News by Parks:

Magic Kingdom

No significant news to report

Animal Kingdom

UP! A Great Bird Adventure” has been performed in the Caravan Theater for the last few years, but for now, “Feathered Friends in Flight” will be taking over with a more socially distant show. Russell and Dug no longer appear, instead there are just a couple of Cast Members.

Epcot:

On reopening day, people noticed that Spaceship Earth and Mary Poppins had been removed from the show at the EPCOT Experience. Disney then released a statement confirming that the projects are in fact postponed:

“As with most businesses during this period, we are further evaluating long-term project plans. The decision was made to postpone the development of the “Mary Poppins”-inspired attraction and Spaceship Earth.”

Hollywood Studios

Guests can request to join the virtual queue for Rise of the Resistance via the My Disney Experience app at three different times during the day: 10 AM, 1 PM, and 4 PM (ET). Previously, all virtual queue spots were released when the park opens. Guests must be within Disney’s Hollywood Studios to request a queue spot.

Once inside the park, open up the My Disney Experience app and then scroll down until you see this Rise of the Resistance. Finally, tap the “Join” button to enter the virtual queue. The request process will open at each of the three scheduled times.

Annual Passholders:

Walt Disney World to Increase Number of Park Reservations Available for Annual Passholders Starting July 16th; Disney’s Hollywood Studios Excluded

It’s important to note that this will launch on July 16th for select dates in July and August at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is not included in the added availability. Annual Passholders are still limited to just 3 theme park reservations at a time, on a rolling basis.

Note: this is not an increase in actual park capacity. Health and safety guidelines set park capacity. However, increases the percentage of annual passholder spots to individual ticket sales.  

Annual Passholder now save 30% until August 14th

Rumor: Reflections speculation continues.

My DVC Points is an awesome community of DVC members. Our positive, respectful, and authentic conversations about Disney Vacation Club are designed to help people make informed and educated decisions about what's best for their families. Please join us to continue the conversations on our Facebook Group and YouTube channel.

It takes an awesome community of DVC members to produce our content. We're always recruiting people to help research, produce, edit, or join our shows to share their stories. Thus far, we've had over 225 DVC members on our shows.

If our content has been a blessing to your family, please consider supporting our show through our VIP Producer's Club at Patreon.com and join us for the Patreon After-Party from our live shows.

Facebook admins and moderators of the My DVC Points Community Group: Sandy Symianick, Gina Grotsky, Shannon Ford, Caleb Allison, and Mary Anne Tracy. "Take Flight" music by Martinrowberry1 on Pond5.

Shannon and Pete provide an update on a property tax settlement in Disney's favor that could lower DVC dues, Cirque du Soleil reopening, Jamabo availability, Transportation options when the parks reopen, and an update on the new park pass reservation system.

This episode of the My DVC Points Podcast was made possible through financial support from the DVC Dream Team\

DVC Resale Market - Industry Leader in DVC ResalesDVC Rental Store - DVC Point Rental and Swap PartnerIncredible Vacation Homes - Luxury Vacation Homes for Family GatheringsBe Our Guest Vacations - Travel Agent for DVC Point Swap ProgramsMonera Financial - Exclusively Financing DVC ContractsPatreon supporters in the My DVC Points VIP Producer Club.

Walt Disney World Wins Lawsuit Against Orange County Property Appraiser Over "Excessive" Property Taxes

In 2015, Disney went to trial over what was deemed excessively high property assessments for Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resort, which ultimately led to a win in 2018. The judge ruled that the resort's value should be cut in half, to a mere $189 million.

Orange County Property Appraiser Rick Singh tried to appeal, however, the Fifth District Court of Appeal has since determined that the property appraiser's office inflated the value of the property by over $4 million. The win represents a major legal victory for not just Disney, but the entire lodging industry.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, the court declared the entire method that Singh had used to appraise the Disney property — also known as the "Rushmore" method that is widely used by other property appraisers — is illegal under Florida law. Armed with this new ruling, Disney and other hotel companies can now leverage lower tax assessments on all of their properties. In fact, Disney already filed lawsuits in Orange Circuit Court over last year's tax assessments for the company's various theme parks, resorts, and all of the associated buildings located throughout the property.

Tickets for Cirque du Soleil's "Drawn to Life" at Disney Springs Now On Sale; First Performance Scheduled for November 5

Update on Jambo House

Upon the reopening of Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House, Uzima Pool will also open, however, all other amenities such as restaurants and merchandise locations will remain closed until the rest of the Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge opens. A shuttle from Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House to Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village will be provided where available merchandise locations and restaurants are located.

Restaurant Reservations now Open

Transportation Available for reopening announced

Starting June 22, buses were back in service and taking Guests to and from Disney Springs to their resort hotels. But beginning July 7, the Monorail and Ferry Boats will be available, with the Skyliner reopening on July 15. The Minnie Van service and Watercraft dates were not announced, Disney says, "stay tuned for return dates."

Park Pass Reservations possibly added for resort guests.

Looking at the availability calendar for Disney Resort Guests in July, previously sold-out dates were July 15th, 17th, and 18th. Each of those dates is now showing availability for every theme park. Of course, July 15 is a big day, as all Walt Disney World Resort theme parks will officially reopen.

At the moment, only additional availability has been added for Disney Resort Guests, and there have been no changes to the Theme Park Tickets Guests or Annual Passholder calendars.

My DVC Points is an awesome community of DVC members. Our positive, respectful, and authentic conversations about Disney Vacation Club designed to help people make informed and educated decisions about what's best for their families. Our content focuses on a Disney Vacation Member lifestyle. We cover everything from buying, selling, renting, picking your next resort or Disney res

This episode of the My DVC Points Podcast was made possible through financial support from the DVC Dream Team\

DVC Resale Market - Industry Leader in DVC ResalesDVC Rental Store - DVC Point Rental and Swap PartnerIncredible Vacation Homes - Luxury Vacation Homes for Family GatheringsBe Our Guest Vacations - Travel Agent for DVC Point Swap ProgramsMonera Financial - Exclusively Financing DVC ContractsPatreon supporters in the My DVC Points VIP Producer Club.

BREAKING: Walt Disney World and Disneyland Re-Imagineering Splash Mountain to “Princess and the Frog”

Today we are thrilled to share the first glimpse of a project Imagineers have been working on since last year. Splash Mountain – at both Disneyland in California and Magic Kingdom in Florida – will soon be completely reimagined. The new theme derives from an all-time favorite animated Disney film, “The Princess and the Frog.” We pick up this story after the final kiss, and join Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure – featuring some of the powerful music from the film – as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance.

Be Our Guest Restaurant at the Magic Kingdom to Reopen as Table Service Only for Lunch and Dinner with Prix Fixe Menu; Breakfast Discontinued

Upon reopening, the restaurant’s popular fast-casual breakfast and lunch service will not return. The restaurant will only offer table service at lunch and dinner with a 3-course prix fixe menu served at both lunch and dinner time. Each meal costs $62 for adults (ages ten and up) and $37 for children (ages 3 to 9) plus tax and gratuity.

Walt Disney World Adding One Month to Annual Passes or Offering Partial Refunds or Cancellations to Make Up for Reservation System Limitations

To make up for the “reopening period” limitations, Annual Passholders who are paid-in-full can: Opt to receive a one-month extension (added to your pass in October 2020) or cancel and receive a partial refund. If you are on the monthly payment plan, you can receive the one-month extension added to your pass in October.

Disney Resorts Reopening Schedule – Jambo House removed.

July 10 Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Contemporary Resort

July 29 Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

August 12 Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

August 24 Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort

September 21 Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

October 1 Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

October 14 Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

On June 24, Guests were able to begin booking their 2021 travel dates for select Disney Resort hotels.

Moonlight Magic at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park — Cancelled

With the safety and well-being of our Members, Guests and Cast always top of mind, Disney Vacation Club continues to evaluate our upcoming slate of Membership Magic events and make necessary adjustments. Moonlight Magic events previously scheduled for June (during the park closure period), July and August, will be canceled.

Thank you for your patience and kindness as we all navigate the challenges surrounding COVID-19.

Disney Park Pass System Opened on June 22 for Resort Guests and on June 26 for Annual Passholders. June 28 opens up reservations for ticket holders without resort reservations. Availability is different for Annual Passholders and Resort Guests. Example: at the time of recording, Disney’s Hollywood Studios was not available for Annual Passholders until August 4, yet for Resort Guests, availability starts July 19.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/availability-calendar/?segments=tickets,resort,passholder

Topolino’s Terrace Modified Character Dining - https://youtu.be/T9RHetMwQdQ

Reopening of Riviera Resort - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrNMTmAw1Sk

My DVC Points is an awesome community of DVC members. Our positive, respectful, and authentic conversations about Disney Vacation Club designed to help people make informed and educated decisions abou

This episode of the My DVC Points Podcast was made possible through financial support from the DVC Dream Team\

DVC Resale Market - Industry Leader in DVC ResalesDVC Rental Store - DVC Point Rental and Swap PartnerIncredible Vacation Homes - Luxury Vacation Homes for Family GatheringsBe Our Guest Vacations - Travel Agent for DVC Point Swap ProgramsMonera Financial - Exclusively Financing DVC ContractsPatreon supporters in the My DVC Points VIP Producer Club.

N001 News You Should Know About Disney Reopening

This is our first DVC Newscast episode. We're airing this in the traditional podcast channel. A brand new podcast will be starting up soon!

Here's the link to Disney's official information. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/experience-updates/

Park Reservation System

The Disney Park Pass system will be available soon to select Guests. Booking dates vary based on your plans.

Beginning June 22, 2020, Disney Resort and other select hotel Guests with a valid theme park admission can make reservations.Beginning June 26, 2020, Annual Passholders without a Resort stay can make reservations.Beginning June 28, 2020, existing ticket holders can make reservations.Park reservations will be available through September 26, 2021, based on your Resort stay and ticket eligibility or ticket eligibility window.If you have a room-only reservation at a Disney Resort or other select hotel for a stay in 2021, please call the Disney Reservation Center or call your travel professional beginning on June 24 to upgrade to a vacation package with tickets—and then make your theme park reservations.

Disney Discontinues Complimentary MagicBands for Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Guests in 2021

Disney Resort hotel guests will continue to have the option to purchase new MagicBands at a discount, and we’ll be introducing even more colors and designs featuring favorite Disney characters in the future. 

Guests who prefer not to purchase a discounted MagicBand will be able to use the My Disney Experience app or a Key to the World card during their visit. We will still offer MagicBands in retail locations and on shopDisney.com, and guests will be able to continue using the wearables throughout Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney Cancels All Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parties & Disney H20 Glow Nights for 2020.

While assessing another fall special event, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, we determined that many of its hallmarks – stage shows, parades, and fireworks – are unable to take place in this new, unprecedented environment. With that in mind, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Additionally, Disney H2O Glow Nights, the nighttime special ticket event at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, will not take place for the remainder of 2020. Disney will assist guests who have already bought tickets with refunds over the coming weeks.

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival 2020 Kicking Off July 15 With Park Reopening; Modified Experiences Announced

This new take on the food festival will debut July 15 and continue through the fall, offering over 20 signature global marketplaces like Hawaii, Hops & Barley, and Islands of the Caribbean, spaced out around the park. If you’ve ever imagined a world where the floral fun of Flower & Garden supplements the global goodies of Food & Wine, here’s your chance! Guests will be able to see our newest topiary, Remy, in the France pavilion and find Flower & Garden merchandise. For scavenger hunt fans, Remy’s Ratatouille Hide and Squeak scavenger hunt return. And stay tuned as Food & Wine merchandise joins the fun later on after the festival begins. 

We know the popular musical acts during the “Eat to the Beat Concert Series” often pack the house, and to accommodate proper physical distancing, we will not be able to host these concerts this year. There will be plenty of m

My DVC Points is an awesome community of DVC members. Our positive, respectful, and authentic conversations about Disney Vacation Club designed to help people make informed and educated decisions about what's best for their families. Our content focuses on a Disney Vacation Member lifestyle. We cover everything from buying, selling, renting, picking your next resort or Disney restaurant. Our conversations start on the My DVC Points Podcast and DVC Newscast and continue on our Facebook Group and our live shows multi-streamed to Facebook and YouTube. Please download our smartphone app. Play Trivia with us every Friday night at 9 PM Eastern at Mouse Quiz!

It takes an awesome community of DVC members to produce our content. We're always recruiting people to help research, produce, edit, or join our shows to share their stories. We've had over 200 DVC members on our podcasts and live shows. Please consider supporting our show through our VIP Producer's Club at Patreon.com.

"Our Team Will Podcast for Dole Whips"

Chad Pennycuff on the My DVC Points Patreon Program