This week at Walt Disney World, a whole bunch of new perks for annual passholders are announced, another Pixar character from the movie “Up!” is set to appear at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, plus 2019’s free dining discount is released!
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 World over 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. Kevin from Up! to appear at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Image: Disney
Disney announced this week that Kevin, the bird from from Up! will be appearing at Disney’s Animal Kingdom beginning on an unspecified date next month. This new character experience is just the latest Up addition to the park, as guests can already meet Russel and Dug, and see Up characters in the UP! A Great Bird Adventure show.
2. More Dine-In theaters coming to the Disney Springs AMC
Image: Disney
The AMC theater at Disney Springs will be getting a few upgrades over the coming weeks, with more theaters being converted to Dine-in and recliners being installed in the existing dine-in theatres. The bar areas will also see a refurbishment over the coming weeks.
3. Music from Pandora – The World of Avatar released online
Image: Disney
Disney has released a soundtrack via iTunes and Apple Music for Pandora – The World of Avatar that includes music from Flight of Passage, Na’vi River Journey and Satu’li Canteen. On iTunes, the soundtrack can be purchased for $9.99. No information about a physical copy or release on other streaming platforms (Spotify, Google Play, etc.) has been released.
4. The Festival of Fantasy Parade moves back to 3:00 PM
Image: Disney
The 3:00 parade has become such an institution at the Magic Kingdom that Disney has even created a line of merchandise themed around the classic tourist question “When is the 3 ‘o clock parade?” However, last fall, the daily Festival of Fantasy parade moved to 2:00 PM, where it stayed through the Halloween and holiday season while events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ruled the schedule and put a strain on entertainment during the day. However, now that the calendar at the Magic Kingdom is a lot less crowded, effective this week, the parade has been moved back to its normal time of 3:00 PM, where it is expected to stay until next fall.
5. Free dining deal now available for summer bookings
One of the most popular deals Disney offers is the Free Dining Plan package, which is now available for stays July 5 through September 30 2019. In order to qualify for this deal, guests will need to purchase a non-discounted 5-night/6-day vacation package that includes a room at a select Disney Resort hotel and a ticket with a Park Hopper Option or Park Hopper Plus Option.
Guests staying at select Value and Moderate Resorts receive the Disney Quick Service Plan, and those staying at select Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts receive the standard Disney Dining Plan. Guests can book now through February 10 for arrivals most nights July 5 through September 30, 2019.
6. Festival of the Arts Annual Passholder magnet to be available later this month
Image: Disney
Later this month, Epcot will kick off its 3rd annual Epcot International Festival of the Arts and as part of the festivities, Annual Passholders will be able to get a complimentary magnet featuring Figment. The magnet will be available at MouseGear and Port of Entry at the entrance of World Showcase.
7. Annual passholders to have exclusive shopping experience at Magic Kingdom this week
Image: Disney
And speaking of Walt Disney World Annual Passholders, a special event will be held this week that will give annual passholders access to purchase new “potion Purple” merchandise at Mickey’s Star Traders and Merchant of Venus at the Magic Kingdom Park on Thursday, January 10 from 5-7 p.m. Event attendees can also purchase the newest purple food & beverage offerings at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies.
8. Annual Passholders to get table service dining discount this month only
Image: Jeff Christiansen, Flickr (license)
In a final update for passholders, from now through January 31st, Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will receive a limited-time 20% discount at the several table service restaurants across Walt Disney World Resort for lunch and dinner:
- Biergarten Restaurant at Epcot
- Coral Reef Restaurant at Epcot
- The Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studio
- Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen at Magic Kingdom Park
- Tiffins Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Tony’s Town Square Restaurant at Magic Kingdom Park
- Ale & Compass Restaurant at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside (Dinner Only)
- Citricos at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (Dinner Only)
- Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Flying Fish at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort (Dinner Only)
- Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort (8:30 p.m. show only)
- Jiko – The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort (Dinner Only)
- Sebastian’s Bistro at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort (Dinner Only)
- The Wave… of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort
