This week at Walt Disney World, Disney’s Hollywood Studios gets a brand new logo, a new perk is announced for resort guests, plus new upcharge events and extras are announced!
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal announced another house for Halloween Horror Nights, LEGOLAND offers a big discount, plus an opening date is announced for a new restaurant at Universal Studios Florida!
1. “Extra” Extra Magic Hours coming this fall to Walt Disney World
Image: Disney
Disney announced that, beginning this fall, they will be offering an “Extra{ Extra Magic Hours benefit to resort guests to help guests experience the resort after Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on August 29th. This new benefit will start on September 1 and will be available not only at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but also Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom. Here’s the full breakdown of currently scheduled Extra, Extra Magic Hours:
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios — Daily from Sept. 1-Nov. 2, the park will have Extra, Extra Magic Hours from 6-9 a.m., including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, plus Toy Story Land attractions and select other attractions. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and its experiences subject to capacity.
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Extra, Extra Magic Hours will happen daily Aug. 29-Nov. 2, from 7-8 a.m., featuring Pandora – The World of Avatar and other attractions throughout the park (same as today’s morning Extra Magic Hours offerings).
- Magic Kingdom Park —Extra, Extra Magic Hours will happen daily from Aug. 29-Nov. 2, from 7-8 a.m., featuring favorite attractions in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland (same as today’s morning EMH offerings).
2. New Roundup Rodeo BBQ Table Service restaurant coming to Toy Story Land
Image: Disney
One of the most puzzling aspects of Toy Story Land that many guests noted when this land opened (other than its lack of shade) was the absence of a restaurant beyond the Woody’s Lunch Box snack stop. However, it looks like Disney will be remedying this issue soon by introducing a brand-new table-service restaurant in this location. However, if you were hoping that the fan-favorite in-film Pizza Planet restaurant would be coming to Toy Story Land, sadly, you’d be mistaken.
Instead, this new restaurant will be themed to resemble a new “rodeo” play area assembled with cardboard boxes cut and taped together, this new location will feature multiple dining rooms and plenty of familiar toy characters that have been brought together to create a fun, colorful mashup-atmosphere that only a child could create. This immersive restaurant will surround guests with a kaleidoscope of toys, games, and playsets that will certainly please fans of the long-running Toy Story franchise. This new dining location will be built in the front of Toy Story Land, near the giant Woody Toy Story Land entrance sign.
3. New logo for Disney’s Hollywood Studios unveiled
Image: Disney
During the 30th anniversary celebration of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney unveiled a brand new character-infused logo for this park, that is expected to officially debut inside the park later this year!
4. Mask-making experience now available at Epcot
Image: Disney
A new mask painting experience is now available for guests visiting Epcot’s Italy pavilion.Located in the mask shop La Gemma Elegante, a resident artist will be on hand to assist Guests with painting their very own Italian mask for display during a special upcharge experience that will last 30 minutes and cost $30 per guest. Those wanting the experience this fun little extra can ask about it and make reservations from inside the show.
5. Signature Celebration Package at Cinderella’s Royal Table now available for booking
Image: Disney
Disney has announced a brand new upcharge experience for guests who want to visit Cinderella’s Royal Table Priced at $199 plus tax and gratuity for adults and $169 for children, this special upcharge package includes a character dining experience in the castle, reserved fireworks viewing in the West Plaza Garden, and an after fireworks dessert party. Guests will also be able to take pictures at a special a meet and greet with Cinderella and Prince Charming upon arrival at Cinderella’s Royal Table, and will recieve a special box of chocolates as a parting gift. No discounts for annual passholders or DVC members are offered.
For those wondering about the value of this new package, dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table typically costs between $60-$80, not including tax and gratuity and the Happily Ever After Fireworks Dessert Party costs $69 for adults and $41 for children, making this package more expensive than the sum of its parts, which is something to consider before booking.
6. Permits show plans to expand the Magic Kingdom parking lot
Permits uncovered by WDWMagic show that the Magic Kingdom is considering a plan to expand its massive parking lot again in the near future. According to the permit, which is for a new retention pond, “This facility will also provide treatment for a proposed parking expansion within the Magic Kingdom Guest Parking Lot. That expansion is a part of this permit and will remove an 11.4 acre wetland and replace that same area with a paved parking surface.” Though not officially confirmed yet, with Walt Disney World attendance growing every year, an expanded parking lot at Magic Kingdom seems like a near-certainty, though we don’t know when this project might commence.
7. Today Cafe to open May 16
Image: Universal
Universal announced this week that the brand new Today Cafe will be opening in just a few days on May 16th. Designed to look and feel like Studio 1A in New York City where TODAY broadcasts daily, the new TODAY Cafe will serve grab and go meals, snacks and coffee. Guests can sit inside and watch a live TODAY broadcast or sit outside in a specially designed area meant to recall the TODAY plaza in New York City.
This new dining location is replacing the former Beverly Hills Boulangerie quick service stop at the front of Universal Studios Florida, and across from the Universal Studios Store. This dining stop will have plenty of sandwiches, salads, and coffee drinks for guests to enjoy.
8. Universal Monsters Halloween Horror Nights house announced
Universal Orlando Resort announced the third house for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights this week. In the Universal Monsters house, guests will come face-to-face with Dracula in his gothic castle, the Wolfman in a dark Bavarian forest, and the man-made monster within Dr. Frankenstein’s lab. And if you survive them, you still may encounter the vicious Creature of the Black Lagoon, the ancient evil of the Mummy and more.
9. LEGOLAND offering “Awesomer” Pass for $100 this weekend
Image: LEGOLAND
LEGOLAND is offering a limited-time sale on its “Awesomer” pass this weekend, allowing guests to purchase this pass for just $100, a $70 discount! This pass includes12 months of unlimited admissions to LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park, LEGOLAND Florida Water Park, SEA LIFE Orlando, Madame Tussauds Orlando and LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta. The pass also includes free standard parking, exclusive discounts, admission to special events and more!
