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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DISNEY PARKS & RESORTS RECEIVE TOP HONORS IN 2016 CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

We’re excited to share that Disney Parks & Resorts have once again been named among the top destinations around the world to stay and play in the 29th annual Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. These awards celebrate the best of the best in travel according to travelers.

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Disney’s Bob Iger Inks Book Deal At Random House

Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger has scored a deal with Random House to publish an as-yet-untitled book on leadership and management, the publisher said today.

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Disney dominates the list of upcoming movies teens are excited for

Disney’s still got the magic when it comes to capturing the imaginations of younger viewers, according to a new survey by investment bank Piper Jaffray.

On Friday, Piper Jaffray released its semi-annual survey of 10,000 US teens, and Disney was king among studios.

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Photos – “The Muppets Present…Great Moments in American History” at Magic Kingdom Park

Sam Eagle, the fiercely patriotic American eagle who is forever trying to set a high moral standard for the Muppets, joins Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, The Great Gonzo and James Jefferson, town crier of Liberty Square, as they gather outside The Hall of Presidents to present historical tales in hysterical Muppets fashion. From the midnight ride of Paul Revere to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Muppets appear throughout the day to share their own unique take on the founding fathers and the birth of the United States of America. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

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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.

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Photo by: Preston Mack / WDW Photo

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‘Captain America: Civil War,’ ‘Finding Dory’ Push Disney to International Box Office Record

Disney has set a new record for its highest-grossing year at the international box office, fueled by “Captain America: Civil War,” “Finding Dory,” “Zootopia,” and “The Jungle Book.”

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Nature’s Harvest® Bread Celebrates Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory” In-Home Release with Instant Win Game & Sweepstakes

Nature’s Harvest® bread is stirring up excitement in the bread aisle in support of the in-home release of Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory,” releasing on Digital HD on Oct. 25 and Blu-ray™ on Nov. 15. Now through Nov. 13, fans can enter for a chance to win an all-expense paid trip for four to the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, Calif. and other fun Dory-themed prize packs on the Nature’s Harvest® bread Facebook page.

Select packages of specially marked Nature’s Harvest® breads made with whole grains will feature the lovable “Finding Dory” characters along with a chance to bring home a free, limited-edition Dory TY® Sparkle Eye Beanie Boo plush toy. Fans can purchase any two Nature’s Harvest® breads and visit wholegrainsplash.com for instructions on how to complete and submit the offer form and full terms and conditions for the promotion.

“Kids and parents alike love the “Finding Dory” characters, and this collaboration allows us to bring a new level of excitement and magic to breads baked with whole grains,” said Lia Arakelian, Assistant Brand Manager, Nature’s Harvest® bread. “Disney has a very high set of nutritional standards, and with our baked with whole grains platform, we are honored to be able to work closely with their team to help promote this beloved movie.”

Families can also prepare for the in-home release of “Finding Dory” by trying two new delicious and nutritious Nature’s Harvest® bread snack and lunch recipes created by Registered Dietician Heidi Diller and inspired by Dory and her friends. Get these recipes and morehere.

“The ‘Surfing Turtle Open Faced Sandwich’ and the ‘P B & Jolly Octopus Toast’ are fun recipes to get families to eat more whole grains, especially since every variety of Nature’s Harvest® bread has at least eight grams of whole grains per serving,” said Heidi Diller, Registered Dietician. “This makes it an easy choice for parents looking to give their family delicious bread as part of a well-balanced, nutritious diet. Parents can also feel good about serving Nature’s Harvest® breads because they are not baked with artificial flavors, colors or high fructose corn syrup.”

Nature’s Harvest® bread varieties available nationwide include:

There is no purchase necessary and no fee to participate in the Make a Splash with Whole Grains Instant Win Game & Sweepstakes. For official rules, prize descriptions and to enter, fans can visit Facebook.com/NaturesHarvestBreads and click the Sweepstakes tab. Then, follow the instructions to complete and submit the entry.

“Finding Dory” reunites everyone’s forgetful blue tang, Dory, with her friends Marlin and Nemo on a search for her family and features the voices of Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks and Ed O’Neill. For more information on Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory,” visit:  disney.com/findingdory.

For more information on Nature’s Harvest® bread, visit: naturesharvestbread.com or like us on Facebook atfacebook.com/NaturesHarvestBreads.

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CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH HOLIDAY DINNERS AT AULANI

This Thanksgiving and Christmas, you can indulge in a traditional holiday feast in paradise, complete with island flair and a dash of Disney magic. Featuring live local entertainment and visits from Disney Characters, who’ll drop by for photo opportunities, the Aulani Thanksgiving Feast and Christmas Day Dinner offer you food, fun and family memories to cherish forever.

Served in the Kaiona Ballroom, the first seating is from 4-6 p.m. and the second seating is from 6:30-8:30 p.m.  The cost is $89.50 for Guests ages 10 and up; $43.75 for children ages 3-9 (tax and gratuity included).

Reservations for the Aulani Thanksgiving Feast are now open for Resort Guests, and will open to non-resort Guests (subject to availability) on Nov. 15, 2016, based on availability. Reservations for the Aulani Christmas Day Dinner will open on Nov. 21, 2016 for Resort Guests and Dec. 15, 2016 for non-Resort Guests, based on availability.

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The California Science Center digs into ‘The Science Behind Pixar’

The Science Behind Pixar,” a multimedia exhibit that opens Saturday at the California Science Center in Exposition Park, shows that for the artists at Pixar, like their counterparts at the Walt Disney Studio in the ’30s, scientific research is a key element in the creation of quality animated films.

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