Before we start, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with those in Florida and surrounding areas as Hurricane Helene hit this week. Be safe! There was lots of news around the hurricane that I won’t recap. The TL;DR is that WDW did not close, and they canceled one Mickey’s Not So Scary Party.

First, a quick poll: Are you enjoying the newsletter format, or would you rather get separate posts throughout the week, one containing the news recap and another with the “Pixie Dust” content, fun facts, tips, pictures, etc.?

Thank you all for your support. Please let me know what you want to see in Disney Discussions—The Free Disney Newsletter, and please share with your Disney-loving friends and family.

Share Disney Discussions - The Free Disney Newsletter

This Week’s Disney News 🐭

Walt Disney World News 🏰:

• 🌐 EPCOT Extends Operating Hours for 2024 International Festival of the Holidays - WDWMAGIC.com

  Starting November 29, 2024, EPCOT’s hours will shift from 9:00 am to 9:30 pm.
  

• Cast Member Saves Guest’s Life on 21st of September at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind - WDWNT
  What a story! So glad to hear the young boy is doing well.
  

• 🚀 Single Rider Line Returns to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance - WDWNT.com

  This is great for shortening the line, but I don’t know if I want to miss “flying” on the ship with Lieutenant Beck.

• Lots of Characters Will Meet Guests During Disney Jollywood Nights - WDWNT.com

• 🥤 Disney Eats: Disney Jollywood Nights Foodie Guide 2024 - Disney Parks Blog

  Disney is really expanding Jollywood nights this year. Lots of delicious-looking food. Even a Muppet shake, even though it sounds gross.

• EPCOT Introduces Limited-Time Glimmering Greenhouses Tour at The Land Pavilion - WDWMAGIC.com

  The tour will be available from November 29 through December 30, 2024, at 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm daily. Tickets are $45 per person.

• Walt Disney World Extends Disability Access Service (DAS) Validity Period - WDWMAGIC.com

  Walt Disney World has announced that it will double the validity period for its Disability Access Service (DAS) from 120 days to 240 days. Disney modified the DAS system earlier this summer, and there have been many complaints. I’m sure we’ll continue to see them modify these policies in the coming months.

• 🎃 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Completely Sold Out for 2024 Season - BlogMickey

  Many people complain about the prices of Disney’s parties, but if they keep selling out, Disney will keep going with these prices.
  

• 🦕D23 Update: RUMOR: Phased Closure of Dinoland USA at Disney's Animal Kingdom Expected Before 2024 Holidays to Make Way for Encanto and Indiana Jones - WDWMagic
  The first section expected to close will be Chester & Hester's Dino-Rama, with its carnival-themed games and rides, including TriceraTop Spin. This area is slated to be transformed into a new Encanto-themed attraction.
  

• 🏗️ New FAA Filing Suggests Construction on Reflections Resort Project at Disney World May Be Imminent - WDWMagic
  Originally unveiled by Disney in 2018, Reflections—A Disney Lakeside Lodge was planned as a deluxe nature-themed resort situated between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. The resort was to include over 900 hotel rooms and Disney Vacation Club (DVC) villas.

  However, in 2020 Disney quietly shelved the project, and much of the pre-construction work was undone.
  

• Star-Lord Returns to EPCOT for Meet-and-Greet at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind - WDWMAGIC.com

  See the Instagram post below. I’d rather see a Groot Meet & Greet. This Star-Lord looks more like Peter’s cousin than Peter himself.

Disney Entertainment News 🍿:

• Disney Shares NEW ‘Moana 2’ Trailer + Sneak Peek of New Song - WDWInfo.com

• First Marvel Studios ‘Thunderbolts*’ Teaser Trailer & Poster Released - WDWNT.com

  This trailer looked pretty good. I’m excited about this movie and next year’s slate of Marvel Movies.

• ‘Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’ Trailer Sees Selena Gomez & David Henrie Return as Russo Siblings - WDWNT.com

Disney Discussions Recap:

🧚 Pixie Dust ✨

Fun Fact:

What are the top 10 highest structures in Walt Disney World? I’m glad you asked.

Did you know any building at 200 feet or higher is required to have a blinking red light for aircraft to see? This is why all but one structure at WDW is below 200 feet.

10) Spaceship Earth – 180 feet

9) Space Mountain – 183 feet

8) Disney’s Contemporary Resort – 184 feet

7) Cinderella Castle – 189 feet

6) Bay Lake Tower – 195 feet

5) Gran Destino Tower – 195 feet

4) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – 197 feet

3) Hollywood Tower of Terror – 199 feet

2) Expedition Everest – 199.5 feet

1) WDW Dolphin Hotel – 257 feet

📸 Magic Shot of the Week:

We all have those photos we take on a Disney vacation that we love. 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 for something to do at Walt Disney World on a non-park day? Sure, Disney Springs is great, but might I suggest Resort Hoping? It’s free, minus the food and merch you buy, and a great way to explore other Disney hotels. It's a special bonus if you are there around the Christmas holiday. Each resort has its own decorations and events.

I’d recommend doing the Monorail Resorts or the Boardwalk area.

The Boardwalk area is excellent to visit at night. There are games, performers, and ice cream!

The Monorail resort loop has some of the most fun resorts, is easy to travel, and has some of the best restaurants. If you are there late enough, you can see the Electrical Water Pageant and view the fireworks from one of the resorts. I highly recommend getting a dole whip and watching the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the Polynesian beach.

🎉 Shout out of the week:

Each week, I’ll shout out a Disney creator, whether it’s a Podcast, website, social media, or other media.

This week a book, The Disney Revolt by Jake S. Friedman. This book is about the time the Disney animators went on strike to form a Union. This event forever changed the company. I just finished this book and it gives you a small amount of Disney company history, but what I really enjoyed about it is that it doesn't;t take sides, It gives the facts and opinions from both sides in an entertaining way.

I highly recommend it. Get it on Amazon today. The audible version has a great narrator.

How to reach out to us:
✉️ email: [email protected]
𝐗 (twitter) | 📸 Instagram | ＠ Threads | ▶️ Youtube | 😊 📘 Facebook

Have a great big Beautiful Tomorrow because today is almost over