Walt Disney World Resort Update for March 19-25, 2019

Walt Disney World Resort Update for March 19-25, 2019

 

Writer's note: As a week with smaller bits of news, most new Walt Disney World Resort details are in our This and That… and Disney Springs sections this week. The Crowds Forecast says Walt Disney World Resort is in for a bit of reprieve this week, and, coincidentally, the weather forecast likewise says Central Florida will get a brief break from its early run of 80º and above days; but the higher temperatures are expected to start to return before our next Update.

We also do not have as many photos to share from around Walt Disney World Resort as usual this week, but with upcoming reservations to attend the DVC Moonlight Magic event at Disney's Hollywood Studios and the V.I.Passholder event at Epcot, photo opportunities may be plentiful in the week ahead. Since last week's Update, Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix and I discussed the recently-announced opening of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge on both coasts with Garry Meier for a Garry Meier Show podcast that will be available starting tomorrow for free at GarryMeier.com, we would all appreciate it if you would listen in (and, as always, be aware that our segment is friendly for all audiences, but the rest of the show may contain some adult subjects or words not suitable for all ears, so listener discretion is advised).

News and Views

Headlines are auto-generated here

New Crêperie Coming to Epcot

As the expansion of the France pavilion at Epcot continues toward the 2021 opening of the new Remy's Ratatouille Adventure attraction, Disney has announced that a new crêperie will be located near the new attraction and will feature the cuisine of celebrity chef Jérôme Bocuse, the chef also responsible for Chefs de France brasserie and Monsieur Paul. The new location will offer both table service and quick service options, serving a menu inspired by the Brittany region of France and featuring both savory and sweet crepes.

A new crêperie will be located near Remy's Ratatouille Adventure attraction which is scheduled to debut at the France pavilion in time for the celebration of Walt Disney World Resort's 50th anniversary in 2021. Concept Art ©Disney.

The Disney Parks Blog post announcing the new restaurant also clarified that the "Beauty and the Beast" Sing-Along experience announced last fall as joining the existing "Impressions de France" film at the pavilion will also debut in time for the Resort's 50th anniversary celebration in 2021. Disney has also announced that the Guardians of the Galaxy-themed attraction under construction in Future World along with a new interactive "Play" pavilion in the former Wonders of Life/Festival Center pavilion building will also debut in 2021.

From Japan pavilion on the shore of World Showcase Lagoon, the sky-blue building that will house part of the future Guardians of the Galaxy-themed attraction rises toward the blue sky ahead of its expected 2021 opening. Construction also continues on the islands in the lagoon to support the new nighttime spectacular expected to debut at the park in 2020.

Epcot Concerts News & Calendar

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is underway featuring the Garden Rocks Concert Series on the America Gardens stage three times nightly through June 3. This is the first time the concerts run seven nights a week for the length of the festival. Performers coming up on the schedule include Ambrosia, Magic Giant, Peabo Bryson, Eddie Palmieri, Dennis DeYoung (original member of STYX), Air Supply, Rick Springfield, Richard Marx and Starship, starring Mickey Thomas. Returning performers also include The Spinners and Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone, and new to the Festival performers include TobyMac, Steven Curtis Chapman, Sister Sledge, and Colin Hay of Men at Work. For more information or for reserving dining packages with guaranteed concert seating, call (407) WDW-DINE or visit FreshEpcot.com. Passholders can save 10% on food and beverages (except alcohol and excluding tax and gratuity) on dining packages for themselves and up to three guests.

Tony Orlando and his band returned to Epcot last week for Garden Rocks Concert Series shows at America Gardens Theatre. The superstar of the 1970s included tributes to veterans and current armed forces troops during his performances. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

America Gardens Theatre is located on World Showcase Lagoon across from the entrance to The American Adventure. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

This summer, Guardians of the Galaxy-Awesome Mix Live! will return from June 14 through August 18. Star-Lord and Gamora (along with an "alien" band) will take a "musical journey" that showcases hits from Star-Lord's Awesome Mix tapes with multiple performances daily.

With Groot remotely patching "Awesome Mix" music into the headphones of of an alien band, Star-Lord tried to teach them how to become the "Galaxy's greatest cover band" during last summer's edition of the Guardians of the Galaxy-Awesome Mix Live! Concerts. Gamora seemed unimpressed. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

For the convenience of our readers, all of the scheduled Garden Rocks Concert Series performers at America Gardens Theatre are shown in our Google Calendar of Epcot Events. All of the Guardians of the Galaxy-Awesome Mix Live! dates are included as well. While our Google Calendar of Epcot Events includes a list of the scheduled performers, it is 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 last minute changes. You can add the whole Event calendar to any calendar that supports the iCal format (like iPhone and Mac) by copying this link and, indeed, if when we get additional information and update the calendar, the calendar will update on your subscribed device as well. The calendar is provided as a courtesy "as is, where is" without any guarantees. Given the effort it took to create it and keep it updated, 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

This week, we have more views from the 26th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, including a batch of photos from Outdoor Kitchens by our Contributing Photographer Bonnie Fink. The New & Coming Soon to Disney Springs section (below) has additional new Views mixed in with the news this week too.

Re-striping underway along the eastern side of Epcot's parking lot, with a new pedestrian path leading farther to the east than before may indicate that the entrance area re-imagination construction and the attendant relocation of the "Leave a Legacy" plaques may begin soon. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

While cast members no longer dispatch guests on Agent P's World Showcase Adventure, a sign now instructs guests to visit a website or use the free Play Disney Parks app. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Trowel & Trellis Outdoor Kitchen, located in World Showcase Plaza, toward Mexico pavilion, is hosted by Impossible, the plant-based vegan-friendly meat manufacturer. The "Farmhouse Meatball" is not made from any animal products though tastes like meat. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Photos and Captions by Bonnie Fink.

This and That…

…After we published last week's Update, Orlando Sentinel and others reported that the newest Walt Disney World published prices for peak days from Christmas to New Year's eve set one-day base theme park tickets at $159 plus tax. Remember that the new pricing introduced back in October makes park ticket purchases date sensitive based upon not only the number of days the ticket will be used, but the specific first day guests intend to use the ticket. The lowest price single-day base ticket remains at $109 plus tax.

…The TRON-themed roller coaster coming to Magic Kingdom celebrated a major construction milestone this week with cast members signing one of the first steel support columns for the attraction. The attraction, still not officially named, is based on the TRON Lightcycle Power Run at Shanghai Disneyland and is scheduled to open in time for the park and Resort's 50th anniversary in 2021.

…With Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy due to open at Disney's Hollywood Studios on March 31, it seems that each week comes another new bit of information about the new interactive show featuring McQueen and his friends Cruz Ramirez, Tow Mater and others. This week, Disney Parks Blog revealed that John Ratzenberger, the star behind the voice of Mack the truck in each of the Cars movies (and, indeed, at least one character in every Disney-Pixar feature film so far), has again voiced Mack for the new attraction. Mack and Sally Carrera will welcome rookie racers entering the theater and test your knowledge of Lightning McQueen as you take your seat before showtime.

John Ratzenberger, Pixar's "lucky charm" has joined the voice cast for Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy, scheduled to open at Disney's Hollywood Studios on March 31, 2019. Video ©Disney.

…Whispering Canyon Café at Disney's Wilderness Lodge has added new skillets to its lunch and dinner "all-you-care-to-enjoy" seatings and will add breakfast skillets starting on March 26. Disney Parks Blog has posted photos and descriptions of some of the new (and coming soon) offerings, plus the sides, the Apple Pie, and some of the newly-themed adult beverages. Reservations are available online or by calling (407)WDW-DINE.

…Speaking of dining at resorts, Disney Parks Blog provides a preview of Topolino's Terrace—Flavors of the Riviera, the new signature rooftop dining experience planned for the upcoming Disney's Riviera Resort. It will feature modern interpretations of Italian and French textures, colors, and carvings with stonework resembling that of ancient European coastline villages. The open kitchen will feature a wood burning grill. The restaurant will also offer "an exclusive Disney character dining experience inspired by the Riviera" during breakfast (with details to follow). The highlight of the signature dining location in the evenings, no doubt, will be its outdoor terrace view of fireworks at both Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

…The newest Masai giraffe calf at Disney's Animal Kingdom, Jabari, who was actually born on the savanna of Kilimanjaro Safaris on January 14, now stands at seven-feet-tall and has officially joined the rest of the herd. His name is Swahili for "brave one" and he may be spotted when visiting the attraction. Masai giraffe population continues to decline in the wild due, in part, to poaching and habitat loss. Jabari's parents, Mara and George, were chosen to breed through the Species Survival Plan overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Jabari, who is now two months old, has a heart-shape spot on his neck. Video ©Disney.

…Disney's Typhoon Lagoon water park opened for its 30th Season on Sunday, St. Patrick's Day, following its seasonal refurbishment. To celebrate, Disney Parks Blog posted a celebratory video with a bit of a St. Patrick's Day theme mixed in.

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon celebrates the opening of its 30th Season with a fun video. ©Disney.

…Starting in June, the Adventures by Disney Backstage Magic Tour at Walt Disney World will add a visit to the marina where the animal and lotus barges are prepared for the evening performance of Rivers of Light at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The tour will highlight some of the mechanical and technological "secrets" behind the show and will also add a private lunch at the park's Tiffins Restaurant which features a special menu accompanied by stories about the creation of the park. Back in the Walt Disney World Resort Update for November 28-December 4, 2017, we provided you with some of the highlights of the then-current edition of the Backstage Magic Tour (as seen through friend of MousePlanet Dave Kent who filled in for me on the special media-invited edition of the tour). Advertised highlights of the tour (which are always subject to change) continue to include behind-the-scenes looks at The American Adventure, Creative Costuming, Central Shops, the utilidor tunnels at Magic Kingdom. Textile Services, which has been a tour destination in the past, is only a scheduled stop through the end of May according to Disney Parks Blog. For more information call (407)939-8687.

…Walt Disney World Golf is offering Summer Instructional Golf Clubs for Juniors. A part of the PGA Junior League Initiative, Walt Disney World Golf offers weekly team practices and play for kids ages 7-17 in June, July and August, helping improve kids' golf games and help them reach their goals. More information, pricing and registration forms are available on this page of GolfWDW.com. Discounts are available for Military, Cast and Disney Vacation Club members.

…Beyond Walt Disney World, looking for a Spring escape to celebrate Mom or otherwise? Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai'i, is offering discounts of up to 30% for stays from March 22 through June 7, 2019 (with check-out on June 8) of five or more consecutive nights and discounts of up to 25% when staying for four consecutive nights. More information and availability can be found on this page of DisneyAulani.com. Rooms must be booked by May 8, 2019, and the offer excludes suites and 3-Bedroom Grand Villas.

…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.

New & Coming Soon at Disney Springs

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). Event items NEW to the Update are marked accordingly.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

NEW - NOW OPEN Jaleo and Pepe by José Andrés

This past Sunday, Chef José Andrés' ThinkFoodGroup opened its newest Jaleo restaurant at Disney Springs on the West Side, having completely reimagined the building previously occupied by Wolfgang Puck Grand Café. This is the largest Jaleo and the first of its five United States restaurants to be located in Florida. Its name means "revelry" and its menu features tapas that it says are "reflecting the rich regional diversity of traditional and contemporary Spanish cuisine, as well as sangrias and a premier selection of Spanish wines." The restaurant is open nightly for dinner and will add lunch service soon. Reservations are available by calling (321) 348-3211 and on OpenTable.

Spanish designer Juli Capella was responsible for the architectural form of the building housing both Jaleo and Pepe. ThinkFoodGroup says the building's look is "inspired by the bold, playful nature of Spain featuring petals that organically open, inviting guests to enter and experience the very best of Spanish cuisine. The petals themselves form pergolas, which extend toward the outdoors, allowing light to flow in and out." Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The new venue also includes a separate entrance for Pepe by José Andrés, the first brick and mortar location of the chef's Spanish food truck which has been serving Washington, D.C. for more than six years. This new quick-service location offers Spanish sandwiches or bocatas (both hot and cold), as well as gazpacho and salads to go. Spanish sangria (including sangria ice cubes to prevent the beverage from getting diluted by Central Florida's weather) is also available at the location which is now open for lunch and dinner.

Pepe has a separate entrance to the left of the entrance for Jaleo. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Raglan Road Mighty St. Patrick's Festival

The Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant featured its 2019 Mighty St. Patrick's Festival last weekend, March 15-17, and we were privileged to have been invited to the media preview on Thursday and shared some highlights on our Instagram Story and IGTV. Indeed, one of the items we previewed (shown below) will be coming to Cooke's of Dublin soon! And, even though the Mighty Festival has ended, Raglan continues to feature entertainment nightly, including some of the performers that participated in the Festival.

Cooke's of Dublin, the quick service location at Raglan Road, will soon offer Mini Chicken Sliders, crispy breaded chicken with bacon jam and pickled onions on a miniature bun. Photo from our Instagram Story by Alan S. Dalinka.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Ben Gunnery is an Irish Music superstar that has toured since age 14 and has been a solist for productions including "Riverdance" and films including "Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter." Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

Three Irish sister-musician-songwriters dubbed "Ireland's next big thing" perform at Raglan Road Pub for the next several weeks. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

Terralina Crafted Italian

On Saturday, March 23, from 2:30-4:30 p.m., a Terralina Crafted Italian Wine & Cheese Experience offers up four pairings to try for $45/person (tax and gratuity included but not EventBrite ticket fee). Full menu and tickets are available on this EventBrite page. All guests must be at least 21 years old to participate.

Meatball Monday continues this month with three dishes: a sandwich ($14), pizza ($15) or calzone ($14).

Happy Hour on the Patio is also available Sundays through Thursdays, from 4-6 p.m. and 9-11 p.m. It offers $15 Charcuterie Boards, half price wines by the glass, $5 beers and more.

Paddlefish

Paddlefish restaurant is now selling "a boozy chocolate popsicle that's fat free and under 100 calories." The new Chocolate Raspberry Sorbeto Buzz Pop is $14, infused with premium bourbon, and is also vegan, gluten-free and certified kosher.

On Thursday, March 28, Paddlefish is celebrating National Food-On-A-Stick Day with a reception-style rooftop party on the 3rd deck. For $80/guest (including tax and gratuity but not EventBrite ticket fee), from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. you can enjoy Lobster Corn Dogs, Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce, Lamb Shish Kabob with Tzatziki, Steak Brocheta with Salsa Roja, and Shrimp & Scallop Spiedino with Lemon & Olive Oil. Tickets are available on this EventBrite page and all guests must be at least 21 years old to attend.

Rooftop Late Night! continues with featured cocktails, craft beers and wines. On Fridays and Saturdays from 9 p.m. until Midnight there is also live entertainment on the rooftop.

Happy Hour at the Bar (2-4 p.m.) and On the Rooftop (9-11 p.m.) includes $20 bottles of Rosé, $5 draft beers and $8 appetizers.

The Edison

The Edison burger of the month for March is "The Luck of The Irish Burger," featuring the signature Edison blend of sirloin, short rib, and brisket topped with corned beef, coleslaw, crispy potatoes and whole grain mustard. The burger pairs with The Edison's March drink special, "Paddy’s Coffee," a spiked coffee with Bushmill Black Bush Irish Whiskey, St. George Nola Coffee Liqueur and Agave, chilled over iced then strained, served with Peruvian coffee beans smothered with dark chocolate.

The Luck of The Irish Burger is The Edison's March Burger of the Month. Image courtesy Patina Restaurant Group.

Enzo's Hideaway Tunnel Bar

Dates and beverages for the Smuggler's Series at Enzo's Hideaway Tunnel Bar have been published through October, starting with the March 23 showcasing Ron Abuelo Rum featuring four varieties of rum served in various presentations paired with a multi-course menu created by Chef John Miele, from 1 to 3 p.m.. Tickets and full menu for the $75/person (plus tax and gratuity) are available on this page of Patina Restaurant Group's website. NEW We have been invited to attend this March 23 session, so keep an eye on our social media accounts on Saturday afternoon for highlights! The rest of the published series schedule is:

Crooked Can Brewing Co.
Wednesday, April 17, 7 p.m.
$45 per person

Hendricks Gin
Saturday, May 4, 2 p.m.
$60 per person

Terrapin Brewing Company
Wednesday, June 19, 7 p.m.
$45 per person

Bourbon - Tim Hiesler, Bourbon ambassador for Jim Beam, Basil Hayden, Maker's Mark
Wednesday, July 17, 7 p.m.
$60 per person

Scotch, WM Grants - Balvenie & Glenfiddich
Wednesday, August 21, 7 p.m.
$60 per person

Crooked Stave
Wednesday, September 18, 7 p.m.
$45 per person

Tito’s Vodka
Wednesday, October 23, 7 p.m.
$60 per person

Morimoto Asia

Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs is hosting the Second Annual Sakura Festival through March 31, a celebration steeped in Japanese tradition and dedicated to the beauty of the cherry blossom. The restaurant is decorated with vibrant "Instagram-worthy" décor, showcasing the pink blooms of the Sakura. Similar to the festivals in Japan, guests can attend a series of ticketed events and enjoy menu specials inspired by the cherry blossom. There are two ticketed events remaining, with further information and tickets available on this page of Patina Restaurant Group's website.

Omakase with Chef Yuhi — on Friday, March 22, starting at 6:30 p.m., join Chef Yuhi Fujinaga for an exclusive and intimate dining experience featuring nine gourmet courses paired with wine and sake that evoke the tastes of the "Toyosu Fish Market." Tickets are $250/person (plus tax and gratuity) and are available on this page of Patina Restaurant Group's website along with the event's menu.

Matsuri Festival — on Sunday, March 31, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the Sakura Festival’s grand finale ushers in spring with a family-friendly event featuring Pan-Asian street food stations, traditional Japanese carnival games, activities, origami and even personalized calligraphy artwork for guests to take home. Tickets are $45/ages 10-and-up; $17/ages 9-and-under, and are available on this page of Patina Restaurant Group's website along with the event's menu and games listing.

Status of Parking Availability at Disney Springs

We still have no official announcement on when the newest parking structure on Buena Vista Drive will open, but this week we have a new photo of the side of the pedestrian bridge near World of Disney store that connects across the street to the garage. Those who visit Disney Springs during the weekends or during busy times of the year at the Resort know that the two existing parking structures, Orange and Lime, often fill to capacity during those peak times. Even the flat lot on the West Side can fill up during very busy times! Keep an eye on the overhead signs along Buena Vista Drive directing cars to the garages and lots with availability, but, note, that the the existing garages themselves continue to have ongoing technology work upgrading the systems that indicate where spaces are available that sometimes results in partial closures of the garages.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Crowd Forecast

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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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2019 Resort Events

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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.

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.

 

 

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