Great news! Disney has announced that the new Skyliner Transportation system will officially open for Disney World guests on September 29! Testing has been going on for several months now, and I don’t know about you, but I have been DYING for the official announcement of WHEN the Skyliner gondolas would be ready for passengers. And finally, we have our answer! The Skyliner gondolas will be ready for YOU to ride on September 29, 2019. Whooooooo Hoooooo!
Disney released this happy video along with the announcement:
Surprised?
I’m a teensy surprised that the Gondolas won’t be “LIVE” before Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens at Hollywood Studios on August 29. I had thought Disney would try and open the Skyliner Transporation System before that deadline to provide additional transportation options for guests, PLUS provide another “attraction” to absorb guests. My thought was Skyliner Gondolas could help with crowd management. However, it makes sense that it opens a month later. I suspect Disney has their hands full already with making sure they are ready for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge when it opens.
Photo: Disney Parks
How gorgeous does that look? I mean, seriously! I am SUPER excited to ride one of these Gondolas through the whole route. Remember: The Skyliner Transportation System will visit four resorts, plus Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Here are the four resorts:
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Disney’s NEW Riviera Resort (opens in December)
Just the Facts, Ma’m.
TECHNICALLY, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort are sharing one Skyliner Station. The Station is located on the lake between the two resorts and is a short walk from either resort. So, one stop on the Skyliner Transportation System, but TWO resorts served. More bang for the buck, I guess. But it sounds like the line goes further than it does when I say it goes to four resorts and two theme parks, so I wanted to clarify.
Skyliner Station Pop Century/Art of Animation Photo Credit: Amy Micari
There are more than 300 gondolas on the Skyliner Transportation line. Each gondola (also being called “cabins”) can seat up to ten guests. All gondolas are wheelchair accessible, according to Disney.
I’ve done several articles about the Skyliner system previously. If you’d like to check those out, please go to any of the links below:
So, does knowing Skyliner Gondolas will officially open on September 29 have any impact on your vacation plans for this year? If you’ve been on the fence about a Fall 2019 visit to Disney World, does this push you over the edge? What about Holiday 2019 planning? Does the official opening of the Skyliner system make you MORE eager to visit Disney World for the Holidays this year?
There are still some great packages available for fall, and I’m expecting holiday 2019 packages to be released any day now. If you’re thinking about visiting Disney in 2019, NOW is the time to plan. Email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com for more information or to get started!
Are you thinking about visiting Walt Disney World in 2020? I have good news! Disney World 2020 vacation packages are now available for reservations.
What Does This Mean For You?
Until this week, you could only book your Disney vacation through dates in December 2019. If you wanted to price a vacation for March 2020, you were out of look. However, that is no longer the case. All 2020 dates are now available for Disney World vacation packages or park tickets reservations.
Lots of people were waiting for 2020 to visit Walt Disney World because originally, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge wasn’t expect to open at Hollywood Studios until late 2019. Of course, earlier this year we learned that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will actually open August 29, 2019 at Hollywood Studios. Despite this earlier planned opening date for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, many people still elected to wait until 2020 in hopes that the second attraction, Rise of the Resistance, will be open before their visit.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Rise of the Resistance (Photo: Disney Parks)
If you’re not sure exactly WHEN you want to visit, but you know you want to visit in 2020, it’s time to start figuring out when you want to go. Now that ticket prices are date-based, it’s important to know WHEN you want to visit in order to get an accurate estimate for your vacation.
Book Now
If you DO know when you want to visit, you can book NOW. An initial deposit of $200 will hold your reservation, and the balance of your vacation costs will be due no later than 30 days before your vacation. You can make payments, or pay the balance all at once.
What’s the advantage of booking early?
The earlier you book, the more likely you are to get exactly what you want. Do you have a particular resort that you want? A particular type of room? The earlier you plan, the better the odds that you will have the most control over your dates, resort and room rates.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (Photo: Disney Parks and Resorts)
Many popular resorts book up more quickly than you might expect. Room rates often rise in response to demand, as well. This could mean that the room rate we see today for a particular week in 2020 at a particular resort may increase as we get closer to 2020.
What About Free Dining (Or other Discounts?)
Disney has not yet put any discount programs in place for 2020. Free dining IS possible, but we won’t know for a while yet. Disney usually enables discounts or Free Dining promotions with the intent of driving reservations due to lower than expected demand or reservations. To be honest with you, I’m not sure we are going to see reduced demand in 2020. SO many people held off on booking vacations in 2019 specifically to visit in 2020.
However, IF you book your 2020 vacation package with an authorized Disney vacation planner (like me), you will have access to any discounts Disney may release later that could benefit you. [Shameless plug]. Basically, Disney travel agents have the ability to apply discounts to vacation packages they have booked if a discount is released prior to final payment and/or 30 days before travel.
There is minimal risk to locking in your reservation now. Get the resort you want and the dates you want. If Disney releases discounts in the future that could save you money on your vacation package, your Disney travel agent will be able to apply that discount to your package.
What is a Vacation Package?
A vacation package is a reservation that includes both your resort reservation AND your park tickets. It may also include one of the dining plans. In addition, you can add other items like Memory Maker to your package. Usually, it is more economical to book your resort and park tickets as a vacation package than it is to book a resort reservation and park tickets separately. Magic Bands (solid color) are included with all Disney vacation packages. (Special themed Magic Bands are available at an additional price. See this post for more information.)
(Photo: Disney Parks)
Ticket Days vs. Resort Nights
Often, people want to buy park tickets for a different number of days than their resort stay. Regardless of how many nights are on your resort reservation, you can purchase park tickets for 1 day – 10 days (or an Annual Pass). If, for example, you want to stay on property for 5 days and then move to your Grandma’s condo for 3 more days–you can absolutely do that. You can include park tickets with your resort reservation to make a package, and those tickets can be for any number of days.
One Park Per Day vs. Park Hopper vs. Park Hopper and MORE
The next tough question is what TYPE of tickets do you want to include in your package? Note: I did a very detailed post on ticket options that you can find here.
One Park Per Day
The most economical tickets are the one park per day tickets. For many people, these are the best choice. These tickets limit you to one park per day, but you can leave and return to the same park on that day as many times as you need to. Some people think a one park per day ticket means they can visit each park only once. This is NOT the case. If you have a 5 day one park per day ticket, you could (if you wanted) choose to visit Epcot for all five of those days. You can use each day of your ticket for any park you want to.
Park Hopper
Park Hopper tickets give you the ability to visit multiple parks each day of your ticket. For example, you could start your day at Magic Kingdom and end your day at Epcot. You don’t HAVE to change parks on any of your park days, but the Park Hopper gives you the power to do that if you WANT to. Personally, I LOVE the flexibility of the Park Hopper ticket. I like to be able to switch parks if I think my first choice is getting too crowded. I like to be able to pop back into a park for a meal or to visit a particular attraction or shop. However, that flexibility does come at a higher price. Only you can decide if the higher cost is worth it.
Park Hopper and more
The Park Hopper and More ticket gives you additional flexibility. You have park hopping capabilities for each day of your ticket, just as you do with the regular Park Hopper. The Park Hopper and More costs more than a regular Park Hopper, but it includes extra benefits. Based on the number of days on your base ticket, you get extra days you can use to visit one (or more) of the following attractions:
Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Disney’s Fantasia Garden Miniature Golf Course
Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course
Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course
Start Your 2020 Planning NOW!
In addition to 2020 Disney World packages, most other 2020 Disney destinations are now available for booking. Most 2020 Disney Cruise line itineraries are available to book. 2020 Adventures by Disney trips are available for booking now–AND if you book your 2020 Adventure prior to July 19, you can save up to $750!
If you’d like to learn more about 2020 Disney travel options, please reach out to me today at brooke@disneycastledreaming.com. I would love to help you plan your vacation. If you are too busy to plan, get in touch with me. I do offer packages where I handle all aspects of your vacation planning, including booking your fast passes and managing your meal reservations.
Happy Dreaming!
Brooke
Ready to Plan Your Disney Vacation!
P.S. Want to add a few days at Universal to your Disney vacation? I’m also certified on all Universal theme parks and vacation packages, and would be happy to talk to you about all the options available.
Hello everyone! How’s everybody doing? I’m finally getting some summer-ish weather, and I am SO ready!! Of course, summer brings lots of heat to much of the country. Maybe summer is the perfect time for a quick visit with our favorite FROZEN princesses? Today’s an exciting day in the world of Disney animation. Disney has released the official trailer for Frozen II! Check it out below:
What do you think? We’re getting a lot more information about the core story of Frozen II that we had previously in the teaser trailer. (If you haven’t seen the teaser trailer yet, you can see it here.)
Where’s the Music?
Do any of you think it’s interesting that Disney isn’t giving us any real glimpse of the music or songs that we’ll be hearing in the long awaited Frozen sequel? I am happy that it appears that the sequel seems to be focusing on Elsa’s story. This makes a lot of sense to me. Although Elsa was very important in Frozen, Frozen felt more like a story about Anna’s journey, at least to me personally. It also had a great love story between the sisters, which made it unique in the Disney “Princess” movie genre.
(Copyright Walt Disney Animation)
I’m hoping that Frozen II will continue to emphasize the love between the two sisters, and not be about a romantic love story for Elsa. Having said that, I’m a die-hard romantic, and am a sucker for Disney love stories. I guess we will have to wait and see if the next trailer gives us any more hints.
I can’t wait to see what all the kids that fell in love with Elsa and Anna in Frozen think of this new adventure for them.
It’s Your Turn!
What are your thoughts of the official Frozen II trailer? Are you on the fence about Frozen II? Did this trailer make you any more or less excited to see this movie? Please comment below.
Can you believe it? After all our anticipation, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is NOW OPEN at the Disneyland Resort. I’ve got lots of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge news and updates for you, including information about the live streaming of the opening dedication, what you will need to know before you go, and updates on food, beverage and MERCHANDISE. Read on, because we have lots to chat about today.
Go Inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Check out this terrific video Disney released, taking us inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland.
How amazing does that look? I can’t WAIT to go and see for myself!
Are you planning a visit to Disneyland to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? There are some things you should know BEFORE you go!
Good Morning America’s Visit
Good Morning America’s Ginger Zee got to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland a few days ago. Lucky for us, she’s sharing a sneak peek of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge with GMA viewers (and all of us!)
Here’s a quick look at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge with Ginger Zee that GMA posted earlier this week:
On Wednesday, Good Morning America posted a more in depth look at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, including Ginger Zee’s ride on Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run! Click the link below to check out the video and article.
In related news, Inside Disney Parks live streamed the Opening Dedication for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort. The live stream aired Tuesday night. I tried to watch, but the feed keep kicking me out for some reason.
The good news is that Disney has released a link to a replay of the 40 minute livestream. You can watch it below:
Know Before You Go: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Here’s the latest “Know Before You Go” video from Disney Parks:
Here are important things to know, whether you are visiting right away, or later in the year:
Reminder: Reservations are required from May 31 – June 23, 2019. Guests without reservations will NOT be able to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge from May 31 – June 23, 2019. The only way to get a reservation at this point is to book a resort reservation at one of the three Disneyland resorts (Disney’s Paradise Pier Resort, Disneyland Resort, or Disney’s Grand Californian Spa and Resort) during the reservation period. Resort guests are automatically granted a reservation during their stay to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Disneyland theme park admission IS required. If you have a reservation for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge but do NOT have a ticket to get into Disneyland, you will NOT be visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
If you have a reservation to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, you may check in for your reservation up to two hours early; however, you don’t NEED to check in early. If you have a reservation, you WILL get in.
If you do not have a reservation, you will NOT get in to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. There will NOT be a queue for guests without reservations to gain access.
Stormtroopers Will Escort You OUT…
We are in the home stretch now. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens at Disneyland on May 31, 2019, and I can’t wait to hear all the first hand accounts of visitors from those first few days!
As we’ve discussed on this blog before, Disneyland is requiring reservations for Disneyland guests that wish to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge during this first few weeks. Guests visiting between May 31 and June 23, 2019 had to request free reservations to be awarded a four hour window within which they will be able to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. It appears that each guest with a reservation will be given a color coded wrist band to help cast members verify that the guest IS visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at the appropriate time.
Here’s the fun part: If a guest “overstays their welcome” at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, they will be asked to leave BY STORMTROOPERS! In fact, it appears that Disney is planning for Stormtroopers to escort guests that have stayed too long out of the new land entirely!!
Food and Beverages
Here’s a “Know Before You Go” video that Disney released about the food and beverage options we have to look forward to inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Here are some pictures Disney has released of the food and beverage offerings:
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Beverages: Blue Milk and Green Milk can be found at the Milk Stand. (Photo: David Roark/Disney Parks)The Ronto Morning Wrap can be found at Ronto Roasters and is scrambled eggs, grilled pork sausage, shredded cheese and peppercorn sauce wrapped in pita. (Photo: David Nguyen/Disney Parks)Left to right, non-alcoholic drinks: Carbon Freeze, Oga’s Obsession provision and Cliff Dweller can be found at Oga’s Cantina. (Photo: Kent Phillips/Disney Parks)
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Where’s the Merchandise?
There is going to be TONS of fun stuff for us all to drool over and add to our Star Wars merchandise collections.
Disney released another “Know Before You Go” video featuring the merchandise we have to look forward to.
It looks like SOME items will also be added to the Star Wars Launch Bay gift shop in Hollywood Studios and at Disneyland. This means even if you can’t get in to the new land right away, you may still be able to get your hands on some of that limited time only merchandise.
We previously did a blog about some of the merchandise coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. If you missed it, click here.
Here’s some new pictures Disney released.
Guests visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be able to stop by the Droid Depot to build their own R-series or BB-series droids that will act as a friend throughout the village of Black Spire Outpost. (Photo: David Roark/Disney Parks)At Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers, guests will have the opportunity to customize and craft their own lightsabers. In this exclusive experience, guests will feel like a Jedi as they build these elegant weapons from a more civilized age. (Photo: Joshua Sudock/Disney Parks)Guests will be able to wander the lively marketplace of Black Spire Outpost and encounter a robust collection of merchant shops and stalls filled with authentic Star Wars creations. (Photo: Joshua Sudock/Disney Parks)
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Millennium Falcon – Smuggler’s Run (Photo: Disney Parks)
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is now open, but there is only one of its two flagship attractions open at this time. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is open, and looks really terrific.
For all of us that have WISHED we could fly the Millennium Falcon someday, it looks like we’re going to get our chance!
Disney released this video to show us what we can expect. We get to go through the queue and see some of the hidden treasures we can look for. We even get to go for a quick ride (Don’t watch this if you’re avoiding spoilers!)
Inside Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, guests will take the controls in one of three unique and critical roles aboard the fastest ship in the galaxy. (Photo: Joshua Sudock/Disney Parks)
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge NOW OPEN
When are you going to visit? Everything I’ve seen so far from the press and early visitors is VERY positive, and I cannot wait to check this place out!
How about you? Are you excited to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? Do you already have a trip planned? Please like this post, and let us know below when you are going!
This year marks the 24th year the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival dominates the fall season at Walt Disney World. The 2019 Epcot Food & Wine Festival will be the longest festival ever, at 87 days!
Long celebrated as a great way to try lots of different international cuisine, wines and beers, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival invites guests to explore the “international” aspect of World Showcase at Epcot.
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (Photo: Disney Parks)
This year’s Festival begins August 29, 2019, and will run through November 23, 2019. The Festival is anchored by 30 Global Marketplaces throughout World Showcase. There are world flavors for everyone of all ages to discover. There are Global Marketplaces featuring food and beverages from all over the world. The choices are not limited to the nine countries already featured in World Showcase. Every year, there are returning favorites and new adventurous flavors to try.
Eat to the Beat Concert Series
Another highlight from the annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is the Eat to the Beat Concert Series. Every night, from August 29 – November 19, a band will play at the America Gardens Theatre. Sundays – Thursdays, the shows are at 5:30 pm, 6:45 pm and 8:00 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, showtimes are 6:30 pm, 7:45 pm and 9:00 pm. Epcot admission is required to attend any of the shows; however, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series itself is included with your park admission.
Eat to the Beat Concert Series. (Photo: Disney Parks)
As you might imagine, seating is limited, and guests often line up early to try and get seats. However, the music carries to the area immediately around the America Gardens Theatre, and it’s not unusual to see people standing around the area, enjoying the music. Sometimes, you’ll even see people dancing!
Not all the acts for this year’s Festival and been released yet, but a lot of them have. There are some new acts this year, along with a lot of returning favorites.
Here’s the current list and schedule (subject to change).
Plain White T’s
August 29 through 31
Sawyer Brown – NEW!
September 1 through 2
MercyMe
September 3 through 4
Grace Kelly – NEW!
September 5 through 6
Zach Williams – NEW!
September 7 through 8
Lauren Daigle – NEW!
September 9 through 10
Jimmie Allen – NEW!
September 11 through 12
TBD
September 13 through 15
The Allman Betts Band
September 16 through 17
Everclear
September 18 through 19
STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas
September 20 through 22
Post Modern Jukebox
September 23 through 24
Blue October
September 25 through 26
Mark Wills
September 27 through 29
Sugar Ray
September 30 through October 2
TBD
October 3 through 9
Boyce Avenue – NEW!
October 10 through 11
Southern Avenue – NEW!
October 12 through 13
TBD
October 14 through 15
38 Special
October 16 through 17
Baha Men
October 18 through 20
Billy Ocean
October 21 through 22
Sheila E
October 23 through 25
High Valley
October 26 through 27
Hanson
October 28 through 30
Sheena Easton
October 31 through November 1
Kris Allen – NEW!
November 2 through 3
Boyz II Men
November 4 through 6
The Hooters
November 7 through 8
Big Bad Voo Doo Daddy
November 9 through 11
TBD
November 12 through 18
DCapella – NEW!
November 1
Eat to the Beat Dining Package
If there is a particular band you love, and you REALLY want to make sure you get guaranteed seats for one of their shows, there are Eat to the Beat Dining Packages available. You can reserve Eat to the Beat Dining Packages for breakfast, lunch, or dinner at a variety of Epcot restaurants. For a small premium, your meal will include guaranteed seating for a particular show on the day of meal. Eat to the Beat Dining Packages are available to book now!
Note: If you choose NOT to book an Eat to the Beat Dining Package, it does NOT mean you won’t get a seat. You just won’t have a guaranteed seat. You’ll have to wait in line with all the other non-dining package guests, and hope that you get to the front of the line before all the seats are full. This is a lot easier for some acts than others. If one show is super crowded, try the next show. It may be less crowded. Generally, the later shows are more popular than the early show.
Future World Gets in on the Action
Not to be left out of the global extravaganza that is the 2019 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, Future World participates with a “Disney du Jour Dance Party”. This weekend Dance Party has been so popular in years past, Disney has expanded it to seven days a week for this year’s Festival. Sundays through Thursdays, a Disney DJ will manage the Dance Party, and on the weekends, stars from Radio Disney with add a little extra excitement with live performances. So far, only the opening weekend guest has been announced; Meg Donnelly from the Disney Channel original movie Zombies.
Food & Wine Festival Special Events
Throughout the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, there are a variety of culinary demonstrations and educational seminars. Celebrity chefs and well known personalities from the world of international cuisine will host culinary demonstrations throughout the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Many of these demonstrations and talks will be included with your park admission. In addition, there are a variety of extra special events that are offered; however these extra special events require reservations and cost extra.
Beverage Seminars
Reservations are required for this 45 minute seminar. It’s held at the World ShowPlace Events Pavilion, located between United Kingdom and Canada. Epcot admission is required, and the additional cost per person for this event is $19 per person, plus tax.
The Beverage Seminars are held some Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the Festival at 4:30 pm. These Seminars are hosted by sommeliers, cicerones and other beverage experts. They will share their knowledge and offer samples for you to taste. Depending on the seminary, you might learn about state-of-the-art winemaking, brewing or distilling techniques.
Note: Alcohol will be served to guests 21 and older. All events are subject to change or cancellation without notice.
Cheese Seminars
Reservations are required for these 90 minute seminars, held on select Saturdays throughout the Festival. Seminars are held at the World ShowPlace Events Pavilion from 9:45 am – 11:15 am. Epcot admission is required; the additional cost per person for each of these events is $95, plus tax (gratuity included).
These seminars are hosted by distinguished cheese experts. The seminars are designed to educate guests about the different textures, aromas, and flavors of popular cheeses from all over the world. Guests will have the opportunity to sample artisanal cheese selections paired with complementary wines or craft beers.
Topics include:
New World Cheeses and Old World Wines (September 14, 2019)
Mediterranean Cheeses and Wines (September 28, 2019)
Great British Cheeses and Ales (October 5, 2019)
Italian Cheeses and Wines (October 12, 2019)
French Cheeses and Wines (October 19, 2019)
The Great Cheeses and Wines of the Western United States (October 26, 2019)
Season’s Best Cheeses and Wines (November 9, 2019)
Note: Alcohol is served exclusively to guests aged 21 or older. All events are subject to change or cancellation without notice.
Party for the Senses
For many food and wine connoisseurs, one of the highlights of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is the Party for the Senses. The Party for the Senses is a special ticketed evening event featuring tasting stations, live entertainment, elegant decor and acclaimed chefs and personalities. More than 20 renown chefs are featured. International musical artists Femmes of Rock are returning this year, following their popular debut at this event in 2018. Reservations are required for this special evening event, held on select Saturday nights during the Festival. Book your reservations now.
Epcot admission is required, in addition to the event ticket.
The event is held on select Saturdays at the World ShowPlace Events Pavilion. The World ShowPlace Events Pavilion is located between the United Kingdom and Canada in World Showcase.
There are two seating options, with pricing between $229 and $359 per guest plus tax, gratuity included, based on which seating option you choose.
Category #1: Wine View Lounge
Category #1 is the VIP option, and priced at $359 per guest plus tax, gratuity included. Your Wine View Lounge admission provides early access to the event at 6:30 pm.
Your VIP event ticket includes a private, premium reserved table. When you arrive at your table, you will find an amuse-bouche and a welcome beverage. Your early entrance offers a special briefing from the chefs and a special phot opportunity. The Wine View Lounge has exclusive premium bar service and artisanal cheeses available only for the VIP guests with Category #1 event tickets. Your ticket will also include a special premium wine glass and an additional gift as your souvenirs of the elegant evening.
Also included in this VIP option is complimentary Minnie Van service to transport ticketed guests from their resort hotel to the event and return service at the end of the event. Alternatively, if you are already in Epcot on the day of your event, complimentary transportation will be provided from the Main Entrance to the event.
Category #2: Reserved Seating
Category #2 includes reserved seating on the main floor of the event. These tickets are priced at $229 per person, plus tax, gratuity included. Your ticket will include a specialty welcome beverage as well as an event exclusive wine glass. Your ticket will allow you access to the event from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm.
Note: Alcohol is only served to ticketed guests aged 21 or older. Events and entertainment are subject to change or cancellation without notice.
Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
For runDisney fans, an annual highlight of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend. This year’s Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend is October 31 through November 3, 2019.
The Half Marathon and 10K races both go through the Walt Disney World Resort, and feature Disney characters and Disney style entertainment throughout each race. A very popular post-race party at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival concludes the race weekend.
RunDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon. (Photo: runDisney)
The runDisney race fun begins with the Disney Fall Feast 5K on November 1, 2019. The Disney Wine & Dine 10K is on November 2, 2019, followed by the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon on November 3, 2019. Not to be outdone by other runDisney race weekends, the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend includes a special Wine & Dine Two Course Challenge. The Two Course Challenge combines the 10K on Saturday with the Half Marathon on Sunday. Successful Two Course Challenge finishers earn a special Disney Two Course Challenge medal, plus both Half Marathon and 10K medals. Registration is required for the Disney Two Course Challenge to be eligible for this special medal.
Wine & Dine Half Marathon (Photo: runDisney/Disney Parks)
SOLD OUT!
ALL races for the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend are already sold out, including the Disney Two Course Challenge. It is still possible to register however through participating charities, or through the purchase of special Walt Disney World Vacation packages. Contact your travel agent (I’d be happy to help!) to learn more.
To learn more about these or any other runDisney events, visit runDisney.
Epcot’s Most Popular Event
Epcot is wonderful to visit at any time of year, but it has become especially well known for its Festivals. The Epcot International Festival of the Arts dominates the beginning of each year at Epcot, running mid-January through late February.
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. (Photo: Brooke Hudson)
My personal favorite, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, premiers each year in early March and runs through the first few days of June.
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (Photo: Disney Parks)
Then comes the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, the topic of this article, followed by the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. I promise to do an article about the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays soon.
It is the fall Epcot International Food & Wine Festival that is the most popular Epcot festival, however. The ever popular “drink around the world” informal drinking challenge that many adult guests love to complete takes on a whole other level when attempted during the Food & Wine Festival.
Have you ever visited the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival? Are you planning to visit this year? Please like this post and comment below. I’d love to hear your plans for this year’s Festival.
UPDATE: 5/20/19: New Magic Band upgrades are NOW available!
Good news! There are new magic band options coming for Disney resort guests! For the last few years, Disney has included magic bands for every resort guest as part of their resort reservation.
As you start planning your trip, one of the fun steps has always been choosing the colors of the magic bands for each person in your group.
It didn’t take long for people to start decorating their bands. All kinds of different types of decorations emerged. From intricate, hand painted designs, pre-printed stickers designed to specially fit magic bands, to bands covered in Swarovski crystals, magic bands have become expressions of individuality, special occasions, relationships and celebrations.
Magic band stickers, sold on Etsy (Photo: Brooke Hudson)Original style magic bands decorated with stickers from Etsy. (Photo: Brooke Hudson)
Disney Special Edition Magic Bands
Now we know Disney, and Disney doesn’t leave money on the table. It didn’t take long for Disney to come out with special, decorated magic bands. Disney sells a variety of magic bands at the Disney store and at the gift shops in the parks and resorts.
The Disney Store has lots of limited edition magic bands. Check them out here. If you have park tickets, but are not staying on property, you may want to purchase magic bands to pair with your tickets. That way you can use your magic band for park entry, instead of having to pull out your tickets every time you need park access, or to use a Fast Pass reservation.
Solid color magic bands are available for $14.99. Most of the special decorated magic bands are priced at $24.99 – $29.99.
Inside Out Magic Band
Main Street Magic Band
Iron Man Magic Band
Wall-E Magic Band
Tower of Terror Magic Band
Minnie Mouse Magic Band
New Magic Band Options for Resort Guests
(Photo: Disney Parks)
Disney has decided to make special magic bands available for resort guests as an add-on option. The solid color bands will continue to be available for no charge with your reservation. However, if you want to “upgrade” your bands to special custom bands, you will have that option. The price to upgrade will be $14.99, and you will have more than 30 magic band options available.
These special “upgraded” magic bands will be available to Disney resort guests. They will also be available to new and renewing annual passholders.
Disney released a video about the new magic band options.
I think this is pretty good news, what do you think? Will you be upgrading your next magic band? Please comment below.
It’s time for another Disney TRON construction update! If you missed our previous post on the new TRON attraction coming to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, click here to check it out.
The First Vertical Columns Are Going UP!
While construction began on the TRON “coaster” style attraction began more than a year ago, there wasn’t a whole lot of VISIBLE progress. So much has to happen to prepare the ground to support the weight of the attraction, and even more has to happen to support the electrical needs of the attraction and the technology the ride will require. To the casual observer, the early phases of any attraction construction project often look like there’s not a whole lot going on.
Luckily, we’re not casual observers, right? Disney has announced that they have begun installing the steel columns that will support the attraction.
Check out this terrific video that Disney released!
Where IS the TRON Attraction?
TRON is being built in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. It’s going next to Space Mountain, mostly in space that was previously empty.
Disney has modified the Speedway slightly to make room for TRON. They’ve also stopped running the Walt Disney World Railroad for the forseeable future, while construction proceeds on TRON. I don’t know if this means the Railroad is ultimately being rerouted, or if the current track will still be in place once construction on TRON is completed. It’s entirely possible that once it’s safe for the Railroad to resume circling the park and traveling behind Tomorrowland, we’ll be able to tell that nothing changed on the route. However, I suspect that the Railroad track may need to move over a bit to make room for TRON. Too soon to tell.
Regardless, we do have a pretty awesome artist rendering of what the TRON attraction is expected to look like.
Disney Tron Attraction Coming to Magic Kingdom: Artist Rendering
We also got a new picture of the steel column that cast members signed. As we discussed in the previous Disney TRON construction update post, an important milestone of the TRON project was when Disney invited cast members involved in the project to sign one of the steel columns that will become a part of TRON.
TRON Construction Milestone (Photo: Disney Parks)
When Can We Ride?
While there’s no “official” opening date (it’s WAY too soon!), it looks like the expectations are that TRON will be completed in time for the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World in 2021.
Are you excited about this attraction? From the brief glimpse we get in the video above, I think TRON looks like it will be very different from anything else we have at Disney. I’m hoping it will be a ton of fun, and that it will absorb a lot of guests. I’m always a fan of attractions that can swallow up a lot of the crowd.
What do you think? Please like this post, and comment below with your thoughts!
Surprise! Originally slated for release in May 2020, the sequel to Disney’s Maleficent from 2014, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil is NOW scheduled to come out later this year. The Maleficent: Mistress of Evil teaser trailer has been released, and it looks really good (in my opinion!).
Maleficent (2014)
Did you see Disney’s Maleficent, starring Angelina Jolie, when it was originally released? Visually stunning, the film offered a slightly different perspective on the evil fairy queen from the Sleeping Beauty story. It wasn’t perfect, but it was entertaining and interesting. Jolie’s performance was intense and thoughtful. Elle Fanning was perfect as Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), and the story was very much about the relationship between Maleficent and Aurora. There was also a very strong thread of “Hell Hath No Fury Like a Woman Scorned” running through the movie. Maleficent grossed $758 million, worldwide. After the movie was released, talk of a sequel began almost immediately.
Disney Maleficent, 2014
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019)
The sequel, also known as Maleficent 2, is officially titled Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. Scheduled for release October 18, 2019, the new film stars Angelina Jolie as Maleficent, reprising her role from the first film. Also returning are Elle Fanning, Imelda Staunton, Sam Riley, Juno Temple and Lesley Manville. The role of Prince Phillip has been recast with Harris Dickinson, as the original actor was unavailable due to scheduling conflicts.
New additions to the sequel include Michelle Pfeiffer, Ed Skrein, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Disney Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Official Film Poster
Take a look at the teaser trailer for Maleficent: Mistress of Evil:
The first Maleficent featured some really cool visual effects, and I suspect this sequel will have even more in the visual effects arena. Michelle Pfeiffer is always amazing, and I suspect her participation in this film will raise the quality even higher. I’m interested to see how Maleficent’s relationship with Aurora has evolved over the years. I’m also really interested in how and why Maleficent is the Mistress of Evil. Essentially, at the end of the first film, she seemed mostly content. However, in Jolie’s more than capable hands, Maleficent was (and no doubt still is) a complex and fascinating character. I bet there will be lots to dig into!
Will You See It?
What do you think of this trailer? Does it make you want to see the movie?
Please comment below and let me know if you saw the original Maleficent, and what you thought. Tell us if you are planning to see Maleficent: Mistress of Evil when its released this October.
Happy Dreaming!
Brooke
Ready to Help Plan Your Next Disney Vacation!
P.S.: In other Disney movie trailer news, Disney has released a few more additional trailers and tv spots for soon to be released Aladdin. Rather than creating a NEW post, I have added the new spots to the most recent post with Aladdin trailers. If you’d like to see the latest additions, click here, and scroll to the bottom of the post! (Aladdin is coming to our theaters on May 24, 2019!).
Disney’s latest transportation innovation, the Skyliner Gondola system, has been in testing mode for several weeks now. Testing appears to be going very well so far. This week marked an exciting step forward for Disney Skyliner testing—more than 50 of the cabins have been unveiled!
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s…Mickey Mouse?
For most of the testing we’ve seen so far, Disney has sent the Skyliner gondolas out on the system shrouded in white covers. Briefly we saw some units without the white covers, but the units we saw did not have any character graphics on them yet. Check out this post, Disney Skyliner Update: April 2019 to learn more.
Over the past few days, Disney has uncovered more than fifty of the gondolas, revealing beautiful character graphics on each colorful cabin. The graphics are gorgeous, and there appears to be a wide variety of different character themes.
Disney Skyliner Gondolas: Character Graphics Revealed! (Photo: Disney Parks)
See the Skyliner Gondolas in Action
Disney released a terrific video showing the unveiled gondolas out on the cables. In the video, you can see multicolored cabins, their gorgeous character graphics clearly visible, moving through the Skyliner system. It’s a beautiful sight, and I can’t wait to see them in person.
When Can I Ride a Skyliner Gondola?
The WHEN is still an open question. Disney will not get any more committed than “later this fall”. They are staying pretty cagey about when the Skyliner Gondola system will go live for guests. From a safety perspective, that’s probably a good thing. Disney has an excellent safety record, and are legendary for having very few accidents involving guests on their attractions.
So, I’m guessing they are going to test the HECK out of these things before they let us get near them. Which makes the part of me that is scared of heights very happy.
However, I’m also eager to know an exact date of when guests will be able to ride on the Skyliner system. As I plan trips for my clients and my family, I want to know if I can include Skyliner as a transportation option. I am DYING to ride on this system, and I’m sure a lot of you are as well.
I had thought MAYBE it would be live by the time Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens at Hollywood Studios on August 29, but the powers that be seem to be trying to discourage that expectation. That could be because they want Skyliner to have it’s own exciting opening day and subsequent media attention. I could see not wanting to get lost in the excitement of the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Disney has spent millions of dollars on Skyliner, and I would imagine they want some excitement and attention to accompany it’s opening day.
Disney Skyliner Gondola Testing: Cabins Unveiled (Photo: Disney Parks)
Alternatively, it could simply be that they have a lot of testing to do, and third parties that have to approve the various phases. I suspect Disney is hesitant to put a timeline for Skyliner opening day out there until anything outside their control has finished. So if there are any government bodies or third party agencies that have to review the Skyliner system perhaps, or any tests that have to be approved by parties outside Disney Parks and Resorts, it would make sense that Disney would postpone announcing a “go-live” date until that’s all completed.
I don’t know, but I’m certainly excited to find out!
What do you think? Does seeing Disney testing Skyliner cabins unveiled make you more excited to ride?
Happy Dreaming!
Brooke
Ready to Help Plan Your Next Disney Vacation!
P.S. If you haven’t seen the inside of a Skyliner gondola yet, visit this post.
This year is moving so fast, isn’t it? And Disney is off to a rip-roaring year with Avengers: Endgame making GOBS of money so far in its two week run. As of Monday, May 7, 2019, Avengers: Endgame has earned $632 million domestically and $2.24 billion world wide. Wow. That’s a LOT of money. But of course, we know that Disney wants ALL our money, so they’re not stopping with Avengers: Endgame. Nope. They have several more BIG releases coming this year. Not as big as Avengers: Endgame, of course, but still BIG.
Aladdin is next up, releasing May 24. June 21 will bring us Toy Story 4 and July 19 brings us The Lion King. Oh my goodness! BIG summer at the movies for Disney fans!
With the release of Aladdin only a couple of weeks away, Disney is ramping up the marketing campaign. We have several new film clips, trailers and TV spots that have been released over the last 10 days.
We also have a new poster. Take a look:
If you want to see the previous trailers and teasers, check out this post.
Keep reading to see all the latest Aladdin trailers and film clips.
TV Commercial: Wingman
First up is the latest TV spot, focusing on Will Smith as the Genie and his efforts to bring Aladdin and Jasmine together.
Aladdin Film Clip: A Whole New World
Next we have a brief scene from the movie to whet our appetite for the “Whole New World” duet that we KNOW is coming.
I really like this scene, and can’t wait to see more of the two of them together.
Aladdin Film Clip: I Wish to Become a Prince
Some of this scene we’ve seen in the second trailer, but this is a whole 30 second scene of the moment where Aladdin tells the Genie he wants to be a Prince, rather than just the 4-7 second snip we saw in the trailer.
I have to say, I really like Will Smith as the Genie. Very different energy from the original animated Robin Williams version, but I think that’s a GOOD thing. I LOVED that version, and wouldn’t want an imitation. I think Will Smith making his OWN version of the Genie is good. And remember, for younger audiences and first time viewers, his Genie may become THEIR Genie.
TV Commercial: Inside
This is a great 30 second commercial focusing on the overall message of Aladdin. The outside packaging isn’t all that important, it’s what’s INSIDE that matters.
TV Commercial: Confident
I like this commercial–its focusing a little more on the big set pieces and the extravagance than we’ve seen in some of the other spots.
TV Commercial: Basics
This is a good “general” Aladdin commercial. It provides a very brief overview of the main points…there’s a Genie, a lamp and a flying carpet. The Genie can do lots of cool stuff. Aladdin likes a girl. {sigh}
TV Commercial: Rags to Riches
This is another quick TV commercial hitting the highlights. Mainly focusing on Aladdin as a “street rat” and his finding the Genie.
Disney’s #Friendlikeme Challenge
I LOVE it when Disney does stuff like this:
Here’s how it works:
Between now and May 24, 2019, every public social media post (Twitter and/or Instagram) that includes the tag #Friendlikeme, Disney will donate $5 (up to $1 million) to Make-a-Wish to help Make-a-Wish grant wishes for critically ill children all over the world. So PLEASE, post on Instagram and/or Twitter every day and include the tag #Friendlikeme so we can get Make-a-Wish that $1 million!
To learn more, visit friendlikeme.org. To learn more about how you can help your local chapter of the Make-a-Wish foundation, visit wish.org/local-chapters.
Tickets on Sale NOW!
Check out this cute video from Will Smith and Mena Massoud promoting presale tickets for Aladdin.
Beautiful New Character Posters
Check out the beautiful new individual character posters that Disney released for Aladdin, Jasmine and the Genie.
What do YOU Think?
Are all these new Aladdin TV trailers and film clips getting you excited to see the film? Will you be purchasing pre-sale tickets or waiting for reviews? I have high hopes for Aladdin. I think it will be fun and entertaining. Please like this post, and let me know below if you’re planning to go see Aladdin in theaters!
UPDATE May 14, 2019
Disney has released several new Aladdin film clips and trailers since I put up this post. Rather than do another separate post, I just decided to add the new promos to this post. Enjoy!
TV Commercial: On Fire
This spot focuses on Will Smith’s Genie showing off his magic.
TV Commercial: Stumbled Upon
There’s not really any new visuals in this short spot, but Jafar’s creepy voice over persuading Aladdin to retrieve the lamp for him is mostly new, and the visuals focus on the “adventure” aspects of the film.
TV Commercial: Dalia
This quick spot focuses more on Jasmine’s perspective than the other trailers we’ve seen. It’s short, but I like it a lot. See what you think:
TV Commercial: Friend
Only a couple “new” elements in this 45 second spot, but the focus is on the Genie. I think this is a fun one.
Featurette: Cast of Wonders
This is a short behind the scenes featurette, showing brief snippets from the primary cast members.
I hope you enjoyed these latest additions!
Happy Dreaming!
Brooke
Wishing for a Disney Vacation? Email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com today to start planning YOUR dream vacation.
