Walt Disney World Resort Update for April 26-May 2, 2016

Walt Disney World Resort Update for April 26-May 2, 2016

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News and Views

Soarin' Around the World opens June 17 | Free dining and fall travel offers released | Animal Kingdom at night | Sounds Like Summer concert lineup | Disney Springs opening schedule and updates | Wishes Dessert Party expands | Walt Disney World marathon weekend | This and That | Crowd Forecast

Soarin' Around the World opens June 17

During last week's Awaken Summer media event, Disney confirmed that Soarin' Around the World is debuting at both Disney California Adventure and Epcot park on Friday, June 17. Soarin' Around the World is an update/replacement for the Soarin' Over California attraction at DCA, and the Soarin' attraction at Epcot. The new film visits a dozen locations around the world.

Walt Disney World resort hotel guests are now eligible to make FastPass+ reservations for Soarin' Around the World

No word on whether Patrick Warburton stars in the new pre-flight video.

Prepare To Take Flight With Soarin' Around the World | Disney Parks video

Free dining and fall travel offers released

Walt Disney World released two discount offers Monday morning, including the much-awaited Fall free dining offer. As is always the case with these offers, it's worth taking the time to crunch the numbers and decide which is the best option for your family. We note that the Free Dining offer now requires that you add either the Park Hopper or the Water Park Fun & More options to the required Park Hopper ticket.

This is one of those times when we strongly recommend working with a travel agent who specializes in Disney vacations. With so many variables and options, it pays to have someone to help you find the best value.

Thanks to Sue Pisaturo from Small World Vacations for the details. All of these packages can also be booked through MousePlanet's partner travel agency Get Away Today.

Fall Free Dining offer

Receive a free Dining Plan when you book a regular-price 5-night/6-day vacation package. Your package must include a room at a participating Walt Disney World Resort hotel, and a Magic Your Way ticket with either the Park Hopper and/or the Water Park Fun & More Option.

This offer is available for arrivals most nights Aug. 23-Oct. 1, 2016, Nov. 15-21, Nov. 26-28 and Dec. 10-Dec. 21, 2016. You must book by July 8, 2016 to receive this offer.

If you book a Disney Moderate Resort, Disney Deluxe Resort, or Disney Deluxe Villa Resort, your package will include the Disney Dining Plan. If you book at a participating Disney Value Resort, the package includes the Quick-Service Dining Plan.

The offer excludes the following hotels and room types:

Campsites, 3-bedroom villas, Disney's Art of Animation Resort—The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms, the Bungalows at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's All-Star Movies Resort and Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter.

Disney's Port Orleans – Riverside is excluded during the following dates: November 15 to 21, November 26 to 28 and December 10 to 21, 2016.

If you don't need theme park tickets or aren't interested in the dining package, consider one of the two room-only offers.

Back to School room-only offer

Save 20–30% off the published rate for stays August 1 through November 5, 2016. This offer as no length-of-stay requirement, which makes it ideal for a quick getaway if your dates are available.

• Save up to 30% off Disney Deluxe Resort or Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts
• Save up to 25% off Disney Moderate Resorts
• Save up to 20% off Disney Value Resorts

The offer excludes the following hotels and room types:

Campsites, 3-bedroom villas, Disney's Art of Animation Resort—The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms, the Bungalows at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's All-Star Movies Resort and Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter.

You must book by August 31, 2016.

Kid-sized Vacation offer

This package is a variation of the Back to School offer, but includes park tickets. The sample offer advertises a 2-day/3-night stay in a standard room at a select Disney's All-Star Resort, with one park per day Magic Your Way base tickets for $998 for a family of 3.

Valid for arrivals most nights August 1 – November 5, 2016. As with the Back to School offer, you must book by August 31, 2016 and the following room types are excluded:

Campsites, 3-bedroom villas, Disney's Art of Animation Resort—The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms, the Bungalows at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's All-Star Movies Resort and Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter.

Late Summer Family Time offer

Another variant of the Back to School offer, this package is targeted towards families with older children. The sample package is based on two adults, a teen and a 'tween, and includes a 4-day/4-night stay in a standard room at a select Disney's All-Star Resort with one park per day Magic Your Way base tickets for $1,850.

Valid for arrivals most nights August 1 – November 5, 2016. As with the Back to School offer, you must book by August 31, 2016 and the following room types are excluded:

Campsites, 3-bedroom villas, Disney's Art of Animation Resort—The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms, the Bungalows at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's All-Star Movies Resort and Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter.

Animal Kingdom at Night

Four of the lotus blossom units perform during a preview of Rivers of Light at Animal Kingdom. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

A major focus of last week's Awaken Summer media event was to showcase the new attractions that will debut over Memorial Day Weekend at Animal Kingdom. The park will begin extended hours on Friday, May 28, with Animal Kingdom closing as late as 11:00 p.m. this summer. Here's an update on the nighttime attractions and entertainment planned for the park this summer.

Like World of Color at Disney California Adventure, Rivers of Light uses water screens to display projected images. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The lotus blossom units will be joined by a temple lotus float in the Rivers of Light show when it debuts later this year. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Rivers of Light and Jungle Book: Alive with Magic

As we've reported, the Rivers of Light nighttime spectacular has been delayed until further notice due to technical issues. Members of the media were shown a brief section of the show during an event last week, but the preview include only the water screens and a few of the floating lotus units. The larger animal floats, the temple lotus unit, and the lantern boats were not part of the preview.

Lasers and projected images interact with water screens and fountains in Rivers of Light. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

While work continues on Rivers of Light, Disney will present a temporary show called “Jungle Book: Alive with Magic” in the same venue. The company had very little information to share about the new “limited-engagement show,” and auditions for musicians are not scheduled until next week. Disney representatives said this show will utilize the water screens built for Rivers of Light, but will not incorporate any of the Rivers of Light floats. The opening date for the show has not been finalized, but the casting call says “mid-May.”

Kilimanjaro Safaris After Dark

We had an opportunity to take a nighttime safari during the media event, and it's definitely a different experience from the daytime safari. Surprisingly, most of the animal remain on exhibit during the evening treks, though some seem confused by the schedule change. The giraffes were especially noticeable gathered around the gate to their enclosure, and it wasn't difficult to imagine they were checking their watches and wondering if it was bedtime yet.

African wild dogs are on exhibit during the nighttime trips on Kilimanjaro Safari. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

There are two new animals on exhibit during the nighttime safari, hyenas and African wild dogs. We saw the African wild dogs during our trips, but it was definitely easier to watch them during the earlier safari, when there was some remaining daylight, than it was while we were dependent on the added artificial light during a later trip.

The magical sunset added to one section of the savanna is (at least to my eyes) obviously artificial, but it was apparently convincing enough to others on my trips that they asked one another, “is that real?” Sections of the savanna are also enhanced with audio effects for the nighttime journeys.

The nighttime safari is partially illuminated by a magical, everlasting sunset on the savanna. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Due to the low lighting on the savanna at night, and the “no-flash-photography” rule, riders are best advised to leave their cameras in their bags and just enjoy the journey. Unless your camera is great in low-light conditions and you're fortunate enough to have a long stop, you likely won't get many good photos from the nighttime safaris.

Tree of Life

Using digital mapping and projector technology similar to the Celebrate the Magic show at Magic Kingdom, the “awakening” uses the intricately-carved face of the Tree of Life as a canvas for a unique nighttime display. While the technology is familiar, the effects are completely different here, and it truly looks as if portions of the tree have become animate.

The Tree of Life appears to “awaken” and come alive thanks to digital mapping and projection technology. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The “awakening” of the Tree of Life is spectacular, and well worth the time commitment to catch all four animated sequences. It's also incredibly difficult to photograph, so be sure to bring at least a monopod if you're hoping for high-quality images.

Tiffins

Animal Kingdom's newest restaurant will open for lunch starting Memorial Day weekend, though reservations are not yet available.

Sounds Like Summer concert lineup

The 2016 Sounds Like Summer concert series runs June 5 through July 23, and features 7 tribute bands. Show times are 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. each day. The bands and dates are:

• Don’t Look Back
  A Tribute to Boston
  June 5 to June 11, 2016

• Hotel California
  A Salute to The Eagles
  June 12 to June 18, 2016

• Rumours
  A Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band
  June 19 to June 24, 2016

• Simply Tina
  A Tribute to Tina Turner
  June 25 to July 1, 2016

• Stayin’ Alive
  A Tribute to The Bee Gees
  July 2 to July 9, 2016

• Bruce in the USA
  A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen
  July 10 to July 16, 2016

• DSB
  A Tribute to Journey
  July 17 to July 23, 2016

Disney Springs opening schedule and updates

May 15 is the debut date for the Town Center section of Disney Springs, the expanded shopping and dining district previously known as Downtown Disney. That's the date the construction walls come down and many of the stores will open for business, though store openings will continue through June and into the summer.

A peek over the construction walls of Disney Springs Town Center gives a glimpse of the Mediterranean Revival architecture of the new expansion. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Disney has announced three new food service kiosks for Disney Springs, including AristoCrepes, B.B. Wolf's Sausage Company and Daily Poutine. The Daily Poutine and B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. will open on May 15, with AristoCrepes opening a week later. The Disney-owned Amorette's Patisserie will also open on May 15.

Fulton's Crab House is now closed for refurbishment. The company announced on Monday that the location will reopen as Paddlefish Restaurant this fall.

AristoCrepes is one of three new food service kiosks opening in Disney Springs in May. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The updated list of Town Center retail tenants is below:

ALEX AND ANI, American Threads, Anthropologie, Coca-Cola Store, Columbia Sportswear, Edward Beiner, Everything But Water, francesca’s , Free People, JOHNNY WAS, Johnston & Murphy, kate spade new york, Kipling, LACOSTE, Lilly Pulitzer, L’Occitane En Provence, Lucky Brand, Luxury of Time by Diamonds International, M·A·C Cosmetics , Melissa Shoes, Na Hoku, Oakley, PANDORA, Sephora, Shore, Sperry , Tommy Bahama, TROPHY ROOM, UGG, Under Armour, UNIQLO, UNOde50, Vince Camuto, Vera Bradley, Volcom and Zara

D-Luxe Burger is under construction in the new Disney Springs Town Center. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

We attempted during last week's media event to get updates on the pending closure of and possible replacement for Disney Quest, and of the construction of The Edison restaurant and bar. Disney had no additional details to share during the event.

The Edison is under construction at Disney Springs, but Disney released no additional details about the restaurant and bar. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Wishes Dessert Party expands

Recently, the Magic Kingdom quietly discontinued the reserved FastPass+ viewing for the Wishes fireworks show, opening the newly-constructed Plaza Garden viewing areas to anyone on a first-come, first-serve basis. Now Disney has found a way to monetize one of those lovely viewing areas.

Guests who purchase same-day tickets to the Wishes Dessert Party enjoy this view of Cinderella Castle during the fireworks. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Effective last week, the Wishes Dessert Party has expanded beyond the Tomorrowland Terrace viewing area. Customers who purchase tickets in advance for the party will still enjoy their dessert buffet at the Tomorrowland Terrace, and watch the fireworks from the restaurant's reserved viewing area, which offers tables and chairs.

Customers can also purchase same-day tickets from a kiosk at the Tomorrowland Terrace, subject to availability. These customers will have access to the dessert buffet before the show, but will then relocate to the Plaza Garden viewing area. Note that this viewing area does not offer seating.

The Plaza Garden viewing areas do not offer seating. To ensure a table and chair, book the dessert party in advance, and enjoy the show from the Tomorrowland Terrace. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The price remains $59 for adults, and $35 for children age 3–9. Book in advance online via the Walt Disney World website, or call 407-939-3463.

The second Plaza Garden viewing area is still open on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Guests can watch the Wishes fireworks from one of the former FastPass+ viewing areas, no reservation required. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Walt Disney World marathon weekend

Registration opens at Noon (ET) today, April 26 for the 2017 Walt Disney World marathon weekend events. This is the 20th anniversary of the half marathon race, which is sure to be a popular event.

Here are some tips from runDisney to help runners prepare to register as quickly as possible:

1. Create a profile (login and password) at Active.com prior to registration opening.
2. Be ready to register at noon ET (9 a.m. Pacific time). Follow rundisney.com and the runDisney social media channels for the registration link.
3. Once you're in the queue, you have 15 minutes to complete the registration process. After 15 minutes, your spot is no longer guaranteed.
4. If you receive an “on hold” message this means the queue is currently full. Continue to check back.
5. Have everyone in your party register only themselves for a faster registration process.

After you register for your event, come add your name to the Team MousePlanet race roster to connect with other runners and share training tips.

This and That

…If you participated in the Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon weekend, be sure to read our guide on how to access your PhotoPass photos from the race. If you are an annual passholder with a pass that qualifies you for free PhotoPass photos, or you purchased the Memory Maker product, your race photos are included.

Nick Wilde, the fox from Disney's Zootopia, now makes appearances in the Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It! Street Party at Magic Kingdom. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Judy Hops, the rabbit from Disney's Zootopia, now also participates in the Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It! Street Party at Magic Kingdom. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

…New interactive elements have been added to Walt Disney World attractions, including Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Haunted Mansion, and Expedition Everest. Depending on location, you may see a concert poster or travel advertisement personalized with your name, or find that the Hitchhiking Ghosts know your name and home city. All of these effects are triggered by the Magic Bands worn by park visitors.

Digital travel posters in the queue of Expedition Everest can be personalized with the names of riders in line. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

…An expanded sneak peek at Alice Through the Looking Glass begins May 6 in the One Man's Dream theater.

…Tables in Wonderland members are invited to a preview of the 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival on June 26. Registration opens on May 3, and tickets are $135 per person. If you are a Tables in Wonderland member but did not receive the invitation by e-mail, we've posted it on our MousePad discussion forum.

…Characters from the new animated feature Finding Dory will join the cast of Turtle Talk with Crush starting early next month.

…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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Resort Events

Check here to see if a park event might fall during your next trip to the Walt Disney World Resort. If you know of any in-park events, official or unofficial, that should be listed here, please send us an e-mail (link).

2016 Resort events

• Star Wars Experiences – December 1, 2015 – ???
• 2016 Flower & Garden Festival – March 2 – May 30, 2016
• MouseAdventure Silly Symphonies (unofficial event) – Saturday, May 14. A puzzle hunt at Epcot and the Epcot Resorts. More information at the event website.
• Gay Days at Walt Disney World (annual unofficial event) – June 2–5. More information on the event website. To whatever degree there are “organized” events, the schedule calls for attendees to visit the parks on these days:
  • Thursday, June 2 – Animal Kingdom
  • Friday, June 3 – Disney's Hollywood Studios
  • Saturday, June 4 – Magic Kingdom (the busiest day of the event)
  • Sunday, June 5 – Epcot
• Night of Joy – September 9 & 10
• 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival –September 14 through November 14, 2016.
• Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic – dates to be announced.
• Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party –September – 2, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 29, 30; October – 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31
• “Jersey Week” – November 6 – 13. Expect larger crowds this week as New Jersey students and families take advantage of a Fall Break created by their school's participation in the New Jersey Teachers Convention.
• Dapper Day at Epcot (unofficial event) – Saturday, November 12, 2016. More information at the event website.
• Holidays at Walt Disney World – dates to be announced.
• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party – November 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29; December 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22
• Holidays Around the World at Epcot – dates to be announced.
• Candlelight Processional at Epcot – dates to be announced.

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

• Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 3 – 5, 2016. All races are sold out, with the exception of the runDisney Kids races. Proof of time must be submitted by August 2, 2016

2017

• Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 4–8, 2017. Registration opens at Noon (Eastern) on Tuesday, April 26. Proof of time must be submitted by October 4, 2016.
• Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 24–26, 2017. Registration date has not been announced. Proof of time must be submitted by November 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.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Events

Check here to see if a sporting competition might fall during your next trip to the Walt Disney World Resort. We don't list all events here, but focus on the larger sport and cheer events that might result in extra visitors to the theme parks, and make it harder to secure a hotel room. The All-Star and moderate resort hotels are often the home base for these larger events, so it's worth avoiding those properties if possible.

2016 ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex events

• Varsity All Star’s Cheerleading Championship – April 29 – May 1.
• Special Olympics Florida Summer Games – May 20 – 21.
• AAU National Club Championship – June 30 – July 3.
• Special Olympics Florida Fall Classic – November 11 – 12.
• 2016 Pop Warner Super Bowl –December 3, 2016 – December 10, 2016

Merchandise Events

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

2016

• Walt Disney World Railroad – closed through April 23 for refurbishment.
• Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse – closed July 7 – September 24 for refurbishment.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – closed August 8 – November 18 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' – closed as of January 4, 2016. Reopens sometime in “summer of 2016” as Soarin' Around the World, with a new ride film.
• Maelstrom – permanently closed for construction of Frozen Ever After attraction. New ride expected to open May, 2016.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

2016

• 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 – closed January 11 for refurbishment. Reopening date TBD.
• Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show – permanently closed on April 3, 2016 to make way for the Star Wars Land expansion.
• Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure – permanently closed on April 3, 2016 to make way for the Star Wars Land expansion.
• Studio Catering Co. – closed on April 3, 2016 to make way for the Star Wars Land expansion.
• Meet & Greet: Mike and Sulley at Streets of America – closed on April 3, 2016 to make way for the Star Wars Land expansion.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

• None scheduled

Blizzard Beach

• None scheduled

Typhoon Lagoon

• None scheduled

Disney Springs

• Fulton's Crab House – closed for refurbishment. Scheduled to reopen in Fall, 2016
• 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.
• Disney Quest – scheduled to close sometime in 2016.

Resorts

• Boardwalk Inn
  • Exterior painting and repair during daylight hours, through May 5, 2016
  • Flying Fish Cafe closed February 1 – September 30, 2016 for refurbishment.
  • Seashore Sweets – closes February 1 as part of the Flying Fish refurbishment.
• 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.

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