Walt Disney World Resort Update for March 3-9, 2020

Walt Disney World Resort Update for March 3 - 9, 2020

 

Writer's note: The new Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway attraction opens in the Chinese Theatre at Disney's Hollywood Studios tomorrow, March 4, 2020. With our Update publishing today (Tuesday) combined with the quirks of Disney scheduling, however, I have not had a chance to see more than the "Perfect Picnic" short that is the pre-show for the new ride yet. My report on the pre-show and what we have known about the attraction for awhile is in the Walt Disney World Resort Update for December 10-16, 2019, here.

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway opens Wednesday, March 4, 2020. Photo ©Disney.

Guests enter the world of the Mickey & Minnie cartoons aboard the Runnamuck Railroad. Photo ©Disney.

Indeed, pretty much only cast members lucky enough to sign up for preview slots have had an opportunity to experience the new attraction in its entirety so far, but that is a particularly appropriate and nice perk for them because cast members have been blocked out of visiting Disney's Hollywood Studios on their main gate passes since Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opened back in December. Later today—maybe even by the time you read the Update—I will be at the invited media preview for both the ride and the new Mickey Shorts Theater as it debuts its short film entitled "Vacation Fun" collecting together clips from other Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts. Follow along on our Social Media channels, and then I will provide a full re-cap next week. I will provide ample opportunity to avoid spoilers, as I have largely avoided them myself to this point.

Seats in the Mickey Shorts Theater look like…Mickey's shorts. Photo ©Disney.

In the meantime, Disney Parks Blog will present a live stream of the dedication ceremony tonight beginning at 7:20 p.m. Eastern, and you can just come back and watch it here (or keep this page open and refresh your browser tonight around showtime). In our This and That… section below, we have a few more recently released details about the new attraction and, just yesterday, Disney Parks Blog provided a recap of what guests should expect. Of course, for those readers on the West Coast that visit Disneyland regularly, you will need to await the attraction's scheduled debut in Mickey's Toontown in 2022, unless you make a point to visit Walt Disney World Resort before then.

You can watch the live stream of the dedication ceremony for Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railroad right here starting at 7:20 p.m. Eastern Time tonight, Tuesday, March 3, 2020. Video ©Disney.

Oh yeah, and Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival opens tomorrow, and there are some more items in the local and global news that impact Walt Disney World Resort, so let's get to the Update…

News and Views

Headlines are auto-generated here

Spaceship Earth Reimagining Begins May 26

In recent weeks, we have noted more and more of the changes around Future World as that section of Epcot (which, increasingly but not exclusively is being written EPCOT again in Disney press releases) is being transformed into three new lands: World Nature, World Discovery, and World Celebration. Since Disney D23 Expo in Anaheim last summer, we have known that Spaceship Earth was due to close at some point for a makeover which Disney describes will "focus on the story of humanity, following our long journey from prehistoric humans to today." We now know when the attraction closes.

According to Disney Parks Blog, the attraction's reimagining begins on May 26. We believe (and are seeking clarification) that this means that the last day to ride the Dame Judi Dench-narrated "thank the Phoenicians" version of the attraction is May 25. We do not yet know who will narrate the next version of the attraction previously narrated by Jeremy Irons, Walter Cronkite, and Vic Perrin. Disney does say that the attraction will feature new narration and will show "how light plays a central role in our shared human journey, coming to life in dynamic ways in a celebration of the magic that's possible when we all come together." At D23 Expo, Disney said there will be an entirely new musical score for the attraction as well.

Disney says that the Egypt scene will remain from the current version of the attraction but it will be "transformed through the power of light." Concept Art ©Disney.

Disney has not yet said when to expect the next version of the attraction to open, only that it "will close for a time." We know from D23 Expo (and the Disney Parks Blog post following the Parks presentation) that the new exit of the attraction will provide "a breathtaking view of World Showcase from Dreamers Point," including a new statue of Walt Disney along with "a wishing tree in an enchanted forest and a story fountain celebrating the power and music of iconic Disney storytelling." Those significant changes to the exit suggest that this closure will be substantially longer than the 4-6 month closures of previous major overhauls of the attraction.

New "Disney Dining Plan Plus" Introduced

Last week, Disney Resort hotel guests got another Disney Dining Plan option to consider, the Disney Dining Plan Plus. While the details of all the different Disney Dining Plans gets sort of complicated, the gist remains that every person ages 3 and up on a Disney Resort hotel reservation has to be on the same plan (or everyone has to have no Dining Plan). The new Disney Dining Plan Plus gives guests the option to use their two daily meal credits for table service or quick service meals. Price and options-wise, that places it between the Disney Dining Plan and the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan.

The Walt Disney World Resort website does not make it particularly easy to see what the current dining package prices are. Sometimes packages are offered that discount dining plans or make them free (or just free for kids) when no discount is applied to the room rate.

With that understanding, we took a look at a one night stay at Disney's All-Star Music Resort for July 14-15, 2020, and created this chart of how much adding the various plans adds to the price each night for each adult guest on that reservation as of March 2, 2020 (your mileage may vary):

Deluxe	Plus	Dining	Quick
$119.00	$94.61	$78.01	$55.00
3 meals/night Table or Quick	2 meals/night Table or Quick	2 meals/night 1 - Table & 1 - Quick	2 meals/night 2 Quick only

Each dining plan continues to include a refillable mug for each guest and two snacks or non-alcoholic beverages each night. Some table service locations (like Cinderella's Royal Table and dinner shows) continue to require two table credits per person per meal. From a value standpoint, the new Plus offering probably makes the most sense for those that want to use the table service credits during their stay but felt that the Deluxe plan had too many meal credits. Remember, the credits roll over during the length of the stay, so when guests choose not to use them during one day, they will have extra ones to use or lose before the end of the stay.

Of course, no dining plan guarantees a dining reservation, so plan accordingly!

Halloween Parties Start August 13

Tickets went on sale last week for this year's edition of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom which will be held on select nights from August 13 through November 1. The full list of dates is in our list of Resort Events.

Party tickets start at $85 and are available online or by calling (407) 827-7350 (there are advance purchase, Annual Pass and Disney Vacation Club discounts on most nights). Disney has not yet announced whether it will again offer the Party Pass that allowed a limited number of purchasers last year to attend every night of the party except Halloween itself for $299 plus tax.

While the dates have been announced and tickets are on-sale, all the details of this year's party have not yet been published. So far, Disney Parks Blog says last year's new fireworks show hosted by Jack Skellington "telling a Halloween tale about Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy" named "Disney's Not So Spooky Spectacular" will return, as will Mickey's Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, the "Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular" show on the Cinderella Castle stage, the Disney Junior Jam, and Halloween Party-only overlays at Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, and Mad Tea Party. Unlike the Disney Villains After Hours events, the party nights will include character meet and greets, and, of course, trick-or-treating throughout the park.

With the Halloween dates now published, the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party dates should be announced fairly soon too.

Global News Impacting Walt Disney World

There are two major global news stories in the news this week that relate to visits to Walt Disney World Resort. One will have more short-term impact than the other. Both may have long-term impact.

Last Tuesday, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Bob Chapek was immediately named new Disney Chief Executive Officer replacing Bob Iger who had announced quite some time ago he was retiring at the end of his contract in 2021. Bob Iger remains on Disney's Board of Directors and will also act as Executive Chairman until December 31, 2021. He has described his on-going role as overseeing all "creative."

With Bob Chapek's elevation to CEO, it leaves open the question of who will take on the oversight of the Disney businesses previously in his portfolio. Certainly of interest to Walt Disney World Resort guests in the long-term, there is no clearly identified leading candidate for the head of Disney Parks around the globe. Day-to-day, of course, this change should have no effect on a visit to the parks or resorts.

Managing Disney's assets through the travel turmoil caused by the Coronavirus will probably have a more-immediate impact on Walt Disney World Resort Guests. We cannot forecast its long-term impacts either. Disney has direct ownership interest in Disney Shanghai Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, both of which have closed indefinitely in connection with Chinese efforts to curb the spread of the virus. Disney also has financial licensing interests in the Tokyo Disney Resort which has also announced that it will be closed through mid-March (at least initially) as part of Japan's effort to halt the spread of the virus there. Disney also owns of of Disneyland Paris Resort which, at least as of publication, continues to operate. Financial weakness in Disney Parks overseas has led to domestic park cut-backs in the past.

At Epcot's China pavilion, guests can still visit an exhibit highlighting the lands, attractions, and costumes of the Shanghai Disney Resort. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The virus is a global concern. On Monday, the State of Florida had its first confirmed report of individuals that had tested positive for the Coronavirus. The identified cases were both in the Tampa-area, and one was connected to travel to Italy. Indeed, there are reports that Disney has asked that certain employees of Disney partners that had recently been in Italy refrain from reporting to work at the Resort for awhile. Otherwise, so far, there have been no visible changes to operations at Walt Disney World Resort. While health officials repeat on the local news that masks should be worn only by those with pre-existing respiratory issues or those who are otherwise ill, as has been the case for many years, it does not remain unusual to see some guests wearing masks (Disney still bans full face-obscuring masks). If you want to read a thoughtful look at potential impacts to the theme park business in the region, Orlando Sentinel provided it last week.

The best advice right now is to be vigilant about washing your hands and to avoid touching your face (and mouth) when you have not recently washed. Of course, that is good advice all the time, not just amidst a particular global health scare.

For those considering making new reservations, check with your providers about what their change and refund policies are. On Monday, American Airlines, for example, announced that travelers may change a flight once without a change fee for tickets purchased directly from the airline between March 1 and March 16 for travel between March 1 and January 26, 2021. Disney has not made a specific policy announcement, but has a history of being very flexible when hurricanes move through the region and close the Parks as well. As of this weekend, at least, the parks remain crowded - on Sunday, for example, we observed high standby times at many Magic Kingdom attractions that do not usually have hour-long queues, like Buzz Lightyear and Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

Epcot Festivals News & Calendar

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

Flower & Garden Festival

Starting tomorrow, it's the 27th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, which runs for 90 days, through June 1. This longest running Epcot festival is the one that started them all back in 1994 as "a 38-day celebration of Disney-style gardens and topiaries." The official website for the festival is FreshEpcot.com.

The Festival includes the Garden Rocks Concert Series, three times nightly at America Gardens Theatre. The list of scheduled performers includes both returning and new names including: Peabo Bryson, STARSHIP, Sister Hazel, Rick Springfield, Plain White T's, Don McLean, Herman's Hermits, Tony Orlando, Air Supply, Christopher Cross, Daughtry, and Survivor. The full list of performers (which is subject to change) is shown on our Calendar below. The Festival also sells Garden Rocks Concert Series Dining Packages where 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.

The America Gardens Theatre will again be home to the three times nightly Garden Rocks Concert Series starting tomorrow, March 4, 2020. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

This is the Festival that features the most topiaries and gardens 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. The full list of topiaries and gardens announced for this year's Festival is on this page of the official FreshEpcot website.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Goodness Garden Butterfly House returns in a new location this year. It will be located further west in Future World west than in past years—between The Land and Imagination pavilions. There also will be two playtime areas for kids: Bo Peep's Playtime Training Ground near the Test Track walkway in Future World East, and the Health Full Trail along the Imagination Walkway will again be where you will find the Play Full Garden. The Floating Mini-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).

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

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. The full list of Outdoor Kitchens and other special food offerings, along with their menus, is now available on this page of the official FreshEpcot website. Disney Parks Blog has published a Foodie Guide to the Festival as well.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Spike's Pollen Nation Exploration scavenger hunt also returns for the entire run of this year's Festival. Purchase maps for $6.99 plus tax (Passholder discounts available) at Port of Entry and other marked locations, search for Spike the Bee around the park, and return your completed map to Port of Entry for a prize. The Egg-stravaganza Scavenger Hunt will also return for a limited time during the Festival, from March 27 through April 12, and the $6.99 plus tax (Passholder discounts available) maps for the Easter-themed scavenger hunt will be available at Disney Traders, Pin Central (in its new location under Spaceship Earth on the west side), and World Traveler; completed maps will be redeemed at Disney Traders for its prize.

The new location of Pin Central is under the western legs of Spaceship Earth. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

New to this year's Festival is the expansion of Disneyland's Disney Channel Fan Fest. Guests at Disney's parks in California will have a one-day-only opportunity to mix and mingle with the casts of several popular Disney Channel shows and a cavalcade down Disneyland's Main Street U.S.A. will feature many Disney Channel celebrities which will be live streamed on Disney Parks Blog and on Disney Channel YouTube on Saturday, May 9. After that, kids and families at Epcot during three of the Festival's weekends—May 16-17, May 23-24, and May 30-31— will experience Fan Fest events as well. The details and schedule has not yet been announced, but Disney Parks Blog says:

Fan Fest events include stars from "ZOMBIES 2," "Gabby Duran & the Unsittables," "Raven's Home," "Just Roll With It," "Sydney to the Max," "Coop & Cami Ask The World, "BUNK'D," and the upcoming "Disney Fam Jam" and "Upside-Down Magic." The learn-to-draw sessions will feature the creative teams behind "Big City Greens," "The Owl House," "Amphibia" and "DuckTales."

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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.

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic will be held November 6 to 7, 2020.

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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.

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Festivals Calendar

For the convenience of our readers, the scheduled performers for this year's Garden Rocks Concert Series are shown in our Google Calendar of Epcot Events. 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.

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 from Magic Kingdom and Epcot, and some of the "in-between." Next week, we will probably be pretty heavy with views from Disney's Hollywood Studios and we will probably get over to Disney's Animal Kingdom since we have not shared views from their in a few weeks. Yes, we will probably get over to Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival too, but, as has been the case lately, new Festival-related photos now appear in the Epcot Festivals section of our Update.

Magic Kingdom

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

With all the talk this week about the new parade at Disneyland, we just want to remind you that Maleficent breathes fire in the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom! Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

To mark the start of the Disney-hosted media event for the opening of Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway last night, as invited media, I dined at California Grill atop Disney's Contemporary Resort and got this long-exposure photo of a moment in Happily Every After fireworks at Magic Kingdom. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Arriving and Departing at Magic Kingdom

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Epcot Transformation

As the transformation of Epcot continues, the entire center of Future World is now surrounded by construction walls. The area has been almost entirely cleared for future construction, from the Fountain of Nations all the way to the former home of Pin Central and all the shades (and the structures supporting them) added to the park for the Millennium Celebration. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

This and That…

…Almost every week for the past few months, Disney Parks Blog has been counting down to the opening of Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway at Disney's Hollywood Studios with a look at the digital posters that will appear inside the Chinese Theatre when it reopens, tomorrow, March 4. Each poster pays tribute to an actual Mickey Mouse short; like all the shorts, you can even watch this week's "Wonders of the Deep" short where Mickey and friends voyage aboard a submarine and have to rescue Professor Von Drake from a giant sea creature, 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.

…The Play Disney Parks app will also debut a new Mickey & Minnie's Trivia Time game featuring the "zany cartoon world" that is the inspiration for the new Disney's Hollywood Studios attractions.

…"Disney Movie Magic," the former nighttime projection show at Disney's Hollywood Studios, will be making a temporary return engagement starting March 13. It will include a new sequence featuring images related to Disney's upcoming new live action film Mulan. The show, appropriately enough to the synergistic subject matter, is shown on the facade of the Chinese Theater. Then, starting March 20, Walt Disney Presents (the attraction a bit behind the Chinese Theatre) will start running sneak peeks of the new live-action film as well. For those out in California visiting Disneyland, starting March 20, the sneak peek will also run at Tomorrowland Theater. It will also be shown on select Disney Cruise Line sailings in late March.

…Disney's Animal Kingdom will offer a new "A Path Less Traveled Tour" as part of its Earth Month celebration from March 29 to May 2, 2020 (except April 21). The $69/person (plus tax) tour requires guests to check in at 7:45 a.m. for the tour that runs from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. which Disney Parks Blog describes as an onstage walking tour showing off "the authentic details, clever construction and imaginative design throughout the park." Tour guests will also meet animal care experts to learn about the park's animal care programs and Disney's worldwide wildlife species conservation programs. Guests must be at least 10 years old and a valid theme park ticket for park admission is required but not included in the tour price. Call (407)WDW-PLAY to book the tour or visit the Curiosity Animal Tours kiosk across from Kilimanjaro Safaris. Fine print details on this page of DisneyWorld.com. A 15% discount is available for Passholders and DVC Members.

…Speaking of animals, back at Epcot (or EPCOT), guests can now pick up a complimentary new "Fin-tastic Scavenger Hunt Adventure" inside the first floor of The Seas with Nemo & Friends. The new booklet includes a map through the pavilion with rhyming puzzles and "clues to help Dory remember and locate her marine friends."

…REMINDER Interested in a chance to win a stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite in Magic Kingdom? Interested in additional bonus chances to win by making donations that benefit Orlando Magic Youth Foundation? Omaze has a sweepstakes (with lots of fine print on its site that you need to read and we have no affiliation with or responsibility for it) with a grand prize offering of a two-day, one-night vacation that includes a night in the Suite for up to four people, plus park tickets, a VIP tour guide for a day, and dinner at Narcoossee's. Donation or purchase not required for the single entry, but bonus entries are included with different donation levels. The deadline to enter is April 7, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific (which is April 8, 2:59 a.m. Eastern) with the winner to be announced on or around April 22, 2020.

…And through March 31, 2020, Disney Junior is also offering a chance to win a 5-day/4-night Walt Disney World vacation for 4, including Park Hopper tickets, a Deluxe Resort Hotel room, and a $500 Disney Gift Card. Visit https://parks.disney.com/discover-the-magic-sweepstakes for all the rules and the chance to enter. MousePlanet has no affiliation or responsibility for this sweepstakes.

…Disney Parks Blog reports that Jr. NBA Global Championships are returning to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from August 11-16, 2020. These games feature top 13- and 14-year-old boys and girls basketball players from around the world. 32 teams will qualify for the Championships by winning in regional events starting soon. This will be the third year in a row Walt Disney World Resort hosts the Championships.

…We would be remiss if we failed to report that one of the Jungle Cruise boats took on water with guests aboard this past Thursday, February 27. Yes, indeed, the jokes seemingly wrote themselves, with guests getting to experience the wet side of water and what-not. If you would like to read a collection of them, Orlando Sentinel has republished some good ones. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries and the attraction reopened in less than an hour.

Jungle Cruise operations appeared normal this weekend following last week's underwater voyage for one crew. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

…And, speaking of voyages, Disney Cruise Line bookings for Summer 2021 are now open with destinations including Greece, the Mediterranean, Europe, Alaska, the Caribbean and The Bahamas. Visit DisneyCruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at (800)951-3532, or contact your travel agent (even the one that sponsors MousePlanet.com).

…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.

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.

"Drawn to Life" by Cirque du Soleil & Disney

NEW As we continue to get closer to the April 17, 2020, world premiere of "Drawn to Life," the new collaboration between Cirque du Soleil and Disney at Disney Springs, Disney Parks Blog continues to provide some behind-the-scenes glimpses into the production. This week, the video released by Disney shows some of the construction inside the theater on the West Side of Disney Springs (transforming it from its prior use as long-time home of Cirque du Soleil's "La Nouba"), along with the reaction of some of the artists who will perform in the new show. Although ticketed public previews are scheduled to begin on March 20, we have been told that today's media event will include an invited "sneak peek" of the work-in-progress (which probably means that electronic devices will not be permitted and we will not be able to share much more than first recollections on social media and in next week's Update).

Here is a first glimpse of the theatre where "Drawn to Life" will premiere on April 17, 2020. The new show is a collaboration between Cirque du Soleil and Disney. Video ©Disney.

Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant

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 has St. Patrick's Day merchandise in stock. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Jaleo

On Saturday, March 21, from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., Jaleo is holding a Paella Block Party in celebration of its one-year anniversary. Taking over the sidewalk on the West Side and inside the restaurant, the ticketed event features four Festival Paellas, unlimited tapas, flamenco dancers, a DJ, a photo booth, and more. Visit this EventBrite page for more information and tickets. All-Inclusive Tickets (age 21 and over) is $99 plus $7.66 fee; Food and non-alcoholic beverage ticket (all ages) is $55 plus $4.98 fee; children 10 and younger are free.

NEW Onward at Disney Springs

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

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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).

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.

As regular readers know, 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.

For more discounts and offers we know about, click the category below that you want to expand (or close).

For Everyone

For Annual Passholders

For Disney Rewards VISA Credit Card Holders

For Military Personnel

For Florida Residents

For Disney Vacation Club Members

For Canada Residents

For U.K. Residents

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