WDW Daily News

April 12, 2023

Calling all foodies: The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE will begin dishing up delights at Walt Disney World Resort starting July 27 and continuing through November 18, 2023.

Get ready to sip and savor at more than 25 Global Marketplaces throughout EPCOT including returning favorites such as The Fry Basket, Flavors from Fire, Canada, India and Spain. Several new Global Marketplaces will open later during the festival as summer turns to fall.

The fun doesn’t stop with the food, however. It extends to exciting activities for the whole family to enjoy!

• Fans of fromage can take part in Emile’s Fromage Montage, a fun way to try tasty cheese dishes from around the world. Grab your Festival Passport and purchase any five cheese dishes listed in the back of the Festival Passport to collect a stamp. Once you’ve collected five stamps, head to Shimmering Sips hosted by CORKCICLE to redeem a sweet treat unique to the festival.
• Families can embark on Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak – a Ratatouille-inspired adventure that’s très magnifique! Guests of all ages can search for Remy throughout World Showcase and the Global Marketplaces.
• And to celebrate the Halloween season grab your gourd-eous group and partake in Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit, a special pumpkin scavenger hunt from September 29 through October 31.

The festival will also welcome back the popular Eat to the Beat Concert Series presented by Florida Blue Medicare at America Gardens Theatre. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more details about this year’s lineup.

And don’t forget to commemorate your EPCOT visit by bringing festival magic home with official event merchandise including apparel, home décor, trading pins and more

Bright Suns! Over the weekend, the Star Wars Celebration 2023 took place in London and shared an exciting announcement about the attraction that started it all in this galaxy far, far away … Star Tours!

Since it debuted at Disneyland in 1987 as the first Star Wars attraction in a Disney park, Star Tours has traveled to new places as this galaxy of stories expanded. In 2024, Disney is going to add more stories and characters to Star Tours at both Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida and Disneyland Park in California.

Stay tuned for more news about the next travel destinations for the attraction!

There’s no better place to celebrate something special than at Walt Disney World Resort. Whether it’s anniversaries, engagements, birthdays, graduations, or just being with family, celebrating at The Most Magical Place on Earth makes these occasions even more joyful.

To help capture these celebrations, Disney PhotoPass Service launched Capture Your Moment, a 20-minute personalized photo session with a Disney PhotoPass photographer, available at all four theme parks. 

Over the past few years at Magic Kingdom Park, we’ve loved offering Capture Your Moment photo sessions on Main Street, U.S.A. and around Cinderella Castle, and we’re excited to continue offering these picturesque locations.

For those looking for extra whimsy in their photos, we’re thrilled to introduce a second Capture Your Moment experience at Magic Kingdom Park in Fantasyland! When we thought about where to expand Capture Your Moment, we knew an enchanted land where fairy tales come true would be the perfect place to capture milestones, family portraits, and dreamy photos.

Beginning May 1, Guests can escape into the timeless stories of Fantasyland and explore charming photo backdrop options. After checking in for this experience inside Sir Mickey’s, a photographer can help Guests choose a photo prop and their capture locations, including: the backside of Cinderella Castle, Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, Rapunzel’s tower, Prince Eric’s castle, Storybook Circus, Belle and Maurice’s cottage, outside Beast’s castle, around the Mad Tea Party, and so much more.* While they’re guaranteed one photo location per session, most sessions end up visiting a few locations to take photos. After being escorted to their chosen location, Guests will have up to 20 minutes to capture photos.

Guests may even be able to visit a location beyond Fantasyland to capture photos, such as the Haunted Mansion or other spots in Liberty Square. Guests can ask their photographer about available options and how long they’d have to capture photos at these locations.

Each Capture Your Moment session is $99 and can include up to eight guests. Photos are not included with the price of a session. However, those with a Disney PhotoPass entitlement such as Memory Maker or Memory Maker One Day, as well as qualifying Annual Passholders with a Disney PhotoPass download benefit, can download the photos taken during Capture Your Moment at no extra cost. Guests can also opt to purchase photos individually.

Bookings for Capture Your Moment in Fantasyland will open April 24, with sessions offered daily starting May 1. Bookings can be made up to 60 days in advance, and advance reservations are strongly recommended. A limited number of same-day reservations may be available; to inquire, Guests can check the My Disney Experience app.

If Guests plan to experience Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique before a Capture Your Moment session in Fantasyland, we recommend booking a photo session to begin at least two hours after the start of their child’s transformation.

Capture Your Moment is the perfect way to capture shared memories and look back on what makes life meaningful to us. Our talented photographers will ensure your visit to Walt Disney World is more than a moment in time, but a lasting, treasured memory.

*Photo sessions do not provide access to any attractions. Wedding attire and clothing that drags on the ground are not permitted. Attire and guest-supplied props need to abide by the Park Policies found here. No refund will apply for no-shows or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the session start time. Gratuity is not necessary. Prices and services offered are subject to change. Full payment is due at time of booking. Those who wish to capture photos with a photographer for longer than 20 minutes can book additional 20-minute sessions, with each session priced at $99. Additional time must be booked in advance. Capture Your Moment is only available during regular park hours. Available session locations will be provided by your photographer at the start of your session and are subject to change based on inclement weather and park operations. Because of other guest appointments, guests arriving late to their session cannot have their session extended beyond the stated end time. Guests under 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult (18 or older). Valid Theme Park admission and park reservations are required and not included in the session price. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. 

The popular MagicBand+ technology used at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort will start to make its way to Disney Cruise Line, beginning with a preview opportunity on select Disney Wish sailings before it officially debuts. At Disney Cruise Line, they are calling it DisneyBand+.

With DisneyBand+, guests will unlock the hands-free conveniences of wearable technology on the high seas for the first time on a Disney cruise. With three Disney Cruise Line-exclusive designs to choose from, DisneyBand+ will be the perfect accessory for a Disney cruise vacation.

Keep reading to learn how the smart features of DisneyBand+ will enhance the cruise experience while providing magicalsurprises along the way!

With DisneyBand+, guests can unlock their stateroom door or charge a sweet treat or a souvenir to the payment card on their stateroom folio. Whether cooling off at the pool, snorkeling at Disney Castaway Cay or taking a thrilling plunge on AquaMouse, guests can be assured that their DisneyBand+ is adventure proof.

Even the littlest explorers can experience the magic of DisneyBand+. Children ages 3 and up can also use their bands in lieu of the Oceaneer Club Band to access kids’ clubs including Disney’s Oceaneer Club while onboard and Scuttle’s Cove at Castaway Cay.

Whether guests are meeting their favorite Disney character or striking a pose in front of the iconic Disney Cruise Line red funnel, onboard photographers around the ship are ready to capture vacation memories. And with one simple tap, guests can easily link their photos to their stateroom making it easy to view and purchase photos during their cruise.

The fun doesn’t stop there! Wearing a DisneyBand+ will allow guest to discover enchanting surprises throughout their cruise, so guests should keep their eyes peeled for extra moments of magic. Plus, it is rechargeable — making it the perfect accessory for a future Disney vacation experiences, including Disney cruises and visits to Disney Parks and Disney Resort hotels.

Stay tuned to the Disney Travel Agent website as more information is revealed about the first Disney Wish sailings to preview DisneyBand+ this summer before it officially debuts.

DisneyBand+ is an optional add-on and is not included in your cruise fare.

By: Disney Destinations

April 6, 2023

New sales of the Disney Incredi-Pass, Disney Sorcerer Pass and Disney Pirate Pass will resume and can be purchased online beginning on April 20! Please know, as we look to provide a great experience for our Passholders, the quantity of passes will be limited and passes, or a pass type, may become unavailable for purchase at any time.*

For eligible DVC Members, we’ve got great news, as they’ll have the opportunity to purchase the DVC Disney Sorcerer Pass online beginning April 13 as part of their Membership Magic benefits.**

We are so grateful for our Passholders who have a deep, strong connection to Walt Disney World, and we are looking forward to welcoming more of you to the Annual Passholder family, just in time to experience the feelings of a Disney Thrill this spring and summer.

It’s an incredible time to be a part of the Walt Disney World Annual Passholder program as we’ve taken the feedback we received from Annual Passholders and are making exciting changes. Passholders now receive access to select Disney PhotoPass benefits (age restrictions apply) and, beginning April 18, Annual Passholders can visit the theme parks after 2 p.m. without needing a park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom Park. Pass blockout dates continue to apply.

These updates will help Passholders enjoy some of our newest Walt Disney World experiences. We’re celebrating the return of the “Happily Ever After” nighttime spectacular at Magic Kingdom Park, the world’s first Toy Story-themed table-service restaurant Roundup Rodeo BBQ at Disney’s Hollywood Studios opened just a few weeks ago, and Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana is coming later this year to EPCOT. This month, we’ll also commemorate the 25th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

*Passes are subject to the Walt Disney World® Resort Annual Pass Terms and Conditions. All offerings are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

**To purchase the Disney Sorcerer Pass, Disney Vacation Club Members must be eligible for Membership Extras. Membership Extras is an incidental benefit – these offers are subject to availability, change or termination and may require a fee. General terms & conditions of the program are in the Membership Extras Acknowledgement and Disclosure Statement. Program terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.

Take a look at the latest construction photos from the Polynesian Village DVC Tower.

Take a look at the photo from yesterday and then today of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. You can see the 50th sign is now gone. Let us know on Twitter @wdwdailynews which version of the castle you like better.

From racing across the Grid on TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise and saving the galaxy on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT, to immersing yourself in Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park or checking out Roundup Rodeo BBQ, the newest eatery at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there’s no limit to the excitement that awaits guests at The Most Magical Place on Earth.

Here are some of the top reasons to be excited for a Walt Disney World Resort stay this summer:

1. Saving with Special Resort Offers

Disney World is offering summer travel deals that allow guests to save up to 25% on stays at select Disney Resort hotels. Florida residents and Annual Passholders can also take advantage of additional offers available at DisneyWorld.com/Offers.

We’re also excited to share that Annual Passholders can save 30% on select voyages aboard Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser – a first-of-its-kind 2-night immersive adventure that continues to be among our highest-rated experiences by guests visiting Walt Disney World! Learn more at StarWarsGalacticStarcruiser.com/Passholder.

2. Getting Extra Time to Play in the Parks

One of the best (and most popular) benefits of staying at a Disney Resort hotel is extra time in the theme parks*, where guests can take advantage of a 30-minute early entry into the theme parks – every day! And when they stay at a Disney Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort, they can also enjoy extended evening hours, in select parks, on select nights. While summer brings longer days, this extra time in the parks will allow guests to experience more Disney thrills with friends and family!

3. ICYMI: Complimentary Overnight Self-Parking is Back! 

Disney World has made several updates to improve the guest experience, including bringing back complimentary overnight self-parking. Whether renting a car or taking the ultimate Disney road trip, guests can enjoy this perk when staying at a hotel within the Disney Resorts Collection. Disney Resort hotel guests can also enjoy complimentary standard parking at Walt Disney World theme parks and complimentary on-site transportation options like buses, monorails, boats, and Disney Skyliner.

*For early theme park entry, guests will need a Resort ID, valid admission and a park reservation. For extended evening hours, guests will need a Resort ID, valid admission and a park reservation  (or a ticket or annual pass with the Park Hopper option, provided they entered the park where they made their reservation earlier in the day).

Disney Cruise Line reached a significant milestone in the construction of its next ship, the Disney Treasure, with the keel laying ceremony at Meyer Werft shipyard.

Full Story & Photo

When clients stay in the magic this summer, they can save on select Disney Resort Hotels!

• Save up to 25% on stays most nights July 11 to August 20, and September 15 to September 28, 2023
• Save up to 30% on stays most nights August 21 to September 14, 2023

Florida resident clients can also save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels, valid for stays most nights July 11 through September 28, 2023.

Additionally, Annual Passholders can save up to 35% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels from July 11 through Sept. 28, 2023.

If you are interested in any of these deals or would like more information, please reach out to any agent at Wish Upon a Star With Us and they can help book your next magical trip!