Walt Disney World Resort Update for April 5-11, 2016

Walt Disney World Resort Update for April 5-11, 2016

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News and Views

Curtain calls and construction walls | runDisney announces new services | Views around the World | This and That | Crowd Forecast

Curtain calls and construction walls

As the peak spring break season wrapped up last week, two Disney shows made their final curtain calls. At Magic Kingdom, the “Dream Along with Mickey” show ended its run after 10 years. The show will be replaced this summer with a new production called “Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire.”

The “Dream Along With Mickey” show in front of Cinderella Castle ended its nearly 10 year run this weekend. The new “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” show is expected sometime this Summer. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

A more dramatic finale took place at Disney's Hollywood Studios Saturday, when the “Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show” wrapped after 11 years. The theater, along with the entire Streets of America area, are now closed to make way for the Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land expansions.

Lights, Motors, Action! held its final performances on April 2. The entire area is expected to be incorporated into the lands themed for Star Wars or Toy Story over the next several years. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The hardworking cast and crew of Lights, Motors, Action! did not scrimp on the action on their final show on the next-to-last day of their run. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The “Hero” car's jump into the specially-constructed air bag is now just a memory. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The “Hero” has made his final leap through the shop window. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

A large number of cast and crew members look on as the “Hero” makes his escape on a jet ski. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The burning “bad guy” seemed to make an extended walk around the set before being doused by the crew with extinguishers. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The finale of Lights, Motors, Action! in its next-to-last day was just as spectacular as always. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The final show on the penultimate day of Lights, Motors, Action! gave several cast members their last bows, including the two on top of the Hero car. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Barrier walls placed around the construction site show concept art for Toy Story Land, with some changes from the original artwork Disney shared when they announced the project. Disney's new maps of the Hollywood Studios park no longer detail the Streets of the America, and have obscured that entire section of the park with greenery. The area outside the Muppet Vision theater is labeled “Muppet Courtyard.”

On Disney's new park maps, the Streets of America area has been obscured by greenery. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Streets of America are expected to be removed soon, though guest access to the nearby Muppets Theater area, including Mama Melrose are expected to remain. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

runDisney announces new services

With the Star Wars Half Marathon weekend just around the corner, runDisney has introduced two new services for runners.

PhotoPass

Starting with the Star Wars Half Marathon weekend, Disney's own PhotoPass service will replace MarathonFoto as the official race photographers for runDisney events in Florida. This is fantastic news for those Disney annual passholders who now have a PhotoPass benefit with their pass, as their photo downloads will be covered. The photos taken during the event will also be included in the Memory Maker product, which makes that option more compelling for vacation planners.

You'll also be able to purchase the PhotoPass photos individually, and use them to create PhotoPass products like calendars, mugs, and ornaments.

The switch to PhotoPass may not be as advantageous for those who don't have a qualifying annual passport, or don't want to purchase the $150 Memory Maker product. MarathonFoto rates vary by race, but you can usually download all of your race photos for around $100.

Packet Pickup Service

Most running events require participants to claim their race bib a day or more before the event, usually at a pre-race expo. This has the added function of funneling athletes through a gauntlet of vendors and merchants hawking the latest fitness gear, which is a strong selling point for expo organizers. However, this requirement also means that runners have to arrive early enough to attend the expo. In the past, runDisney allowed runners to have a friend or relative claim their race materials for them, but changed the rules in 2014 to require each runner to claim their own packet in person.

Now Disney has introduced a new premium (read: added-cost) Packet Pickup Service for the Star Wars races. Through this service, runners have the opportunity to pick up their race packet (including bib, event shirt, and any pre-purchased merchandise) the morning of the event. The cost for this service is $39 per race packet. You must register by April 11, though runDisney warns that the service is limited and may sell out. Purchase the service on the runDisney website.

Disney originally offered two different Packet Pickup options, but quietly removed one of them from the runDisney page. Front Desk Delivery offered the option of having your race packet—bib, shirt, and merchandise—delivered to any Walt Disney World resort hotel. While it was offered, the service was available for all race distances, not just the 10K and half marathon events. The cost for this service was also $39 per adult registration, though a discounted rate of $15 was offered for each additional minor registered to the same room. We don't know why runDisney discontinued this option—either it sold out quickly, or it wasn't quite ready for prime time.

So far, these packet pickup options have not been added to other upcoming runDisney events.

Views around the World

Contributing photographer Alan Dalinka shares some photos from around Walt Disney World.

Epcot

Each week seems to bring more details to the Royal Sommerhaus (Frozen character greeting) area next to the Norway pavilion. No date for its opening has been announced. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The town along the miniature railroad near the Germany pavilion appears to be having its own version of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

The “Mickey and Minnie Starring in Red Carpet Dreams” venue for meet-and-greets near the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant is expected to open this spring. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Construction walls will be a regular sight at Disney's Hollywood Studios for the foreseeable future, as the lands themed to Star Wars and Toy Story are constructed. These construction walls near Center Stage in front of the Chinese Theater likely will not be around very long. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Another new stage has been built in front of the Chinese Theater for the new Star Wars stage show that debuted this week. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Now that April 2 has passed, the iconic Earffel Tower could disappear at any time to make way for Star Wars and Toy Story land construction projects. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Behind the Lights, Motors, Action! stands are the remains of Catastrophe Canyon. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Very little remains of Catastrophe Canyon as construction in the former backlot area is ramping up. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The queue and exit area for Lights, Motors, Action! provided a view of the demolition of the Premier Theater. The last standing portion is the former back of the house which, on the outside, is the San Francisco Street background. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

From the end of San Francisco Street, the little portion remaining of the Premier Theater was visible. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

This and That

…Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is closed through July 15 for refurbishment.

Construction continues at the monorail stations that may cause occasional line shutdowns, particularly during non-peak times of the day. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Express Monorail from the TTC to Magic Kingdom has a view of some of the clearing that has been completed at Disney's Wilderness Lodge in connection with the resort expansion project there. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Now that it is April, Passholders (with Photo ID after scanning the Magic Band or Card) can get their newest “Fresh Art” (the Goofy sketch) near Club Cool in Innoventions West. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Starter topiaries and supplies are available for sale at one of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival kiosks. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

…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

Join Our Networks

MousePlanet

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
• Dapper Day at the Magic Kingdom (unofficial event) – Saturday, April 16, 2016. More information at the event website.
• 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 – dates to be announced.
• 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

• Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side Weekend – April 14 – 17, 2016. All races are sold out. The deadline to submit proof of time for these events has passed.
• Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 3 – 5, 2016. All races are sold out, with the exception of the runDisney Kids races.

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

• ICU Cheerleading and Dance Worlds Championship – April 21 – 22.
• USASF Cheerleading and Dance Worlds Championship – April 23 – 25. This event draws over 12,000 participants.
• 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 – dates to be announced, but likely either December 3 – 10, or 10 – 17, 2016.

Merchandise Events

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

2016

• 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' – 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 – closed on April 3, 2016 to make way for the Star Wars Land expansion.
• Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure – 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 – closes April, 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

• 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.

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