Welcome to the 15th edition of our Disney Discussions Weekly Recap. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I’m thankful for all of you reading and subscribing to this newsletter. Look for more posts in the future about my Disney plans and deep dive into the history of Disney attractions and movies.

This week, Disney finally announced the new DVC resort, Haunted Mansion updates for the West Coast, and we get a good look at the “Live-action” Lilo & Stitch movie.

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This Week’s Disney News 🐭

Walt Disney World News 🏰:

• New Disney Vacation Club Resort Disney Lakeshore Lodge to Open in 2027 - WDWMAGIC

  Disney has officially announced the development of a brand-new Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resort hotel—Disney Lakeshore Lodge. The new resort will be constructed within the same footprint as the previously announced Reflections—A Disney Lakeside Lodge project, which was shelved in 2020.

• Test Track Transformation: A First Glimpse from Imagineering

• Moana Debuts New Costume at EPCOT for ‘Moana 2’ - WDWNT

• Gingerbread Spaceship Earth Lights Up for 2024 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays -WDWNT

• EPCOT Dedication Plaque Returns With New Sign at Park Entrance - WDWNT

  The EPCOT dedication plaque has been reinstalled on a new sign at the park’s entrance. Its old sign and the dedication plaque were removed in June of this year.

Disneyland News:

• Disneyland Honors World War II Veteran at Emotional Flag Retreat - Disney Parks Blog

• Muppets Arrive at Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge for the Holidays - DAPSMagic

• The Haunted Mansion Story Expands with Opening of Expanded Grounds - DAPSMAGIC

• Standby Queue Now Open at Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion - DAPSMAGIC

  Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion has used a virtual queue since the attraction reopened this summer. The virtual queue will no longer be used.

• Madame Leota’s Somewhere Beyond Shop to Open at Haunted Mansion This Winter - DAPS Magic

• Disneyland Submits Plans for Avengers Campus Expansion Preparations - WDWNT

  Disneyland has submitted a plan for preparatory work related to its expansion, which is currently under review by city officials. The plan addresses utilities, temporary trailers, and parking lots in the backstage area affected by the expansion. This work is necessary before Anaheim can issue a demolition permit and Disneyland can submit its formal expansion plans.

• Permits Hint at New Projection Effects Coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland - WDWNT

Disney Entertainment News 🎬:

• ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ Arriving on Disney+ Early - DAPSMAGIC

  The two-episode premiere will arrive on Disney+ on December 2nd at 6:00 PM PT/9:00 PM ET.

• Disney Releases ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Teaser Trailer

Disney Business News 📈:

• Disney's Destination D23 Returns in 2025 with New Disney World Venue and Double the Size - WDWMAGIC

  This event will occur at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World from August 29–31, 2025.

• Disney Releases ‘The Last Verse’ Short Film With Richard Sherman’s New Verse for ‘It’s a Small World’ - DAPSMagic

• Moana 2’ Has Biggest Black Friday at the Box Office Ever - DAPSMagic

  The movie was fine, but Lin-Manuel Miranda’s music was greatly missed.

• New D23 Gold Membership Plans and Gifts Revealed - WDWNT

  There are now three packages for membership:

  • Gold Member Essential Plan – $49.99 Per Year

  • Gold Member Choice Plan – $99.99 Per Year

  • Gold Complete Plan – $299.99 Per Year

Muppets News 🐸 :

• The Jim Henson Co. Issues Statement Regarding Closure of Muppet*Vision - WDWINFO

  The Jim Henson Company also released the following statement on its Facebook page Saturday morning regarding the announcement.

  Jim Henson’s final project was Muppet*Vision 3D, now regarded as a true theme park classic. Innovation was always Jim Henson’s north star, and his trailblazing career led him to a unique challenge: a truly immersive Muppet experience where audiences are part of the happy chaos of the iconic Muppet Show. Originally debuting in 1991, Muppet*Vision 3D combined 3D technology with real-world practical effects, alongside animatronic and live Muppet characters. The result was a one-of-a-kind Jim Henson experience, and an unforgettable capstone to Jim’s magnificent career. As we learn of the show’s upcoming closure in its current form at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we look forward to Muppet*Vision 3D’s next act.

  The Jim Henson Company

Disney Discussions Recent Archive:

🧚 Pixie Dust ✨

Fun Facts:

DinoLand in Animal Kingdom is closing, and I hear many say, “Good riddance, it was so cheap looking.” I agree, but did you know that’s on purpose and theme?

The DinoLand U.S.A. theme blends a love for dinosaurs with a nostalgic nod to mid-20th-century roadside attractions. In 1947, a small Midwestern town with a fishing lodge and a gas station, run by Chester and Hester, became a hotspot when an amateur fossil hunter discovered dinosaur bones nearby.

Scientists and volunteers flocked to the site after a paleontologist confirmed the find's rarity. What began as a modest excavation evolved into "Diggs County," a thriving destination for paleontology enthusiasts and tourists.

Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama

Scientists and students tirelessly uncovered fossils. Chester and Hester capitalized on the tourist influx by transforming their gas station into a quirky roadside carnival called Dino-Rama, featuring fun rides and games.

The kitschy aesthetic, complete with faux asphalt and carnival lights, showcases the couple’s resourcefulness and humor. Dino-Rama may seem campy compared to Disney's polished theming, but it intentionally captures the charm of an Americana roadside attraction.

📸 Magic Shot of the Week:

We all have those photos we love from a Disney vacation. Every week, I’ll share one. They will be my photos, but I’d love for you to share yours so I can include them. Email me your Disney photo to [email protected], and it’ll go in a future weekly recap.

🌟 Disney Tip of the Week:

Looking to “Beat” the crowds during the holiday season?

Here are some tips:

• Choose the Right Days During Party Season – Magic Kingdom closes to day guests at 6 pm on event nights, so intuitively, many (many!) guests avoid Magic Kingdom on these shortened days and cram into the full days: long story short, Vosot Magic Kingdom during the day on MVMCP nights. Lines will be short.

• Rope Drop - If you are staying on property, early entry rope drop can allow you to ride two rides before the park even opens. If you are not on property, rope, drop the park opening, and go left. Most people go right, so fewer crowds will go left; think Adventureland in Magic Kingdom.

• Fantasyland Fireworks - Go behind the castle to view the fireworks and try to time ride Tiana’s or seven dwarfs' mine train during the fireworks. It’s extraordinary. I don’t recommend this if you’ve never seen the fireworks before

• One minute before park closing - Get online for a ride right before park closing. People will be leaving, and you’ll get that one last ride in

How to contact me 📝:

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Have a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow because today is almost over!