Walt Disney World Resort Update for June 18-24, 2019

Walt Disney World Resort Update for June 18-24, 2019

 

Writer's note: This week, there were just a few new items of note around Walt Disney World Resort as the calendar and property continues their steady pace toward the August 29 opening of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival too. One of the bigger items of interest to Platinum, Platinum Plus and Premier Annual Passholders was even buried inside a long Disney Parks Blog post describing a whole host of summertime Passholder perks (we will talk about them in the news below and will add them to the Discounts & Promotions section while valid starting next week). Oh yeah, maybe you wanted to know about this interesting item. Here is the total of what Disney Parks Blog shared (and we have no further information on the subject):

In addition, we're excited to share that Platinum, Platinum Plus and Premier Annual Passholders will be among the first to experience Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios, with complimentary special preview opportunities planned before the land's opening on Aug. 29. Capacity is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. More information and registration details for previews will be shared at a later date.

A few more scheduled acts are now listed on the TasteEpcot.com website for the Eat to the Beat Concert Series during the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, and a whole lot of additional dates have been scheduled for Disney After Hours at Disney's Animal Kingdom (through the end of September), Magic Kingdom (resuming after Disney Villains After Hours in mid-August through the end of September), and Disney's Hollywood Studios (through July). We have added all of those dates to the appropriate sections below too.

And, with Toy Story 4 opening this Friday, June 21, 2019, in theaters, I appeared on Episode 499 of The Garry Meier Show Podcast to provide my spoiler-free review and commentary following the screening and press conferences I attended earlier this month with the producers, director and voice cast stars including Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Christina Hendricks, Keanu Reeves, and Tony Hale. I loved the movie so much that when an another opportunity to see a screening courtesy of Disney Vacation Club came up at the last moment this past weekend, I went to see it again (and I expect to see it at least once more in the theater). As of last night, the movie's score on Rotten Tomatoes was 100% fresh based on 111 critical reviews! We'll have more about the movie coming up soon here on MousePlanet.com too!

News and Views

Headlines are auto-generated here

Platinum and Above Passholders To Get Chance to Preview Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge; Additional Passholder Summer Perks Announced

Talk about burying the lede!

Yesterday, Disney Parks Blog published a lengthy post about the many perks Annual Passport holders can enjoy this summer. Mixed in toward the middle of the post, Disney noted that guests with Platinum, Platinum Plus and Premier Annual Passports (those annual passes with no blockout dates at any of the four Walt Disney World theme parks) will have an opportunity to attend "complimentary special preview opportunities" to visit Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios before the land's August 29 opening. Other than that capacity is limited and will be available on a first-come, first served basis, no information has yet been announced for how to register. Prior "V.I.Passholder" events, like the after-it-opened exclusive time to enjoy Toy Story Land last year, and the Passholder Previews of Pandora-The World of Avatar back in 2017, involved having Passholders visit specific registration webpages in response to emails. Problems have cropped up with those email-triggered registration processes in the past and, indeed, as one commenter on the Blog noted, some Passholders never seem to receive the official emails that permit registration.

In any event, those top-tier Passholders interested in the possibility of attending a preview ought to keep a careful eye on their email and, perhaps, the Disney Parks Blog (and its tweets done as @DisneyParks) too! If you have a lower-tier Passport, it is possible to pay for an upgraded passport to Platinum or above, but, even then, there may not be guarantee that whatever notice is given will include last-minute upgrades or purchases. Certainly, acting sooner would increase your chance of getting notice, but from prior times we have written about Passholder event registrations, by the time you read this Update on Tuesday (or later), more registration details may already be out on an official channel. Caution, as always: try to avoid the "rumors" out there that do not point readers to an official source of Disney information on a Disney website!

Ticket Deals

Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus and Premier Passholders can take advantage of the return of the "Bring-a-Friend" offer starting today, June 18, through August 8, 2019. For $89 plus tax, qualified Passholders can buy one-day Park Hopper tickets at park ticket windows for same-day use. Each qualified Passholder can purchase up to six tickets at this price (either all at once or spread out cumulatively across the length of this promotion).

Passholders without Water Park admissions included that want to visit them this summer, will have the option beginning July 5 to purchase the new "Summer Slash Pass" that provides unlimited visits to both Disney's Blizzard Beach and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon through September 7, 2019, for the same $69 plus tax cost as a non-discounted, one-day water park ticket. These tickets may be purchased at the ticket windows at the water parks.

H2O Glow Night tickets can be purchased by Passholders for $15 off ticket window prices by purchasing them in advance. The hard ticket, after hours event at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon includes an exclusive experience with Bo Peep from Toy Story 4 during parties held through June 29.

Lunch Table Service Dining Discount Through July 2

Several table service restaurants in each park and several at resort hotels are offering Passholders 20% off lunch through July 2, 2019. Lunch is offered 11:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. but hours of opperation may vary by location; special events and dining packages are not included. The discount applies for the Passholder and up to 3 guests and the Passholder must present their Annual Pass card and matching photo ID. The following locations are included (though, as always, you should ask at the time of booking to confirm):

The other usual Passholder discounts and benefits continue as well. The updated list is at DisneyWorld.com/PassBenefits.

Toy Story Drop! Pop-Up Experience at Disney Springs

In our Disney Springs New Views section last week, we spotted some clouds added to one of the kiosks near Paddlefish restaurant that looked a lot like those depicted in the Toy Story films. Well, last Tuesday, that kiosk opened as the Toy Story Drop! pop=up experience. Toy Story Drop! is a new mobile game themed to the Toy Story universe. Through August 9, guests can play the game on stations at the kiosk for free.

Last week, we noted that this kiosk near Paddlefish had roof decor that reminded us of the clouds and sky of the "Toy Story" movies. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse were on hand last week for the ribbon cutting at the Toy Story Drop! pop-up experience at Disney Springs. Photo ©Disney.

Guests that download the game on their mobile device and show it to cast members at the kiosk can receive a limited-edition Toy Story Drop! pop socket for their device. The game is available for iOS, Google Play and Amazon. The game features the Toy Story characters like Woody and Buzz, plus elements as current as Toy Story 4, and is played by matching and dropping puzzles.

Also at the kiosk, guests can take a selfie with The Claw. Sometimes guest may also find Disney PhotoPass photographers on-hand as well (as we did this weekend).

Guests take photos with a human-sized version of The Claw inside the Toy Story Drop! kiosk. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Epcot Concerts & Candlelight Processional News and Calendar

Guardians of the Galaxy-Awesome Mix Live! has returned to the America Gardens stage five daily performances scheduled through August 18. Star-Lord and Gamora along with an "alien" band take the audience on a "musical journey" that showcases hits from Star-Lord's Awesome Mix tapes. It is the same show that was performed last summer, and each live performance includes the same set list. Check the Times Guide and the My Disney Experience app for the daily schedule.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Cindy Wilson, Show Director & Choreographer discusses the return of "Guardians of the Galaxy-Awesome Mix Live! Video ©Disney.

Liberty Inn is offering up some themed food during the run of the "Awesome Mix" show. The nearby Fife & Drum has some themed beverage and snack offerings too. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

As Labor Day weekend approaches, this year's edition of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will debut on August 29 (yes, the very same day that Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opens at Disney's Hollywood Studios). As we reviewed the TasteEpcot.com website this week, we spotted a few more NEW additions to the list of scheduled acts, including returning performers Taylor Dayne and Kenny G, and new to the Festival, India. The Festival runs a record 87 days this year, through November 23, but the three-times-nightly Eat to the Beat Concert Series will only run until November 19. This year, showtimes on Sundays through Thursdays will be the usual 5:30 P.M., 6:45 P.M., and 8:00 P.M., while on Fridays and Saturdays, the showtimes shift an hour later to 6:30 P.M., 7:45 P.M., and 9 P.M. The Concert Series wraps up on November 19 (before the Festival's end) to allow the America Gardens stage to be prepared for the 2019 edition of Epcot's Candlelight Processional.

So far, Disney Parks Blog has announced just the first four returning Celebrity Narrators for this year's edition of Candlelight Processional: Whoopi Goldberg (12/6-7), Pat Sajak (12/16-8), Steven Curtis Chapman (12/22-4), and Edward James Olmos (12/25-6). Held at the America Gardens Theatre, the Candlelight Processional combines a live orchestra, massed choir and celebrity narrator in the retelling of the traditional Christmas story three times per night (5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.) during the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays (November 29-December 30). Guaranteed seating is available by booking a breakfast, lunch or dinner Candlelight Processional Dining Package at select Epcot eateries. Availability is limited and advance reservations are highly recommended and can be made up to 180 days prior to your visit. Bookings for Candlelight Processional Dining Packages will begin on July 3. EpcotHolidays.com is the page where you can find Festival information and Candlelight Processional Dining Packages starting July 3 (or call 407-WDW-DINE).

For the convenience of our readers, all of the scheduled Eat to the Beat Concert Series performers and announced Celebrity Narrators for Candlelight Processional at America Gardens Theatre are shown in our Google Calendar of Epcot Events. All of the Guardians of the Galaxy-Awesome Mix Live! dates are noted as well. You can add the whole 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.

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

This week's views are just from Epcot. Some new views around Disney Springs and Disney's Saratoga Springs are included in the Disney Springs news section.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney Skyliner gondolas can be spotted testing behind World Showcase pavilions on their route from Disney's Riviera Resort to Epcot's International Gateway. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

By this past weekend, the gondolas testing on the Epcot route had been uncovered. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

This and That…

…The Walt Disney Company launched a global campaign to raise awareness of the crisis facing lions and to support the Lion Recovery Fund and its partners that help advance conservation across Africa by achieving goals including doubling the number of lions in the wild by 2050. Tied to the upcoming July 19, 2019, release of the Disney’s new "live action" version of The Lion King, there are now Special Edition Simba and Nala plush that are available at Disney's Animal Kingdom (and, starting July 1, at additional Walt Disney World Resort locations, Disneyland Resort, North American Disney Stores and online shopDisney.com (U.S. customers). Each of the 40,000 plush available during this campaign represents one of the lions whose future Disney and the Lion Recovery Fund are working to ensure. For more information on the Lion Recovery Fund and Disney’s conservation efforts, visit this page on Disney.com.

Special Edition "The Lion King" plush support The Wildlife Conservation Network’s (WCN) Lion Recovery Fund (LRF) are now available at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Photo ©Disney.

…Disney PhotoPass has published a guide of locations where you can capture "Your Summer Story" around Walt Disney World Resort. Download the PDF version of the guide here.

…With Illuminations: Reflections of Earth ending its nearly two decade-long run at Epcot this Fall, the park has begun offering special, limited-time themed merchandise (while supplies last). The first items went on sale yesterday and you can see a preview of the line on Disney Parks Blog.

…Starting August 18, on select nights, Restaurantosaurus at Disney's Animal Kingdom will offer a new Burger and Sundae dinner experience. For $22.99 plus tax for adults and $14.99 plus tax for children 3-9 (or one quick-service meal entitlement on the Disney Dining Plan), guests can select an entrée and side dish plus build their own sundae. The menu includes gourmet burgers, a chicken sandwich, a veggie burger and a salad; sides include fries or onion rings with "house-made" dipping sauce. When the entrée and side dish are served, guests receive a token that may be redeemed later that evening for two scoops of ice cream which can then be made in to a sundae at a toppings bar. Dinner includes a non-alcoholic beverage and age-appropriate adults may also purchase alcoholic beverages at the restaurant. This experience will have a designated register and guests will be escorted to a table in a separate dining room; the regular quick service menu will also be available. Reservations are available and walk-ups are subject to availability.

…Beyond the Resort, Disney Cruise Line's Disney Dream sailings now include a Tiffany & Co. store aboard the ship, joining the brand's store on Disney Fantasy. A silver necklace developed exclusively for DCL is available only aboard Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.

A silver necklace developed exclusively for DCL is available only aboard "Disney Dream" and "Disney Fantasy." Photo ©Disney and Tiffany & Co.

…Speaking of DCL, Disney Wonder will debut new enhancements during its four-night sailing from Vancouver to San Diego on September 30, 2019. A New Orleans-themed lounge will complement Tiana's Place Restaurant, furthering the ship's The Princess and the Frog nods with additional French Quarter-style live music and themed activities. The ship has also updated its teen-exclusive space, Vibe, and redesigned its adults-only Cove Café.

…REMINDER: Give Kids the World Village has announced its next two speaker series events featuring legendary Disney Cast Members and Voice Actors. On Disneyland's 64th anniversary, July 17, Disney veterans Tom Nabbe, Bill Sullivan and Bill Hoelscher will share stories of their fabled careers, stretching from the Disneyland's launch to the opening of Walt Disney World. On August 3, Paige O'Hara, voice of Belle from Beauty and the Beast, and Linda Larkin, voice of Jasmine from Aladdin, will share stories of the magic behind the scenes of these loved Disney characters. Details:

• Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at Give Kids The World Village, 210 S Bass Road, Kissimmee, FL 34746
• July 17: Legendary Disney Cast Members: General Seating $35; Preferred Seating $50
• August 3: Disney Voice Actors O'Hara & Larkin: General $50; Preferred $75; VIP Package $150

Advanced ticket sales are now available for the July 17 event on this eventbrite.com webpage. Advanced sales tickets are available for the August 3 event on this eventbrite.com webpage. For more information about these and other GKTW events, visit GKTW.org. Since 1986, Give Kids The World Village has welcomed more than 165,000 families to its 84-acre “storybook” resort in Central Florida. Children with critical illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free vacations, complete with accommodations, donated attraction tickets, meals and more.

…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 (including those immediately under this paragraph). Event items NEW to the Update are marked accordingly. For even more of the latest news around Disney Springs, follow its official Twitter Feed: @DisneySprings.

NEW Views Around Disney Springs and nearby Disney's Saratoga Springs

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Raglan Road

Raglan Road recently welcomed its new Irish executive chef, Mark O'Neill. He previously worked with some of Europe's top chefs in several Michelin-Star restaurants. In Raglan Road's most recent newsletter, he shared a bit of his vision for the venue: "I'd like to do really great gastro-pub food, to have our team creating really nicely executed dishes like we have back home in Ireland. We'll be developing fresh, made-from-scratch food that's vibrant to the palate. It's important that we stay in front of the modern Irish food trend and keep our guests excited about great new dishes on the menu."

Strings & Things, the Irish Folk/Trad crossover four-piece band from Tipperary and Galway returns in mid-June for a yearlong residency. The band last performed at Raglan Road from June through September last year and during the pub's Great Irish Hooley.

Bongo's Cuban Café

Orlando Sentinel reported that the restaurant will close in August and quotes its owner, Cuban-American pop icon Gloria Estafan as saying as its twenty-two year lease draws to an end this summer, "They are growing in a different direction, and we are growing in a different direction." Gloria and her husband and business partner, Emilio Estefan, announced that they will open a new restaurant, Estefan Kitchen at the Margaritaville Orlando Resort.

Bongo's will close its West Side restaurant and shop in August. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka

Wine Bar George

Wine Bar George recently introduced its new "Wine Country Brunch," which is now offered every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 3 p.m. See the menu online here or download a PDF of the menu here. Reservations are available on OpenTable.

Enzo's Hideaway Tunnel Bar

The Smuggler's Series is offered at Enzo's Hideaway Tunnel Bar monthly through October. Based on our hosted media-invited experience, for those interested in learning a bit about the beverages they drink, these sessions can be quite informative and the restaurant's culinary team works hard to prepare dishes to compliment the beverages served.

►Terrapin Brewing Company, Wednesday, June 19, 7 p.m., $45 per person

►Bourbon - Tim Hiesler, Bourbon ambassador for Jim Beam, Basil Hayden, Maker's Mark
Wednesday, July 17, 7 p.m., $60 per person

►Scotch, WM Grants - Balvenie & Glenfiddich, Wednesday, August 21, 7 p.m., $60 per person

►Crooked Stave, Wednesday, September 18, 7 p.m., $45 per person

►Tito's Vodka, Wednesday, October 23, 7 p.m., $60 per person

The Edison

The Edison at Disney Springs is hosting "Havana Nights" beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays: June 26, July 10, July 24, August 7, August 21, September 4, September 18, October 2, and October 16. The no additional charge nights feature a five piece band from 8 p.m. to midnight (trading the spotlight with a DJ from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.) playing Latin renditions of musical styles from instrumentals to pop. Complimentary salsa lessons will be available at any skill level, 7:30-11:30 p.m. and Havana-inspired specialty craft cocktails will be available to order during the entire night.

 

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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).

2019 Resort Events

2020 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.

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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 New England Residents

For Canada Residents

For U.K. Residents

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