Walt Disney World Resort Update for June 19-25, 2018

Walt Disney World Resort Update for June 19–25, 2018

Go directly to: News & Views | Join our Networks | Resort Events | Refurbishments and Attraction Closures | Discounts and Promotions

Writer's note: As we expected, it was a quiet week for news at Walt Disney World Resort this week. This, however, seems to be the proverbial calm before the storm. Next up, we have the last major piece of Incredible Summer limited-time entertainment, Disney H20 Glow Nights (hard ticket events) at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, which debuts June 21. We have been invited to cover it, so be sure to follow @MousePlanet on social media Thursday night, particularly between 8-10 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time for some "Partysaurus Rex" fun (weather and technology cooperation required too).

Then, next Thursday and Friday, June 28-29, we will be covering the dedication ceremonies and the rest of the Resort's big celebration for the June 30 opening of Toy Story Land. Cast member-only previews are finally underway, at least, for Slinky Dog Dash Coaster. Perhaps an opportunity will arise before our next Update to get a ride or peek too, but, of course, soft openings are never guaranteed, and, as we reported last week, with the announced "exclusive" time going to Gold-and-above Passholders in September, it is looking very unlikely there will be anything "official."

Cast member previews of the Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster are under way in Toy Story Land, so far, with very strict restrictions prohibiting guests and photographs. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Outside the Toy Story Land construction walls, Disney PhotoPass photographers on hand allowed all park-goers to pose with a paddle displaying a familiar ball. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

As the parenthetical in the first paragraph suggests, it is the time of year where the only weather certainty here in Central Florida is that it will be hot and it will probably rain at some point somewhere in the region. If you are visiting the Resort and are not used to spending hours in the heat and humidity (like we locals who walk 5-10 miles nearly everyday outside for exercise and/or fun), remember to stay hydrated and take advantage of some air conditioned breaks. Bring along your ponchos, and consider having an umbrella handy too. Is it time to review some of those One Passholder's Tips from last spring and summer?

It is the rainy season in Central Florida, so having rain gear handy during the day may be helpful. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

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News and Views

More My Disney Experience Enhancements Released | Walt Disney World Golf Enhancements Continue | MouseAdventure Returns in November | Epcot Concert & Candlelight Processional News & Calendar | Views Around the World | This and That | Crowd Forecast

More My Disney Experience Enhancements Released

Yesterday, Walt Disney World unveiled the latest version of its My Disney Experience mobile app. The new version features a revised user interface and at least one new feature: estimated bus times for Disney resort hotel guests.

To view the latest user interface and features, download the latest update to the My Disney Experience app in the App Store or Google Play. Screen by Alan S. Dalinka (underlying content by Disney).

Like the video screens at the bus stops at some Disney Resort hotel locations that show the estimated times for buses to the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs, guests with an "active" Disney Resort hotel reservation in their My Disney Experience account can now access "See Bus Times" when viewing their reservation in the app. The app will update "in real time" to provide an estimate for when the next buses will depart a hotel and, unlike the existing video screens, it will show an estimated time that the bus will complete its journey to its destination.

Disney resort hotel guests can now get estimated times buses will depart from their hotel when viewing their active hotel reservation in the My Disney Experience app. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney Parks Blog posted a brief demonstration of the new "See Bus Times" feature." Video © Disney.

While the demonstration video Disney Parks Blog posted shows that the feature allows you to check departure times for each stop at a hotel with multiple stops (like those stops at Disney's Old Key West Resort), there is no indication of when (or whether) this feature will be expanded to all guests visiting the Resort, or to estimated departure times from the parks and Disney Springs. As we do not have an active hotel reservation, we have not been able to try the new feature. Disney Parks Blog does say that Disney's "teams are constantly exploring and innovating new enhancements to My Disney Experience," and that "there's more coming soon!"

Walt Disney World Golf Enhancements Continue

Walt Disney World Golf operated by Arnold Palmer Golf Management continues the enhancement of the Resort's golf courses. The Magnolia course was enhanced in 2015. The Palm course just completed its regular aeration process and is scheduled to have re-opened as of this posting.

Lake Buena Vista and Oak Trail will soon add Mickey-shaped bunkers similar to the one on No. 6 on the Magnolia course. The schedules below are subject to change due to weather and other factors; call Disney Golf at (407)939-4653 for the latest information and tee times.

• The Lake Buena Vista course is scheduled to undergo its regular course aeration through August 10, and during that time the course will receive complete bunker renovations, including bunker reshaping, re-sodding of the bunker faces, improved drainage, and replacement of the old grey sand with new white sand. From July 2 to August 10, the course will operate as a 9-hole course on a rotating basis while the other nine holes undergo refurbishments. During the project, 9-hole play will be available for $26 plus tax; 18-hole play (two rounds on the open 9-holes) will be $39 plus tax; "twilight" play (after 3 p.m.) will be available for $19/$29 plus tax.
• Starting June 25 and scheduled through August 10, the Oak Trail course's greens will all be replaced with a Paspalum grass, a surface which has never perviously been used for putting at Walt Disney World before. The greens will also be restored to their original dimensions. As reader Kevin O'Donnell notified us and we reported a couple weeks ago, Platinum Plus Annual Passholders will be accommodated at the Lake Buena Vista course during the refurbishment; FootGolf will continue to be available at Oak Trail during the greens replacement project.

MouseAdventure Returns in November

MousePlanet is media sponsor of MouseAdventure.

The players asked, and Third Gate Games listened: MouseAdventure will be returning to the Walt Disney World Resort later this year!

Save the date for November 10 at Epcot, when Third Gate Games will return for MouseAdventure Remix, a collection of quests from previous games—along with a few more surprises. The creators scoured the archives from early events at Epcot and have brought them up to date with some different spins that are sure to challenge veterans as well as new players.

Registration opens on August 28 at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) at mouseadventure.com, so get your squad together for some fall fun in Florida!

For more information on MouseAdventure, read the article on the Walt Disney World spring 2018 event MouseAdventure Tails, here on media sponsor MousePlanet, or visit the MouseAdventure website.

Epcot Concert & Candlelight Processional News & Calendar

Guardians of the Galaxy-Awesome Mix Live! concert series runs daily through August 19 (with published showtimes at 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8 p.m.) at the America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase. The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival's Eat to the Beat concert series starts August 30 and runs through November 12. Guests can book Eat to the Beat dining packages, as well as other Food and Wine Festival events like Party for the Senses, seminars, and more by visiting TasteEpcot.com or calling (407) 939-3378 for reservations and information.

America Gardens Theatre is the Incredible Summer home to the Guardians of the Galaxy-Awesome Mix Live concert series, five times daily through August 19. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Festival of the Holidays returns to Epcot on November 18, and its Candlelight Processional begins its seasonal run this year on Thanksgiving Day itself, November 22. Narrators for the three-times-nightly retelling of the traditional Christmas story accompanied by a massed choir and live orchestra have not yet been announced, and dining package information is not yet available.

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

For the convenience of our readers, we list all of the scheduled acts in our Google Calendar of Epcot Events. You can also add it or any events on it to any calendar that supports the iCal format (like iPhone and Mac) by copying this link. When the Candlelight Processional celebrity narrators are announced, we will add the events to our calendar as well.

The calendar is provided as a courtesy "as is, where is" without any guarantees. Given the effort it took to create it, 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 this week's Views, we start with more photos of the vertical construction of the new Guardians of the Galaxy-themed coaster, and then look at the Disney Transportation between Epcot, the neighboring Epcot resorts, and Disney's Hollywood Studios (including views of Disney Skyliner construction), before getting over to Disney's Hollywood Studios. The captions tell the story and include bits of news along the way.

Epcot

The skyline at the northeastern edge of Epcot continues to evolve with the vertical construction of the building that will contain the future Guardians of the Galaxy-themed roller coaster. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

For perspective, when you enter Epcot from the main parking lot, you are facing south, and the construction for the new Guardians of the Galaxy attraction is on the left. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Inside the park, looking north from the walkway from Future World to World Showcase, you can see the monorail glide over the construction site in the distance. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

From across World Showcase Lagoon, you can get a sense of the scope of the new building. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Speaking of Guardians of the Galaxy, its current representation in the park, Awesome Mix Live!, takes the stage five times daily. When I saw the first public performance earlier this month, some technical difficulties apparently prevented Groot and some other video from appearing during the show (which I was able to see this past week). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

On the World Showcase side of the park between Morocco and France, the future "Ratatouille"-themed attraction continues to take shape. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Along the Promenade at Canada, the carved bears installed at the start of the Flower and Garden Festival may be a permanent addition to the area. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Almost all other traces of this year's Flower and Garden Festival are no longer visible in the park. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

"Wall-E" themed ears are on shelves this week at Mouse Gear. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

And, finally, "I'm a Nervous Rex!" t-shirts are but the tip of the Toy Story-themed items you will find around the Resort (even beyond Disney's Hollywood Studios), including at Mouse Gear. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Epcot Resorts Area: Disney Skyliner & Disney Transport

Friendship boats continue to operate only between Epcot's International Gateway (just behind the boat here), Disney's BoardWalk, and Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts. The construction wall below the tree-line surrounds the Epcot Disney Skyliner station construction site. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The sign at the Yacht & Beach Club Resort's boat dock informs guests that there is no service to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Refurbishment continues at the bridge between Disney's BoardWalk and the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort, which means that boat service is unavailable from the Epcot Resorts to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

It is still possible to walk from Disney's BoardWalk to Disney's Hollywood Studios. A sidewalk on Buena Vista Drive connects to that path and also provides a view of the future Disney Skyliner turn toward Epcot in front of Disney's BoardWalk. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

According to the maps posted on some of the Disney Skyliner construction walls, fences, and online, Disney Skyliner will depart Epcot from the International Gateway (near the Eiffel Tower in this photo) toward this point next to Buena Vista Drive and then turn East to travel mostly parallel to the street to approach the station at Disney's Riviera Resort (the under-construction Disney Vacation Club tower under construction near Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Disney Skyliner station on the other side of Buena Vista Drive at Disney's Hollywood Studios is not directly connected to the station at Epcot (guests will have to pass through the station at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort and, we believe, change "buckets" there). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The roof recently was installed on the Disney Skyliner station at Disney's Hollywood Studios. While its shape looks like the concept art on the fence, its Pan Pacific-like color looks more like other architectural details shown for the station (and, generally, the entrance of the park). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

From the Disney Skyliner station here, the towers lead in the distance to the station under construction at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Signs at Disney's Hollywood Studios direct guests to bus transportation to the Epcot resorts usually served by the Friendship boats. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney Skyliner towers in the Disney's Hollywood Studios parking lot stand in contrast to the Hollywood Tower Hotel (Tower of Terror) in the distance. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Meanwhile, in another part of the Disney's Hollywood Studios parking lot, it appears that a new toll plaza is under construction that may connect with the new ramps under construction along Osceola Parkway near the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Disney has not specifically announced the traffic pattern changes to come to this park as Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge's opening approaches late next year. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Inside the park, the latest detail added to the kiosk just beyond the Toy Story Land construction wall next to Walt Disney Presents appears to be the Disney Vacation Club logo version of Mickey's head. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

At the far end of Pixar Place, trees and a berm now largely prevent a view of all but the highest peaks of the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge construction area. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Over on the other side of the park, hedge fences now surround a large area near Echo Lake (requiring a detour to get from the Hyperion Theatre to Star Tours) where cast members say concrete repair work is underway. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Beyond the closed walkways, and like the Pixar Place side of the park, trees now largely obscure the view of the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge construction area at the end of Grand Avenue. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Nearly all of the attraction building in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge behind MuppetVision 3D is now enclosed. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Speaking of Star Wars, with the opening of "Solo: A Star Wars Story" last month, a new movie now shows in the theater at Star Wars Launch Bay that includes Director Ron Howard talking about the film and Star Wars in general. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Star Wars Launch Bay also now has an exhibit of props related to "Solo." Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

On Sunset Boulevard, the Sunset Ranch Market is open during refurbishment of its iconic sign. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Sunset Ranch Market refurbishment does not seem to effect any of the food or merchandise operations in this area of the park. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Finally, a "33" logo now adorns this button that seems to be a clue that the new private members-only club coming to the space above the Hollywood Brown Derby will have a name familiar to those aware of Disneyland's Club 33 in Anaheim. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney Springs

Disney-Pixar's "Incredibles 2" is now the theme for the photo backdrop outside the AMC Disney Springs 24 Dine-In Theatres. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney's Beach Club Resort

Back at Disney's Beach Club Resort, refurbishment is underway on the side of the resort closest to Epcot's International Gateway, temporarily closing the gate that Disney Vacation Club members (like me) often use as a shortcut to the Beach Club Villas. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

This and That

…A reminder from last week: Passholders looking to get their summer-themed Donald Duck complimentary gift magnet will now find them at Mouse Gear in Future World at Epcot through June 29, rather than Disney's Hollywood Studios. Be sure to have a valid photo ID matching your Annual Pass.

Donald Duck passholder magnets are no longer available at Disney's Hollywood Studios. They are now available at Mouse Gear at Epcot through June 29. File photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

…A poster on a Disney Bus advertising Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire, the hyper-reality experience at The Void at Disney Springs, says that if you say "The VOID" at checkout, you will receive a free digital photo of your mission with your ticket purchase.

…For those looking for more up to date information on the merchandise coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios with the June 30 opening of Toy Story Land, Disney Parks Blog provided an update.

…While we have been over to the Incredible Tomorrowland Expo a few times and have had a chance to see Edna Mode appear during Super Party Time, we have not seen her in her SuperMobile that Disney Parks Blog shared this week.

Thanks to #Incredibles 2, the world has once again embraced Supers, so in honor of those heroes, Magic Kingdom Park is hosting the first ever Incredible Tomorrowland Expo: https://t.co/7CwsI7k0a8 pic.twitter.com/OSkuvbMHy3

— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) June 15, 2018

…Disney Parks Blog also shared photos of the new Grevy's zebra foals at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Help us give a warm welcome to Youka and Zalika, two of the newest Grevy’s zebra foals at Disney's Animal Kingdom! https://t.co/QRLu1YAZFf pic.twitter.com/8kDIWEvnGI

— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) June 11, 2018

…Tickets are still available for this Sunday's "Pigs & Pints" event at Disney Springs featuring a mix of Pan-Asian and Southern-inspired dishes from the combined forces of Morimoto Asia's Chef Yuhi Fajinaga and The Polite Pig's James and Julie Petrakis. Guests 21-and-up can also enjoy local craft brews. For tickets and more information about the event, Sunday, June 24 from noon to 3 p.m., visit this page of Patina Restaurant Group's website.

…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.

 

Crowd Forecast

Advertisement "Do more. Wait less." Save time and money at Walt Disney World. TouringPlans.com can help you avoid falling into the typical tourist pitfalls. Our Disney World Crowd Calendar shows you the least crowded park to visit every day of the year, customized Touring Plans save you hours in line for Disney's best rides, honest restaurant reviews, how to save on Disney tickets, the best hotel rooms to ask for, and so much more. Everything can be accessed on our site or on Lines - Mobile Wait Times App which also shows to current and estimated wait times for attractions. Below are the predicted resort-wide crowd numbers for select days generated by the TouringPlans professional statisticians as measured for the upcoming week. For the access to the full year and per-park crowd level predictions, visit our Crowd Calendar. Date Overall Tuesday, June 19, 2018 7 / 10 Wednesday, June 20, 2018 7 / 10 Thursday, June 21, 2018 6 / 10 Friday, June 22, 2018 5 / 10 Saturday, June 23, 2018 5 / 10 Check out the Disney World Park Crowd Levels page on TouringPlans.com for park-specific predictions and recommendations on which days to visit and avoid particular parks! See Disney World crowds for the next 365 days. Get Disney World wait times on your iPhone, Android or Smartphone. Do more. Wait less.

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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.

2018 Resort Events

• Disney H20 Glow Nights at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
  • Every Thursday and Saturday, June 21 to August 11; 8–11 p.m.
• Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom:
  • June 28, 30, July 7, 9, 14, 21, 28, August 4 & 11; 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.
  • August 30, September 20; 9 p.m.– midnight
• Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom:
  • August 17, 24, 28, 31
  • September 3, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30
  • October 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – August 30 to November 12
• Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic – October 26–27
  • Sunday Bubbles Brunch – October 28
• Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 1–4
• MouseAdventure Remix (unofficial event) – November 10
• Dapper Day (unofficial events)
  • November 17 – Disney's Animal Kingdom (until 3-5 p.m.) & Magic Kingdom (evening);
  • November 18 – Epcot
• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom:
  • November 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30
  • December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21
• Epcot International Festival of the Holidays – November 18 to December 30
  • Candlelight Processional at Epcot – November 22 to December 30

2019 Resort Events

• 2019 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 9–13, 2019.
• Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 21–24, 2019.
• Star Wars Rival Run Weekend – April 4–7, 2019.

If you participate in (or are considering signing up for) runDisney events, visit our Team MousePlanet forum on the MousePad discussion board, where you can join our community of health-minded readers and staff. For current information on runDisney registration dates and capacity, see Lorree Tachell's runDisney Race Capacity Updates in the Team MousePlanet forum on our MousePad discussion board.

2018 Disney Vacation Club Moonlight Magic Events (including event reservation opening dates)

• Moonlight Magic at Epcot – July 16, August 15 (note date change)
  Members with resort reservations – Now filled to capacity.
  All members (check for additional availability) – June 20
• Moonlight Magic at Disney's Hollywood Studios – September 19, 26; October 3
  Members with resort reservations – August 30
  All members (pending remaining availability) – September 13

Introduced in 2017 as part of Membership Magic Ever After, complimentary Moonlight Magic events invite Disney Vacation Club Members (that are eligible for the Membership Extras benefits) and their guests to visit Disney Parks at the end of their regular operating hours and after the park has closed to the public. Members (and their parties) with reservations find shorter-than-usual wait times on popular attractions, meet rare characters, enjoy complimentary refreshments, have dance parties, and more. Please note that, in order to allow as many Members as possible to enjoy Moonlight Magic, only one event date for each participating park is available per Membership. Visit disneyvacationclub.com during specified reservation windows to (attempt to) secure access to the event as well as to find additions to the Moonlight Magic event slate, updated party hours, and transportation information.

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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.

Magic Kingdom

• Liberty Square Riverboat – closed for refurbishment (cast say until at least June/July).
• Stitch's Great Escape – My Disney Experience lists as "available seasonally throughout the year."

Epcot

• American Heritage Gallery at The American Adventure – closed for refurbishment
• Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe at Norway pavilion – closed for refurbishment through summer 2018.
• Ellen's Energy Adventure at Universe of Energy – Permanently closed on August 13, 2017.
  Guardians of the Galaxy-themed roller coaster-type attraction opens in approximately 2021.
• Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable – closed February 3, 2018. Theater to be repurposed.

Outside the theater where "Circle of Life" used to run, a new graphic for "The Land" has been installed on the lighted sign. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Toy Story Mania was closed last week for adjustments to the queue to accomodate the new entrance to the attraction inside Toy Story Land coming soon. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

• Toy Story Mania – Expected to reopen today, June 19, in Pixar Place, but work related to the new attraction entrance and queue in Toy Story Land may result in additional closures before June 30.
• The Great Movie Ride – Permanently closed August 13, 2017. The new "Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway" attraction to open in Chinese Theatre in 2019.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

• Flights of Wonder (Caravan Stage) – Show closed on December 31, 2017. "UP! A Great Bird Adventure" starring Russell and Dug and their bird opened in its place on April 22, 2018.

Blizzard Beach

• No known closures at this time.

Typhoon Lagoon

• No known closures at this time.

Disney Springs

• World of Disney – phased store closings for refurbishment underway.
  The Disney Corner now open in Town Center offering select merchandise during refurbishment.
  DisneyStyle now open on the West Side offering additional Disney-themed merchandise.
• DisneyQuest – Closed as of July 3, 2017. The NBA Experience expected to open Summer 2019.
• Portobello Country Italian Trattoria – Closed April 24, 2017. Terralina Crafted Italian expected to open in 2018.
• La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil – Show closed on December 31, 2017. A new Cirque du Soleil show is now in development with its premiere date to be announced.
• Wolfgang Puck Grand Café – closed August 1, 2017. Location is being transformed into Jaleo, a restaurant featuring Spanish cuisine, expected to open 2018. A new Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill is under construction next door to the Coca-Cola Store, expected to open 2018. Wolfgang Puck Express continues to operate in its existing location in the Marketplace.

Construction continues at Terralina Crafted Italian. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Resorts

• Caribbean Beach – Centertown, the resort's marketplace, will be expanded with new waterfront dining and retail shopping areas. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed in Summer 2018, with the overall project completed 2019–20.
   
• Coronado Springs – A new 15-story tower overlooking Lago Dorado, the resort's central lake, will add 500 rooms featuring suites and concierge level services, and a rooftop dining facility that will include panoramic views of nighttime fireworks shows at the Theme Parks. The resort also plans to refurbish current resort rooms and transform some of its landscape. The project is expected to be completed 2019-20.

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Current Discounts & 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.

Travel Discounts for Everyone	Memory Maker pre-arrival discount Disney's PhotoPass service provides a discount on Disney Memory Maker pre-arrival packages. For $199 plus tax, Walt Disney World guests can digitally download any photos associated with their Memory Maker account, including photos taken on attractions. The advanced purchase price is $169, a $30 savings. Applicable taxes are charged to all orders. Purchase must be made more than three days prior to arrival at the Walt Disney World Resort for the discount. All sales are final, and not eligible for an exchange or refund. Both the immediate and discount version of Memory Maker can be purchased at this page of DisneyWorld.com.
Travel Discounts for Annual Passholders	You must show your passholder (gold) card and photo ID to receive a discount and other benefits. Through June 29 (you know, the day before Toy Story Land opens at Disney's Hollywood Studios) Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus, and Premier Passholders may buy up to six 1-Day Magic Your Way Park Hopper tickets for $79 each plus tax. The "Bring-a-Friend" tickets may only be purchased at the theme park ticket windows, the Passholder must be present and show photo ID, and the tickets must be used on the date purchased. Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus, and Premier Passholders should be "on the lookout for an event invitation with registration details in email" for "exclusive" access to Toy Story Land at specific times on select dates in September. Eligible passholders that want to attend will need to follow the email instructions to register for an event date and time in advance and, if they would like to register a guest, that guest also must have a Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus, or Premier annual pass and be listed on the Friends & Family list sharing "All My Plans" in My Disney Experience. Attending the event will require the valid pass and a matching photo ID, but there will be no additional charge. While Silver and Weekday Select Passholders are left out of the June "Bring-a-Friend" and September Exclusive Toy Story Land access perks, they do get an unexpected perk in June too: blockouts have been lifted through June 29. So, after last week's brief blockout, Silver and Weekday Select Passholders can park hop for nearly three weeks longer than previously announced (of course, the Weekday Select passes remain blocked on weekends). For all Passholders interested in early access to the latest Toy Story Land-themed MagicBands, visit Mickey's of Hollywood, Celebrity 5 & 10, Keystone Clothiers, Once Upon a Time, and Walt Disney Presents, where you can now purchase them by showing your pass and matching photo ID (quantity limits apply, but, so does your 20% discount). Likewise, all Passholders can now get a "double dining discount" (20% instead of 10% off) at Hollywood & Vine through June 29. Discount is valid for the Passholder and up to three additional guests off the regular price of food and non-alcoholic beverages (excluding tax and gratuity, and does not apply during special events). For the most up-to-date list of locations offering dining discounts to Annual Passholders, visit this page of DisneyWorld.com. Many dining locations offer Passholders 10 percent discounts during some or all meal periods (also excluding alcoholic beverages, tax and gratuity). The latest information on this page of DisneyWorld.com lists discounts at many merchandise locations across Walt Disney World Resort, including locations that continue to offer 20 percent discounts off regularly priced merchandise. The latest information on this page of DisneyWorld.com lists discounts for special events and tours at locations around Walt Disney World Resort. The latest information on this page of DisneyWorld.com lists discounts for sports, recreation, and spas around Walt Disney World Resort. Magic Strollers, "a Disney featured stroller provider," offers a $5 discount on stroller rental when staying at a Disney Resort Hotel and using coupon code WDWAP18 to arrange your rental. It is listed on the "Passholders Extras" page of the Passholder website. Visit the DisneyWorld.com Special Offers page (filtered for Passholders) and log in with a My Disney Experience account linked to your Annual Pass for information, or call (407) 939-4232 to book by phone. Additional information about available "Passholder Extras" are available here, including specially priced 1-Day Water Park Tickets for $49 plus tax (must be purchased in-person at the water parks and not available online; must be used on or before December 31, 2019), a new $35 Sunrise 9 golf offer (including nine holes of golf, a hot breakfast and two beverages between 7:00 and 8:30 a.m., subject to availability, at Disney Golf courses), a new $29 Sunset 9 golf offer (including nine holes of golf, a light snack and a beer or soft drink, subject to availability in the late afternoon at Disney Golf courses), an Orlando Magic Jersey Offer for purchasing or renewing an Annual Pass at Amway Center in Orlando, a 15 percent discount on the Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour at Disney's Animal Kingdom, Spa & Salon Discounts around Walt Disney World Resort, Amphicar Tour discounts at Disney Springs, runDisney Early Registration discounts, Best Friends Pat Care discounts, Children's Activity Centers discounts, and more. Away from the Resort, Passholders can use code DANCEPARTY to get 20 percent off of tickets to the new Disney Junior Dance Party on Tour in Jacksonville, Melbourne, Clearwater, and Sarasota Florida, for house seats while supplies last. Visit disneyjuniortour.com for more information and tickets. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details.
Discounts for Disney Rewards VISA Credit Card Holders	Reminder to MagicBand users: You must still show your DIsney Visa credit card to receive discounts and other benefits. Discounts are not automatically applied even if you have linked your Disney Visa credit card to your MagicBand. To conserve space, we have eliminated some of the participating location details of the Disney Visa Rewards offers from this section. Visit Disney Visa Rewards website for the latest participating location information. 20 percent off Joffrey's coffee/tea kiosks Disney Visa cardholders receive 20 percent off their entire purchase at Joffrey's coffee/tea kiosks throughout Walt Disney World, including Tea Traders Café by Joffrey's, and online at Joffreys.com with code: VISABEANS 15 percent off select guided tours Disney Visa cardholders receive 15 percent off the non-discounted price of selected guided tours for up to 10 people. The cardholder must participate in the tour, and pay with a Disney's Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card. Discounts are not available on Premium VIP tours, programs exclusive to groups, or group team building programs. 10 percent off select restaurants Disney Visa cardholders receive 10 percent off the check when you pay with a Disney's Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card (be sure to request the discount). Offer excludes alcoholic beverages, merchandise, tobacco, room service, holiday buffets, tax and gratuity. Discount does not apply to the following dates: 12/31/17, 1/1/18, 2/14/18, 4/1/18, 5/13/18 and 7/4/18, and may not be available at all meal times. Visit this page of disneyrewards.com for the latest list of restaurants and restrictions. 10 percent off merchandise Disney Visa cardholders receive 10 percent off at participating Disney-owned retail location when you spend a minimum of $50 and pay with a Disney's Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card (be sure to request the discount). Read all of the restrictions on the this page of disneyrewards.com. Cardholders also receive 10% off select merchandise purchases of $50 or more at the following Walt Disney World Resort Operating Participant merchandise locations including Basin, Basin White, Chapel Hats, Good Fortune Gifts and House of Good Fortune, kidsHeritage, Luxury of Time, Marrakesh Emporium Arts & Crafts, Joffrey's coffee/tea kiosks and Tea Traders Café by Joffrey's, Sperry and Volcom. 15 percent off all Disney spa and salon services Disney Visa cardholders receive 15 percent off the non-discounted price of any salon treatment valued at $45 or greater or any 50-minute or longer spa service most days at the spas and salons at Walt Disney World Resort. Visit this page of disneyrewards.com for participating locations and restrictions. 10 percent off select recreation experiences Disney Visa cardholders receive 15 percent off the non-discounted price of the recreation experiences listed below: Carriage Rides at Disney's Port Orleans Resort and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground Horseback Trail Rides at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground Free character photos at a private meet and greet location at Epcot Present your Disney's Premier Visa Card or Disney Rewards Visa Card for access to a private character meet-and-greet at Epcot for the cardholder and up to five guests. The event is hosted daily from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Imagination Pavilion at Epcot (enter near the jumping fountains near the exit to the Magic Eye Theater). You'll receive complimentary downloads of your photos (one time per day), which may be accessed in the My Disney Experience smartphone application (or website). Free character photos at a private meet and greet location at Disney's Hollywood Studios Present your Disney's Premier Visa card or Disney Rewards Visa card for access to a private character meet-and-greet at the Star Wars Launch Bay in the Animation Courtyard at Disney's Hollywood Studios for the cardholder and up to five guests. The event is hosted daily from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You'll receive complimentary downloads of your photos (one time per day), which may be accessed in the My Disney Experience smartphone application (or website).
Travel Discounts for Military Personnel	2018 Armed Forces Salute Tickets January 1 through December 19, 2018 Four-Day Park Hopper Tickets –$226.00 Four-Day Park Hopper Plus Tickets – $266.00 Five-Day Park Hopper Tickets – $246.00 Five-Day Park Hopper Plus Tickets – $286.00 NOTE: Tickets must be used by December 19, 2018. U.S. military personnel can also purchase the Memory Maker product for $98 through December 19. Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased at participating U.S. military sales outlets by eligible service members (as defined on Disney World.com) or their spouses (but not both), for use by themselves and only family members and friends, as provided by Disney's rules. These tickets may not be otherwise transferred, distributed or resold. Limit six (6) tickets purchased by the military personnel (or spouse), and one ticket must be used by that member of the military (or spouse). U.S. military personnel can enjoy discounts at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels when booking by December 19, 2018, for stays most nights from April 6 through December 19, 2018. Offer excludes moderate and deluxe resorts. Call (407)939-5684 for information and reservations. Read more information at militarydisneytips.com, visit your base ticket office, or when at Walt Disney World, visit Shades of Green. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details.
Travel Discounts for Florida Residents	Discover Disney Tickets —FINAL DAYS! Florida Resident Discover Disney Tickets are back: $159 per person plus tax for the Discover Disney 3-Day Ticket; $179 per person plus tax for the Discover Disney 4-Day Ticket. Tickets must be purchased by June 20 and may be used on any day until June 24, 2018. Park Hopper Option is available for an additional $30 per ticket plus tax for the 3-Day Ticket; $37.50 per ticket for the 4-Day Ticket. Further information is available and tickets may be purchased on this page of DisneyWorld.com. Disney Select Tickets At a higher price, but with a whole lot more flexibility that came along with the price increases of February 11, 2018, Florida residents can also save with the 4-Day Disney Select Ticket (compared to the price of a 4-Day Magic Your Way ticket). There is a smaller discount for a 3-Day Select Ticket, and there is also a discount for 1–Day Tickets with the Park Hopper Option only. For more information visit this page of DisneyWorld.com.     1–Day Ticket+ Park Hopper Option Florida Resident General Admission     Ages 10+ Ages 3–9 Ages 10+ Ages 3–9     Value Day $136.50 $130.50 $164.00 $158.00     Regular Day $146.50 $140.50 $174.00 $168.00     Peak Day $156.50 $150.50 $184.00 $178.00       Florida Resident Select Tickets 3-Day Select Ages 10+ 3-Day Select Ages 3–9 4-Day Select Ages 10+ 4-Day Select Ages 10+     1 Park Per Day $209.00 $197.00 $229.00 $215.00     Park Hopper $241.50 $229.50 $266.50 $252.50     Florida Select tickets expire 180 days after first use. First use must be on or before December 31, 2019. Florida Select tickets do not need to be used on consecutive days. Prior to first use, all adults using Florida resident tickets must show an acceptable form of proof of Florida residency at a theme park ticket window, or at any Guest Relations location. Pass certificates can be exchanged for valid passes at the same locations. Florida residents can check out the latest hotel package offers on this page of DisneyWorld.com. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details.
Travel Discounts for Canada Residents	All adults using Canadian resident tickets or passes must present valid proof of Canadian residency that includes government-issued photo ID to exchange the certificate for a valid ticket at the theme park ticket window or Guest Relations prior to first use. Tickets and options are nontransferable, nonrefundable and exclude events/activities separately priced. Admission is subject to capacity closures and to other restrictions. Check https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/ca/ for the latest offers from Disney. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details.
Travel Discounts for U.K. Residents	You can see the latest offers for U.K. residents on Disney World's U.K. packages website. It currently includes an offer for UK and Ireland guests: 2018 Disney's 14-Day Ultimate Ticket for the price of a 7-day ticket when purchased pre-departure by July 31, 2018, for arrivals up until December 31, 2018. Memory Maker is included with every 2018 Adult Ultimate Ticket purchased. If you know of an offer we haven't listed, please drop us an email with the details.