Magic Kingdom DVC Lounge now open, new ride details revealed at SXSW, and more!

In this week's episode, Shannon and Peter discuss the surprise opening of McKim's Mile House, the new Disney Vacation Member Lounge in Magic Kingdom's Frontierland, along with details of the new lounge coming to Spaceship Earth in EPCOT. Disney also revealed more information about the technology used in previously announced attractions coming to Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. N159 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. DVC Member Lounge in MK now open, more details on adults-only EPCOT lounge Disney Vacation Club McKim’s Mile House – A Member Lounge had a surprise early opening on March 18th. The new lounge in Frontierland was expected to open sometime this summer. It hosts a number of seating spots, free beverages, and lots of charging ports. Sadly though there are stairs to a second level, members are not allowed upstairs and there is no balcony for viewing parades as they go by. Hours of operation are 11 AM to 6 PM. In other lounge news, Disney dropped a few more details about the Spaceship Earth lounge in a post on the Disney Parks Blog, including the official name.  The new lounge will be called GEO-82 and will offer reservations open to all guests 21 and older. GEO-82 will offer specialty cocktails and small bites with a view of World Showcase Lagoon and World Celebration Gardens.  Source: Disney Parks Blog - MK DVC Lounge and Disney Parks Blog - EPCOT Lounge Change to Interval International Cancellation policy Disney Vacation Club has quietly changed an Interval International cancellation policy, effective January 1, 2025. Per the website: “Disney Vacation Club Members are entitled to cancel any exchange confirmation issued 30 days or more in advance of the initial date of occupancy of the Host Accommodations. However, in all instances, the Member—through the applicable Disney Vacation Club Cast Member—must notify Interval of their desire to cancel such confirmation 30 days or more in advance of the Host Accommodations’ initial date of occupancy. The previous policy, effective through December 31, 2024, entitled Disney Vacation Club Members to cancel any exchange confirmation issued 7 days or more in advance of the initial date of occupancy of the Host Accommodations. Regardless of when the cancellation of the qualified exchange confirmation or request occurred, the Member’s Points will not revert to their Disney Vacation Club account. However, the Member will have the right to request a future use through the Vacation Exchange Program, including multiple exchanges (with the exception of a hotel exchange booking), until December 31 of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which the Member’s confirmation was cancelled.” Source: Disney Vacation Club website Announcements from Disney at SXSW  Disney Parks presented an advanced technology seminar at SXSW in Austin showcasing some of the technology from the upcoming new attractions, including the launch system for the Monsters Inc. roller coaster in Disney's Hollywood Studios, the off-road ride vehicles for the Cars ride in Magic Kingdom, and the Stark Flight Lab at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure.  While generally no timing was provided for projected opening dates, Disney did reveal an update to the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run will coincide with the Mandalorian movie in May 2026. Source: Disney Parks Blog Upcoming Whispering Canyon Cafe brief closure Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney's Wilderness Lodge will be closing for a short refurbishment from May 12th to 21st.  No other details have been provided.  On another note, Kali River Rapids in Disney's Animal Kingdom reopened on March 14th and Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros in EPCOT reopened on March 15th. Source: Walt Disney World website Grand Californian park entrance closed for 2 months The private entrance from Disney's Grand Californian resort to Disney California Adventure has been temporarily closed. Disney has stated it should reopen by mid-May. Until then, the Pixar Pier entrance into Pixar Place can be used by hotel guests to get into DCA.  Source: Disneyland website, DVC News My DVC Points is a fantastic community of DVC members. Our cheerful, respectful, and authentic conversations about Disney Vacation Club are designed to help people make informed and educated decisions about what's best for their families. Please join us in continuing our Facebook group and YouTube channel conversations. It takes an incredible community of DVC members to produce our content. We're always recruiting people to help research, produce, edit, or join our shows to share their stories. Thus far, we've had over 400 DVC members on our shows. If our content has been a blessing to your family, please consider supporting our show through our VIP Producer's Club at Patreon.com and join us for the Patreon After-Party from our live shows. Facebook admins and moderators of the My DVC Points Community Group: Sandy Symianick, Gina Grotsky, Shannon Ford, Caleb Allison, and Mary Anne Tracy. "Take Flight" music by Martinrowberry1 on Pond5.