This week at Walt Disney World, Disney Springs extends its hours, two long refurbishments kick off, plus entertainment gets big cuts at the resort.
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal announces the VelociCoaster as well as new ticket/annual pass deals, plus Volcano Bay announces a four-month closure.
1. Disney Springs extends opening hours
Though Disney Springs has been operating on a reduced schedule since its reopening back in June, the shopping and dining district has been slowly increasing both hours and capacity. Beginning October 9 2020, Disney Springs will move to a later 11:00 PM close on Friday and Saturdays, The current 10:00 PM close will stay in effect all other days.
2. Tom Sawyer Island and Liberty Square Riverboat kick off refurbishments
The Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island at the Magic Kingdom are both currently scheduled to close for refurbishment on October 5 and remain under refurbishment until at least early next year. We don’t have any information about what it going to happen during these closures, but we’d guess that the Rivers of America are probably going to be drained as part of this closure, which is why both of these attractions are closing at the same time.
3. Minnie Vans service reportedly not returning
One of the Walt Disney World services that did not return in July 2020 was the Minnie Vans service, and now it is being rumored that Disney will not be continuing with the agreement it has with Chevy in regards to leasing the cars that are used for this service. Disney has not released any statements about this program, so this is just a rumor for now, but if you’re looking to get around Walt Disney World in the near future, you’ll have to use Uber, Lyft, or another Walt Disney World transportation option.
4. Specific annual passholders can now purchase passes again
Former Annual Passholders who have passes that were canceled or expired after March 16th are now eligible to be among the first guests to purchase a new annual pass. These new pass purchases can not be made online, and interested guests will need to either call the Annual Passholder support line at 407-WDW-PASS (407-939-7277) or visit a Guest Relations location at Walt Disney World in order to buy a new annual pass.
Passholders who qualify will be able to take advantage of renewal rates tied to their former passes, and can also choose between annual or monthly payments. Annual passholders are also being offered special discounts on hotel rooms and a 30% merchandise discount that is good both in the parks and online at shopDisney.com
5. More Joffrey’s locations now open
More Joffrey’s locations reopened this week at the Walt Disney World Resort, including the following locations and hours:
Transportation and Ticket Center at Magic Kingdom:
Monday-Thursday 7AM to 1PM
Friday-Sunday 7AM to Park Closure
Disney’s Contemporary Resort:
6AM to 1PM Daily
6. Walt Disney World entertainment gets massive cuts
As part of the massive layoffs at Walt Disney World that began this week, entertainment acts at Walt Disney World have suffered several losses, including the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra, Yehaa Bob, and the cast of the Spirit of Aloha show at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. You can read more about the cuts being made at Disney here.
7. Volcano Bay to close next month for at least four months
Universal Orlando Resort has announced that Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Park, which previously operated year round, will be closing on November 2, 2020 due to anticipated lower demand during the coming winter months. Though there is no reopening date set in stone yet, operations are expected to resume in Spring 2021, potentially on or around March 1st.
8. VelociCoaster officially confirmed for Islands of Adventure, Summer 2021 debut planned
Universal finally confirmed the Jurassic World VelociCoaster this week, revealing lots of new and exciting new details about this attraction. Like other recent “story” coasters, this new ride will feature an original story that is based on the Jurassic World family of films and will take fans on an amazing ride as Jurassic World unveils the next evolution of its “carnivore expansion”: the VelociCoaster, where riders embark on a high-speed chase and feel the rush of the hunt while racing alongside a nimble Velociraptor pack. The ride will feature the original cast of the film series, including Chris Pratt as Owen Grady, Bryce Dallas Howard as Claire Dearing and BD Wong as Dr. Henry Wu.
This new attraction will raise the bar in extreme roller coaster design, spanning more than 4,700 feet of track and reaching heights of up to 155 feet, with maneuvers that will have guests twisting and soaring above land, barrel rolling just inches above water, speeding through near-misses and launches within the raptor paddock, and more.
For more on this attraction (and a video preview) click here.
9. Universal announces several limited time deals on tickets and annual pass purchases
Universal has announced several money-saving deals kicking off this week, including the following:
- “Free” days: Guests who purchase a 2-Day, 2-Park ticket (as low as $243.99 per adult, one park per day) will receive three extra days free that can be used for visits now through August 31, 2021. This special 5-day ticket offer is available for purchase now through January 6, 2021, and is only available to US residents at this time.
- Annual passholders save $100: Florida residents who are interested in purchasing a new annual pass to the theme parks have the option of saving up to $100 on select Passes. This offer is available for purchase through December 17, 2020
- Buy a Day extension: Universal Orlando has extended the purchase date of the popular buy a day, visit until December 24, 2020 Florida resident ticket offer to November 3, 2020. With the purchase of a 2-Park, 1-Day, Park-to-Park ticket (starting at $164 per adult, plus tax), guests can access the parks every day now through December 24, 2020
