Disney’s Hollywood Studios news tops our list this week in what is new at Walt Disney World. Join us as we explore that and more in Around the Mouse.
Walt Disney World Theme Parks
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
New! Sneak Peek of “Cinderella” Movie thru March 21: Starting Jan. 17, Guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios will get an exclusive sneak peek of Disney’s upcoming movie, “Cinderella” at ABC Sound Studio. This special preview, containing several clips from the soon-to-be-released Disney movie, will be presented through March 21. It will show at the top and bottom of every hour, from 10 a.m. until 30 minutes prior to the park closing time. In addition, Guests may also experience more of the story’s charm, by capturing their own close-up photos with Cinderella’s golden coach displayed on Streets of America from Feb. 1 through April 11.
Reminder! Sorcerers Hat Now Closed for Removal: With the park’s central hub being reconfigured, the Sorcerer’s Hat will be removed and the pin merchandise location will be relocated to Sunset Ranch located on Sunset Boulevard beginning Jan. 7.
Reminder! Frozen Merchandise Still Available: Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post has closed, but ‘Frozen’ merchandise is still available at Legends of Hollywood and Mickey’s of Hollywood in Hollywood Studios.
Reminder! Baymax Specialty Cupcake Available at Quick Service Locations: Enjoy the latest addition to Disney’s Hollywood Studios cupcake collection: a Baymax specialty cupcake! For just $5.19 each, the Big Hero 6 chocolate and banana butter cream cupcake will be available at the following quick service locations througout Disney’s Hollywood Studios: FairFax Fare, Pizza Planet, Starring Rolls, Backlot Express, ABC Commissary, Studio Catering Co., and Rosie’s All American Café. The cupcake is included in Disney Dining Plan and available through Jan. 31.
Magic Kingdom Park
New! New Fastpass+ Viewing Areas for Parades and Fireworks: Starting January 12, the viewing location for Magic Kingdom parades will move from the Central Plaza Viewing area to the Town Square Viewing Area, near the flagpole (shown above). This new location is available for both the daytime and nighttime parades. Also, beginning February 27, the viewing location for Magic Kingdom fireworks will relocate from the Rose Garden to the Main Street Plaza Gardens. Main Street Plaza Gardens is adjacent to Casey’s Corner and the Plaza Restaurant (shown below). Guests may choose either side upon arrival to the Main Street Plaza Gardens, based on availability.
New! Park Hours Extended Jan 20th: Park closing time has been changed from 9:00pm to 10:00pm for Tuesday, January 20, 2015.
New! Construction Crane Behind Cinderella Castle: There will be a construction crane behind Cinderella Castle from Jan. 11-Feb. 21 for the removal of the holiday lights. As a result, the walkway from Sir Mickey’s to Fairytale Garden will be closed to Cast and Guest traffic. The smoking area next to Sir Mickey’s will be relocated behind Castle Couture.
Reminder! Win a Night in Cinderella Castle: Happy New Year! Disney is kicking off 2015 in a big way by “flipping” Disney Side around and giving away a Walt Disney World Resort vacation that includes a night in Cinderella Castle Suite every day in January! Disney fans know that everyone has a Disney Side – that side of you that comes out to play the moment you step through the gates at any of our parks. Well, this month, Disney is “flipping” it and exploring how your favorite Disney characters show their Disney Side in fun and unexpected ways. From now until January 31, visit DisneyFlipSide.com to check-out videos and photos from Sam, the Disney Parks Insider, as he goes behind the scenes with all-Parks access, an arsenal of cameras and crafty disguises to show you never-before-seen Disney Sides of some of your favorite Disney Park personalities. While visiting, be sure to enter the Disney “Flip” Side Sweepstakes. There is a new winner selected every day in January. That’s 31 winners who will receive a 5-day/4-night dream vacation at Walt Disney World Resort for four!
Epcot
Reminder! IllumiNations Sparkling Dessert Party Reservations Now Open for January and February: This sparkling soiree will take place select Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings at Epcot’s Showcase Plaza — an exclusive setting perfect for viewing “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.” Sample sweets from around the globe, such as traditional Moroccan baklava, Italian tiramisu, French chocolate ganache tarts and more. IllumiNations Sparkling Dessert Party reservations are now open for January and February. Cost to attend is $49 for adults and $29 for children ages 3-9. For reservations, visit Disneyworld.com/dine or call 407-WDW-DINE.
Reminder! Print Photos Discontinued at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall: In July, print photo packages were discontinued at most dining locations. Effective January 4, print photo packages were discontinued at the remaining two dining locations: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and Cinderella’s Royal Table. Photos continue to be captured at select dining locations and are associated to Guest accounts via MagicBand or RF-enabled card (e.g., park ticket, Memory Maker card).
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Reminder! Flame Tree Barbecue Temporarily Closed: On Jan. 5, construction started at Flame Tree Barbecue. This location will be closed for approximately three months. Since the food offerings at Flame Tree Barbecue are favorites amongst Guests, a selection of them will be offered at existing kiosks throughout the park during the downtime. Until Flame Tree Barbecue reopens, Mickey-shaped pretzels and jalapeno pretzels will be temporarily located at Isle of Java in Discovery Island, and look for hand-scooped ice cream and sundaes at Dino-Bite Snacks in Dinoland, U.S.A.
Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
New! Pool Operating Hours at Disney’s Grand Floridian: Due to the season change, the pool hours have been modified at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Pools will now be open from 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
New! Animal Kingdom Lodge Lobby Floor Refurbishment: The floors in the lobby at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge—Jambo House are under refurbishment. The floor rehab will consist of stripping the floor of its current color and revealing the natural look of the wood underneath. This process is taking place now–Feb. 27, Monday–Friday from 9 a.m.—5:30 p.m.
New! Refurbishment at Paddock Pool at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort: Paddock Pool will be unavailable to Guests beginning Jan. 13. The work is expected to continue through Jan. 27. During the work, Guests may enjoy High Rock Springs Pool. The pools in the Grandstand, Congress Park and Treehouse Villas also are available.
Reminder! Pool Refurbishment at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort: The Big Blue Pool and Flippin’ Fins Pool will be closed for a couple of days in mid-January while the pool decks are refurbished. The Big Blue Pool will be closed for refurbishment from Monday, Jan. 12, through Wednesday, Jan. 14. The pool will reopen to Guests on Thursday, Jan. 15. The Flippin’ Fins Pool will be closed for refurbishment Thursday, Jan. 15, and Friday, Jan. 16. It will reopen for Guests on Saturday, Jan. 17.
Reminder! More Details on Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Recently Released: Sales for this beautiful Disney Vacation Club resort will begin on January 12 for current Disney Vacation Club Members and on February 9 for all guests. When the first phase opens, scheduled for April 1, the resort will introduce unique Disney accommodations, including Bora Bora Bungalows and the first connecting Deluxe Studios. The 20 Bora Bora Bungalows on the Seven Seas Lagoon will sleep up to eight guests each in a two-bedroom, home-like setting reminiscent of the South Pacific. The 360 Deluxe Studios will be the largest at Walt Disney World Resort and sleep up to five guests each. And of course we can’t forget all of the other incredible additions at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, including Lilo’s Playhouse and Pineapple Lanai, as well as an enhanced feature pool and Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, slated to open in 2015.
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.
