Walt Disney World Resort Update for February 4-10, 2020

Walt Disney World Resort Update for February 4-10, 2020

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News and Views

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Super Bowl LIV Celebrated at Magic Kingdom and with Disney Parks $1 Million Donation to Make-A-Wish

News reports say lots of folks take the Monday after Super Bowl Sunday off of work to celebrate (or recover) following the Big Game. The Super Bowl MVP, on the other hand, usually gets his whirlwind trip to Walt Disney World that day. Yesterday, less than 24 hours after kickoff of Super Bowl LIV, the game's Most Valuable Player, Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, was whisked from Miami to Walt Disney World Resort for a full day of festivities after first shouting that iconic phrase following his team's winning of the big game, “I'm going to Disney World!” (Granted, this year's post-game trip was a shorter distance trip than some MVP's have had, but can you imagine playing in the Big Game and then doing all that media availability and then travel and…?)

By Monday morning, the latest commercial in the over 30 year tradition of Super Bowl heroes shouting the phrase after victory hit the airwaves (and the web). This victory was all the more special for Kansas City, as it was the Chiefs' first NFL championship in 50 years. The final score was Chiefs 31, San Francisco Forty-Niners 20.

Disney Parks Blog shared the highlights of Super Bowl LIV MVP Patrick Mahomes' day at Walt Disney World following the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl victory the night before. Accompanying the quarterback during parts of his whirlwind visit was Nathaniel, a Make-A-Wish child from Texas who was also provided a dream day at the Resort. Video ©Disney.

Disney tied its involvement in this year's Super Bowl to its four decades-long collaboration with Make-A-Wish foundation. On Sunday night, following the presentation of the NFL Championship trophy to the Kansas City Chiefs, Disney Parks was the presenting sponsor of the MVP award which went to 24-year-old Mahomes for his performance in the game, and Disney Parks donated $1 million to the Make-A-Wish foundation in his honor.

Disney and Make-A-Wish together have granted more than 140,000 wishes for children facing serious illnesses around the world. Bob Chapek (Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products) joined the board of directors of Make-A-Wish America in 2018. He appeared Monday morning along with Mickey and Minnie, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Mahomes, Make-A-Wish America President and CEO Richard K. Davis and Nathaniel, a 10 year old Wish child from Texas to formally announce the donation.

Nathaniel and 17 other Make-A-Wish kids attended the Super Bowl as their wish and then also got to travel to Walt Disney World to celebrate the Chiefs' championship. The kids and their families had prime viewing for the parade, Nathaniel and his family got to ride in the parade (and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance with Mahomes), and they all got to spend time with Mahomes and received special footballs.

The parade saluting the NFL Champion Kansas City Chiefs traveled the Magic Kingdom parade route yesterday.

This year's parade celebrated MVP Patrick Mahomes, the 24 year old quarterback of the Chiefs.

The celebration also saluted Make-A-Wish, following Disney Parks' $1 million donation. The event included 18 wish kids and their families (some are seen here cheering on Mahomes and Mickey and friends).

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

You can watch the replay of the full #DisneyParksLIVE stream of parade, which includes the new “I'm going to Disney World” commercial that features both Super Bowl LIV MVP Patrick Mahomes as well as Nathaniel, the 10 year old Make-A-Wish kid from Texass. During the introduction to the parade, Disney Parks LIVE host Mark Daniel chats with Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, about the company's nearly four decades long support of Make-A-Wish, including Disney Parks' donation of $1 million in honor of MVP Patrick Mahomes this year. Video ©Disney.

Following the parade, I had an opportunity to ask Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes about his “I'm going to Disney World” moment, and he chatted with fellow reporters a bit more about his visit to Walt Disney World. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

Epcot Festivals News & Calendar

All the latest details about the on-going and up-coming Epcot Festivals are covered in order in this section.

Festival of the Arts

Running through February 24, 2020, the Epcot International Festival of the Arts has returned for its fourth annual celebration of Disney-inspired visual artists, culinary artistic creations by Walt Disney World chefs, and the performing arts, including Disney's Broadway songs and artists. The official website for the Festival is: ArtfulEpcot.com.

Liana Hunt and Adam Jacobs are one of the two duos of Disney on Broadway Concert Series performers taking the stage three times nightly through February 9. The other duo appearing on the other nights until then are Kara Lindsay and Kevin Massey; they all join together for three concerts on February 9. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The most popular performances during the Festival are the Disney on Broadway Concerts Series shows, three times nightly at America Gardens Theatre: 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8 p.m. The shows feature pairs of Disney on Broadway performers in scheduled duos singing songs from Disney musicals: Kissy Simmons & Alton Fitzgerald White, Heidi Blickenstaff & Gavin Lee, Kara Lindsay & Kevin Massey, Liana Hunt & Adam Jacobs, Ashley Brown & Josh Strickland, and Syndee Winters & Michael James Scott. Each duo is scheduled to perform several times during the Festival, and on three evenings during the Festival (January 25, February 9 and 24), two duos combine for three concerts. More information about both the whole Festival and the shows themselves is available on ArtfulEpcot.com or by calling (407)939-5277. Booking for dining packages and workshops is also now open for the entire 2020 Festival; Passholder discounts are available.

See a replay of the #DisneyParksLIVE stream of the January 25 concert (8 p.m.) featuring Kissy Simmons & Alton Fitzgerald White along with Heidi Blickenstaff & Gavin Lee. The next concert featuring two duos together will be February 9. Video ©Disney.

Other performance artists appear on stages around the park during the Festival as well. With the Fountain Stage razed as part of Epcot's on-going transformation, a new stage is located on the shore of the Lagoon at World Showcase Plaza. Visual artist, Trevor Carlton, for example, does his rapid create-to-music paintings of Disney characters there. Art Defying Gravity also performs there. The stage's schedule is posted. Check Times Guides for published schedules.

A stage in World Showcase Plaza features many of the performing artists during the Festival. The stage's schedule is posted on-stage, along with the current performer. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

This year, the new “Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine” debuts with food creations “that make you look twice and delight all your senses.” The “Walk” is like the Holiday's Cookie Trail, if you purchase 5 menu items from the Cuisine locations and receive stamps in your Passport, you can bring the completed Passport to Decadent Delights for a “colorful culinary prize offered exclusively at the Festival.” Passport stamps do not have to be collected on the same day; the Passport may be completed at anytime before the end of the Festival. The menus for all the Festival's “Food Studios” (kiosks) are also on the Festival's website, ArtfulEpcot.com and Disney Parks Blog has published its Foodie Guide to the Festival.

Interactivity is a hallmark of this Festival. From the very popular walk-into-the-art photo opportunities, to workshops and hands-on experiences. Some experiences are included in the price of admission, and some have additional costs. The event Passport and the ArtfulEpcot.com website provide more specific information. One of the returning free activities is the paint-by-number mural which, this year, is located in the center of Future World near where the Fountain of Nations previously stood (and is now surrounded by construction walls). Arribas Brothers at Germany pavilion offers an opportunity to build your own Festival souvenir from pieces of glass that will be fired in its off-stage ovens and mailed to you (prices range from $25 to $55 including shipping). Near Japan pavilion, you have the opportunity to create “Spin Art” (aboard a stationary bike or a turntable) for a nominal you-keep-what-you-make fee; at a kiosk in Future World West (where the Butterfly Garden usually stands during Flower & Garden Festival and food kiosks stand during Food & Wine) artists will create painted creatures from your handprints (also for a fairly nominal fee). Artistic Marbling is back at World Showcase Plaza, and, as guests approach Canada, Enemy Ink is back with its custom-printed t-shirts.

One interesting thing about every edition of Festival of the Arts – decor keeps evolving. We did not see (or at least notice) these wraps on the columns at the park entrance until this past week.

Some of the butterflies on the construction wall near The Land are shorter than others.

Sunshine Seasons inside The Land pavilion offers an Artful Epcot dessert option.

Decadent Delights in World Showcase Plaza has a Lemon Blood-Orange Tart (that I enjoyed a great deal).

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Merchandise offerings during the Festival, as usual, give Figment a large role. Disney Parks Blog has published highlights of this year's commemorative merchandise. The theme of much of the merchandise is the Figment Color Co. Figment's Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt returns (guests purchase a map from designated merchandise locations, hunt around World Showcase, and return the completed map to a designated location for a “prize”). Passholders can purchase an exclusive Figment t-shirt during the Festival, and there is a complimentary “Artful Mickey” magnet “painted” by artist Will Gay available at a designated pickup location for Passholders with a valid Annual Pass and matching photo ID.

Flower & Garden Festival

The longest running Epcot festival—the one that started them all back in 1994 as “a 38-day celebration of Disney-style gardens and topiaries”—the 2020 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, runs 90-days from March 4 to June 1, 2020. The 27th edition of the Festival includes the Garden Rocks Concert Series three times nightly at America Gardens Theatre, and, the list of scheduled performers so far includes both returning and new names including: Peabo Bryson, STARSHIP, Sister Hazel, Rick Springfield, Plain White T's, Don McLean, Herman's Hermits, Daughtry and Survivor. More recent additions include: The Orchestra starring former members of ELO, The Guess Who, A Flock of Seagulls, Tony Orlando, Christopher Cross, Air Supply, and Crowder. The most recent additions are High Valley and Casting Crowns. Based on the posted schedule, there are now just two remaining acts to be named. The official website for the festival is FreshEpcot.com.

Garden Rocks Concert Series Dining Packages are now available. Booking a breakfast, lunch or dinner package at select Epcot restaurants provides guaranteed concert seating for a 5:30, 6:45, or 8 p.m. show.

If you are new to this Festival, you may not otherwise know that this is the one that features the most topiaries around the park. New this year will be a Remy topiary that will be unveiled as the centerpiece of Ratatouille Garden at France pavilion. The garden will include vegetables that make up the traditional ingredients of a ratatouille recipe. Remy's Ratatouille Adventure attraction opens at the pavilion during the summer, with a specific date not yet announced.

Other topiary displays that have been announced so far are the return of Anna & Elsa, Buzz Lightyear, Miss Piggy & Kermit the Frog, Tinker Bell, Snow White, and Bambi. The Goodness Garden Butterfly House will also return, as will the “Play Full Garden” where “families can celebrate spring at a unique playground experience.” The Floating Gardens, Flower Towers, and more bedded blooms will be planted as well. Behind the scenes tours are available during the Festival from the no-additional-charge 20 minute English Tea Garden tour to the Spring edition of the 3 hour Gardens of the World tour ($85/person plus tax).

Like the other Festivals, Flower & Garden Festival will include food and beverage kiosks. This year, 16 “Outdoor Kitchens” and other “stops” will include three Florida-centric locations: The Honey Bee-stro, The Citrus Blossom, and Florida Fresh.

Food & Wine Festival

The 2019 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival concluded back in November. Disney Parks Blog lists the 25th anniversary edition of the Festival among the 20 Reasons to Visit Walt Disney World Resort in 2020, but the park has not yet announced its specific dates. It is a very safe bet that the hugely popular festival will return for a near 90 day run in the late summer/fall. The official website for the festival is TasteEpcot.com. The runDisney Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend which traditionally takes place during the Festival has been scheduled for November 5-8, 2020.

Festival of the Holidays

2019 Performances of Candlelight Processional, wrapped up on December 30, along with the park-wide Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. The celebrations, no doubt, will return late in 2020, and, as in recent years, we will probably start getting specific details to share in the summer, probably with a Christmas in July media event or promotion. The Festival's official website is: EpcotHolidays.com.

Festivals Calendar

For the convenience of our readers, the scheduled performers for this year's Disney on Broadway Concert Series are shown in our Google Calendar of Epcot Events. We have also added the announced Garden Rocks Concert Series performers announced so far for this year's Flower & Garden Festival. You can add the entire Event calendar to any calendar that supports the iCal format (like iPhone and Mac) by copying this link and, as we get additional information and update the calendar, the calendar will update on your subscribed device as well.

While our Google Calendar of Epcot Events lists announced performers, it is still always best to check the My Disney Experience app, Times Guide, and, yes, sometimes even signs posted at the park entrances and at the theater noting any last minute changes. The calendar is provided as a courtesy “as is, where is” without any guarantees. We do respectfully request that you do not post our entire calendar on another site without first asking our permission. Walt Disney World Resort does provide schedules in the My Disney Experience app, but does not allow you to add dates to calendars outside the app itself.

Views Around the World

Just a few views this week, starting with a bonus view at Magic Kingdom in between the Super Bowl celebration parade and my opportunity to chat with MVP Patrick Mahones.

Magic Kingdom

While awaiting Super Bowl LIV MVP Patrick Mahones' interview availability, the gathered media had an opportunity to see the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade (which followed the Super Bowl Parade celebration). It is still great to see the Maleficent parade unit breathing fire along the parade route. We have been invited by Disney to another edition of Disney Villains After Hours this coming weekend and look forward to seeing the fire breathing at night once again, this time accompanied by a cavalcade of other villains. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

This past week, the pathway on the left (east) side of Spaceship Earth remained closed as the park's transformation continues.

The pathway along the east side of Spaceship Earth was closed all the way past Guest Relations, but guests requiring assistance were allowed to walk the path. The colorful walls in the distance show that preparation of this new eastern bypass of the center of Epcot is nearly ready to open.

This week, we spotted the new sign marking the World Showcase Promenade entrance for Canada Far and Wide. It is noteworthy because it is the first time the large sign advertises the film rather than the restaurant. In the past, it was considered a wheelchair accessible entrance to the Circlevision film, but most guests were directed to take the steps up into the pavilion, past the shops, and then down the back staircase. That path still remains open as well.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

This and That…

…With Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway set to open at Disney's Hollywood Studios on March 4 (with our invited media preview scheduled the day before), the attraction reached what Disney Parks Blog calls a “TRAIN-ing milestone” recently, with the opening team cast members training at the new attraction. So far, we have not seen any information about Passholder previews or FastPass+ availability (though the latter could be imminent). We also have not heard anything about Cast Member previews at the attraction, and we are aware that (as of publication) Cast Member park admissions at Disney's Hollywood Studios are blocked through at least the end of April 2020.

Opening team cast member training is underway at Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway in Disney's Hollywood Studios. Video ©Disney.

…For the fifth week in a row, Disney Parks Blog released a look at one of the digital posters that will appear inside the Chinese Theatre at Disney's Hollywood Studios when it reopens with the March 4 debut of Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway. Each poster pays tribute to an actual Mickey Mouse short; like last week, you can even watch this week's “Mombai Madness” short where a “rickshaw ride is anything but ordinary as Mickey embarks on an epic journey of a lifetime with a special guest,” here on Mickey Mouse's official You Tube channel. The new digital posters appear on the video screens throughout the queue on the screens that used to show posters for classic movies and The Great Movie Ride. The new attraction itself includes a brand new short, “Perfect Picnic” where “Mouse rules apply,” and the digital posters in the halls leading up to the “premiere” (the pre-show for the ride) set the scene.

Posters inspired by Mickey & Minnie cartoon shorts have been created for the lobby of Chinese Theatre at Disney's Hollywood Studios to set the scene for Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway which opens March 4. Image ©Disney.

…Disney Parks Blog shared the news of the latest new animal births at Disney's Animal Kingdom: the park's first Hartmann's zebra foal (born January 21) and an Angolan black-and-white colobus monkey (born January 15). The young zebra will join the herd on the Kilimanjaro Safari after bonding with his mom backstage. The newborn monkey named Douglas can be seen at Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail and is currently described as a “small white fur ball snuggling close to mom;” his color will change to black with white around his face as he gets older.

…Disney PhotoPass Service's celebration of its recently past 15th anniversary continues with more special limited-time photo opportunities around Walt Disney World. According to Disney Parks Blog, through April 19, there will be more new nighttime Magic Shots at locations including in front of Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom, on Sunset Boulevard near Once Upon a Time at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and at the “hub” end of Main Street in Magic Kingdom. PhotoPass is also extending the nighttime magic shot at the main entrance of Epcot near Spaceship Earth. The popular Tinker Bell lantern is also available at UK pavilion in Epcot, and, beginning February 14, a nighttime prop shot featuring Cinderella's glass slipper will be available near Sleepy Hollow in Magic Kingdom.

…As “esports” becomes more established across the U.S.A., more tournaments are taking place in large venues. EPSN Wide World of Sports Complex will host its first high school esports event this summer when it welcomes the 2020 Walt Disney World EGF High School National Championship in collaboration with the Electronic Gaming Federation. From June 12 to 14, The Arena at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will feature regional champion teams vying for national champion titles playing “Overwatch,” “Rocket League,” and “Super Smash Bros.”

…REMINDER: On February 6, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida will host Chef's Night to benefit the Darden Foundation Community Kitchen's Culinary Training Program, a 16-week culinary training program that provides service-based technical, life, and employability skills to adults. Chefs from the Walt Disney World Resort Food & Beverage Concept Development Team will prepare dishes inspired by “Love” in celebration of Valentine's Day along with wine pairings selected by Master Sommelier Brian Koziol. The menu, more information, tickets, and donation opportunities available on the link above for Chef's Night.

…REMINDER: You can also benefit the Kids Café Program of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida while you sample dishes and beverages featured at Toledo, Topolino's Terrace, Tiffins, The Hollywood Brown Derby, Cinderella's Royal Table, Golden Oak, Epcot Festivals, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Amorette's Patisserie, The Ganachery, Disney's Grand Floridian Weddings, Disney Park Events, Wine Bar George, and more by the Walt Disney World Food & Beverage Concept Development Team. The 7th Field to Field Dinner, which has raised more than $100,000 for the program, will be held in partnership with Edible Orlando magazine at Long & Scott Farms in Zellwood, Florida, on February 22, 2020, from 2:30-5:30 p.m. Tickets are $175/person (and they have sold out in the past). More information and tickets are available at EdibleOrlando.com. 100% of proceeds benefit the after-school meal service program that provides food to needy children in Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties in Florida.

…REMINDER: For Disney in another part of the World, Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai'i, is advertising 30% stays of five or more consecutive nights and 25% stays of four consecutive nights for stays through the end of February when booked by February 13, and for Spring stays between March 1 and June 13, when booked through May 8. Details and terms are available on this page of DisneyAulani.com or contact your Travel Agent.

…And, on the subject of Disney dining on the High Seas, Disney Parks Blog reports that Chef Arnaud Lallement, one of the curators of the menu of Remy, one of the two adult-exclusive (additional charge) restaurants aboard Disney Cruise Line's Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, was recently named one of the world's best chefs in a list compiled by “Le Chef” and voted on by two and three-star Michelin chefs. Chef Arnaud is also world renowned for his Michelin three-star restaurant, L'Assiette Champenoise, near Reims, France.

…Also beyond the Parks and Resorts, just yesterday, D23–The Official Disney Fan Club announced that The Walt Disney Studios will release Hamilton in theaters in the United States and Canada on October 15, 2021. The Lin-Manuel Miranda-created theater experience featuring the American founders as they were portrayed by the original Broadway cast was filmed at The Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in June of 2016. Miranda said, “I'm so proud of what Tommy Kail has been able to capture in this filmed version of Hamilton—a live theatrical experience that feels just as immediate in your local movie theater. We're excited to partner with Disney to bring the original Broadway company of Hamilton to the largest audience possible.”

…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 email in the box below.

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Disney Springs News & Views

This section collects all of the Disney Springs retail and dining events we are aware of in one place along with our most recent views of the area (including those immediately under this paragraph). Some items are repeated week to week until they occur, while other items NEW to the Update are marked accordingly. For even more of the latest news around Disney Springs, follow its official Twitter Feed: @DisneySprings.

NEW For a look at many of the Valentines Day offerings around Disney Springs, check out the Spring at Disney Springs webpage.

Raglan Road

Later this year, Raglan Road celebrates 15 years since it opened at Walt Disney World Resort. Serving up authentic Irish entertainment along with its menu by Irish chef Mark O'Neill (accompanied by lots of locally crafted beers, Irish gin and more) everyday, Raglan Road's Might St. Patrick's Festival will run Friday, March 13 through Tuesday, March 17, 2020. It is complimentary March 13-16 (and reservations are accepted); on March 17, seating is first-come, first served, and there is a $10 cover charge for guests 18 years old and above. The full Festival entertainment schedule will be posted at RaglanRoad.com, and the highlights will include: Strings & Things, TradGad, MACA, Fia Rua, Mike Waters, and Emily Furlong.

Raglan Road is located in the Landing Neighborhood of Disney Springs and has been in the same place at Walt Disney World for nearly 15 years (dating back to when the area was Pleasure Island). File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Maria & Enzo's Ristorante

NEW PHOTOS AND DETAILS Carnevale has returned to Maria & Enzo's Ristorante for the entire month of February this year. The festival, known in Venice as Carnevale and as Mardi Gras outside of Italy, includes festive decor, glamorous costumes, food and celebrations. At the restaurant, from 5-10 p.m., the restaurant has special menus with signature dishes as well as special items, special beverage offerings, special dessert offerings, and nightly live entertainment. Reservations are recommended by visiting MariaAndEnzos.com or by calling (407)560-8466. We were invited to dine during the opening night.

Carnevale at Maria & Enzo's continues until February 29, 2020. Image courtesy Patina Restaurant Group.

We were invited to enjoy the first night's festivities and some of the highlights follow. There is somewhat less live entertainment inside the restaurant this year over last (the singers and specialty acts, for example), but there is some entertainment outside the restaurant to draw folks in, much more decor inside, and some complimentary food items accompanying your meal. As you can see in the photos, though, there is still some entertainment to go with your meal.

Festive decor greets guests upon stepping in to the restaurant during Carnevale.

A special menu includes some of the restaurants signature dishes and more.

Some of the special adult beverages created by the restaurant for Carnevale include, on the left, Maschera Rossa (Red Mask) which includes fresh strawberry purée, tangy pineapple juice, simple syrup, lemon juice, Maker's Mark whiskey, and a pineapple wedge. On the right is the more “exotic” Ballerino di Fuoco (Fire Dancer) which includes Leblon, lime juice, simple syrup, muddled jalepeños, and a jalapeño slice garnish.

Carnevale meals begin with Pinzimonio (Italian Crudité) with Giardiniera Cremosa (shown here, upper left). Mamma Maria's mini-meatballs are served with all entrée courses (lower left). The Pastas shown here are: Torchio al Pollo (spiral shaped pasta, roasted chicken ragu, toasted garlic, parmesan cream sauce)(top right), and Ravioli al tre Formaggi (three cheese ravioli)(lower right).

The desserts shown here are Maria's Torta (marscarpone cheescake, blueberries) and Chocolate Ganache. Meals end with Bugie e Chiacchiere (fried sweet pastry, shown at right).

Strolling musicians are some of the entertainment during your meal.

An artist hand-paints masks for diners throughout the meal as well.

Tables may be visited by a balloon artist.

Earlier in the week before Carnevale, the dining room looked more like its usual appearance (the converted seaplane terminal).

Maria & Enzo's is located in The Landing neighborhood of Disney Springs near the bridge to the West Side.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Entertainment takes place in front of Maria & Enzo's throughout the night as a preview to the Carnevale celebrations inside. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Edison

On February 22, 2020, from 8:30 p.m. until 2 a.m., The Edison will host its inaugural Masquerade. According to the announcement, guests ages 21 and above will enter “a fantasy world of electrifying mystique” where they should “be prepared to be surprised and delighted around every corner as all party goers will be dressed incognito during a magical evening shrouded in an air of secrecy.” Tickets are $65/person (plus tax and gratuity) and includes “power-house trays of gourmet passed appetizers”. There will also be a dedicated menu of themed cocktails available. Masks are mandatory (but full face masks are prohibited). For more information and to purchase tickets (which are still available), visit this page of Patina Restaurant Group's website. We have been invited to attend as well, so let us know if you will be there to say hello!

The Masquerade Event will be held for guests at least 21 years old at The Edison, Saturday, February 22, 8:30 p.m. until 2 a.m. $65 Tickets are required (plus tax and gratuity); guests must wear “Festive Masks.” Image courtesy Patina Restaurant Group.

Jaleo

NEW Jaleo's Truffle Festival is underway at Disney Springs. The Spanish black truffle is highlighted in special dishes along side sommelier-selected wine pairings for a limited time through February 16 at lunch and dinner. Discovered by truffle-hunting dogs, these black truffles are flown straight in from the Spanish city of Teruel the day they are discovered.

NEWSpeaking of truffles, on Thursday, February 13 at 6:30 p.m., Jaleo is hosting a special six-course dinner featuring the Spanish black truffles shaved table-side, paired with hand-selected wines. For more information and tickets to this $299 ALL-INCLUSIVE (includes taxes, fees, gratuity) private event, visit this page of Jaleo.com. (This is the recently added “Second Night” of the special event, as the first night sold out well-before last week's Update was published so we did not even included it!)

RusticCuff Pop-Up Shop: NEW Photo

Earlier this month, we noted that the Erwin Pearl store had closed at Disney Springs (in the Landing neighborhood across from Wine Bar George and Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar). Disney Parks Blog announced that boutique jewelry brand, Rustic Cuff, will soon open a pop-up retail store across from Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar. The brand's founder/designer is Jill Donovan, and its website RusticCuff.com shows some of its wares as well as a photo of the former Erwin Pearl store as its next showroom. The Disney Springs “accessory destination” will feature “statement cuffs with a focus on inspirational designes and personal connection.” The pop-up shop plans to include beads, bangles, charm bracelets, and “colorful stackable accent pieces” that include options for personalization. The store will operate for a limited time, but an opening date has not yet been announced, but NEW this week, we noticed new awnings at the store.

The Erwin Pearl store has closed. The Rustic Cuff signage appeared this week on the storefront. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

NEW Views around Disney Springs

“The Child” (aka Baby Yoda) from the Disney+ series now appears on lots of merchandise around Disney Springs, including a 3D LovePop card.

In Disney Style shop, lots of retro-merchandise is now in stock.

Among the retro merchandise, even the infamous pink castle cake from the Resort's 25th Anniversary celebration is featured on a new t-shirt.

At the Ganachery, Valentines merchandise is on the shelves (and being prepared behind the shop's glass windows).

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

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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 email. More runDisney event information

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2020 Resort Events

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Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Note: Not all attraction closures have been officially confirmed by Disney, and are all subject to change at any time. All refurbishment schedules are estimates only. We recommend checking for updates as you plan your visit. All information is subject to change without notice. To get the most recent updates, visit DisneyWorld.com or use the MyDisneyExperience App on your iOS or Android device.

View the different areas of the Resort by scrolling horizontally and selecting the one you want to read about.

Current Discounts and 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.

As regular readers know, 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. It is increasingly true that 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). As prices go up, it becomes even more important to pay heed: 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. Only purchase Disney theme park tickets directly from Disney, an authorized seller, or a travel agency like MousePlanet travel partner Get Away Today. Be sure to move the calendar to at least seven (7) days out, to see what ticket options and discounts are available for your planned visit.

For more discounts and offers we know about, click the category below that you want to expand (or close).

For Everyone

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For Military Personnel

For Florida Residents

For Disney Vacation Club Members

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