Category News

Feb 6 2015

Helpful Information For Your July 2015 Disney World Vacation

Independence Day

So you are planning a vacation to Disney World in July 2015? July is a thrilling time of year to visit Walt Disney World. The temperatures are hot, the Parks are open late and the crowds are high.

Weather

Disney World Independence DayThe weather in Disney World during July is hot and rainy. The average high is about 92 degrees, the average low is about 73 degrees and the average rainfall is about 7.05 inches. You can expect some rain most afternoons or evenings, so be sure to bring your poncho!

Crowds

The crowds in July are high throughout the month as families enjoy vacationing during summer break. Be sure to lookout for massive crowds on July 4 especially at Epcot and Magic Kingdom as people flock to the Parks to celebrate Independence Day.

July 1 – July 4 – Average Crowd Level 7.5 out of 10
July 5 – July 11 – Average Crowd Level 6.3 out of 10
July 12 – July 18 – Average Crowd Level 7.0 out of 10
July 19 – July 25 – Average Crowd Level 8.1 out of 10
July 26 – July 31 – Average Crowd Level 7.0 out of 10

Park Hours

Magic Kingdom ClockWith the busy summer season comes long hours at the Parks.

  • Magic Kingdom: Open most days from 9am – 10pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
  • Epcot: Open from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
  • Hollywood Studios: Open most days from 9am – 8:30pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
  • Animal Kingdom: Open most days from 9am – 7pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)

For specific hours on each day during July, please click this link. Remember that park hours are subject to change and are often adjusted two weeks prior.

Events

Independence DayIf you are visiting for the 4th of July, Disney always has additional offerings to celebrate the holiday. You can count on themed merchandise and foods, extended park hours, and enhanced fireworks displays at Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios to celebrate the occasion. Please click this link for more information!

Refurbishments

Periodically throughout the year, Disney closes attractions for refurbishments and enhancements. Here are the scheduled closures during July (subject to change without notice):

Magic Kingdom

  • Dream Along With Mickey: July 26 – August 22, 2015
  • Liberty Tree Tavern: July 6 – November 20, 2015
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: May 11 – September 25, 2015

Epcot

  • Captain EO: April 10 – July 18, 2015
  • Frozen Ever After: October 5 – May 1, 2016

Hollywood Studios

  • No refurbishments currently scheduled

Animal Kingdom

  • No refurbishments currently scheduled

Water Parks

  • No refurbishments currently scheduled

Downtown Disney

  • Downtown Disney is undergoing a major transformation to become the reimagined Disney Springs. Construction will be finished in phases with the final completion date set for Fall 2016.

Resort Hotels

  • Beach Club Resort: Ongoing Guest Room Refurbishments To Be Completed In 2015
  • Coronado Springs Resort: Fitness Center, Salon, Casitas Leisure Pool July 5 – October 12, 2015
  • Polynesian Village Resort: Ongoing Polynesian East Pool Refurbishment To Be Completed In 2016
  • Walt Disney World Swan: Ongoing Guest Room Refurbishments To Be Completed In 2016

Planning Tips

Independence DayIf you are traveling to Disney World in July 2015, your planning is probably well under way at this point. Here’s a checklist to make sure you are on track:

  • Make sure you have created your My Disney Experience account. If you haven’t, click here to sign up now.
  • If you haven’t already made your dining reservations, be sure to make them now by clicking here.
  • If you are staying onsite, be sure to customize your Magicband on your My Disney Experience account by picking the color and adding your name.
  • Now is a great time to research what attractions you and your family would like to see at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Because Walt Disney World is so large, it is very difficult to see everything during one trip, so be sure to get everyone’s top priorities. This is also a great time to begin looking at menus for counter service restaurants so that you have an idea of which locations serve foods that your entire family will enjoy. Need help with your research? Check out my book A Tale of Two Resorts which includes descriptions and tips for every attraction and helpful dining information for every restaurant from snack stand to table service including specifics about atmosphere, cuisine type, dress code and even menu selections including the kid’s meals that are offered. Click here for more information including an excerpt.
  • Whether you are staying onsite or off-property, be sure to purchase your admission tickets and link them to your My Disney Experience account.
  • 501 WaysOnce your tickets are linked and at exactly 60 days in advance of your check in date (midnight EST time) if you are staying onsite or 30 days in advance for all other guests, login to your My Disney Experience account and book your Fastpass+ reservations.
  • If you are staying onsite, be sure to check in online at 60 days out from your arrival date.
  • Double check your flight times and if you will be using Disney’s Magical Express for your airport transportation make your reservation at least 60 days in advance by clicking here.
  • It’s never too early to start creating a packing list so that you don’t forget anything.
  • Need more help planning? Please check out my new book 501 Ways to Make the Most of Your Walt Disney World Vacation, ask a question in the comments section, or take a look at the Planning section here.

Special Offers

If you haven’t already made your July 2015 reservations, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save money:

Join The Fun

Next Disney VacationDisney Vacation Planner Jennifer Hardy and I have teamed up to create a new Facebook Group called Next Disney Vacation! It is the perfect place to talk about your next Disney vacation, ask your questions, get them answered, and share the magic. Everyday you’ll find posts, photos, trivia, tips, and more that we find all throughout the Disney Universe. If your counting the days until your next Disney vacation, we would love to have you join in the fun! Please click here to be a part of our group!

Have a magical vacation!

Feb 5 2015

Fun Facts About The Epcot International Food And Wine Festival

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival ©Disney

With the dates of the 2015 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival recently announced, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at some fun facts about this annual Epcot event. Did you know…

  • Cuisine and beverages from six continents are served.
  • There are cultural exhibits of more than 25 international regions.
  • The festival features performances by musicians, dancers and acrobats.
  • This event is the largest food and wine festival of its kind in the world.
  • The festival began in 1996 with a 30 day first run.
  • This year’s Food & Wine Festival will be held for 53 days.
  • The event offers more than 250 food and beverage menu items ranging in price from $3 – $8.
  • More than 200 chefs present demonstrations and cook for the event.
  • There are more than 25 food and beverage marketplaces scattered around World Showcase during the festival.
  • More than 300 national and international wines are available at the event.
  • Nearly 400 demonstrations and mixology seminars take place over the course of the festival.
  • More than 60 wineries and more than 40 breweries from around the world are represented.
  • More than 100,000 desserts are served during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.
  • One of the most popular dishes ever offered was the “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce from Canada. More than 80,000 servings of this item were sold.

I am looking forward to my visit to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival this fall, and I’m excited to enjoy some of my old favorites as well as check out what’s new!

Need more help with your visit to Epcot?

Be sure to check out these articles to make the most of your time in Epcot:

Heading to Disney World?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out the following resources to help you save money:

What about you? Do you love the Epcot Food & Wine Festival?
Please leave a comment!

Feb 4 2015

Be Our Guest Restaurant Will Soon Accept Lunch Reservations

Beginning February 25, 2015, lunch reservations will be available for the Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom. A reservation can be made by calling 407-WDW-DINE or by visiting MyDisneyExperience.com. Guests will have the option to pre-order meals through My Disney Experience (between 30 days in advance up to five minutes before the reservation time) or menu selections can be made at the kiosks inside the restaurant upon arrival. For guests wishing to dine at Be Our Guest in the evening, a table service dinner will still be available and will continue to require an advanced dining reservation. Look for a breakfast option to be added in the near future.

Need more help planning your day at Magic Kingdom?

Be sure to check out these posts to make the most of your time at Magic Kingdom:

Heading 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 money:

Will you be trying lunch at Be Our Guest?
Please leave a comment!

Feb 3 2015

TouringPlans – 50’s Prime Time Café at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Please check out my latest article on TouringPlans – A review of 50’s Prime Time Café at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

Need more help planning your day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?

Be sure to check out these posts to make the most of your time at Hollywood Studios:

Heading 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 money:

Jan 29 2015

Disney World Ticket Prices Expected To Increase In February

 

Disney World Ticket

Updated February 23, 2015 – Just as predicted, Disney increased their admission ticket prices effective Sunday, February 22, 2015. Click here for full details!
Updated February 19, 2015 – The latest information is that the price increases will go into effect this Sunday, February 22, 2015. One day Magic Kingdom adult base tickets are expected to increase to $105 and all other one day park tickets are expected to increase to $99. It is still expected that rates will be raised similarly across the board on all admission tickets, the no-expiration option will be a thing of the past, and a water park ticket will include park hopping privileges between both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Check back often as I will update this post as soon as more information is made available. Remember to guarantee your best vacation price or to purchase admission tickets before the rates go up, click this link and fill out the form to get a FREE quote from Destinations in Florida! 

Have you heard the rumor? Word around Main Street, U.S.A. is that sometime in February Disney World will be raising their ticket prices. So what exactly does that mean to you and your budget if you have a trip planned this year? Let’s take a look at what happened with the last price increase in February of 2014.

February 2014 Price Increase (historical information)

  • A one day Magic Kingdom adult base ticket increased from $95 to $99
  • A one day Magic Kingdom child base ticket increased from $89 to $93
  • A one day Epcot, Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom adult base ticket increased from $90 to $94
  • A one day Epcot, Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom child base ticket increased from $84 to $88
  • A one day adult ticket with park hopper increased from $129 to $134
  • A one day child ticket with park hopper increased from $123 to $128
  • A one day adult ticket with water park fun and more increased from $149 to $154
  • A one day child ticket with water park fun and more increased from $143 to $148
  • A one day adult ticket with park hopper & water park fun and more increased from $174 to $180
  • A one day child ticket with park hopper & water park fun and more increased from $168 to $174
  • A five day adult base ticket increased from $289 to $304
  • A five day child base ticket increased from $270 to $284
  • The park hopper add-on option increased from $59 to $60
  • The water park fun and more add-on option increased from $59 to $60
  • The park hopper plus water park fun and more add-on option increased from $84 to $86
  • An annual pass increased from $609 to $634

A base ticket allows admission to one theme park per day.

A park hopper add-on allows guests to hop between more than one theme park per day.

The water park fun and more add-on allows guests to visit (a specific number of times depending on the number of days of your ticket) DisneyQuest, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, Oak Trail golf course, ESPN Wide World of Sports, Disney’s Fantasia Gardens and Disney’s Winter Summerland miniature golf.

An annual pass allows guests to visit all four theme parks for 365 consecutive days.

What does all of this mean?

The rumors I’ve been hearing speculate that Disney will increase admission prices by about 5% which translates to around $5 per ticket per day on one day base tickets. They are also estimating a small increase for the add-ons as well as a 5% bump in the multi-day tickets and annual passes.

The biggest rumored changes that are supposed to take place alongside the rate increases are the doing away with the no expiration option for multi-day tickets and the addition of an option that would allow guests to park hop between the two water parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach).

What do I do now?

If you have a trip planned this year and you can afford to do so, purchase your tickets in the next few days before the rates go up. If you have purchased a package that includes tickets, no need to worry. As long as you don’t make any changes to your vacation package you will not be hit with the additional costs.

Ready to purchase your tickets?

Your admission tickets will likely be the one of the most expensive parts of your Disney vacation, so be sure you are purchasing valid Disney theme park tickets. Your safest bet is to purchase directly from Disney by clicking here or by purchasing from an authorized discount Disney ticket seller like my friends at Destinations in Florida or Under Cover Tourist. Don’t be tempted by tickets sold on E-Bay or on the side of the road. These are typically partially used tickets with a few days left on them that may or may not be expired. Admission tickets are non-transferable and Disney uses a finger print system to match the ticket with its owner. You definitely don’t want to be turned away at the gate (or worse!) for having an invalid admission ticket.

Need more help planning your Disney World vacation?

Be sure to check out these posts to make the most of your time in Disney World:

Heading 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 money:

Do you think Disney World is worth the increase in ticket prices?
Please leave a comment!