Walt Disney World Resort Update for February 13, 2024

Walt Disney World Resort Update for February 13, 2024

You can view a larger version of the individual photos included in the Update by clicking on the photo; the photo will open in a separate tab without a caption (or, for Disney Parks Blog photos, the article cited will open).

Writer's Note, News & Views

Disney announced this morning that Tiana's Bayou Adventure will open this summer at Magic Kingdom. The replacement for Splash Mountain following the story of Disney's The Princess and the Frog was originally announced as opening in “late 2024.” Details on Disney Parks Blog. And for those of you wondering, no. There's no mention of the Disneyland version's completion season; just “later in 2024.”

Ready for Valentine's Day? Duck love is already in bloom at EPCOT, with ducklings in the ponds near Imagination! pavilion this past week!

Springtime. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

As for other news, The Walt Disney Company held an earnings call ahead of releasing its most recent financial quarter results last week. Disney confirmed that it had the dip in numbers at Walt Disney World Resort it had predicted would occur following the conclusion of the Resort's 50th anniversary celebration. The Parks/Experiences division of the company had a strong quarter anyway, led by the overseas parks and Disney Cruise Line. As for the future, however, don't fall for any of the clickbait out there: notwithstanding a financial reporter asking Disney CEO Bob Iger whether the rumors about the company considering building a “fifth gate” at the Florida property, Bob Iger said no more than the company plans to increase capacity globally (and included cruise line in the mix by referencing the three ships already on order, which we know are Treasure, Adventure, and the unnamed third one). History suggests that the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event (formerly known as D23 Expo) coming up this fall in Anaheim should be when we hear some of the company's plans, but, as you may remember, the last two major D23 events where Parks/Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro took the stage (D23 Expo 2022, Destination D23 2023), the company only shared “blue sky” capital projects (projects that haven't been green-lit for construction yet).

Water Park “Swap” Time Coming Up March 17, 2024

As has been the pattern since the “phased” reopening of Walt Disney World Resort began after the temporary pandemic-caused shutdown of 2020, when one water park opens, the other closes. Disney's Blizzard Beach water park is currently operating (on weather-appropriate days) and will continue to do so through March 16, 2024. It will then close for seasonal refurbishment starting March 17 and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon water park will open that day for the season.

Based on the fact that Disney Vacation Club has a Moonlight Magic event at Typhoon Lagoon on July 11, it's a safe bet that it will remain open into the summer. Typhoon Lagoon has also hosted the past editions of the Disney H2O Glow After Hours hard-ticket events, and we probably will see summer 2024 dates for that event announced soon.

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon will reopen on March 17, 2024, and Disney's Blizzard Beach will close for refurbishment. Except for special events, Typhoon Lagoon usually closes by sunset during its regular operating dates. File photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Views around the World

I took advantage of a “Good to Go” date last week and visited Magic Kingdom. I also made it over to EPCOT twice in the past week: once on a day that reservations were required, and I had one, but I did not get over to the park until after 2 p.m. when no reservations are required, and the other time well-after 2 p.m. without even looking whether reservations were required.

I don't know about you, but I'm increasingly confused by what Walt Disney World is trying to accomplish with the reservations system for Passholders and other non-date-based ticket holders. The day that I made a reservation but did not get over to the park until after 2 p.m. sets the scene: what did my holding that reservation accomplish? Did it block someone else from going who had planned to go?

The parks operated in Florida for almost 50 years without requiring guests to make date-specific reservations and, though Disney does not release the data for those of us outside the company to know for certain, doesn't Disney have enough data to have a good idea about attendance daily by now? Its sales of date-based tickets gives it a heck of a lot of information it did not have back in the day, and before reservations were required, the number of times in a year that one or more parks reached their maximum operating capacity in the pre-pandemic era could be counted on a single hand to the best of my understanding.

Anyway, the early signs of spring are apparent. Here in Central Florida, February often brings some of the nicest weather days we'll get all year, and the past few days were great examples of that: highs at or above 80° with lows in the high fifties; low humidity and few rain storms that tend to be isolated and, even then, short-lived.

Views of Magic Kingdom

Festival of Fantasy coming down the parade route passes by the increasingly green trees of Frontierland.

As Festival of Fantasy heads to Liberty Square, you do see that some trees in Florida remain bare at this point in the winter.

Always a treat (at least to me) to ride the PeopleMover through Space Mountain with its lights on. Probably much less of a treat to those riding or in the queue. This was one of the first times I spotted a line of cast members heading toward the roller coaster inside the mountain.

When “Happily Ever After” fireworks returned last year, they were “enhanced” using the Main Street projection equipment that was installed when Disney Enchantment debuted for the 50th anniversary. This was my first time watching the show from around Center Street since the projectors were added.

This stained glass projection effect on the buildings of Main Street caught my eye during a song from Disney's “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Near Magic Kingdom, the Disney Vacation Club tower under construction at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort is getting painted. DVC has not announced a date when reservations for the new tower will open or when sales of the timeshare interests will begin. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Views of EPCOT

At EPCOT, the Festival of the Arts concludes next Monday, February 19. The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival gets underway February 28, and the topiaries are starting to appear around the park and the lawns around the ponds in the middle of the park are being prepared for planting the flower beds.

Disney on Broadway Concert performers Michael James Scott and Mandy Gonzalez closed their set with a song from “The Greatest Showman” which became part of the Disney library thanks to the company's acquisition of the 20th Century Fox film library. Several other performing pairs also sang the same closing number, but none mentioned whether Disney Theatrical has created a stage version of the film.

Culinary arts are celebrated during Festival of the Arts. This is Chocolate Cake with Pomegranate Mousse and Pomegranate Whipped Cream at Tangerine Café: Flavors of the Medina (Morocco Pavilion).

Though there is no longer specific promotion of the brief Disney100 celebration, The Land's greenhouses are still celebrating 100 years in lettuce and the Soarin' ridefilm continues to be the original California version which was announced as a “limited time” offering. Since the Soarin' Around the World concludes with a park-specific ending, and since the ridefilm's view of EPCOT now differs greatly from how the center of the park appears, we wonder whether a new version of the film or, at least, its EPCOT ending, is in the works.

On the Living with the Land boat ride, I noticed a Mickey Mouse head I do not remember spotting before. Have you seen it before?

A crescent moon was in the sky over toward Crescent Lake, as viewed from inside EPCOT on the bridge approaching the United Kingdom pavilion and International Gateway from France pavilion..

Though only my second viewing of Luminous: The Symphony of Us, I remain impressed with some of the pyrotechnics of the new show, including the heart-shaped blasts (which are a bit harder to capture on the camera than I though). I enjoy this show a great deal more than I did Harmonious, but it's no Illuminations. What are your thoughts?

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

And we start to get a preview of Flower & Garden. Over on FreshEPCOT.com Disney has updated the Garden Rocks Concert Series acts list, filling in the last of the remaining gaps. Dining packages are now available, so if there is an act you want to see and want to get those guaranteed seats that coming with dining packages, now is the time to start reserving those packages.

The traditional troll topiary has been installed at Norway pavilion outside the Anna & Elsa meet-and-greet building.

The panda topiaries have been installed at China pavilion.

Tinker Bell stands along World Showcase Promenade at United Kingdom pavilion.

The lawns around the ponds near Imagination pavilion are undergoing their annual transformation into the flowerbeds of the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

This & That & Reminders…

…The Walt Disney World Resort website says that 1900 Park Fare at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort will reopen with new dining offerings on April 10, 2024. The dining venue closed when Walt Disney World Resort temporarily shut down at the onset of the global pandemic back in March 2020. The website says to check back on March 5, 2024, for additional information.

…REMINDER: The newest complimentary Annual Passholder magnet features Hei Hei from the Disney animated film, Moana. It is available at Creations Shop at EPCOT until February 23, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The usual details apply: while supplies last, limit one per passholder, proof of pass and photo ID required, must enter the park with valid admission (and the usual rules for reservations, visiting after 2 p.m., good-to-go days, and pass-specific blockout dates remain unchanged). Next door at Connections Café, passholders can also purchase a Hei Hei Liege Waffle while supplies last.

The latest complimentary AP magnet features Hei Hei from “Moana.” File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

…REMINDER: Tutto Italia Ristorante at EPCOT Walt Disney World has raised its Annual Passholder discount to 20% through March 31. The offer applies to regularly-priced food and nonalcoholic beverages. Beginning on April 1, the AP Discount will return to 10% and run until the end of the year, exempting certain holidays, special events and dining packages.

…REMINDER: Additional Disney After Hours event dates from April 22 to August 29 are on sale. Details about the After Hours events are posted on this page of DisneyWorld.com.

…REMINDER: Disney Vacation Club Moonlight Magic event nights have been scheduled on select nights into the summer of 2024. The complimentary, after-hours events feature select attractions with shorter-than-usual wait times, plus character greetings, entertainment and more. The remaining events are:

• Disney's Animal Kingdom – February 27 and April 23.
• EPCOT – March 1.
• Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park – June 4 and July 11.
• Disney's Hollywood Studios – August 27.

Early registration opens for eligible Disney Vacation Club members (namely, those that have bought a certain number of points directly from Disney) with a qualifying Disney Resort hotel reservation on the event date(s). Pending availability, all other eligible Members may try their luck at reservations for the event on the other General Registration specified dates. A link to the event registration queue is posted online shortly before the registration windows open. If you are an eligible member and have a hotel reservation for an event date, keep an eye on your email for a registration reminder which also includes the link. All of the relevant 2024 registration dates are now posted on the event website.

The relevant dates for the remaining 2024 Moonlight Magic events are:

Eligible Disney Vacation Club members are limited to attending one Moonlight Magic event per theme park, per calendar year. The Hotel Reservation Finalization (Party Size) deadline is the date by which an eligible DVC member's qualifying hotel reservation has to have the number of guests listed on the hotel reservation that will be the maximum number of Moonlight Magic guests that can attend an event (if successfully registered); the hotel reservation may be modified after this date subject to the usual reservation rules, but those modifications will not increase the number of attendees that can attend a registered event. Canceling a qualifying hotel reservation after registering for a Moonlight Magic event during the Early Registration window will cancel that registration. The DVC member must attend the Moonlight Magic event to check in with all of their guests present.

…REMINDER: As our West Coast readers know, there are lots of ways to celebrate Lunar New Year at Disneyland Resort. At Walt Disney World, Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs is introducing limited time dishes inspired by traditional cuisines and flavors of one of the most important celebrations of the year among East and Southeast Asian cultures through February 25.

• Crispy Soft Shell Crab with Singaporean-style spicy chili sauce and bao buns. An arrangement of Singaporean cuisine. $17
• Flash Fried Whole Branzino, served with sweet and sour sauce and cucumber slaw as well as a choice of white or brown rice. An arrangement of Chinese cuisine, and Chef Masaharu Morimoto signature dish. $42
• “Tang Yuan” black sesame paste-filled mochi, with warm coconut broth, orange zest, and strawberries. A traditional Chinese dessert. $12

In addition, two specialty cocktails will also be offered:

• Good Fortune – Bulleit rye whiskey, apple brandy, peach liqueur, agave, lemon and ginger bitters, topped with red wine. Garnished with a fortune cookie clip on the side. $19
• Jade Empress – Hendrick's gin, orgeat, Luxardo maraschino, lemon, matcha, and Fee foam. Garnished with matcha salt rim. $18

…REMINDER: It's strawberry season, and to celebrate, Jaleo Disney Springs is bringing back its Festival de Fresas, in partnership with Central Florida local farm, Southern Hill Farms. Through February 18, guests can enjoy a menu of sweet and savory specials curated by Head Chef Kristoffer Anderson, all featuring locally grown strawberries from Clermont, Florida. Spanish-style eats include a bright strawberry gazpacho, scallop crudo accented with sweet berries and a special strawberries and cream dessert. Additional items include an avant-garde Cono de Fresa y Queso Mamá Marisa, a signature Jaleo small bite of strawberry marmalade and blue cheese decorated with crumbled pistachios. This year, guests who indulge in the Strawberry Festival at Jaleo will receive an exclusive offer for a “U-Pick Strawberries” experience at Southern Hill Farms. The family-owned operation is a 120-acre farm, featuring strawberry, blueberry, peach and sunflower u-pick activities from December to May.

…REMINDER: Valentine's Day is tomorrow and a few of the Disney Springs operators want you to know about some of their special offerings, some of which will be around for awhile longer, but this is the last time we'll remind you.

• Summer House on the Lake
  From February 14 to 18, the recently opened Summer House on the Lake will offer four specials to celebrate its first Valentine’s Day in Disney Springs. Dishes include Cracked Jonah Crab Claws, Hearts of Palm and Key West Pink Shrimp Salad and Florida Lobster Risotto. For dessert, guests can indulge in Chocolate Cake served with raspberry mousse and sweetheart bark. See the full menu of Valentine’s Day specials here. Reservations recommended.
• Chicken Guy!
  Chicken Guy! will offer a Valentine's Day Oreo Strawberry Cheesecake Shake it describes as “A delicious blend of hand-spun vanilla soft serve, cheesecake, strawberries and crushed OREO cookies, topped with fresh whipped cream, more crushed Oreo cookies and strawberry syrup.” The shake will be available at both the Disney Springs and Winter Park locations until March 31.
• Jaleo Disney Springs
  On Valentine’s Day, guests can enjoy any bottle of wine for half the price, allowing for indulgence and discovery. Additionally, guests can enjoy the last week of Jaleo’s Strawberry Festival described above), in partnership with Southern Hill Farms, featuring a sweet and savory menu of Spanish-style eats, all incorporating locally grown strawberries. Reservations recommended.

…NEW For Valentine's Day, and, in fact, through Sunday, February 18, Planet Hollywood at Disney Springs is offering Cupid’s Love Potion, where couples can top off their meal and share their love for each other with this specialty drink, featuring vodka and a whole lot of sweet juices — cranberry, grapefruit, pineapple, and orange – mixed with grenadine and topped with heart-shaped strawberries; you can even sip from two pink straws, and take home a souvenir Planet Hollywood goblet. (Also available in a non-alcoholic version.)

Cupid's Love Potion is available at Planet Hollywood at Disney Springs through Sunday, February 18. Photo courtesy Planet Hollywood.

…REMINDER: Also speaking of food and beverage for Valentine's Day, Disney Parks Blog has published its Foodie Guide for celebrating at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.

…REMINDER: Beyond the parks and resorts, the 2024 edition of Disney Princess – The Concert tour kicks off March 5, 2024. The tour features an all-star quartet of Broadway and animated film icons celebrating all the Disney Princesses and Frozen Queens in an evening of songs, animation, and stories, alongside their “magical Music Director and enchanting Prince.” Disney has provided the following list of tour dates with tickets available from the listed venues.

…REMINDER: D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event (formerly known as D23 Expo) will go on sale starting March 26. Taking place in Anaheim, California August 9 through 11, the event will feature spectacular shows, new venues, and multiple days of entertainment that will bring together the best of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and more. This year’s event will feature Disney+ integration, musical performances with world-class artists, special content presentations, a new interactive app, and one-of-a-kind shopping experiences. Visit D23.com for the latest details.

…REMINDER: While we are talking fan expos, Michele & Scott Atwood, the folks I have gotten to know over the years here in the fan community over at The Main Street Mouse are once again presenting “House of Mouse Expo.” The Disney-focused House of Mouse Expo 2024 will take place in Central Florida just minutes from Walt Disney World on March 2-3 at the Osceola Heritage Park Events Center in Kissimmee, Florida. The two-day Fan-Event has lined up quite a few Disney stars, celebrity guests, voice actors, and Disney legends for photo ops, autographs, and unforgettable memories. Among those scheduled to appear at House of Mouse Expo 2024: Jim Cummings (Winnie-The-Pooh, Tigger), Bret Iwan (the official voice of Mickey Mouse), Bill Farmer (Goofy, Pluto), Kaitlyn Robrock (Minnie Mouse), Kevin McNally and Martin Klebba (Pirates of the Caribbean), Ross Marquand (Marvel Universe), Terry McGovern (Launchpad McQuack), Irene Bedard (Disney’s Pocahontas) plus from Hocus Pocus 2 Taylor Paige Henderson, Nina Christine Kitchen, and Juju Brenner (Young Sanderson Sisters). More information and tickets are available at HouseOfMouseExpo.com.

…REMINDER: Over in Winter Haven, Florida, the new LEGO Ferrari Build & Race Experience will open to LEGOLAND Florida park guests next month on Friday, March 8. The attraction will feature a life-size LEGO Ferrari 296 GTS model and three interactive areas for guests to build, configure, race, and enjoy. Starting February 15, for a limited time, Florida and Georgia residents can purchase a day and then attend all year long with the “Build-Your-Year Card!” The option to add visits to Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida and LEGOLAND Water Park will also be available. Also, starting February 15, the LEGOLAND Florida Resort is offering a “Stay for 2, Play for 3 Vacation Package”—stay 2 nights at any of its three on-site hotels and get the 3rd night free when booking 45+ days in advance, plus, receive 3-Day Multi-Park tickets for the price of a 2-Day ticket.

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Resort Reservations, Ticket Advice & Special Offers

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.

With the start of the New Year, Disney announced a new Florida Resident ticket deal. The new Florida Resident Disney Thrills Ticket 2-day ticket is available for $199 (plus tax); a 3-day ticket is $219 (plus tax). This IS NOT A DATE-BASED Ticket, so park reservations ARE required, and it is valid for use through March 15, 2024 (including weekends). The tickets do not need be used on consecutive days, but park reservations are required and subject to Disney-imposed limits, capacity limits, and availability. For details, including including proof of residency requirements, add-ons like Park Hopper, visit this page of DisneyWorld.com.

Disney+ subscribers can get a FREE dining plan when purchasing a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day Walt Disney Travel Company package that includes a room at a select Disney Resort hotel and theme park ticket with a Park Hopper option. This offer is valid for arrivals most nights July 1 through September 30, 2024. Visit DisneyWorld.com/SpecialOffers for additional offer details!

Guests can save up to 35% at select Disney Resort hotels when booking a stay of 5 nights or longer most nights March 25 through October 3, 2024. Visit DisneyWorld.com/SpecialOffers to learn more. If logged in with your My Disney Experience credentials, you can also view Passholder offers where the discount applies regardless of the number of nights for arrivals March 25 to July 7, 2024.

For families looking to book their spring travel, Walt Disney World offers the Kids Play & Dine for 50% Off. For stays with arrivals nights from: March 3-24 and April 7-June 30, 2024, children (ages 3 through 9) theme park tickets and dining plans are half off with the purchase of a 4-night, 4-day Walt Disney Travel Co. package that includes a room at a Disney Resort hotel, theme park tickets, and a dining plan. Guests can book packages now at this page of DisneyWorld.com.

The Walt Disney World Resort website lists current offers, deals, and discounts on this page.

MousePlanet’s travel partner Get Away Today is available to help you book rooms and packages.

REMINDER: Get Away Today’s Walt Disney World Resort vacation packages can now be booked completely on its website! No cumbersome quotes needed! Simply compare all your favorite Walt Disney World Resort hotels and Get Away Today's hand selected off-property hotels in a few clicks, and then customize for your included tickets for your vacation.

Get Away Today’s Walt Disney World Resort vacation packages now have the option to add Layaway Plans, which allow you to pay the total balance up to eight days prior to travel. You can also add their popular “Peace of Mind Plan” when booking a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, which allows any reschedules and cancellations up to five days prior to travel with no penalty.

When booking with Get Away Today, all Walt Disney World Resort on-site packages include Get Away Today’s e-concierge, which includes its Best Price Guarantee, Dining Reservation Reminders, access to their Concierge Team email for help before and during your vacation, and more.

Looking to go beyond Walt Disney World Resort when visiting Central Florida? Check out Get Away Today's Universal Orlando Resort ticket offers too.

Only purchase Disney theme park tickets directly from Disney, an authorized seller, or a travel agency like MousePlanet travel partner Get Away Today! As always, we remind our readers that Walt Disney World Resort theme park tickets are rarely offered at deep discounts unless you are a resident of Florida or eligible for U.S. Military Personnel benefits. Historically, non-Florida residents tend to benefit the most by purchasing tickets in advance (and, of course, being mindful of the rules relevant to those tickets). Don't get scammed! Never buy tickets from an unofficial or secondary outlet, such as through eBay or Craigslist. Never rent or purchase tickets from people approaching you outside Disney property stating they have remaining days or leftover tickets. This practice is against the terms of use for Walt Disney World Theme Park admissions, and may result in denial of entry. There is no way to determine if these tickets are valid until you try to use them to enter the parks.