Travel Tuesday: March 8, 2016 — Zootopia and Finding Dory Characters Coming + Purple MagicBands

Walt Disney World

image1-2-696x522 (1)

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.

7517055890054

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

IMG_1385

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

IMG_1120

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

sptg23941The 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

riversoflight-f

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

IMG_1007-1024x768

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

Pages: 1 2 3 4