Walt Disney World Resort Update for August 16–22, 2016
Go directly to: News & Views | Join our Networks | Resort Events | Refurbishments and Attraction Closures | Discounts and Promotions
News and Views
Main Street Electrical Parade to end Magic Kingdom run on October 8 | Memory Maker Experience update | Sum of All Thrills and Storm Struck closing at Epcot | Disney offers $79 Park Hopper tickets to friends and family of annual passholders | PhotoPass Day August 19 | Views around the World | This and That | Crowd Forecast
Main Street Electrical Parade to end Magic Kingdom run on October 8
The “limited engagement” of the Main Street Electrical Parade has finally come to an end. Last week, Disney announced that the nighttime parade will end its most recent run at the Magic Kingdom on October 9, 2016. The current version of the parade has been in Florida since 2010, where it was shipped for a summer promotion.
The clock is about to strike midnight on the Magic Kingdom's “limited engagement” of the Main Street Electrical Parade. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
There has been rampant online speculation that Paint the Night would be shipped to Walt Disney World, but in response to a reader question, Disneyland's Erin Glover said, “Future plans have not yet been determined, but at this time there are no plans to bring 'Paint the Night' to Walt Disney World Resort.”
This means the end of nighttime parades in the Magic Kingdom for the announced future. True, there are still the Halloween and Christmas parades offered during the added-cost holiday parties, but nothing for visitors who don't shell out the extra money to attend those events.
It's unlikely Disney will leave fans in the dark for long, but it's unclear what the replacement might be.
WDW fans have long pined for the return of SpectroMagic, that park's classic nighttime parade. The parade went on hiatus in 2010 when the Main Street Electrical Parade began its current run, and was confirmed by Disney to be “retired” in 2013 after reports surfaced of the destruction of the parade floats. Just as Paint the Night was created to be the new Electrical Parade for Disneyland, Disney needs to design a new-and-improved SpectroMagic for the Magic Kingdom.
Memory Maker Experience update
As we shared last week, Disney is currently testing an incentive to encourage visitors to purchase the Memory Maker photography product this month. Customers who purchase Memory Maker through August 31 also receive access to an exclusive Princess meet-and-greet at the Magic Kingdom.
On the day of our photographer's visit, Belle was the Disney Princess in residence at the Memory Maker Experience. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
We sent Alan Dalinka to the Heritage House in Liberty Square to check out the new offering and share his experience. When he first arrived, he messaged to ask if he was indeed at the right place, because the door to the Heritage House was closed and there was no cast member around to provide assistance.
After Alan located a character host, he learned the experience closes during the Festival of Fantasy parade to allow the princesses to participate in the parade.
Once inside, it's very clear that this is a temporary overlay inside a former merchandise location. The cash register counters and display cases are all still in place, with props strategically placed around to help conceal that fact.
The Memory Maker Experience in Liberty Square may close during the Festival of Fantasy Parade like other Disney Princess photo opportunities since the featured Princess may be participating in the parade. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The exit of the Memory Maker Experience is in the same vestibule as the exit of the Hall of Presidents. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
While Heritage House is operating as the home of the Memory Maker Experience, its usual assortment of merchandise has been removed and a few props added that are appropriate to the resident Disney Princess. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
No advance registration, reservation, or Fastpass is available or required. Visitors simply show up at the meet-and-greet location, present their qualifying material (in this case, a Magic Band with the Memory Maker entitlement linked, or qualifying annual passport), and wait in line.
The meet-and-greet is open from 11 a.m. to 5:40 p.m., August 7 to 31. Only one person from each party needs to have purchased the Memory Maker product, or have a qualifying annual pass, for the entire group to be granted entry. The benefit is also available to Walt Disney World annual passholders who have PhotoPass downloads as part of their passholder benefits.
Memory Maker is $169 when purchased for immediate use, or $149 if purchased at least three days before you plan to first use it. Memory Maker includes all PhotoPass photos taken during a 30-day window. PhotoPass photos and videos must be downloaded within 45 days of capture, after which they expire and can no longer be accessed. For more details or to purchase Memory Maker, visit the Walt Disney World website.
Sum of All Thrills and Storm Struck closing at Epcot
With their corporate sponsorship at an end, the Sum of All Thrills (presented by Raytheon) and Storm Struck (presented by Flash) are both scheduled to close on September 14.
Storm Struck focused on natural disaster preparedness in the home. It opened in 2008.
Sum of All Thrills is a low-capacity ride, where visitors design a roller coaster experience and then test it out using a simulator mounted on a Kuka robot arm. The attraction opened in 2009.
The twin closures leave only one attraction open in Innoventions East, the Colortopia Experience (presented by Glidden), which opened in 2015. Innoventions West was converted into a character meet-and-greet following the closure of the IBM-sponsored THINK exhibit in 2015.
Disney offers $79 Park Hopper tickets to friends and family of annual passholders
Walt Disney World annual passholders last week received a special invitation to bring their friends and family along on their next visit to the Resort.
Now through September 30, annual passholders can purchase up to six one-day park hopper tickets for just $79 each, nearly 50% off the regular $155 admission price. The tickets are valid for admission to the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot and/or Animal Kingdom on the same day.
Annual passholders must purchase the tickets in person at a Walt Disney World ticket booth, and the tickets must be used the same day they are purchased. There is a limit of six discounted passports per passholder.
PhotoPass Day August 19
There's a new Disney holiday on the calendar this week. PhotoPass Day is Friday, August 19. The event includes special character meet-and-greet locations at Magic Kingdom and Epcot, and locations at each of the four theme parks and at Disney Springs where you can take a free PhotoPass photo.
At Magic Kingdom, Pinocchio, Gideon, and Foulfellow will meet visitors in Storybook Circus from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There are three character locations in Epcot. Check the Epcot Times Guide or the My Disney Experience app for specific times that day.
- Mushu and Mulan in the China Pavilion
- Snow White and Dopey in the Germany Pavilion
- Queen of Hearts and Alice in the United Kingdom Pavilion
In addition to the character locations, there are five locations around Walt Disney World where you can take a photo with a PhotoPass Day backdrop, and receive a complimentary download from the PhotoPass website. The locations will be posted to the official PhotoPass Facebook page sometime today, August 16.
Finally, you can receive an additional free PhotoPass download when you complete the PhotoPass Challenge. To participate, you first stop by all of the designated Challenge locations on August 19, (the full list will be posted to the official PhotoPass Facebook page sometime tomorrow, August 17), then visit a PhotoPass center to claim a voucher for a free PhotoPass download. You can use the free download to claim any PhotoPass photo in your account, including the special character opportunities on PhotoPass day.
Views Around the World
Magic Kingdom
Tick-Tock the Crocodile has returned to his chase of Captain Hook in the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Louis the Alligator has joined Tiana and Naveen along with the other stars of Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire, the show on the stage in front of Cinderella Castle. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The daytime fireworks used in the finale of Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire on the stage in front of Cinderella Castle can be rather smoky. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Renovations to the facade of The Haunted Mansion continue behind the painted scrim while the attraction remains open. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Scaffolding surrounds some of the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad rock work during its scheduled renovation. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Toy horseshoes and other games are set up in front of the closed entrance of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad during its scheduled renovation. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Posters on the construction walls continue the general storytelling of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Several now state that the mine is closed until further notice due to “Mountain Goat Infestation!” Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The pedestrian bridge to Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort provides an excellent view of Magic Kingdom. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The elevator lobbies of Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort provide a birds eye view of the Magic Kingdom Resort area. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Some construction is underway near the newest bus shelters at Magic Kingdom. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The long-standing construction project adding emergency stairwells to monorail stations appears to be nearing completion at the Transportation and Ticket Center. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Is it possible that the Holiday Dream Lights installation is beginning in August this year with the recent appearance of the construction crane behind Cinderella Castle? Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
With the construction crane again parked behind Cinderella Castle, photos on Main Street USA may not always have the classic Magic Kingdom look. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Animal Kingdom
The floating mountains of Pandora: The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom rise above the trees in between the construction cranes several miles from one of the upper-level elevator lobbies of Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort. Expedition Everest appears on the left in this photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Disney Springs
While last week we noted the new imagineered advertising over the elevators at the east end of the Orange Garage pedestrian access at Disney Springs, this week we show you the new orange still-life art in the west end Orange Garage pedestrian access stairwell. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Sliced orange still-life art now decorates the elevator lobby of the west end pedestrian access of the Orange Garage at Disney Springs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
From atop the west end of the Orange Garage at Disney Springs, the fireworks of Epcot's Illuminations: Reflections of Earth light the sky. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Resort Hotels
The small beach area near Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort now has a fence at the shoreline of Bay Lake like those constructed by the other Magic Kingdom area resorts along The Seven Seas Lagoon. The presence of the yellow flotation barriers suggests that a rock wall may soon be constructed along the shore as well. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
New warning signs and fences at the shoreline are now apparent at the beach at Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Yellow floatation barriers just off the shoreline of the South Garden Wing of Disney's Contemporary Resort suggest that a rock wall likely will soon be built along the new Bay Lake shoreline fence. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
From the pier in Bay Lake at Disney's Contemporary Resort, significant new construction can be seen near the existing DVC Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Don't keep it to yourself!
|
This and That
…Walt Disney World is holding auditions for performers to portray Moana (from the upcoming Disney film) in a meet-and-greet opportunity. The casting notice reads, “Look-alike performers interact with thousands of guests each day in character greeting experiences at our Parks and Resorts.” No indication of when or where the character will make her debut, but the casting notice asks that the candidate be able to begin work in the next 2-3 months. Moana opens in theaters November 23, 2016.
…Expanding their Disney Parks & Resorts Coffee Collection line, Joffrey's Coffee and Tea Company has released for retail sale a new Le Cellier Blend from the popular Epcot restaurant.
The tasting notes read, “Created exclusively for Le Cellier Steakhouse, our roastmaster created this dark roasted blend of coffee using beans from Central & South America. It offers pleasing notes of citrus with sweet caramel-brown sugar and a slight smoky finish, it's a must try at Le Cellier Steakhouse and at home.”
A 16-ounce bag retails for $14.95 from the Joffrey's website. Other new additions include blends from Disney's Aulani Resort and Spa in Hawaii; the Sanaa Blend from the Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurant; and the Trattoria al Forno blend from Disney's BoardWalk.
…Tiffins Restaurant in Disney's Animal Kingdom has debuted a new “Taste of Tiffins” lunch menu, offering visitors the opportunity to try smaller portions of two different dishes, accompanied by rice, for $28. The selections are a combination of appetizers and entrees from the current menu.
With the regular lunch menu topping out at $53, this new menu offers both a lower price point and the opportunity to try a variety of things from the restaurant. You can see the full menu and the Taste of Tiffins options on the Walt Disney World website.
…Liberty Square Riverboat is closed through August 21 for refurbishment.
…MuppetVision 3*D is closed through August 22 for refurbishment
…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 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.
 |
 |
 |
|
||
|
|
||
 |
|
 |
|
||
Crowd Forecast
|
Advertisement “Do more. Wait less.”
|
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 – Opened December 1, 2015
- Night of Joy – September 9 & 10
- 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival –September 14 – November 14, 2016.
- Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic – Friday and Saturday, October 29 and 30.
- 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
- D23's Sip & Scream – Wednesday, October 5. The event is sold out
- D23 Behind-the-Scenes Experience: A Midnight Soirée at the Tower of Terror – Wednesday, October 5. The event is sold out.
- “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.
- Destination D – November 19-20, 2016. D23 Members are invited to join the excitement of D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures, a celebration of Disney adventures of the past, present, and future. More details at the event website.
- Holidays at Walt Disney World – November 7 – December 31, 2016
- 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 – November 25 – December 30, 2016
- Candlelight Processional at Epcot – November 25 – December 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
- Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 3–5. All races are sold out, with the exception of the runDisney Kids races. Proof of time deadline has passed.
2017
- Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 4–8, 2017. Registration is now open. Proof of time must be submitted by October 4, 2016.
- Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 24–26, 2017. Registration is now open. Proof of time must be submitted by November 15, 2016.
- Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side Weekend – April 20–23, 2017. Registration is now open. Proof of time must be submitted by January 17, 2017.
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.
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex events
2016
- Special Olympics Florida Fall Classic – November 11–12.
- 2016 Pop Warner Super Bowl –December 3–10.
2017
- Pro Bowl week festivities – take place the week prior to the 2017 game on January 29. Additional schedule information to be released.
Refurbishments and Attraction Closures
Magic Kingdom
2016
- 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
- None scheduled
Disney's Hollywood Studios
2016
- MuppetVision 3*D – closed August 15 – 22 for refurbishment
- Pizza Planet restaurant – closed for refurbishment. Will reopen in Fall, 2016 as PizzeRizzo
Permanently closed:
- Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show
- Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure
- Studio Catering Co.
- Meet & Greet: Mike and Sulley at Streets of America
- Magic of Disney Animation
Disney's Animal Kingdom
- Dinosaur – closed for refurbishment July 25 – Fall, 2016
Blizzard Beach
- None scheduled
Typhoon Lagoon
- None scheduled
Disney Springs
- Fulton's Crab House – closed for refurbishment. Scheduled to reopen in Fall 2016 as Paddlefish
- Planet Hollywood – closed for refurbishment and transformation into a Planet Hollywood Observatory.
- Disney Quest – scheduled to close sometime in 2016.
Resorts
- 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.
- Disney's All-Star Sports – the Grand Slam Pool closes in mid-October for refurbishment. The Surfboard Bay Pool will remain open.
- Disney's Pop Century Resort – the Computer Pool closes in late October for refurbishment, and will reopen in late December. The Hippy Dippy Pool will remain open.
Elsewhere
- Disney's Magnolia Golf Course – closed August 22-28 for refurbishment.
- Disney's Palm Golf Course – closed August 29-September 4 for refurbishment.
- Disney's Lake Buena Vista Golf Course – closed September 5-11 for refurbishment.
- Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course – closed September 12-16 for refurbishment.
- 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.
|
Travel Discounts for Everyone |
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. Back to School room-only offer
Kid-sized Vacation offer
Late Summer Family Time offer
Holiday Season Savings room-only offer
Holiday Season Kid-sized Vacation offer
Holiday Season Family Magic offer
Memory Maker pre-arrival discount Disney's PhotoPass service provides a discount on Disney Memory Maker pre-arrival packages. For $169 plus tax, Walt Disney World guests can digitally download any photos associated with their Memory Maker account, including photos taken on attractions. The advanced purchase price is $149, a $20 savings. Applicable taxes are charged to all orders. Purchase must be made more than three days prior to arrival at the Walt Disney World Resort. All sales are final, and not eligible for an exchange or refund. |
|---|---|
|
Travel Discounts for Annual Passholders |
None at this time. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
|
Discounts for Disney Rewards VISA & Debit Card Holders |
15 percent off select guided tours Disney Visa cardholders receive 15 percent off the non-discounted price of selected guided tours for up to 10 people. The cardholder must participate in the tour, and pay with a Disney's Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card. Tours included:
10 percent off select restaurants Disney Visa cardholders receive 10 percent off the check when you pay with a Disney's Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card (be sure to request the discount). Discount excludes alcohol. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas:
Disney's BoardWalk Inn and Villas:
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort:
Disney's Contemporary Resort:
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground:
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa:
Disney's Old Key West Resort:
Disney's Port Orleans Resort:
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa:
Disney's Wilderness Lodge:
Disney's Yacht Club Resort:
Disney's Hollywood Studios:
Epcot:
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex:
10 percent off merchandise Disney Visa cardholders receive 10 percent off at participating Disney-owned retail location when you spend a minimum of $50 and pay with a Disney's Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card (be sure to request the discount). Read all of the restrictions on the Disney Visa website. 15 percent off all Disney spa and salon services Disney Visa cardholders receive 15 percent off the non-discounted price of any salon treatment valued at $45 or greater or any 50-minute or longer spa service most days at the spas and salons at Walt Disney World Resort listed below: Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
Free character photo at a private meet and greet location at Epcot Present your Disney's Premier Visa Card or Disney Rewards Visa Card for access to a private character meet and greet at Epcot for the cardholder and up to five guests. The event is hosted daily from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. inside Innoventions West at Epcot. You'll receive one free character photo download per day. Star Wars meet and greet at Disney's Hollywood Studios' Star Wars Launch Bay Present your Disney's Premier Visa Card or Disney Rewards Visa Card for access to a character meet and greet at Star Wars Launch Bay for the cardholder and up to five guests. The event is hosted daily from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. inside Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney's Hollywood Studios. You'll receive one free character photo download per day. |
|
Travel Discounts for Military Personnel |
2016 Military Salute – 4-Day Military Promotional Ticket discount Through December 16, 2016, active and retired U.S. military personnel (including active and retired members of the United States Coast Guard, National Guard and Reservists) or their spouses can purchase:
Walt Disney World Resort tickets may be used January 3 through December 19, 2016, except that the tickets may not be used March 20 – 2016 April 1, 2016. Active and retired U.S. military personnel can purchase Disney Military Promotional Tickets for themselves and up to five additional family members or friends. No more than six Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased by any eligible member of the U.S. military (or spouse) pursuant to this offer. All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be used by December 19, 2016. 2016 Military Salute – Hotel discount Disney does not publish the actual discounted rates offered to service members under this program, and instead asks eligible U.S. military personnel to call 407-939-7830 to check pricing, availability and to make reservations. The website Military Disney Tips.com says the offer is 30-40%, based on room category. The new offer is valid most nights from January 3 through December 19, 2016. Like the ticket offer, the hotel discounts are not valid March 20, 2016 through April 1, 2016. |
|
Travel Discounts for Florida Residents |
None at this time. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
|
Travel Discounts for Canada Residents |
None at this time. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
|
Travel Discounts for U.K. Residents |
None at this time. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
