Walt Disney World Resort – General
New! My Disney Experience App Update: Guests can enjoy maximum flexibility with the My Disney Experience mobile app. With the Walt Disney World® Parks right at their fingertips, Guests can accessDisney FastPass+ service, use the interactive, GPS-enabled maps to navigate the Parks easily and get attraction information all at the same convenient place. And, beginning this month, Guests can now purchase select Walt Disney World Resort theme park tickets via the My Disney Experience mobile app. They can buy single- or multi-day Magic Your Way tickets for visits up to 10 days, with or without thePark Hopper® option. At the time of purchase, Guests can link the tickets to existing or new Family & Friends profiles on My Disney Experience. Immediately after purchase and if they are within the applicable selection window, Guests can make FastPass+ selections, to continue planning their vacation to Walt Disney World Resort!
New! Apple Pay to be Accepted Soon: A new form of electronic payment will be accepted before Christmas at most Disney-operated merchandise locations, quick-service restaurants, bars/lounges, spas, recreation and ticket sales locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort that use stationary touch-to-pay devices. A symbol represented by four curved lines will appear on existing touch-to-pay stationary devices when contactless payment is accepted.
New! Blizzard Beach – Closed Due to Forecasted Low Temperatures: Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park will be closed on Tuesday, December 9 – Friday, December 12, 2014 due to forecasted low temperatures. Disney’s Fantasia Gardens and Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Courses will be open normal business hours.
New! Holiday Happenings at Downtown Disney: The Downtown Disney Area at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is bustling with holiday excitement. The Festival of the Seasons is now underway and new holiday décor is lighting up the Marketplace. Here are some of the holiday activities at Downtown Disney:
- Meet Santa: You can share your wish list with Santa Claus through Christmas Eve (Santa Goofy Steps in December 25th – 29th)! New this year, guests can check in at the Santa Chalet podium to receive a pager that buzzes when their turn to meet Santa is near. It’s a great opportunity to snag a family photo, too, with Disney’s PhotoPass photographers on standby. (12pm – 9:30pm daily).
- Enjoy Holiday Entertainment: Pick up a times guide to discover the sounds of the season. From carolers to stilt walkers, live musicians to DJ dance parties, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. A great new spot to catch a performance is Exposition Park on the West Side – and while you’re there, you can indulge in fresh fare from the Disney Food Trucks!
- Indulge in Holiday Treats: Peppermint Mocha from STARBUCKS? Decadent hot chocolate from Ghirardelli? A homemade treat from Goofy’s Candy Company or Candy Cauldron? Whatever you fancy, you’ll find something sweet to tempt your taste buds!
Reminder! Food Truck Park Now Open at Downtown Disney / Disney Springs: The Food Trucks are now open at Exposition Park on the West Side, which is a permanent home for the Disney owned-and-operated Downtown Disney food trucks. Located along the water, the Food Trucks serve mouthwatering culinary creations daily, such as chicken & waffles and tandoori spiced shrimp. The area will also offer additional seating for diners as well as shaded areas during the day. The four Disney food trucks, along with the ESPN food truck, may be there – Namaste Café with flavors from Disney’s Animal Kingdom; Superstar Catering with favorites from Disney’s Hollywood Studios like a Margarita Flatbread; Fantasy Fare with Magic Kingdom Park goodies like the corn dog, and World Showcase of Flavors with Epcot tastes from grass-fed beef sliders to Pierogies. You’ll find Exposition Park between Bongo’s Cuban Café and Starbucks – an expansive grassy area that take advantage of the pretty waterfront. Hours may vary during peak times and special events.
New! Soldier and Family Reunited at Walt Disney World Cheer and Dance Competition: One year ago 9-year-old Adisen Kallas made a wish with her family in front of Cinderella Castle. She wished that her dad, Navy SEABEE UT1 Scott Kallas, would return from deployment in Afghanistan in time to watch her dance at the 2014 Pop Warner National Cheer and Dance Championships at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort. At that time Scott was preparing for his fifth military deployment. Well Adisen wish came true. What happened on Saturday after Adisen and the Mighty Might Tri Town Raiderettes dance team from Schererville, IN, performed was nothing short of magical. It is a moment you will want to watch for yourself.
Reminder! Atlanta Braves Spring Training Tickets Available Now: Enjoy America’s most magical pastime at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex March 4-April 4. The Atlanta Braves return for their 18th Spring Training Season at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Individual Game Tickets will go on sale December 1. Get the best seats at the best prices when you purchase early. Tickets available here
Merchandise Events
December 14 – 23: Beloved artist David E. Doss will be appearing this month at Art of Disney in Downtown Disney Marketplace, just in time for the holidays. Be sure to stop in and say hello!
Now – December 30: Share in the sights and sounds of some of the world’s greatest holiday festivities duringHolidays Around the World at Epcot. There are quite a few events taking place throughout the month including special appearances by Precious Moments Creator Linda Rick, Department 56 Artist – Scott Enter, Master Glass Artist Reinhard Herzog, Geir Ness, Kit Heath, Julia April and more. Details are available now onDisneyParksMerchandise.com.
Now – January 5: Representatives from Precious Moments Dolls will be on hand at Once Upon A Toy in Downtown Disney Marketplace throughout the holiday season. Stop in and add to your collection today.
New! Hanukkah Merchandise Now Available: A small assortment of Hanukkah-inspired merchandise is available at World of Disney in Downtown Disney Marketplace including plates, mugs, beautiful wine glasses, home decor, and Disney pins.
New! Frozen Merchandise Update: Some of the most popular holiday gifts this year are anything related to Disney’s “Frozen.” Disney Parks Blog author Steven Miller recently visited Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post and Frozen Snowground at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to give a rundown of my favorite “Frozen” gifts and where to find them at Walt Disney World Resort during the holidays. In addition to the locations listed in the video, Frozen merchandise is also available at Fantasia in Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Closures and Refurbishments
Click here to view the latest renovations and closures at Walt Disney World Resort.
When you’re ready to book your Disney World Vacation, be sure to contact Becca with Destinations in Florida Travel. She is the Preferred Travel Agent for Orlando Fun and Food!
Jason Mayhew
My name is Jason Mayhew, and I am the owner of OFF On The Go. When not traveling with the website, I own my own marketing and PR company, J Mayhew Marketing. I have the best job where I get to travel the world and showcase the most amazing and unique experiences!
