DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: Huge Genie+ Prince Increase; More Restaurants (Finally) Reopening; Fantasmic Reopening; Passholder Exclusive Popcorn Bucket & More
We finally got the Fantasmic! announcement we’ve been waiting for. Unfortunately, we also got an Genie+ announcement we didn’t want to hear. Plus, more restaurants are (finally) reopening including one of our favorite character meals. Don’t miss the exclusive Passholder offering. All this and more below in this week’s news roundup.
1 – BIG Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane Price Increase at Walt Disney World
Earlier this month, Disney changed the way its charges for Disney Genie+. Rather than a fixed price of $15 per day, Disney went to a variable date model, as they have for theme park tickets. This means that pricing will vary by date, attendance, and demand. The price range now is anywhere from $15 per day and up to $22 per day. So far, we’ve seen the price vary, with $18 being the lowest mid-week and the price at $22 on a busy Saturday. Unfortunately for guests, Disney does not publish the price of Disney Genie+ ahead of time—you can only find out when you go to purchase the service on the day you need it. So as we head into the busy holiday season, we expect the price tag for Genie+ to be in the higher $20-$22 per day range in the coming months.
Also, note that another price increase came to the Individual Lightning Lane attractions. While these rides had previously held steady between $7-$17 for over a year, the price range has now increased to potentialy $22 per person. Pricing for all Individual Lightning Lane attractions will vary by date and demand, but again, as we head into a very busy holiday season, expect to potentially pay up to $22 each for Individual Lightning Lane attractions.
To learn more about Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane, visit the links below.
Click here for the announcement of price increases for Disney Genie+.
2 – More Restaurant Reopenings
This week, Disney announced a fan-favorite character dining experience, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall will finally reopen on November 4, 2022. The restaurant has been closed since March 2020, though the space has been used for different lounges in that time. The princesses are returning to the restaurant as well. Also, Tusker House will return to a buffet, and Kona Café is reopening after being refurbished. Visit the link below for more details, including when dining reservations open up.
Click here to learn about more restaurant reopenings at Walt Disney World.
3 – Fantasmic! Returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Forces of good and evil will once again battle it out in Mickey’s dream as the long-awaited return of Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The legendary nighttime spectacular invites guests into Mickey’s imagination for a larger-than-life show painted on a grand canvas of dancing water overflowing with silly and suspenseful surprises. Learn more about the show’s return, including some updates, at the link below.
Click here for details on the return of Fantasmic! to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
4 – Limited-Time Passholder-Exclusive Mickey Mouse Popcorn Bucket Coming Soon to Walt Disney World
A new Mickey popcorn bucket is coming to Walt Disney World. From October 25, 2022, through March 31, 2023, passholders can purchase an exclusive popcorn bucket while supplies last. Passholders will be required to show their annual pass card and photo ID to purchase the bucket.
Buckets will be available to purchase at the following locations:
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- City Hall Popcorn at Magic Kingdom Park
- Popcorn Cart near the Creations Shop at EPCOT
- Feeding Ground Popcorn Cart at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
- Hollywood Popcorn at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- West Side Cart at Disney Springs
5 – Rare Endangered Okapi Calf Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Just in time for World Okapi Day on October 18, 2022, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge announced the birth of a rare, endangered okapi calf named Beni. The healthy, male calf was born in July to first-time mom, Olivia, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. The pair remain in their backstage habitat where they can bond privately. Beni will make his debut on the Pembe Savanna in the coming months. This birth is the latest example of how Disney animal care experts work with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums on Species Survival Plans to ensure responsible breeding for endangered species.
6 – Adventures by Disney to Debut Its First-Ever Adriatic Sea Expedition Cruise in 2024
In 2024, guests will set sail on the all-new Adventures by Disney expedition cruise along the picturesque Adriatic Sea. This famed waterway, filled with captivating history, exquisite cuisine and breathtaking views, provides the perfect setting for an enchanting adventure.
The eight-day, seven-night round-trip sailing from Venice, Italy, will visit seven ports in Croatia and Montenegro before returning to the Floating City. The chartered Adventures by Disney expedition voyage is planned for two sailings in 2024 (departures set for June 25 and July 2).
Bookings open to the public on Oct. 27. More details on Adventures by Disney expedition cruises, including the full lineup of itineraries in 2024, can be found on the Expedition Cruising with Disney page of AdventuresByDisney.com.
Setting Sail on the Adriatic Sea with Adventures by Disney
Families will experience expedition cruising on the luxuriously appointed PONANT ship Le Bougainville, a small, purpose-built intimate ship, specially designed to access remote locations. The ship will sail along the beautiful Adriatic Sea coastline, where guests will be immersed in the culture and stories of the region. Each day will offer new adventures and exciting excursions curated by the travel experts at Disney, including:
Discovering the islands adorning the Adriatic coast with stops at Korcula to taste the famed Mali Ston oysters or Hvar to kayak along the Pakleni Islands.
Enjoying delicious food, Croatian wine, captivating architecture and culture unique to the region. Biking through vineyards and lavender fields of the UNESCO Stari Grad Plain (also known as Hora or Ager).
Tasting local delicacies such as Dalmatian Prosciutto, aged by the bura, a northerly-blowing wind common in the winter months.
Exploring picturesque Boka Bay in Montenegro by catamaran or strolling the cobbled streets of Old Town Kotor.
Wandering medieval Croatian port-towns awash in warm limestone and distinctive, red-tiled roofs, and visiting the world-famous Predjama Castle in Slovenia.
Delving into the massive underground labyrinth at Slovenia’s Postojna Cave and discovering the “dragons” that call it home.
Stepping back in time to learn about time-honored Croatian traditions, including methods of pressing olive oil.
Signature service and storytelling, hallmarks of Adventures by Disney vacations, are brought to life by a team of Disney-trained Adventure Guides. Up to six Adventure Guides will accompany guests on the Adriatic Expedition Cruise and will lead unique, themed activities both aboard and ashore.
More Memories, More Magic: Onboard Activities for Everyone in the Family
On board, the fun will continue with themed karaoke nights, game/trivia nights, a talent show and Disney movies. Adults-only activities include cocktail workshops and fitness classes. Junior Adventurers (adventurers 12 years and younger) have their own set of special programming led by the Adventure Guides, such as a “Pirates of the Adriatic” swim party, a pizza party, a Dalmatian Dash scavenger hunt, navigation lessons and more.
Announcing 2024 Itineraries: Expedition Cruising with Adventures by Disney
Also in 2024, guests will have more opportunities to explore Antarctica, the Arctic and the Galapagos Islands with added expedition cruises to these destinations:
- Antarctica and Patagonia Expedition Cruise: This southern region itinerary offers the chance to discover the pristine splendor of Antarctica and Argentina’s beautiful Patagonia region. Here, the magic of wildlife takes the stage as guests observe animals such as penguins, seals and whales in their natural habitat. Dates: Dec. 17-28, 2023, and Feb. 17-28, 2024.
- Arctic Expedition Cruise: This expedition cruise in the northern polar region features the Arctic waters and surrounding landscapes of Svalbard. Guests will sail past deep fjords, discover the human history of the Arctic, marvel at massive glaciers and see amazing wildlife including polar bears, reindeer and walruses. Date: July 1-10, 2024.
- Galapagos Islands Expedition Cruise: This island-hopping expedition cruise through the Galapagos Archipelago is an immersive family adventure. Guided by expert naturalists, guests will discover more about the amazing ecosystems and unique species endemic to the islands as they experience the unmatched views of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Dates: March 17-25, June 9-17, July 14-22, Aug. 7- 15, and Dec. 18-26, 2024.
Guests can also extend their expedition cruise vacations in select cities through an Adventures by Disney Escape, a series of short-stay getaways that are big on adventure. Escapes often complement a trip — immediately before or following an existing itinerary — and are ideal for those wishing for a deeper dive into a region’s culture, history and landscape. The four-day Buenos Aires Escape is a great way to discover the cosmopolitan capital of Argentina before embarking on the Antarctica Expedition Cruise. The six-day Amazon Escape takes guests on an exploration of the Amazon rainforest prior to the start of their Galapagos Islands Expedition Cruise.
Traveling with Adventures by Disney
With exceptional service, storytelling and authentic cultural experiences, all Adventures by Disney vacations are designed to appeal to the interests and needs of the entire family, allowing parents, grandparents and Junior Adventurers to discover the world together. From hassle-free travel, to engaging storytelling, to magical moments sprinkled throughout the vacation, all adventures are designed to give families the chance to focus on what matters — enjoying time together as they experience the magic of the world.
To learn more about Adventures by Disney or to book a vacation, guests can visitAdventuresbyDisney.com, call 1-800-543-0865 or contact a travel agent.
What’s New and Happening Now at Walt Disney World Resort
The New Disney World Normal: Visiting Post-Pandemic – What You Need to Know
Click here for what you need to know about visiting Walt Disney World post-pandemic.
Now through October 31, Select Nights – Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
Click here for our review of the 2022 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
Click here for the can’t-miss entertainment at this year’s Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
Now through November 19, 2022 – 2022 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Click here for details on the 2022 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.
Click here for photos of the menu boards for the Global Marketplaces with pricing for easy planning!
Now Open – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Now Through March 31, 2023 – The Most Magical Celebration – 50 Years of Walt Disney World
Coming Soon to Walt Disney World
November 8 – December 30 – Holiday Season at Walt Disney World
Click here for an overview of offerings of the Holiday season at Walt Disney World.
November 8-December 22, Select Nights – Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom
Click here for dates, pricing, and details for the 2022 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!
November 25 – December 30 – EPCOT Festival of the Holidays
Click here for the lineup of Celebrity Narrator Lineup for the Candlelight Processional.
Spring 2023 – Tron Lightcycle Run Coming to Magic Kingdom
Click here to learn more about TRON / Lightcycle Run coming to Magic Kingdom in spring 2023.
2023 – Happily Ever After Returns to Magic Kingdom
Click here about Happily Ever After and its return to Magic Kingdom in 2023.
New & Coming Soon to Disney Cruise Line
The Disney Wish
Click here to learn more (and watch) the Christening Ceremony Celebration of the Disney Wish!
Click here to learn about staterooms and our room review on the Disney Wish.
Click here to learn about upper deck fun and the AquaMouse – the first Disney attraction at sea!
Click here for an overview of family dining on the Disney Wish!
Click here to learn more about stage show entertainment on the Disney Wish!
Itineraries in 2022 and 2023
Click here to learn about early 2023 itineraries on Disney Cruise Line!
Click here for information on Pixar Day at Sea coming in early 2023!
Click here for information on Marvel Day at Sea on Disney Cruise Line in 2023.
Click here for information about Disney Cruise Line’s Summer 2023 Itineraries.
Click here for details on Disney Cruise Line Fall 2023 Itineraries.
Coming to Disney Cruise Line
For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.