Showing posts with label Monorail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Monorail. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

What's New at the Walt Disney World Theme Parks - 9.25.14

Magic Kingdom Park


source: disneyworld.com



New! Memory Maker Photos and Video Available on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train:  You can now take home a special gem that will allow you to relive all the fun and excitement of your moments aboard the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train attraction. When you ride the attraction with a MagicBand and a linked Memory Maker entitlement you will have your photo and video automatically associated to your My Disney Experience account. You’ll also be able to view, download and share the photo and video of your family & friends. Here’s a sample video thanks to Disney Parks' YouTube channel:






New! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Update: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is officially sold out on Halloween Night, Oct 31, 2014. All other remaining party dates still have ticket availability.



New! FastPass+ Kiosks at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Closed: The FastPass+ kiosks at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin closed on Sunday, Sept. 21. Tomorrowland FastPass+ kiosk location near Stitch’s Great Escape! is still available.



Reminder! Monorail Service Hours Adjustment: Effective the night of Sept. 27, the Walt Disney World daily monorail service will run:

  • on the Magic Kingdom Resort beam until 1 hour after park close and resume every morning beginning at 7 a.m.
  • on the Epcot beam until 1 hour after Magic Kingdom Park closes or 11 p.m. (whichever is earlier) and resume every morning at 8 a.m.
  • on the Magic Kingdom Express beam until 1 hour after park close and resume every morning at 8:30 a.m.
Epcot


source: disneyworld.com


New! Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Under Way: From now until November 10, taste your way around the world at 28 International Marketplaces. Remember to check out  the Eat to the Beat Concert Series at America Gardens Theatre at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m.. There are also many special festival experiences at the Festival Welcome Center hosted by Transitions® adaptive lenses™ – open daily 9 a.m. – park close including: Culinary demonstrations – daily at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. ($15 per person); Wine and beverage seminars – daily at 12, 2 and 4 p.m. ($15 per person); Mixology seminars – daily at 6 p.m. ($15 per person); The Chocolate Experience: From Bean to the Bar- Hosted by Ghirardelli® Chocolate Company – daily from 9 a.m. - park close (Free); Back to Basics (new this year!) – Sundays at 12:15, 2:15, 4:15 and 6:15 p.m.; Book, bottle signings and meet and greets; Seasons of the Vine film; Intermissions Cafe – 9 a.m. – park close; The Festival Center Wine Shop and The Stockpot Shop – 9 a.m. – park close. Check out of photos of the Festival here.


source: Disney Parks Blog

New! New Menu Items at Two Epcot Quick Service Locations: 


Source: Disney Parks Blog

In World Showcase, American Adventure’s Liberty Inn has four new dishes. The Red, White and Blue Salad features field greens, Ocean Spray craisins, pecans, apples and blue cheese with a sherry vinaigrette ($7.99). The burger gets an inspired makeover with “Surf and Turf” flavors: 1/3-pound Angus burger stacked with a house-made crab cake and spicy tartar sauce ($11.49). Or keep it simple with the Maryland Crab Cakes with a side of Old Bay fries ($10.99). Louisiana-style Shrimp is served in a creamy Cajun tomato broth with roasted green peppers and onions and served over hot rice ($9.99).

source: Disney Parks Blog



In Future World, the popular Electric Umbrella adds a French Dip Burger – a hefty 1/3-pound Angus burger topped with beef brisket, crispy onions and Muenster cheese ($10.99). The Sausage and Pepper Sandwich is another generous meal with slowly-stewed Italian sausage, peppers, onions, tomatoes and Provolone cheese ($9.49). The lighter Veggie Naan Wich features broccoli slaw and edamame with a drizzle of tofu wasabi dressing on warm naan bread ($9.49). And for chocolate fans, there’s a new chocolate cupcake, just simple and sweet.




source: Disney Parks Blog


New! 2014 Food & Wine Festival Wearable Gift cards Available: When visiting the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, complete your experience with our new wearable Disney Gift Card created especially for this year’s event. This year’s Festival-themed card comes with a wristband to ensure quick and easy access for convenience at festival kiosks. Activate your Disney Gift Card with as little as $15 and just swipe to pay as you sample your favorite food and beverages throughout the event.


Disney’s Hollywood Studios
 

source: disneyworld.com

Reminder! The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend Oct. 3-4: runDisney will host the 2014 The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend Friday, Oct. 3, through Saturday, Oct. 4. This weekend includes Disney Happy Haunted 5K Trail Run on Saturday, Oct. 4, 7:30 a.m., runDisney Kids Races on Saturday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m., The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler on Saturday, Oct. 4, 10 p.m., Disney Villains Hollywood Bash on Saturday, Oct. 4-Sunday, Oct. 5, 10 p.m.-3:30 a.m. at Location: Disney’s Hollywood Studios.


 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom


source: disneyworld.com


New! Another Baby Gorilla Born: On September 3rd, Disney’s Animal Kingdom we celebrated the arrival of a new baby in the gorilla family troop! This is the second gorilla birth this year, and the fifth in the park’s history. All Western lowland gorilla babies born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom have been a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP), which ensures long-term survival of species by helping AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums manage species’ genetic diversity through detailed records of individual animals. Western lowland gorillas are a critically endangered species that face threats that include disease and illegal bushmeat hunting in the wild.

source: Disney Parks Blog





New! ‘Festival of the Lion King’ Celebrates 1 Million Guests Since Reopening: Earlier this week, the cast of the popular stage show “The Festival of The Lion King” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom marked a major milestone – 1 million guests have attended the show since it reopened in the new Harambe Theatre this past June. The LePage Family from Colorado Springs, CO, were the lucky 1 millionth family, and were recognized with front-row seats and a special meet-and-greet opportunity with the show’s cast after the performance concluded.





source: Disney Parks Blog



Be sure to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Twitter for the latest and greatest in Disney Travel news!  If you have any questions, or would like a *free* *no obligation* quote for your next Disney adventure, email me at chrissy@destinationsinflorida.com

{have a most magical day}

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

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 CafĂ© — 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!