“Welcome Home Weeks” announced, DVC Lounge coming to Magic Kingdom

In this week's episode, Shannon and Peter discuss the confirmation that a new Disney Vacation Club Member lounge is coming to Frontierland in Magic Kingdom, replacing the shooting arcade. DVC also announced "Welcome Home Weeks" celebration during the summer, with opportunities for free treats, character close-ups, and more. Shannon and Peter also share news including the filing of permits for the upcoming Bay Lake Tower hard good refurbishments, Walt Disney World attraction openings and closures, and Disneyland Resort's Oogie Boogie Bash details. N142

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DVC Lounge to replace Frontierland Shootin' Arcade

On June 13th, it was announced that the newly planned DVC lounge will be located in Magic Kingdom. The new lounge will replace the Frontierland Shootin' Arcade, which is scheduled to close on June 23rd. No details about the lounge have been released, other than that it will be a Members-only lounge similar to the one in EPCOT.

Source: Orlando Sentinel, DVC News

DVC adds special “Welcome Home Weeks” event this summer

Disney Vacation Club announced the first-ever "Welcome Home Weeks," a limited-time celebration from July 22 through August 24 featuring special events, free treats and exciting experiences for eligible Disney Vacation Club Members and up to 4 guests (or for some events, all guests included on the reservation, whichever is larger). Events during the five weeks are as follows:

One-Time-Use Mobile Order Discount - Receive a 20% one-time-use discount on a mobile order at select quick-service dining at Walt Disney World Resort from July 22, 2024 through August 24, 2024.

Sweet Stop - Treat yourself to a refreshing, complimentary Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bar, ice cream sandwich or fruit bar at select Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort locations.

• Walt Disney World Resort:
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Tower of Terror Courtyard, Mondays and Tuesdays, starting July 22, 11 AM to 2 PM
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Upper Bradley Falls, Thursdays and Fridays, starting July 25, 1 PM to 4 PM
• Disneyland Resort:
  • Disneyland Park, Star View Station – a Member Lounge, July 23, August 6 and August 20, 2 PM to 4 PM
  • Disney California Adventure Park, Golden Vine House, a Disney Vacation Club Welcome Home Center, July 30 and August 13, 2 PM to 4 PM

Welcome Home Wakeup - Mingle with fellow Members for coffee and a morning treat at select hotels

• Walt Disney World Resort:
  • Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Top of the World Lounge and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Reunion Station Dates and
  • Times TBD, but must be a member with a resort reservation AT THESE RESORTS to be eligible
• Disneyland Resort:
  • The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, Discovery Den
  • July 25, August 8 and August 22, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
  • Must have a Disneyland Resort reservation to attend

Welcome Home Wednesday Wine Mixer - Enjoy the company of fellow Members as you indulge in wine and appetizers at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at the Disneyland Resort. The event will be held in the Wedding Garden on July 31 and August 14, 2024, 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

Character Close-Ups

• Walt Disney World Resort - Delight in an immersive Character meet & greet experience, themed to the film, Frozen, in Disney’s Contemporary Resort (Ballroom Fantasia J) on July 22, July 23, July 29, July 30, August 12 and August 13, 2024. Times to be determined.
• Disneyland Resort - Don’t miss a Character experience featuring a sketch artist and a rockin’ dance party in the Sleeping Beauty Pavilion in the Disneyland Hotel on July 22 and August 19, 2024, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort - Join a pirate-themed experience that boasts some favorite Disney pals in the Resort Lobby, Thursdays, starting July 25, 2024. Times to be determined.

Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort - Get ready for visits from beloved Disney friends and a pool party at the Resort, plus fireworks at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina on Tuesdays, starting July 23, 2024.

Ice Cream Parlor - Take advantage of complimentary ice cream served up at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa DVC Preview Center daily, starting July 22, 2024, from 11AM to 5 PM.

In addition, Aulani Resort will have a number of events including lei-making, hula and ukelele lessons.

Source: Disney Vacation Club website, Blog Mickey

Attraction openings and closings

Walt Disney World announced that the new Country Bear Jamboree will open on July 17th. The all new show will contain many of the same characters, but will feature more of the Disney songbook, with songs such as “Try Everything”, “A Whole New World” and “Bare Necessities”.

Disney Parks Blog shared new images and some of the technology from the new Little Mermaid show at Disney's Hollywood Studios, but the only date provided was still listing it as opening in the Fall.

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios is also scheduled to re-open from an extended closure on July 27th. The ride has been closed since January.

Finally, there has been a year+ long permit filed for work on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, extending to August 2025. While unconfirmed, it is expected that the ride will be going down at the end of the summer for a lengthy refurbishment that includes replacing the entire track. We expect to hear more about this and the “beyond Big Thunder Mountain” expansion at D23 in August.

Source: Disney Parks Blog - Country Bears, Disney Parks Blog - Little Mermaid, WDW Magic - Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, WDWNT - Big Thunder Mountain

Permit Filed for Bay Lake Tower refurbishment

Disney filed a permit expiring September 2025 for refurbishment at Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort. Walt Disney World's website notes that room refurbishment work will take place from September 2024 to September 2025. This will be the first full hard goods refurbishment for Bay Lake Tower.

Source: Blog Mickey, Walt Disney World website

Oogie Boogie Bash on sale dates

Tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure Park go on sale on June 25th for Inspire Key holders, June 26th for all other key holders, and June 27th for the general public. Prices range from $134 for the August dates, $154-169 in September, and $169-189 in October.

Disneyland also announced that Haunted Mansion Holidays will be back in time for the holidays with a virtual queue due to the construction.

Source: Disneyland website - Oogie Boogie Bash, Disneyland website - Haunted Mansion

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