Walt Disney World Resort Update

Update for February 3 – 9, 2015

Go directly to: News & Views | Join our Networks | Resort Events | Refurbishments and Attraction Closures | Discounts and Promotions

News and Views

Monorail service modifications announced | Disney Swan and Dolphin Resort offers championship discount | Walt Disney World hotels earn more national recognition | Epcot Starbucks mug pulled from shelves | Night of Joy lineup announced | Views around the World | This and That | Crowd update

Monorail service modifications announced

Monorail Black makes its final approach to The Magic Kingdom Monorail Station on the express beam. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Walt Disney World Resort Monorail System undergoes a refurbishment that impacts the Resort and Express monorail beams on certain days in February and March. The modified routes are planned to be in effect from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. February 3 to 5, 9 to 12, 23 to 26, and March 2 to 5.

During these times, monorails on the Resort beam will travel between Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and the Magic Kingdom. Monorails on the Express beam will make an additional stop at Disney’s Contemporary Resort as they travel between the Magic Kingdom Park and the Transportation and Ticket Center.

Resort guests traveling to Epcot can either board a monorail to the Transportation and Ticket Center and transfer to the Epcot line, or take a WDW Resort bus directly from their resorts to Epcot. Monorail service will continue to be available from all stations while this work takes place, and monorail operating hours will remain unchanged.

Guests may note a difference in the way they board the Monorail and should allow for additional travel time to reach their destinations. Guests staying at impacted Resorts will receive in-room communication upon their arrival.

Disney Swan and Dolphin Resort offers championship discount

Fans of the NFL Super Bowl champions the New England Patriots can take advantage of their team's win by receiving a free night and automatic room upgrade with a two-night stay at the standard price at either the Swan or Dolphin resort hotels.

Residents of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut are eligible for this promotion and must book their room before the end of this month (February 28) for stays through next year, February 3, 2016.

For additional information, or to make reservations, call (800) 227-1500 and mention their home state. This offer is not valid December 22 through 31. Taxes, resort services fee and gratuities are not included. The discount is not valid with any other special offers, promotions, or for existing reservations or groups.

Walt Disney World hotels earn more national recognition

U.S. News and World Report ranked the Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World first in the “Orlando-Walt Disney area” in its annual survey. 

Three other Walt Disney World properties earned a place on the publication's top 10 list, including Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa at #4, Disney's Wilderness Lodge at #9, and Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge at #10.

This is the second major award for the Four Seasons Orlando; the resort also recently earned a Five Star rating from AAA for its excellence in service and amenities

Epcot Starbucks mug pulled from shelves

Coffee chain Starbucks sells a line of “You are Here” ceramic coffee mugs that are themed for different cities and regions, and which make for inexpensive souvenirs.

This line is also available at Walt Disney World's Starbucks locations, with its four original mugs depicting icons themed specific to each of its four theme parks.

Last week, however, Disney officials pulled the Epcot-themed Starbucks coffee mug because its artwork included a purple-striped monorail.

Online sellers have put a premium price on this discontinued Epcot themed mug, which Disney pulled because of Monorail Purple featured in the artwork. In 2009, a monorail pilot on the purple train was killed in an accident and the train retired. Photo from eBay.

Disney officials confirmed to the Orlando Sentinel that they pulled the mug because of a fatal 2009 accident, in which 21-year-old Austin Wuennenberg died when Monorail Pink backed into Monorail Purple, which he was piloting. Disney retired both the monorail trains after the accident.

The Epcot mug, which could only purchased at the Fountainview Starbucks location in Future World when it was available, began appearing on eBay not long after Disney pulled the mug from the shelves. Asking bids reaching into hundreds of dollars, with the site's Buy It Now options skyrocketing to nearly $2,000.

Disney officials said an Epcot mug with a new design will be on sale soon for guests who want a complete set of the new “You are Here” mugs. 

2015 Night of Joy lineup announced

Last week, Disney announced the musical lineup for the 2015 Night of Joy at the Magic Kingdom. This annual music festival, which runs this year on Friday September 11 and Saturday, September 12,  features some of contemporary Christian music's most popular artists for two nights of uplifting, live entertainment.

This year's lineup includes (subject to change):

• Friday, September 11 ­ – TobyMac, MercyMe, Jeremy Camp, Colton Dixon, Big Daddy Weave, Francesca Battistelli, Rend Collective, and I Am They
• Saturday, September 12­ – Skillet, Lecrae, For King & Country, Mandisa, Matt Maher, Jamie Grace, Seventh Time Down, and Veridia

Views around the World

It's time to take a little trip to see just some of the views around Walt Disney World from the past week thanks to our fantastic MousePlanet photographers.

Magic Kingdom

A worker in a gondola suspended by the crane remove the holiday lights from high atop the spires of Cinderella Castle. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The moat near Tomorrowland at The Magic Kingdom has been completely drained as the hub expansion construction project continues. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

With the Sorcerer's Hat reduced to its brim, more of the Chinese Theater can be seen all the way down Hollywood Boulevard at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Work continues on enlarging the path in front of the Tree of Life. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Creature Comforts has quietly closed, making way for a new Starbucks. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Disney Springs

Dock area being created for an expanded Marguerita bar. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

The newly completed tower of the Boathouse can be seen from Buena Vista Drive through the construction as Downtown Disney is transformed into Disney Springs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

New Apex store by Sunglass Hut opens at Disney Springs. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

A barbershop pole appears, perhaps part of the Art of Shaving store going in at Disney Springs. Paper in the windows, however, suggests the addition of a salon and spa. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

This and That

…Walt Disney World MagicBands hit a major milestone last week when the 10 millionth band was distributed since its announcement back in January 2013 according to Disney Parks Blog. The colored and/or specially designed bands serve as hotel room key cards, and allow on-property guests to charge purchases to their room as well as make Fastpass+ reservations up to 60 days in advance. Off-site guests can also secure Fastpass+ reservations up to 30 days in advance or upon arrival at the parks. 

…Have you seen the new secret sleeper beds at the new 360 Studio at the Disney Vacation Club's Polynesian Villas and Bungalows? Check out the post on Disney Parks Blog to get a close-up view of this bed that can be tucked away to provide more living space during the day.

…Are you a Twilight Zone Tower of Terror fan? If so, you'll want to get your hands on the newest merchandise line featuring this spooky (and thrilling) attraction. Items including T-shirts, key rings, glassware, pins, bags and more can be found at Tower Hotel Gifts beginning Friday, February 13, 2015 (of course).

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Crowd Forecast

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MousePlanet

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

2015

• Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 19–22.
• 2015 Atlanta Braves Spring Training – March 4 to April 14.
• 2015 Epcot Flower and Garden Show – March 4 to May 17. 
• 2015 Epcot Garden Rocks Concert Series – March 6 to May 17.
• 2015 Epcot Food & Wine Festival – September 26 to November 16.

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

• Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 19–22. All races are sold out, but some associated events are still available.
• Expedition Everest Challenge – May 1–2. The event, which was announced as being the final time it was being offered, sold out within minutes of registration opening.
• Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 6–7. Registration opens March 17.

2016

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

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

• Cinderella's Royal Table – closed through March 6 for refurbishment.
• Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid – closed through March 6 for refurbishment.
• Harmony Barber Shop – closed through March 30 (dates subject to change).
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – closed March 4–7 for refurbishment
• “it's a small world” – closed March 10–15 for refurbishment
• Jungle Cruise – closed April 13 through May 8 for refurbishment
• Dream Along with Mickey – closed April 13 through May 20 for refurbishment
• Liberty Tree Tavern – closed July 6 through November 20 for refurbishment 

Disney's Animal Kingdom

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

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular – March 14–15

Resorts

• Polynesian – refurbishment of the lobby and pool area ongoing.

Water Parks

• Blizzard Beach – the the entire park closed through March 3.

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.