Bitesize Orlando August 2022 – Issue 14

August has flown by in a wave of flights, theme parks and an awful lot of photographs. I have been back from my brief Orlando visit for a couple of weeks now. Some things have changed, some things have remained the same and some things are a downright pain.

I have got tons of new photos of the parks to share with you, I have been updating my new Instagram account with photos from my latest visit. If you would like to see Orlando’s theme parks in all their glory please follow me on Instagram. Whenever I get a few spare minutes I try to get a new photo up and the reception so far has been very positive.

Did I learn much in my time away? In a word, yes! If you want to get the most out of your trip to Orlando now you had better get used to using new technology as well as get organised. I’ve got loads of new content either written or planned to help you get the most out of your visit. If you have a burning question you would like answered please let me know so I can prioritise the content you would like to see.

You may have noticed this update is a little early compared to usual and there is a very good reason for this. I am heading to Africa to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in memory of a wonderful person who is no longer with us. Myself and six friends and family members will already be on our way up to the “Roof Of Africa” as you read this. Expect wonderful views, plenty of trekking, some altitude sickness and absolutely no internet connection at all while we are away.

If you would like to donate to a very worthy cause, Macmillan Cancer, you can donate through my partner’s Just Giving page. Wifi is spotty in Tanzania but when I can get some I will look to post up some photos on my travel blog Instagram account, YTravelthere.

If you would like to see some far-flung yet stunning places that you can visit beyond Orlando please follow me on my Ytravelthere Instagram account. For now, onto this month’s news.

Bitesize Orlando August 2022

Disney World News August 2022

New Details Of Journey Of Water Attraction At EPCOT

Imagineer Zach Riddley has shared a new graphic and details on the under construction “Journey Of Water” attraction coming to EPCOT in early 2023.

According to Zach the image is a preview of the graphic style that will be used throughout the attraction to show the dynamic movement of water as it flows around the walk-through experience. Disney has also updated the rendering of the attraction now that construction is underway and the design has been almost finalised. I have used that image as the header image for this month’s news update if you would like a closer look.

No official opening date has been announced for the attraction but I expect to have more details next month once Disney’s D23 Fan Expo has taken place where will should get a lot more information on the first Disney theme park attraction to feature Moana.

New Details On Upcoming Splash Mountain Retheme

Few topics are as hot as the upcoming Splash Mountain retheme. Ahead of Disney D23 EXPO next month in Anaheim, Disney has released a few more details on the retheme of the much-beloved attraction perhaps to quell the growing discontent about what is going to happen to the classic attraction.

If you haven’t yet had the chance to ride Splash Mountain it is one of the heaviest themed log flume attractions in the world. At the time of construction, over 30 years ago, it was also one of the most expensive with an estimated budget of around $190 Million! That’s over 100 times more than it cost Disney to make the movie it is based on, the troublesome “Song Of The South” in 1946.

Song Of The South is widely deemed as racist and Disney has been slowly erasing it from their online libraries but the popularity of Splash Mountain has endured despite its troubling back story.

A lot more details of the new, “Bayou Adventure” attraction will be shared next month at the D23 EXPO. According to the official Disney Parks blog, the Disney Parks Wonderful World Of Dreams Pavilion will be sharing glimpses of attractions and experiences that are coming to the parks and Disney Cruise Line soon.

“There will be behind-the-scenes glimpses of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the transformation of EPCOT, new Frozen-themed experiences, Disney Cruise Line, live entertainment and more to explore at the pavilion.”

Official Disney Parks Blog

Magic Kingdom Opening Hours Changed For Halloween Event

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is a popular Halloween upcharge event that takes place on select nights throughout October but in recent years has been extended through select nights in September and now August.

Disney’s latest opening hours update confirms a small change to the opening hours schedule for the park on days when Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is taking place.

Magic Kingdom usually opens at 9am with closing times varying depending on attendance. When Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is taking place the park shuts at 6pm, lopping off at least 3 to 4 hours from the usual opening schedule.

On the August event days this year Magic Kingdom opened at 8am with early park entry for hotel guests at 730 am. We don’t yet know if this will be extended to event days through the end of October but it would make sense.

With the park shutting so early I still recommend you avoid the park on Halloween Party event days because it will be impossible to get everything done and there will be no usual fireworks to enjoy at the end of your day.

As a reminder, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party will be running from 6 pm to 11 pm on the remaining dates below. Not all dates are available as many have sold out. Tickets start from $109 plus tax going up to $179 plus tax depending on the date chosen and the age of people attending.

• September: 2, 5, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30
• October: 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31

Genie+ Attraction Lineup Change

Earlier this year Disney moved several attractions from paid Lightning Lane to Genie+ allowing guests of the service to book popular attractions without having to pay an extra charge. The change was due to increased crowds in the park and limited availability of Genie+ reservations. The change was due to end on 7th August.

Disney has now said that those attractions will remain in Genie+ indefinitely. This is a welcome move for users of the service. Disney has also stated that 50% or more guests opt to purchase Genie+ on a daily basis during their stay.

Each park has had one attraction moved from paid to Genie+ with the exception of Magic Kingdom which has had 2 attractions moved over. The full statement from Disney is below including confirming which attractions you can now choose with Genie+ indefinitely.

Disney Genie+ is a paid service add-on that allows ticket holders to access a chosen attraction with a quicker queue than the usual standby queue. It now needs to be purchased daily. Availability of attractions varies according to demand and maintenance.

In my recent visit Disney Genie+ allowed me faster access to around 4 or 5 attractions per day for a daily cost of $15 plus tax.

Earlier this year, we moved certain attractions from individual Lightning Lane purchase to the Disney Genie+ service for a period of time through Aug. 7. In order to continue providing Guests with more options while using the service, these attractions will be offered through the Disney Genie+ service beyond Aug. 7:

Magic Kingdom Park: Space Mountain

EPCOT: Frozen Ever After; Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

For the full list of experiences offered through Disney Genie+, Guests should check the My Disney Experience app on the day of their visit, as attractions are subject to change.

Each park now has one attraction that is not included with Genie+ and must be purchased for a one off fee per rider. These attractions are:

• Magic Kingdom Park: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• EPCOT: Guardians Of The Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Star Wars: Rise Of The Resistance
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Avatar Flight Of Passage

In EPCOT, you can also currently attemt to get a virtual line pass for Guardians Of The Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Passes are released at 7am and 1pm daily and are limited to once per day per ticket holder. For more information on Disney Genie and Lightning Lane please see my dedicated guide to Disney Genie And Lightning Lane.

Feathered Friends In Flight Show Refurbishment

If you are visiting Disney World in September please be aware that the “Feathered Friends In Flight” Show at the Anandapur Theatre in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom will be closing for a brief refurbishment later this month.

The show will not run from 11th September until 24th September while work is carried out on the theatre.

New “Animated Evening” Cirque Du Soleil Offer

Drawn To Life, the new resident Cirque Du Soliel show at Disney Springs hasn’t proven as popular as people thought since it opened. There are a number of reasons but a lack of discounted tickets is one contributing factor in these more frugal times.

Disney has now announced a new “Animated Evening” offer to Cirque Du Soleil ticket holders that allows them to dine out for a reduced price on a prix fixe menu in one of 13 Disney Springs restaurants that have created special menus for the offer. Scroll down on the link above to see detailed menu info for each of the participating restaurants.

At the time of publishing this article you can choose a Prix Fixe menu in one of the following restaurants:

• City Works Eatery & Pourhouse
• The Edison
• Enzo’s Hideaway
• House Of Blues Restaurant & Bar
• Jaleo by José Andrés
• Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante
• Paddlefish
• Paradiso 37, Taste of the Americas
• Planet Hollywood
• Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant
• Splitsville Luxury Lanes
• Terralina Crafted Italian
• Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill

To get the offer you must first be in possession of your Drawn To Life ticket which can be purchased online or on the telephone. You can make your restaurant reservation in advance with Disney on 0014075875981 or see what walk-in availability your chosen restaurant may have. Make sure you book a table at least 2.5 hours before your tickets showtime or 2 hours after and don’t forget to ask for the Animated Evening offer menu when you arrive.

Is The “Animated Evening” Offer Good value for money?

Eating anywhere at Disney is expensive. More so since the parks reopened from their COVID-enforced shutdowns. Any discount, no matter how small is welcome so, in lieu of discounted tickets, and if you were planning on eating in Disney Springs, then yes this offer is good value for money.

Is “Drawn To Life” Worth Seeing?

Having now seen Drawn To Life on my recent visit I came away impressed and slightly disappointed.

The production value is top-notch for the content that is there, as you would expect from a collaboration between Disney and Cirque Du Soleil, but if you have seen the previous show that Drawn To Life has replaced you could be left wondering about the wow factor like I was.

The finale seems to fizzle instead of wow the audience. If you have never seen a resident Cirque Du Soleil show it will blow your mind but, in its current form, it seems that sudden budget cuts may have got in the way of giving Drawn To Life the finale it deserves.

“Drawn To Life” is a great show but falls somewhat short of becoming a destination experience in its own right, especially in the higher price band tickets. Save yourself some cash if you plan on seeing the show. Price band A tickets are not needed. Third-tier tickets still offer an amazing view without the frankly extortionate prices.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Back Open In Magic Kingdom

What child doesn’t love dressing up as their favourite character when visiting Disney World? One popular experience that has been missing from the schedules since the parks reopened is Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique which has finally reopened this week.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique allows children between the ages of 3 and 12 to be transformed into their favourite Disney characters with hairstyling, makeup, costumes and accessories.

Cast members are now referred to as Fairy Godmother’s Apprentices. Traditionally only women worked in the boutique but a decision was made pre-pandemic to allow men to also work there which has now been implemented.

Transformations range in price and timescale but typically take between 30 minutes and an hour to complete. A range of packages are available to choose each with its own accessories and differing price points. These include:

• Carriage Package ($99.95, plus tax)
• Castle Package ($199.95, plus tax)
• Deluxe Castle Package ($229.95, plus tax)
• Knight Package ($19.95, plus tax)
• Deluxe Knight Package ($79.95, plus tax)

Valid park admission and park pass reservations are also required for entry into the Magic Kingdom on the day of the reservation. Spaces are limited and can be reserved in the My Disney Experience app or on the Disney World website.

Disney Skyliner Refurbishment Dates

If you are visiting Disney and staying in one of the resorts serviced by Disney’s Skyliner cablecar system please be aware that the complete system will be down for a brief refurbishment in January 2023.

There will be no cablecar service between 22-29 January. Resorts serviced by Skyliner will revert back to using a bus service between resorts and theme parks in this period.

Theme Parks Services By Disney Skyliner

• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney’s EPCOT Center

Disney Resorts Serviced By Disney Skyliner

• Disney’s Pop Century Resort
• Disney’s Art Of Animation Resort
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
• Disney’s Riveria Resort

Behind The Scenes Tours Returning To EPCOT

Many experiences have returned to normal since Disney World re-opened post-pandemic but some fan favourite experiences are still paused, namely the popular behind-the-scenes tours offered at some parks.

Some of Magic Kingdom’s popular behind-the-scenes tours began again this spring including the 6 hour long docent-led “Keys To The Kingdom” tour but EPCOT tours are still currently paused.

Starting 2nd October that will change when 3 of EPCOT’s behind-the-scenes tours return and can be booked online now through Disney’s Enchanting Extras section of the Disney World website. You can view more information and prices using the links below

• Behind The Seeds – a 1-hour behind-the-scenes walking tour of The Land pavilion
• EPCOT Seas Adventures – Divequest – a 2-hour tour inc 40-minute dive for scuba-certified divers
• EPCOT Seas Adventures – Dolphins In Depth -A 2-hour visit with EPCOT’s dolphin residents

Universal Orlando Resort August 2022 News

Full Halloween Horror Nights Details Revealed

Universal has lifted the (coffin) lid and revealed names and details of the haunted houses, scare zones and shows for 2022. I’ll give a very quick rundown here. For full details and tickets please visit the official Halloween Horror Nights website.

Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare

“The Weeknd is about to stalk your squad through this haunted house, a surreal living nightmare from his After Hours videos.”

Halloween

“Silent. Merciless. Relentless. There’s nobody like Michael Myers. And if your scream squad is ready, this year, you can gather together and face the terror of Halloween from the very beginning.”

The Horrors Of Blumhouse

“Get ready for a bloodcurdling new double feature of Blumhouse horror as your scream squad faces a ruthless serial killer in Freaky and an evil kidnapper in the relentlessly terrifying The Black Phone.”

Universal Monsters: Legends Collide

“If you thought one Universal Monster was scary, how about three? Summon your scream squad, ‘cause you’re about to get caught between The Wolf Man, Dracula and The Mummy, together for the first time.”

Spirits Of The Coven

“A coven of beautiful flapper witches will lure you into their 1920s speakeasy, reveal their haggish true form and turn your scream squad into a witch’s brew. They’ll be cackling; you’ll be screaming.”

Bugs: Eaten Alive

“While touring a 1950s home of the future, you’ll be surrounded by the slime of bugs everywhere as hordes of many-legged terrors descend upon you and your scream squad. You’ll be dropping like flies.”

Fiesta de Chupacabras

“Visit a Latin American village where the legend of the creature Chupacabras is celebrated with a colorful fiesta. And the streets are lined with the crimson blood of tourists like you and your amigos.”

Hellblock Horror

“Enter a prison whose savage inmates are monstrous creatures. If they break free from their cells, it’s a death sentence for everyone.”

Dead Man’s Pier: Winter’s Wake

“In a New England fishing village, undead fishermen emerge from the waves to seek their revenge. You and your scream squad may have escaped their hooks in the scare zone. Now they’ll reel you in and drag you under.”

Descendents Of Destruction

“Careful not to leave any of your scream squad behind as you descend the subway tunnels of a deserted New York. Lurking in the dark are hungry mutants looking to feast on the last remnants of humanity.”

Complimenting the 10 haunted houses there are 5 scare zones and 2 live shows. Some, but not all, rides in Universal Studios will also be open.

Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights from 1830 until 0200 starting 2nd September through to the end of October.

Universal Introduces Curfew For Teenagers At Citywalk

Following on from some rather unfortunate public incidents of teenagers getting into fights in Universal’s Citywalk entertainment complex, Universal Orlando has introduced a curfew for anyone under the age of 18.

From 9pm anyone aged 18 and under must vacate Universal Citywalk instead of hanging around unless they are accompanied by a responsible adult aged 21 and over. People aged 18-20 must also be accompanied by someone 21 and older in order to pass through security before entering Citywalk from 9pm. The policy will be waived for teenagers staying at a Universal Orlando hotel or those attending a movie at Universal’s Cinemark Cineplex.

This will hopefully go some way to making Citywalk a more pleasurable experience after dark and I welcome the decision particularly as Universal has been slowing transitioning Citywalk into more of a family destination from its roots as a clubbing district.

Seaworld Orlando News August 2022

Seaworld Orlando Reveals Full 2022 Howl-O-Scream

Following on from a very successful first season, Seaworld’s Howl-O-Scream event is returning this year bigger and better and Seaworld has just released the full lineup.

If you have never done a horror night and are wondering what all the fuss is about Seaworld is a great starting point. It’s not as busy as Universal and it’s an awful lot cheaper.

This year Howl O Scream will feature 5 haunted houses, 7 scare zones and 3 electrifying shows. The Haunted Houses are:

Howl-O-Scream will run on select nights (Thursday to Sunday only) for a total of 28 nights in 2022 starting from 9th September through to the end of October. The event runs from 1900 until 0000 on Thursday, Friday and Sunday evenings and 1900 until 0100 on Saturday evenings. You can book tickets for the event on the official Howl-O-Scream website.

Orlando Area News

Gators, Ghosts & Goblins Returning To Gatorland

If all the screaming and simulated blood is a bit too much for you Gatorland’s family-friendly Gators, Ghosts & Goblins Halloween event is returning this year at weekends starting on the 15th of October.

The daytime event has a number of haunt zones, character meet & greets and the ever-popular children’s costume parade with treat bags.

Everyone is also welcome to wear costumes to help get you in the mood (costumes are banned outright at all other Orlando Halloween events). The only stipulation from Gatorland is that you wear nothing bloody, violent or scary seeing as this is a family event.

Even better news, the event is included with your standard park admission! For more information and to book tickets to Gatorland please visit their official website.

That’s it for this month. I have a plane to catch and a mountain to climb but I will be working on more content and uploading more photos from my recent visit to Instagram while I am away!