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Every week I gather the latest news from Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, and other Disney parks to help you keep up with all of the changes. Here is the most recent Disney news for the week of July 15-21, 2019:
1. Free Dining & Other WDW Deals
In a surprise move, 2019 free Walt Disney World Dining dropped this week. Here’s what you need to know:
The offer is available to guests arriving most nights from:
- Sept. 1 through Sept. 18, 2019
- Nov. 17 through Nov. 27, 2019
- Dec. 8 through Dec. 23, 2019
If you stay at participating Disney Deluxe Villa & Deluxe Resorts, you’ll receive the Standard Disney Dining Plan for free. If you stay at participating Moderate & Value Resorts, you’ll receive the Quick-Service Dining Plan for free.
Requirements: You must purchase a non-discounted 4-night (the websites says 5, but it’s 4) vacation package that includes a room at a select Disney Resort hotel and ticket with a Park Hopper Option. You can currently book right now through Sept. 29, 2019.
Other Walt Disney World Offers:
- All Guests: Save up to 20% when you book through Sept. 29
- Florida Residents: Save up to 25% when you book through Dec. 24
- Annual Passholders: Save up to 30% on when you book through Dec. 24
- Festive Fun Package (Family of 4): For less than $2,073, the package includes a 3-night stay in a standard room at an All-Star Resort hotel and 3-day theme park base tickets. You must book through Sept. 29.
- U.S. Military Members: Specially priced theme park tickets and great rates at select Disney Resort hotels (must book through Dec. 19, 2019)
2. Here’s When You Can Ride The Gondolas
Finally! Beginning Sept. 29, Walt Disney World guests can officially take flight on the Disney Skyliner. The gondolas connect Epcot and Hollywood Studios to four resorts: Disney’s Art of Animation, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Riviera Resort (set to open in December 2019).
3. Tony’s Most Merriest Town Square Party Is Returning
This year’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom will once again include Tony’s Most Merriest Town Square Party. The event runs from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. (30 minutes later than MVMCP) and includes themed-food and beverages and a reserved viewing area for Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. The party costs $99 per person (plus tax) in addition to a MVMCP party ticket. You can make reservations now online or by calling 407-939-3463.
4. More ‘MNSSHP’ Details Are Here
Here are some new details for this year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (Aug. 16-Nov. 1):
- The new nighttime fireworks spectacular is called “Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular” and will be hosted by Jack Skellington.
- Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor will have an overlay this year, in which the monsters will teach guests about the “curious Human World holiday we call Halloween.”
- More overlays: Pirates of the Caribbean will feature live pirates who are embarking on a new treasure hunt; Space Mountain will once again go completely dark with a “new hard-rockin’ soundtrack”; the Mad Tea Party will have special lighting and music.
- Nancy Clancy from Fancy Nancy will join the “Storybook Circus Disney Junior Jam”.
This year, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park will be particularly exciting with several returning favorites & some all-new experiences! Details: https://t.co/c0I8Cv4RVw pic.twitter.com/U0vb1FMPpF
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) July 17, 2019
5. You Can Meet Darth Vader At WDW Soon
Starting Aug. 29, when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens at Hollywood Studios, Darth Vader will be available for meet and greets at Star Wars: Launch Bay.
6. New Play Disney Parks Pins Revealed
Three new Play Disney Parks app pins are available for purchase at Walt Disney World and Disneyland:
- High Seas Scallywag at Pirates of the Caribbean
- Disneyland: Pieces of Eight in New Orleans Square, Westward Ho Trading Company in Frontierland
- Walt Disney World: Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar in Magic Kingdom, Frontier Trading Post in Magic Kingdom
- Hitchhiking Ghost at Haunted Mansion
- Disneyland: Pieces of Eight in New Orleans Square, Westward Ho Trading Company in Frontierland
- Walt Disney World: Memento Mori in Magic Kingdom, Frontier Trading Post in Magic Kingdom
- Star Tourist at Star Tours — The Adventures Continue!
- Disneyland: The Star Trader in Tomorrowland
- Walt Disney World: Tatooine Traders in Hollywood Studios, Frontier Trading Post in Magic Kingdom
Show off your achievements from the #PlayDisneyParks app by collecting new commemorative pins at both @Disneyland and @WaltDisneyWorld! https://t.co/spV7x0nKZF pic.twitter.com/BC3HYeXMs9
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) July 15, 2019
7. Dates For Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Are Here
This year’s Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! holiday fireworks spectacular at Hollywood Studios will run from Nov. 8 through Jan. 5, 2020.
8. Great Beverage Refill Offer For Disneyland APs
This is a great offer for Disneyland Annual Passholders. Now through Sept. 5, 2019, APs can buy a collectible tumbler for $14.99 (plus tax) at either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure. Once purchased, you can get refills of fountain soda, regular coffee, hot tea, or hot chocolate at both parks for just 99 cents! Click here for a list of participating locations.
What's that? A new collectible AP tumbler WITH 99 cent refills! Purchase this awesome tumbler beginning tomorrow at select Disneyland Resort locations and get 99 cent refills until 9/5! (Valid AP required. Available while supplies last.) https://t.co/JZqjwMN1Kb pic.twitter.com/O5YXqI6JUr
— Disneyland AP (@DisneylandAP) July 16, 2019
9. New ‘Lion King’ Scavenger Hunt At Animal Kingdom
You can now try the new Lion King Scavenger Hunt at Animal Kingdom. Some of the movie’s characters will be hidden around Harambe Village and every time you spot one, you’ll place a corresponding character onto a map. You can pick up the map at The Outpost Shop, Discovery Trading Company, Island Mercantile, and Mombasa Marketplace. Whether you choose to hunt for all the carvings or not, simply return your map to either Mombasa Marketplace or the Outpost by Sept. 28, 2019 for a “savanna surprise.”
10. New DescenDANCE Party Coming To Disney Springs
If you love the Descendants, then this is right up your alley. A new DescenDANCE Party is coming to Disney Springs this summer for a limited time. The party will happen on the Marketplace Stage from July 26-Aug. 11 and will feature dancing, photo ops, and shoutouts from the film’s cast. AND, if you can’t make it to this event, the dance party will continue at this year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café’s stage.
Celebrate this summer’s release of “Descendants 3” at the Disney DescenDANCE Party, rocking the Marketplace Stage at Disney Springs for a limited time July 26 – August 11: https://t.co/Sfi5NqaKO1
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) July 19, 2019
11. Channel Your Inner Dream Big, Princess
There are new exercise items inspired by the Dream Big, Princess campaign now available for purchase on shopDisney.com. The campaign encourages kids to follow their dreams, while highlighting the powerful qualities from each Disney princess.
12. New Plushes Alert!
There are cute new Donald and Chip ‘n Dale plushes inspired by Donald’s Dino-Bash! now available for purchase at Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures and Dino-Rama Car in Animal Kingdom.
13. So Many New Food Options At WDW
There are some brand new food options available across Walt Disney World.
–The Lion King items at Epcot’s Refreshment Outpost: Nigerian Meat Pie, No Worries Panna Cotta (raspberry, papaya, and mango panna cotta with a cookie crumble base and white chocolate), and Savannah Smoothie (coconut milk, agave, and cream liqueur for those 21 and older). These are all available through fall 2019.
-Le Cellier Steakhouse: The Summer Prix Fixe Menu is available again for $55/person plus tax and gratuity or for two Table Service Credits on the Disney Dining Plan. The menu includes your choice of one appetizer, one entrée, and one dessert. The special menu is available through Aug. 28, 2019. Click here for the full menu.
-D-Luxe Burger at Disney Springs: There is a new Vegan Burger with a plant-based patty with cabbage and mushroom ragoût, mango salsa, lettuce, tomato, and pickle on a vegan Parker House roll.
-Disney’s BoardWalk: The BoardWalk Bakery now has a Seaside Sammich with lobster, shrimp, tomatoes, and bacon on a freshly-baked hoagie roll served with your choice of fries or potato chips.
Check out our latest edition of "Best Bites" for a look at the delicious new menu items you can find now at @WaltDisneyWorld Resort! https://t.co/Wmwcm7kvU9 pic.twitter.com/1hB2NT9MRI
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) July 19, 2019
14. Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration Extended
Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration located in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District has been extended through this Labor Day, Sept. 2.
15. Why You Should Ride Kilimanjaro Safaris Right Now
For every person who rides Kilimanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom now through July 25, the Disney Conservation Fund will donate $2 (up to $350,000) to the Wildlife Conservation Network’s Lion Recovery Fund.
That’s it for Disney news from this past week. I’ll continue to collect park updates, so be sure to keep your eyes open for my weekly news post!
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