge player in the economy.

For now, travelers will have to practice patience as they navigate theme parks and other destinations in Central Florida as efforts are being made to hire more and more workers to help meet the needs of Guests at places like the Walt Disney World Resort.