Walt Disney World Resort Update December 29, 2014 – January 4, 2016

Update for December 29, 2015 – January 4, 2016

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

News and Views

Outburst at Disney Springs Causes Panic | The Edison Details Emerging | New Discounts Available for Spring 2016 | New Year's Eve Entertainment Schedules | Views From Around the World | This and That | Crowd Forecast

Outburst at Disney Springs Causes Panic

A 70-year-old man became combative while at Bongo's Cuban Cafe on December 25, nearly causing a stampede outside at Disney Springs. As reported by the Orlando Sentinel, Luis Antonio Ojeda-Reyes was upset about the long wait for his meal and asked to speak with a manager. When the managers arrived and apologized, Ojeda-Reyes pushed and attempted to punch one of them causing other restaurant employees to intervene. He was escorted out of the restaurant and subsequently arrested.

During the incident, patrons downstairs heard the outburst and noise from the scuffle upstairs and ran outside claiming they had heard gunshots. Panic began to spread through the crowd outside as the Bongo's patrons encountered others, including those in nearby Paradiso 37. The reaction was compounded by several sounds that appeared to be gunshots in the aftermath. Police worked to calm the crowds once they confirmed that a shooter was not present.

The Edison Details Emerging

More details of The Edison are emerging as permits are filed for its construction. The lounge will open at Disney Springs in 2016 in the lakeside space between Paradiso 37 and the pedestrian bridge to the area's west side section. The restaurant and bar will be themed to a 1920s power plant with an Industrial gothic vibe.

Plans filed with the South Florida Water Management District show the two levels of the structure. The ground level area includes areas labeled “The Patent Office,” “The Radio Room,” “Telegraph Lounge,” and “The Tesla Lounge.” The lower level plan shows a glimpse at the existing area that may be converted into the hinted speakeasy bar located in the area underneath The Landing walkway. The restaurant will also have an outdoor dining area overlooking the lake.

New Discounts Available for Spring 2016

The Family Time package offers a 5-day/4-night Walt Disney World vacation package for a family of 4 for as low as $1,714. The package includes 5-day theme park tickets and a 4-night stay in standard rooms at Disney's All-Star Music Resort for as low as $1,714 for a family of 4. Book this offer through February 28, 2016 for stays most Sunday through Thursday nights February 22 through March 3, 2016 and April 3 through May 26, 2016.

Other great rates are also available for alternate lengths of stay and party sizes for stays most nights February 22 through June 11, 2016. Travel must be booked from December 28, 2015 – Feb. 28, 2016.

The Magic Your Way package offers up to 25 percent off on rooms for travel from April 14 to June 11 with a booking window from February 29 to March 31, 2016.

Find a full list of resorts and discounts on the Small World Vacations blog.

New Year's Eve Entertainment Schedules

If you're going to brave one of the four theme parks on New Year's Eve, make sure to get to your chosen park early and expect long wait times for attractions as well as food locations and even restrooms. At Epcot, temporary restroom trailers are set up along the walkway from World Showcase back toward the Imagination pavilion to accommodate the extra crowds.

Views From Around the World

Contributing photographer Alan Dalinka shares images from around Walt Disney World.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

A rare sight during the final season of the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights: a nearly empty Streets of America may be viewed in the hour or two after park opening (about six hours before sunset). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The final season of The Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios continues to draw very large crowds. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Holidays Happen Here dance parties (including opportunities to dance with Characters) occur nightly at Disney's Hollywood Studios around the Central Stage. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special continues multiple daily performances in the Premier Theater (behind the San Francisco Street facade) at Disney's Hollywood Studios through January 3, 2016. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special stage has a number of sight gags to enjoy while awaiting a show. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks shows are now presented nightly to a new Star Wars soundtrack at Disney's Hollywood Studios. (Note: a different fireworks show is scheduled to be presented New Year's Eve.) Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks fill the sky behind the Chinese Theater at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Epcot

Canadian Holiday Voyageurs entertain guests during the Holidays Around the World Celebrations at Epcot's Canada pavilion. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Disney Vacation Club Merry Member Mixer filled the World Showplace at its final 2015 event. The line stretched all the way from the World Showplace to the large Christmas tree on the World Showcase promenade. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

This and That

…Visitors to Disney's Hollywood Studios who were diverted to park elsewhere when the lot was full were given a voucher for free parking and dining at Epcot or Disney's Animal Kingdom. Veronica Figueroa shared an image of the flyer on twitter:

@MousePlanet here's a better picture of the comped park/dining. #Disney pic.twitter.com/wMms2IXL1W

— veronica figueroa (@vfigueroa1991) December 28, 2015

Large crowds visiting the final season of Osborne Lights have caused the lot to fill almost daily.

…Vanessa Williams (actress, Desperate Housewives and Ugly Betty) will perform at Disney's Yacht Club Resort's Countdown to Midnight: NYE2016 party. The event can be booked by calling 407-WDW-DINE. Tickets are $300 and include drinks, food, and entertainment that also includes an Adventurer's Club reunion. More details are available at the event website.

…A new food and beverage location has opened at Disney's Animal Kingdom near the entrance to Expedition Everest. Thirsty River Bar and Trek Snacks will help serve the crowds at the seating area for the Rivers of Light show, which is still under construction. The current snack menu is mainly comprised of ice cream treats, with some savory items including hummus.

…A Honduran man has been arrested for allegedly molesting an 11-year-old girl on board the Disney Magic. 31-year-old Juan Manuel Palma Ortega (reportedly a merchandise cast member on the ship) was detained when the ship returned to port in Miami, and is being held on three counts of molestation as well as an immigration hold pending deportation. Read the full story as reported by 7News on wsvn.com.

…The MousePlanet Newsletter is here! The newsletter contains a recap of the week's articles (in case you miss a day), news that may have developed since the weekly Updates were published, and tips about what's happening at the Disney theme parks for the coming weekend. We'll also include a fun MouseAdventure bonus, such as an Eye Spy or a trivia question. To subscribe to our free newsletter, just enter your e-mail in the box below.

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Crowd Forecast

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Resort Events

2016

• Star Wars Experiences – December 1, 2015 – March 20, 2016 (tentative end date)
• 2016 Flower & Garden Festival – March 2 – May 30, 2016

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.

2016

• Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 6 – 10, 2016. Most events are sold out. Registration is still open for the runDisney Kids Races. The deadline to submit proof of time for these events has passed.
• Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 18 – 21, 2016. All races are sold out. The deadline to submit proof of time for these events has passed.
• Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side Weekend – April 14 – 17, 2016. The 10K and Dark Side Challenge are sold out. Registration is still open for the half marathon, 5K and runDisney Kids Races. You must submit proof of time no later than January 19, 2016.
• Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 3 – 4, 2016. Pre-sale begins March 8, 2016. General registration opens March 15, 2016.

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.

Merchandise Events

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

2016

• Splash Mountain – closed January 10-15 for refurbishment.
• Space Mountain – closed January 11-15 for refurbishment.
• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin – closed January 15 – February 11 for refurbishment.
• Liberty Square Riverboat – closed January 18-22 for refurbishment.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – closed April 4 – July 15 for refurbishment.
• Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse – closed July 7 – September 24 for refurbishment.
• Liberty Square Riverboat – closed August 15-21 for refurbishment.
• “it's a small world” – closed August 22 – September 15 for refurbishment.

Epcot

2016

• Soarin' &ndash closes January 4, 2016; reopens sometime in “summer of 2016” as Soarin' Around the World, with a new ride film.
• Innoventions West – Think, presented by IBM; The Great Piggy Bank Adventure; and Where's the Fire? closed. The Disney Visa character experience remains open.
• Maelstrom – permanently closed for construction of Frozen Ever After attraction. New ride expected to open May, 2016.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

2016

• Toy Story Midway Mania – second ride track is under construction. Work has no impact on the existing ride.
• Magic of Disney Animation – building permanently closed for future expansion. Part of the space has been converted to the Star Wars Launch Bay.
• Pizza Planet restaurant – closes January 11 for refurbishment. Reopening date TBD.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

• None currently scheduled

Blizzard Beach

• Entire park closed through January 3, 2016 for refurbishment

Typhoon Lagoon

• Entire park closed January 3 – March 13, 2016 for refurbishment.

Disney Springs

• Fulton's Crab House – closed January 1 – April 1, 2016 for refurbishment.
• Planet Hollywood – closed January 1 – June 1, 2016 for refurbishment and transformation into a Planet Hollywood Observatory.
• Disney Springs Bridge 4 and restrooms on Pleasure Island – temporarily closed for ongoing construction work.
• Disney Springs Lots A-G – closed through August 1, 2016.
• Disney Springs Lots H, I, J, and K (in Westside area) – closed until further notice for construction.
• Cirque du Soleil La Nouba – performs Tuesdays through Saturdays.
• Disney Quest – scheduled to close sometime in 2016. Will be replaced with an NBA Experience venue.

Resorts

• Disney's Boardwalk Inn – Exterior painting and repair during daylight hours, through May 5, 2016
• Disney's Boardwalk Inn – Flying Fish Cafe closed February 1 – September 30, 2016 for refurbishment.
• Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Villas – Hidden Springs pool, resort beach, playground, and Recreation fire pit closed. No opening date provided, but the pool is expected to be closed through 2017. Expect construction-related closures and noise due to construction of the as-yet-unannounced Disney Vacation Club cabins.

Elsewhere

• Disney Osprey Ridge Golf Course – permanently closed.

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.

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