Tag Archives: Hollywood Studios

Jul 21 2015

Ice Palace Boutique Opens July 26

Ice Palace Boutique

A Flurry of Frozen Fun

Opening on July 26, the Ice Palace Boutique at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, is a brand new wintry salon where kids ages 3 – 12 years old can undergo a special Frozen transformation. Here are all of the details courtesy of Disney:

The Ice Palace Boutique will be located on Commissary Lane across from ABC Commissary in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Unique to this location, guests can purchase select packages where families can also join in the “Frozen” fun. Additional party members can enjoy the exclusive Ice Palace Café, an immersive “Frozen”-themed café with included snacks while they wait for their Anna or Elsa.

Frozen CupcakesThe party will also get reserved seating at one show of “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” at Hyperion Theater.

The “Frozen”-inspired packages include:

  • Frozen Summer Fun Boutique Package – This package includes Anna or Elsa-inspired shimmering makeup palette, face gems, nail polish, a braided hair piece with sparkling snowflake accessory and an exclusive photo opportunity. Package retail: $75, includes tax.
  • Ice Palace Boutique Package – This package includes the items offered in the Frozen Summer Fun Boutique Package. It also includes access to the Ice Palace Café and reserved seating at one of the “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” shows. Package retail: $175, includes tax.
  • Ice Palace Boutique Deluxe Package – This package includes an Anna or Elsa costume plus the items offered in the Ice Palace Boutique Package. Package retail: $240, includes tax.

The Ice Palace Boutique Package and the Ice Palace Boutique Deluxe Package is for up to 6 guests, including the child getting the magical transformation.

Reservations can be made in advance and are highly recommended. To book your appointment, please call 407-827-7400. The location may be able to accommodate guests without reservations on a limited, first-come, first-serve basis each day.

There is also an Olaf-inspired package available that includes a glitter hairstyle and Olaf t-shirt. Reservations are not required for this package and will only be available on-site at the location. Package retail: $19.95, plus tax.

Ice Palace Boutique will only be offered during Frozen Summer Fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios which continues through September 7, 2015.

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:

Will you be visiting the Ice Palace Boutique this summer?
Have you made a reservation? Please leave a comment!

Jul 18 2015

Behind The Magic Podcast July 13 – July 17, 2015

Behind The Magic Podcast

Have you had a chance to listen to Behind The Magic Podcast yet? This “snack credit” of podcasts is a unique 15-minute daily Disney podcast hosted by Zeek, Rachel, Tim, and me. Every day Monday through Friday you can join us for entertaining Disney discussions, guests, games, and more. Tim will keep you up-to-date on Disney news with his daily “Mouse News Minute” segment and I dish on all of the latest Disney gossip with my weekly “Mouse Whispers” segment. And of course, Zeek and Rachel will be surprising you each and every day with all of their fabulous Disney insider knowledge!

Behind The Magic LogoThis Week’s Episodes

This week’s episodes include:

  • Magical Mythical How It Should Have Ended
  • Sarah Takes Over
  • Behind Kyle Burbank
  • Behind Fantasmic
  • Behind Your Trip Packing

For more details about each episode and to listen, please click here!

Mouse WhisperThis Week’s Mouse Whispers

In my Friday, July 17 “Mouse Whispers”, I shared the latest Disney gossip and rumors about Hollywood Studios. Check out Friday’s full episode here!

Are you a fan of Disney podcasts? Do you love Disney gossip?
Please leave a comment!

Jul 16 2015

Celebrating National Ice Cream Month At Disney World

Ice Cream

Did you know that July is National Ice Cream Month? If you happen to be visiting Disney World this month, there are plenty of places to grab a frozen treat to cool off and celebrate! Here are a few of the favorites being served at Disney World this summer courtesy of WDW News:

Magic Kingdom

Dole WhipWhile strolling down Main Street U.S.A., the smell of freshly baked waffle cones wafts through the air. Follow the delicious scent and you will find the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor. This is the home of many delectable ice cream delicacies, but one in particular takes the top scoop – the ice cream cookie sandwich. Two freshly baked chocolate chip cookies served with your choice of hand-scooped ice cream in the middle, creating the sweetest sandwich you will ever taste!

The other must-stop shop at Magic Kingdom is Aloha Isle, home of the legendary Dole Whip. This scrumptious soft-serve delight is a refreshing frozen treat blended in pineapple, vanilla or swirled flavors. For the more exotic palettes, try the Pineapple Dole Whip Float with Dole Pineapple Juice, as it will surely make you dole out a smile! Dole Whip also can be found at Pineapple Lanai at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

Epcot

L'artisan Des GlacesCiao, gelato! Experience the sweet indulgence of Italian gelato at Gelati, the delectable dessert kiosk at the Epcot World Showcase Italy Pavilion. With a variety of tempting gelato flavors and ice cream specialties, the possibilities are endless. One of the fanciful “Gelato Creations” is the Coppa Amicizia, a blend of cookies and cream, strawberry, Fior di Latte (milk-flavored gelato), strawberry sauce, whole strawberries and whipped cream.

Fresh brioche bread and chilled ice cream – two of the world’s most delightful delicacies. L’Artisan des Glaces at Epcot’s France Pavilion combines these two treats into a heavenly combination with its Croque Glacé. Choose any one of this authentic French ice cream shop’s unique flavors, perhaps the coco-white chocolate ice cream, before it is sealed in a warm brioche with rich chocolate or raspberry sauce. This ice cream pastry is inspired by the tastes of Paris and will have guests saying “Bonjour!”

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Still have a passion for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Have no shame because this special Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake at 50’s Prime Time Café will help rekindle that passion for peanut butter and relive those tasty childhood memories. The ingredients are simple – peanut butter and jelly with milk and ice cream – but the flavor is indescribably bold and indulgently satisfying.

What is the last shop seen before and the first thing thought of after falling down an elevator shaft? That would be the delicious treats at Hollywood Scoops, the ice cream kiosk near The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. But not just any ice cream treat will do – Apple Crisp à la Mode is the must-try delight. This cinnamon apple dessert topped with old-fashioned vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and streusel is a perfect way to conclude a haunted stay at The Hollywood Hotel.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

In the heart of Harambe Village is the home of Tamu Tamu Refreshments, where hungry travelers can find unique frozen treats and refreshments for even the wildest of safaris. The most popular treat is the Pineapple Whip Soft-serve with Coconut or Dark Rum, a truly tantalizing tropical treat.

An old-fashioned root beer float is a classic ice cream novelty and a fantastic way to beat the heat. Try one of the soft-serve soda floats from the Anandapur Ice Cream Truck while trekking through Asia at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Downtown Disney

Boathouse SmoresStrike gold with the Gold Rush ice cream sundae at the Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop. It starts with a fresh waffle cone hand-dipped in rich Ghirardelli chocolate, filled with vanilla ice cream, and then covered in homemade hot fudge and peanut butter, whipped cream, chopped almonds, a cherry, and a Ghirardelli SQUARES Milk Chocolate. For those with a taste for milkshakes, the Sea Salt Caramel Banana Quake Shake is also an enticing option at this amazing ice cream haven.

For a photo-worthy, gargantuan treat, nothing tops the Gibsons S’mores Baked Alaska at The BOATHOUSE. This unbelievably sweet and visually breathtaking dessert is made with Häagan-Dazs rocky road ice cream, cascaded in marshmallow, then toasted with pieces of rich dark chocolate surrounding the outside. This is a four-person dessert, so be prepared for a larger-than-life serving.

Ever dreamed of traveling to Italy? Good news – there is no need to venture across the globe to taste the delicious flavors of Florence thanks to the new Vivoli Gelateria in Downtown Disney. This family-run shop was founded in 1932 in Florence, which means the flavors have been mastered to perfection. One of the guest favorites is the Caramello Salato, or salted caramel. Made with fresh, top-quality ingredients, this flavorful treat is adorned with a soft ribbon of caramel flavor, complete with crunchy salted caramel bits. For chocolate enthusiasts, the classic Cioccolato chocolate gelato will certainly satisfy any sweet tooth!

Disney’s Water Parks

Imagine a bright green sand pail and try to keep from smiling. Now picture a bright green sand pail filled to the brim with chocolate and vanilla soft-serve ice cream, waffle cone pieces, cookie pieces, hot fudge, caramel, strawberry sauce, whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry. And don’t forget the sprinkles! This sunny snack can be found at Happy Landings Ice Cream at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and at I.C. Expeditions at Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park.

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

Kitchen Sink“Everything but the kitchen sink.” Well this massive ice cream treat includes that, too. The Kitchen Sink at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Beach Club Resort is a one-of-a-kind ice cream challenge with eight scoops of ice cream, every topping in the house, and a whole can of whipped cream. This dessert serves four people with an appetite, so bring family and friends and get those spoons in the air – it’s going to get a little sticky!

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:

What is your favorite Disney World ice cream treat?
Please leave a comment!

Jul 2 2015

Helpful Information For Your December 2015 Disney World Vacation

Christmas

So you are planning a vacation to Disney World in December 2015? December is a wonderful time of year to visit Walt Disney World. There is nothing quite like Disney World during the holidays!

Weather

The weather in Disney World during December is cool and fairly dry. The average high is about 72 degrees, the average low is about 51 degrees and the average rainfall is about 2.89 inches. It can sometimes get chilly especially during the evenings, so be sure to pack a few clothes for cooler weather, too.

Crowds

The crowds in December normally start out light and become extreme by Christmas week often causing temporary park closures due to reaching capacity especially at Magic Kingdom.

December 1 – December 5 – Average Crowd Level 3.0 out of 10
December 6 – December 12 – Average Crowd Level 3.7 out of 10
December 13 – December 19 – Average Crowd Level 5.6 out of 10
December 20 – December 26 – Average Crowd Level 9.4 out of 10
December 27 – December 31 – Average Crowd Level 10 out of 10

Park Hours

Magic Kingdom ClockThe Parks continue to be open several hours per day during the holiday season.

  • Magic Kingdom: Open most days from 9am – 10pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
  • Epcot: Open from 9am – 9:30pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
  • Hollywood Studios: Open most days from 9am – 8pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
  • Animal Kingdom: Open most days from 9am – 6pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)

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

Events

ChristmasRunning through December 18, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be held on select nights at Magic Kingdom. This party is a festive and heart warming experience for the entire family. There is a special holiday parade, entertaining shows, spectacular fireworks, hot chocolate and cookies, character dance parties, and even snow on Main Street! For more information including dates and pricing, please click here.

Disney World Holiday DecorationsEvery year at Epcot, the holiday season is celebrated with a special event called Holidays Around The World. This year the festive happening will be held through December 30. It is filled with yummy food, joyful music and wonderful traditions from countries around the globe. For more information and reservations, please click here!

Osborne Family SpectacleOn display throughout the holidays, The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights features millions of dancing lights, plus animated displays and 3-D effects perfectly synchronized to electrifying holiday tunes amidst snowfall. The rich tradition takes place on the Streets of America at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Candlelight ProcessionalThe Candlelight Processional at Epcot is one of the most beloved holiday traditions at Disney World, with the joyous retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and glorious mass choir. Performances are held three times nightly throughout the holiday season at the America Gardens Theatre. For more information and reservations, please click here.

Christmas Tree CupcakeOn Christmas Day, several Disney World restaurants serve a special holiday meal. No details have been released for 2015 yet, but check back often as I will update this post as soon as any new information becomes available. If you have your heart set on eating at a particular restaurant for Christmas, be sure to make your dining reservation right away, because holidays do fill up quickly. Disney World dining reservations can be made by clicking here.

New Years 3If you’ll be visiting Disney World for the ringing in of 2016 there are plenty of fun-filled options available to celebrate the holiday including special entertainment and dining. For more information about celebrating New Year’s in Walt Disney World, please click here.

Refurbishments

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

Magic Kingdom

  • Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover: December 7 – December 10, 2015

Epcot

  • Frozen Ever After: October 5 – May 1, 2016
  • Sum of All Thrills: November 30 – December 4, 2015

Hollywood Studios

Animal Kingdom

Water Parks

  • Blizzard Beach: Park Closed October 4 – January 2, 2016

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

  • All Star Sports: Grand Slam Pool October 26 – December 18, 2015
  • Animal Kingdom Lodge: Uzima Pool December 14 – 16, 2015
  • Boardwalk Inn: Exterior Painting August 17, 2015 – May 5, 2016
  • Polynesian Resort: Polynesian East Pool To Be Completed In 2016
  • Pop Century: Computer Pool November 30 – December 3, 2015, Bowling Pin Pool December 7 – 10, 2015
  • Port Orleans French Quarter: Kiddie Pool September 8 – December 23, 2015
  • Walt Disney World Swan: Ongoing Guest Room Refurbishments To Be Completed In 2015
  • Wilderness Lodge: Hidden Springs Quiet Pool, Resort Beach, Playground and Fire Pit To Be Completed In 2017

Planning Tips

If you are traveling to Disney World in December 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, especially if you are trying to book a special dinner for Christmas.
  • Christmas Magic YOUR BandIf you are staying on site, be sure to customize your MagicBand on your My Disney Experience account by picking the color and adding your name. And if you really want to make your MagicBand special, personalize it with your own custom designed MagicBand Skin from Magic YOUR Band. Click here to get started!
  • 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.
  • Whether you are staying on site 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 on site 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 on site, 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, for hundreds of insider tips and secrets for having the most magical Disney World vacation possible!

Special Offers

If you haven’t already made your December 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 you’re counting the days until your next Disney vacation or just dreaming of one, we would love to have you join in the fun! Please click here to be a part of our group!

Have a magical vacation!

Jun 26 2015

Disney World Reality Versus Rumor – June 2015 Edition

Welcome to the June 2015 edition of Disney World Reality vs. Rumor where we’ll take a look at the stories that are currently circulating to see which ones are confirmed and which ones are purely speculation.

Disney World Reality

  • It has been confirmed that the former Walt Disney World Speedway site will be repurposed to expand the Magic Kingdom parking lot.
  • Disney has announced more new additions to Disney Springs including two new restaurants The Edison and STK Orlando.
  • Disney recently unveiled plans to add a new location to Disney Springs called the “NBA Experience”. The plans include a retail store, restaurant, and interactive activities.
  • The Orlando Sentinel confirmed this week that Disney has filed plans to build 26 new cabins along the shore of Bay Lake in addition to a boardwalk, bar grill, and pool at its Wilderness Lodge Resort. These cabins are expected to be similar to the new bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
  • Work is well under way on the additional Soarin’ theatre. It has been confirmed that the attraction will also receive a redesigned and themed queue that will make use of some of the old Kitchen Kabaret space.
  • Disney has filed plans to build a new theatre between Rock ‘n Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror at the end of Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood Studios.

Disney World Rumor

  • Rumors abound that DisneyQuest will be closed and replaced by the new “NBA Experience” in Disney Springs.
  • Speaking of closing places; a new rumor says that Bongos in Downtown Disney may be closing soon to make way for a new Mexican restaurant operated by Splitsville.
  • Some people are speculating that Hollywood Studios may be reimagined with an adventure and heroes theme to better encompass the existing attractions plus Star Wars and Marvel.
  • It is being reported that the Magic of Disney Animation at Hollywood Studios will soon undergo a refurbishment that would expand the Animation Academy.
  • Rumors are flying about the complete redesign of Hollywood Studios. The latest is that in addition to a Star Wars Land, a new Toy Story/Pixar themed land may be in the works to take over the long closed Backlot Tour attraction space. There are said to be three attractions planned for the area including a Toy Story themed car ride similar to the one replacing Luigi’s Flying Tires at Disney’s California Adventure.
  • There are rumors that Animal Kingdom may be adding a new interactive camel experience to the park. Word on the street is that said camels are currently being walked through the park at night to get them acclimated to the surroundings.
  • Recently travel agents received their Disney World operations schedule for January 2016 and it did not show any Extra Magic Hours listed for any of the parks. Rumors are flying that this could mean an end to one of the best perks of being an on-site guest. Another take is that Disney may be considering adjusting the schedule like they did back in 2013 when they reduced the nighttime Extra Magic Hours from three to two. Sources think they may reduce the number of days each week that the Extra Magic Hours are available or only have them offered at one park per day. Here’s hoping this rumor is NOT true!
  • Another rumor that I would hate to see become a reality is the new admission ticket scenario. Disney recently sent out a survey to guests to get feedback on offering tiered-ticket prices based on seasons and days of the week similar to the way their hotel rooms are currently priced. In other words, if you plan to visit Disney World for the winter holidays, you’ll need a second mortgage or to sell a kidney!

Look for another edition of Disney World Reality vs. Rumor in August 2015!

Behind The Magic LogoNeed more Disney gossip?

Remember I’ll be joining the Behind The Magic Podcast beginning on Friday, July 3 and every Friday after that as the resident Disney “Gossip Girl” dishing on all of the latest dirt on my weekly “Mouse Whispers” segment. Please check us out here!

Heading to Disney World soon?

501 WaysIf 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 about any of these changes – real or rumored?
Please leave a comment!