This week in your favorite feel-good Disney Parks newsletter, I’ve got some news for you about new popcorn buckets, WDW and DL discounts, crowd reports, Motor Boat Cruise history, and more!
Thanks to goofygal for the real-time pics in the Lounge! See more real-time pics and post your pics here!
National Parks apps + major updates to our ALL-ACCESS travel network
One Subscription.
20 Travel Apps.
MouseWait ALL-ACCESS
IN PROGRESS: Jack is building a National Parks suite of apps that will also be included in ALL-ACCESS — plus, we are making major improvements to the expert chat in each app including real-time info, attractions near you, audio tours, and more!
Last week, we launched Maui Top Five and RV Camping Chat and this week Jack launched our latest park app for Dollywood AND Cedar Point!
One subscription, no matter where you purchase, unlocks Ad-free premium versions of ALL our apps + MORE!
Here’s the list and it’s growing weekly:
MouseWait for Disneyland, MouseWait for Disney World, Fort Wilderness, Knott’s Berry Farm, Magic Mountain, Universal Studios Hollywood, SeaWorld San Diego, Dollywood, Universal Studios Orlando, Sea World Orlando, Busch Gardens, Nashville, Bible Chat: The Encourager, Puppy Chat, RV Camping Chat, Maui Top Five, Cedar Point
✅ UPDATED: Disneyland + Disney World Recipe Generator: take a pic of your food, or screenshot food from our Lounge, get a Disney-inspired recipe. We updated the backend on this tool and it works much better now!
✅ Curated Daily Report with LINKS! enter your preferences, we read the news for you, then you get a customized daily report! Check out the video here!
✅ Sticker Fairy: Design custom stickers for the Lounge or anything else you want, like merchandise or t-shirts. You own the designs!
✅ NEW in Sticker Fairy: Turn Yourself Into Any Character with Image to Sticker!
✅ Unlimited Dining Alerts for Disneyland and Disney World
✅ Expert Priority Email Support: We answer your questions 7 days a week!
✅ Disneyland + Disney World VISION Tour Guide: take a pic, get top five tips!
✅ Unlimited trained ChatGPT chats: ask anything about the parks and Kate will search the web, compile answers, and save you time and money!
✅ lounge.land private Lounge: SAVE 15 HOURS and $500 PER TRIP!
✅ 1000 MouseWait Credits per month: for ALL-ACCESS members on our monthly and yearly plans.
If you have any suggestions for new apps, please reply and let me know!
Disneyland Resort News:
Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort is now in full swing, having started on August 23 and running through October 31. Here are some key highlights:
- The “Mickey’s Trick and Treat” show is debuting in the daytime for the first time at Disney California Adventure Park.
- New Halloween-themed culinary creations are available throughout the resort, including the “Ghost” of Anaheim burger at Galactic Grill and a Mickey Mouse mummy shake at Schmoozies!
- Characters are sporting new Halloween outfits at Disneyland Park.
- Plaza de la Familia, celebrating Día de los Muertos, is running from August 23 to November 2 at Paradise Gardens in Disney California Adventure Park.
New Merchandise and Treats
- Disney is refreshing their Halloween merchandise lineup with new releases this week.
- A new Nightmare Grog is available starting today at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar, combining two flavors of Dole Whip with Trader Sam’s signature Gorilla Grog.
- A new Scary Teddy popcorn bucket and a Madame Leota straw clip will be available at Disneyland starting October 3.
Current Discounts and Promotions
- Magic Key Holders receive discounts on food and merchandise at participating locations, based on Magic Key type.
- Disney Visa Cardholders have access to special photo opportunities and merchandise discounts.
- A 3-Day Disneyland ticket offer is available for visits through September 26, 2024, with prices as low as $50 per day for children and $83 per day for adults on Monday-Thursday visits.
Tips for Visitors
- October is becoming one of the most popular times to visit Disneyland, with crowd levels potentially rivaling the Christmas season.
- Be aware of the Oogie Boogie Bash dates at California Adventure. If you don’t have a party ticket, you’ll need to leave the park around 5pm on those days.
- Consider starting your day early at the park hosting the Halloween party to beat some of the crowds.
- Be prepared for potentially warm weather, as October in California can still have hot, sunny days.
You can get news updates like these, customized to your preferences, anytime in the MouseWait App. Check out the video here and become an ALL-ACCESS or better-yet a Club 333 Founding Member here!
Disney World Resort News:
Walt Disney World has recently released several new offers for fall and winter 2024, providing significant savings opportunities for guests:
- Save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney World resort hotels for stays from November 24 to December 25, 2024.
- Save up to 20% on stays most Sunday to Thursday nights from October 6 to November 21, 2024.
- Free Park Hopper benefits when upgrading to a room-and-ticket package that includes non-discounted 4-day (or longer) date-based theme park tickets.
- Save Up to 25% on Rooms at Select Disney Resort Hotels in Early 2025
Attraction Changes
Several changes are coming to Disney World attractions in October:
- Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will close permanently on October 7, 2024.
- A new Disney Villains show is set to replace Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, debuting in summer 2025.
- The EPCOT Seas Adventures – Dolphins in Depth tour will permanently end on October 19, 2024.
- EPCOT Seas Adventures – DiveQuest will temporarily close on October 19, 2024, but is expected to return in 2025.
Reopening Attractions
- Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom is scheduled to reopen on October 18, 2024, after a refurbishment period.
Food and Dining
Disney has released a Foodie Guide for Halloween treats available at various Walt Disney World Resorts. Some highlights include:
- Monster Cupcake: A plant-based chocolate cupcake with vanilla “buttercream” available at multiple resorts.
- Mickey Pumpkin Soft-Serve: Pumpkin-spiced flavored soft-serve with caramel drizzle and white chocolate Mickey-shaped pumpkin at Pineapple Lanai.
- Halloween Macaron Trio: Featuring pumpkin-spiced milk chocolate, green apple-caramélia chocolate, and blood orange-dark chocolate at Le Petit Café.
Entertainment
- ¡Celebración Encanto! at EPCOT is currently scheduled to run through October 15, 2024, as part of the Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month celebration.
Weekly Disneyland Resort Crowd Report
Week 1-2 (October 1-13)
- Crowd Levels: Moderate to high
- Events: Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort (ongoing)
- Notes: Early October tends to be busy due to fall breaks and the popularity of Halloween celebrations.
Week 3-4 (October 14-27)
- Crowd Levels: High
- Events: Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort (ongoing), Oogie Boogie Bash (select nights, dates TBA)
- Notes: Crowds typically increase as Halloween approaches.
Week 5 (October 28 – November 3)
- Crowd Levels: Very high
- Events: Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort (ends October 31), transition to holiday season
- Notes: Expect peak crowds for Halloween festivities.
Week 6-7 (November 4-17)
- Crowd Levels: Moderate, increasing towards end of period
- Events: Holiday season begins (November 15)
- Notes: Early November tends to have lower crowds before the holiday season starts. However, expect a significant increase in attendance starting November 15 with the launch of the holiday season and the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Week 8-9 (November 18-30)
- Crowd Levels: Very high
- Events: Holidays at the Disneyland Resort, Thanksgiving week
- Notes: Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest times of the year. Expect peak crowds, especially November 28-30.
Best Weeks to Visit
- November 4-10: Lower crowds before holiday season begins.
- November 11-14: Last few days before holiday season launch, potentially moderate crowds.
Events Impacting Crowds
- Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort (through October 31)
- Oogie Boogie Bash (select nights in October, dates TBA)
- Start of Holidays at the Disneyland Resort (November 15)
- Opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (November 15)
- Thanksgiving week (November 24-30)
Check out our real-time MouseWait Crowd Index in the MouseWait App!
Get the perfect gift from our Amazon Disney Store here (MouseWait benefits from your purchases)
Weekly Walt Disney World Resort Crowd Report
Week of October 1-6, 2024
- Moderate crowds as Fall Breaks begin
- EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival ongoing
Week of October 7-13, 2024
- Moderate to heavy crowds
- Peak Indigenous Peoples’ Day crowds (October 10-14)
- EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival ongoing
Week of October 14-20, 2024
- Heavy crowds due to Fall Breaks
- One of the busiest weeks of the year
- Expect daily crowd levels of 7/10 to 10/10 at every park
- EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival ongoing
Week of October 21-27, 2024
- Moderate to heavy crowds
- Busier on weekends
- EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival ongoing
Week of October 28 – November 3, 2024
- Moderate to heavy crowds, increasing towards the end of the week
- Halloween (October 31) may see slightly higher crowds
- Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend (October 31 – November 3)
- EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival ongoing
Week of November 4-10, 2024
- Heavy crowds due to Jersey Week (November 3-9)
- Early Veterans Day visitors arriving
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party begins (select nights starting November 8)
- EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival ongoing
Week of November 11-17, 2024
- Veterans Day (November 11) brings heavy crowds
- Moderate crowds mid-week (November 12-17)
- Holiday decorations and events begin across the resort
- EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival ongoing
Week of November 18-24, 2024
- Moderate to heavy crowds
- EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival ends (November 23)
- Crowds increase towards the end of the week as Thanksgiving approaches
Week of November 25-30, 2024
- Peak Thanksgiving crowds (one of the busiest weeks of the year)
- Expect 10/10 crowd levels throughout the week
- ESPN sporting events during Thanksgiving weekend may increase crowds at Value Resorts
Best Weeks to Visit:
- October 1-6: Moderate crowds before the peak Fall Break period
- November 12-17: A “valley” between Veterans Day and Thanksgiving with moderate crowds
Events Leading to Higher Crowds:
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day (October 10-14)
- Fall Breaks (mid-October)
- Halloween (October 31)
- Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend (October 31 – November 3)
- Jersey Week (November 3-9)
- Veterans Day (November 11)
- Thanksgiving Week (November 23 – December 1)
- Note: The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival runs until November 23, 2024, which may lead to higher crowds at EPCOT, especially on weekends.
Check out our real-time MouseWait Crowd Index in the MouseWait App!
Updates from the Lounge
Brighten your day with a grand circle tour through the MouseWait Lounge! You’ll find incredible posts like the ones below.
Upcoming Events at Disneyland & Disney World
Here is our updated list of upcoming events and refurbishments for both Disneyland and Disney World:
For a larger view, visit this page. You can also access it from the “Home” tab of the MouseWait for Disneyland and Disney World.
And now, let’s take a look at Walt Disney World:
Help support this newsletter with MouseWait Credits!
ALL-ACCESS members, and those who spend at least $99 in Credits in a calendar year get exclusive access to our new Sticker Fairy to generate their own custom Stickers + our NEW image to Sticker generator! Get your Credits here
Your Weekly Disneyland Resort Food Report (NEW!)
As we enter October, Disneyland Resort continues to offer a delightful array of Halloween-themed treats and seasonal specialties. Here’s what’s new and noteworthy in the world of Disney dining this week:
New Halloween Treats to Try
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe: A delicious blend of caramel cheesecake with caramelized apple filling, topped with green-colored white chocolate mousse and a chocolate bat decoration.
- “Ghost” of Anaheim burger at Galactic Grill: A spooky new addition to the menu that’s perfect for the Halloween season.
- Mickey Mouse mummy shake at Schmoozies!: A festive shake that’s both cute and creepy.
- Graveyard banana funnel cake at Stage Door Café: A ghoulishly good dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Returning Favorites
- The popular Beef Birria Toasted Cheese is back at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe, much to the delight of many fans.
Limited-Time Offerings
- Summer House on the Lake in Disney Springs is introducing exclusive Halloween treats from October 17th to 31st, including Pumpkin-Shaped Sugar Cookies and a “Count Chocula” crispy treat.
Dining Discounts
Disney Visa Cardholders can enjoy the following discounts:
- 10% off at select Disneyland restaurants including Cafe Orleans, Carnation Café, and The Golden Horseshoe.
- 10% off at select Disney California Adventure restaurants such as Carthay Circle Lounge and Paradise Garden Grill.
- 10% off at select Disneyland Resort Hotel restaurants including GCH Craftsman Bar and Storytellers Café.
Special Events
- Plaza de la Familia continues until November 2nd, offering Mexican-inspired cuisine and entertainment to celebrate Día de los Muertos.
Remember, these Halloween-themed treats and fall favorites are only available for a limited time, so be sure to try them before they disappear like ghosts after Halloween!
VOYAGEERS: Finding Hidden Treasures in the Parks
Images courtesy of Parkendium
Walt Disney’s vision for Disneyland always included a variety of attractions that would appeal to guests of all ages. The Motor Boat Cruise, which opened in June 1957, was one such attraction that stemmed from Walt’s desire to create a family-friendly boating experience.
Origins and Walt’s Involvement
Walt Disney was keen on incorporating water-based attractions into Disneyland from the very beginning. The Motor Boat Cruise was actually a successor to an earlier attraction called the Tomorrowland Boats, which was present on Disneyland’s opening day in July 1955. However, the Tomorrowland Boats faced numerous challenges, including technical issues and difficulties with guest operation.
Walt, always the innovator, saw an opportunity to improve upon the concept. He wanted to create an attraction that would provide guests with the illusion of steering their own boats while ensuring a smooth and controlled experience. This led to the development of the Motor Boat Cruise, which featured boats guided by an underwater track – a significant improvement over its predecessor.
Walt’s Vision for the Attraction
Walt Disney envisioned the Motor Boat Cruise as a leisurely ride that would allow families to enjoy the scenery of Disneyland from a unique perspective. He wanted to create an attraction that would provide a moment of relaxation amidst the excitement of the park, while still offering a sense of adventure.
The location of the attraction, nestled between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, was strategic. It allowed guests to transition between these two themed areas while enjoying a picturesque boat ride. This placement was typical of Walt’s attention to detail in park design, creating a seamless flow between different areas of Disneyland.
Interesting Stories
One fascinating aspect of the Motor Boat Cruise was its brief transformation in 1991. As part of the Disney Afternoon Avenue event, the attraction received an overlay themed after the popular animated series “Disney’s Adventures of the Gummi Bears.” The ride was temporarily renamed “The Motor Boat Cruise to Gummi Glen” and featured 2D plywood cutouts of Gummi Bear characters along the ride path.
This overlay, while intended to breathe new life into the attraction, was not well-received by guests. Many found it to be a cheap and rushed attempt at updating the ride. This reaction, coupled with the need for additional budget for the creation of Mickey’s Toontown, ultimately led to the closure of the Motor Boat Cruise in 1993.
Trivia
Here are some interesting trivia points about the Motor Boat Cruise:
- The boats on the Motor Boat Cruise came in various colors, similar to the cars on the Autopia attraction.
- Despite having steering wheels and foot pedals, the boats were entirely guided by an underwater track, giving guests only the illusion of control.
- Each boat could accommodate 2-3 people, making it a perfect attraction for small families or groups of friends.
- After its closure, the loading dock area of the Motor Boat Cruise was repurposed as a guest smoking area for several years. Following Disney’s smoking ban in their parks, it became a quiet, little-known seating area.
- Occasionally, characters such as Alice and the Mad Hatter can be found meeting and greeting guests in the former Motor Boat Cruise area, keeping the space alive with a touch of Disney magic.
The Motor Boat Cruise, while no longer in operation, remains a fond memory for many Disneyland visitors and serves as a testament to Walt Disney’s ongoing efforts to create diverse and engaging attractions for all park guests.
My mom and I have a picture on the Motor Boats just like this!!!!
Well, that’s all for this week!
Hit reply and let me know how I can make this newsletter better!
Wishing you the best week,
Kelly
October 1, 2024 Issue #40 to 29,891 Disney fans.
Overwhelmed with Disney vacation planning?
Get MouseWait ALL-ACCESS today!
Make sure to follow MouseWait on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook