This week at Walt Disney World, a long-standing FastPass+ glitch is finally fixed, a lengthy refurbishment is announced for one of the resort’s most popular eateries, plus reservations are now available for Disney’s newest on-peroperty hotel!
Programming note: Though we normally devote some time to Orlando-area parks outside Lake Buena Vista, there has been so much going on at Walt Disney Worldover the past seven days that we decided to forgo the “beyond” this week. You’ll hear about all the news from Universal Orlando Resort, Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando in next week’s update!
1. Disney fixes FastPass+ early booking window loophole
It is well-known that guests who are staying on-property at a Walt Disney World hotel enjoy an extended FastPass+ booking window. However, some nefarious guests have been taking advantage of that perk by reserving rooms, making FastPass+ reservations, and then cancelling the reservations (while keeping the FastPass+). However, Beginning this week, FastPass+ reservations created with a then-canceled resort reservation will be removed, fixing a long-standing loophole.
2. Beaches and Cream to close later this year for lengthy refurbishment
Image: Disney
The Beaches and Cream restaurant at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort will be closing this August for a lengthy refurbishment, with a tentative reopening set for December 2019. During that time, there will be a temporary location at the Yacht and Beach Club Resort offering ice cream, but not the Kitchen Sink. During this closure, the interior of the restaurant will be remodeled, but the theme will remain the same.
3. Disney Imagineering offers update on Disney Skyliner progress
Construction on the Disney Skyliner has been going on for more than two years, and while we don’t know an exact date for the opening of this exciting new transportation option, it looks like this project is progressing nicely as Disney has not only been testing out components of this transportation system after hours, but has also been beginning to run “test” gondolas in and out of both the Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Caribbean Beach stations. You can learn more about the progress of this project in the video above.
4.Track construction to begin on Tron roller coaster, according to recently-filed permits
Image: Disney
One of the most-anticipated new attractions coming to Walt Disney World over the next few years is the Tron roller coaster, modeled after TRON Lightcycle Power Run at Shanghai Disneyland. And though construction on this attraction has been happening backstage since 2017, it looks like permits have been filed for the most important part of this new attraction: the track!
According to the recently-filed paperwork, long-time Disney construction partner Coastal Steel Inc will be installing “ride steel” over the next few months at the Magic Kingdom, which is certainly an exciting development.
Though we still don’t have an official opening date for this attraction, with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opening this year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Guardians of the Galaxy rumored to be opening next year at Epcot, it seems more likely than ever that Disney is looking to open this new ride in 2021, just in time for the 50th anniversary of the Magic Kingdom!
5. Guest Experience Team sticking around through the spring
Image: Disney
Over the holiday season Disney deployed a new Guest Experience Team at the Magic Kingdom, which was a special team of Cast Members who were stationed throughout the park to help guests make the most of their day by proactively assisting guests with booking, modifying and recovering FastPass+ selections, navigating the My Disney Experience app, and using MagicBands.
And though this was originally designed to be a limited-time support addition, it looks like these special Cast Members in the blue shirts will be sticking around through the end of the spring, as guests continue to flock to the Magic Kingdom during the Spring Break season.
If you shoudl need them, these special Cast Members can be found in the following locations around the park
- Main Street, U.S.A. – Castle Hub
- Tomorrowland – Near Stitch’s Great Escape
- Fantasyland – Along castle wall, near Enchanted Tales with Belle
- Frontierland – Across from Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe (Golden Oak Outpost side)
- Adventureland – Near Jungle Skipper Canteen
6. Reservations now available for Disney’s Riviera Resort
Image: Disney
When it opens this December, Disney’s Riviera Resort will become the 15th Disney Vacation Club property, and will feature approximately 300 guest rooms, including deluxe studios, one- and two-bedroom villas, and grand villas that sleep up to 12 people each. And though some of the rooms will be pretty small, if you would like to make a reservation at Disney’s newest property, you can do so right now, as bookings are live as of this week.
7. $12,000 World of Dreams VIP tour nnow available for booking
Image: Disney
Though Disney already offers a fairly inclusive VIP Tour option that includes front of the line attraction access, food, and your own tour guide, if money is truly no object and you can afford more than $400 per hour on your Disney experience, a new higher-than-high-end VIP tour has been announced that just might fit your needs.
Called “World of Dreams” this new tour costs a bank-busting $12,000 (for up to six guests) for a single day, and $10,000 for each additional day. So what do you get for this insane price?
- Backstage access and transportation both inside the park and from park to park
- Front of the line attraction access
- All meals, snacks, and drinks (even “some” alcohol)
- Reserved seating at any nighttime spectacular
- Private tour of Cinderella Castle Dream Suite
