Every January, as holiday crowds dissipate and the “slow” season begins at Walt Disney World, cuts come to the resort. And even though this January will see the start of a new special seasonal event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the opening of the third annual Epcot International Festival of the Arts, and plenty of deep discounts and deals for guests visiting the resort in the next few weeks, it looks like there is still some trimming going on at the resort. And interestingly, the first cut isn’t even from Disney!
1. No more free chocolate at Disney Springs Ghirardelli
Free samples at the Ghirardelli Chocolate shop at Disney Springs has been a longstanding tradition at the shopping district, with guests young and old enjoying this freebie. However, effective this week, Ghirardelli is no longer offering these free chocolates to guests who stop by the retail side of this shop. This is actually a corporate change, with other Ghirardelli stores around the country also ending their free sample programs as well this week, making this one cut Disney actually doesn’t have any control over.
2. Sebastian’s Bistro no longer serving lunch
Image: Disney
Though the new Sebastian’s Bistro restaurant at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort only just opened last year, this dining location will no longer serve lunch, effective next week. Beginning in February, Dinner will now be the only meal guests can grab at this new table service restaurant, which is now only open from 5-10:00 PM. Guests at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort can still get lunch at Spyglass Grill and Centertown Market beginning at 11:30 AM, and the Banana Cabana pool bar beginning at noon.
3. Star Wars Launch Bay closed during Extra Magic Hours
Image: Disney
Though the Star Wars Launch Bay was a popular attraction when it opened several years ago, with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge just about to open in just a few months, Disney may be looking to draw down this “extra” Star Wars attraction, potentially starting the process by removing this attraction from the lineup during Extra Magic Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Though character experiences inside this attraction are still popular, we could see reduced hours for this attraction after the summer season as Disney prepares to move character experiences to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
4. Star Wars theming removed from Backlot Express menu items
And speaking of Star Wars at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it looks like Disney is pulling back the Star Wars theming in other areas of the park as well, including the Backlot Express restaurant, which no longer has Star Wars-themed menu items as of this week. The Royal Guard Burger is now just the Backlot Burger, and the Galactic Salad with Chicken is now the Southwest Salad with Chicken.
5. MuppetVision 3D not staying open until park closing
Image: Disney
Though Disney’s Hollywood Studios is open until 8:00 PM most nights this month, it looks like MuppetVision 3D will not be open during the full operating day, with this attraction now closing at 6:00 PM on most days. This attraction has operated with seasonal hours previously, and it looks like it will remain on this reduced schedule for the foreseeable future.
Of course, this area of the park has been severely hampered overall since last year’s closure of the PizzeRizzo restaurant (which may or may not reopen this summer when seasonal crowds return), and many are thinking that once Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has been open for a year or two, Disney may be looking to re-theme this area, potentially for a Star Wars expansion or even something completely different. Of course, nothing has been announced quite yet, but with closures and seasonal operations dominating this once-popular area of the park, it’s worth keeping an eye on.
