BradyBzLyn...Mo

It's been one of our "go to's" when we wanted something "out" but didn't want to venture too far (and don't have any ADRs, which we rarely book super far in advance). We usually snagged a couple of seats at the bar, and there was always room. I was never really sure why it always seemed pretty empty. We always found the food to be good and not outrageously overpriced. I'll be curious to see where prices land. We don't do steak out much at WDW - partly because we can get good steak at home, and also because the WDW steak markup is bonkers - but we do like place with a range of good app

Oops, thanks Jason! You're right of course. That'll teach me to think I can multitask. 😎 Title fixed.

From Disney Parks Blog... https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/09/first-look-menus-for-steakhouse-71-opening-soon-at-disneys-contemporary-resort/?CMP=SOC-DPFY21Q4wo0909210071A&fbclid=IwAR3chWJW--RDc81OsAI7ziImW1__Higy9-hoR-geCDP4j6UyBVuO79xFvWE

https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2021/09/09/news-yehaa-bob-jackson-is-coming-back-to-disney-world/?fbclid=IwAR3AGKkf9T4LFOiVM42t8H7saPAouYZII58crCBnwFGwE9yCN1Kmz5-TaMw

PM sent.

Probably also not a coincidence that during that time a bunch of pretty high level, career Imagineers (some of them "Legends") announced their retirements.

I see what you did there. 😎 I'm also seeing info circulating that there's language somewhere about a limited number of passes potentially being sold at any given time? Can't find an official Disney source for that though.

That's great to hear - congrats!!

Definitely this.

Agreed. Our priorities have shifted in recent years as well (and for sure our incomes haven't doubled) which is mostly why we haven't been in over 3 years and won't be back until next fall (hopefully). I don't know if we'll ever be able to justify going every year for multiple weeks again like we did for the prior 15+. But that's ok. Nothing stays the same forever. I am at least glad that our last big trip was for 6 weeks and we enjoyed every minute of it.

Ah yes... that makes a lot of sense. I'm sure they got boatloads of flack the last time the pool was closed for a long time.

That's what we've been doing for a long time. It's worth it for us, when we can generally get a total of 6 weeks or so on a pass. Honestly I expected the price to be even higher, given how much it's jumped each year over the past 10 or so, and the current cost of things. For a long time they crept up a bit each year ($20-50) until a few years ago when those annual jumps got much bigger. $200 more than the last increase isn't a surprise. 2010: $499 2011: $510 2012: $574 2013: $609 2014: $634 2015: $654 2016: $749 2017: $779 2018: $895 2019: $1119 2021:

From the Disney Parks Blog... https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/08/new-walt-disney-world-annual-passes-available-sept-8-just-in-time-for-50th-anniversary-celebration/?CMP=SOC-DPFY21Q4wo0826210901210049C&fbclid=IwAR00XCljOgVtnJiMztHyPrkXW2Y0UxX8qO1nTgDZqjv5RcrRwFy2mbnnp9I

That sounds like more than just "maintenance" and definitely weird they're announcing it so far ahead. Things that make you go hmmm....

All this ^ Especially that last bit. UO and other big parks have had paid FOTL passes for years now. I'm surprised it's taken Disney this long.

Um... that is (sadly) brilliant.

^this

Doctor Disney 21m · Imagineer Zach Riddley shared a sneak peek this morning of Club Cool, which will soon return to EPCOT in a new location! The location will open “very soon,” and guests will be able to “taste test popular Coca-Cola flavors from different countries.” This DOES include Beverly which will have a spot on the soda fountain upon reopening!

From WDWNT... https://wdwnt.com/2021/08/disney-ceo-says-guests-will-spend-less-time-in-line-with-disney-genie-possibly-references-paid-fastpass-service-tie-in/?fbclid=IwAR0yoq8kOd4hqcZw-r5wXUMvTjtdLcDHaNHbbhl0w2VD1JzULrYBvLEQxlE

Yeah, I would totally have been right in there too... LOL https://www.fox13news.com/news/photos-kids-swim-in-flooded-streets-at-disneys-magic-kingdom?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR2jhodGhKeEQvnatVjduHfWKywd8IPozjVOAmDygIgwVvy0AZYrPSn_vM4

I hadn't even considered this angle, but it makes a lot of sense.

Personally, I'd have to realllllly love my job (and be paid darned well for it) to move 3000 miles away from everything. Not to mention those with spouses/partners will have to be willing to leave their jobs and find new ones as well. Plus there's the housing consideration... "This comes as the Orlando housing market is showing some of the lowest supply of houses available in history, with demand at an all-time high." https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2021/07/16/broker-says-housing-supply-is-slim-as-2000-disney-employees-plan-to-move-to-lake-nona/

"Disney says they'll be paying moving costs for all 2,000 employees." I wonder how many folks won't want to relocate across country and will opt out?

While I personally will not be spending millions on a luxury RV this year (although it's fun to look!), I will say I've had my eye on that Grand Design 5th wheel ever since we walked through one a few years ago at the dealer. If we ever pull the trigger on giving full-timing a try...

We usually hang around the site, have a late breakfast/early lunch (ok, it's brunch LOL), and do "dog things" until around noon-ish - make sure all the canines are fed and played with (i.e. good and tired). Then we head into the parks. Regular (unpaid) P.M. EMH essentially going away is a bummer for us. Especially since we try to go during slower times, which means when park hours are shorter. Disney Springs has filled that gap a bit, as it's a good place to just poke around and you can grab a drink and usually find good live music to hang out and listen to, but it's not the same as walking