Annual Passes and the Mystery of Disney’s Vanishing Resort (Ep. 517)

The Disney Dish with Jim Hill

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Leisure, Society & Culture, Places & Travel

4.8 • 979 Ratings

🗓️ 3 February 2025

⏱️ 54 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill explore the surprising history of annual passes—how Disneyland accidentally created a theme park membership program and what Disney might have in store next. Plus, Jim continues the saga of Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge, the resort that made it to the concept art phase but never to reality. The Origins of Annual Passes: How Disneyland’s Magic Kingdom Club set the stage for the modern theme park pass and why Disney might be rethinking it. Hollywood Studios Updates: What’s closing, what’s opening, and why Muppet*Vision 3D, Mama Melrose’s, and Pizza Rizzo are all saying goodbye. Universal’s New Events: Mardi Gras, Volcano Bay Nights, and Butterbeer Season—because Universal understands that food-based festivals are the true theme park superpower. Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge: Jim dives into Disney’s big plans for Bay Lake, why they hit pause, and whether this project will ever return. Muppets at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster?: Is Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem really taking over from Aerosmith? And is that actually a bad thing? Join Len and Jim as they break down Disney history, park updates, and whether we’ll ever see a new resort built before the next iteration of Genie+. SHOW NOTES Support Our Sponsors DVC Resale Market Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free. Learn More DVC Rental Store Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you’re a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don’t forget—they also offer exciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures! Learn More Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Drawn to Life, the groundbreaking live stage show at Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida,
0:04.9	has been dazzling visitors to the Walt Disney World Resort for more than three years now.
0:09.8	This family-friendly extravaganza, which really has to be seen to be believed,
0:14.0	seamlessly blends pieces of classic Disney animation with mind-blowing live acrobatics.
0:19.2	Drawn to Life is presented Wednesday through Sunday on the west side of Disney Springs.
0:23.3	This shopping, dining, and entertainment complex is open to anyone visiting Central Florida, and parking is free.
0:29.2	Again, that's Drawn to Life, live on stage at Disney Springs in Orlando.
0:34.6	Welcome back to another edition of the Disney Dish podcast with Jim Hill. It's me,
0:38.5	Lentesta, and this is our show for the week of Shmurs Day, February 3rd, 2025. On the show today,
0:44.2	news in listener questions, where did annual passes come from? Then in our main segment, Jim continues
0:50.6	the history and future of Disney's Reflections, a lakeside lodge.
0:55.3	Let's get started by bringing in the man who once gave Alanis Morissette a cross-eyed teddy bear for Valentine's,
1:00.8	and wow, did that not go well? It's Mr. Jim Hill. Jim, how's it going?
1:04.6	Let me just to be fair here, Alanis Morissette is the person who wrote, isn't it ironic?
1:11.5	The song that in the line right after it says it's like rain on your wedding day goes on to describe a free ride that you already paid for, which, I'm just saying if you go to the Magic Kingdom on Christmas and you paid $199 to get in at search pricing,
1:31.2	and then have to pay $449 for Lightning Lane Premium Pass, isn't that exactly the same thing?
1:41.3	I'm just saying.
1:42.5	That is also ironic, Jim.
1:45.5	Yes, that is also ironic.
1:48.8	Though, to be fair, isn't ironic.
1:52.5	It did come out in February of 1996.
1:57.5	And back then, it only cost $38 to get into the Magic Kingdom.
	...

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