A gold statue of BB-8 will be rolling into Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the Disney Fab 50 Character Collection, celebrating the resort’s 50th anniversary.
2022 Walt Disney World Ambassadors Raevon Redding and Ali Manion announced BB-8’s inclusion on Instagram.
Via DisneyTips.com
It has been a long FIVE days since Disney announced the new Disney Genie making its way to Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort this fall. While we haven’t heard many complaints about the complimentary Disney Genie app, we have heard many (MANY!) complaints about Disney replacing the former complimentary FastPass program with new paid Disney Genie+ and the Lightning Lane. We’re hearing it’s complicated, it makes no sense… and most of all, it’s more money to be spent at a Disney Park. Well, if you’re feeling disappointed in Disney’s decision to roll out the Disney Genie and added upcharge for the former free FastPass, you aren’t alone. In fact, fans have spoken and there is an overwhelming dislike when it comes to the new Disney Genie rollout.
In the Disney Parks YouTube video reveal you’ll see in the screenshot below, the massive number of dislikes Disney’s post received compared to likes. OUCH.
And the YouTube video isn’t the only spot where Guests are obviously not happy about the change. Just check out any one of Disney’s social media networks to see a large number of comments and angry faces about the Disney Genie. For example, the Facebook angry face takes over Disney Parks Blog Facebook post as shown in the screenshot below:
With the reveal of the Disney Genie, we also learned more news that seemed to disappoint the Disney fan world. EPCOT’s newest attraction, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, will be a virtual queue only OR you’ll be able to pay to ride. Just like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, there will be no standby line for these two attractions. But you can pay to ride if you don’t get a virtual queue in time.
The big question is what are you willing to pay to better your Disney experience? Would you pay one set fee for multiple individual attraction selections such as Haunted Mansion (Disney Genie+)? Or how about a one-time fee per person for a more popular individual attraction selection such as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom Park (Lightning Lane entrance)?
Announced earlier this year, one of the new benefits of staying at a Walt Disney Resort will be a new 30-minute early entry. Extra Magic Hours have been retired and will not return. This new benefit allows guests to enter any theme park, ahead of non-resort guests to get a jump on the day. Another benefit, available only to guests of Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts, gives guests extended evening hours in the parks. Disney has announced the attractions that will be open during the Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Theme Park Hours.
Starting October 1, 2021, as part of The World’s Most Magical Celebration, Disney Resort hotel Guests and Guests of other select hotels will be able to enjoy more fun with 30-minute early entry to any Walt Disney World theme park, every day. It’ll be a great way to get a jump start on your Disney day, no matter the day!
Valid theme park admission, park reservation, and Resort ID are required.
Participating HotelsEarly theme park entry is a benefit for registered Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels and select other hotels, which include:
What’s Available at the Theme Parks
During the early entry period, select attractions, merchandise, and food and beverage locations will be operating.
In addition, the following attractions are planned* to operate:
Magic Kingdom Park
Epcot
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
*Please note that attractions are subject to change and may not always be operational. To learn about any unplanned closures or long-term refurbishments, please view details about the attraction on our website or mobile app.
What You Need to Know
With the kickoff of the 50th anniversary, enjoy extended evening hours on select evenings in select theme parks when you stay at a Disney Deluxe Resort or, Disney Deluxe Villa Resort or other select hotels. This exciting benefit begins in October 2021—so you can celebrate the spectacular 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort!
Participating HotelsExtended evening theme park hours is a benefit for registered Guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts and Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, which include:Disney Deluxe Resorts
Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts
Other Select Hotels
What’s Available at the Theme Parks
During the extended evening theme park hours, select merchandise and food and beverage locations will be available.
In addition, the following attractions are planned* to operate:
Magic Kingdom Park
Epcot
*Please note that attractions are subject to change and may not always be operational. To learn about any unplanned closures or long-term refurbishments, please view details about the attraction on our website or mobile app.
The chart below show the available Extended Evening Theme Park Hours schedule at the time of publication.
| Date | Theme Park | Extended Hours |
| Monday, October 4 | Epcot | 10:00 PM to midnight |
| Wednesday, October 6 | Magic Kingdom | 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM |
| Monday, October 11 | Epcot | 10:00 PM to midnight |
| Wednesday, October 13 | Magic Kingdom | 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM |
| Monday, October 18 | Epcot | 10:00 PM to midnight |
| Wednesday, October 20 | Magic Kingdom | 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM |
| Monday, October 25 | Epcot | 10:00 PM to midnight |
| Wednesday, October 27 | Magic Kingdom | 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM |
| Monday, November 1 | Epcot | 10:00 PM to midnight |
| Wednesday, November 3 | Magic Kingdom | 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM |
As we head into fall more and more restaurants are reopening at Walt Disney World. We’re also seeing the return of buffet meals being offered at the resort.
From a Disney Cast Member;
This Walt Disney World Resort edition of Foodie News is jam-packed with exciting news – from the reopening of three of our most popular all-you-care-to-enjoy buffets to the addition of seven more global marketplaces at EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE®.
Boma – Flavors of Africa
Boma – Flavors of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge opens today with all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast and dinner. Once again, the cooking stations will be brimming with your favorites for breakfast – creamy pap, turkey bobotie, pancakes, waffles, deviled eggs with salmon, and delicious freshly baked items from the Boma bakery.
At dinner, the rotisserie area will offer pork ribs, salmon, African-spiced strip loin, Durban rotisserie chicken, and lamb bobotie. The kid’s station will have pasta and meatballs, mac n’ cheese, and chicken bites. The rotating selection of soups, stews, and chowders are back, as well as tasty salads like berbere chickpea salad and North African cauliflower salad. And yes, Zebra Domes are back!
Biergarten Restaurant
Beginning Aug. 29, Biergarten Restaurant in the German pavilion at EPCOT will offer a buffet experience for lunch and dinner. Enjoy your favorite German dishes – pretzel rolls, bratwurst, spätzle, schnitzel, and a variety of desserts, including apple strudel and black forest rolls. Prost!
The Crystal Palace
Inspired by Victorian greenhouses of the late 1800s, The Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom Park is such an enchanting spot to dine. I am happy to announce starting Sept. 12, their buffet will open for lunch and dinner where you can feast on Parker House rolls, create-your-own fresh garden salad, seared pork tenderloin, fire-roasted prime rib, braised beef short ribs, and more.
Nine Dragons Restaurant
Enjoy Cantonese, Mongolian, Szechuan, Hunan, and Kiangche-style specialties at Nine Dragons Restaurant in the China pavilion at EPCOT. Now open for dinner (Tuesday-Saturday), start with Sichuan Chicken Dumplings, Crispy Duck Bao Buns, or the House Hot & Sour Soup. For entrées, select from many delicious dishes such as Kung Pao Duo, Salt and Pepper Shrimp, Spicy Honey Crispy Chicken, and Kowloon Spare Ribs.
Breakfast at Cinderella Royal Table
Start your day in the most enchanting way – breakfast is back at Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom Park starting Aug. 27! Reservations are available beginning Aug. 24.
Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery
Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park reopens Aug. 29 and they have delicious new entrées to try while traveling through the park. Did you know “kusafiri” means “to journey” in Swahili?
Dockside Diner
Drop anchor and check out the new offerings at Dockside Diner at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Opening Aug. 22, this adorable walk-up location has plenty of outdoor seating along Echo Lake.
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
And exciting news for all you festival-goers! In our recent Foodie Guide to the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE, we indicated we would be opening more global marketplaces on Oct. 1. But the Festival Team decided to open seven marketplaces early – on Aug. 15! You’re welcome!
Ireland (Near United Kingdom)
Food:
Beverages:
Spain (Between Italy and Germany)
Food:
Beverages:
The Alps (Near Germany)
Food:
Beverages:
Kenya (Outpost)
Food:
Beverages:
India (Near China) – Opening Oct. 1
Food:
Beverages:
Select Dishes featuring Melissa’s Produce
NEW! Lobster Landing (Near Mission: SPACE)
Food:
Beverages:
Select Dishes featuring Melissa’s Produce
NEW! Mac & Eats (Near Mission: SPACE)
Food:
Beverages:
Select Dishes featuring Melissa’s Produce
We’ve been waiting to hear when FastPass+ would be returning and today we finally have an answer regarding its future. FastPass+ will be retired and replaced by a new paid offering this fall as part of a new digital service called Disney Genie.
From a Disney Cast Member;
We’re almost ready to let Disney Genie out of the lamp!
Coming this fall to Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, Disney Genie is a complimentary and convenient new digital service designed to create your best Disney day. We’ve been listening to your feedback – you want planning to be easier, you want more flexibility and you want better tools to help you make the most of your visit – and that’s exactly what Disney Genie is here to do. We’ve made significant investments in this cool new technology, which guides you through our theme parks with tips that can help you reduce time in lines, discover magic around every corner and take the guesswork out of “what’s next.”
Built right into the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps, Disney Genie service will maximize your park time, so you can have more fun. It includes a personalized itinerary feature that will quickly and seamlessly map out an entire day. From specific attractions, foodie experiences and entertainment, to general interests like Disney princesses, villains, Pixar, Star Wars, thrill rides and more – just tell Disney Genie what you want to do and it will do the planning for you.
Here are a few more features:
For even more convenience and flexibility, there are two other options for enjoying our theme parks, through a queue we are introducing called the Lightning Lane entrance that also saves you time in line:
Lightning Lane selections will be made on the same day of your visit and can be used across multiple theme parks, great for those who love the Park Hopper option. Attractions continue to offer a traditional standby queue, or a virtual queue at certain attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – to maximize flexibility.
While the FASTPASS, FastPass+ and Disney MaxPass services will be retired, we’re incredibly excited about the flexibility and choices Disney Genie service provides. You can choose from all of our new options, a mix of them or none at all, and continue to have a great experience no matter how you decide to plan your best Disney day.
We are also making some enhancements to our Disability Access Service (DAS) program, including new options to enroll in the program pre-arrival and for DAS participants to select attractions directly in the app. These options will be available in addition to our existing, in-person DAS program. Visit our Services for Guests with Disabilities page DisneyWorld.com and Disneyland.comfor more details.