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Update for April 21 – 27, 2015
Go directly to: News & Views | Join our Networks | Resort Events | Refurbishments and Attraction Closures | Discounts and Promotions
News and Views
Frozen Summer Fun Premium Package now on sale | Sounds of Summer Concert Series returns to Epcot | Dockside Margaritas scheduled to open April 23 | Disney offering new allergy-friendly menus throughout resort | 2015 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Guide April 24 to 26 | Views around the World | This and that... | Crowd Update
Frozen Summer Fun Premium Package now on sale
Last week, Disney announced the release of this year's Frozen Summer Fun Premium Package from June 17 through September 7, 2015.
Each Frozen Summer Fun Premium Package includes:
- See Anna and Elsa in the reserved viewing for Frozen Royal Welcome, complete with regal refreshments—water, a selection of soft drinks, and ice cream
- Reserved seating for your choice of one performance of For the First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
- Frozen Fireworks viewing with dessert party, a dazzling nighttime display of fireworks paired with Frozen-themed desserts as well as specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
The cost for this event is $69 for adults and $39 for children age 3 to 9 (tax and gratuity are included). Reservations can be made online or by calling (407) 939-3463. Package availability is limited.
Sounds of Summer Concert Series returns to Epcot
Epcot visitors during the summer have the chance to enjoy live entertainment when the Sounds of Summer Concert Series returns from June 7 through July 25 to the American Gardens Theater in World Showcase.
Disney Parks Blog published the list of entertainers. A large lineup of tribute bands who are scheduled to rock the theme park include:
- June 7–13 – DSB – A Tribute to Journey
- June 14–20 – 2U – A Tribute to U2
- June 21–26 – Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot – A Tribute Billy Joel Show
- June 27 to July 4 – Don’t Look Back – A Tribute to Boston
- July 5–11 – Fire & Ice – A Tribute to Pat Benatar
- July 12–18 – Stayin’ Alive – A Tribute to the Bee Gees
- July 19–25 – Hotel California – A Salute to the Eagles
Sounds Like Summer concerts do not require a separate ticket and are included with regular Epcot admission. Show times are 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. daily.
Dockside Margaritas scheduled to open April 23
Dockside Margaritas, a waterfront bar in the Downtown Disney Marketplace, is scheduled to open on April 23.
Disney Parks Blog reports that visitors can expect a wide variety of drink offerings, including:
- Patrón Añejo Margarita – Patrón Barrel Select Añejo Tequila, Grand Marnier, Sweet-and-Sour, and fresh Lime Juice
- Habanero Lime Margarita – Patrón Silver Tequila, Habanero Lime, fresh Lime Juice, and Florida Sugar Cane Simple Syrup
- Sunset Margarita – Casamigos Reposado Tequila, Cointreau, fresh Lime Juice, Sweet-and-Sour, and Orange Juice
- Orange Grove Rum Runner – Siesta Key Spiced Rum, Blackberry Brandy, Crème de Banana, and Florida Citrus Juices with a float of Gosling’s 151 Rum
- Sugar Cane Mojito – Siesta Key Silver Rum, Florida Sugar Cane Simple Syrup, fresh Lime Juice, and Mint
- Strawberry Margarita – Herradura Reposado Tequila and fresh Lime Juice blended with Strawberry Purée
- Florida Citrus Freeze – Florida Cane ‘Orlando Orange’ Vodka and Peach Schnapps blended with Orange Purée
Visitors can also enjoy craft beers from Florida breweries, like Orange Blossom Pilsner, Bold City Duke’s Brown Ale and Cigar City Jai Alai IPA. Tropical Florida wine in refreshing flavors like Mango Mamma and Key Limen will also be available.
Live entertainment also returns to the waterfront with music scheduled from 2:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays, and 12:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Disney offering new allergy-friendly menus throughout resort
Great news for Walt Disney World visitors with allergy or food sensitivity concerns.
On April 14, Walt Disney World restaurants rolled out brand news allergy-friendly menus to its counter-service and table-service restaurants. The roll-out began with the signature restaurants and eventually hits other counter-service locations.
According to the Disney Parks Blog, the new allergy-friendly menus provide allergen content for each menu item, making informed choices easier. Menu selection includes appetizers (where applicable), entrées, side items, desserts, and kids’ meals, and focuses on the most common allergens of gluten/wheat, milk, peanut, tree nuts, and fish.
Disney provided no specific timeline for all restaurants on resort property, but the press release indicated Disney hoped to have these new menus will have arrived in all Disney locations within the next few weeks.
2015 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Guide April 24 to 26
It doesn't seem possible that the 2015 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival is already is preparing for its eighth weekend, but time flies when you're having fun, right?
The annual event showcases incredible topiary creations sculpted to look like classic Disney characters, and gardens filled with flowers of every color of the rainbow. Guests can also attend live demonstrations on how to grow their own gardens and sample a variety of international cuisine to throughout the 75-day festival.
Each weekend, Epcot presents special events that include music, seminars, tours and more. Make sure to check the guide below and/or pick one up at the parks to get information on how to make reservations. We'll have an event guide updated each week for MousePlanet readers.
Here's what you can expect for Week #8 of the 2015 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival:
| Friday, April 24 | ||
| Gardens of the World Tour: A three-hour tour of special displays and international Gardens. | 9:00 – noon | Epcot |
| Heather McPherson and Katie Farmand, authors. | 11:00, 2:00 | Greenhouse Stage |
| Jessi Bloom, landscape designer and horticulturalist | Noon, 3:00 | Fresh Epcot Stage |
| "Planting Pointers": join experts as they present great gardening ideas for everyone | 1:00, 4:00 | University of Florida Stage |
| English Tea Garden Tour | 1:00, 3:45, 6:15 | Tea Caddy |
| Florida Fresh Weekend Experiences | 10:00 – 5:00 | Festival Center |
| Garden Rocks Concert Series: The Guess Who | 5:30, 6:45, 8:00 | American Gardens Theater |
| Saturday, April 25 | ||
| Gardens of the World Tour: A three-hour tour of special displays and international Gardens. | 9:00 – noon | Epcot |
| Heather McPherson and Katie Farmand, authors | 11:00, 2:00 | Greenhouse Stage |
| Jessi Bloom, landscape designer and horticulturalist | Noon, 3:00 | Fresh Epcot Stage |
| "Planting Pointers": join experts as they present great gardening ideas for everyone. | 1:00, 4:00 | University of Florida Stage |
| English Tea Garden Tour | 1:00, 3:45, 6:15 | Tea Caddy |
| Florida Fresh Weekend Experiences | 10:00 – 5:00 | Festival Center |
| Garden Rocks Concert Series: The Guess Who | 5:30, 6:45, 8:00 | American Gardens Theater |
| Sunday, April 26 | ||
| Gardens of the World Tour: A three-hour tour of special displays and international Gardens. | 9:00 – noon | Epcot |
| Heather McPherson and Katie Farmand, authors | 11:00, 2:00 | Greenhouse Stage |
| Jessi Bloom, landscape designer and horticulturalist | Noon, 3:00 | Fresh Epcot Stage |
| "Planting Pointers": join experts as they present great gardening ideas for everyone. | 1:00, 4:00 | University of Florida Stage |
| English Tea Garden Tour | 1:00, 3:45, 6:15 | Tea Caddy |
| Florida Fresh Weekend Experiences | 10:00 – 5:00 | Festival Center |
| Garden Rocks Concert Series: Guess Who | 5:30, 6:45, 8:00 | American Gardens Theater |
Views around the World
Magic Kingdom
Epcot
Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival continues through May 17. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Downtown Disney/Disney Springs
The dashboards of each of the Amphicars are decorated with rubber ducks. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
This and that...
...Disney launched the Kids Remember Contest last week. To enter, participants share a video of their child's favorite Walt Disney World memory. The video can be submitted via Instagram, Vimeo, or Twitter.
One grand prize winner and their little ones will win a trip to Walt Disney World to experience the Ultimate Princess & Pirate Vacation for a family of four. The prize package includes:
- A night's stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite
- 5 nights in a Pirate Room at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
- Four 7-Day Magic Your Way Tickets with Park Hopper and Water Parks Fun & More Options
- Memory Maker package – Enjoy unlimited digital photos taken at Disney PhotoPass locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort
- Lunch at Disney Junior Play ‘n Dine with Sofia the First and Jake and the Neverland Pirates
- One Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or Pirate's League makeover
- A Disney Gift Card for extra magic during your stay
- Travel to and from the Walt Disney World Resort
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Crowd Forecast
Join Our Networks
MousePlanet
Don't keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips, rumors, and comments. Email Stephanie here.
Talk about these stories and more on our Walt Disney World discussion forum here.
Resort Events
2015
- 2015 Epcot Flower and Garden Show – March 4 to May 17.
- 2015 Epcot Garden Rocks Concert Series – March 6 to May 17.
- 2015 Mickey's Not So Scary Hallowen Party – September 15, 18, 20, 22, 25 and 27; October 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29 and 31; November 1
- 2015 Epcot Food & Wine Festival – September 26 to November 16.
runDisney events
If you participate in (or are considering signing up for) runDisney events, visit our Team MousePlanet forum on the MousePad discussion board, where you can join our community of health-minded readers and staff.
2015
- Expedition Everest Challenge – May 1–2. The event, which was announced as being the final time it was being offered, sold out within minutes of registration opening.
- Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November 6–7. Most events are sold out.
2016
- Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 6–10, 2016. Registration opens April 28.
- Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 18–21, 2016. Registration opens July 14.
For current information on registration dates and capacity, see Lorree Tachell's runDisney Race Capacity Updates in the Team MousePlanet forum on our MousePad discussion board.
Refurbishments and Attraction Closures
- Jungle Cruise – closed April 13 through May 8 for refurbishment
- it's a small world - closed April 14–17 for refurbishment
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – closed April 27–30 for refurbishment.
- Pirates of the Caribbean – closed May 11 through September 25 for refurbishment.
- Liberty Tree Tavern – closed July 6 through November 20 for refurbishment
- Dream Along with Mickey – closed July 19 through August 22 for refurbishment
- Liberty Square Riverboat – closed August 4–10 for refurbishment.
- Flame Tree Barbecue – closed through April 22 for refurbishment.
- Lights, Motor, Action Extreme Stunt Show – closed April 20–25 for refurbishment
- Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage - closed June 12–14 for refurbishment
- Voyage of the Little Mermaid – closed September 7–10 for refurbishment
Resorts
- Polynesian – refurbishment of the lobby and pool area ongoing.
Elsewhere
- Disney Osprey Ridge Golf Course – permanently closed.
- Downtown Disney Lots H, I, J, and K (in Westside area) closed until further notice for Disney Springs construction.
- Downtown Disney Bridge 4 and restrooms on Pleasure Island are temporarily closed for ongoing construction work.
- Cirque du Soleil La Nouba – performs Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Current Discounts & Promotions
Note: MousePlanet does not edit past Updates to reflect price increases; for up-to-date prices, check the most recent Walt Disney World Resort Update. For your convenience, we have grouped the discount offers based on the intended audience. Check out the category that best matches you, and pick the offer that works best for you. And keep those tips coming—let us know if you find a better or different offer, so we can share it with other readers.
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Discounts for Everyone |
Save Up to 30 percent with room discount Summer travelers looking to save money on Walt Disney World trip have some new options with last week's new room discount announcement Visitors traveling between June 16 and August 27, 2015 can save between 15 percent and 30 percent off regular room rates with this promotion. Room inventory is limited and this promotion only lasts until June 12 and certain exclusions apply (see below). To make reservations, contact your travel agent or visit the official Walt Disney World website. June 16 - August 27, 2015 Save 30%
Save 20%
Weekdays June 16 - August 9, 2015 Save 20%
Save 15%
Weekends August 10-27, 2015 Save 25%
Save 20%
Memory Maker pre-arrival discount Disney's PhotoPass service provides a discount on Disney Memory Maker pre-arrival packages. For $199 plus tax, Walt Disney World guests can digitally download any photos associated with their Memory Maker account, including photos taken on attractions. The advanced purchase price is $169, a $30 savings. Applicable taxes are charged to all orders. Purchase must be made more than three days prior to arrival at the Walt Disney World Resort. All sales are final, and not eligible for an exchange or refund. |
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Discounts for Annual Passholders |
None at this time. |
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Discounts for Disney Rewards VISA & Debit Card Holders |
15 percent off select guided tours Disney Visa cardholders receive 15 percent off the non-discounted price of selected guided tours for up to 10 people. The cardholder must participate in the tour, and pay with a Disney's Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card. Tours included:
10 percent off select restaurants Disney Visa cardholders receive 10 percent off the check when you pay with a Disney's Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card (be sure to request the discount). Discount excludes alcohol. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas:
Disney's BoardWalk Inn and Villas:
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort:
Disney's Contemporary Resort:
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground:
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa:
Disney's Old Key West Resort:
Disney's Port Orleans Resort:
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa:
Disney's Wilderness Lodge:
Disney's Yacht Club Resort:
Disney's Hollywood Studios:
Epcot:
10 percent off merchandise Disney Visa cardholders receive 10 percent off at participating Disney-owned retail location when you spend a minimum of $50 and pay with a Disney's Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card (be sure to request the discount). Read all of the restrictions on the Disney Visa website. 15 percent off all Disney spa and salon services Disney Visa cardholders receive 15 percent off the non-discounted price of any salon treatment valued at $45 or greater or any 50-minute or longer spa service at the spas and salons at Walt Disney World Resort listed below: Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
Free 5" x 7" character photo at a private meet and greet location at Epcot Present your Disney's Premier Visa Card or Disney Rewards Visa Card for access to a private character meet and greet at Epcot for the cardholder and up to five guests. The event is hosted daily from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. inside Innoventions West at Epcot. You'll receive one free 5" x 7" character photo per day. |
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Discounts for Florida Residents |
None at this time. |
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Discounts for U.K. Residents |
None at this time |
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Discounts for Canada Residents |
None at this time. |
Don't keep it to yourself! Send us your news tips, rumors, and comments. Email Marie here.
Comments
Did anyone else chuckle and shake his head when the first item listed after "regal refreshments " was.....wait for it...WATER? ??
Oh, Disney, thanks for the laugh! For 69 bucks, what a royal treat!
The update still shows the POC shut down refurb date as May 11th 2015.
Disney has moved it to June 8, 2015.
Maybe, but then again I'm the rare bird that will actually drink water that comes from a fountain in FL. Apparently that is not an option for many people.
(More seriously, even though it's not a cheapie, this was actually a pretty good event last year. Not needing to camp out for an hour or more to get a spot for good parade viewing, combined with the Desert Party for Fireworks and the reserved seating for the sing-along was a decent experience.)
There might also be a slight typo in one of the captions for hub expansion. I'm pretty sure going towards Liberty Square would qualify as the northwest area of the Hub, Fantasyland or maybe even Tomorrowland would be northeast.
Good summary and pics, all the same!
Oh no, this is our favorite ride.