Honestly, I didn’t know what else to call this blog post. Walt Disney World Update Palooza is probably shorter! Disney had a captive audience of media professionals this week and boy oh boy did they take advantage of having them there. Normally this information comes out a little at a time, but it was a steady stream of exciting news from the Mouse yesterday. I don’t want you to miss any of it and I’m going to sum it all up in one post.
Not only did we get Free Dining, Room Only Discounts, and Fast Passes for the Mine Train… we got ALL this extra magical goodness going on.
Think of this as Sum It Up Saturday: The Seven Seas Lagoon version.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Dedication
The morning started off with the short but sweet (like Dopey!) dedication of the new ride. I was up way early here in Arizona to watch the live streaming video on the Disney Parks Blog. Attractions Magazine was there onsite and captured this video for you.
The BIG news that came out of this announcement: official opening date of May 28. Get your Fast Pass+ now for rides this summer!
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
The Poly is undergoing a lot of renovations this next year- including going back to it’s 1971 name. While many of us Poly lovers are sad to see things go (like this beautiful waterfall in the lobby!) we are also excited to hear about the changes coming.
I’m especially happy about one big change: Trader Sam’s Grotto is coming! The west coast version is a blast to visit at the Disneyland Hotel so I’m thrilled to see the same form of entertainment/food/drink magic transporting to the Poly next year.
Animal Kingdom
Jambo, everyone! I’ll admit this is the park I visit the least. Animal Kingdom is worth a trip to see all the amazing details & storytelling but I always felt it needed more. If you don’t have park hoppers and it closes at 5pm it’s short changes you on park time for the price! Disney is looking to change some of that with a couple of big offerings announced yesterday.
Rivers of Light is a new evening offering for the park and it’s coming soon! It looks like a cross between the World of Color show at California Adventure with some elements of Fantasmic from Hollywood Studios. The concept image looks breathtaking and I’ll be sure to stick around after dark for this option.
 |
| image from the Disney Parks Blog |
They are also plussing the night with the new hard ticket called Harambi Nights. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Lion King (yeah- let that one soak in. 20. Years) the park will offer a night celebration including food, drinks, the Festival of the Lion King (returning to a new theater this summer!) and a street party after the park closes. Here’s the link to the Disney Parks blog for all the details.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Dates Announced
Mickey?s Not So Scary Halloween Party:
Dates: September 1, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, & 28
October 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 13, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30, & 31
Pricing $74 and up plus tax (varies depending on dates)
Mickey?s Very Merry Christmas Party:
Dates: November 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21, & 30
December 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, & 19
Pricing $62 and up plus tax (varies depending on dates)
We attended the Christmas Party last year as part of the Wine and Dine weekend and had a blast! Mr. Shenanigans and I hope to make the Halloween party as part of Tower of Terror this year. If you are in town for any of these dates, I highly recommend purchasing the hard ticket for these events.
Phew! Tons of great stuff happening around the World this year. What news are you most excited about? Will you be hanging around Trader Sam’s or checking out Harambi Nights?
Patty Holliday is a Marvel loving, Disney obsessed wife, and mother of four. She’s a travel agent specializing in Disney & Universal vacations- and loves a candid confession. Find her in Virginia (or anywhere frequent flyer miles or her trusty minivan takes her.)
Jennifer Lefforge says
What a fun idea to do the Christmas Party wine and dine weekend! Perfect! We aren’t doing park tickets so if we do this, and then we’ll have Epcot after the race, so we’re getting lots of park time without buying traditional tickets! Woohoo! And btw, Patty, stop coming up with grand ideas that cost me money;).
Patty Holliday says
HA Jennifer! That’s exactly what the DisBroads did last year to cut costs for the Wine and Dine weekend. Epcot and Magic Kingdom were covered with the Christmas party edition. The great part about the Christmas party are the crowds: if you want to ride the rides, you will be golden. Julie and April had great pictures on Splash Mountain all by themselves!
Pete says
I love the polynesian village resort!
Patty Holliday says
Me too! It’s my favorite!
Dancing to the Finish Line says
I am seriously geeking out over all the news that has been announced over the past week! I’m stalking social media for any hint of a soft opening for Mine Train prior to the 28th because I can’t wait. I’m also really excited to see how the Polynesian turns out after all is said and done 🙂
Patty Holliday says
I know- me too! I’m going to be there pre-May 28 and fingers are crossed BIG TIME for some soft openings!
Kristen Smith says
This Rivers of Light looks amazing; I wonder when it will start??
Patty Holliday says
I know- and how they will handle park hours since this one will be after dark. It really looks awesome though!
Lauren says
We’ll be going to MVMCP for the first time this year on November 10th (which also happens to be my hubby’s birthday)!
You will LOVE MNSSHP if you haven’t been before. We went last year, and the parade and atmosphere is AWESOME. I kinda want to go for a quick weekend again this year just for the party lol!
I am so excited for the new Animal Kingdom show! I do hope it doesn’t affect the animals in any way though.
Veronica Lee says
The Rivers of Light looks awesome! Can’t wait to see how the Polynesian Village Resort turns out!!!!
krystel warden says
look like fun