WDW Planning

News

Disney Springs Extends Weekend Hours Starting October 9th, 2020

While I was in Walt Disney World last month the place that I took the most comfort was at Disney Springs. Despite the masks, temperature checks, and social distance guidelines being in place the sprawling shopping, dining, and entertainment complex gave me the greatest feeling of "normalcy." There I found that music played, crowds bustled, and restaurants welcomed guests to (current) capacity.

Magic Kingdom Holiday Merriment Reimagined In 2020

A reimagined holiday celebration will take place at Walt Disney World this year with running between November 27th and December 30th, 2020. Seasonal shows, decor, activities, treats, and merchandise will be sure to delight the senses of guests during this festive time in the Magic Kingdom and beyond.

Highlights From The EPCOT International Festival Of The Holidays Arrive In 2020

A reimagined holiday celebration will take place at Walt Disney World with select highlights from the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays running between November 27th and December 30th, 2020. Seasonal shows, activities, treats, and merchandise will be sure to delight the senses.

Some November Walt Disney World Park Hours Updates

If there is one thing we can count on at Disney right now, it's that everything is subject to change. Back in September operating hours at all four Disney World parks were reduced. It's not surprising with kids going back to school ini some form or another, September is typically a slower month. That being said, when the November calendar was revealed, it first appeared that these shortened hours would continue.

Disney Springs Closes Early Due To Curfew And A Message From Disney Leaders

Civil unrest occurring across the nation has prompted action from Disney as Orlando and Orange County institute a curfew following nights of rioting over the death of George Floyd. Disney Springs will be closing early until further notice to allow guests and cast members the ability to make it home in time. Disney Company leadership CEO Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Bob Iger, and Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer of The Walt Disney Company Latondra Newton also released a joint statement to Cast Members regarding this time of civil unrest.

BREAKING NEWS Walt Disney World Extends Closures

This evening, after the stock market closed, the @DisneyParksNews twitter account released a statement that the Walt Disney World and Disneyland closures would be extended until further notice and Disney cast members (not including operating partners) would be paid through April 18, 2020.

Details Revealed For Reflections - A Disney Lakeside Lodge

Amongst the plethora of news that came out of Disney's D23 Expo last weekend Bob Chapek, Chairman of Parks, Experiences and Products for the Walt Disney Company gave guests an all too brief look at the next Deluxe Resort and Disney Vacation Club property to be built at Walt Disney World - Reflections - A Disney Lakeside Lodge.

An Exciting New Stories For The Disney Cruise Line

Bob Chapek took the stage at D23 Expo to share his thoughts about the exciting projects coming to the Disney Cruise Line. He told the massive audience gathered before the D23 stage and shared his belief that every Disney moment a guest has should bring their favorite stories to life in thrilling ways. The Disney Cruise Line is reaching for that vision with new ships, and a brand new port destination that is pure magic.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opening Date

Details are trickling out about the highly anticipated Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios as part of the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge expansion. Read on to discover why this new attraction is seriously ambitious, and worth every moment of anticipation as it readies to open on December 5th, 2019.

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway Opening in 2020

At Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney Imagineers are getting ready to open Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway in 2020! You'll be invited to the Chinese Theatre where Mickey and Minnie will be hosting the premier of their newest film "Perfect Picnic." The theater serves as the magic portal through which guests will step from the human world directly into the cartoon world for one Goofy adventure aboard Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway.

When it comes to Disney World, trip planning is huge undertaking. In fact, many a first visit to Disney World is marred by a lack of planning. While it might be tempting to think that it's "just a theme park," and that you can show up and have a blast by winging it, the size and complexity of the resort is daunting even for experts. These articles will help you make the most of your Disney trip, and might even introduce you to some activities and attractions you haven't heard about!

Articles

Epcot's American Gardens Theater

Across the promenade from the American Adventure on the shore of World Showcase Lagoon sits the America Gardens Theatre, an outdoor amphitheater and entertainment venue. The America Gardens Theater features a high-quality sound system and hosts concerts, singers, and bands from around the world. The intimate size of the venue affords every guest spacious seat with a great view to settle in for a show.

Why More and More Women Are Signing Up to runDisney

Women-only running events (95% or greater female) are on the rise, with over 200 events in 2011. Women of all ages, all shapes and sizes, and all athletic abilities are coming together to take on the challenge of conquering a long distance run. There is a sense of camaraderie and a lack of inhibition at these events that have women flocking to run.

Disney Cruise Line Sails to Jamaica for the First Time in 2013

Adding to it's fantastic array of itineraries, with two new ships the Disney Cruise Line is visiting more ports than ever. Last week it was announced that in late 2013, for the first time Jamaica will be an exciting Port of Call. Departing from Galveston, Texas this new seven-night Western Caribbean cruise will make port in Falmouth, Jamaica Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands and Cozumel, Mexico.

Walt Disney World's Bay Lake

Across the Water Bridge from the Seven Seas Lagoon and behind Disney's Contemporary Resort is the beautiful Bay Lake. A natural body of water with two small islands Bay Lake is about one mile across and 35 feet deep. When Walt Disney and his staff were searching for property in Florida to but Walt Disney World, Bay Lake was one of the reasons that they chose the spot they did. Walt believed that it was an attractive feature that would add amenities and value to his guests.

Tips for Magic Kingdom Parade Watching

What time is the 3 o'clock parade is a popular question cast members at the Magic Kingdom are asked over and over again. In fact, they've even made a t-shirt with the question on it. But, if you want to be a little savvier than that, here are a few tips for Magic Kingdom parade viewing.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Begins Again on Nov. 9th, 2012

Now that the Halloween Season is past it's time to look forward to what many Disney fans believe is the most magical time of the year, the Winter Holiday. Beginning this weekend, on November 9th, 2012 you can celebrate the magic of the holiday season with your family at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. This special after hours event is held on select nights in November and December at Magic Kingdom theme park!

The Country Bear Jamboree at the Magic Kingdom

Melinda touched on it last week and I wanted to delve a little deeper into the Country Bear Jamboree in the Magic Kingdom's Frontierland. Recently reopened after having been closed for refurbishment. Disney knows that rehabs can put fans of an attraction on edge. Though it's important to keep everything in good shape, most guests want their favorites to remain the same.

Two More Weeks for 2012 Eat To The Beat Concert Series

October may have flown by in a haze of great food & wine down in Epcot, but with two weeks left of the International Food & Wine Festival celebration there are still exciting performances left at the festival's evening entertainment sensation 'Eat To The Beat.' This fantastic concert series brings big names in music to cap off the night after a day of sipping and tasting your way through the Marketplace Booths.

A Walk Down Main Street USA

Main Street, U.S.A. is the first "themed land" inside the main entrance at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom and other Disney Parks around the world. As you walk beneath the train station overhead, you cross through a portal to another time. You notice that there's a Victorian theme throughout Main Street, yet the architectural styles represent several distinct areas of the country.

Walt Disney World's Value Resorts

If you are planning for a family traveling on a budget, or a group of theme park commandos who don't spend much time in their room during vacation, Disney's Value Resorts may be the place for you! Five fantastic bare bones hotels with whimsical Disney themes that give you all the benefits of staying "on property" without the high end price tag of a deluxe. The guest make up is diverse including young families, couples, youth sports teams, and large tour groups.