Walt Disney World Resort Update for September 27 – October 3, 2016

Walt Disney World Resort Update for September 27 – October 3, 2016

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News and Views

The Muppets debut October 2; Elena's welcome continues | Stitch may be planning a final escape from the Magic Kingdom | Views around the World | This and That | Crowd Forecast

The Muppets debut October 2

Disney has announced that a new Magic Kingdom show, “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History,” will debut this Sunday, October 2. The show takes place in Liberty Square, near the Hall of Presidents, and will star Sam Eagle, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and The Great Gonzo. Another character, James Jefferson, is the human host of the show. From the description provided by Disney, it seems that there will be multiple versions of the show performed each day, a good reason to make a return visit to catch the next episode.

The Walt Disney World website now lists performances of the Princess Elena Royal Welcome through Saturday, October 29. While the show is still officially a limited-time offering, we're happy to see Elena will be sticking around a bit longer.

Stitch may be planning a final escape from the Magic Kingdom

The polarizing Stitch's Great Escape attraction at the Magic Kingdom is scheduled to begin seasonal operation as of this week, and will close at the end of the day on Saturday, October 1. According to the schedule posted on the Disney World website, the ride will not reopen until November 19 and will remain open through November 26 for the Thanksgiving holiday week. Then there's another closure until the ride reopens for the peak Christmas season on December 17.

According to press reports this week, as of October 2, Stitch's Great Escape will no longer be open on a daily basis. The official Disney World website shows that the attraction will next be open November 19-26 and December 17-January 2. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Seasonal operation is not unusual at Walt Disney World, where restaurants and rides often open only during the busiest months, but this change for Stitch's Great Escape may point to an even bigger change on the horizon. The Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland could certainly use a modernization plan, and a replacement for Stitch is long overdue for some fans.

Views Around the World

I've teased contributing photographer Alan Dalinka about only sending photos with blue skies and fluffy white clouds, when I know from news reports that Orlando has experienced torrential storms during that same week. This week he came through with some photos to prove that it's not always blue skies and sunshine in the Sunshine State.

This photo shows just how isolated Central Florida storms can be. The vertical grey areas below the clouds in the distance beyond Disney's Polynesian Village Resort are called “rain shafts.” Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

TTC and Magic Kingdom

As the project to automate the Walt Disney World Monorails continues, the Express Monorail between the TTC and Magic Kingdom again often closes down for “Testing” during off peak hours now that summer has ended. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The upper roofs of Cinderella Castle are blue again as the holiday “Dream Lights” continue to be installed. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Workers in the golden basket continue installation of the holiday “Dream Lights” atop Cinderella Castle. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

All of the roof tiles on Cinderella Castle facing Fantasyland are once again blue. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Mickey's Friendship Faire shows now feature the updated Mickey and Minnie characters. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The rock work at the entrance to Tomorrowland continues to receive its new paint. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

With less scaffolding surrounding the rock work at the entrance of Tomorrowland since the last time we included this view in an Update, it appears the paint project may be creating a new color scheme for the area. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Exterior renovations at Haunted Mansion now include part of the queue area. The attraction inside continues to operate. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The exterior of The Haunted Mansion is only partially surrounded by a scaffold covered with a printed scrim. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Part of The Haunted Mansion's queue is undergoing refurbishment. For now. both the Standby and Fastpass+ lines route into the graveyard. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Less scaffolding surrounds the rock work of Big Thunder Mountain as its scheduled refurbishment continues into its final months. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

“it's a small world” reopened as scheduled after its refurbishment, but some exterior refurbishment continues. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Part of the D-Tech print-on-demand counter space inside the Tomorrowland Power & Light Co. building (the exit for Space Mountain) now serves as a Guest Relations desk where, among other things, guests may purchase tickets to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Guest Relations cast assist guests at the counter on the right. Here, they are observing a D-Tech cast member operating one of the print-on-demand printers. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Epcot

Passholders can pick up a complimentary souvenir 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival glass tumbler (while supplies last) on their third visit to the Festival by visiting the former Vision House inside Innoventions East and showing their Photo ID matching their scanned MagicBand or Card. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The interior of the former Vision House is largely empty except for a queue area and a distribution area for Passholders to receive their souvenir glass tumblers. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

A timeline showing the history of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival decorates one wall inside the former Vision House. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Unlike last year, Passholders may only obtain one souvenir glass tumbler during the entire run of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Exterior signage has been removed from Innoventions West. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Animal Kingdom

The size of some of the attraction buildings for Pandora: The World of Avatar is evident upon entering the parking lot for Disney's Animal Kingdom. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Even during its construction, the view of the future Pandora: The World of Avatar from just inside the gates of Disney's Animal Kingdom at sunset is beautiful. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

While Disney's Animal Kingdom currently has no large-scale nighttime entertainment, several places along the Discovery River provide an excellent view of some of the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks over at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

With the end of the run of the Jungle Book: Alive with Magic show and the removal of its show barges, the Discovery River is quiet at night (but for the screams of riders aboard nearby Expedition Everest). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney Springs

Several of the on-going construction projects in the Landing area of Disney Springs can be seen from atop the Orange Garage: toward the left in the photo is The Edison; on the right is Planet Hollywood Observatory. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Brickwork around the smokestack at The Edison appears to be largely complete. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

From atop the Orange Garage at Disney Springs, the sunset in the western sky beyond Epcot is often a spectacular display of colors. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Transformation of Fulton's Crab House into Paddlefish continues on Village Lake. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The fireworks of Epcot's Illuminations: Reflections of Earth can be seen from the Village Causeway pedestrian bridge in the Marketplace area of Disney Springs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

This and That

…Walt Disney World released a preview of the medals for the 2017 Marathon Weekend. Most of the events are sold out through runDisney, but there are spots available when you register through travel groups, runDisney charity partners or via the Runner's World VIP program. Details available on the race website.

Runners have eight reasons to train for the 2017 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend events. Photo © Disney.

…Early Saturday afternoon, an SUV ran off World Drive and into a support for an overhead traffic sign, leaving World Drive south of Epcot closed for much of the rest of the day.

Early Saturday afternoon, an SUV ran off World Drive and into a support for an overhead traffic sign and leaving World Drive south of Epcot closed for much of the rest of the day. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.

…A portion of the Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. shop in Tomorrowland has been converted for use as a secondary Guest Relations center at the Magic Kingdom, offering visitors an option to returning to City Hall for certain services. The new desk can help with ticket upgrades, sell tickets to special events like Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, or help make dining reservations. This new operation is reportedly a limited-time test at the Magic Kingdom.

…The MousePlanet Newsletter is here! The newsletter contains a recap of the week's articles (in case you miss a day), news that may have developed since the weekly Updates were published, and tips about what's happening at the Disney theme parks for the coming weekend. We'll also include a fun bonus, such as an Eye Spy or a trivia question. To subscribe to our free newsletter, just enter your e-mail in the box below.

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Crowd Forecast

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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
• 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – September 14 through November 14, 2016.
• Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic – Friday and Saturday, October 29 and 30.
• Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party –September – 2, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 29, 30; October – 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31
• D23's Sip & Scream – Wednesday, October 5. The event is sold out
• D23 Behind-the-Scenes Experience: A Midnight Soirée at the Tower of Terror – Wednesday, October 5. The event is sold out.
• “Jersey Week” – November 6–13. Expect larger crowds this week as New Jersey students and families take advantage of a Fall Break created by their school's participation in the New Jersey Teachers Convention.
• Dapper Day at Epcot (unofficial event) – Saturday, November 12, 2016. More information at the event website.
• Destination D – November 19-20, 2016. D23 Members are invited to join the excitement of D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures, a celebration of Disney adventures of the past, present, and future. More details at the event website.
• Holidays at Walt Disney World – November 7 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

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.