Release Date for Mandalorian Season 3 Announced!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney+

It’s hard to believe just how long it has been since we last saw Mando and Grogu. Season 2 was released in 2020 and left viewers on the edge of their seats. We couldn’t wait to find out what happened next for the bounty hunter and his pint-sized companion. Sadly, with the onslaught of COVID-19, we had to wait much longer than expected due to filming delays.

When last we saw Grogu and his faithful guardian, they were (as usual) in a bit of a tight spot, but fans cheered at the arrival of a beloved character who would swoop in to save the day…we hope…it all ended with a major cliffhanger. The duo has been making their way across the galaxy to save the tiny “baby Yoda” from the clutches of the evil Empire who want to exploit the child for his force-sensitive talents. Mando has sworn that will never happen and continuously gets the pair in and out of hot water in his attempts to evade the galactic overlords.

The Mandalorian

Each episode provides enough action to keep you on the edge of your seat and enough cute baby Yoda goodness to fill up your “awww” meter. With excellent storytelling and the incredible special effects we’ve come to expect from Star Wars, it is easy to see why The Mandalorian has such a loyal fan base.

The show, which has been billed as a “space western,” has become a fan favorite since its release in 2019. We are so excited that the next installment is coming soon! Many reliable sources have confirmed that the show will return for its third installment of the hit show will return on February 22, 2023! That is almost a 3-year hiatus since the season 2 conclusion.

If you can’t get enough of Mando and Grogu (which who could blame you?), you don’t have to wait til the show premiers to get your fix. Over at Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland, you can meet the pair in person at the all new meet and greet coming this month!

Guest Videos Attempt to Stay at Disney Event Without a Ticket

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

If you’re planning a vacation to Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort, the very first thing you should do is check the Disney calendar for special events which may limit your time spent in the Park.

But, let’s say you either didn’t know about the Disney special ticketed event or hope to stay for as long as possible in the Disney Park. Well, you will eventually get kicked out by a Disney Cast Member. How long can you hold out before getting the boot to the exit?

Disney Parks are big on special ticketed events! These are events that occur after the Park closes to the general public. Typically this means reduced hours for regular Park ticket holders.

For example, some popular special ticketed events at Magic Kingdom Park include Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

A Guest visiting one of these special events would need to purchase a party ticket to enjoy the perks of the event, such as unique food, decorations, Disney characters, ride enhancements, holiday fireworks, a special parade, and more.

When the party begins, however, regular Park Guests are slowly pushed to the exit by Cast Members looking for those without party wristbands.

At Disneyland Resort, the extremely popular Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party at Disney California Adventure is a fan favorite. Tickets to Oogie Boogie Bash allow Guests to enter the Park 3 hours before the party starts at 6:00 pm.

Oogie Boogie on stage at Oogie Boogie Bash

Inside the Park with Mark shared his experience of entering Disney California Adventure on the night of an Oogie Boogie Bash Party. Since he didn’t have a Halloween party ticket, he waited around to see how long he could stay in the Park before being asked to leave.

As you’ll see in the video, Mark didn’t hide to keep away from Cast Members. Check out his experience and his final kick-out time in the video below:

Wow! It’s impressive that he got to see as much as he did of the Oogie Boogie Bash… all without a ticket for the event.

It looks like, in total, the official kick-out time based on his experience was a full 1 hour.

To get the full benefit of one of Disney’s special ticketed events, we recommend purchasing a ticket as the best way to enjoy the excitement without the fear of being kicked out of the theme park.

Disney Shares First Look at New Fantasmic! Scenes

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

For more than two years, Guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort have had to walk by the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater, which is the home of the popular nighttime show, Fantasmic!. Fantasmic! closed when the theme parks were forced to shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic and, during the shutdown, Disney announced that the show would be undergoing a major refurbishment. Photos shown during the refurbishment showed the entire area drained and massive work being done.

Well, it’s been a long two and a half years, but Fantasmic! is finally ready to reopen, and will do so on November 3! And now we have a first look at some of the new scenes, courtesy of Disney. The new scenes will replace the controversial Pocahontas scene that had been a part of the show for years.

Let’s take a look!

Moana Fantasmic

Theme park insider Scott Gustin also shared a promotional video that highlights the new scenes.

Beginning November 3, Fantasmic! will show at the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater nightly, weather permitting. If you would like to see Fantasmic! during your theme park day, check your My Disney Experience for showtimes.

Update to Disney Cruise Line Health & Safety Policies

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

UPDATE: SeaMails have been sent to guests who booked through a travel agent on sailings departing from the U.S. Nov. 14, 2022 to Jan. 31, 2023 and all sailings departing on or after Feb. 1, 2023.

Beginning Nov. 14, 2022, for sailings departing from the United States, Disney Cruise Line will no longer require Guests (regardless of vaccination status) to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to sailing. Disney Cruise Linecontinues to highly recommend that all Guests be fully vaccinated and encourages unvaccinated Guests to take a COVID-19 test two days prior to sailing.

SeaMail for Sailings departing from the U.S. Nov. 14, 2022 to Jan. 31, 2023:

Dear [Guest Who Booked Through a Travel Agent],

All of us at Disney Cruise Line look forward to welcoming you aboard soon. We are reaching out with important updates to the COVID-19 testing requirements for your sailing.

Beginning November 14, 2022, for sailings departing from the United States, Disney Cruise Line will no longer require Guests (regardless of vaccination status) to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to sailing. Disney Cruise Line continues to highly recommend that all Guests be fully vaccinated and encourages unvaccinated Guests to take a COVID-19 test two days prior to sailing.

As our health and safety protocols and operational guidelines are subject to change, please visit the Know Before You Go section of our website for the latest information and answers to many frequently asked questions.

Guests booked on sailings departing from the U.S. November 14, 2022, through January 31, 2023, may modify or cancel their sailing by November 13, 2022 without any Disney-imposed cancellation fees. Please contact your travel agent for details on how to cancel or modify your booking. Please note that change fees and cancellation fees imposed by third-party suppliers, such as airlines and hotels, as well as travel insurance, are not refundable. Refunds will be processed back to the original form of payment. Standard cancellation policies and terms and conditions apply for any cancellation or modification requests received on or after November 14, 2022.

Guest must complete Online Check-in beginning 30 days prior to their sailing. You will need to submit the required documents as well as select a Port Arrival Time. All Guests, including our Platinum Castaway Club Guests, will need to select a Port Arrival Time. Please be aware that Guests will not be permitted at the terminal or in parking areas before their scheduled arrival time. Guests who arrive early will be asked to return at their scheduled arrival time. Online Check-in can be completed or modified up to one day prior to sailing. After completing Online Check-in, you will receive a Port Arrival Form by email. Bring this with you to the port to expedite your arrival.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard soon.

Sincerely,

The Cast and Crew

Disney Cruise Line

SeaMail for All Sailings Departing on or after Feb. 1, 2023:

Dear [Guest Who Booked Through a Travel Agent],

All of us at Disney Cruise Line look forward to welcoming you aboard soon. We are reaching out with important updates to the COVID-19 testing requirements for your sailing. 

Beginning November 14, 2022, for sailings departing from the United States, Disney Cruise Line will no longer require Guests (regardless of vaccination status) to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to sailing. Disney Cruise Line continues to highly recommend that all Guests be fully vaccinated and encourages unvaccinated Guests to take a COVID-19 test two days prior to sailing. 

For sailings departing from International destinations, Disney Cruise Line adheres to the local laws, regulations and protocols in place, including those related to health and safety. Guests on these will be notified of any specific requirements closer to their sail date. In addition, we recommend that Guests review and stay up to date with any cruise-specific requirements, restrictions or recommendations that may be in place for travel to destinations outside of the United States. 

As our health and safety protocols and operational guidelines are subject to change, please visit the Know Before You Go section of our website for the latest information and answers to many frequently asked questions. 

Guests booked on sailings departing from the U.S. on or after February 1, 2023, may modify or cancel their sailing by November 17, 2022 without any Disney-imposed cancellation fees. Please contact your travel agent for details on how to cancel or modify your booking. Please note that change fees and cancellation fees imposed by third-party suppliers, such as airlines and hotels, as well as travel insurance, are not refundable. Refunds will be processed back to the original form of payment. Standard cancellation policies and terms and conditions apply for any cancellation or modification requests received on or after November 18, 2022. 

We look forward to welcoming you aboard soon.

Sincerely, 

The Cast and Crew

Disney Cruise Line

Resident’s of Animal Kingdom Celebrate Halloween With Fun Jack-O-Lanterns

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

It is officially the spookiest time of the year, and Guests are not the only ones at Walt Disney World who are getting in the Halloween spirit. Sure, there is trick or treating for them at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party but, as you know, Disney likes everyone to feel like they are a part of the celebration. That includes some of the residents that live at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. That’s right — we are talking about the animals!

Dr. Mark Penning — Vice President of Disney’s Animals, Science, and Environment Division — shared an adorable video of multiple animals carefully investigating their pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns before digging in.

‘Twas the night before Halloween and from the Lodge to the Park, pumpkin enrichment continued from dawn until dark 🎃

Science has shown that pumpkins are one of the best treats for Disney Park animals to have, as they are filled with essential nutrients such as Vitamins A, C, and E, as well as the B – complex group – Niacin, Folates, Vitamin B6 Thiamine, and pantothenic acid. Pumpkins are also rich in minerals like Calcium, Phosphorous, Potassium, and Copper.

Animal Kingdom Halloween

Pumpkins are not the only Halloween snacks that the animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park can indulge in. If you are lucky enough, you may be able to see Cast Members feeding the animals other fruits like watermelon or vegetables like whole heads of lettuce. Most fruits and vegetables are a vital part of each animal’s healthy diet. Of course, carnivorous animals — like lions and cheetahs — also get the proper amount of meat that they need to stay healthy. 

Lion Disney's Animal Kingdom

Next up, Thanksgiving. And then, Christmas! We can’t wait to see how Disney gets its animals into the holiday spirit!