Have a question about planning a trip to Disney or something you’ve read here? Hopefully this blog can help! We’ve visited every Disney resort around the world, from Walt Disney World to Tokyo Disneyland, have stayed in nearly every Disney-owned hotel in the world, and have dined at the majority of Disney restaurants.
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Thanks,
Tom Bricker
Hey Tom. I’m trying to travel to Disney World that first week post Thanksgiving. I have 4 nights booked DVC starting Nov 29, but from Dec 3-7 there’s no DVC inventory at all, but more crazy is theres no cash hotel inventory! You can find a couple nights at Coronado and a couple at AK, but that’s it, legit nothing else available. Is this normal or are rooms being held back? Just seems like insane occupancy. Any insights is appreciated!
Welp, I chatted with Disney and learned that after all these years I didn’t know how Disney’s hotel search works. By default it searches for the current promo only. You have to click on a hotel that has a room available for the current promo, then switch to regular room rate, then go back to the overall serach page just to see the regular room rate availability! That’s some incredible Disney IT action! So rooms are available, I just couldn’t see them easily. 🙂
Hi!
I’m Laura from The Escape Game!
We release a free online mystery game every month, and we just launched one that we collaborated directly with Disney on!
This one is a Disney Throwback theme — Players will solve puzzles inspired by iconic shows like Hannah Montana, Phineas and Ferb, Lizzie McGuire, and more!
Check it out!
https://monthlymystery.theescapegame.com/throwback/1
Tom,
I am looking at staying at the Corondo for Destination D23. I opted for the preferred room and believe it is somewhat closer to the convention center. Was wondering your thoughts as we have actually never stayed there and I know the resort is super big. My wife is recovering from a major illness and want her to be able to return to the room from D23 if she gets tired.
Sorry to hear that–hope your wife is recovering, and doing even better by Destination D!
Yeah, the preferred rooms are closer to the convention center (and El Centro, generally). Building 1 is the best bet–I’d make a room request and also go to the front desk upon arrival to get as close as you can (before entering the room).
Tom – I posted a comment to the Test Track report a few days ago and it never got posted, although it seemed to process the comment when I finished the necessary fields and hit “submit comment.” What happened to my comment?
– Steve
I assume this is your comment in reference: “This represents the latest Disney offering–where meh is the best you can say about any recent Disney attraction. They should start calling the Imagineers, the mediocreneers, because much of the new stuff sucks and meh is the best they can turn out now–Tiana’s Bayou, anyone? Being underwhelmed and disappointed is the new normal for Disney. Just look at the disaster that billions of $$ and years spent on EPCOT turned out to give us gate 71 at MCO, otherwise known as CommuniCore Hall and Plaza. Can’t wait to see what they do with the Muppets 3D and Frontierland space. Remove the great and replace with meh–great strategy!”
If so, it’s still there. I replied to it, as did two others.
If you’re talking about another comment…I’m not sure. I didn’t delete anything!
Thank you. Yes, that’s it. I didn’t see it when I looked at the comments from that post.
Hey Tom: Have you considered putting up a separate tab for your reviews, etc. of Anaheim’s attractions. I realize this would be a lot of work, but this site seems Disney World centric, and for those of us who visit Anaheim on a fairly consisten basis. I would be nice to have all that information in one place, as opposed to having it salted throughout the website. Just a suggestion.
Cheers, claire
Dear Tom,
Huge fan of your blog and photos. I love your balanced and realistic takes on things. Keep it up!
I came across an event I thought you (and other readers) might like. The Smithsonian Associates program is having an online lecture on the design of Disney. It’s $30 for general admission, and it’s on Wednesday, August 20, at 7 – 8:30 p.m. ET. Not sure how that works for your West Coast schedule. Link is here, if you want to sign up: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/disneys-design-dna-creating-place?utm_source=eGuide-JUL2025&utm_medium=eGuide&utm_campaign=eGuide&promo=276370
All the best,
Ro
Dear Sarah and Tom-
I read your posts regularly and I am a big fan of their honesty. As you know, there are many influencers who gush over every churro and pin so that they stay in Disney’s good graces and I really appreciate that I can trust your reports to be objective appraisals and not ads.
I am the producer of Gay Days Anaheim and it occurred to me as I was reading your blog today, that perhaps you might be interested in writing about the event, what goes on there, how it influences crowds, the ways in which the parks are different during our weekend, etc. There are many people who attend our event as allies, so identifying as LGBTQ is not at all a prerequisite for participating.
Please let me know if you might be interested in learning more and/ or being at the event this year.
Yours,
Eddie Shapiro
Hi Tom! Love your blog! Any thoughts on why Disneyland has not released a fall 2025 ticket deal (beyond the Costco deal)? Do you think a ticket deal will be released this year to the general public? I would love a post on your insights into Disneyland’s lack of discounts. I am loving all the deals for Disney World and enjoy your posts explaining the reasoning for the discounts. I understand Disneyland is more “local” and does not need to discount as much as Disney World, but I am surprised they have not released a fall ticket deal.
Hi Tom,
Leaving Disneyland around 10:45 on Thursday night (July 10)and on are way to the tram , there was a long line of people from the eating tables of Earl’s Sandwiches to just before the World of Disney Store, going thru a gate that leads to the Grand California Hotel .
Any idea what was going on ???
Thanks
Tom,
Cool website! Try epcotlegacy.com if you have not heard of it before. A great website for free Epcot and MGM Studios area/background music!
FYI Tom, the Costco ticket deal is available online to anyone on July 4th only.
Hi :))
Is it possible to purchase a publication @ disneytouristblog.com?
Short message – to save your time.
Mantas
Comms manager @ Serplift
Only tangentially related to Disney, but you had mentioned in a post a while ago that you didn’t have a trip planned to see the Osaka World Expo. Just a heads-up: I booked a ticket to Osaka the 2nd week of September for only $589 round-trip form the midwest. (CMH-KIX-HND-CMH). There have been some pretty amazing flight prices to Japan recently and perhaps you could squeeze in a short trip.
Tom,
I know how you love trying burgers “for research” – might I suggest researching the burger at The Atlantic in Epic. Truly the best I have had in a theme park and up there with ones outside of theme parks. Wasn’t sure where to put this, but wanted to pay it forward to a fellow burger connoisseur.
Tom – As an executive who worked with GM and WDW on Test Track 1.0, I can share (confidentially) info on how the sponsorship, partnership and creative process works.
If interested let me know and we can talk or email to answer any questions.
Love your site and POV for years.
Tom, Going to WDW 6/30-7/5. staying at the YC. Our favorite resort! Got an email from Disney Destinations today letting us know that the port-cochere is being renovated–don’t care, but also that Stormalong Bay is unavailable. It was our understanding that SB would be opened at the end of June. Technically their e-mail is still correct as our arrival day is 6-30. At any rate I called a CM and told me that their is an edit that “due to unforeseen circumstances” SB may not open on time. Needless to say we are looking at other resorts as the many many people who will be at BC and YC cannot possible fit in the quiet pools. Just thought I’d share this update but perhaps it’s not new news??
*there
Tom,
We’ve been to WDW several times and always have some type of discount to apply to our trip. (ie: Free Dining, room only discount, etc etc). We are going the week of Thanksgiving (our normal time to go) and have yet to see any discounts for that particular time frame. What is your prediction that they will offer any type of discounts for the end of the year? I am hopeful, but it’s June and they haven’t released any more discounts for 2025.
Thank you!
Jennifer
Hey,
I came across your blog and would love the opportunity to add a link to it! Would you be open to a paid link insertion or a link exchange with my partner websites?
Let me know what works best for you:)
Sincerely,
Hasmik Aslanyan
Greetings Tom from Gloomy UK,
My name is Marc and your blogs are great and apologies if this has already been mentioned.
We are looking at coming out to Disney World in September and I cannot find reliable enough info on the best dates, planning for 10 days in Resort but very keen to get your take and advise please.
This would be for 2026.
Chat soon, stay well and hope to hear from you soon,
Tom – FYI
Free dining will return for UK guests in 2026
Just had the below email from Disney UK
Enjoy FREE Dining & Drinks and Disney 14-Day Magic Ticket for the price of a 7-Day Magic Ticket on selected arrivals, meals and packages at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida when you book by 5th November 2025 (excludes gratuities)*.
To make it even sweeter, book by 1st July and you’ll save £300 per booking on flight-inclusive packages or £200 per booking on Disney Resort hotel & Ticket packages.
Booking opens 29th April.