What's Happening at the Walt Disney World Resort

What's New at the Walt Disney World Resort

New! Monorail Operational Adjustments Coming Jan 21:

source: Google Image Search

 

Beginning January 21, 2014, monorail service on the Magic Kingdom Resort and Express beams will be temporarily unavailable on weekdays during non-peak times, between 11:30am and 7:00pm, to accommodate planned maintenance. During the temporary schedule adjustment beginning January 21, 2014 through the end of March, 2014, watercraft and additional buses will be available to transport Guests to their destinations. The Epcot beam will continue normal operations.

New! Magic Kingdom Crane Returns:

source: disney.com

 

Warning! Your photos of Cinderella's Castle will probably include a crane from now until late March. There will be a construction crane behind Cinderella's Castle at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World starting after park closing Jan. 13 through March 27. The crane will be used to remove the Dream Lights and perform other routine maintenance, like painting.

New! First Look: Maleficent Joins the ‘Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade,’ Coming to Magic Kingdom Park:

source: Disney Parks Blog

source: Disney Parks Blog

 

Disney Parks Blog teased the new Festival of Fantasy Parade with some mystery photos last week. This week, they revealed a first look at this impressive addition representing Maleficent from "Sleeping Beauty" shown in an enormous, Steampunk-inspired dragon.

New! Construction Begins For AVATAR Inspired Land At Disney's Animal Kingdom:

Last week, leaders from Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Lightstorm Entertainment kicked off the largest expansion in Disney's Animal Kingdom history with a ceremonial groundbreaking for the park's new AVATAR-inspired land with blue, Na’vi inspired shovels. In the photo illustration above, they were joined by a Na’vi, showing the scale of characters from the “AVATAR” film.

New! Spice Road Table Soft Opening at Epcot:

source: Disney Parks Blog

 

Although it's just in a soft opening phase right now, Spice Road Table is open for business! The official opening with lively fanfare will be announced soon; be on the lookout for all new food offerings located along World Showcase Lagoon, featuring Mediterranean small plates, specialty wines, beers and aperitifs from the region.

New! Fastpass+ Update:

A new test of Disney FastPass+ service began at Magic Kingdom Park on Jan. 14. This test allows all Guests visiting Magic Kingdom Park (including those not staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel) the ability to make three FastPass+ selections for the current day at that theme park using FastPass+ kiosks. Disney’s FASTPASS Service (using paper FASTPASS tickets) will not be available throughout the duration of this test at Magic Kingdom Park.

New! Meet a Real Firefighter at 'Where's the Fire':

source: Google Image Search

Come meet a real firefighter up close and personal! Liberty Mutual Insurance is proud to present Reedy Creek firefighters at the “Where’s the Fire?” exhibit in Innoventions West. Kids of all ages will enjoy learning how to keep themselves and their homes safe from fire. These firefighters will share helpful hints on fire safety and prevention. This interactive presentation allows Guests to gain knowledge and confidence on what to do in case of an emergency at 10 & 11 a.m.; 1, 2, 3 & 4 p.m.

New! Four Food Trucks Now Open at Downtown Disney West Side:

 

Source: Disney Parks Blog

New Disney food trucks showcase favorite dishes from Disney Parks around the world. From decor to savory culinary creations, each of the four trucks is themed to be distinctly Disney. The four trucks can be found on the Downtown Disney West Side Wednesday - Sunday from 5 - 11 p.m.

Here's a closer look at each of the trucks and their full menus:

Fantasy Fare — serving favorites from Disneyland Park, Magic Kingdom Theme Park and Hong Kong Disneyland

▪ Croque Monsieur with housemade chips from Magic Kingdom Theme Park

▪ Glass Noodle Salad with chicken and pickled vegetables from Hong Kong Disneyland

▪ HandDipped Corn Dog with housemade chips from Disneyland Park

World Showcase of Flavors — featuring top picks from Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

▪ Pierogies with kielbasa and caramelized onions

▪ Lobster Roll with housemade chips

▪ Grass Fed Beef Sliders with Monterey jack, sweethot pickles and housemade chips

Namaste Café — inspired by Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

▪ Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice, naan and pickled vegetables

▪ Slow Cooked Beef Short Ribs with Basmati Rice, naan and pickled vegetables

▪ Tandori Spiced Shrimp with Basmati Rice, naan and pickled vegetables

Superstar Catering — meatball dishes fit for the stars of Disney's Hollywood Studios

▪ Spinach and Feta Beef Meatball Sandwich with arugula fennel salad

▪ Turkey Sausage and Golden Raisin Meatballs on soft polenta

▪ Lamb Meatball Flatbread Sandwich with tzatziki, vegetable relish and arugula fennel salad

▪ Kid's Meatball Sliders (for Guests ages 9 and under)

New! "Glow With the Show" Ear Hats Unavailable for Purchase Until Early March: 

 

source: Disney Parks Blog

Due to an overwhelming Guest interest, Merchandise locations at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom Park have sold through their inventory of "Glow With the Show" ear hats. "Glow With the Show" ear hat inventory will return to normal in early March. At that time, the hats will be available for Guests to purchase.

New! Downtown Disney AMC Theatres Showing 'Classic' Movies:

While you won’t be shocked to find all the newest films here, you might be surprised that AMC often brings ‘classic’ films back to the big screen. Over the next month, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “Groundhog Day,” and “Sleepless in Seattle” will be featured.

New 2014 Promotion Begins Disney Family Time Resolutions:

Disney launched disney.com/resolutions where Disney celebrities are sharing how they plan to resolve to spend more time with family in 2014. A new video will be uploaded everyday in January. On disney.com/resolutions, they are also awarding a vacation-a-day from December 31, 2013 through January 31, 2014! So enter every day for your chance to win because this is the year to spend more quality time with the people you love most. Good luck!

New! Merchandise Events:

▪ January 17: Be among the first to pick up Cutesters Series 6 "Cutesters in the Snow" at D Street in Downtown Disney West Side. Artists Maria Clapsis and Caley Hicks will be on hand for a special appearance and signing from 5 – 6 p.m., so don’t miss out!

▪ January 17: The Indiana Jones Vinylmation Series arrives at all park locations.

▪ Keep an eye out for special Disney Pin and Vinylmation releases this month in the Downtown Disney Marketplace.

Have a Most Magical Day!

Disney Destinations Travel News - January 10, 2014

 

 

photo source: Disney Parks Blog

 

Construction Begins For AVATAR-Inspired Land at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Earlier this week, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park kicked off the largest expansion in the Park’s history with a ceremonial groundbreaking for the park’s new AVATAR-inspired land with blue, Na’vi-inspired shovels.

The area, which is being designed by Walt Disney Imagineering in partnership with “AVATAR” creator James Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment, will be unlike anything ever experienced at a Disney Park. Guests will experience the wonders of Pandora when they fly with banshees and explore a rich natural environment with mountains that float and interactive plants that glow at night.

This week’s milestone is just the first step in a larger expansion for the park that will also include the debut of a new evening spectacular, as well as a nighttime version of Kilimanjaro Safaris.

See for yourself!

 

video source: Disney Parks YouTube Channel

Tips for Using My Disney Experience

 

The fine {and hard-working!} folks at Disney have developed some tips to help you plan your Walt Disney World vacation via the My Disney Experience site.

Tip #1: Once you have booked a Walt Disney World vacation with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, it’s important that you visit StartYourDisneyExperience.com. {your Travel Agent will provide you with this link} Once you have linked you reservation you will be able to use the itinerary tool, My Disney Experience.

Tip #2: It’s important to remember that if you book your trip through an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, that you will make all vacation payments directly through that agent. While many guests like to go online to “shop” and explore Walt Disney World Resort vacation options, they are not able to pay for a Travel Agent booked reservation through the My Disney Experience site. All payments must be processed by the Travel Agency.

Tip #3: Only the primary guest (or first guest name on the reservation) should link the reservation on StartYourDisneyExperience.com. It’s also important that he/she use the same first and last name (spelled exactly the same) as the confirmation name in their profile.

• For example, if the primary guest on the confirmation is Rosario Miller, the guest should use her full first name, Rosario, in her profile setup.  She will have an opportunity to use her nickname or preferred name later, when personalizing MagicBands.

Tip #4: Only the primary guest (or first guest name on the reservation) should set up their children in the “Family & Friends” section of the My Disney Experience site.

Tip #5: You will receive a MagicBand for each new reservation. If you have a MagicBand from a past stay you can also choose to use that MagicBand during your upcoming trip (unless it has been deactivated on the My Disney Experience site).
 
You are encouraged to use your MagicBand’s touch-to-pay function, but there are several circumstances in which you may need to present identification or alternate form of payment:

• A credit card is required to secure dining reservations at table service restaurants.
• An alternate form of payment (cash or credit card) is required for the purchase of Disney Gift Cards. 
• A photo ID is required for applicable discounts and parking privileges, along with your Annual Passholder, Disney Vacation Club Member, Disney Visa® Card, etc.
• Photo ID is required for the purchase of alcohol and tobacco products.
• When photo ID is required, International Guests should show a copy of a passport and a government-issued photo ID that verifies the individual’s date of birth.

Are you ready to book your Magical Disney Vacation?  Contact me today for your free, no obligation quote.  It is always the right time to remember the magic!

Video: Cruising with Disney to Alaska

 

 

source: DisneyCruiseLineNews YouTube Channel

 

The Disney Wonder will return to Alaska in May, marking the fourth summer season that Disney Cruise Line® has sailed in America’s Last Frontier. Watch this video to see for yourself what sets a Disney cruise to Alaska apart from all others!

Hope this brings a little bit of the magic to you!  If your weather is anything like ours, I am glad to bring a little sunshine around.  Nothing says sunshine like planning your Disney getaway.  I love putting the pieces of the Disney puzzle together, and I would love to help you with yours!

Have a most magical day!