Walt Disney World Resort Update for May 21-27, 2019

Walt Disney World Resort Update for May 21-27, 2019

 

Writer's note: Memorial Day is next Monday, May 27. As we salute those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the United States of America, lots of folks likely will mark the weekend by visiting Walt Disney World Resort to kick off the post-school year summer season. It also nearly marks the start of the Tropical Storm season in the Atlantic Ocean (and as I write this paragraph, an early sub-tropical storm is already forecast off the Florida coast, which fortunately makes no known landfall threat at this time). Time to start thinking about being prepared again, especially to our readers in coastal regions.

Meanwhile, over on the West Coast, Disneyland is getting ready to dedicate and open Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge to guests (remember, its official opening is May 31, and you need a reservation to visit during its first several weeks of "Phase One" operation there). Our next Disneyland Resort Update will be posted on Tuesday because of the holiday, and, because Disney Parks and its fans are turning all their attention out that way, our Walt Disney World Resort Update will take the week off absent some unexpected major news story. Even here in Florida, our eyes will turn next week toward Disneyland, and you can expect our next Walt Disney World Resort Update will be posted on June 4.

Before we turn to the little bit of news we have this week, I want to take a moment to address the comments I receive from time to time about the vertically-formatted videos you increasingly have been seeing from me here in the Updates and on our Facebook page. While I do agree that these vertical videos do not look best on televisions, desktop computers, and other wide-screen tablets, I do not agree that "you lose a lot of content shooting that way," as one reader suggested.

Instagram built its IGTV platform specifically requiring that videos be submitted in the vertical format because its users mostly view content on phones and (at least to Instagram's way of operating, rotating the phone is not something it wants its users to do). So, on phones that are not rotated, wide-screen videos do not look their best either.

Thus, with Instagram's requirements in mind, when I shoot a video vertically, I specifically decide what content I want to include in the frame exactly the same way I decide what I want in the frame when I shoot in wide-screen. Each way I shoot any photo or video, I lose "content" that is outside the frame but, rest assured, that each video I post has the content that I have chosen to share (well, at least when the technology cooperates). As an experiment this week, I posted two videos I shot at the same time of the Mouseketeer Alumni pre-parade at Magic Kingdom: the vertical iPhone version on IGTV (mirrored on Facebook) and the widescreen version on YouTube (which is embedded in the news below). Guess which format more of our followers watched in the days since (by a factor of nearly 10). Immediately below this paragraph is a hint (featuring 999 Happy Haunts).

News and Views

Headlines are auto-generated here

Takumi-Tei Restaurant Opening at Epcot's Japan Pavilion This Summer

While we have known for a while that a new table-service restaurant was coming to Epcot's Japan pavilion, and have showed off photos of its construction walls just beyond one of the bonsai gardens during this year's Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, we did not know too many other details. This week, Disney Parks Blog shared the new venue's name and some additional details, including that it is expected to open this summer.

Takumi-Tei, which means house of the artisan, will offer "a signature dining experience inspired by the natural beauty of Japan." It will be operated by Mitsukoshi USA, the Disney operating participant that also runs Tappan Edo and Tokyo Dining, the kiosks at the pavilion, and its namesake "Department Store." Reservations are not yet available.

 

The Water Room in Takumi-Tei will offer a Chef's Table dining experience. Concept Art ©Disney.

"The design celebrates the relationship between Japanese craftsmanship and the natural world, while the food is inspired by the wonderful collaboration between nature and takumi, the artisan." As suggested by its description as a "signature" restaurant, we expect that dining here will come at a fairly high price point, especially compared to other Walt Disney World Resort dining locations. The "upscale dinner menu will highlight wagyu beef" and the restaurant will offer a "multi-course tasting menu featuring traditional tea service." Like other Epcot table service locations, adult beverages will be available; the restaurant's menu will include signature cocktails and premium sake along with wine and craft beer.

TRON Attraction Celebrates Milestone

As we noted in last week's Views Around the World, construction has gone vertical on the site of Magic Kingdom's next roller coaster, the attraction based on the TRON Lightcycle Power Run at Shanghai Disneyland (which, in turn, is inspired by Disney's 1982 film, TRON). The ride will allow riders "to board a train of two-wheeled Lightcycles for a thrilling race through the digital frontier," and is scheduled to open in time for Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary in 2021.

From the PeopleMover, some of the newly installed ride track can be seen supported by the recently installed support columns. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The vertical construction underway includes the steel columns that support the coaster's track. This week, we also spotted a section of track on the lower part of some of the supports. The support signed by Magic Kingdom cast members earlier this year was among the first to be installed in Tomorrowland for the new attraction.

Steel support columns are being installed for the new TRON attraction expected to open in time for the 2021 celebration of Magic Kingdom's 50th anniversary. Video ©Disney.

Mouseketeer Alumni Celebrate #MMC30

NSYNC’s Joey Fatone and cast members from all seven seasons of the "All New" Mickey Mouse Club (which was taped at what was then named Disney-MGM Studios) returned to Walt Disney World last week for #MMC30 events marking the 30th anniversary of the show's April 24, 1989, debut episode and the May 1, 1989 opening of the park now known as Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The historic Mousketeer reunion celebrated one of Walt's passion projects and gave back to Central Florida by supporting Give Kids The World Village - a non-profit resort for critically ill children that Walt Disney World has supported for more than 30 years, and onePULSE Foundation and the organization's efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.

Magic Kingdom celebrated the reunion of the Mouseketeers with a pre-parade before Friday's regular edition of the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade. The parade convertible, a couple of Main Street antique-style vehicles, and the gazebo parade unit carried the Mouseketeer Alumni through the park, stopping briefly in front of Cinderella Castle for a pyrotechnic salute.

Mickey Mouse Club Alumni returned to Magic Kingdom to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the debut of the show. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

Several of the Mouseketeer Alumni rode the gazebo parade float along with Goofy celebrating the Mickey Mouse Club's anniversary. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

On Saturday night, Joey Fatone hosted Mouseketeers & Memories at Epcot's World Showplace for a ticketed gala, including a plated dinner, interactive experiences, music and performances by Mouseketeers, including Lindsey Alley's performance of "Blood, Sweat, & MousekeTEARS!," a live & silent auction featuring rare Disney treasures, dream vacations, and VIP concert experiences with some of the biggest artists of our time. The event concluded with a viewing of the Epcot's IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth and an After Party hosted by Joey Fatone.

Give Kids the World invited us to the red carpet inside Epcot's World Showplace for the arrival of Joey Fatone and the Mouseketeer Alumni for the #MMC30 celebration. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Several Mickey Mouse Club photo opportunities for attendees at the #MMC30 celebration in World Showplace at Epcot. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Epcot Concerts & Candlelight Processional News and Calendar

The Garden Rocks Concert Series wraps up its three times nightly schedule on June 3, with the conclusion of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. 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, will close out the Garden Rocks Concert Series on June 2 and 3, 2019. He appeared in the Media Preview for this year's Festival. File photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

This summer, Guardians of the Galaxy-Awesome Mix Live! returns to the stage. From June 14 to August 18, Star-Lord and Gamora (along with an "alien" band) will take the audience on a "musical journey" that showcases hits from Star-Lord's Awesome Mix tapes. The show will be performed multiple times daily; check the Times Guide and the My Disney Experience app for the daily schedule.

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.

As the summer approaches fall, this year's edition of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will debut on August 29 (yes, the very same day that Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opens at Disney's Hollywood Studios). It runs a record 87 days this year, through November 23, but the three-times-nightly Eat to the Beat Concert Series will only run until November 19. This year, showtimes on Sundays through Thursdays will be the usual 5:30 P.M., 6:45 P.M., and 8:00 P.M., while on Fridays and Saturdays, the showtimes shift an hour later to 6:30 P.M., 7:45 P.M., and 9 P.M. The Concert Series wraps up on November 19 to allow the America Gardens stage to be prepared for the 2019 edition of Epcot's Candlelight Processional which debuts November 29 with the return of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays (through December 30). Three times each night, a celebrity narrator will retell the traditional Christmas story along with a mass choir and live orchestra.

For the convenience of our readers, all of the remaining 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 noted as well. Many of the performers for the Eat to the Beat Concert Series were announced this month and are in the calendar too; celebrity narrators for Candlelight Processional have not yet been announced. You can add the whole 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.

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

Magic Kingdom

We are always striving to get a better photo of the Hitchhiking Ghosts from a moving Doombuggy without a flash. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

And for some more low-light, photos shot while moving on the current version of a classic Disney attraction…

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Epcot

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

This and That…

…With the Gran Destino Tower set to open at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in July, Disney Parks Blog showed a peek at some of the new Disney cast costumes that will complement the Resort's reimagined design. "Not only do the new costumes transport Disney cast members back to the daring age of the great Spanish explorers, artists, writers and architects, but the timeless designs also take modern day function into account." Like costumes announced for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, in some areas of the Resort, the new costumes will have "mix and match" customizable options.

…Disney Parks Blog highlights its selection of the best bites in May for Disney Parks on both coasts.

…MousePlanet will be at D23 Expo 2019 in Anaheim. Will you? Robert Downey Jr. and Bette Midler, along with such luminaries as Wing Chao, Jon Favreau, James Earl Jones, Kenny Ortega, Barnette Ricci, Robin Roberts, Diane Sawyer, Ming-Na Wen, and Hans Zimmer, will be honored as Disney Legends during D23 Expo 2019 for their extraordinary contributions to the Disney legacy. Hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, the Disney Legends Awards ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 23, in Hall D23 of the Anaheim Convention Center.

…While Disney Parks offer a "Rainbow Disney Collection" throughout the year, including T-shirts, pins, jewelry, Mickey Mouse ear hats and Minnie Mouse ear headbands, to celebrate Pride month, Disney will donate 10% of the proceeds of sales from the Collection through June 30, 2019, to GLSEN, the leading education organization working to create safe and inclusive K-12 schools for LGBTQ students. Disney Parks Blog shows off some of the latest additions to the Rainbow Disney Collection, and shopDisney.com has some that are not available in the parks. At Walt Disney World, the Collection can be found at Emporium, Mouse Gear, Island Mercantile and other locations (and some items are Parks-exclusive, like the D-Tech Phone Case).

…Walt Disney World Golf will celebrate Women's Golf Day 2019, on Tuesday, June 4. Women's Golf Day is a one-day event celebrating girls and women playing golf and learning the skills that last a lifetime. To celebrate girls and women, Walt Disney World Golf will offer special pricing and events at its facilities on June 4, 2019. See all of the special pricing on the Walt Disney World Golf Blog. For more information about Women's Golf Day, visit womensgolfday.com.

…REMINDER: Give Kids the World Village has announced its next two speaker series events featuring legendary Disney Cast Members and Voice Actors. On Disneyland's 64th anniversary, July 17, Disney veterans Tom Nabbe, Bill Sullivan and Bill Hoelscher will share stories of their fabled careers, stretching from the Disneyland's launch to the opening of Walt Disney World. On August 3, Paige O'Hara, voice of Belle from Beauty and the Beast, and Linda Larkin, voice of Jasmine from Aladdin, will share stories of the magic behind the scenes of these loved Disney characters. Details:

• Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at Give Kids The World Village, 210 S Bass Road, Kissimmee, FL 34746
• July 17: Legendary Disney Cast Members: General Seating $35; Preferred Seating $50
• August 3: Disney Voice Actors O'Hara & Larkin: General $50; Preferred $75; VIP Package $150

Advanced ticket sales are now available for the July 17 event on this eventbrite.com webpage. Advanced sales tickets are available for the August 3 event on this eventbrite.com webpage. For more information about these and other GKTW events, visit GKTW.org. Since 1986, Give Kids The World Village has welcomed more than 165,000 families to its 84-acre “storybook” resort in Central Florida. Children with critical illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free vacations, complete with accommodations, donated attraction tickets, meals and more.

…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. For even more of the latest news around Disney Springs, follow its official Twitter Feed: @DisneySprings.

NEW Disney Parks Blog shares the Disney Parks Moms Panel's thoughts about dining at Disney Springs.

Raglan Road

NEW Raglan Road recently welcomed its new Irish executive chef, Mark O'Neill. He previously worked with some of Europe's top chefs in several Michelin-Star restaurants. In Raglan Road's most recent newsletter, he shared a bit of his vision for the venue: "I'd like to do really great gastro-pub food, to have our team creating really nicely executed dishes like we have back home in Ireland. We'll be developing fresh, made-from-scratch food that's vibrant to the palate. It's important that we stay in front of the modern Irish food trend and keep our guests excited about great new dishes on the menu."

NEW Strings & Things, the Irish Folk/Trad crossover four-piece band from Tipperary and Galway returns in mid-June for a yearlong residency. The band last performed at Raglan Road from June through September last year and during the pub's Great Irish Hooley.

Bongo's Cuban Café (NEW Photo)

Orlando Sentinel reported that the restaurant will close in August and quotes its owner, Cuban-American pop icon Gloria Estafan as saying as its twenty-two year lease draws to an end this summer, "They are growing in a different direction, and we are growing in a different direction." Gloria and her husband and business partner, Emilio Estefan, announced that they will open a new restaurant, Estefan Kitchen at the Margaritaville Orlando Resort.

Bongo's will close its West Side restaurant and shop in August. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka

Wine Bar George

Wine Bar George recently introduced its new "Wine Country Brunch," which is now offered every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 3 p.m. See the menu online here or download a PDF of the menu here. Reservations are available on OpenTable.

NEW This Thursday, May 23, from 4:30-6 p.m., join Wine Bar George for a Hennessy cocktail hour tasting through expressions including Hennessy VS, VSOP Privilege and Hennessy XO. One lucky guest will be chosen to taste Hennessy Richard compliments of Wine Bar George. $21.72 Ticket price also includes cheese and charcuterie (as well as EventBrite Ticket fee). Tickets are available on this EventBrite page.

Terralina Crafted Italian

For Father's Day, June 16, Terralina's menu will include braised osso Bucco in a rich spicy tomato and fennel ragu ($34).

Paddlefish

For Father's Day, June 16, Paddlefish's menu includes rib eye, shrimp skewer, bearnaise, whipped potato ($47), and bourbon daddy's ($15). Just ahead of Father's Day, on June 15, the venue is hosting a Father's Day Scotch/Bourbon Tasting and Cigar Rolling event from noon to 3 p.m. ($75) with more details coming soon.

Enzo's Hideaway Tunnel Bar

The Smuggler's Series is offered at Enzo's Hideaway Tunnel Bar monthly through October. Based on our hosted media-invited experience, for those interested in learning a bit about the beverages they drink, these sessions can be quite informative and the restaurant's culinary team works hard to prepare dishes to compliment the beverages served.

►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

NEW Celebrate "Whiskey Week" now through the end of May (yes, if you are paying attention, that is more than a week). Sunday, May 19 was World Whiskey Day, which Morimoto's second floor Forbidden Lounge marked with a special Forbidden Reserve Release Event. Through May 31, guests can order whiskey cocktails and flights that come with an amuse bouche. On May 31, itself, Morimoto Asia will conclude its celebration by hosting the Buffalo Trace Omakase, a five-course tasting event featuring a menu of rare whiskey and passed pan-Asian Forbidden bites. A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase for $50 per person (attendees must be at least age 21).

The Edison

NEW The Edison at Disney Springs is hosting "Havana Nights" beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays: May 29, June 12, June 26, July 10, July 24, August 7, August 21, September 4, September 18, October 2, and October 16. The no additional charge nights feature a five piece band from 8 p.m. to midnight (trading the spotlight with a DJ from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.) playing Latin renditions of musical styles from instrumentals to pop. Complimentary salsa lessons will be available at any skill level, 7:30-11:30 p.m. and Havana-inspired specialty craft cocktails will be available to order during the entire night.

The Edison burger of the month for May is the "BBQ Tavern Burger" featuring the signature Edison blend of sirloin, short rib, and brisket with a BBQ style twist, fully loaded with crispy potato wedges, juicy bacon, lettuce, tomato and served on a toasted, buttery brioche roll. Accompany the May specialty burger with the aromatic "Almond Crusta" cocktail featuring Martell Blue Swift cognac, Tanqueray No. Ten gin, lemon juice, orgeat, and Angostura bitters for an electric pairing.

The May burger of the month is the "BBQ Tavern Burger" at The Edison. Photo courtesy Patina Restaurant Group.

NEW Views Around Disney Springs

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Parking Update

Following the recent opening of the Grapefruit Garage, the upgraded system notifying drivers of parking space availability in the Orange Garage appears complete. The newly-installed signs at parking entrances separately note available medical parking by level in addition to general parking. File photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

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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

Just click the year you want to expand (or close).

2019 Resort Events

2020 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.

 

 

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.

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For Military Personnel

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