Walt Disney World Resort Update for February 11-17, 2020

Walt Disney World Resort Update for February 11-17, 2020

Writer's note: After chatting with some folks planning their first visits to Walt Disney World Resort, I've begun wondering whether the weekly Update should devote more space to providing guidance to those that are overwhelmed with the prospect of planning a vacation to the Vacation Kingdom of the World. In the years I read the Update and in the years since I have taken up the writing task, the Update has always assumed readers have a better-than-basic familiarity with the Resort—like that there are four theme parks, two water parks, Disney-owned hotels at different price points, more hotels on Disney property and off, and, indeed, that "the property" is a huge area bigger than the City of San Francisco, for starters. What do you think? There are lots of ways for you to share your thoughts and, indeed, it is a big Resort, where we could try to expand our coverage in other directions. I'd love to hear from you!

Speaking of love, Happy Valentine's Day on Friday! Even before that, President Lincoln's birthday is Wednesday, and then, just over a week after Valentine's Day comes President Washington's birthday. That all means that next Monday is Presidents' Day, and all those "celebrations" usually add to the crowds around Walt Disney World Resort.

Now on to the news and views for the week…

News and Views

Headlines are auto-generated here

Disney Villains After Hours Returns on Select Nights

Disney Villains After Hours events have returned to Magic Kingdom. The limited access, extra ticket purchase required event has begun a second run at Magic Kingdom, weekly through July 10 (mostly on Friday nights, and, during the week ending July 10, there are two scheduled events). Disney invited us to a media event that included experiencing the February 7th opening edition of this year's run, just as Disney invited us to the inaugural run last summer (which I wrote about in our Walt Disney World Resort Update for June 11-17, 2019). This was my third time attending a Disney Villains After Hours event, as last year, I also paid the discounted Disney Vacation Club Member rate to attend on another night, and I reported on it in our Walt Disney World Resort Update for July 16-22, 2019.

As you may have seen in recent days on Disney Parks Blog, "Villaintines" promote this year's edition of Disney Villains After Hours. Oogie Boogie is among the villains that have a role in the event and the merchandise. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Disney Villains After Hours event offers attendees the opportunity to mix in the park as early as 7 p.m. on an event night and then enjoy low wait times for at least 20 park attractions from either 9 p.m. until midnight or 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. (depending on the park's regular operating schedule). Like the other (slightly lower price) Disney After Hours events at Magic Kingdom, attendees can enjoy complimentary popcorn, ice cream novelties, and select bottled beverages during the event hours. Disney Villains After Hours events add live entertainment, a DJ-hosted dance party, attraction overlays ("Villainous Adventures"), photo opportunities, and event-exclusive opportunities to buy specialty merchandise, food and beverages. As disclosed in advance, however, the event does not include villain meet and greet opportunities.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Last year, one of the exclusive entertainment offerings at Disney Villains After Hours events was Maleficent—the fire-breathing dragon that usually performs in the daytime Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade—winding her way through the park three times during the event. This year, Maleficent is part of the new "Villains' Cursed Caravan" which also includes Ursula, Gaston, Oogie Boogie, Cruella DeVil, Captain Hook, and more. The Villains' Cursed Caravan is only scheduled twice during each event this year (for the 9 p.m. scheduled event night I attended, the caravan started at Frontierland at 10:30 p.m. and followed the parade route to the Hub and back; and it started at Frontierland again at 11:45 p.m. and followed the entire parade route to Town Square in Main Street U.S.A.). Unfortunately, on the opening night this year, Maleficent was not breathing fire (either due to weather conditions or mechanical issues which were not disclosed or apparent).

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

New for the 2020 edition of Disney Villains After Hours events, more Disney Villains join the Maleficent the dragon float along the parade route during a "Cursed Caravan" which is scheduled twice during the event (check the special Times Guide for map and parade route which varies by time). Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

The other major exclusive entertainment that returns from last year is the Villains Unite the Night stage show on the Cinderella Castle stage which is scheduled twice during the event. Like last year, the show clocks in at over 20 minutes, and stars Hades and Meg from Hercules with appearances by Jafar, The Queen, Dr. Facilier, and Maleficent. Unfortunately, as I wrote last year, the show remains too long (and is somewhat repetitive) for a three hour event. As noted last year as well, on the upside, with attendance capped at a lower level than the park's Halloween and Christmas parties, it is much easier to get a good view without having to use lots of precious event time to save a viewing spot. The show remains visually impressive and makes good use of digital projections on the castle to provide a more villainous backdrop accented with lighting, fire, and pyrotechnics. Likewise, the cast performances are strong and, indeed, unlike some castle shows, several performers speak their parts live (rather than lip-syncing to recordings), which remains a great touch.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Villains Unite the Night is presented twice during Disney Villains After Hours events on the Castle stage. The whole show clocks in at approximately 22 minutes. This video is just a brief sample. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

This year's Villainous Adventures overlay at Pirates of the Caribbean included two live pirates along the ride itself, interacting with guests in the boats sailing past. Over at Space Mountain, guests again have the opportunity to ride in almost complete darkness during the event with a Disney Villains soundtrack filling the ride's dome.

The exterior of Pirates of the Caribbean is lit for the event; inside, a couple of live pirates interact with guests from scenes along the ride. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Inside Space Mountain, the lights are off along the ride track and the special soundtrack is amped up. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

For those that have followed along here for the past couple of years, you may recall that Disney also has hosted us at a sampling of all of the various versions of Disney After Hours it offers at Magic Kingdom (I first wrote about the event here), Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios (which events I wrote about here). Before talking specifically about whether you may want to consider Disney Villains After Hours, I reiterate what I have said about Disney After Hours events in general:

they are specifically NOT at a price-point designed or intended for everyone. As someone who has a very limited amount of time in Central Florida, like a business traveler attending a conference, you might think of a night of Disney After Hours like an evening at a concert, theater, or sports event from a price standpoint. For a parks fanatic, someone who wants to ride and re-ride attractions or spend a lot of time with characters, this can also be a special treat kind of experience. In sum, for those that have planned their visits to Walt Disney World Resort with FastPass+ reservations, with multi-day tickets (or Annual Passes), Disney After Hours retains only its unique aspect: do you want that Disney PhotoPass photo of you alone (or as a couple or family) on a Pirates of the Caribbean boat? Would you like to have Main Street U.S.A. mostly to yourself? Those are all pretty "cool" opportunities that this event can provide. If you hate crowds and hate lines, these events may be just what you have been hoping to find. For Disney Resort Guests, there are times of the year that Extra Magic Hours may provide a similar experience without additional cost (except for the food and beverages).

Indeed, over the past year, I have reported increased crowd size on the nights when I have been invited to experience both Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Likewise, I have experienced increased crowd size on Disney Vacation Club Member Moonlight Magic event nights at the parks as well. That said, this time, Disney Villains After Hours, seemed to have a more reasonable crowd size compared to what I experienced last year. I experienced very low attraction wait times at Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain, notwithstanding the special overlays this time. Indeed, there were times during the event, there were few, if any, other attendees within sight of the folks I spent the event with (and you can see at least one of these times in the Views Around the World below).

Disney After Hours events tickets are even more expensive this year. Visit this page of DisneyWorld.com for more information and to purchase tickets in advance. Tickets purchased in advanced are $145/person or $155 if purchased same day (not including tax and there is no discount for children ages 3-9). Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can purchase tickets for $115/person plus tax. And, if you want to Disney Bound with a character couture makeover, those opportunities are available at The Salon at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort, Salon by the Springs at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, La Vida Salon at Disney's Coronado Springs, Ship Shape Salon at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club, and even in your room at participating hotels (for an extra fee above the makeover fee) – call (407)WDW-GLAM to book.

So, when considering whether Disney Villains After Hours events are worth the additional price tag depends upon how you view its enhancements and whether you are a guest who likes seeking out and buying exclusive specialty merchandise, food and beverage. The park's atmosphere is certainly different during Disney Villains After Hours events, considering not only the crowd size, but the lighting and background music too. If you are someone that wants to get up close with Disney Villains, this event lets you see Maleficent the Dragon along with the Cursed Caravan, and see some more on stage, and have several bid you goodnight from Main Street's train station, but there are no meet and greets for you; Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is the only place that consistently offers those opportunities, but those lower-priced events have a higher capped attendance level.

For the full Foodie Guide for the event, see this post on Disney Parks Blog and then watch our quick video of the media preview below.

Disney Villains After Hours events have exclusive themed food and beverages for sale. A ticket to the event, however, includes complimentary popcorn, ice cream treats like Mickey Bars, and bottled soft drinks. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

For an overview of the specialty merchandise available this year, see this post on Disney Parks Blog and then watch our quick video of the media preview below.

Disney Villains After Hours themed merchandise is also available exclusively during the events. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

For fans of Disney Villains, this event certainly provides a few unique opportunities to see them. If you have been to a Disney Villains After Hours and would like to share your comments, we would love to hear them too.

After the conclusion of the final Cursed Caravan, from Main Street Station, several Disney Villains say "Farewell" to guests departing the event. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

More Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Details

Since Disney previously announced that the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser would debut, it should not come as much surprise that Disney Parks Blog shared news that reservations will open for this new unique two-day and two-night all-immersive vacation experience. Ann Morrow Johnson, executive producer for Walt Disney Imagineering, describes the new offering with a few new details in the most recent video Disney released about it (for example, that "cabins" aboard the starcruiser can sleep up to five in accommodations unlike anything seen before at the Resort, like the bunkbed Chewbacca slept in aboard Millenium Falcon). In sum, she says, "You're going to live onboard a star cruiser…and you can get wrapped up in the larger Star Wars story."

Ann Morrow Johnson, executive producer for Walt Disney Imagineering, says "Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is a completely new type of experience. Video ©Disney.

While Disney has previously announced that the experience will include a visit to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge inside Disney's Hollywood Studios, and adventures "aboard" the Starcruiser, the more pragmatic details of price (which, since it is being described as a cruise, likely will feature an "all-inclusive" price and a menu of available add-ons) and how you might fit the experience in to a longer stay at Walt Disney World Resort and its other parks have not yet been announced. Stay tuned.

Epcot Festivals News & Calendar

All the latest details about the on-going and up-coming Epcot Festivals are covered in order in this section.

Festival of the Arts

Running through February 24, 2020, the Epcot International Festival of the Arts has returned for its fourth annual celebration of Disney-inspired visual artists, culinary artistic creations by Walt Disney World chefs, and the performing arts, including Disney's Broadway songs and artists. The official website for the Festival is: ArtfulEpcot.com.

Liana Hunt and Adam Jacobs were one of the duos of the Disney on Broadway Concert Series that completed their run on February 9. The other duo that completed their run that night were Kara Lindsay and Kevin Massey. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The most popular performances during the Festival are the Disney on Broadway Concerts Series shows, three times nightly at America Gardens Theatre: 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8 p.m. The shows feature pairs of Disney on Broadway performers in scheduled duos singing songs from Disney musicals: Kissy Simmons & Alton Fitzgerald White, Heidi Blickenstaff & Gavin Lee, Kara Lindsay & Kevin Massey, Liana Hunt & Adam Jacobs, Ashley Brown & Josh Strickland, and Syndee Winters & Michael James Scott. Each duo is scheduled to perform several times during the Festival, and on three evenings during the Festival (January 25, February 9 and 24), two duos combine for three concerts. More information about both the whole Festival and the shows themselves is available on ArtfulEpcot.com or by calling (407)939-5277. Booking for dining packages and workshops is also now open for the entire 2020 Festival; Passholder discounts are available.

See a replay of the #DisneyParksLIVE stream of the January 25 concert (8 p.m.) featuring Kissy Simmons & Alton Fitzgerald White along with Heidi Blickenstaff & Gavin Lee. The final concert featuring two duos together will be February 24 featuring Ashley Brown & Josh Strickland and Syndee Winters & Michael James Scott. Video ©Disney.

Other performance artists appear on stages around the park during the Festival as well. With the Fountain Stage razed as part of Epcot's on-going transformation, a new stage is located on the shore of the Lagoon at World Showcase Plaza. Visual artist, Trevor Carlton, for example, does his rapid create-to-music paintings of Disney characters there. Art Defying Gravity also performs there. The stage's schedule is posted. Check Times Guides for published schedules.

A stage in World Showcase Plaza features many of the performing artists during the Festival. The stage's schedule is posted on-stage, along with the current performer. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

This year, the new "Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine" debuts with food creations "that make you look twice and delight all your senses." The "Walk" is like the Holiday's Cookie Trail, if you purchase 5 menu items from the Cuisine locations and receive stamps in your Passport, you can bring the completed Passport to Decadent Delights for a "colorful culinary prize offered exclusively at the Festival." Passport stamps do not have to be collected on the same day; the Passport may be completed at anytime before the end of the Festival. The menus for all the Festival's "Food Studios" (kiosks) are also on the Festival's website, ArtfulEpcot.com and Disney Parks Blog has published its Foodie Guide to the Festival.

Interactivity is a hallmark of this Festival. From the very popular walk-into-the-art photo opportunities, to workshops and hands-on experiences. Some experiences are included in the price of admission, and some have additional costs. The event Passport and the ArtfulEpcot.com website provide more specific information. One of the returning free activities is the paint-by-number mural which, this year, is located in the center of Future World near where the Fountain of Nations previously stood (and is now surrounded by construction walls). Arribas Brothers at Germany pavilion offers an opportunity to build your own Festival souvenir from pieces of glass that will be fired in its off-stage ovens and mailed to you (prices range from $25 to $55 including shipping). Near Japan pavilion, you have the opportunity to create "Spin Art" (aboard a stationary bike or a turntable) for a nominal you-keep-what-you-make fee; at a kiosk in Future World West (where the Butterfly Garden usually stands during Flower & Garden Festival and food kiosks stand during Food & Wine) artists will create painted creatures from your handprints (also for a fairly nominal fee). Artistic Marbling is back at World Showcase Plaza, and, as guests approach Canada, Enemy Ink is back with its custom-printed t-shirts.

Merchandise offerings during the Festival, as usual, give Figment a large role. Disney Parks Blog has published highlights of this year's commemorative merchandise. The theme of much of the merchandise is the Figment Color Co. Figment's Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt returns (guests purchase a map from designated merchandise locations, hunt around World Showcase, and return the completed map to a designated location for a "prize"). Passholders can purchase an exclusive Figment t-shirt during the Festival, and there is a complimentary "Artful Mickey" magnet "painted" by artist Will Gay available at a designated pickup location for Passholders with a valid Annual Pass and matching photo ID.

Flower & Garden Festival

The longest running Epcot festival—the one that started them all back in 1994 as "a 38-day celebration of Disney-style gardens and topiaries"—the 2020 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, runs 90-days from March 4 to June 1, 2020. The 27th edition of the Festival includes the Garden Rocks Concert Series three times nightly at America Gardens Theatre, and, the list of scheduled performers so far includes both returning and new names including: Peabo Bryson, STARSHIP, Sister Hazel, Rick Springfield, Plain White T's, Don McLean, Herman's Hermits, Daughtry and Survivor. More recent additions include: The Orchestra starring former members of ELO, The Guess Who, A Flock of Seagulls, Tony Orlando, Christopher Cross, Air Supply, and Crowder. The most recent additions are High Valley and Casting Crowns. Based on the posted schedule, there are now just two remaining acts to be named. The official website for the festival is FreshEpcot.com.

Garden Rocks Concert Series Dining Packages are now available. Booking a breakfast, lunch or dinner package at select Epcot restaurants provides guaranteed concert seating for a 5:30, 6:45, or 8 p.m. show.

If you are new to this Festival, you may not otherwise know that this is the one that features the most topiaries around the park. New this year will be a Remy topiary that will be unveiled as the centerpiece of Ratatouille Garden at France pavilion. The garden will include vegetables that make up the traditional ingredients of a ratatouille recipe. Remy's Ratatouille Adventure attraction opens at the pavilion during the summer, with a specific date not yet announced.

Other topiary displays that have been announced so far are the return of Anna & Elsa, Buzz Lightyear, Miss Piggy & Kermit the Frog, Tinker Bell, Snow White, and Bambi. The Goodness Garden Butterfly House will also return, as will the "Play Full Garden" where "families can celebrate spring at a unique playground experience." The Floating Gardens, Flower Towers, and more bedded blooms will be planted as well. Behind the scenes tours are available during the Festival from the no-additional-charge 20 minute English Tea Garden tour to the Spring edition of the 3 hour Gardens of the World tour ($85/person plus tax).

Like the other Festivals, Flower & Garden Festival will include food and beverage kiosks. This year, 16 "Outdoor Kitchens" and other "stops" will include three Florida-centric locations: The Honey Bee-stro, The Citrus Blossom, and Florida Fresh.

Food & Wine Festival

The 2019 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival concluded back in November. Disney Parks Blog lists the 25th anniversary edition of the Festival among the 20 Reasons to Visit Walt Disney World Resort in 2020, but the park has not yet announced its specific dates. It is a very safe bet that the hugely popular festival will return for a near 90 day run in the late summer/fall. The official website for the festival is TasteEpcot.com. The runDisney Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend which traditionally takes place during the Festival has been scheduled for November 5-8, 2020.

Festival of the Holidays

2019 Performances of Candlelight Processional, wrapped up on December 30, along with the park-wide Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. The celebrations, no doubt, will return late in 2020, and, as in recent years, we will probably start getting specific details to share in the summer, probably with a Christmas in July media event or promotion. The Festival's official website is: EpcotHolidays.com.

Festivals Calendar

For the convenience of our readers, the scheduled performers for this year's Disney on Broadway Concert Series are shown in our Google Calendar of Epcot Events. We have also added the announced Garden Rocks Concert Series performers announced so far for this year's Flower & Garden Festival. You can add the entire Event calendar to any calendar that supports the iCal format (like iPhone and Mac) by copying this link and, as we get additional information and update the calendar, the calendar will update on your subscribed device as well.

At publication time this week, our Google Calendar was not embedding correctly. Hopefully, it appears above when you look at it, but in any event, the calendar is still live. This week's scheduled performing duos are: Syndee Winters & Michael James Scott and Ashley Brown & Josh Strickland.

While our Google Calendar of Epcot Events lists announced performers, it is still 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 any last minute changes. The calendar is provided as a courtesy "as is, where is" without any guarantees. 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

In addition to the views from Disney Villains After Hours event itself shared in the news above, we spotted a couple other things of note in Magic Kingdom during the event.

Magic Kingdom

City Hall at Magic Kingdom is wrapped in construction scaffolding. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

While "it's a small world" is open, its queue is surrounded by construction walls. This photo also captures just how empty parts of Magic Kingdom can be during a Disney Villains after Hours event. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

This and That…

…Yesterday, Disney Parks Blog shared an update on "Harmonious," the new nighttime spectacular coming to Epcot later this year. While no new details were revealed, nor an opening date, it is interesting to note the continued evolution of the concept art featuring the title of the show. When it was announced at D23 Expo last summer, the "US" at the end of the name was capitalized (in larger letters). In more recent releases, that ceased being the case. In the art released yesterday, the "O" has been replaced with the Epcot "Rose" which was one of the original symbols for the park.

"Harmonious" is expected to debut later this year at Epcot, permanently replacing the now-retired "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth" and the temporary "Epcot Forever" shows. Concept Art ©Disney.

…This past week, the Disney FastPass+ service added Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway to the top tier of attraction offerings at Disney's Hollywood Studios, starting with the attraction's opening on March 4. When selecting up to three FastPass+ reservations at that park, subject to availability, you may now select one from the tier that includes only Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Slinky Dog Dash, and then make your other two selections from the other attractions in the park which offer FastPass+ reservations (including Tower of Terror, Rock'n'Roller Coaster, Fantasmic!, Star Tours and more). As always, you can make all three selections within that second tier, as well as your additional single selections after you have used your initial three selections (or they have all expired). At some point over the weekend after the announcement that reservations were open for Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, My Disney Experience would not allow any new reservations for any attractions at Disney's Hollywood Studios during the first weeks of March, but that glitch appeared to have cleared up by Sunday night.

…For the sixth week in a row, Disney Parks Blog released a look at one of the digital posters that will appear inside the Chinese Theatre at Disney's Hollywood Studios when it reopens with the March 4 debut of Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway. Each poster pays tribute to an actual Mickey Mouse short; like last week, you can even watch this week's "Croissant de Triomphe" short where a "Minnie's cafe runs out of croissants and Mickey must go on a wild ride battling traffic and a few surprises to deliver the treats," here on Mickey Mouse's official You Tube channel. The new digital posters appear on the video screens throughout the queue on the screens that used to show posters for classic movies and The Great Movie Ride. The new attraction itself includes a brand new short, "Perfect Picnic" where "Mouse rules apply," and the digital posters in the halls leading up to the "premiere" (the pre-show for the ride) set the scene.

Posters inspired by Mickey & Minnie cartoon shorts have been created for the lobby of Chinese Theatre at Disney's Hollywood Studios to set the scene for Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway which opens March 4. Image ©Disney.

…Disney PhotoPass Service now has a new "Capture Your Moment" session available for booking at Magic Kingdom. The new add-on service allows you to "book time" with a Disney PhotoPass photographer for a personalized photo shoot at in-park locations that are available that day. Disney Parks Blog suggests that such special capture moments may include proposals, baby announcements, graduations, anniversaries, birthdays, and more. For $50, the Capture Your Moment session includes up to 20 minutes at your selected photo shoot location (or $100 for back-to-back sessions up to 40 minutes which may include a visit to at least two photo shoot locations). Advance sessions may be booked by calling (407)939-7758, and a limited number of same-day sessions may be available by calling as well. Of course, it is called an add-on for a reason: like park admission, the digital downloads and photo prints are not included, but guests with a Memory Maker package or qualifying Annual Pass with PhotoPass benefits, may make use of those benefits with this add-on offering; additional print and download purchase options are available too.

…REMINDER: You can also benefit the Kids Café Program of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida while you sample dishes and beverages featured at Toledo, Topolino's Terrace, Tiffins, The Hollywood Brown Derby, Cinderella's Royal Table, Golden Oak, Epcot Festivals, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Amorette's Patisserie, The Ganachery, Disney's Grand Floridian Weddings, Disney Park Events, Wine Bar George, and more by the Walt Disney World Food & Beverage Concept Development Team. The 7th Field to Field Dinner, which has raised more than $100,000 for the program, will be held in partnership with Edible Orlando magazine at Long & Scott Farms in Zellwood, Florida, on February 22, 2020, from 2:30-5:30 p.m. Tickets are $175/person (and they have sold out in the past). More information and tickets are available at EdibleOrlando.com. 100% of proceeds benefit the after-school meal service program that provides food to needy children in Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties in Florida.

…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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Disney Springs News & Views

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 (including those immediately under this paragraph). Some items are repeated week to week until they occur, while other items NEW to the Update are marked accordingly. For even more of the latest news around Disney Springs, follow its official Twitter Feed: @DisneySprings.

For a look at many of the Valentines Day offerings around Disney Springs, check out the Spring at Disney Springs webpage. NEW Disney Parks Blog recently shared a list of quite a few specials available as well.

NEW City Works Eatery & Pour House

Last Thursday, executives and staff at the new City Works Eatery & Pour House were joined by Disney Springs leadership to cut the ribbon and open the venue located just outside NBA Experience on the West Side. We were invited to attend the grand opening celebration on Thursday and to dine at the restaurant over the weekend.

City Works Eatery and Pour House held its grand opening ribbon cutting and celebration on Thursday, February 6, at Disney Springs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Chicago-based brand has nine locations across the country and the Disney Springs location is its first in Central Florida. The venue features 17 televisions including a 168 inch high definition video screen. Yes, it is a venue that will feature sporting events on those screens (it is next door to and can be entered directly from NBA Experience) that are shown while guests dine on "classic American dishes" and a beer menu featuring over 90 local and global craft brews on tap and eight wines on draft. In addition to its lunch and dinner menus, on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. it also features a "Rock N' Roll Brunch menu," while on weekdays from 3:30 until 6 p.m. its Happy Hour features a discounted menu of select beer, wine and appetizers. Walk-up seating is offered now (and take out orders are available), and reservations made through My Disney Experience and OpenTable will be honored starting March 9. The venue also offers Annual Passholder and Disney Vacation Club discounts on food and (at least some) non-alcoholic beverages. Cast member discounts are available too.

The restaurant's dining room is along the first level of the newly constructed NBA Experience building that is located where the former DisneyQuest stood. Photo courtesy Disney Parks Blog.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant

NEW For Valentine's Day only, Raglan Road is offering a special dessert pairing: Black Forest Bombe—a concoction of cherry chocolate mousse, kirsch créme brulee, and dark chocolate cake with tart cherry sorbet–paired with its special Valentine's Day-only Bailey's Red Velvet Iced Shake. Regular menu also available, and the live Irish bands and dancers will be on stage (as usual) from 4:30 p.m. through closing. And Raglan also shares this bit of St. Valentine's Day lore:

St. Valentine, the patron saint of love, was executed in Rome and buried there in the 3rd century. Much later, an Irish priest was granted permission to exhume his remains, and now his skeleton lies under Whitefriar Church in Dublin. In 1835 an Irish Carmelite priest, Fr. John Spratt, used his Irish charm to convince then Pope Gregory XVI to dig up St. Valentine's remains and take them home as a gift to his fellow Irishmen and women. Now, love-seeking Irish turn up at his site every St. Valentine's looking for help in finding that special one.

Later this year, Raglan Road celebrates 15 years since it opened at Walt Disney World Resort. Serving up authentic Irish entertainment along with its menu by Irish chef Mark O'Neill (accompanied by lots of locally crafted beers, Irish gin and more) everyday, Raglan Road's Might St. Patrick's Festival will run Friday, March 13 through Tuesday, March 17, 2020. It is complimentary March 13-16 (and reservations are accepted); on March 17, seating is first-come, first served, and there is a $10 cover charge for guests 18 years old and above. The full Festival entertainment schedule will be posted at RaglanRoad.com, and the highlights will include: Strings & Things, TradGad, MACA, Fia Rua, Mike Waters, and Emily Furlong.

Raglan Road is located in the Landing Neighborhood of Disney Springs and has been in the same place at Walt Disney World for nearly 15 years (dating back to when the area was Pleasure Island). File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Maria & Enzo's Ristorante

Carnevale has returned to Maria & Enzo's Ristorante for the entire month of February this year. The festival, known in Venice as Carnevale and as Mardi Gras outside of Italy, includes festive decor, glamorous costumes, food and celebrations. At the restaurant, from 5-10 p.m., the restaurant has special menus with signature dishes as well as special items, special beverage offerings, special dessert offerings, and nightly live entertainment. Reservations are recommended by visiting MariaAndEnzos.com or by calling (407)560-8466.

Carnevale at Maria & Enzo's continues until February 29, 2020. Image courtesy Patina Restaurant Group.

We were invited to dine during the opening night's festivities and some of the highlights follow. There was somewhat less live entertainment inside the restaurant this year over last (the singers and specialty acts, for example), but there is some entertainment outside the restaurant to draw folks in, much more decor inside, and some complimentary food items accompanying your meal. As you can see in the photos, though, there is still some entertainment to go with your meal and it may change throughout the event's run.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Entertainment takes place in front of Maria & Enzo's throughout the night as a preview to the Carnevale celebrations inside. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

Enzo's Hideaway Tunnel Bar

NEW Valentine's Day menu offerings include "Stuffed Baked Maine lobster for 2" – 2 lb maine lobster, jumbo lump blue crab, toasted garlic, saffron aioli, wilted baby spinach, lumache pasta, lobster cream sauce for $42 and Torta Setteveli - even layered Dark chocolate sponge cake layered with hazelnut mousse, milk chocolate, vanilla cream, and feuilletine chocolate crunch.

The Edison

On February 22, 2020, from 8:30 p.m. until 2 a.m., The Edison will host its inaugural Masquerade. According to the announcement, guests ages 21 and above will enter "a fantasy world of electrifying mystique" where they should "be prepared to be surprised and delighted around every corner as all party goers will be dressed incognito during a magical evening shrouded in an air of secrecy." Tickets are $65/person (plus tax and gratuity) and includes "power-house trays of gourmet passed appetizers". There will also be a dedicated menu of themed cocktails available. Masks are mandatory (but full face masks are prohibited). For more information and to purchase tickets (which are still available), visit this page of Patina Restaurant Group's website. We have been invited to attend as well, so let us know if you will be there to say hello!

The Masquerade Event will be held for guests at least 21 years old at The Edison, Saturday, February 22, 8:30 p.m. until 2 a.m. $65 Tickets are required (plus tax and gratuity); guests must wear "Festive Masks." Image courtesy Patina Restaurant Group.

NEW The menu items for Valentine's Day include the "King Cut" Prime Rib with Jumbo Gulf Shrimp – Boneless 18 oz, au jus, horseradish cream sauce, popover for $52 and the limited time DB "Clothesline Chocolate Covered Candied Bacon" – Maple, black pepper, fruit mostarda, dipped in chocolate. Available beverages include a "Be Mine" cocktail, made with strawberry gin, lime juice, strawberry lemongrass, watermelon juice, topped with Brut, and garnished with a strawberry in a champagne glass.

Vivoli il Gelato

NEW Throughout February, Vivoli il Gelato is serving a "Love Potion" concoction of vanilla gelato and Fanta Strawberry, topped with whipped cream and garnished with sprinkles and rock candy. It is served in a novelty "Be Mine" cup.

Jaleo

Jaleo's Truffle Festival is underway at Disney Springs. The Spanish black truffle is highlighted in special dishes along side sommelier-selected wine pairings for a limited time through February 16 at lunch and dinner. Discovered by truffle-hunting dogs, these black truffles are flown straight in from the Spanish city of Teruel the day they are discovered.

Truffle Festival continues at Jaleo through February 16. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

RusticCuff Pop-Up Shop NOW OPEN

By this past weekend the RusticCuff pop up shop opened its doors at Disney Springs (in the Landing neighborhood across from Wine Bar George and Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar). Earlier this winter, Disney Parks Blog announced that the boutique jewelry brand by founder/designer Jill Donovan would create an "accessory destination" showroom featuring "statement cuffs with a focus on inspirational designes and personal connection." The pop-up shop from RusticCuff.com includes beads, bangles, charm bracelets, and "colorful stackable accent pieces" that include options for personalization. The store is only scheduled to operate for a limited time.

Rustic Cuff opened last week at Disney Springs in the Landing Neighborhood. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Erwin Pearl store that previously occupied this location closed earlier this winter. The Rustic Cuff signage appeared last week on the storefront. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

NEW Views around Disney Springs

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

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