Breaking news! The Walt Disney Company announced today that Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris and Disneyland will be closing due to the coronavirus. In addition, Disney Cruise Line departures are cancelled through the end of March.
These new Disney theme park closures follow the closures of Shanghai Disney, Tokyo Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland earlier this month.
Earlier this week, we gave you an update regarding Disney’s policies and procedures for both U.S. Disney Parks and Resorts and Disney Cruise Line. If you’d like to review that article, please visit here.
However, in just a few days, the coronavirus has caused increasing concerns worldwide, affecting the decisions of people all over the globe. As a result, Disney has announced that Disney Parks in the U.S. and France will close beginning March 16, 2020. The parks will remain closed through the end of the month.
Photo: Brooke Hudson
Disney’s Official Statements
Disney released these statements late Thursday afternoon.
Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris and Disney Cruise Line
“In an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our Guests and employees, we are proceeding with the closure of our theme parks at Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris Resort, beginning at the close of business on Sunday, March 15, through the end of the month.
Disney Cruise Line will suspend all new departures beginning Saturday, March 14, through the end of the month.
The Walt Disney Company will pay its Cast Members during that closure period.
The hotels at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris will remain open until further notice. The retail and dining complexes, Disney Springs at Walt Disney World and Disney Village at Disneyland Paris, will remain open.
Domestic Walt Disney Company employees who are able to work from home are being asked to do so, including those at The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Television, ESPN, Direct-to-Consumer, and Parks, Experiences and Products.
We will continue to stay in close contact with appropriate officials and health experts.”
Disneyland and California Adventure
“While there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at Disneyland® Resort, after carefully reviewing the guidelines of the Governor of California’s executive order and in the best interest of our guests and employees, we are proceeding with the closure of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, beginning the morning of March 14 through the end of the month.
The Hotels of the Disneyland Resort will remain open until Monday, March 16 to give guests the ability to make necessary travel arrangements; Downtown Disney will remain open. We will monitor the ongoing situation and follow the advice and guidance of federal and state officials and health agencies. Disney will continue to pay cast members during this time.
Disneyland Resort will work with guests who wish to change or cancel their visits, and will provide refunds to those who have hotel bookings during this closure period. We anticipate heavy call volume over the next several days and appreciate guests’ patience as we work hard to respond to all inquiries.
Please contact The Walt Disney Travel Company for questions and cancellations at 714.52.5050.”
Questions You May Have
To learn more about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the U.S. response to it by visiting the CDC.
What if I have a vacation package booked while the parks are closed?
You can cancel or modify your room reservation or Walt Disney Travel Company package up until your original scheduled check in date. There will be no fee to change your dates or cancel your package. If you take no action to change or cancel, Disney will automatically process a refund to your original form of payment within seven days of your original check in date.
What if I have a vacation package booked after March 31? (But I don’t want to travel during that time?)
Disney has temporarily changed their change and cancellation policy. If you have a room reservation or vacation package with a check in date through June 30, 2020, you can change your dates or cancel your reservation with no penalty or cancellation fee.
How does the closure impact my annual pass?
Annual passes will be extended by the number of days the parks are closed. (Note: Disney has officially answered this question for WDW Annual Passes, but I am fairly confident that the same will hold true for Disneyland Annual Passes.)
What if I have date specific theme park tickets for the period the parks will be closed?
Unexpired multi-day theme park tickets with unused days or date specific theme park tickets with a start date on or before March 31, 2020 will be automatically extended to use any date before December 15, 2020. If you can’t visit the parks prior to December 15, 2020, you may apply the value of your wholly unused ticket toward the purchase of a ticket for a future date.
What if I have a ticket for Disney After Hours, Disney Villains After Hours or Disney Early Morning Magic between March 16, 2020 and March 31, 2020?
Your ticket will be automatically refunded because those events are being cancelled.
What if I’ve prepaid for a dining reservation or an experience reservation like Build a Droid ? (Scheduled between March 16, 2020 and March 31, 2020?)
All prepaid dining and experience reservations will be automatically refunded if they were scheduled to occur between March 16, 2020 and March 31, 2020.
What about dining reservations that I guaranteed with a credit card?
You will not pay a cancellation or no-show fee for reservations at locations impacted by the closures.
Disney World and Disneyland Closing Due to Coronavirus — Final Thoughts
I am disappointed that Disney made these decisions to close their parks worldwide. However, I understand that governmental and public pressures made this result almost inevitable.
I am very happy to see that Disney will continue to pay all cast members impacted by the closures. When I first heard this news, I was very concerned for the cast members. It’s fairly well known that Disney cast members’ wages are pretty low. I suspect many cast members live paycheck to paycheck as do so many people these days. The impact of two weeks without pay could be ruinous to many people. I am glad to see that Disney is stepping up and taking care of their people.
Disney Cast Members (Photo: Disney Parks)
It is of course possible that Disney could elect to extend these closures beyond the end of March; however, I am hopeful that will not be necessary. I hope that in April, we will see a return to normalcy across the country and the world; not just for Disney but for all of us.
What are your thoughts about Disney World and Disneyland closing due to the coronavirus? Do you have any vacation plans impacted by these closures? Please comment with your thoughts below.
Please take care of yourselves and those you love!
There’s great news for all of us that love new attractions at Walt Disney World. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is now open! On Wednesday, March 4, 2020, Disney officially opened Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway to visitors–human and cartoons alike!
Early Reactions
Predictably, kids that watch Mickey Mouse shorts on the Disney Channel right now are the biggest fans of this new attraction. However, I think this attraction will find big fans of all ages. But let’s face: when you base an attraction on Mickey and his friends, you’re going after the kids in a big way. And it looks like it worked!
I could just die from the cuteness. Check out the video below from Disney.
I think you’ll agree that these kids are very excited that Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is now open!!
What to Expect?
FUN! This is a FUN attraction. It’s filled with bright colors, tons of animation and crazy antics from Mickey and his friends. Basically, as you move through the queue, you are leaving the human world and entering the cartoon world. The attraction does a great job submerging you in that cartoon world.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Photo: Disney Parks)
Mickey and Minnie are going on a picnic. But Goofy is the train conductor. As you might imagine, things go a little bit wonky! The ride then leads us through various scenes inspired by Disney’s Emmy winning Mickey shorts series.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a trackless dark ride. Your car is not actually linked to the cars in front of and behind you. It moves independently. This enables the attraction to feature some surprises, and adds to the repeatability of the attraction.
Disney released this video “Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Now Open”. See what you think!
There is a LOT going on in this attraction, and I think you’d have to ride it a few times to take everything in. It’s a little frantic at times in the way it moves through scenes, but that’s kind of how cartoons work, isn’t it?
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Photo: Disney Parks)
The Imagineers have done their best to make two dimensional cartoons feel like they are three dimensional. I think they are mostly successful. There are scenes with a lot of physical depth to them, and you definitely feel surrounded on all sides by the particular scene you are in.
This is the first ride in Disney Parks history to feature Mickey Mouse. It’s also the first ride to feature Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto or Donald Duck.
Will I Still Miss The Great Movie Ride?
That depends on how much you loved it. In a perfect world, perhaps we would have both the old beloved attractions as well as all the new attractions. New attractions are vital to any theme park’s long term growth and survival. Mickey and Minnie have long deserved to be the stars of an attraction, and now finally, they are. I think the new attraction is a great addition to Hollywood Studios, and I think guests are really going to enjoy it. It’s a lot of fun, and I think there are lots of hidden gems in the scenes that it will take many rides to find.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Photo: Disney Parks)
Having said that, I personally still miss The Great Movie Ride. I love movies, and I always loved being able to “ride through the movies”. I loved the tributes to classic films, and I loved the cheesy live-action elements with the cast member taking us on our tour. Many people felt that it needed updating, and perhaps they were right. However, I think The Great Movie Ride was unique and really a integral part of what Disney’s Hollywood Studios (originally Disney MGM Studios) was trying to be. There really isn’t anything left at Hollywood Studios that feels like it’s a part of the movies or a tribute to movie history.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is an immersive experience that makes you feel like you are in those movies, true. You can feel like part of the story in Galaxy’s Edge, and it is both nostalgic and mind blowing. But it’s a different experience that what you got from The Great Movie Ride. That was more typical dark ride–riding through classic scenes, taking them in. The nostalgia factor was there, certainly. There was a little bit of camp and silliness. But for all the things I loved about The Great Movie Ride, I know lots of people were bored by or didn’t enjoy.
Change HAS to Happen
Walt Disney always said that the theme park has to change and grow with its audience. He said the park was not a museum. (Although wouldn’t a museum where you could go ride attractions that have been replaced be a fun place to go? Horizons, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Timekeeper…so many attractions in the attic of my memory. Sheesh, maybe I really am getting old!)
I recognize that today’s audience is different from the audience I grew up with. Today’s audience has a shorter attention span and require more activity and stimulation. To that end, I think Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway accomplishes what the Imagineers were going for. It’s a fast attraction with a lot going on. There’s a lot to look at, and there is a lot of stimulation. I think young audiences and fans of the Mickey shorts are going to LOVE this attraction.
Personally, I don’t love the Mickey shorts, but I suspect that’s also my age showing. I grew up watching more traditional Mickey Mouse cartoons, and today’s Mickey shorts don’t look “right” to me. However, even though I’m not a fan of the current Mickey shorts, I still find a lot to love in this new attraction. It’s a lot of fun. I definitely think its an attraction you can joyfully ride many times without getting bored.
But I still miss The Great Movie Ride.
Fast Pass Reservations
Now that Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is open, you can of course make Fast Pass+ reservations. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is in Tier One of the Hollywood Studios Fast Pass+ reservation system. Basically, this means you have to choose between three of the park’s most popular attractions for one of your Fast Pass+ reservations. Your other two Fast Pass+ selections will come from Tier Two. (To learn more about the Fast Pass+ reservation structure, read this post.)
If you are in the midst of vacation planning for a trip this year, I would definitely plan on using your Tier One Fast Pass+ at Hollywood Studios for this attraction, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. The newest attractions are ALWAYS the most popular, which automatically means long lines. And when a new attraction gets good reviews? That just makes it even more popular. If there isn’t any availability for this attraction, Slinky Dog Roller Coaster is probably your next priority, followed by Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. While Slinky Dog is the oldest of these three Tier One attractions, it’s still barely 2 year old, and remains incredibly popular. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run is also extremely popular; however, most afternoons, you can ride with waits under 30 minutes.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Photo Disney Parks)
Booking a Fast Pass+ Reservation
Given that this is Disney’s newest attraction at Walt Disney World, I anticipate that Fast Pass+ reservations will continue to go very fast for several months to come. The only thing that MIGHT slow down demand will be if Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance moves over to Fast Pass+ system and is a Tier One attraction. (Currently, Rise of the Resistance is using a virtual queue system that assigns visitors to boarding groups. Learn more here.)
When booking Fast Passes for your vacation, I always recommend you book the hardest to get Fast Passes on your list FIRST, rather than working through your list day by day. [This is assuming you are staying on Disney property, and can book Fast Pass+ reservations for your entire stay (up to 10 days) sixty days prior to your vacation. If you are NOT staying on Disney property, you can book Fast Pass+ reservations, one day at a time, 30 days prior to the date of your visit.]
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Photo: Disney Parks)
For example, if you are planning to visit Magic Kingdom on Monday, Hollywood Studios on Tuesday, Animal Kingdom on Wednesday and Epcot on Thursday, you might not necessarily book your Magic Kingdom Fast Pass+ reservations first, even though that is the first day you’ll be visiting the parks. You’ll want to take advantage of your full window, and book the hardest to get Fast Pass+ reservations first. Think about each park, and the attractions you want to make sure you get Fast Pass+ reservations for, if at all possible. Then consider which Fast Pass+ reservations disappear the fastest.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Photo: Disney Parks)
If Minnie and Mickey’s Runaway Railway is high on your list of must-ride attractions, you may want to book that Fast Pass+ reservation first or second as you work on your Fast Pass+ reservations. (For me personally, Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom is almost always the first Fast Pass+ reservation I book, followed by Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom. I will have to think about moving this new attraction in front of Seven Dwarfs as I plan our next trip.)
To visit Disney’s webpage for this attraction or to book your Fast Pass+ reservations (if you are in the window), click here.
What if I Can’t Get a Fast Pass+ Reservation?
Whenever you book your Fast Pass+ reservations, it’s very likely that you will be disappointed with at least one reservation you wanted. With so many guests visiting Disney every day and using the Fast Pass+ system, it’s impossible that we all get exactly what we want!
Don’t panic! Yes, it’s a bummer when you can’t get a Fast Pass+ reservation for a ride you really want to to ride. However, if you don’t get a Fast Pass+ reservation, it doesn’t mean you won’t get to ride the ride. It just means you will have to rely on the standby queue for your ride. (Side note: you should ride this attraction at least once via the standby queue as the Fast Pass line bypasses some really cute elements that are part of the standby queue.)
Start Early
As always, getting an early start is one of my top recommendations for shorter standby lines. So many guests like to sleep in during their vacations, or have a leisurely breakfast prior to heading to the parks. I love a good breakfast as much as the next person, but I like being in the parks with lighter crowds MORE.
Getting to the park early doesn’t mean NO line at your favorite attractions; however, it almost always means a shorter line than you’ll find later in the day. You will notice a surge in traffic as the park opens and guests head to the attraction they’ve chosen for their first ride.
At Magic Kingdom, the surge usually either heads towards Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Fantasyland or Space Mountain in Tomorrowland. At Hollywood Studios, the surge usually headed towards Toy Story Land and Toy Story Mania and Slinky Dog Coaster. Thrill seekers head towards the Rock n Roller Coaster or the Tower of Terror. Now that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has opened, a large portion of the morning “surge” heads directly towards Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge when the park opens.
If you can enter the line for your chosen attraction during the first 10 – 15 minutes the park is open, your lines (generally) will be fairly short, and you can move on to your next attraction. However, don’t run and please don’t run over small children to get to that first attraction. Sometimes in their enthusiasm, people forget to be kind–don’t be one of those people!
Ride at Night
Another tip for riding popular attractions? The end of the night. If you are in line before the park closes for the night, you WILL be able to ride the attraction. You may still have to wait in a fairly long line, but usually the lines at the very end of the night are much shorter than they’ve been the rest of the day.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Photo: Disney Parks)
Pay Attention to the App
I’m of two minds when it comes to the My Disney Experience App. I LOVE having access to my PhotoPass pictures right away. It’s really cool to book Fast Pass+ reservations on the fly via the app after you’ve used your first three of the day. I really like being able to take advantage of Mobile Ordering for Quick Service Restaurants via the app. And I really like being able to see wait times in the App.
However, I am also not a fan of seeing people with their heads buried in their phones while on vacation at one of the most magical places they could possibly be! Don’t let “checking the app” become your favorite past time. If you find yourself spending more time checking attraction wait times than talking to your kids, maybe turn off the phone for awhile.
Know How Long You’re Willing to Wait
Monitoring the wait times for one – three attractions you really want to ride can help you plan your park touring though. Briefly checking on those one – three attractions while you are waiting in line or taking a short break? That can show you when the lines have gotten shorter. Decide in advance what your threshold is.
For example, I am usually willing to wait 20 – 25 minutes for an attraction I really want to ride. 10 minutes if I’ve already ridden, but would like to ride again. If I check the app, and wait times have dropped below 20 minutes, I would probably adjust my plan to head to that attraction. For some attractions, you might be willing to wait longer, even up to an hour. (Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom is TOTALLY worth it!) Just know your threshold. If not riding a particular attraction is going to “ruin” your vacation, your threshold should be a lot higher than 10-30 minutes.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Photo Disney Parks)
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is Now Open!
What do you think? Are you excited that Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is now open? Do you love the Mickey shorts? How soon will you take your first ride? Are you ready for Goofy to be your train conductor? Please comment below with your thoughts!
I know that many people are very concerned about COVID-19, commonly referred to as the novel coronavirus. If you are planning a Disney vacation and/or a Disney Cruise Line vacation in the coming months, no doubt Disney and their response to the coronavirus are weighing on your mind.
Disney has released formal statements regarding COVID-19 for both Disney Parks and Resorts and the Disney Cruise Line.
It is important to remember that while the novel coronavirus can be very serious for those with health issues that compromise their immune system and make them more vulnerable, for most of us the impact of contracting the novel coronavirus will be similar to the flu. Taking care of our personal hygiene per the guidelines released by the CDC (link in the statement below) will significantly reduce our vulnerability to COVID-19, as well as other contagious diseases.
Disney has a well earned reputation for cleanliness and sanitation, and I am confident they are taking every necessary precaution to ensure the safety of all guests.
Disney and the Coronavirus – Parks and Resorts
Dr. Pamela Hymel, Disney’s Chief Medical Officer released a statement a few days ago. We have included an excerpt from this statement below:
“As part of our commitment to the health and well-being of our cast, guests and the larger community, we are carefully monitoring the evolving coronavirus situation and are in regular contact with health agencies for information and guidance. Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, are welcoming guests as usual and we continue to implement preventive measures in line with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health agencies.
Walt Disney World, Disneyland and all of our parks and resorts around the world have high standards of cleanliness, which assists with illness prevention, and we have health and safety protocols in place, such as:
Training for cast members, with ongoing reinforcement on a regular basis
Defined cycles for frequent cleaning and disinfection of targeted areas
Easy access to handwashing facilities and hand sanitizers
Quick response to spills, trash and other situations
End of day sanitation procedures for restroom, kitchen, and other facilities
Frequent cleaning and “wash down” of outdoor locations, including walkways and queues
Additionally, our onsite health teams and leaders are communicating with our cast members about illness prevention, including the guidance of the CDC. The CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs, such as staying home when sick, washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, following proper respiratory cough etiquette, avoiding close contact with people who are sick and avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.”
Disney Cruise Line and the Coronavirus
In response to concerns specifically related to cruise travel, Disney has released the following statement and update to Disney Cruise Line policies.
“Information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 continues to evolve quickly and Disney Cruise Line is closely following guidance from health officials and authorities in the ports of call we visit. We are also committed to keeping our Guests informed and updated, and are happy to address any questions our Guests have in advance of their cruise vacations and once they’re onboard.
The health and safety of our Guests, as well as that of our Crew Members, is our primary focus. We are taking precautionary steps and have implemented the following guidelines, which will likely continue to evolve as more information becomes available:
Currently, any Guest or Crew Member who has traveled from, to or through China, including Hong Kong and Macau, South Korea, Italy, Iran or Japan, within 14 days of departure will not be able to board our ships.
Any Guest or Crew Member who has been in contact with someone from these areas, including Guests with connecting flights in these locations, also will not be able to board, nor will anyone who has helped care for someone suspected of having or diagnosed with the coronavirus (COVID-19), or who is currently subject to health monitoring for possible exposure. Guests who have air travel booked through Disney Cruise Line will automatically have their flights rebooked on an alternate route. Guests who booked their own air travel arrangements should contact their airlines directly to make the appropriate changes.
As is always our practice, we screen all Guests and Crew Members before they board, and anyone who feels unwell with gastrointestinal or flu-like symptoms (fever over 100.4º F, chills, cough or difficulty breathing) will not be permitted to sail.
In addition, all Guests and Crew Members will have their temperature checked by a nurse with a no touch thermometer prior to boarding, regardless if they are symptomatic or feel unwell. Additional medical screening will be required for anyone with a temperature of 100.4º F or greater, and they along with their travel party may be unable to sail.
For cruises that include a stop in Nassau or Castaway Cay, please note that The Bahamas will not allow anyone to disembark in any Bahamian port if they have been to China, South Korea, Italy or Iran in the past 20 days prior to arrival. These Guests may be able to sail but will be unable to visit The Bahamas.
For cruises that include a stop in Jamaica, please note that in addition to the locations noted above, officials there also will not allow Guests who have traveled from, to or through Singapore within 14 days of arrival to come ashore. These Guests will be unable to sail.
Temporary Cancellation Policy Update
Given the current situation, we are offering temporary adjustments to our cancellation policy to provide more flexibility for our guests. These adjustments may continue to evolve as more information becomes available.”
“Disney Cruise Line Coronavirus (COVID-19) Additional Information
Disney Cruise Line consistently receives among the highest public health inspection scores and has health and safety protocols in place. We also have a comprehensive plan that outlines protocols for managing illness and closely follow the guidance of public health officials. Some of these procedures include:
Training for all of our Crew Members on how best to prevent the spread of illness onboard.
A health screening completed by all Guests and Crew Members to check for illness before they board the ship.
Extensive cleaning and sanitation of high-traffic areas (e.g., handrails, doorknobs and elevator buttons) and children’s facilities.
Cleaning of all staterooms twice a day, and additional disinfection when necessary.
Medical clinics on our ships staffed with experienced doctors and nurses and stocked with supplies and medications to treat a variety of illnesses.
According to public health authorities, Guests can also help prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and many other illnesses by frequently washing their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom and before eating. Parents can supervise their children to ensure they wash their hands thoroughly. In addition, Disney Cruise Line has hand sanitizer wipes and sanitation stations conveniently available in multiple places on its ships. Guests can also cover their nose and mouth with a tissue (or upper sleeve) when sneezing, and avoid sneezing or coughing into their hands or without covering their nose and mouth.”
Keep Calm and Wash Your Hands
Because concern about the coronavirus is widespread, I felt it was important to include Disney’s statements verbatim, rather than to paraphrase them. As Disney releases new statements or amends these statements, I will release updates.
Bottom line: Disney is doing everything they can to combat the spread of COVID-19 or any other disease in their theme parks and cruise line. They have an excellent reputation for cleanliness and training cast members on strict policies and procedures. I have no doubt that Disney has gotten even more aggressive in these areas due to the concerns regarding the coronavirus.
If you have a Disney Parks or a Disney Cruise Line vacation planned for the next 60 days, and are concerned about Disney and the coronavirus, Disney has implemented temporary cancellation policies. If you would like my help with determining your recourse and/or rescheduling your trip, please contact me at brooke@disneycastledreaming.com.
As long as you feel comfortable with Disney’s policies and are in reasonably good health, I don’t think it is necessary to cancel or reschedule your trip. However, if you are worried and don’t think you’d be comfortable, I can certainly understand if you wish to cancel or reschedule.
I will keep you updated as news regarding Disney and the coronavirus evolves.
We’ve been expecting this for a long time. Spaceship Earth was last updated in 2007, when new scenes and props were added to the attraction and Dame Judi Dench recorded a new narration. The 2007 refurbishment was the result of a six month closure of the attraction. This new refurbishment is going to be much more significant. Disney has announced that Spaceship Earth is closing for refurbishments on May 26, 2020.
Disney has not given us a firm timeline for this refurbishment; however, they have indicated a window of 18 – 30 months. I feel pretty comfortable predicting that this Spaceship Earth refurbishment will take at least 2 years.
Spaceship Earth Reimagining
Disney is calling this latest refurbishment of Spaceship Earth a “reimagining”. They are also telling us that it is going to be the most extensive refurbishment of the attraction since it opened in October 1982. The details, however, are sparse.
At last year’s D23 Expo, Disney announced the planned reimagining of Spaceship Earth. At that announcement, Disney shared that the new version of Spaceship Earth would focus on the journey of humanity through the ages. We were told that some scenes will be updated with new Disney magic, while some new scenes will be added.
It looks like the new iteration of this attraction will include new narration, telling a new story. The limited information we have indicates that light will be an important part of the new story. We will learn how light plays a role in our shared human journey, and what is possible when we all come together.
Disney has released this concept art for the updated Egypt scene in the attraction. This is a scene that is currently part of the attraction, but it is being updated and transformed to show the power of light.
Spaceship Earth Reimagining: Egypt (Concept Art: Disney Parks)
The Bad News: Spaceship Earth is Closing
There’s no getting around it. Major attraction refurbishments are a bummer. Spaceship Earth is going to close for a long time–at least 18 months, according to Disney.
Spaceship Earth is a popular dark ride, with ride vehicles constantly moving. It’s an attraction that absorbs a LOT of people per hour, and the line moves fairly quickly, when there is a line. Often, the lines are very short. Again, because the attraction is constantly moving and so many guests can be riding the attraction at once. It’s a nice break from the Florida heat, and is a fairly long attraction, so your feet and legs get a nice break.
The attraction also provides a unique souvenir: the little game at the end of the attraction results in an image that you can email to yourself (or others) featuring animation and your face(s).
Spaceship Earth being closed for such a long time is definitely bad news. However, there are some good things about this closure, too.
Photo: Brooke Hudson
The Good News
The most obvious good news is that Spaceship Earth is getting a necessary refurbishment. This attraction has needed an update for many years now. Some of the scenes are looking tired and worn and many of the vehicles have shown signs of wear for years. In addition, Disney has done so much with technology in the years since the last refurbishment, I’m excited to see what they integrate into Spaceship Earth. I’m looking forward to updated scenes, a new story and new narration. We may even get new vehicles (not confirmed).
October 2022 will be the 40th Anniversary of Epcot. I’m hopeful that the new iteration of Spaceship Earth will be open by then, if not sooner. I suspect the Imagineers are very cognizant of that anniversary date, and would really like to have the attraction completed and to be a cornerstone of that celebration.
More Good News
This is not necessarily directly related, but I have a theory. I suspect the opening of the new Ratatouille themed attraction in the France pavilion will dovetail pretty closely with the closure of Spaceship Earth for refurbishments. As I mentioned above, Spaceship Earth currently absorbs a LOT of people each hour. When it closes, those people will join the queues for other attractions, potentially making lines longer all over Epcot. However, there is a new attraction opening “this summer” that will potentially be able to absorb a lot of those people. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is a new dark ride that will feature trackless vehicles.
Ride Vehicle for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (Photo: Disney Parks)
Disney has not given us a firm opening date for this attraction yet; however, I believe that it will closely coincide with the closing of Spaceship Earth. While I doubt that Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will move as many people through it per hour as Spaceship Earth does, a new attraction in the park will definitely help offset the loss of Spaceship Earth.
Currently, there is so much construction happening in the front of the park, the more Disney can move people through to World Showcase, the better. Getting Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure ready to open has to be a pretty big priority for them right now, I believe.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think Spaceship Earth closing for refurbishment is a good thing. I think the ride needs updating and an infusion of new technology. I am disappointed that I won’t get to ride it one last time before it closes, though. I’m worried about the impact of this attraction closing on the lines and crowds in the park. I’m hopeful that new attractions and activities in other areas of the park will help offset the closing of Spaceship Earth.
What do you think about this announcement? Are you excited about the changes to Spaceship Earth or do you wish they’d just leave it alone? Please let me know in the comments below!
Happy Dreaming,
Brooke
email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com today to start planning your next Disney adventure!
Today we have exciting news from Epcot. There’s a brand new restaurant open at Epcot. The Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue has opened at Epcot’s American Adventure pavilion. The Regal Eagle Smokehouse is named after Sam the Eagle of the The Muppets. Epcot’s newest quick service restaurant is themed to a barbecue cook-off, featuring competitors from across America.
Restaurant Logo, Disney Parks
Perhaps best of all? Mobile Ordering IS an option for the Regal Eagle Smokehouse through your My Disney Experience app, helping to minimize your time spent in LINE.
Liberty Inn Closed June 2019
For years, the food at the American Adventure pavilion was an embarrassment! It always amazed me how bad the food was at the American pavilion. It was such basic theme park food. Cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, and [watery] pulled pork sandwiches. None of these items stood out, and all were disappointing (especially the pulled pork!). There was no theming to speak of, in my opinion. It just felt like a big fast food restaurant.
There is so much great food in the United States; the abysmal food at Liberty Inn aggravated me for years. It made me sad that visitors from all over the world could come to Disney and think THIS represented America. But that’s all old news, thank goodness. The Liberty Inn closed in June 2019 to make way for a new quick service restaurant. Finally, we have our new restaurant: The Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue hosted by Coca-Cola.
The Regal Eagle Smokehouse
At long last, the American Adventure pavilion has an American themed restaurant to be proud of. I think the choice to include the Muppets in the theming for this restaurant is genius. It’s subtle, but it iso great to see the Muppets in Epcot! Sam the Eagle is atop the logo and featured on the menu. We see other Muppet characters in sketches around the restaurant. The Muppet presence isn’t super overt, and of course, as a big Muppets fan, I wish there were more of it. However, these days ANY sign of the Muppets at Walt Disney World is a good thing, as far as I’m concerned.
The theming throughout the interior space is sprinkled with classic Americana. It’s got a little bit of a retro feel. The walls feature lots of brick and tile. There is red, white and blue bunting on the ceiling, and even the condiment station features Americana decor. There’s a tin ceiling, and there are lots of copper pots and old timey accessories throughout. The tables are flanked by backless benches, and the indoor seating area feels very large, bright and open. The overall look is really sharp.
Regal Eagle Smokehouse (Photo: Disney Parks)
Outdoors, the large seating area is all classic picnic tables with umbrellas to help protect guests from the Florida sun. There’s also a large classic smoker on display in the outdoor seating area. I’m not sure if this is just for show, or if we may see it in use during busy periods.
Barbecue Flavors From Across the United States
I think the Regal Eagle Smokehouse’s approach to “American” by using barbecue flavors found in different parts of the country is really smart. Since summer cook-offs are such a big part of festivals throughout the country, I thought choosing to theme the restaurant as “Sam’s Centennial Cook-Off” was also a terrific idea!
Source, Disney Parks
Entrees are themed to Texas, South Carolina, Missouri, Tennessee and North Carolina. Meats are smoked for 14 hours, and the quality of the meats and sides are very high, especially for a theme park quick service restaurant.
Menu Options
There are a lot of options on this quick service menu! There are a variety of sandwiches and platters. All sandwiches and platters include a side.
Great food can be found at the new Regal Eagle Smokehouse at the American Adventure Pavilion at EPCOT (Photo: Disney Parks)
The American Platter is $18.99, and I suspect it will be VERY popular, especially for first time visitors. It includes three choices from the meat options, one side of your choice and a piece of garlic toast. The meat options include Sliced Texas Beef Brisket, Kansas City Smoked Half Chicken, Memphis Dry-Rub Port Ribs, North Carolina Chopped Smoked Port Butt, and South Carolina Smoked Sausage. The brisket and smoked sausage are available as sandwiches, and the other three meat options are available as single meat platters. There is also a BBQ Burger, which is a burger topped with pulled BBQ pork and an onion ring. A Power Greens Salad is on the menu, and includes chilled pulled chicken and fresh citrus. For those that prefer plant based sandwiches, there is a BBQ Jackfruit Burger. This is a plant based burger topped with BBQ Jackfruit.
Regal Eagle Smokehouse, The American Adventure Pavilion at EPCOT (Photo: Disney Parks)
Side options include House Made Pickles, French Fries, Beer-Battered Onion Rings, Creamy Coleslaw, Macaroni and Cheese, Garlic Toast, and Baked Beans with Burnt Ends.
For dessert, you can choose from the Fresh Watermelon Cup (But WHY? Just kidding!), the S’mores Brownie and Banana Pudding. The banana pudding even has vanilla wafer cookies in it. So classic!
The kids menu features a cheeseburger, chicken salad, BBQ chicken leg and BBQ rib platter as options. Most of these come with one or two sides, and a choice of Chocolate Milk, Apple Juice or small fountain beverage.
Beverages
Inside you’ll find the traditional quick service restaurant Coca-Cola fountain beverage station, featuring the same Coca-Cola beverage options you find all over the parks. But at the Regal Eagle Smokehouse, you’ll also find Iced Unsweetened Tea, Sweet Tea and a few varieties of flavored iced teas that I think are a nice inclusion.
The menu inside also features a variety of American draft beers and ciders, wine and some specialty cocktails. There are more beverage options at the outdoor bar as well. (Read on for more about the outdoor bar!).
Meat Lovers Paradise
While there is a plant based option on the menu, the Regal Eagle Smokehouse is primarily for those of us that eat meat. If you are vegan or vegetarian, you will be happier at one of the other pavilions around World Showcase. If, however, you are a meat lover, you will most likely find at least one item on this menu that you’ll love.
The other thing that makes me happy is that the entrees are not drenched in sauces. Regal Eagle Smokehouse offers a variety of sauces on the side at the condiment bar, and you can add as much or as little sauce to your meats as you want to. I think this will appeal to a wide range of customers.
Sauces
The condiment bar features a variety of bbq sauces for you to try with your entree. There are four sauces, plus ketchup on the condiment bar. Sauce options include:
There are options available for those with gluten or wheat allergies, egg allergies, milk allergies, peanut or tree nut allergies, and soy allergies. To review the complete menu, along with the allergy related options, please visit here.
Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Outdoor Bar
One of the highlights of the new outdoor area at the Regal Eagle Smokehouse is the new outdoor bar. Many of the beverages offered at the outdoor bar can also be found inside the restaurant; however, I suspect the outdoor bar will satisfy a lot of patrons that aren’t interested in a meal.
The menu features a variety of American draft beers and ciders. There is also a selection of California wines on the menu, as well as a few “specialty cocktails”. Specialty cocktails include a Frozen Mint Julep, a Tennessee Lemonade (featuring Jack Daniels), a Texas Mule, a Frozen Strawberry Daquiri and a Moonshine Sour. There are two non alcoholic options on the outdoor bar menu as well: Berry Sparkler and Frozen Iced Tea Lemonade. Prices range from $4.50 (non alcoholic specialty beverages) to $14.00 (specialty cocktails). While anyone who knows me well knows I’m am very partial to the Grand Marnier slushie available at the Champagne Kiosk in the France pavilion, I am eager to try the Tennessee Lemonade at the Regal Eagle Smokehouse!
At Last, Good American Food at the American Adventure Pavilion
I am happy to report that at long last, we have good food available at the American Adventure pavilion at EPCOT. Of course, if you prefer table service, or eat good old American barbecue fairly frequently, the Regal Eagle Smokehouse might not be high on your list. Also, I suspect it won’t be a preferred stop for vegans or vegetarians.
However, if you want a good quality quick service option, you can’t go wrong with the Regal Eagle Smokehouse. The food is flavorful and the environment is fun and well themed. And hey, there are some Muppets touches. Good pulled pork, beef brisket, ribs and old fashioned banana pudding? Count me in!
Sam the Eagle, The Muppets (Photo: Disney Parks)
What do you think? Are you going to check out the Regal Eagle Smokehouse? Please comment below. If you’ve already had a chance to try it, please share your thoughts!
Happy Dreaming,
Brooke
Ready to Plan Your Disney Vacation!
P.S. There are lots of updates coming to EPCOT this year and next. Have you heard about EPCOT’s space themed restaurant coming later this year? Check out this post to learn more.
In preparation for next year’s big 50th Anniversary celebration, construction projects are ongoing throughout Walt Disney World. I’ve been wondering what Disney had in store for my beloved Cinderella Castle. Honestly, I’ve been worried. In previous years, they have done some questionable things to the castle. But now the mystery is over. Disney has officially announced that Cinderella Castle is getting a makeover.
25th Anniversary: Cinderella Castle Becomes a Giant Birthday Cake
Here’s one of the reasons I was worried. Does anyone else remember (with horror) the “birthday cake” Cinderella Castle that Disney did for the 25th Anniversary? If they’d done if for a day or a week, I probably wouldn’t cry every time I think about it, but it stayed like this for more than a year!!! They painted the castle bright PINK. Now I like pink as much as the next girl, but not on Cinderella Castle for goodness sake! As if the pink wasn’t bad enough, they attached all these inflatable things. It was AWFUL. I mean, the concept was cute I guess. But the beautiful Cinderella Castle looked like this for more than a year. 1996 was NOT a good year for Cinderella. I think maybe she let her Fairy Godmother decorate after a few too many nightcaps!
Cinderella Castle as a giant birthday cake for the 25th Anniversary of the Magic Kingdom (Photo: Disney Parks)
50th Anniversary: Cinderella Castle is Getting a Makeover
Fortunately, it looks like I didn’t need to worry. For this anniversary, Disney has decided to go classy instead of tacky. Disney announced this week that Cinderella Castle is getting a makeover. The castle is going to be repainted and additional gold accents are being added. I’m assuming all the gold is in recognition of the golden anniversary. If you aren’t already familiar, a 50th anniversary is the golden anniversary. Magic Kingdom opened in October 1971. October 2021 will be the 50th (golden) Anniversary for the Magic Kingdom, and by extension, Walt Disney World. Magic Kingdom was the only park at Walt Disney World until Epcot opened in 1982.
Here’s the concept art that Disney has released showing what Cinderella Castle will look like after its makeover.
Concept Art – Disney Parks
What do you think? I think it looks pretty good. This is pink, but it is not the hideous BRIGHT pink of the 25th anniversary. I think the gold accents and trip pieces look pretty, and will likely be sparkly in the Florida sunshine. There are a lot of scary things Disney could have done to the Castle for the big anniversary. I am relieved that they have chosen to go classy.
The Downside of Cinderella Castle Getting a Makeover
Unfortunately, there is a downside to Cinderella Castle getting a makeover. In all likelihood, this repair work is will last all summer and possibly into the fall. This will mean scaffolding around the castle. It could mean crane work. I’m not sure exactly what will be involved, or how dramatic the equipment and workers around the Castle will be.
I know everybody always complains when the crane is out for a couple of weeks in the fall to put the icicle lights on the castle for Christmas. People often get upset about the crane being in their pictures. I know I have a series of crane Castle pictures that I don’t love.
Nonetheless, I expected Disney was going to do something with Cinderella Castle for the big 50th Anniversary. If they’re going to do something, this is about the least offensive thing they could do. I also don’t think it’s gonna take a super long time to complete. Hopefully by the end of the summer, this will be a completed project. It’s likely they will do the work in phases. For example, they will have scaffolding on one area of the Castle at a time, so the whole Castle won’t be covered. This way, guests will be able to get pictures from certain angles without scaffolding in their photos.
It’s All About the Attitude
I recommend that if you are visiting Walt Disney World this summer, know that you are likely to see scaffolding on the castle. I understand that is disappointing. Cinderella Castle is a beautiful icon and I completely understand that you want great pictures from your vacation. Mostly likely, you were not planning to have scaffolding or other construction equipment or workers in your photos. I get it. However, keep in mind there are a TON of other locations around the parks where you will get fabulous pictures that won’t feature scaffolding.
Additionally, I suspect there will be some angles of the Castle that will still be lovely and without scaffolding. Perhaps from the rear of the Castle. The Castle is actually very lovely from the back. The Castle is also very lovely from each side. I believe there will be angles for photos where the scaffolding won’t be an issue. However, I don’t know that for sure. Disney hasn’t shared how they’re going to approach this project. They also haven’t given us a firm end date for the project. So far, they’ve just indicated the work will begin soon, and will continue throughout the summer. So, if you are visiting this summer, you are going to probably going to see the Castle in process of being painted.
Cinderella Castle at Dawn (Photo: Disney Parks)
Look on the Bright Side
On the other hand, if you have Castle scaffolding in your pictures, you are getting a very unique picture. This isn’t a common occurrence, and not many guests will see this project while its underway. So if you ARE visiting this summer, try to have as positive an attitude as possible about the project, and manage your expectations. If you expect there to be a lot of scaffolding, and when you arrive, there’s only a small amount, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. I’m a big believer in your attitude determining how terrific (or not) your vacation is. Read this post for more on this topic.
The Good News
There is some good news here. Of course, first and foremost, Cinderella Castle is going to look beautiful when it’s finished. The popular daytime show, Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire, that takes place multiple times each day on the Castle Forecourt Stage, will not be disrupted according to Disney. It’s a cute show that features the Fab 5 and has a little fireworks at the end. This show will go on, which I think implies Disney is not doing major construction. They’re just putting up scaffolding and painting, primarily. This will be a relatively minor incursion into the public Castle spaces.
Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire (Photo: Disney Parks)
Disney also stated that Cinderella’s Royal Table and the Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo Boutique will not be affected. This should mean you will still be able to walk through the Castle throughout the day to access Cinderella’s Royal Table and the Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo Boutique.
Happily Ever After
Disney has also promised that Happily Ever After will not be affected by the makeover for Cinderella Castle. Happily Ever After is the nighttime fireworks spectacular choreographed to music. The show is filled with lots of intensely colorful projections of scenes and animation onto Cinderella Castle. I interpret this statement from Disney to mean that all of the projections currently shown on the Castle during the show will continue to be shown. I’m guessing that we won’t even notice any scaffolding during the show. The projections are so bright and so detailed and play such clever tricks on our eyes, I suspect they will obscure any actual construction materials. The nightly fireworks show is an integral part of any visit to the Magic Kingdom for many guests, so I am happy that the show will not be affected by the makeover project.
Happily Ever After (Photo: Disney Parks)
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think Cinderella Castle getting a makeover is a good thing. I’m very happy that Disney is taking the 50th Anniversary so seriously. They’ve been sprucing up all over the parks and throughout Walt Disney World property in preparation. Epcot is getting a major update, some of which has been needed for a very long time. A number of new attractions are coming over the next year, too. The new Tron coaster at Magic Kingdom, the Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster at Epcot. We getting the Ratatouille attraction in Epcot this summer, as well as a new quick service restaurant in France. Almost every country in Epcot that has a film in their pavilion has gotten or is getting a new film. Hollywood Studios is practically bursting at the seams now with all the new stuff that has come on line in the last year!
There are a lot of really positive things going on right now. There have been some years that pretty big anniversaries were not recognized or celebrated at all. I’m happy that the 50th is a really big deal for Disney. I think the park next year, 2021, especially in the fall is going to be amazing. I really think if you can come in the fall of 2021 you’re going to see all four parks and in general Disney property in the most beautiful condition it’s ever been in. It’s all very exciting.
What Do YOU Think?
Please comment below with your thoughts. What do you think? Are are you looking forward to this makeover? Do you think the project is necessary? Were you hoping they were going to do another birthday cake? (I know there are some of you out there!)
If you haven’t started planning or 2021 trip yet, it’s time! I’d love to help you have a magical Disney vacation. Please reach out to brooke@disneycastledreaming.com.
Have you ever wanted to have a private photo session inside the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World? Have you wished you had a photographer with you to capture a special moment or event? Disney has a new offering that might be what you are looking for. With the new PhotoPass offering “Capture Your Moment”, Disney has made it possible for you to schedule a private photo session inside Magic Kingdom.
Private Photo Session Inside Magic Kingdom?
Disney, forever on the lookout for ways to make us spend our money, has come up with a new PhotoPass offering. The new PhotoPass offering is called “Capture Your Moment”. When you book Capture Your Moment, you are booking 20 minutes of time with a Disney PhotoPass photographer inside the Magic Kingdom theme park during regular park hours.
Sometimes, you want a PhotoPass photographer to be focused exclusively on you and or your family for longer than the one – three pictures most PhotoPass photographers have time to take. Examples include baby announcements, birthdays, proposals, anniversaries, baby gender reveals, and family reunions.
Disney PhotoPass Capture Your Moment (Photo: Disney Parks)
Disney has obviously seen the professional photographers roaming around the parks with their clients, taking pictures. They’ve also seen the gorgeous pictures online taken by professional photographers to commemorate engagements, baby announcements, girls’ weekends, and many other events. Since, as we know, Disney wants ALL our money, they certainly don’t want us hiring outside photographers to capture our special moments!
Private Photo Session Inside Magic Kingdom: The Basics
Available in the Magic Kingdom only. (At least right now!)
$50 for a 20-minute session; $100 for a 40-minute session.
The short answer? No. Disney wants to be very clear that is NOT for wedding photos.
Disney also made it very clear this will NOT replace the private Bridal Photo Session available for both Disney and non Disney brides and grooms. These pricey sessions happen in the early morning hours before the park opens, and are truly private.
Our Animal Kingdom Bridal Portrait Shoot (Photo: Disney Fine Art Photography)
Bridal and wedding attire is specifically prohibited for the PhotoPass sessions, so if you’re going to do a Capture Your Moment Disney PhotoPass photo shoot, plan to avoid the floor length gown, the glamorous white dress or the tuxedo.
If you want to learn more about a Disney Bridal Portrait photo session, check out this post and this post.
What Locations Are Available?
Disney is not releasing location information or options for these sessions. At least, not yet. Current policy dictates that your photographer will review the location options with you when you meet for your session. Once your photographer has given you the options, you will be able to choose your location.
Disney is doing this for a couple of reasons. One, they want the flexibility to adapt to park events, crowds and activities. Two, they want the flexibility to schedule sessions at the same time in different areas of the park. Three (and this is totally my own suspicious nature), Disney may not want guests to focus on particular locations. For example, I suspect Cinderella Castle may be a preferred backdrop for many guests. However, stage shows, parades and Castle projection shows will make that challenging many times each day. So perhaps Disney hopes to dissuade guests from assuming they can take photos at the Castle.
Many of the marketing pictures Disney has released with this announcement do include the Castle in the background. Perhaps I’m being too cynical.
Disney PhotoPass Capture Your Moment (Photo: Disney Parks)
I can envision a scenario where Castle locations are available initially as a test balloon. Once Disney sees which locations are the most popular, I suspect pricing will be revised. Maybe a tier structure will be introduced for certain locations. I suspect we will eventually see a tier structure at some point, based on my observations of Disney business practices over many years.
Can I Request a Particular PhotoPass Photographer?
At the moment, it does not sound like you can request your photographer but you could certainly try. If you have a particular PhotoPass photographer that works at the Magic Kingdom that you like, you could request them for your Capture Your Moment session. It’s not clear how many PhotoPass photographers are available for this offering. It is also not clear if the pool is limited to the most experienced PhotoPass photographers.
If you do request a particular photographer for your Capture Your Moment session, please let me know how it goes. Those of us that live out of state probably don’t have a favorite PhotoPass photographer. However, I bet local residents that visit the parks often have favorites.
Are the Photos Going to Be Digital or Print?
All pictures taken by your PhotoPass photographer during your session will be digital. As with all PhotoPass pictures, you can visit a PhotoPass center in one of the parks, and purchase physical prints of the digital pictures if you want to. Generally, if you have the downloaded digital files, you will be happier with printing the photos from somewhere like Shutterfly or MPix. More options are available, and prices are almost always better.
The price of your Capture Your Moment session does not include the actual pictures taken during your session. Let me say that again: the digital files of the photos taken during your session are NOT included in the session price of $50. The good news is that if you already planned to purchase Memory Maker (which I highly recommend for all visitors!), or if you are an Annual Passholder, you will have access to these pictures, along with any other PhotoPass photos or attraction photos.
Haunted Mansion Attraction Photo (Photo: Disney Parks)
Memory Maker
With Memory Maker you have up to 30 days after your trip to download all pictures and videos attached to your My Disney Experience account. Because individual downloads start at $14.50 per photo, it doesn’t take long for Memory Maker (at $169 for advance purchase) to be a reasonably good deal. There are currently 13 attractions that take picture or video during the ride, and as long as you have a Magic Band (or scan your ticket at the end of the ride on your picture), all those videos and photos WILL be on your account. For more information on Memory Maker, please visit this post.
Disney does offer a one-day Memory Maker for $69. If you’re doing a super short trip, or you really aren’t interested in any of your ride photos or PhotoPass pictures from any of your other park days, this option is worth considering. As long as you schedule your PhotoPass Capture Your Moment session on the day you have your one-day Memory Maker on your account, all the pictures from your session will be available in your Memory Maker. Alternatively, you’ll have the ability to view the pictures and purchase the downloads on an individual basis.
Scheduling Your Private Photo Session Inside Magic Kingdom
It is recommended that you schedule your session in advance (Call 407-939-7758) to guarantee availability. However, there are currently some same-day sessions are available.
You cannot be late for your session. Once you have reserved your session, you’ll be told where to meet your photographer. Disney states that if you are late, your session will not be extended. As an example: If you have a 20 minute session that is supposed to start at 3:30 pm, you arrive at 3:45 pm, your session will last 5 minutes. Disney says under no circumstances will the sessions be extended.
Things to Consider
If you’ve always wanted to do a private photo session inside Magic Kingdom, the Capture Your Moment session may be a perfect solution for you. However, there are a few things you want to consider before booking your session.
The Capture Your Moment sessions will occur during regular park hours. This means you will likely have other guests in the background of your pictures.
You have the option to book 2 sessions back to back. This would give you 40 minutes of time with your PhotoPass photographer. Again, this whole session will be inside Magic Kingdom during regular park hours. BUT this does mean you (and your family) are sacrificing park time. This could frustrate kids eager to go ride rides and have fun.
The skill and talent of the in-park PhotoPass photographer varies from photographer to photographer. Some PhotoPass photographers are pretty good, and are able to adapt to changes in light and shadows. Others are basically able to push the button and maybe notice if you’re in focus or not. There there are varying levels of quality amongst the PhotoPass photographers, so that’s an important consideration for readers considering one of these sessions.
The cost of the individual pictures are likely to be high. Of course, if you have Memory Maker or are an Annual Passholder, your photos are included. If you have to purchase the pictures individually, they will likely start at $14.50 per photo download. If you end up really liking all your pictures, the pricing can add up really quickly. (Note: You CAN add Memory Maker during your trip. It costs more to do it this way, $199 versus the $169 advance purchase. So if you like at least 10-14 pictures, you’ll want to add memory maker. Then you’ll get all pictures through Memory Maker. This will save money over purchasing individually).
This could be tough to do as a surprise. Since you are meeting your photographer at the start time of your session, and THEN choosing a location, it could be challenging to set up a surprise for the photographer to capture. (A proposal, for instance.) I suspect PhotoPass will find a way to help you, but I don’t know for sure. This could add unnecessary stress to your big moment.
Disney PhotoPass Capture Your Moment (Photo: Disney Parks)
Potential Quality Issues
Let’s talk a little more about the potential quality issue. One would assume that the photographers used for the Capture Your Moment sessions will be skilled and/or Senior PhotoPass photographers. There are definitely very good PhotoPass photographers out there. There are many stories of PhotoPass photographers that really loved their job and got really good. They emerged as very skilled photographers that eventually joined the Disney Fine Art Photography team or went out on their own. However, my PhotoPass library can testify that there are also some not-so-great PhotoPass photographers out there.
Again, I am assuming that Disney will choose its best PhotoPass photographers for these sessions. However, I can also envision a universe where these are popular and in high demand and require all hands on deck. This could result in a situation where you pay $50 for your session and end up with pictures you’re not happy. I think initially, these are a little bit of book at your own risk. Especially right now while this is a new offering.
Once we’ve had a chance to get reports back from people that have booked these sessions, I’ll feel more comfortable recommending them strongly. I want to know how it went, where they took photos, what locations were offered, etc. I will keep my ear to the ground on this one and let you know what I hear.
Capture YOUR Moment
Right now, I am cautiously optimistic about this new offering from PhotoPass. $50 for 20 minutes is quite a bit of money. However, if it’s a once in a lifetime or a very rarely in lifetime occasion, I could see it being a fun and special experience.
For example, if you’re at Disney World to celebrate your grandma’s 90th birthday and you want to have a lot of pictures of the whole family, this could be your solution. A group of pictures of Grandma with all the grandkids; just Grandma by herself; the girls with Grandma; Grandma with her children; the boys with Grandma –you guys know what I mean. You just can’t hold up a regular PhotoPass photographer for very long and take a bunch of different groupings. So this might be a great solution for you!
Another scenario: If you’re planning a special “in the moment” event and you want lots of pictures, this could also be a perfect session for you. For example, if you are planning to propose or tell your whole family you’re expecting a baby. This could be terrific for that. When my husband proposed to me, he did it at a regular PhotoPass photographer. We got lucky because he didn’t have a line, and he got pictures of the whole thing. (Of course, it was a pretty quick moment. It was following our first marathon, and I initially thought he’d fallen!).
Moments after Frank Proposed (Photo: Disney PhotoPass)
Private Photo Session Inside Magic Kingdom: Final Thoughts
Your mileage may vary on whether you find value in this package or not. If you really want a private photo session inside Magic Kingdom, and don’t mind the presence of other guests in the background, this might be for you. Also, if these are talented photographers and you get a bunch of good pictures out of it, you might want to schedule this. Finally, if you already planned on buying memory maker, you may find this has value for you.
If you’ve been reading my blog for any period of time, you probably know that I am a huge proponent of PhotoPass. Mainly because I love pictures. Before PhotoPass, I always came home from vacation with tons of pictures. Unfortunately, I was almost never in any of them. PhotoPass makes it possible for your entire family to get into many pictures. My favorite souvenir from vacation is almost always the photo book I make after our trip, filled with pictures we took and pictures taken of us by PhotoPass photographers.
So, for someone like me, Capture Your Moment might be something I will consider at some point. Maybe for an anniversary or another special event. However, I still think $50 is a lot of money for 20 minutes. Who knows what the future holds? One of the few regrets I have from our Disney Fairy Tale Wedding trip is that we were unable to do a Bridal Portrait shoot at the Magic Kingdom. I really wanted that darn picture with Frank and I in our wedding clothes in front of Cinderella Castle. With the rules and schedules in place at the time, we just weren’t able to make it happen. So, perhaps a more casual private photo shoot inside Magic Kingdom with PhotoPass photographers might be worth the cost? I’m not sure.
What are your thoughts on this offering? Is this something you think you might want to take advantage of? What occasion would you consider “worth it”? Please comment below with your thoughts.
Earlier this week, Disney increased ticket prices at both its US theme parks. The price increases came without any official announcement, but not without precedent. Disney has increased prices for its theme parks every year for the last several years, frequently in February. Notably, last year we saw more than one price increase.
Disney Skyliner: Tower of Terror (Photo: DIsney Parks)
Last year’s dramatic increases seemed to be directly in anticipation of increased demand due to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the new Skyliner transportation system.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (Photo: Disney Parks)
With new attractions opening soon in both Hollywood Studios and Epcot, I’m assuming this year’s increase is indicative that Disney believes additional demand will soon follow. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway opens very soon on March 4, 2020. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will open in the France Pavilion at Epcot sometime this summer. We don’t have a firm date yet, but I’m hopeful for early summer.
Disney Increases Ticket Prices – WDW Base Tickets
This increase is almost sneaky. The lowest price for a one day ticket is $109 (plus tax), and the highest price for a one day ticket is $159 (plus tax). However, while the top and bottom prices for a one day ticket remain the same, if you look through the calendar, you’ll see that the prices on many individual dates have increased. For example, last week, a one day ticket for Sunday, February 23, 2020 was $118 plus tax. Today, that same ticket is $125 plus tax.
Disney uses a date-based system for ticket pricing. Prices are highest during the most popular days, and lowest during the least popular days. For example, you’ll find prices higher during spring break and over the Christmas holidays. If you’d like to see ticket prices for your planned dates, please visit Disney’s website.
Disney also incentivizes guests to choose longer tickets over shortest. If you buy a park ticket with 3 or more days, you will start to see a per day discount. The best discount is on the 10-day ticket: With the new prices, a 10 day ticket now ranges from $52 per day to $67 per day (plus tax).
Disney Increases Ticket Prices – WDW Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus Options
The price to add the Park Hopper option to your tickets has increased $5 per Park Hopper. Basically, whatever your base tickets cost, you would add the Park Hopper option to that cost. Here is the new pricing structure for Park Hoppers:
$65 per ticket for 1-day tickets
$75 per ticket for 2-day or 3-day tickets
$85 per ticket for 4-day to 10-day tickets
Personally, I love the flexibility the Park Hopper option provides. For more information about the various ticket options, please check out this post.
Park Hopper Plus tickets allow guest to “hop” between Disney theme parks in a single day, however they also add additional access. With the Park Hopper Plus, you get access to the water parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach), Wide World of Sports, the NBA Experience, two miniature golf courses, and Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course. The Park Hopper Plus option is $20 more than the regular Park Hopper option. Here is the new pricing structure for Park Hopper Plus add-ons.
$85 per ticket for 1-day tickets
$95 per ticket for 2-day or 3-day tickets
$105 per ticket for 4-day to 10-day tickets
Disney Increases Ticket Prices – WDW Annual Passes
This one is especially painful as last year’s Annual Pass increase in June was a big one. I (foolish, I know!) was hoping that Annual Passes would be spared another increase so soon. Unfortunately, I was wrong.
Here’s a table showing the old prices and new prices.
Pass Classification
Prev $
New $
Disney Platinum Plus Pass
$ 1,219
$ 1,295
Disney Platinum Pass
$ 1,119
$ 1,195
Disney Gold Pass (FL Residents & DVC)
$ 699
$ 719
Disney Silver Pass (FL Residents)
$ 519
$ 539
Disney Theme Park Select Pass (FL Residents)
$ 439
$ 439
Disney Weekday Select Pass (FL Residents)
$ 349
$ 369
EPCOT After 4 Pass (FL Residents)
$ 304
$ 319
Were You Surprised?
Did this ticket price increase catch you by surprise? Will the higher prices have any effect on your Disney vacation plans? Please comment below.
Disney also increased prices for Disneyland tickets and Annual Passes. I will do a separate post detailing those increases.
Disney’s newest attraction, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, opens March 4, 2020 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This is the first attraction in Disney parks history to actually feature our beloved Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Other favorite Disney classic cartoon characters will also be making an appearance. Fast Pass+ reservations are now available for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway for rides on March 4 or later.
Concept Art: Disney Parks
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Fast Pass+ Reservations Available NOW
Earlier this week, we talked about the new Fast Pass tiers for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Significant changes were made to Tier One, removing all the rides previously in that Tier except for Slinky Dog Dash. Disney also added Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run to Tier One. Now, Disney has made another addition to Tier One. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Fast Pass+ reservations can now be made, but the new attraction is in Tier One, which means you will have to make a tough choice.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Queue Concept Art (Disney Parks)
Fast Pass+ Reservation Refresher
If you aren’t familiar with the two tier structure for Fast Pass+ reservations, here’s a quick refresher. You can book 3 Fast Pass+ reservations per day for each day of your trip (as long as you have a park ticket for that day). If you are staying on Disney property, you can book your Fast Pass+ reservations 60 days prior to your visit. If you’re staying off property, your window opens at 30 days prior to your visit. Your three Fast Pass+ reservations for each day must all be in the same Disney park. The system will not let you book two Fast Pass+ reservations in Magic Kingdom, and then one Fast Pass+ reservation at Animal Kingdom. Maybe someday that will be an option, but it is not at this time.
Slinky Dog Dash Fast Pass and Standby Entrance (Photo: Disney Parks)
When you go to book your Fast Pass+ reservations for a particular day, the first step will be to choose which park you plan to visit that day. Then, you will be prompted to choose which members of your party you want to book Fast Pass+ reservations. You can book Fast Pass+ reservations for your whole family at once, which is a nice time saver.
At Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Animal Kingdom, there is a Two Tier structure for Fast Pass+ reservations. The most popular attractions are generally in Tier One, and the rest of the parks’ attractions and/or shows are in Tier Two. You will be able to select ONE of your three Fast Pass+ reservations from Tier One, and the other TWO will come from Tier Two.
Example
For example, at Hollywood Studios, there are now three attractions in Tier One. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Slinky Dog Roller Coaster, and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. You can choose ONE of these three attractions for your first Fast Pass+ reservation, assuming Fast Pass+ reservations remain for these attractions. Note: If the system does not offer you any Tier One/Tier Two breakdown for Animal Kingdom, Epcot, or Hollywood Studios, it means that all the Tier One attraction Fast Pass+ are gone for that day. You will be choosing all three of your Fast Pass+ reservations from the Tier Two attractions.
Fast Pass+ Strategy Suggestions
If you are currently planning a trip for later this spring or summer, my recommendation for Fast Pass+ reservation planning at Hollywood Studios is as follows. For your Tier One Fast Pass+, I suggest you book Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway if it’s available. Traditionally, new attractions have the longest lines as EVERYONE always wants to ride the latest, newest thing. Theoretically, this attraction will be able to move a lot of guests through per hour, so the lines may move quickly, but we don’t know that yet. I may change my recommendation once the attraction has been open for a while and we’ve had a chance to see how the standby line moves. However, right now, I’m saying book your Fast Pass+ for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway if you can.
Photo: Disney Parks
If Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Fast Pass+ reservations are all gone by the time you are able to book, I would book Slinky Dog Dash Fast Pass+ reservations. This remains an incredibly popular attraction, and it does not move as many people per hour as a typical dark ride, so the lines tend to stay long throughout the day. I don’t think you really need to a Fast Pass+ for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run unless your trip plan requires you ride it in the morning. The lines are longest in the morning as everyone rushes to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge first thing. The ride does move a lot of people through each hour, and generally, the lines move quickly during the afternoon and evening.
If you have a trip scheduled in the next 60 days
If you’ve already booked Fast Pass+ reservations for your upcoming trip and ended up with Tier Two attractions you aren’t excited about, you may want to go in and make changes. I suspect a lot of Fast Pass+ reservations will be dropped as people replace them with Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Fast Pass+ reservations.
Also, if you are DYING to ride Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (and you should be, I’m hearing terrific things!), you may want to go in and re-do your Fast Pass+ reservations anyway. I say go for it!
Where is Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance?
Until Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway opens, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is Disney’s newest attraction. Many of you may be wondering how you’ll get a Fast Pass+ reservation for this attraction. The short answer: you won’t. At least not in the current season. Rise of the Resistance is currently using a virtual queue system. Once you are in the park, you request a Boarding Group. As long as Boarding Groups remain available, you will be added to a Boarding Group, and given a time to go to the attraction and ride.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Rise of the Resistance (Photo: Disney Parks)
The good news: you don’t have to use one of your three Fast Pass+ reservations for this attraction. The bad news: Boarding Groups for Rise of the Resistance fill up fast every day, and there is no guarantee that you will get a Boarding Group at all. In addition, if you DO get a Boarding Group, but it’s a high number, there is no guarantee that you will be able to ride. Check out our Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance review for more information.
My theory is that once Disney gets all the kinks worked out, the virtual queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will go away, and Rise of the Resistance will be added to Tier One for Disney’s Hollywood Studios Fast Pass+ reservations. I could be wrong; they also may come up with a smoother, more reliable way for the virtual queue to operate. I will keep you posted as we learn more.
New Marquee is up at the Chinese Theater
Earlier this week, Disney unveiled the new marquee (sign) for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at the Chinese Theater. Formerly the home of the Great Movie Ride, the Chinese Theater will soon be featuring a ride in the cartoon world of Minnie and Mickey and their friends. The new marquee sign is colorful and a little reminiscent (at least to me) of the former Great Movie Ride.
The new sign is in place, but won’t light up until the ride officially opens on March 4, 2020. However, someone we know and love MAY have snuck in to try the lights out a little early. Take a look:
A little cheesy, but fun, nonetheless. Gotta love Goofy.
Take a close up look at the new marquee.
New Marquee for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Photo: Disney Parks)
Note: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is coming to Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park in California in 2022.
Classic Dark Ride or Something Totally New?
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will be something we haven’t seen before. I mean, how has Disney been in the theme park business for more than 50 years and NEVER had an attraction featuring Mickey Mouse? That seems so crazy to me.
Imagineer at Work (Photo: Disney Parks)
The new attraction IS a classic dark ride, in that it is a (mostly) constantly moving ride system (think Haunted Mansion, It’s a Small World, or Pirates of the Caribbean). However, we are entering Mickey & Minnie’s world here, and it’s not like our world at ALL. We are entering the cartoon world via a train with Goofy as the conductor. I mean, what could possibly go wrong? The animation featured throughout the attraction is modeled on the Emmy award winning Disney shorts currently airing on the Disney Channel.
Concept Art: Disney Parks
I think we can expect great special effects and lots of colorful craziness. And of course, what would any dark ride be without a memorable theme song? I am confident that Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will gift us a theme song that will haunt us the rest of the day.
All Ages and Heights Can Ride!
There are no height restrictions for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, so kids of ALL ages can ride. Like most dark rides, it initially appears that you will be leaving the strollers and/or wheelchairs behind, and transferring to the ride vehicle. Disney has not yet released specific information regarding wheelchair accommodation, so I’m basing this on most other Disney attractions.
Are you excited?
So, are you rushing to book your Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Fast Pass+ reservations? Are you excited to ride this new attraction? I’ve been so impressed with Disney’s new lands and attractions in recent years (Pandora, Star Wars, Flight of Passage, Rise of the Resistance), I can’t help but be excited. I’m still sad the Great Movie Ride is gone, though. I probably won’t ever get over that. (I know, I know. Change is GOOD. I’m trying!) Nonetheless, it’s gone, and I’m hoping Disney is going to knock our socks off with this newest attraction. Please comment below with your thoughts!
Disney’s EPCOT theme park is well known for lots of good and even great dining options—but the fast majority of those can be found in Epcot’s World Showcase. Coming soon to Epcot’s Future World is a space themed restaurant we’re hoping will knock our socks off! Epcot’s new space themed restaurant is called Space 220, and it’s expected to open sometime this spring.
Announced last year, Space 220 was originally projected to open during the fourth quarter 2019. That was fairly aggressive, and proved to be a deadline the new restaurant couldn’t meet. Later, February 2020 appeared to be the planned opening target, but more recently I’m seeing projections of late February/early March. I suspect we may see soft openings sometime in March, with the official opening happening in April. That’s not from the powers that be, that’s just my supposition, based on what I’ve been seeing and hearing as the project progresses.
I’m excited about the theming and story of this new restaurant. The story is that you are traveling to the Centurian Space Station for your meal. The Centurian Space Station is 220 miles above the Earth’s surface (that’s where the Space 220 comes from). While you dine, you’ll have stunning day and night views of Earth below and the Space that surrounds the Space Station. Doesn’t that sound like fun? Guests will enter a special space elevator that will quickly take them to the Space Station, with spectacular views along the way.
Location
Space 220 is located backstage, behind Mission Space. The entrance for Space 220 will be part of the Mission Space building. Have you ever been to Coral Reef at the Living Seas Pavilion? Coral Reef is part of the Living Seas Pavilion, but it has its own separate entrance around to the side. I believe Space 220 is using a similar configuration.
Epcot’s Mission Space. (Photo Disney Parks)
It is my understanding that Space 220 is set in the Mission Space universe—so we are a little bit in the future but not TOO far. The Centurian Space Station is a resource for the missions that happen at Mission Space. We may see some Mission Space tie-ins inside Space 220, but that has not been confirmed.
Food
We don’t have a menu yet for this new space themed restaurant in Epcot’s Future World, however, I feel confident that we will NOT be served Tang and freeze dried Ice Cream. Space 220 is being operated by the Patina Group, a company behind many of the most successful restaurants at Disney Springs and across the country. The Patina Group already operates several of the better restaurants at Epcot, including Via Napoli and Tutti Italia. They are also responsible for Morimoto Asia, Maria and Enzo’s, Enzo’s Hideaway, Pizza Ponte and The Edison at Disney Springs. I especially love Morimoto Asia, which is very elegant and lovely. The food is really good too!
Morimoto Asia (Photo Disney Parks)
The Patina Group has more than 60 restaurants across the country, including Tortilla Joe, Napolini Pizzaria, Catal Restaurant and UVA Bar and Restaurant at Downtown Disney in California.
We haven’t been given much information yet about the food. All we know is “American Modern”. I’m not exactly sure what that will mean. Hopefully, now that we are getting closer to an actual opening, menus will be released soon.
Concept Art
We don’t have any official interior pictures from Disney yet for this new restaurant. I suspect we will get pictures when Disney is ready to give us an opening date and makes Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs) available for Space 220.
We do have some concept art for this new addition to Future World, however.
Space 220 Concept Art. (Art by Disney Parks)
Based on the concept art, it looks like we can expect tiered seating, so everyone will have a view from their table of the giant windows looking out into Space and down at Earth.
Since the concept is that we are dining on the Centurian Space Station, I think we can expect the views out the windows to change as we move through Space, 220 miles above the Earth.
Space 220 Concept Art, Disney Parks
Advance Dining Reservations
As I mentioned above, we do not yet a have an official opening date for Epcot’s new space themed restaurant, Space 220. Disney has also not yet made Advance Dining Reservations available for the new restaurant. I think we can expect ADRs to be available shortly before the new restaurant opens, and the standard 180 day window to apply thereafter.
I’m sure this will be a very popular reservation, at least initially. Anytime there is anything new, we all clamor to check it out as soon as we can. Ironic, given how loud we yell whenever Disney changes anything, or god forbid, eliminates an attraction. Yes I’m still bitter that Horizons is gone. 😉
Once initial reviews are out about the food and the experience, we may see demand level off. However, if the experience is good (which I’m assuming it will be!) and the food is decent, I suspect Space 220 will join the list of “must get” ADRs for Disney trip planners.
Stay Tuned for Opening Date Announcement
As soon as Disney announces an opening date or makes Advance Dining Reservations available for Space 220, I will send out an alert and update the Blog. If you want to make sure you don’t miss the announcement, please click here to join our email newsletter mailing list. We send out email newsletters weekly. Occasionally, you will get an email alert from us when there’s big news. In my opinion, Space 220’s opening date and ADR availability is BIG news.
I’ll keep you posted as I learn more.
Update: Rumor Mill is reporting March 30 as a potential opening day for Epcot’s new space themed restaurant, Space 220.
I don’t have anything confirmed yet, but I am hearing a lot of rumors about March 30 from various sources. I will let you know once we have a confirmation from Disney.
Are you excited to check out Space 220? Do you agree that Future World needed a new restaurant? Please like this post and comment below.
