Walt Disney World Resort Update for May 14-20, 2019

by Alan S. Dalinka, staff writer

May 14, 2019

Walt Disney World Resort Update for May 14-20, 2019

Writer's note: As the world's eyes turn toward Disneyland's May 31 opening of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, news around Walt Disney World Resort naturally has become a bit more quiet. The Resort also has seen a few weekdays on the slightly more quiet side as we have hit this brief time between the last of school spring break periods wrapping up with Easter and the first school summer dismissals coming up before you know it.

Taking advantage of the brief quiet tourism time around Central Florida, I made the short drive over to Disney Character Warehouse at Orlando Premium Outlets on Vineland. The store sells primarily off-season or discontinued items from Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line. Not unexpectedly, the store was crowded. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Last night was the latest Disney Vacation Club Moonlight Magic event at Epcot. As a long-time DVC Member who pays attention to the registration process (and the deadlines that I research and include in each edition of this Update), I was there to enjoy the festivities. These events are a great perk of being a DVC Member, especially now that making arrangements to attend does not involve coordinating flights!

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Programs from TRON were one of the special character appearances at last night's Disney Vacation Club Moonlight Magic event at Epcot. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

Smoke from the special fireworks presentation during DVC Moonlight Magic filled the Future World Fountain Plaza, but created an interesting Flower & Garden Festival photo opportunity. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Let's get on to the rest of the news and views.

News and Views

Headlines are auto-generated here

24th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Begins August 29

Perhaps drawing some of the probable overflow crowds heading to nearby Disney's Hollywood Studios for its August 29 opening of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, or, at least, offering an alternative to those who want to visit everything else in the World, the very popular Epcot International Food & Wine Festival makes its debut this year on the same day. The 24th edition of the Festival will be its longest yet, running 87 days from August 29 through November 23, and featuring 30 Global Marketplaces (the kiosks that dot both Future World and World Showcase). However, with this year's Festival of the Holidays starting less than a week after Food & Wine's conclusion (on November 29), some aspects of the Food & Wine Festival will end before the Festival does.

The Eat to the Beat Concert Series returns to the America Gardens stage for 249 scheduled concerts during the Festival. Many of this year's performers have been announced, and are now included in our Epcot Calendar. As noted below, though, the Concert Series ends on November 19, earlier than the Festival, to allow the stage to be transitioned for the Candlelight Processional during Festival of the Holidays. Among the new performers announced so far are: Sawyer Brown, Lauren Daigle, Boyce Avenue, and Kris Allen. Returning acts scheduled include: Plain White T's, Sugar Ray, Hanson, Sheila E. and Boyz II Men. Guaranteed concert seating is available by purchasing an Eat to the Beat Dining Package for breakfast, lunch or dinner at many Epcot restaurants.

Over in Future World, this year's Food & Wine Festival will see the expansion of the "Disney du Jour Dance Party" to seven days a week. A DJ will host Sundays through Thursdays, and on Fridays and Saturdays, stars from Radio Disney will give live performances, including Meg Donnelly from the Disney Channel original movie Zombies on the Festival's opening weekend.

Booking opens tomorrow, May 15 for several of the Festival's "culinary adventures" including:

Party for the Senses at World Showplace Events Pavilion, featuring chefs and vintners from around the world. (Select Saturdays through November 9)
Sunday Brunch with the Chef, hosted by celebrity chefs such as Cat Cora, Andrew Zimmern, Buddy Valastro and others. (Select Sundays through November 17)
“Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It!” hands-on workshops that let you "rub shoulders" with visiting chefs, bakers, mixologists and other pros. (Select Mondays and Thursdays through November 14)

For a broader look at this year's Festival offerings, visit TasteEpcot.com. The Festival is included with park admission, but, of course, many things cost extra like food and beverages, dining experiences, workshops, culinary demonstrations, and other premium offerings.

Space-Themed Restaurant Scheduled to Open at Epcot THIS Year

The space-themed restaurant under construction in Future World East, adjacent to Mission: SPACE and near Test Track, is now expected to open before the end of 2019. Disney Parks Blog announced that the new restaurant, to be operated by Patina Restaurant Group, which also operates two restaurants at Italy pavilion as well as several at Disney Springs, will feature a menu of "internationally-inspired cuisine, more than 1,000 bottles of the world's finest wines and a wide selection of craft beer." The new restaurant will be headed by Executive Chef Theo Schoenegger.

Dining team, this is Mission Control. You are clear for 2019 entry into the new space-themed restaurant coming to Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort! https://t.co/BM2LqoKoSf pic.twitter.com/kred8gFMo6
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) May 10, 2019

Visible construction on the restaurant site began just after Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks, Experiences, and Consumer Products, announced the venue during the last D23 Expo back in 2017. While Epcot is well-known for its many Disney- and partner-operated table-service restaurants around World Showcase and in Future World West, the park has never had any table-service dining options in Future World East.

NBA Experience Tickets Now On Sale

NBA Experience at Disney Springs is scheduled to hold its grand opening on August 12. The new venue, which has been custom-built from the ground up on the site formerly occupied by DisneyQuest on the West Side, will have 13 interactive and hands-on activities that guests can try as they "feel what it's like to be a real basketball star." Well, perhaps, a "star" without an NBA salary, that is.

Tickets for admission to NBA Experience are $34/guests ages 10 and up and $29 for children ages 3-9 (tax not included). You can read more about the offerings at NBA Experience, and purchase tickets on this page of DisneyWorld.com. Tickets are also available at all Walt Disney World ticket windows and anywhere else Walt Disney World tickets are sold. Tickets purchased now are valid for one admission through December 31, 2020. The venue will not permit re-admission (like the parks offer), and, at least right now, there are no announced Passholder, Vacation Club or other discounts.

Exterior construction continues at the future site of NBA Experience ahead of its August 12 grand opening.

As first shown in the concept art, a giant video display has been installed over the venue's entrance.

The building will eventually also be home to City Works Eatery and Pour House which recently updated its signage on the construction wall to say "Coming Winter 2019."

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

In addition to buying a ticket for admission, to participate in the activities inside NBA Experience, guests must complete a waiver; a legal guardian must complete a waiver form for minors. The forms are available for review prior to visiting on this page of DisneyWorld.com; versions of the waiver are posted in English, Spanish and French.

Epcot Concerts & Candlelight Processional News and Calendar

There are just a few weeks left to catch the remaining Garden Rocks Concert Series performances, three times nightly, through the June 3 conclusion of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. For more information or for reserving dining packages with guaranteed concert seating, call (407) WDW-DINE or visit FreshEpcot.com. Passholders can save 10% on food and beverages (except alcohol and excluding tax and gratuity) on dining packages for themselves and up to three guests.

Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone returned to the Garden Rocks Concert Series earlier this month. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka

This summer, Guardians of the Galaxy-Awesome Mix Live! returns to the stage. From June 14 to August 18, Star-Lord and Gamora (along with an "alien" band) will take the audience on a "musical journey" that showcases hits from Star-Lord's Awesome Mix tapes. The show will be performed multiple times daily; check the Times Guide and the My Disney Experience app for the daily schedule.

With Groot remotely patching "Awesome Mix" music into the headphones of of an alien band, Star-Lord tried to teach them how to become the "Galaxy's greatest cover band" during last summer's edition of the Guardians of the Galaxy-Awesome Mix Live! Concerts. Gamora seemed unimpressed. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

As the summer approaches fall, 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). It runs a record 87 days this year, through November 23, but its the three-times-nightly Eat to the Beat Concert Series will only run until November 19. NEW 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 to allow the America Gardens stage to be prepared for the 2019 edition of Epcot's Candlelight Processional which debuts November 29 with the return of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays (through December 30). Three times each night, a celebrity narrator will retell the traditional Christmas story along with a mass choir and live orchestra.

For the convenience of our readers, all of the remaining scheduled Garden Rocks Concert Series performers 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. NEW Many of the performers for the Eat to the Beat Concert Series were announced this past week; celebrity narrators for Candlelight Processional have not yet been announced. All of the relevant dates are noted on our calendar. 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

Magic Kingdom

Work continues in the moat between the Central Plaza Hub and Tomorrowland. In the distance, cranes on the site of the TRON-themed coaster construction rise above the Tomorrowland skyline.

In Tomorrowland itself, the Speedway is expected to re-open this month.

Tomorrowland Speedway has been closed to reconfigure its roadway to accomodate the construction of the TRON-themed roller coaster nearby.

Vertical construction is now well-underway at the site of the future TRON-themed roller coaster along the eastern edge of of the park.

As the PeopleMover enters and exits SpaceMountain, guests aboard get a good view of the on-going construction nearby.

As the Tomorrowland Speedway's reopening approaches, its track's sign has received a fresh look, and, in the distance, the new paint scheme for other nearby buildings can be seen.

Cosmic Ray's has received some new accent colors.

The walkway between Fantasyland Railroad Station (which remains closed) and The Barnstormer also provides a view of the construction of the TRON-themed coaster, though the walkway that previously continued to Tomorrowland is closed beyond this point.

On the other side of the berm around Tomorrowland, construction of the new retaining wall that will help support the Walt Disney World Railroad when it reopens continues.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Enjoy a full ride aboard Tomorrowland Transit Authority including views of the TRON-themed coaster construction site. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

Magic Kingdom Starbucks "Been There Series" mugs are available at the Main Street Bakery. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

The park continues to celebrate its 30th anniversary on the Guide Map, with special merchandise, and on other decor around the park.

The ABC Commissary has closed for refurbishment and reconfiguration announced earlier this year.

When it reopens, ABC Commissary will offer guests the opportunity to reserve a table in connection with placing a mobile dining order.

The counter-service restaurant, PizzeRizzo, has reopened for lunch and dinner service.

Between the park gates and the parking lot, construction continues on the new "guest arrival experience" that is expected to include both a new tram load/unload area and new security checkpoints.

Sorcerer Mickey Topiary was removed at some point last week.

Construction continues between the area where the Sorcerer Mickey Topiary display stood and the waterway.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

55 Disney-themed gondolas were unwrapped last week and are now testing on the Disney Skyliner transport system between Disney's Hollywood Studios and Caribbean Beach Resort. Video ©Disney.

Not all gondolas will display character graphics.

Character graphics appear on the three sides of gondolas that do not have passenger doors.

The graphics are different on each side of the gondola, but each gondola relates to a single theme, like this one: "Frozen."

As gondolas pass each other, interesting character combinations can occur, like this mix of Star Wars and Toy Story aliens.

Disney Skyliner testing also has begun with wrapped gondolas running between Epcot and Disney's Riviera Resort along Buena Vista Drive.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

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Disney busses exiting Disney's Hollywood Studios on to Buena Vista Drive get a view of the Disney Skyliner testing along the lines between Epcot and Disney's Riviera Resort. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Pluto was hanging around Chester & Hester's when we passed by this weekend. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

White rhinos on Kilimanjaro Safaris lounged under trees during a hot afternoon.

The flags and paint on the pavement just beyond the entrance to the park suggests that construction work will soon begin to revise the "guest entry experience" from tram load/unloading to the security checkpoints.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Enjoy a full 20+ minute ride aboard Kilimanjaro Safaris. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

Following the birth of Grace, the lowland gorilla born at Disney's Animal Kingdom on May 1, a Disney PhotoPass Photographer had a sign guests could pose with along the Gorilla Falls trail. Grace is named after the GRACE gorilla sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which helps gorillas orphaned by poaching. Disney's Animal Kingdom's animal care experts have helped GRACE for over 10 years in its rehabilitation of orphan gorillas. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Just as the PhotoPass sign said, Grace could be seen clinging to her mother, Kashata, in the lowland gorilla family group viewing area at Gorilla Falls this past week. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

This and That…

…The Play Disney Parks app, which will play a key role in guest interaction with Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at both Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios, added two new Walt Disney World digital experiences for guests ("presented" by Ziploc, so, yes, there may be some advertising content too). For Magic Kingdom's Splash Mountain (though playable anywhere at Walt Disney World), "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Day" mini-games featuring characters from the attraction provides photo frames as rewards. The Disney "Kidcot Puzzle Hunt" adds a hunt to find physical jigsaw puzzle pieces at the Kidcot Fun Stops in the 11 pavilions of World Showcase, and rewards completion with digital jigsaw puzzles and photo frames themed to the pavilions.

Disney Parks Blog shared a brief video highlighting the new experiences. Video ©Disney.

…Like advanced dining reservations, guests can now make online reservations at DisneyWorld.com for "Magical Experiences" around the resort like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, The Pirates League and Magic Kingdom's Harmony Barber Shop. Reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance. (For those visiting Disneyland, its "Magical Experiences" can be booked online at Disneyland.com but only up to 60 days in advance.)

Appointments for "Magical Experiences" can now be booked online. Video ©Disney.

…Disney Parks Designer Collection limited-release Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse ear headbands are coming to Walt Disney World Resort's Ever After Jewelry Co. & Accessories, MouseGear, Uptown Jewelers, Once Upon a Time and Discovery Trading Company. You can also visit shopDisney.com or venture over to the West Coast for Disneyland's The Disney Dress Shop, Disneyana and Off the Page. The release schedule announced so far includes:

HARVEYS – May 24th
Betsey Johnson – Summer 2019
ALEX AND ANI – Summer 2019
Noah Fine Art – Summer 2019
Kim Irvine – Summer 2019
Her Universe – Summer 2019
SHAG – Summer 2019
Jerrod Maruyama – Fall 2019
Heidi Klum – Fall 2019
The Blonds – Fall 2019
Loungefly – Fall 2019
COACH – Fall 2019
Joe Rhode – April 2020
Vera Wang – Spring 2020
Cupcakes and Cashmere – Spring 2020
Kevin Rafferty – Spring 2020
Karlie Kloss – Spring 2020
John Coulter – Summer 2020

…Perhaps of more immediate interest to our readers planning to visit Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland (since it opens there May 31), Disney Parks Blog has published its Foodie Guide for the new land. Here in Florida, the new land opens August 29 at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and the Foodie Guide applies to guests visiting both coasts.

…All TaylorMade Golf Bags are available at a 20% discount for a limited time at Walt Disney World Pro Shops. If you cannot make to one of the shops, you can also contact Arnold Palmer Golf Management's Retail Sales Manager by calling (407)431-0070 or emailing sclarson@palmergolf.com to arrange to have one shipped directly to you.

…This Thursday, May 16, Disney Vacation Club Members can book this year's Members Independence Day Dessert Party to be held Wednesday, July 3, from 7:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. in the Fantasia Ballroom and Convention Center at Disney's Contemporary Resort. Guests will also have a good view of Disney's Celebrate America!-A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky at Magic Kingdom which starts at 9:15 p.m. The event is $42/person (including tax and gratuity). More details are available on this page of DisneyVacationClub.com and bookings will be available by calling Member Services at (800)800-9800.

…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

NEW 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.

…Looking ahead to the winter holidays, Disney Cruise Line will celebrate this November and December with the return of Very Merrytime Cruises sailing from New York, Florida, and Texas. These winter sailings include "snow flurries," holiday decor, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Frozen friends and, of course, Mickey and the gang. Read more about it on Disney Parks Blog.

…The MousePlanet Newsletter is here! The newsletter contains a recap of the week's articles (in case you miss a day), news that may have developed since the weekly Updates were published, and tips about what's happening at the Disney theme parks for the coming weekend. We'll also include a fun bonus, such as an Eye Spy or a trivia question. To subscribe to our free newsletter, just enter your email in the box below.



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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.

M•A•C Cosmetics

NEW A new makeup collection inspired by Princess Jasmine from Disney's Aladdin will debut exclusively at the store at Disney Springs. To celebrate, on May 15, from noon to 10 p.m., the new collection will be available at Waterview Park (in the Landing neighborhood near The BOATHOUSE and Wine Bar George). M•A•C Cosmetics will offer an "immersive atmosphere with incredible and Instagram worthy photo opportunities and surprise and delight moments inspired by the film," according to Disney Parks Blog. The new live-action Aladdin opens in theaters on May 24.

Bongo's Cuban Café

NEW Orlando Sentinel reports 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.

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.

Terralina Crafted Italian

For Father's Day, June 16, Terralina's menu will include braised osso Bucco in a rich spicy tomato and fennel ragu ($34).

Paddlefish

For Father's Day, June 16, Paddlefish's menu includes rib eye, shrimp skewer, bearnaise, whipped potato ($47), and bourbon daddy's ($15). Just ahead of Father's Day, on June 15, the venue is hosting a Father's Day Scotch/Bourbon Tasting and Cigar Rolling event from noon to 3 p.m. ($75) with more details coming soon.

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

Maria and Enzo's Ristorante

NEW Last week, the restaurant hosted invited media for a kickoff "Pasta Palooza" dinner featuring its classic Lasagna Verde following a preparation demonstration by Executive Chef Charlie Restivo. Kyle Collins, Marketing Director of Patina Restaurant Group, said, "The signature pasta dishes that we serve at Maria & Enzo's are so delicious and unique because of the authenticity of ingredients that we use. We go the extra mile to source our pasta from The Gentile Pasta Factory, founded in 1876, in Gragnano, Italy because it's made using 100% Italian semolina wheat and a low-temperature natural air-drying method that pasta-makers pioneered in the sixteenth century." In June and July, the restaurants also plans to highlight its pastas for us, showcasing menu items that are always available.

Maria and Enzo's is located on the shore of Village Lake in the Landing neighborhood of Disney Springs (formerly known as Pleasure Island).

Executive Chef Charlie Restivo has worked for Patina Restaurant Group venues for more than two decades.

Lasagna Verde gets its green color from spinach in the pasta itself.

Giant cannolis, freshly made in-house, were more than just eye candy for the camera.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

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Increasingly, we are sharing events like Chef Charlie Restivo's demonstration of preparing Lasagna Verde on our IGTV channel. You can see our IGTV videos and many other posts when following @MousePlanet on Instagram. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

In addition to Maria and Enzo's, Patina Restaurant Group also operates the adjoining Enzo's Hideaway, Pizza Ponte, and The Eddison. At Disney Springs, Patina also operates Morimoto Asia, and at Epcot, it operates Tutto Italia Ristorante and Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria. As noted in the news section above, Patina will also operate the space-themed restaurant expected to open in Future World East later this year.

The Edison

At The Edison during May, the "BBQ Tavern Burger" features the signature Edison blend of sirloin, short rib, and brisket with a BBQ style twist, fully loaded with crispy potato wedges, juicy bacon, lettuce, tomato and served on a toasted, buttery brioche roll. Accompany the May specialty burger with the aromatic "Almond Crusta" cocktail featuring Martell Blue Swift cognac, Tanqueray No. Ten gin, lemon juice, orgeat, and Angostura bitters for an electric pairing.

The May burger of the month is the "BBQ Tavern Burger" at The Edison. Photo courtesy Patina Restaurant Group.

Amorette's Patisserie NEW Creations

Aladdin Petit Cakes (Almond Chiffon Cake, Amaretto Simple Syrup, Fig Pate de Fruit, Five Spice Mouse, Almond Pecan Granola, and Golden Raisin Jam) topped with the Magic Carpet are available for $16, just ahead of the theatrical release of the live-action version of Disney's "Aladdin." Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Bumblebee is the latest addition to the dome cake offerings at the bakery. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Parking Update

Following the recent opening of the Grapefruit Garage, the upgraded system notifying drivers of parking space availability in the Orange Garage appears complete. The newly-installed signs at parking entrances separately note available medical parking by level in addition to general parking. Photo 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.

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

2019 Resort Events

Disney After Hours:(hard ticket required; park entry at 7 p.m., event hours vary by published date)
…at Magic Kingdom:
- May 16, 23 & 30
…Disney Villains at Magic Kingdom
- June 6, 13, 20 & 27
- July 1, 11, 18 & 25
- August 1 & 8
…at Disney's Hollywood Studios (including two "special" events):
- May 17, 24 & 31
- June 14, 21 & 28
…at Disney's Animal Kingdom:
- May 14 & 21
- June 4, 11 & 18
Disney Vacation Club Moonlight Magic:(registration required)
…at Epcot
- May 20, 2019 (Registration filled)
…at Disney's Animal Kingdom
- July 18, August 8 & 22, 2019
- Registration opens for Members with Resort Reservations: June 5, 2019 at 9 a.m. Eastern
- Registration opens for all Members: June 12, 2019 at 9 a.m. Eastern
…at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon
- September 18 & October 16, 2019
- Registration opens for Members with Resort Reservations: August 14, 2019 at 9 a.m. Eastern
- Registration opens for all Members: August 28, 2019 at 9 a.m. Eastern
Mickey & Minnie's Surprise Celebration at Magic Kingdom – January 18 – September 30, 2019
Party with Pixar Pals at Disney's Hollywood Studios – January 18 - September 30, 2019
25 Years of The Lion King at Disney's Animal Kingdom – January 18 – September 30, 2019
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival – March 6 – June 3, 2019
Disney H2O Glow Nights at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon (hard ticket required)
Thursday & Saturday nights from May 30-August 24, 2019.
Gay Days at Walt Disney World (#RedShirtDays - unofficial events) - August 15-18, 2019
Disney's Animal Kingdom: August 15; Disney's Hollywood Studios: August 16;
Magic Kingdom: August 17; Epcot: August 18
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom (hard ticket required)
- August 16, 20, 23, 27, 30
- September 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29
- October 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31
- November 1
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – August 29 - November 23, 2019
(Eat to the Beat Concerts end November 19)
Dapper Days at Walt Disney World (Unofficial Events) - November 16-17, 2019
Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – October 31 - November 3, 2019
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays – November 29 - December 30, 2019
(includes Candlelight Processional)
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom (hard ticket required) — Late Fall/Winter 2019
- November: 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22 & 24
- December: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20 & 22

2020 Resort Events

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend - January 8-12, 2020
Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend - February 20-23, 2020
MORE EVENTS COMING SOON!

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.

Magic Kingdom Epcot Disney's Hollywood Studios Disney's Animal Kingdom Disney Water Parks Disney Springs Resorts WDW Golf