Walt Disney World Resort Update for June 5-11, 2018

Walt Disney World Resort Update for June 5–11, 2018

Go directly to: News & Views | Join our Networks | Resort Events | Refurbishments and Attraction Closures | Discounts and Promotions

Writer's note: In the Disneyland Resort Update for June 4-10, 2018, Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix yesterday reminded readers that when Disneyland Resort raised ticket prices back in February, more changes were coming to help “better spread attendance throughout the year” and that more changes were on the way. Over the weekend, Disneyland Resort introduced park-specific blockout calendars for its annual passport program: Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park now have separate schedules of blockout dates depending on which pass a guest has purchased.

At Walt Disney World Resort, we gave a similar heads-up that more ticketing changes are ahead but, so far, we have not yet seen that type of change come to Florida. Right now, on schedule, Silver and Weekday Select passholders are blocked out from all parks through and including August 9. We will continue to keep an eye out for what changes are announced. Remember that, here in Florida, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is scheduled to open “late” next Fall at Disney's Hollywood Studios park, the smallest of the Florida Disney theme parks by capacity and areas open to guests since it opened. It would not be surprising if some changes to the various ticketing and passholder programs in Florida next year relate specifically to that park.

In the meantime, the daily summer storm rain pattern is almost here in Central Florida. We are finally getting a few drier days, but it is officially the time of year we are told to be on the look out for tropical systems. As I have said for three weeks in a row now, keep those umbrellas and ponchos handy if you are visiting the Resort and the surrounding area.

The Resort's “Incredible Summer” is underway, and we have more details from Magic Kingdom this week, with Epcot joining in the celebration this Saturday. Let's get to the News and Views.

Heavy Florida rain downpours that end ahead of sunset can yield spectacular, multi-layered rainbows like this one over Disney Springs Marketplace last Thursday evening. Panoramic Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

News and Views

Incredible Tomorrowland Expo Runs Through September 3 | Locating the Future Star Wars Immersive Resort | Impossible Burger Now At The Edison | Epcot Concert & Candlelight Processional News & Calendar | Views Around the World | This and That | Crowd Forecast

Incredible Tomorrowland Expo Runs Through September 3

As we discussed last week, the Resort-wide “celebration” (marketing theme) right now is the Incredible Summer, and it runs through September 3 (Labor Day). Last week, we focused on the new Donald's Dino-Dash in DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney's Animal Kingdom, which, though introduced as part of the Incredible Summer, is expected to stick around indefinitely into the future.

This week, we were invited for a closer look at the Incredible Tomorrowland Expo at Magic Kingdom. Its creative leaders (and the marketing folks) stress that the Expo is only around for a limited time, through September 3. As we noted last week, the Incredible Tomorrowland Expo involves a number of elements, starting with a decorative overlay throughout Tomorrowland that you can see in last week's Views Around the World, and the addition of area music from the Disney-Pixar The Incredibles films. For those not familiar with the Disney-Pixar animated film The Incredibles, the “stars” are superheros, “Supers” for short. As you may know, The Incredibles 2 will be released in U.S. theaters on June 15 (not coincidently).

If you have push notifications turned on for the My Disney Experience app, when you are in Tomorrowland you may be prompted to learn more about the Incredible Tomorrowland Expo now underway. Screenshot by Alan S. Dalinka (underlying information by Disney).

The Expo, paying homage to fan expos of all sorts (like, say, Disney D23 Expo), has elements drawn from those expos. For example, the “celebrities” make appearances. In the Incredible Tomorrowland Expo, Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible, Frozone, and, for the first time at Walt Disney World, Edna Mode all take part. Strictly speaking, there are no “meet and greets” with the characters in the Expo (as there will be out in Anaheim at Disney California Adventure's Pixar Pier), but there are opportunities to get up close and interact. The main opportunity is the “Super Party Time” dance party which takes place at Rockettower Plaza Stage from 2 p.m. and runs continuously until 7 p.m. Weather permitting, each of the “celebrities” are welcomed to the stage at various points in the afternoon; they lead themed games from the stage and they even come down off the stage to make their way through the party-goers.

Mrs. Incredible appears on stage during Super Party Time. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Mr. Incredible leads a game involving a “heavy” weight during Super Party Time. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Frozone shows off his moves during Super Party Time. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Edna Mode presides over a fashion “runway” during Super Party Time. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

At other times of the day, in what James Silson, Show Director, Disney Parks and Resorts calls a “throwback” to the days when characters were presented at Magic Kingdom as inhabitants of the lands where they were encountered by guests (in other words, in the days before fixed meet-and-greet locations), the “Supers” occasionally make appearances throughout the land and interact with guests. In the event of rain, you may even find Mr. or Mrs. Incredible or Frozone near the grey wall by the facepainting kiosk (if conditions permit).

Super Party Time also includes appearances by “up and coming Supers,” folks who may not have achieved that celebrity superhero status of the Supers, but who perform specialty acts. Depending on when you visit the party, you may see Whipper Snapper, Electro Girl, or Gyro Man performing on the stage. (As far as we can tell, these are theme park characters inspired by the films, but not meant to represent any particular characters in the films.)

Electro Girl has a “super” talent with hula-hoops. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Gyro Man goes for a “super” spin with a wheel. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Another element of the Expo drawn from fan expos are the “Super, Super Fans.” These “self-proclaimed experts” on the Supers, dress the part and will be more than happy to tell you about their favorite Supers (yes, they are Disney-employed cosplayers). They interact with guests and make appearances throughout the Expo too.

As we showed off last week, Super Super Fans (who are all Disney cast members) engage in a little costume play (and perform a few times each day). Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

As we noted last week, there are three photo backdrop opportunities throughout the land, usually staffed by Disney PhotoPass Photographers. Last week we showed off the backdrops for scenes with the OnmiDroid and the Tunneler. There is also a photographic opportunity to appear to “slide on ice” from Frozone.

Frozone created a frozen cityscape for a PhotoPass photo backdrop. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Another element of the Expo is borrowed a bit more from the experience of Disney Cruise Line (and shopping malls), but rethemed to an appropriate character from The Incredibles: Jack-Jack Diaper Dash is a daily multi-heat crawling baby race. Registration opens at 10:30 a.m. in Tomorrowland (find cast members with a themed “Registration” sign) for up to twenty-five crawlers; participants receive a themed bib. The “races” begin on the Rockettower Plaza Stage at noon.

Jack-Jack Diaper Dash is hosted from the Rockettower Plaza Stage. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Jack-Jack Diaper Dash takes place in front of the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland at noon each day, with registration starting at 10:30 a.m. (find cast members with a registration sign). Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

Finally, as we noted last week, the Expo has a selection of themed food. Having only tried the Mrs. Incredible Pretzel Mask (which is a black salted, mask-shaped version of what otherwise seemed to taste like a Mickey Pretzel), this Update writer will leave it to others to discuss the food in more detail.

As Edna Mode is known to despise capes, she presents specialty crepes instead. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Super Stretchy Burger derives its name from the fact that it is topped by mozzarella sticks, which are stretchy like Mrs. Incredible. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Locating the Future Star Wars Immersive Resort

Back at the D23 Expo in Anaheim last July, Disney announced that a new resort hotel is in development at Walt Disney World to give guests a completely immersive Star Wars-themed experience. Very few additional details have been released other than some concept art and the promise that guests at the new resort would have access to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

On Wednesday, Disney Parks Blog revealed the latest detail about the new project, not surprisingly, next to where the land is being built. Specifically, the site is “on the southside of Disney's Hollywood Studios, just east of World Drive.”

Using the My Disney Experience App to locate the site, we placed an “X” at the general location described by Disney Parks Blog for the new immersive Star Wars-themed hotel being developed. No doubt, our over-sized “X” includes some of the land being developed as part of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge itself. Screenshot underlying content by Google and Disney.

Impossible Burger Now At The Edison

Back at Disney's Animal Kingdom's “Party for the Planet” celebration, this Update writer was first introduced to the Impossible Burger—a plant-based patty flavored to taste like meat. The park's version was topped with additional flavors fitting to the park. (We have heard conflicting reports regarding whether there are locations in the park still serving a version of the Impossible Burger.) For Disney's Hollywood Studios recent edition of Star Wars: Galactic Nights, the park sold a version plated to look like meatloaf on mashed potatoes which was named “Plantmeat on Ground Root.”

This past week, we were invited by Patina Restaurant Group to Disney Springs to sample The Edison's Electric Garden Burger featuring the Impossible Burger. Available during June, it is topped with tempura fried avocados, mushrooms, local sweet and spicy pickles, and harissa cocktail sauce. As prepared, it is not strictly a vegan menu item, but you can ask your server to request that the chef make additional dietary changes to your order, as the patty is vegan. It is reportedly nut-free, and dairy-free, but contains gluten and soy. The flavor comes from a combination of ingredients, mainly from heme—a molecule found in all living things that gives meat (and this burger) its meaty flavor.

The Edison's Electric Garden Burger is available during June. Image Courtesy Patina Restaurant Group

The Impossible Burger matches the levels of protein and iron found in beef. It has about the same calories, less total fat (with slightly higher saturated fat from coconut oil), and is completely cholesterol-free. It is primarily made from wheat protein, potato protein, coconut oil, and heme (the molecule that gives meat its color and flavor). The Edison’s regular menu version is topped with lettuce, tomato, pickle, and onion, on a Kaiser roll. Additional specialty versions are expected in a monthly series.

The Edison is an Industrial Gothic-style destination for food, cocktails, nightlife, and entertainment. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Live entertainers, like Rory, interact with diners at The Edison. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Epcot Concert & Candlelight Processional News & Calendar

Epcot joins in the Incredible Summer festivities this Saturday at The America Gardens Theatre Stage with the launch of the Guardians of the Galaxy-Awesome Mix Live! concert series featuring tunes from Star-Lord's Awesome Mixtapes (also known as the two movie soundtracks). Published showtimes are: 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8 p.m. daily.

America Gardens Theatre will soon be the Incredible Summer home to Guardians of the Galaxy-Awesome Mix Live. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Crews rig new lighting for the upcoming shows this past week. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

As we have previously noted, starting November 18 and running through December 30, the Festival of the Holidays will return to Epcot with the Candlelight Processional beginning its seasonal run on Thanksgiving Day itself, November 22, and running through December 30. Narrators for the three-times-nightly retelling of the traditional Christmas story accompanied by a massed choir and live orchestra have not yet been announced, and dining package information is not yet available.

The Candlelight Processional will debut at Epcot this year on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, and is scheduled to run three times nightly through December 30. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Earlier this month, Disney Parks Blog released a partial list of scheduled acts for this year's Eat to the Beat Concert Series at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. The series runs three times nightly from August 30 until November 12 on the America Gardens Theatre stage. Among the new acts this year are Sheila E and Glass Tiger. 98 Degrees, which performed during the Disney Parks Holidays tapings at Magic Kingdom last winter, will also be part of this year's Eat to the Beat Concert Series, and Jim Belushi brings his R&B band The Sacred Hearts to the stage. Contemporary Christian music artists MercyMe and Tauren Wells join the lineup as well.

For the convenience of our readers, we list all of the scheduled acts in our Google Calendar of Epcot Events. You can also add it or any events on it to any calendar that supports the iCal format (like iPhone and Mac) by copying this link. When the Candlelight Processional celebrity narrators are announced, we will add the events to our calendar as well.

The calendar is provided as a courtesy “as is, where is” without any guarantees. Given the effort it took to create it, 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

As usual, there is more news in the Views Around the World, so be sure to read the captions. In particular this week, we get our first looks at how part of the new Guardians of the Galaxy themed coaster coming to Epcot may be visible around the park.

Magic Kingdom

Mickey Mouse greets guests “backstage” at Town Square Theater on Main Street U.S.A. Unfortunately, he is no longer willing to “speak” with visitors, but he also no longer blinks when taking his photo (or otherwise). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Epcot

From the far reaches of the Epcot parking lot, the vertical construction going on at the site of the future Guardians of the Galaxy-themed coaster can be spotted (left of the tree). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The permanent structure for the new coaster is at least twice the height of the park's perimeter trees. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The permanent structure for the new coaster towers over the left side of the ticket booths when approaching the park from the parking lot. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The terrain of the park approaching the front of the Universe of Energy pavilion, future home ot the Guardians of the Galaxy themed attraction, hides the entire height of the permanent structure seen from the parking lot (and, as below, other points in the park). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Next door to Universe of Energy, the former Wonders of Life Pavilion/Festival Center now has part of its outer roof finished in a more copper-colored look than the top of the building. The next use of the building has not been specifically announced. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

From all the way across World Showcase Lagoon at the Japan pavilion, the cranes can be seen over the new permanent structure for the future Guardians of the Galaxy-themed coaster. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

In future world, the turf is replacing the now-ended Flower & Garden Festival flowerbeds and, in the distance, the Guardians of the Galaxy-themed coaster structure rises beneath the construction cranes. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Finally, from inside the Disney Vacation Club Members Lounge on the upper level of the Imagination Pavilion, you can see the new structure. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

At the front of Epcot, a simple, traditional floral arrangement has replaced the Flower & Garden Festival topiary display. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

A number of the Flower & Garden Festival topiary displays were still in place this weekend, but their number is expected to dwindle as the summer continues. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The building for the future Ratatouille-themed attraction continues to take shape between the Morocco pavilion and the France pavilion. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The future Disney Vacation Club resort, Disney's Riviera continues to rise beyond the Germany pavilion (across Buena Vista Drive from the southern part of Epcot). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Now that the Flower & Garden Festival has ended and the permanent margarita stand has opened closer to the Mexico pavilion, the long-standing “temporary” Mexican-themed kiosk (used in many festivals) has been removed from the promenade. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Friendship boat service is temporarily unavailable to the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort and Disney's Hollywood Studios, as noted at the International Gateway. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Satu'li Canteen in Pandora-The World of Avatar now offers a combination chicken and beef protein selection among the dining options. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

On nights when Disney's Animal Kingdom has multiple showings of Rivers of Light scheduled, the later showings often can be rather sparsely attended (as was the case for the Sunday, 10:15 p.m. performance). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

To our eyes, the Rivers of Light final scene makes much less use of fire than the show did when it debuted last year. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Stroller parking numbered zones were set up this weekend at theaters around the park and outside Kilimanjaro Safaris. If you had any experience with how the zones were utilized, we would love to hear about it. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney Springs

Terralina Crafted Italian restaurant now has an exterior sign. We still have no word on its likely opening date Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

This and That

…On Friday, Walt Disney World Resort announced that Minnie Van Service is now available to anyone visiting the Resort using the Lyft app (in other words, it is no longer limited to guests at specific resorts). Introduced last summer after Disney announced the service at D23 Expo, Minnie Van Service provides private, point-to-point service around the property for a flat fee (currently $25) in a van driven by a Disney Cast Member.

…Magic Kingdom celebrated the 65th anniversary Walt Disney Signature Collection release of Disney's Peter Pan with a mini-parade on Saturday. The latest edition of the film is available on Digital services like Movies Anywhere and in stores on Blu-ray. Disney Parks Blog even has a downloadable coloring sheet for your synergistic fun at home.

…Losing something at Walt Disney World Resort can drag down your vacation. But, having said that, and paraphrasing one of Disney's many marketing lines, in the place “where Magic lives” lost items are often reunited with their owners by the Walt Disney World Lost and Found. In the latest enhancement to that service, DisneyWorld.com/lostandfound now lets you input information about your lost item and contact information online and then provides periodic updates about the search by email. As a bonus One Passholder's Tip, if you have a customizable lock screen on your smart device (like the iPhone's lock screen that lets you select the wallpaper for that screen), add some contact information to that screen that allows someone who finds it to reach you in the event you lose that device (another phone number where you can be reached like your work number or spouse's or child's, or an email address you can check without the device). Many smart devices also have “In Case of Emergency” information that you can store so that anyone in possession of your device, even if locked, can access it (like emergency responders).

…Disney's Hollywood Studios will launch a new “Disney Junior Dance Party!” this fall inspired from popular Disney Junior TV shows including “Mickey and the Roadster Racers,” “Doc McStuffins,” “The Lion Guard,” and “Vampirina.” A DJ named “Deejay” and Finn Fiesta will host. It is not yet clear whether this entertainment offering will supplement or replace the Disney Junior Live on Stage show in the theater in Animation Courtyard.

…From June 13 to August 26, the Canada Mill Stage at Epcot will welcome Blueberry Grass Band from Quebec. Featuring string bass, guitar, violin, drums, and banjo with vocals in French and English, the six-person band has performed on “Britain's Got Talent” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” Check the times guide or My Disney Experience for performance schedules.

…The brand new Wine Bar George at Disney Springs salutes National Rosé Day with a tasting of six rosé wines alongside cheese and charcuterie with Master Sommelier George Milotes on Friday and Saturday, June 8-9, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tickets and more information are available here.

…Paddlefish at Disney Springs has a few special offerings coming up:

• Starting on Tuesday June 12, Paddlefish will be hosting wine tastings the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month through September. The in-house Sommelier team will lead tastings on the rooftop deck and wine flights will be served with light bites and tastings. Guests must be 21+ to attend. Tickets and additional details can be found here.
• On Wednesday June 13, to celebrate its 2018 Orlando Magazine Dining Awards win as “Best Seafood Restaurant,” Paddlefish is serving “a decadent 5-course wine pairing dinner showcasing the Best of Paddlefish.” The rooftop deck will greet attendees with Mini Maine Lobster Rolls and champagne, and then will feature “carefully crafted dishes that feature fresh catches, full flavors and fabulous wine.” Guests must be 21+ to attend. Tickets and the complete menu can be found here.
• The following Wednesday, June 20, guests can celebrate National Vanilla Milkshake Day will Paddlefish's “famous vanilla brownie milkshake” for just $5.

…As Walt Disney World Resort Platinum Plus Annual Passholders may know, that AP includes green fees at Oak Trail Golf Course which, as we have previously reported, now also offers Footgolf. MousePlanet reader Kevin O'Donnell, a Platinum Plus Annual Passholder tells us that Bruce Gerlander, General Manager of Walt Disney World Golf, informed him that there is not an extra fee for the soccer ball rental for Platinum Plus APs, and, while the greens of Oak Trail are worked on this summer, “all golf will be moved to Lake Buena Vista [golf course] and Footgolf will still be available on Oak Trail.”

…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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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.

2018 Resort Events

• Disney H20 Glow Nights at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
  • Every Thursday and Saturday, June 21 to August 11; 8–11 p.m.
• Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom:
  • June 28, 30, July 7, 9, 14, 21, 28, August 4 & 11; 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.
  • August 30, September 20; 9 p.m.– midnight
• Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom:
  • August 17, 24, 28, 31
  • September 3, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30
  • October 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – August 30 to November 12
• Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 1–4
• Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic – October 26–27
  • Sunday Bubbles Brunch – October 28
• Dapper Day (unofficial events)
  • November 17 – Disney's Animal Kingdom (until 3-5 p.m.) & Magic Kingdom (evening);
  • November 18 – Epcot
• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom:
  • November 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30
  • December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21
• Epcot International Festival of the Holidays – November 18 to December 30
  • Candlelight Processional at Epcot – November 22 to December 30

2019 Resort Events

• 2019 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 9–13, 2019.
• Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 21–24, 2019.
• Star Wars Rival Run Weekend – April 4–7, 2019.

2018 Disney Vacation Club Moonlight Magic Events (including event reservation opening dates)

• Moonlight Magic at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon – May 30; June 11
  All members (filled to capacity; check for cancellations)
• Moonlight Magic at Epcot – July 16, August 15 (note date change)
  Members with resort reservations – June 6
  All members (pending remaining availability) – June 20
• Moonlight Magic at Disney's Hollywood Studios – September 19, 26; October 3
  Members with resort reservations – August 30
  All members (pending remaining availability) – September 13

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.

Magic Kingdom

• Liberty Square Riverboat – closed for refurbishment (cast say until at least June/July).
• Stitch's Great Escape – My Disney Experience lists as “available seasonally throughout the year.”

Epcot

• American Heritage Gallery at The American Adventure – closed for refurbishment
• Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe at Norway pavilion – closed for refurbishment through summer 2018.

A few Kringla favorites are now available at the Midnattssol Bakeri kiosk along World Showcase Promenade. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

• Ellen's Energy Adventure at Universe of Energy – Permanently closed on August 13, 2017.
  Guardians of the Galaxy-themed roller coaster-type attraction opens in approximately 2021.
• Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable – closed February 3, 2018. Theater to be repurposed.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Toy Story Mania– Closed June 11–18, 2018, for work related to new attraction entrance and queue in Toy Story Land.
• The Great Movie Ride – Permanently closed August 13, 2017. The new “Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway” attraction to open in Chinese Theatre in 2019.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

• Flights of Wonder (Caravan Stage) – Show closed on December 31, 2017. “UP! A Great Bird Adventure” starring Russell and Dug and their bird opened in its place on April 22, 2018.

Blizzard Beach

• No known closures at this time.

Typhoon Lagoon

• No known closures at this time.

Disney Springs

• World of Disney – phased store closings for refurbishment underway.
  The Disney Corner now open in Town Center offering select merchandise during refurbishment.
  DisneyStyle now open on the West Side offering additional Disney-themed merchandise.
• DisneyQuest – Closed as of July 3, 2017. The NBA Experience expected to open Summer 2019.
• Portobello Country Italian Trattoria – Closed April 24, 2017. Terralina Crafted Italian expected to open in Spring 2018.
• La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil – Show closed on December 31, 2017. A new Cirque du Soleil show is now in development with its premiere date to be announced.
• Wolfgang Puck Grand Café – closed August 1, 2017. Location is being transformed into Jaleo, a restaurant featuring Spanish cuisine, expected to open 2018. A new Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill is under construction next door to the Coca-Cola Store, expected to open 2018. Wolfgang Puck Express continues to operate in its existing location in the Marketplace.

Resorts

• Caribbean Beach – Centertown, the resort's marketplace, will be expanded with new waterfront dining and retail shopping areas. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed in Summer 2018, with the overall project completed 2019–20. Due to the work, the following food service and retail locations are currently closed:
  • Old Port Royale Food Court
  • Shutters at Old Port Royale
  • Banana Cabana Pool Bar
  • Calypso Trading Post
• Coronado Springs – A new 15-story tower overlooking Lago Dorado, the resort's central lake, will add 500 rooms featuring suites and concierge level services, and a rooftop dining facility that will include panoramic views of nighttime fireworks shows at the Theme Parks. The resort also plans to refurbish current resort rooms and transform some of its landscape. The project is expected to be completed 2019-20.

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.

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.