WDW Daily News

Each day, Guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels and other select hotels* have the opportunity to enjoy select attractions in at least one of our four theme parks, before or after regular operating hours, as part of the Extra Magic Hours benefit. Today we have even more great news: Guests staying at these hotels this fall will have more opportunities to take advantage of thisExtra Magic Hours benefit with Extra, Extra Magic Hours at our theme parks!

The Extra, Extra Magic Hours benefit will include expanded daily offerings at three of our theme parks, which includes more time to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as well as other experiences at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom theme parks. Here’s the rundown: 

• Disney’s Hollywood Studios — Daily from Sept. 1-Nov. 2, the park will have Extra, Extra Magic Hours from 6-9 a.m., including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, plus Toy Story Land attractions and select other attractions. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and its experiences subject to capacity.

(Please note that on Aug. 29-31, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will open at 6 a.m. for all Guests. There will not be Extra, Extra Magic Hours on those days.)  

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park — Extra, Extra Magic Hours will happen daily from Aug. 29-Nov. 2, from 7-8 a.m., featuring Pandora – The World of Avatar and other attractions throughout the park (same as today’s morning Extra Magic Hours offerings).
• Magic Kingdom Park —Extra, Extra Magic Hours will happen daily fromAug. 29-Nov. 2, from 7-8 a.m., featuring favorite attractions in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland (same as today’s morning Extra Magic Hours offerings).

Extra Magic Hours will also continue to be available on select days at Epcot.

If your Clients are visiting this fall, they should know that the Extra, Extra Magic Hours benefit at the Walt Disney WorldResort requires a valid theme park admission and hotel ID.  Guests without the Park Hopper Option or Park Hopper Plus Option must spend the day at the same park where they’d like to enjoy the Extra, Extra Magic Hours benefit. 

Also, not all Walt Disney Worldattractions are available with the Extra Magic Hours benefit. Park hours and available attractions are subject to change without notice. *Applicable theme park, days and times of operation, attraction and service availability may vary and are subject to change without notice. Subject to capacity and cancellation. 

Extra Magic Hours is one of the many benefits and amenities your Clients can enjoy as a guest of a Disney Resort hotel. Some of the others include early access to Disney FastPass+ planning (not available during Extra Magic Hours benefit, complimentary motorcoach transportation and standard theme park parking and other entertaining amenities.  

Theme Park hours can be found on the Disney Travel Agents website under the “Destinations” tab.  

May The Fourth Be With You!

*The Extra Magic Hours benefit applies to Disney Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan Hotel, Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, Shades of Green® Resort, Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels, Four Seasons Resort Orlando, Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and Waldorf Astoria Orlando. 

In just a few weeks, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will welcome its first visitors at the Disneyland® Resort. To honor that momentous occasion, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is celebrating in the summer issue of Disney twenty-three, its quarterly publication. While the magazine is only available to D23 Gold Members, we wanted to give you a first look at the new issue—and what’s inside.

The exclusive photos were so breathtaking that D23 expanded this issue to showcase even more of the Black Spire Outpost, with three rich stories that feature exclusive interviews with the Imagineers behind the epic project. Readers will explore the two groundbreaking attractions in “Shift Your Setting to Thrill!” and get swept up in the immersive environments and new technologies in “Living on the Edge.”

And the spread featured here is from the story “A Galaxy Not So Far Away,” which gives readers  the lay of the 14-acre land, along with a guided tour courtesy of Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Executive Scott Trowbridge.

Look for more behind-the-scenes exclusives at D23.com leading up to the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in the coming weeks.

Calling all princes and princesses! We’re excited to introduce a new package at Magic Kingdom Park that is fit for royalty.

Starting today, May 2, 2019,  you can reserve the new Signature Celebration Package at Cinderella’s Royal Table for your Clients. In addition to enjoying a scrumptious dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table, you will be able to take advantage of reserved “Happily Ever After” fireworks viewing in the West Plaza Garden (a separate area for Guests of this package) before joining the After Fireworks Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace. On top of all of that, you can experience unique and exclusive extras that make this an even more magical evening!

Cinderella and her Prince Charming will personally welcome Guests upon arrival to the storybook setting of Cinderella Castle and invite them to embark on a royal evening which Guests will kick off at their table with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine or a specialty beverage. Throughout the meal, Cinderella’s Princess friends, will come to the table to greet Guests and take photos.

Once you have had their fill of delicious food, a beautiful box of Cinderella-inspired confections will be gifted to them to commemorate their time dining in Cinderella’s castle! Following their dining experience, you will move on to a reserved viewing area for the spectacular Happily Ever After Fireworks display. Then, the enchanting evening will end with a dessert party, where Cinderella-inspired desserts will enhance the array of offerings.

This sounds like the perfect way to end an amazing day at Magic Kingdom Park – or an extra magical way to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or other special occasions!

This new package is currently only offered during one seating at Cinderella’s Royal Table, and reservations are limited and highly recommended. Book reservations for you today by calling 407-WDW-DINE or by visiting DisneyWorld.com.  The cost of this experience is $199 plus tax and gratuity for adults and $169 plus tax and gratuity for children.

May the 4th will soon be here and today we have an early look at exclusive Star Wars merchandise and a few of the out-of-this-galaxy park experiences to celebrate the day with us at Walt Disney World® Resort.

During the annual fan-proclaimed “Star Wars Day,” we’re releasing several new items, including a Star Wars T-shirt, drinkware and several pins.  The special themed merchandise will be available on May 4 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Tatooine, Launch Bay and Mickey’s of Hollywood and at Disney Springs® at Star Wars Galactic Outpost and Star Wars Trading Post.  Merchandise available while supplies last.

Also, tickets are now on sale for a special Disney After Hours celebration of May the 4th at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  If you aren’t familiar with Disney After Hours events, they’re a great  opportunity to experience the magic of a Disney theme park for three hours after regular park hours, with limited attendance, which means little-to-no wait for attractions, experiences and character greetings. And don’t forget, tickets are commissionable! 

On May 4, 2019,  you  have the opportunity to encounter Chewbacca with Rey, Kylo Ren with Captain Phasma and more at the park during Disney After Hours! There will also be themed merchandise and special treats available for purchase. You can grab Disney After Hours tickets for May the 4th right now.   *Be sure your costume fits within the park guidelines.

During May the 4th, it’s also a great time to ride Star Tours – The Adventures Continue at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and enjoy other Star Wars experiences, including:

• Star Wars Guided Tours – The full Force of Star Wars fun happening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with this all-access tour.
• Star Wars: Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – You can enjoy Star Wars-themed desserts and drinks (with a souvenir stein) while watching the show from a reserved viewing area.
• Star Wars Launch Bay: Meet Chewbacca –  Guests can experience a  rebel rendezvous with this legendary Wookiee warrior.
• Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple – Young Guests can train in the ways of The Force and put skills to the test against the Dark Side.
• March of the First Order – You can witness Captain Phasma leads her squad of stormtroopers up Hollywood Boulevard.

By: Disney DestinationsMay 2, 2019

At this time, reservations for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort for May 31-June 23 are no longer available for Guests not staying in a Disneyland Resort hotel. However, rooms at the three Disneyland Resort hotels are still available during this time, and Guests who stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel between May 31 and June 23, 2019, will receive a designated reservation to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge during their stay.* 

And, don’t forget: There is so much for you to enjoy at Disneyland Resort throughout the month of June beyond visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. It’s never been a better time for you to check out new experiences, including the recently opened Jessie’s Critter Carousel at Disney California Adventure Park, and delight in a freshly reimagined Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park.

*If the hotel reservation is cancelled, the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge reservation will be cancelled

If you are planning to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at the Disneyland Resort between May 31 and June 23, 2019, a reservation and theme park admission are required. There is no additional cost to make a reservation, but reservations are subject to availability.

Here’s how you can make a reservation:

• Beginning today, May 2, at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, visit Disneyland.com.
• They will need to be logged into their Disney Account and have the names of everyone who will be part of their Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge reservation (up to six Guests total per reservation).
• All Guests will be required to have valid theme park admission in addition to their Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge reservation information and valid government issued ID. The Guest who made the reservation (even if under 18 years old) and all guests aged 18 and over on the reservation will need to bring a government issued ID upon check in for their Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge reservation. Guests under the age of 3 do not need a Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge reservation. Only Guests listed on the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge reservation with proper ID will be admitted.
• Once you make a Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge reservation, no changes or modifications will be allowed. Reservations are void if transferred or sold. Unused reservations will be forfeited and not replaced.

You cannot make a reservation on behalf of your Client(s).

Guests staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel between May 31 and June 23, 2019, do not need to sign up for a reservation as they will receive a designated reservation to access Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge during their stay (one reservation per registered guest; valid theme park admission required). If your Clients would like to stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel and guarantee a reservation to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, rooms at the three Disneyland Resort hotels are still available.* 

During the reservation period, access to the experiences in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be subject to capacity. Beginning June 24, 2019, reservations will not be required for visits to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and access to Disneyland Park, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and experiences will be subject to capacity. 

*If the hotel reservation is canceled, the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge reservation will be canceled.

As we’ve previously shared, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is opening on May 31 at Disneyland Park in Southern California, and Aug. 29 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida. If you are planning to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at the Disneyland Resort between May 31 and June 23, 2019, a reservation and theme park admission are required. There is no additional cost to make a reservation, but reservations are subject to availability. 

Specific details about how to make reservations will be available on Disney Travel News and Disneyland.com on May 2 at 8 a.m. PST. You must have a Disney Account on Disneyland.com to register for a reservation, so please encourage them to create one before registration opens at 10 a.m. PST on that day.
To aid in making reservations for this land, this downloadable tip sheet can help guide your Clients. It shares helpful pointers they’ll need to know before logging into Disneyland.com on May 2.

And don’t forget: Guests who want to ensure a visit to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge can confirm a reservation today by booking a stay at one of the three Disneyland Resort hotels between May 31 and June 23, 2019 to receive a designated reservation during their stay to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge!* 

A reservation will not be needed to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. More details on what you can expect when the land opens at Walt Disney World Resort in August will be coming soon.

*Guests staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel between May 31 and June 23, 2019 will receive a designated reservation to access Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge during their stay. One reservation per registered Guest. Each Guest is required to have valid theme park admission. If the hotel reservation is canceled, the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge reservation will be canceled. Access to certain experiences in the land are subject to capacity and other factors. Additional restrictions apply.

As many of you know, Disney is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios® on May 1, 2019.  And to kick off the big day, our friends at the Disney Parks Blog will be streaming a special star-studded cavalcade with some of your favorite characters and a special announcement you don’t want to miss on Wednesday at 9:55 a.m. EST.

The #DisneyParksLIVE stream will begin shortly before 9:55 a.m. on Wednesday. Come back to Disney Parks Blog for the live coverage. We’ll have an exciting “look ahead” at some of the amazing experiences coming to the park as we transform Disney’s Hollywood Studios into a place where you can live their own adventures in their favorite stories.

So, mark your calendar right now and be sure to stay tuned to Disney Travel News for updates on the 30th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and throughout the week.

Today we’re sharing the latest foodie news direct from Magic Kingdom® Park! We’ve got everything from donuts and ice cream to milkshakes and eclairs, and even an all-new Plant-Based Cuisine Guide.

To start off, our culinary teams have been working hard to put together a brand-new guide to Plant-Based Cuisine at Magic Kingdom Park. If you are looking for vegetarian and vegan-friendly offerings throughout the park, they’ll find them all listed in this handy guide. Guests can find it at most major food and beverage locations throughout the park and at Guest Relations. The guide will also be updated seasonally, so you can be sure to have the latest info every time they visit the park!

Moving right along to some sweeter offerings, there’s a whole array of new desserts coming this month to help satisfy your sweet tooth. All of these limited-time offerings start this May and will run through the end of June 2019.

Today, we’ve got some rootin’ tootin’ news for ya! There’s a brand-new table-service restaurant coming to Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. Upon entering Andy’s back yard, you are magically transformed to the size of a toy, surrounded by toys and playsets scattered throughout the area. And soon, they’ll discover that a new play area has been set up – and this time, it’s a rodeo! But of course, being Andy, it certainly isn’t a usual rodeo …

Using three cardboard boxes cut and taped together, Andy has created a new rodeo arena using some of his favorite toys, games, and play sets. And while some pieces are definitely western-themed, what makes this rodeo special is the broad assortment of toys that have been brought together to create a fun, colorful mashup-atmosphere that only a child could create.

Once inside, you will be surrounded by all of the rodeo festivities in-action as well as western town and train station play sets. And they just might spot some of their favorite Disney•Pixar characters scattered throughout the restaurant in the form of toys and game pieces including a toy version of Jessie riding on the back of a Trixie pull-toy and unique toy versions of Bo Peep and her sheep, all who appear to be performing in the rodeo together.

This immersive restaurant will surround you with a kaleidoscope of toys, games, and playsets, providing yet another unique, fun, family-friendly dining experience that could only be had in Toy Story Land. Stay tuned for more news on this yummy rodeo-themed restaurant. And in the meantime, be sure you check out Woody’s Lunch Box for delicious sandwiches, Lunch Box Tarts, and more!