Category Hollywood Studios

Mar 31 2020

Disney World Free Dining Recovery Discount

Over the weekend, Disney released a Free Dining Recovery Discount for guests whose vacations have been impacted by the Coronavirus. Let’s take a look at the details and how this discount stacks up.

DISNEY WORLD FREE DINING RECOVERY DISCOUNT DETAILS

Here are the details of this deal according to Disney:

We recognize the impact these uncertain times have had on our Guests. If your recent Walt Disney World reservation was affected, then you may be eligible to enjoy a special summer vacation package offer. After all, summertime is the perfect time to make the kind of cherished memories that we all need—now more than ever.

Eligible Guests can take advantage of a vacation package offer that includes accommodations at a select Disney Resort hotel, park admission and a Disney dining plan—valid for arrivals most nights June 1 through September 30, 2020 when you book through May 31, 2020. This offer is valid only for Guests who previously booked a vacation package or room reservation to stay at a Disney Resort hotel at Walt Disney World Resort for travel dates March 16 to May 31, 2020. Offer not valid for reservations travelling these dates that were cancelled before March 1, 2020.

This offer is subject to availability. Length-of-stay requirements may apply. Everyone in the same room must be on the same package. Theme park tickets valid for admission beginning on date of check-in and must be used within a limited number of days, depending on length of stay and ticket.

HOW DOES THE DISNEY FREE DINING RECOVERY DISCOUNT STACK UP?

How this discount stacks up really depends on your feelings and experience with the Free Dining Discounts in the past. If you’re a fan of the convenience and simplicity of the dining plans, then this is probably a big win for you. If however, you’re looking strictly at the cost, this may not be as good of a deal as it seems at first glance. You’ll want to spend a few minutes actually crunching the numbers to see if it makes sense for you and your family. Remember with the Free Dining Discount, you will be paying full rack rate for your room, and potentially missing out on some sizable room only discounts in the future if Disney reopens and struggles to fill rooms. You’ll also want to keep in mind that value and moderate resort hotels will receive the Quick-Service Dining Plan, while deluxe resort hotels will receive the Disney Dining Plan that includes Table Service meals that require gratuities that will need to be paid out of pocket. Over the years, I have done Walt Disney World vacations with and without the dining plan, and being a small eater, I have always found a room only discount to be a much bigger cost savings while paying for my meals out of pocket. To get pricing for your vacation if you qualify for the Free Dining Recovery Discount, please call 407-939-4251 directly. This discount cannot be booked online at this time.

WHAT I AM DOING ABOUT MY UPCOMING TRIPS

In my recent posts Disney World Is Closed – Now What?, When Will Disney World Reopen, and Disney World Closed Indefinitely, I shared what I am doing about my upcoming Walt Disney World vacations that I have scheduled throughout the rest of 2020.

As a quick update, I am still hanging on to my early and mid summer trips for now. I did reschedule my April trip to September and added an August trip while I was at it. I have several Frontier Airlines flight vouchers that are going to expire by October 1 so I am trying to use as many of them as possible, knowing that is very unlikely Frontier will extend them. As quickly as things are changing now, I currently plan on waiting until a couple of weeks before each trip to decide whether or not to go, unless something else decides for me, like Disney World still being closed, Frontier cancelling my flight, a CDC travel advisory, or the mandatory quarantine of 14 days still being in place when arriving in Florida.

I would love to be able to visit Walt Disney World this year, but looking at the big picture, this really is not a major concern. The most important thing right now, is that we all do what we can to save lives, stay well, and slow the spread of the Coronavirus. Eventually life will return to normal, and we will all be enjoying the magic in person once again!

WHAT’S NEXT?

In the meantime, I will continue to share the latest Walt Disney World news and information here. You can still expect to see several posts a week, filling you in on all of the fun things coming up at the most magical place on earth once it reopens!

Please stay safe and well, and I will see you in the parks real soon!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Will you be booking the free dining discount?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Mar 28 2020

Disney World Closed Indefinitely

Friday afternoon, March 27, 2020, Disney finally made the official announcement that we all knew was coming…Walt Disney World is now closed indefinitely.

WHAT DOES DISNEY HAVE TO SAY?

On Walt Disney World’s official closure page it reads:

The safety and well-being of our Guests and employees remains The Walt Disney Company’s top priority. As a result of this unprecedented pandemic and in line with the direction provided by health experts and government officials, Walt Disney World will remained closed until further notice.

WHEN WILL DISNEY WORLD REOPEN?

While this situation continues to change by the moment and no one knows for sure how this will all play out, we can try to make an educated guess based on the information we have so far. Many medical experts and scientists have shared that they estimate the Coronavirus spread should peak in approximately eight to ten weeks. If that does turn out to be true, and we begin our countdown from when places across the country began trying to “flatten the curve” as March 16, 2020, the day President Trump released his “15 Days to Slow the Spread,” then we can estimate the peak to be around mid to late May 2020.

If we notice as a country that the number of new cases of the Coronavirus are starting to decline, then we could slowly see businesses begin to reopen and restrictions to be lifted. If cases of the Coronavirus do start to decline in May as optimistically predicted and Disney begins to slowly reopen at that time, we could hopefully see the Walt Disney World resort back up and operational at some point during the summer season.

WHAT WILL DISNEY WORLD BE LIKE WHEN IT REOPENS?

In China, where Shanghai Disneyland closed on January 25, Disney has been slowly resuming normal operations since March 9 by opening a limited number of restaurants and shops. All guests are having their temperatures taken prior to entry and are being required to wear masks during their visit. It would be safe to anticipate that Disney may take a similar approach here in the states, slowly coming back on line with restrictions for guests.

Rumors abound about what these restrictions may be from not allowing guests from outside the United States initially, or possibly not even outside Florida. There is also much speculation about how the Disney World experience will be impacted once it reopens. I’ve seen talk about limiting attendance, implementing more virtual queues like Rise of the Resistance for the more popular attractions, keeping character greetings and character dining closed, only opening certain attractions that allow for social distancing while keeping things like Carousel of Progress, The Enchanted Tiki Room, and similar shows shuttered, and only allowing mobile ordering at counter service restaurants with tables spaced six feet apart. While no one knows exactly what a Walt Disney World vacation will look like once this passes, probably not even top Disney officials at this point, I think it is safe to assume that we will see some adjustments and limitations at least initially.

WHAT I AM DOING ABOUT MY UPCOMING TRIPS

In my recent posts Disney World Is Closed – Now What? and When Will Disney World Reopen, I shared what I am doing about my upcoming Walt Disney World vacations that I have scheduled throughout the rest of 2020.

As a quick update, I am still hanging on to my early summer trip for now. I did receive an email from Frontier Airlines recently offering me $200 in vouchers in addition to the credit I would get if I would go ahead and cancel my summer flights. While that is a fantastic offer, I am not willing to give up hope quite yet.

WHAT’S NEXT?

In the meantime, while we wait for things to get back to normal, I will continue to share the latest Walt Disney World news and information here. You can still expect to see several posts a week, filling you in on all of the fun things coming up at the most magical place on earth once it reopens!

Please stay safe and well, and I will see you in the parks real soon!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Are you rescheduling or cancelling? Have any tips or concerns?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Mar 22 2020

When Will Disney World Reopen

Now that the reality of Walt Disney World along with much of the country being closed is starting to sink in, and we all have some time on our hands as we hunker down at home, the obvious question among Disney fans with upcoming vacations is, when will Disney World reopen?

While no one knows for sure, probably not even top Disney officials at this point, there are some clues that might give us some indication on when we might be able anticipate Walt Disney World reopening.

WHAT DOES DISNEY HAVE TO SAY?

On Walt Disney World’s official closure page it reads:

In line with state and federal guidance, Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney owned-and-operated hotels are currently closed through March 31. All locations at Disney Springs are also temporarily closed.

WILL DISNEY WORLD REOPEN ON APRIL 1?

Based on Walt Disney World’s website, optimistic guests might be hopeful that the resort will reopen on April 1, 2020. Although, no official statement has been released yet, and this is pure speculation on my part, I find it extremely unlikely that this will be the case. Given what is currently happening with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) across the country and around the world, it is difficult to imagine that Disney World would reopen so quickly.

If we take a look at what is happening currently in the state of Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency on March 9, schools are closed across the state until at least April 15, and now public beaches, bars, nightclubs, and restaurant dining areas have been closed indefinitely. Each day as the number of diagnosed cases of the Coronavirus rises in Florida, more restrictions are being put in place and more establishments are closing. With this current trend in the state as well as the country as a whole, I would be shocked if Walt Disney World opened on April 1, 2020.

IF NOT APRIL 1, THEN WHEN WILL DISNEY WORLD REOPEN?

So if it is unlikely Walt Disney World will reopen on April 1, then when might it reopen? While this situation continues to change by the moment, we can make an educated guess based on the information we have so far. Many medical experts and scientists have shared that they estimate the Coronavirus spread should peak in approximately eight weeks. If that does turn out to be true, and we conservatively begin our eight week countdown from when places across the country began trying to “flatten the curve” as March 16, 2020, the day President Trump released his “15 Days to Slow the Spread,” then we can estimate the peak to be around mid May 2020.

If we notice as a country beginning in mid May that the number of new cases of the Coronavirus are starting to decline, then we could slowly see businesses begin to reopen and restrictions to be lifted. In China, where Shanghai Disneyland closed on January 25, Disney has been slowly resuming normal operations since March 9 by opening a limited number of restaurants and shops. It would be safe to anticipate that Disney may take a similar approach here in the states, slowly coming back on line, in case another outbreak occurs and they need to shut down again quickly.

Optimistically, if cases of the Coronavirus start to decline in mid May as predicted and Disney begins to slowly reopen at that time, we could hopefully see the entire Walt Disney World resort back up and operational for the busy summer season.

WHEN WILL DISNEY MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT?

Disney is still slammed with people cancelling and rescheduling vacations that were scheduled during this initial closure period that runs through the end of March.

Disney will most likely make an announcement sometime in the next few days that will extend the closure for another couple of weeks possibly through the Easter holiday. Don’t expect Disney to say they will be closed for more than a two or three weeks at a time. It is much easier for them to manage shorter incremental closures, not to mention, they are undoubtedly wanting to remain optimistic and reopen as soon as possible.

WHAT I AM DOING ABOUT MY UPCOMING TRIPS

In my recent post Disney World Is Closed – Now What?, I shared what I am doing about my upcoming Walt Disney World vacations that I have scheduled throughout the rest of 2020.

As a quick update, I have now rescheduled my spring trip to early fall 2020. It was a difficult decision, I didn’t want to give up hope, but realistically I couldn’t imagine Walt Disney World would reopen at a time the Florida schools were scheduled to still be closed. It took a couple of hours on the phone, but Disney moved my reservation and kept my bounce back offer to later in the year, and Frontier Airlines allowed me to reschedule my flights without having to pay any change fees or difference in fare. So while I am disappointed that my trip was postponed, it didn’t cost any extra to make the changes for which I am very thankful.

I am still hanging on to my early summer trip for now. I did receive an email from Frontier Airlines this weekend offering me $200 in vouchers in addition to the credit I would get if I would go ahead and cancel my summer flights. While that is a fantastic offer, I am not willing to give up hope yet.

WHAT’S NEXT?

In the meantime, while we wait for things to get back to normal, I will continue to share the latest Walt Disney World news and information here. You can still expect to see several posts a week, filling you in on all of the fun things coming up at the most magical place on earth for the rest of the year and beyond!

Please stay safe and well, and I will see you in the parks real soon!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Are you rescheduling or cancelling? Have any tips or concerns?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Mar 5 2020

Fun Facts About Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Calling all Mickey and Minnie fans…this week the brand new Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction opened to huge crowds at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I have been eagerly anticipating the debut and in just a few weeks, I will be able to experience this adorably cute ride in person, but for now here’s some fun facts about Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway courtesy of Disney:

Beloved Disney Characters Populate a Cartoon World

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is full of iconic Disney characters … and one new little bird destined to fly right into guests’ hearts.

  • Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse – These true originals are ready to take their little red convertible for a leisurely drive through Runnamuck Park in search of the perfect picnic spot. What could possibly go wrong?
  • Pluto – The dutiful dog just wants to bring Mickey and Minnie their lost picnic basket.
  • Engineer Goofy – Mickey and Minnie’s lanky pal invites guests into the cartoon world for what surelypromises to be an uneventful train ride through Runnamuck Park.
  • Daisy Duck – The proprietor of Daisy’s Dance Studio is ready to teach guests some fancy new moves.
  • Donald Duck – Everyone’s favorite hot-headed “problem child” is steaming again, as someone made off with the sign from his hot dog stand at the carnival.
  • Jackhammer Pete – The big brute’s vibrations may have some unforeseen consequences for Mickey and Minnie.
  • Chuuby (pronounced “choo-bee”) – This adorable little bird – created exclusively for the attraction – likes to sing and dance in Runnamuck Park.

All in the Details: An Authentic Mickey & Minnie Experience

Disney Imagineers watched every cartoon short in the latest “Mickey Mouse” series countless times while developing Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Imagineer Kevin Rafferty had a still from each one pinned to his office wall). They wanted to soak up the essence of what makes the cartoons so fun and endearing, so they could then translate those fundamental principles into a ride-through attraction. Their research is just one facet of the total commitment to authenticity on display throughout Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

  • Walt Disney Imagineering consulted with Paul Rudish and Joseph Holt – executive producer and art director, respectively, for the “Mickey Mouse” shorts – to ensure the attraction’s hand-drawn look is authentic to the cartoon. For example, Imagineers added extra floating “lines” around a cactus in the stampede scene that appear as if they’re standing alone in midair, emulating a common technique used in the cartoons to emphasize motion.
  • Christopher Willis, award-winning composer of the “Mickey Mouse” shorts, composed the attraction’s soundtrack and co-wrote “Nothing Can Stop Us Now,” the exclusive theme song for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, with his wife, Elyse Willis.
  • The attraction’s glamorous marquee features blinking bulbs and hand-crafted animated neon depictions of Mickey and Minnie. Its design cue comes from the extravagant marquees that were custom made for premieres of epic films in the mid-20th century.
  • In collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney Television Animation created 10 new posters that appear in the attraction’s queue; nine highlight existing “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts, while the 10th is for “Perfect Picnic,” the new short debuting in the theater.
  • The attraction features several sound effects created by Disney Legend Jimmy Macdonald for Disney animated shorts dating back to the 1930s; some new effects were developed using Macdonald’s original equipment.
  • The tri-tone whistle from Mickey Mouse’s debut cartoon in 1928, “Steamboat Willie,” was used to record the locomotive whistle sound for Engineer Goofy’s train.
  • Special painting techniques were used on the attraction’s ride vehicles so they appear to be hand-drawn, as if in a cartoon.

Hidden Gems Abound

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is full of hidden gems that nod to Disney history. It will likely take many times through the attraction to spot them all, but here are just a few:

  • A newspaper features the headline “Oswald Wins!” – a reference to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, the cartoon character created by Walt Disney that predates Mickey Mouse.
  • The Iwerks and Uwerks Waterworks water treatment plant is named for Disney Legend Ub Iwerks, the animator credited with sketching Mickey Mouse for the first time.
  • The 1401 Flower Shop is an homage to Walt Disney Imagineering’s headquarters in Glendale, California.
  • The numbers 1901 and 1928 can be seen inside the attraction; these are references to Walt Disney’s and Mickey Mouse’s birth years, respectively.

For any Mickey and Minnie fans that are going to be at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this spring to take a ride on Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, I hope to see ya’ there real soon!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Are you excited to ride Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Mar 3 2020

Take A Ride On Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

For anyone that knows me, it is no secret that my favorite Disney character of all time is that adorable guy, the one, the only…Mickey Mouse! So while other Walt Disney World Resort fans were counting the days until the opening of Smuggler’s Run and Rise of the Resistance, I have been eagerly anticipating the debut of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In just a few weeks, I will be able to experience this ride in person, but for now here’s what we can expect according to Disney:

When Mickey Mouse burst upon the silver screen in 1928 as the star of “Steamboat Willie,” he changed the world of entertainment forever. With his childlike innocence, impish sense of humor and plucky attitude, Mickey is adored the world over and has become a cultural icon synonymous with Disney.

Through all of his many adventures, though, there’s one thing Mickey has never done: starred in his own ride-through attraction in a Disney theme park. That is about to change on March 4, 2020, with the debut of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

In this bold and innovative new family adventure, guests go through the movie screen inside the park’s re-creation of the Chinese Theatre and into the whimsical world of Disney Television Animation’s Emmy Award-winning“Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts. There they discover why “mouse rules apply” and anything can – and does – happen! With an original “Mickey Mouse” story by Walt Disney Imagineering featuring the new song “Nothing Can Stop Us Now,” Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a celebration of Disney heritage and a showcase for state-of-the-art storytelling and attraction design.

It’s a charming experience for the entire family – from grandparents to grandchildren and everyone in between – full of surprises and pure, joyous fun befitting those true originals, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.

Anything Can Happen: The Story of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway invites families to begin their adventure together at the heart of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. They’re ushered inside the theater for the premiere of a new “Mickey Mouse” cartoon short, “Perfect Picnic,” written by Walt Disney Imagineering and produced by Disney Television Animation. In the story, Mickey and Minnie set off on a journey to find the best spot for a romantic picnic, taking their little red convertible for a drive through Runnamuck Park.

Little do they know Pluto has accidentally stowed away in the trunk of their car, so when the roadster hits a bump and the dutiful dog flies out … mayhem ensues. It’s at this point Disney magic brings guests through the movie screen and into the cartoon world, where they join Engineer Goofy on a train ride on the Runnamuck Railroad, following Mickey and Minnie through the park on their quest for that perfect picnic. And with Goofy at the helm, what could possibly go wrong? A lot, actually, as along their journey guests will:

  • Stampede through the Wild West
  • Visit a carnival
  • Avoid a swirling twister
  • Escape an exploding volcano
  • Dive over a waterfall … and much more

It’s up to Mickey and Minnie to keep guests out of trouble, all while poor Pluto tries to catch up and bring them their picnic basket!

Classic Disney Storytelling, Driven by State-of-the-Art Design

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway blends classic Disney attraction design with cutting-edge technology to turn a two-dimensional cartoon world into a rich, vibrant environment. The attraction features a combination of physical sets, Audio-Animatronics figures, animated media and projection-mapping techniques, all syncing in time with trackless vehicles and a jaunty musical score.

  • The attraction experience is an all-encompassing environment full of rich and varied storytelling. Guests have the freedom to look in all directions and may see different details depending on which vehicle they ride in – and where they’re sitting within each vehicle.
  • Several scenes make transformations right before guests’ eyes by combining theatrical effects in ways never seen before on a Disney attraction.
  • Projections are used across multi-plane scenic flats and dimensional sets to provide depth of field while still maintaining a cartoon aesthetic.
  • Disney Imagineers experimented with new printing and painting techniques in ultraviolet light – mixing them with scenic elements and projections – to create an environment evoking the vibrant, hyper-reality of a “Mickey Mouse” cartoon.
  • Trackless vehicles that carry guests through Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway are anthropomorphic; they become their own characters in the story, each reacting differently to the action as it unfolds around them with their own specific animation programming. In one scene, they scurry away in fear from a volcano, while in another they dance in formation to music.
  • Audio-Animatronics figures appear throughout the attraction, giving guests up-close encounters with beloved Disney characters.

New Merchandise Collection Extends the Fun of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is the inspiration for a new line of fun Disney products evoking the attraction’s lighthearted spirit. They include:

  • A whistle that re-creates the sound made by the Runnamuck Railroad locomotive
  • A pull-back toy of the Runnamuck Railroad locomotive and ride vehicle
  • A mug in the shape of the Runnamuck Railroad locomotive
  • A light-up glow spinner featuring Mickey and Minnie that plays the attraction’s theme song, “Nothing Can Stop Us Now”
  • A MagicBand featuring Mickey, Minnie and the attraction logo
  • An assortment of apparel and pins themed to the attraction
  • A new Wishables collection featuring Mickey and Minnie, Engineer Goofy, Chuuby and more.

Also debuting in conjunction with Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is the latest headwear design from the Disney Parks Designer Collection. Imagineer Kevin Rafferty designed the piece featuring Mickey and Minnie in the setting of their newest cartoon from the attraction, “Perfect Picnic.” Launched in May 2019, the Disney Parks Designer Collection is a series of limited-release Mickey ear hats and Minnie ear headbands designed by notable celebrities and artists.

Mickey & Minnie’s Trivia Time – Mouse Rules Apply! in the Play Disney Parks App

The Play Disney Parks mobile app now features a new trivia game in celebration of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and the new Mickey Shorts Theater (also opening March 4, 2020, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios). Mickey & Minnie’s Trivia Time – Mouse Rules Apply! gives guests the chance to play together and test their knowledge of Mickey and friends, featuring animations inspired by the “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts.*

Guests playing the game discover five trivia packs containing hundreds of questions – from “Steamboat Willie” all the way to today. Some of these trivia packs are available prior to arriving at the attraction to help guests prepare for their journey into Mickey & Minnie’s cartoon world, while others can be unlocked after experiencing Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, extending the fun.

Guests can also earn special new digital achievements in the app, including the “Runner-Away” achievement at Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and the “Short Stuff” achievement at Mickey Shorts Theater.

For any Mickey and Minnie fans that are going to be at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this spring to take a ride on Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, I hope to see ya’ there real soon!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Are you excited to ride Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!