Walt Disney World Resort Update for December 18-25, 2018

Walt Disney World Resort Update for December 18-25, 2018

 

Writer's note: Christmas will be here before our next Walt Disney World Resort Update, so, to all who celebrate: Merry Christmas! And, with our usual Update day falling on Christmas Day next week, and New Year's day the following Tuesday, absent breaking news, we may not be back with another Walt Disney World Resort Update until 2019. Everyone have a happy and safe New Year! We will be on our usual Social Media channels all throughout the rest of 2018, of course, so be sure to follow along!

Disney Vacation Club Members attending the Annual Meeting got to meet some of the characters from Disney-Pixar's "UP!" at their home. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Remember, this is the time of year that schedules often change around the parks, as the larger winter break crowds start to arrive. Indeed, if you have not been around Walt Disney World Resort lately and plan to drive, pay extra attention to directional signs, as the roads have changed - especially the entry to Disney's Hollywood Studios and the new traffic pattern involving flyovers around Magic Kingdom's Parking Toll Plaza to allow resort guests to bypass the tollbooths (as we have reported extensively this year).

It is even more important to be sure to check daily Times Guides or the My Disney Experience app rather than relying on your memory of past years or sources of less-than-official information. For example, the Magic Kingdom's Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade runs daily at 2 p.m. only until December 21, which is the last day scheduled this year to catch that parade before it goes into a brief seasonal hiatus to make way for twice daily performances of Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade (at Noon and 3:30 p.m.), and, indeed, Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration show takes over the Cinderella Castle Stage and Holiday Wishes will fill the skies, starting December 22 (following the final Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on the night of December 21). More usual parade, stageshow and fireworks return on January 1, with the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade scheduled to return to its more expected "3 o'clock parade" routine starting again on January 1, 2019.

Over at Disney's Hollywood Studios, the new Disney Junior Dance Party debuts December 22 too in the Animation Courtyard. Doc McStuffins, Vampirina, Timon and Mickey are featured in the new musical celebration scheduled at least 10 times each day through the rest of the year (and beyond).

News and Views

Headlines are auto-generated here

Disney Vacation Club's Annual Member Recap

While many of our readers may not be Disney Vacation Club Members, DVC has a major (and still growing) impact on visits to Walt Disney World Resort where DVC has 11 resort properties, with two more proposed (with construction underway at Disney's Riviera Resort near Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort and the recently announced Reflections-A Disney Lakeside Lodge to be a mixed-use hotel/DVC property on the shore of Bay Lake on the site once occupied by River Country). Away from Walt Disney World, DVC also is responsible for Aulani in Ko Olina, Hawaii, The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Resort at Disneyland, Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort and Disney's Vero Beach Resort. Disney Vacation Club Members enjoy use of a private lounge at Epcot (which will continue, at least, through 2019), and special Member events like Moonlight Magic that takes over Disney Parks after they close to day guests. We include Moonlight Magic events in our Resort Events section in each Update so that you can plan your visits in connection with or to avoid them, as best fits your vacation plans.

Earlier this year, Disney announced that Reflections-A Disney Lakeside Lodge will be built on the shore of Bay Lake (including the former site of River Country) and will include both hotel rooms and proposed DVC Villas. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

DVC Moonlight Magic Events will occur in all four Florida Theme Parks, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, and, in California at Disneyland during 2019. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Quite a few Disney Vacation Club Members (and their guests) attended the Annual Meeting held this year at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and Convention Center. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

On Thursday, December 13, Disney Vacation Club held its Annual Meeting at the Convention Center at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. As a condominium association, the required Annual Meeting is a legal formality that is necessary to approve minutes, resolutions and budgets for Disney's timeshare business units and certain other operations. Of course, beyond the required scripted portions of the meeting, it is still a Disney meeting, quite unlike your local Condominium/Home/Co-op Owners Association meetings and, instead, complete with a themed stage, multi-media presentations, and a post-meeting reception featuring DVC leadership, holiday cookies, and Disney characters.

Disney Vacation Club Annual Meeting is rather unlike your ordinary association meeting. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

This was the first Annual Meeting chaired by Terri Schultz who became Senior Vice President and General Manager of Disney Vacation Club (as well as Adventures by Disney and Golden Oak) earlier this year. Terri Schultz has a long history with DVC, immediately previously serving as Treasurer. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The boards of directors of the condominium associations comprising Disney Vacation Club (with California and Hawaii representatives attending by phone) took the stage in front of a three dimensional representation of Cinderella Castle in the Coronado Ballroom for the DVC Annual Meeting. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

For DVC Members, the most important information confirmed by the Annual Meeting is the budget, as that translates directly into the dues paid by members. Approximately two thirds of membership dues are comprised of operating expenses, with the rest coming from ad valorem (property) taxes, and reserves for future capital projects. This year, most Members will see substantial increases in their dues which DVC attributes to labor cost increases (as a result of the recently announced starting hourly wage increase plans at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts). Last year's announced accelleration of refurbishment schedules has also caused continued increases to dues, and, in some cases (like Aulani) local tax increases outside of DVC's control, and the lingering repair costs (and repayment of the related interest free loans from Disney corporate to cover the self-insured retention portion of the damage bills) from Hurricanes Irma (2017) and Matthew (2018) plus near misses this year (impacting Aulani, Vero Beach, and, most of all, Hilton Head Island). As Terri Schultz explained that the labor cost increases are being phased in over several years in Florida, Members in Florida can expect that increases will not slow in the near future, though there may be some offsets realized through savings created by plastic waste reduction initiatives and other conservation efforts.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

As was announced last year, as refurbishments occur, DVC continues its commitment to finally "getting the sofa beds right." The new emphasis on improved housekeeping and daily room checks and the continued enhancement and expansion of wi-fi bandwidth are also added benefits to guests and causes of increases to the operating budgets of the properties.

Cookies and the appearance of Carl & Ellie's house from "UP!" during the reception also make the DVC Annual Meeting unlike your ordinary association meeting. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Members and their guests were able to meet Russel and Mr. Fredricksen from "UP!" during the after-meeting reception (shown) as well as speak with DVC leadership (not shown). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Writer's note: I have personally been a DVC Member since 2000.

Get Up Close With Rhinos

Earlier this year, Disney's Animal Kingdom introduced a new behind the scenes guided adventure to get up close with the park's white rhinoceros inhabitants. This backstage tour has a strict limit of 14 guests per day (which Cast Members say is set by Federal Regulations for interacting with the species), and it is offered just once per day from the Tour Desk near Kilimanjaro Safaris in the Africa area of the park. As a result, advanced reservations are necessary; in fact, they often must be made well in advance (and further so for larger groups). For example, on a random afternoon visit in October, I requested space for just one for the next available tour, and I paid in advance for my visit that happened just yesterday, December 17!

Guests check in and depart for the "Get Up Close With Rhinos" adventure from the Tour Desk ("Curiosity Animal Tours") just outside the entrance to Kilimanjaro Safaris. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney's Animal Kingdom is home to two African species of rhino, the Black Rhino and the White Rhino (which, as cast on Kilimanjaro Safaris explain is not descriptive of their color but a mistranslation into English of an African word). The White Rhino, which is substantially larger than the Black Rhino, is an herbivore that, as it turns out, is surprisingly social. The roughly one hour tour takes guests to the rhinos' backstage habitat and, while it is up to the animal itself, guests may get an opportunity to pet the hide of one of them (which I did). As a keeper said a guest once described the experience, it is like stroking old shoe leather with very fine hairs.

As Disney participates in a species survival breeding program, many of the male rhinos born at the park have since been sent to other zoos and reserves. Several, in fact, have been sent to Uganda to help bring back the population there decimated by civil strife (and poaching) in the early 1980s. Some of their Disney caretakers have had the opportunity to visit their prior charges in Africa and see their offspring.

To get to the backstage habitat, guests must board a bus and be driven around the back of the savannah. Unfortunately, then, as a backstage tour, no photos or video is allowed during the entire tour. Except for the bus ride, though, the entire tour is outdoors, so it can be subject to weather (and guests are advised to dress appropriately). Interestingly, the rhino's backstage habitat includes a sunroof that allows natural light into the enclosure, as well as a heated area and numerous fans circulating the air.

There are also three Asian species of rhino that are not represented at the park; all species of rhino are endangered. The tour is currently $40/person; all guests must be at least age four and those under 18 must be accompanied by a participating adult 18-or-older. (DVC and Passholder discounts are available.) For more information and reservations, call (407)WDW-PLAY, visit the Tour Desk, or online at this page of DisneyWorld.com. Proceeds of the tour are contributed to the Disney Conservation Fund. You can read more about rhinos on this page of DisneyWorld.com.

The White Rhinos often can be seen while riding aboard a Kilimanjaro Safaris truck during regular park hours. Like the elephants, rhinos use mud as a sunscreen. File photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Kingdom Hearts III Pop-Up Experience Now Open

On December 14, a "first-of-its-kind" pop-up experience featuring a playable demo of the upcoming release of the game "KINGDOM HEARTS III" (available in stores on January 29, 2019) opened in Town Center of Disney Springs. Located next to the escalators to the Lime Parking Garage (in the space previously occupied by Disney Corner store), guests can play a demo of the new game including the Hercules and Toy Story worlds, see a special Keyblade exhibit, and view artwork from the game. Guests can pre-order the game on in-shop kiosks and, when they do so, they will be eligible for a special sticker collection and a lanyard.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Matt Simon, Disney Springs Vice President, along with Brendan Docherty, Senior Manager, Product Marketing at SQUARE ENIX, cut the ribbon and discuss the new Kingdom Hearts III pop-up experience now open at Disney Springs and the game to be released January 29. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

For those, like me, that have not previously played in the Kingdom Hearts universe, the games in the series connect Disney characters, stories and worlds, like Disney-Pixar's Toy Story and Monsters, Inc., Walt Disney Studios' Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Hero 6, Tangled, Frozen and more. Bringing together the worlds of Disney, Pixar and SQUARE ENIX, players adventure with Sora and his friends to battle the Heartless invasion using Keyblade transformations, joint attacks with Disney and Pixar characters, and more. More details and a preview of the game itself (plus pre-orders for it), are available on KingdomHearts.com.

The pop-up experience will be open through January 31.

Epcot Candlelight Processional and Concerts News & Calendar

The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays ends on December 30. Along with the holiday decor and special food offerings, additional entertainment by holiday storytellers and musical acts perform all around the park. On December 31, be sure to pick up a Times Guide for listings of all the special New Year's Eve entertainment around the park which often includes some of the holiday entertainment, but not all of it.

Though this year's celebration of Hanukkah has ended, the holiday storyteller between France and Morocco along the World Showcase Promenade performs several times daily during the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

For example, Candlelight Processional ends its season-long run at America Gardens Theatre on December 30. The traditional retelling of the story of Christmas with celebrity narrator, live orchestra, and mass choir performs three times nightly until then. Our Candlelight Processional at Epcot Guide lists the dining packages available for breakfast, lunch and dinner around Epcot and its neighboring resorts, and the up-to-date listing of scheduled celebrity narrators. You can also visit this page of DisneyWorld.com for Candlelight dining package information and reservations.

The Candlelight Processional debuted at Epcot this year on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, and is scheduled to run three times nightly through December 30. Panoramic Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

For a limited time, you can watch a replay of the #DisneyParksLIVE stream of Neil Patrick Harris as the celebrity narrator of a performance of Candlelight Processional at Epcot earlier this month. Video via #DisneyParksLIVE.

Note: a schedule change published last week replaced celebrity narrator Edward James Olmos with Joey Fatone on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (December 24-25). We have updated our interactive calendar below accordingly.

Starting on December 26, "JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season," shifts the focus of its gospel, R&B and holiday songs from Christmas to Kwanzaa. Concerts take place on the Future World Fountain Stage several times throughout each day through December 30.

Looking ahead to 2019, the Disney on Broadway Concert Series will take the stage three times nightly, from January 18 through February 25 during the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. Dining packages are available at ArtfulEpcot.com or by calling (407)WDW-DINE. (Workshops around the Festival can also be booked at the website or by calling (407)WDW-TOUR.)

The 2019 edition of the Disney on Broadway Concert Series will run three times nightly for the entire 39-days of the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Also expanded to seven days a week, beginning on March 6, the Garden Rocks Concert Series takes the stage three times nightly through June 3. Part of the schedule of performers has been released. Announced returning performers include The Spinners and Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone, and new to the Festival performers include TobyMac, Steven Curtis Chapman, Sister Sledge, and Colin Hay of Men at Work. Reservations open this Thursday, December 13. For more information or reservations, call (407)WDW-DINE or visit FreshEpcot.com.

For the convenience of our readers, all of the 2018 scheduled Candlelight Processional narrators at America Gardens Theatre are shown in our Google Calendar of Epcot Events. The full Disney on Broadway Concert Series performance schedule is now also included, along with the performers announced so far for the Garden Rocks Concert Series in 2019. While our Google Calendar of Epcot Events includes a list of the scheduled performers, it is always best to 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. You can add the whole Event calendar to any calendar that supports the iCal format (like iPhone and Mac) by copying this link and, indeed, if when we get additional information and update the calendar, the calendar will update on your subscribed device as well. The calendar is provided as a courtesy "as is, where is" without any guarantees. Given the effort it took to create it and keep it updated, 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

We have just a few Views this week from Magic Kingdom, Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Coronado Springs Resort & Convention Center. As we introduced a few months back, Views of Disney Springs are now included together with the latest news about that entertainment, shopping and dining area below.

Along Buena Vista Drive, cable is being installed on the towers for the Disney Skyliner gondola transport system that is scheduled to open next fall. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Magic Kingdom

Photos by Donald Fink (DF), Bonnie Fink (BF) and Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

As the last two weeks of 2018 wind down, stores around the Resort, including at Disney's Animal Kingdom, begin to stock up on 2019 merchandise. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort & Convention Center

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

This and That…

…Storybook Dining at Artist Point in Disney's Wilderness Lodge has opened. Guests can now meet characters from Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs with their Artist Point dinner. The "enchanted forest" themed dining room features dishes such as Hunter’s Pie, Winter Squash Bisque, Royal Prime Rib, Seafood Stew, Fairy Tale Gooseberry Pie, and more. Snow White and friends visit guests around the restaurant and diners have an opportunity to encounter The Queen. Reservations are available online or by calling (407)WDW-DINE.

…The DisneyNOW app and website have introduced the new "Growing Up with Disney Animals" video series showing baby animals in Disney's care and including "educational fun facts and tips on how to support conservation efforts." Species Disney works to protect through contributions of the Disney Conservation Fund and Disney's animal care experts are featured.

"Growing Up with Disney Animals" is a new series of videos about animal behavior, care and conservation geared for a younger audience and available in the DisneyNOW app. Video ©Disney.

…Gingerbread house decorating demonstrations occur daily in front of the life-size gingerbread house in the lobby of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa through Christmas Day, December 25. This is the 20th Anniversary of the 14 foot tall lobby display at the resort.

The 20th Annual Gingerbread House stands in the lobby of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Video ©Disney.

…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.

New & Coming Soon at Disney Springs

This section collects all of the Disney Springs retail and dining events we are aware of in one place along with our most recent views of the area. Event items NEW to the Update are marked accordingly. Also, this Disney Parks Blog post highlights even more "limited-time" holiday food and beverage offerings around Disney Springs.

The photo backdrop outside the AMC 24 Dine-In Theatres now advertises tomorrow's opening (12/19) of "Mary Poppins Returns." Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney Parks Blog held a meet-up to view an advance screening of "Mary Poppins Returns" inside the AMC 24 Dine-In Theatres on Saturday. (I was lucky enough to RSVP in time to attend!) Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Christmas Tree Trail, located in the old bus loop at the Marketplace, has 27 themed trees to see, plus specialty beverages and foods, and, of course, Santa in his Chalet. The Haunted Mansion tree is one of the most impressive new additions to the trail this year. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

NEW Photos from the Marketplace

File Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

NEW Construction Photos from the West Side

The major exterior construction of the building to house NBA Experience and City Works Eatery & Pour House (expected to open next Summer) appears largely complete and painting is underway. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Exterior letters spelling out the name of the new restaurant - JALEO - have been added to the building on the West Side that is expected to open this Winter. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Stargazers Bar NEW Photo

A sign near the bar outside the lower level of Planet Hollywood Observatory promotes "Happy Hour" which is available 7 Days a week from 4-7 p.m. and 11 p.m. until midnight. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Raglan Road Irish Pub

Raglan Road Irish Pub will be serving up Christmas Day Dinner all day long with its latest menu on December 25. The special dinner selection is butter & herb roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, bacon roasted Brussels sprouts, apple, sage & sweet onion stuffing, cranberry & plum chutney with traditional turkey gravy ($28/Adults and $14/Kids). The full menu will be available as well. Music and dancers begin their shows at 4:30 p.m. For reservations and more information, visit RaglanRoad.com or call (407)938-0300.

On December 17, two new cocktails featuring Dingle Vodka and Dingle Gin will debut: the "Raglan Road Espresso Martini" (Dingle Vodka, Banana Liquor, Creme De Cacao (Dark) and rich espresso garnished with espresso beans) and "The Pride of The Peninsula" (Dingle Gin, fresh squeeze of lime, Fevertree Elderflower Tonic, shaved cucumber and torn mint garnished with cucumber stalk).

D-Luxe Burger

Limited-Time Breakfast – During December, the restaurant is open for breakfast daily from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. offering a classic Breakfast Sandwich with egg, cheddar cheese, and bacon on a Parker House roll or and a D-Luxe Breakfast Sandwich which adds your choice of either a D-Luxe signature patty, chorizo patty, or buttermilk fried chicken. Burger options include the Breakfast Burger featuring a D-Luxe signature patty topped with egg, cheddar, bacon, and hash browns on a Parker House Roll as well as the El Diablo Breakfast Burger featuring a chorizo signature-blend patty topped with pepper jack cheese, smoked bacon-pepper jam, and egg on a cheddar biscuit.

Also on the limited-time breakfast menu is a Crispy Chicken Biscuit with buttermilk fried chicken topped with honey butter, chipotle mayonnaise, and pickles served on a cheddar biscuit. Alternatively, the restaurant is offering an Egg White Frittata sandwich with egg whites, spinach, hash browns, pico de gallo, and avocado crema on a Parker House Roll or the Greek Yogurt Parfait with strawberries, blueberries, and granola. Fresh-cut fries are also available and can be ordered topped with either béarnaise sauce or sausage gravy.

The Edison

Tickets are now on-sale to celebrate the New Year and The Edison's 1 Year Anniversary. Doors open on New Year's Eve at 7:30 p.m. and the event includes tray-passed hors d'oevres, live-action food stations, a wide selection of beer, wine and premium spirits until midnight, plus a selection of coffee, desserts and a celebratory midnight toast. Guests must be 21 years old or older to attend. Tickets are $150/person (plus tax and gratuity) and may be purchased on this page of Patina Restaurant Group's website.

Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill is Now Open

The new venue located next to the Coca-Cola Store and across from Planet Hollywood Observatory and Chicken Guy, is the fourth "Bar & Grill" location from Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck. Disney Parks Blog describes the venue as "[f]eaturing approachable dining with a touch of California elegance ... [in] a dynamic setting inspired by traditional farmhouses and ... a menu designed to suit every occasion - from casual, leisurely meals to lavish, celebratory gatherings." Reservations are available on this page of DisneyWorld.com, but be aware that Dining Plans are not accepted.

Ralph Breaks VR at The VOID Now Open

Last month's theatrical opening of Disney Animation Studios' Ralph Breaks the Internet was closely followed by the debut of Ralph Breaks VR at The VOID at Disney Springs (and the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim). Like Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire, which opened last winter, the "hyper-reality" experience was created by The VOID and ILMxLAB (the immersive entertainment division of LucasFilm). Teams of four join Wreck-It-Ralph and Vanellope von Schweetz to break into the internet disguised as "Netizens" adventuring their way through Dunderdome and Pancake Milkshake Diner to come up against B.E.V. (which stands for "Built to Eradicate Viruses").

For those that have never visited The VOID at Disney Springs Marketplace (or Downtown Disney in Anaheim or elsewhere), the physical space guests explore itself is pretty much a "black box" where the players wear equipment and a helmet that immerses them into a virtual world rather than the place itself. Guests must be at least 48 inches tall and 10 years old. Disney Parks Blog confirms that Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire will continue to operate: check the schedule and get tickets for either (or both) at TheVOID.com.

The VOID is now selling location-specific gift cards. They can be purchased on line or in-person.

Say "MILKSHAKE" when checking in at The VOID and you will receive a free digital photo with the purchase of your round of play (though you may be asked where you saw it, and you should know that this poster is on a Disney Resort Bus). File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Chef Art Smith's Homecomin'

Cake for Ugly Sweaters All December, guests who dine at Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' in a Disney-themed "ugly" Christmas sweater receive a complimentary slice of Chef Art’s signature hummingbird cake with green and red sprinkles with the purchase of an entrée or appetizer (but limit one per table).

Splitsville Luxury Lanes

Cake for Ugly Sweaters guests dining in a Disney-themed "ugly" Christmas sweater can receive a brownie dessert with whipped cream with green and red sprinkles with purchase of an entrée or appetizer (but limit one per person).

T-Rex

On select dates in December, for $32/person ($20.50 for kids ages 4-9), T-Rex offers "Breakfast with Santa" including a breakfast buffet, meeting Mr. and Mrs. Claus, plus early access to World of Disney store and the T-Rex Dino Store from 9-10 a.m. on the day of their breakfast.

Maria & Enzo's and Enzo's Hideaway

Maria & Enzo's and Enzo's Hideaway at Disney Springs are now offering 40% off to Disney Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members during lunch through December 31. Not valid with any other offer or during brunch.

Groups of Sunday Brunch diners at Maria & Enzo’s through December 30 that wear matching holiday pajamas receive a complimentary commemorative photo. Plus, kids age 9 and under eat free with purchase of adult entrée! Call 407-560-8466 for full details and to reserve a table.

…All of the Patina Restaurant Group restaurants are offering a $20 bonus card when you purchase a $100 gift card during the holiday season. The bonus cards must be redeemed January 2, 2019-March 31, 2019, and cannot be combined with other offers, promotions or discounts. Visit PatinaGroup.com/bonuscard for more information.

Paddlefish

Rooftop Wine Experiences are available on the second Tuesday every month through January on the third "deck." The experience and discussion lead by its Sommelier team features wine flights from around the world and light bites. For more information and tickets, visit its EventBrite webpage. Guests must be 21 or older to attend.

Status of Parking Availability at Disney Springs

Those who visit Disney Springs during the weekends or during busy times of the year at the Resort know that the two parking structures often fill to capacity during those peak times. Even the flat lot on the West Side can fill up during very busy times! Construction continues across Buena Vista Drive at the site of the new "Lemon" garage that will connect to Disney Springs by a series of pedestrian bridges. We have not yet heard when the new structure will be open, but stay tuned and, if you are driving on Buena Vista Drive, observe the overhead signs directing cars to the garages and lots with availability. This week, we have a NEW photo of the garage under construction.

Construction continues on the new "Lemon" parking structure is on the opposite side of Buena Vista Drive (next to the Speedway Gas Station). No opening date has been announced. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Wine Bar George

For holiday shopping for the wine enthusiast on your list, check out Wine Bar George's holiday gift offerings, including "the world's best wine tools to books and gift baskets." On Black Friday when you shop you'll receive 25% off your retail purchase (some restrictions apply). Until January 1, receive an $15 additional gift card for $200 spend, $50 for $500 and $125 for $1,000.

On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, select items from the regular menu will be available as well as Prime Rib with potatoes au gratin and grilled asparagus and more than 140 wines available by the ounce, glass, and bottle. Mulled wine is available all season long too.

Retail

Walt Disney World Resort would like you to do all of your holiday shopping at the Resort this year. To further that, Disney Springs has launched its special Disney Springs Gift Guide: From Holiday Dreams to Wishes Granted.

The Disney Springs Stitch's Holiday Gift Hunt clue book can be picked up at numerous locations around Disney Springs, especially Disney-operated locations like the Star Wars Galactic Outpost. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Art of Disney Presents Greg McCullough

On November 3 artist Greg McCullough (who has previously been featured at other Art of Disney stores and at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts), began daily residence (except Mondays) from 1 to 7:30 p.m. in a new pop-up shop located in the shop formerly operated by Little Miss Matched in the Marketplace area of Disney Springs scheduled to be open through January 1, 2019. The shop features McCullough's art, including original works, limited-editions and prints. Guests will have a chance to interact with him and have artwork signed.

File Photos 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. More runDisney event information

Just click the year you want to expand (or close).

2018 Resort Events

2019 Resort Events

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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.

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)!

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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

For Annual Passholders

For Disney Rewards VISA Credit Card Holders

For Military Personnel

For Florida Residents

For Disney Vacation Club Members

For Canada Residents

For U.K. Residents

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