May 7-13, 2023
If you haven’t checked it out, I have a Breaking News post (the last one published) with all the info about the changes coming to the WDW Parks in 2024. You can start purchasing tickets and packages May 31st.
I’d like to share something on here that I haven’t done yet, and that is a podcast recommendation. I was introduced to Flightless Bird, a podcast from the Armchair Expert network. This pod is centered around a New Zealander who was stranded in the US during the pandemic and wanted to learn more about America and Americans. He has done 3 pods around Disney…one on Disneyland (he lives in CA), one on Disney Adults (I felt very seen), and the one released this week is on EPCOT and Universal. It was his first trip to WDW and was an interesting take on this classic Disney park from both a foreigner’s perspective and a first-time EPCOT visitor’s perspective.
In other entertainment news, Jonathan Majors (who plays Kang in the MCU) appeared virtually in court in a domestic violence case after being arrested. He could face up to 1 year in prison if convicted, which would certainly put a wrench in the MCU’s plans.
AND later this year Disney’s+ and Hulu will combine into one app for US-based customers. Sort of. If you have a subscription to both. And if you have the commercial-free tier of Disney+, adjust your budgets now as that price is reportedly going to increase this year.
On to other news. Let’s start in Paris! That’s right y’all, I’m going to start incorporating info on the parks worldwide (mostly because I want to travel to them all so this is a way I can start to get to know those parks from afar, and you can too!) Avengers: Power the Night, the major night-time drone/fireworks/projection show at Disneyland Paris, will return starting September 1st. I just watched a video of this on YouTube and the drone part is really cool. Would be fun to see this incorporated into the US parks. This is part of DP’s 30th Anniversary Celebration. Wow. 1. I can’t believe I’m older than Disneyland Paris (formerly EuroDisney) and 2. Disney sure does love to celebrate. I’m here for it.
Shanghai Disney Resort has also nearly completed construction on it’s new Zootopia expansion! (Have you seen Zootopia? I am obsessed with the DMV sloth. Obsessed.). Tokyo Disney Resort is now also allowing characters to hug guests again! Get your hug photos in folks.
Phew, ok, lots of news this week so hang in there.
Back in the States, construction walls were up behind Cinderella Castle at MK. Sadly the golden ribbons have been removed from Cinderella’s castle turrets. Speaking of Cinderella, the new Disney100 Cinderella Coach popcorn bucket has made an appearance at MK. In celebration of Star Wars for May the 4th (and the month of may), some items previously only available for purchase at Galaxy’s Edge can now be found on shopDisney.com including kyber crystals!
Remember how last week I said Disney would likely have something legal to say about Florida’s new law? Turns out I was right. They amended their lawsuit to include DeSantis’ recent comments. The Q2 earnings call had Bob Iger, CEO of the Walt Disney Company, saying some choice words about the matter and how it is affecting business. The Dis has a great summary of the call here.
I feel like that’s enough for now, right?
Thanks for hanging in there, not unlike a sloth. A DMV sloth…