Important Information on the Temporary Closure of Walt Disney World Resort
May I get a refund on my ticket?
Unexpired multi-day theme park tickets with unused days, or date-specific theme park tickets with a start date on or before March 31, 2020 will automatically be extended to use any date through December 15, 2020. If you are unable to visit by December 15, 2020 you may apply the value of a wholly unused ticket toward the purchase of a ticket for a future date.
Florida Resident Discover Disney Tickets may be used through July 31, 2020.
If you have purchased tickets for Disney After Hours, Disney Villains After Hours and Disney Early Morning Magic from March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020 they will be automatically refunded.
Temporary Closure of Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks
How does the closure of Walt Disney World impact annual passes?
Walt Disney World annual passes will be extended by the number of days the parks are closed, March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020.
I have a reservation while the park is closed. What does that mean for my vacation package?
For stays between March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020, you may modify or cancel your Disney Resort room reservation or Walt Disney Travel Company package up to your original check-in date. If no action is taken, Disney will automatically process a refund to the original form of payment within seven days of the original check-in date.
What if I decide to cancel my resort reservation after the parks reopen?
Disney will waive all Disney imposed change and cancellation fees up to the date of check-in through June 30, 2020.
I have a pre-paid dining reservation or experience reservation like Build a Droid during the time when the parks are closed. Will I receive a refund?
Yes. All pre-paid dining and experience reservations will be automatically refunded if scheduled between March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020.
What happens to dining reservations that required a credit card at the time of booking?
Reservations made at locations impacted by the closure will not be charged a cancellation or no-show fee.
To move your trip to later in the year, please check out the Current Offers page to find special offers for Walt Disney World.
New Experience at Epcot's The Seas With Nemo & Friends
You can become a sea-sleuth with Finding Dory’s Friends, a new self-led journey through The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion at EPCOT. You can grab a complimentary scavenger hunt booklet where you’ll follow a map through the pavilion to solve rhyming puzzles and look for clues to help Dory remember and locate her marine friends!
Get Ready for a Fin-tastic Scavenger Hunt Adventure Coming to The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT!
This new experience offers an interactive way for guests of all ages to learn more about our friends under the sea.
The booklets will be located on the first floor inside The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion.
Click here to view Exclusive offers for Walt Disney World
by Darren Wittko
New Tour at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
The new “A Path Less Traveled Tour” – a unique experience being offered at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, celebrates the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and the 25th anniversary of the Disney Conservation Fund.
Experience ‘A Path Less Traveled Tour’ as a part of Earth Month Celebration at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
On this walking tour, you’ll learn more about the authentic details, clever construction and imaginative design throughout the theme park.
You’ll also have the chance to meet with animal care experts to learn how Disney cares for the hundreds of animals in the park and what we’re doing to save wildlife species worldwide.
This limited-time opportunity provides a glimpse into what it takes to bring the magic of animals, culture and conservation to life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The tour will be $69.00, plus tax per guest. Check-in begins at 7:45 a.m. and the tour runs 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. daily from March 29 – May 2, 2020, with the exception of April 21, 2020. All guests must be 10 years of age or older to participate.
Tour participation requires park admission and ticket cost is not included in the tour price.
Check out exclusive hotel offers for Walt Disney World Resort here
Darren Wittko
New Sign for Gusteau’s Restaurant at Epcot
Gusteau’s is the famed Parisian establishment that is home to Chef Remy from Disney and Pixar’s “Ratatouille.”
Look for Gusteau's sign the next time you're on the Disney Skyliner. It's visible from the gondola as you approach or depart the International Gateway station.
It’s also the soon-to-be setting for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, the new attraction opening this summer at Epcot. This family-friendly experience will take you on an adventure with Chef Remy, where you’ll race through Gusteau’s kitchen in special trackless ride vehicles.
Disney Introduces Club Run Disney
I love to run the Disney half marathons and 10ks so I am especially excited to share a new opportunity for fellow Disney runners: Club runDisney, a new membership opportunity for runners who love to run at Walt Disney World Resort. Club runDisney will offer three different one-year-long membership levels – Silver, Gold, and Platinum – featuring a range of special benefits that will run from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021.
All Club runDisney members will receive a welcome package including an exclusive jacket and will have access to the lowest race registration pricing all year, a new Virtual 10K in Fall 2020 that is exclusively for Club runDisney members, and special Club runDisney designation on race bibs during on-site events. All of these benefits are included with a Silver Membership.
Gold Membership will include these perks, along with early registration access with a guaranteed spot in the half marathon or marathon distance each race weekend.
Platinum Membership will have all of these benefits, plus early registration with a guaranteed spot in one distance each race weekend; upgraded corral placement; and an exclusive Expo experience with early admittance to the runDisney Merchandise Shop, a special character meet and greet, and access to a Club runDisney Lounge with expedited race packet pick-up.
Club runDisney memberships will go on sale on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at 10 am ET, just prior to the start of the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend.
If you are interested in learning more, check out https://www.rundisney.com/club-rundisney/ or visit the Club runDisney booth at the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Health & Fitness Expo, which kicks off Wednesday at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Florida Resident Ticket Offer
New Florida Resident TIcket Available for Walt Disney World
The Florida Resident Discover Disney Ticket includes admission to any of the four Walt Disney World theme parks (one theme park per day).
Tickets are available for purchase Jan. 2-June 27, 2020, and can be used any three or four days (depending on ticket purchased) from Jan. 2 through June 30, 2020.
3-day Discover Disney Ticket for $175 plus tax ($59 per day, plus tax)
4-day Discover Disney Ticket for $195 plus tax ($49 per day, plus tax)
Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus options available This special ticket can be used any days through June 30, 2020, and has no block-out dates, so it’s a great way for Florida residents to discover unforgettable experiences across all four Walt Disney World theme parks in 2020.
Disney Villains After Hours returns to Magic Kingdom Park
New Villains Caravan and More Coming to Disney Villains After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park Next Year
Disney Villains After Hours returns to Magic Kingdom Park for 24 select nights starting February 7, 2020.
Based on the popularity of Maleficent dragon’s journey through the park, Disney is including even more villainous fun. New this year, the Villains’ Cursed Caravan will join Maleficent the dragon as she creeps through the park twice nightly. The procession will feature Gaston, Oogie Boogie, Cruella DeVil, Captain Hook and more! As a reminder, this event does not include character greetings.
For offers on Walt Disney World, check out the Current Offers Page
Star Wars Rise of the Resistance - Walt Disney World - Virtual Queue
Here’s what to know:
Virtual queue will be available at the published park opening time. Disney may welcome Guests onto Hollywood Boulevard prior to opening the rest of the park, and limited nearby locations will be open for your convenience. This includes Trolley Car Café aka Starbucks.
At the park’s published opening time, the virtual queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opens along with offerings throughout the rest of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests must be in Disney’s Hollywood Studios to access virtual queue in the My Disney Experience app.
Disney will continue to distribute backup boarding groups after the initial planned groups have been filled. Backup boarding groups will only be called if all of the initial planned boarding groups have been called back and there is capacity for more riders that evening. If Disney is able to accommodate boarding groups that evening, Guests will be notified through the My Disney Experience app by a push notification (if enabled).
New Hotel Coming to Disney Springs in 2021
Drury Hotels is developing its largest property to date, the Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista, and will begin to welcome guests by spring 2021. The new hotel will be located in the Disney Springs Resort Area and the entire project will be completed by the end of 2021, with its first set of rooms available by spring 2021.
Drury Plaza Hotel | Walt Disney World Resort
The new property is located just steps away from Disney Springs: a walkable, 120-acre outdoor complex outside of the theme parks featuring an eclectic mix of unique boutiques, one-of-a-kind eateries, and entertainment. The hotel will be able to be booked as part of a Walt Disney World Resort vacation package. Drury also will offer transportation to and from the theme parks, as well as to other surrounding attractions.
Drawn to Life - A New Cirque du Soleil Show at Walt Disney World
Today Disney announced the new Cirque du Soleil show coming to Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort will be called “Drawn to Life.” This show replaces Cirque du Soleil La Nuba which started in way back in December of 1998.
Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life at Walt Disney World Resort
It’s not possible to book tickets for the show through Disney, they can only be purchased directly through the Cirque du Soleil website. Booking tickets in advance is highly recommended.
Ticket prices range from $79 to $179 for adults.
The show will be in soft opening starting on March 20, 2020, and will officially open on April 17, 2020.
New Film Experiences Coming to Epcot in January
3 new films will debut Jan. 17, 2020, at Epcot, on the same day the Epcot International Festival of the Arts begins!
New film experiences coming to Epcot
“Awesome Planet” in The Land pavilion showcases the Earth’s beauty and diversity in a 10-minute film featuring spectacular imagery, in-theater effects and an original musical score.
“Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along” in the France pavilion invites Guests to participate in a new sing-along that will run in rotation with “Impressions de France,” which will receive an upgrade to 4K projection.
“Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360” in the Canada pavilion is an update to the previous “O Canada!” film with new scenes, a new musical score by Canadian composer Andrew Lockington and new narration by award-winning actors Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy.
Tunnel at Disney’s Riviera Resort Features 2 Spectacular Mosaic Murals
If you noticed the connection to flight in both murals, you have a keen sense of storytelling. Both of the mosaics – Rapunzel’s floating lantern scene and Peter Pan soaring over the London sky – celebrate flight.
So it’s no coincidence that this tunnel walkway leads to the Disney Skyliner station at Disney’s Riviera Resort, where you can step aboard and glide across the sky by aerial gondola to destinations across Walt Disney World Resort.
View a Special Offer for DIsney’s Riviera Resort on the Current Offers Page
Disney’s Riviera Resort Tunnel to Disney Skyliner
Rapunzel’s floating lantern scene from “Tangled.”
More than 1 million hand-cut tiles were laid by hand to create this stunning work of art that rises 20 feet in the air and is joined at the ceiling by a shared mosaic sky. These are just some of the intricate and thoughtful details you’ll notice throughout Disney’s Riviera Resort.
Epcot Holiday Happenings
Now through December 30, 2019, you can celebrate the season at Epcot with many holiday-themed events!
Living with the Land: Merry and Bright Nights!
There’s a new holiday makeover this year on a Future World classic: Living with the Land: Merry and Bright Nights! Each evening you can embark on the classic Living with the Land boat ride through greenhouses thriving with colorful fruits and veggies and decorated with sparkling holiday light displays.
Entertainment
Storytellers from countries around the World Showcase share legends and traditions ranging from a musical tour of the Great White North with the Canadian Holiday Voyageurs to the Hanukkah Storyteller’s tales of diverse music and customs (between Morocco and France pavilions). Daily performances of JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season will share uplifting gospel, R&B and holiday songs of Christmas and Kwanzaa at the World Showcase Plaza Stage.
Food
And food! At Holiday Kitchens encircling the World Showcase Promenade have many special offerings. Also, you can now embark on the Holiday Cookie Stroll featuring gingerbread, black and white cookies and more.
I highly recommend the Candlelight Processional Table Service Dining Package at select restaurants, which includes guaranteed seating at a same-day Candlelight performance.
Check out Current Offers for Walt Disney World
Watch Candlelight Processional Tonight, Live from Epcot
On Dec. 3, 2019 at 8:10 p.m. ET join Disney for the #DisneyParksLIVE live stream of “The Candlelight Processional.”
The show combines a reading of traditional scripture by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by the sounds of a 200 member choir and 50 piece live orchestra.
Tonight’s celebrity narrator is Neil Patrick Harris.
Visit DisneyParksBlog.com at 8:10 p.m. ET on Dec. 3, 2019 and the livestream will be the top article.
Do Pardoned Turkeys Still Go to Walt Disney World?
For many years pardoned turkeys got to visit the Happiest Place on Earth after enduring a televised White House event packed with political puns.
From 2005 - 2009 Mickey Mouse played host to pardoned turkeys at Walt Disney World Resort.
From 2005 to 2009 the turkeys served as the Grand Marshals of the Walt Disney World Thanksgiving Day Parade on Main Street USA. It’s not clear where they went from there, perhaps they became permanent residents of Disney’s Ft. Wilderness Campground.
Disney no longer invites the turkeys to the parade. I suppose if you’re a turkey, you probably want to keep a low profile on Thanksgiving Day, presidential pardon and all.
Happy Thanksgiving!
~Darren
Cost-Effective Travel Tips for Parents with Young Children
By Leslie Campos
Your little ones are everything to you, and you love to travel. But traveling with your little ones can be stressful.
Though it’s challenging, traveling with your young children can also make for a more exciting and enjoyable trip if you do some planning and preparation ahead of time. And you don’t need to spend a fortune getting ready for your trip.
So don’t sweat it, and get excited for the new adventure that lies ahead! Check out these practical, budget-friendly travel tips for parents of young children:
Pack Plenty of Snacks
The whole family likes snacks, so be sure to bring them along. Buy some of your kids’ favorite snacks in bulk, and pack some in your carry-on and suitcase. Food is cheaper in bulk, and if you’re flying, this will save you from having to buy chips and candy bars at airport prices. Granola bars, fruit pouches, popcorn, and trail mix are also winners.
Don’t Forget Electronics
It’s 2019, so let’s not pretend that our kids don’t love electronics. And when you’re going on a trip, you may regret it if you don’t pack some entertainment. Whether it’s a handheld gaming console, tablet, or laptop, make sure your children have a way to fight boredom while in transit.
You also want to consider the times when you’re stuck inside or winding down for the evening. A streaming stick can be perfect for those moments. Assuming you have a WiFi connection and a compatible TV, a streaming stick can provide your kids access to tons of movies and shows for their enjoyment. Remember to pack chargers for all the devices you bring along.
Coordinate Transit with Sleep Time.
Naps are king when it comes to kids. Without them, everything can fall apart, including your trip. Whether you’re taking a road trip or flying, plan to leave early in the morning or late at night. If you’re going on a long road trip, try to drive as much during their nap times as possible. That way, you stand a better chance of your children sleeping for a good chunk of the time.
Bring the Stroller as a Carry-on.
No matter where you’re going or how you’re getting there, you’re going to need a stroller. The good news is that most airlines will check a car seat at no charge, which leaves you more room to use your stroller as a carry-on. And make sure the stroller you bring is light and compact. Even if you’re driving, you will likely need the extra room for other things. You can get a quality travel stroller for about $80.
Buy a Cheap Inflatable Pool
Whether you’ll be staying in a vacation rental, hotel, or other type of lodging, it’s important to plan for bath time. You don’t want to assume that the tub where you’re staying is suitable for bathing kids, and even if the tub does work, you have to think about bacteria, fungus, and so on. Pick up an inflatable pool at the local retail store or dollar store. They’re super cheap, and they pack easily.
Try to Relax.
Finally, don’t expect everything to go as planned on your trip. It won’t. It’s better to plan than not to plan, but you will definitely hit a snag here and there. If you go in with this knowledge, it won’t shock you as much when it happens. Just try to relax, roll with the punches, and enjoy the time with your family. Plus, if you’re relaxed, your children are more likely to stay calm.
With a little planning and preparation, you can have an awesome trip with your young children. Pack a lot of snacks, and bring along electronic devices for entertainment. Try to schedule your travel around sleep times, and pack a compact stroller and inflatable pool. And try to stay relaxed, even when things don’t go as planned.
Image via Unsplash
New Ticket Offer + Agency Exclusive Offers
We’ve been hard at work bringing you a new line up of Agency Exclusive Offers Walt Disney World travel in 2020. New offers are coming in all the time so be sure to check the Current Offers page frequently. I’m hearing news of yet another Agency Exclusive from Magical Vacations Travel coming this week for November (hint…hint).
New 4-Day Magic Ticket Now Available for Walt DIsney World Resort in Florida.
Four-Day Magic Ticket Now Available
And starting today, you can purchase a four-day, Walt Disney World Resort 4-Park Magic Ticket from $89 per day (plus tax).
A regular priced 4-day ticket comes is about $480.39*
A 4-Park Magic Ticket comes is about $398.60*
*Sample pricing based on Aug 1, 2020.
The 4-Park Magic Ticket includes one day of admission to Magic Kingdom Park, one day of admission to Epcot, one day of admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and one day of admission to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, for a total of four admissions over a 7-day window.
More Savings!
Save even more when you combine the Four Day Magic Ticket with a Magical Vacations Travel Agency Exclusive Offer.
Water Park Option
You can also upgrade your ticket to include one admission to either Disney water park and one admission to the all-new NBA Experience at Disney Springs*.
Four Day Magic Ticket FAQ
Can I purchase this ticket as part of a Walt Disney World Resort Package?
No. It cannot be combined with a traditional Resort Package. It can be purchased as a separate component to room-only reservations, and Magical Vacations Travel Agency Exclusive Offers.
Do the tickets expire?
You must select a start date on or before September 30, 2020 and ticket expires 7 days after the selected start date.
I want to visit Magic Kingdom twice, and skip Epcot. Can I do that?
No. This ticket can be used to enter each theme park only once and one theme park per day. You can choose the order in which you’d like to visit each park.
Can the Four Day Magic Ticket Be Modified or Canceled?
Tickets are nonrefundable, nontransferable and exclude activities/events separately priced. You can move the start date but there is no credit given if that date costs less. If the start date costs more, you’ll pay the difference in price.
Know Before You Go:
All tickets and options are nontransferable and nonrefundable and exclude activities/events separately priced.
A 4-Park Magic Ticket includes one admission to each of the Walt Disney World theme parks (Magic Kingdom park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park), for a total of 4 admissions.
Limit one admission per theme park, and one park per day.
Water Park admission is valid for one admission to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park or Disney's Blizzard Beach water park. NBA Experience admission is valid for one admission to the NBA Experience.
Water Parks subject to rehabilitation, seasonal and weather closures.
*To participate in NBA Experience activities, footwear is required; athletic footwear is recommended. Age restrictions may apply. Adults must sign a waiver when they arrive at the venue; for children younger than age 18, the child’s parent/guardian must sign the waiver for minors.
Service Your Way Gift Card Program at Walt Disney World
Today the My Disney Experience mobile app has been updated to allow guests to enroll in the Service Your Way Program. Guests staying at most Value and Moderate resort hotels have the option of declining housekeeping services during their stay in exchange for a gift card.
The Service Your Way Program Allows Guest to Decline Housekeeping in Exchange for a Gift Card.
By opting to decline housekeeping services in your room using the Service Your Way Program, you will receive an electronic Disney Gift Card based on the length of your Disney Resort hotel stay in the amount of $10 per night.
You will still be eligible to receive toiletry items and fresh towels when/if you need them by calling housekeeping on your Disney Resort hotel Guest room telephone. However, your room will not be vacuumed and your beds will not be made during your stay if you choose to use the Service Your Way.
Why You Will Always Wait in Line at Walt Disney World
Pirates of the Caribbean at inside Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World
I’m often asked about the best time to visit Walt Disney World to experience shorter lines. In recent years, Disney has been great at keeping the place busy all year long so there are fewer slow periods. The days of walking onto attractions without any wait, are gone. Here’s why:
Switching to Date-Based Ticket Pricing
Date-based ticket pricing not only generates additional revenue during peak times but it also allows Disney to boost attendance during off-peak times by offering cheaper tickets. And many people do take advantage of that.
“We sometimes have this notion that Disney has all the Cast Members working all the time but that’s not so.”
Special Events and Conventions
Special events like the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and the runDisney marathons also boost attendance during off-peak travel periods.
Reduction in Staff
With the help of technology and date-based tickets, Disney has become extremely efficient at staffing based on the number of people visiting the parks on a given day. For example, if crowds are light, it may staff at 60% or 80%. We sometimes have this notion that Disney has all the Cast Members working all the time but that’s not so.
I like to use Pirates of the Caribbean as an example. By mid-afternoon, the typical wait for this classic attraction is 30-40 minutes. This is true in July when the parks have high attendance, and it’s true in September, one of the least crowded times. How can this be? Wouldn’t fewer people in the park mean shorter wait times? When there are fewer people in the parks, Disney reduces Cast Members, it runs fewer ride vehicles and they may even shut down some load areas. The end result is a consistent 30-40-minute wait.
On days with lighter crowds at Magic Kingdom, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe operates only one bay.
Lines to order food are still about the same with one bay opened as compared to a busy day when all 3 bays are operating.
Another example I like to use is the quick-service restaurant, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe located inside the Magic Kingdom. This quick-service restaurant has 3 bays where guests order food. There is almost always a line to order food, even when all three bays are operating. But on less crowded days, Disney operates only one bay, leaving the other two unmanned.
In a perfect world, Disney would operate all three bays at Cosmic Rays all the time, no matter what the crowd level. There would be no such thing as a line. But then we can imagine numerous Cast Members standing around with nothing to do on less-busy days.
How to Avoid the Crowds
The days of walking onto rides without any wait maybe a thing of the past but the good news is that there are still ways to avoid long lines.
Arriving at the parks as soon as they open will give you an opportunity to enjoy some headliner attractions before the crowds arrive for the day. I recommend being at the parks about 30 minutes prior to the posted opening time as they sometimes open 10-15 minutes early.
Take advantage of Extra Magic Hours, a benefit to all Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests. Each day, a select park or parks will open early or remain open past general closing, just for Disney Resort hotel guests. You probably won’t notice shorter waits during evening Extra Magic Hours, but most morning Extra Magic Hours can be a great benefit.
I wholeheartedly believe in the great work being done at TouringPlans.com. The actual wait times they provide though their Lines app are more accurate than Disney’s posted times. This is a must-have for anyone who wants to avoid standing in line at Walt Disney World.
If you’re staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you can make your FastPass selections 60-days in advance. That’s 30-days ahead of the general public! You’ll have a head start on the most popular attractions and get the best times.
Even though attraction wait times might be consistent through most of the year, there is still something to be said for going during less crowded times: late August, most of September, October, and early November. April and May are also great months to visit, just avoid Easter and holiday weekends.
For special offers on Walt Disney World Resort hotels, visit the Offers Page
Give the Gift of a Disney Vacation This Holiday Season
Give the gift of a Walt Disney World vacation this holiday season. Visit the Walt Disney World Offers Page for all current offers for 2020, including Agency-Exclusive Offers from Magical Vacations Travel