Walt Disney World Resort Update

Update for May 13 – 19, 2014

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News and Views

2014 Eat to the Beat concert lineup announced | Harambe Nights premium seating sold out for six shows | New macaw show flying into Disney's Animal Kingdom | Tusker House to extend lunch hours | Petition started to save Disney's Polynesian Resort waterfalls | D23 Fanniversary tour to bring legacy memorabilia around the country | Free tote bag or pin trading set offered as free gift | Disney extends, adds to refurbishment schedule | Walt Disney World locations to broadcast World Cup | New Update feature: Question of the Week | Views from around “The World” | This week at the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival | Quick takes | Crowd update

2014 Eat to the Beat concert lineup announced

The 2014 Eat to the Beat Concert series features annual favorites as well as new acts, according to Disney Parks Blog.

The annual concert series, which runs from September 19 through November 10 at Epcot's America Gardens Theater, brings some of the most popular artists from the 1980s through the present, and include:

• Sept 19–21 – Jo Dee Messina
• Sept. 22–23 – The Pointer Sisters
• Sept. 24–25 – Rick Springfield
• Sept. 26–27 – Christopher Cross
• Sept. 28–29 – Hanson
• Sept. 30 through Oct. 2 – Air Supply
• Oct. 3–5 – STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas
• Oct. 6–8 – Sugar Ray
• Oct. 9–10 – Fuel
• Oct. 11–12 – Sister Hazel
• Oct. 13–14 – TBD
• Oct. 15–16 – Billy Ocean
• Oct. 17–19 – Night Ranger
• Oct. 20–22 – Smash Mouth
• Oct. 23–24 – Jim Brickman
• Oct. 25–26 – Los Lonely Boys
• Oct. 27–28 – Wilson Phillips
• Oct. 29–31 – Dennis DeYoung, original member of STYX
• Nov. 1–2 – 38 Special
• Nov. 3–5 – Boyz II Men
• Nov. 6–7 – David Cook
• Nov. 8–10 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Harambe Nights premium seating sold out for six shows

Although you can still purchase tickets for “Harambe Nights,” the special summer offering at Disney's Animal Kingdom, premium seating has already sold out for many of the most popular dates, including all of June

The weekly hard ticket event, which runs from June 7 through August 9, features a welcome reception, a special performance of “The Lion King – Concert in the Wild” featuring celebrity narrators, dancing, character greetings and an all-inclusive buffet.

Disney's Animal Kingdom told cast members that premium seating is no longer available for these dates:

• Saturday, June 7
• Saturday, June 14
• Saturday, June 21
• Saturday, June 28
• Saturday, July 5
• Saturday, August 9

Premium seats are still available for July 12, 19, 26, and August 2, and are $134 for adults and $94 for ages 3 through 9, plus tax. The ticket includes theme park admission for the event only.

You can still purchase general seating for all shows for $119 (adults) and $79 (ages 3 through 9), plus tax.

For more information on Harambe Nights, read about it in last week's Park Update.

New macaw show flying into Disney's Animal Kingdom

A new show featuring colorful macaws lands at Disney's Animal Kingdom beginning this summer, according to Disney Parks Blog.

Visitors can watch these beautiful birds fly around Discovery Island at “Winged Encounters – The Kingdom Takes Flight.” Cast members provide close-up encounters with the birds to guests, as well as share conservation stories about the endangered species, which boast up to a 60-inch wingspan. The show includes six types of macaws: hyacinth, green-winged, blue and gold, scarlet, blue-throated, and military.

Both Disney Parks Blog and online visitor reports describe test flights currently running at Disney's Animal Kingdom in preparation for the new show, but no official opening date has been announced.

Tusker House to extend lunch hours

Beginning Sunday, June 8, Tusker House at Disney's Animal Kingdom park extends its lunch meal period to accommodate more visitors and align with the typical lunch and dinner meal period across Walt Disney World Resort.

The new hours at Tusker House are 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for lunch, and dinner beginning at 4:30 p.m.. Breakfast remains the same, from 8:00 to 10:55 a.m., with character dining with Donald Duck and his friends continuing only during breakfast and lunch.

Additionally, for the evenings this summer when Disney's Animal Kingdom hosts Harambe Nights (every Saturday from June 7-August 9) Tusker House will not serve dinner due to the land's early closure. This also includesThursday, June 5, when an event rehearsal takes place.

Petition started to save Disney's Polynesian Resort waterfalls

A large number of Disney fans reacted swiftly to the news of the waterfall removal from Disney's Polynesian Resort's lobby by creating a petition to help keep the popular resort feature.

More than 1,200 people have already signed the petition created by fan site Disney Avenue, with the hopes of delivering it to Walt Disney World Resort President George A. Kalogridis, who made the announcement last week about the new lobby design. Petitioners say they appreciate the need for updates, but want any new design to incorporate the waterfalls.

More than 1,200 people have already signed a petition addressed to Walt Disney World President George A. Kalogridis to have a new Polynesian Resort lobby design keep its popular waterfall area. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

D23 Fanniversary tour to bring legacy memorabilia around the country

For the third year in a row, D23 will hit the road with D23 Disney Fanniversary Celebration presented by Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection, visiting cities across the U.S. to commemorate dozens of magical Disney milestones celebrating landmark anniversaries this year.

Hosted by Disney archivists and the D23 Team, Fanniversary 2014 will revisit beloved theme park attractions, animated and live-action films, characters, TV series, and more than 90 years of Disney history including Donald Duck, the 1964–65 New York World's Fair, Sleeping Beauty, Haunted Mansion, Disney's Hollywood Studios, The Little Mermaid, and many more.

© Disney.

The event, which runs approximately 105 minutes, also features the never-before-heard track “Evil Evil” from Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection Sleeping Beauty and a demo recording from Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection The Little Mermaid. Fanniversary events are open to the public, with special admission prices for D23 members in attendance.

Following the show, audience members can see two rare Disney items: the black straw hat worn by Julie Andrews in “Mary Poppins” and a “Duckster” award created in 1952 which honored those who made significant contributions to Disney over the years.

The D23 Disney Fanniversary Celebration will stop at the following cities:

• Burbank, CA – August 9
• San Diego, CA – August 10
• San Francisco, CA – August 16 and 17
• Chicago, IL – September 6
• Seattle, WA – September 13
• Atlanta, GA – September 20
• Philadelphia, PA – September 21
• Washington D.C. – September 26
• New York, NY – September 28
• Boston, MA – October 4
• Orlando, FL – October 25

D23 Gold and Silver members can purchase tickets for $23 each beginning May 21 at 10 a.m. PT. Check here for the link. D23 Free Members can purchase tickets for $33 each beginning June 11 at 10 a.m. PT. Any remaining tickets will go on sale to the public on July 9 at 10 a.m. PT for $40 each.

Visit the official 2014 Disney D23 Fanniversary Celebration website for more information on the show.

Disney tote bag or pin trading set included in latest merchandise bonus offer

Walt Disney World shops offer bonus item purchase opportunities for visitors making a minimum purchase. This photo showcases the current offer, a Walt Disney World tote bag and a trading pin starter kit. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Walt Disney World's latest merchandise promotion offers two exclusive items available for purchase at a special price with a minimum purchase.

With a purchase of $25 or more, shoppers can also pick up a Walt Disney World tote bag for $16.95. The black bag's design includes Mickey Mouse with the number 71 to mark Walt Disney' Worlds grand opening.

Shoppers can also purchase a pin trading starter kit for $19.95 with a minimum purchase of $50 or more. The kit comes with a trading pin lanyard filled with an assortment of Disney character pins.

Souvenir hunters can find these bonus items at shops across Walt Disney World.

Disney extends, adds to refurbishment schedule

Visitors planning a trip to Walt Disney World this summer may notice a number of ride and attraction refurbishment schedule changes across the parks. Disney announced some significant changes to a few of the projects coming up.

Magic Kingdom

• The Carousel of Progress now has two refurbishments on the schedule, instead of the single one originally scheduled in the fall. The first shutdown will be from May 17 to 22 and the second one is from September 22 to 27.
• The Astro Orbiter now has an extended closure from June 2 through September 19 for refurbishment

Animal Kingdom

• Disney's Animal Kingdom announced Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade will permanently close on May 31.
• It's Tough to be a Bug will close from July 7 through August 11 for refurbishment.

Click here for our full listing of Walt Disney World refurbishments and closures.

Walt Disney World locations to broadcast World Cup

Anyone taking a Walt Disney World vacation during the World Cup soccer tournament (starting June 12) can keep up with their favorite team.

Many Walt Disney World locations will broadcast the World Cup games, including:

• Disney's All-Star Movies Resort – Silver Screen Spirits Pool Bar and World Premiere Food Court
• Disney's All-Star Music Resort – Intermission Food Court and Singing Spirits Pool Bar
• Disney's All-Star Sports Resort – End Zone Food Court and Grandstand Spirits Pool Bar
• Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge – Sanaa Lounge, Maji Pool Bar and Uzima Springs Pool Bar
• Disney's Beach Club Resort – Martha's Vineyard
• Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort – Banana Cabana Pool Bar
• Disney's Contemporary Resort – The Wave … of American Flavors
• The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort – Crockett's Tavern
• Disney's Old Key West Resort – Gurgling Suitcase
• Disney's Polynesian Resort – Tambu Lounge and Barefoot Pool Bar
• Disney's Pop Century Resort – Everything POP Shopping & Dining
• Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside – River Roost
• Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter – Scat Cat's Club
• ESPN Club – Disney's BoardWalk
• Big River Grille & Brewing Works – Disney's BoardWalk
• Rainforest Cafe – Disney's Animal Kingdom

New Update feature: Question of the Week

Do you have questions about an upcoming Walt Disney World visit, or need help choosing a hotel, restaurant or activity? Post your questions on our Disneyland Resort Trip Planning forum to get advice from our readers and Community Leaders. Your question may even be featured here in an upcoming Update.

Reader JackB, whose family has Disneyland annual passes, wants suggestions for his family's first trip to Walt Disney World this summer. Their trip lasts only four days and he wants advice on what attractions are must-dos and should be skipped based on their frequent trips to Disneyland.

What do you think JackB and his family need to put on their can't miss list? Share your thoughts and experiences on our MousePad forum.

Views from around “The World”

Not able to make it to Walt Disney World last week? Let MousePlanet show you what's been going on around “The World.”

Magic Kingdom

This view from Main Street to the Tomorrowland Terrace shows construction continuing around the hub. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

With the Crystal Palace is in the background, the picture shows where an inflatable dam stops the water from entering the construction area. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Just when it looked like crews finished Fantasyland construction, scrims went up in front of “its a small world”. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Unlike last week's dedication, last week showed little activity going on at the Seven Dwarf Mine Train. The sign confirms an opening of May 28th. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Those wanting to get their children to eat their carrots may want to consider giving them Frozen Olaf Noses. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Disney's Polynesian Resort

While work continues on the DVC portion of Disney's Polynesian Resort, the main atrium of the ceremonial house shows little sign of work or activity. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

This week at the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival

The 2014 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival wraps up this week with even more celebrity guests, live music, floral and plant displays and exclusive food and drink. Our guide provides the rundown of 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

…After Saturday, May 10, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger will no longer have a meet and greet at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Visitors may continue to meet Winnie the Pooh and Tigger in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom.

…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.

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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 – through May 18
• Epcot After-Hours Wind Down – through September 15. Epcot, World Showcase. (reservations required)
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opens – May 28 in New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom
• 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
• Harambe Nights – every Saturday night from June 7 through August 9. Disney's Animal Kingdom
• Final Performance of Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade – May 31. Disney's Animal Kingdom
• Car Masters Weekend – June 14–15 in Downtown Disney.
• Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party – September 1, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28; October 2, 3, 5, 9. 10, 13, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30, 31.
• 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 Very Merry Christmas Party – November 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21, 30; December 2,4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19

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

• 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.

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

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• Walt Disney's Carousel of Progres – closed May 17-22 and September 22-27 for refurbishment
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover – closed June 2 through August 4 for refurbishment
• Astro Orbiter – closed June 2 through September 19 for refurbishment
• Liberty Square Riverboat – closed August 4–8 for refurbishment

Epcot

• No known refurbishments at this time.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• No known refurbishments at this time.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

• Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade – final performance will be May 31, 2014.
• Festival of the Lion King – closed for move to its new theater, currently under construction. Opening date scheduled for sometime in June 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 – the entire park closed October 26 through December 20 for refurbishment.

Elsewhere

• The Resort and Express monorail beam closes between 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday – Friday
• 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.