Welcome Home: A Disney Parks & DVC Podcast

The guys are back from their WDW trip and give a trip report from the meetup. Disney filed a patent for ride vehicles that automatically reset physical and digital effects. The initial artist lineup for the 2022 Eat to the Beat Concert Series at EPCOT has been released. Details for the Virtual Queue and Lightning Lane have been announced for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will be included with Genie+ at the end of May. Starting in June, guests will no longer be able to purchase Genie+ in advance of their trip. Harmony Barber Shop is reopening its doors this summer and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will open later this year. The guys discuss new food coming to the parks this summer.

The guys travel to WDW for a listener meetup and some EPCOT Flower & Garden food. New Episode next week!

Damon returns to the show and gives a report on his recent trip to Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort. The guys answer listener questions on topics including alternative Starcruiser costumes and the biggest musical acts today. Disney debuted four new Star Wars themed photo ops to celebrate May the 4th. New details have been revealed about the ongoing EPCOT transformation including a new multi-use facility, an outdoor event space, and the return of lighting effects in the walkways. New concept art was also released for the upcoming Journey of Water attraction. Disney announced that MagicBand+ will launch this summer and will include interactions with the Disney Fab 50 statues, a bounty hunter game in Galaxy’s Edge, and a new way to experience nighttime spectaculars. The previously announced “Hey Disney!” voice assistant will debut later this year in Disney hotels. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will utilize a Virtual Queue when it opens.

Tom and Trevor discuss plans for the upcoming listener meetup and answer listener questions on topics including favorite non-Disney vacations, a gift for Trevor’s wife, VIP Tour itinerary, booking dining, and travel toothbrushes. DVC has announced a new member cruise for 2023. A Disney executive confirmed the name of the new DVC Villas at Disneyland. The Meta Quest Virtual Reality experience featuring Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge is coming to Disney Springs. During their “Halfway to Halloween” Celebration, Disney announced the return of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party along with new merchandise and food. With its opening just a few weeks away, Disney shared even more preview material for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Lin-Manuel Miranda mentioned in an interview that Disney Imagineers are already working on an “Encanto” themed attraction. A new version of Space Mountain is coming to Tokyo Disneyland in 2027. Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel in Disneyland will be re-imagined with a Pixar theme.

The guys welcome Andy Berry from DVC Resale Market to the show and answer listener questions on topics including international DVC contracts, direct price increases, hottest resale contracts, the Disneyland DVC tower, getting Damon to the parks, and airport preferences. DVC announced that the ‘reimagined’ Top Of The World Lounge at Bay Lake Tower will reopen soon and the guys speculate on what may have changed. Disney gave a sneak peak at the new ‘Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!’ stage show debuting at Animal Kingdom this summer. A new PhotoPass service was announced which lets you virtually transform Cinderella Castle with your photos. Connections Café & Eatery is opening soon at EPCOT. The guys discuss limited time Mother’s Day treats coming to Disney Parks. A rumor based on guest surveys indicates that Disney may be looking to offer day care services during the California Adventure Food & Wine Festival.

The guys answer listener questions on topics including a walking trail to Animal Kingdom, tipping etiquette, bus service to WDW from Vero Beach, and virtual queues. Damon is back from his trip to Vero Beach and gives his review of the resort. A site plan was revealed for the new DVC Tower at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. DVC introduces a new direct purchase gift package. Cast Member uniforms for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind have been revealed. The guys discuss new, limited time food options at Disney Parks to celebrate Earth Day. Nighttime spectaculars are returning to Disneyland Resort with new exclusive merchandise and food. World of Color returns to Disney California Adventure this month and will now utilize a virtual queue.

The guys answer listener questions on topics including holiday overlays, a new EPCOT country, nice people, alternative Soarin’ films, moving a Disney park, and adding a scene to PhilharMagic. Disney announced the official opening date for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind along with a trailer for the ride. DVC Members and Annual Passholders will soon be able to register for a preview of the new ride. Disney World announced that they have set aside 80 acres of land to develop affordable housing. WDW is doubling their solar power generation capability. The guys discuss a rumor that a ride based on the upcoming movie ‘Lightyear’ is already under development and would replace the existing Buzz Lightyear attractions at Disney Parks. Disneyland announced a new line of merchandise and dining package themed to the Main Street Electrical Parade. A new projection show on the Small World facade at Disneyland will feature a visual montage set to “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from Encanto.

The guys answer listener questions on topics including EPCOT festivals, most huggable characters, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, and ride overlays. Damon wants to commission a new carved wood sign for his family, but can’t decide on the theme. Pricing incentives for the new Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa have been released. An Imagineer working on the Galactic Starcruiser revealed in an interview that they would like to include Star Wars universe holidays, including Life Day, in their storylines on the ship. Disney announced that traditional character greetings are returning in a few weeks. Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue will finally return this summer. Imagineer Zach Riddley shared more details about the upcoming Connections Café and Eatery and the full menu was revealed. More preview images have been shared for the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction. Disneyland Paris debuted a new nighttime drone show for the park's 30th Anniversary.

The guys answer listener questions on topics including Disneyland advice, a WDW concert venue, what to do with Discovery Island, the Poly Tower location, favorite vacation memories, and restaurant theme ideas for the Poly Tower. DVC raised the direct prices for several sold out resorts to $200 per point. Construction on the DVC Disneyland Tower has gone vertical. Minnie Vans will return to service at WDW this summer. Imagineer Zach Riddley gave a sneak peek of the Connections Café and Eatery floor design that pays homage to original EPCOT plans. Disney H2O Glow After Hours events at Typhoon Lagoon are returning this Summer. The Disney Cultural Representative Program is returning to EPCOT. Disney shared a video of the Dapper Dans performing “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from Encanto. The guys discuss the upcoming “Disney Mirrorverse” mobile game.

The guys are joined by Ziggy from ZiggyKnowsDisney.com. The group answers listener questions on topics including how Disney views DVC members and DVC building expansions instead of new resorts. Ziggy gives the guys an extensive review of the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser from his recent trip. DVC announced plans to develop new villas at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. AristoCrêpes closed and reopened as Swirls on the Water featuring Dole Whip at Disney Springs. The Tumble Monkeys are returning to the Festival of the Lion King this summer. Imagineer Zach Riddley gave an update on the upcoming Connections Café at EPCOT. The guys discuss a rumor that a Toy Story themed hotel will replace Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel at Disneyland Resort.

The guys answer listener questions on topics including Galactic Starcruiser characters, changing DVC perks, hosting Welcome Home, a rumor about the Skyliner expanding, Moonlight Magic, and Disney countdowns. Disney announced that new enhancements are coming soon to Disney’s BoardWalk Inn including a redesigned lobby, cafe, refurbished rooms, a new sandwich shop, and a new bakery. DVC is rebranding guaranteed weeks as “Favorite Weeks”. Disney+ will launch a cheaper ad supported tier in the near future. Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem are getting their own show on Disney+. The EPCOT Experience is closing soon. Ride testing for TRON Lightcycle Run enters a new phase. The guys discuss recent comments from Disney’s CFO about park capacity, Genie+, and character meet and greets.

The guys welcome Jodi from DVC Resale Market to the show. The group answers listener questions on topics including looking at DVC points as a portfolio, favorite seasons, hidden break spots at the parks, going out of the way to visit the parks, and non park vacations. Point sales for the second phase of Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa have begun and the group discusses the pricing of the new phase. The group talks about shows they’ve watched recently on Disney+ and upcoming shows they are excited about. Disney recently assisted with rehabilitating an injured manatee and releasing it back into the wild. Spaceship Earth has debuted a new “beacon of magic” show for the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival. Imagineering released a sneak peak at the loading area of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. New snacks debut at Hollywood Studios.

The guys answer listener questions on topics including room assignment, Galactic Starcruiser marketing, and the current point borrowing limit. The media and bloggers were given a preview of the Galactic Starcruiser and the guys give their thoughts on the new hotel experience. A new 50th Anniversary Annual Passholder magnet is now available. A Disney executive accidentally posted the opening date for Guardians of the Galaxy: Comic Rewind at EPCOT. Disney released a full list of booth menus for the 2022 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. Temporary changes have been made to the Genie+ system. The guys discuss a recent interview with the president of Disneyland. Disneyland announced the return of their nighttime spectaculars and new floats for the Main Street Electrical Parade.

The guys welcome Caity from the Disney+ Roulette podcast. Caity gives the guys a trip report from her recent Disney Cruise and trip to WDW. The group answers listener questions on topics including adding blue card benefits, new behind the scenes experiences, puppets, alternate ride tracks, and bringing guests to WDW. DVC announced that it will resume sales of the Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa on March 3, 2022. Moonlight Magic events will return in 2022 for DVC Members. The group discusses what they’ve watched recently on Disney+. Disney announced a new business called Storyliving, which will develop residential communities infused with Disney magic. A new Cast compliment feature has launched in the My Disney Experience app which allows guests to recognize individual Cast Members. The transformation of Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland will begin soon and will include the reimagining of several areas of the land.

The guys answer listener questions on topics including their last Disney trip ever, a new festival for EPCOT, total Disney trips, guest sponsored traditions, the people watcher, and designing a new dining experience. The guys recap Disney’s recent earnings call where they made statements about capacity, Genie+, attendance, and the metaverse. Disney announced a new free to play combat racing game called “Speedstorm”, coming this summer to Nintendo Switch. The Smithsonian National Museum of American History is looking for Disney Parks photo submissions for an upcoming exhibit. Details of the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival have been announced.