Disney World News: Reservation Reminder, Profanity Warning, Cast Recall, Magical Express Update
It’s time for another Walt Disney World news & rumor roundup! This one covers a reminder issued about reservation availability at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, Cast Members being recalled or hired at numerous locations, a profanity warning, new monkey at Animal Kingdom, and more.
First, Walt Disney World has issued a reminder about park attendance and the need to make Park Pass reservations, encouraging guests to check reservation availability before purchasing theme park tickets, and noting that availability of park reservations is limited, not guaranteed, and subject to change.
Additionally, it states the following: “with school holiday periods occurring throughout the next several months, Disney Park Pass reservations are no longer available on select days for the Walt Disney World theme parks. In particular, reservation availability at Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is limited. As a reminder, capacity in our theme parks remains limited as part of our ongoing health and safety measures. Theme park reservations will be verified as Guests go through the auto plaza at each park.”
This comes less than a week after Walt Disney World added hundreds of hours for Summer 2021. Since that prior update, Walt Disney World released even more park hours for June 27 to July 3, 2021. Here are the hours for this newly-added week:
- Magic Kingdom: 9 am to 9 pm
- EPCOT: 11 am to 9 pm
- Hollywood Studios: 9 am to 7 pm
- Animal Kingdom: 8 am to 6 pm (5 pm on 6/27 for some reason)
- Blizzard Beach: 11 am to 6 pm
- Disney Springs: 10 am to 10 pm (11 pm on weekends)
The only noteworthy changes as compared to the week prior are that Magic Kingdom opens an hour later (9 am v. 8 am) and Hollywood Studios closes an hour earlier (7 pm v. 8 pm). There’s also some variance in Animal Kingdom closing times in late June, but I believe those are errors that will be “smoothed out” closer to those travel dates. As always, hours are subject to change and extension, which usually happens.
The warning about attendance and reservations also comes just days after Walt Disney World added tons of Park Pass availability for Summer 2021. That essentially turned the calendars green from Memorial Day weekend through the end of summer, although it’s already yellow once again.
As we discuss at length in that post, our expectation is that Walt Disney World is gearing up for some significant changes to its operating protocol. That includes potentially following Orange County’s lead with a relaxation of physical distancing guidelines.
On those notes, we’re hearing a ton of rumblings about Cast Members being called back for a range of positions at Walt Disney World that are currently closed. I wouldn’t call these rumors since they’re coming directly from Cast Members, but some of the recall locations I’ve heard also don’t make complete sense to me, honestly. (Walt Disney World is also hiring new employees for roles that they’re having trouble filling via recall.)
Either Walt Disney World is presently gearing up for a dramatic acceleration of its phased reopening plans, or some of those Cast Members will be reassigned into new roles. My guess is a little of both. With that said, the sheer volume of this ‘recall chatter’ suggests that something pretty significant is on the horizon. Accordingly, the upcoming couple of weeks could be big in terms of announcements from Walt Disney World.
Since we know people will ask in the comments, it’s unclear whether any of this will mean the return of FastPass+ or the Disney Dining Plan. The analysis in our posts discussing what needs to happen to enable FastPass+ to return (and predictions about that) and for the Disney Dining Plan (plus predictions for that) remains unchanged.
This recall almost certainly means more restaurants returning, which does bode well for the Disney Dining Plan. More hotels and Typhoon Lagoon are other possibilities. Beyond that, the totality of all this could mean a limited slate of nighttime spectaculars–our guess is that EPCOT Forever and Fantasmic will be first to return–as well as additional entertainment beyond just Festival of the Lion King. What and when is anyone’s guess.
We’d caution against getting excited or expecting imminent changes. If you’re traveling in the next month or so, you probably will not see the fruits of this. While Cast Members are being recalled and hired right now, many will need to go through orientation and be trained. It takes time to scale back up, and we’re probably looking at Memorial Day (roughly) to start seeing the results of this rehiring blitz.
Regardless, this is great news for guests hoping for a return to normalcy. It’s even better news for Cast Members being recalled, and ones currently working who have been stretched too thin and/or whose morale has dropped due to the last year. A positive development all around!
Next, a minor housekeeping update. We previously reported that Disney’s Magical Express is ending in 2022 with service for airport transportation stopping for new arrivals on January 1, 2022.
Now, we know that guests who arrive at Walt Disney World before January 1, 2022 will still be able to utilize Disney’s Magical Express for transportation to Orlando International Airport following their hotel stay until January 10, 2022.
Following that, guests will need to utilize private transportation or ride-share services. Disney’s Magical Express will also have a spiritual successor in Mears Connect, which begins service in 2022. At this point, we highly doubt that Walt Disney World will start a “competing” service. Mears Connect is probably it.
Some heart-warming news: a baby mandrill has joined the family at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! The little girl was born on April 10 (a fitting arrival during Earth Month!) to first-time mom Hazel and dad Linus. Cast Members named the infant Ivy to fit in with the rest of her colorful family: Olive, Scarlett, Snow, and Hazel.
If you’ve visiting Animal Kingdom, be on the lookout: both can be spotted on Kilimanjaro Safaris. You might see the shy baby clinging to Hazel’s stomach, a natural bonding behavior. This will soon change as the baby begins walking within weeks of being born, spending most of the time underneath mom. The baby joins the troop of seven other mandrills that call Disney’s Animal Kingdom home.
Walt Disney World has announced that now through September 2021, Marketplace Co-Op at Disney Springs will sell exclusive Disney Cruise Line merchandise including the traditional Wave and Sail Away Minnie Mouse collections and items from Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas. Be prepared to “sail away” with trendy and nautical-themed spirit jerseys, T-shirts, and matching styles for adults and kids so you and the family can all match.
There’s already a place to buy Disney Cruise Line merchandise in Orlando: Disney’s Character Warehouse Outlet. This is a little better than that, I guess, but I still wouldn’t want to buy Castaway Cay merchandise at Walt Disney World. For me, it just isn’t the same. I’ve always thought it’s odd how the outlet store sells sailing-specific items, like stuff from certain Alaska or Europe cruises. Back where I’m from, people who wear clothes from places they haven’t been are called Notre Dame fans. 😉
Finally, an interesting tidbit that Disneyland has updated its health safety protocol page with the following: “Disney reserves the right to require a Guest to leave if they are (i) not properly wearing an approved face covering, (ii) using profanity or offensive language towards our Cast Members or other Guests and/or (iii) violating any other Park Rules.”
Most of that page includes verbiage identical to Walt Disney World, but that’s notably different. In particular, giving guests the boot for using profanity or offense language towards Cast Members is not something explicitly prohibited by Walt Disney World.
In the months following Walt Disney World’s reopening, we saw rule and signage verbiage become more forceful, for lack of a better term. This occurred in response to guests trying to exploit loopholes, flaunt the rules, or deliberately break them for the sake of social media clout.
More recently, we’ve heard countless horrific anecdotes from Cast Members and reports that Walt Disney World is having trouble filling certain guest-facing positions because dealing with problematic guests is too dispiriting–to put it mildly. Suffice to say, if this “profanity or offensive language” rule were actively being enforced at Walt Disney World, dozens of guests would be kicked out daily.
Honestly, I don’t know how Cast Members do it–I’d be fired my first shift. (Slightly off topic, but all Americans should be “required” to work for a year in a service industry so they “learn” how to treat others.) For those who have wondered why Cast Members aren’t as cheerful as normal, or why the “Disney Look” is being relaxed…there’s your answer.
A quick website housekeeping note before concluding this Walt Disney World news & rumor roundup. I’m aware that the “reply” feature in comments is not working. This happened last weekend while making a range of other improvements to the site. On the plus side, the site should now load faster and content shouldn’t shift around, among other less noteworthy enhancements. It wasn’t immediately evident to me since my reply option still exists on the backend, so I’m not sure which upgrade broke it. Two steps forward, one step backwards.
Unfortunately, I’ve tried to remedy this and have hit multiple dead-ends. The site needs an ‘aesthetic overhaul’ that would also fix this and other lingering issues, but that won’t happen until this summer at the earliest. For now, preface a comment with “@username” if you’re trying to reply to someone. Comment notifications work the same as before, so they’re equally likely to see your follow-up as they would’ve been previously. Sorry about that!
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 of this Walt Disney World news? Thoughts on the Disney Park Pass availability for summer? Excited to hear that Cast Members are being recalled and hired for additional locations? Think this bodes well for more returning this summer? Disappointed you won’t be able to swear like a sailor at Disneyland? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? 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!
My two daughters are name Ivy and Hazel!!!!!!! Awesome name picks, Disney!!!!!!!
I was wondering if you have heard any information on pricing for “Mears Connector” yet?? I was disappointed when Disney discontinued the service, and was hoping for a replacement. I have heard a rumor (emphasize rumor) that Disney is buying there own fleet of buses for a new Magical Express service… That would be interesting and not typical Disney… At any rate – I have always loved not having to get the luggage and then get transportation at the airport. It was awesome to just get off the plane and get on a bus to our hotel. I was hoping you had some intel on where this is going in 2022…
I have not, but I’ll share pricing as soon as it’s available.
I also haven’t heard anything about Disney buying its own bus fleet for a DME successor. I’ll believe that one when I see it.
We were at Disney Springs today and saw a guy tell a CM who very politely and cheerfully asked him to pull his mask up that she couldn’t effing make him and he stomped off.
I should have run over him with my wheelchair and when he told me to watch out, I would have told him that he couldn’t effing make me. But I didn’t. But geez, if you don’t like the rules, don’t go.
I think for a lot of people like that, the subsequent conflict is part of the thrill. It obviously sucks for the Cast Member who is on the receiving end, but a simple and cheery “have a magical day!” from them is probably far more effective than further escalation or aggression.
For as many swear words as I have heard at Disney, I have had as many cast members be rude or favor other guests; this is to say it happens very little.
I am so glad they are making the rules at Disneyland explicit. Hearing people abuse the Cast Members has always been the most depressing, disappointing and magic-destroying activity in any of the parks. Even worse than the line jumpers. If they can’t act right, throw them out!
Loving a company that openly states that they have the backs of their employees. Disney setting yet another example for others to observe and incorporate–Impetus aside, actions do matter.
I’ll be hoping to see little Ivy in a couple of weeks. If I don’t, the otters will be my next go-to visit. I will leave a happy person either way.
I mostly agree with the “actions do matter” part of this. I’m more concerned with outcomes than intentions. That extends to actually enforcing the policy and having the back of the Cast Member. From what I’ve heard over the years, Disney grants a ton of deference to guests, to the point that Cast Members are discouraged from enforcing rules (in-park smoking areas was always a big one back when that was a thing) because management would not have their backs when a conflict inevitably arose.
I hope that’s changing.
Tom,
We are going to our 1st Disneyworld trip in June are super excited. Your website has been very helpful as we prepare and plan, thank you. It is nice to hear about additional efforts by Disney to get closer back to “normal” but at the same time, as of today (4-17-2021) we are hearing about another wave (can’t recall if this would be third or fourth). Michigan apparently has an alarming rate and more than 10 states are reporting yet another surge of COVID cases. Would Disney halt these efforts in light of this news? Or as long as Florida numbers remain relatively low, they will move forward? Interested in your thoughts.
“Or as long as Florida numbers remain relatively low, they will move forward?”
I definitely wouldn’t call Florida’s numbers “relatively low” but they have not spiked to the degree of Michigan and a handful of other states relative to where they were previously.
My view is that the continued pace of vaccinations will allow the United States as a whole to “outrun” another wave–especially with regard to deaths and hospitalizations now that the highest risk groups have high vaccination rates. The UK or Israel’s trajectories present a preview of where we’re likely heading. Of course, things could change, but that’s my expectation.
Very disappointed that it’s going away. Never was free, they charged you at a package price. Loved not having to worry about luggage and the ease of checking in at the resort for the return flight. Disney is really starting to outprice itself. We use to go at least once a year. They keep taking away and raising the prices on everything. Something has to give.
That’s my dream: when I retire, I will move to Disney World, and get a job as a front desk clerk at any Disney Hotel. I will just work a few hours a day, doesn’t matter how much I get paid, and it will be totally awesome! I once waited in line at the front desk of Pop, when the person behind me told me that her dining plan wasn’t working — and she had an ADR in an hour! What? If I were working there, I could so fix it for her, I’m good at computers. And another time, my son’s magic band won’t let get into the parks. It opened hotel doors, but not parks. I went to the front desk, and they loaded his records that showed my son with park tickets, and they couldn’t fix it. I could have totally fixed that if I were working there!
Enjoyed your Notre Dame joke.
I would love to become a Disney castmember! You know that’s the easiest service industry job there is! I mean, I remember reading a memoir written by a doctor. Some guy came in to her office with his sick kid, and he pointed a gun at the doctor to make her treat him immediately, and didn’t put the gun down until the kid looked better! I think working at the happinest place on earth will have far fewer problems than what normal service industry people face.
Personally, I mostly remember CMs who are real jerks. I once met this girl at the Pop Century food court who obviously didn’t want to be there. I asked for beans, she said I couldn’t have it. I pointed to the picture and said there are beans, and another guest also said that dish came with beans. So the girl plopped some beans down with a big pout and no apology whatsoever. I had the feeling that she felt Disney tricked her into doing that horrible job. Another time, I was getting on the bus at Disney Springs, where a CM yelled at everyone to go into the line area first, even though there was nobody in the line area and we were just the last few people to get on the bus! So I had to push my stroller into the line area, wind around the line to the front to get on the bus, with nobody in front of me the whole time, and the bus waiting for me to walk through the empty line! But those are isolated incidents. Mostly, the CMs seem happy to be there — I would be if I were them!
@JStew: you have a point. I wonder how much profanity and misbehavior in general is caused by alcohol consumption, which is known to lower inhibitions.
First, my family and I are always polite. One Magic Pass photographer even thanked us for saying, “Hi, Can you please take our picture?”, because according to them most people don’t ask. All Disney executives should have to work as cast members in the parks at least one week a year. And preCovid maybe why guests are grouchy is that we are crammed in like sardines! I understand economies of scale but preCovid Disney could experiment with reducing park attendance by a little at a time to make guests and employees happier. Hearing people argue and fights almost break out two nights in a row at Magic Kingdom (Happily Ever After and MNSSHP) shouldn’t be my lasting impression. My first thought back at Disney in the summer of 2018 after a 20 year hiatus was “Disney got greedy…” Add COVID and the eternal mask debate and you couldn’t pay me enough to be a CM. They should all be paid more and long-term CMs should receive stock options.
That would be fine, if only they could unequivocally state that the 60-day window is here to stay. The problem is that if tomorrow it is changed to 180 days, folks who are late to the info are not going to be getting any of the most popular ADRs. As a result, I’m not loving having to check the WDW website every single morning at 5:45. If they are going to change it back to 180, I hope it’s sooner than later, just so I can be done with it.
@Tracy: I totally agree! I worked as a cost estimator/analyst for NASA and for the Army before I became a full-time homeschool mom. I’d bet $$ that telling a decision maker that his/her pet project will cost much more than they project or have the budget for – gets a response as emo as telling someone they have to wear a mask! And I’ve raised teenagers! I have experience dealing with emo reactions with grit and grace. And I would LOVE to add some Disney Magic to those seeking wonder at Disney. (My husband wants to crack bad jokes as a tour guide on the Jungle Cruise and my daughter dreams of being Piglet — so Disney could just hire our family and get a package deal).
100% agree and have said the same for years: everyone should have to work in a frontline position dealing with a large cross-section of America. My dream job is Customer Service at Magic Kingdom though – I think it would be fantastic to help add Magic to guests’ days. 🙂
It’s sad that Disney has gotten to be just another part of this society, the profanity and miss behavior has become the norm, where as it used to be an escape to a different “World “. It’s their fault though, the alcohol being pushed for the sake of revenue, and even now in Walt’s Magic Kingdom!â˜¹ï¸ I’m sure he would be disappointed. I’ve gone to Disney since they opened, and although they have built it up, the quality has not progressed.
Tom you are so right about people working in the service industry. It’s an eye opener! I was a Disneyland cast member working summers during college and some of the things people did or yelled at me for were mind blowing! I still remember being yelled at when I politely said “sir I’m sorry but you can’t climb up that tree with your little daughter on your shoulders to watch the parade…”. Who knew that needed to be said?!?!
@Adam regarding 180 days for ADRs: When I changed my reservation from last year to this year the cast member told me twice to keep an eye out for notifications for how far out I can book ADRs because there might be a lot of changes coming. My trip is in December so I guess we’ll see…
@Brent: I got the same survey beginning of this year. Lots of questions about how serious we were about keeping our reservation, what would keep us from coming, etc. I was very honest so here’s hoping they take me seriously and get to work on getting back to normal 😉
Adam: “Do you think the 180-day dining reservation window will return, or is the 60-day window here to stay? Any reason to think it could be linked to the return of the Dining Plan?”
I love that they have gone back to 60 days out from 180 days out. I hope it never changes.
Brent: I got that survey before both of my trips in December and February. I think they are just trying to gauge if you are considering cancelling. We got it in September too (which we did end up cancelling, but not for Covid reasons).