This week at Walt Disney World, a holiday upcharge sells out in just a few hours, indoor character “sightings” kick off at the resort, plus Disney changes an important Genie+ policy
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal’s final nights of Halloween Horror Nights sell out, plus Sesame Street Weekend comes to SeaWorld Orlando!
1. Indoor character “sightings” return
Indoor character meet and greets, which have been rebranded as “sightings” have returned to Walt Disney World this week. Guests are able to interact with characters from a distance and snap a selfie, but there are no hugs, autographs or PhotoPass photographers present. You can see a full listing of the character sightings that are now available here.
2. Candlelight Processional Dining Package sells out in two hours
Only a few hours after they became available, dining reservations for the EPCOT Candlelight Processional sold out. Guests are still able to wait stand-by for this experience, which kicks off next month as part of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. You can learn more here.
3. New Year’s Eve celebrations rumored to be returning to Walt Disney World theme parks
After skipping New Year’s Eve celebrations in December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it looks like guests may be able to ring in 2022 at Walt Disney World as the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are all open until midnight in according to the resort’s most recent operating hours update. You can check out the full calendar here No specific entertainment has been announced just yet.
4. Marvel’s Eternals preview now showing at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is now hosting a preview of the newest Marvel film Eternals, at the Walt Disney Presents attraction. There is no accompanying exhibit, but guests can check out an 8 minute look at the film, which opens later this month.
5. Disney changes early morning Lightning Lane purchase policy
Disney has changed its policy for early morning Lightning Lane purchases, and is now releasing ALL availability for Lightning Lane individual attractions at 7:00 AM (when only resort guests can make purchases), and not releasing additional availability at theme park opening. This means that guests who are not staying on site may not be able to purchase Lightning Lane skip-the-line passes for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, which has been selling out prior to park opening.
6. Kali River Rapids to close for refurbishment this week
Kali River Rapids’ annual refurbishment is set to kick off this week, right in time for temperatures to cool off. Disney’s Animal Kingdom fans may note that this is a little earlier than this attraction’s usual January closure, but with other attractions closing next year, it seems like a good time for this attraction to get its annual touchup.
7. Halloween Horror Nights sells out for final weekend
This year’s Halloween Horror Nights event has seen several sell out nights, and it looks like the final weekend of this year’s 30th anniversary event is continuing this trend, selling out for this events remaining nights.
8. SeaWorld Orlando to host Sesame Street Kids Weekend
SeaWorld Orlando will be hosting a Sesame Street Kids’ Weekend on November 6 and 7, where families will be able to join Elmo, Cookie Monster, Rosita and other characters for hands-on activities, dance parties, character photo opportunities and a story-time with Big Bird.
