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Ears the News: May 12, 2018 Edition


Welcome to the latest edition of Ears the News

Brought to you by our friends at WDWMagic.com.


The Star Wars race weekend at Walt Disney World Resort will celebrate Star Wars rivalries in 2019 with a new theme and name - 'Star Wars Rival Run Weekend presented by OtterBox.'

Beginning 2019, runners will be able to choose which side of the Force they will run for during the race weekend April 4-7, 2019.

Races will include a 5K, 10K, half marathon and the runDisney Kids Races, and in addition there will again be two challenges for runners to tackle. There’s the Star Wars Rival Run Challenge, which involves running the 10K and the half marathon during the race weekend, and the runDisney Kessel Run Challenge – completing the Star Wars Rival Run Half Marathon at Walt Disney World Resort and running the Star Wars Virtual Half Marathon at home.

Walt Disney World's lost and found service is about to get more convenient.

Starting later this month, instead of needing to visit or phone the Lost and Found center, you'll be able to report a lost item on DisneyWorld.com.

After you have reported a lost item, Cast Members will attempt to locate the item, and will keep you updated on progress via the website.

Roadster Goofy will soon be joining the characters at the Disney Junior Play 'n' Dine breakfast at Hollywood & Vine.

Beginning May 13, 2018, Roadster Racers Goofy will replace Handy Manny.

Breakfast is typically served at Hollywood & Vine from 8am to 10:20am daily, and along with Roadster Goofy will be Jake, Sofia the First, and Doc McStuffins.

Walt Disney World now offers 1 day park tickets with 3 pre-linked FastPass+ experiences.
With this new ticket, 3 FastPass+ experiences are selected for you to use the next day—and will be automatically linked to your ticket. Tickets are sold with FastPass + selections for next day use only, and the FastPass windows are pre-determined.

There are variety of FastPass+ groupings to choose from at each park, although some of the headliners - such as Avatar Flight of Passage are not included.

The pre-selected groups are as follows:

Magic Kingdom Park 1-Day Ticket with Linked FastPass+ Experiences
  • Fantasyland Classics:“it’s a small world,” Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Mad Tea Party
  • Futuristic and Frightful Fun: Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Haunted Mansion and Tomorrowland Speedway
  • Pint-Size Adventures: The Barnstormer, The Magic Carpets of Aladdin and Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Whimsical Escapades: Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
Epcot 1-Day Ticket with Linked FastPass+ Experiences
  • Immersive Explorations: Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land, and The Seas with Nemo & Friends
  • Delightful Encounters: The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Turtle Talk With Crush and Journey Into Imagination With Figment
Disney’s Hollywood Studios 1-Day Ticket with Linked FastPass+ Experiences
  • Sensational Stage Shows: Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration and Voyage of the Little Mermaid
  • Movie-Inspired Excitement: Muppet*Vision 3D, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue and the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park 1-Day Ticket with Linked FastPass+ Experiences
  • Prehistoric and Whitewater Thrills: DINOSAUR, Kali River Rapids and Primeval Whirl
  • Wild Performances: Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo – The Musical and It's Tough to be a Bug!
Disney's Minnie Van service is now available at all Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com.
In addition, Minnie Vans can also be used for guests staying at the independently operated Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, and the Four Seasons Resort.

Minnie Van service costs $25 per trip, per vehicle, and can be requested via the Lyft app between 6:30am and 12:30am daily.

Disney has confirmed the location for the new Space themed restaurant in Epcot. As expected, be built on a newly developed area between Mission: SPACE and Test Track. 
Concept Art courtesy of Disney

Toy Story Mania at Disney's Hollywood Studios is scheduled to be closed for a week to allow work to progress on the main entrance reconfiguration.

Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com.
The closure begins June 11 through to June 18, with a reopening to guests on June 19, 2018. When it reopens, the entrance will remain in Pixar Place until it permanently moves to Toy Story Land on June 30, 2018. 


Toy Story Mania will also return to full capacity on May 20, 2018, with all three tracks becoming available following queue reconfiguration work. FastPass+ reservations should be available from as early as today for rides beginning May 20.

The FriendShip boat service at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin will be closing for refurbishment next week due to work on the boat dock.

Closure is expected from May 14 to May 25, reopening to guests on May 26, 2018.

During the refurbishment of the dock, bus service will be available to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios, and the walkway will remain open.

This boat dock refurbishment is in addition to the work taking place on the nearby bridge that has suspended boat service to Disney's Hollywood Studios.


Looking to plan your next trip to Walt Disney World? Contact the agents at Kingdom Konsultant Travel to help you plan your dream vacation. Email vacations@kingdomkonsultant.com for a free quote today.

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