DVC News for July 2022
Over the past month, Disney has confirmed the return of a popular amenity, opened a DVC expansion, revealed dates for two popular after-hours events, killed a train station, and delayed a possible move.
We have much to discuss in the latest edition of DVC News.
Big Pine Key Is All DVC
For DVC members, one news item towers above the rest. The conversion at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has finished.
As of June 20th, DVC owners can stay at the former Building Nine, Big Pine Key. This entire inventory of hotel rooms is now exclusive to DVC members.
In the process, Disney more than tripled the overall DVC inventory at the Grand Floridian’s villas.
DVC added 202 new rooms to the previous total of 100, thereby making it MUCH easier for members to book here.
As for the rooms, Imagineers have utilized Mary Poppins as inspiration for the theming. However, the integration is so modest that you may not even notice.
Tourism sites like TravelPulse have gushed over the changes, while DVC members have sounded happy enough…but not without some complaints.
A few guests learned that the pipes at Big Pine Key suffered a few leaks during construction.
As management works to solve the problem, some poor unfortunate souls have experienced very wet luggage and personal belongings.
Obviously, this problem applies to only a select number of rooms. Still, I’m mentioning it in case you’ve noticed the complaints on DVC groups.
For its part, the Grand Floridian has excitedly prepared for the reopening of Big Pine Key. Several other amenities are in the offing as well.
To wit, Victoria & Albert’s will reopen on July 28th, and it’s not gotten any less snooty.
In fact, Disney stressed the rather stringent dress code in confirming the remarkable restaurant’s return.
Simultaneously, Disney delayed the renovations at Narcoossee’s until July 14th. As a result, it’ll close just in time for Victoria & Albert’s to reopen.
Then, management will refine and improve Narcoossee’s for the next generation of Grand Floridian guests.
Disney Addresses Its Messes
The Walt Disney Company’s Board of Directors just offered CEO Bob Chapek a three-year contract extension, which he’ll presumably accept.
In the process, Disney committed to giving its pandemic-era leader a chance to run the company during less turbulent times.
Chapek must have known this offer was coming, as he orchestrated two rather dramatic decisions that could define the next few years for the company.
First, Chapek delayed the Lake Nona move from 2023 until 2026. Many West Coast employees had requested clarity about the proposed move in the wake of recent events.
Now, they know that they can stay in California for at least another three or four years before uprooting their lives.
Soon afterward, Disney announced its intention to drop out of the Brightline high-speed railway system.
Previously, Disney had declared that it would host a Brightline station in the Disney Springs area.
Neither company ever provided specifics about where that station would go, which seems telling with the benefit of hindsight.
Meanwhile, Brightline continued its negotiations with NBCUniversal executives regarding the so-called Sunshine Corridor.
Universal wanted a Brightline station near the Orlando Civic Center.
Conveniently, that’s close to the future location of Epic Universe, the next Orlando theme park.
Disney has no interest in helping out a competitor. In addition, a stop during the airport train ride to Disney Springs will slow down guests excessively.
So, Disney has backed out for now and possibly forever. For its part, Brightline states that it’ll still open a station in the Disney Springs area, just not on Disney land.
We don’t know how much this is posturing on either company’s behalf. Still, the Disney Brightline plan appears dead for the time being.
Top of the World – Villains Lounge
I’ve got good news and bad news about one of the best amenities at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
The Top of the World Lounge will reopen to guests on July 11th, days after a limited engagement starts on July 8th.
Disney will use the July 8th opening as a ticketed event wherein guests will pay $160 to experience the newly updated lounge.
Then, on July 11th, the place will return to business as usual, albeit with a new name and unique theming.
Yes, from now on, we’ll call this place Top of the World Lounge – A Villains Lair. As you can guess from the title, it’ll have a Disney Villains theme.
That’s the good news. The absolutely moronic news is that Disney will reintroduce Top of the World Lounge as a part of Membership Extras.
Yes, only qualifying DVC members, those with active digital DVC Cards, can access the lounge from now on.
Also, Disney has limited the rules for who can access the lounge. You can no longer take guests to Top of the World Lounge unless they’re on your hotel reservation.
I have no idea what Disney’s thinking here, but I’ve gotten used to that over the past two years.
Miscellaneous Park News
I mentioned last time that Disney would soon provide clarification on the Splash Mountain re-theme coming soon.
That sorta kinda happened with the announcement of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the “ultimate Mardi Gras party.”
Beyond that, we didn’t get many details other than this ride should debut in 2024. Unfortunately, Disney made no declaration about an end date for Splash Mountain.
Still, you should probably think of 2023 as the last year to experience the beloved attraction…and maybe only the first half of 2023 at that. Plan accordingly.
Disney also confirmed the return of two beloved after-hours events. First, Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party will start at Disneyland Resort on September 6th.
The event will last through Halloween. However, the Halloween proceedings will actually start a few days earlier.
Haunted Mansion Holiday is expected to debut on September 2nd. Of course, that’s always a September-December highlight at Disneyland.
Meanwhile, Magic Kingdom will bring back Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Opening night for this event is November 8th, and it’ll run through December 22nd.
The name is important here, as it signifies a return to normalcy after last year’s Disney After Hours substitute, which was a lesser experience.
Speaking of returns, Minnie Vans are back at Walt Disney World! So you can hop in the coolest ride in Orlando whenever you want!
Also, Animal Kingdom has opened Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! It’s proven quite popular thus far. Here’s a look at the new version:
DVC fans also received some good news. Olivia’s Café will make its brunch offering a daily affair starting September 1st!
Finally, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel has added a walkway with a unique entry at Disney California Adventure!
Also, Early Theme Park Entry and resort package delivery have returned as amenities!
Have a great July, everyone!