Walt Disney World Resort Update for September 5-11, 2018
Writer's note: Now that Labor Day has passed, we are finally in that very brief time of year where Walt Disney World Resort gets a little bit less crowded. The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival kicked off on Thursday, and that draws folks to Epcot (especially on the weekends), but, while the Promenade feels crowded, the attractions tend to have rather low waits. Even the hard-ticketed Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, which saw a sell-out crowd at Magic Kingdom on its opening night back on August 17 (including invited media guests like me), does not sell out for every Party during this more quiet time (as we saw as invited media again on August 31).
As I mentioned during the Facebook Live presentation of the “Boo to You!” parade at Magic Kingdom and then posted on MousePlanet's Instagram and Facebook Story, we will be giving away one of the Not-So-Scary Halloween Party-exclusive Oogie Boogie Popcorn holders in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for details. As I like to say, the captions tell the story, and that will be the case as we head in to the fall. If you do not follow @MousePlanet on Facebook or Instagram, you will have no opportunity. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Then again, we are also at the most active time of year for Tropical Storms and Hurricanes. As I write this, Gordon is taking aim at New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, having passed the southern tip of Florida over the weekend and bringing a bit more rain than usual here in Central Florida. (Hoping for the best for those impacted directly.) At this time last year, we were keeping an eye on what became Hurricane Irma, which shut down Walt Disney World for a couple of days, toppled a good number of trees at the Resort, and caused varying amounts of damage across Central Florida and beyond. So, if visiting the area (or if you are local), remember to pay attention to the forecasts and be prepared.
Finally, as you can and will see, the roll-out of enhancements to the Update continue this week. Groups of related photos are now presented in a box that scrolls horizontally. As always, you can click on any individual photo to view it as well. I hope these enhancements are making it easier for our readers to get the information they want in the something-for-everyone format that has long been the tradition of MousePlanet's Updates. If you encounter problems on the page, please do let me know so that we can try to track down the bugs.
News and Views
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is Underway | Minnie Van Service Expands to Orlando International Airport | New Character Dining Experience Taking Over Artist Point | Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Will Include Oga's Cantina | Epcot Concert & Candlelight Processional News & Calendar | Views Around the World | This and That… | New & Coming Soon at Disney Springs | Crowd Forecast
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is Underway
The 23rd Epcot International Food & Wine Festival began its 75 day run on Thursday, August 30. This year, it offers 40 Marketplaces, the kiosks where you find the foods and beverages that let you “eat your way around the world.” Disney Parks Blog published a complete “Foodie Guide,” which lists all of the food and beverages, including where to find them. We previously reported on the Media Preview in the Walt Disney World Resort Update for August 14-20, 2018. Our Instagram Highlights Story brings you even more photos and video; it will grow during the Festival that runs until November 12 (unfortunately, it cannot be embedded in the Update, but it will open in a separate window).
Preview the Festival with this “Inside Disney Parks” episode. Video ©Disney.
The Festival itself really seems to encompass even more of the park than ever. Not only do the Marketplaces circle World Showcase and take up a number of spots along Future World West, this year one can be found in Future World East, plus several are available in the Festival Center itself. Odyssey, however, is not used by the Festival this year (under varying names, Odyssey had been the beer-focused location in recent years; Craft Brews can be found in the Festival Center.) The Festival decor and design scheme is largely the same as last year, with some new themes to be discovered in the merchandise selection.
Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.
The Festival Center (which was undergoing refurbishment during this year's Flower & Garden Festival) is where many celebrity chefs, seminars, demonstrations, and other events are held during the Festival (some are complimentary, some require paid reservations). The Festival Center also is where to find three beverage locations: Craft Drafts, Disney Family of Wines, and Shimmering Sips Mimosa Bar. Annual Passholders can get their complimentary Chef Mickey Magnet on their first Festival visit in the Festival Center and they can get their Chef Mickey Cutting Board on their fourth park visit (Pass and Photo ID required; Passholders only need to visit the Festival Center to obtain the gifts, as the visits themselves are counted by using the Annual Pass to enter the park).
Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.
Near the Passholder “gift” distribution line, Ghirardelli Chocolate again presents its annual exhibit, The Chocolate Experience: From the Bean to the Bar. The highlight of the exhibit, as always, are the displays made of chocolate by Disney artists. The glass protecting the displays means that photographs do not entirely do them justice, as they are quite impressive.
Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.
When visiting the Festival, be sure to pick up the Festival Passport in addition to the Times Guide. The Festival Passport is the guide to all the special offerings of the Festival, including the Marketplace menus and locations. Keep your eyes on MousePlanet's social media outlets on this Saturday, September 8, for some additional coverage during invited media day, and, of course, right here on MousePlanet.com for more articles from my fellow contributors along with more news in the Updates from week to week.
For guests looking to visit the permanent Epcot attractions during the Festival, even when the parking lot and pathways are crowded, the attraction wait times can be quite low at this time of year. At Epcot, many of the guests are visiting just for the beverages, food and entertainment. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Minnie Van Service Expands to Orlando International Airport
For Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests wanting private transportation service to and from Orlando International Airport, Disney Minnie Van Service now provides another option. Introduced last summer, Minnie Vans Service provides all Walt Disney World Resort guests point-to-point on-property transportation for a flat fee of $25/ride, arranged through the Lyft app. The on-property Minnie Vans seat up to six passengers and carry two car seats that can be installed inside for kids. (There are also larger vans available to carry guests in wheelchairs or ECVs available.)
The new option, available only to Disney hotel guests, provides private transportation service to and from Orlando International Airport arranged by advanced reservations by calling (407)WDW-PLAY. The service is available for flight arrivals between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and for flight departures between 9 a.m. and midnight. Each Minnie Van can hold up to six passengers and eight medium-sized suitcases. Up to three complimentary car seats can be provided and ADA-accessible vehicles are also available.
Disney has not published pricing information for the new option. When it was available exclusively to club-level hotel guests, numerous sites reported that the fee was $150/ride. We are attempting to confirm the current price. Disney's Magical Express bus service remains available to transport Disney Resort hotel guests to and from Orlando International Airport at no additional charge.
File Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.
For on-property rides, the Minnie Vans have better access to pick up and drop-off points than other personal transportation options, including the bus stop area at Magic Kingdom near the park's security screening stations rather than at the TTC, which is where other ride-sharing providers are permitted to operate. Disney representatives have told us that essentially anywhere Disney buses are permitted, the Minnie Vans operate as well.
New Character Dining Experience Taking Over Artist Point
This winter, Artist Point restaurant at Disney's Wilderness Lodge will become a character dining location. Disney Parks Blog describes the new “Storybook Dining at Artist Point” as inviting “guests to venture into an Enchanted Forest-like setting inspired by Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.“
The location will have a prix fixe menu with shared appetizers, a choice of plated entrées, and “sweet spells” for dessert. The meal will include visits from Snow White, Dopey, and Grumpy, and there will be an opportunity “for an encounter with The Queen.”
The announcement has been met with a great deal of debate in the comments on Disney Parks Blog itself and elsewhere online. The change does represent the elimination of a Signature restaurant at the same time that new Signature restaurants are in development at other locations around the Resort (but not at Disney's Wilderness Lodge). Certainly, an opportunity to interact with characters from Disney's Snow White will be welcome news to others. One of the more interesting comments we have seen questions the tie between Snow White and the Pacific Northwest theme of Wilderness Lodge; Snow White's story does venture into the woods of a royal land. At Epcot, Snow White meets and greets guests at the Germany pavilion (which is the country where her story originated).
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Will Include Oga's Cantina
Visiting the cantina first seen in George Lucas' 1977 film Star Wars (now named Star Wars: A New Hope), has often been something Star Wars fans have said they wanted to do. Since Disney first announced that it would build a Star Wars-themed land (well, two very similar lands, one at Disneyland and and one at Disney's Hollywood Studios), that fan wish has been on the path to being fulfilled. For more than a year, Disney has said that guests will get to visit a cantina.
In a Disney Parks Blog post last week, Scott Trowbridge, Portfolio Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering, provided a few more details, including the name, “Oga's Cantina,” which is coming to the Black Spire Outpost when Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opens in 2019. The proprietor of the cantina is Oga Garra, an alien that “adheres to a strict code of conduct that tries to keep its unruly patronis in check.” Of course, combine being inside a Disney Park with the overall storyline that Black Spire Outpost is a stomping ground for bounty hunters, smugglers, and others trying to avoid notice, and the result will be a venue with “a story or two to tell.” Scott Trowbridge says that “you never know when a stormtrooper or a familiar face will show up,” and, as previously announced, RX-24, the one-time StarSpeeder 3000 pilot droid (from the previous version of Star Tours) is now the cantina's DJ, “still trying to do his best on the job.”
Oga's Cantina will serve adults and kids “famous concoctions created with exotic ingredients using 'otherworldly' methods, served in unique vessels.” In other words, we expect to see some colorful beverages served in (likely collectible) highly themed cups. In the comments to the post, Scott Trowbridge further elaborated that the creative team is “developing a specialty cocktail (non-alcohol- and alcohol-based) menu that will include creatively themed custom cocktails, and proprietary beer and wine options. So, for visitors at Disneyland, the big news here is that Oga's Cantina will be the first venue open to all guests inside Disneyland Park to serve “libations for adults.” Here at Walt Disney World Resort, the venue will be one of many at Disney's Hollywood Studios to offer alcoholic beverage choices to adults.”
Epcot Concert & Candlelight Processional News & Calendar
Epcot's America Gardens Theatre stage is again home to the Eat to the Beat Concert Series throughout the entire run of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. During September, there is “limited dedicated seating” for Passholders; Passholders (with Pass and Photo ID) can receive up to four wristbands for one of the three daily concerts each day during the month on a first-come, first served basis at the America Gardens Theatre (up to an hour before showtime or while supplies last). There is a new Quick Service dining package option that is available daily (no advanced reservations, limited availability) at Liberty Inn at The American Adventure pavilion: for $29.99/person plus tax, guests purchase a meal (entrée, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage) and get a guaranteed concert seat. The usual Table Service dining packages that include guaranteed concert seats are available by visiting TasteEpcot.com or calling (407)939-3378.
Eat to the Beat Concerts take to the America Gardens Theatre stage three times nightly throughout the entire run of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Our Google Calendar of Epcot Events includes a list of the scheduled performers (but, as always, check the My Disney Experience app, Times Guide, and, yes, sometimes even signs posted at the park entrances and at the theater noting last minute changes).
The Food & Wine Festival also includes a second concert venue on Friday and Saturday evenings in conjunction with the new Disney Du Jour Dance Party at the Fountain View Stage in Future World. Different pairs of Disney characters stop by each weekend (Remy and Emile from Disney-Pixar’s Ratatouille, Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps from Zootopia, Lilo and Stitch or classic favorites such as Chip 'n Dale or Clarabelle Cow and Horace Horsecollar). The Disney Du Jour Dance Party is highlighted by a special concert appearance by an up-and-coming artist from Radio Disney.
The new Disney Du Jour Dance Party takes place at the Fountain View Stage in Future World on Friday and Saturday evenings during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, and is highlighted by a special concert appearance by an up-and-coming artist from Radio Disney. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays begins on November 18, with additional entertainment by storytellers and musical acts all around the park. Starting on Thanksgiving night, November 22, and running until December 30, the Candlelight Processional returns to the America Gardens Theatre for the traditional retelling of the story of Christmas with celebrity narrator, live orchestra and mass choir. We have updated our Candlelight Processional at Epcot Guide with an updated listing of the dining packages available for breakfast, lunch and dinner around Epcot and its neighboring resorts, and the partial listing of celebrity narrators currently available. You can also visit this page of DisneyWorld.com for Candlelight dining package information and reservations.
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. Pat Sajak is scheduled to return as a celebrity narrator again this year. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
For the convenience of our readers, all of the scheduled performances at America Gardens Theatre are shown in our Google Calendar of Epcot Events. You can add the whole Event calendar to any calendar that supports the iCal format (like iPhone and Mac) by copying this link. 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
The captions tell the story and include bits of news along the way. Photos around Disney Springs may now be found below in our item entitled New & Coming Soon at Disney Springs. For more information about Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, have a look again at the Walt Disney World Resort Update for August 21-26, 2018, following our “media tour” night at the Party; the August 31 invited media night at the Party was an opportunity to have a look around without a particular schedule.
Magic Kingdom
Cranes visible beyond Frontierland (as viewed from the Express Monorail approaching Disney's Contemporary Resort) are actually located outside the park fence, assisting in an on-going backstage road-construction. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Some Halloween treats are available in the park (and at other parks and resorts) throughout the season, not just during Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.
The Happy HalloWishes fireworks light the sky over the partially drained Rivers of America, as work on the track in the riverbed continued during the show on August 31. Long Exposure Photo (15 seconds) by Alan S. Dalinka.
Photos by Alan S. Dalinka (including HDR Photos where noted).
The ride of the Headless Horseman precedes Mickey's Boo to You! Parade during Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.
With Facebook Live, we presented Mickey's Boo to You! Parade with commentary from both coasts. Visit Facebook to enjoy the replay of the video by Alan S. Dalinka with Todd Pickering. You can also see highlights of the Party in our Instagram Highlights Story.
Epcot
Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.
The scope of the building for the Ratatouille-themed attraction between the Morocco and France pavilions is fairly clear from across the World Showcase Lagoon near the Mexico pavilion. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Tree of Life Awakenings occur with several different shows in rotation throughout the park operating hours after sunset. This view is from the plaza on Discovery Island in front of the Tree of Life; Awakenings may also be viewed from the other side of Discovery Island along the walkway from Africa to Asia. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Although the prime viewing locations for presentations of the Rivers of Light show on Discovery River are the seating areas in front of Expedition Everest and in front of the Theatre in the Wild (home of Finding Nemo: The Musical), the seating patio behind Flame Tree Barbecue on the opposite side of Discovery River also provides some interesting views of the show. Long Exposure (8 seconds) Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The digital projections on the water screens mostly do not shine all the way through to the Flame Tree Barbecue seating area, but the laser and lighting effects can be seen there. Long Exposure (4 seconds) Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Construction walls surround some of the plaza outside Island Mercantile near the pathway that leads to Pandora-The World of Avatar (across from Pizzafari). Some of the trails around the Tree of Life (opposite this photo) also are closed to guests by construction walls, as has been true for several weeks. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
This and That…
…Aella, the two-month-old Masai giraffe calf, may now be spotted from time to time on the Kilimanjaro Safaris savanna at Disney's Animal Kingdom. (Note, at least during nighttime safaris right now, the driver cannot stop for photos for the safety of the calf and, indeed, my nighttime photos of her are not of high enough quality to publish.) Aella's parents, Lily and George, were chosen to breed through the Species Survival Plan overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to promote responsible breeding of threatened and endangered species. You can read more about Disney's animal care programs and the threats the animals face in the wild, including giraffes, at DisneyAnimals.com.
Disney Parks Blog posted video of Aella, her mom, and other giraffes at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Video © Disney.
…Starting in early 2019, Disney Youth Programs is adding a new student learning activity called “The Science Behind the Seeds,” a program that explores sustainable food production and how emerging scientific methods can meet future food needs. Taking students through Living with the Land at Epcot, the program provides students with an understanding of how plants are cultivated, about technologies that protect plants from pests and diseases without pesticides, and new techniques for growing plants without soil. The three hour program is available to students in grades K through 12 in groups of 10 or more. Teachers and students can learn more about this and other educational programs (and register for this one), at DisneyYouth.com.
…The Play Disney Parks app has added a new music playlist curated by Disney Legend Richard Sherman, the co-creator of lots of Disney Parks and Disney Movie songs and music. The new playlist joins more than 30 others that Disney Parks Blog says “celebrate the history and heritage of Disney Parks.” For app users that also subscribe to Apple Music on an iOS device, the playlists can be added directly to an Apple Music library (for those that do not subscribe, the music played is limited to 30 second samples of each song).
…The recently concluded refurbishment of Disney's Lake Buena Vista golf course included the introduction of a new Mickey-shaped bunker behind the 9th green. The course refurbishment work included removing some bunkers, as well as the reshaping and re-sodding of bunker faces across the course, improving drainage, and replacing old grey sand with new prestine white sand. Disney's Magnolia golf course has had a Mickey-shaped bunker on its 6th hole since 1971; Disney's Oak Trail golf course recently added one behind its 9th green as well. Oak Trail's recent refurbishment also restored the original shapes and sizes of the course's greens and surfaced them with new Paspalum grass which requires less water and fertilizer and should provide for more robust and healthier putting surfaces. Course refurbishment is now underway at Disney's Palm golf course.
…The Old Port Royale area at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort is expected to reopen this fall after its extensive “reimagining” and expansion of the Centertown Market. Disney Parks Blog shared photos of a new murals being completed in the Centertown Market and the Caribbean story behind it. A couple of weeks ago, Disney Parks Blog also shared the news that Sebastian's Bistro will be the new table service casual restaurant at Old Port Royale (replacing Shutters in a new waterfront location), featuring a Latin and Caribbean menu.
…REMINDER: the next Behind the Themes tour is scheduled for Saturday, September 15, at 10 a.m. at Skyline Attractions, builder of Skywarp, a new attraction set to open this year as Harley Quinn Crazy Coaster at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, CA. Skyline Attractions is located at 3923 Forrestal Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32806. Tickets are $50, include the tour and lunch, and can be reserved here. Ticket proceeds benefit Give Kids The World Village.
…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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New & Coming Soon at Disney Springs
This new section collects all of the Disney Springs retail and dining events we are aware of in one place. Items “NEW” to the Update are marked accordingly.
Visit Orlando's Magical Dining Month continues
All month long, restaurants all over the Orlando area participating in Visit Orlando's Magical Dining Month (including many at Disney Springs), offering special prix fixe dinners for $35/person, with one dollar from each meal benefiting Best Buddies and Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida. Dinner includes the choice of an appetizer, entrée, and dessert from the participating restaurant's Magical Dining Month menu. Beverages, tax, and gratuity are not included in the price (Visit Orlando encourages diners to tip servers on the total “meal value” rather than the prix fixe price).
All of this year's participating restaurants and their Magical Dining Month menus are available online. Reservations are recommended, and the restaurant list includes links for those that accept online reservations and phone numbers to call restaurants directly. Whether making a reservation or walking in, diners need to ask for the “Magical Dining Month” menu at the participating restaurant. No other discounts, dining plans, or offers can be used for a Magical Dining Month dinner, and no, you cannot “share/split the three-course Visit Orlando's Magical Dining Month dinner with another person.”
NEW WonderFall Flavors Starts September 7
Celebrating fall flavors, new menu items can be found at 14 Disney Springs restaurants and quick service locations starting Friday, September 7, with WonderFall Flavors at Disney Springs. Disney Parks Blog has the “foodie guide” to point you toward “everything from harvest tacos and pumpkin desserts to hard ciders and autumn-inspired cocktails.”
Wine Bar George
NEW On Saturday, September 8, join Master Sommelier George Miliotes for a blind tasting of six wines alongside cheese and charcuterie, from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $65/person (plus $3.64 Event Brite ticketing fee) and are available here.
Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant
Though the 7th Annual “Great Irish Hooley” Music Festival concluded its weekend run at Raglan Road on Labor Day, you can see some of the highlights from the media preview we attended where we created our Instagram Highlights Story. Many of the Hooley's menu additions and performers continue to appear on stages at the venue.
During the Irish Hooley Media Event, we had an opportunity to sample the Leitrim Lemon Fellow made with Gunpowder Gin. It was a surprisingly light and smooth adult beverage with an ample citrus flavor. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
For example, the new Rhythms of Raglan 2018 show is performed nightly on the Grand Room stage. Pub musicians and dancers perform in front of the video screens showcasing the beauty of Ireland in the main room. Performances range from traditional to contemporary Irish music, including what Raglan says is “Never-before-seen-and-heard” pub music and dance routines [that] spark plenty of toe-tapping and applause.” The brand-new 2018 dance troupe includes: Conor Ryan of Waterford; Alan O’Donnell of Donegal; Sean Scally of Manchester; Joe Fee of Donegal; Sinead Buckley of Dublin; Ciara Wylie of Dublin; Tara Callaghan of Donegal; and Lauren Bohill of Belfast. Veteran dancer, Emma Deane, is back on stage, as well! The latest bands from Ireland on Raglan's stages are: TradGad, Strings & Things and High Road! You can get more information by visiting RaglanRoad.com or calling (407)938-0300
Rhythms of Raglan 2018 performs on the Grand Room stage at Raglan Road. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.
Great Irish Hooley headliner Lisa Canny, a 7-time All-Ireland champion on harp and banjo will continue to perform in “pop-up” shows at Raglan Road through December. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
4R Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck Now Open
The 4R Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck from the local 4Rivers Restaurant Group is now open in the Marketplace neighborhood (between World of Disney store and Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop). The new eatery “will serve new dishes such as a taco cone and a burrito bowl filled with the diner's pick of meats such as brisket barbacoa or pork sofrito.” The location also serves vegetarian options and desserts. My Disney Experience app lists its hours as 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (be sure to check the app for updates to operating hours).
The new 4R Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck celebrated its grand opening at Disney Springs a couple weeks ago. Photo courtesy Disney and 4R Restaurant Group.
Chicken Guy!
Chicken Guy!, a collaboration between celebrity chef Guy Fieri and restauranteur Robert Earl (whose other Disney Springs venues include both Planet Hollywood and Earl of Sandwich), opened a few weeks ago adjacent to Planet Hollywood. Last week, Guy Fieri and Robert Earl joined Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney World Ambassador Brandon Peters and Disney Springs leaders in celebrating the opening of the newest fast casual dining option at Disney Springs. The restaurant opens every day at 11 a.m. It closes at Midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and 11 p.m. the rest of the week. Its website is ChickenGuy.com.
Owners Guy Fieri and Robert Earl joined Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney World Ambassador Brandon Peters, and Disney Springs leaders in celebrating the opening of Chicken Guy! Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri distributed samples of the Chicken Guy! tenders to the crowd gathered to celebrate the opening of the new Disney Springs fast casual restaurant. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Under Construction
Construction continues for the new roof to cover the patio of The Polite Pig in the Town Center neighborhood. The restaurant remains open during construction. HDR Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
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 email.
NEW! Just click the year you want to expand (or close).
2018 Resort Events
- Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom:
- September 20; 9 p.m.– midnight
- Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom:
- September 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
- Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic – October 26–27
- Sunday Bubbles Brunch – October 28
- Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 1–4
- Holidays at Walt Disney World – begins November 8
- 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
- Disney's Hollywood Studios Flurry of Fun – November 6, 2018 – January 6, 2019
- Includes nightly presentations of Sunset Seasons Greetings and Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!
- Toy Story Land gets special holiday songs on Alien Swirling Saucers and more
- Disney's Animal Kingdom – begins November 8
- Diwali, the holiday Festival of Lights in India, celebrated as part of the UP! A Great Bird Adventure show.
- Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom:
- MouseAdventure Remix (unofficial event) – November 10
– REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! - Dapper Day (unofficial events)
- November 17 – Disney's Animal Kingdom (until 3-5 p.m.) & Magic Kingdom (evening);
- November 18 – Epcot
- Moonlight Magic at Disney's Hollywood Studios – September 19, 26; October 3
Registration FILLED for Members with resort reservations
Registration opens for all Members (LIMITED availability) – September 13
2019 Resort Events
- 2019 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 9–13, 2019
– REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! - Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 21–24, 2019.
– REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! - Star Wars Rival Run Weekend – April 4–7, 2019.
– REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
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.
NEW ENHANCEMENT! View the different areas of the Resort by scrolling horizontally and selecting the one you want to read about. If the menu bar does not work on your screen, please let us know by email (include which Browser and Operating System you are using)!
Magic Kingdom
- Liberty Square Riverboat – closed for refurbishment (track work now underway).
- Stitch's Great Escape – My Disney Experience lists as “available seasonally throughout the year”
Be aware that it is increasingly unlikely it will reopen; the attraction's lobby is usually used for greeting Stitch - Walt Disney World Railroad – scheduled closure beginning in December 2018 to accomodate TRON construction
- Tomorrowland Speedway – scheduled 2019 closure for track adjustment to accomodate TRON construction (expected Summer reopening)
Epcot
- 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
- 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. - Pixar Place area – Closed since just after the opening of Toy Story Land
New entrance to Toy Story Mania! and character encounters now inside Toy Story Land
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.
Disney Water Parks
Disney's Blizzard Beach
- No known closures at this time.
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon
- No known closures at this time.
Disney Springs
- World of Disney – phased store closings for refurbishment underway until Fall 2018.
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 has opened in its place. - 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.
Disney Resorts
- Caribbean Beach – Centertown, the resort's marketplace, will be expanded with new waterfront dining and retail shopping areas. The Old Port Royale “reimagining” is expected to be completed this fall, and will include the expanded Centertown Market and the new waterfront table service casual restaurant, Sebastian's Bistro, which replaces the now closed Shutters restaurant. The overall construction project at the Resort is expected to be completed 2019–20.
- 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.
- Iguana Arcade is closed for refurbishment.
WDW Golf
- Disney's Palm Golf Course – Closed for refurbishment August 27-September 6, 2018.
Current Discounts and 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.
Just click the category you want to expand (or close).
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 for the discount. All sales are final, and not eligible for an exchange or refund. Both the immediate and discount version of Memory Maker can be purchased at this page of DisneyWorld.com.
For Annual Passholders
Expect to be required to show your Passholder Card and matching photo ID to receive a discount and other benefits. |
For the latest offerings during the 2018 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, visit this page of DisneyWorld.com. Passholder benefits during the Festival include:
- Passholder wristbands are available at America Gardens Theatre (up to an hour before show time or when they run out) for same-day Eat to the Beat concert seating during September.
- Passholders can obtain a new Chef Mickey Passholder magnet (with their Pass and Photo ID) on their first visit to the Festival Center at the theatre across from The Chocolate Experience: From Bean to the Bar, hosted by Ghirardelli.
- On a Passholder's fourth visit to Epcot during the Festival(tracked by entering the park with the Pass, not the Festival Center, Passholders can pick up a new Chef Mickey cutting board at the Festival Center.
- Passholders get “V.I.Passholder” 8-9 a.m. access to Epcot to be “among the first to purchase the newest releases of Passholder-exclusive merchandise” and mimosas at the Festival Center (or just merchandise at Mouse Gear) on three “Thank You Thursdays” during the Festival: August 30, September 20, and October 18 (Event Registration is not required, but attractions do not open until 9 a.m.).
For the most up-to-date list of locations offering dining discounts to Annual Passholders, visit this page of DisneyWorld.com.
Many dining locations offer Passholders 10 percent discounts during some or all meal periods (also excluding alcoholic beverages, tax and gratuity).
The latest information on this page of DisneyWorld.com lists discounts at many merchandise locations across Walt Disney World Resort, including locations that continue to offer 20 percent discounts off regularly priced merchandise.
The latest information on this page of DisneyWorld.com lists discounts for special events and tours at locations around Walt Disney World Resort.
The latest information on this page of DisneyWorld.com lists discounts for sports, recreation, and spas around Walt Disney World Resort.
Magic Strollers, “a Disney featured stroller provider,” offers a $5 discount on stroller rental when staying at a Disney Resort Hotel and using coupon code WDWAP18 to arrange your rental. It is listed on the “Passholders Extras” page of the Passholder website.
Visit the DisneyWorld.com Special Offers page (filtered for Passholders) and log in with a My Disney Experience account linked to your Annual Pass for information, or call (407) 939-4232 to book by phone.
Additional information about available “Passholder Extras” are available here, including specially priced 1-Day Water Park Tickets for $49 plus tax (must be purchased in-person at the water parks and not available online; must be used on or before December 31, 2019), a new $35 Sunrise 9 golf offer (including nine holes of golf, a hot breakfast and two beverages between 7:00 and 8:30 a.m., subject to availability, at Disney Golf courses), a new $29 Sunset 9 golf offer (including nine holes of golf, a light snack and a beer or soft drink, subject to availability in the late afternoon at Disney Golf courses), an Orlando Magic Jersey Offer for purchasing or renewing an Annual Pass at Amway Center in Orlando, a 15 percent discount on the Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour at Disney's Animal Kingdom, Spa & Salon Discounts around Walt Disney World Resort, Amphicar Tour discounts at Disney Springs, runDisney Early Registration discounts, Best Friends Pat Care discounts, Children's Activity Centers discounts, and more.
Away from the Resort, Passholders can use code DANCEPARTY to get 20 percent off of tickets to the new Disney Junior Dance Party on Tour in Jacksonville, Melbourne, Clearwater, and Sarasota Florida, for house seats while supplies last. Visit disneyjuniortour.com for more information and tickets.
If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details.
For Disney Rewards VISA Credit Card Holders
Reminder to MagicBand users: You must still show your Disney Visa credit card to receive discounts and other benefits. Discounts are not automatically applied even if you have linked your Disney Visa credit card to your MagicBand. |
To conserve space, we have eliminated some of the participating location details of the Disney Visa Rewards offers from this section. Visit Disney Visa Rewards website for the latest participating location information.
20 percent off Joffrey's coffee/tea kiosks
Disney Visa cardholders receive 20 percent off their entire purchase at Joffrey's coffee/tea kiosks throughout Walt Disney World, including Tea Traders Café by Joffrey's, and online at Joffreys.com with code: VISABEANS
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. Discounts are not available on Premium VIP tours, programs exclusive to groups, or group team building programs.
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). Offer excludes alcoholic beverages, merchandise, tobacco, room service, holiday buffets, tax and gratuity. Discount may not be available at all meal times. Visit this page of disneyrewards.com for the latest list of restaurants and restrictions.
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 this page of disneyrewards.com.
Cardholders also receive 10% off select merchandise purchases of $50 or more at the following Walt Disney World Resort Operating Participant merchandise locations including Basin, Basin White, Chapel Hats, Good Fortune Gifts and House of Good Fortune, kidsHeritage, Luxury of Time, Marrakesh Emporium Arts & Crafts, Joffrey's coffee/tea kiosks and Tea Traders Café by Joffrey's, Sperry and Volcom.
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. Visit this page of disneyrewards.com for participating locations and restrictions.
10 percent off select recreation experiences
Disney Visa cardholders receive 15 percent off the non-discounted price of the recreation experiences listed below:
- Carriage Rides at Disney's Port Orleans Resort and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
- Horseback Trail Rides at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Free character photos 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. at the Imagination Pavilion at Epcot (enter near the jumping fountains near the exit to the Magic Eye Theater). You'll receive complimentary downloads of your photos (one time per day), which may be accessed in the My Disney Experience smartphone application (or website).
Free character photos at a private meet and greet location at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Present your Disney's Premier Visa card or Disney Rewards Visa card for access to a private character meet-and-greet at the Star Wars Launch Bay in the Animation Courtyard at Disney's Hollywood Studios for the cardholder and up to five guests. The event is hosted daily from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You'll receive complimentary downloads of your photos (one time per day), which may be accessed in the My Disney Experience smartphone application (or website).
For Military Personnel
2018 Armed Forces Salute Tickets
January 1 through December 19, 2018
- Four-Day Park Hopper Tickets –$226.00
- Four-Day Park Hopper Plus Tickets – $266.00
- Five-Day Park Hopper Tickets – $246.00
- Five-Day Park Hopper Plus Tickets – $286.00
NOTE: Tickets must be used by December 19, 2018.
U.S. military personnel can also purchase the Memory Maker product for $98 through December 19.
Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased at participating U.S. military sales outlets by eligible service members (as defined on Disney World.com) or their spouses (but not both), for use by themselves and only family members and friends, as provided by Disney's rules. These tickets may not be otherwise transferred, distributed or resold. Limit six (6) tickets purchased by the military personnel (or spouse), and one ticket must be used by that member of the military (or spouse).
U.S. military personnel can enjoy discounts at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels when booking by December 19, 2018, for stays most nights from April 6 through December 19, 2018. Offer excludes moderate and deluxe resorts. Call (407)939-5684 for information and reservations.
Read more information at militarydisneytips.com, visit your base ticket office, or when at Walt Disney World, visit Shades of Green.
If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details.
For Florida Residents
Disney Select Tickets
Florida residents can save with the 4-Day Disney Select Ticket (compared to the price of a 4-Day Magic Your Way ticket). There is a smaller discount available for a 3-Day Select Ticket, and there is also a discount for 1–Day Tickets with the Park Hopper Option only. For more information visit this page of DisneyWorld.com.
Florida residents can check out the latest hotel package offers on this page of DisneyWorld.com.
If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details.
For Disney Vacation Club Members
Member Benefits and Discounts may be found on this page of DisneyVacationClub.com. Note: some benefits and discounts are only available to those with a valid Disney Vacation Club Membership Card which is only available to Members owning at least 75 Vacation Points purchased directly from Disney Vacation Development, Inc.
MORE DETAILS WILL BE LISTED HERE SOON!
If you know of an offer that you think most Members do not know about, please drop us an email with the details.
For Canada Residents
Canada residents can purchase an adult 4-day or longer base theme park ticket for as low as $316 (that is $79/day; US Dollars not including tax). Upgrades to the Park Hopper Option are also available. Tickets may be purchased on this page of DisneyWorld.com for Canada residents or by phone at (407)939-7648. This offer is available through March 15, 2019, and they may be used through September 27, 2019 (but are blocked December 24, 2018, to January 1, 2019). Tickets must be used within 14 days of first use or by September 27, 2019, whichever is earlier.
All adults using Canada resident tickets or passes must present valid proof of Canada residency that includes government-issued photo ID to exchange the certificate for a valid ticket at the theme park ticket window or Guest Relations prior to first use. The offer itself requires advanced purchase; it is not available at Walt Disney World Resort theme park ticket windows. Tickets and options are nontransferable, nonrefundable and exclude events/activities separately priced. Admission is subject to capacity closures and to other restrictions.
Check https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/ca/ for the latest offers from Disney.
If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details.
For U.K. Residents
You can see the latest offers for U.K. residents on Disney World's U.K. packages website. It now features an offer where everyone on your booking dines for FREE during their entire stay when you book a Disney Moderate, Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort Hotel and Ticket package for a minimum of 5 nights in 2019; also enjoy FREE Breakfast if you stay in a Value Resort Hotel! Plus, enjoy speciality non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages during your stay!
If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details.
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