Trams Return to EPCOT & DHS, Stormalong Bay Refurb announced

In this episode, Shannon, Peter, and Sue discuss the return of the parking trams to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios, an extended Stormalong Bay closure announced, changes to hotel early entry at Disneyland Resort, and new menus for Tiana's Palace and The Plaza. N121 My DVC Points is proudly sponsored by: DVC Resale Market - Industry Leader in DVC Resales DVC Rental Store - DVC Point Rentals Monera Financial - Exclusively Financing DVC Contracts Patreon supporters in the My DVC Points VIP Producer Club. Parking trams returning to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios in September Under the category of “it’s about time,” Walt Disney World has announced that the parking trams in the EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios parking lots will resume starting sometime in September. While an exact date has not been provided, this is the first update we’ve had for these parks on operational dates.  It was originally announced in December 2021 that all parking trams would return “by the end of 2022,” but that did not happen. While Magic Kingdom resumed parking tram service by Christmas 2021 and Disney's Animal Kingdom started back in May 2022, there was no service at the other two parks until now.  Source: News13 Orlando Stormalong Bay closing for refurbishment in 2025 From January 2025 through May 2025, Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts will be closed for routine maintenance. During this time, guests of Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts can use the Tidal, Admiral and Dunes Cove leisure pools. Source: Disney Tourist Blog, Walt Disney World website Disneyland changing early entry hotel benefit in 2024 Starting January 9, 2024, only one park at the Disneyland Resort will be having early entry for hotel guests, with guests being allowed thirty minutes early entry into one of either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park each day. Currently, both parks are open every day for early entry. The change is a return to the way the benefit worked pre-pandemic, with only one park available each day.  Source: Laughing Place, Disneyland website Tiana’s Palace menu announced Recently, the Disney Parks Blog published new items coming to Tiana’s Palace restaurant in Disneyland Park opening on September 7th: House Gumbo: a New Orleans staple combining braised chicken, andouille sausage, and heirloom rice. 7 Greens Gumbo is a plant-based option featuring white beans, okra, yams, sweet potatoes, and heirloom rice.  Cajun Spice Half Chicken is brushed with a house-made chicory BBQ sauce and served with baked macaroni and cheese & coleslaw. Muffuletta Sandwich stacks mortadella, salami, rosemary ham, cheddar, provolone and house-made olive relish on toasted New Orleans sesame seed bread.  Beef Po-boy Sandwich features some slow-cooked beef perfectly coated with gravy and fully dressed with shredded lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise atop toasted New Orleans French bread Gulf Shrimp and Grits: Shrimp Grilled in a Creole sauce and then paired with cheesy grits. House-filled Beignet features a delicious lemon icebox pie filling topped with lemon glaze for the perfect bite. Source:  Disney Parks Blog The Plaza Restaurant has significant menu changes The Disney Food Blog is reporting extensive changes to the menu at The Plaza Restaurant in Magic Kingdom. Removed from the menu: Appetizers: Chili, BLT salad, Seared Crab Cakes Entrees: Main Street Burger, Sirloin Steak Salad, and The Plaza Reuben New Additions to the menu: Appetizer: Onion Rings, House Salad Entrees: Pot Roast Stack, Crab Cake Sandwich, Bacon Cheeseburger, Impossible Chili Burger, Triple Decker Turkey Club Sandwich, & Chicken Waldorf Salad Desserts: Specialty Milkshakes — Chocolate Pecan Brownie, Strawberry Shortcake, and Key Lime, Chocolate Layer Cake with caramel popcorn mousse, Cotton Candy Cheesecake with fresh