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- One Golden Morning at the Magic Kingdom
- Toy Story Mania..no more FastPass?
- Michael Phelps Heros Welcome Friday
- More Details on Disney World's 40th Anniversary
- 8/24/08 Studios Update from Studios Central
- More to those Magic Hours
- New Resort for WDW
- Space Mountain Refurbishment
- Fort Not-So-Wilderness
- More Fastpass Changes
Walt Disney World Provides New Offerings for 2009
August 2, 2008 at 6:31 pm EST
More details on some new packages and resort offerings for 2009 Walt Disney World vacations have become available and here is what we have been able to gather thus far:
-The quick service Dining Plan will be available for 2009, and will offer guests two quick service meals and two snacks per person, per night. Guests will also receive one refillable resort mug each.
-More Magic Your Way Packages will be offering a 30 minute arcade play card with the booking of most packages. It will most likely be one card per room with corresponding packages.
-All of the off site vacation packages (Swan and Dolphin & good neighbor hotels) will include a $15 Planet Hollywood gift card and 1 free round of miniature golf at either the Winter Summerland or Fantasia Gardens courses.
-The Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas in the Kidani Village building will be available for bookings by non-Disney Vacation Club guests for as early as May 2009.
-It is being rumored that the Magical Fireworks Voyage will not only be offered to grand gatherings guests next year, but to all guests in 2009.
-The courtesy holds on Walt Disney World resort packages will now be lowered down to just 7 days, rather than the current 14 days that guests are given.
-Some new room categories are coming to some of the WDW resorts in 2009. At Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, they will be adding a “Business Club” level. Also, premium campsites at Ft. Wilderness & all campsites will include cable and internet access.
For more information on these options as well as 2009 resort pricing, you can contact our good friends at Magical Travel starting Sunday, August 3.
Topics: General Resort News |
More Price Increases
August 2, 2008 at 12:39 am EST
It appears that Walt Disney World Resort ticket prices are not going to be the only thing that will become more expensive August 3. It looks like theme park parking prices will be raised from $11 to $12 this Sunday. These price changes have been an annual tradition at Walt Disney World the last few years and are expected to be on the rise every August for years to come.
Topics: General Resort News |
Ticket Price Changes Official
August 1, 2008 at 10:17 pm EST
From the Orlando Sentinel:
Disney announced increased ticket prices Friday afternoon that push the cost up 5.6 percent to $75 for the basic one-park, one-day ticket for adults and children age 10 or older. The old price, $71, is still in effect today. The price of a basic ticket for children ages 3-9 will rise Sunday to $63, up 5 percent from $60.
Disney also raised the price of its “Magic Your Way” multiday-ticket packages, by 3 percent to 8 percent. The top deal, a 10-day adult Magic Your Way ticket, now costs $237, or $23.70 a day, up 5.3 percent. The Park Hopper add-on, which allows ticket holders to move among any of Disney’s parks, will cost $50 for up to 10 days, a $5 increase. The Water Park Fun & More add-on option remains $50.
Florida residents may buy advance tickets from participating agencies, by phone or over the Internet, starting at $67.50 for one day. That also reflects a 5.6 percent increase from the current base price.
Topics: General Resort News |
Disney Trip Planning Live! This Sunday
August 1, 2008 at 6:02 pm EST
Next Program on August 3, 2008 from 8-10pm EDT
Ever wished that you could have your Disney trip planning questions answered instantly? Now here’s your chance when WDW News Today, Disneyland News Today, and Magical Travel present the first edition of Disney Trip Planning Live on August 3, 2008. The show will be hosted on Talkshoe, which will allow listeners to interact instantly with our expert panel and get the information they need easily.
Title: Episode #1 - Disney Trip Planning Live! by WDWNT
Time: 08/03/2008 at 08:00 PM EDT
Phone Number: 1.724.444.7444
Call ID: 22960
Link: Show Information
Don’t worry if you can’t make it to the show, we will be accepting questions by email up until the date of the show at wdwnewstoday@gmail.com. You can then listen to the show on Talkshoe.com or on iTunes to hear the answer to your question after the show is over. Hope to see you there!!!
Topics: Site News, WDWNT Podcast |
Prices Follow The Crowds
July 31, 2008 at 3:26 pm EST
We are hearing that Walt Disney World ticket prices may once again rise on Sunday, August 3. While we’re not hearing that the increase will be more than a few dollars, this change should be met with the usual resentment from guests.
In other pricing updates, 2009 Walt Disney World vacation packages should be available soon and rumors already indicate that this year will show one of the smallest single-year increases in Disney history. Again, it appears that Disney is expecting lower crowd levels throughout the year in 2009.
We can also expect changes once again in the Disney Dining Plan, with the addition of a quick-service dining plan and more changes in the infrastructure of the pre-existing plans.
Stay tuned to WDW News Today for more information on these headlines as it becomes available.
Topics: General Resort News |
Christmas in July
July 30, 2008 at 5:29 pm EST
![](http://www.wdwnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/0730as_9730gv487011041.jpg "CHRISTMAS IN JULY! Walt Disney World Resort \\"elves\\" busy decorat")
As the central Florida temperature approaches 90 degrees outside, Cecil Gordon of Walt Disney World Holiday Services touches up the face of a six-foot-tall angel tree-topper July 30, 2008 inside one of the resort’s holiday warehouses in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The angel will be placed on the top of the giant Christmas tree at the Epcot theme park during the holiday season later this year. Gordon and his colleagues are currently on round-the-clock schedules behind-the-scenes at Walt Disney World Resort, decorating more than 1,500 Christmas trees, unpacking more than 15 miles of garland, testing dozens of snow machines and repainting hundreds of animated and static holiday scenes that will be seen by guests all across the 40-square-mile resort. Gordon, from St. Mary, Jamaica, has worked for Walt Disney World for 19 years. (Garth Vaughan, photographer)
Topics: Epcot, General Resort News |
“Make Port at the Caribbean Beach Resort!!”
July 30, 2008 at 11:53 am EST
Reported by the Orlando Sentinel:
Walt Disney World has unveiled a rendering and a few details of some retheming and renovations in the works for Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort — theming it after the hugely-popular Pirates of the Caribbeanride/movies/games franchise.
Clients who book through Walt Disney Travel Co. also will receive a new benefit — 30 minute play-cards for Disney’s resort hotel video arcades.
Walt Disney World also is announcing some changes in its Magic Your Way plan, to include Quick Service Dining beginning Jan. 11. Vacationers can get two quick-service meals and two snacks for each night of their stay in a Disney resort hotel, plus a refillable drink mug for unlimited refills of non-alcoholic beverages at Disney resort hotels.
Beds that look like ships. Dressers that look like old crates. Curtains that look like tattered sails. The attached artist’s rendering shows a few of the details.
Disney is planning the look for 384 rooms in the Trinidad South Village Area, set to be ready sometime next year. The resort has a total of 2,112 rooms.
These Pirate rooms are an addition to the hotel that has been in progress for a few years now, as are the Finding Nemo themed rooms now beginning to debut at the resort. It’s also interesting to note the inclusion of those Arcade Gaming Cards in the vacation booking, something Disney has never done before. As if all that wasn’t enough to swallow, this article even goes on to confirm the addition of the new Quick Service Dining Plan. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available on these major headlines.
Topics: General Resort News |
Tinker Bell Is Getting a New Home
July 29, 2008 at 6:20 pm EST
According to the Orlando Sentinel:
Walt Disney World is planning to add actresses playing Tinker Bell and her friends from an upcoming series of “Disney Fairies” movies - and might be creating a new attraction based on them.
Disney held auditions last week for actresses to play the Disney Fairies characters in the parks, including Tinker Bell, Silvermist, Rosetta, Iridessa, and Fawn.
In a prepared statement, a Disney spokeswoman explained: “Disney Imagineers are currently creating a special new home for Tink and her friends which promises to immerse guests in the world of Pixie Dust at Walt Disney World.
Spokeswoman Andrea Finger would not elaborate about whether this meant the fairy characters will have their own attraction, nor did she specify which park they might appear in.
Except for Tinker Bell, the characters are based on a new “Disney Fairies” entertainment franchise that the Walt Disney Co. has been developing in recent years through children’s books, Internet Web pages, games, toys, and a series of straight-to-DVD movies that will begin emerging this fall.
This news was first reported here on WDW News Today a few months ago, but it seems larger news-outlets have finally caught up with us. There was even an official confirmation of this project in the August issue of the annual passholder publication, Mickey Monitor. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available on this project.
Topics: The Magic Kingdom |
September 27th Will Be Doomsday for Some Favorites
July 28, 2008 at 7:55 pm EST
While it is already official that the 6 remaining Pleasure Island clubs, as well as the Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, will be closing forever on September 27, that may not be the full list of Walt Disney World attractions and shows departing for yesterland on that day. Rumors are now circulating that two of the Magic Kingdom shows brought to the park for the Year of a Million Dreams celebration may be making their final performances on September 27, 2008. If the rumors we’re hearing are true, this fateful Saturday in September will also be your last chance to catch Woody’s Cowboy Camp and the Main Street Family Fun Day Parade. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available on these rumors.
For those of you also interested, during the very same weekend that these attractions are saying goodbye, the wonderful group over at WDWCelebrations will be putting on yet-another fantastic event titled “World Wide Weekend”. To get more information on this event and how you can be a part of It, head on over to WDWCelebrations.com. We hope to see you there!!!
Topics: Disney's Animal Kingdom, General Resort News, The Magic Kingdom |
Podcast Episode 52 Now Available for Download
July 28, 2008 at 7:12 pm EST
Join me, Tom Corless, and a cast including John Corigliano, Justin Heyman, Jason Diffendal, Steve Swanson, Jose Castillo, and Luke Manning for a show that Bridges the Gaps Between You and the World. Sit back, relax, and enjoy all of the Walt Disney World information and fun we have to offer on this energetic edition of the WDW News Today Podcast.
To kick off episode 52, we have all Walt Disney World news and rumors from the last week to discuss. This time around, we’ll discuss changes to Fantasmic, rumors of a new roller coaster for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the cancellation of a popular Magic Kingdom party.
“It’s Time to Go Back” as our Walt Disney World history segment, Back To The Future, returns this week on the WDW News Today Podcast. On this journey, we embark on a 25 year through The Universe of Energy at Epcot. Join me and the usual crew (with special guest Steve Swanson) to take an in-depth look at a Epcot classic experience.
Town Square Talk is back this week with WDWNT community forum administrator Justin Heyman highlighting the hottest topics around our family of websites. Be sure to get in on exciting discussions by heading over to http://wdwnewstoday.com/forum!!! Luke Manning and John Corigliano also highlight our video download site, WDWNTube, featuring tons of great Disney Parks videos. Be sure to check that out at http://wdwntube.com!!! I also have some details on our next live show and remind you how to win a Walt Disney World Vacation.
To subscribe to the WDW News Today podcast on Itunes, go to this link. If you do not have Itunes, visit our Podcast Download Directory to download or listen to all of our shows
This episode is also available in an enhanced version. An enhanced podcast is a podcast with added features that standard podcasts don’t have. Enhanced podcasts include many features like Chapter listings, this lets you skip through chapters or see what is in store for this weeks show. Enhanced podcasts also have images to let you differ the chapters by. Enhanced podcasts have one negative feature, you can not play them on most MP3 players. The file format for this is a .m4a which can play on Apple’s iPod and Microsoft’s Zune. You will also need iTunes or Windows Media Player to be able to skip through chapters. If you need or would like the standard edition, download the normal edition listed below this file both on Itunes and in our podcast directory.
Topics: Site News, WDWNT Podcast |
Adam Roth’s 7/27/08 Update
July 27, 2008 at 10:42 pm EST
Our good friend Adam Roth from WDWCelebrations has provided us with a fantastic photo update from his latest trip to the Walt Disney World Resort. Let’s take a look at some interesting things going on at the world this weekend:
A new spinning topiary has appeared outside the Imagination pavilion at Epcot. Expect this to be a temporary change…
Something new in Innoventions, most likely for the return of the interactive Kim Possible game at Epcot.
Some exterior work taking place as Nine Dragons Restaurant is refurbished.
While the restaurant is closed, Epcot invites you to enjoy the rest of the China Pavilion, and the restrooms in Norway.
Some construction going on in the Morocco Pavilion as well.
More exterior work on some buildings in the United Kingdom.
Moving over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Drew Carey and Golden Age Souvenirs are closed until August 5th for refurbishment.
As you can see, just having Sounds Dangerous closed has effected the crowds in this area.
Al’s Toy Barn has been completely removed and is set to become a backdrop for Lightning McQueen and Mater from Cars.
The back-side of Pixar Place is complete and looks like a pretty picturesque spot to end this photo report.
Topics: Disney's Hollywood Studios, Epcot |
Disney Thrives In Less Than Magic Economy
July 25, 2008 at 3:33 pm EST
Here’s an interesting article from Forbes.com:
With the Walt Disney Co.’s dependence on consumers’ travel and entertainment budgets, many on Wall Street expected the company to fall victim to weak consumer spending. Disney has proved skeptics wrong over the last six months, beating consensus profit estimates by more than 13% in the December and March quarters and showing healthy sales growth at its amusement parks.
But concerns about consumer spending have worsened, reflecting high energy prices and troubles in the labor and housing markets. Disney (nyse: DIS - news - people ) shares have retreated close to the two-year low reached in January, presenting a buying opportunity for patient investors.
While near-term profit growth will likely be sluggish. Disney is well positioned to deliver double-digit yearly growth over the long haul. Disney, a long-term buy, offers superior total-return potential over the next 24 to 36 months.
Park Performance
Disney’s parks and resorts performed well in the year ended in March, with quarterly revenue growth ranging from 5% to 9%, including an 8% increase in the March quarter. Attendance rose at least 3% in each of the four quarters, and occupancy rates have averaged 89%.
Theme parks and resorts provided roughly 29% of revenue and 19% of profits in the six months ended in March. Disney credits the segment’s 28% profit growth to interest in popular themes featured at the park, such as tie-ins to the Hannah Montana and High School Musical franchises
Also contributing to growth is a focus on value-conscious travelers: 79% of Disney’s rooms are now considered midpriced or low-priced, compared with less than half of the rooms in 1991. In addition, international parks, new vacation-club sales and a weak dollar have contributed to resort growth. The dollar’s weakness attracts foreign tourists to the U.S. and keeps American vacationers in the country.
Long-Term Value
In the past, Disney’s parks have tended to suffer more toward the end of recessions, as families put off travel until their finances looked better. The company expects a slowdown in park growth over the next year.
While, investors may need patience with Disney, the company still has plenty going for it. Media networks (41% of revenue, 50% of profits) are delivering strong results on healthy advertising sales, particularly at Disney’s cable-TV stations. Despite disappointing results from this year’s Prince Caspian release, studio entertainment (23% of revenue, 21% of profits) should perform well in coming quarters, thanks in part to the popularity of Wall-E. Disney plans to release 10 animated films over the next four years.
Finally, Disney’s consumer products division (7% of revenue, 10% of profits) delivered revenue and profit growth of at least 20% in the six months ended March, helped by videogame launches.
Disney shares trade at 13 times estimated per-share earnings over the next 12 months, well below the five-year average forward price-to-earnings ratio of 17. Consensus estimates project per-share-profit growth of 21% in fiscal 2008, ending in September, and 6% in fiscal 2009. Disney’s valuation and modest 2009 profit target reflect downbeat expectations for consumer spending, and leave plenty of room for upside surprises.
Topics: General Resort News |
Getting Ready for Magical Celebrations
July 23, 2008 at 5:58 pm EST
In case you didn’t hear our last report on Magical Celebrations a few weeks ago, It is set to be the event that replaces the Year of a Million Dreams Celebration at the Walt Disney World Resort in January 2009. However, don’t expect free giveaways and new entertainment to be the focus of the next year-long marketing campaign.
Much like the celebration of Magical Gatherings back in 2004, Magical Celebrations is set to be the starting point for a line-up of new add-on vacation offerings that will be offered to guests looking to celebrate lifetime milestones during their vacation. As Jim Hill reported in his latest article on Jim Hill Media, Disney has just purchased some new Internet domain names that will be just a small part of the 2009 event.
Better yet, let’s talk about the new Disney Weddings packages that the company will soon be offering. Which will cover everything from elaborate on-property proposals …
- DISNEYPROPOSALS.COM
… to honeymoons that will now allow newly blended families to bring the kids along with their post-wedding trip to the Resort.
- DISNEYFAMILYMOONS.COM
Or — better yet — how about a honeymoon package for stressed over-achievers who don’t really have the time to vacation at WDW.
DISNEYMINIMOONS.COM
While Married Couples will find a number of new offerings during this celebration, those looking to mark birthdays, anniversaries, and just about anything-else will find a variety of new ways to celebrate good times around the resort.
Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today for more details on this new celebration as we get closer to January 2009 and the beginning of Magical Celebrations.
Topics: General Resort News |
As Far As Attendance, The Party’s Over
July 22, 2008 at 3:31 pm EST
In another sign that things are about to get ugly in the attendance department for the Walt Disney World Resort, the October 3 scheduled Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom has been cancelled. The stranger part of this equation is that the park closing time will remain at 7pm, perhaps another cost-cutting measure to insure profits despite the expected low crowd levels, especially for what is already a slow time of year for the parks. If you ordered tickets to this October 3 party, you can call (407) W-Disney to move your tickets to another party or obtain a refund.
Topics: The Magic Kingdom |
One Monster Coaster
July 21, 2008 at 1:42 pm EST
Just as we briefly mentioned at the end of last week, rumors are swirling that an inverted roller coaster themed to Disney Pixar’s Monsters Inc. will be the next major new attraction for the Walt Disney World Resort after the opening of the American Idol Experience this January. Our good friend Jim Hill over at Jim Hill Media had a lengthy article about the proposed Hollywood Studios roller coaster today, although he did go into more detail on some other upcoming projects as well.
Jim also mentioned two new attractions that were first rumored to the public right here on WDW News Today over the course of the last year. First mentioned was that the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure will be themed to “A Bug’s Life” (probably in the very-near future), and next was the Little Mermaid dark ride that will most likely be heading over to Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom in October of 2011. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today for updates on all of these very strong rumors, and be sure to read Jim Hill’s article HERE.
Topics: Disney's Hollywood Studios, The Magic Kingdom |