Dad at Disney Weekly

Character meals now cost up to $298 for four

Disney raised prices at almost every character meal, so I priced ten of them for a family of four. Plus Candlelight Processional dining packages, the 55th anniversary collection on Disney Store, and the Jollywood Nights dates.

• ✦Character meals up about 6% on average: Cinderella's Royal Table breakfast $79 adult / $49 child, dinner $92 / $57; Chef Mickey's breakfast $62 / $41; Cape May Café breakfast $52 / $35. Ten meals priced at $174 to $298 for a family of four
• ✦Candlelight Processional dining packages opened Oct 14; Benjamin Bratt (Dec 2-3) and Josh Groban (Dec 13-14) join the lineup, and Nov 27-28 is still To Be Announced
• ✦Walt Disney World's 55th anniversary collection: 13 Disney Store items from $14.99 to $149.99
• ✦Jollywood Nights dates at Hollywood Studios, Nov 7 to Jan 5, 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
• ✦Quick hits: Grand Floridian Café brunch is back, Santa's Holiday Grove at Animal Kingdom, Minnie's Holiday Dine returns, and the Disney Believe cruise ship reveal

Dad at Disney Weekly #061

Disney's Lakeshore Lodge opens for booking to everyone today. What's confirmed, the first prices that have surfaced, and a straight answer for DVC renters. Plus the holiday dates, Candlelight narrators, and every Food & Wine booth finally open.

• ✦Lakeshore Lodge opens July 1, 2027 with 967 rooms on Bay Lake; public booking opened Oct 8. First reported cash quotes run about $494/night (Duo Studio) to about $961 (Preferred View one-bedroom). No DVC points details yet, so nothing to rent
• ✦Holiday calendar: celebration Nov 13 to Jan 6, EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Nov 27 to Dec 30, ride overlays from Nov 4, Cosmic Rewind holiday track Nov 25; room offers up to 20% (up to 30% for Passholders) on select nights Oct 4 to Dec 24
• ✦Candlelight Processional narrators include Gary Sinise, Whoopi Goldberg, Neil Patrick Harris, Josh Groban and Eva Longoria; dining packages open Oct 14
• ✦Every Food & Wine booth is open now; The Wedge closes Nov 8 and the festival ends Nov 21
• ✦Quick hits: Olivia's Cafe ends brunch, Scat Cat's Club closed for refurbishment, a Pirate Parrot Mug coming to The Beak & Barrel, and the Macy's Disney holiday collection

Dad at Disney Weekly #060

The first Christmas party night sold out, and it wasn't opening night. Plus the Magic Kingdom railroad closure, two restaurants back early, Walt Disney World's 55th, and what you don't get when you rent DVC points.

• ✦MVMCP's first sellout came Sept 28: Tuesday, Nov 24 of Thanksgiving week, about 18 days later than last year; 24 of 25 nights still on sale. No discount is coming, Disney has never discounted a party ticket
• ✦The Walt Disney World Railroad closed Sept 28 for refurbishment and is scheduled to reopen Oct 29
• ✦Coral Reef at EPCOT reopened Sept 29, over a month early; The Turf Club at Saratoga Springs reopens Sept 30 with a new menu
• ✦Walt Disney World turns 55 on Oct 1, with a 55th anniversary merchandise line at the Emporium and Creations Shop
• ✦Quick hits: new Halloween treats through Oct 31, a PhotoPass AI "Magic Shots" test at Haunted Mansion, Tropical Americas still targeted for 2027
• ✦New posts: Jollywood Nights vs. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, What DVC Renters Don't Get, and DVC Studios That Sleep 5
• ✦DVC rates checked Sept 30: David's $22/pt (Saratoga, OKW), $24/pt (BLT, Boulder Ridge, Copper Creek, AKL, Riviera), $26–$29/pt Premium/Platinum; DVC Rental Store is quote-based
• ✦Deals: Kingdom Strollers, Disney Store Halloween up to 25% off, Disney Baby placemats and stroller rain cover, Disney Food Blog guides 30% off with code DADATDISNEY

Dad at Disney Weekly #059

Not one Christmas party night has sold out while Halloween is completely gone, 2027 After Hours is on sale to everyone at higher prices, the $89 Water Park Seasonal Pass is back, and EPCOT closes earlier this holiday season.

• ✦MNSSHP sold out all 38 nights Sept 17; as of Sept 22 none of the 25 MVMCP nights had sold out. Slower sales mean more choice, not a coming sale
• ✦2027 After Hours general sale is open: MK $189–$209, EPCOT $159–$189, HS $159–$199; no MK discount, and the $30 EPCOT/HS discount is for DVC owners, not renters
• ✦Water Park Seasonal Pass returns: $89 ages 10+, $83 ages 3–9, good through May 15, 2027 (blockouts Feb 19–21 and Mar 20–28)
• ✦EPCOT closes at 9 p.m. during Festival of the Holidays (Nov 27–Dec 30); Candlelight shows at 4:45, 6:30 and 8:00; Glimmering Greenhouses reservations now open
• ✦Quick hits: DVC Moonlight Magic nights (members only), Diamond Horseshoe reservations Sept 29 at 8 p.m. ET, Hurly-Burly opens Oct 1
• ✦New posts: MVMCP 2026 which night to buy, rides that cause motion sickness ranked, and Saratoga Springs vs. Old Key West
• ✦DVC rates re-verified Sept 23: $22/pt (Saratoga, OKW), $24/pt (BLT, Boulder Ridge, AKL, Copper Creek, Riviera), $26–$29/pt Premium/Platinum; booking window now reaches late August 2027
• ✦Deals: Kingdom Strollers, Santa Mickey & Minnie family PJs, $9.99 Christmas ears, Touchland Mickey sanitizer, and Disney Food Blog guides 30% off with code DADATDISNEY

Dad at Disney Weekly #058

Disney discounted 2027 — four offers with two different date windows, After Hours 2027 tickets open to everyone September 22, the Magic of Disney Animation is open at Hollywood Studios, and The Wedge cheese hall opens at Food & Wine.

• ✦Disney just discounted 2027 — four offers: up to 25% off rooms Jan 3–Apr 29, up to $250/night off 4-night packages Jan 3–Jul 28, up to 30% for Disney Visa, up to 35% for Passholders
• ✦The room discount and package discount run different windows — room-only stops April 29; only the package reaches summer 2027
• ✦Four discounts out in September usually means softer bookings — good news if 2027 was already on your mind
• ✦After Hours 2027: MK Jan 11–Jul 19, HS Jan 16–Aug 25, EPCOT Jan 21–Aug 19 — tickets open to everyone September 22; Passholders and DVC Members save $30 at EPCOT and HS
• ✦The Magic of Disney Animation opened Monday at Hollywood Studios — Once Upon a Studio Theater, Olaf Draws! Academy, Drawn to Wonderland play area, and a new $19.49 Baymax Sipper
• ✦The Wedge cheese pop-up opens at CommuniCore Hall Sept 18–Nov 8 — treat it as one of your 'real food' stops, not a booth
• ✦New posts: the seven Disney World mistakes that cost us the most money, and 2027 spring offers vs. renting DVC points
• ✦DVC rates re-verified Sept 17: $22/pt (Saratoga, Old Key West), $24/pt (BLT, Boulder Ridge, AKL, Copper Creek, Riviera), $26–$29/pt Premium/Platinum — unchanged; still no $19/pt offer
• ✦Disney Store: up to 25% off Halloween costumes, no code needed — the good sizes in popular characters go first, five weeks out
• ✦Disney Food Blog dining guides 30% off with code DADATDISNEY — about nine weeks of festival usefulness left

Dad at Disney Weekly #057

The 2026 Candlelight Processional narrator lineup dropped with dining packages booking October 14, only six Halloween party nights remain across the whole season, and nearly 50 new menu items landed across the parks.

• ✦2026 Candlelight Processional lineup announced — Auli'i Cravalho opens Nov 27–28; newcomers Robin Roberts and Jason Kelce; dining packages open Oct 14
• ✦Only six MNSSHP nights left of 38 — Sept 24 ($174) is the cheapest and quietest remaining; all $149–$159 nights are gone
• ✦Nearly 50 new menu items across all four parks — Birthday Cake Waffles, DOLE Whip Pineapple Churro Sundae, Steamboat Willie Milkshake
• ✦BoardWalk's Hurly-Burly opens Oct 1 in the old Jellyrolls space — family-friendly by day, 21+ after 9 p.m.
• ✦The Diamond Horseshoe returns Oct 4 with a small-plates pop-up menu; reservations open Sept 29
• ✦DVC rate follow-up: $22–$29/pt re-verified on David's own pricing page Sept 9 — DVC Rental Store still shows no discounted points
• ✦Disney Store Clearance Event through Sept 13 — up to 50% off with code EXTRA25

Dad at Disney Weekly #056

An MNSSHP night didn't sell out for the first time in years, four new experiences open at Hollywood Studios on Sept 14, Typhoon Lagoon closes Sept 9 with no reopening date, and a correction on that $19/point DVC deal I've been citing.

• ✦MNSSHP Aug 30 went ahead with tickets still available — first non-sellout in ~5 years, but two dozen 2026 dates already sold out
• ✦The Magic of Disney Animation opens at Hollywood Studios Sept 14 — four experiences including an Olaf drawing class
• ✦Typhoon Lagoon closes Sept 9 for seasonal refurbishment; Blizzard Beach stays open
• ✦Tiana's Bayou Adventure closes Nov 2 for its first-ever refurbishment — no reopening date published
• ✦Correction: the $19/point deal is NOT running — current David's tiers are $22–$29/pt depending on resort
• ✦New: DVC Rental Store's free Keyholder Vacations loyalty program — earn Keys on every eligible booking

Dad at Disney Weekly #055

Food & Wine opens today with 30 returning dishes for its 30th anniversary, Disney World's 55th anniversary merch arrives with no event attached, a free 500-performer parade hits Main Street in October, and the honest answer on pushing your trip to 2027.

• ✦EPCOT Food & Wine opens Aug 27–Nov 21 — 30 returning dishes for the 30th anniversary, plus 100+ new items
• ✦Emile's Fromage Montage is back — five cheese items fills the Festival Passport
• ✦Disney World 55th anniversary merch is out, but still no announced event or cavalcade for October 1
• ✦Grand Diwali Parade: 500+ performers on Main Street Friday, Oct 23, free with a Magic Kingdom ticket
• ✦Disney Cruise Line fall 2027 — the Wish sails from New York; booking opens Aug 31 / Sept 8
• ✦New post: Should you book Disney World in 2027? Only one D23 land is actually targeting 2027

Dad at Disney Weekly #054

D23 emptied the announcement drawer — five new lands, a Spaceship Earth overhaul, and Figment's reunion. Plus Food & Wine opens in 8 days, Thanksgiving rooms are disappearing, and $19/point fall rentals are still live.

• ✦Five new lands announced: Villains Land, Piston Peak, Monstropolis, and Tropical Americas
• ✦Spaceship Earth reimagining, Carousel of Progress returning late spring 2027, Dreamfinder + Figment reuniting
• ✦EPCOT Food & Wine opens Aug 27 — the full 2026 Foodie Guide is out
• ✦New post: Disney World at Thanksgiving 2026 — the peak is Nov 27–28, not Thanksgiving Day
• ✦New post: the best time to rent DVC points — the two clocks most families mix up
• ✦DVC Rental Store still at $19/point on new 0–7 month bookings (not confirmed reservations)

Dad at Disney Weekly #053

D23 weekend is here, Food & Wine kicks off Aug 27, fall DVC rental pricing is at its yearly low, and two new resort showdowns land: Boulder Ridge vs Copper Creek and Jambo House vs Kidani Village.

• ✦D23 Aug 14–16 — what to watch for on Disney World park announcements
• ✦EPCOT Food & Wine opens Aug 27 — booth strategy and the kid-friendly plan
• ✦October 2026 week-by-week: crowds, parties, and the cheapest dates
• ✦New post: Boulder Ridge vs Copper Creek — which Wilderness Lodge DVC to rent
• ✦New post: Jambo House vs Kidani Village — the Animal Kingdom Lodge verdict by kid age
• ✦Fall DVC rentals still landing near $19–21/point — best value window of the year

Dad at Disney Weekly #052

EPCOT Food & Wine dates locked (Aug 27–Nov 21), MNSSHP party nights selling out faster than last year, Lakeshore Lodge progress ahead of D23, August refurb season, plus three new posts and $19/point fall DVC rentals.

• ✦Food & Wine 2026 confirmed Aug 27–Nov 21 — 87 days, no separate ticket needed
• ✦MNSSHP dates official — Halloween-weekend nights are already selling out early
• ✦Lakeshore Lodge takes shape and D23 lands Aug 14–16 with park announcements
• ✦Refurb season: Carousel of Progress down until 2027, Typhoon Lagoon closes Sept 9
• ✦New posts: stroller rental math, week-by-week October guide, Bay Lake Tower vs Polynesian
• ✦DVC Rental Store promo: $19/point on new 0–7 month bookings for fall trips

Dad at Disney Weekly #051

Disney's new DVC rental rules explained for renters, EPCOT Food & Wine 2026 dates locked (Aug 27–Nov 21), a $116 afternoon ticket deal through July 29, Carousel of Progress closes for a 2027 overhaul, and the lowest DVC rental pricing of the year at $19/point.

• ✦Is renting DVC points still allowed? Yes — the renter's side of Disney's March 31 policy update
• ✦EPCOT Food & Wine 2026 locked Aug 27–Nov 21 — kid-friendly survival plan and $10 Remy hunt
• ✦Afternoon Date-Based Tickets on sale through July 29 — 2pm entry from $116/day
• ✦Carousel of Progress closed July 6 — reopening in 2027 starting at the moon landing
• ✦DVC Rental Store 'Summer of Savings' — new 0–7 month bookings at $19/point (lines up with Food & Wine)

Dad at Disney Weekly #050

The real cost of renting DVC points (with three of our actual bookings), LEVEL99 opens at Disney Springs, Soarin' Across America debuts, a Disney Springs transportation change, and confirmed DVC reservations as low as $13/point.

• ✦What it actually costs to rent DVC points — three real family examples vs. Disney's cash prices
• ✦LEVEL99 opens June 29 at Disney Springs West Side — 60+ challenge rooms
• ✦Soarin' Around the World becomes Soarin' Across America for the country's 250th
• ✦Disney Springs transportation change June 28 — resort/dining reservation now required
• ✦Confirmed DVC reservations as low as $13–$14/point with 10% last-minute promo

Dad at Disney Weekly #049

MNSSHP 2026 cheat sheet with cheapest dates and DVC discount, Cool Kids' Summer 2026 guide, three new attractions opening May 26, summer room deals, and the park bag essentials I'm packing for summer.

• ✦MNSSHP 2026 cheat sheet — cheapest dates, $10 DVC discount, and closest resorts
• ✦Cool Kids' Summer 2026 — new family shows, free water park perk, and DVC room math
• ✦May 26 ride wave: Soarin', Bluey's Wild World, and Muppets Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
• ✦Summer room deals up to 30% off — and when DVC rentals still beat them
• ✦Park bag picks: JISULIFE fan, Owala FreeSip, and Frogg Toggs poncho

Dad at Disney Weekly #048

Disney's $99 summer 2026 deal, three new attractions opening May 26, a Mandalorian overlay on Smugglers Run, and the park bag essentials I'm packing for summer.

• ✦Disney+ $99/night summer deal vs. renting DVC — the real math
• ✦Soarin' Across America, Bluey's Wild World & Muppets Rock 'n' Roller Coaster open May 26
• ✦Mandalorian overlay debuts on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• ✦Park bag picks: JISULIFE fan, Owala FreeSip, Frogg Toggs poncho

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