Walt Disney World Resort Update for September 22-28, 2015

Update for September 22–28, 2015

Go directly to: News & Views | Join our Networks | Resort Events | Merchandise Events | Refurbishments and Attraction Closures | Discounts and Promotions

News and Views

Sanderson Sisters headline new show at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party | Narcoossee's adds Sunday brunch | Merry & Bright details | Registration opens today for 2016 Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side Weekend events | Views Around the World | This and That | Crowd Forecast

Sanderson Sisters headline new show at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

Walt Disney World this year celebrates the 10th anniversary of the "Boo to You" parade and HalloWishes fireworks show, both presented exclusively during Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Rather than a nostalgic anniversary "overlay" of the two popular offerings, Walt Disney World instead debuted a brand-new stage show that has met with rave reviews from those who attended the first three events.

The "Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular" features the three Sanderson Sisters from the 1993 Disney film Hocus Pocus, a cult classic enjoying a surge in popularity in recent years. The sisters are joined on stage by Disney villains, including Oogie Boogie, Dr. Facilier, and Maleficent. The show's lighting and pyrotechnic effects are dazzling, and the actress' portrayals are so spot-on that the entertainment website E! Online even mistook a fan photo from the show for a picture of Bette Midler from the film.

Like the Halloween fireworks and parade, this new show is only presented during Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Fortunately, you won't need to spend your entire party waiting to see the show, as there are four performances each night – 8 p.m., 9:20 p.m., 10:40 p.m., and Midnight.

The Sanderson Sisters only appear during the show, and are not available for meet-and-greets during the party.

'Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular' | Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Disney Parks YouTube video.

If you're a Sanderson Sisters super fan, check out the collection of limited-release shirts offered this week on the Disney Store website. There are T-shirt replicas of the Mary, Sarah and Winifred dresses, as well as Sanderson Sisters Museum shirts and sweatshirts. The styles are available to order online, but only through September 27, 2015.

Narcoossee's adds Sunday brunch

Narcoossee's restaurant at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is offering Sunday brunch starting November 22, and reservations for the pricey new offering are now open. The prix fixe meal is $69 for ages 10 and up ($41 for ages 3–9).

Brunch service includes a choice of specialty beverage per person (sparkling wine, mimosa, bloody mary, or non-alcoholic smoothie), and shared pastry basket for the table. Each member of the party selects an individual appetizer and entree from the new brunch menu. The meal ends with a dessert trio for each person. These are the current appetizer and entree options:

Appetizers

• Onion Soup Gratinée – caramelized onion, Gruyere cheese, and crouton
• Seafood Charcuterie – lobster sausage, octopus mosaic, salmon rillettes, and shrimp ceviche
• Romaine Salad – tender leaves of romaine lettuce, marinated half-dried tomatoes, shaved pecorino Romano, garlicky focaccia croutons, and creamy Caesar dressing
• Shrimp and Grits – creamy antebellum cheddar grits, green tomato chow-chow (relish), green onions, and chorizo
• Artisanal Cheeses – five tasting portions from around the world with accompaniments

Entrees

• Brioche French Toast – vanilla custard, caramelized apples and bananas with maple syrup
• Lobster-Egg Benedict – toasted English muffin, butter-poached Maine lobster, country ham, soft-poached eggs, and citrus hollandaise
• My Omelette – three-ggg omelette with choice of applewood-smoked bacon, country sausage, spinach, chorizo, tofu, tomatoes, caramelized onion, mushrooms, roasted red pepper, cheddar cheese, Gruyere cheese, or soft goat cheese. *Egg white omelet available upon request
• Steak and Eggs – Black Angus hanger steak, two eggs served your way, toast, and herb-Parmesan hand-cut fries with truffle aïoli
• Croque Madame – Toasted ham and cheese on brioche with a fried egg and sauce mornay
• Chicken and Waffles – Brined and crispy-fried boneless breast and thigh, house-made pickles, Tabasco-maple honey and sumac-thyme Butter
• Pan-roasted Loch Duart Salmon – Potato-bacon hash, wilted greens, and warm mustard vinaigrette

Brunch counts as two table-service credits on the 2015 basic or Deluxe Disney Dining Plan, or one credit on either the Premium or Platinum plan. As of publication, the meal is not covered under the 2016 dining plan.

Brunch is offered from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sundays only. Book online via the Walt Disney World website, or call (407) 939-5277.

Merry & Bright details

We shared last week that Disney has confirmed 2015 will be the final year of The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Disney broke the news of this change in a Disney Parks Blog article announcing two new premium dining events, and we now have pricing and details. Reservations for both events are now open.

The Merry & Bright Dessert Party runs November 6 through December 30, except for November 17, December 9, and December 18. The event runs from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. November 6 through December 24, and 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. December 25 to 30.

Tickets are less expensive than we expected based on the price of last year's Frozen-themed event. The cost is $69 for ages 10 and up ($39 for ages 3–9). Tax and tip are included in the price. Theme park admission is required, and not included.

Your ticket includes 90 minutes of access to the all-you-care-to-eat dessert buffet, "a special reserved viewing location set apart from the crowds," and a stadium blanket. Be warned that the seating area is outdoors. In the event of rain, the dessert party will be relocated to a covered location like the Studio Catering Co. or Backlot Express, which are decidedly less-magical venues.

Advance reservations are recommended, but same-day tickets may be available if the event has not sold out. Book online at the Walt Disney World website, or call (407) 939-3463. As of publication, all nights are still available.

The Merry & Bright Dinner Reception is offered three nights only, January 1 through 3, 2016. The January 1 event is 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and the other two events are 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m..

Tickets for this option were also less than we expected: $99 for ages 10 and up ($54 for ages 3–9). Tax and tip are included in the price. Theme park admission is required, and not included. You may not use Disney Dining Plan credits for this meal.

The dinner party lasts 90 minutes, and includes an all-you-care-to-eat dinner buffet of "holiday-themed fare, including shrimp, beef and turkey served with wine, beer and other specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages." You will dine in an "exclusive, reserved viewing area," and take home a "custom shadow box keepsake" at the end of the event.

As with the dessert party, be warned that the seating area is outdoors. In the event of rain, the event will be relocated to a covered location like the Studio Catering Co. or Backlot Express, which are decidedly less-magical venues.

Advance reservations are recommended, and Disney says they expect the events to sell out quickly. Book online at the Walt Disney World website, or call (407) 939-3463. As of publication, all three nights were still available.

Registration opens today for 2016 Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side Weekend events

General registration opens at noon (Eastern)/9:00 a.m. (Pacific) today, Tuesday, September 22 for the 2016 Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side weekend events. Given the speed at which the limited available spots were snapped up during last week's early registration opportunity for annual passholders and Disney Vacation Club members, you need to be at your computer and ready to register exactly on time if you want to participate in the inaugural Dark Side Challenge.

As we noted last week, there is no tiered pricing for this new Star Wars event, which indicates to us that runDisney expects these races to sell out long before any price increase might take effect.

After you register for your event, come add your name to the Team MousePlanet race roster to connect with other runners and share training tips.

Views Around the World

Contributing photographer Alan Dalinka took a stroll between Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios this week to catch up on the latest construction projects.

With the steel frame apparently completed, construction crews have begun enclosing the new theater building for Soarin' at Epcot. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The pathway from Epcot's International Gateway entrance to the Epcot Resorts area provides a view of the construction of the new additional theater for Soarin' behind the Land pavilion. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Preparations for the September 25 start of the 2015 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival continue with the addition of registers at many of the food kiosks. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Notwithstanding the minor fire at the construction site earlier this month, additional progress can be seen at the future site of the Frozen themed area next to Epcot's Norway pavilion. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Though College Football season is just underway, ESPN Club at Disney's BoardWalk resort is already promoting the ESPN Networks' coverage of College Football Playoffs scheduled for New Year's Eve. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Exterior renovations block portions of the BoardWalk at Disney's BoardWalk Resort but not access to the shops and restaurants. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Truly for the first time in forever, the pathway from Disney's BoardWalk Resort to Disney's Hollywood Studios provides a view of the Chinese Theater no longer obstructed by the Sorcerer's Hat or the temporary stage that most recently hosted events during the Frozen Summer Fun promotion. (And for sticklers, the last time a view similar to this was theoretically possible, the park was still named Disney-MGM Studios.) Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The temporary stage most recently used for Frozen Summer Fun has been removed from Disney's Hollywood Studios and it is now easier to see the many spires that recently were returned to the rooftop of the Chinese Theater that had been removed years ago. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The former home of The Magic of Disney Animation will become the Star Wars Launch Bay in December at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Watto's Grotto, the Star Wars themed shop that previously was open during 2015 Star Wars Weekends (in the former AFI Showcase building), has reopened at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Watt's Grotto includes a great deal of Star Wars: The Force Awakens themed merchandise. The seventh movie in the Star Wars franchise is scheduled for release on December 10, 2015. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens themed merchandise has begun to take its place on shelves throughout Disney's Hollywood Studios. The movie is scheduled for release on December 10, 2015. A good deal of available merchandise is based on the new droid from the film, BB 8. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Watto's Grotto at Disney's Hollywood Studios, previously open during 2015 Star Wars Weekends, has reopened offering a large selection of Star Wars merchandise, including items themed for the upcoming movie Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Watto's Grotto at Disney's Hollywood Studios, previously open during 2015 Star Wars Weekends, includes the opportunity to build and name (and purchase) your own droid action figure. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Among the Halloween themed merchandise available at shops along Disney's Hollywood Studios Hollywood Boulevard are bags themed for Halloween lands of Magic Kingdom filled with Chocolate Carmel Ghouls for $6.95. The same items were released at the Disneyland Resort this year. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

A small selection of Halloween themed merchandise is available at shops of Disney's Hollywood Studios. Larger selections of Halloween merchandise can be found at Magic Kingdom and the World of Disney store at Downtown Disney. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Preparations continue for the announced final presentation of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights on Streets of America at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Preparations continue for the announced final presentation of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights on Streets of America at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

This and That

...We've added a new Merchandise Events section (below) to keep you up-to-date on special events that may be happening during your visit. Events are usually announced about 60 days in advance. Note: we don't include general pin releases or perfume vendor events.

...Disney has published online the full menu for Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar, the new Indiana Jones-themed lounge set to open today in Disney Springs. The menu features a small appetizer assortment, from the inevitable (Rolling Boulder Slider) to the intriguing (Beet Juice-brined Eggs stuffed with Lump Crab). The cocktails are heavy on the puns (Hovito Mojito, Cool-headed Monkey and The Bitter Barkeep), and the extended bar menu includes draft and bottled beers, red and white wines, and even sake and Champagne.

We'll have photos from the new bar in next week's Update, as our photographer Alan Dalinka has assured us he'll be spending some quality time in the new lounge this weekend.

...A limited edition Magic Band is available for purchase during the 2015 Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party events. The band is $29.95, and limited to 4,000. It can be linked at the time of purchase, or given as a gift to be linked later. A limited number of the Magic Bands are available at each event, so make the Main Street Emporium your first stop of the party if you hope to purchase one.

…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 MouseAdventure bonus, such as an Eye Spy or a trivia question. To subscribe to our free newsletter, just enter your e-mail in the box below.

Join the MousePlanet Newsletter E-mail:

Crowd Forecast

Join Our Networks

MousePlanet

Resort Events

2015

• 2015 Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party – September 22, 25, and 27; October 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, and 31; November 1. As of publication, only Halloween night is sold out.
• 2015 Epcot Food & Wine Festival – September 26 to November 16.
• 2015 Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party – November 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, and 29; December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, and 18. As of publication, all nights are still available.
• 2015 Epcot Candlelight Processional – November 27 to December 30

runDisney events

If you participate in (or are considering signing up for) runDisney events, visit our Team MousePlanet forum on the MousePad discussion board, where you can join our community of health-minded readers and staff.

2015

• Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 6–7. All races are sold out.

2016

• Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 6–10, 2016. The 5K, 10K, half marathon, Goofy Challenge and Dopey Challenge events are sold out. Registration is still open for the full marathon and runDisney Kids Races. The deadline to submit Proof of Time for these events is October 6, 2015.
• Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 18–21, 2016. All races are sold out. The deadline to submit Proof of Time for these events is November 17, 2015.
• Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side Weekend – April 14–17, 2016. General registration opens at Noon ET/ 9 a.m. PT Tuesday, September 22. Proof of Time must be provided between October 27, 2015, and January 19, 2016.

For current information on registration dates and capacity, see Lorree Tachell's runDisney Race Capacity Updates in the Team MousePlanet forum on our MousePad discussion board.

Merchandise Events

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Magic Kingdom

• Pirates of the Caribbean – closed through September 26 for refurbishment.
• Diamond Horseshoe – closed through at least November for refurbishment
• Liberty Tree Tavern – closed through November 21 for refurbishment
• Walt Disney World Frontierland station – closed September 29 to November 5 for refurbishment.
• Walt Disney World Main Street U.S.A station – closed September 29 to November 5 for refurbishment.
• Walt Disney World Fantasyland station – closed September 29 to November 5 for refurbishment.
• The Magic Behind the Our Steam Trains Guided Tour – not offered during Walt Disney World Railroad refurbishment.
• Peter Pan's Flight – closed November 2–7 for refurbishment.
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover – closed December 7–10 for refurbishment

2016

• Splash Mountain – closed January 6–10 for refurbishment.
• Space Mountain – closed January 11–15 for refurbishment.
• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin – closed January 15 to February 11 for refurbishment.
• Liberty Square Riverboat – closed January 18–22 for refurbishment.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – closed April 4 to July 15 for refurbishment.
• Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse – closed July 7 to September 24 for refurbishment.
• Liberty Square Riverboat – closed August 15–21 for refurbishment.
• "it's a small world" – closed August 22 to September 15 for refurbishment.

Epcot

• Soarin' – additional screen under construction. Work has no impact on the existing theaters.
• Innoventions West – Think, presented by IBM; The Great Piggy Bank Adventure; and Where's the Fire? closed. The Disney Visa character experience remains open.
• Maelstrom – ride permanently closed for construction of Frozen Ever After attraction. New ride expected to open May, 2016.
• Living with the Land – closed September 8–18.
• Innoventions East – Glidden's Colortopia under construction replacing the Test the Limits exhibit. Expected to open late 2015.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular – closed October 20-23 for refurbishment.
• Toy Story Midway Mania – second ride track is under construction. Work has no impact on the existing ride.
• Magic of Disney Animation – building permanently closed for future expansion.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

• Primeval Whirl – closed through November 13 for refurbishment.
• Pizzafari – closed through October 20 for refurbishment

Blizzard Beach

• Entire park closed from October 25, 2015 through January 3, 2016 for refurbishment

Typhoon Lagoon

• Entire park closed from January 3 to March 13 for refurbishment.

Downtown Disney / Disney Springs

• Fulton's Crab House – closed January 1 to April 1, 2016 for refurbishment.
• Planet Hollywood – closed January 1 to June 1, 2016 for refurbishment and transformation into a Planet Hollywood Observatory.
• Downtown Disney Bridge 4 and restrooms on Pleasure Island – temporarily closed for ongoing construction work.
• Downtown Disney Lots A-G – closed through August 1, 2016.
• Downtown Disney Lots H, I, J, and K (in Westside area) – closed until further notice for Disney Springs construction.
• Cirque du Soleil La Nouba – performs Tuesdays through Saturdays.
• Disney Quest – scheduled to close sometime in 2016. Will be replaced with an NBA Experience venue.

Resorts

• Polynesian – ongoing refurbishment of the lobby and pool area.
• Disney's Boardwalk Inn – Exterior painting and repair during daylight hours, through May 5, 2016
• Disney's Boardwalk Inn – Flying Fish Cafe closed February 1, 2016 – September 30, 2016 for refurbishment.
• Disney's Coronado Springs – La Vida Health Club and Casitas pool closed for refurbishment through October 12. An alternate fitness center is available for guest use.
• Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa – Gasparilla Island Grill closed August 23 to September 4 for refurbishment.
• Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Villas – construction of the as-yet-unannounced Disney Vacation Club cabins begins October 2015. Expect construction-related closures and noise during the project.
• Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Villas – Hidden Springs pool, resort beach, playground, and Recreation fire pit close October 26, 2015. No opening date provided, but the pool is expected to be closed through 2017.

Elsewhere

• Disney Osprey Ridge Golf Course – permanently closed.

Current Discounts & 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.

Don't keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips, rumors, and comments.