Welcome Home: A Disney Parks & DVC Podcast

In episode 75, the guys answer listener questions including Hollywood Studios FastPass strategies, DVC Bucket list, Disney with a teen, and member lounges. The new Lava Dole Whip has Trevor & Damon wanting to take an immediate WDW trip. Ticket price increases have taken effect for WDW and Disneyland. DVC has instituted new account security for the member website. We now know that Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway will open with FastPass and Standby lines. The new sign for the ride has been unveiled and it's neon! Disney has announced that Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will start taking reservations at the end of the year and the guys have questions. Disney is offering a new service where you can have a private photo session with a PhotoPass photographer. Disney has filed some new patents, including one that could mimic when a super strong fictional character strikes the floor nearby.

In episode 74, the guys announce a listener meet up event at the upcoming Magic Kingdom Moonlight Magic. More details of the proposed DVC resort in Disneyland have been released including concept art of the tower. The guys answer some listener questions about Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, Space 220, and WDW's 50th Anniversary. FastPass changes are coming to Hollywood Studios in February which will include the addition of Smugglers Run and new tiers. Disney is surveying guests about potential changes to the virtual queue system. The Pirates League is closing in July at Magic Kingdom. Disney is now selling the infamous Space Sporks in Galaxy's Edge. When Avengers Campus opens this year at Disneyland, it will feature Spider-Man flying above the land doing acrobatic stunts. New concept art has been released for the new Disneyland parade "Magic Happens".

In part 2 of episode 73, the guys discuss new DVC discounts for 2020 and what other discounts they'd like to see. DVC Members will no longer have to pay fees for things like extra towels. A new runDisney Membership Program is launching February and the guys have no idea what this means for runners. Crazy popcorn bucket designs are very popular at WDW, but at Disneyland, fry buckets are the must have souvenir. A guest at Disneyland pulled Excalibur from the stone by accident and Tomorrowland gets a cool new entrance. A rumor has been circulating that Disney plans to start charging for premium FastPasses and the guys discuss what this could look like.

Derek and Marissa from DVC Resale Market return to the show to answer listener DVC questions. Topics covered include Riviera resale pricing, the importance of use years, resale restrictions, and more!

The guys are back from their holiday break and answer some listener questions! Damon is planning a cross country trip to Disneyland in 2021 and discusses details with the guys. Riviera's direct purchase price is increasing at the end of January to $195 per point. Since Rise of the Resistance opened in Galaxy's Edge, the virtual queue process has undergone many changes. The guys discuss these changes and what the future could be for the virtual queue. Disneyland has started testing a roaming R2-D2 in Galaxy's Edge. Big changes are happening at Epcot as MouseGear closes for an extensive refurbishment while character meetings are being spread through the park. Regal Eagle Smokehouse will be opening soon and we now know that it will be themed to Sam Eagle. Restrooms have been added mid-queue to Flight of Passage to help with long wait times. Disney purchases a large piece of land and the guys speculate on how it could be used. New Marvel Avengers Campus concept art has been released for Disneyland along with an opening season.

The guys are joined by Mike from Disney Dads Podcast for a special holiday episode of the Waitlist! Ever wish that your favorite Disney show or movie had a holiday episode? The guys come up with their own holiday special for their favorite Disney property and discuss their go to holiday movies.

Damon is back from WDW and the guys are joined by Mike from the Disney Dads Podcast. Damon gives a recap of his trip including his thoughts on the Skyliner, Galaxy's Edge, Holiday food, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and more. DVC has released the point charts for 2021 and they've added 2 new seasons. Rise of the Resistance opened at WDW and brought with it a new virtual queue line. Disney announced a ton of opening dates for upcoming attractions including Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, Ratatouille, Galactic Starcruiser, and the new films at Epcot. Disney has filed few a new patents and the guys speculate on how they could be used in the future.

In Episode 70, Trevor and Tom are joined by Steve from DCL Podcast. Trevor gives a full report from his recent trip to WDW including reviews of Epcot Forever, Disney Skyliner, Happily Ever After Dessert Party, Storybook Dining, Via Napoli and more! DVC has submitted a proposal to the city of Anaheim to build a new 350 room DVC resort next to the Disneyland Hotel. At an upcoming media event for the opening of Rise of the Resistance, it is rumored that SUV sized drones will fly overhead that look like X-Wings. The guys also discuss expanded park hours on launch day and Rise of the Resistance being excluded from Extra Magic Hours. Steve discusses a recent change that allows Disney Cruise Line Guests to book a placeholder cruise onboard via the Disney Cruise Line App and gives Damon cruise advice. Space 220 has it's opening delayed to 2020, but will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner! Disneyland releases new concept art for their Tomorrowland entrance makeover and gives new details about upcoming changes to Snow White's Scary Adventures.

While Trevor is at WDW, Damon and Tom welcome guest hosts Caity & John to the show! Proposed 2020 DVC dues have been released. DVC starts offering generous incentives for direct purchase of Riviera and Aulani. Additional declarations of points at Riviera is opening more room inventory to DVC members. Port Orleans is offering free beignets to DVC members and APs with the purchase of a specialty cocktail. The holidays are in full swing at WDW, including some new exclusive holiday merchandise. Damon has an upcoming trip to WDW and tells us all about his plans. Space 220 loses their head chef ahead of their opening, ImageWorks is getting a new character spot and the Camera Center is being replaced by Pin Traders. Tarzan's Treehouse at Disneyland was closed recently due to a guest breaking a piece of the rope bridge. With the launch of Disney+, the show discusses their thoughts and favorite shows on the new service.

The guys welcome Damon back to the show to talk about his Halloween travels over the past few weeks. Trevor talks about the plans for his upcoming WDW trip in November. There was a DVC direct price increase on 'sold out' properties and DVC sold some property next to Vero Beach Resort. Moonlight Magic dates have been announced for 2020 and the guys discuss their potential plans to attend. FuelRod phone chargers were scheduled for a fee increase for swapping chargers, which was then cancelled after guest outrage and a lawsuit. Galaxy's Edge menu names change again and Star Tours will add scenes from 'Rise of Skywalker'. The legendary 'Disney Look' is being relaxed for Cast Members. The guys discuss some of the shows coming to Disney+ and suggest their own.

Trevor gives an update on his gaming marathon fundraiser. Damon leaves a message about his Halloween travels. Tom and Trevor answer a listener question about their dream DVC resort. DVC brings back ShopDisney discounts and offers a new discount on Riviera cash bookings to DVC members. Disney has made a change to the preferred method to make dining reservations. The Disney Skyliner has reopened and the guys have a discussion about the future of the system. Some limited refurbishments will be coming to WDW in early 2020 and the guys have some thoughts on what should be next. With the holidays nearing, park hours have been extended on certain dates at most WDW parks during November and December. Galaxy's Edge in WDW has now removed the Star Wars themed names from the food at Docking Bay 7 and the guys debate the reason for the change. There has been yet another theft of Disney attraction parts and the guys discuss why this keeps happening. Disneyland is testing a centralized kiosk system for FastPass selection.

In episode 66, the guys work on their podcasting skills based on listener feedback. Tom is back from his WDW trip and gives a trip report including riding the Skyliner, the last IllumiNations, Epcot Forever, Food and Wine, and Galaxy's Edge. DVC announced a new Moonlight Magic date for Disney's California Adventure for this November and the guys discuss this last minute announcement. Bell Services at Disney resorts has changed their policy on holding third party deliveries of ECVs and strollers. The guys debate the impact of this policy change. Disney Credit Card holders are being offered 40% off cash stays at the new Riviera resort during the beginning of 2020. Disney recently filed a patent for a new kind of trackless ride where guests would have to work together to move the vehicle. The guys give their thoughts on what IP this could be used with and how it would work. The Epcot Experience Center has opened and revealed the new name for Spaceship Earth after refurbishment. Disney is now offering a USB backup of PhotoPass photos for an additional fee. As part of a new initiative, Disney will be offering new plant based meat products at all quick service and table service restaurants.

In episode 65, the guys discuss the show's new Facebook group and Trevor's upcoming video game marathon for charity. With an assist from Marissa at DVC Resale Market, the guys answer a listener question about future DVC contract values. Tom will be headed to Disney in a week and he discusses his upcoming trip. DVC recently increased it's minimum direct point purchase to 100 points and the guys discuss what this means for resale buyers. Entertainment cuts are occurring across the WDW resort and the guys give their thoughts on what they'll miss. Disney released a video of the first look at the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride vehicles. Automated PhotoPass boxes are expanding to new character locations after a limited test and guests are not happy. The new Tomorrowland sign debuts and new attraction posters are released. The guys recklessly speculate on what could happen to Primeval Whirl now that it's gone to seasonal operation.

The guys announce their new Facebook group and a contest to name it. Damon answers a listener question about Disney Cruise Line. The guys give advice to a new DVC member on how many points a member should have. Disney has another special event coming to Reunion Station, this time it's a football party. The guys discuss the most recent updates to Star Wars Galaxy's Edge including new concept art for the Star Wars hotel, a themed drink stand, and an amazing video preview of Rise of the Resistance. It's the end of an era, with Club Cool, Character Spot, Fountain of Nations, and Fountain View closing at Epcot. The guys discuss these closures and their thoughts on the future of the area. Disney patents a new boat launch system to make boat rides more efficient.

Episode 63 is all about every parks announcement that happened at the D23 Expo 2019. The guys talk all about the confirmed and rumored details of the Star Wars hotel including the possible cost of this experience. There were a ton of Epcot updates at D23 this year including Guardians of the Galaxy, Space 220, new neighborhoods, Epcot Experience Center, Journey of Water, HarmoniUS, Cherry Tree Lane, and Spaceship Earth. The guys discuss their thoughts on all of these Epcot updates. A new Disney vacation planning app called "Disney Genie" was announced and will debut in 2020. Among the announcements were more details for Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway and the upcoming Tron coaster. Marvel Land at Disney California Adventure has an official name, Avengers Campus, and some new details were revealed about the land. There are some rumors that Jungle Cruise and Big Thunder Mountain will undergo extensive refurbishments before the 50th Anniversary of WDW. The guys also address a rumor about a new E-Ticket attraction in Animal Kingdom.