Runaway Railway Media Event Impacts on DHS

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be hosting a media event on Tuesday, March 3. Some of the park’s entertainment offering will be impacted by this event.

•PYRO TESTS FEB. 29-MARCH 2

In preparation for the media event, pyrotechnic effects will be used around the Chinese Theatre and Theater of the Stars overnight on the following dates and times:

•February 29, 10 p.m. (Chinese Theatre)

•March 1, 9:15 p.m. (Theater of the Stars), 11:15 p.m. (Chinese Theatre)

•March 2, 1:30 a.m. (Chinese Theatre), 10:30 p.m. (Chinese Theatre)

Guests staying at nearby hotels should not be impacted by these tests.

 

•NIGHTTIME SPECTACULAR AND ENTERTAINMENT ADJUSTMENTS

Due to activity taking place in front of the Chinese Theatre, Wonderful World of Animation and Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular will not take place on the evening of March 3.

Fantasmic! will occur as scheduled at 8 p.m.

In addition to that, the showtimes of Beauty & the Beast – Live on Stage, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!, and the operating hours of several character greetings will be adjusted on Tuesday, March 3.

Please consult the Times Guide & MDX for more information that day.

 

 

Changes to Epcot Operational Hours UPDATE: 2/21/20

UPDATE:

Just a few days ago, the Walt Disney World Resort announced that the operating hours of select Epcot attractions would be reduced starting February 23. Yesterday evening, Disney announced (internally) that this decision was reversed.

 

 

The operating hours of some shows and attractions at Epcot will be reduced. Most of the impacted offerings will close an hour before the rest of the park starting February 23, and three of them will no longer operate during evening Extra Magic Hours.

The following attractions will close earlier than the rest of the park starting February 23:

•All Kidcot locations: Closing at 8:00 p.m. (currently closing at 9:00 p.m.)

•American Adventure: Last show to take place at 8:15 p.m. (currently closing at 9:00 p.m.)

•Awesome Planet: Last show to take place at 8:00 p.m. (currently closing at 9:00 p.m.)

•Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along: Last show to take place at 6:00 p.m. (currently closing at 7:00 p.m.)

•Canada Far and Wide: Last show to take place at 8:00 p.m. (currently closing at 9:00 p.m.)

•Impressions de France:Operating from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (currently open from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)

•Reflections of China: Last show to take place at 8:10 p.m. (currently closing at 9:00 p.m.)

Additionally, the following attractions will no longer be included in evening Extra Magic Hours starting February 23:

•American Adventure

•Awesome Planet

•Canada Far and Wide

 

Cast Members to Preview New Epcot Films

Walt Disney World Resort Cast Members have been invited to experience some of Epcot’s new films during a special preview on January 16. The three films that will be available during this special event include the following:

• “Awesome Planet” in The Land pavilion showcases the Earth’s beauty and diversity in a 10-minute film featuring spectacular imagery, in-theater effects and an original musical score from Academy Award-winning composer Steven Price.
• “Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along” in the France pavilion is directed and produced by Don Hahn, producer of the animated and live-action “Beauty and the Beast” films, and invites Guests to participate in a twist on a tale as old as time. It also features narration from Angela Lansbury, who played Mrs. Potts in the original film.
• “Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360” in the Canada pavilion is an update to the previous “O Canada!” film with new scenes, a new musical score by Canadian composer Andrew Lockington and new narration by award-winning actors Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy.

Registration is now open on the Event page of The HUB, a Cast Member-only website.

Minnie Mouse the Main Attraction Collection Coming Soon!

Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction Collection releases globally on the third Saturday of each month, the collection will be available in 2020 at shopDisney.com, Disney stores, and select Disney Parks locations around the world.

Each collection in the series features new Disney Parks-inspired designs with a Minnie Mouse plush, Minnie Mouse headband, mug, pin set, MagicBand, and a fashion backpack or waist pack from Loungefly.

The first collection releases on January 18, and you can see the full 2020 lineup in the above image.

 

 

Adjustments to Boarding Groups for Rise of the Resistance now on MDX

In an effort to ensure that as many guests have the opportunity to ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance as possible, the new verbage on My Disney Experience  (MDX) states that they will be giving guests the opportunity to join a backup boarding group.

According to the My Disney Experience app, if boarding groups have reached capacity for the day, and once boarding groups 1-120 have been called, if there is additional capacity for more boarding groups to enjoy the attraction, guests will have the opportunity to join a backup boarding group.

At that time, backup boarding groups 121 and above will be called.

Cast Members Get a First Look at Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

On a recent visit to Walt Disney World Resort, Bob Chapek (chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products) surprised a select group of Cast Members with a first look into the development of the all-new Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction that’s scheduled to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2020.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will be the first ever ride-through attraction themed to Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

The attraction will feature a new story, a lovable new theme song and new technologies that will transport guests into the wacky and unpredictable world of Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts.

On the attraction, one magical moment will allow guests to step into the movie and onto Goofy’s train for a wacky, wild ride.

Animal Kingdom Closure Adjustments

 

Guests planning on visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in the coming weeks should keep in mind that Pandora – The World of Avatar and Africa will close earlier than the rest of the park on select dates in September and October:

• September 18, 2019: Pandora will close at 8 p.m. (the rest of the park closes at 9 p.m.)
• October 3, 2019: Pandora will close at 8 p.m. (the rest of the park closes at 9 p.m.)
• October 4, 2019: Pandora will close at 8 p.m., Africa will close at 4 p.m. (the rest of the park closes at 9 p.m.)

In addition to that, on October 4th, the last Festival of the Lion King show of the day will take place at 3 p.m.

Additional Disney After Hours Dates Announced

Additional dates are now available for Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with tickets on sale beginning May 30:

•Magic Kingdom Park: Aug. 22 and 29; and Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26

•Disney’s Animal Kingdom: July 2, 8, 15, 22, 29; Aug. 5, 12, 19, 26; Sept. 3, 9, 16, 23

•Disney’s Hollywood Studios: July 5, 12, 19, 26

Disney After Hours events enable guests to experience Disney theme parks after the park closes, which means less wait time for popular attractions and character greetings. These popular, ticketed events provide Guests with three hours of unforgettable adventures after the park closes

Event attendees can enter the park as early as 7 p.m. on event night.

Ice cream, popcorn and bottled beverages are also included with event admission, which is a separately priced ticket from daytime park admission.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios 30th Anniversary Details Announced

 

Disney has just announced some of the special events and merchandise that will be revealed for Disney’s Hollywood Studios 30th Anniversary, taking place May 1, 2019.

This is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the past, present, and the new, exciting future of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Take a look at all that’s to come:

•View a Star Studded Celebration Parade – A Disney’s Hollywood Studios 30th Anniversary Star-Studded Celebration cavalcade starring Mickey and friends will begin at 10 a.m. and will head down Hollywood Blvd.

•Pick Up a Commemorative 30th Anniversary Guide Map & Button – Guests entering the park can grab a special 30th anniversary commemorative guide map and button.

•Grab Exclusive 30th Anniversary Merchandise – Special 30th anniversary merchandise will be unveiled on May 1, including a new adult T-shirt, baseball cap, Tervis 24-oz tumbler, MagicBand, ornament and much more.

Annual passholders can also shop for some items exclusively created for them. Merchandise can be found starting at 8 a.m. in Grand Park, while supplies last. (Please note: Merchandise will go on sale at 8 a.m., Disney’s Hollywood Studios opens at 9 a.m.)

•Taste Special Food & Beverage Items – A slew of special anniversary food & beverage items will be available throughout the park, including Kylo Ren Cupcakes, Incredibles Macarons, Tres Leches Verrine and many more.

An official foodie guide will be announced next week!

•Stay For the Debut of “Wonderful World of Animation” – The park’s new nighttime projection show will light up the park for its official debut on May 1. Watch in wonder as the façade of the Chinese Theatre is magically transformed – displaying this stirring tribute to animation. Behold spectacular sequences celebrating themes like magic, family, adventure, romance and friendship. Each theme is brought to life through unforgettable moments from beloved films—like “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Incredibles,” “Coco” and many more. The show will debut at 9:05 p.m. just prior to the park’s “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” fireworks show.

 

 

 

 

Epcot Operating Schedule for New Year’s Eve 2018

EPCOT PARK HOURS FOR DECEMBER 31:

Future World: 8 a.m. – 1 a.m.

World Showcase: 9 a.m. – 1 a.m.

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth: 6:30 p.m. and 11:40 p.m.

FUTURE WORLD: All attractions operate park open – 1 a.m. except:

•Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival will close at 11 p.m.

•Journey Into Imagination with Figment will close at 11 p.m.

•Living with the Land will close at 11 p.m.

•Turtle Talk with Crush will operate from 9 a.m. -11:40 p.m.

WORLD SHOWCASE: All attractions operate 9 a.m. – park close except:

•Frozen Ever After will operate from park open to 1 a.m.

•Disney Phineas & Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure will operate from 9 a.m. – 8:15 p.m.

ENTERTAINMENT:

•Future World East JAMMitors 9:20, 10:10, 11:10 a.m., 12:10, 1:35, 2:35, 3:35 p.m.

SpectacuLAB 10:30, 11:45 a.m., 2, 3:15, 4:30 p.m.

•The Seas with Nemo & Friends – Turtle Talk with Crush Continuously 8:40 a.m. -11:40 p.m.

•United Kingdom – British Revolution 6:55, 8, 9:30, 10:30 p.m., 12 a.m.

•Japan – Matsuriza 10, 10:50, 11:35 a.m., 12:35, 1:30, 2:20, 3:05 p.m.

•The American Adventure – Voices of Liberty 10:05, 10:50, 11:35 a.m., 12:20, 1:05, 1:50, 2:35 p.m.

•China – Jeweled Dragon Acrobats 12, 1, 2, 3, 4 p.m.

•Norway – Vikings 9, 9:50, 10:40 a.m., 12:10, 1, 1:50 p.m.

•Mexico – Mariachi Cobre 10, 10:45, 11:30 a.m., 12:15, 1:45, 2:30, 3:20 p.m.

Not offered on Dec. 31:

•Muppet Mobile Lab (Future World)

•Canadian Holiday Voyageurs (Canada)

•Rose & Crown Pub musician (United Kingdom)

•Serveur Amusant (France)

•Sahara Beat (Morocco)

•Sergio (Italy)

•Durch & Durch (Germany)

CHARACTER GREETING LOCATIONS:

•Pluto (Main Entrance Plaza) 8:45 a.m.-3:55 p.m.

•Joy & Sadness and Baymax at Character Spot (Innoventions West): 8 a.m.-1 a.m.

•Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope Von Schweetz (Innoventions West): 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Mickey, Minnie, Goofy at Character Spot: 8 a.m.-1 a.m.

•Alice (United Kingdom): 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 a.m., 12:30, 2:20, 3:20 p.m.

•Mary Poppins (United Kingdom): 11 a.m., 12, 1, 2 p.m.

•Princess Aurora (France): 10, 11 a.m., 12, 1, 2:50, 3:50 p.m.

•Princess Belle (France): 9:30, 10:30, 11.30 a.m., 12:30, 2:20 p.m.

•Princess Jasmine (Morocco): 10, 11 a.m., 12, 1, 2:50, 3:50 p.m.

•Snow White (Germany): 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 a.m., 12:30, 2:20, 3:20 p.m.

•Mulan (China): 10, 11 a.m., 12, 1:50, 2:50, 3:50 p.m.

•Anna & Elsa (Royal Sommerhus): 8 a.m.-1 a.m.

•Donald (Mexico) 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m., 1:10-3 p.m.

•Daisy (World Showcase Gazebo) 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1:10-5 p.m.

•Pluto (near Showcase Plaza): 8:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m., 1:25-3:55 p.m

FOOD & BEVERAGE:

Breakfast

•Open at 8 a.m. Fountain View, Sunshine Seasons, all Joffrey’s locations except AA

•Open at 9 a.m. Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe (Norway), Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie (France)

Holiday Kitchens

•All Holiday Kitchens except for Yukon Holiday Kitchen (Canada) and Feast of the Three Kings (Rosewalk) will operate from 10:30 a.m. – 1 a.m.

Odyssey

•Open 10 a.m. – 1 a.m. Serving snacks and beer.

FRIENDSHIP BOATS (TRANSPORTATION):

World Showcase Lagoon: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.International Gateway (to Epcot Resorts and Disney’s Hollywood Studios): 7 a.m. – 2 a.m.