Walt Disney World Resort Update

Update for April 29 – May 5, 2014

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News and Views

MyMagic+ adds park hopping and additional Fastpass+ | Disney's Hollywood Studios plans silver anniversary celebration | Disney's Hollywood Studios announces Star Wars Weekends celebrity lineup | “Feel the Force” dining offers additional VIP experience to Disney's Hollywood Studios | Construction walls down at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train; queue reveals new interactive game | Free cell phone charging locker testing begins in Magic Kingdom | Disney announces 2015 United Kingdom discounts | Construction Photos | This week at the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival | Quick takes | Crowd update

MyMagic+ adds park hopping and additional Fastpass+

Walt Disney World visitors can now choose more than three Fastpass+ selections at one theme park, according to an announcement by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Skaggs.

As of yesterday, park visitors can select an additional Fastpass+ option once they use the first three reservations at one park, after which they can go to one of the Fastpass+ kiosks around the park to select a new reservation. Then, as visitors use each new Fastpass+ selection, they can make an additional choice throughout their day at the park at the kiosks.

Another new MyMagic+ feature includes the ability to use the additional Fastpass+ selections at a different park later in the day. Until this change, visitors could only use three Fastpass+ reservations in one park. Now, Fastpass+ users can hop to another park to make their additional ride or attraction selections.

“As we've said from the beginning, MyMagic+ will continue to evolve over time with the aim of continuing to improve our guest experience with us and in response to feedback from our guests,” Tom Skaggs said in his announcement.

Disney's Hollywood Studios plans silver anniversary celebration

Thursday, May 1, marks Disney Hollywood Studio's 25th anniversary, and park officials want to celebrate the special day with a number of special events. At:

• 10:00 a.m. – Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will take the stage with Disney’s Hollywood Studios Vice President Dan Cockerell to start the celebration day, honoring some of the 25-year cast members during a short rededication ceremony.
• 7:00 p.m. – a special motorcade, “Stars of the Studios,” begins its way down Hollywood Blvd. It feature many of the famous characters showcased throughout the park. Mickey and Minnie join television and film stars including Captain Jack Sparrow, Darth Vader, Doc McStuffins, Wreck-It Ralph, Venellope, Sofia the First, and more in the motorcade.
• 9:30 p.m. – following the motorcade, the area in front of the park’s Sorcerer Hat Stage becomes a dance party before a fireworks show ends the day in grand fashion. The pyrotechnics show, high in the sky above the Sorcerer Mickey Hat, pays tribute to 25 years of show business stories told throughout the park.

Disney's Hollywood Studios celebrates its silver (25th) anniversary on May 1. Photo by Disney Parks Blog.

Visitors can purchase special 25th anniversary commemorative merchandise at the park during the celebrations. Check out last week's update for more information on where to shop and available merchandise for sale.

Disney's Hollywood Studios announces Star Wars Weekends celebrity lineup

Disney Parks Blog announced the full celebrity lineup for the upcoming 2014 Star Wars Weekends at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The annual event, which runs five consecutive weekends beginning May 16, features stars from the iconic movies, as well as the two popular animated TV series.

Ray Park (Darth Maul) is scheduled to appear at Disney's Hollywood Studios Star Wars Weekends from May 30-June 1, 2014. Photo by Disney Parks Blog.

The 2014 Star Wars Weekends celebrity lineup includes:

“Feel the Force” dining offers additional VIP experience to Disney's Hollywood Studios

A second VIP experience during Disney's Hollywood Studios Star Wars Weekends is giving fans a chance to enjoy special Star Wars experiences throughout their day at the park.

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during Star Wars Weekends (May 16 through June 15), the “Feel the Force” dining event provides a limited number of visitors with:

• A VIP viewing area for the Star Wars “Legends of the Force” motorcade which runs from 11 a.m. to noon. Soft drinks, water and a snack will be provided
• An evening dessert party featuring the popular Darth Vader cupcakes and
• An up-close viewing of the “Symphony in the Stars” fireworks spectacular
• A special Disney PhotoPass card to be connected with visitors' My Disney Experience account and a series of Star Wars Weekend photos

The cost for the “Feel the Force” dining event is $54 for adults and $32 for ages 3 to 9, including tax and gratuity. Visitors can purchase the package on a walk-up basis, until the event is sold out.

To make advance reservations, visit disneyworld.com/spring or call (407) WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).

Construction walls down at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train; queue reveals new interactive game

Walt Disney World fans' excitement continues to grow as the Magic Kingdom's Seven Dwarfs Mine Train rolls toward completion. Construction crews took down the walls surrounding the ride, giving visitors the best view yet of the much anticipated ride in New Fantasyland.

On April 22, Attractions Magazine released a video showing actual riders on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and large filming cameras capturing the action; perhaps as part of a Walt Disney World commercial shoot for the Magic Kingdom's newest attraction.

Attractions Magazine captured this video featuring actual riders on Magic Kingdom's Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, scheduled to open later this spring in New Fantasyland.

Our photos this week show the high attention to detail around the attraction: from the natural scenery throughout the ride, to a new interactive queue, and even signage that brings visitors into Snow White's world from the moment they step into line.

New Fantasyland visitors could get almost a full view of the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train last week as construction crews took down most of the construction walls. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train entrance sign says the ride will “open soon” and temporary bushes block the queue's entryway. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Once visitors get the chance to enter the ride, they will enjoy a heavily forested queue area and a new interactive game to make the wait time a little cooler and more enjoyable for the whole family. Visitors will help the seven dwarfs sift through a 15-foot sluice box to sort gemstones by shape and color.

Magic Kingdom's Seven Dwarfs Mine Train queue weaves through a heavily forested area in front of the mountain before arriving at the loading station. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

A new interactive game will allow visitors to “mine for jewels” while in the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train queue. The new ride will open in Magic Kingdom's New Fantasyland later this spring. Photo by Disney Parks Blog.

Disney officials have not made an official opening date announcement for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Free cell phone charging locker testing begins in Magic Kingdom

Rikki Niblett from our sponsor TouringPlans.com reports that the Magic Kingdom has kicked off a new test involving free cell phone charging lockers around Tomorrowland. According to her report, the lockers allow visitors to charge their cell phones (including iPhone, Android, Windows, and BlackBerry) at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe and the Tomorrowland Light and Power Company (Space Mountain's gift shop).

We sent MousePlanet staff to check out the new lockers. Early staff reports indicate visitors jumping at the chance to use the lockers, making open space hard to find.

New, complimentary phone chargers have been installed at Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland Power and Light and Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

To use the lockers, users swipe a credit or debit card for identification purposes. The locker chamber door pops open to allow the user to connect a cell phone to the charger. Users then close the door, which locks, allowing them to continue to tour the park while their phone charges. The locker door shows a green light once the phone is fully charged. To remove the phone, users swipe their credit or debit card a second time, which unlocks the door.

Only one phone can be charged at a time, and tablets do not fit into the lockers.

Magic Kingdom continues this testing phase through mid-summer, according to the original TouringPlans.com report.

Disney announces 2015 United Kingdom discounts

Walt Disney World announced a new 2015 discount travel package for United Kingdom residents that includes free dining, a free gift card and a 14-Day Ultimate Ticket for the price of a 7-day ticket. The trip must include a hotel stay and ticket package with a minimum of five nights to be eligible for the discount. Selected arrival dates include January 1, 2015 through March 24, 2015 and April 12, 2015 through November 30, 2015 to be eligible for the discount.

The new 2015 UK discount package features:

• A minimum five-night stay at either:
  • A Disney moderate hotel, including a free quick-service dining plan for everyone in a travel party with at least a 5-night stay at 
  • A Disney deluxe hotel or Disney deluxe villa, including a free Disney dining plan for everyone in a travel party
• A 14-day Ultimate Ticket for the price of a 7-day ticket
• $200 Disney spending money on a Disney gift card.

United Kingdom visitors can save £405 per adult with a Disney moderate hotel package and get the Quick Service Dine Plan for free, or up to £587 per adult with a Disney deluxe hotel or villa package and get the Disney Dine Plan for free.

To book this discount package, United Kingdom residents can visit the official UK Disney Holidays website or contact their travel agent.

Construction Photos

We captured lots of construction activity in and around the Downtown Disney/Disney Springs area this past week!

Workers completely leveled the former Pollo Camperos restaurant for a new construction project. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

A mural previews a new aviation-themed restaurant “The Hangar” coming to “The Landing” area of the new Disney Springs. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Behind “The Hangar” wall, construction continues on what appears to be an outdoor amphitheater concept. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Only a few recognizable Pleasure Island locations remain among the new construction areas. Here, the Mannequins building sits on the left while Paradiso 37 remains on the right. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Upward progress continues at the new parking garage construction site. This new map sits in front of the dead end path between AMC and Splitsville. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

This week at the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival

Visitors can still enjoy Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival for another few weeks until it ends in mid-May. Our guide can help you find the everything the festival has to offer!

Tour information:

• The Gardens of the World Tour – is a three-hour tour led by a Disney Horticulturist. Theme park admission required and not included. Tickets are $64 per person, plus tax, and guests must be age 16 and up. Call 407-WDW-TOUR to make reservations, or check at Epcot Guest Relations for availability.
• The English Tea Garden Tour – is a no-cost 20-minute tour presented by Twinings of London. Sign up at the Tea Caddy. Space is limited.

Quick takes…

…AAA honored Victoria & Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Hotel & Spa with its prestigious Five-Diamond Award. AAA Five-Diamond restaurants represent the highest level of luxury and sophistication. For 2015, AAA reviewed nearly 30,000 restaurants across the world and only 15 restaurants in North America earned this honor, with another 58 locations around the world making the grade.

…One memorable picture could win someone a 4-day, 3-night trip for up to four people to Walt Disney World and the chance to spend the night in the Magic Kingdom's Cinderella Castle Suite! Disney's latest contest, “Best Moment Ever”, invites people to submit one photo depicting a moment of achievement or accomplishment in their lives and caption that photo in a memorable way. Participants can submit their entries online through 11:59 p.m. on May 14, 2014 by visiting the official Best Moment Ever Sweepstakes website. Entrants should read all submission guidelines and eligibility requirements before entering

….Runners didn't waste any time registering for Walt Disney World Marathon weekend events last week when online registration went live. Of the six events scheduled from January 7 through January 11, 2015, four sold-out in less than one week. Sold out events include the half marathon, the Walt Disney World 10K, the Disney Family Fun Run 5K and the Dopey Challenge. The remaining two events have limited space remaining for interested runners. Currently, the Walt Disney World Marathon has 70 percent enrollment and Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge stands at 54 percent of available slots filled. Last week's edition of of our WDW Park Update has a full breakdown of each event and how to register for the remaining two events still open to the public.

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Crowd Forecast

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Talk about these stories and more on our Walt Disney World discussion forum here.

Resort Events

2014

• Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival – March 5 through May 18
• Epcot After-Hours Wind Down – April 17–September 15. Epcot, World Showcase. (reservations required)
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train media event – April 30 through May 2. This may indicate the ride will open to the public May 1 or 2.
• Expedition Everest Challenge – May 3
• Perfect Petals Brunch featuring the Disney Collection by Vera Bradley– May 4
• Star Wars Weekends Rebel Rendezvous – May 15, 2014
• Star Wars Weekends
  • Weekend I: May 16–18, 2014
  • Weekend II: May 23–25, 2014
  • Weekend III: May 30 to June 1, 2014
  • Weekend IV: June 6–8, 2014
  • Weekend V: June 13–15, 2014
• Car Masters Weekend – June 14–15 in Downtown Disney.
• Disney Trade Celebration Imagination Gala September 5–7 at Epcot
• Epcot International Food and Wine Festival – September 19 through November 10
• Disney's Night of Joy 2014 – Friday, September 5 and Saturday, September 6.
• Disney Fit Challenge – September 26-28. Registration opens Tuesday, March 18. More information on the Disney Sports website.
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend – October 3–4
• Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic – October 31 and November 1. Tickets and packages now on sale.
• Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 7–8
• Destination D: Attraction Rewind – November 22-23. Additional details expected to be released this spring. The event was originally announced for July 26-27, but was rescheduled.
• Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party – 2014 event dates not yet announced.
• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party – 2014 event dates not yet announced.

2015

• Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 7–11, 2015.
• Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 19–22, 2015.

runDisney events

If you participate in (or are considering signing up for) runDisney events, visit our Team MousePlanet forum on the MousePad discussion board, where you can join our community of health-minded readers and staff.

2014

• Expedition Everest Challenge – May 3
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend – October 3–4
• Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 7–8

2015

• Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 7–11, 2015.
• Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 19–22, 2015. Registration opens July 15, 2014. No additional details available at this time.

For current information on registration dates and capacity, see Lorree Tachell's runDisney Race Capacity Updates in the Team MousePlanet forum.

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• Pirates of the Caribbean – closed through May 1 for refurbishment.
• Astro Orbiter – closed June 2 through September 19 for refurbishment.
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover – closed June 2 through August 4 for refurbishment.
• Liberty Square Riverboat – closed August 4 through August 8 for refurbishment.
• Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress – closed August 25 through September 4 for refurbishment

Epcot

• No known refurbishments at this time.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• No known refurbishments at this time.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

• Festival of the Lion King – closed for move to its new theater, currently under construction. Estimated to be closed until July/August 2014.
• It's Tough to Be a Bug – closed July 7 through August 11 for refurbishment.

Resorts

As reported in July, some refrigerators in non-Disney Vacation Club rooms at Walt Disney World are being replaced due to a product defect. All Walt Disney World Resort rooms with the exception of DVC Villas, the family suites at the Art of Animation and All-Star Movie resorts, and the cabins at Fort Wilderness are impacted. Disney says “the schedule for replacing the refrigerators at these Resorts is expected to last several months.”

In the interim, if you have a reservation at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel and need a refrigerator for medical reasons, we recommend contacting your resort directly to inquire about availability during your trip. The hotel should be able to arrange for one if your room does not yet have a new refrigerator, but supplies may be limited while they work to replace all of the malfunctioning units.

• Polynesian – Never Land Club Children's Activity Center closed for refurbishment through January 1, 2015.
• Polynesian – Refurbishment of the lobby is slated to begin March 14.
• Polynesian – Captain Cook's closed for refurbishment March 14 through June 14.

Water Parks

• Typhoon Lagoon – entire park will be closed for refurbishment from October 26 through December 20.

Elsewhere

• The Resort and Express monorail beam closes between 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday – Friday starting on January 21 due to construction work at the Polynesian Hotel. The construction site is near the Monorail beam.
• Disney Osprey Ridge Golf Course – permanently closed to play.
• Downtown Disney Lots H, I, J, and K (in Westside area) closed until further notice for Disney Springs construction.
• Downtown Disney Bridge 4 and restrooms on Pleasure Island are temporarily closed for ongoing construction work.
• Cirque du Soleil La Nouba – performs Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Current Discounts & Promotions

Note: MousePlanet does not edit past Updates to reflect price increases; for up-to-date prices, check the most recent Walt Disney World Resort Update. For your convenience, we have grouped the discount offers based on the intended audience. Check out the category that best matches you, and pick the offer that works best for you. And keep those tips coming—let us know if you find a better or different offer, so we can share it with other readers!

Don't keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips, rumors, and comments. Email Stephanie here.