WDW Planning

News

Disney Springs Extends Weekend Hours Starting October 9th, 2020

While I was in Walt Disney World last month the place that I took the most comfort was at Disney Springs. Despite the masks, temperature checks, and social distance guidelines being in place the sprawling shopping, dining, and entertainment complex gave me the greatest feeling of "normalcy." There I found that music played, crowds bustled, and restaurants welcomed guests to (current) capacity.

Magic Kingdom Holiday Merriment Reimagined In 2020

A reimagined holiday celebration will take place at Walt Disney World this year with running between November 27th and December 30th, 2020. Seasonal shows, decor, activities, treats, and merchandise will be sure to delight the senses of guests during this festive time in the Magic Kingdom and beyond.

Highlights From The EPCOT International Festival Of The Holidays Arrive In 2020

A reimagined holiday celebration will take place at Walt Disney World with select highlights from the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays running between November 27th and December 30th, 2020. Seasonal shows, activities, treats, and merchandise will be sure to delight the senses.

Some November Walt Disney World Park Hours Updates

If there is one thing we can count on at Disney right now, it's that everything is subject to change. Back in September operating hours at all four Disney World parks were reduced. It's not surprising with kids going back to school ini some form or another, September is typically a slower month. That being said, when the November calendar was revealed, it first appeared that these shortened hours would continue.

Disney Springs Closes Early Due To Curfew And A Message From Disney Leaders

Civil unrest occurring across the nation has prompted action from Disney as Orlando and Orange County institute a curfew following nights of rioting over the death of George Floyd. Disney Springs will be closing early until further notice to allow guests and cast members the ability to make it home in time. Disney Company leadership CEO Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Bob Iger, and Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer of The Walt Disney Company Latondra Newton also released a joint statement to Cast Members regarding this time of civil unrest.

BREAKING NEWS Walt Disney World Extends Closures

This evening, after the stock market closed, the @DisneyParksNews twitter account released a statement that the Walt Disney World and Disneyland closures would be extended until further notice and Disney cast members (not including operating partners) would be paid through April 18, 2020.

Details Revealed For Reflections - A Disney Lakeside Lodge

Amongst the plethora of news that came out of Disney's D23 Expo last weekend Bob Chapek, Chairman of Parks, Experiences and Products for the Walt Disney Company gave guests an all too brief look at the next Deluxe Resort and Disney Vacation Club property to be built at Walt Disney World - Reflections - A Disney Lakeside Lodge.

An Exciting New Stories For The Disney Cruise Line

Bob Chapek took the stage at D23 Expo to share his thoughts about the exciting projects coming to the Disney Cruise Line. He told the massive audience gathered before the D23 stage and shared his belief that every Disney moment a guest has should bring their favorite stories to life in thrilling ways. The Disney Cruise Line is reaching for that vision with new ships, and a brand new port destination that is pure magic.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opening Date

Details are trickling out about the highly anticipated Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios as part of the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge expansion. Read on to discover why this new attraction is seriously ambitious, and worth every moment of anticipation as it readies to open on December 5th, 2019.

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway Opening in 2020

At Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney Imagineers are getting ready to open Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway in 2020! You'll be invited to the Chinese Theatre where Mickey and Minnie will be hosting the premier of their newest film "Perfect Picnic." The theater serves as the magic portal through which guests will step from the human world directly into the cartoon world for one Goofy adventure aboard Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway.

When it comes to Disney World, trip planning is huge undertaking. In fact, many a first visit to Disney World is marred by a lack of planning. While it might be tempting to think that it's "just a theme park," and that you can show up and have a blast by winging it, the size and complexity of the resort is daunting even for experts. These articles will help you make the most of your Disney trip, and might even introduce you to some activities and attractions you haven't heard about!

Articles

Limited Time Magic: Disney Channel's Teen Beach Movie Celebration

Put on your swimsuit and hit the beach to celebrate Disney Channel's new Teen Beach Movie! It's a Limited Time Magic celebration that lasts from June 24 through September 1st , 2013. Grab your beach blanket and hit the sand because this modern take on the classic beach party movies is fun for the whole family to enjoy.

Disney Cruise Line: Do I Need A Passport For Travel To The Bahamas and Caribbean?

One of the most common questions I'm asked about traveling on the Disney Cruise Line (DCL) to the Bahamas and Caribbean is "Do I need a passport?" The most basic answer for most US Citizens is "No." However, traveling abroad without one is highly discouraged and thus, my answer is always a resounding "Yes."

Explore Your Imagination at Image Works - The “What If” Labs

A few weeks ago we waxed poetically about how much we miss Dreamfinder and the original "Journey Into Imagination." Today we're headed back to the Imagination Pavilion for a quick visit to Image Works - The "What If" Labs.

Learn About Conservation with the Cast of ‘The Lion King’ at ‘The Circle of Life’

If you find yourself with an extra 20 minutes or so to spare before your Soarin' FastPass can be turned in, take a short walk upstairs to the Harvest Theater in The Land Pavilion and catch a showing of The Circle of Life.

Tribute Bands Set to Rock This Summer in the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series

Break out the hair gel and tune up your air guitar - some of the world's best tribute bands are going to take the stage this summer at Epcot during the Sounds Like Summer concert series.

The concert series kicks of June 9-15 with Stayin' Alive - A Tribute to the Bee Gees. Other classic bands and artists will also get the tribute band treatment this summer including U2, The Police, Billy Joel, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

After the first weekend the bands set to appear are:

How to Create a Trip Planning Spreadsheet

For many seasoned Disney travelers, an important part of trip planning for Walt Disney World includes "The Spreadsheet". Many of you have seen some of my past creations, and know this is one of my many Disney obsessions. The benefit of a spreadsheet is having everything I need or use - confirmation numbers, key dates, ADRs, park hours and Extra Magic Hours - all on one handy page. It helps me figure out which parks we want to hit on which days, which helps me with food planning. And we know how important that is!

What To Do on a “No Kids” Day at Epcot

On the few occasions when my husband and I have visited the Magic Kingdom without the kids we always feel a little guilty. But, when we're at Epcot without the kids there is less guilt and a little more "Hey! We're having a grown up day!" That means no waiting in line to meet the characters, no whining about sore feet, and most importantly we can visit attractions WE want to see.

Live A Pirates Life at Walt Disney World Resort

If your family is a pirate loving crew then the Walt Disney World Resort may be just the place for a summer break. With multiple attractions spread across the property you can be living an imaginative pirate's life whether your favorite is Captain Jack or Captain Hook. We've scoured the land and come up with tips to guide you to the treasures.

Disney Parks Ticket Prices Increase June 2, 2013

Beginning tomorrow, June 2, 2013 tickets to Disney's Florida and California theme parks will have new pricing. For the first time, a one day Park Ticket to the Magic Kingdom (at $95) costs more than a one day Park Ticket to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, or Animal Kingdom (each at $90). That means that one day at the Magic Kingdom ticket is a full $6 more than if was last year. The price increase, though sudden, does not come as that much of a surprise as the last ticket price increase occurred in June of 2012.

Journey Into Imagination with Figment – If Only We Still Had Dreamfinder

If you ask any longtime Disney fan what "extinct" Epcot attractions they miss most, you're likely to hear Horizons and the original Journey Into Imagination. Sure, Figment still exists today but the third incarnation of the ride is just not the same as the original.