Archive for Walt Disney World

La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil announces savings for Florida’s first responders

As a thank you to those who keep Florida safe, La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil is offering first responders (Florida police, firefighters and emergency medical service personnel) tickets at 39 percent savings on Category 2 tickets for themselves and up to five (5) guests per show. With the discount, tickets for first responders are $49.

Florida first responders can visit the La Nouba box office to take advantage of the savings. Offer is valid for Category 2 tickets. Florida emergency responder personnel ID required. The first responder offer is available for sale now for shows running through Dec. 16.

For more information about La Nouba, visit www.lanouba.com.

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FIRST LOOK AT STARGAZER LOUNGE AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD OBSERVATORY AT DISNEY SPRINGS

The theme of the re-imagined Planet Hollywood Observatory at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World® Resort will still feature stars from the big screen but much of the new focus will be on stars in the sky, as the restaurant completes its transformation into a turn-of-the-20th-century observatory.

Food and drink menus are soon to be revealed, but Guests can expect more famous movie memorabilia, video screens, cutting edge music and a store featuring themed merchandise.

Opening later this year in Town Center at Disney Springs, the restaurant will feature Stargazer Lounge where your Clients will find signature craft cocktails with names that reflect the planets and space travel – including The Observatory and the Sparkling Sputnik.

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Walt Disney World Refurbishments – Fall 2016

Magic Kingdom® Park
Monorail
The Walt Disney World® Resort Monorail System is undergoing refurbishment and may be on modified service and/or routes. If Guests plan to use this form of transportation during their visit they should check to be sure of the best option available on their day of travel, as alternative transportation options will be available.
Through October 2016
Swiss Family Treehouse
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Haunted Mansion
Splash Mountain
Liberty Square Riverboat
Walt Disney World Railroad
Hall of Presidents
Jul. 6 – Oct. 24, 2016
Aug. 8 – Nov. 18, 2016
Nov. 28 – Dec. 1, 2016
Dec. 7, 2016
Jan. 3 – 12, 2017
Jan. 9 – Feb. 16, 2017
Jan. 17 – Jun. 29, 2017
Epcot®
Infrastructure Work Sep. 28 – Dec. 17, 2016
Disney’s Hollywood Studios®
Pizza Planet
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Jan. 19 – Late 2016
Oct. 27 – Nov. 9, 2016
Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
DINOSAUR
Dino Institute Shop
Kali River Rapids
Jul. 25 – Nov. 19, 2016
Jul. 25 – Nov. 19, 2016
Jan. 3 – Jan. 29, 2017

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
Annual Refurbishment Dec. 25, 2016 – Mar. 11, 2017
Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park
Annual Refurbishment Oct. 16 – Dec. 24, 2016

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
Piano Pool
During this time Guests may use the Calypso Pool located near Melody Hall.
Dec. 12, 2016 – Feb. 3, 2017
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
Grand Slam Pool
During this time Guests may use the Surfboard Bay Pool, located near the main lobby.
Oct. 10 – Dec. 13, 2016
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
Soft Goods Refurbishment
This work will be conducted between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. During this time, Guests may see or hear work in progress and certain pathways may be unavailable.
Jul. 15, 2016 – January 2017
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Room Refurbishments
Guests may see or hear work in progress. Additionally, Guests may have an interruption to water service during the overnight hours.
May 16 – Oct. 31, 2016
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Hard Goods Refurbishment
Guests may see or hear construction taking place, or encounter alternative paths of travel throughout the Resort hotel. To minimize any possible disruptions, all work with the most potential for noise will be limited each day between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
Beginning November 2016
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Gasparilla Island Grill Oct. 17 – Dec. 14, 2016
Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort
Beach Renourishment Project May 1 – Nov. 15, 2016
Water Tower Slide
Pool will remain open
Oct. 1 – 31, 2016
Routine Maintenance Nov. 1 – Dec. 14, 2016
Broad Creek Merchantile
Merchantile will remain open, but noise and visual impacts are expected.
Jan. 2 – Feb. 28, 2017
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Sandcastle Pool
The leisure pools located at Old Turtle Pond, South Point and Miller’s Road will remain available
Jan. 2 – Feb. 24, 2017
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Computer Pool
During this time Guests may use the Hippy Dippy Pool or Bowling Pool.
Oct. 31, 2016 – Jan. 3, 2017
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory Refurbishment Jul. 11 – Late Fall 2016
Disney’s Vero Beach Resort
General Resort Refurbishments
Due to several refurbishment projects, Guests will very likely see and hear construction work throughout the villas, spa and dining areas. We will attempt to limit any work most likely to cause a noise impact to the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Sonya’s restaurant and Bleachers Bar & Grill have permanently closed to make way for exciting new experiences. In the meantime, the table-service restaurant, Shutters, will be temporarily relocated to the nearby SeaGrape Room.
Now through Oct. 2016
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge & Villas
General Resort Refurbishments
Due to extensive refurbishment projects, Guests will very likely see and hear construction work in various areas throughout their stay. To minimize disruptions, we will attempt to limit work until after 9:00 a.m.
At this time, many popular areas will remained closed – including the Hidden Springs Pool (the leisure pool at The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge), beach, marina, playground and more. In addition, certain pathways, like our nature trail, will be unavailable, and surrounding views may be altered. However, the recently renovated Silver Creek Springs Pool will remain open and boat transportation to Magic Kingdom park will continue to be offered.
Through 2017
Cub’s Den (Children’s Activity Center) – unavailable Through 2017
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Room Refurbishments
During this time, Guests may see or hear work in progress and certain pathways may be unavailable. To minimize any disruptions, we will attempt to limit work to 9:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m.
Beginning in January 2017
Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Convention Center
Expansion Work
During this time, Guests may see or hear work in progress and certain pathways may be unavailable. To minimize any disruptions, we will attempt to limit work to 9:00 a.m – 9:00 p.m.
Aug. 4, 2016 – Feb. 1, 2018

Disney Springs
Planet Hollywood Jan. 6 – Fall 2016
Fulton’s Crab House – reopening as Paddlefish Apr. 4 – Fall 2016

Golf Courses/Miniature Golf
None  

Information and dates subject to change without notice.
Last Updated October 19, 2016

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Photo – Tennis Star Serena Williams Meets Princess Merida at Walt Disney World Resort

Tennis superstar Serena Williams took a break from her tennis training and put on her sparkly Minnie Mouse ears while having a little fun this past weekend at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Williams, arguably the greatest female athlete of all-time and the holder of a record-tying 22 Grand Slam tennis titles, spent some time at Magic Kingdom Park where she interacted with Princess Merida from the Disney•Pixar  movie “Brave.’’ Princess Merida naturally gave Williams some tips on archery.

Williams said she can identify with Princess Merida because her character in the movie is portrayed as being strong and fearless.

On the tennis court, Williams is preparing for next season when she will seek to break the record for career Grand Slam singles titles. Currently she is tied for the record with Steffi Graf at 22 titles.

serena-williams-merida-walt-disney-world

Photo by: Preston Mack / WDW Photo

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MEET PRINCESS ELENA OF AVALOR AT MAGIC KINGDOM PARK BEGINNING NOVEMBER 24

Today, we’re excited to share some exciting news about the newest member of Disney royalty, Princess Elena of Avalor.

Beginning Nov. 24, 2016 Princess Elena of Avalor – the first Disney princess inspired by diverse Latin cultures – will begin to greet Guests alongside other royal friends at Princess Fairytale Hall at Magic Kingdom® Park at Walt Disney World® Resort. At Princess Fairytale Hall, your Clients can choose between a meeting with Elena and Cinderella or a visit with Rapunzel and Tiana. FastPass+ reservations for dates that include Elena appearances will become available today, Oct. 14, 2016.

Princess Elena of Avalor first made her grand debut at Magic Kingdom Park back in August, with Cinderella officially welcoming her to the kingdom in “The Princess Elena Royal Welcome” show. You can continue to experience this show throughout the fall.

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ALL-NEW HOLIDAY NIGHTTIME SPECTACULAR “JINGLE BELL, JINGLE BAM!” COMING TO DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS NOVEMBER 14

The all-new  “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” holiday spectacular comes to Disney’s Hollywood Studios® at Walt Disney World®Resort on Nov. 14, 2016. Santa Claus is missing and the search-and-rescue mission to get The Big Guy back to the North Pole in time for Christmas Eve is all part of the fun. The show comes to life on, above and around the Chinese Theater with state-of-the-art projections, special effects, fireworks and a rousing seasonal musical score.

Led by elves Wayne and Lanny, the duo from ABC/Walt Disney Animation Studios’ animated special “Prep & Landing,” the spirited yuletide adventure to the North Pole features memorable holiday moments from Disney films including “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Pluto’s Christmas Tree,” “Bambi,” Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and more, all building to a festive finale that’s “So tinsel!”

A sweet way for your Clients to enjoy this new holiday spectacular is with the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Holiday Dessert Party, which includes reserved viewing, desserts, specialty beverages and more. Each dessert party guest will get a pair of 3D HoloSpex® glasses to use while watching the show. The glasses create spectacular holographic illusions of gingerbread men, candy canes, snowflakes and ornaments on any bright point of light.

Memorable, heartwarming, and enchanting for the entire family, these one-of-a-kind holiday experiences will dazzle your Clients at Disney’s Hollywood Studios through Dec. 31, 2016.

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WINE BAR GEORGE OPENS FALL 2017 AT DISNEY SPRINGS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT

Fans of California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort may remember Master Sommelier George Miliotes from the opening team of the award-winning restaurant when it debuted in 1995. Miliotes returns to Walt Disney World® Resort with his new venture, Wine Bar George, opening in fall 2017 at Disney Springs™.

The design for the 210-seat wine bar is reminiscent of a winemaker’s home estate featuring oak wood, warm lighting and a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere.

Wine Bar George will include a food menu featuring small plates designed to complement the wine list. Plus, they will offer more than 100 selections both by the bottle and the glass in a range of varietals, vintages and prices. Your Clients will be able to experience sips from acclaimed wineries as well as up-and-coming growing regions and wineries. Wine education will be served up in an approachable and fun manner, says Miliotes, and he is planning special events and visits from renowned winemakers.

Miliotes is one of just 230 master sommeliers in the world.

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Epcot International Food & Wine Festival B-Roll: Culinary Adventures with a Master Chef

In a Epcot International Food & Wine Festival first, hands-on experiences at Walt Disney World Resorts give guests the opportunity to cook and taste along-side Disney chefs. Interactivity is key for the Culinary Adventures with a Master Chef at the Contemporary Resort. In this extra ticketed experience, guests learn the Disney secrets to making pasta, butchering meat, knife skills, rolling sushi, creating decadent desserts and more.

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Last Chance to see Main Street Electrical Parade at Walt Disney World before it ‘Glows Away’ Oct. 9

An enduring Disney Parks classic, the Main Street Electrical Parade, will take its shimmering farewell trip through Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World in Florida on Oct. 9, 2016.

Since making its Florida premiere in 1977, the parade has become one of the most beloved entertainment spectacles anywhere. Watching the Main Street Electrical Parade has to become a rite of passage with parents and grandparents eager to share the nostalgic experience with their children. Families will have one more chance to see the parade and share this special memory, on select nights, before it departs.

The vibrant parade, a perennial favorite with Disney guests, will next travel cross-country to Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif., for a limited engagement beginning early next year.

Brought to light in the early 1970s, the original Main Street Electrical Parade helped establish a Disney Parks reputation for innovative, trend-setting live entertainment. As lights go down along the parade route, the parade brings a variety of beloved Disney animated feature films to life through three-dimensional floats covered with approximately half a million colorful LED twinkling lights. The parade’s iconic musical theme, the electrically synthesized “Baroque Hoedown,” is interwoven with favorite Disney themes. It all adds to the unique upbeat excitement of the procession.

Some of the parade’s most impressive scenes are the 23-foot-tall Clock Tower over Cinderella’s Ball, complete with elegant ballroom dancers in light-covered costumes; the smoke-breathing, tail-wagging Pete’s Dragon; and the 108-foot-long red, white and blue flag finale. Other characters who make appearances include Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and, of course, Mickey Mouse.

The Main Street Electrical parade at Walt Disney World Resort will not appear during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party nights. Walt Disney World guests interested in seeing the parade before it departs on Oct. 9 can check for the latest parade dates and times on WaltDisneyWorld.com or in the My Disney Experience app.

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Walt Disney World Tropical Weather Update

Based on the most recent forecasts for Hurricane Matthew, Walt Disney World theme parks, water parks, Disney Springs, miniature golf courses and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex  will remain closed through Friday, Oct. 7. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Theme Park is also canceled for tonight.

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