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: lots of Magic Kingdom news. restaurant and attraction closures and reopenings, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party news, allergy dining menu changes and more!
Walt Disney World Theme Parks
New! Construction Crane Behind Cinderella Castle: There will be a construction crane behind Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom from Sept. 8-21.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.
New! Mobile Charging Lockers to be Removed: This week, the test period for mobile phone charging lockers at Magic Kingdom Park will come to an end. The lockers will no longer be available starting Saturday, September 13. If you need to charge mobile devices at Magic Kingdom, you can find outlets in the Tomorrowland Arcade and the FastPass+ kiosk location in Storybook Circus. In addition to the standard AC power outlets, USB ports are also available for Guests to charge their mobile devices in Fantasyland. Charging outlets are located in the ‘stumps’ at either end of the bench seating areas near Rapunzel’s village.
Reminder! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party Occurring Select Nights: Come celebrate Halloween with Mickey and friends at Magic Kingdom Park on select nights Sept.-Oct. Dress in your not-so-scary best and join your favorite Disney characters as you trick-or-treat your way through the park. Spook-tacular entertainment offerings this year are sure to provide more delight than fright. Prepare to
dance the night away with a ghastly bash of your favorite fiendish friends at Club Villains Dance Party in Frontierland. Mike, Sulley and their monster pals will be hosting a Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball in Tomorrowland, and Phineas and Ferb are taking over the pre-parade with the Creepa Crew. Returning this year to greet Guests is Jack Skellington and Sally from Tim Burton’s “Nightmare Before Christmas,” so be
sure to stop by and say hello to the Pumpkin King and his lovely lady. New this year join some villainous friends for some delightful treats with a special ticket add-on this year. Villains’ Sinister Soiree: A Wicked Takeover of Cinderella Castle will be sure to get your cauldrons bubbling $99 per person, plus tax (gratuity included; discounts do not apply). Enjoy premium viewing of the parade and fireworks as well as an all-inclusive dessert party at Cinderella’s Royal Table Restaurant. Each evening of candy, costumes and characters includes the special Boo-To-You Halloween Parade. Favorite Disney Villains will perform live on stage and make a spooky special appearance in “Celebrate the Magic,” followed by the Happy HalloWishes fireworks spectacular. Tickets are subject to availability. 2014 party dates are:
- September 1, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 2014
- October 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 13, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30, 31, 2014
Reminder! Annual Passholders Must Present Discount Card for Purchase Discounts: When a Walt Disney World Passholder receives a MagicBand order at home, it includes a personalized Passholder discount card. Passholders must present a valid photo ID as well as their discount card or Pass for applicable discounts and parking privileges. If a Passholder discount card is misplaced, the Passholder should be directed to Guest Relations, where a Cast Member can reprint the Guest’s Pass, which can be used as a discount card.
Reminder! Some Performances of Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Cancelled: Due to concrete work on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom, there will not be morning performances of the Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party on the following dates: Sept 10, 11, 25, . The parade will only perform at 5:40 and 7 p.m. on these dates. On Wednesday, Sept. 3, and Wednesday, Sept. 17, the Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party will be presented at 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
New! Additional Fantasmic Performance Added Sept 13: An additional performance of Fantasmic! will be offered on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 10 p.m. Park hours will not change. Park Hours: 9 am – 9:30pm. Fantasmic 8:30 pm and 10 pm. Frozen Fireworks Spectacular 9:15 pm.
Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
New! Garden View Tea Room Now Open: The Garden View Tea Room has opened its doors to continue offering our unique tea time experiences, My Disney Girl’s Perfectly Princess Tea and Afternoon Tea. Seating will be available at My Disney Girl’s Perfectly Princess Tea Party on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Afternoon Tea seating will be available daily from 2-5 p.m.
Reminder! Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Silver Creek Springs Pool Closed for Refurbishment: The main pool and slide will be closed for enhancements at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Sept. 3 through Nov. 27. During this time, the leisure pool at The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will remain open. Guests will also have the opportunity to visit either the Main Pool at Disney’s Contemporary Resort or the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Complimentary transportation will be provided to both of these neighboring resorts.
Reminder! Holiday Sleigh Rides Now Available for Booking: Though it’s only September, 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.
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
Reminder! Valet Pricing Changes at Downtown Disney: Beginning Sept. 1, valet pricing at the Downtown Disney Area will be adjusted based on length of stay. The time window will begin when Guests arrive at the valet podium and will end when they return to the podium. Payment will be collected upon return to the valet podium.
- 0-2 hours: $10
- 2-3 hours: $15
- 3+ hours: $20
Reminder! Allergy Menus Testing at Select Dining Locations: In order to accommodate the more than 650,000 special dietary requests received each year, new allergy-friendly menus for common food allergies and intolerances will be introduced. During the pilot period, select restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort (starting Sept. 2) and Disneyland Resort (starting Sept. 9) will test several different menu strategies during a six-week period. Guest and Cast feedback will be captured for each menu type. Results will be used to make recommendations for allergy-friendly menus at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. The locations participating in this test are: Flying Fish Cafe, ABC Commissary, Sci-Fi Dine-In, The Hollywood Brown Derby, Kona Cafe, Capt. Cooks, and World Premier Food Court.
Reminder! Monorail Operating Hours Adjustments beginning Sept. 1: With several special evening events planned at Magic Kingdom and Epcot this fall, we are adjusting monorail service hours to accommodate our Guests. Beginning Sept. 1 through Sept. 26, monorail service will run from:
- 8:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. (midnight on special event nights) on the Magic Kingdom Resort beam.
- 9:30 a.m. – 1 hour after Magic Kingdom fireworks on the Magic Kingdom Express beam.
- 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. on the Epcot beam.
On Sept. 5 and 6, the Magic Kingdom Resort and Express beams will close at 2.a.m during Night of Joy. Watercraft and additional buses will be available to transport Guests to their destinations.
Merchandise Events
- September 12 – 13: Join Master Sculptor Hiko Maeda as he introduces an all-new Disney Showcase Collection figurine and ornament, only available at Disney Parks. This new piece titled, “Let Your Light Shine” is available as a figurine for $50, plus tax, and as an ornament for $28, plus tax. Look for special appearances by Hiko Maeda, September 12 from 4 – 6 p.m. at Main Street Cinema in Magic Kingdom Park and September 13 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 3 – 5 p.m. at Art of Disney in Downtown Disney Marketplace.
- September 17 – 21: Artist Greg McCullough will be appearing this month at Art of Disney in Downtown Disney Marketplace.
- September 18 – 22: Look for the latest releases from Precious Moments doll designer and artist, Linda Rick, including her newest collection inspired by “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Linda will appear throughout the day (each day), September 18 – 21, at Once Upon A Toy in Downtown Disney Marketplace.
- September 27: The next hand-painted Ink & Paint Cel, titled “Summertime Pals,” is set to debut at Animation Gallery in Disney’s Hollywood Studios on September 27, 2014. Meet the artists from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.– 5 p.m. on the day of release.
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.