Disney World News: Florida Flights, No NYE, Journey into Imagination Rejuvenation?!
It’s time for another Walt Disney World news & rumor round-up! This time we have updates on date-based, multi-day ticket policies, non-stop flights between Florida and Hawaii, what’s happening (and isn’t) for New Year’s Eve, a Muppet Christmas miracle, and yet more remarks from legendary Imagineer Tony Baxter about a potential reimagining of Journey into Imagination.
Walt Disney World has issued a policy change for the sale of date-based, multi-day tickets. The ticket system will now allow guests to purchase tickets in limited circumstances when Disney Park Pass reservations are no longer available during the ticket validity window–which is longer than the days of use–so long as there are sufficient Disney Park Pass reservations available at the time of purchase to fully use all ticket days.
That’s probably confusing, but it’s pretty easy to understand with an example. Let’s say you wanted to purchase a 3-day ticket for use beginning today (December 9). You’d be able to purchase this despite Disney Park Pass reservations being fully booked on Saturday (December 12) because you could still fully use the 3-day tickets some combination of today through Friday and/or Sunday…
However, if suddenly Friday through Sunday all became fully booked before you completed the transaction, you couldn’t purchase that same ticket. Basically, this is a common-sense update that enables the ticket system to sell admission that can be used in full, and blocks transactions that cannot. It makes complete sense to roll this out now given that ‘fully booked’ days are going to be increasingly common the next few weeks.
Beyond that, given how common inventory refills and reallocations have become, it’s also entirely possible days that are ‘fully booked’ when tickets are purchased could still be bookable at a later date, or with a bit of diligence in refreshing the Disney Park Pass system. But that’s not what this change is requiring or even anticipating. It’s probably non-news and irrelevant for over 99% of you, but “busy season” for the parks is actually “slow season” for Walt Disney World news, so we’re sharing it anyway.
Next, Hawaiian Airlines has announced that beginning March 11, 2021, it will offer two weekly flights between Honolulu (HNL) and Orlando International Airport (MCO). Orlando is one of the largest U.S. travel markets to Hawaii without nonstop service and a popular vacation destination for Hawaii residents, will join Boston (BOS) and New York (JFK) as Hawaiian’s third Eastern gateway city.
Consider this another niche news story that isn’t relevant to the vast majority of you, but is incredibly important to a handful of you (and the article’s author). For Disney Vacation Club members residing in Florida, this will make it easier than ever to use those points at Aulani. That’ll be especially true in the next couple of years when the DVC Point Pool Problem results in limited availability everywhere else.
For out of state visitors to Walt Disney World, it potentially opens the door to a convoluted multi-state Disney destinations trip. Or, perhaps makes the trek to Tokyo Disney Resort a little more manageable, broken up with a stop at Aulani. (It helps that Hawaiian Airlines is a great carrier.)
As Hawaiian Airlines allows multi-stop itinerary booking, this is how we’ll be leveraging the new service. We’ve done that Honolulu “pit stop” a couple of times before, albeit from LAX. (See our post: How to Visit 3 Disney Destinations on 1 Airfare.) Even if this service isn’t something you’ll take advantage of, it’s nice to have positive travel news signaling that things will start to get back to normal in 2021.
Unfortunately, in the here and now, things remain abnormal without much optimism for the remainder of 2020. No official announcement has yet been made about the cancellation of New Year’s Eve fireworks, but they’re not happening.
That was a foregone conclusion a couple of weeks ago when park hours were extended for December 31 and the latest closing time was Magic Kingdom at 11 pm.
Now, Walt Disney World has quietly updated its Special Events page, with what is happening for New Year’s Eve…at resorts:
- Create your own in-room celebration with food, beverages and other celebratory items available for purchase
- Disney Floral & Gifts holiday baskets are available for purchase, including champagne and room décor, along with hats and noisemakers
- Select resort merchandise locations will be open until after midnight on New Year’s Eve, and will sell champagne in full and individual-sized bottles, along with board games and other activities to enjoy in-room
- Previously-recorded fireworks shows will stream on in-room TV and the My Disney Experience app–including Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, Candlelight Processional, and New Year’s Eve Fireworks
- Scavenger hunts and New Year’s Eve crafts, varying by resort
- Quick-service restaurants, pool bars and lounges at Disney Resort hotels will be open until after midnight on December 31, 2020.
Walt Disney World also indicates that more details are still to come, so there could be something for the parks, but also reiterates that “holiday experiences that draw big crowds will be on hiatus in 2020.” This means we’re not expecting the traditional dance parties or really any of the unique entertainment offered on past New Year’s Eves at Walt Disney World.
We’ve been critical of cutbacks made by Walt Disney World under the guise of safety but, in reality, are as much or more about cost-savings. However, we cannot blame Disney here. Cases are already spiking around the country and that’s only likely to continue deeper into the holiday season. Anticipating as much, many cities have already cancelled their New Year’s Eve festivities.
Both from a safety perspective and given the reality that whatever Walt Disney World does for New Year’s Eve would draw heightened media scrutiny, this is the right move. Walt Disney World’s health safety measures and post-reopening track record thus far has been impressive, but that doesn’t matter. A big bash for New Year’s Eve would draw the kind of negative attention and backlash that Disney doesn’t need. It’s just not worth it.
Our only hope is that something happens in the parks so New Year’s Eve isn’t just a matter of upcharge gift baskets. Even as simple as cavalcades with characters wearing their gala attire or those cheesy-but-fun hats still being distributed. Speaking of which, we still have the 2020 version of the hats from EPCOT…we should probably burn those to exorcise whatever demons of this cursed year might still be hanging around. Just to be safe.
Next, news that has absolutely nothing to do with Walt Disney World, but is huge for Muppet fans and lovers of the best Christmas film. BBC Radio 2 reports that “When Love is Gone,” a lost song cut from the original Muppet Christmas Carol, has been found and reinstated.
Director Brian Henson received a call from Disney telling him the film was being remastered in 4K and he was asked to check the new version. Upon reviewing the reels, Henson was surprised to see the original song restored: “I was like, ‘No, you did not!’ and they said, ‘Yes we did! We found it!’ I was so happy, I was so happy. They are all set with the full-length version again. I don’t know if they are going to get it up on Disney+ in time for Christmas…but it is coming back, the full-length version is coming back.”
In case you missed the #1 title on our Best Disney Christmas Movies List or haven’t noticed this blog’s incessant hyping of all things Muppets at Walt Disney World, we’re huge fans. To my recollection, I’ve actually never seen the original cut of the movie–I cannot wait to see anew this Christmas classic that I’ve watched (literally) more than any other film. This is really great news!
Finally, a bit of positive daydreaming. Earlier this summer, retired Imagineer Tony Baxter appeared during a panel at USC and said of Journey into Imagination, “I just wish we would do the ride over. I would come back out of retirement to do that ride over.” We covered and contextualized those remarks at the time, offering strong caveats about the likelihood (or lack thereof) of anything coming to fruition. Same warnings apply here.
Following that, the Disney+ series “One Day at Disney” (S1E40: Alice Taylor) offered more optimism to old school EPCOT Center fans as it showcased work being done at Disney’s StudioLAB, including brief glimpses of a new character model for Figment. Now, we have more comments from Disney Legend Tony Baxter…
During a VIP reception for the Walt Disney Birthplace’s virtual celebration of Walt’s birthday, Tony Baxter elaborated on his previous statements about redoing Journey into Imagination (via Attractions Magazine).
He started by discussing the first reimagining of the attraction, which “commandeered and turned into a nightmare.” Baxter wasn’t shy about criticizing the current incarnation of the attraction, saying Disney “threw” Figment into the nightmare version of the attraction due to guest complaints, but in ways that don’t reinforce the story. “For those of you who haven’t seen the ride since [before] 2000, you’ve never seen it,” Baxter said.
“I would give anything to be called upon to rethink [Journey into Imagination] and get back to the story that every human being does…There aren’t creative people and non-creative people. Everybody uses [imagination]. It’s just to what extent and I think that that was a really valuable story to tell. It is certainly not told in there now, and I would love to see it get back.”
While I remain highly skeptical anything comes of this given that EPCOT’s project slate is being cancelled and cut back rather than expanded upon, Baxter’s additional insight does make it seem more plausible. He goes on to state that he has prolific friends and business associates in the theme park industry who grew up on Figment, and the character is very important to them. It does make sense that today’s generation of Imagineers would have fondness and nostalgia for Figment and might push for the character’s return to glory.
Beyond that, Tony Baxter has already come out of retirement to help with the Overhaul of Splash Mountain to a Princess and the Frog Attraction. Given that, his previous statements over the summer, the StudioLAB video, and persistent rumors about Journey into Imagination, perhaps this is more than idle daydreaming. It still seems like a stretch at any point in the next few years, but it remains a possibility. It’s also plausible that EPCOT’s project slate being scaled back in the near-term actually proves beneficial for a Journey into Imagination overhaul. With other projects being cancelled, EPCOT will still need something substantial in the next 5 years…enter Figment?
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
Thoughts on any of this Walt Disney World news? Excited for non-stop flights between Florida and Hawaii? Will you use those to visit multiple Disney destinations in one trip? Thoughts on the Tony Baxter comments about Figment? Think there’s any chance that the Mary Poppins, Spaceship Earth, Festival Center, and other cancellations end up being beneficial to Figment? 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!
These Figment hints keep me going through all the stresses of 2020. Even if they never come to fruition, I’ll have enjoyed many happy moments, imagining they are true.
That song is like nails on a chalkboard to my wife – she hates it with a passion, and would always fast forward through it on the old versions. She was over-the-top thrilled when it was cut out of the Blu-Ray versions….not sure I have the heart to tell her it’s coming back LOL!
I was always neutral on it – probably my least favorite song of the show, but at the same time, leaving it out feels like part of the story is skipped over. And it makes the reprise at the end seem out of place.
Very hopeful about the Journey into Imagination news. Never got to experience the original, but would love to see that attraction return to its heyday.
Long time reader, first time commentator.
THE MUPPETS NEWS MADE MY DAY.
I had the original on VHS growing up and would watch it every year on Christmas Eve (still do, but that’s besides the point). When I left home for college, my mom donated all my old Disney VHS tapes. No big deal, I had most of my favorites on DVD at that point and no longer had a working VHS player.
Looking to keep my Christmas tradition going, I convinced my boyfriend (now husband, somehow my Christmas Eve tradition didn’t scare him off) to rent a copy and settle in for an evening of me annoyingly quoting the film at him.
Anyway, Ghost of Christmas Past shows up to do her thing. She’s a little creepy, but it was 1992. You do what you can with the technology you got. So Scrooge and GoCP head out on their adventure and muppet filled shenanigans ensue. As we get to the emotional climax of their adventure, suddenly… nothing. The final chords of the song play as the characters walk away. I turn to my boyfriend and say, “huh, that’s weird. They cut a song.” He asked if I was sure it wasn’t just coming up and I was like, “nah, brah. I’ve seen this movie every year for the past 20 years. Much like Gonzo, I know the story like the back of my hand.”
At the time, I figured it was just something to do with the version of the movie we rented. Surely there would be another that included the song. To my surprise, the song had been all but erased from the collective memory. Friends who has seen the movie had no idea what song I was talking about. None of the streaming versions had the song. I felt like I was living out some weird Twilight Zone storyline where everyone had forgotten but me. I managed to find a poor quality version of it on YouTube once, but that was the only whisper the remained.
I’ve gotten a little into the weeds with my story here. To say that I’m thrilled about this announcement is an understatement. I’ve already text my husband to let him know the glorious news and plans for hot chocolate and Christmas onesies are already being made.
Thanks again for all you do. This blog has been instrumental in planning several Disney trips over the years and your candid take on things is always appreciated. You and Sarah are the absolute best!
Hi Tom! I am a long time fan of your blog! Do you have to purchase park tickets before you can see the calendar of availability for park passes? In other words, what if I buy tickets, but parks are already booked for my dates?
Thanks in Advance!
Ashley
No, the availability calendar is posted on the Disney World website for all to see. If you’re planning a trip, just make sure you’re viewing the right “bucket” of availability for you (i.e. ‘Resort Guests’ if you’ll be staying in a Disney hotel, or ‘Park Ticket Holders’ if you won’t be).
Sometimes attraction ideas lay dormant for a long time in the blue sky phase. The 2006 Platinum Edition of The Little Mermaid had a virtual ride-through of a ride concept that had been kicking around for at least a decade! The Under the Sea/Undersea Adventure attraction wouldn’t open for another five years after that.
I could see a refresh of the Imagination pavilion being a more inexpensive replacement for the Play! pavilion in EPCOT’s long term plans.
Hi I live in Yorkshire in England and love your blogs, We are desperate to get back to our happy place. We are rebooked for august 2021. Our travel agent in the UK who I last spoke to in November was estimating that the current travel restrictions would last another 6 to 12 months, this was however before the announcement of a vaccine. I would appreciate your opinion on when international travel could resume thank you.
I truly don’t know, but I’m much more bullish on the timeline being earlier.
If necessary, airlines will require preflight testing or the health passport we’ve previously discussed. International tourism is such a huge market (and it’ll have trouble recovering fully on its own, even without border restrictions) that I’d expect things to start “reopening” by around April 2021.
We are here now and someone lied to you Tom , there aint no way the parks are at 35% , while they arent as busy as usual they are still packed!
I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve quietly bumped capacity up to 40%, but I doubt it’s beyond that at this point. The reduced capacity of attractions, restaurants, stores, etc. makes it feel worse, though.
And you call yourself a Disney fanatic and a Muppet fan but don’t know or have watched the 2012 full screen version!!!!!! Shame on you.
Without the song the movie makes less sense. It links the scene before and after together but even more importantly t’s vital to understanding Scrooge.
I like the film but Paul Williams contributions were subpar. Especially in light of his previous award winning song for the Muppets.
I’ve seen and heard the song many times–it’s on YouTube and elsewhere. I just never owned the earlier DVD edition that included it in the film itself. I’d imagine my family had a VHS copy (recorded from TV) with the song included, but I don’t recall that.
“I like the film but Paul Williams contributions were subpar. Especially in light of his previous award winning song for the Muppets”
Them’s fightin’ words!
Just an FYI: While the original theatrical release did NOT include the song “The Love is Gone” but the 1992 DVD does include it in the Full Screen version, but not the Widescreen version. Both versions are on the same DVD.
Clearly the missing song breaks the link as to why Scrooge became a miser.
Hopefully someday soon, Tony Baxter will be brought in to fix Journey into Imagination and bring Journey into Imagination and Figment back to their original glory similar to 1982-1998 version. The 1998 change was so tragic since Version 2 was garbage. Hopefully Splash redo will be cancelled because that change will be even more tragic and it will ruin another great Tony masterpiece.
I love the Muppet Christmas Carol and i’ve seen it many times. After reading this article, I turned on my Muppet Christmas Carol 2012 DVD, played the full screen version, and the saw the deleted scene for the first time. It was a nice scene and it changed my opinion of the song as I didnt originally care for it. Prior to seeing this, I’ve heard the song plenty of times in ending credits or soundtrack.
Thanks Max – definitely no need at all to change Splash Mountain!
RE: Splash Mountain
I wished they’d just leave it be.
The change is mainly political, the ride is innocent and classic Disney.
And, it is one of the more enjoyable and popular, especially in the summer.
A change I wished they’d make is at France – stop the “sing along” and restore the classic documentary movie “Impressions de France” to being all day vs. just in the evenings.
Tom – you do a great job with this blog, keep it up!
Thanks…
Agree 100%
I’m excited to hear about the direct flight. Imagining an amazing Disney beach trip where we stay at the 3 off property resorts, and hey, since we are dreaming here, throw in a cruise too.
Tom – can you add insight why some of the people who respond to your post are in red and others in black?
Does it have to do with those check off boxes at the bottom of “leave a Reply”
Not Tom… but, I think the ones in red have website links…
I just want to say I have watched a few steamers, and there is no social distancing. Maybe through the ride lines but it’s been packed. It’s not safe Main Street is always too crowded, the lines are absurd. I wound not go now if Disney paid me!
I assume you meant STREAMERS, but I will chuckle for the rest of the day at the typo.
Muppets Christmas Carol has been the one constant Christmas tradition in my life! I’ve been watching that movie every year on Christmas Eve since I can remember. We lost the VHS several years back (plus who watches a VHS anymore?) and when it finally became available on Amazon for rent my husband and I were DEVASTATED that “When Love is Gone” had been cut. I still don’t understand why they did it–because it was too sad? It’s no sadder of a scene than Baby Mine in Dumbo.
But whatever, this is awesome news! I do hope they get it up on Disney+ so that we can enjoy that film the way it was meant to be enjoyed this year.
I have only seen the movie on VHS and DVD and never realized “When Love is Gone” wasn’t in the theatrical release until I watched it last week on Disney+. It was probably my least favorite song in the movie, but I think it made that scene more emotional and I liked that it tied into the last song “When Love is Found” to close the movie. Glad that they are bringing it back.
I agree, mike! As a kid I would fast toward through that song, I didn’t like it. Watching the end of the movie without the song isn’t quite fulfilling though. The melody isn’t found elsewhere. I’m glad it’s coming back!
I can’t believe you haven’t seen it, Tom! It’s definitely one of my favorite Christmas movies ever too.
I agree with Mike and Sara
I’m not sure where to ask this question, so I’m doing it here: I’ve sadly cancelled 2 Disney trips this year and am eagerly trying to figure out when I can plan new ones. I’m definitely not going until I don’t have to wear a mask in the parks, but I was thinking of another thing that’s currently cancelled and that I’d sorely miss – Disney calls them the Cultural Ambassadors, I think. What I mean is the Germans in the Germany Pavilion, the Japanese in the Japan Pavilion, and the Botswanans, Zambians and Namibians at AKL. For our family, those interactions add so much to a Disney World trip and make Disney “magical.”
Tom, do you have any guess as to when these folks will be back? Or do you think it’s possible that they won’t ever…? 🙁
“Tom, do you have any guess as to when these folks will be back? Or do you think it’s possible that they won’t ever…?”
I absolutely think they’ll be back, and expect that it will be a gradual process as borders reopen. So maybe beginning in late Spring 2021 and continuing through the end of the year.
Oh, that’s better news than I thought – thank you!
Tom, I love your blog. It has proven invaluable the two times my family visited Disney (Aug 2017 and Aug 2019). I too am a huge lover of The Muppet Christmas Carol. My comment comes in that I have the DVD, with two versions of the film: widescreen, without “When Love is Gone” and full screen WITH “When Love is Gone.” I don’t know if this is luck or what, but wanted to pass on just in case!
Disney won’t do this because they are cutting everything but it would be a great perk for onsite guests if they cleared the park pre midnight and did fireworks for an empty park.
If you were staying in the Crescent Lake area or Magic Kingdom loop you could easily enjoy the fireworks from your resort with plenty of physical distancing.
Yeah, that would be pretty awesome!
And the guests not staying in those areas would all be hanging out together either at those resorts or the TTC or the Boardwalk area (especially the bridge between the Boardwalk and Epcot. With zero social distancing.
The way they are doing NYE seems like avoiding media attention but creating a recipe for disaster in practice. The parks have the space to occupy and hold people, with more restaurants, more bars, rides, just more *space*. Doesn’t it seem a bad idea to corral all these people to the resort spaces? I feel like pool bars, lounges, and quick services at resorts will be worse than when parks were closing at 6 pm. I hope they are making these decisions with logistical plans and not just to avoid press.
I had that initial concern, but doubt it’ll be a huge issue in practice for a couple of reasons. First, the majority of in-park guests right now are locals who are not staying in hotels…and they won’t have easy access to the resorts. Second, the resorts are still operating at modest occupancy right now, so they shouldn’t be too overwhelmed–at least in theory.
Disney Springs, on the other hand, is a totally different story. I’d expect that to hit capacity by afternoon on NYE.
So interesting about the Muppets Christmas Carol! It is one of my top Christmas films and I grew up watching the VHS over and over. So I had no idea the song had been cut until a few years ago. I heard the story of them cutting the song originally but had no idea that the footage had been missing. Glad to hear they found it!
The Muppet Christmas Carol: “When Love is Gone” is the very heart of the movie, the essence of why Scrooge became the way he did. We still watch this movie every year on our old VHS tape so that we can see it with that song intact. Cutting it out of the movie was the worst decision ever.
Hopefully the restored, intact version will be available on BluRay or DVD. We’d snap it up in a heartbeat. Any idea when it will be released to the public?
I have the DVD, and the song is already included there. Cant speak for the Blu-Ray though.
To my knowledge, it’s only on some of the earlier editions of the DVD and none of the Blu-ray releases.