Another Fire Breaks Out During Nighttime EPCOT Show

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

On October 1, 2021, Walt Disney World kicked off its massive 5oth Anniversary celebration, which included new rides — Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure –, a ton of delicious new foods, and two new nighttime spectaculars — Disney Enchantment at Magic Kingdom Park and Harmonious at EPCOT, which takes places on World Showcase Lagoon.

While Disney Enchantment is not as popular as Happily Ever After — which is coming back when the 50th ends –, Guests seem to enjoy heading to EPCOT to watch the show, complete with great music and stunning fireworks. During Harmonious, fireworks actually shoot off right near Guests, which can be both startling and thrilling.

However, in the year since the show started, there have been several problems. Well, one big problem, really. Fires. And how another fire has broken out during the show.

Theme park insider Scott Gustin shared that a fire broke out on one of the barges used in Harmonious. Disney said that the fire broke out on one of the barges, but was contained and put out after the show.

This is not the first time that a fire has broken out during Harmonious. A couple of months ago, a fire broke out near the America pavilion due to a stray ember from the fireworks. Another time, a firework appeared to malfunction, causing a fire on one of the barges.

Here is more on Harmonious, courtesy of the Walt Disney World Resort website:

The heart of the EPCOT transformation comes to life with Harmonious, one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for Disney Parks. The show is a beautifully crafted medley of classic Disney music and visuals reinterpreted by a culturally diverse group of 240 artists from all around the world. Come and be dazzled by all of it as you discover how Disney music and stories have the power to inspire and unite us all, overcoming any language or border.

This magnificent show brings to World Showcase Lagoon an innovative combination of floating giant screens, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics and lasers in a 360-degree view. Enter amazing worlds inspired by Moana, Aladdin, Coco, Brave, The Lion King, Mulan, The Princess and the Frog and other classic stories. Colorful images and effects dance and change as Harmonious weaves familiar Disney music and stories together. Through unique perspectives as diverse as the world itself, Disney songs hop from language to language as the show brings people from different parts of the world together to unlock the magic of possibility.

Harmonious

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is Reopening

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Epcot, Uncategorized

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is finally returning after two very long years! This royal character buffet is one of the last restaurants to return from the Covid closures!

Beginning on November 4, 2022 you can join your favorite Disney Princesses in EPCOT’s World Showcase for an unforgettable meal. Located in the Norway pavilion you’ll find traditional Norwegian dishes like Tradisjonell Kjøttkake (Norwegian Meatballs served with Mashed Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, and Lingonberry Sauce) and grilled salmon. Kids will feast on familiar favorites like Mac and cheese and pizza.

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

Pricing for this location is on par with increased pricing for other character meals at Walt Disney World. Breakfast will be $53.00 for adults and $34.00 for kids. Lunch and dinner will be $63.00 for adults and $41.00 for kids. Just as it was before the closure, all three meals will remain all-you-can-eat.

This incredible meal offers a chance to dine with princesses like Ariel, Snow White, Cinderella, and Belle “inside a medieval castle with soaring archways and cathedral ceilings.” This classic location is a hit with young and old alike due to its interesting food, fun characters and beautiful surroundings. In fact, we recommend it over Cinderella’s Royal Table. The food is better, the restaurant is more beautiful, and as a bonus reservations here are typically easier to get! Currently Cinderella’s Royal Table isn’t offering their full character experience either. That gives Akershus Royal Banquet Hall a definite edge over its more popular dining cousin.

Disney says Advanced Dining Reservations are recommended for this location but we would take that a step further and say they are essentially required. We have never once gotten or even heard of anyone who has gotten a walk up table here. Reservations will open for Akershus on October 24, 2022. They will likely go fast at first due to pent up demand so you’ll want to make sure you are ready at 6:00 am when reservations open up!

We are keeping a close eye on the few restaurants that remain shuttered after the closure. Stay tuned and we will update you as soon as more announcements are made!

Orlando Tourism Is Giving Away 12 Free Disney World Vacations!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Disney has been in the news a lot lately, but not for the best of reasons. Last week, Disney announced some pretty big price increases across the board, from theme park tickets to Disney Genie+, and even bottles of water. Guests were not overly happy, as a Disney vacation seems to be getting further and further out of reach for many families.

However, the Orlando Tourism Association wants families to still be able to enjoy time at the Most Magical Place on Earth. So, they are giving away some free vacations!

Magic Kingdom

Here is more information on the sweepstakes, courtesy or Visit Orlando:

Visit Orlando, the official tourism association for Orlando, is launching a special sweepstakes for 12 lucky winners and their three closest friends, family members or travel companions to experience the 50th Anniversary celebration of Walt Disney World Resort before it ends March 31, 2023. Each Magical Getaway includes Theme Park Tickets with Park Hopper option, a $500 value Disney Gift Card, accommodation at a deluxe Disney Resort hotel for a two-night, three-day stay, roundtrip airfare provided by Frontier Airlines, and Orlando International Airport ground transportation to and from Walt Disney World Resort. 

Starting December 6 and lasting for 12 days, one entry winner will be selected each day and will receive the following:

One prize package will be awarded each day for 12 days from Visit Orlando starting Tuesday, Dec. 6, each to include: 

  • $250 flight vouchers for travel to Orlando on Frontier Airlines – America’s Greenest Airline for the winner and up to three guests  
  • One standard room (quad occupancy) for a three-day, two-night stay at a deluxe Walt Disney World Resort hotel for the winner and up to three guests (Resort hotel selected by Visit Orlando in its sole discretion)  
  • Three-Day Theme Park Tickets with Park Hopper option for winner and up to three guests (park reservations required) 
  • (1) $500 value Disney Gift Card for food & beverage and merchandise  
  • Visit Orlando Swag Bags  
  • Ground Transportation to/from the Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World ®Resort for the winner and up to 3 guests
Character meal cost

Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th Anniversary will run through March 31, 2023, so winners of the giveaway will be able to experience all the Disney Parks’ 50th magic before it is gone!

To enter the contest, all you need to do is fill out a short form and submit a photo of you and your friends or family showing off your Disney fandom.

You can read the contest rules and enter for your chance to win a Walt Disney World vacation by clicking here!

Disney Adds Big Cast Member Perk

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

For some, working at a Disney Resort is a dream job. Being able to be right in the middle of the magic and help families create memories is something not a lot of people get to do. Heck, some people even move across the country — or even the world — for the chance to work at places like Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

However, recently, it seems that Disney is having a little bit of trouble keeping Cast Members happy. Not only does Disney frequently get called out for its low wages — which left some workers living in their cars — but there were also a number of walkouts and protests when Disney CEO Bob Chapek called Florida’s controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill, “irrelevant to the company”.

Pixar Walkout

There was also the issue of Cast Members and studio employees not receiving the same great perks that they once did. Now, however, it looks like Disney is trying to increase the perks — at least a little bit.

For years, one of the biggest perks was that Cast Members would be able to get into the theme parks pretty much whenever they wanted and bring some of their family or friends with them. They were also given a number of complimentary tickets that they could give to friends and family, so they could get into the Parks without the Cast Member.

Those days have been significantly cut down and last year, Disney told Cast Members they could either have the theme park perk, or they could receive the Disney Bundle — which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ — for free.

This year, Disney has changed course and has informed Cast Members that they will not have to choose. Cast Members will now be able to have both the theme park access and the Disney Bundle. However, they will only have free access to the ad-supported version of Disney+, which will launch on December 8. Disney has not told Cast Members if they will be able to pay to upgrade to the ad-free tier.

Disney Cast Members also get perks like discounts at other Disney theme parks and Disney Resorts. They also get discounts at Disney hotels. The one exception is Tokyo Disney Resort, which is not owned by Disney.

Genie+ Price Hike Already In Place

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

In the early morning hours of October 11, 2022, it was discovered that Disneyland Resort had quietly hiked up the price for its Disney Genie+ service from $20 per person per day to $25 overnight. But the Disney news of the price hikes didn’t stop there.

In addition to Disneyland’s price hike of Disney Genie service (the former complementary line skipping service known as MaxPass or FastPass+), Disneyland Resort bumped up its Park ticket prices for Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure.

Unfortunately, we had a feeling Walt Disney World Resort wasn’t in the clear. Shortly after Disneyland’s news, Walt Disney World Resort quietly update its Disney Genie+ service. Instead of the former sticker price of $15 per person per day, Disney World revealed it would now offer Disney Genie+ pricing that would “vary by date.”

Much faster than Disney has been able to make decisions about the long-lasting construction status of the TRON Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom Park… Disney wasted no time implementing the Disney Genie+ price hike.

As of the morning of October 12, 2022, Disney Genie+ at Walt Disney World has jumped from $15 to $20.

@AshleyLCarter1 took to social media to share, “For today (Oct. 12), Disney Genie+ at Disney World is priced at $20 per person plus tax. Disney recently implemented variable pricing for the service.”

The news of the price hikes didn’t stop there. Furthermore, Disney kept the quiet pricing increase unfolding with select Disney experience price increases at Savi’s Workshop and Droid Depot at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Food and beverage pricing increase has also been spotted throughout the Disney Parks and Resorts.

Individual Lightning Lane attractions that are not included in Disney Genie+ will also increase and vary in price daily, depending on crowd size for each Disney Park. The individual attraction selection and pricing for Lightning Lane attractions include Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (expect $11 per person) at Magic Kingdom, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (expect $15 per person) at EPCOT, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (expect $20 per person) at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Avatar Flight of Passage (expect $14 per person) at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park.