Update for November 25–30, 2015
Go directly to: News & Views | Join our Networks | Resort Events | Merchandise Events | Refurbishments and Attraction Closures | Discounts and Promotions
News and Views
Experience the Force? | Flower & Garden to bloom an extra 15 days in 2016 | Restaurant news | Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel among Starwood properties targeted in data hack | Views Around the World | This and That | Crowd Forecast
Experience the Force?
An invitation sent to some media outlets last week seems to indicate that Disney has dropped plans to duplicate the Season of the Force promotion at Walt Disney World, and instead continue to refer to the new additions as the “Star Wars Experiences.” Disney also removed the Season of the Force listing from the upcoming events section of the passholder website. Were it not for the magic of screen capture, one might think the whole thing was a Jedi mind trick.
Star Tours: The Adventure Continues at Disney's Hollywood Studios now has new signs that show off images inspired by the new scene just added to the attraction based on the upcoming “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” film (opening December 18). All rides on Star Tours currently include the new scene. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The media event scheduled for December 4 focuses on Star Wars Launch Bay, the additions to Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, and the new Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple show.
As we reported last week, the new Star Tours sequence debuted November 17, much earlier than originally announced. If the Launch Bay opens to the public with or immediate following the media event, the people who complained about losing their “exclusive” preview during the December 18 Opening Night Event at Hollywood Studios following the Star Wars: The Force Awakens debut will likely be even more upset.
“Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular” fireworks show is still scheduled to debut January 5, 2016. Disney has given no indication how long the Star Wars Experiences will remain open in either Walt Disney World or at the Disneyland Resort.
The android BB-8 appears in the new scene just added to Star Tours: The Adventure Continues based on the upcoming “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” film (opening December 18). All rides on Star Tours currently include the new scene. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Flower & Garden to bloom an extra 15 days in 2016
It doesn't soften the blow some fans are still feeling after Disney cancelled the Star Wars Weekends for 2016, but last week the company announced that the 2016 Flower & Garden Festival will be expanded to 90 days in 2016. The official dates are March 2 – May 30, 2016. Disney announced a few new topiary additions for the Festival, including Huey, Dewey, and Louie, plus Ranger Mickey Mouse.
Restaurant updates
Tiffins – Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom will get its first Signature Restaurant next spring when Tiffins opens on Discover Island. The restaurant will be housed in the new building constructed behind Pizzafari, and will open for lunch and dinner. Disney says Tiffins will have “waterfront views from comfortable indoor and outdoor seating areas.”
Disney announced the construction behind Pizzafari at Disney's Animal Kingdom will become Tiffins Signature Restaurant, serving lunch and dinner with indoor and outdoor waterfront views. It is located along the path to the former entrance to Camp Minnie-Mickey that will become one of the entrances to Pandora: The World of Avatar. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The center doorway seen here in the seating area of Pizzafari connects to what Disney announced this week will become Tiffins Signature Restaurant in 2016. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Menu details were not released as part of the restaurant announcement, but it's safe to expect pricing to compare to the other 13 Signature restaurants on property. That list includes the California Grill, Le Cellier Steakhouse, and the Flying Fish Cafe.
Tiffins is expected to open in Spring 2016 to coincide with the opening of the River of Light show. Disney released a new promotional video for the show last week, with Imagineer Joe Rhode explaining his vision for the show.
Liberty Tree Tavern – Magic Kingdom
This Liberty Square restaurant reopened Tuesday following a lengthy refurbishment and kitchen expansion. The menu did not see much of a change during the four-month renovation. At lunch, the location offers an a la carte menu of comfort food classics, including pot roast, roast turkey, cheeseburgers, and fish & chips. For dinner, the menu changes to “all-you-care-to-enjoy” family style service, with roast ham, roast turkey, and pot roast with traditional side dishes.
Lunch entrees run $14–23, with appetizers and desserts from $5 and up. Dinner is $33 for adults, $19 for children ages 9 and under.
Skipper Canteen – Magic Kingdom
This new addition to Adventureland has no firm opening date, just the vague “late 2015” promised by Disney in the official announcement. However, we've heard that cast members have begun training on the new menu, and this week contributing photographer Alan Dalinka spotted that the sign for the restaurant has been installed.
Skipper Canteen and Liberty Tree Tavern will reportedly share a kitchen facility, so the reopening of Liberty Tree Tavern this week could also mean a soft opening for the Skipper Canteen in the coming days. As of this publication, the restaurant has not begun to accept reservations, and no menu or service details have been officially released.
A sign was installed this week for the new Skipper Canteen in Magic Kingdom. The restaurant's opening date has not yet been announced. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel among Starwood properties targeted in data hack
Hackers stole credit card information from customers at more than 50 Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide properties, including the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, according to a statement issued last week by Starwood. The hack targeted point-of-sale systems in gift shops and restaurants, but did not include front desk or registration records.
Starwood says customers who stayed at the Walt Disney World Dolphin between November 5, 2014 and April 13, 2015 may be affected. You can get more information in a letter from Starwood president Sergio Rivera, which includes information about credit and fraud monitoring offered to affected customers.
The Walt Disney World Swan was not included in the hack.
We're Hiring!Do you love Disney and have a flair for writing? We're currently looking for columnists to cover new areas of the Disney universe for MousePlanet.com.If you are interesting in adding your voice to MousePlanet, please contact us—we'd love to hear from you! |
Views Around the World
Contributing photographer Alan Dalinka shares more images from around Walt Disney World, including holiday decorations from Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.
Animal Kingdom
The Christmas tree in front of Disney's Animal Kingdom includes decorations in the same style as many of the themed elements of the Park. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Construction crews at Disney's Animal Kingdom have begun to install themed elements of the floating mountains in Pandora: The World of Avatar. This view is from the Dinosaur section of the parking lot. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The floating mountains of Pandora are also visible above Guest Relations from just inside the Park's gates. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Another side of Pandora is visible from the front of the Harambe Theater, home of The Festival of the Lion King show at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Riverside Depot is the new name on the building adjoining Disney Outfitters on Discovery Island at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Pizzafari at Disney's Animal Kingdom has reopened. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The new menu at Pizzafari includes many of its prior offerings plus Smucker's Uncrustables on the kids menu (the location is now “Presented by Smuckers.” Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
African-inspired holiday decorations hang in the rafters around Dawa Bar near Tusker House and the Harambe Theater. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
African-inspired holiday wreaths hang from light poles over Discovery River. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Chip and Dale greet guests in their holiday attire at Rafiki's Planet Watch outside Conservation Station. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Magic Kingdom
Nature sometimes adds a bit of magic of its own to Fantasyland. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Hollywood Studios
The photo backdrop in front of Disney's Hollywood Studios includes a sign for the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Disney's Hollywood Studios' Christmas tree has returned to its traditional spot and replaced the topiaries of Frozen's Queen Elsa and Princess Anna. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The Christmas tree includes decorations appropriate to the 1920s to 1950s time periods celebrated in the park. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Temporary stages and light trusses have been built in front of the Chinese Theater at Disney's Hollywood Studios, marring the recently-restored sight lines. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Oversized Christmas lights decorate the roof of the Fastpass+ kiosk area next to the entrance to Muppet*Vision 3-D. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
A Disney PhotoPass Photographer adorned the bust of Walt Disney at Disney's Hollywood Studios with some Frozen Ears during a slow period. (At the time of this photo, no guests were awaiting such an opportunity in the vicinity). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Construction is scheduled to wrap up soon in the Sunset Ranch area. Many of the menu items of the locations impacted by the construction are available at other nearby locations. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Holiday decorations can be found throughout Disney's Hollywood Studios. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
A period-appropriate Santa Claus decorates the entrance to The Dark Room on Hollywood Boulevard. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
This and That
…An out-of-service monorail struck a tow vehicle during a maintenance operation last week, prompting managers to close the monorail system for several hours. There were no passengers onboard the monorail at the time of the incident.
Monorail Coral sits on the Express Monorail beam behind the Monorail tow vehicle between the TTC and Disney's Contemporary Resort minutes after it broke loose from the tow vehicle and collided with it on Wednesday, November 18, 2015. News sources reported that no guests were aboard the Monorail and no one was injured. Monorail service on all lines was disrupted until well into the evening. 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 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.
|
||
Crowd Forecast
Advertisement “Do more. Wait less.”
|
Join Our Networks
MousePlanet
Resort Events
2015
- 2015 Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party – November 29; December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, and 18. As of publication, all nights are still available.
- 2015 Epcot Candlelight Processional – November 27 to December 30
- Holidays Around the World at Epcot – November 27 to December 30
- DVC Merry Member Mixers – December 1, 8, 14, 22. DVC members and their guests can attend special holiday mixers in Epcot throughout the season. The free events include character meet-and-greets, live entertainment, crafts, and refreshments. They are hosted from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the World Showcase at Epcot (entrance is between the Canada and United Kingdom Pavilions). Members do not need tickets or advance reservations, and can bring up to 6 guests per membership card.
- 2015 Candlelight Processional at Epcot – Performances are at 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. nightly, with the exception of December 6.
2016
- Season of the Force – January 8 to March 20, 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
- 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 is November 17, 2015.
- Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side Weekend – April 14–17, 2016. The 10K and Dark Side Challenge are sold out. Registration is still open for the half marathon, 5K and runDisney Kids Races. Proof of Time must be provided between October 27, 2015, and 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.
Merchandise Events
Date | Event |
---|---|
Nov. 26 |
Epcot
|
Nov. 27 |
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Epcot
|
Nov. 28 |
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Epcot
|
Nov. 29 |
Disney Springs Marketplace
Epcot
|
Nov 30 – Jan 4 |
Disney Springs Marketplace
|
Dec. 4 |
Epcot
|
Dec. 5 |
Epcot
|
Dec 11 |
Epcot
|
Dec 12 |
Epcot
|
Dec 13 |
Epcot
|
Dec 21 |
Epcot
|
Dec 22 |
Epcot
|
Dec 23 |
Epcot
|
Refurbishments and Attraction Closures
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover – closed December 7–10 for refurbishment
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 to February 11 for refurbishment.
- Liberty Square Riverboat – closed January 18–22 for refurbishment.
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – closed April 4 to July 15 for refurbishment.
- Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse – closed July 7 to September 24 for refurbishment.
- Liberty Square Riverboat – closed August 15–21 for refurbishment.
- “it's a small world” – closed August 22 to September 15 for refurbishment.
- Soarin' – additional screen under construction. Work has no impact on the existing theaters.
- 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 – ride permanently closed for construction of Frozen Ever After attraction. New ride expected to open May, 2016.
2016
- Soarin' will halt service as of January 4, 2016. The ride will reopen sometime in “summer of 2016” as Soarin' Around the World, with a new ride film
- Walt Disney: One Man's Dream – closed October 16 to December 5 due to The Good Dinosaur sneak peek.
- Jedi Training Academy – on hiatus until the Star Wars Launch Bay open. The new show is titled Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple.
- 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. The space will be used for the Star Wars Launch Bay.
Disney's Animal Kingdom
- Entire park closed from October 25, 2015 to January 3, 2016 for refurbishment
- Entire park closed from January 3 to March 13 for refurbishment.
Disney Springs
- Fulton's Crab House – closed January 1 to April 1, 2016 for refurbishment.
- Planet Hollywood – closed January 1 to 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 to September 30, 2016 for refurbishment.
- Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Villas – Hidden Springs pool, resort beach, playground, and Recreation fire pit close October 26, 2015. 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.
Discounts for Everyone |
Memory Maker pre-arrival discount Disney's PhotoPass service provides a discount on Disney Memory Maker pre-arrival packages. For $199 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 $169, a $30 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. |
---|---|
Discounts for Annual Passholders |
None at this time. |
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:
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 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 5″ x 7″ 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 5″ x 7″ character photo per day. |
Discounts for Military Personnel |
2014-2015 Military Salute – 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets with Park Hopper Discount Eligible Service Members can purchase 4-day Park Hopper passes for $177 until December 20, 2015 Tickets can be purchased through December 17, 2015. No more than 12 Disney Military Promotional Tickets can be purchased by an Eligible Service Member. 2016 Military Salute – 4-Day Military Promotional Ticket discount From September 25, 2015 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, 2016, through December 19, 2016, except that the tickets may not be used March 20, 2016 April 1, 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. |
Discounts for Florida Residents |
Cirque du Soliel's La Nouba is offering a Florida resident discount through December 18. Tickets prices range from $49 to $89. |
Discounts for Canada Residents |
None at this time. |
Discounts for U.K. Residents |
None at this time |
Don't keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips, rumors, and comments.