Random happy WDW thoughts...and learned something new yesterday

[ljmiii]

Our upcoming trip to WDW is fast approaching and yesterday I started to look up times for the MK and EPCOT fireworks, the EPCOT and Top Of The World Lounges, and so on. What I didn't know until yesterday is that you can find out what time the Electrical Water Pageant will pass by your resort by searching for "Electrical Water Pageant" in the MDE app (10:05PM at the Contemporary as it happens).

Also, for those of you who didn't know the EPCOT DVC lounge now closes an hour earlier at 5PM but reopens from 6PM-9PM for a character meet and greet (currently Judy & Nick from Zootopia) that qualified members can attend once per stay.

 

[rickandcindy23]

My grandkids would love the character meet. That is a great DVC benefit.

 

[Huskerpaul]

My grandkids would love the character meet. That is a great DVC benefit.

I thought you had to pay the extra $99 per year for Magic Beyond to access the lounge after regular hours and do the meet and greet.

 

[TheHolleys87]

I thought you had to pay the extra $99 per year for Magic Beyond to access the lounge after regular hours and do the meet and greet.

You’re correct. The Meet & Greet is only for those who have purchased the $99 Membership Magic Beyond package of perks.

 

[rickandcindy23]

You’re correct. The Meet & Greet is only for those who have purchased the $99 Membership Magic Beyond package of perks.

Well, I should ask my daughters-in-law if it's worth it. Is that per person or the entire ownership? Our three kids are on our deeds.

 

[TheHolleys87]

Only one owner needs to buy it to access the benefits, but some are more easily shared than others. For the M&G the one person who bought the package has to be present.

You have to log into your account for details but here’s the summary. https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/membership-magic-beyond

 

[ljmiii]

Well, I should ask my daughters-in-law if it's worth it. Is that per person or the entire ownership? Our three kids are on our deeds.

It’s certainly not per person. I caved into paying for MMB to get higher priority to get into the lounges…particularly the new MK lounge when it opens but the evening M&G at EPCOT is a nice bonus.

 

[nomoretslt]

We may purchase the MMB…we have some hanging points that are giving me fits…I don’t rent out my points. There are some I can’t use that had already been banked. I’m allowed to borrow, so I may use 65 points to renew my sorcerers pass. I also will not have to add on photo pass since I’ll get 30 days Included. Nights at the Figment lounge would be nice too.

 

[nomoretslt]

Now we will definitely purchase the $99 member extra thing. We sadly had to cancel our upcoming trip….DH needs heart surgery. DVC was very good to us, but I was using some banked points for part of this trip and I completely understand that they could not bank these forward. I can “gather” hanging points from my other contacts and transfer to one to use points to renew my annual sorcerers pass. 65 points….works for me. No need to rent, pay taxes, worry, etc. if all goes well with DH surgery, we will extend our next few trips. Of course Disney announced the closure of the Skyliner after I had already booked last week of January at Riviera. So moved that around. It’s all good.
I wonder how much Epic Universe at Universal Studios is going to impact WDW going forward. It looks really awesome. But different than Disney. I have been saying for many years……we really need to do a couple days at Universal….especially since we can drive to Disney now. But just haven’t felt the urge. Seeing universal on both sides of I-4 just doesn’t do it for me. Plus I’m older and don’t really need the thrill rides. One of these days maybe.

 

[TheHolleys87]

DH needs heart surgery.

Sincere best wishes for a positive outcome. I’m glad D.V.C.’s flexibility is working for you!

 

[rickandcindy23]

Closure of the skyliner? What's that about?

 

[bizaro86]

Closure of the skyliner? What's that about?

They close it every year for a little while in January to do maintenance.

 

[dioxide45]

They close it every year for a little while in January to do maintenance.

I've never understood why they don't just take down one line at a time instead of closing it completely. This would eliminate the need for so many additional buses to take over for all Skyliner traffic.

 

[ljmiii]

I've never understood why they don't just take down one line at a time instead of closing it completely. This would eliminate the need for so many additional buses to take over for all Skyliner traffic.

I'm sure that in late January the buses are sitting in a parking lot waiting for periods of higher demand. And I don't know how WDW manages their bus drivers, but I'm also sure they have no problem finding drivers for the route.

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

I'm sure that in late January the buses are sitting in a parking lot waiting for periods of higher demand. And I don't know how WDW manages their bus drivers, but I'm also sure they have no problem finding drivers for the route.

I drive those Disney World buses, and yes, we have more than enough drivers to take guests who normally would use the SkyLiner. WDW plans to shut it down in January, which is their lowest-demand month. They also shut it down when a Summer thunderstorm is in the area or the area encounters high winds (like hurricanes). What is funny is, people praise the Monorail, boats, and SkyLiner, but who takes over when those go down? Buses! Buses will break down, but we have more than enough to replace it, so we're more reliable than the others.

TS

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Our upcoming trip to WDW is fast approaching and yesterday I started to look up times for the MK and EPCOT fireworks, the EPCOT and Top Of The World Lounges, and so on. What I didn't know until yesterday is that you can find out what time the Electrical Water Pageant will pass by your resort by searching for "Electrical Water Pageant" in the MDE app (10:05PM at the Contemporary as it happens).

Also, for those of you who didn't know the EPCOT DVC lounge now closes an hour earlier at 5PM but reopens from 6PM-9PM for a character meet and greet (currently Judy & Nick from Zootopia) that qualified members can attend once per stay.

FYI, to go to the 6 - 9 lounge hours all of the following must be true:

1. You have a blue card;
2. You purchased membership magic beyond;
3. You are currently staying at a DVC resort **on points**.

We just did this last week during the week after Easter, a fairly crowded time at WDW and we were literally the only people in the lounge. This is a really dumb benefit. They should just let everyone with MMB get in, and remove the “once per stay” limitation. I mean they had two character cm’s, character handlers, multiple DVC staff all staffing this one lounge just for my family of four. I can’t imagine this benefit is going to last.