Disney Updates: July 2022

Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue has returned, the Top of the World Lounge will come back soon, and sailing is back in style this summer at DVC.

We’ve got several exciting – and possibly frustrating – Disney resort updates to discuss.

Hoop-Dee-Doo Returns

The beloved Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue has returned to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground after an absence of two years, three months, and 10 days…not that I was counting.

Disney has maintained that this is the most frequently performed dinner show ever.

The hootenanny first launched in September of 1974, and Disney estimates that more than 10.5 million people have watched it over the years.

For many DVC members, meals here come with significant family vacation memories. We all would have felt a loss if it hadn’t returned.

So, the grand comeback feels like the huge win we all need right now. Obviously, the show has changed a bit, though.

Here’s a video of the reopening night performance:

The first thing you’ll notice is the lighting. Historically, management had lacked the opportunity to update the stage throughout its 46-year history before the pandemic.

In a weird way, the two-year closure afforded Disney an unprecedented chance to modernize the somewhat outdated show.

The updated staging embodies the technological innovations working behind the scenes at Hoop-Dee-Doo.

Some story elements also received an update to bring them in touch with 21^st-century sensibilities. However, the core six composite characters remain.

Here’s the Orlando Sentinel describing the new Hoop Dee-Doo performance. And here’s a list of all the changes to the show.  

Grand Floridian Dining Updates

As previously mentioned, Victoria & Albert’s will reopen on July 28^th. Disney had also indicated that Narcoossee’s would close on June 18^th.

The timing of this move never made sense, as I stated at the time. After all, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa just added its new DVC inventory on June 20^th.

Closing a restaurant right before then struck me as madness. Apparently, Disney has since agreed. Narcoossee’s has delayed its renovations until July 14^th.

So, this restaurant will close two weeks before Victoria & Albert’s reopens.

Citricos will also remain as an option for those who want a nice meal but not, you know, Victoria & Albert’s nice.

Unfortunately, we don’t have word on 1900 Park Fare yet. Still, the other places like Grand Floridian Café and Gasparilla Island Grill remain open.

The previous word on Narcoossee’s suggested that it’d close for several months and return with “enhancements.”

If you’re staying at the Grand Floridian, you also might want to familiarize yourself with the dining options at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, too.

Changes at the Top of the World

We’ve got massive news about another return engagement on the Resort Monorail loop.

The Top of the World Lounge will reopen at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. But don’t get too excited just yet.

DVC has changed the policy here so that you must be a card-carrying DVC member to qualify.

Yes, lounge access is now part of Membership Extras. And yes, that’s annoying, bordering on infuriating.

Also, Disney has altered the rules in a different way. You can no longer take others up to the lounge.

Instead, the only people who can access the lounge are those staying on your DVC reservation. Oh, and you must be staying at a qualifying Disney resort. The Membership Extra alone won’t get you to the top floor.

The Top of the World Lounge’s official return date is July 11^th. However, you’ll have a chance to experience it before then…and in a unique way.

Bay Lake Tower has altered the experience as Top of the World Lounge — A Villains Lair. What does that mean? That remains to be seen.

Thus far, Disney has promised a “devil’s playground” with “curious couture” villains-centric artwork. Also, the menu consists of rebellious recipes for their cunning concoctions.”

Disney expects enough intrigue regarding the title that it’ll host a special party called Bound to Be Bad on July 8^th, 9^th, and 10^th. Unfortunately, the announcement made no mention of pricing.

Once The Villains Lair opens to DVC members on July 11^th, it’ll operate from 6 p.m. through midnight. You can check-in as early as 5:45 p.m., though.

You’ll also need your digital Member ID and some form of photo ID to take the elevator to the top.

Overall, the re-theming sounds phenomenal. But, conversely, the modified access rules stink.