What's New at the Walt Disney World Resort
New! Monorail Operational Adjustments Coming Jan 21:
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| 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:
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| 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:
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| source: Disney Parks Blog |
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| 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:
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| 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':
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| 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:
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| 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:
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| 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!
