There are exciting new things popping up every day at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida! Join us every week to read about what’s new “Around the Mouse.” This week’s Walt Disney World news update features: Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2014 news, events and vacations available for booking, several live shows and much more!
Walt Disney World Theme Parks
New! Book Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2014 Events July 31: Beginning July 31 at 7 a.m., Guests can officially book a spot for some of the most coveted events at Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2014. All events will be posted on epcotfoodfestival.com beginning July 24.
New! Baby Wallaby Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: A new baby wallaby recently emerged from his mother’s pouch at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park! Ozzie, born to parents Adelaide and Tucker, was likely born in November and made his first appearance in April. Wallabies are marsupials, meaning their children spend most of their early life inside their mother’s pouch. Ozzie has gradually spent more and more time outside of his mother’s pouch and is now relatively independent. Guests can see Ozzie at the Oasis.
New! See Epcot’s Voices of Liberty adds “Let It Go” to Performances: Voices of Liberty, the longtime acapella group at Epcot, recently added some new songs to their repertoire. New songs guests may hear during their daily shows include “You Raise Me Up,” “True Colors,” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
New! All Harambe Nights Events are Sold Out: All seats for the July 26, Aug. 2 and Aug. 9 Harambe Nights events have been sold. The lineup of celebrity narrators for “The Lion King – Concert in the Wild” features stars from movies, TV and Broadway. Those scheduled to appear during the remaining nights of the event include:
- July 26 – Alfre Woodard: “Desperate Housewives,” “Miss Evers’ Boys” (sold out)
- Aug. 2 – Brian Stokes Mitchell: “Ragtime,” “Trapper John, M.D.,” “Glee”(sold out)
- Aug. 9 – Patina Miller: “Pippin,” “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1” (sold out)
Reminder! Sounds Like Summer Concert Series Runs Thru July 26: Nothing sounds more like summer than the rockin’ tunes from some of the most iconic rock bands of all time! From June 8 to July 26, seven bands pay tribute to the hottest rock acts at the America Gardens Theatre at Epcot. Shows are at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. The remaining lineup is as follows:
- July 20-26 - 2U – A Tribute to U2
Walt Disney World Resorts
New! Holiday Sleigh Rides Now Available for Booking: Though it’s only July, it’s time to book your holiday sleigh ride at the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground! Holiday sleigh rides begin on November 28th and run nightly through December 30th. Each sleigh holds up to 4 adults (or two adults and 3 children). The 25-minute sleigh ride is $70 per sleigh and includes 1 collector’s pin per reservation. Book by calling 407-WDW-Play or ask your Destinations in Florida travel agent to assist you with booking.
Updated! The Garden View Tea Room Closed for Refurbishment: The Garden View Tea Room will be undergoing refurbishments June 30-Aug. 29. During this timeframe, the My Disney Girl’s Perfectly Princess Tea Party seating time will be 10 a.m., and Afternoon Tea seating will begin at 12:45 p.m., with last-seating at2:25 p.m. During refurbishment, these experiences will be held in Cítricos restaurant.
Reminder! Changes to Dining Photo Process: Effective July 27, Disney PhotoPass Service will discontinue printing and delivering (or offering for sale) photo print packages at select dining locations. Affected locations include 1900 Park Fare, Chef Mickey’s, Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, ‘Ohana, and Tusker House Restaurant. Photos will continue to be captured at these locations and associated to all Guests using their MagicBand or a Memory Maker, PhotoPass or PhotoPass+ card. Guests will be able to view and purchase these photos online via their My Disney Experience account or on site at a PhotoPass sale location.
Reminder! Face Painting Now Available at Port Orleans – French Quarter: During the evenings, Guests can now enjoy face painting at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter. The face painter will sit near Jackson Square Gifts & Desires along with the current caricature artist.
Reminder! Trattoria al Forno Coming to Disney’s BoardWalk: With opening planned for December, Disney has shared the first details for Trattoria al Forno, the new restaurant for Disney’s BoardWalk. A “trattoria” is an Italian restaurant serving simple food, and “al forno” is Italian for “food baked in an oven,” and this new spot will showcase Old World techniques, including handcrafted mozzarella made daily, cavatelli (small dumpling-shaped pasta) and a variety of Neopolitan-style pizzas baked in wood-burning ovens. Slices of paper-thin Italian meats, served with a variety of olives and caponata, satisfying pastas, velvety seasonal risottos and fresh seafood and vegetables will celebrate the delectable diversity of Italian cuisine with authentic ingredients and recipes from Italy’s various regions. Classic Italian desserts and authentic Italian Wines will also be served. This restaurant opens in the space that is currently Kouzzina.
Walt Disney World Resort – General
New! Disney’s Military Salute Discount Renewed: Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and the Disneyland Resort in California are bursting with new attractions and entertainment for the entire family – and America’s military personnel can experience the fun through special theme park tickets and special pricing for accommodations.
New! Fall Vacation Discounts Announced: You can save up to 30% on rooms at select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels for stays most nights Oct. 4-Nov. 25 and Nov. 29-Dec. 23, 2014, when you book by Oct. 3, 2014. It’s the perfect time to visit Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2014, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and more!
New! 2015 Vacation Package Prices to be Released July 30: The 2015 Walt Disney World® Resort, Disneyland® Resort and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa vacation packages will be available to book starting on July 30, 2014. These packages will be valid for arrivals Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2015. Please note the last date of your vacation must not be more than 499 days in the future.
New! Disney Springs Renderings Released: We have been providing periodic updates on the progress and changes at Downtown Disney as it transform into Disney Springs for some time. The Disney Parks Blog shared some additional updates this week, including some drawings of what the new area will look like after the extensive roadwork that’s currently underway is completed. The surrounding roadways and parking areas at Downtown Disney are growing too and will eventually offer easier access to the area. The construction involves widening Lake Buena Vista Drive from seven to 10 lanes and constructing two multilevel garages (the first of which, pictured below, is set to open by late 2014 to offer 4,000 parking spaces). Two pedestrian bridges are also planned that will help lead guests into Disney Springs near the current Marketplace side, while the other will offer access in through the West Side.
New! “Guardians of the Galaxy” Merchandise Arrives at Walt Disney World: “Guardians of the Galaxy” opens in theaters August 1, but film-inspired merchandise is already on its way to Disney parks. Merchandise includes t-shirts, toys, action figures, books, cds, D-Tech iPhone cases, a limited edition pin and more!
New! Graceland Ninjaz Concert at House of Blues Downtown Disney: On July 25, 2014, catch Graceland Ninjaz – The King of Party Bands live at Downtown Disney’s House of Blues. The band will cover your favorite Top 40 hits, Elvis Style! during the Ninjapalooza LuWow! The concert venue is general admission standing. This event is all ages. Price per Ticket US $13.00. Doors open at 7:30 pm, show is at 8:30 pm.
New! American Floyd: Pink Floyd Experience Concert at House of Blues Downtown Disney: On July 27, 2014, catch American Floyd: Pink Floyd Experience live at Downtown Disney’s House of Blues. The band will cover your Pink Floyd hits. The concert venue is general admission standing. This event is all ages. Price per Ticket US $16.00. Doors open at 7:30 pm, show is at 8:30 pm.
New! Gavin DeGraw and Matt Nathanson at House of Blues Downtown Disney: See Gavin DeGraw and Matt Nathanson and Andrew McMahon live at Downtown Disney’s House of Blues. The concert venue is general admission standing. This event is all ages. Price per Ticket US $50.50. Doors open at 7:30 pm, show is at 8:30 pm.
New! Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Closed for Refurbishment: Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will be closed for refurbishment July 22-25, July 28-August 1 and August 4-8. Fantasia Fairways Miniature Golf will remain open for Guests to enjoy.
Merchandise Events
- July 17-28: Artist Showcase with Precious Moments will be held at Once Upon A Toy, Downtown Disney® Marketplace throughout the day, each day.
- July 23-27: Artist Greg McCullough will make appearances throughout the day at Art of Disney, Epcot.
- July 24-27: Artist David Doss will make appearances throughout the day at Art of Disney, Downtown Disney® Marketplace.
- July 25: Get an early jump on your holiday shopping and celebrate Christmas in July with us and Disney artists, Costa Alavezos, Cody Reynolds and Derrick Lirette from 6 – 8p.m. at Disney’s Days of Christmas in Downtown Disney Marketplace.
- July 30-Aug. 3: Artist Greg McCullough will make appearances throughout the day at Art of Disney, Downtown Disney® Marketplace.
Written by Lori Wall: Lori is a lifelong fan and visitor of Walt Disney World! Her love of Disney World has grown through visits with her own family as well as through planning magical vacations for others! Lori is an expert in maximizing vacations while sticking to a travel budget. Contact her about saving an extra 5% off your Disney vacation with an insider tip! Book your vacation with Lori at (845) 698- 0102 or request a price online.
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