Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World has lifted the spring blockout dates for those with Florida Resident Disney Select tickets. While other blockout dates still apply, March 19 – April 1 are now available for those ticketholders.
The Florida Resident Disney Select ticket pricing is $68 per day for a 3-day ticket (total price: $202), and $56 per day for 4-day ticket (total price: $223). It provides access to one theme park per day, includes FastPass+ and expires six months after first use or by December 17, 2017. Summer blockout dates apply.
The elusive purple MagicBand is now available complimentary for guests with resort reservations. While originally promised to be part of the initial lineup of MagicBands, production challenges caused a lengthy delay in rolling it out to guests. Eventually, the band was rolled out for purchase.
Now guests can receive the purple band for free the next time they stay at a Walt Disney World Resort.
Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom’s refurbishment of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been delayed. The attraction was scheduled for a three month refurbishment starting in April, but it has been reportedly delayed until August 8 through November 18. Big Thunder last had a major refurbishment in 2012. It is unknown what work will be done while the attraction is closed.
Epcot
The expanded Flower and Garden Festival began last week at Epcot. For a full report see Jeremiah’s report.
This weekend’s Garden Rocks performer is STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas (“We Built This City”.) The concerts occur on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the American Gardens Theatre.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The newest hand-painted, limited-edition Ink & Paint cel will be available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on March 12. “Goofy Sport” features Goofy, Mickey, and Donald participating in a soccer match at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Ink & Paint artists will be available for a special signing from 10a.m.-1p.m. at Stage 1 Company Store. Guests unable to attend in person can pre-purchase the cel now through March 10 at 5 p.m. Eastern.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The official opening date for Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s new nighttime show, Rivers of Light, has been announced. The first major nighttime spectacular at the park will debut to guests on April 22, the park’s 18th birthday.
To answer fan questions about the new show, the Disney Parks Blog will be hosting a live chat on Tuesday, March 8 at 1:15 p.m. EST with Michael Jung and Mark Renfrow from the show’s creative team.
Disney Springs
Disney Springs reached a milestone with the installation of the area’s icon, the Disney Springs Watertower. More changes to Disney Springs are underway with the Disney Tag boutique joining the Marketplace Co-Op at Disney Springs Marketplace on March 11. This new location will offer Disney-inspired travel products.
Events
This week’s schedule of Atlanta Braves Spring Training games at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports.
March 8: Vs Mets 1:05pm
March 11: Vs Phillies 1:05pm
March 12: Vs Nationals 5:55pm
March 14: Vs Rays 1:05pm
Merchandise Events
March 8: Those with tickets to the 1:05 Braves game vs the Mets can meet author Dan Schlossberg at Champion Stadium, from 11 a.m. – Noon. He is the author of the new book When the Braves Ruled the Diamond.
March 9-12: Geir Ness will be on hand for a special appearance as he showcases the latest from his Laila fragrance and beauty collection. Guests can meet Geir from Noon – 6 p.m., each day, at The Puffin’s Roost in the Norway Pavilion inside Epcot’s World Showcase.
Quick Takes
Kristoff & Olaf to Host Frozen Games at Blizzard Beach
Is Six Flags Going to One-Up Disney With This New Technology?
A Tink’s Eye View: Photos Taken from Cinderella Castle
Walt Disney World Worker Caught Using Dirty Mop to Clean Food Court Tables
Walt Disney World Refurbishments
| Magic Kingdom | |
| Monorail The Walt Disney World Resort Monorail System is undergoing refurbishment and may be on modified service and/or routes. Guests should check to be sure of the best option available on their day of travel, as alternative transportation options will be available. |
Now – April 2016 |
| Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin | Mar. 6 – 10, 2016 |
| Epcot | |
| Soarin’ | Jan. 4, 2016 – Summer 2016 |
| Circle of Life | Feb. 7 – Apr. 2, 2016 |
| Disney’s Hollywood Studios | |
| Pizza Planet | Jan. 19 – Late 2016 |
| Toy Story Midway Mania – 1 Day Only | Mar. 15, 2016 |
| Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure – Closing Permanently | Apr. 3, 2016 |
| Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show – Closing Permanently | Apr. 3, 2016 |
| Disney’s Animal Kingdom | |
| Kali River Rapids | Jan. 4 – Mar. 17, 2016 |
| Flights of Wonder | Jan. 25 – Mar. 17, 2016 |
| Warung Outpost | Jan. 25 – Mar. 17, 2016 |
| Boneyard | Feb. 22 – Mar. 17, 2016 |
| Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park | |
| Annual Refurbishment | Jan. 4 – Mar. 19, 2016 |
| Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort | |
| Bay Cove Pool | Feb. 1 – Mar. 18, 2016 |
| Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge | |
| Concierge Lounge Closed for refurbishment. An alternative lounge location will be available during this time. |
May 7 – 22, 2016 |
| Disney’s Art of Animation Resort | |
| Schoolyard Sprayground | Jan. 4 – Mar. 11, 2016 |
| Disney’s BoardWalk Inn | |
| Flying Fish Restaurant | Feb. 1 – Sep. 30, 2016 |
| Seashore Sweets’ Closed to make way for a new experience. |
Feb. 1, 2016 |
| Disney’s BoardWalk Villas | |
| Guest Villa Renovations | Through Spring 2016 |
| Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort | |
| Aruba Pool | Feb. 22 – Apr. 15, 2016 |
| Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort | |
| General Construction During this time, Guests will observe construction taking place and certain pathways and buildings may be unavailable. |
Through Spring 2016 |
| East Pool Closed for enhancement. Guests may see or hear work in progress. |
Through Spring 2016 |
| Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside | |
| Alligator Bayou Pool B | Mar. 7-8, 2016 |
| Alligator Bayou Pool C | Mar. 9-10, 2016 |
| Disney’s Wilderness Lodge & Villas | |
| General Resort Refurbishments Due to multiple resort refurbishment projects, Guests will notice construction work in various areas. Noise may be overheard while this work is being completed, but construction will not begin until after 9 a.m. Certain pathways, including the nature trail, will be unavailable. The Hidden Springs leisure pool area (the leisure pool atThe Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge), resort beach, playground, Marina and Recreation fire pit will be unavailable. |
Through 2017 |
| Cub’s Den (Children’s Activity Center) – unavailable | Through 2017 |
| Sturdy Branches Health Club | July – October 2016 |
| Disney Springs | |
| Roadwork on Buena Vista Drive Due to heavy roadwork, expect delays on Buena Vista Drive. It is recommended that Guests use complimentary Walt Disney World Resort transportation from Parks and Resorts to Disney Springs and plan to arrive early for reserved dining and entertainment experiences. |
Through May 2016 |
| Planet Hollywood | Jan. 6 – Summer 2016 |
| Mickey’s Pantry / The Spice & Tea Exchange | Feb. 29 – Mar. 14, 2016 |
| Fulton’s Crab House | Apr. 4 – Dec. 31, 2016 |