Do you need Genie+? We explore what it's like in this Lightning Lane world of visiting Disney's Hollywood Studios without any of the cost extras that have been put in place in the Disney Parks. Our family gets in line for Rise of the Resistance, and enjoys a number of attractions, many of which are walk well before the park closes. This comes on the heals of having spent a day at Magic Kingdom using Genie+, where we share with you the ongoing saga of not even being able to book on the system.

Disney at Work & Play Podcast

Do You Need Genie+? Answers at Disney‘s Hollywood Studios

We visit the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World on the first day of the new Genie, Genie+ and Lightening Lane program. We look at what it involves to get it set up in the morning prior; we discuss the differences between booking at a hotel or off property; We look at some of the challenges in booking and whether you can book attractions at other parks whether it's with Genie+ or with select attractions. We look at wait times in the parks for those on standby and we have a showdown when you down't show up to a select attraction on time. Lots to share in this very busy, very different world led by Genie.

Day One at the Magic Kingdom with the New Genie, Genie+ and Lightning Lane Program

Part of the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World was the premiere of Disney KiteTails at Disney's Animal Kingdom. We look at this surprisingly cute little offering, which includes two shows, one based on Disney's The Lion King and the other based on Disney's The Jungle Book. We also share other happenings going on throughout the park to include 50th anniversary offerings and more.

Disney KiteTails and Other Tales at Disney‘s Animal Kingdom

Many fans are aware of the Look and Life magazines which came out with covers and articles about the opening of Walt Disney World in October of 1971. Because it didn't have a cover photo, few have remembered Time Magazine's offering, and even less have referred to it. For me personally, it was the very first introduction to me of Walt Disney World in Florida. Its essay, maps and photos unfold little known details and insights of what the park was like on its opening days. From hatless Dumbos to roofless Mad Tea Parties; from Contemporary Hotel Construction to even a Tomorrowland train station. Here on the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World we're here to explore all of that, as well as relive what it was like for a ten year old boy studying this for the first time and dreaming about the possibilities of someday traveling to Orlando.

Walt Disney World at 50: Time Magazine‘s 1971 Time Capsule

In the last hours of a weekday news cycle Disney chose to release further details around their new Genie+ product, which will launch on Tuesday, October 19th. That's a sign as to whether or not guests will be happy with what's being laid out before them. Along with David Zanolla, we study those details, to include pricing, availability to on-property and off-property guests (not to mention annual passholders) as we as what attractions will be included under Genie+ and what will be available for individual lightning lane purchase. We'll also compare it to the announcements made for Genie+ to be released at Disneyland. Is this something you will want to get when you visit next time? Join us and let's discuss what lies ahead. Join us at Disney at Play for podcast notes, charts and more! Make sure you visit with David when booking your next trip!

New Genie+ Announcement in the Friday‘s News Dump

Disney has called Harmonious one of its most complex night-time spectaculars. In truth, Harmonious is ambitious. We look at how we got to this point in time, and examine the show in depth. We look at the song list for this show, and consider comparisons to the earlier Magic Kingdom fireworks show of Happily Ever After. We study all of the technical aspects that make up this show, and how it comes together. And then there is Beacons of Light: Epcot, which is a game changer and stands far apart from anything done at Epcot. This is a turning point in the re-development of this park and we'll look at what is working and how this is really one of the best shows Disney has ever created globally. Be sure to check out photos, videos and links at Disney at Play.

Epcot‘s Harmonious: Reflections of Happily Ever After

It's not a small thing when a new fireworks show appears at Walt Disney World, and with the 50th Golden Anniversary of Walt Disney World, the Magic Kingdom has a new show in the form of "Disney Enchantment". We talk about the entire experience of seeing the show for the first time on October 1st 2021, of the crowded conditions, and of the show itself. We'll look at its technical merits and importantly, the sound track of the show. We'll compare it to its predecessors, especially "Happily Ever After", and we'll look at its pre-show Beacons of Light. This is the capstone experience for the Magic Kingdom on its 50th anniversary. How does it measure up? You can see videos of both the Beacons of Light show and the fireworks at Disney at Play.

Disney Enchantment Launches to Less Than Enchanted Crowds at Magic Kingdom

We are here on the morning of Walt Disney World's 50th Golden Anniversary at the Magic Kingdom. Here we have a chance to see the new welcome Cinderella Castle Show. We have a chance to see the head of Walt Disney Attractions Josh D'Amaro and visit with Jeff Vahle who is head of the Walt Disney World Resort. We check in with several woman who were hosted the original preview center. We check in on all the lands to see opening day attractions that were here in 1971. It's a full day and we present it via both video and podcast.

Coming Directly From Walt Disney World‘s 50th Golden Anniversary at the Magic Kingdom on October 1st, 2021

Tomorrow Walt Disney World will begin its celebration of it's 50th Golden Anniversary with an 18 month celebration. When you come to visit, what will you see? We'll cover all of the happenings in the parks with attractions, entertainment, decor, food & beverage and more. We'll also examine what isn't happening, what is missing in action. Is it possible that Disney will announce and premiere other offerings over the next 18 months? We'll look at that and much, much more as we canvas Walt Disney World's offering for the 50th anniversary, and prepare for October 1st.

What Walt Disney World‘s 50th Golden Walt Includes on October 1st--Is This It or Is There More?

In a space nestled between competing Disney California Adventure attractions, Disney Imagineering has created an entirely new place devoted to the Marvel super heroes. Avengers Campus is truly a unique themed land, with impressive rides, attractions and other offerings. We will look closely at this campus setting, explore its two major attractions, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout! and Web Slingers: A Spiderman Adventure. As the Avengers assemble on campus we'll look at a host of entertainment offerings featuring Spiderman, Dr. Strange, Dora Milage and Guardians of the Galaxy. We'll also look at food & beverage options as well as retail and much more. Join us on Disney at Play as we experience Avengers Campus.  

Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure: Marvel‘s Extraordinary Experience

With one week to go prior to Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary, we talk about what's new as the resort prepares ahead. We begin at Epcot with a look at the new Club Cool and Celebrations Shop. The Space 220 Restaurant has also opened. Should you go see it? We see statues at all four parks, and in the case of Disney's Hollywood Studios, it may suggest the future of Voyage of the Little Mermaid. All this happens as Rise of the Resistance moves from a virtual queue to a standby queue in advance of Genie+. Over at Disney's Animal Kingdom Primeval Whirl faces its own extinction while Finding Nemo the Musical is delayed for a remodeling. Finally, good news as "Let the Magic Begin" park opening ceremony at Cinderella Castle returns on October 1st, along with a new float to the Electrical Water Pageant. Photos and videos at our Disney at Play website as well. Check it out!

From Epcot to the Studios, from Animal to Magic Kingdom: News of What‘s Coming, Leaving & Happening in All Four Walt Disney World Parks

While I've grown up with Disneyland and have visited throughout so many years, it's been two years since I last visited. My return was a much needed one that was marked with simple charms and a beautiful park. It was filled with Disney characters making surprise visits to beautiful flower gardens spread throughout to churros at every turn. Timeless and beloved attractions awaited us as well as experiences new to us. We revisit Galaxy's edge after two years and check out construction going on in Toontown. Our four days in the parks did not provide us a chance to see everything and relive all that we have enjoyed prior. Join us as we step through not only Disneyland but Disney California Adventure where we check out the new Mickey's PhilarMagic and the Coco Celebration.

Disneyland: New Joy From an Old Friend

We come to you live from Disneyland where we bring you insights on the issues and concerns with visiting the Disneyland Resort in this unique time. We look at opportunities in pricing and availability of airfares and hotels. WE offer lessons learned when it comes to transportation when visiting the greater Los Angeles area. All of this suggests where you may want to stay when you're visiting. With this we also look at ticketing, reservations, parking, security as well as virtual queues to both Rise of the Resistance and to Web Slingers: A Spiderman Adventure. There compare these processes to the ones at Walt Disney World. We also note the challenges that face those utilizing Mobile Ordering for their meals. Should you visit? Definitely--but you want to know some important things before you go, and this podcast tackles those issues.

Returning to Disneyland: The Challenges

We've had a chance to review Remy's Ratatouille Experience last week. Since then we've visited the attraction another three times and have had a chance to really map out the entire extension of the park behind what has been traditionally considered the France pavilion. In size, the addition is the equivalent if not larger of a World Showcase land like the United Kingdom, or Italy. We canvas the entire area of the park, giving our impressions. We also talk about some of the food & beverage we had a chance to taste. Then finally, we revisit the attraction with some additional thoughts not shared previously. This is not am impressions de France as we know it, but an impressions de Remy's France. And make sure you check out our Disney at Play site where we have photos, videos and links!

Impressions de Remy‘s France

Long overdue, we visit Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World not just for an update at what's currently happening there, but as a chance to discuss various happenings occurring throughout all of Walt Disney World. We see preparations occurring throughout the park for Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary. We look at attractions that are re-opening such as Beauty & the Beast: Live on Stage. Crowds have been considerably down over the last couple of weeks at attractions as new as Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway. Will they stay that way? We discuss the ins and outs of virtual queues with Rise of the Resistance plus check out some cool details you may not have seen in this attraction. We look at Halloween food & beverage offerings off of Sunset Boulevard, and finish off our day with the Wonderful World of Animation. And be sure to see the photos that are part of this update at Disney at Play.

Disney‘s Hollywood Studio Update & Happenings: Signs of Things to Come at WDW

The Disney At Work Podcast: Ideas on Life & Work from the Happiest Place on Earth

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Disney at Work & Play Podcast

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