Welcome Home: A Disney Parks & DVC Podcast

The guys welcome guest host Becky Wells to the show and answer listener questions on topics including extra pixie dust, favorite non-park DVC, WDW during the holidays, and a dragon themed resort. After last episode’s segment on comfort for men at the parks, the female listeners of the show share their tips for women at the parks. Several restaurants are reopening soon with new menus and theming, including Citricos and Trails End. A new take out food option called Disney Family Night Dinner is coming to select WDW hotels and includes an exclusive family game. Disney has announced that the Disney Dining plan will return, but has not stated when or what the plan options will look like. runDisney events will return in the fall. A new scene featuring “Coco” is being added to Mickey’s PhilharMagic. Disney announced details on Early Park Entry for resort guests with new Extended Evening Hours for Deluxe resort guests only. Disneyland announced that 2 resort restaurants are permanently closed.

The guys answer questions on topics including a hypothetical DVC resort at Magic Kingdom, ride queues, updating attractions with new technology, and monorail strategies. Damon gives his thoughts on sporks, underwear, and buying at Riviera. DVC has eliminated optional housekeeping services. Disney announced some new offerings coming to WDW for the 50th Anniversary including a new fireworks show at Magic Kingdom, 50 Gold Statues of Characters placed around the parks, a new cavalcade, and a new daytime show at Animal Kingdom. Disney also announced that Harmonious will debut on October 1st and shared a new image of the show. The first images of the reimagining of Disney’s Contemporary Resort featuring rooms themed to the Incredibles were released by Disney. A new Tower of Terror movie starring Scarlett Johansson is in production.

The guys answer listener questions on topics including perks for DVC Resale members, the mythical DVC purple ring, more discussion on intellectual property in the parks, fireworks strategy, improving an existing ride, and building a 5th gate. There is a rumor that DVC will make another price increase for direct buyers at a few resorts. Fireworks are finally returning to WDW and DL in early July. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will reopen for regular guests in August. Single rider lines are beginning to reopen. Scentsy is working on a project with Disney to create a guest experience within Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom. Marathon Weekend at WDW may be returning next year. A new limited time Father’s Day bacon cupcake is currently available at the Polynesian.

The guys answer listener questions on topics including a pre-WDW exercise competition, revamped meal plan, studio kitchens, podcast sales pitch, and best WDW tour/experience. Damon gives his thoughts on Disney’s current plan of using existing intellectual properties in the parks instead of original content. Face Masks will be optional in most locations at WDW starting this week. More dates have been added for the Disney After Hours Boo Bash event due to high demand. ‘Ohana is reopening with a modified menu in July. Supposedly, Space 220 will finally open this fall. Disney gave a preview of Food & Wine including some new food booths and festival merchandise. There are rumors that Disney will bring back fireworks in early July and that FastPass will be returning soon.

The guys answer listener questions on topics including club level rooms, Animal Kingdom Lodge bus times, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Adventures by Disney, the dollar challenge, most expensive Disney souvenir, and a paid FastPass rumor. Damon is ready to add on to his DVC membership by buying a new contract at Riviera. Avengers Campus opened this week at Disney California Adventure and the guys discuss the new land. Pricing and timing has been announced for the ‘Disney After Hours Boo Bash’ Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom. Tusker House at Animal Kingdom is reopening soon with a new menu. Club level resort lounges are reopening later this year.

The guys answer listener questions on topics including starting over with DVC, underrepresented and overrepresented IPs at Disney Parks, the next immersive hotel after Star Wars, and strollers. There’s a rumor that DVC will increase the minimum direct purchase to 150 points this week. Disney filed a new patent for virtual queues to replace standby lines. Disney CEO Bob Chapek confirmed this week that Park Passes and Virtual Queues are here to stay. Disney is selling a very limited time Wonders of Life Pavilion poster.

The guys answer listener questions on topics including the future of FastPass, an Action Park ride at Disney, background characters in Disney movies, Dinoland overlay, and Nutella Waffles. DVC has announced that 200 existing rooms at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be converted to DVC rooms and will open next summer. Avengers Campus is opening soon and Disney gave a preview of the food and merchandise that will be available in the new land. A new Gravity Falls themed MagicBand is now available. WDW Annual Passholders will no longer receive complimentary MagicBands and the guys speculate on whether passes may be available for sale again soon. BoardWalk Ice Cream is taking over the former location of Ample Hills Creamery. The Three Caballeros animatronics have returned to Gran Fiesta Tour and Space 220 may finally be opening soon.

The guys answer listener questions on topics including advice for a first time Disney visit with kids, witnessing Tom on Space Mountain, Mobile Checkout, DVC Resale prices, and overrated princesses. WDW has updated their COVID safety measures and the guys give their thoughts on the changes. DVC is issuing a tax credit to some resale buyers. Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will include ‘Concierge Services’ and the guys discuss what that could mean. Disney has confirmed that Beverly will return to Club Cool when it reopens this summer. The Jungle Cruise movie will debut in theaters and Disney+ in July. The guys address a rumor that EPCOT Forever will return before the debut of Harmonious.

The guys answer listener questions on topics including one time use points, Hilton Head, moving a DVC resort to another location, and DVC cash reservations. Disney has announced that the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will open in 2022 and revealed the new realistic lightsaber in the announcement. New details about the Galactic Starcruiser were also released including dining and experiences. A new Muppets Haunted Mansion series has been announced for this fall on Disney+. A new Halloween event called ‘Disney After Hours BOO BASH’ will replace Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year. Tom gives a breakdown of his recent WDW trip.

In this episode of the Waitlist, the guys come up with their own restaurants, retail stores and experiences that they would like to see at Disney Springs. Also in this Waitlist episode, the guys celebrate their 4th Anniversary by reviewing parts of their very first episode.

Curtis from Geekin’ On WDW joins the show. The guys answer listener questions on topics including temporarily closed attractions, the EPCOT DVC Lounge, a Disney tattoo shop, ideal no park day, favorite picture spot, and a Universal trip. Curtis tells the guys about his favorite food at WDW. The PeopleMover is finally reopening after being closed for a year. The guys announce their secret project. Another Haunted Mansion movie is in production and the guys give their thoughts on what kind of movie it will be. Imagineering has released a video of a realistic free-roaming Groot animatronic character. They are also playtesting a meet and greet with a live interactive tiny Tinkerbell character at Disney California Adventure. The guys address a rumor that Merchant of Venus is closing to make way for the long rumored Wreck-It Ralph attraction.

The guys answer listener questions on topics including Magical Express, the PeopleMover, the Ratatouille ride, VIP Tours, moving to Disney, and non-park day activities. Damon gives an update on his custom woodcarving and discovers FootGolf at WDW. DVC acknowledges long wait times at member services and promises improvements. More information has been revealed for the upcoming expansion at Tokyo DisneySea called Fantasy Springs. My Disney Experience is testing a new on-ride photo identification feature. Disneyland has released a new attraction poster for Snow White’s Enchanted Wish and details about the upgrades made to the Haunted Mansion. The guys discuss some of the food that will be available when Disneyland reopens.

The guys answer listener questions on topics including DVC research, free upgrade or refund, reflecting on 4 years of the show, cabana rentals, and international DVC members. Guests are now able to take photos without a mask at WDW. Club Cool will make it’s return this summer with “new magic” for guests. Along with the reopening of Club Cool, the former site of MouseGear will reopen as the “Creations Shop” this summer at EPCOT. Mears has announced their Magical Express replacement service called “Mears Connect”. Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro showed off a “real” lightsaber at the end of a virtual event. Disney announced that MARVEL Avengers Campus is opening June 4th at Disney California Adventure.

The guys welcome Kerri from DVC Rental Store to the show to answer questions about the DVC Rental process. Kerri answered questions on topics including the rental process for both renters and members, combining points, the cancellation policy, renters that turn into DVC buyers, and international renting. Permits have been filed to remove the construction trailers at the future site of Reflections DVC resort. Disney has announced that the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Begins July 15 and ends November 20th. The guys discuss some of the current food items around the parks including the new Pickle Corn Dog at Disneyland.

The guys answer listener questions on topics including the future of FastPass, staying at Poly with no monorail, RunDisney, prioritizing rides during a busy day, and the Disney movie release strategy. DVC dedicated an article in the most recent Disney Files Magazine to explaining the recent point chart adjustments in more detail. When MagicMobile launches on guest phones, it will include a variety of animated ticket designs. WDW has started testing facial recognition technology at the entrance gate of Magic Kingdom to replace the fingerprint scan. The Brightline train connecting Orlando International Airport to Disney is not expected to be completed until mid-2026 at the earliest. Disney revealed a special Florida license plate to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of WDW. The rumor of a hotel at the entrance of EPCOT has resurfaced. Disneyland announced their plans for the future including expansions of both parks, new retail, new hotels, and new parking structures.