WDW Planning

News

Pirates of the Caribbean Closing for Refurbishment on May 11

If you're headed to the Magic Kingdom this summer there is one less FastPass+ you'll need. Pirates of the Caribbean is closing down May 11 for a several-months-long refurbishment and won't be open again until sometime in September.

Disney Announces ‘Coolest Summer Ever’ and Plans to Kick Off Summer with a 24-Hour Party

Walt Disney World Resort has announced that this summer will be the 'Coolest Summer Ever' and to kick off the cool season there will be a 24-hour party on May 22-23 at the Magic Kingdom. Disney made the announcement from a still snowy Boston where a little bit of summer was created thanks to a 20-foot-wide beach complete with Cinderella Castle and Olaf.

Registration Now Open for 2015 Galactic Gathering at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The 2015 Star Wars Weekends returns to Disney's Hollywood Studios on May 15 this year and to celebrate, Disney Theme Park Merchandise is hosting a special ticketed event on May 14. The Galactic Gathering will give guests a chance to purchase new Star Wars Weekend merchandise and take part in some meet-and-greets and other activities.

Disney's Egg-stravaganza Easter Egg Hunt Returns to Epcot

If you have plans to be at the Walt Disney World Resort for Easter you'll want to stop by Epcot and take part in the annual Egg-stravaganza Easter Egg Hunt! This special event takes place March 27 through April 2 in the theme park.

Check out the 2015 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Merchandise

The 2015 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is in full bloom at Epcot from now through May 17 and we have details on the new merchandise created just for the event. Guests can enjoy the beautiful flowers, dine on great food at the Outdoor Kitchens, and go home with some incredible merchandise too.

Expansions Ahead for Two of Walt Disney World's Most Popular Attractions

Yesterday the Disney Parks Blog confirmed rumors that have been swirling for months, and announced updates and expansions for two of the most popular attractions in the Disney Parks!

Disney Provides Update on Avatar Project at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

As construction continues on the Avatar-themed land at Disney's Animal Kingdom, The Walt Disney Company recently provided an update on the project, complete with a brief video featuring James Cameron and project team members getting a glimpse into the world of Pandora.

March Merchandise Events Announced for Walt Disney World Resort

If you're headed to Walt Disney World Resort this month there are so many special merchandise events taking place that there's bound to be something for everyone. From popular artists to Major League Baseball legends to Precious Moments dolls, it's a month full of great events.

Dates Announced for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

If you're making plans to visit the Walt Disney World Resort this fall and you want to attend either Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, get out your calendars! Dates for both Magic Kingdom holiday events have been released by Disney.

WonderGround Gallery Expanding at Marketplace Co-Op in Downtown Disney

The Marketplace Co-Op in Downtown Disney is making some changes to its retail lineup. Gone is the Beautifully Disney location and in its place is the WonderGround Gallery which sells the same artwork that is featured at the Disneyland location. Until now the WondeGround Gallery was only represented by a small fixture space at the Marketplace.

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

5 (or more) Reasons To Love Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

Year after year Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party has become a favorite seasonal event for Disney Travelers and Locals alike. It's a fun and friendly take on a Halloween Party that occurs on select nights in September and October after hours in the Magic Kingdom. There are lots of reasons to love this annual extravaganza, here are my favorite 5!

Top 5 Reasons to Love Epcot’s Future World

Epcot is always the first park I visit when I'm at the Walt Disney World Resort. It has earned that honor - despite my unwavering love for the Magic Kingdom - because the park is usually less hectic and because there are so many things that I love about Epcot, specifically in Future World.

Fun Facts About Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Originally designed to be a "half day" Park, Disney's Hollywood Studios has had its bumps and bruises since it's start in the mid 1980s, but that doesn't mean that fans don't still love it. The 135-acre park is currently undergoing yet another transformation with the highly anticipated additions of Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land under construction. We thought it was about time to share some fun facts about Disney's Hollywood Studios.

5 Reasons To Love the Walt Disney World Monorail

While we've "5 Reasons To Love" posts about Parks, and Resorts, and even specific Lands, we've never before done one dedicated to a single ride. But this is no ordinary ride, it's Walt Disney World's legendary Highway in the Sky. A 14.7-mile system of elevated beamway that services seven stations taking guests to and from Epcot, the Magic Kingdom and three resorts - Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, we're talking about the Walt Disney World Monorail.

The Top 5 Things to Love about Disney’s Animal Kingdom

It took me a few years and several visits to really fall in love with Disney's Animal Kingdom. After my initial assessment that it was "too hot" and "too much walking" I took some time on my last couple of visits to really look closely at this amazing theme park. And I'm hooked.

10 Top Tips To Make The Most Of Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is a hard ticket event held from 7pm until midnight on select nights each Fall at the Magic Kingdom. The family friendly atmosphere and entertainment are fan favorites and a great special addition to add to your Walt Disney World Vacation. We've got 10 Top Tips to make the most your party experience.

UnDISCOVERed Future World Tour

Walt Disney World offers a myriad of backstage tour options. While perennial favorites "Keys to the Kingdom", "Marceline to Magic Kingdom", and "Wild Africa Trek" sell out regularly, one oft overlooked option to learn some new insider information is the UnDISCOVERed Future World Tour.

Seven Tips For A Grown-up Disney Family Vacation

I'm often asked how my family and I successfully made the transition between enjoying Disney with young children, and enjoy Disney as adults. Honestly, I just respond that Disney is in our DNA. Everybody laughs and we all move on, but pondering this question makes me wonder what I did differently to help keep the magic alive in my adult family. I really think it comes down to these seven things.

Top 5 Tips to Make the Most of Walt Disney World's FastPass+ System

With FastPass+ having a few years under its belt, most Disney buffs have gotten at least a rudimentary grasp on how this new system works. However, changes are happening all the time and even the biggest Disney fiend may find it hard to keep up with all of the latest updates. If you're planning your first trip or haven't been down to Florida in a while, I do recommend starting with this article as a beginner's guide to the FastPass+ program.