4 Unexpected Disney Announcements From This Week

This week was a doozy when it came to Disney World news.

It’s Fall in Disney World!

From Disney announcing the retirement of FastPass+ to the Disney Genie news, we’re here to go over all the unexpected surprises in Disney World news this week.

Disney Genie

We learned this week that Disney will be launching the FREE Disney Genie service this fall, which will offer guests a personalized Disney experience with the planning service built into the My Disney Experience app. You can almost think of the Disney Genie as your own personal assistant.

©Disney

Once you enter all your Disney preferences, the Disney Genie will build a customized and flexible itinerary for your family. It will also provide guests with current and future ride wait times, dining and mobile order, virtual queue information, and more.

Disney Genie+

One of the biggest announcements this week was the official retiring of Disney World’s FastPass+ and the replacement of it with a paid service called the Genie+, which is built into the Disney Genie service. It will cost guests $15 per ticket per day in Disney World, and $20 per ticket per day in Disneyland.

©Disney

The Genie+ will grant paying guests access to the Lightning Lane, which is basically the same as the now-discontinued FastPass+ Lane in Disney World. Genie+ will allow paying guests to reserve time for Lightning Lane access to qualifying attractions and experiences. It will also provide certain experiences like Augmented Reality Photo Lenses and more.

Click here for the differences between the Disney Genie and Genie+!

NBA Experience

This week we. learned that the NBA Experience in Disney Springs is now permanently closed. The NBA Experience was a space for fans to experience immersive experiences inspired by the NBA.

NBA Experience at Disney World

The NBA Experience opened on August 12, 2019 and closed along with Disney World due to the global pandemic in March 2020. Disney has not yet provided an update about the future of the NBA Experience building.

Learn more about Disney closing the NBA Experience here!

Mask Policy Update

In July, Disney World updated their mask policy to require masks worn in all attraction queues and indoor spaces, including outdoor attraction queues and rides. Now they again updated their policy that as of August 19th, masks are now optional for all Disney World guests in outdoor ride queues, outdoor attractions, and outdoor theaters.

Indoor Mask Sign

Masks are still required on most forms of transportation in Disney World and in all indoor locations, regardless of vaccination status.

Steakhouse 71

Disney announced that a new restaurant called Steakhouse 71 will replace The Wave…of American Flavors restaurant in Disney’s Contemporary Resort. This new spot will reportedly open in time for Disney World’s 50th anniversary on October 1st, but there is no exact opening date yet.

©Disney

Steakhouse 71 will be a casual dining spot, and the name is based on the year Disney’s Contemporary Resort opened in 1971.

Click here for the answers to ALL your burning questions about Disney Genie!

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Are you surprised by any of the news this week? Tell us in the comments!