Welcome back, friends! It’s time for a weekly news roundup with Disney theme parks. Honestly, this week was a bit of a quiet one for theme park news despite the Walt Disney Company being in the news all week.
Disney’s biggest news this week came outside of the theme park sphere. During this week’s earnings call, we learned some exciting news about Walt Disney Studios (Moana sequel coming to theaters this November!), Disney+ (Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour exclusively streaming on the platform starting March 15!) brand new venture with Epic Games (Disney x Fortnite?? I need to catch up on my video game know-how to fully grasp what that one means). Let’s catch up on the biggest theme park-related stories for the week of February 5.
Disney Earmarks 70% Of $60 Billion Investment To Increasing Park Capacity
Last year, Disney announced that it would be making a whopping $60 billion investment in its Experiences segment over the next ten years. This week, we learned a little bit more about where some of that money will go.
During this week’s earnings call, Disney Chief Financial Officer Hugh F. Johnston shared that 70% of that $60 billion ($42 billion) would be earmarked for projects directly tied to increasing theme park capacity. That could include anything that allows the parks to increase how many guests are allowed in per day – new rides, lands, etc.
During the question and answer segment of the earnings call, the idea of a fifth theme park at Walt Disney World was raised, and a question was asked regarding which resorts would see the benefit of that 70%. Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger gave a sort of non-answer, noting that the financial impacts would be felt all over, “meaning every single one of our locations, including on the High Seas, where we’re currently building three more ships.”
It will still be some time before we learn more about where that $60 billion is going. We know that it will be spent worldwide, and we know that cruise ships are included in that calculation. Beyond that, we know of a couple of upcoming projects, like the Disneyland Paris expansion coming in 2025. Hopefully, we get a clearer picture of at least the next five years or so at this year’s D23 Expo.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT DISNEY’S $60 BILLION INVESTMENT IN ITS PARKS AND EXPERIENCES SEGMENT.
1900 Park Fare To Reopen at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Yes, we are still reopening restaurants at Walt Disney World following the temporary closures in 2020. It has been four years since guests last dined in 1900 Park Fare, and the day is soon approaching when we can once again enjoy that Strawberry Soup!
Disney announced this week that the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa restaurant will reopen on April 10. When it reopens, it will still offer a character buffet experience for both breakfast and dinner. New characters will be introduced to the restaurant, including Aladdin in his Prince Ali outfit, Cinderella, Mirabel, and Tiana in her new look for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Reservations for 1900 Park Fare will become available on March 5.
CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT THE RESTAURANTS AT DISNEY WORLD WITH THE HARDEST-TO-GET RESERVATIONS.
Typhoon Lagoon To Reopen in Disney World Next Month
For the past few years, Disney World has operated an on-again, off-again pattern with its water parks, with only one being open at a time. Over the last several months, Blizzard Beach has been the only water park available while Typhoon Lagoon underwent refurbishments.
The water parks are about to do another switcheroo, with Typhoon Lagoon officially reopening on March 17. At that time, Blizzard Beach will close for refurbishments starting on the same day.
WHICH SEASON SHOULD YOU VISIT DISNEY WORLD? CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
Booking Windows Announced For New DVC Cabins At Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
This summer, Disney World will open 350 brand-new cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort. The cabins, which will also be a new property available for Disney Vacation Club contracts, will open in phases starting on July 1. Disney had previously outlined several important dates to keep in mind if you want to book a reservation, and now, additional dates have been announced:
- Tuesday, March 19 – Disney Vacation Club members can make rental reservations online or by contacting Member Services at (800) 800-9800.
- Wednesday, March 20 – Walt Disney World Annual Passholders can begin booking rental reservations by contacting (407) 934-7639.
- Thursday, March 21 – All guests can make reservations online or by contacting (407) 934-7639.
This trio of dates was announced this week, along with the following previously announced dates:
- Thursday, Feb. 1 – Disney Vacation Club sales for The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort open to existing members. Members can add on by contacting their Disney Vacation Club Guide or calling sales at (800) 500-3990.
- Thursday, Feb. 15 – Disney Vacation Club Members who have added on points at The Cabins can begin to book stays online at DisneyVacationClub.com or by calling Member Services at (800) 800-9800.
- Tuesday, Feb. 27 – Disney Vacation Club sales for The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort open to the general public.
- Tuesday, March 12 – New Disney Vacation Club Members whose home resort is The Cabins can begin booking online at DisneyVacationClub.com or by calling Member Services at (800) 800-9800.
- Tuesday, April 23 – All Disney Vacation Club members can book stays at The Cabins either online at DisneyVacationClub.com or by calling Member Services at (800) 800-9800.
