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

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

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News and Views

Osborne Lights extended three days; refurbishment season looms | Walt Disney World Marathon weekend | A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party | Views From Around the World | This and That | Crowd Forecast

Osborne Lights extended three days; refurbishment season looms

Originally scheduled to “glow away forever” Sunday night, Disney has extended the final season of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights by three days. The show is now scheduled to close Wednesday, January 6, which is nice for those arriving Wednesday for the Walt Disney World marathon weekend.

One of my last photos of Disney “snow” falling on the Streets of America during The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

However, once the runners begin to head home Monday morning, refurbishment season officially gets underway. Many of the closures are due to the Star Wars Land construction slated to begin at Disney's Hollywood Studios; others are normal annual maintenance projects. Here's what the next few weeks brings:

Closing forever

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights presented by Siemens – closes January 6, 2016
• Streets of America
• Premiere Theater – most recently home to the Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special
• Phineas and Ferb meet-and-greet
• Cars meet-and-greet

Epcot

• Soarin' (original film) – the new Soarin' Around the World ride film debuts in Summer, 2016

Closing for refurbishment

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Pizza Planet restaurant – closes January 11 for refurbishment. Reopening date TBD.

Magic Kingdom

• Splash Mountain – closed January 10 – 15 for refurbishment.
• Space Mountain – closed January 11 – 15 for refurbishment.
• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin – closed January 15 – February 11 for refurbishment.
• Liberty Square Riverboat – closed January 18 – 22 for refurbishment.

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

The 2016 runDisney season kicks off this weekend with the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend. The events begin tomorrow, January 6, and continue through Sunday, January 10. Marathon Weekend is the largest of the runDisney events at Walt Disney World, and brings tens of thousands of runners, walkers, friends, and family to the Resort. Even if you're not here for the races, road closures and operational changes can impact anyone visiting during this weekend. Here's what runners, tourists, and spectators should know as we head into this busy weekend.

Non-runners

Walt Disney World is going to be very busy this weekend. The good news is that runners tend not to stay up late the night before races, so you should see lighter evening crowds than you might expect, especially Friday and Saturday nights. However, runners also love to head into the parks to show off their medals after their events, so expect afternoon crowds once the runners shower and stretch.

Be prepared for especially large crowds Sunday night from 2 – 8 p.m. at Disney Springs, due to the Cool Down Party at Disney Springs.

The race expo takes place at the Wide World of Sports complex, an out-of-the-way location that won't impact most WDW visitors. However, road closures due to the half marathon and marathon events will make it more challenging to navigate around the Resort Saturday and Sunday mornings, especially if you are heading towards Epcot or Magic Kingdom. Leave yourself extra time to get to your breakfast at Cinderella Castle, and consider using Resort transportation so you don't have to navigate the road closures yourself.

Unfortunately, you may find yourself wide awake well before dawn all weekend, as the sound from the starting line music and announcers—not to mention the pyrotechnics—echoes around Bay Lake. The Epcot-area Resorts, and especially Old Key West and portions of Saratoga Springs, are the most impacted.

The 10K and full marathon courses pass in front of Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, so visitors with rooms overlooking the boardwalk should expect spectator noise Friday and Sunday mornings.

Spectators

The nice thing about the Walt Disney World races is that you can view the half marathon and marathon runners from inside the Magic Kingdom park without purchasing a theme park ticket or a special ChEAR Squad package, though you can spring for the ChEAR Squad package which will give you a reserved viewing area near Cinderella Castle. If you're planning to see your runner at Magic Kingdom, the best plan is to park at Epcot and take the Monorail to the TTC, and then into the Magic Kingdom. The monorails begin running at 5:00 a.m. However, Disney requires that you park your car at Epcot by 4:00 a.m., so plan ahead.

If you don't want to go all the way into the park, there's lots of room to view the runners as the enter the TTC. There are a few other convenient viewing areas for those staying at (or willing to walk to) the hotels on the Monorail line—see pages 64 – 65 of the official race program for locations and timing. Depending on your runner, it's definitely possible to see them once at the TTC, again near the Polynesian Resort, and then make it back to the finish line before they cross.

Runner tracking

You can register to receive runner tracking updates via text message, Twitter, or Facebook. Sign up via the runDisney webform, or text “wdw [bib number]” to 72147.

Weekend schedule for runners

Event merchandise

If you want first pick of the race merchandise, plan to arrive at the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo well before the official 10:00 a.m. opening on Wednesday. Remember, you don't need to pick up your race packet before you shop.

These new runDisney shirts will be available at events in 2016, but will debut at the Walt Disney World event. Photo © Disney.

The Disney Parks Blog posted a preview of some of the event merchandise scheduled to be released this weekend, including the new Dooney & Bourke handbags. Surprisingly, Disney is now taking online “pre-orders” for these new handbags, before the Expo even begins, with product to begin shipping in March. It sounds like the product may not have arrived in time for the Expo, so you should definitely place a pre-order (website link) if you're interested in one of the items. Pre-orders end January 13, 2016.

A new Dooney & Bourke collection designed for the 2016 Walt Disney World Marathon weekend is available for pre-order. Photo © Disney.

New Balance shoe sales

New Balance has announced 6 new shoes will be released at the Walt Disney World race expo:

• Dumbo Vazee Pace – $125
• Ariel Vazee Pace – $125
• Red Carpet Mickey 860v6 – $140
• Red Carpet Minnie 860v6 – $140
• Kids Dumbo Vazee Pace – $80
• Kids Ariel Vazee Pace – $80

The Dumbo Vazee Pace shoe is one of four new designs to be released this weekend at the Walt Disney World marathon weekend. Photo © New Balance.

New Balance will again use a “virtual queue” to save shoppers from having to stand in hours-long lines to get a chance at one of its exclusive Disney shoes. Runners with a bib number can register starting at 6:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, January 6, and have exclusive access to the shoes the first day. Non-runners can sign up starting at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 7. Visit the New Balance virtual queue website for more information.

Cool Down Party discounts

Runners can show their medals or bibs at participating Disney Springs shops and restaurants to receive a discount during the Cool Down Party on Sunday. A list of offers is on page 51 of the official race program. It looks like the new Morimoto Asia restaurant in Disney Springs missed the deadline to have their offer included, but this weekend posted an offer via Twitter:

Show your race medal Thu – Mon(1/7 – 1/11)and get a free California or Vegetable sushi roll during lunch.#runDisney pic.twitter.com/0zJXZYZtBK

— Morimoto Asia (@MorimotoAsia) January 3, 2016

Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party

If you need a new way to watch the new Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks that begin this Friday, January 8 at Disney's Hollywood Studios, check out the new dessert party that is on sale now.

Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party happens 6:30-8 p.m. each Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with special viewing for the “Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular” fireworks at 7:45 p.m. each night. Guests can enjoy a selection of sweets as the night sky erupts with impressive fireworks, set to the most dramatic and memorable Star Wars themes of all time, including selections from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

On the menu, guests will enjoy lots of Star Wars-themed treats, including the popular Yoda and Darth Vader cupcakes and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

The dessert party is $69.00 for adults (age 10 and over) and $39.00 for children (ages 3 to 9); tax and gratuity are included. This does not include park admission, which is required and additional.

The reserved viewing area is a standing-room-only area, with no chairs, though wheelchairs and EVCs are permitted. Disney warns that the dessert party may be moved indoors in the event of inclement weather, and that the fireworks show itself is subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Views From Around the World

Contributing photographer Alan Dalinka spent New Year's Eve at Walt Disney World. and shared video and images from the holiday week.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

As The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights winds down its final days, I still spotted elements I had not noticed before. Look carefully above the marquee. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

I found Nemo and a hidden Mickey amongst The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Osborne Family stockings hang above the fireplace on the Streets of America for the final season. Depending upon the care with which they are removed in the upcoming days and Disney's plans, where they may appear in the future is unknown. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Also mixed in with this year's display of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights were a couple of light sabers from that galaxy far, far away that will (eventually) “land” close to this spot (or, maybe, the “X” even marks the spot). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Is this a hidden (in plain sight) message about the future of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights or just pointing out the exit? Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Though the holiday season has wound to a close, this Santa Claus hangs in this spot near the It's a Wonderful Shop that sells Christmas Merchandise year round. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Epcot

Large areas of lawn surrounding the Future World ponds are open for guests to enjoy on New Year's Eve, lighted by inflated Mickey heads. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

New Year's Eve is one of the rare times that Illuminations: Reflections of Earth is performed at Epcot twice. The early showing (at 6 p.m.) features the final showing of the Special Holiday Finale, seen here over Disney's Beach Club Resort from the Yacht Club boat dock. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

After the early New Year's Eve showing of Illuminations, the globe in the center of World Showcase Lagoon becomes a countdown clock, ticking away toward the New Year. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Magic Eye Theater at the Imagination pavilion is now home to a trio of Disney & Pixar animated shorts presented in 3D with in-theater effects (including the theater's motion base). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Silent DJ experience at the Japan pavilion this New Year's Eve was set up inside a confining “pen” that caused a great deal of congestion. Inside the “pen” guests were provided light-up headphones to hear the experience. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Epcot welcomes 2016 with its largest fireworks display of the year. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Magic Kingdom

Entertainment in front of Cinderella Castle on the final two nights of the year includes several DJs playing many different genres of upbeat music from the 1950s to the present, replacing the usual background music tracks. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Fantasy in the Sky fireworks show fills the sky on the last two nights of the year. Even on December 30, prime fireworks viewing locations fill up well before the 11:50 p.m. beginning of the show. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Fantasyland offers an opportunity to take a photo with one of Cinderella's carriages decorated for the New Year. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Magic Kingdom Fireworks – December 30, 2015. Video by Alan Dalinka.

This and That

…The One Man's Dream theater in Disney's Hollywood Studios will again be used to present an extended preview of an upcoming Disney film. A trailer for Zootopia will debut January 21. The movie opens March 4, but Disney has not said how long the preview will be offered.

…Former Epcot performers (and crowd favorite) Off Kilter want your help to Kickstart their next album. The funding window ends Wednesday, January 6 at 4:00 p.m. PST.

…Disney has posted a casting call for performers to portray Ezra Bridger and Sabine Wren from Star Wars Rebels. The casting call states, “These performers will be used for upcoming special events held at the Walt Disney World® Resort near Orlando, FL.”

…Tickets for the 2016 Atlanta Braves Spring Training, including season tickets, mini plans, and single-game tickets are now on sale. Spring training takes place March 4 – April 4. See website for game schedule.

…The MousePlanet Newsletter is here! The newsletter contains a recap of the week's articles (in case you miss a day), news that may have developed since the weekly Updates were published, and tips about what's happening at the Disney theme parks for the coming weekend. We'll also include a fun MouseAdventure bonus, such as an Eye Spy or a trivia question. To subscribe to our free newsletter, just enter your e-mail in the box below.

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Resort Events

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

2016 Resort events

• The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights presented by Siemens – extended through January 6, 2016
• Star Wars Experiences – December 1, 2015 – March 20, 2016 (tentative end date)
• 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.
• 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 – dates to be announced
• 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – dates to be announced.
• Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic – dates to be announced.
• Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party – dates to be announced.
• “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

• Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 6 – 10, 2016. Most events are sold out. Registration is still open for the runDisney Kids Races. The deadline to submit proof of time for these events has passed.
• Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 18 – 21, 2016. All races are sold out. The deadline to submit proof of time for these events has passed.
• Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side Weekend – April 14 – 17, 2016. The 5K, 10K, Dark Side Challenge and runDisney Kids Races are sold out. Registration is still open for the half marathon event. You must submit proof of time no later than January 19, 2016.
• Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 3 – 4, 2016. Pre-sale begins March 8, 2016. General registration opens March 15, 2016.

For current information on registration dates and capacity, see Lorree Tachell's runDisney Race Capacity Updates in the Team MousePlanet forum on our MousePad discussion board.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex events 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

• 2016 Florida Cup – January 9-21.
• National College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship – January 15-17.
• National Dance Team Championship – January 29-31.
• National High School Cheerleading Championship – February 6-7. One of the largest events of the year.
• AmeriCheer / AmeriDance International Championships – February 27-28.
• 2016 Atlanta Braves Spring Training – March 4 – April 4. See website for game schedule. Tickets, including season tickets, mini plans and single-game tickets are now on sale.
• Contest of Champions – March 4-6.
• International All Star Championship – March 12-13.
• 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

• Splash Mountain – closed January 10-15 for refurbishment.
• Space Mountain – closed January 11-15 for refurbishment.
• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin – closed January 15 – February 11 for refurbishment.
• Liberty Square Riverboat – closed January 18-22 for refurbishment.
• 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.
• Innoventions West – Think, presented by IBM; The Great Piggy Bank Adventure; and Where's the Fire? closed. The Disney Visa character experience remains open.
• Maelstrom – permanently closed for construction of Frozen Ever After attraction. New ride expected to open May, 2016.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

2016

• Toy Story Midway Mania – second ride track is under construction. Work has no impact on the existing ride.
• 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 – closes January 11 for refurbishment. Reopening date TBD.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

• None currently scheduled

Blizzard Beach

• Entire park closed through January 3, 2016 for refurbishment

Typhoon Lagoon

• Entire park closed January 3 – March 13, 2016 for refurbishment.

Disney Springs

• Fulton's Crab House – closed January 1 – April 1, 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

• Disney's Boardwalk Inn – Exterior painting and repair during daylight hours, through May 5, 2016
• Disney's Boardwalk Inn – Flying Fish Cafe closed February 1 – September 30, 2016 for refurbishment.
• Disney's 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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