This week at Walt Disney World, Disney announces the end of both Extra Magic Hours and Disney’s Magical Express, Gideon’s Bakehouse sees 12 hour waits upon reopening, plus…
Outside Walt Disney World, a Universal favorite reopens after refurbishment plus a slimmed-down Mardi Gras event is announced for 2021!
1. Disney’s Magical Express service to end in 2022
The biggest news this week was the announcement that Disney’s Magical Express service, which provides guests with transportation between Orlando International Airport and the Walt Disney World, will be ending on January 1, 2022.
In a statement, Disney confirmed that the service will continue to operate for all Disney hotel stays through the end of 2021, but added that “As consumer needs and preferences change, we will no longer offer Disney’s Magical Express service starting with arrivals in 2022”
You can learn more about this story here.
2. Extra Magic Hours discontinued permanently
Though Extra Magic Hours have not been offered at Walt Disney World since early 2020, it was confirmed this week that this hotel perk would not be returning to the resort, and will eventually be replaced by a 30-minute early entrance program that will debut later this year. You can read more about that here.
3. Gideon’s Bakehouse reopens to 12-hour waits
After a two week unannounced closure, Gideon’s Bakehouse reopened at Disney Springs on January 16, 2021, and it looks like guests were more excited than ever to check out this treat stop, as lines formed around Disney Springs, stretching from the West Side all the way through the Town Center area, with wait times hitting 12 hours at one point. Guests who were among the first to visit this shop were able to score free art prints of this location’s iconic gargoyle, stickers, and even free peanut butter buttercream dip.
Gideon’s Bakehouse looks like it is going to be immensely popular for the foreseeable future, so guests who want to grab one of this bakery’s signature sweets will definitely want to arrive early at Disney Springs.
4. New “Soul” Exhibit coming to EPCOT next month
Disney announced this week that they will be debuting a new Jazz-focused exhibit called “The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure,” inside The American Adventure. This attraction features Joe Gardner from Disney and Pixar’s “Soul” and allows guests to take a musical tour of America to learn about this genre of music with “stops” at locations like Chicago, New Orleans, San Juan, and more. You can check out additional details about this new offering here.
5. Disney nuiMO plush toys launching in the US
Disney has announced a new line of fashion forward plush toys called nuiMOs which will be heading to Disney parks in the US as well as shopDisney website. These plushes originally launched at Disney Stores in Japan, followed by Disney Stores in China, Shanghai Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, and have become very popular on social media due to their unique styling options. You can check out the video above for more on these cute little plushes!
6. Premier Passholders must call VIPassholder line to continue Walt Disney World portion of pass
This week Disneyland announced they were ending their annual passholder program, and as a result Premier Passport holders (who can visit Disneyland or Walt Disney World) will have the Disneyland portion of their pass cancelled. However, it was revealed this week that this process will not be automatic, and the full passes will be cancelled on March 31st and guests will need to contact V.I.PASSHOLDER before that date to continue to receive admission to Walt Disney World theme parks.
7. Universal Orlando Resort announces Mardi Gras 2021: International Flavors of Carnaval
This week Universal announced a special edition of its Mardi Gras festival for 2021. Officially titled Mardi Gras 2021: International Flavors of Carnaval this year’s event will eschew parades and concerts and have a renewed focus on authentic cuisine inspired by the most iconic Carnaval festivities across the globe. This first-ever, dynamic celebration of flavor and entertainment will take place daily at Universal Studios Florida from Saturday, February 6 and continue through Sunday, March 28. You can check out all the details here.
8. Revenge of The Mummy reopens at Universal Studios Florida
After a brief nearly two week closure, Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios Florida reopened with several visual projection and sound upgrades throughout the ride, its first real change in its nearly 20 year history!
