Walt Disney World Theme Parks
Magic Kingdom Park
New! Dream Along with Mickey Show Temporarily Closed: Now through Aug. 19, Dream Along with Mickey will have no performances. This show is normally held on the Castle stage.
Epcot
New! Garden Grill to Serve Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner This Fall: Starting Nov. 8, Guests can enjoy Character dining at Garden Grill all day long. Served family style and all-you-
care-to-enjoy, the menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner are inspired by the garden-grown theme of The Land. What’s on the menu? Look for breakfast favorites like biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, Mickey waffles, and their signature item, Chip’s Sticky Bun Bake. At lunch, look for your all-you-care-to-enjoy favorites from the dinner menu, like “Living with the Land” Harvest-inspired Farmer’s Salad, which uses greens from the attraction, and more!
New! Commemorative Products for 20th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival: The countdown is on to the start of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. The festival opens September 25 and runs through November 16, and will feature more than 30 global marketplaces (including some new experiences in Future World.) This year also marks the 20th time this event has been held at Epcot. Items and details are available on The Disney Parks Blog.
Reminder! “Colortopia” Exhibit Coming to Innoventions: Glidden will be a new Innovations presenter starting late fall 2015. The Colortopia exhibit who will encourage unique interactions through fun hands-on activities. Park visitors will be able to extend the Colortopia exhibit experience throughout Epcot and continue it in their own homes with a mobile application and website which will launch later this year.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
New! Ice Palace Boutique Opens July 26: The Ice Palace Boutique will join Frozen Summer Fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios starting July 26. This winter-themed salon gives guests ages 3-12 a magical transformation in a flurry of “Frozen” fun. The Ice Palace Boutique will be located on Commissary Lane across from ABC Commissary in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In this location, guests can purchase select packages where families can also join in the “Frozen” fun. Additional party members can enjoy the exclusive Ice Palace Café, an immersive “Frozen”-themed café with included snacks while they wait for their Anna or Elsa to undergo the frosty makeover. The party will also get reserved seating at one show of “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” at Hyperion Theater. There are 3 different Anna or Elsa-inspired packages ranging from $75 to $240 per child. Plus, there’s an Olaf-inspired package for with a glitter hairstyle and tee shirt for $19.99.
Reminder! ‘Frozen Summer Fun’ Cupcakes Still Available: On Wednesday, June 17, Disney’s Hollywood Studios debuted three Frozen-themed specialty cupcakes! Anna’s cupcake is made out of chocolate buttercream, Elsa’s cupcake is made out of vanilla buttercream and Olaf’s cupcake is made out of carrot cake with cream cheese icing. These treats will be available at the following locations: ABC Commissary, FairFax Fare, Backlot Express, Studio Catering Co., Pizza Planet, Starring Rolls, Rosie’s All American Café, and The Trolley Car Café. The cupcakes are included in Disney Dining Plan, and all “Frozen” specialty cupcakes will be available through Sept. 7 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
New! Early Entry Test Extended: Guests will be able to enter the Oasis area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom up to 30 minutes prior to the published park opening on most days. During this additional time in the park, Guests can make FastPass+ selections, rent strollers or wheelchairs and receive help from Cast Members to make the most of their day in the park. Attractions, shows and other experiences available within Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be available after the published park opening time, typically 9 a.m. This test will continue into August.
Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
New! Caricature Artists Returned to Disney’s Polynesian Resort: Caricature artists returned to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort with a grand opening at 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 24. The artists will operate daily from 6–11 p.m. on the first floor of the Great Ceremonial House near the doors that lead to Pineapple Lanai.
New! Martha’s Vineyard Wine Pairings Return to Disney’s Beach Club Resort: These popular pairings are returning on select dates this summer and fall. The intimate event is a foodie’s dream – a wine expert from the winery and a Disney chef guide guests through the tasting, detailing the notes of each pairing. The following dates currently scheduled to take place from 2-3 p.m.
- August 22 – San Sebastian Winery
*This event includes a takeaway bottle of Castillo Red wine in a lighthouse-shaped bottle. Cost per person is $60 to attend. - September 26 – Ironstone Vineyard
- October 17 – Napa Smith (The only brewery in Napa Valley, CA)
- November 7 – To Be Determined
Cost varies between $25-40 per person (before tax and gratuity) for three wines — or beers, if you are attending the October 17 event — perfectly paired with three small plates. Beginning August 3, you can reserve your spot by visiting DisneyWorld.com/dine or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.
New! Disney’s BoardWalk Villas Refurbed This Fall: Crews are scheduled to continue enhancing accommodations at Disney’s BoardWalk Villas in phases through the fall, replacing bedding and draperies; reupholstering seating; updating tile backsplashes in kitchens; hanging new artwork; adding new bunk-size, pull-down beds; installing new laminate flooring and more.
Reminder! MagicBand Opt-Out Now Available: This week, new functionality appeared on Disneyworld.com which allows guests to opt-out of recieving new MagicBands for resort reservations. Guests may choose to opt-out (decline) MagicBands for resort reservations if they already have a MagicBand assigned to them in My Disney Experience and that band is less than one year old. Passholders will not be given this option.
Walt Disney World Resort – General
New! Merchandise Change at Marketplace Fun Finds: Marketplace Fun Finds now carries Disney Junior and Duffy the Disney Bear merchandise. Favorite Disney Junior characters include Sofia the First, Doc McStuffins and Pirate Jake. Duffy the Disney Bear is a beloved plush bear who belongs to Mickey Mouse himself.
New! ECVs Now Available for Rent at DisneyQuest Emporium: Electric Conveyance Vehicles (ECVs) can now be rented at DisneyQuest Emporium on the West Side. Guests can also rent ECVs, wheelchairs and strollers at Marketplace Stroller and Wheelchair Rentals between Tren-D and Once Upon a Toy in the Marketplace.
Reminder! Package Storage Test at Downtown Disney: Now through Aug. 9, Downtown Disney will offer complimentary package storage, allowing Guests carrying large merchandise bags to continue their day at Downtown Disney hands-free. Greeters and Guest Relations Cast Members will assist Guests carrying large purchases, storing them at the Marketplace and West Side Guest Relations locations during regular operating hours. During this test, package storage will be available Fridays-Sundays from 2-6 p.m.
Merchandise Events
New! Introducing Givenchy Teint Couture Balm at Givenchy: The first blurring foundation balm, Givency Teint Couture Balm, is now available at Givenchy in Epcot. This balm provides a naturally smooth and even finish that radiates a fresh glow. Guests who visit the Givenchy Boutique in Epcot July 29 – August 2 and purchase $100 or more of Givenchy merchandise will receive a Givenchy pouch.
New! Rock Around the Shop Gets New Merchandise at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Disney’s Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith celebrates another anniversary this week. This super fast attraction originally opened in 1999 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Rock Around the Shop, the merchandise location found at the attraction, has some great new products. The shop has a few new items not previously offered including an art gallery featuring the works of Jerrod Maruyama.. There is also an expanded line of women’s apparel and accessories. The shop still offers various Aerosmith and attraction T-shirts and accessories for women and men. Finally, the location now carries headphones by SMS Audio, the official headphones of Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.
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.
