Disney World News & Rumors: Imagineering Fun, Reduced Resort & FastPass+ Availability
It’s time for another Walt Disney World news & rumor round-up, with a look at changes for the parks and beyond. This time, we have some virtual Imagineering fun, vanishing resort hotel and FastPass+ inventory, plus Disney+ info.
Let’s start with some newly-released “Disney Magic Moments,” which is a page Disney has set up to let fans experience the magic of Disney at home. Enjoy fun and interactive Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, and National Geographic content for free with stories, videos, and activities to inspire imagination and discovery among kids, fans, and families alike.
A lot of this content is pretty good (the JAMMitors performance made us almost like we were rope-dropping Epcot!) and we aspire to using more of it at some point–especially the more ambitious recipes (that Blue Bayou Monte Cristo has my mouth watering!). Then there’s some Imagineering content, which has really that caught our eyes…
The highlight of this Disney Magic Moments at home content for theme park fans is going to be the “Journey into Imagineering Virtual Tour.” This three part series offers a rare inside look at the WDI spaces where innovation, science, and storytelling combine to bring popular attractions to life.
All three videos are well worth watching (part 1 and part 2), but the third installment–featuring the DISH (or Digital Immersive Showroom) is a highlight. The DISH is a tool that Imagineers use to pre-visualize Disney Parks experiences in a digital setting. This allows Imagineers to explore these spaces, enhancing and adjusting design, before physical construction begins.
If you haven’t already, be sure to also check out “Imagineering in a Box,” another virtual learning experience from Walt Disney Imagineering. This free online program created in partnership with the Khan Academy and Pixar offers a series of interactive lessons in theme park design and engineering.
“Imagineering in a Box” is designed to give a behind-the-scenes peek into Imagineering’s development process. It combines 32 videos of actual Imagineers, real-world case studies, and plenty of interactive activities to give viewers the opportunity to dream and design your own theme park experiences.
Speaking of things to watch, Disney has announced details of a brand new series called Prop Culture, which is coming to Disney+ on May 1, 2020. Above is a new trailer for the series, which looks to be somewhat along the lines of Imagineering Story, but instead scouring the Walt Disney Archives to uncover some of its greatest treasures and see how those props shaped their famous films.
Each episode of Prop Culture will include interviews with the craftspeople who created the items, actors who interacted with them, and archivists who preserve them. Along the way, viewers will see items from Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Mary Poppins, Tron, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Muppet Movie, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Honey, I Shrunk The Kids.
Disney+ has achieved another milestone, with 50 million paid subscribers globally within five months after its United States launch. Obviously, none of this is not Walt Disney World news–but with the Disney+ streaming service being one of the company’s few bright spots right now while theme parks, theatrical film releases, and ESPN all struggle, it’s nice to hear.
In terms of first year subscriber numbers, Disney+ has smashed all expectations. Some of this comes as little surprise given the current ‘stay at home’ circumstances, but even before this Disney+ was continually beating investor and industry expectations. So that’s certainly a plus.
As good of news as this is, there are still questions about just how good the numbers really are. For one, Disney+ has offered aggressive discounting, justifiably targeting user acquisition and market share in the crowded streaming space. For another, retaining subscribers for the long-term will be key for Disney+ and that might be difficult.
We’ve already noticed a slow trickle of new top-tier content on Disney+ as compared to our other streaming services, a problem that could be exacerbated as many Hollywood productions have been shut down. This is probably insignificant for families that want to rewatch favorite films, but if Disney+ intends to be a streaming service with broad appeal, it needs to do more. (On a personal note, I’d settle for episodes of Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color and other theme park specials!)
Finally, the curious case of vanishing resort hotel and FastPass+ inventory. This is something we started hearing about from readers in the comments about a week ago. We initially brushed it off, but questions and complaints have been growing, so we thought we should do some digging.
I spent a ton of time today doing a lot of searches on DisneyWorld.com and the My Disney Experience app for the “sake of research” (let’s be real–it’s not like I had anything better to do, so this was actually a fun way of passing the afternoon). From that, I have some thoughts about the sometimes limited options for both…
Quite simply, hotel inventory seems to be glitchy. In my dozen-plus searches, I found some resorts go from absolutely nothing for any type of rooms to total availability if I waited a few hours or switched from desktop to mobile (or vice-versa).
Almost all of my searches were for single-night stays in late August and September, on travel dates that I view as least likely to be busy. There were no ascertainable trends, and resorts/room categories were inexplicably unavailable, then available. (For what it’s worth, some room categories were consistently sold out–but the vast majority were not.)
My advice to anyone having problems finding resort availability would be to try again later. I have a tough time believing that entire resorts are fully booked for the fall at this point. The better explanation is that Walt Disney World’s resort reservation system has always been glitchy, and that’s true even right now. That, or Disney is toying with resort inventory in real-time. Or both. (In other words: don’t freak out or overthink it.)
If you are very picky and the room category you must have actually is sold out, keep checking back. Cancellations are undoubtedly occurring right now at a higher level than normal, making it highly likely that whatever you’re after will become available at some point.
As for FastPass+ inventory, that’s a much more real issue. In my spot tests of availability, I found a number of attractions that were totally out of FastPass+ slots at and beyond the 60-day mark.
We’re not just talking headliners like Slinky Dog Dash, Avatar Flight of Passage, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, or Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Two full months in advance, there was nothing for the entirety of the Magic Kingdom Mountain Range, Mission Space, Alien Swirling Saucers, Kali River Rapids, and a number of other attractions that never go this quickly. Inside 60 days, there’s often nothing at Disney’s Hollywood Studios aside from MuppetVision and Star Tours!
Keep in mind that the dates searched are for mid-June 2020, which would not otherwise see such inventory scarcity. (See our Summer Is Not Peak Season at Walt Disney World post.) Last year at this time, we had better luck inside a week than we’re having right now two months in advance.
In other words, this is not normal. Heck, it wouldn’t be normal for peak season!
Now, you could surmise from this that I was wrong with my predictions of lower crowds in “How Bad Will Crowds Be at Walt Disney World After Reopening?” That’s certainly a possibility, and I’ll be the first to admit if/when I’m wrong.
However, I think the jury is still out on that.
It’s much more likely that we’re seeing the first behind-the-scenes operational changes come into public view, some of which are discussed in our What Operational & Health Safety Changes Will Walt Disney World Make to Reopen?
If you don’t want to read all 2,000+ words of that, the pertinent possibilities here are virtual queues and/or reduced attraction capacity. Either or both are options that are on the table, and our money would be on Walt Disney World leadership starting to plan for the inevitable realities of operational changes upon reopening.
With that said, this doesn’t mean that Walt Disney World has already set any concrete plans into motion. It’s entirely possible that leaders have opted to reduce FastPass+ inventory to keep their options open as they determine next steps to take. (That’s what I’d put my money on here.) FastPass+ inventory dumps are actually really common, and those could occur later if/when Walt Disney World determines how its queues will work once the parks reopen. For now, we’d consider this an opaque look at behind the scenes logistical planning.
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 & rumor round-up? Have you watched any of the Imagineering videos or other at-home Disney content? Happy to see Disney+ doing so well while the rest of Disney struggles? Thoughts on FastPass+ or resort room inventory? Think we’ll see virtual queues, reduced attraction capacity, or both when Walt Disney World reopens? Any questions? We love hearing from readers, so please share any other thoughts or questions you have in the comments below!
Tom,
Having booked for 14 days in June I can attest that the closer you get to 60 days the worse things look. Week one was terrible. No tier ones at the Studios for most of the week. Week two was wide open. Pick your attraction and time.
I think they did indeed release less Fastpasses in total. Why? My best guess is that projected attendance is way down and this is part of a plan to spread out the people.
I’ve looked at rooms to too just for fun. It is indeed glitchy but for only two months out there seems to be decent choices most times that you look. I won’t be surprised if they close floors/buildings/sections of resorts initially as they did after 9/11. It’s make sense.
Currently I have a vacation planned to WDW starting on June 8th. I set my Alarm (like I always do) to get fast passes 60 days in advance and I was shocked at how many were not available. I also believe that they have cut back on the number available.
As a side note, I’ve had this trip booked for months, but if Disney doesn’t open as scheduled, I’d be thrilled to get the free dining promo!
I booked my Fast Passes on Sunday for 60 days out and got all of them at times I wanted including Smugglers Run, FOP, TT, KS, Soarin’….In fact, I was even able to move my FOP to an earlier slot when I checked later on. So, I don’t know if that means anything. Just wanted to share.
My annual passes expire mid June, about halfway thru the trip I had planned. I contacted Disney about the extension and they gladly assisted so I could book fast passes for my entire trip. I noticed how many fast passes were unavailable or were only available at odd times. I thought the same thing about Disney limiting them already. I have a back up plan trip scheduled for late July and I’ll be curious to see if the issue is the same when it’s time to book those.
Tom,
So glad you mentioned Wonderful World of Disney episodes! I was really hoping for some of the classic Disney episodes of the 60’s to be on Disney+, Especially the Adventures of Gallegher series and ones like that. They are before your time, but so classic you would love them. I’m still hoping Disney will upload them to Disney+.
Thanks for this blog, its awesome.
When this began I never thought our trip end of June start of July was in jeopardy but last week I decided to book a backup end of August start of Sept.
I can’t be the only one who’s done this and that’s got to take up inventory.
BTW I’m not hoarding anything else like toilet paper. Just Disney hotel rooms.
Actually as this plays out we might use them both since our Annual Pass will now cover both possibilities.
Disney is creative, but the crowd control will be a public perception to safety. I would be more interested if they put some controls in such as allowing certain hotels into parks on a rotating schedule and possibly letting odd and even room numbers use the transportation at certain times. So Polynesian even number rooms can use Magic Kingdom that day with a few other hotels while other resorts use Epcot. Mornings and afternoon times for the rooms. Disney has the technology with the magic bands and occupancy to know the crowds. Season pass holders could possibly be used on the same manner depending on their assigned numbers. I could cover Magic Kingdom with my family in a few hours in the morning with largely reduced crowds.
It would also help reduce each resorts traffic to their pools and amenities for those times.
Oh boy… I hadn’t thought of the transportation issues this could cause with social distancing. Hmm… maybe I ought to book a rental car as a backup plan for our next visit. Our May visit has been canceled so we are anxiously awaiting news on how we will all move on from this and what it means for Disney vacations in the future.
I can only imagine the anxiety level of people being stuck on a monorail in the middle of the tracks stopped for maintenance or “traffic” and being shoulder to shoulder during allergy season. I think that might make people uncomfortable. Or waiting in lines at park opening or close. If you look at negative reviews or issues they generally start with small problems that grow into larger perceptions of unhappiness if not addressed.
I feel like Disney can make this possible though. I hate waiting lines or being told when to get up and move. But the second the parade gets going at Ohana for breakfast and my kids get excited, we grab our kids and cameras and get in the dance line and follow whatever path the lead us on at whatever tempo they choose. If they can find a way to make the lines, times, and transportation fun and feel safe people will feel more part of the show and magic then ever without even realizing it.
This is a pandemic, everyone. The experts are not giving us any indication that we can get back in crowds anywhere close to this June. I have been a Disney fanatic for 30+ years, visiting with my sons 3x yearly. Would love nothing more than to get back there this year but you all have to be realistic. Its a wait and see for all of us in every aspect of life right now. Until we see a positive change, focus on staying healthy. Disney will allow us back when its safe to do so.
It’s hard to imagine because if they can’t open this year it’s very unlikely they open until Summer 2021 and that’s if they’re still in business. At some point it all just rolls down hill and one impact leads to another. I don’t think it’s getting to that point. I just think the conversation is much different. We’re going to get to a point where we replace “safe” with “safe enough”
Glad others have noticed the slim pickings for FastPass! I did mine last week for the second week of June and I could barely get anything good/worth FPing. (And yes, I started backwards with my farthest date and it was sad.) I keep checking about once a day to move rides, but mostly everything is unavailable now! It’s not the norm.
I totally agree with that. The future is a bit sketchy for now. We have our trip in Sept. I am just keeping my ears and eyes on all of what is going on.
I live in Spain ,and I had my WDW vacation cancelled for April this year, I do not get the offers that you do in the US , and it appears I cannot book for next year ,beyond December 2020.
Anyone give me help?
Disney doesn’t release reservations for the following year until June or July. So if you want to book for 2021 you’ll have to wait until June/July of this year to book that. Hope this helps!
It does, thanks very much.
Look forward to booking then.
They actually do open up the following year for those of us in Europe before they do for those in North America because of the types of deals they offer us. Our UK Free Dining for all of 2021 would normally be opening up about now.
I suspect they’re holding back 2021 for the moment while they see how those postponing their holidays from this year pan out.
Keep looking on their website every few days.
I don’t know about their European offers, but in the US, we can’t book 2021 packages until sometime in June.
Thank you for your help
In the U.S. you can call and book a room only reservation for 2021 (up to 499 days out). You would have to wait to add on park tickets and a dining plan if you wanted that.
I wonder if restaurant ADRs as being similarly rationed. I can’t imagine they’ll be allowed to run at full capacity when opened. I had no problem booking ADRs for our mid-june trip, although I do tend to stray off the beaten track as far dining is concerned. I definitely did notice Fastpass options were slimmer than usual.
It felt strange making restaurant & ride reservations for a trip that I have no idea will happen or not.
I had strange difficulties in booking my ADRs this week for our October trip. I wanted Jungle Skipper Canteen on a party day, ideally around 4:30pm (to get dinner after the party crowd arrives but before the party starts). I could only get 3:45.
I wanted to book a Bon Voyage Breakfast 184 days out, and I couldn’t get the time I wanted.
I can totally relate… the day our county (and subsequently our state) officially shut down last month was the day I got up a 4am to make FP+ reservations for our trip that is now off. I was hoping for a miracle still, but pandemic news only got worse from there. I hope we can make it back around Christmas, if everything begins to get back under control in the next few months.
Soooo much uncertainty, for our June trip (starting with if it’s going to happen) in the words of Elsa…. “INTO THE UNKNOWN, INTO THE UNKNOWNNNNNN”
Anyone else feel me?
Yep I do! Scheduled for June 20-28 and still just hanging on to see what happens by June 1. Been waiting a year to go, and hate to have to wait another one.
I feel you on this. I have a trip planned for June 2nd and am hoping we can still go.
Ah ah oh oh oh . I was supposed to be at WDW this Sunday. Booked it early last year. That’s cancelled, Booked a back up trip for May 21-26. That’s probably gone. Booked an AP room discount at Coronado Springs Tower June 21-27. Going to do Victoria & Alberts. Fast Pass Day is April 22. Going on making 3 sets of Fast Passes and may not be able to actually ride anything.
Off topic – this seems like the perfect time to fix the Yeti!
any word on whether that may happen?
No chance. The Yeti would probably take over a year to fix as a lot of the attraction would have to be taken apart.
This time could have been perfect for small projects that often get postponed or done slowly – things like path widening, repainting etc. But it seems all construction has halted as part of the ongoing social distancing.
I didn’t know the 3rd segment of Imagineering Tour was up – thanks for that. My daughter did the whole Khan Academy course and enjoyed it quite a bit.
The Jammitors are probably my favorite WDW streetmosphere, so thanks for that video as well! We’ve actually still been working, and trying to help our daughter distance learn so have been busier than ever it feels like (no complaints, though!). So I haven’t had as much time to peruse the Disney site. I hope you and Sarah are doing well.
Governor of California today:
“Large-scale events that bring in hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of strangers altogether across every conceivable difference, health and otherwise, is not in the cards based upon our current guidelines and current expectations”.
I’d guess even if the state of Florida was operating under different guidelines than the state of California, Disney could be exposed to legal issues if they were operating Florida parks while Disneyland is closed?
At this point there is zero chance the parks are open under any condition closely resembling “normal” in June.
I agree with the author that the FastPass availability is some sort of indicator of what’s to come.
I’m having the same problem with DVC inventory. It’s the worse I’ve ever seen it & I don’t think it’s because people are rescheduling. I think they are holding inventory back until they know they can re-open the parks or SOMETHING.
In the case of DVC, I think it is simply a matter of people rescheduling.
Occupancy for those rooms is already incredibly high, and now there are fewer dates available but still the same number of points. Something has to give.
Ugh, I really hope not. They booking took has been UNREASONABLY glitchy. lately, but it could just be from traffic, I guess, since member are thinking (like me) that they HAVE to use points. Who knows. This is all such a mess.
C’mon, it’s obvious that Fast Passes are slim picking because people are all rescheduling their vacations. As the next batch of dates get cancelled, people move on to the next closest dates.
I disagree.
FastPass+ availability right now is worse than it is 60 days before Christmas and NYE weeks. Reasonable minds can differ about crowds in June, but there’s literally no chance they’ll be heavier than peak season.
Except that you’ve got a month or two of pent-up demand all pushing into June+ when people think the parks have a chance of being open. That could make it Xmas levels of demnd this one time.
Whether Disney lets that play out is a totally different thing, but they have a good amount of year-round built-in visits from DVC folks that they are going to have to have theme park capacity for, not to mention the zillions of other folks who want to visit the happiest place on earth.
I don’t think that Disney is releasing full inventory for resorts. Probably holding back to see how the future goes with social distancing.
Ok, the Disney DISH is clearly a real-life incarnation of Star Trek’s holodeck, and I am in love!