Walt Disney World Resort Update for February 19-24, 2020

Walt Disney World Resort Update for February 19-24, 2020

 

Writer's note: Thanks to the several readers that provided thoughtful input in response to my request last week. While I know there are folks out there that are overwhelmed with the prospect of planning a vacation to the Vacation Kingdom of the World, I did not hear from them. Our weekly Updates will continue to assume readers have a better-than-basic familiarity with the Resort, and, if it turns out any of you out there want some clarity on a point, be sure to let us know.

Having noticed these Disney Vacation Club magnets on cars the past several years, I finally able was able to pick one up at the Members Lounge in Imagination pavilion this week. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

And, for all of you regular visitors out there, hopefully, by now, you saw that just after we published last week's Update, new Walt Disney World park ticket pricing changes went into effect without any advanced notice. The biggest increases effect non-Florida residents purchasing Platinum or Platinum Plus annual passes: Platinum & Platinum Plus for non-Florida residents +$76; Florida resident-only Gold, Silver & Weekday Select each +$20, and Epcot After 4 +$15 (all prices before tax). While we continue the process of revising and updating our MousePlanet Walt Disney World Resort Guide, I have made sure that the Annual Pass ticketing information on the site reflects the February 11, 2020 pricing. Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix covered Disneyland's latest price increases, including the Premier Passport—valid at both the Disneyland Resort and the Walt Disney World Resort which is now $2,199 per year—in yesterday's MousePlanet Disneyland Resort Update.

Ticket Options (like Hopper and Water Parks) also increased on February 11. With day tickets now varying by selected start date and length, it is logistically too complicated for me to figure out exactly which days changed, but we know that the highest ($159) and lowest ($109) one day base ticket prices did not change. The lesson, as always, is to see whether promotions are available from Disney and authorized providers like our sponsor, Get Away Today, and buy your park tickets from an authorized source in advance!

Ticket prices vary by the date you plan to start using them. Visiting park ticket booths on different days, like on Wednesday, February 12, and again on Monday, February 17 (which was Presidents' Day), shows you just two of the many different versions of the park ticket prices now in effect at Walt Disney World. Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

And, yes, notwithstanding the price increases, as I suggested last week, Valentine's Day, Presidents' Day (and individual Presidential birthdays), combined with various school breaks around the country to make it a rather busy week around Walt Disney World last week. Be aware that from now, until mid-April or so, we will see other ebbs and flows of crowds, as different regions celebrate Spring with vacations at different times.

Now on to the news and views for the week…

News and Views

Headlines are auto-generated here

Cinderella Castle: Royal (Not Extreme) Makeover

Particularly by the holidays season this past winter, it seemed likely that some sort of makeover was coming to Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom. The icon looked rather faded from the harsh Florida sunshine during 2019, and that became more apparent as the holiday "dreamlights" were added, the netting that previously blended with the blues of the castle surfaces stood out more in daylight. With memories of the 25 Years of Magic Castle "Cake" makeover done for the park's 25th anniversary back in 1996, we have been approaching October 1, 2021, the park and Resort's 50th anniversary, wondering what we could see.

Back in October, the faded condition of Cinderella Castle became rather apparent when seeing the daytime contrast between the dreamlights' netting and the Castle's blue surfaces. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Way back in 1996, Cinderella Castle had a pink "Cake" makeover as part of the park's 25 Years of Magic celebration. Personal Archive Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Earlier this week, Jason Kirk, Vice President, Magic Kingdom, announced to cast members and then on Disney Parks Blog that Cinderella Castle would receive a "Royal Makeover" in honor of the 70th anniversary of the release of Disney's animated classic, Cinderella. The concept image Disney released shows darker blues more reminiscent of Cinderella's dress, and more gold accents.

Cinderella Castle's Royal Makeover will include more gold trim and a darker shade of blue when work is completed. Concept Image ©Disney.

The makeover project, which is scheduled to begin "in the coming weeks" and continue through summer, is not expected to interrupt castle shows like "Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire" or "Happily Ever After" fireworks shows. Of course, it is always wise to check My Disney Experience, the Times Guide, and, in the event of last minute changes, be sure to also ask cast members on Main Street U.S.A. Disney has not yet announced whether there will be further "enhancements" to the Castle as we head into the 50th anniversary celebration next year.

In the meantime, Disney Parks Blog also provided highlights of Disney PhotoPass photo opportunities that also celebrate Cinderella both at Magic Kingdom and at Disney Springs.

Earth Day 50th Anniversary Celebrations Coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom

Since Disney first noted that this coming April 22 is the 50th anniversary of both Earth Day and the 25th anniversary of the Disney Conservation Fund (and we noted that it will be Disney's Animal Kingdom's 22nd Anniversary), we assumed there would be a celebration and have been regularly noting it in our Resort Events section in the Update each week. This week, Disney Parks Blog announced that Disney's Animal Kingdom will host special entertainment and activities celebrating the occasion, from April 18 to 22, with an "all-day extravaganza" on Earth Day (April 22) itself.

Even with the announcement, there are not yet a whole lot of specifics available just yet. There will be "a stellar lineup of expert speakers and entertainment; behind-the-scenes tours; specialty food and beverage; limited-edition merchandise signings; character greetings; photo opportunities; special Wilderness Explorers activities for kids – and MORE!" The headline "Wild by Nature Speaker Series" presented in Theater in the Wild (usually home to Finding Nemo: The Musical) will include the park's animal experts and educators discussing Disney's conservation work, and National Geographic (acquired by Disney just last year) will participate with presentations by its wildlife photographers, videographers, and Nat Geo Explorers.

The one specific event - Tiffins Talks featuring Imagineer Joe Rohde discussing his research trips and exploration along with a four-course meal - is already sold out, as registration opened and filled yesterday. Keep an eye on this page of DisneyWorld.com to see if cancelations result in spots opening up.

The Animation Experience at Conservation Station continues to run as well. During the celebration, there will be special Disney characters featured in the program. Check the My Disney Experience app for times and FastPass+ reservations.

For those that cannot make it to the park but get the National Geographic or Nat Geo WILD channels, the park will be featured on April 22 during a global live television event "Born Wild: Earth Day Live" which starts at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central. Showing off Disney synergies created by last year's acquisition of National Geographic, the program is being produced by ABC News and will include "revered National Geographic Explorers and leading ABC News anchors and correspondents" in a program focused on baby animals.

Epcot Festivals News & Calendar

All the latest details about the on-going and up-coming Epcot Festivals are covered in order in this section.

Festival of the Arts

The fourth annual Epcot International Festival of the Arts concludes next Monday, February 24. The Festival has, once again, been a large draw for the park (especially on weekends and holidays), during what used to be a fairly quiet part of winter. The celebration of Disney-inspired visual artists, culinary artistic creations by Walt Disney World chefs, and the performing arts, including Disney's Broadway songs and artists, is included with park admission every day this week. The official website for the Festival is: ArtfulEpcot.com.

Even the miniature railroad town at the Germany pavilion is decorated for the Festival of the Arts. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The most popular performances during the Festival are the Disney on Broadway Concerts Series shows, three times nightly at America Gardens Theatre: 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8 p.m. The shows feature pairs of Disney on Broadway performers in scheduled duos singing songs from Disney musicals: Kissy Simmons & Alton Fitzgerald White, Heidi Blickenstaff & Gavin Lee, Kara Lindsay & Kevin Massey, Liana Hunt & Adam Jacobs, Ashley Brown & Josh Strickland, and Syndee Winters & Michael James Scott. Each duo is scheduled to perform several times during the Festival, and on three evenings during the Festival (January 25, February 9 and 24), two duos combine for three concerts. More information about the shows is available on ArtfulEpcot.com or by calling (407)939-5277. Booking for dining packages and workshops is open as well; Passholder discounts are available.

Ashley Brown, who originated Mary Poppins on Broadway, and Josh Strickland, who originated Tarzan on Broadway, returned for the fourth annual Disney on Broadway Concert Series last week and continue performances on select days this week. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

See a replay of the #DisneyParksLIVE stream of the January 25 concert (8 p.m.) featuring Kissy Simmons & Alton Fitzgerald White along with Heidi Blickenstaff & Gavin Lee. The final concert featuring two duos together will be February 24 featuring Ashley Brown & Josh Strickland and Syndee Winters & Michael James Scott. Video ©Disney.

Other performance artists appear on stages around the park during the Festival as well. With the Fountain Stage razed as part of Epcot's on-going transformation, a new stage is located on the shore of the Lagoon at World Showcase Plaza. Visual artist, Trevor Carlton, for example, does his rapid create-to-music paintings of Disney characters there. Art Defying Gravity also performs there. The stage's schedule is posted. Check Times Guides for published schedules.

A stage in World Showcase Plaza features many of the performing artists during the Festival. The stage's schedule is posted on-stage, along with the current performer. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

This year, the new "Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine" debuted with food creations "that make you look twice and delight all your senses." The "Walk" is like the Holiday's Cookie Trail, if you purchase 5 menu items from the Cuisine locations and receive stamps in your Passport, you can bring the completed Passport to Decadent Delights for a "colorful culinary prize offered exclusively at the Festival." Passport stamps do not have to be collected on the same day; the Passport may be completed at anytime before the end of the Festival. The menus for all the Festival's "Food Studios" (kiosks) are also on the Festival's website, ArtfulEpcot.com and Disney Parks Blog has published its Foodie Guide to the Festival.

Koda from Disney's "Brother Bear" catches fish near waterfalls at Canada pavilion. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Interactivity remains a hallmark of this Festival. From the very popular walk-into-the-art photo opportunities, to workshops and hands-on experiences. Some experiences are included in the price of admission, and some have additional costs. The event Passport and the ArtfulEpcot.com website provide more specific information. One of the returning free activities is the paint-by-number mural which, this year, is located in the center of Future World near where the Fountain of Nations previously stood (and is now surrounded by construction walls). Arribas Brothers at Germany pavilion offers an opportunity to build your own Festival souvenir from pieces of glass that will be fired in its off-stage ovens and mailed to you (prices range from $25 to $55 including shipping). Near Japan pavilion, you have the opportunity to create "Spin Art" (aboard a stationary bike or a turntable) for a nominal you-keep-what-you-make fee; at a kiosk in Future World West (where the Butterfly Garden usually stands during Flower & Garden Festival and food kiosks stand during Food & Wine) artists will create painted creatures from your handprints (also for a fairly nominal fee). Artistic Marbling is back at World Showcase Plaza, and, as guests approach Canada, Enemy Ink is back with its custom-printed t-shirts.

The "Expression Section" paint-by-number mural is located on the central construction wall in Future World near where the Fountain of Nations used to be. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Merchandise offerings during the Festival, as usual, give Figment a large role. Disney Parks Blog has published highlights of this year's commemorative merchandise. The theme of much of the merchandise is the Figment Color Co. Figment's Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt returns (guests purchase a map from designated merchandise locations, hunt around World Showcase, and return the completed map to a designated location for a "prize"). Passholders can purchase an exclusive Figment t-shirt during the Festival, and there is a complimentary "Artful Mickey" magnet "painted" by artist Will Gay available at a designated pickup location for Passholders with a valid Annual Pass and matching photo ID.

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Flower & Garden Festival

The longest running Epcot festival—the one that started them all back in 1994 as "a 38-day celebration of Disney-style gardens and topiaries"—the 2020 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, runs 90-days from March 4 to June 1, 2020. The 27th edition of the Festival includes the Garden Rocks Concert Series three times nightly at America Gardens Theatre, and, the list of scheduled performers so far includes both returning and new names including: Peabo Bryson, STARSHIP, Sister Hazel, Rick Springfield, Plain White T's, Don McLean, Herman's Hermits, Daughtry and Survivor. More recent additions include: The Orchestra starring former members of ELO, The Guess Who, A Flock of Seagulls, Tony Orlando, Christopher Cross, Air Supply, and Crowder. The most recent additions are High Valley, Casting Crowns, and Claudia Leitte. Based on the posted schedule, there is only one remaining act to be announced. The official website for the festival is FreshEpcot.com.

Garden Rocks Concert Series Dining Packages are now available. Booking a breakfast, lunch or dinner package at select Epcot restaurants provides guaranteed concert seating for a 5:30, 6:45, or 8 p.m. show.

If you are new to this Festival, you may not otherwise know that this is the one that features the most topiaries and gardens around the park. New this year will be a Remy topiary that will be unveiled as the centerpiece of Ratatouille Garden at France pavilion. The garden will include vegetables that make up the traditional ingredients of a ratatouille recipe. Remy's Ratatouille Adventure attraction opens at the pavilion during the summer, with a specific date not yet announced.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Other topiary displays that have been announced so far are the return of Anna & Elsa, Buzz Lightyear, Miss Piggy & Kermit the Frog, Tinker Bell, Snow White, and Bambi. The Goodness Garden Butterfly House will also return, as will the "Play Full Garden" where "families can celebrate spring at a unique playground experience." The Floating Gardens, Flower Towers, and more bedded blooms will be planted as well. Behind the scenes tours are available during the Festival from the no-additional-charge 20 minute English Tea Garden tour to the Spring edition of the 3 hour Gardens of the World tour ($85/person plus tax).

Like the other Festivals, Flower & Garden Festival will include food and beverage kiosks. This year, 16 "Outdoor Kitchens" and other "stops" will include three Florida-centric locations: The Honey Bee-stro, The Citrus Blossom, and Florida Fresh.

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Food & Wine Festival

The 2019 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival concluded back in November. Disney Parks Blog lists the 25th anniversary edition of the Festival among the 20 Reasons to Visit Walt Disney World Resort in 2020, but the park has not yet announced its specific dates. It is a very safe bet that the hugely popular festival will return for a near 90 day run in the late summer/fall. The official website for the festival is TasteEpcot.com. The runDisney Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend which traditionally takes place during the Festival has been scheduled for November 5-8, 2020.

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Festival of the Holidays

2019 Performances of Candlelight Processional, wrapped up on December 30, along with the park-wide Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. The celebrations, no doubt, will return late in 2020, and, as in recent years, we will probably start getting specific details to share in the summer, probably with a Christmas in July media event or promotion. The Festival's official website is: EpcotHolidays.com.

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Festivals Calendar

For the convenience of our readers, the scheduled performers for this year's Disney on Broadway Concert Series are shown in our Google Calendar of Epcot Events. We have also added the announced Garden Rocks Concert Series performers announced so far for this year's Flower & Garden Festival. You can add the entire Event calendar to any calendar that supports the iCal format (like iPhone and Mac) by copying this link and, as we get additional information and update the calendar, the calendar will update on your subscribed device as well.

This week's scheduled performing duos are: Syndee Winters & Michael James Scott and Ashley Brown & Josh Strickland.

While our Google Calendar of Epcot Events lists announced performers, it is still always best to check the My Disney Experience app, Times Guide, and, yes, sometimes even signs posted at the park entrances and at the theater noting any last minute changes. The calendar is provided as a courtesy "as is, where is" without any guarantees. We do respectfully request that you do not post our entire calendar on another site without first asking our permission. Walt Disney World Resort does provide schedules in the My Disney Experience app, but does not allow you to add dates to calendars outside the app itself.

Views Around the World

The on-going transformation of Epcot creates a whole lot of new views this week. Some of them you may have already spotted a bit in the new photos of the Festival of the Arts and preparations for the Flower and Garden Festival above. Now, after entering the park and being directed to the left (east) side of the entrance plaza up to Spaceship Earth, there is no longer a walkway all the way through the center of Future World. In fact, if you need to use the restrooms, you had better go to the right of Spaceship Earth because, at least on Monday, the restrooms near Guest Relations were closed off behind construction walls, the restrooms in the Innoventions East building were closed with the closing of The Electric Umbrella Restaurant over the weekend, and the restrooms near the blue breezeway also remain closed behind construction walls. In other words, the first sets of open restrooms you may find on the east side of Future World when entering the park (or the last, if walking out on the east side after exiting World Showcase) are at Odyssey. Lots of additional changes noted in the captions.

Epcot

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

With the closing of Electric Umbrella, it seems the Odyssey building's menu has expanded a bit and the building has more available seating around the outside of the ring walls that contain the screens for the preview of Epcot's transformation.

At the other end of the park, however, as of Monday, the new Regal Eagle Smokehouse had not yet opened to provide additional fast casual dining options to hungry guests, though the menu boards for the outdoor bar could be seen from the Promenade. It is expected to open very soon. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Transportation and Ticket Center

Construction continues at the old tram loading and bag check security area at the Transportation and Ticket Center. Tram loading and unloading remains on the other side of Seven Seas Drive, requiring guests to walk under the roadway to the current bag check security area near the vacation planning ticket booths. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

This and That…

…For the seventh week in a row, Disney Parks Blog released a look at one of the digital posters that will appear inside the Chinese Theatre at Disney's Hollywood Studios when it reopens with the March 4 debut of Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway. Each poster pays tribute to an actual Mickey Mouse short; like all the shorts, you can even watch this week's "Yodelberg" short where Mickey, longing to visit Minnie at her mountain chalet, "realizes that a potential avalanche and some unexpected surprises threaten to put an end to their yodeling duet," here on Mickey Mouse's official You Tube channel. The new digital posters appear on the video screens throughout the queue on the screens that used to show posters for classic movies and The Great Movie Ride. The new attraction itself includes a brand new short, "Perfect Picnic" where "Mouse rules apply," and the digital posters in the halls leading up to the "premiere" (the pre-show for the ride) set the scene.

Posters inspired by Mickey & Minnie cartoon shorts have been created for the lobby of Chinese Theatre at Disney's Hollywood Studios to set the scene for Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway which opens March 4. Image ©Disney.

In front of the theater, the posters advertise the attraction opening on March 4 and the new sign has been installed above the doors. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

…Disney Parks Blog also shared a video from its #DisneyCastLife series showing off Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway opening team cast members taking their preview rides aboard the "Runnamuck Railroad" that is at the center of the new attraction "where mouse rules apply." Just as we have heard from other members of the creative team over the past years of the ride's development, Antony Capstick, Project Engineer at Walt Disney Imagineering, said in the Disney Parks Blog post, "For this attraction, you are going to be in the cartoon world and anything is possible."

Cast member previews are underway at Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway. Passholder previews have not been announced. Video ©Disney.

…On a somewhat related note in the "oops, we missed it" department, as Orlando Sentinel reported and as confirmed by the schedule in the My Disney Experience app, the "Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away" stage show at Disney's Hollywood Studios in front of the Chinese Theater will have its last scheduled shows on February 22. The show, including video clips from all of the Star Wars films and with live, brief appearances by heros and villains from the franchise, debuted on the center stage at the park back in the Spring of 2016, and was updated a few times, as new films were released. Like the retirement last Summer of the March of the First Order, and last year's closing of the Path of the Jedi film, the "Far, Far Away" show closing is not particularly surprising since the park opened its Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge area. The only remaining Star Wars entertainment and attractions outside of Galaxy's Edge in the park after February 22 will be Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple, and the Star Wars Launch Bay (which is in the "Animation Courtyard" area of the park which is ripe for future re-imagination, particularly since it has not been home to animation for many years).

The final performances of "Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away" are scheduled for February 22, 2020. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

…For those visiting the Resort this weekend, be mindful of road closures for the 2020 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend. For those coming for the runDisney event or otherwise interested in it, the Health & Fitness Expo is open to everyone at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Thursday, February 20 (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.), Friday, February 21 (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.), and Saturday, February 22 (9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.). The schedule of free Interactive Zone activities is available on this page of the runDisney events website and Disney Parks Blog shows off highlights of the commemorative merchandise available this year.

…In addition to the on-going preview of the upcoming Disney-Pixar film Onward which is playing in the theater inside Walt Disney Presents at Disney's Hollywood Studios, you can now find merchandise inspired by the film at locations around the Resort and online at shopDisney.com. While Disney Parks Blog yesterday announced that Disney California Adventure and Hong Kong Disneyland will host meet and greets for the teenage elf brothers Ian and Barley Lightfoot from the film, there have not yet been any announcements for character interactions at Walt Disney World.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

…Interested in a chance to win a stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite in Magic Kingdom? Interested in additional bonus chances to win by making donations that benefit Orlando Magic Youth Foundation? Omaze has a sweepstakes (with lots of fine print on its site that you need to read and we have no affiliation with or responsibility for it) with a grand prize offering of a two-day, one-night vacation that includes a night in the Suite for up to four people, plus park tickets, a VIP tour guide for a day, and dinner at Narcoossee's. Donation or purchase not required for the single entry, but bonus entries are included with different donation levels. The deadline to enter is April 7, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific (which is April 8, 2:59 a.m. Eastern) with the winner to be announced on or around April 22, 2020.

…FINAL REMINDER: You can benefit the Kids Café Program of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida while you sample dishes and beverages featured at Toledo, Topolino's Terrace, Tiffins, The Hollywood Brown Derby, Cinderella's Royal Table, Golden Oak, Epcot Festivals, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Amorette's Patisserie, The Ganachery, Disney's Grand Floridian Weddings, Disney Park Events, Wine Bar George, and more by the Walt Disney World Food & Beverage Concept Development Team. The 7th Field to Field Dinner, which has raised more than $100,000 for the program, will be held in partnership with Edible Orlando magazine at Long & Scott Farms in Zellwood, Florida, on February 22, 2020, from 2:30-5:30 p.m. Tickets are $175/person (and they have sold out in the past). More information and tickets are available at EdibleOrlando.com. 100% of proceeds benefit the after-school meal service program that provides food to needy children in Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties in Florida.

…The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic will return for its 11th year on Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7. Overnight packages and tickets are now on sale at www.FoodandWineClassic.com or by calling 1-888-828-8850. The ticketed event is a street party festival with unlimited tastings of culinary selections from the hotel's award-winning restaurants, wine samplings from around the world, and a selection of other beverages, all "amidst a festive backdrop of live entertainment." Educational seminar experiences may be added to packages for an additional fee. Menus and more information will be announced as the event gets closer.

…Speaking of food, the former Chicagoan at the keyboard in these Updates has previously noted with excitement that Portillo's, the Chicagoland-based restaurant chain that features hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, a legendary chocolate cake, and more, is building a location just beyond Walt Disney World Resort near Disney Springs which is expected to open later this year. This week, Portillo's announced that its food truck, "The Beef Bus," will be serving up its Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, crinkle cut cheese fries, and soft drinks just a little bit further way from Disney property at Icon Park, 8375 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819 (at the backside of the Ferris Wheel) from 2 to 11 p.m. on February 27 to March 1, and March 5-9. Anyone want to meet up?

…Walt Disney World Golf is offering special "Play 9 After Sunrise or Before Sunset" promotions. The Sunrise 9 promotion, with green fees as low as $35 plus tax, provides for tee times typically between 7:00 am and 8:30 am daily. Included as part of this promotion, golfers enjoy a hot, freshly prepared breakfast sandwich and coffee, orange juice, or water before your round. After your round, enjoy an additional beverage (domestic beer or soft drink). The Sunset 9 promotion offers green fees as low as $29 plus tax, for daily tee time windows varying seasonally (starting between 3:00 pm and 5:30 pm) depending upon when sunset occurs. Enjoy a fresh hot dog and a pre-round beverage (domestic beer or soft drink). For more information, call (407)WDW-GOLF.

…The MousePlanet Newsletter is here! The newsletter contains a recap of the week's articles (in case you miss a day), news that may have developed since the weekly Updates were published, and tips about what's happening at the Disney theme parks for the coming weekend. We'll also include a fun bonus, such as an Eye Spy or a trivia question. To subscribe to our free newsletter, just enter your email in the box below.

Disney Springs News & Views

This section collects all of the Disney Springs retail and dining events we are aware of in one place along with our most recent views of the area (including those immediately under this paragraph). Some items are repeated week to week until they occur, while other items NEW to the Update are marked accordingly. For even more of the latest news around Disney Springs, follow its official Twitter Feed: @DisneySprings.

City Works Eatery & Pour House

Earlier this month, executives and staff at the new City Works Eatery & Pour House were joined by Disney Springs leadership to cut the ribbon and open the venue located just outside NBA Experience on the West Side. We were invited to attend the grand opening celebration on Thursday and to dine at the restaurant over the weekend.

City Works Eatery and Pour House held its grand opening ribbon cutting and celebration on Thursday, February 6, at Disney Springs. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Chicago-based brand has nine locations across the country and the Disney Springs location is its first in Central Florida. The venue features 17 televisions including a 168 inch high definition video screen. Yes, it is a venue that will feature sporting events on those screens (it is next door to and can be entered directly from NBA Experience) that are shown while guests dine on "classic American dishes" and a beer menu featuring over 90 local and global craft brews on tap and eight wines on draft. In addition to its lunch and dinner menus, on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. it also features a "Rock N' Roll Brunch menu," while on weekdays from 3:30 until 6 p.m. its Happy Hour features a discounted menu of select beer, wine and appetizers. Walk-up seating is offered now (and take out orders are available), and reservations made through My Disney Experience and OpenTable will be honored starting March 9. The venue also offers Annual Passholder and Disney Vacation Club discounts on food and (at least some) non-alcoholic beverages. Cast member discounts are available too.

The restaurant's dining room is along the first level of the newly constructed NBA Experience building that is located where the former DisneyQuest stood. Photo courtesy Disney Parks Blog.

File Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant

Raglan Road celebrates 15 years since it opened at Walt Disney World Resort. Serving up authentic Irish entertainment along with its menu by Irish chef Mark O'Neill (accompanied by lots of locally crafted beers, Irish gin and more) everyday, Raglan Road's Might St. Patrick's Festival will run Friday, March 13 through Tuesday, March 17, 2020. It is complimentary March 13-16 (and reservations are accepted); on March 17, seating is first-come, first served, and there is a $10 cover charge for guests 18 years old and above. The full Festival entertainment schedule will be posted at RaglanRoad.com, and the highlights will include: Strings & Things, TradGad, MACA, Fia Rua, Mike Waters, and Emily Furlong.

Raglan Road is located in the Landing Neighborhood of Disney Springs and has been in the same place at Walt Disney World for nearly 15 years (dating back to when the area was Pleasure Island). File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Maria & Enzo's Ristorante

Carnevale has returned to Maria & Enzo's Ristorante for the entire month of February this year. The festival, known in Venice as Carnevale and as Mardi Gras outside of Italy, includes festive decor, glamorous costumes, food and celebrations. At the restaurant, from 5-10 p.m., the restaurant has special menus with signature dishes as well as special items, special beverage offerings, special dessert offerings, and nightly live entertainment. Reservations are recommended by visiting MariaAndEnzos.com or by calling (407)560-8466.

Carnevale at Maria & Enzo's continues until February 29, 2020. Image courtesy Patina Restaurant Group.

We were invited to dine during the opening night's festivities and some of the highlights follow. There was somewhat less live entertainment inside the restaurant this year over last (the singers and specialty acts, for example), but there is some entertainment outside the restaurant to draw folks in, much more decor inside, and some complimentary food items accompanying your meal. As you can see in the photos, though, there is still some entertainment to go with your meal and it may change throughout the event's run.

File Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Entertainment takes place in front of Maria & Enzo's throughout the night as a preview to the Carnevale celebrations inside. File Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Edison

On February 22, 2020, from 8:30 p.m. until 2 a.m., The Edison will host its inaugural Masquerade. According to the announcement, guests ages 21 and above will enter "a fantasy world of electrifying mystique" where they should "be prepared to be surprised and delighted around every corner as all party goers will be dressed incognito during a magical evening shrouded in an air of secrecy." Tickets are $65/person (plus tax and gratuity) and includes "power-house trays of gourmet passed appetizers". There will also be a dedicated menu of themed cocktails available. Masks are mandatory (but full face masks are prohibited). For more information and to purchase tickets (which are still available), visit this page of Patina Restaurant Group's website. We have been invited to attend as well, so let us know if you will be there to say hello!

The Masquerade Event will be held for guests at least 21 years old at The Edison, Saturday, February 22, 8:30 p.m. until 2 a.m. $65 Tickets are required (plus tax and gratuity); guests must wear "Festive Masks." Image courtesy Patina Restaurant Group.

Vivoli il Gelato

Throughout February, Vivoli il Gelato is serving a "Love Potion" concoction of vanilla gelato and Fanta Strawberry, topped with whipped cream and garnished with sprinkles and rock candy. It is served in a novelty "Be Mine" cup.

Jaleo

NEW On Saturday, March 21, from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., Jaleo is holding a Paella Block Party in celebration of its one-year anniversary. Taking over the sidewalk on the West Side and inside the restaurant, the ticketed event features four Festival Paellas, unlimited tapas, flamenco dancers, a DJ, a photo booth, and more. Visit this EventBrite page for more information and tickets. Early bird tickets are available now until February 23: All-Inclusive (age 21 and over) is $75 plus $6.20 fee; Food and non-alcoholic beverage ticket (all ages) is $40 plus $4.06 fee; children 10 and younger are free. Prices increase on February 24.

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Resort Events

Check here to see if a park event might fall during your next trip to the Walt Disney World Resort. If you know of any in-park events, official or unofficial, that should be listed here, please send us an email. More runDisney event information

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2020 Resort Events

2021 Resort Events

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Note: Not all attraction closures have been officially confirmed by Disney, and are all subject to change at any time. All refurbishment schedules are estimates only. We recommend checking for updates as you plan your visit. All information is subject to change without notice. To get the most recent updates, visit DisneyWorld.com or use the MyDisneyExperience App on your iOS or Android device.

View the different areas of the Resort by scrolling horizontally and selecting the one you want to read about.

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Current Discounts and Promotions

Note: MousePlanet does not edit past Updates to reflect price increases; for up-to-date prices, check the most recent Walt Disney World Resort Update. For your convenience, we have grouped the discount offers based on the intended audience. Check out the category that best matches you, and pick the offer that works best for you. And keep those tips coming—let us know if you find a better or different offer, so we can share it with other readers.

As regular readers know, Walt Disney World Resort theme park tickets are rarely offered at deep discounts unless you are a resident of Florida or eligible for U.S. Military Personnel benefits. It is increasingly true that non-Florida residents tend to benefit the most by purchasing tickets in advance (and, of course, being mindful of the rules relevant to those tickets). As prices go up, it becomes even more important to pay heed: Don't get scammed! Never buy tickets from an unofficial or secondary outlet, such as through eBay or Craigslist. Never rent or purchase tickets from people approaching you outside Disney property stating they have remaining days or leftover tickets. This practice is against the terms of use for Walt Disney World Theme Park admissions, and may result in denial of entry. There is no way to determine if these tickets are valid until you try to use them to enter the parks. Only purchase Disney theme park tickets directly from Disney, an authorized seller, or a travel agency like MousePlanet travel partner Get Away Today. Be sure to move the calendar to at least seven (7) days out, to see what ticket options and discounts are available for your planned visit.

For more discounts and offers we know about, click the category below that you want to expand (or close).

For Everyone

For Annual Passholders

For Disney Rewards VISA Credit Card Holders

For Military Personnel

For Florida Residents

For Disney Vacation Club Members

For Canada Residents

For U.K. Residents

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