Disney World Resort Updates

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

New! Grand Floridian Cafe to Stay Open Later: The Grand Floridian Cafe is testing new hours between now and Feb 14, 2015. During this time, the restaurant will remain open until 10 pm for dinner.

New! Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows Update: As we’ve previously shared, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at the Walt Disney World® Resort is currently undergoing an exciting transformation. The resort will include the largest Deluxe Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort. The 360 Deluxe Studios will sleep up to five Guests each and have the ability to connect to another Deluxe Studio. These rooms will feature a kitchenette, enhanced storage space, two separate bathroom areas – one a full bathroom with a tub/shower and one with a shower and sink. Plus, a pull-down armoire bed showcases painted artwork from the popular Disney film, “Lilo and Stitch.” Check out photos from our tour below! The new Disney Vacation Club bungalows are the first of their kind on any Disney property. The 20 bungalows will sleep up to eight Guests each in a home-like setting reminiscent of the South Pacific. Beginning Feb. 11, 2015, you can book Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows as rentals when they are not in use by Disney Vacation Club Members. Please note there will be limited availability for the bungalows.

Click photo below to access photo album:

New! Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village Pool Closed: The waterslides at Samawati Springs Pool at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas—Kidani Village will be closed for refurbishment Jan. 26–Feb. 6. The pool will remain open to all Guests. During this time, Guests can use the waterslide at Uzima Pool at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge—Jambo House.

New! Disney’s Saratoga Springs Pool Closed: Due to refurbishment work, High Rock Springs Pool will be unavailable to Guests Feb. 2–4. During the work, Guests may enjoy Paddock Pool. The pools in the Grandstand, Congress Park and Treehouse Villas also are available.

Reminder! Scat Cat’s Club at Disney’s Port Orleans Gets New Menu: Scat Cat’s Club is offering some new items for the new year starting on Jan. 11! Stop in for a bite of some Southern tastings. Scat Cat’s Club is open every day from 4 p.m. to midnight. Here is what is now being offered at Scat Cat’s Club:

• Mardi Gras Fritters, pimiento cheese fritters with pepper jelly
• Caprese Flatbread, pesto sauce and tomatoes with balsamic glaze
• Chicken Alfredo Flatbread, alfredo sauce with chicken and bacon
• Quatro Fromaggio Flatbread, blend of four cheeses and spices
• Spinach & Artichoke Dip, spinach and artichokes blended in melted cheese with tri-color chips
• Bayou Buffalo Wings, served with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing

Walt Disney World Resort – General

New! Monorail Refurbishments in February and March: The Walt Disney World® Resort Monorail System will undergo refurbishment that will impact the Resort and Express monorail beams on select days in February and March. The modified routes will be in effect on Feb. 3-5, Feb. 9-12, Feb. 23-26 and March 2-5, 2015from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. During these times, Monorails on the Resort beam will travel between Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Magic Kingdom® Park. Monorails on the Express beam will now make an additional stop at Disney’s Contemporary Resort as they travel between Magic Kingdom Park and the Transportation and Ticket Center. Resort Guests traveling to Epcot® can either board a Monorail to the Transportation and Ticket Center and transfer to the Epcot line, or they can take a Walt Disney World Resort bus directly from their resorts to Epcot. Monorail service will continue to be available from all stations while this work takes place. Monorail operating hours will remain unchanged. Guests may note a difference in the way they board the Monorail and should allow for additional travel time to reach their destinations. Guests staying at impacted Resorts will receive in-room communication upon their arrival.

New! Additional Designated Smoking Areas Added to Downtown Disney:  Beginning Jan. 18, two new designated smoking locations will be added to Downtown Disney.  They are near the restrooms by the Saratoga Bridge and the area behind Characters in Flight. These locations will appear on new maps in February.

Reminder!  New Retail Locations Coming Soon to Downtown Disney: As Downtown Disney continues its transformation to Disney Springs, we will soon see new signs installed for stores that will be opening soon in the area that will be known as The Landing. Those stores include:

• APEX by Sunglass Hut – offering the latest in sports and activewear sunglasses
• Havaianas – specializing in a wide array of flip-flops, including a station where Guests can create their own flipflops
• Art of Shaving – premium shaving shop offering grooming essentials
• Sanuk – creatively inspired and distinctively designed footwear
• Chapel Hats – specializing in hats and headwear
• Sound Lion – offering the latest technology in headphones, ear buds, speakers, wireless music players and other digital sound and music products
• Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC – gluten-free, vegan bakery

Merchandise Events

New! New Merchandise Artwork Reminiscent of First Visits: Each year, the Disney Design Group creates a new art program for park merchandise. Unlike the 2015 dated artwork, with this specific program, they sought to create something to capture the feelings guests may have when first visiting Disney Parks. This year’s program, known internally as ‘Project Fairytale,’ captures the emotions, the fantasy, and the wonder that guests may experience during a Disney vacation. Each vividly colorful image melds together attractions, icons and experiences from Disney Parks and can be found on a variety of products.

Image from Disney Parks Blog. Disney©

Image from Disney Parks Blog. Disney©

New! Tower of Terror Merchandise Coming Soon: Last year, a new merchandise collection called “Hollywood Tower Hotel Authentic” that was inspired by the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction at Disney Parks was launched. Starting Friday, February 13, some new products will be found inside Tower Hotel Gifts in both Disney California Adventure park at Disneyland Resort and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort. The new merchandise options will include numerous items such as apparel, accessories, pins, phone cases, home decor and more!

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Update! Starbucks Walt Disney World Merchandise: Starbucks and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is launching a co-branded merchandise line for Guests. Co-branded retail drinkware will be available exclusively at Disney-operated locations serving Starbucks products which include Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Café and Market House at Disneyland Resort, and Main Street Bakery and Fountain View at Walt Disney World Resort. Beginning late Jan., Guests at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort locations will have the opportunity to purchase 24 oz. acrylic tumblers featuring the art of the co-branded hot and cold cups as well as Park-specific “You are here” mugs. Walt Disney World Resort will see 12 oz. ceramic travel tumblers soon thereafter. A purchase limit of five (5) per SKU is in effect. On Wed. Jan 28, Walt Disney World removed the Epcot mug from its shelves because the mug’s design includes one of Disney’s monorails with a purple stripe. This is an issue because Disney’s Monorail Purple was involved in a deadly 2009 crash in which resulted in the death of its pilot. Monorail Purple was retired at that time.

Closures and Refurbishments

Click here to view the latest renovations and closures at Walt Disney World Resort.

To Book your Next Disney Vacation or Vacation beyond Disney please reach out to Daniel via email or by phone at 206.659.8574