Skip to main content

Ears the News: March 8, 2019 Edition


Welcome to the latest edition of Ears the News

Brought to you by our friends at WDWMagic.com


Disney's Animal Kingdom debuted new entertainment this past weekend - Bollywood Beats.

The show takes place multiple times each day on a newly built stage just across from UP! A Great Bird Adventure.

Bollywood dancers perform on the stage and in the audience, giving guests a chance to learn a routine during the 15 minute show.

Video courtesy of WDWMagic.com
Having trouble viewing the video? Click here to watch the video on YouTube.

Disney will soon begin allowing more offsite hotels access to Extra Magic Hours and extended FastPass+ booking windows.

The 1000 room Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and 500 room Waldorf Astoria hotels both became part of the Official Walt Disney World Hotel program effective March 1, 2019.
Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com


Guests staying at those hotels will be issued vouchers at check-in to give them access to Extra Magic Hours when used alongside their theme park admission.

Within the next two months, guests staying at either hotel with Disney theme Park tickets will also be eligible for the 60 days advanced FastPass+ selections.

These two Bonnet Creek hotels join the seven Disney Springs hotels that were recently added to the offsite 60 day FastPass+ and Extra Magic Hour eligibility.

The Animation Courtyard at Disney's Hollywood Studios will soon be home to Disney Junior's Fancy Nancy.

You’ll be able to find Nancy at an all-new character greeting location in the park’s Animation
Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com
Courtyard, where she’ll be meeting in front of her backyard playhouse. Nancy will also soon be part of breakfast at Disney Junior Play ‘n Dine at Hollywood & Vine - joining Vampirina, Doc McStuffins and Roadster Racer Goofy.

Sofia the First will be leaving both the Animation Courtyard and Hollywood & Vine to make way for Fancy Nancy.

The walkway that links Liberty Square to Fantasyland behind Cinderella Castle is planned to be widened to improve guest flow through the area.

By widening the walkway, it will provide a more convenient shortcut from the central hub area to Fantasyland.

During the work, portions of the moat will be drained and refurbished. 

Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com
Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger today yesterday that a portion of Star Wars Galaxy's Edge at Walt Disney World will officially open to guests on August 29, 2019.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will be the only attraction open on opening day, with the land's signature Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction to open in a second phase later in 2019. The second phase opening date has yet to be announced.

Disney said that, "In light of tremendous demand, Disney made the decision to open the land in phases to allow guests to sooner enjoy the one-of-a-kind experiences that make Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge so spectacular."
Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com


A reservation will not be offered or required to experience Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at the Walt Disney World Resort, although capacity will be limited. Additionally, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be open during Extra Magic Hours.

For those of you with young Star Wars fans, the following will be of critical interest:
  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will have a height requirement of 38". 
  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will have a height requirement of 40".
FastPass+ will not be offered on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, at least initially.

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.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Cruising with a Baby: A Complete Guide

You took a baby on a cruise!? Yep, and I'd do it again knowing what I know now. So, say goodbye to months of research - Everything you need to know is here!! One of the biggest challenges of traveling with a baby is planning what you need to bring. I wanted to share what worked for us, and hopefully help others who are planning their cruise! Remember, babies can only cruise after their 6-month birthday on sailings from the U.S. If you are going transatlantic, or have more than three days out at sea, they must be 12 months old by the first day of your cruise. Pre-Cruise   We flew to the cruise port, and I couldn’t bring all the food and snacks I needed, so I placed an Instacart order for pick up near the port. I chose Publix in Cocoa Beach which is a few miles from Port Canaveral. I placed the order a few days before we left home, and set the pickup time to 11:00 a.m. I ordered formula, a box of diapers, swim diapers, bottle brush, dish soap, baby food, and baby snacks. I also broug

The Villas at the Disneyland Hotel Review

I love staying at the Disneyland Hotel so when I got the opportunity to stay at the new Villas at the Disneyland Hotel during opening weekend, I couldn’t pass it up. Because it was opening weekend, we were greeted in the entrance way of the lobby with balloons and many photo opportunities. When we arrived, there was a mural of the Haunted Mansion. I love how the seats in the main lobby were designed like the teacups in the parks. You can check in using the Disneyland app, drop your bags with bell services and head into the parks or use the amenities why you wait until your room is ready. When your room is ready, the resort will send you a text and you can use the Disneyland app on your mobile device to unlock the room. We dropped off our bags and went straight to the parks. We received a text around 1PM that our room was ready. In the new Discovery Tower (the Villas), you'll find that the lobby is very spacious with many places to sit while you read or wait for your family. Th

Chronos Club Review at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

I recently stayed at the Chronos Club at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. I've been a fan of Disney's Coronado Springs Resort since my first visit as it reminds me of my hometown, San Antonio. I've stayed in rooms ranging from preferred, Casita Suite, Tower King, and now Club Level access. The Chronos Club is located on the 15th floor of the Gran Destino Tower and can only be accessed with a key card or MagicBand to a corresponding Club Level reservation. I've previously stayed Club Level at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort, Disney's BoardWalk Inn, and Disney's Grand Californian Resort. These are all considered Deluxe Resorts. Something that makes the Chronos Club stand out is that it is located in what Disney considers a Moderate Resort. I was really excited to check out the difference in experience, since there can be a notable difference in price tag for Moderate vs. Deluxe Res