Sorry for the lack of updates in the last couple of weeks, it was for good reason. I, finally, moved into the new house! Move in day was last Thursday and I spent the last couple weeks either packing, unpacking, or playing in City of Ottawa Bonspiel (though I didn’t win an event this year….only reached an event semifinal). It has been a busy couple of weeks. It has also been a busy couple of weeks for news coming out of Walt Disney World. Let’s take a look at what has been announced.
Disney Announces “Disney After Hours”
This is probably the most controversial of all the news announcements. “Disney After Hours” will take place on seven consecutive Thursday nights in April and May. This is another hard ticket event which Disney has grown so fond of in recent years. The event takes place after the Magic Kingdom has closed for the evening (11 pm) and costs all guests $149. Guests can start to enter Magic Kingdom at 7 pm in anticipation of the event and the event runs from 11 pm to 2 am. Lots of people jumped to the conclusion that this event is a trial balloon to replace Extra Magic Hours. This is not a way to monetize Extra Magic Hours. Let me repeat that, “This is not a way to monetize Extra Magic Hours.”
“Disney After Hours” is another opportunity, in addition to Extra Hours, to provide guests access to the Magic Kingdom. “Disney After Hours” is available to both resort and non-resort guests so the event is open to everyone. Guests, at this limited ticket event, will experience shorter lines for attractions and meet-and-greets along with complimentary ice cream and soft drinks. For information about this event:
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Very Merry Christmas Dates Announced
Dates have been announced dates for both Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. The Halloween Party will take place on 29 nights during September and October. The event will kick-off on September 2nd and culminate on Halloween night October 31st.
Just a week later, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party will begin on November 7th and run through December 22nd. After December 22nd, the Christmas Parade will become part of the regular nightly activities.
Ticket prices for 2016 have not been announced.
http://disneyworldenthusiast.com/2016/03/28/2016-mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party-dates-announced/
Dates for 2017 D23 Announced
The Anaheim Convention Center will again host the 2017 D23 Expo on July 14 through July 16. This three-day event typically is when Disney announces the biggest news coming to the Disney parks. At the 2015 D23 Expo, we heard the following announcements:
- An in-depth look into Shanghai Disney (#thanksshanghai)
- Toy Story Land coming to Hollywood Studios
- Modeling for Pandora: The World of Avatar
What will be announced in 2017? We will have wait until next year to find out. My guess is we will see a model of Star Wars Land as well some long-range thoughts into Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary.
dadfordisney 