Disney World News & Rumors: Donut Dining, Park Pass Changes & Hall of Presidents Redo?
We’re back with another Walt Disney World news & rumor roundup! In this post, we’ll share the latest on reopening, Park Pass reservations, a potential Hall of Presidents redo in Magic Kingdom, new dining at Disney Springs, modifications made for the NBA at the resorts, and more!
Let’s start with the news from Disney Springs. Just a couple weeks ago came the huge news that Gideon’s Bakehouse–literally the best cookies we’ve ever had–would be opening in The Landing across from Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar. Now, we have another dining option coming soon to the Walt Disney World shopping and dining district, joining Beatrix (did you forget about that?) and Ample Hills Creamery (hopefully–assuming they emerge out of bankruptcy reorganization).
Disney Springs has announced (via their official Twitter account) the opening of the all-new restaurant concept: Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew. As the name suggests, this dining spot will serve donuts and cold brew coffee. Aside from a likely location–replacing the creepy Pop Gallery, that’s all we know. Everglazed does have a website and social media accounts, but they’re all totally devoid of information.)
Next, the latest on Disney Park Pass availability. If you’ve been stalking the Disney Park Pass Availability Calendar like us, you’ve probably noticed that daily inventory has fluctuated. Notably, some previously fully-booked parks becoming available for certain dates, particularly for resort guests.
The bad news for Annual Passholders is that all but two dates in July are totally booked. The good news is that the system in use is dynamic like FastPass+ or Advance Dining Reservations. This means that more inventory can be released or reallocated.
Right now, there are three separate buckets for Disney Park Pass: resort guests, theme ticket-holders, and Annual Passholders. Of those, the only one that is even remotely low on inventory is (unsurprisingly) Annual Passholders. The dynamic system is significant because it means that Walt Disney World can reallocate unfilled resort guest or ticket-holder capacity to Annual Passholders.
Doing so at the last minute would certainly make sense. It gives Walt Disney World’s more lucrative on-site guests priority (and makes them far less likely to ever be ‘shut out’ of the parks), while also placating Annual Passholders. As locals and Annual Passholders will be integral to Walt Disney World during the next couple of years due to plummeting tourist numbers, it’s imperative that Disney doesn’t alienate its most diehard fans (anymore than they’ve already done the last few weeks).
Speaking of reopening, Cast Members returned to work last week to begin training in preparation for reopening. In celebration, Walt Disney World released the above video of Cast Members preparing for reopening with health and safety as a focus.
We have very mixed emotions about the reopening, especially as juxtaposed against the local news. With that said, there’s something heartwarming about the video, and you can feel the excitement and energy as Cast Members don their costumes and are reunited with their work locations and fellow cast, and began their first days of training to learn new health and safety protocols.
Next, a fun one. The NBA has shared a look at the installation of practice courts in the convention center at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Having recently attended an event in these rooms, it’s wild to think that they’re being converted into NBA courts.
I’m really excited to see how this plays out. Not just because I’m eager for more live sports, but because I find the logistics of this fascinating, and am intrigued by how Disney will attempt to leverage the synergy of the NBA at Walt Disney World to its full advantage.
The NBA and Major League Soccer coming to the ESPN Wide World of Sports are probably more lucrative and important for the Walt Disney Company than guests returning to the parks. A lot of Disney fans are still complaining about the MLS and NBA, but these leagues are unquestionably doing more to help Walt Disney World get back on its feet than they are hurting.
Finally, an intriguing tidbit. Disney is rumored to be in negotiations with Lin Manuel Miranda and Weird Al Yankovic to write and direct a new Hall of Presidents theater show that would be non partisan and more timeless, per WDW Pro on the WDWMagic forums.
We cannot speak to the veracity of this particular rumor–there is a lot of wishful thinking going on concerning Liberty Square and Hamilton right now. While it’s the first time we’ve heard an iteration of this with Weird Al attached, it’s not the first time we’ve heard credible rumors involving Liberty Square and Lin Manuel Miranda. Moreover, this makes sense and passes a cursory smell test.
Over the weekend, we commented on our List of the 10 Top Most Distinctly Patriotic Attractions at Walt Disney World that it might be a good idea for Disney to rework the structure of the show whenever the next change in presidents occurs. The speaking role of the sitting president was introduced with President Clinton in 1993, and has been controversial and polarizing ever since.
We personally love Hall of Presidents–it’s a moving tribute to the presidency and how that office has shaped (and been shaped by) America since the nation’s founding. However, it’s clear that in this hyper-partisan era many people simply cannot separate the office from its current occupant. This is nothing new–it has been true for each the last four presidents–and is unlikely to change.
Additionally, many people want escapism out of Walt Disney World, making Hall of Presidents a non-starter for them irrespective of their political persuasions. Beyond that, there has been a chorus of (apolitical) complaints for decades that Hall of Presidents is overly long, boring, and dry.
Even though it is now seasonal, Walt Disney World already did an exemplary job of edutainment in Liberty Square with the Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History (one of our favorite additions of the last decade). This clever show did an exemplary job of incorporating actual lessons from American history with the trademark quick wit of the Muppets.
It’s tough to gauge the likelihood of this Hall of Presidents rumor coming to fruition. It makes a lot of sense, but the timing is both good and bad. Walt Disney World faces a long and challenging recovery over the next few years, and budget cuts are inevitable during that time. We’re almost certain to see some previously-announced projects abandoned, making the green-lighting of unannounced projects less likely.
On the other hand, Hamilton hype is at a fever pitch. If Imagineering can accomplish this change on a modest budget, it’d unquestionably generate immediate return on investment while also eliminating the attraction’s controversy. Two birds with one stone. However, if Walt Disney World is going to make this change, it would be savvy to announce it before the next election (like, now) before the outcome is known to avoid the appearance of partisan motivations.
Also over the weekend, we saw Hamilton for the first time on Disney Plus. Honestly, I was prepared for disappointment. We tried for about a year (to no avail) to score tickets to Hamilton at the Pantages, and have heard nothing but rave reviews from friends and family who have seen it. It’s rare for something so highly-hyped and anticipated to actually live up to that, but wow did Hamilton ever.
Not that you need our recommendation to see the cultural phenomenon, but we’ll nonetheless offer it. Hamilton is everything that everyone raves about it being: powerful, catchy, incisive, energetic, endlessly smart, thought-provoking, and addictively good. It’s basically Schoolhouse Rock for adults. If you haven’t yet watched due to preconceived notions (or were simply holding out for an endorsement from a blogger with zero expertise in musical theater), I’d strongly recommend watching. Hamilton is a transcendent and historical piece of pop culture that people will be talking about for decades.
Ultimately, the question with regard to Hall of Presidents is not whether Hamilton is good, but if/how Lin Manuel Miranda and Weird Al Yankovic could use their collective talents to transform the attraction into something engaging, timeless, and non-controversial. I truly have no idea there, but after seeing what Lin Manuel Miranda did with Moana and Mary Poppins Returns (and what Weird Al has done with many things), I’m inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt. Given Disney’s recent success doing something similar with the Muppets’ Liberty Square show, I’m also inclined to give Imagineering the benefit of the doubt on this. Here’s hoping this comes to fruition, and ends up being something special that all guests will enjoy!
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 these Walt Disney World news and rumors? Excited for Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew, or were you a big fan of the creepy doll paintings at Pop Gallery? What about the NBA taking up residence at Coronado Springs Resort? Intrigued by the rumor of Lin Manuel Miranda and Weird Al Yankovic helping to overhaul Hall of Presidents? Would you welcome something in the vein of Hamilton, or do you prefer the classic Hall of Presidents? Think it’ll actually happen, or is the timing not right? Do you agree or disagree with our thoughts and 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 would not be surprised if LMM and Weird Al maybe have something to do with an American Adventure overhaul at Epcot. I could see that more than HOP, which is pretty historic. What makes me think this is I got a survey today that asked me A LOT of questions about the American Adventure attraction, and Disney is overhauling Epcot anyway.
many passholders are getting that survey. In an FB group I’m in, people have gotten them for HOP, American Adventure, Three Callaberos, Laugh Floor, Gorilla Falls, Dinosaur, Indiana Jones, Country Bears, Figment, and the China movie. I think they’re sending them about everything with mediocre guest satisfaction scores.
I have loved the HOP since I was 5. It made history come alive and made me want to actually learn about the presidents. It is sad that a company founded on family and a place created so that you and your family could be transported together would continue to stoop to the lowbrow level it is today. One by one, each attraction is going to be “overhauled” to appease the current cause. So saddened that Disney has anything to do with Kaepernick and now talk of a HOP redo? Sad.
You are 1000% correct. HOP had been my favorite attractions since I was a child. I’m a history buff, because of attractions like HOP. Not to mention, Hamilton is definitely not “non partisan.” It’s a RACIST theatrical performance in which white men were not allowed to be cast in roles, even though the founding fathers were literally white males. Miranda is a racist joke!
Tom,
If we ever get to go to theatres again, I would still recommend trying to get Hamilton tickets if they come to your area again or if you’re in another city in which they are performing the show. We saw the traveling show twice, once in D.C. (2018) and once in Philadelphia (2019). I really loved getting to see the original cast perform watching it this weekend. There was also so much I hadn’t picked up on live or from the soundtrack via the close-ups (facial expressions, little jokes, etc.). What was lacking a bit, however, from seeing it live is the kinetic factor, particularly via the turntable stage and some of the songs in which you really get something from seeing all of the performers and dancing at once. There’s just something about the show that comes from the movement of the stage and everything going on at once that didn’t translate to the “movie” version. I still loved it and it still had the same powerful impact, even more so being able to see their faces up close, but it does not replace getting to see it live. I’m sure it will be played in our house plenty of times going forward now though (not complaining).
As TR would say “Bully”
I totally agree with this–I loved the “movie” and got different things out of it than I did the play, but the play was truly a spectacle (in the best sense of the word). And the staging was so cool, and I didn’t get such a sense of that on TV. Both versions are worth seeing.
I can’t help but think that the current version of HOP is already non-partisan. I haven’t been to WDW in a while but I’m quite certain Trump doesn’t speak on immigration or the wall during the presentation. When we went before, Obama didn’t speak on healthcare. G.W. Bush didn’t speak on the war in Iraq.
I would object if any partisan speech was made no matter who was president. While I can’t remember what President’s Clinton, Bush or Obama said, I certainly remember it being patriotic. I also remember that Lincoln spoke at the end. The best thing I remember is that it’s air-conditioned and it’s a nice respite to take in during the afternoon when crowds are at their worst.
If a president triggers someone so that they can’t handle the attraction, his/her life is just too vapid and shallow. Several WDW attractions have height restrictions. Perhaps Hall of Presidents needs to enforce a maturity restriction along with a parent swap and a “cry” room for politically sensitive babies.
I love your response, I feel the same way. People need to quit complaining and just enjoy their day at the park, if they have issues with an attraction, just don’t go on/in it. Your comment of maturity and a cry too. Is spot on!
I am pretty sure that Disney writes the speeches so how could it be partisan? I think the Hall of Presidents is a truly amazing gift to the country and should not be changed. I go to it every visit at least once! Why dum it down?
Absolutely agree with you 100%. I thought Obama was a horrible President. But I would never make a snide remark, or even shake my head during his speech. I respect the people around me, and I respect the attraction too much to do that. A day at Disney should be very special for everyone. NO politics, no racial division, just a fun day for everyone. A nice escape from reality.
I LOVE the idea of changing up HOP! I think taking the focus off of the individual and making it more about the office, the role of the President, and perhaps all of the branches of our government would solve many issues. I’ll be honest, I have no interest in seeing it right now. That’s my personal choice. But if there was an entertaining show that was more of a lesson about how we choose our president, then I can say “I’ll be back”. 😉
Sorry, HOP should remain what it is and what it was intended to be,a reverant story of the country good and bad. Not everything has to be “modernized”. Leave it alone. In fact, why not make it a mandatory experience? Maybe that could help our troubled times.
There should be no mandatory experiences in any of the parks, save those targeted towards safety (bag check, etc).
I love Hall of Presidents regardless of who the sitting President is. I even loved it as a 10 year old kid. The animatronics are amazing and awe-inspiring. I like the movie clips also. The whole production is great and I hope they don’t change it appreciably.
Let’s face it, most presidents were just OK, while some were terrible and a few were outstanding. Its more about the history and animatronics and the whole package esp Lincoln. LOVE IT.
I was unaware of the Hall of President rumor. Wow, this Boomer would LOVE to see what the talents of Lin Manuel Miranda and Weird Al can concoct. Each is extraordinarily gifted. I was also unaware that a speaking role for whichever current president was only a relatively recent addition and that it had always been divisive. I have deliberately not seen the most recent edition for fear of having a seizure at the sound of the voice, but before then I enjoyed the show immensely. I can see that it’s time to give it new life though. Hope it comes to fruition. We’re scheduled to go down in January and again in February. We’re hoping it’s safe by then, but prepared to cancel if not.
What a shame that you have such a small mind that you have a ”fear of having a seizure”. Thanks, though for sparing us the drama of having to shut down an attraction simply because you aren’t mature enough to handle it…..whatever ‘it’ may be. Sad life for you, eh?
We’ve all had Presidents that we’ve both voted for and against, loved and hated. But no matter who resides in the White House, it’s only temporary. The US Constitution and its 22nd Amendment, specify a 4 year election cycle and a 2-term limit. You should be able to hear someone’s voice without having a seizure, and have a sense of loathing for the person without it diminishing the prestige of the office, or the respect it is due. Love it or not, this country has been a shining example to the world, of the values of freedom and liberty. And the Hall of Presidents puts our grit, determination, and love of freedom and country on display.
Ugh I get you Betsy. Lots of Tr*mp lovers here so wanted to tell you I was planning on skipping it during our now cancelled Sept trip. I couldn’t tolerate a) his voice and b) any cheers for his animatronic.
Get rid of it! I love the classics EXCEPT this one. Long and dry anyway.
As long a Trump is present there will be controversy. How about replacing the Hall of Presidents with a Hall of Great Americans? The Washingtons and Jeffersons will still be included, but we could live without the Tylers and Garfields. There could even be a film included for all those for whom there is no room for an audioanimatronic figure but are still worthy. You could do a fantasy “what if” section were figures form different eras could exchange ideas.
Who gets to decide who the Great Americans were/are? Leave the HOP alone. How else are kids going to get to skip school for a WDW vacation if Mom and Dad can’t come up with some education for the kiddos?
July 6th will always be remembered (by me) as the day I made the pledge NOT to go back to Disney World. First, the rumor that Hall of Presidents may change. Really? And leaving it in the hands of someone who totally disrespected the VP of the United States.
Then Disney signs a deal with “Take a Knee” Kaepernick. Why???
Trump belongs there as does every other President that has served in office. Disney is a place for everyone to enjoy without the politics.
I agree with Nanette. This isn’t about a person that some people love and others hate, it’s about this history of the US Presidency. “Hall of Presidents”.
Personal politics should be left outside when you enter. Whoever the current President is at the time, that speech is only a few moments, and it’s about the USA, not a campaign rally. The vast majority of the presentation is history, not current events.
Tom, Thanks for all the great updates. Could you please post the link of the face mask that you posted in your review of the reopening of the hotels. TY
They were by Suay. http://www.suayla.com Mine just arrived today.
Also watched Hamilton for the first time this weekend, it was every bit as incredible and spectacular as you stated. I read the Chernow book years ago and was also afraid it would be a bit of a let down but it is not. If you are familiar with rap as a genre, the songs play off familiar riffs and melodies (“rewind,” “and if you don’t know, now you know,” and so many others) it’s relevant and refreshing. The stagecraft, the acting, it was all brilliant. I have enjoyed and studied music, including opera in Italian and Latin. But with anything new, there will be detractors. Ballet was once considered quite scandalous. And let’s not forget the groundlings throwing things onto the stage in Shakespeare’s day. People have always expressed displeasure with things they do not understand or like, but if we all liked the same things, the world would be boring indeed!
Well said.
Hm. Dining res system seems to be down.
I want to second that the Muppet’s Great Moments in American History was fantastic – I’d be completely happy just to get that back permanently.
I usually go to HOP every time I’m at Epcot while my family rides Mission Space. So I say this without any agenda : it’s poorly attended. Most people going to Disney do not seem attracted to HOP. So poorly attended that I would not be surprised if this rumor is true, as it takes up prime real estate at Epcot.
But I agree that Disney will be cutting corners for the next decade at the parks, so I would guess that HOP is safe for now.
HOP is at Magic Kingdom…
@Laura is thinking of American Adventure at Epcot.
Hoping this not going to be more pandering on Disney’s part.
Nooooooo, the Hamilton ‘music’ is the most annoying ever in my book! The only thing that might be changed is the story-perhaps, instead of using narrative, try using actual bits of speeches, or famous quotes by Presidents. (Like Disney execs ever take suggestions lol)
Yeah Rick!!!!
Hamilton was a slave trader for his Father in Law. Most of the musical is inaccurate. Dumb down history even more by changing it to something that isn’t even true.
Childless Millennial – Yes, Oklahoma is FAR AND AWAY a better musical then Hamilton.
Music has to simply accomplish what it sets out to do. Not every piece of music needs to “contain the whole world” as Gustav Mahler tried to do when composing a symphony (that’s a direct quote).
However, if you’re just trying to get folks to buy bologna, a catchy jingle can work just fine. The Oscar Meyer kid singing about his bologna is a successful musical piece.
Oklahoma is a terrific example of musical theater. Most of the music is very simple. You don’t need complex musical counterpoint and harmonic progressions when you’re singing about a “Surrey With a Fringe” or how the “Farmer and the Cowman Should be Friends”.
However, there is a song in Oklahoma that was cut from the movie. Judd Fry sings a piece called “Lonely Room”; it’s a miracle of a musical moment!! The writing is far darker and ominous then any other piece in “Oklahoma”. Richard Rogers gave us an insight into a desperate, angry man who is capable of murder when he wrote this piece. The music ACCOMPLISHES WHAT IT SETS OUT TO DO!!!
Hamilton is an abject failure in this regard. You have repetitive pounding simple chords which stay out of the way of patter lyrics. What emotion is Mr. Miranda trying to convey??? I’m sorry but he’s simply writing for musical ignoramus’s!!!
To be honest, everyone is ALLOWED to have their own opinion without you jumping down their throat. Your OPINION should stop being so negative and honestly just knock it off with the name calling, and your attempts to belittle others in the group. WE GET IT, YOU DID NOT LIKE IT. A lot of others did. Miranda would not have so many awards otherwise. You may not agree, but maybe get back to me when you are one award away from an EGOT, thanks!
P.S. my 71 year old mother does not like hip-hop but greatly enjoyed Hamilton. Just because you clearly do not understand hip-hop does not mean that you need to bring anyone down who does. Internet muscles at its finest. If you choose to negatively reply to me, I also won’t reply. I’m not feeding more of your hate-filled ramblings….it’s just easier for you to stop.
McRigs – I get it. You like Hamilton, I don’t. However, I KNOW CRAP ABOUT MUSIC, MUSICAL THEATER, OPERA, MUSICAL THEORY AND HISTORY. YOU DON’T. NEITHER DOES YOUR GRANDMA.
I don’t know much about anything else. Therefore, I’m not going to weigh in on the mask controversy. I know that some doctors believe requiring masks at WDW will slow down the infection rate of the CoVid 19 virus. Other medical professionals may disagree. I’m not going to sound off with an opinion because I don’t know a thing about medicine!! I haven’t been to medical school. I haven’t studied immunology.
However, you seem to have an idea that everyone’s musical opinion has equal validity and that “Hamilton” wouldn’t be successful if it wasn’t a good piece of stagecraft.
The operas of Giacomo Meyerbeer were all the rage in Paris during the first half of the 19th century. Nowadays, those operas are rarely performed. Why? Because Meyerbeer operas are trite and unbelievable. Meyerbeer operas are pure spectacle that doesn’t wear well after 150 years. “Hamilton” will be ridiculed and derided after some time has past; count on it.
Furthermore, I GET HAMILTON!!!! After one listen to a “Hamilton” song, I can easily sit at a piano and play back the music in the correct key. I can tell you the meter, I can tell you what few chords Miranda has utilized during the song. I get the music!! It’s CRAP!!! I’m sorry if I’m negative. I’m not advocating a Stalin-like purge of “Hamilton” recordings, scores and performances. I’m stating my opinion, AN EDUCATED OPINION!!!
Unlike you, my opinion is based in a lifetime of musical experience. If that sounds “hate-filled”, then it seems as though you’re one of those who would advocate HOP be changed to a presentation where the most sacred of all rights is the “right to not be offended”.
If any changes to HoP are made (which I’m starting to think there won’t be since Disney now has no budget), I hope there isn’t any race bending. I believe that historical figures should be portrayed as accurately as possible. Would we be okay with Roots being recast with Hispanic or Asian actors? Would we be okay with a Pocahontas remake that didn’t star a First Nations Person? No.
Instead, if they are going to redo it completely, let’s have a rap-tastic musical attraction about some prominent people of color that actually existed in American history. Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, Booker T Washington, Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Ruby Bridges (there’s a Ruby Bridges movie on Disney+ so double the marketing!). I’ve always been curious as to why LMM didn’t use his platform to create a brilliant musical about a real, historic person of color and increase the amount of media we have featuring a POC as the hero.
If the Weird Al portion is true I am VERY intrigued! Love me some Amish Paradise!
I didn’t realize that rap was a genre confined to Black people. Someone might want to tell the Black Eyed Peas, Eminem, Macklemore, the Beastie Boys, the guy who founded Linkin Park, and I am sure more will pop into my head as soon as I hit the submit button.
Also how cool would it be if Weird Al got to do a Skipper Dan re-theme of the Jungle Cruise?
Rap/tastic ??? I hate rap music with every fiber in my body !!!
I fully agree.
You realize he wrote music for moana right? As I recall that had little that resembled rap.
Alexander Hamilton was actually mixed race. We can talk at length about him being white-passing, and where that got him in life, but he was of mixed heritage and that’s largely been forgotten. Soooo… He already did do that.
Hamilton’s mother was French Huguenot, not Caribbean. She was descended from rich planters who moved to Nevis for the sugar. Her mother was from England, and her father was French. Just because she happened to be living in the Caribbean and she had Hamilton and his brother illegitimately doesn’t mean he’s mixed. His father, James Hamilton, was also white, and was not from the Caribbean either.
I cancelled my July DVC resort reservation today, since the Florida numbers are more than we want to be in. Interestingly it did not automatically cancel our park reservations. I just went into MDE and cancelled them, but I have to assume more spots will open in the next week(s) as people reexamine their comfort (or ability with quarantine rules in their home states/schools) with traveling to Florida.
As long as all the animatronic Presidents are preserved and the show stays politically neutral, I am fine with the change.