Around the Mouse – Walt Disney World News – Jul 2, 2014

There are exciting new things popping up every day at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida! Join us every week to read about what’s new “Around the Mouse.” This week’s Walt Disney World news update features: July 4th Disney World celebrations, new FROZEN entertainment, special experiences and more!

What’s New This Week?

Walt Disney World Theme Parks

New! July 4th Disney World Celebrations: There are July 4th celebrations taking place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Magic Kingdom park this year:

Hollywood Studios

▪ The Rockin’ 4th of July Celebration at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

▪ 6 p.m. – DJ Dance Party kicks off at the Sorcerer’s Hat

▪ 7, 8, 9 and 10 p.m. – Mulch, Sweat and Shears take the stage

▪ 10:15 p.m. – Specialty Fireworks

Epcot

▪ 12:30, 1:45 and 3 p.m.: Voices of Liberty Fourth of July Concert at America Gardens Theatre

▪ Intermittently: Patriotic character meet and greets

▪ 5:15, 6:30, 7:45 and 9 p.m.: Sounds like Summer Concert Series presents “Don’t Look Back,” a Boston tribute band

▪ 10 p.m.: “Heartbeat of Freedom” fireworks

Magic Kingdom Park

▪ Thursday, July 3 and Friday, July 4 ­ 9 p.m.: “Disney’s Celebrate America! – a Fourth of July

concert in the Sky” will take the place of “Wishes”

New! Frozen Summer Fun – Live Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios: This summer, the world of “Frozen” takes center stage at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Starting July 5, a summer­long happening, featuring a full day of all ­new, immersive “Frozen” experiences you won’t want to miss, take place every day through September 1! Experiences include: a Royal Welcome parade, a sing­a­long show, a Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post & Frozen Funland, a dance party and Frozen­themed fireworks. More details are available here.

New! Frozen Summer Fun Premium Package: The Frozen Summer Fun Premium Package, available daily from July 5 – September 1, 2014 (with the exception of August 23), will offer guests reserved viewing for three of the park’s most anticipated new experiences. This package is a great way to see the Frozen activities without having to wait in line or line up early for parade or fireworks. Guests who book the package enjoy refreshments and reserved viewing for Anna & Elsa’s Royal Welcome procession at 11:00 a.m. Later on, they’ll experience reserved seating at one showing of For the First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing­Along Celebration, which takes place between 12:30­7 p.m. The evening will end from 8:30 – 10PM with an exclusive dessert party in a reserved area for viewing of the nighttime Frozen fireworks spectacular. Packages cost $59 for adults and $34 for children (including tax and gratuity). Park admission is required as well.

New!  ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ sneak peek coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios July 4: Starting July 4, “Guardians of the Galaxy” is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in an exclusive sneak peek at ABC Sound Studio in RealD 3D, offering Guests  an extended look at scenes from the film before it opens in theaters. “Guardians of the Galaxy” finds space adventurer Peter Quill the object of a bounty hunt after stealing an orb coveted by a treacherous villain, but when Quill discovers the power it holds, he must find a way to rally the quartet of ragtag rivals hot on his trail to save the universe. “Guardians of the Galaxy,” releases in U.S. theaters on Aug. 1.

New! Changes to Dining Photo Process: Effective July 27, Disney PhotoPass Service will discontinue printing and delivering (or offering for sale) photo print packages at select dining locations. Affected locations include 1900 Park Fare, Chef Mickey’s, Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show, Hoop­Dee­Doo Musical Revue, ‘Ohana, and Tusker House Restaurant. Photos will continue to be captured at these locations and associated to all Guests using their MagicBand or a Memory Maker, PhotoPass or PhotoPass+ card. Guests will be able to view and purchase these photos online via their My Disney Experience account or on site at a PhotoPass sale location.

New! Winged Encounters soars into Disney’s Animal Kingdom: “Winged Encounters – The Kingdom Takes Flight” has taken off into Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The Team behind Flights of Wonder worked to bring this unique wildlife experience into Discovery Island to educate guests and raise awareness about the conservation of birds. Several times a day, up to twenty macaws fly through backstage, around the Tree of Life, and land in Discovery Island, allowing guests to view this magnificent species up close. Six different types of macaws take flight each day, including green winged, blue and yellow, red fronted, hyacinth, scarlet macaws and the endangered blue ­throated. Trainers interact with guests during a ten minute Q&A presentation. This is being performed daily at 9:15 and 10:15 a.m., as well as 1 and 2 p.m

New! Peter Pan Relocated in Magic Kingdom: As of Sunday, June 29, Peter Pan will be meeting Guests near the Adventureland bridge.

New! Cinderella’s Royal Table Closing for Refurbishment: Beginning January 5 and continuing through to March 6, 2015, the popular princess character dining experience Cinderella’s Royal Table at Disney’s Magic Kingdom is scheduled to be closed for refurbishment. The planned reopening to guests is March 7, 2015. Dates are subject to change. An alternative princess dining experience is Akershus Royal Banquet Hall at Epcot’s Norway Pavilion.

Reminder! Sounds Like Summer Concert Series Runs Thru July 26: Nothing sounds more like summer than the rockin’ tunes from some of the most iconic rock bands of all time! From June 8 to July 26, seven bands pay tribute to the hottest rock acts at the America Gardens Theatre at Epcot. Shows are at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. – except on July 4 when show times are 5:15, 6:30, 7:45 and 9 p.m. The lineup is as follows:

▪ June 29-­July 5 – Don’t Look Back – A Boston Tribute Band

▪ July 6­-12 ­Stayin’ Alive – A Tribute to the Bee Gees

▪ July 13­-19 – Slippery When Wet – The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute

▪ July 20-­26 ­ 2U – A Tribute to U2

Walt Disney World Resorts

Reminder! Children’s Activity Center Prices Increase: Effective June 16, 2014, the price per child per hour at Children’s Activity Centers at the Walt Disney World Resort will increase to $15, with a two ­hour minimum per child. Locations include Club Disney at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Cub’s Den at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Sandcastle Club at Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Simba’s Cubhouse at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. At Children’s Activity Centers, children will enjoy supervised activities such as dress up, crafts, and storytelling while parents explore grown­up adventures at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Reminder! Club Disney Opens at Disney’s Polynesian Resort: Young Guests can discover favorite Disney stories in a new way at Club Disney at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. This new children’s activity center is inspired by classic Disney Little Golden Books such as Pinocchio, Lady and the Tramp and Alice in Wonderland. Imagination runs wild as timeless tales unfold in storybook­themed play areas. Young Guests will enjoy activities including storytelling, movies, crafts, dress­up and more while parents enjoy a night out at the Walt Disney World Resort. Reservations are now available for kids ages 3­12.

 

Walt Disney World Resort – General

New! L’Experience – The Ultimate Way to Experience La Nouba: La Nouba™ by Cirque du Soleil® will host a special backstage experience beginning July 11, 2014. Tickets are valid for the 6 p.m. show on Fridays and Saturdays beginning July 11, 2014. The price will be $250+tax for adults and $215+tax for children (3­9). L’Experience includes:

▪ Front & Center Category Ticket for the 6 p.m. show

▪ Souvenir Popcorn and Soft Drinks

▪ Meet & Greet with a Cirque Performer

▪ Inside Peek at Costuming

▪ Unique Look Backstage

▪ Gift bag including Cirque Merchandise

▪ 10% Discount Coupon for The Cirque Boutique

New! Tower of Terror 10 Miler Weekend Medals Announced: If you are one of the more than 16,000 runners ‘dropping in’ to participate in The Twilight Zone Tower of  Terror 10­ Miler Weekend, October 3-­4, at Walt Disney World Resort, then we have a little motivation to help you with your training. Kids will receive the Halloween­inspired Donald Duck medallion for participating in the diaper dash, 100m, 200m 400m and 1­Mile races.  If you are participating in the Disney Happy Haunted 5K Trail Run. New this year, the medallion glows in the dark! 2014 The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10­Miler medal features The Hollywood Tower Hotel. Not only does this medal glow in the dark, the elevator moves up and down.

New! Two New VIP Tours Available: The Ultimate Day of Thrills – A VIP Tour Experience and The Ultimate Day for Young Families – A VIP Tour Experience are now available at the Walt Disney World Resort. Both tours last six to seven hours and include experiencing a certain number of attractions at Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom – such as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Toy Story Midway Mania! and Expedition Everest. (The Ultimate Day for Young Families – A VIP Tour Experience offers attractions that are specifically accessible to young children, as well). Both tours also include a meal at a Disney table ­service restaurant. These tours will be offered Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, and cost $299 per person. Disney Vacation Club Members, Disney VISA Cardholders and Annual Passholders receive a 15% discount.

Updated! “Share a Coke” This Summer: This summer, Disney and Coca­Cola are teaming together to help Guests create magic by sharing the refreshing taste of Coca­Cola with someone special. From June 30 – August 30, special 20 oz. bottles of Coca­Cola, Diet Coke and Coke Zero will be available at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. These special bottles are only available at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts for a limited time. This special Disney program ends August 30 or whenever supply of run out. This week, Disney and Coca­Cola are teaming up to bring Guests together at the Downtown Disney Marketplace through the Share a Coke campaign. Guests visiting the Once Upon a Toy fountain area July 3­6, 1­6 p.m. may sample a Coke beverage, participate in games and trivia and create a personalized Coke for themselves and one to share with a friend.

Merchandise Events

▪ June 26 – July 7: Find the latest releases from Precious Moments doll designer and artist Linda Rick or Precious Moments Representatives at Once Upon A Toy in Downtown Disney Marketplace. Add to your collection and meet representatives, and look for a special appearance by Linda throughout the day, each day, July 3 – 6.

▪ July 1 – 4: Renowned international artist Larry Dotson will be appearing throughout the day at Art of Disney in Epcot, July 1­ 4. Look for Larry again, July 17 – 20 at Art of Disney in the Downtown Disney Marketplace.

▪ July 4 – 11: Meet artist Greg McCullough this month at the Walt Disney World Resort. Greg will appear at Art of Disney in Downtown Disney Marketplace, July 4 – 11 as well as July 30 – August 3. Look for additional appearances by Greg at Art of Disney in Epcot, July 16 – 20 and July 23 – 27.

▪ July 25: Get an early jump on your holiday shopping and celebrate Christmas in July with us and Disney artists, Costa Alavezos, Cody Reynolds and Derrick Lirette from 6 – 8p.m. at Disney’s Days of Christmas in Downtown Disney Marketplace.

 

Closures and Refurbishments

Click here to view the latest renovations and closures at Walt Disney World Resort.