Welcome Home: A Disney Parks & DVC Podcast

Damon returns to the show and gives a trip report on his first visit to Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort. Tom gives an update on his upcoming trip. The guys answer listener questions on topics including Fantasmic’s return, Disneyland movie casting, Disney’s use of data, and the new Grand Floridian DVC rooms. Disney’s Old Key West Resort debuts a new lobby design. Disney announced many activities and events coming to WDW this holiday season including the return of the Candlelight Processional, holiday traditions in EPCOT, new entertainment for Disney Very Merriest After Hours, Santa Claus, decorations and much more. Star Wars: Halcyon Legacy is a new comic book from Marvel detailing the history of the Galactic Starcruiser ship. The Disneyland Monorail has reopened at Disneyland Resort.

Tom and Trevor answer listener questions on topics including top of the world reopening, DVC early access benefits, Disney related books, and using DVC points for special events. DVC has revealed the point chart for the Galactic Starcruiser. Disney announced new details about the Genie+ system including it’s release date in October. There is a rumor that the Genie service will include Augmented Reality filters which will allow you to take a selfie with the 1996 Birthday Cake Castle. WDW welcomes its first new boat since the 1990’s called “Tradewinds”. New features for WDW Annual Passholders are coming including a special sound and light pattern at the entry touchpoints. Disney has announced that many live entertainers, shows, and character experiences are returning over the next few months. The guys discuss a few of the 50th Anniversary souvenirs. Halloween themed food is all around Disney Springs right now and the guys discuss the items they are most interested in.

The guys answer listener questions on topics including how their DVC ownership has changed over time, picking one hotel and park, line etiquette, holiday parties, and renting DVC points. Disney announced the opening date for the Galactic Starcruiser and an early booking period for DVC Members. DVC revealed concept art of the new rooms coming to The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Disney is partnering with Amazon to bring specialized Echo assistant devices to all WDW resort hotels. Disney announced MagicBand+, which is a new version of the MagicBand that will include new features like color-changing lights, haptic vibrations and gesture recognition. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will open in 2022. The guys discuss all the new food debuting for the 50th Anniversary celebration.

The guys answer listener questions on topics including rides using old IP, Disney on Ice at WDW, DVC Lounge renewal, snacks you must eat at WDW, and snacks you’ll never eat again. Surrey Bikes are making their return to Disney’s BoardWalk. Damon gives his review on the new Star Wars: Visions series on Disney+. Disney is celebrating the upcoming debut of the ‘Muppets Haunted Mansion’ Halloween special on Disney+ by bringing special Muppet experiences to Disneyland and WDW. California Grill is celebrating the 50th Anniversary with a special limited time menu. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will be available during early park entry for Resort Hotel guests. The “Un Poco Loco” scene from “Coco” in Mickey’s PhilharMagic will debut in November. The Electrical Water Pageant is adding a 50th Anniversary scene. Disney has announced some of the Ratatouille merchandise coming to the France pavilion at EPCOT.

Tom and Damon give updates on their upcoming trips. The guys answer listener questions on topics including the 50th Anniversary celebration, a scary Halloween event at WDW, Adventures by Disney, Not So Scary or Merriest Christmas Party, and expiring DVC contracts. The new Club Cool opened along with the Creations Shop at EPCOT and added new flavors to their selection. Disney announced that Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is pausing the use of the Virtual Queue and opening the standby line. Menus have been released for the upcoming Steakhouse 71 restaurant at the Contemporary. Disney announced pricing and reservation availability for the Space 220 restaurant at EPCOT. Dessert parties are returning to WDW for the 50th Anniversary night time shows. After rumors of it’s cancellation, Disney announced that a re-imagined version of Finding Nemo - The Musical will return next year. The beloved EPCOT holiday show, Candlelight Processional, is returning for the holiday season this year. Imagineer Zach Riddley shared a preview of the new lighting coming to Spaceship Earth.

The guys welcome Becky back to the show to tell them about her most recent WDW trip. The guys answer listener questions on topics including how much money is too much money for a WDW trip, rides your family likes but you don’t, and an EPCOT World Showcase only day. DVC just announced a new SVP and General Manager. The Creations Shop and Club Cool will open soon at EPCOT and it will have an exclusive line of EPCOT themed merchandise. Imagineer Zach Riddley shares a sneak peek at 10 new Mickey sculptures designed by individual Imagineers coming to the Creations Shop. The Fab 50 character statues have all finally been announced and are starting to be installed in the parks. The Vault Collection of merchandise is coming to WDW for the 50th Anniversary and includes some cool retro items. Disney gave a behind the scenes look at the making of the original song ‘You Are the Magic’, which will be played during ‘Disney Enchantment’, the new nighttime show premiering at Magic Kingdom for the 50th Anniversary. Disneyland announced a new holiday after hours event called ‘Disney Merriest Nites’ debuting in November.

Tom discusses his recent experience with booking a DVC room for a last minute trip. The guys answer listener questions on topics including unpopular Disney opinions, Genie+, DVC buying advice, and adult only vacations at WDW. DVC is proactively offering to buy back certain Old Key West contracts. Even more characters have been added to the Fab 50 statue list. Disney announced new Annual Pass options for WDW which will go on sale in September. An opening date for the long awaited Space 220 restaurant at EPCOT has finally been announced. Imagineer Zach Riddley revealed a new Mickey Mouse mural that will be in the Creations Shop at EPCOT. Disney gave a behind the scenes look at the Disney KiteTails show coming to Animal Kingdom for the 50th Anniversary. Disneyland announced all the Halloween themed food that will be featured in the parks during the holiday this year.

The guys answer several listener questions about Genie+ and the benefits of staying on property. DVC Members can now purchase a DVC themed version of the game Operation. More Fab 50 statues have been announced. A full attraction list has been announced for Early Theme Park Entry, a new benefit for guests staying at a WDW resort. Disney Cruise Line reveals more details about AquaMouse, the first Disney attraction at sea. Disney shares new details about the entrance to Club Cool at EPCOT. ‘The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World’ will premiere on ABC on October 1st to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of WDW. La Crêperie de Paris, the new traditional crêperie at the France pavilion in EPCOT, revealed it’s full menu.

The guys answer listener questions on topics including buffets returning, Top of the World reopening, and Golden Birthday buttons. Foldaway beds are coming to Disney’s Polynesian Villas and the Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Even more Fab 50 statues have been announced. Disney has announced that the NBA Experience will be closed permanently. Buffets are coming back to WDW beginning with Boma, Biergarten Restaurant, and Crystal Palace. Fan favorite drink, POG Juice, is reportedly no longer available at WDW and may be gone for good. Disney has announced that Steakhouse 71 will replace The Wave at the Contemporary. Imagineering shared a first look at the illuminated “Points of Light” that will cover Spaceship Earth for the 50th Anniversary celebration. Disney announced the replacement for FastPass+ and MaxPass, a paid service called Genie+. Imagineering released footage of “Project Exo”, which is developing large scale exoskeletons for characters that guests can interact with in the parks.

Damon and Tom are joined by special guest Brian from DCLDuo Podcast. Damon returns to the show with a new Damon’s Detour. The guys answer listener questions on topics including listener meetups, Aulani, and parents in movies. Disney announced that Space 220 is finally opening, for real this time, hopefully in September. Many more Fab 50 statues have been announced and the guys discuss the character choices. 50th Anniversary merchandise has been announced along with new designs for stores within the parks. D23 Members will have access to a paid preview event for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT. Disney’s CEO recently gave some new details about the upcoming ‘Disney Genie’ app. The Rider Switch program at WDW has updated their policy to prevent misuse. Disney announced details for the new “Disney Very Merriest After Hours” coming to WDW during the holidays. The guys discuss a rumor that the Main Street Electrical Parade & A Christmas Fantasy Parade are returning soon to Disneyland Resort.

Tom and Trevor answer listener questions on topics including stretching DVC points, extended evening hours, ideal DVC contracts, traveling to WDW, and reimagining a restaurant at WDW. DVC members will have access to a “Squeak Peek” of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge gets a reopening date for their Club Level lounge. A few more characters have been announced for the Fab 50 statues. WDW announced that new annual pass sales will resume before the 50th Anniversary begins. Disney gave a sneak peek of 50th Anniversary merchandise. Reservations are now available for “Mears Connect”, the replacement for Magical Express. Disney announced many new details about the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser including sample pricing, room types, sample itineraries, and add on experiences. Disneyland announced the details around their Annual Pass replacement called “Magic Key”.

The guys answer listener questions on topics including Magic Kingdom restaurants, new DVC perks, shorter DVC contracts, DVC for moderate resorts, and 50th Anniversary merchandise. According to a few guest reports, Disney has stated that they are no longer offering transportation of perishable goods between resorts. More Fab 50 statues have been announced and the guys discuss a speculative list of all 50 statues. Disney has announced that many restaurants are reopening in August including the Yachtsman Steakhouse, Pizzafari, Columbia Harbour House, and Toledo. Disney released a video of Imagineers discussing new details about the Galactic Starcruiser hotel including food, entertainment and storyline. A new video released by Disney shows a behind the scenes look at the upcoming “Harmonious” Nighttime Spectacular at EPCOT including some footage of the show.

The guys answer listener questions on topics including their Mt. Rushmore of Disney movies, show changes, paid FastPass, 2042 DVC contracts, split stay resorts, and Disney pretzels. Disney has announced more of the Fab 50 statues coming to WDW for the 50th Anniversary celebration along with an art installation and photo-op at Orlando International Airport. Disney released a poster and new details for the upcoming Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. Several stage shows are coming back to WDW in August including Turtle Talk, Beauty and the Beast, and Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. Moana themed rooms are now available at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and the guys give their thoughts on the new design. Disney announced that nighttime fireworks shows Happily Ever After and EPCOT Forever will both be permanently retired when the 50th Anniversary celebration begins.

Amanda Hollis from The 3 Mouseketeers Podcast joins Tom & Trevor for this episode. The guys and Amanda answer listener questions on topics including sit down meal recommendations, favorite mode of transportation, best outside bites, keeping the parks relevant, and WDW trip length. Disney announced all of the upcoming holiday offerings including a new holiday party, decorations, projection shows, food, merchandise, gingerbread houses and more. The EPCOT monorail line is finally reopening and has a new sign. Disney has unveiled the first set of the ‘Fab 50’ Character Statues that will be located all around WDW for the 50th Anniversary. Joffrey’s has replaced their paper straws with biodegradable sugar straws. The official trailer was released for the upcoming ‘Behind the Attraction’ series on Disney+.

Damon is back and gives his review of his trip to Florida, FootGolf, and his non-Disney hotel. Haunted River Country shirts are now available for a limited time. The guys answer listener questions on topics including the upcoming DVC Member site shut down, eating dinner with Disney people, and a one day trip to Disney. There are new food items now available in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Disney released the full menus for the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival 2021 and guys go over their picks. Disneyland Paris retired their free FastPass service and replaced it with a new a la carte paid FastPass option called “Disney Premier Access”. “Must Do Disney” featuring Stacey has been removed from resort TVs and replaced with a new program.