Tag: #DisneySummerVacation

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Now Open!

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 and Minnie's Runaway Railway Now Open
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 and Minnie's Runaway Railway Now Open
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 and Minnie's Runaway Railway Now Open
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.

Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway Mickey Shorts Posters
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Posters (Disney Parks)

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 is Now Open
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 and Minnie's Runaway Railway Now Open
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 Now Open
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 and Minnie's Runaway Railway Now Open
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 Now Open
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!

Happy Dreaming,

Brooke

Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
Ready to Plan Your Disney Vacation!

The Regal Eagle Smokehouse: EPCOT’s Newest Restaurant

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.

New restaurant open at Epcot Regal Eagle Smokehouse
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.

New Restaurant open at Epcot Regal Eagle Smokehouse
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!

New restaurant open at Epcot Regal Eagle Smokehouse
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.

New Restaurant Open at Epcot Regal Eagle Smokehouse
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
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:

      • Mustard Guild “Old Glory” Sweet Mustard Sauce
      • Blue Ridge Vinegar League
      • Blue Ribbon Brisket Sauce
      • Sizzlin’ Pit Dry Rub Coalition Classic Smokehouse Sauce

Options for Those With Allergies

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!

Muppets Sam the Eagle
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

Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
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.

 

 

Cinderella Castle is Getting a Makeover

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 is Getting a Makeover Disney 25th Anniversary
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.

Cinderella Castle is Getting a 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.

Cinderella Castle Getting a Makeover

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 is getting a makeover
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
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.

Disney Happily Ever After Cinderella Castle
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.

Happy Dreaming!

Brooke

Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
Ready to Plan Your Disney Vacation!

How to Build Excitement for Your Upcoming Disney Vacation

Planning a first time trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland for your family or friends?  Are you anxiously waiting for Disney trip that is a long way off?  Are you looking for ways to get your family (or friends) excited about the trip?  There are lots of great ways build excitement for your upcoming Disney vacation.  I get a lot of questions about keeping family members excited about a Disney vacation that is a long way off.  Since many people are planning their Disney vacation for up to 2 years in advance, the long lead time can sometimes seem never ending and frustrating.

Toy Story Mania Disney Vacation
Super Patient Kids Waiting in Line                                  (Photo: Brooke Hudson)

When Should You Tell Your Kids They Are Going to Disney?

There are some different ways to approach this.  You know your kids better than anyone else does, and what is right for your kids may be different than what is right for someone else.  There is no absolutely right or wrong way to do this, no matter what “experts” on Facebook or Instagram might tell you.  Follow your instincts—and use what you learn for the next trip.

Option: Tell Your Kids as Soon as You Start Planning

For a lot of us, planning a Disney vacation is a very exciting time.  It can absorb a lot of your time and attention, especially if you are doing a lot of the planning  yourself.  You may find you want to talk about it a lot.  You may want to get opinions and find out about wish lists.  That can make keeping a secret for any length of time super challenging.

If you have older (teenagers +), I think it often makes a lot of sense to involve them in the planning, or at least some aspects of it.

Sharing the planning process with the whole family can be fun.  Having family planning meetings to discuss the trip can help build excitement for your upcoming Disney vacation.

Fast Pass Planning Build Excitement
Fast Pass+ Planning (Photo: Brooke Hudson

However, sharing the planning process can also be stressful.  If your family has a lot of strong personalities, planning can turn into arguing very quickly.  One person not liking a character or movie that someone else loves can result in hurt feelings or anger.

If you are planning a trip more than one year in advance, which is extremely common, family members, especially younger kids, can get very frustrated with the long wait or vacation.

For this reason, I generally don’t recommend telling little kids about the upcoming trip until you are just a few months out.  Kids don’t really understand time yet, and “next year” or “year after next” just aren’t concepts that make sense to them.  As a result, they may drive you crazy asking when you are going to visit the Mouse’s House until the actual trip.

Again, you know your family.  I just want to give you some things to consider as you make these decisions.

Option: Big Announcement or Gift Presentation

Some parents decide to announce the upcoming Disney vacation with a lot of bells and whistles.  There are tons of super cute videos on YouTube of kids being surprised with the news they are going to Disney.

As a scavenger hunt girl, this one is a favorite:

The Ellen show did a cute little montage of suprise reactions to the news:

Another fun idea is to present the trip as a gift for Christmas, birthday or graduation.  This isn’t an idea just to surprise your kids with, either!  Surprising your spouse or significant other with a Disney trip is super fun and can be very romantic, too!

Here’s a cute Christmas surprise:

Again, the time lag between the big announcement and the actual trip is something to consider.  If you get your kids super excited with a big presentation but the trip is a year away, you may find they lose the excitement over time.   Of course, there are LOTS of fun things you can do to build excitement every month, or even every week as the trip approaches.

Option: Tell Them Right Before the Trip (Or even ON the trip!)

Some parents prefer to spring the trip on the kids right before they leave.  I’ve had clients who told their kids they were going to visit Grandma, and then surprised them in the car with the news they were going to Disney WITH Grandma instead.  There are a couple of fun videos on YouTube where parents woke their kids up really early in the morning with the surprise that they were leaving immediately for a trip to Disney.  The kids are too sleepy to really understand the surprise at first.  Pretty cute.

Here’s a pretty great one where they find out they’re going and leave immediately.  The mode of transportation to the airport is part of the surprise. It’s so cute!

What Works Best for Your Family?

As you can see, there are lots of different schools of thought on when to involve your family in the planning.  When you tell the family way before the trip, you might run into “it’s NEVER going to be time” frustration or planning fatigue.  When you choose to surprise the family right before the trip, you avoid the months of “when are we going?” questions, but you also don’t get to do fun things to get everyone excited.   You have to think about your family, the time until your trip and how you want to handle the big news.

Personally, I like to have at least some time before the trip to build excitement.  I want everyone to be looking forward to the trip, and I like to have time to build some anticipation and enthusiasm.  However, I also tend to mostly plan everything out, based on my knowledge of the people I’m planning for.  This can help avoid any planning drama or arguing.  Again, you know your family, so involve them as much (or as little) as makes sense for your group.

Build Excitement for Your Upcoming Disney Vacation

Disney Family Movie Night

One of my favorite ideas to build excitement for an upcoming Disney vacation is a Disney Family Movie Night.

Build Excitement for your upcoming Disney Vacation Star Wars Movie Poster

Scheduling regular Disney family movie nights where you all sit down together and watch a Disney movie is a terrific way to build excitement and minimize frustration.  Because you’re at home, you can plan a mid-movie intermission for bathroom breaks.  Before starting the movie back up, you could talk about the first half of the movie as a family.  You could talk about what characters you might see at Disney when you visit.  You could ask questions about favorite moments that could maybe someday turn into an attraction.

The idea is to have quality family time, good conversation with your family AND to talk Disney!

A Disney Family Movie Night is great Disney vacation preparation, even if your family members don’t know they have a Disney vacation in their future.  It’s also a terrific way to pass the time between trips, or to lessen the post vacation blues.

Build excitement for your upcoming disney vacation disney family movie night toy story

I’ve learned that many of the classic films that are such an integral part of the Disney parks are not that familiar to younger kids today.  Many kids under 10 (or even under 20!) have never seen classics like Snow White, Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty.  You may have family members  that have never seen Peter Pan, the Jungle Book or Swiss Family Robinson.

Knowledge is Power

While having familiarity with all the movies and animated series featured in the Disney parks is certainly NOT necessary to enjoy the parks, having seen these movies adds an extra layer of fun to any parks (or Disney Cruise Line) visit.

For example, if you have a meal inside Cinderella Castle, you may or may not notice two colorful little mice located high up on one wall, watching Cinderella greet her guests.  If you’ve never seen the movie, you might not care about the mice.  However, if, like me, you’ve seen the movie, you probably LOVE Gus-Gus and Jacque, those two mice perched up on the wall watching the fun.  It’s a fun little detail that adds to the magic.

Cinderella build excitement for your upcoming disney vacation disney family movie night

If you’ve never seen Snow White, you’ll still love Seven Dwarfs Mine Train—but if you HAVE seen the movie, the details in the queue and in the scenes you pass through will be much more fun and interesting.  Visiting during Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival?  The Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs topiaries are really cool, but if you’ve grown attached to them in the movie, you’ll rush to take pictures with them!

Snow White Build excitement for your upcoming Disney vacation Disney family movie night

If you’re a Star Wars fan, walking into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is truly mind blowing.  You feel like you’ve walked into one of the movies.  If you’ve never seen a Star Wars movie, much of the creativity and detail won’t mean as much to you.  You will probably think it’s a cool world, but it won’t pack much emotional punch or meaning for you.

The Force Awakens Disney Family Movie Night Star Wars

The moral of the story is: If you have a few months before your trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland, consider implementing a Disney Family Movie Night.  You’ll build some important family time, watch quality family entertainment, and hopefully spark some interesting discussions.  Even if you’ve chosen not to let your family in on the secret (upcoming vacation), you will all have fun on Disney Family Movie Night.  And as a bonus, when you do take the trip, everyone will have even MORE fun because they’ll recognize characters and themes from the films.

Build excitement for your upcoming Disney vacation Disney Movie Night
Rey and BB-8                                                                                                                               (Photo: Lucasfilm)

Disney+ and the Public Library

There are a lot of great ways to find classic Disney movies.  When I was making the list for my own family, I inventoried my DVD library, and made sure everyone knew they could borrow from Auntie Brooke.  You might be surprised how many Disney movies you have in your own library, especially if you love Disney.

Many public libraries will have DVD copies of most Disney films in their collection that you can check out for free.

NetFlix still has some Disney movies in their library, although not as many as they used to.  Of course, you can buy Disney movies to your heart’s content, either digitally or on DVD.  Amazon, Itunes, the Movies Anywhere app, WalMart, Target and many more are great sources of new copies of Disney DVDs.  Like garage sales?  Keep your eyes out for used Disney DVDs to pad your collection.  You might be surprised at the great deals you can find.

Disney+

Disney+ is a TREASURE TROVE.  I am so happy with Disney+, I can’t even stand it!  There is SO MUCH here.  Tons of classic movies, lots of Disney channel shows, classic Disney animated shorts and lots of new Pixar and Disney shorts.  There’s also ALL the Star Wars movies and animated series, as well as the new Star Wars series, The Mandalorian, which you can ONLY watch on Disney+. (It’s FANTASTIC).

Disney Family Movie Night
The Mandalorian                                                                                                              Photo: LucasFilm/Disney

If you’ve been seeing this cute little guy EVERYWHERE and wondered where he came from, he’s in The Mandalorian.  Another great reason to watch!😉

The Mandalorian                                                                  (Photo: LucasFilm/Disney)

Disney+ also includes National Geographic programming.   There is just so much on that app, it’s amazing.  If you don’t already subscribe, I highly recommend it!   Our movie list for Disney Family Night has more than 20 movies on it, and they are ALL on Disney+.  In fact, there are some movies that weren’t on my original list that I may add as bonus entries, just because they’re on Disney+ and I want my family to see them.😉

Countdown Calendar

Another terrific way to build excitement for a Disney vacation that is a ways out is a countdown calendar.  These can be simple or super detailed.

You can even download monthly calendar templates from the internet, and print them out.  Put a giant sticker on the day you leave for vacation, and let the kids cross off each day as you get closer and closer to the trip.

Countdown Calendar Build excitement for your upcoming Disney vacation
Calendar designed by Linda Harkness                                      (Photo: Brooke Hudson)

We’re in the midst of planning big family trip for October.  My mom made these amazing calendars on Shutterfly, using lots of pictures from our previous family trips.  She gave them to us for Christmas, so everyone has a countdown calendar for the time until the trip.  It’s super nostalgic and fun, especially because our two littlest vacationers don’t even remember their first trip.  The pictures are proof they were there (even if they don’t REALLY believe us!)  It’s so fun imagining them on this next trip.  They won’t forget this one!

Countdown Calendar Build excitement for your upcoming Disney vacation
Calendar designed by Linda Harkness (Photo: Brooke Hudson)

Mom incorporated the Disney Family Movie Night idea into the calendar, and put movie suggestions throughout the calendar, with a different movie suggested every two weeks until our trip.  She also highlighted important dates for the grown ups, reminding us when to look for airfare, and when deposits are due, etc.  She even included lots of Disney trivia and information about where we are staying.

Countdown Calendar build excitement for your upcoming disney vacation
Calendar designed by Linda Harkness (Photo: Brooke Hudson)

It’s super fun and colorful, and it’s really fun looking at it every month.  The little ones are crossing off days as we get closer, and I know the excitement will build really high when we get into that final few weeks before the trip.

Disney Food Themed Meals

These days, even a trip to the grocery store can help build excitement about your upcoming Disney vacation!  There are so many Disney branded foods available in grocery stores now.  There is everything from apple slices to ice cream branded with Mickey Mouse or one of his pals!  Here’s a couple examples of some of the stuff you can find.  You could pack Disney themed snacks in your kids’ lunches one day a week, with a sticky note reminding them how many days until vacation.

(Note: These are Amazon affiliate links.  If you choose to click through my link to Amazon, I will earn a small commission on your purchase.  This does NOT affect your pricing in anyway.  Thank you!)

Here’s another idea: you could  incorporate some of these branded items into your meal planning.  For example, as your trip approaches, you could have a special Disney Food Themed Meal night.  You could have Disney brand hot dogs, Mickey Mouse tater tots and Mickey bars for dessert.  If you want to avoid using the Disney branded foods, you could choose a movie, and serve foods inspired by that movie.  Alternatively, you could choose a theme park, and serve foods inspired by that theme park.   You could even pull recipes from one of the Disney cookbooks and serve something that you might even find at Disney on your trip!  There are a lot of Disney cookbooks. Here are a few that I really like.

You could even make foods in the SHAPE of Disney icons.  Mickey shaped pancakes or cookies can be a fun addition to breakfast time or snacks.  Be sure to talk about the trip during these special themed meals.  Talk about some of the fun things you’ve got planned, characters you might see.  You can even talk about the food you might eat, haha.

So Many Ideas!!

There are so many great ways to build excitement for your upcoming Disney vacation.  In this post, we’ve focused on Disney Family Movie Night, Countdown Calendars, and Disney Food Themed Meals.  This article is going to the the first in a series of three, all designed to help you and your family get ready and get excited for your trip.  The next article in this series will be out in two weeks.  Please comment below with your favorite way to build excitement for an upcoming family or Disney vacation.

Happy Dreaming,

Brooke

Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
Ready to Plan Your Disney Vacation!

 

Epcot’s New Space Themed Restaurant: Space 220

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 Mission Space
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 Disney Springs
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.

Epcot’s new space themed restaurant Space 220
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.

Epcot’s new space themed restaurant Space 220
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.

Happy Dreaming,

Brooke

Disney Launches Free Dining Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
Ready to Plan Your Disney Vacation!

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge NOW OPEN at Disneyland

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:

ABC News Sneak Peek

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.

GMA Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Opening Dedication LIVESTREAM

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 Now Open Milk Stand
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Beverages: Blue Milk and Green Milk can be found at the Milk Stand. (Photo: David Roark/Disney Parks)
Star Wars Galaxy's Edge Now Open Rontos Roasters
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)
Star Wars Galaxys Edge Olgas Cantina
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.

Star Wars Galaxys Edge Now Open Droid Depot
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)
Star Wars Galaxys Edge Build Your Own Light Saber
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)
Star Wars Galaxys Edge Marketplace
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

Disney Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run Extra Extra Magic Hours
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!)

Star Wars Galaxys Edge Millennium Falcon
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!

Happy Dreaming,

Brooke

Brooke Hudson Disney Travel Agent
Ready to Help Plan Your Next Disney Vacation!

FREE DINING for Disney Visa Cardmembers

The good news?  Disney has released a new limited time offer featuring free dining for Disney Visa Cardholders.  The not-as-good news?  It is an EXTREMELY limited promotion, and features a very short travel window.  However, if you are a Disney Visa Cardmember, and you are available to travel August 1 – 21, 2019, you might want to JUMP on this new free dining promotion.

A couple of things to be aware of: Any time Disney offers a big promotion, they are offering it to stimulate travel to the parks during a certain period.  This USUALLY means projected park attendance and resort reservation bookings are lower than Disney wants them to be for that time period.  While this doesn’t necessarily mean light crowds, it most likely means LIGHTER crowds.  Of course, if tons of people take advantage of the promotion, crowds could be CRAZY by the dates of travel.  But generally speaking, Disney offers promotions for periods where they are projecting attendance to be down.

Disney Tomorrowland crowd

This particular travel window closes before Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on August 29, 2019.  However, there are still a lot of great reasons to visit Disney World this year.  Click here to check out my top five reasons to visit Disney World in 2019.

Free Dining for Disney Cardmembers

You can get free dining when you purchase a four-night/five-day Walt Disney resort and theme park ticket package that includes the Park Hopper option.  If you book your package at a Value or Moderate resort, you will receive the Quick Service Dining Plan.  If you book your package for a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa resort, you will receive the regular Dining Plan.

Disney Free Dining Promotion

You MUST book your vacation by June 16, 2019 to take advantage of this offer.

Your vacation must begin between August 1 and August 21, 2019.

You MUST book your vacation using your Disney Visa card.

Theme park tickets purchased with this package are valid for admission beginning the day of check-in, and must be used within a limited period of time, depending on length of stay and ticket.

Here are the resorts that are eligible for this promotion, along with which Dining Plan you would get if you booked your vacation at that resort.

Disney's Art of Animation Family Suite
Disney’s Art of Animation Family Suite (Photo: Disney Parks)

Select Disney Value Resort Hotels – FREE Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan

  • Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
  • Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
  • Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Family Suites Only
  • Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Select Disney Moderate Resort Hotels – FREE Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan

  • The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
  • Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
  • Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
  • Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Disney Contemporary Resort California Grill
The California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort  (Photo: Brooke Hudson)

Select Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels – FREE Disney Dining Plan

  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Disney’s Beach Club Resort
  • Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
  • Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
  • Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Select Disney Deluxe Villa Resort Hotels – FREE Disney Dining Plan

  • Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
  • Disney’s Beach Club Villas
  • Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
  • Disney’s Old Key West Resort
  • Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
  • Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Quick Service Dining Plan vs. Dining Plan

If you book your package at a Value or Moderate Resort hotel, you will receive the Quick Service Dining Plan for free with your package.  The Quick Service Dining Plan includes two quick service meals and two snacks per person in your room, for each night of your stay.  Several beverage options are available–including non-alcoholic specialty beverages and beer, wine and cocktails for those guests who are 21 or older.

Disney Dining Plan Free Dining

If you book your package at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort, you will receive the Disney Dining plan with your package for free.  The Disney Dining Plan includes one quick service meal, one table service meal and two snacks per person in your room, for each night of your stay.  You can use table service credits for Character Dining and other special dining experiences.  Several beverage options are available–including non-alcoholic specialty beverages and beer, wine and cocktails for those guests who are 21 or older.

The Fine Print

This offer cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion.

An additional charge may apply if you have more than two adults per room (any one over the age of 9) in a Disney Value, Moderate, Deluxe, or Deluxe Villa Resorts.

This offer excludes the following room types:  3 bedroom villas, campsites, Cabins at Copper Creed Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Bungalows at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, and The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.

Children ages 3 -9 MUST order from the Children’s Menu, if there is a Children’s Menu available.

Disney Free Dining for Disney Visa Cardmembers

Everyone in the same room must be on the same package.

Must use a valid Disney Visa Card or a Disney Rewards Redemption Card to pay the deposit.  The Disney Visa Cardmember must stay in the room.

Availability at table service restaurants is not guaranteed.  Advance reservations are recommended and availability is not guaranteed.

Gratuities are not included.

Food For Thought

Many Disney vacationers LOVE the Disney Dining Plan. They love being able to budget and essentially “prepay” for the majority of their meals before their trip, and know that they won’t need to spend a whole lot of money

Disney Character Breakfast Crystal Palace
Character Breakfast at the Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom  (Photo: Brooke Hudson)

on food during their vacation. If you fall into this category, and are already a fan of the Disney Dining Plan or the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan, and are already accustomed to making Advanced Dining Reservations 180 days before your trip, you are likely a good candidate for the Free Dining Promotion.

Conversely, if you tend to order in groceries, and eat a lot of meals in your room, or pack picnic lunches for your family to enjoy at the parks, you are most likely NOT a good candidate for the Free Dining Promotion.

It’s important to think about how your family dines on a Disney vacation. Do you eat in table service (sit down) restaurants for most meals? Or, do you eat primarily quick service meals? Do you do many character meals? What about sharing meals? Does your family like to snack? Are you big Mickey Bar or Popcorn fans? Are you comfortable planning your meals in advance?

Disney's Chef Mickey Character Breakfast
Chef Mickey Character Breakfast at Disney’s Contemporary Resort  (Photo: Brooke Hudson)

While the promotion is called “Free” Dining, it’s also important to recognize that by getting the dining package for “free”, you are paying full price for your room and park tickets. You are saving a LOT of money on meals, so it is a substantial savings in many, many cases–but again, it’s really important to evaluate how YOU and YOUR family vacations.

If you tend to eat more meals in the room, or pack picnic lunches, you likely will get a bigger savings from a room or package discount that does NOT include free dining.

I Can Help Make Planning Your Trip Easier!

One of the advantages of working with an authorized Disney Vacation Planner is that we have access to ALL the available discounts out there at any one time, whether Disney is actively promoting them or not. We can run comparisons for you to determine what you’ll save by booking your trip with one promotion or another. There is no cost to you to work with an authorized Disney Vacation planner to plan your vacation, and often, we have access to discounts or resort information that is not available to the general public. Working with an authorized Disney Vacation Planner will always save you headaches and aggravation, and will usually save you money as well!

Walt Disney World Entrance

In addition, we have the ability to monitor our reservations and as new promotions are released, update those reservations when it will save our customers money. For example, for all my clients that have reservations booked with me for later this year, we’ve already looked at the free dining promotion to see if it makes sense for them–and where it did, we’ve made the changes.

I don’t just love planning Disney vacations, I am obsessed with making every vacation the best it can possibly be.  Planning a great Disney vacation takes time and energy and PLANNING.  For a lot of busy people, that sounds like too much work.  If that’s you, let me do it for you!  Email me today to learn more.

To get more information, please reach out today: brooke@disneycastledreaming.com.

Happy Dreaming!

Brooke

Disney Launches Free Dining Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
Ready to Plan Your Disney Vacation!

FREE Quick Service Meals on YOUR Summer Vacation?

Disney has announced another special promotion to attract guests to Walt Disney World this summer.  While this is not a regular “Free Dining” promotion, this promotion DOES include one FREE quick service meal per day per guest for each night of your stay.  This promotion can potentially mean significant savings for your family.  Would you like free meals on your summer vacation?  Read on…

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge does not open until AFTER this promotion ends; however, there are still LOTS of reasons to visit Walt Disney World this year.  Check out this post for my top 5 reasons to visit Disney World in 2019!

The Details

This offer is available to guests purchasing a four-night/five-day room and theme park ticket package at select Disney Moderate and Value Resort hotels.

This offer is valid for arrivals most nights between May 28 and August 21, 2019.

The package must be booked by June 30, 2019.

Disney's Magic Kingdom Summer Free Meal Promo
Disney’s Magic Kingdom                      (Photo: Brooke Hudson)

Theme park tickets are valid for admission, beginning on the date of check-in, and must be used within a limited number of days, depending on length of stay and ticket.

Each quick service meal includes one entrée and one non-alcoholic beverage (or, if over age 21, one beer, wine or cocktail, if available).

The Fine Print

This offer cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion.

This offer excludes Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, Disney’s All Star Movies Resort, The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, and campsites.

Children ages 3 -9 MUST order from the Children’s Menu, if there is a Children’s Menu available.

Disney CocktailsMost beer, wine and cocktails are included, if available at chosen quick service venue.  Some exceptions do apply.  Guests must present valid ID to be served alcoholic beverages.  Beverages may ONLY be redeemed with the quick service meal.

Gratuities are not included.

Food For Thought

It’s important to consider how you and your family dine on vacation to determine if this offer will be a value for you.  If you usually eat meals in Disney Parks, and frequently choose quick service options, this offer could definitely fit your family, and save you money.  Alternatively, if you prefer to eat every meal at a full service restaurant, you could save money with this offer, but you might not be happy as at least one of your meals each day would be a quick-service meal.

Disney Dining Summer Vacation

If you usually make sandwiches or leave Disney property to eat, this offer might not be for you.  There are a couple of other promotions running at this time.  We can check and see if one of those might be a better fit.

Generally, when one hears “free”, it always seems like a terrific deal.  In this case, I think a free meal for each member of your party IS a really good deal.  However, it’s important to consider how you like to travel.  Also, you should consider what you normally spend on food on vacation.  These factors help determine if this “free meal” promotion is a good deal for YOU.

Can I Help You?

If you’re considering a family vacation to Walt Disney World this summer, I’d love to help you book and plan that wonderful vacation.  As part of my free-to-you service, I am happy to check pricing on this package.  In addition, I can also review your specific travel plans, and take a look at any other discount offers currently available.  I want to make sure you get the best possible value for your family.

An added bonus:  When you book with me, I monitor your vacation against any new discounts that are released.  I’m able to apply new discounts to your trip if they work for your trip and save you money.  Basically, if new discounts become available before you travel, I have access to your reservation and the Disney system to see if you can benefit from the new discount.  If so, I make it happen!

To get more information, please reach out today: brooke@disneycastledreaming.com.

Happy Dreaming!

Brooke

Disney Launches Free Dining Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
Ready to Plan Your Disney Vacation!