DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: Accident Closes Skyliner, 2020 Room Sales/Free Dining Offer Announced, Epcot Forever Debuts, Big Entertainment Changes, Holiday Party Announced, Cruise Line News, New Merch Unveiled & More
A lot happened at Disney World in the last week, most of it planned. Some, not so much. Two big stories have the internet buzzing. First, Disney World announced room discounts for 2020 including a free dining offer. The second story involves an accident Saturday night at the new Disney Skyliner. Disney also debuted Epcot Forever and Epcot Experience, along with some big changes to entertainment line ups around property. Disney announced details on a holiday dessert party and we got a sneak peek at the new holiday decorations this year over at Animal Kingdom. Speaking of sneak peeks, we got our first look at the new Disney Cruise Ship, the Wish, and a first look at recently completed upgrades to the Disney Wonder. Several new merchandise lines were announced, and don’t miss the feel-good story of the year. All this and more below.
1 – Disney Announces 2020 Room Sales Including Free Dining Offer
Room sales are always exciting, and when you add in a free dining offer we all go nuts! This week Disney released room sales for bookings in 2020. Catch all the details below!
Click here for all the details on the 2020 Room Sales Including Free Dining Offer.
2 – Disney Skyliner Closed Following Incident at Disney Riviera Resort
Late on Saturday night, there was an incident that has closed the Disney Skyliner. At the Disney Riviera Resort Station, there was a collision of cabins in the loading area. Despite some sensational accounts of the incident online, the gondolas move very slowly through the station and the collision was minor. However, it did require the line to be shut down and individual cabin evacuation by Reedy Creek Emergency services. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported.
In a statement, Disney said, “One of the three Disney Skyliner routes experienced an unexpected downtime Saturday evening. As a result, the Skyliner will be closed while we look into the details surrounding this downtime. We apologize for this situation, and we are working with each guest individually regarding impacts to their visit with us.”
3 – Epcot Forever & the Epcot Experience Debut at Epcot
On October 1, the new (temporary) nighttime spectacular, ‘Epcot Forever,’ debuted. We were there and really enjoyed the new show. It has us really looking forward to the permanent show, ‘HarmoniUS,’ which is set to debut sometime in 2020. Also on October 1, the Epcot Experience opened to guests. The Epcot Experience is a fantastic way to learn about the upcoming transformation of Epcot. See both articles below for more information.
Click here to learn more about Epcot Forever.
Click here to learn more about the Epcot Experience.
4 – Reservations Now Open for ‘Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!’ Dessert Party
We love visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios during the holiday season for Sunset Greetings on Tower of Terror and ‘Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!’ If you’re looking to add on even more holiday magic to your time at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, then you’ll want to consider adding the ‘Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!’ dessert party where you’ll taste fantastic desserts, hang out with Chip ‘n’ Dale, and get prime viewing spot for the show. See the article below for more.
Click here for information on the ‘Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!’ dessert party.
5 – Entertainment Schedule After Limited-Run Entertainment Ends
There have been some entertainment changes this week due to the end of the limited-time events celebrating Mickey and Minnie’s 90th Anniversary. Mickey and Minnie are no longer greeting guests together in their celebration outfits at Town Square Theater, and Pluto has been moved out of Silly Pete’s Sideshow. Learn where to find them along with a full list of other entertainment changes in the article below.
Click here for all the details on these entertainment changes.
6 – The Muppets Presents…Great Moments in American History Ends at Magic Kingdom
On October 5, The Muppets Presents…Great Moments in American history ended its three-year run at Magic Kingdom. We really enjoyed this show and loved the presence of the Muppets in Magic Kingdom. The show will be missed!
7 – Sneak a Peek at New Holiday Décor Planned for Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The Christmas holiday season is just about a month away! We’re very excited about the addition of new holiday décor and activities to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This week we got a sneak peek at what’s coming. See the article below for all the details.
Click here for a sneak peek at new holiday décor coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
8 – First Look – Disney Wonder Enhancements Revealed
The Disney Wonder has recently had some refurbishments done and the work is now complete. Disney Cruise Line shared photos this week of the French Quarter Lounge, the new area that brings the world of Princess Tiana to life. The lounge looks beautiful, and we look forward to visiting someday! Learn more below!
Click here for a first look at the Disney Wonder Enhancements.
9 – What We Know About Disney Cruise Line’s Newest Ship
Back in August, Disney Cruise Line announced the name of their newest ship, Disney Wish. We’re so excited for this ship, and this week we learned a little more about it. Here are all the details from Disney cast member Melanie Curtsinger:
With three new Disney ships on the horizon, anticipation is high to discover more details about our expanding fleet. If you’re like me, curiosity is growing more each day!
Recently, we revealed the name of our fifth ship – and gave you a first look at some of the vessel’s iconic features. Now, we’re sharing this fun video that highlights everything we’ve unveiled so far about the Disney Wish, including why we chose the name, what is the inspiration for the grand atrium’s design, and which beloved character will adorn the ship’s stern. Take a look…
Disney Cruise Line has established itself as a leader in the cruise industry, providing a setting where families can reconnect, adults can recharge, and children can experience all Disney has to offer. We continue to expand our blueprint for family cruising, with three more ships scheduled for completion in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
10 – Disney Visa Cardmember Offer Announced for Disney’s Riviera Resort
We’re so excited for Disney’s Riviera Resort to open on December 16, 2019! If you’re a Disney Visa Cardmember, an offer has been announced for savings on bookings at Disney’s Riviera Resort. Find out more below.
Click here for information on the Disney Visa Cardmember Offer for Disney’s Riviera Resort.
Click here for 8 reasons why we can’t wait for Disney’s Riviera Resort.
11 – Two New Merchandise Lines Debut at Disney Parks
Two huge movie releases are coming later this year, and Disney is gearing up with two merchandise lines. ‘Frozen 2’ and ‘Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance,’ have inspired the two latest merchandise lines to come to Disney Parks. Catch all the details at the link below.
Click here for details and photos of the merchandise inspired by ‘Frozen 2.’
Click here for details and photos of the new Star Wars merchandise.
12 – New Merchandise Line Debuts on Disney Cruise Line
There’s a beautiful new merchandise line now available exclusively on the Disney Cruise Line. The new Nautical Navy line brings together rose gold and nautical navy for a perfect mix of colors! For photos and details, click on the link below.
Click here for photos of the Nautical Navy merchandise line on Disney Cruise Line.
13 – Oogie Boogie’s Frightfully Festive in Newest Disney Parks Wishables Collection – Available Now
October is Halloween season, and now you can add the perfect Halloween Wishable to your collection. Here are all the details from Disney cast member Thomas Smith:
Just in time to enjoy the fall season at Disney Parks, this month’s #DisneyParksWishables collection, inspired by Haunted Mansion Holiday and the whole gang from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” is available now at Disney Parks and online at shopDisney!
Whether you’re prepping your costume for the Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure park or Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park, this new Disney Parks Wishables collection is the perfect thing to grab for all of your fall festivities and add to your growing Disney Parks Wishables collection.
This collection offers the open-chase edition of Oogie Boogie, with Zero, Jack Skellington, Scary Teddy, and Giant Snake in the blind bags — all ready to wish you “Season’s Screamings!”
The Pumpkin King and his friends have been busy decorating the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Resort with frightfully festive touches to give the eerie estate a merry macabre makeover. This can’t-miss experience, Haunted Mansion Holiday, is only available now through January 6, 2020, so make sure to check it out while you can!
Pick up the newest “Nightmare Before Christmas” Wishables collection during your next trip to Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, or on shopDisney starting today. Then don’t forget to share your adventures with these soft and huggable Disney Parks pals on social using #DisneyParksWishables.
14 – Dream Comes True for Altruistic Boy Who Used Money Saved for Walt Disney World Resort Vacation to Feed Hurricane Evacuees
Seven-year-old Jermaine Bell of Jacksonville, Fla., spent more than a year saving money for his birthday trip to the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. However, hurricane Dorian changed Jermaine’s plans in a big way. Millions of people have since been inspired by the story of this little boy’s selfless act of compassion.
As the hurricane approached the South Carolina coast, Jermaine emptied his piggy bank and bought hundreds of hot dogs, bags of chips, and bottled water. He served them free of charge to hurricane evacuees who passed through the South Carolina town where he was visiting his grandmother.
On Sunday, September 8, Jermaine celebrated his seventh birthday. Mickey Mouse and a group of Walt Disney World cast members made a surprise visit at the birthday party where Jermaine learned that he and his family are going to Walt Disney World after all. The family visited the vacation kingdom this past weekend for a VIP getaway at the vacation kingdom, where they experienced all four theme parks.
15 – Disney Puts STEM Careers Within Reach Through $200,000 Investment for Local Youth Organizations
Here are all the details from Disney cast member Tajiana Ancora-Brown:
If you look behind the scenes of Walt Disney World Resort, there are quite a few forces that help to bring our magic to life. In addition to our incredible cast, countless other forces help to create innovative and unforgettable experiences for our guests, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—otherwise known as STEM.
STEM plays a huge role in magic-making for us, which is why we are so excited to share that the next two local nonprofit organizations to be #GrantedByDisney with a total of $200,000 will use their 2019 Disney Grants to introduce and expand STEM-focused educational opportunities to local youth.
The Orlando Science Center will put their $100,000 Disney Grant toward bringing their Head Start program, which introduces STEM concepts to preschool-aged learners, to the classrooms of more than 50 local educators. The outstanding people behind the program were recently celebrated as Grand Marshals before the Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom Park, where we all shared in the power of magic—and STEM—together.
And PACE Center for Girls, an organization dedicated to shaping the futures of young girls through education, counseling, training, and advocacy, will use their $100,000 Disney Grant to bring a new, experiential learning program into their Orange and Polk County learning centers. To celebrate, the girls were treated to a unique learning opportunity led by passionate Disney leaders who visited their classrooms to talk about their own journeys into the STEM industry. And they even had a surprise visit from Doctor Minnie!
Together with these amazing organizations, we will be able to continue igniting the imaginations of our local youth by introducing them to the power of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Stay tuned to see which organization will be #GrantedByDisney next.
What’s New & Coming Soon at Disney World!
It’s a very exciting time growth and development at Walt Disney World. In fact, there are so many new things opening, coming and happening, it’s hard to keep track. Here’s a cheat sheet to help keep things straight and make sure you haven’t missed anything.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Now Open
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party – Select Dates Now Through November 1
Click here for the 11 Can’t-Miss Experiences at the 2019 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – Now Open Through November 23
Click here for our 2019 Epcot Food & Wine Preview
NBA Experience at Disney Springs – Now Open
Click here for our review and what you need to know about this fun new experience.
Reimagined Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort – Now Open
Click here for our review and walkthrough with photos and video.
Disney Skyliner – Now Open
Click here for what you need to know about the Disney Skyliner
Epcot Forever – Now Open
Click here to learn more about Epcot Forever.
The Epcot Experience – Now Open
Click here to learn more about the Epcot Experience.
Coming Soon to Disney World!
2019 Holiday Season – Begins November 8, 2019
Click here for the top 14 offerings we’re most excited for this holiday season at Disney World
Epcot Reimagined – Now Through Fall 2021 for Walt Disney World’s 50thAnniversary
Click here for a complete rundown of what’s coming to the new Epcot including closures.
New Cirque du Soleil Show – April 17, 2020
Click here for everything we know about this new show!
Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration – 2021
Click here for our rundown of everything that’s coming for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary!
Star Wars Hotel – unknown
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