Disney News Roundup - September 2021
So much is happening at Disney right now, we need another roundup! As you may be familiar, when we do a roundup, we focus on several developing news stories at a time that we find interesting. In this edition, we will be talking about EPCOT's official new neighborhoods, an intriguing partnership between Disney and Amazon, another partnership between Disney and Southwest, an Imagineer's house that is up for sale in California, and a plussed Magic Band. So buckle up because it's time for a roundup!
EPCOT's New Neighborhoods, Implemented
Gone are Futureworld West and Futureworld East. Disney announced that as of October 1st, EPCOT will officially be zoned into four neighborhoods, the former Futureworld comprising three of them. According to Disney, the neighborhoods “are filled with new experiences rooted in authenticity and innovation that take guests to new destinations, where the real is made fantastic in a celebration of curiosity, discovery and the magic of possibility.”
The four neighborhoods are:
World Showcase (same as before)
World Discovery - experiences around space, technology, and intergalactic adventure
World Nature - the Land, the Living Seas, and Journey of Water exploration trail
World Celebration - gardens, dining, a huge Walt statue (future), and a grand view of World showcase (future)
We could talk quite a bit more about each neighborhood, but we'll save that for another post. However, we must take one little diversion...
Club Cool Info
We have to take a little detour here for the Cool cats. It's amazing how a pavilion sponsored by Coca-Cola where you basically try Coca-Cola flavors from around the world gained such a cult following, and yet, here we are. Despite its perpetually sticky floors, the unlimited self-serve exotic colas are a favorite of many in the know. And those in the know force their friends to try the Beverly, a bitter soda out of Italy, just to see their faces. The good news is the Beverly has gone nowhere. The great news is the soda line-up is new and improved. And the fantastic news is there is now a soda that might actually be worse than the Beverly- the Smart Sound Plum from China.
Here's the soda line-up:
Beverly soft drink from Italy
Bobon Anglais from Madagascar
Country Club from Dominican Republic
Minute Maid JOY from Korea
Royal Watermelon from Phillipines
Smart Sound Plum from China
Sprite from Russia
VIVA from Moldova
New fountain line-up at Club Cool, credit Blogmickey.com
And I cannot explain logically why I'm so excited about the new Club Cool, but that's just how things are with this place.
Alexa Learns Magic
Moving on to our next story in our round-up, Disney and Amazon announced a partnership this week. Disney will be partnering specifically with the Amazon Alexa technology to create a new "magical voice assistant". This will enable two things: Use at home and use at Disney resorts.
At home, you will be able to activate the new assistant, called Hey Disney, to interact with Disney services such as booking dining. You will also be able to have Disney characters tell you jokes or read you Disney stories, or have a sing-along. Also, a lovely feature called soundscapes has been hinted at that will supply you with background sounds or music from Disney scenes in movies (maybe the parks? Please be the parks?) This will be available sometime next year as an add on application to your Alexa app.
It gets really interesting when we talk about Disney resorts. Disney is looking to outfit 30,000 Disney resort hotel room with an Echo Show 5 that guests will be able to use like a concierge. You can request more towels, ask when the next bus comes, book dining, ask about the fastest way to get to another point on Disney property, and more. And the devices will have camera and calling disabled and require you to opt in should you want to use it, to protect your privacy (Good on you, Disney!).
Southwest and Disney
Southwest Airlines recently unveiled a Disney branded aircraft. Not only is the outside decorated but the inside is painted with Disney characters on the overhead bins and uses the EARidescent lighting Disney is using for their 50th anniversary. And to celebrate the 50th anniversary, Southwest is giving away one vacation package that includes airfare, lodging, theme park tickets, and a $200 gift card each day for 50 days from September 28th, 2021- November 16th, 2021. You can enter here: Southwest.com/50days
Photos by Stephen M Keller/ Southwest
Dream Home for Aspiring Imagineers
If you enjoy house hunting as much as we do, then you are going to enjoy looking into this home that recently went up for sale in the community of Lake View Terrace, California. the home was built in 1953 and was designed by one of the first Imagineers, Fred Joerger. Joerger's job was to create 3D models of movie sets and attractions for the Disney company, and his work includes models ranging from Mary Poppins to the Nautilus in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. He also constructed several versions of Sleeping Beauty Castle, from which it was agreed the blue spires were Walt's favorite because they gave more illusion of height.
But back to the home. It's called Villa Di Fontani Estate, aptly so because it is surrounded by fountains. While the outdoors are lushly landscaped, the interior is also designed to keep the eye moving from pleasing sight to pleasing sight. It sits on 2/5 of an acre, and is 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom. Each bedroom has a unique fireplace as do the living and dining room. There is stained glass as well as artwork by other Disney artists, and the backyard hosts an infinity pool.
And it can all be yours for the low, low price of $2.7 million. Find out more here.
Magic Bands Get Plussed... Literally
We have to admit, we're confused by this last piece of news. Not by the product itself.... it looks lovely. But we thought Magic Bands were becoming obsolete as people begin to use Genie on their phones. Nevertheless, Disney announced a new Magic Band + coming in 2022 that will light up, vibrate, and interact based on where you are in a park.
According to Disney, here are some interactions:
Find virtual bounties in a galaxy far, far away as a bounty hunter in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.
Interact with the Fab 50 Character collection which are golden sculptures found around all 4 theme parks.
During nighttime spectaculars, your band will light up in sync to the show.
Multiple designs will be offered, and there will be a cost, though we do not yet know what it will be. We do know it will be offered at a discount pre-arrival to Disney resort hotel guests. And we have to admit, their design softens our skeptical hearts (I call dibs on the Walt and Mickey one!).
All photos above: credit Disney
We remember walking around Walt Disney World with our plush Pal Mickey years ago, and being amazed when he would giggle and shake and tell us something about where we were. We have to imagine this is 10x better than carrying around a plush - IF Disney gets the price point right.
Whew! So. Much. News! We love it! If you could have Hey Disney play you a soundscape of somewhere at Walt Disney World, where would it be? Tell us by commenting on this week's post on Facebook. (Our choice is just outside of Dawa Bar in Harambe Village, Animal Kingdom park - we love the boisterous drums and African music). Until next time....
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