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Ears the News: September 7, 2018 Edition


Welcome to the latest edition of Ears the News

Brought to you by our friends at WDWMagic.com.


Epcot's V.I.PASSHOLDER event nights gets underway on September 6, 2018.

Similar to Extra Magic Hours, but specifically for registered Gold and Above passholders, the event takes place at Epcot from 9pm to 11pm.

Here is a look at the attraction line-up. As always, this is subject to change, to check guides on the day of the event for any updates.

V.I.PASSHOLDER Night Attraction line-up at Epcot

Future World East
  • Spaceship Earth® Mission: SPACE® Test Track® 
Future World West
Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com.
  • Meet Baymax at Epcot Character Spot 
  • Meet Joy and Sadness at Epcot Character Spot 
  • The Seas with Nemo & Friends® 
  • Soarin’® Around the World 
  • Living with the Land 
  • Journey Into Imagination With Figment 
  • Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival 

World Showcase
  • Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros 
  • Mexico Meet Anna and Elsa at Royal Sommerhus 
  • Frozen Ever After 
  • O Canada! 

V.I.PASSHOLDER Night Food and Beverage at Epcot

Future World West
  • Fountain View 
  • Sunshine Seasons (Limited offerings) 

Showcase Plaza
  • Refreshment Port 
World Showcase
  • Rose & Crown Pub, United Kingdom 

Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival Global Marketplaces
  • Craft Drafts at the Festival Center 
  • The Festival Center Wine Shop featuring Disney Family of Wines The Almond Orchard 
  • New Zealand 
  • Australia 
  • Hawai’i 
  • Islands of the Caribbean 
  • Greece 
  • Thailand 
  • Mexico 
  • France 
  • Ireland 
  • Canada 

V.I.PASSHOLDER Night Merchandise at Epcot

Future World East
  • Festival Center - The Stockpot Shop and The Chocolate Experience: From the Bean to the Bar 
  • Mission: SPACE Cargo Bay 
  • Test Track SIMporium 
  • Mouse Gear 
  • Camera Center 
  • Gateway Gifts 
  • Wheelchair and Stroller Rentals 
  • Baby Care Center 

Future World West
  • Green Thumb Emporium near Soarin' Around the World 
  • SeaBase Gift Shop 
  • ImageWorks 
  • The Gift Stop 

World Showcase
  • World Traveler, International Gateway
  • Select shops are open in Mexico, Norway and the United Kingdom.

At Epcot, the Kringla Bakeri og Kafe in the Norway Pavilion has reopened following a major refurbishment.

Familiar menu items like School Bread, Lefse, Norwegian Kringla, Berry Cream Puff and Viking Chocolate Mousse all remain on the menu.

The Magic Kingdom's designated smoking locations have been adjusted from September 4, 2018.

The former Storybook Circus location on the walkway to Tomorrowland has now been closed and relocated to nearby the restrooms in Tomorrowland.

The Frontierland and Main Entrance locations remain as before.

Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com

Guests of the Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels will continue to be able to take part in the Extra Magic Hours benefit at Walt Disney World Theme Parks throughout 2019.

Alongside the Extra Magic Hours benefit, Disney Springs area hotel guests will also have 60 Day FastPass+ benefits. Guests with a Walt Disney Travel Company package including a stay at one of the hotels, and theme park admission, will be able to link their hotel reservation on MyDisneyExperience.com, and with a linked, valid theme park ticket, these guests can utilize a 60-day booking window for FastPass+ selections.

The Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels are: B Resort & Spa; Best Western Lake Buena Vista; DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando; Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace; Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista; Holiday Inn Orlando; and Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista.

The Magic Kingdom's ticketed event, 'Disney After Hours' will continue into the winter of 2018 and into 2019, with dates available from December 3, 2018 to March 7, 2019.

Like before, the event gives guests extra time in the park to enjoy attractions after regular park closing.

The new dates are:
Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com
  • December 3, 2018: 10pm - 1am
  • December 10, 2018: 10pm - 1am
  • January 7, 2019: 8pm - 11pm
  • January 17, 2019: 8pm - 11pm
  • January 24, 2019: 8pm - 11pm
  • January 28, 2019: 8pm - 11pm
  • February 7, 2019: 8pm - 11pm
  • February 14, 2019: 9pm - 12am
  • February 28, 2019: 8pm - 11pm
  • March 7, 2019: 9pm - 12am 
Disney After Hours at the Magic Kingdom tickets get you into the park from 7pm, with the event taking place from regular park close for three hours. 'Disney After Hours' includes complimentary ice cream novelties and beverages.

The cost has risen by $6, and is now $125 plus tax for ages 3+ with advance purchase, or $129 for day of. Passholders and DVC can get a discounted rate. Theme park admission is not required.

Extra Magic Hours for Disney resort hotel guests are not impacted by this event, with Disney After Hours taking place on non-EMH nights.

Typhoon Lagoon will close for its annual refurbishment on January 6, 2019.

The refurbishment is planned to continue through to March 16, reopening to guests on March 17, 2019.

Blizzard Beach will be closed October 28, 2018 through to January 5, 2019.

Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com

Disney is continuing to improve its offerings for Annual Passholders at Walt Disney World with the addition of a new dedicated passholder support service.

V.I.PASSHOLDER Support allows passholders to get in touch via phone, online chat or email for help with all aspects of Annual Pass usage.

Passholders can call 407-WDW-PASS (407-939-7277) between 7am and 11pm daily. During the same hours, online chat can be accessed at https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passholder-program/, and finally an email form can be found at https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/help/email/annual-passholder/.


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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