Dads Plan Disney

Episode 012 ... Week in review of June 20th 2020 where we are joined by Alexis McLaughlin who shares her experience with using the new Disney Park Pass System on launch day for her upcoming WDW trip and we all discuss the following topics ...

1) Disney Park Pass System (DPPS) launches enabling people to reserve their park days:
- System went live on 6/22 starting with guests who have existing resort stays and valid theme park admission ... and there are hiccups
Source: Disney Parks Blog about the DPPS
Topic Starts @2:13 ...

2) Additional details emerge for when WDW reopens:
- What attractions and dining will be open/closed when WDW reopens?
- Parking hopping not permitted and impact to Annual Passholders
- Seasonal events update
- Dates additional resorts are reopening
Sources:
- Blog Mickey story on Dining Not Reopening and Attractions Not Reopening
- WDW Magic story on Impact to Pass Holders
Topic Starts @18:34 ...

3) The magic of a less intensely planned trip
- Alexis shares that if the parks weren't open for her trip she still would have gone; prompts discussion on benefits of a doing a WDW trip where you pre-plan less
Topic Starts @31:47 ...

4) Elimination of Complementary Magic Bands starting 1/1/21
- What do we think this means long term?
- Phil wows Jason and Alexis with the info about the special effects of LE Magic Bands
Source: MDM Magic
Topic Starts @39:48 ...

5) Disneyland (and now WDW) CM unions pushing for the parks to not reopen yet:
- Driven by safety concerns and prompts a discussion on Covid-19 cases rising in areas and an ask from the team for everyone to please wear your masks!
Source: Press Telegram article on topic
Topic Starts @50:17 ...

6) New Summer Savings for DVC points
- Discussion on the "math" - does it makes buying in attractive enough?
Source: DVC Fan article
Topic Starts @55:06 ...

7) Discussion Topic: “I'm paying the regular price of a Disney World ticket but getting so much less? Does that make sense?“
Source: DISBoards Discussion Thread
Topic Starts @1:04:23 ...


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Episode 011 ... Week in review of June 6th 2020 covering the following discussion topics ...

1) News of the week:
- Operational changes announced for WDW resorts
- MLS to finish their season at WDW
- Disneyland announces proposed re-opening plans ... but there is a petition to halt it
- New security scanners being tested at Disney Springs
- Reflections DVC resort apparently cancelled
Topic starts @2:18 ...

2) What would make you pull the trigger on DVC?:
- Currently neither Jason nor Phil are DVC owners - but could market conditions make buying in more attractive?
Topic starts @14:29 ...

3) Would you do a resort only stay?:
- We know that select resorts will reopen at WDW before the parks will.  Jason and Phil discuss if they would ever want to do a resort only trip or if without the parks they would use their vacation dollars elsewhere
Topic starts @22:26 ...

4) What IP would we want to see added to Animal Kingdom?:
- Rumors out there about a Jungle Book boat ride being added to Animal Kingdom in the future.
- Phil and Jason discuss this concept and then also what IP would they want to see added to Animal Kingdom and what would those lands look like?
Source: https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/rumor-jungle-book-boat-ride-at-animal-kingdom.964675/
Topic starts @25:48 ...

5) Guilt of an adults only trip:
- Message board discussion around the guilt of not taking your kids on a trip to Walt Disney World
- Phil has done this and shares his thoughts and how his kids reacted to the news
Source: https://www.disboards.com/threads/the-guilt-of-the-adult-only-trip.3802381/
- Topic starts @23:28 ...

6) Ranking the in-development attractions at WDW:
- Jason and Phil look forward to next year and what new things are still scheduled to be open then at WDW and rank them in order of what they are most looking forward to
- Topic starts @39:56 ...

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Episode 010 ... Week in review of June 6th 2020 covering the following discussion topics ...

1) News of the week:
- Black Lives Matter statement from us & Disney pledges $5m social justice organizations
- NBA and Disney reach agreement to finish the season at WDW.  Includes discussion of interesting article from Ramona Shelborne (ESPN) about how it came to be 
- Universal Orlando reopens! Discussion on reaction from those in attendance
Sources:
- ESPN article on NBA and Disney: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29267245/how-adam-silver-nba-stars-owners-negotiated-playoffs
Topic Starts @1:26 ....

2) Where are you eating when Disney reopens?:
- Information has come out regarding what restaurants will be open during the initial reopening period at Disney - including that Toploino's Terrace is only one with "Character Experience"
- Phil and Jason share their thoughts on which of those restaurants would the most want to eat at, and then of those not opening which would they want to first eat at when they do
Sources:
- Topolino's Terrace "character experience" (WDW Magic): https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/walt-disney-company/news/06jun2020-topolinos-terrace-will-host-the-only-character-dining-experience-when-the-walt-disney-world-resort-hotels-reopen.htm
- What restaurants to be open during WDW's initial reopening phase (Blog Mickey): https://blogmickey.com/2020/06/disney-world-releases-list-of-restaurants-opening-on-june-22nd/
Topic Starts @12:00 ...

3) What piece of memorabilia from the parks would you want in your home?
- Phil and Jason discuss a story about a barge from Illuminations: Reflections of Earth being up for auction
- Makes them consider what item from a Disney park would they most want in their home
Source:
- Article on the Illuminations barge up for auction (WDW Magic): https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/reflections-of-earth/news/04jun2020-a-piece-of-illuminations-reflections-of-earth-hardware-to-be-auctioned.htm
Topic Starts @17:32 ...

4) How much of WDW needs to be open for you to visit?
- A poll on WDW Magic asked readers how much of WDW would need to be open for you to want to revisit - the bare minimum of the full experience?
- Jason and Phil discuss the results of the poll and how Disney might be using similar data in how they are orchestrating their reopening
Source:
- Thread and poll from WDW Magic: https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/how-much-of-disney-world-has-to-be-open-for-you-to-go.964612/
Topic Starts @22:48 ...

5) What services would you miss?
- Discussion of the impact of the "extras" that will be missing when Disney first reopens
Topic Starts @32:09 ...

6) What age should you bring your kids for their first visit?
- Jason and Phil discuss what age they feel is best, taking into account how often you plan to revisit
Topic Starts @39:43

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Episode 009 ... Week in review of May 30th 2020 covering the following discussion topics ...

1) News of the week:
- Disney submits (and gets approval for) their reopening plans for Walt Disney World, with the first parks to open on July 11th, 2020.
- Phil and Jason discuss all that is known and speculated on about the conditions when reopening happens and if we would want to visit while these restrictions are in place
- They discuss the impact of moving ADRs to only 60 days - pondering a comment Skier-Pete made on the disboards
- They also discuss how things are going at Shanghai Disney a week after their reopening, referencing a video put out by TDR Explorer and play that forward to WDW
- Also touch on Star Wars Galaxy's Edge VR and Updates to Disney's Mobile Ordering
Sources:
- Skier_Pete comment on ADRs: https://www.disboards.com/threads/news-round-up-2020.3784117/page-288#post-61941723
- TDR Explorer YouTube: https://youtu.be/kHHrfOsX7RY
- Topic Starts @1:56 ...

2) Update on our trips for WDW's 50th:
- Jason got quotes for his 2021 trip
-Topic Starts @37:54 ...

3) Things I Wish Were at Walt Disney World:
- Contributing author to wdwinfo.com Trinity Paternostro discusses what elements (some borrowed from other Disney Parks) does she wish were at WDW
- Jason and Phil share their opinion on Trinity's ideas and share some of their own!
Source:https://wdwinfo.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6292883ff89fb519f27d0bc8c&id=39f6940037&e=807a1e1c24
- Topic Starts @:43:22 ...

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Episode 008 ... Week in review of May 23, 2020 - we are joined by Ryan Teetz to discuss the following discussion topics ...

1) News of the week:
- Management changes at Disney - including Josh D'Amaro being named Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products
- Universal Orlando presents plans to reopen - what's going on with Disney?
- Ryan Teetz, moderator for the News and Rumor board at the disboards.com shares his understanding of all that is going on  
- Topic starts @1:28 ...

3) Trip Planning for WDW's 50th Anniversary in 2021
- Phil provides an update on his trip planning for the 50th anniversary of WDW in October of 2021
- Jason shares updates on plans for his trips in 2021 and Ryan discusses timing of his trip planning
- Topic starts @17:21 ...

2) Beastly Kingdom vs Pandora
- The original plans for Animal Kingdom called for a Beastly Kingdom area - eventually what got built in its place in Pandora, the world of Avatar.  Would it have been better if the original plan cam to fruition?
- Ryan, Jason, and Phil discuss which option they prefer and why
Source: https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/beastly-kingdom-vs-pandora.964738/
- Topic starts @24:31 ...

4) Original Disney Attractions That Could Easily Go the Way of an IP Makeover
- Rachel Ashbrook, a contributing writer fro wdwinfo.com wrote an article looking at attractions at Walt Disney World with suggestions for IP that could be added to them
- Phil, Jason, and Ryan share their thoughts on these suggestions - which ones would they support and which ones are they, um, not fans of
Source: https://www.wdwinfo.com/disneylandcalifornia/original-disney-attractions-that-could-easily-go-the-way-of-an-ip-makeover/
- Topic starts @32:50 ...

5) Any Reason to Carry Cash in the Parks?
- Jason, Phil, and Ryan discuss a topic of a thread on the disboards asking if there is now any reason to carry cash in the parks - and the impact of the effort to move towards contactless payment.
Source: https://www.disboards.com/threads/any-reason-to-carry-cash-in-the-parks.3801969/
- Topic starts @47:36

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Episode 007 ... Week in review of May 16, 2020 covering the following discussion topics ...

1) News of the week:
- New permits filed for Star Wars Hotel
- Universal Epic Universe construction put on hold until economy bounces back post covid-19 
- Dave Filoni talks about Duel of the Fates on Disney+ Disney Gallery:  Mandolorian 
- Topic starts @1:13 ...

2) More Unpopular Park Opinions!
- Continuing the discussion from last episode about some park related opinions thatmay - or may not - be controversial
- Topics include views on single IP lands, Toontown vs Storybook Circus, Replacing Tom Sawyer Island, and what parts of EPCOT should be bulldozed?
Source: https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/controversial-unpopular-theme-park-opinions.964332/
- Topic starts @10:09 ...

3) Trip Planning for WDW's 50th Anniversary in 2021
- This week will hit the 499 mark for WDW's 50th Anniversary which is October 21st 2021
- Phil is planning to go for the anniversary and shared some of his planning to date for this trip!
- Topic starts @29:10 ...

4) What Would Your Dream Job at WDW Be if Pay wasn't a Factor?
- Jason and Phil react to some of the suggestions for dream job and share what their selections would be (be they real jobs or something fabricated)
Source: https://twitter.com/DisneyTalk101/status/1260377286873944065
- Topic stars @41:22

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Episode 006 ... Week in review of May 9, 2020 covering the following discussion topics ...

1) News of the week:
- Shanghai Disney to open with restrictions on May 11th
- Disney Springs - phased opening starting on May 20th
- Disney sends out survey to select guest with upcoming reservations at WDW asking about various conditions that could impact their trip and what would cause them to cancel
- Topic starts @1:53 ...

2) How Do we Book Our Trips, and Has that Changed?
- Jason and Phil discuss how they book their Disney trips
- They discuss if recent events have impacted how they will book in the future (e.g., increase likelihood to use a Travel Agent, now only book direct with Disney, etc.)
- Topic starts @16:02 ...

3) Which 2nd Park for a 6 Year Old and Grandmother?
- Jason and Phil discuss what park, other than Magic Kingdom they feel would be best for non-Disney Superfans to go to on their first trip
source: https://www.disboards.com/threads/which-2nd-park-for-a-6-year-old-and-a-grandparent.3799419/
- Topic starts @24:54 ...

4) Which Meal to Pay Out of Pocket?
- When you are short on dining plan credits, where is most cost efficient to pay out of pocket?
- Also get some of Phil and Jason's take on the Disney Dining Plan
source: https://www.disboards.com/threads/which-one-to-pay-oop.3799355/
- Topic starts @32:16 ...

5) Invented Topic: What to Bring vs Buy At Disney?
- Should you bring a stroller with you or rent when down at Disney?  What about Disney T-shirts or other clothes?  Food?
- Topic starts @38:11 ...

6) Unpopular Theme Park Opinions
- Discussion about takes about elements in the Disney Parks that people have that might be controversial to others
- Topic starts @51:20 ...

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May 05, 2020 Phil Schoen ... 

Bonus Episode ...

Bonus Episode: Clone Wars finale discussion between Phil and his 11 year old daughter Olivia, with some bonus bonus comments from his 8 year old son Peter ...

Note: Spoilers! ...

1) Phil and Olivia discuss the final arc of the Clone Wars series:
- Phil goes through the Siege of Mandalore, the last 4 episodes of the Clone Wars series on Disney+, mentioning some Easter Eggs and aspects he really appreciated
- Olivia provides her thoughts on what about Star Wars she likes and what were her takeaways from the finale of the series
- Topic starts @1:20

2) Peter shares what he likes best about Star Wars
- Find out who Peter's favorite character is
-Topic starts @



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Episode 005:

Week in review of May 2, 2020 covering the following discussion topics:

1) News of the week:
- DHS turns 31
- Performers announced for Disney Family Sing Along Volume II
- Disney sent a cancellation notice for Villain After Hours for July 6th
- Man Caught on Discovery Island
- Topic starts @2:08

2) Report: Original Plans for Star Wars in the parks
- In an interview on WDW Radio, former Walt Disney World VP Dan Cockerell shares what the original plans for Star Wars in the Disney Parks
- Jason and Phil react and share their views of how this plan compares to what was actually built with Galaxy's Edge
- Source: WDW Radio https://wdwradio.com/2020/04/wdw-radio-585-untold-stories-of-walt-disney-world-dan-cockerell-star-wars/
- Topic starts @4:59

3) Disney+: Debut of Prop Culture
- Phil discusses this new addition to Disney+ and why so many in the Disney Internet Community are into it
- Topic starts @13:07

4) Topic: What will you appreciate more about WDW after the pandemic?
- Jason and Phil discuss what elements of a Disney vacation will be even more meaningful after the parks have been closed due to Covid-19
source: https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/what-will-you-appreciate-more-about-wdw-after-the-pandemic.964477/
- Topic starts @17:17

5) Topic: Listening to Park Music at Home
- How can listening to Disney park music at home help connect you more to the parks?
- Topic starts @24:31

6) Options for where to stay at WDW with a large family
- Phil shares his experiences staying at WDW (both onsite and off) with varying sized groups
- Jason walks through the options (and associated costs) for staying on property with a larger family (5+ people)
- Topic starts @28:36

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Episode 004:

Week in review of April 11, 2020 covering the following discussion topics:

1) First Ride of the Trip
- What is the first ride you go to on your Disney trip - in general, and specifically if bringing your Grandmother who hasn't been in 30 years?
- Jason and Phil then play this forward to first ride in each park, assuming no Fast Pass
- Topic starts @1:31

2) Souvenirs to bring from home
- What are Disney inspired things that you can bring from home instead of buying at the park?
- Topic starts @19:20

3) Yes, you can lose a child at the park--and everything turn out ok
- Examples shared of how children can go missing (for a few minutes that feel like hours) but how it can work out in the end and how Disney CMs are able to handle the situation so well
- Also discussed are tips for preventing this / minimizing the impact if it happens
- Topic starts @26.33

4) Riviera Resort - is there an “Adult only” pool?
- Would Disney ever build an Adult's only resort or area of a resort?
- Topic starts @30:56

5) Restaurant Recommendations in Disney Springs?
- Where should you eat at Disney Springs?
- Do you visit Disney Springs on arrival day?  What do you do on your arrival day?
- Topic starts @39:23

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