This week at Walt Disney World, the biggest news came in the form of price hikes for annual passholders as well as an increase in rates for parking. However, there were some other things that happened this week too, inlcuding dining changes, new discounts and more!
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort limits the operating hours Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure while this attraction undergoes maintenance, plus SeaWorld announces a new $25 ticket deal!
1. Price hikes come to Walt Disney World
Image: Disney
The biggest news this week has been Walt Disney World’s price increase, which saw prices on annual passes up from between 9% and 20%, with two the two “no blockout” passes now over the $1000 mark for non-Florida residents. Here’s the full price breakdown for regular guests and Florida residents.
- Disney Value Resorts: $15 per night
- Disney Moderate Resorts: $20 per night
- Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts: $25 per night
2. Disney shuffles snack offerings near Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
3. Annual Passholders to get free gift for attending Disney Villains After Hours
Image: Disney
Annual Passholders attending Disney Villains After Hours will soon be able to receive a free Christmas Ornament when attending the new Disney Villains After Hours event at the Magic Kingdom. This free gift will be available beginning June 27 2019, and can be picked up at Mickey’s Star Traders in Tomorrowland during the event.
4. New upcharge available for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Image: Disney
A new upcharge experience is now avialable for guests visiting this year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. For $99 per person, guests at this year’s event can gain access to Cruella’s Halloween Hide-A-Way, which will be located at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant and will be open from 9:30 PM through 12:30 AM. Inside this location, guests can savor both savory and sweet treats during the evening, and can also meet Cruella De Vil herself. Guests attending this upcharge can also enjoy a reserved viewing area for the night’s Boo to You parade as well!
5. New discounted water parks option now available for annual passholders to purchase
Image: Ashley, Flickr (license)
Disney has announced a special Summer Splash Pass water park add-on that allows Annual Passholders to enjoy unlimited visits to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park from July 5 through Sept. 7, 2019. The cost of this pass is the same as a non-discounted 1-day water park ticket, which is $69 plus tax. This new add-on must be purchased at a ticket window beginning next month on July 5 (the first day it can be used), and is not currently for sale online.
6. Hagrid’s Magical Motorbike Adventure operating on limited schedule during technical difficulty
Image: Universal
According to an official statement released by Universal Orlando Resort, the massive demand for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, as well as weather issues and technical difficulties have made it necessary for the park to run this new ride on a very limited schedule. Though no official times were given, Universal has said that they will start opening this attraction at midday, every day, and will be using the morning hours to perform maintenance on the ride to ensure it runs as smotthly as possible for as long as possible before they close the ride for capacity (this has been happening lately around 6:00 PM)
This new policy will go into effect immediately, and Universal anticipates running this attraction on a limited schedule for the next few weeks at least.
7. SeaWorld launches new “Rescue”-themed Instagram account
Image: SeaWorld Orlando
Now through July 31, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Tampa Annual Passholders can purchase two SeaWorld Orlando or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay tickets for $25 each. All active SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and Florida Platinum Pass Members are eligible for this offer and the tickets are valid for one time use until August 16, 2019 (blockout dates: July 4-July 7, 2019). To redeem this offer, Annual Passholders can log in to their online account and then click on the tab labelled “This Month’s Rewards.”
