Walt Disney World Resort Update for July 26 – August 1, 2016
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News and Views
My Disney Experience App launches Get Directions | Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic | Family says it will not sue Disney following fatal alligator attack | UNIQLO opens Disney Springs flagship | Views around the World | This and That | Crowd Forecast
My Disney Experience App launches Get Directions
An update to the My Disney Experience mobile App now allows users to obtain directions around Walt Disney World property, whether they are trying to walk from Space Mountain to Splash Mountain, or trying to drive from Saratoga Springs to Disney Springs.
According to the Disney Parks Blog, the new feature offers directions to and from all of these locations:
- Theme Parks and Water Parks
- Resorts
- Transportation and Ticket Center
- Disney Springs
- Attractions
- Characters
- Dining
- Restrooms
- Entertainment
- Events and Tours
- PhotoPass
- Guest Services
- Recreation
- Shopping
- Spa
You also have the option of choosing your transportation method, which seasoned travelers know can make a huge difference when navigating Walt Disney World. Someone wanting to drive to Typhoon Lagoon needs completely different instructions than someone who plans to take one of Disney's buses. The App can also suggest transportation options you may not have realized were an option for that route, like taking a boat between Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios.
This new feature is a great tool for vacation planners. Hopefully future updates will allow guests to see when the next bus to their destination will arrive at their bus stop, or calculate travel time estimates based on current traffic patterns.
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels will host their seventh Food & Wine Classic on Friday and Saturday, October 28 and 29, 2016. The event has also added a new Sunday Brunch at Il Mulino New York Trattoria on October 30, 2016.
The annual event features a grand Causeway with 40 tasting stations offering a variety of food and drink from the Swan & Dolphin 17 signature restaurants and lounges. Causeway Event admission starts at $99 per person. Visitors can also upgrade their ticket to include access to the Beer Garden for an additional $24.
Attendees can also register for a series of seminars focusing on beer, wine, spirits, and beverage pairings. Seminar tickets start at $50.
The hotel offers Festival Packages, which include hotel accommodations and event tickets. Visit the event website for full details on all ticket and package offers.
Family says it will not sue Disney following fatal alligator attack
After a toddler was killed by an alligator in an attack near Disney's Grand Floridian Hotel last month, many people wondered publicly whether the family would bring a wrongful death suit against the Walt Disney Company. Last week, the parents of 2-year-old Lane Graves said in a statement that they will not pursue a lawsuit against the company.
Instead, parents Matt and Melissa Graves said, “We will solely be focused on the future health of our family,” and have established the Lane Thomas Foundation to honor his memory and support various charitable organizations.
Meanwhile, Disney continues to make changes all around its Florida resort, adding new barriers and signs. Of note, a new net barrier was installed under the bridge near Splash Mountain, to keep any alligators that happen to be in the Rivers of America from making their way to the water surrounding the flume at the base of the Splash Mountain drop.
New nets under the pedestrian bridge provide a barrier between the Rivers of America and the water surrounding the Splash Mountain flume. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Disney has also continued to improve upon the wood and rope fences erected around the Seven Seas Lagoon, and has added a border of rocks between the net and the water to further designate the shore as off-limits to visitors.
Drainage areas between sections of the main Magic Kingdom parking lot now also have alligator and snake warning signs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Some of the Seven Seas Lagoon beach areas area are again closed as further changes are made to the shoreline. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Rocks are being added to the shoreline just beyond the new rope-and-netting fences installed last month at Seven Seas Lagoon beaches. The sand colored rocks are newly installed; the lighter colored rocks to the left have been in place for years. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
New sand colored rocks are being installed along the beach shoreline between Disney's Polynesian Resort and the Wedding Pavilion. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
New sand colored rocks are being installed along the beach shoreline between Disney's Polynesian Resort and the Wedding Pavilion. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Sand colored rocks have been added along the beach shoreline at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort between the new fences and the Seven Seas Lagoon. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
UNIQLO opens Disney Springs flagship
Japanese casual clothing retailer, manufacturer, and designer Uniqlo opened its first Florida store last week in the Town Center area of Disney Springs. Alan Dalinka stopped by to check out the new shop, which offers casual clothing and accessories, much of which is emblazoned with Disney, Star Wars, and Marvel characters.
Japanese casual clothing retailer, manufacturer and designer Uniqlo opened its first Florida store last week in the Town Center area of Disney Springs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The new Disney Springs Uniqlo store makes extensive use of digital signs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The Disney Springs Uniqlo store occupies two levels of a centrally located building in the Town Center area. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Lego branded t-shirts are sold at Uniqlo at Disney Springs. The Lego store is nearby. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The Disney Springs Uniqlo store offers a selection of t-shirts featuring Disney-Pixar characters. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The Disney Springs Uniqlo store sells an assortment of Star Wars t-shirts. Not pictured here, but nearby is also an assortment of Marvel t-shirts. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
For those less interested in shopping (or looking to take a break), the upper level of the new Uniqlo store provides views of Disney Springs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The Uniqlo store is located immediately across from the escalators to the Lime Garage in the Town Center area of Disney Springs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The digital ticker tape-like sign around the escalators makes it endlessly clear what store you are visiting. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Views Around the World
Alan Dalinka is back from vacation with another photo update from Epcot, Disney Springs and the Magic Kingdom.
Epcot
The stage at Epcot's Morocco pavilion again hosts a new North African act with performances currently scheduled Wednesdays through Sundays. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Epcot's Illuminations: Reflections of Earth is still a spectacular sight at the end of a day. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Disney Springs
The previously unnamed arcade of shops at Disney Springs is now promoted as the “Market Building.” Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
British clothing retailer Superdry is now open in the Town Center area of Disney Springs featuring what it describes as “British design; Spirit of Japan.” Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Construction proceeds slowly toward the expected 2017 opening of The Edison in The Landing area of Disney Springs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
In the World of Disney Store, the former location of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is blocked off by decorative curtains. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The former Disney Resort bus stop in the Disney Springs Marketplace area directs guests to the new bus stop in the Town Center area. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The splash fountain near the former Disney Resort bus stop and Design A Tee in the Disney Springs Marketplace area is surrounded by construction walls for refurbishment. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The splash fountain near Design A Tee is closed for refurbishment. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The transformation of Fulton's Crab House into Paddlefish continues at Disney Springs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The area adjacent to what will be Paddlefish when renovations are complete is now named Riverboat Square. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Magic Kingdom
The restroom renovations next to Magic Kingdom's Town Hall are complete. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The scaffolding and renovations near Town Hall are complete at Magic Kingdom. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Haunted Mansion remains open notwithstanding renovations to the building's exterior. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Exterior renovations and painting appears complete at Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The base of the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse is surrounded by a photo scrim while the attraction is closed for renovations. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
A jungle-themed scrim surrounds the scaffolding at Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse during its renovations. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Don't keep it to yourself!
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This and That
…The new “AbracadaBar” soft-opened last week at Disney's Boardwalk Resort. The bar is located next to the Flying Fish restaurant, which is currently closed for refurbishment.
…Disney has changed the operating plan for the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks dessert party. The party is now hosted inside the Star Wars Launch Bay, which frees up valuable viewing space for the show, and also provides a much more themed environment for Star Wars fans. After the dessert party, guests are escorted to a reserved viewing area for the show.
The price is $69.00 per adult (age 10 and over) and $39.00 for children (ages 3 to 9); tax and gratuity are included. Theme park admission is not included, and is required. Guests receive a souvenir Chewbacca drink stein. You can read a review of the event (prior to the venue change) here on MousePlanet. Reservations are available on the Walt Disney World website. As of this Update, you can book through September 25.
…Disney has released a new block of dates for Club Villain, the extra-cost dinner party hosted in the Sunset Showcase at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The event debuted last fall, and was apparently so popular that Disney raised the price and added a new block of dates for Spring, 2016. The event was not offered over the summer, but is back Friday and Saturday nights starting September 2. The full schedule is:
- September: 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30
- October: 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, 31
The price remains $129 per person, tax and gratuity included. No discounts or dining plans are offered, and there is no discount for guests under the drinking age. You can book online through the Disney website.
…An update on refurbishments scheduled for the remainder of summer and into the early fall:
- Dinosaur – closed for refurbishment July 25 – Fall, 2016
- 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.
…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.
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Crowd Forecast
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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
- 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 must be submitted by August 2, 2016
2017
- Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 4–8, 2017. Registration opens at Noon (Eastern) on Tuesday, April 26. Proof of time must be submitted by October 4, 2016.
- Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 24–26, 2017. Registration opens at Noon (Eastern) on Tuesday, July 12. Proof of time must be submitted by November 15, 2016.
- Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side Weekend – April 20–23, 2017. Registration opens at Noon (Eastern) on Tuesday, August 9. Proof of time date has not been released.
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
- AAU National Club Championship – June 30 – July 3.
- 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.
- Carousel of Progress – closed for refurbishment July 25 – 28.
- 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
- Voyage of the Little Mermaid – closed July 24-27 for refurbishment.
- 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
- Boardwalk Inn
- Flying Fish Cafe closed through September 30 for refurbishment. Will reopen simply as “Flying Fish.”
- Seashore Sweets – closed permanently.
- 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.
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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. Fall Free Dining offer
Back to School room-only offer
Kid-sized Vacation offer
Late Summer Family Time 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. |
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Discounts for Annual Passholders |
None at this time. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Discounts for Florida Residents |
None at this time. |
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Discounts for Canada Residents |
None at this time. |
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Discounts for U.K. Residents |
None at this time. |
