Disney Dish Podcast: 2020 Park Previews, Surveys, and New Dining Ideas

Disney Surveys and Guest Insights

• 📊 Disney surveys are being used to gather guest feedback on various aspects of their visits, including preferred parking costs and dining plan experiences.
• 💡 A survey question about preferred parking prices revealed a discrepancy, listing $20-$25 when the current price is $50.
• 💰 The dining plan experience is being rated, suggesting a potential shift in how these plans are offered, with a free dining promotion being released soon after the recording.
• 🛍️ Surveys also explore guest shopping habits, comparing on-property vs. off-property merchandise for selection, price, and quality, indicating Disney's interest in understanding off-site shopping motivations.
• 📱 A tech-related survey inquired about planned technology purchases and smartphone feature usage, hinting at Disney's interest in emerging tech trends.

Technology and Park Operations

• 📍 Bluetooth usage in parks is being surveyed, suggesting potential applications for location tracking and targeted marketing messages.
• 💳 Interest in self-checkout registers and facial recognition technology is being gauged, aligning with trends seen in retail and other industries.
• 🌐 Disney is exploring how guests interact with technology, including comfort levels with facial recognition for various purposes, potentially for park entry or VIP identification.
• ✈️ A survey on the vacation booking process aims to understand why guests book directly through Disney versus using travel agents, highlighting Disney's efforts to capture more direct bookings.

2020 Disney Park Previews and Developments

• 🎢 Disneyland Park will see the Snow White Scary Adventures dark ride undergo a 5-month rehab for a happier ending and upgraded effects, along with Space Mountain and 'it's a small world' closing for holiday overlay removal.
• 🚀 Rise of the Resistance is set to open at Disneyland Park on January 17th, incorporating lessons learned from its Orlando opening.
• 🎭 Epcot International Festival of the Arts will feature three new films: 'Awesome Planet,' 'Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along,' and 'Canada Far and Wide.'
• 👻 The Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland will close for a lengthy rehab, potentially not reopening until summer 2020, due to its popularity and the need for extensive work.
• 🎬 New film releases like Mulan (live-action reboot), Jungle Cruise, and Indiana Jones 5 are expected to influence park entertainment and potential attraction refreshes.
• 🎶 A new parade, 'Magic Happens,' will debut at Disneyland on February 28th, celebrating films like Coco, Moana, and Frozen 2.
• 🐭 Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway will open at Disney's Hollywood Studios on March 4th, with AP previews anticipated in late February.
• 🍽️ Space 220 restaurant is slated to open in Epcot by March 21st, coinciding with the closure of Spaceship Earth for its reimagining.
• 🎆 Harmonious, a new Epcot nighttime spectacular, is planned for spring 2020, indicating a potential dissatisfaction with the current 'Epcot Forever' show.

Future Park Concepts and Dining Ideas

• 🚢 Disney Cruise Line is expanding its concierge offerings with more staterooms and dedicated decks on the Disney Wish, and potentially on the Dream during its next dry dock.
• 🌟 New dining concepts are being considered for Magic Kingdom, with surveys asking guests what types of restaurants they wish to see more of, including options like Pan Asian, steakhouse, gourmet burgers, and farm-to-table.
• 💡 The Tomorrowland Terrace at Magic Kingdom is identified as an underutilized space with potential for a new multi-story restaurant, possibly incorporating dedicated fireworks viewing areas.
• 🏨 The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Hotel is expected to begin cast member testing in fall 2020, ensuring a smooth guest experience for its high-priced offering.
• 🕸️ Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure will feature character meet-and-greets for properties like The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, with the Spider-Man attraction and Pym Test Kitchen opening in summer 2020.
• 🐉 Raya and the Last Dragon is slated for a November 25th, 2020 release, with potential meet-and-greets being considered for both California Adventure and Walt Disney World.
• 🏨 Disney is also planning a new 12-story DVC tower near the Disneyland Hotel and a new resort, Reflections, between Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge, potentially featuring overwater bungalows.