This week at Walt Disney World, Disney announces some new holiday-themed overlays for attractions like the Tomorrowland Speedway and Space Mountain, Annual Passholders get some late summer perks, plus a brand new “ultimate” vacation package is announced
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal prepares to make a BIG announcement this week and a new house is announced for Halloween Horror Nights!
1. New summer perks for Annual Passholders at Epcot announced
Image: Disney
In an effort to get more traffic for Epcot this summer, Walt Disney World has announced the following new passholder perks, which will now be available from July 29th through August 18, 2019:
- Guaranteed seating for Guardians of the Galaxy – Awesome Mix Live! Annual Passholders can enter on the on the left side of the theatre and show their annual pass and photo ID for access to a special Annual Passholder section.
- At the Fife & Drum and Block & Hans, Passholders will receive a 10% discount on non-discounted food and beverage items, including alcohol.
- Annual Passholders who dine at Coral Reef and purchase an adult entree will receive an exclusive, complimentary dessert: prosecco ice-cream with berries, whipped cream, raspberry powder, and fresh mint.
- Annual Passholders will be able to purchase a secret mystery dessert at Sunshine Seasons in The Land pavilion.
2. New attraction overlays coming to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Image: Disney
Just a few days after announcing new overlays for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Disney has announced that for the first time ever attraction enhancements are coming to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Here’s the lineup:
- Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor will have a new show
- Space Mountain will be filled with lighting and high-energy holiday tunes
- Tomorrowland Speedway will be filled with thousands of lights and stylized décor
- Mad Tea Party will feature four new holiday combos of lights and music
3. Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween parade gets new characters, costumes and float
Image: Disney
One of the biggest attractions that keeps guests coming back to this seasonal event year after year is Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, which has new elements just for this year, including the following:
- A new Tomorrowland float featuring The Incredibles and designer extraordinaire Edna Mode followed by Buzz Lightyear and Alien explorers discovering crystalline treasures on the surface of a planetary playset float (concept art above).
- The Haunted Mansion float will feature a new addition, the spectral Bride, who glides among the waltzing spirits.
- Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will be wearing brand-new Halloween costumes.
4. Primeval Whirl closure extended again
Over a month ago on June 17, the Walt Disney World Resort released an advisory informing Guests that Primeval Whirl would be closed until further notice due to unspecified technical issues. And though we still don’t know exactly what is happening with this attraction Disney predicted that this attraction could open as soon as July 4, but of course, that never happened, and the attraction remains closed as we approach the end of July. And now this week Disney has confirmed that this ride will remain closed until at least August 3, 2019.
5. Disney Ultimate Christmas Package now available for booking
Image: Disney
Disney has announced this year’s Ultimate Disney Christmas Package at Walt Disney World Resort, which includes the following experiences:
- Dec. 21, 2019– EXCLUSIVE nighttime access to experience Avatar Flight of Passage, Na’vi River Journey and Expedition Everest. Plus catch an exclusive showing of the park’s new Rivers of Light: We Are One show.
- Dec. 22, 2019– Celebrate the season with tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom® Park.
- Dec. 23 or Dec. 24, 2019 (one night per reservation)– EXCLUSIVE reserved viewing area at World View Plaza to watch Epcot® Forever, an all-new nighttime spectacular. Plus, each Guest (ages 3 and up) will receive a digital $50 Epcot Theme Park Dine Promo Card to use at participating Epcot locations.
- Dec. 25, 2019– An Ultimate Disney Christmas gift delivered to your Client’s room.
- Dec. 26, 2019– Bid a fond farewell
This package includes a 5-night stay at a select Disney Moderate, Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort hotel and 4-day theme park tickets with Park Hopper Option. For example, for just $199 per person, per night (total package price of $3,980), a family of four can stay in a standard room at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. This package must be booked by phone and cannot be booked online.
6. Universal making a “Major Announcement” next week
It was confirmed this week that Universal Orlando Resort would be making a major announcement on August 1, and is holding a press conference at the Orange County Convention Center to unveil this surprise. And though it hasn’t been confirmed, considering this is such a big event we’re assuming that Universal will finally, officially unveil their newest theme park, tentatively named “Fantastic Worlds” to the world.
7. Killer Klowns from Outer Space haunted house announced for Halloween Horror Nights
Universal Orlando Resort has announced yet another house for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights event: Killer Klowns from Outer Space. Here’s the official synopsis of the house:
If ever there was a reason why people are afraid of Klowns, this is it. The Killer Klowns from Outer Space have landed in an all-new haunted house. There’s nothing funny about these strange, klown-like creatures who use side-splitting antics and weird alien technology to devour their victims. Don’t let them encase you in one of their cotton candy cocoons or you could end up as a gooey snack. One gag is ghastlier than the next as they have you shrieking from clown to clown like some twisted three-ring circus. These Killer Klowns won’t make you scream with laughter–just scream.
