Disney World/Travel News Roundup - April 2023

 

It’s been a long time since we had a good old fashioned news roundup! Strap in, it’s time to take a look at all the latest, greatest, and weirdest stuff that’s been going on in the world of travel and theme parks, then laugh as I fumble to improvise a decent segue between stories! Our first story is comin’ in hot!

• Dragon at Disneyland's Fantasmic! destroyed by massive fire


• The next hot story that we very well might have to cut by the time this episode releases, Walt Disney World Annual Passes went back on sale April 20, and shockingly all 4 passes remain available for sale
  
  https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/ticket-annual-pass---disney-incredi-pass/news/22apr2023-virtual-queue-removed-from-walt-disney-world-annual-pass-website-and-update-on-pass-availability.htm 


• It’s officially half way to Halloween, and Disney is full of news, including tickets for this year’s Not So Scary Halloween Party go on sale May 2!
  
  https://www.keytotheworldtravel.com/mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party-2023-update/
  
  And they also teased (again) the arrival of the Hatbox Ghost at Walt Disney World’s Haunted Mansion later this year!
  
  https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/haunted-mansion/news/21apr2023-disney-teases-the-hatbox-ghost-materializing-later-this-year-at-walt-disney-worlds-haunted-mansion.htm 


• Harmonious barges are not only being removed, but scrapped with a vengeance on WDW property:
  
  https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/harmonious/news/21apr2023-latest-aerial-photos-show-harmonious-being-scarapped-backstage-at-epcot.htm 


• Disneyland’s Splash Mountain to close in late May
  
  https://www.wdwmagic.com/wdwmagic-plus/disneyland-resort/news/12apr2023-disneylands-splash-mountain-to-close-in-late-may-to-begin-the-transformation-into-tianas-bayou-adventure.htm 


• Lucky guests on the July 10-19 Adventures by Disney expedition to the Arctic Circle will be joined by former Imagineer Joe Rohde
  
  https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/adventures-by-disney/news/12apr2023-join-former-disney-imagineer-and-creator-of-disneys-animal-kingdom-joe-rohde-on-an-adventures-by-disney-expedition-to-the-artic.htm 


• Capture Your Moment photo sessions in Magic Kingdom expand to include locations around Fantasyland
  
  https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/photopass/news/11apr2023-capture-your-moment-photo-sessions-expand-to-fantasyland-at-magic-kingdom.htm 


• Delta says International flights are already 75% booked for the summer
  
  https://thepointsguy.com/news/delta-summer-flights-international-booked/amp/ 


• Virgin Voyages’ third ship, the Resilient Lady, launches in May! The “Mermaiden” Voyage launches May 15 from Athens. Its maiden season will feature two round trip itineraries- , then in October she heads to Australia and New Zealand for her regular route, after stopping in Cairo, Dubai, Bali, Mumbai, Phuket, and Singapore during her repositioning journey
  
  https://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/virgin-voyages-welcomes-resilient-lady-its-fleet 


• This Ohio City Will Have a Perfect View of the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse, and is giving away a trip to see it!
  
  www.travelandleisure.com/cleveland-free-trip-see-2024-total-solar-eclipse-7483311 


• WizzAir now offering flight  subscriptions for select European routes
  
  https://www.travelpulse.com/News/Airlines-Airports/Wizz-Air-Is-Now-Offering-Flight-Subscriptions 


• Vienna Nudists oppose plans for cable car over popular beach
  
  https://apnews.com/article/nudists-austria-privacy-cable-car-3fac6bf2d5d28a51715c9524aa6042a9
  
  
  
  

As always, a huge thank you to our sponsor, Key to the World Travel. For all your travel needs, Key to the World's expert travel advisors are standing by. Make sure you tell them the Gold Key Adventurers sent you!

 

Proud to be a Feedspot Top 100 Disney Podcast! https://bit.ly/GKASFeedSpotDisney 

 

Thanks to Outer Vibe for the use of their song Hoka Hey off of the album Hoka Hey as the intro and outro of our show. For tour dates, merch, music and more, check them out at www.outervibe.com.

 

Don’t forget to  subscribe to the show to make sure you don't miss a single week of adventure. While you're at it, how about leaving us a rating and review?

 

Word of mouth is the best way for us to grow our society of intrepid adventurers-if you have a friend or two who might enjoy our particular brand of adventure and silliness, send them our way.

 

The Gold Key Adventurers Society is always looking for new members! Find all our episodes, links and info at https://www.goldkeyadventurers.com. Make sure you follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldKeyAdventurersSociety, on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/gkaspodcast, and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/GKASPodcast. 

 

Show The Gold Key Adventurers some love by buying the hosts a coffee (or two or ten?) at https://bit.ly/KofiDonateToGKAS

 

Better yet, try one of Expedition Roasters’ delicious theme park and pop culture inspired flavored coffees! Using our affiliate link will help keep the Gold Key Adventurers caffeinated and making great content for you! https://bit.ly/ExpeditionRoastersGKAS 

 

Remember, life is short and the world is wide. So go have an adventure!