Walt Disney World Resort Update for October 25–31, 2016
Go directly to: News & Views | Join our Networks | Resort Events | Refurbishments and Attraction Closures | Discounts and Promotions
News and Views
Academy of Television Sciences Hall of Fame closed at Hollywood Studios | Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic this weekend | Princess Elena of Avalor joins meet-and-greet ahead of schedule | Disney Vacation Club hosts exclusive holiday meals and member mixers | Meet the Coca-Cola Polar Bear | Views around the World | This and That | Crowd Forecast
Academy of Television Sciences Hall of Fame closed at Hollywood Studios
We noted last week that construction walls had gone up around the Academy of Television Sciences Hall of Fame courtyard at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney has since confirmed that the exhibit is being demolished. The Hall of Fame attraction displayed busts of the many of the inductees, along with an oversize replica of an Emmy award.
A bust of actress Betty White was one of many on display at the Academy of Television Sciences Hall of Fame. MousePlanet file photo.
The Orlando Sentinel reports that the area will be replaced with a food and beverage marketplace. A Disney spokesperson says the busts will be returned to the Academy of Television Sciences.
The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame Plaza will be replaced by a food and beverage marketplace. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic this weekend
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels will host their seventh Food & Wine Classic this 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.
Princess Elena of Avalor joins meet-and-greet ahead of schedule
Princess Elena will join Cinderella at the Princess Fairytale Hall starting Thanksgiving Day. Photo © Disney.
While officially a soft-opening preview, Princess Elena of Avalor has joined the royal lineup at the Princess Fairytale Hall in the Magic Kingdom more than a month ahead of her scheduled November 24 debut. Disney's first “Latin-inspired” princess joins Cinderella as the “visiting princess” in one wing of the Princess Fairytale Hall, while Rapunzel and Tiana greet guests in the other wing.
FastPass+ reservations are available through the My Disney Experience app; be sure to select the Cinderella and Visiting Princess option.
Disney Vacation Club hosts exclusive holiday meals and member mixers
Disney Vacation Club members can book two exclusive holiday meals at Disney's Contemporary Resort, and attend a series of holiday Member Mixers at Epcot.
Disney Vacation Club Holiday Dinner
This Christmas Eve dinner is themed to “Mickey's Christmas Carol.” Special entertainment is planned, including character meet-and-greets and themed photo opportunities with a souvenir photo for each family.
The buffet menu includes beef medallions and sliced ham, served with interesting side dishes (including a mashed potato bar), and a variety of desserts and holiday beverages. A special children's menu is also offered.
Price:
- Adult: $68.60 (plus tax and gratuity)
- Child (3 to 9): $30.50 (plus tax and gratuity)
The meal is served Christmas Eve, Saturday December 24, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Fantasia Ballroom of Disney's Contemporary Resort hotel. Reservations are required, and subject to availability. Call (800) 800-9800 to book through member services—the Disney Dine Line cannot make reservations for this meal.
Disney Vacation Club New Year's Day Brunch
Kick off 2017 with a Fairy-themed New Year's Day Brunch at the Contemporary Resort. The buffet menu includes hot and cold selections, bakery goodies, and desserts.
Special entertainment is planned, including table-side magicians; family-friendly crafts and activities; character meet-and-greets; and themed photo opportunities with a souvenir photo for each family.
Price:
- Adult: $53.95 (plus tax and gratuity)
- Child (3 to 9): $29.95 (plus tax and gratuity)
The meal is served New Year's Day, Sunday January 1, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Fantasia Ballroom of Disney's Contemporary Resort hotel. Reservations are required, and subject to availability. Call (800) 800-9800 to book through member services—the Disney Dine Line cannot make reservations for this meal.
Merry Member Mixers
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, and refreshments. They are hosted at Epcot; times have not been announced.
- Friday, November 25, 2016
- Friday, December 2, 2016
- Friday, December 9 , 2016
- Friday, December 16, 2016
- Friday, December 23, 2016
Members do not need tickets or advance reservations, and can bring up to 6 guests per membership card.
Meet the Coca-Cola Polar Bear
A meet-and-greet opportunity with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear is now open on the second floor of the Coca-Cola Store at Disney Springs. A helpful store photographer is on hand to snap your photo as you share a handshake or hug with the towering character.
The Coca-Cola Polar Bear now has a meet and greet on the second floor of the Coca-Cola Store at Disney Springs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The photos are available to purchase right at the Coca-Cola store, or can be linked to a Disney PhotoPass account. This means that visitors who purchase the Memory Maker package, as well as Walt Disney World annual passholders with the digital download benefit, can download these photos at no additional charge, just like those taken by Disney PhotoPass photographers.
Alan notes that the Coca-Cola store has been experiencing some issues with sharing photos with the PhotoPass program, so be sure to get the photo number of any image you especially like if you opt to link the photos to your Disney account. This will help you track down the missing images should they not properly link.
Views Around the World
Alan shares photos from his walks around the Walt Disney World resort.
Disney Springs
The Disney Food Trucks in the plaza on the West Side of Disney Springs now have one central queue to place orders and pay. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The Strolling Piano, rolling through the Town Center area on a motorized platform, is one of the many live entertainment acts that appear in Disney Springs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Nearly the entire star-covered dome of Planet Hollywood has now been covered over by a new outer roof as the location's transformation into Planet Hollywood Observatory is expected to be complete within the coming months. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
New steel construction has begun next to STK Restaurant in The Landing area of Disney Springs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
With the cooler and drier weather season underway, STK Restaurant opened its floor to ceiling front windows facing The Landing area of Disney Springs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
STK Restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows open onto The Landing area of Disney Springs, which faces the construction of The Edison across the walkway. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Transformation of the former Fulton's Crab House into Paddlefish Restaurant continues. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
An amphicar from The Boathouse takes a cruise around Disney Springs, with the Paddlefish Restaurant in the background. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Additional exterior details are emerging at the construction site of The Edison; the roofline next to the newly built smokestack used to be part of The Adventurers Club. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Construction of The Edison continues with the transformation of Planet Hollywood Observatory beyond. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
On the side of Village Lake along Disney's Saratoga Springs, snake and alligator warning signs now dot the shoreline like the shorelines at Magic Kingdom area and Epcot area resorts. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Epcot
In addition to the construction walls immediately next to the Mexico pavilion, new construction walls now stand along the World Showcase Lagoon on the promenade approach from the bridge to the Odyssey building. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
An American bald eagle soars above World Showcase Lagoon before landing on the shore near Epcot's Norway pavilion. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Eat to the Beat Concerts are scheduled through November 14, 2016, at the America Gardens Theater on the World Showcase Lagoon. Be sure to check for last minute schedule changes which, as was true this past week, may also be posted on signs just inside the park gates. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Throughout the 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, the World Showcase Promenade is a hub of constant activity, especially at night. This photo by Alan S. Dalinka shows fifteen seconds in front of the China pavilion.
The first eight seconds of the nightly Illuminations: Reflections of Earth fireworks fill the sky with color and light. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Disney's Hollywood Studios
The March of the First Order now enters and departs the Central Stage area via Hollywood Boulevard. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
While the route of the March of the First Order now allows brief viewing opportunities along Hollywood Boulevard, sight lines remain challenging on the Center Stage. Fortunately, live video is now shown on the screens behind the stage. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
A camera operator now follows the March of the First Order and broadcasts video live to the screens behind the Center Stage. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
With the demolition of most of the Streets of America facades, some different views of Disney's Hollywood Studios are now possible. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
At the dead-end beyond the exit of Toy Story Mania, the now-cleared Streets of America area provides a view of the entire pre-show and show building of Muppet Vision 3D. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The steel frame of one of the Streets of America facades is all that remains visible beyond the wall between Toy Story Mania and the Toy Story and Star Wars Lands construction area. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Behind the exit of Muppet Vision 3D, the facade has been removed and only the steel beams remain of one of the final structures still standing in the former Streets of America area of the park. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Exterior painting is now underway at PizzeRizzo Restaurant, the former location of Pizza Planet. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
One final section of the former New York Street remains standing beyond the Star Wars Land construction wall in the Muppets Courtyard. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Through the trees that used to surround the (now removed) New York skyline facade, it is possible to glimpse some of the land clearing operation for the future Star Wars and Toy Story lands. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Demolition work on the remains of New York Street is visible through the trees that used to surround the (now removed) New York skyline facade. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
One Man's Dream now is hosting an eight minute preview of the upcoming Marvel Studios movie “Doctor Strange.” Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The Walt Disney Theater inside One Man's Dream is now showing an eight minute preview of the upcoming Marvel Studios movie “Doctor Strange.” Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The museum display area of One Man's Dream that included Walt Disney Company history from the 1970s to the present is now closed behind a construction wall. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
A construction wall now blocks access to the museum display area of One Man's Dream just beyond the display for Walt Disney's presentation of The Florida Project. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Hollywood & Vine hosts Minnie's Halloween Dine character meals. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Resort Hotels
Refurbishment of the rock work at the main pool at Disney's Saratoga Springs is underway. At least as of this weekend, the work did not appear to affect guest use of the pool and slide. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs which were evacuated ahead of Hurricane Matthew earlier this month, appear to have weathered the storm without noticeable damage. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Don't keep it to yourself!
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This and That
The highly popular Off Kilter band that ended its eighteen year run at Epcot's Canada pavilion last year, performed at the Fall Festival at Lakeside Park in Celebration, Florida this past Saturday. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
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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
- 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – September 14 through November 14, 2016.
- Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic – Friday and Saturday, October 28 and 29. More information available on the event website.
- 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
- “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 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.
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 deadline has passed.
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.
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
- 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
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – closed August 8 – November 18 for refurbishment.
Epcot
Permanently closed:
- Sum of All Thrills – closed permanently on September 14.
- Storm Struck – closed permanently on September 14.
Disney's Hollywood Studios
2016
- Pizza Planet restaurant – closed for refurbishment. Will reopen in Fall, 2016 as PizzeRizzo
- Rock 'n' Roller Coaster – closed for refurbishment October 27 though November 9.
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 2016.
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.
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Travel Discounts for Everyone |
All of these packages can also be booked through MousePlanet's partner travel agency Get Away Today. Early Spring room-only offer
Early Spring Kid-sized Vacation offer
Early Spring Family Magic offer
Magical Vacation Package 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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Travel Discounts for Annual Passholders |
None at this time. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
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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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Travel 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 percent, based on room category. The 2016 offer is valid most nights from January 3 through December 19, 2016. 2017 Military Salute – 4-Day or 5-Day Military Promotional Ticket discount Through December 19, 2017, 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 1 through December 19, 2017, except that the tickets may not be used April 9–23, 2017. 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, 2017. 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 percent, based on room category. The 2017 offer is valid most nights from January 1 through December 19, 2017. Like the ticket offer, the hotel discounts are not valid April 9–23, 2017. |
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Travel Discounts for Florida Residents |
None at this time. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
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Travel Discounts for Canada Residents |
MousePlanet reader Scott S. alerted us to a new offer for Canadian residents. Canadian residents receive a 25% discount on 4-day or longer tickets purchased by February 28, 2017. The discounted rate for a 4-Day adult base ticket is $244.00 USD, compared to $325.00 USD when purchased at the gate. A 10-day adult base ticket is $300 USD, a savings of $100 from the main gate price. This offer is only good for Canadian citizens with valid passport, or residents of Canada with valid proof of Canadian residency. The tickets are sold as an exchange certificate, and must be exchanged for park ticket upon arrival. There is no expiration date on the unused tickets, but once activated the tickets must be used within 14 days of first entry. You can see the full details on the Walt Disney World website. Thanks Scott for the heads up! If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
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Travel Discounts for U.K. Residents |
None at this time. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details! |
