Disney World News: $5,000 Dinner, Chapek Cancels on D23 Event, Centennial Celebration
It’s time for another Walt Disney World news & rumor roundup! This one offers the latest look at extended hours for the holiday season, drama about Disney’s CEO cancelling on Destination D23, what we can expect to be announced during that fan event, and a new $5,000+ dinner at Disney Springs.
As usual, we’ll start with the latest release of new and modified operating schedules. All four theme parks have had hours for another week added to DisneyWorld.com’s park hours. The current calendar now runs through January 29, 2022. Here are the hours for most dates that are newly-added through the end of this year and into early 2022:
- Magic Kingdom: 9 am to 8 pm
- Epcot: 10 am to 9 pm
- Hollywood Studios: 9 am to 9 pm
- Animal Kingdom: 9 am to 7 pm
- Disney Springs: 10 am to 11 pm (11:30 pm on Fridays & Saturdays)
As a reminder, Magic Kingdom closes at 8 pm on Disney Very Merriest After Hours dates, with that Christmas party running from 9 pm until 1 am. In addition to that schedule quirk, there are a handful of extensions and cutbacks to report between now and January 2022…
Epcot keeps having its opening time moved forward to 10 am. It’s been opening at 10 am for the last month-plus, but the schedule had shown Epcot reverting to 11 am openings just in time for the busier holiday season. Obviously, that made no sense in terms of crowd-levels, so we assumed that those were boilerplate hours that would be extended along with demand.
That’s exactly what has happened, with Epcot now opening at 10 am up through November 27, 2021. That’s the weekend of Thanksgiving, and while crowds do typically let up starting that Sunday, we’re still pretty confident Epcot’s hours will be extended beyond 11/27. This particular extension has been happening in weekly increments, and our expectation is that Epcot will open at 10 am (or earlier) for the remainder of 2021.
In addition to this, Magic Kingdom has had its closing time extended to 10 pm on several Saturdays during the holiday season. Don’t fall for this trap!
As explained in our Best & Worst Days to Visit Every Park at Walt Disney World, this is the worst day to visit Magic Kingdom–and that’s especially true when the days before and after are party nights with earlier closing times, as is the case here.
Additionally, Magic Kingdom is scheduled to close at 4:30 pm on January 25, 2022. This is likely for an event recognizing Cast Member service and milestones, which is the best possible reason for Magic Kingdom to close early to guests.
The main story in this Walt Disney World news roundup is interesting pre-Destination D23 news and pointless palace intrigue. With regard to the latter, one “controversy” in the fan community this week has been Disney CEO Bob Chapek cancelling his appearance at the Destination D23 event for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary.
Normally, Destination D would be an event focused on history, behind the scenes stories, and hearing semi-candid commentary from retired Imagineers and Disney Legends. We’ve done a number of D23 events–including Destination D for Walt Disney World’s 40th Anniversary–and have always had a great time, but it’s usually very different from D23 Expo.
However, this year that has changed. Due to the cancellation of the flagship D23 Expo, it’s expected that a major announcement or two will occur at Destination D. In the minds of fans, this was supported by Bob Chapek’s presence–big announcements would be the biggest reason for the CEO to attend an event otherwise focused on the past. (As CEO, Bob Iger never attended Destination D, to my knowledge.)
However, the schedule was recently revised to remove Bob Chapek from the opening lineup. “Bob has a conflict in Los Angeles on Friday night and couldn’t make it back to Orlando on time,” said Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Wahler.
Speaking to the official D23 podcast, Chapek said this: “I’m sorry. I had every intention of trying to make it this year, as you know I’ve made the last several, and I really love that event. Unfortunately, this year given the new job and given tugs I get from several different areas it’s impossible for me to make it. But I will be there in spirit.” Chapek added that he’ll be watching the event, but it might be from 50,000 feet.
There’s been a lot of speculation among fans about Chapek’s real reason for canceling. In our view, those theories are at least superficially plausible…but also, pointless. There is literally no way of knowing why Chapek cancelled. It could be an entirely innocuous reason, more calculated, or a personal matter that’s none of our business. It could also be the fact that Josh D’Amaro is already in town for IAAPA, and it makes sense for him to handle as Chairman of Parks & Resorts.
I don’t like being in the position of defending Bob Chapek, but some fans are singularly focused on vilifying him. While the buck absolutely stops with him, some of the decisions fans are lamenting are made at a far lower level, were set in motion before he took the helm, and/or were inevitabilities given the last year-plus.
Fans want a convenient villain for every perceived problem, and he’s an easy one. He sets the top-down tone, but he’s also the head of one of the world’s biggest media conglomerates with a broad range of business units. The dude is not solely responsible for every single small decision at Walt Disney World. Moreover, if it weren’t Chapek in charge while these unpopular cuts were made, it’d be someone else. (There’s a reason Bob Iger abruptly stepped down in late February of last year…with his legacy intact!)
This is not to defend all of the cutbacks, nickel & diming, upcharges, and so forth. Many decisions of the past year have been cringe-worthy to put it charitably, and I fear the long-term damage to fan goodwill will leave a lasting impression that takes years to be undone. Rather, I’m suggesting that all of this started before the closure and accelerated after it. In some cases, the last year has offered a pretext to do what the company has long desired; in others, similar issues are occurring across the hospitality and travel industries. It’s not good for consumers, but neither is fixating on the company’s CEO.
As for the anticipated substance of Destination D23, Chapek also teased that the event would offer a sneak peek at the Walt Disney Company’s plans for Disney’s 100th Anniversary in 2023. He said this celebration will “set the tone” for the coming years.
Originally, one of the advertised highlights of the next D23 Expo in September 2022 was a first look at the “Disney Centennial Celebration” plans, but that preview was moved up–by almost a full year–to this weekend. That the preview will likely occur on Saturday morning during the “Connections: A Look at the Future of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products” panel with DPEP Chairman Josh D’Amaro.
For the last several months, my hyped has been relatively restrained for what’s going to be announced at Destination D23. I thought the best case scenario would be new Epcot concept art, and maybe details/clarity about the Play Pavilion, new fast casual restaurant, and other project components about which the company has been silent.
My expectations still are not high, and I maintain that those wanting a big reveal for Zootopia land, Brazil, Journey into Imagination replacement, or literally anything that involves breaking ground are setting themselves up for disappointment. However, I am heartened by recent rumors and what sure seems like a new sense of urgency within Disney.
It’s too early to say for sure that the company is ready to “switch gears,” but this weekend would be the first indication if that’s going to happen. And it should, given what Walt Disney World’s competitor up the road is doing with Epic Universe and everything else.
So I’ll modify my original prediction to new Epcot concept art and clarified details plus a flurry of entertainment news for Walt Disney World. I could also see the latter being announced today (November 19, 2021) so it doesn’t get lost over the weekend and heading into the Thanksgiving holiday. It also wouldn’t surprise me if something totally random and out of left field is announced at Destination D23 that hasn’t been credibly rumored anywhere.
In other news, Walt Disney World has announced that guests staying in an on-site resort can now charge food and merchandise purchases to the payment card on file for the hotel room via your Disney MagicMobile pass in Apple Wallet or Google Pay.
As a reminder, Disney MagicMobile is essentially a MagicBand alternative. It allows guests to enter theme parks, connect PhotoPass images to your My Disney Experience account, and tap into the virtual queue or Lightning Lane entrance when it’s your time to arrive. See How to Use MagicMobile at Walt Disney World for info on setting up the service.
Next, the new Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Adventure downloadable content pack is now available in Minecraft. This map is a recreation of Magic Kingdom that you can explore, complete with familiar characters, iconic attractions, and more. Meet 25 beloved characters and collect their autographs, walk down Main Street and see the Dapper Dans, or be on the lookout for 20+ souvenirs including Spirit Jerseys and Mickey Mouse Ear Headbands, as well as 20 different iconic food and drinks like Pineapple DOLE Whip Cup. Players can even end their Minecraft day at WDW by witnessing a spectacular fireworks show at Cinderella Castle.
From the screenshots and video I’ve seen, it’s a pretty thorough creation, right down to Sonny Eclipse performing inside Cosmic Ray’s! While I enjoy gaming, I’ve never played Minecraft, but have seen and appreciated the fan recreations of Disney theme parks for several years via social media. Cool that Disney itself is finally jumping on the bandwagon.
Continuing with “things for the youths,” Walt Disney World has launched more Disney PhotoPass AR Lenses. These new Lenses, along with the current collection, are available through the My Disney Experience app with a purchase of Disney Genie+ service.
The newest augmented reality lenses, let you embrace your icy powers like Elsa, adopt a problem-free philosophy with Timon, bundle up and avoid the clutches of the Yeti, accessorize with themed glasses that reflect magical icons, and show off your sweet and salty sides.
I’m normally totally uninterested in Snapchat and whatever other social media uses AR stuff, but we’ve had a blast playing around with the AR lenses in My Disney Experience. The Castle Cake is really cool, as are several other options. Admittedly, part of the fun is laughing at how inept we are and it taking longer than it should to get the lenses to work correctly.
Just be warned–these AR lenses are a huge battery drain. You’ll almost certainly need an external battery pack if you’re using Genie+ all day and spending any time with the AR lenses. Of course, you could always opt for FuelRods, which are not our favorite choice—here’s the external battery pack we currently use and highly recommend.
Finally, Disney Springs will play host to a $5,055 dinner, but on the plus side, that price includes tax and gratuity. The big ballers reading this blog can join Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto on December 4 for Yamazaki 55 Momokase at Morimoto Asia. This meal will feature one of the oldest and rarest Japanese whiskies in the world: Yamazaki 55. Only 200 bottles of this 55-year-old whisky were produced, and one is at Morimoto Asia.
High rolling guests will enjoy a multi-course dining experience, with a customized menu prepared by Iron Chef Morimoto. Each taste will be masterfully designed to pair with aged Yamazaki whisky of 12, 18, and 25 years. Guests will finish their culinary journey by becoming one of a select few in the world to get to taste the smooth and woody notes of the exclusive and high-end Yamazaki 55. Each attendee will take home a custom engraved Yamazaki 55 glass, an elegant and unique keepsake of the evening. This once-in-a-lifetime experience will take place at Morimoto Asia’s sushi bar and is extremely limited, with only 14 seats available.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think about all this Walt Disney World news? Do you have any opinion on Bob Chapek skipping Destination D23, or think fans are making way too big of a deal of this? What are you expecting to be announced at this year’s Destination D23 event? Will you be attending the $5,000 meal at Disney Springs? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I’ve been following your blog for years, and have not seen a single shred of evidence that you are biased in favor of Disney or are afraid to criticize them, etc. Keep up the good reporting, Tom, many of us greatly appreciate it! It is obvious to most of us that you are a fan of Disney theme parks – and as a fan you want them to keep getting better.
Thanks for the kind words! 🙂
Fantastic blog as always, I think you show a balanced, fair view and I am glad you aren’t overly pessimistic…..your blog is for escapism and getting me excited for our holiday next year…..as well as helpful hints and tips……I am glad you don’t moan and dwell on the negatives, life’s too short! 🙂 spread joy and kindness people. Thank you 🙂
Thanks for the kind words! 🙂
Tom, poster Kelly D has it right that Stock price will always be most important. It’s interesting she brings up “what Walt would have wanted” because there seems to be very little of that these days. Would Walt have wanted an upcharge on so much and an experience so complicated and cumbersome that many people cannot understand this new system? I doubt it.
Are you also aware of what is going on in Disney’s Hilton Head resort where they have fired the long time mascots, entertainer B’Lou and Shadow the mascot dog? The members are up in arms, circulating a petition and have a letter writing and calling campaign. The powers that be are wiping out the human touch and corporate coldness reigns supreme. They feel no need to give a reason for any of their moves to the performer or to the guests that love this resort.
I doubt Walt Disney would have approved of this either.
Just an edit and a comment….the D23 Expo was cancelled for 2021, not “cancelled.” It will be happening in 2022.
Now…the comment….still bringing up Brazil? It’s been how long? Four or five years?
@Tom What I see as the on-site advocacy is that most of the sample itineraries/touring plans you have posted recently have emphasized that Early Entry and Evening Magic Hours (or whatever they’re calling the Deluxe resort perk) are really helpful in efficient touring. I appreciate your conundrum because I am sure that is objectively true and therefore something people should know about, but accessing it involves staying at one of Disney’s hotels. Like with Genie+ I don’t think I’ve ever seen you go so far as to say they are necessary, but the impression I get is that you feel for the best experience people probably should use them.
That’s fair.
For what it’s worth, all of the new itineraries have focused on those things because they’re new. However, I’ve also updated all of the OLD itineraries–which are far more popular, anyway–to account for the changes. Here’s an example: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/1-day-hollywood-studios-plan/
Specifically, with regard to Genie+ and Early Entry: “Either of those things will give you a big advantage, but neither are strictly necessary for a productive day in DHS. You’ll just spend more time waiting in standby lines without Early Entry or Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, and you’ll need/want to stay later in the day.”
I guess reasonable minds can differ, but I think it’s a pretty fair assessment to say that Genie+ and/or Early Entry offer a “big advantage” but “neither are strictly necessary for a productive day.” (To answer you directly: I do feel that for the best experience at DHS or MK, people should purchase Genie+. Early Entry and Extended Hours should be leveraged by those who are eligible, but are pretty far from essential.)
One day, health permitting, I wish to return to DW with my grandchildren before they become to old or jaded to see the magic. When that day arrives I have a great resource in Tom’s blog to make the best of whatever situation on the ground exists, good, bad, or indifferent. My ultimate goal to be prepared for whatever is the current experience and this place affords me the opportunity to gain that knowledge. Keep calm and carry on.
Here’s hoping we start to see a lot more of those “good” on the ground situations. Even at my most optimistic, I still think the last year-plus has been pretty rough on the guest experience at Walt Disney World.
(And thanks for the kind words! 🙂 )
Tom, I agree that the problems with Disney are not as simple as “blame/fire Chapek” but I wonder if in trying to provide a more measured counterpoint to the angry mob your content comes across as more forgiving of Disney than you realize? The “negative” reviews you linked in a prior comment certainly are not raves but I would hardly call them pans either. It seems you have chosen to look for/focus on the positive which in general is admirable, but maybe when combined with your nostalgia and love for the parks has led to you being a bit too understanding of a year+ string of genuinely off-putting decisions by the company.
There is a tension between your stated frustration with nickel and diming while also continuing to advocate guests purchase Genie+ (at least some days) and stay on property despite literal years of articles from you questioning whether said hotels are worth the price. Reacting to price hikes with a “it could have been worse” may be factually true but again comes across like making excuses for a company that is making more blatant cash grabs than in years if not decades.
I generally feel the Disney Parks Internet overreacts to things, but I was at the parks for one day last week and had a genuinely miserable experience. It was shocking how little I was valued despite paying over $200 for a one day park-hopper; in multiple lines I was stationary for 10+ minutes at a time while dozens if not hundreds of people breezed through the Lightning Lanes, in a way that was significantly more pronounced than when I was there in Feb 2020 under the old FastPass system. The guests services cast members I spoke with were empathetic but obviously they don’t have any real power to do something about it, and the corporate email I was given that I was supposed to hear from “within 72 hours” has yet to respond (not even with an automatically generated “we have received your comment” email). It has soured me on Disney to a degree I would not have thought possible a month ago. There may be people in the organization who care about guest sentiment, but they are not in charge right now, and that is very much *felt* when compared to a visit a couple of years ago.
It’s definitely possible some of the posts are overly deferential. This one, in particular, probably could’ve used a few more sentences to convey a more nuanced point, as I am no Chapek cheerleader, and even with the caveat in the post, it does sort of read that way.
As for the recent reviews, is this one enough of a pan? 😉 https://www.disneytouristblog.com/review-disney-world-free-genie-itinerary-customizer/
I disagree about the on-site advocacy, as I’ve pointed out in numerous posts that there’s minimal advantage in Disney-owned resorts right now and that Universal’s hotels (or on-site third party ones) offer significantly better bang-for-buck.
There’s definitely a tension between Genie+ advocacy (for some days, 2 parks, and no ILLs) and being frustrated with the nickel & diming, I’ll grant you that. However, I’ll also say that it would have been far easier for me to simply feign outrage over that from the outset, as I knew exactly what the reader reaction would be to it. I’ve expressed no shortage of disdain for other recent decisions (e.g. cutting Disney’s Magical Express)–why would Genie+ be the one thing I’d arbitrarily advocate buying?
I take absolutely no issue when people disagree with me–I welcome it when done respectfully. What I do not take kindly to is attacks on my character. If in reading the body of my work (or even a few posts), people conclude I’m biased towards or against Disney, that is certainly their prerogative. But why on earth would anyone continue to read this if they don’t trust the authenticity of my opinions?
I think the comments might > the article on this one.
To your points about Chapek…I find it both frustrating and interesting how people fail to recognize most real life characters are not purely good or purely evil. It’s like we have a hard time recognizing that real life figures almost always have more depth than the hero’s and villains of tales from our youth.
Back to my socials to change the world one sick burn at a time.
Totally agree. In TWDC’s case, this has been exacerbated by having a legacy of charismatic leaders who did well in the spotlight plus plenty of people behind the scenes meticulously crafting the narrative.
Now, they do not. That’s evident in everything from the earnings calls to the statements about Scarlett Johansson (oof) to interviews. Good PR goes a long way in shaping perception of decisions that would otherwise be unpopular–just ask Josh D’Amaro! 😉
Tom and @Kimberly, one of my closest friends has worked in Burbank for many years. Initially they were in the corporate division, and all I heard about was how awful and soul crushing the culture was. A few years ago, my friend shifted into a creative arm of the company, and, while still dismayed by the level of political maneuvering required to survive each day, they feel that there is much more nurturing culture outside of corporate. According to this friend, prior to the pandemic, the parks division is where one can find the purest expression of the values that fans perceive as “what Walt would have wanted.” In my 25-year career working in Fortune 500 corporate offices, I’ve learned that the focus will always be on the stock price over consumer sentiment – until that consumer sentiment starts to harm the stock price. While it doesn’t look like demand for the parks is subsiding anytime soon, I very much hope the company sees the competitive USO risks Tom has highlighted, and will attempt to compete with their upcoming offerings.
This is more or less consistent with what I’ve heard from friends who work(ed) in the Valley. It sounds like the best experience of all is to work at one of the satellite campuses up there, but those have disappeared over the years and presumably will be gone entirely with the move to Lake Nona.
There are even pretty significant differences between the culture at TDA v. TDO. Unsurprisingly, the former is much leaner and there’s still a tremendous focus on Walt Disney and the local audience. It likely helps that so many of them were raised on Disneyland.
I can answer that. This is America and if the stock prices rise and the stockholders and Board of Directors are happy then the corporate bigwigs, including Chapek, are happy as can be. Consumers? Way down the list.
Interesting article on Motley Fool today about Disney and Disney culture. The gist is that there is a battle for the soul of Disney. Those who wish to continue the family values that Walt so much promoted against those who wish to provide more adult entertainment and content on Disney+. Writer concludes that this is a turning point. But maybe just so much hyperbole to get you to read the article.
I haven’t read the article in question, but the premise you describe is absolutely accurate. From what I’ve heard, there’s actually more to it than that–but there are factions within Disney that want to see the company go in different directions.
I personally tend to agree with your takes on Chapek, and I do here. A vast majority of DisTwitter has shown they don’t understand what the CEO of a major company actually does. While they’ve been spoiled by recent executives who do seem to at least partially enjoying spending face time with us commoners, that’s not usually how it works. And there seems to be a huge oversight among the fans for lower level executives who more realistically made some of these unpopular decisions just because they are more personable. Even if it’s true that Chapek is just trying to avoid boos, why would Disney want to start one of their largest in-person events since the pandemic on a sour note? Even if Chapek doesn’t care about his image among the masses, the company as a whole does a lot to maintain positive press. That would not be a good look. Just to be clear, I’m still saying all this as a Chapek hater (Tom, you pointedly disagreed with one of my comments a few weeks ago that Disney execs do not care about guest sentiment anymore. I am quite opposed to current leadership haha). I just think there’s enough space to not like the CEO while also pointing out where criticism and speculation is misplaced/pointless, as Tom very effectively did here.
I looked back and found my response your comment a few weeks ago:
“However, that doesn’t mean Walt Disney World has stopped caring about guest satisfaction. (To the contrary, there are still some in the company who obsess over it.) Ultimately, it’s a huge organization run by people. As with any company of its size, you’ll find that some of them care and some do not. While their hands are frequently tied by higher level decision-makers, I can assure you that Walt Disney World still has a lot of people in relatively powerful positions that care a lot. They may not always get their way, but they influence and shape actions.”
This applies to Walt Disney World–and to an even greater degree, Disneyland and Walt Disney Imagineering.
It does not apply to the corporate offices in Burbank. I truly have no clue as to whether they care about guest satisfaction or are entirely beholden to the stock price and Wall Street. My guess is that they skew much more towards the latter, and are generally out of touch with consumer sentiment–probably reading reports that tell them what they want to hear.
Yikes! Tom you appear to be panhandling to Disney. You rarely or perhaps never criticize heavily when needed. Therefore, the conclusion one comes to is that you are afraid of the mouse house and the perks they give you whether you want to admit them or not. Bob is clearly avoiding the fans because he knows he will be booed right off the stage. He avoided the 50th in October. He can only hide so long and the longer he does the more fury he will experience. The face of the company has to take it when it is good AND when it is bad.
As for the $5k dinner. Money better served by actually flying to Japan and having an authentic meal. There are many wonderful whiskies over there!
You’re right.
One only needs to look at these recent “rave reviews” to come to the conclusion that I never criticize Disney:
https://www.disneytouristblog.com/photos-review-very-merriest-after-hours-christmas-party-worth-money/
https://www.disneytouristblog.com/harmonious-review-epcot-nighttime-spectacular-fireworks/
https://www.disneytouristblog.com/review-enchantment-fireworks-magic-kingdom/
https://www.disneytouristblog.com/disney-world-hotels-off-site-on-site/
For what it’s worth, we spend thousands of dollars of our own money at Walt Disney World every year. Not so much in the way of “perks” that I don’t want to admit (?).
Alternatively, it’s possible that I think the fixation on Chapek is pointless, because no amount of petitioning or booing is going to make any difference whatsoever. It’s not like the board or Wall Street investors are going to see that one particularly sick burn on Twitter and suddenly think, “okay, that’s it–we were happy with the stock’s performance under Chapek, but did you see that tweet by @CheapeckSUXX1972?! Now he has gotta go!”
It just so happens I am obscenely wealthy and will be in the area that night, so what has two thumbs and will be at Morimoto with 13 of his many friends?
Still less than your meal at French Laundry last year that ended up costing $300 million!
RE: Minecraft. My kids (especially my eight year old daughter) love this game. I’ll show her the Magic Kingdom pack and maybe check it out myself (after the kids are asleep).
Lame. He is corporate. Image is everything to him. And… he has no credibility with customers. This article gives Paycheck a pass and you keep your press pass
Judging by his relatively poor performance in interviews over the years–not just since becoming CEO–I don’t think image is everything to Chapek.
That certainly was true for Iger and appears to be true for D’Amaro, but I’ve seen nothing to suggest Chapek cares what fans think.
Funny I didn’t know you two were bluish. Very interesting blog today. You asked so I’ll answer, I’m unable to attend the night of the $5,000 meal as I’ll be 55,ooo feet in the air but can hardly wait for that Yamazaki 55 glass to show up on ebay.
Well played.
As for Chapek’s attendance, maybe they are having a brainstorming session in LA about what else they can do to raise prices. Here’s one: Cut back on portions……………. Of the money paid to top executives. I’m terrified that WDW is becoming a place that only the monied class can fully enjoy. The $5K Japanese dinner is just another example.
Executive compensation is certainly out of hand, no question there.
I’m not sure I’d connect any dots between the astronomical $5,000 and Walt Disney World as a whole. The former is for 14 people–the latter is attended by 100,000+ people per day. Significant differences in scale.
Awesome blog Tom! I don’t want to be fixated on my disappointment w/the cutbacks to the point that the actual visit to the FL parks is tainted and un-magical. I definitely think D23 will be bland in comparison to years past. I would even understand them not having one based on a pandemic year moving into an unstable endemic future. Just my forecast anyway…
A different website said that CBR’s bridges would be down January 3-17. I haven’t been able to find any official communication about that though. Do you know when official announcements might come out and what options there might be for people booked there during that time?
I’ve stayed in Aruba when the bridges were down before and it was a massive pain (albeit when the dining plan was a thing and we were trying to do a coffee run before going to the parks) so i’m so frustrated this news is being announced <60 days from my trip… at least there's riviera now which is a good backup