Walt Disney World Resort Update for March 5-11, 2019

Walt Disney World Resort Update for March 5-11, 2019

 

Writer's note: The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival starts TOMORROW, March 6. We were at the Media Preview last week, and have the highlights below. Remember when you plan your visit to Walt Disney World Resort this Spring, folks around the world celebrate spring or take their spring break at different times, so expect the crowd-levels to stay fairly consistent until after Easter with some surges and lulls along the way.

The weather, lately, has been fantastic! While it might rain from time to time, we are still quite away from Central Florida's rainy season.

Let's get on to the news and views.

News and Views

Headlines are auto-generated here

26th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Starts Tomorrow - #FreshEpcot

The 26th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival officially gets underway tomorrow, March 6, and runs all the way through June 3. Epcot's longest-running annual festival brings back many familiar elements and adds new and enhanced topiaries, new food and beverage selections, new play gardens, and, for the first time, a full seven-nights per week line-up of 270 scheduled concerts taking the stage of the America Gardens Theatre in the Garden Rocks Concert Series. The Odyssey building will be the Festival Center; the former Wonders of Life pavilion that often was used as the Festival Center in the past, is being transformed into a new "Play" pavilion which is expected to debut in 2021 as we reported in last week's Update.

Nearly 70,000 "festival blooms" surround the lakes in Future World. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Hundreds of colorful mini-gardens float in the waters of Future World, including in front of Odyssey that will serve as the Festival Center where guests will find scheduled seminars, workshops, and some of the Festival merchandise available for sale. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Last Wednesday, Epcot hosted a Media Preview to highlight parts of this year's Festival. We shared some of those highlights on our social media channels, including a performance by Eddie Palmieri, Grammy Award-winning pianist, bandleader, musician, and composer, who will close out the Garden Rocks Concert Series on June 2-3.

The 26th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival runs March 6 to June 3, including Garden Rocks Concerts every night, topiaries, Outdoor Kitchens, and more flowers and gardens. This video is from the Media Preview on February 27, and includes a performance by Eddie Palmieri, who will perform June 2-3 (to conclude the Garden Rocks Concert Series). Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

Topiaries and Gardens

Disney's horticulture cast work nearly an entire year to design and create the gardens and topiaries for the annual festival. They also work with the culinary team to learn about ingredients used in the dishes offered at the Outdoor Kitchens around the park (the food and beverage kiosks), so that mini-gardens highlighting growing food ingredients can be installed near many of the locations as well.

Of course, the highlight for many visitors to the Festival are the topiaries paying tribute to Disney characters and more all around the park. By Wednesday morning, Epcot's entry area will set the stage with this year's entry topiary display. At the media preview, the team would not share the details other than to say that it will be something new (past experience suggests it may even be in place by the time you are reading this Update, but it is only guaranteed to be in place for Festival opening on Wednesday). The Festival Passport that guests can pick up at the park entrances and at many other places, usually including the Outdoor Kitchens, lists many of the topiary displays and where to find them. With more than 25 places around the park featuring topiaries, we will share a few each week here in the Update; this week, below, we include the new Bo Peep and her sheep, Miss Piggy and Kermit topiaries, and some returning favorites and more.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Future World will display a 9-foot-tall art sculpture made from recycled marine debris to celebrate the April 17 opening of DisneyNature's Penguins. The art display has been created by the non-profit WashedAshore.org featuring adult and baby Adélie penguins and is intended to inspire guests to help keep the world's oceans and waterways clear of plastic pollution.

The Goodness Garden Butterfly House returns to Future World West, featuring nearly 1,000 native butterflies amongst the garden's nearly two dozen nectar plants. Around World Showcase, gardens such as the Kokodema Garden and Bansai Collection will represent plant life in Japan; the Urban Spice Garden returns to Morocco; and the Alpine Container Garden will be on display at Germany.

Food & Beverages

Since Outdoor Kitchens were added to the Festival a few years ago, they have become a major part of the festivities too. Disney Parks Blog has published the "Foodie Guide" to the Festival highlighting the offerings of the 17 Outdoor Kitchens and other special food offerings at the park. The four new Outdoor Kitchens are: Arbor, The Citrus Blossom, Trowel & Trellis, and Flavor Full Kitchen. Taste Track and Refreshment Port will both also add festival themed items to their menus and, of course, Garden Rocks Dining Packages are available (more in our Epcot Concerts section). The Festival Passport also contains all the menus and special food items available around the park and where to find them.

The standout beverage opportunity at the Media Preview was the Orange Bird sipper filled with an Orange Cream Slushy (which is non-alcoholic). Note: the cup is not microwave or dishwasher safe. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Orange Bird sipper will be available at Citrus Blossom Outdoor Kitchen in World Showcase Plaza near Canada. The location will also serve a version of the Orange Cream Slushy with alcohol for guests 21 and over, but it will not be served in the sipper. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Speaking of Twinings of London teas as we were in the photos, The Royal Tea Garden Tour will again be available each morning at the United Kingdom. For $20, guests can follow a knowledgeable guide through the tranquil tea garden setting to learn the history and artistry behind growing and blending tea, and then enjoy a treat of tea and scones. The complimentary English Tea Garden Tour also will be offered twice a day on most weekdays, three times a day on weekends (sign up in the shop and there is a capacity limit).

The Behind the Seeds tour at The Land will continued to be offered during the festival (and the greenhouses there are usually decorated for the festival as well). For a deeper look at horticulture at the park, the Gardens of the World tour hosted by a Disney horticulturist takes guests on a three-hour walking tour to explore the award-winning topiaries and gardens of the festival and will show off new plant materials and gardening techniques to use for home gardens. For these guided tours, additional fees are required, and for more information or to make a reservation, call (407) WDW-TOUR.

Merchandise

The Festival, of course, has lots of new themed merchandise. Taking a cue, perhaps, from the Disney D-Lites line, some of this year's Festival merchandise pays homage to some of the Festival beverage offerings, and, as always, Mickey, Minnie, and Figment all make appearances. Merchandise kiosks are located in Future World and around World Showcase; some items are offered in the Odyssey Festival Center, and MouseGear has more too. Spike's Pollen-nation Exploration scavenger hunt is back for the duration of the Festival, and the Egg-Stravaganza Scavenger Hunt will run for a limited time starting April 5 featuring Disney Character-inspired Easter Eggs around the park.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Exclusively for Passholders, two character themed Passholder magnets will be available for free during the Festival to add to your collection; both characters are making their first Passholder magnet appearances. The first magnet, available tomorrow, March 6, through April 10, features Pluto. The other magnet features Daisy, and it will be available April 11 through June 3. While supplies last, magnets will be available at Mouse Gear and Port of Entry during their regular operating hours. Passholders must show a photo ID matching their pass.

Passholder Magnets featuring Pluto and Daisy will be available at MouseGear and Port of Entry during specific dates or while supplies last. Image ©Disney.

Also for Passholders, there will be two exclusive cookies available for purchase during the Festival at Taste Track on one specific date each Tomorrow, March 6, Pluto will be available; on April 11, Daisy will be available. Cookies are $4 each, and Passholders must show their pass and matching photo ID to purchase before they run out. Taste Track opens at 11 a.m. near Test Track.

The Festival itself is included with Epcot admission. Food, beverages, merchandise, some tours, seminars and workshops are all extra.

Dumbo Preview Now Playing - #Dumbo

Walt Disney Presents at Disney's Hollywood Studios is now showing an extended preview of the upcoming "live-action" feature Dumbo based on Disney's animated classic and directed by Tim Burton. The film opens in theaters on March 29.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

As previously reported, the extended preview is also playing aboard the Disney Cruise Line fleet and also at Disneyland in the Main Street Opera House. Disney is encouraging folks to share photos with the life-size replica of Dumbo at the theme park locations by using "#Dumbo" on social media and, if you include #MousePlanet too, we would "Like" that too.

Epcot Concerts News & Calendar

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival begins tomorrow night, March 6, and the Garden Rocks Concert Series takes over 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 scheduled this year include Wang Chung, Peabo Bryson, Eddie Palmieri, Tony Orlando, Jon Anderson of YES, Ambrosia, Magic Giant, Dennis DeYoung, original member of STYX, Steve Auger (Journey former lead vocalist), 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.

Eddie Palmieri, Grammy Award-winning pianist, bandleader, musician and composer, entertained during the Media Preview last week and will close out the Garden Rocks Concert Series on June 2 and 3, 2019. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

America Gardens Theatre is located on World Showcase Lagoon across from the entrance to The American Adventure. 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

We have new views this week of Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney's Hollywood Studios—particularly the on-going construction projects that are underway at each park.

Magic Kingdom

Springtime at Magic Kingdom brings blue skies over Cinderella Castle as Mickey and Minnie pass by in the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Epcot

In the brief period between festivals, the park's entry flowerbed is a simple field of red. By tomorrow (if not today), the Festival welcome topiary display will be in place here. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Disney Skyliner testing over the parking lot of Disney's Hollywood Studios may give us a sense of how quickly the new transportation system will move when it goes into operation this fall. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

This and That…

…Over this weekend, Bollywood Beats, a new Indian dance experience show debuted at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The show combines traditional Indian dance "with the fire of Hindi film" with classical Indian rhythms of Kathak, to the folks style of Bhangra, and the modern Bollywood pop style. The performances will take place on the new stage across from the Anandapur Theater in Asia (formerly known as the Caravan Stage where UP! A Great Bird Adventure is now playing).

…This Friday, March 8, all four Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks will have special entertainment experiences and food and beverages in honor of International Women's Day. Magic Kingdom will feature the "Sisters Soiree Dance Party" in Tomorrowland featuring characters like Judy Hopps from Zootopia and Joy from Inside Out. At Disney's Hollywood Studios, Rey will join Chewbacca inside Star Wars Launch Bay, while the women of the Green Army Patrol will march through Toy Story Land, and the citizens of Municiberg will honor the Super women of their city as part of "An Incredible Celebration." Epcot's Voices of Liberty will feature special performances of empowering songs celebrating women, and there will be opportunities to commemorate the day at Disney's Animal Kingdom's dance parties. For a rundown of the special food and beverage offerings and more, check out this Disney Parks Blog post.

…Speaking of food, Disney Parks Blog also has a roundup of the "Best Bites" at Disney's Hollywood Studios Neighborhood Bakery (in Municiberg near Toy Story Land), and details of a new food truck coming to the West Side of Disney Springs, the Mac & Cheese Truck, and more.

…Disney Junior's animated TV series star "Fancy Nancy" will start making appearances at Disney's Hollywood Studios on May 1. She will have a new greeting spot in Animation Courtyard in front of her backyard playhouse. She will also soon join the Disney Junior Play 'n Dine character breakfast that already includes Disney Junior's Vampirina, Doc McStuffins and Roadster Racer Goofy at Hollywood & Vine. For those readers on the West Coast, later in May she will also make appearances outside Disney California Adventure's Disney Junior Dance Party in Hollywood Land.

…Late last week, Disneyland Resort cast members got a preview of the costumes cast will wear in the village of Batuu when Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opens there this Summer. As those details will also be relevant at Disney's Hollywood Studios when the land opens here in Florida in the fall, Disney Parks Blog shared a summary too. In another post, Disney Parks Blog shared a video of Brenda Mercure, Project Manager, Costuming at Disneyland Resort, featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge costuming design process. Finally, Scott Trowbridge, Portfolio Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering, also posted details about Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, "like an intergalactic 'food truck'" that will serve up food transported by the shuttle spotted on the hangar bay roof.

…Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will open a new location for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique inside what is currently the Ivy Trellis Salon. The existing salon will relocated in Senses – A Disney Spa at the Resort. The existing Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Magic Kingdom is also expanding its location by adding more chairs and a new magic mirror. The Disney Springs location in the Marketplace continues to operate as well. Reservations for the existing locations can be booked by calling (407) WDW-STYLE.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Magic Kingdom remains open while it is being expanded. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

…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. Event items NEW to the Update are marked accordingly. In addition to the items below, we noted above amongst the This and That… items that a new Mac-and-Cheese Food Truck is coming to the West Side.

The Raglan Road Mighty St. Patrick's Festival

Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant has announced the lineup for its 2019 Mighty St. Patrick's Festival, March 15-17. Headlined by the Young Dubliners, nine bands join Raglan Road's troupe of Irish dancers for entertainment from morning into late night. On March 17, St. Patrick's Day, guests will be seated on a first-come, first served basis with a $10 cover charge for each guest age 18 and over. Reservations for March 15-16 can be made without cover charge by calling (407)938-0300. Festival hours: March 15–3 p.m. until 1:30 a.m.; March 16-17–11 a.m. until 1:30 a.m. (Pub opens at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday). Complimentary face painting available March 15 from 3-9 p.m. and March 16-17 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The full entertainment schedule will be available at RaglanRoad.com. Published highlights include:

• Young Dubliners – One of Celtic rock's hardest working bands, the Young Dubliners play hundreds of shows to thousands of fans across the United States and Europe every year. Young Dubliners are known for their hearty rock and Irish-infused live performances.
• Ben Gunnery – Irish music superstar and multi-instrumentalist Ben Gunnery, who studied at prestigious music conservatories, has toured since age 14. Now 39, he has been soloist for high-profile productions like Riverdance and films including "Lord of the Rings" and Harry Potter movies. Ben will appear on Raglan Road stages for his first Mighty Festival.
• Briste - This inspiring all-female duo includes Emma Robinson (flute, whistle) and Joanna Boyle (banjo, vocals). Blending their rich musical backgrounds, Briste creates a fresh and exciting mix of country, folk and Irish traditional music.
• The Byrne Brothers - An exceptionally talented traditional Irish music family from Donegal. They are Luca, 14 (button accordion); Finn, 12 (banjo, mandolin and whistle); Dempsey, 9, (whistle and bodhran); and father, Tommy (guitar, Uilleann pipes, fiddle, whistles, bagpipes and bodhran). Their show combines exciting Irish tunes with modern dance beats, and they love to interact with every audience.
• The Raglan Roots Coalition – This edgy house band is known for its soul-rockin' Celtic bluegrass with hip-swingin', knee-shakin' funky roots beats. Emily Furlong (guitar, vocals, banjo); Blain Curtis (guitar, vocals); Ben Roe (percussion); Keelan Kelly (bass); and Ellen Daly (fiddle) will get everyone in the St. Paddy's spirit.
• Reel Republic – Hailing from the four corners of Ireland, Aisling Egan-Sage (fiddle); Liam O'Keefe (box, vocals); Niall McIlroy (guitar, flute); and Eleanor Roe (keyboard, vocals, bodhran) are Reel Republic 2.0, seriously talented musicians always pushing to make the next gig better than the last.
• Trad Gad – Three talented musicians from Kerry, Dublin, Colin Foley (guitar, vocals); Fionn Morrison (Uilleann pipes, whistles); and Ciara Ni Bhrian (guitar, fiddle, mandolin, Uilleann pipes, tin whistle, banjo and bazouki, charm Raglan Road audiences with their vibrant performances.
• Maca – Three Irish sister-musician-songwriters dubbed "Ireland's next big thing" are rocking Raglan Road Pub stages with their extraordinary talent. Saoise Carty (guitar,vocals); Naoise Carty (Fiddle, vocals); and Ciara Carty (Bodhran) are from Wexford, Ireland.
• High Road - Three talented musicians hailing from Galway, Kilkenny and Glasgow meet in the middle to play a crowd-pleasing symphony of traditional Irish tunes and songs. Hannah NcNeil (fiddle, banjo, vocals); Aidan Byrne (guitar, vocals); and Roisin Broderick (concertina) rock the stage.
• The Raglan Road Irish Dancers – Plucked from the cast and stages of the world's greatest Irish dance shows, the Raglan Road Irish Dancers perform throughout the Mighty Festival. You can even learn some traditional Irish dance steps – no experience necessary!

While Raglan Road's brunch, lunch, dinner and bar menus will be available, including its new Guinness-infused Bangin' Bangers and Mighty Mash, Raglan Road does not serve green beer because it says its an American invention. Raglan Road also asks that you not call the holiday "St. Patty's" – it's either "St. Patrick's Day" or "St. Paddy's" – and to remember that a shamrock has three leaves not four!

We have been invited to a Media Preview of the Mighty Festival. Watch our Social Media channels for highlights and more in the afternoon on March 14.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Edison

NEW 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.

Morimoto Asia

NEW Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs will host the Second Annual Sakura Festival from March 8-31, a celebration steeped in Japanese tradition and dedicated to the beauty of the cherry blossom. The restaurant will be 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.

NEW Crooked Can Happy Hour

Crooked Can Happy Hour is Friday, March 8, from 5-7 p.m. Image courtesy Patina Restaurant Group.

On Friday, March 8, from 5-7 p.m., the Sakura Festival kicks off with Crooked Can Brewing Company’s brewmasters to taste the Sakura Kolsch, available only at Morimoto Asia paired with a gourmet selection of Pan-Asian light bites upstairs in the Forbidden Lounge. Crooked Can offerings will be available for $5. No tickets necessary.

NEW Rosé All Day

Rosé All Day is Sunday, March 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.. and tickets are required. Image courtesy Patina Restaurant Group.

Rosé All Day, on Sunday, March 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., is a tasting event highlighting the famed pink drink featuring multiple stations of Rosé from 11 wineries, two sakes, and a selection of food pairings meant to enhance the flavors of each wine. Guest will also receive a complimentary souvenir stemless tasting glass before departure.

Pairings include:

• Erath Pinot Noir Rosé – Paired with scallops bathed in a butter black bean sauce
• M Chapoutier Bellarouche Rosé – Paired with Peking duck
• Domaine De Cala Rosé – Paired with octopus light yuzu koshu
• Smoke Tree Rosé – Paired with a beef yakiniku lettuce wrap with quick kimchi mayo
• Vinho Verde Rosé - Paired with chicken yakitori
• Banfi Rosé – Paired with raw bar menu items
• Hana Hou Hou Rosé Sake - Paired with pork belly
• Shayna – Fleurs Da Prairie – French Rosé - Paired with miso glazed salmon belly
• Strawberry Nigori Sake - Paired with banana lumpia dessert
• Dewatsuru Rosé Sake - Paired with tonkatsu-style pork
• Meriden Rosé – Paired with assorted Dim Sum

Tickets are $55 plus gratuity and tax. More information and tickets are available on this page of PatinaGroup.com

Maria & Enzo's Ristorante

Tonight, Tuesday, March 5, is the last night of the celebration of Carnevale, the traditional winter festival famous in Venice (and known as Mardi Gras in many places outside of Italy), is a spectacle of glamorous costumes, culinary delicacies, and riotous celebration. Guests who visit Maria & Enzo's Ristorante at Disney Springs will enjoy live entertainment including singers, stilt walkers, jugglers, mimes, face painters and folkdancers, while dining on the restaurant's signature Italian cuisine. Visit MariaAndEnzos.com or call (407) 560-8466 for reservations and more information. Guests who make an advance reservation to attend Carnevale will receive a complimentary bottle of Piccini Chianti wine for every two entrees purchased. Guests can raise a glass at the table or bring the bottle home!

Patina Restaurant Group Invited us to experience the Carnevale celebration last Monday, February 25, and you can see highlights from our Instagram Story.

Maria & Enzo's Ristorante celebrates Carnevale from February 22 to March 5 with live music, singers, jugglers and, of course, its authentic Italian cuisine. Image courtesy Patina Restaurant Group.

Status of Parking Availability at Disney Springs

Those who visit Disney Springs during the weekends or during busy times of the year at the Resort know that the two parking structures often fill to capacity during those peak times. Even the flat lot on the West Side can fill up during very busy times! Construction continues across Buena Vista Drive at the site of the new garage that will connect to Disney Springs by a series of pedestrian bridges. We have not yet heard when the new structure will be open, but the trend of the name discussion for it has shifted from "Lemon" to "Grapefruit," and you can keep an eye on the overhead signs along Buena Vista Drive directing cars to the garages and lots with availability.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Ron Jon Surf Shop

Disney Parks Blog announced that Ron jon Surf Shop plans to open a 10,000 square foot store later this year in the Town Center area near the entrance to the Lime Garage and The Polite Pig (most recently the Kingdom Hearts III pop up shop and The Disney Corner temporary retail store). Ron Jon also has a store at The Florida Mall in Orlando. Its headquarters is Cocoa Beach, Florida, to the east of Orlando International Airport.

A sign is in the window of the future Disney Springs location of Ron Jon Surf Shop. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Crowd Forecast

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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.

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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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