Walt Disney World Resort Update for November 22-28, 2016

Walt Disney World Resort Update for November 22–28, 2016

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

News and Views

New 4-Park Magic Ticket offer | Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration | Cabanas of Tomorrow | Magic Band 2.0 | Epcot International Festival of the Arts | Pandora – The World of Avatar opens Summer 2017 | Views around the World | This and That | Crowd Forecast

Author's note:

Peak holiday travel periods tend to be a somewhat slow period for Disney news, but the past weekend has proven to be an exception to that rule. Disney has made a number of announcements over the past several days, with press events happening on both coasts, and with the D23 Destination D event taking place in Walt Disney World this past weekend.

The Disney D23 Destination D Amazing Adventures event was held November 18-20 at Disney's Contemporary Resorts. Our Alan S. Dalinka provided extensive coverage for MousePlanet on Twitter and Facebook and will provide a recap later this week. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

In this update I'll recap the major changes that were announced during Destination D, as well as share new announcements that were made after the event ended. Our Alan Dalinka worked tirelessly to bring you live coverage throughout the weekend, including video interviews with Disney managers, executives, and even a few Disney Legends. If you haven't had a chance to catch up via our Facebook or Twitter accounts, it's well worth spending a coffee break to see everything you missed.

So if the conversation over Thanksgiving dinner gets a little awkward this year, just change the subject to one of the many, many changes planned for Walt Disney World over the coming weeks, months and years. Disney's marketing team has certainly given fans a lot to discuss this week.

New 4-Park Magic Ticket offer

Disney's new 4-Park Magic Ticket is a good sampler ticket for first-time Walt Disney World visitors, or people willing to trade a little flexibility for savings of up to 14% off their admission costs. The ticket is $279 for visitors ages 10 and older, $259 for ages 3-9, and includes four separate days of admission, one to each of the four Walt Disney World theme parks:

• One day of admission to Magic Kingdom
• One day of admission to Epcot
• One day of admission to Disney's Animal Kingdom
• One day of admission to Disney's Hollywood Studios

Compared to the regular $325 / $305 price for a four-day, 1-park-per-day ticket, this promotional offer can save a family of four up to $184, which could definitely pay for some popcorn and ice cream bars. The trade-off comes in the form of flexibility, and the ability to skip a less desireable park—like Disney's Hollywood Studios, which has a large number of attraction closures due to the Star Wars Land construction—in favor of another day at the Magic Kingdom or Epcot.

The ticket can not be used for admission to the same theme park more than one day, and does not include park-hopper benefits. The tickets can be purchased now through March 5, 2017, but are subject to the following blockout dates:

• December 17, 2016 through January 2, 2017
• April 10 through April 21, 2017

There is a 14-day fuse on this ticket, and all four admissions must be used within 14 days of the first use, or by May 26, 2017, whichever comes first. The ticket must be used by the same person on all four days.

Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration

After receiving FAA clearance just weeks ago, Disney premiered its new “Starbright Holidays-An Intel Collaboration” show over Village Lake at Disney Springs last week, making use of 300 “Intel® Shooting Star show drones. There is no admission charge to see the show and it is scheduled to be shown twice nightly through the Holiday season. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

What happens when Disney releases 300 drones into the nighttime skies above Disney Springs? The resulting show is called “Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration,” and our Alan Dalinka was at the first public performance of the show during a media preview last week. The video below is from that first performance, and was shared live on our Facebook page. If you don't already follow us on Facebook, be sure to like our page so you can receive notifications of future live events as we bring them to you from Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration. MousePlanet video by Alan S. Dalinka.

The new show officially debuted Sunday, November 20, and is currently scheduled to be presented twice each night at 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. through January 8. Starbright Holidays uses 300 Intel Shooting Star show drones to carry aloft the LED lights used in the show, which Disney terms “Flixels.” Each LED can produce more than four billion color combinations. This show is the largest entertainment use of the drones in the United States.

“Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration” can be best viewed on the West Side of Disney Springs.

Cabanas of Tomorrow

Private cabanas are a common feature at high-end pool and beach resorts, and three Walt Disney World Resort hotels offer the added-cost option at their own pools. You can also rent a cabana at the WDW water parks, and on the Disney Cruise Line. But thanks to a new program just introduced at the Magic Kingdom, you can now rent a private cabana on the edge of Tomorrowland.

White tents recently constructed in Tomorrowland are the new Kingdom Cabanas, which can be rented for $650 per day. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

These new Magic Kingdom cabanas are really just white tents constructed near Space Mountain. Each provides a private seating area for up to eight guests. The full-day rental includes a secure storage locker for personal belongings; a beverage cooler stocked with water and soft drinks; a supply of sunscreen and insect repellent; a fruit bowl and snacks; and outlets for recharging electronic devices.

Cabana guests are attended to by a team of cabana hosts, who can provide assistance with dining reservations, and who will arrange for delivery of ice cream novelties or popcorn during the day. The cabana hosts can also arrange for access to reserved viewing for parades and fireworks. And of course, each cabana guest receives their own pair of personalized Mickey Mouse ears.

The cost for this private retreat is a mere $650, plus tax. The cabanas can be reserved by calling (407) WDW-PLAY or (407) 939-7529, or through the concierge desk at any Walt Disney World Resort Hotel.

While the idea of a private retreat inside the theme parks does sound tempting, and there are no doubt clients for whom $650 is a nominal amount to pay for some midday privacy, these cabanas really seem to be the wrong way to go about offering it. A more attractive (at least to this writer) option would be something like a private airport lounge or club, offering an indoor, air-conditioned place to sit down away from the heat and noise of the theme parks.

A nicely themed lounge would seem much more in keeping with the Disney spirit than an out-of-place tent in the middle of Tomorrowland of all places. (If it has to be a tent, why not set up the campsite in Adventureland where there could be some pretense given to theming?) I can't dispute that the demand for such a retreat may exist, but there has to be a much more attractive and immersive way to provide it to a client willing to pay for it.

Magic Band 2.0

If you've ever looked at your current MagicBand and said, “gosh, I really wish this thing was a whole lot bigger,” your wish is about to be granted. Attendees at last week's D23 Destination D event were the first to try out the brand-new Magic Band 2.0 device for themselves, and learn about the new features and options available with the latest update to Disney's wearable technology.

Disney unveiled the new MagicBand 2 at Destination D this past weekend. They feature a new removable contact point that can be inserted into other wearables (keychains and the like) that will be sold in the future. They will be rolled out to new Annual Passholders starting in December (and renewals), followed by Resort Guests and then sales and customizable will also begin. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

As described by Alan Dalinka, the MagicBand 2.0 is both larger but also a little more comfortable than the original MagicBand device. The major difference is that all of the electronics for the device are now contained in a central “puck,” known as a TouchPoint, which can be removed from the wristband and placed into other holders. More on this later. The result is that the wires and antenna which were previously incorporated into the wristband are absent from the new version, which results in a thinner, more flexible band and strap.

That's the good news. The bad news is that the TouchPoint makes the face of MagicBand 2.0 much wider than the original, and it is sized more like a mens watch than a ladies watch. However, more good news is that the TouchPoint can be removed from the wristband entirely and installed into a variety of MagicKeeper devices (each sold separately, of course), which will allow you to wear the critical TouchPoint component on a keychain, lanyard or clipped to a carabineer. For those who could never get used to wearing the device on their wrist, or who already wear a watch or other wristband and didn't like to have multiple bands on their arm, this will provide a much more pleasant MagicBand experience.

If you already have and love an original MagicBand, there's no reason to throw yours out. You can continue to use your existing MagicBand devices until their batteries wear out, which can be two to three years according to Disney.

Disney plans to start issuing the new Magic Band to new Walt Disney World annual passholders sometime in December, and will also begin mailing the MagicBand 2.0 in mid-December, to visitors who are travelling to Walt Disney World for January vacations. It's possible that runners traveling to Orlando for the 2017 Walt Disney World marathon weekend may be among the first large travel segment to receive the new version of the MagicBand.

Once the basic MagicBand 2.0 is in general distribution, look for the MagicKeepers and customizable MagicBand options to show up at shops around Walt Disney World.

And as always, if you have old MagicBand devices that you no longer use or want, you can return them to any Walt Disney World Resort Hotel front desk to be recycled. They are considered eWaste due to the electrical components contained within, and should not be thrown into your household trash.

Epcot International Festival of the Arts

Epcot is adding yet another Festival to its annual calendar, and soon the only break between the seasonal events will be the days needed to transition the various marketplaces from one theme to the next. The Epcot International Festival of the Arts debuts January 13 through February 20, 2017 at Walt Disney World, bringing visual and performing arts together with yet another justification for a food festival.

For this debut year, the International Festival of the Arts runs weekends only, with events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday each week. The schedule of events has not yet been announced, and will likely be released in dibs and dabs in the weeks leading up to the festival, but one highlight already promised is a Disney on Broadway concert series at the America Gardens Theatre stage. A number of Broadway stars got their start working in Disney theme parks, and of course Disney musical productions like “The Lion King” and “Newsies” have set records on Broadway. This concert series is full of potential, and may prove to be even more of a draw than the visual and culinary art elements.

Pandora – The World of Avatar opens Summer 2017

Another big announcement from last week's D23 Destination D event was a more specific opening season for Pandora – The World of Avatar, currently under construction at Disney's Animal Kingdom park. The new land is now slated to open in summer, 2017. During the event, Disney released additional concept art from Pandora, and a very brief video of the Na'vi Shaman animatronic from the Na'vi River Journey attraction. And while not directly related to Pandora, Alan had an opportunity to chat for a few moments with Marty Sklar about the evolution of special effects and animatronics in theme parks, and it's interesting to hear his perspective in light of the major advances evidenced by the new Shaman figure.

First Look at The Na'vi River Journey Shaman | Disney's Animal Kingdom. YouTube video © Disney.

A few moments with Disney Legend Marty Sklar. MousePlanet video by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Na'vi River Journey is one of two rides under construction for Pandora – The World of Avatar. Photo © Disney.

Pandora – The World of AVATAR will bring a variety of new experiences to Disney's Animal Kingdom, including a family-friendly attraction called Na'vi River Journey. The adventure begins as guests set out in canoes and venture down a mysterious, sacred river hidden within the bioluminescent rainforest. The full beauty of Pandora reveals itself as the canoes pass by exotic glowing plants and amazing creatures. The journey culminates in an encounter with a Na'vi shaman, who has a deep connection to the life force of Pandora and sends positive energy out into the forest through her music. Na'vi River Journey will open with Pandora – The World of AVATAR in 2017. Photo © Disney.

Pongu Pongu is described as a special drink location with a design that is as eclectic as its Expat owner. Photo © Disney.

Windtraders is one of the merchandise locations under constructions in Pandora. The shop will sell Na'vi cultural items, toys, science kits, and more. Photo © Disney.

Satu'li Canteen, (pictured here) will be the main restaurant in Pandora – The World of Avatar and will feature Na'vi art and cultural items. Photo © Disney.

Walt Disney Imagineering in collaboration with filmmaker James Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment is bringing to life the mythical world of Pandora, inspired by Cameron's AVATAR, at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park. The awe-inspiring land of floating mountains, bioluminescent rainforests and soaring Banshees will become real for Disney guests to see, hear and touch. Photo © Disney.

Walt Disney Imagineering in collaboration with filmmaker James Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment is bringing to life the mythical world of Pandora, inspired by Cameron's AVATAR, at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park. The awe-inspiring land of floating mountains, bioluminescent rainforests and soaring Banshees will become real for Disney guests to see, hear and touch. Photo © Disney.

Opening in summer 2017 at Disney's Animal Kingdom, Pandora-The World of Avatar will bring a variety of new experiences to the park, including a family-friendly attraction called Na'vi River Journey and new food & beverage and merchandise locations. Disney's Animal Kingdom is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla .Photo © Disney.

Views Around the World

Alan shares photos from his walks around the Walt Disney World resort.

Magic Kingdom

The quality of the images in the new Cinderella Castle projection show named “Once Upon A Time” is stunning (and the bedtime stories Beauty & The Beast's Mrs. Potts tells Chip and the audience are delightful too). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Lots of fireworks are also used during the new “Once Upon A Time” projection show at Cinderella Castle. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Nightmare Before Christmas star Jack Skellington (dressed as Sandy Claws) takes up residence in the gazebo between Adventureland and Liberty Square (near the Liberty Square bridge) during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and, possibly, at other times during the Holiday Season (check the Times Guide). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Big Thunder Mountain's lengthy refurbishment concluded over the weekend. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The new post-refurbishment lighting scheme at Big Thunder Mountain is stunning and appears similar to concept art coloring by Mary Blair of the Western River Expedition once planned for Magic Kingdom. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Construction between the Magic Kingdom Ferry Dock and the Security Bag Check area appears largely complete, establishing a new pedestrian traffic flow that may ease some congestion in this area during busy times. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! premiered last week at Disney's Hollywood Studios, making use of projections of numerous Disney characters (from Prep & Landing, to Nightmare Before Christmas, and more) on the Chinese Theater, lasers, Disney “snow”, fireworks and lighting, along with all newly recorded versions of holiday music. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Entertainment Show Director Tom Vazzana told MousePlanet that the effect created by the laser beams moving through the Disney “snow” was a happy accident. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney's Hollywood Studios is all decorated for the holidays. Its traditional Christmas Tree stands in its usual spot outside the Park's gates (between the Security Bag Check and the Boat Dock. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

For the first time, Santa Claus has a meet and greet location inside Disney's Hollywood Studios, though after Christmas Eve (12/24), he will be replaced by Santa Goofy through around the end of the Year. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

For the first time, Santa Claus has a meet and greet location inside Disney's Hollywood Studios, though after Christmas Eve (12/24), he will be replaced by Santa Goofy through around the end of the Year. He is inside the Once Upon a Time Shop on Sunset Boulevard. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The row of Minnie Mouse themed dancing ornaments are again in the windows along Hollywood Boulevard. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Animal Kingdom

Disney's Animal Kingdom's traditional Christmas Tree is in its traditional location between Security Bag Check and the Ticket Booths. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Construction work on Pandora–The World of AVATAR speeds toward the area's just-announced opening in summer of 2017. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Epcot

With last week's conclusion of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, the Park's entry is now decorated for the holiday season. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Epcot's traditional Christmas Tree stands in its usual location on the Promenade along the shore of World Showcase Lagoon closest to Future World. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney Springs

The AMC Disney Springs 24 Theaters photo backdrop near the escalator to the Orange Garage features the next Disney animated feature “Moana” (which opens November 23). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney Springs celebrates its first official holiday season from the West Side through The Landing, Town Center, to the Marketplace. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka and a full report from him will be on its way later this week.

From the Characters in Flight Balloon at The Landing at Disney Springs, a large multi-level open space being created inside the future home of The Edison can be seen taking shape. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

From the Characters in Flight Balloon at The Landing at Disney Springs, it is possible to see the current state of refurbishment of the former Fulton's Crabhouse paddlewheeler as its conversion to Fulton's Continues. Also, toward the lower part of the photo next to Raglan Road, behind the construction wall ground was broken last week for Wine Bar George by Master Sommelier George Miliotes, a 210-seat wine bar that is expected to open in late 2017. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

This and That

The Gingerbread recreation of Disney's Frozen has again been created by the team at Disney's Contemporary Resort and it stands in the Grand Canyon Concourse on the Fourth Floor near the escalators to the Monorail station. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

…After having briefly been a more generic snack shop, ArtistoCrepes signage and some of its menu is back at the kiosk near Rain Forrest Cafe in the Marketplace at Disney Springs. With the reopening of AristoCrepes, crepes are no longer on the menu at Amorette's.

After having briefly been a more generic snack shop, ArtistoCrepes signage and some of its menu is back at the kiosk near Rain Forrest Cafe in the Marketplace at Disney Springs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

…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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MousePlanet

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
• Holidays at Walt Disney World – November 7 through 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 through December 30, 2016
• Candlelight Processional at Epcot – November 25 through December 30, 2016

2017 Resort events

• MouseAdventure – Saturday, March 4, 2017

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.

2017

• Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 4–8, 2017. Registration is now open. Proof of time must be submitted by October 4, 2016.
• Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 24–26, 2017. Registration is now open. Proof of time must be submitted by November 15, 2016.
• Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side Weekend – April 20–23, 2017. Registration is now open. Proof of time must be submitted by January 17, 2017.
• 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 deadline has passed.

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

• 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

2107

• The Hall of Presidents – closes January 17, 2017 to add an audio-animatronic figure of the 45th president of the United States. Expected to reopen July, 2017.

Epcot

Permanently closed:

• Sum of All Thrills – closed permanently on September 14.
• Storm Struck – closed permanently on September 14.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

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
• The Writer's Stop
• Academy of Television Sciences Hall of Fame

Disney's Animal Kingdom

• Dinosaur – closed for refurbishment July 25 – Fall, 2016

Blizzard Beach

• Closed October 23 – December 24 for seasonal refurbishment.

Typhoon Lagoon

• Closed December 24 – March 11, 2017 for seasonal refurbishment.

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 2017.

Resorts

• 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 October 10 for refurbishment, and is expected to reopen by December 2. The Surfboard Bay Pool will remain open.
• Disney's Pop Century Resort – the Computer Pool closes October 31 for refurbishment, and is expected to reopen by December 23. The Hippy Dippy Pool will remain open.

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.