WDW Daily News

In an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our Guests and Cast Members, we are proceeding with the closure of our theme parks at Walt Disney World® Resort, beginning March 16, through the end of the month.  

The Walt Disney Company will pay its Cast Members during that closure period.

Disney Resort hotels will remain open until further notice. Disney Springs will also remain open. 

We will continue to stay in close contact with appropriate officials and health experts.

We are working as quickly as possible to provide guests with information on impacts to existing and future reservations during this time period. You can continue to check this page, which will be updated soon with additional details on modifying your reservations or receiving a refund. We appreciate your patience and understanding. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

May guests get a refund on their ticket? 
Unexpired multi-day theme park tickets with unused days, or date-specific theme park tickets with a start date on or before March 31, 2020 will automatically be extended to use any date through December 15, 2020.  If guests are unable to visit by December 15, 2020 they may apply the value of a wholly unused ticket toward the purchase of a ticket for a future date. 

Florida Resident Discover Disney Tickets may be used through July 31, 2020.

If guests have purchased tickets for Disney After Hours, Disney Villains After Hours and Disney Early Morning Magic from March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020 they will be automatically refunded. 

How does the closure of Walt Disney World impact annual passes? 
Walt Disney World annual passes will be extended by the number of days the parks are closed, March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020.

I have a future stay while the park is closed.  What does that mean for my vacation package? 
For stays between March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020, if you not checked in, you may modify or cancel your Disney Resort room reservation or Walt Disney Travel Company package up to their original check-in date.  If no action is taken, Disney will automatically process a refund to the original form of payment within seven days of the original check-in date.

What if i wants to cancel a resort reservation after the parks reopen?
We will waive all Disney imposed change and cancellation fees up to the date of check-in through June 30, 2020. 

I have a pre-paid dining reservation or experience reservation like Build a Droid during the time when the parks are closed. Will they receive a refund?
Yes.  All pre-paid dining and experience reservations will be automatically refunded if scheduled between March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020.   

What happens to dining reservations that required a credit card at the time of booking?
Reservations made at locations impacted by the closure will not be charged a cancellation or no-show fee.

The Walt Disney Co. is reassuring would-be guests to its parks in California and Florida that steps are being taken during the coronavirus outbreak, which has prompted the closure of Disney parks in other parts of the world.

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Avengers Campus—an entirely new land dedicated to discovering, recruiting and training the next generation of heroes—will open July 18, 2020 at the Disneyland Resort!

And that’s only the beginning … today we are also unveiling our new attraction’s name, exciting casting news, rich details about the land itself and brand-new artist concept renderings.

Avengers Campus invites guests to team up with the Avengers and their allies in a fully immersive land at Disney California Adventure park. Avengers Campus is comprised of several heroic locations—each hosted by a different Super Hero or their ally—to share their unique powers, technology and knowledge with recruits. 

Sling webs with Spider-Man
Our first key location, the Worldwide Engineering Brigade—also known as WEB—is home to the first Disney ride-through attraction to feature a favorite neighborhood hero: Spider-Man. This new family-friendly attraction, WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure, invites guests to put their web-slinging skills to the test. 

The innovative technology adapted specifically for this attraction includes a seamless blend of 3D and new interface, which allows guests to go on a mission and experience what it’s like to have super powers and sling webs alongside Spider-Man.

WEB is all about how bright young innovators like Peter Parker are inventing new technologies that let all of us become Super Heroes. Being able to authentically represent Peter’s character was a critical element to our story, and Tom Holland will reprise his role as part of this attraction experience.  

“Suit up” with the latest gear, including Spider-Bots from WEB
The WEB Suppliers store is where guests will find the latest WEB inventions, including interactive Spider-Bots like the ones guests will see in the new attraction, WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure. Each Spider-Bot has a remote control, and all eight articulated legs move forward and backward. Best of all, guests can tap into their inner WEB inventor by customizing their Spider-Bot with tactical upgrades to harness the powers and styles of favorite Super Heroes, like Black Panther, Iron Man and Black Widow, as well as Ant-Man and The Wasp.

Other must-have items at WEB Suppliers include a specially-designed backpack to carry Spider-Bots when they are not in action, Spider-Man light goggles, a take-home spider web kit and Funko Pop! vinyl figurines of Spider-Man and Iron Man. 

Nearby, the Campus Supply Pod is the place to power up with official Avengers Campus gear, including performance fleece hoodies and tees, headwear, and other Super Hero supplies.

Enjoy tiny treats and big bites
When it’s time to take a break from the heroics, three new dining spots at Avengers Campus will offer dishes that are rich in both flavor and storytelling.

Pym Test Kitchen is a food innovation science lab where the food and drinks tell a story. Just as Ant-Man and The Wasp use “Pym Particles” to grow and shrink just about anything, Pym Technologies applies this innovative science to the creation of shareable bites, inventive-sized entrees and sweet treats. Guests will be able to taste-test such items as the Impossible™ plant-based large and micro meatballs with pasta, or the “Pym-ini,” a panini served by the slice or as a large, multi-portion sandwich.

Adjacent to the Pym Test Kitchen, an oversized beer can overhead signals that grown-up beverage tastings are available at Pym Tasting Lab. Adults can order a craft beer, ranging from a blood orange hefeweizen to an amber lager or try one of the Pym Research Staff’s Pym Particle-infused cocktail experiments. 

Next, the Avengers have invited the crew of their favorite “shawarma joint” in New York, the Shawarma Palace, to open a second location at the Campus. Enjoy favorite shawarma-inspired snacks at this food cart, which is decked out with memorabilia since the Shawarma Palace owners are huge Avenger fans. Lastly, Taneleer Tivan did not limit his collection to lovable misfits; he is also curating a weird and wonderful menu of intergalactic eats at the Terran Treats food cart to lure people towards his Fortress, home to Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!

Team up with the Guardians of the Galaxy
Speaking of, we will continue to celebrate Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, the fan-favorite attraction that opened in 2017, as one of the anchor attractions of Avengers Campus. This rockin’ adventure blasts guests straight into the “Guardians of the Galaxy” story, alongside characters from the blockbuster films and comics. As guests help Rocket bust his pals out of the looming Collector’s Fortress, they will experience raucous mayhem, music inspired by the soundtracks from the movies and thrilling free-fall drop sequences!

Encounter a formidable villain in a land full of heroes
Throughout Avengers Campus, Super Heroes will come to life in ways that are more exciting than ever. Guests may have heroic encounters with Captain Marvel, Black Widow, Doctor Strange, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Black Panther, the Dora Milaje, Thor and even villains like Loki. We’re excited to also share that Ant-Man and The Wasp will be making their first appearances in the park and Iron Man himself will be debuting his new armor in Avengers Campus: the Mark 80. 

Guests may even have the chance to witness Spider-Man swinging into action high above Avengers Campus with gravity-defying, acrobatic feats never seen before in a Disney theme park. 

At a nearby ancient sanctum, Doctor Strange will train recruits in the mystic arts by bringing this ancient sanctum to life with powerful spells. At night, the area glows even more vividly with majestic colors and lights, pulsating with mystic energy.

Finally, every hero needs a formidable villain to fight … the villainous Taskmaster, who will have a role in the upcoming film “Black Widow,” will be seen for the first time at a Disney park at Avengers Campus. Taskmaster’s abilities include photographic reflexes. Taskmaster can replicate Super Hero moves, making this new villain a balanced foe for the Campus heroes. 

We could not be more proud to share these expanded stories, incredible characters and unqiue experiences in an authentic and exciting way.

The latest Disney theme park earworm — sung by none other than Mickey Mouse and his main squeeze Minnie — began enchanting riders of the new attraction that opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida last week. “Nothing Can Stop Us Now” is the catchy throwback song featured on Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway trackless dark ride, but the unspeakable truth is that something can stop Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California right now.

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A fan-favorite annual event is returning to Disney Springs this week—the Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant! Tell guests to break out their green and celebrate for five days of fun March 13-17 with non-stop Irish-infused entertainment from morning until night, a mighty selection of beers and cocktails and of course, the most authentic Irish pub grub around.

The regular menu will be available during the event featuring go-to dishes like the Guinness-infused Bangin’ Bangers and Mighty Mash. Are you planning to stop by over the weekend? The Rollicking Raglan Weekend Brunch will be served March 14 and 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 pm.

Guests who dine on Monday, March 16 can enjoy a new whiskey pairing dinner from 3-11 p.m. featuring a special prix fixe menu with locally sourced dishes like Whiskey Cured House Smoked Salmon and Apple Baked Dumplings paired with the finest Irish whiskey cocktails.

One of the most thrilling highlights of this annual event is the amazing live entertainment hand-picked straight from Ireland. Here’s a look at this year’s line-up:

• Strings & Things will bring their contemporary Irish Trad/Folk/Roots crossover talent from Tipperary and Galway to the festival stage. Their unique sound and powerful stage energy promise a raucous evening of music and song.
• TradGad features three talented musicians from Kerry, Dublin and Galway charming guests with their vibrant performances on guitar, fiddle, mandolin, uilleann pipes, tin whistle, banjo and bouzouki.
• Maca an Irish sister duo dubbed “Ireland’s next big thing” will rock the Raglan Road Pub stages with their extraordinary talent.
• Fia Rua featuring band members from Ireland and Scotland, will blend their musical backgrounds to perform and wow guests with a unique Celtic sound.  
• Mike Waters, from the southeast of Ireland, will perform Irish songs and ballads from traditional to contemporary with a good measure of chat and humor. 
• Emily Furlong an extraordinary singer and entertainer from Wexford, Ireland will captivate guests with her stunning voice. 
• No Half Measures an exciting, fresh and vibrant four-piece band from Scotland, Cork and Kilkenny will spin their youthful, contemporary sound for the Mighty Festival audience.

Of course, guests won’t want to miss the popular Raglan Road Irish Dancers plucked from the cast and stages of the world’s greatest Irish dance shows! They’ll be performing intermittently during the festival and ready to teach guests an Irish jig – no experience necessary! Kids will also have a blast at this family-friendly party so be sure to bring everyone dressed in their best green garb and enjoy complimentary face painting.

For those planning to celebrate on St. Patrick’s Day, be sure to plan ahead for the fun! On March 17, guests will be seated on a first-come, first-serve basis with a cover charge of $10 for each guest 18 and older. Reservations can be booked online for other festival days, including brunch by calling 407-938-0300.

Get ready for a DCappella takeover at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon®! Fresh off the heels of their first national tour and debut album release, DCappella is heading to Typhoon Lagoon this April for the Disney DCappella Beach Bash. 

The renowned a cappella group will perform fan-favorite Disney songs for guests as a part of this special concert series. Performances will take place daily at 2:30 p.m. from April 9 – 12, 2020. 

In line with the tropical island theme Typhoon Lagoon is known for, the setlist will feature “You’re Welcome” from “Moana,” “Kiss the Girl“ from “The Little Mermaid” and “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” from “Lilo & Stich.” Brought to you by H2O+, the Disney DCappella Beach Bash at Typhoon Lagoon is just another reason for guests to add the Disney Water Parks to their spring break itinerary.

Don’t forget, if guests are planning on attending the Disney DCappella Beach Bash at Typhoon Lagoon, they can take advantage of the new Water Park and Sports Option. Available as an add on to most tickets, the Water Park and Sports option lets you choose between experiencing Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, Disney’s Blizzard Beach®, NBA Experience and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex events. 

On financial websites and Disney fan blogs this week, observers fretted over vacations to the parks and investments in the company. They raised the specter of Disney closing its theme park locations in the United States …

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“Magic Happens,” the all-new parade now swirling through Disneyland® Park, celebrates the awe-inspiring moments of magic that are at the heart of so many Disney stories. 

While the stories and music featured in “Magic Happens” are rooted in iconic Disney lore, the soundtrack is heavily influenced by today’s pop culture, putting a contemporary spin on the classic Disney hits. “Magic Happens” features an energetic musical score and new songs, co-composed by singer-songwriter, Todrick Hall. Learn more about the creative musical process in the video below:

“This is a full circle moment for me,” said Todrick, who began his career at Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida as a performer in ‘Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage.’ “I learned how to dance from watching Disney parades, so the fact that I am getting to create the music that these iconic Disney characters are going to be performing to is pretty much the most epic thing that has happened to me in my life!”

Set in a suburban fantasy world, Disney and Pixar’s “Onward” introduces two teenage elf brothers who embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left out there. Pixar Animation Studios’ all-new original feature film is directed by Dan Scanlon and produced by Kori Rae—the team behind “Monsters University.” “Onward” releases in theaters on March 6, 2020.

4DX’s immersive cinematic experience presents the future of the movie industry

4DX is widely considered to be the biggest innovation in cinematic technology to date. … Providing a revolutionary cinematic experience which stimulates all five senses, the 4DX includes high-tech motion seats and special effects including wind, fog, lightning, bubbles, water, rain and scents, in both 2D and 3D formats.

By: Disney DestinationsMarch 4, 2020

It’s time for guests to get their gardening on with the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, which starts TODAY and runs through June 1, 2020. This annual event transforms the park with brilliant gardens, topiaries featuring favorite Disney characters, Outdoor Kitchens with fresh flavors, the popular Garden Rocks Concert Series, and more. Guests won’t want to miss any of it! 

The festival menus are always the icing on the cake! In addition to returning favorites like the frozen desert violet lemonade slushy from Pineapple Promenade, grilled street corn on the cob from Trowel & Trellis, and the ADORABLE Orange Bird novelty sipper filled with a delicious orange cream shake at The Citrus Blossom, there are a few new offerings this year.

A few of these new offerings include a brand-new Outdoor Kitchen, another cute sipper featuring Spike the Bee at the Honey Bee-Stro Outdoor Kitchen, and a Spike the Bee reusable souvenir spork available at various Outdoor Kitchens throughout the park while supplies last.

The new Magnolia Terrace Outdoor Kitchen is located at The American Adventure and features several incredible seafood dishes, house-made boudin, and a couple southern-style desserts. The Southern Seafood Boil features shrimp, mussels, crawfish, potatoes, corn, and andouille sausage. If that’s not enough seafood, your Clients can chow down on grilled oysters served with a Cajun butter – YUM! The favorite dish at this food booth, however, is the house-made boudin two ways served with spicy mustard. It’s a great savory dish that’s bursting with flavor. After guests have gotten their fill of savory, they can satisfy their sweet tooth with a couple southern classics: a pecan praline or pecan cake topped with maple whipped cream.

Other favorites from this year’s menus are the new lamb curry dish with sweet plantains and rice from La Isla Fresca, seared scallops from Northern Bloom, and the gluten-friendly roasted cauliflower from the Honey Bee-Stro. 

There is also a great selection of plant-based options this year and the best way for guests to try them is by participating in the Garden Graze Food Stroll! 

For this fun activity, all they have to do is purchase five designated items from the Outdoor Kitchens and make sure to get their Festival Passport stamped when they make their purchase to keep track along the way.  Once guests have completed the stroll, they can visit Pineapple Promenade to redeem their complimentary treats: a seed packet and a special plant-based Dole Whip dessert served in a souvenir vessel! The five plant-based items they’ll need to purchase to complete the stroll are:

• Grilled Baby Vegetables – Flavor Full Kitchen Hosted by AdventHealth (Located at Future World West)
• Impossible Farmhouse Meatball – Trowel & Trellis Hosted by Impossible Foods (Located at the front of World Showcase)
• Pineapple Skewer – Refreshment Outpost (Located at the African Outpost)
• Potato Pancakes with House-Made Applesauce – Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market (Located at the Germany pavilion)
• Watermelon Cucumber Slushy – Florida Fresh (Located between the France and Morocco pavilions)

Special dining packages are also available for the Garden Rocks Concert Series. This concert series runs for 90 nights and features over 250 performances by tons of popular artists. This dining package allows guests to have either breakfast, lunch, or dinner at select table-service restaurants in the park and grants them guaranteed seating at one of three concert performances that day.