Dining Updates, Hotel Updates, and More BIG Disney News of the Week

All we can say is a LOT happened in the Disney universe in November, but December is here, and now that the holiday season has arrived, we expect things to quiet down…at least a little.

However, there are still PLENTY of big Disney news stories that happened this past week, so let’s take a look at some of them!

Disney Employee Labor Unions Hold Rally

Several labor unions attended a rally on the behalf of Disney employees to bring more attention to concerns about “wage increases, health care costs, child bonding leave, retirement, and more.” The unions involved represent nearly 42,000 cast members.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, the previous contract, which expired in October 2022, implemented a path to a $15 minimum wage by 2021. Unions are now pushing for Disney to raise the minimum wage to $18 per hour. They are also asking that Disney “boost” pay for Cast Members who already make close to $18 per hour by $3 more per hour.

Cast Members at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Disney made a statement about how the company has made a “strong and meaningful offer” that would take starting wages for certain Cast Members up to a minimum of $20 per hour while “providing a path to $20 for all other all other full-time, non-tipped STCU roles during the contract term.”

Disney Issues Statement As Cast Members Rally for Better Pay

Disney World Hotel Updates

We got a first look at what the new Little Mermaid rooms will look like at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. These changes are taking place in the Trinidad section of the resort.

Thanks to our friends over at DisneyFoodBlog, we learned that Disney is going to start installing Hey Disney! with Amazon Alexa devices in select hotel rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort!

Sneak Peek at the NEW Little Mermaid Rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney World Dining Updates

A new snack spot has popped up in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and it’s serving up gelato! We saw a few of the gelato flavors that were available at the cart, including Cookies & Cream, Chocolate, Dulce de Leche, and Vanilla.

We also got details on the prices and restaurants that will be available for the EPCOT Festival of the Arts Broadway Concert Series dining packages. The restaurants included are Akershus Royal Banquet, Biergarten, Coral Reef, Garden Grill, Le Cellier, Regal Eagle Smokehouse, Rose and Crown Dining Room, and Spice Road Table.

PRICES and Restaurants Announced for Disney on Broadway Concert Series Dining Packages in EPCOT

Disneyland Parade Gets Return Date

Disneyland’s “Magic Happens” Parade is returning to Disneyland Park on February 24th, 2023. This parade made its debut in 2020, but after Disneyland closed due to the global pandemic, it didn’t return when the park reopened.

The parade features Mickey and all his friends celebrating “moments of magic” from Disney and Pixar movies.

Disney Announces DATE for the Return of the ‘Magic Happens’ Parade

Bob Iger’s Town Hall Meeting

Disney CEO Bob Iger held a Town Hall meeting with Disney employees to discuss the future of the company. At the meeting, he shot down those rumors Apple buying Disney, as well as shared that for now, the hiring freeze announced by the company’s former CEO, Bob Chapek, will continue.

When asked about the park pass reservation at Disney Parks, Iger said he hadn’t used the system personally, but that he wanted to discuss it with Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products before saying anything else about it.

He also commented a little about Disney’s controversies and role in politics, including what’s happening with the dissolution of the Reedy Creek District in Florida. Finally, when asked about Disney’s plan to move Imagineering from California to Florida, he said he was aware the relocation was delayed but hasn’t made a decision on it yet.

Bob Iger Comments on Disney Employees Relocation to Florida

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