DVC New for October 2023
A few days ago, The Villas at Disneyland Hotel opened.
While that new DVC property was undoubtedly the biggest story of the month, we covered it fully in an accompanying article.
So, this month’s DVC News will focus on other stories like Journey of Water | Inspired by Moana, Disney discounts, holidays plans, and much more!
Journey of Water Soft Opens
Those of you following the past month of EPCOT probably need to take a breath.
Late in September, EPCOT began its Disney100 celebration. The park will work as the central hub for Disney’s centennial event.
Park officials added all sorts of updated amenities to freshen up the place and add renewed energy to EPCOT.
For example, Disney introduced a Figment character greeting at the Imagination pavilion the day after Destination D23 ended.
Also, EPCOT brought back Soarin’ Over California for the first time since 2016.
During Disney California Adventure’s Food & Wine Festival, it often restores this version of Soarin’, but EPCOT never had until now.
Understandably, foot traffic and wait times increased for the original version of Soarin’.
Nearby, Disney also readied Journey of Water | Inspired by Moana for its official opening date of October 16th.
However, many guests have already experienced this attraction, which you can see here:
Disney has hosted previews for cast members, annual passholders, and DVC members.
On October 6th, Disney performed a soft opening for all guests. So, Journey of Water is already open in all but the official declaration.
Please understand that Disney has vacillated between a standby queue and a virtual queue for this attraction, depending on its popularity.
You may need to join a boarding group to experience it in the short term, depending on crowd sizes on the date of your visit.
Given the massive throughput of the attraction, I doubt this proves true for long. However, we are entering the holiday season at Disney.
The virtual queue may prove necessary on many occasions through the end of 2023.
Disney Promises Massive Expansion
For DVC members, the most significant story involves something that won’t happen for a while…but it’s BIG!
Disney has filed the paperwork for a $60 billion expansion over the next decade.
When I say, “filed the paperwork,” I’m referring to actual SEC documents. So, this isn’t a “blue-sky” maybe-type of thing.
Disney has told investors and the federal government that it will spend $6 billion per year on its theme park empire for the next decade.
Now, before you get too excited, I want to point out that this number is a bit misleading.
Disney already spends billions per year on its Parks, Experiences and Products division.
Recent information suggests that Disney is nearly (but not completely) doubling the budget for the next ten years, thereby creating a sort of second Disney Decade.
Paperwork filed with Anaheim’s city planners supports the notion of widespread expansion.
There’s a 17,000-page Environmental Impact Report that suggests as many as 16 (!) new rides coming to Disneyland Resort.
Similarly, Disney referenced several changes coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and hinted at more at Magic Kingdom.
With this sort of budget, Disney could easily accomplish all those expansion plans.
For reference, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge cost about $1 billion to create.
Even if we allow for significant inflation, we’re still discussing SEVERAL expansions of this scope.
Some analysts have suggested that Disney specifically announced these plans and filed the paperwork due to DVC concerns.
Specifically, Disney worries that it lacks any long-term projects beyond 2024, the kind that could entice people to join or add more DVC Points.
This filing ensures dramatic growth coming to the parks, which makes right now an excellent buying opportunity for current/potential DVC members.
The price for contracts should soar once expansion begins in earnest.
Disney Deals Aplenty
We don’t typically cover Disney discounts in DVC News, but there are a few worth mentioning this month.
For starters – and for the first time I can recall – Walt Disney World is offering a seasonal water park option.
Currently, Disney sells a season pass to Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.
For $79, you can visit these two water parks as often as you like between now and May 24th, 2024. There are no blockout dates for this deal, either.
Also, Disneyland and Walt Disney World are both selling discounted children’s tickets.
Starting on October 24th, Disneyland Resort guests can purchase children’s tickets for as little as $50.
These tickets are good for visits from January 8th through March 10th.
Also, while we’re on the subject of Disneyland vacations, I should mention updated Park Pass rules.
Starting this week, you can reserve Park Passes up to 180 days before your visit. That’s 60 days longer than Disney had allowed until now.
Walt Disney World is selling a similar discount, albeit on different dates.
For “most nights from March 3 through June 30,” guests can buy children’s tickets and dining plans for 50 percent off the regular price.
The Walt Disney World offer goes on sale starting on November 14th. Also, as a reminder, Disney considers children anyone ages three through nine.
Disney executives have previously indicated that the parks will provide discounts during timeframes when early bookings suggest a slowdown.
So, the dates listed here are sneaky-good ones for park visits. Disney has just acknowledged that attendance isn’t what park officials would like.
If you weren’t planning a quick (or long) visit during some of these dates, you might want to check DVC availability.
Miscellaneous DVC and Disney News
Disney Genie+ at Disneyland Resort will get even better soon. Disney has indicated the addition of two more attractions next month.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure will join soon.
I presume Disney will stop selling Runaway Railway when that happens, but I’m merely speculating here. Disney hasn’t said either way.
At Disney California Adventure, the Halloween attraction overlays have returned.
As usual, the one you don’t want to miss is Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark.
In case you missed it, this year’s Haunted Mansion Holiday is open now as well. Here’s a video:
At Walt Disney World, we have three other new character greetings. Well, one is old, but it has returned.
Winnie the Pooh is once again meeting guests at Christopher Robin’s Room.
Also, Moana is already appearing at her new character spot close to Journey of Water.
At Magic Kingdom, Mirabel from Encanto meets guests at Fairytale Garden. So, you’ve got plenty of new photo ops at the moment.
Finally, Disney has confirmed the Candlelight Processional Celebrity Narrators for this year. Here’s the list:
- Chrissy Metz (NEW): Nov. 24-25
- Luis Fonsi (NEW): Nov. 26-27
- Ann-Margret (NEW): Nov. 28-29
- Simu Liu: Nov. 30-Dec. 2
- John Stamos: Dec. 3-5
- Neil Patrick Harris: Dec. 6-8
- Marlee Matlin: Dec. 9-11
- Brendan Fraser (NEW): Dec. 12-14
- Eva Longoria (NEW): Dec. 15-16
- Joey McIntyre (NEW): Dec. 17-18
- Sterling K. Brown (NEW): Dec. 19-20
- Jordan Fisher (NEW): Dec. 21-23
- Steven Curtis Chapman: Dec. 24-26
- Audra McDonald (NEW): Dec. 27-28
- Lisa Ling: Dec. 29-30
PS: YES! You can buy dining packages to guarantee seats for the popular event!
Please let us know if you have any questions or if you’d like any additional information. If you’d like to rent a DVC Villa for your next Vacation or purchase a Disney Vacation Club property at a reduced price, our agents will be happy to assist you with any questions or information.
You can reach our office at 800-550-6493 or email sales@dvcstore.com.
Written by David Mumpower
David Mumpower is the author of Behind the Ride and the Disney Demystified series. He’s written more than 25 million words and been quoted as a subject matter expert by CNN, the Washington Post, USA Today, CNBC, and countless others. A DVC member for more than a decade now, his favorite resort is the Polynesian, his favorite park is EPCOT, and his favorite ride is Spaceship Earth.