Walt Disney World Resort Update

Iger said, “I slowed it all down so what we come forward with will have a blend of the past, present and maybe the future,” referencing upcoming sequels and spinoff films. “Now we have a sense of what’s in ‘Star Wars 8,’ and what some of the standalone films will have in them.”

Views from Around the World

Changes continue to be the buzzword around Walt Disney World, even during the holiday season. Crews in and around the theme parks work to bring guests new experiences and locations to enjoy during their next Disney family vacation. Let's take peek at what's been going on over the past week.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Work continues in a full-scale manner on the night-time pageant at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Photo by J. Jeff Kober. 

It is believed that this additional stand adjacent to the Flame Tree Barbecue is intended as a drink stand. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

A themed rock wall captures the spirit of the new marketplace area being added to Africa at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Construction vehicles now appear around the bridge area that will lead into the new Avatar area. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Several cranes continue supporting the vertical construction going on with the new Avatar area. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

This may be the last year the Christmas tree at Disney's Hollywood Studios appears outside the park entrance. With the removal of the Sorcerer's Hat, it may return to its original location in front of The Great Movie Ride.  Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

New costumes are showcased in the queue at The Great Movie Ride. Here we see Val Kilmer's costume from Top Gun. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

The ABC Commissary has new props, posters, and even a new video created  featuring America's Funniest Home Video's host Tom Bergeron. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Changes to the elevation and patio cover have been made in anticipation of the Starbucks addition to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Here's a first sneak peek at the interior kitchen for the new Starbucks. It maintains a theme aligned to the kitchen designs of the 1930s.

Walt Disney World Holiday Event Guide

Heading to Walt Disney World during the holiday season? Here's a helpful guide of all the special events happening around the resort to help you plan a magical holiday trip.

Magic Kingdom

Cinderella Castle is all lit up after Elsa works her magic in the nightly “A Frozen Holiday Wish” show. Photo by Adrienne Vincent Phoenix.

A Frozen Holiday Wish – The Walt Disney World holiday season kicked off with a live streaming event of the new A Frozen Holiday Wish show in front of Cinderella Castle. According to Disney Parks Blog, the resort will share a number of live streaming events throughout the season. Didn't get a chance to catch the live stream? Watch the following video:

A Frozen Holiday Wish Show. Video by Disney Parks.

You can also head over to our MousePad forum to get a full review of the show.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party – This annual hard-ticket event shows off the best and and most festive side of Walt Disney World during the holidays.

The event runs from 7 p.m. to midnight on select nights through December 19. In addition to returning Christmas Party attractions like the the fireworks show, this year debuts new Frozen additions to Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, a new meet-and-greet with Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws in Storybook Circus, and the “Holiday Hootenanny!” at the Diamond Horseshoe.

The Entertainment Schedule is packed, so you'll need to decide what's most important to see during your five hours at the party:

• Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas Parade featuring the Frozen characters – 8:15 and 10:30 p.m.
• A Frozen Holiday Wish – 6:15 and 8:00 p.m.
• Celebrate the Magic – 9:15 p.m.
• Holiday Wishes – 9:30 p.m.
• Celebrate the Season – 7:30, 10:05, and 11:20 p.m.

Since A Frozen Holiday Wish and Celebrate the Magic are offered on non-party nights, you can safely skip those and see them another night if you want to maximize your party time.

There are two dance parties, with some interesting characters you might not normally see:

• Holiday Hootenanny at the Diamond Horseshoe, featuring the Country Bears, Clarabelle Cow, Horace Horsecollar, and Clara Cluck.
• Club Tinsel at Cosmic Rays, featuring Phineas and Ferb

Plus, there are 18 Character Appearance spots marked on the event map. The big new addition is Sandy Claws, making his first event appearance at Storybook Circus.

Cocoa and cookies (or “healthy alternatives,” should you want them) are available at:

• Sunshine Tree Terrace
• Tortuga Tavern
• Columbia Harbour House
• Pinocchio Village Haus
• Tomorrowland Terrace
• Cosmic Ray's Starlight Caf
• The Crystal Palace

Event merchandise, including a pin, T-shirt, ornament, and limited edition Magic Band, are available at:

• Emporium
• Frontier Trading Post – pin only
• Ye Olde Christmas Shop – shirts, pin, ornaments only
• Big Top Souvenirs – Magic Band only
• Star Traders – shirt and pin only

Most park rides are open during the event, including the Jingle Cruise and the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Based on wait times during Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, cast members said the line for the Mine Train is only about 30 minutes. I'm not a big fan of doing rides during the special events, since you can do those during normal operating hours, but people who could not get a Fastpass+ for this new ride may want to take advantage of the shortest standby lines you're likely to see.

Epcot

Epcot is beautiful and lots of fun during the holiday season with a series of events that all ages will love:

An International Yuletide Extravaganza – Experience a world of cheer with unique entertainment celebrating the spirit of the season. Share in the sights and sounds of some of the world’s greatest holiday festivities during Holidays Around the World at Epcot. Amid joyful music and seasonal food favorites, time-honored traditions come alive as costumed performers share their country’s holiday heritage throughout World Showcase.

Candlelight Processional – World Showcase, American Gardens Theatre at 5:00pm, 6:45pm, and 8:15pm

One of the most beloved holiday traditions at Epcot is the Candlelight Processional, a retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a mass choir.

• December 15 to 17 – Chita Rivera
• December 18 to 20 – Ana Gasteyer (new on the schedule)
• December 21 to 23 – Marlee Matlin
• December 24 and 25 – Isabella Rossellini
• December 26 and 27 – Blair Underwood
• December 28 to 30 – Steven Curtis Chapman

Located at the America Gardens Theater. This spectacle is held on select nights, and due to its popularity, often fills up quickly. Unless Guests have purchases a Candlelight Dinner Package, attendance is on a first-come, first-served basis. All entertainment and celebrity narrators are subject to change without notice.

For the hearing impaired, an American Sign Language interpreter translates the legendary account, allowing guests of all kinds the opportunity to enjoy the event.

Candlelight Processional Dining Packages – If you want to ensure that you have a seat at a Candlelight Processional performance, you can purchase one of Disney's Candlelight Dining Packages that are available on select nights during the holiday season. These packages include a meal and a guaranteed seat for one Candlelight performance. Call 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463) to make your reservation. These packages are popular and sell out quickly, so don't wait too long to book it.

Illuminations: Reflections of Earth – World Showcase Lagoon, nightly at 9:30pm

The World Showcase Promenade comes alive nightly with the brilliance and splendor of music, lights, lasers, water fountains, and custom pyrotechnics in Disney's signature nighttime spectacular, Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. From November 28 through December 30, Disney presents a unique finale to celebrate the season. With the song “Let There Be Peace on Earth” at its center, this special musical finale features a special message of peace and good will.

Holiday Storytellers – World Showcase, daily from November 28 through December 29

Throughout the holidays, World Showcase comes alive with the legends and lore of the season. Listen to the stories of France's Père Noël, Italy's La Befana, and the United Kingdom's Father Christmas. Please refer to the Times Guides for show times.

Epcot Holiday Merchandise

Be sure to stop by Santa’s Village in The American Adventure where you can get your favorite gifts from toys to stocking stuffers and all your Christmas tree trimmings. No matter where you go in Epcot you will find the perfect holiday gift.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Disney's Hollywood Studios offers its Frozen Holiday Premium Package November 7 through 19, November 21 through December 9, and December 11 through January 4, 2015. The new VIP package gives fans exclusive opportunities throughout their day at the park, including:

• Reserved seating for a performance of “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration”
• Reserved viewing for the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
• A Frozen-themed dessert party with special Anna and Elsa cupcakes and other sweets
• A holiday-themed lithograph
• A Frozen pin

Tickets for this VIP experience costs $89 (plus tax) per adult, and $59 (plus tax) per child ages 3–9. These prices include gratuity.

To make a reservation, call (407) 939-1854.

Discussion of the Week

MousePad discussion forum member PinkFloyd is looking for help in choosing the perfect Walt Disney World resort for her family:

After countless hours of researching and crunching numbers, I'm about ready to throw in the towel decide to do our usually yearly trip to DL instead of Disney World. If anyone can provide some guidance I would be very appreciative. 

We are looking at October 20th-November 7th 2015

 

Cost is somewhat of an issue because I am frugal by nature. Hubby says this will probably be the only trip we go on with the kiddos who will be 5 and 8 at that time. I'd like to keep hotel and food $4000 or less since we will be flying from Las Vegas.

 

Convenience is a big consideration. I don't want to spend a lot of time waiting for buses and when we are done for the day we want to get back to our rooms fast and crash. 

 

Some of my thoughts:

I always dreamed at staying at the Contemporary, but I know it will be out of budget. If we can get a DVC Bay Lake tower for our dates it would be $2016. I like the convenience MK since I think this will be where we will spend most of our days.

 

DVC Boardwalk Villas are only $1492 and easy access to Epcot and Studios

Pop Century – Since we might not be able to get a DVC room, this would be our cheapest options. My thought is since we have to take buses everywhere else and this does have a dedicated bus, how inconvenience is this option? Plus, might be nice if free Disney Dining is available for our dates. 

 

Thanks for any input!

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

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

Resort Events

2014

• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party – December 16, 18, 19
• Richard Petty's Junior Ride-Along Experience – at the Richard Petty's Driving Experience

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.

2015

• Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 7–11, 2015. Most events sold out.
• Disney Castaway Cay Challenge – January 12, 2015 – sailing on the Disney Dream cruise ship.
• Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 19–22, 2015. All races are sold out, but some associated events are still available.
• Expedition Everest – May 1–2, 2015. Registration opens December 16, 2014
• Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 6–7. Registration opens March 17, 2015.

2016

• Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 6–10, 2016. Registration opens April 28, 2015.
• Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 18–21, 2016. Registration opens July 14, 2015.

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

• The Haunted Mansion – closed through December 19 for refurbishment.
• Wishes Nighttime Spectacular – replaced December 20–31 by Holiday Wishes.
• Splash Mountain – closed January 4–30, 2015.
• Cinderella's Royal Table – closed January 5 through March 6, 2015 for refurbishment.
• Liberty Square Riverboat – closed January 23–27, 2015 for refurbishment.
• Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid – closed February 2 through March 6, 2015 for refurbishment.
• Harmony Barber Shop – closed February 2 through March 30, 2015 (dates subject to change).
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – closed March 4– 7, 2015 for refurbishment
• “it's a small world” – closed March 10–15, 2015 for refurbishment

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Fantasmic! – closed November 19–21 for refurbishment.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

• Flame Tree Barbecue – January 5 through March 31, 2015
• Kali River Rapids – closed January 20 through February 4, 2105; March 10–13, 2015.

Resorts

As previously reported by MousePlanet, 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.

• All Star Music Resort – refurbishment of its Intermission Food Court is scheduled for reopening on December 21, according to our sponsor TouringPlans.com.
• Polynesian – Never Land Club Children's Activity Center closed for refurbishment through January 1, 2015.
• Polynesian – refurbishment of the lobby ongoing.
• Wilderness Lodge – refurbishment of its Silver Creek Springs Pool through late November 2014.

Water Parks

• Typhoon Lagoon – the entire park closed through December 20 for refurbishment.
• Blizzard Beach – the the entire park closed January 4, 2015 through March 3, 2015.

Elsewhere

• Disney Osprey Ridge Golf Course – permanently closed.
• 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 Marie here.