Disney Dish Podcast: runDisney, Resort Exclusives, and Toy Story Mania History

Disney Resort News and Changes

• ⚠️ Evening Extra Magic Hours are reportedly returning but will be exclusive to Deluxe and DVC guests, a change from previous policies.
• 💡 This shift is seen by some as Disney adopting strategies similar to Universal's, potentially creating a "have and have not" narrative.
• 🏨 Recent resort room redesigns at Pop Century and the Contemporary are discussed, with a critique that they are becoming increasingly generic.
• 🍳 Dining plans are confirmed to be returning at a later date, dependent on factors like the UK market's recovery.

runDisney Events Return

• 🏃‍♂️ runDisney races are confirmed to be returning, with the Wine & Dine Half Marathon scheduled for November 4-7, 2021.
• 🗓️ The Walt Disney World Marathon (Jan 5-9, 2022), Princess Half Marathon (Feb 24-27, 2022), and a new Springtime Surprise Weekend (Mar 31-Apr 3, 2022) are also announced.
• ☀️ The weather for these events is considered favorable for running, with March and April offering the best conditions.

Restaurant and Park Updates

• 🌭 Casey's Corner in Magic Kingdom has reopened with a new vegan hot dog option.
• 🍦 The Plaza Ice Cream Shop is set to reopen on July 7th, and Trails End on July 17th, though the latter's removal of fried chicken is noted.
• 🍽️ Cítricos at the Grand Floridian will reopen on July 15th with a Mary Poppins Returns overlay, adding to the resort's eclectic theming.
• 🌊 Typhoon Lagoon remains closed, likely due to extensive maintenance on its wave pool system, with Blizzard Beach potentially undergoing similar work later.

Listener Questions and Insights

• 📱 A recent update to My Disney Experience allows for easier boarding group selection for attractions like Rise of the Resistance for larger groups.
• 🐭 The legal complexities surrounding Mickey Mouse's public domain status are clarified, with trademarks likely preventing Disney from losing control.
• 🧑‍🍳 Limited food court options at value resorts are attributed to staffing shortages rather than food availability.
• 🚌 Inconsistent bus system operations are also linked to staffing challenges and the difficulty of predicting crowd flow.

History of Toy Story Midway Mania

• 🎯 The development of Toy Story Midway Mania began after Disney acquired Pixar, leading to a shift from a Mickey Mouse attraction to a Pixar-themed one.
• 🎢 The attraction was designed to fit within the existing structures of Paradise Pier at Disney's California Adventure and Sound Stage 3 at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
• 🗣️ Don Rickles recorded extensive voice work for Mr. Potato Head, enabling his character's inclusion in Toy Story 4 even after Rickles' passing.
• 📈 The ride's capacity was initially around 1,000 people per hour, making it a highly in-demand attraction that often led to long wait times.
• 💡 The possibility of seasonal overlays for the attraction has been discussed but not fully implemented, a missed opportunity for holiday-themed experiences.