This week at Walt Disney World, hours are cut at the theme parks and several closures come to separate corners of the resort.
Outside Walt Disney World, SeaWorld expands its opening and Universal kicks off passholder appreciation days.
1. Disney Parks cut hours heading in to the fall
Though hours have already been cut across the board, Disney announced this week that they were trimming their parks’ schedule even further, with the following daily hours of operation taking effect on September 1:
- Magic Kingdom: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM)
- Epcot: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM (from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM)
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM)
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 9:00 AM to 5:00 pm (from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
2. Tomorrowland Transit Authority now officially under refurbishment
One of the attractions that did not open with Walt Disney World when it reopened in July was the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. However, unlike other attractions like Primeval Whirl and River of Light, which are now closed forever, this attraction is expected to reopen at some point, and Disney has officially updated its website to say that this attraction will be under refurbishment at least through to the end of October 2020.
3. Disney Stores inside Disney Springs resorts now permanently closed
The seven third party operated hotels located in the Disney Springs area have all featured a small Disney Store inside them, which sold Walt Disney World tickets, gifts, and sundries. However, it looks like Disney is in the process of closing down all of these locations, as current conditions have made these leased spaces not profitable enough to keep operating.
4. Tangerine Cafe in Epcot closes
This week also saw the closure of The Tangerine Cafe in Epcot’s Morocco Pavilion. Right now it is unknown if this location will reopen at all, as it is by a third party vendor. However, when traffic at the park picks up again, we would expect some kind of eatery to reopen in this space, whether it is the original Tangerine Cafe or something new.
5. New show debuts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Last weekend the Theater of the Stars at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which was previously the home of the long-running Beauty and the Beast Live show, became home to a new concert series featuring the Disney Society Orchestra. This concert-style show features a six-piece orchestra playing music from Toy Story, The Little Mermaid, and The Muppets, leading up to a finale that includes appearances from Beauty and the Beast characters.
Right now it is expected that this new show will play for a limited time in place of the regular Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage show, which should return at some point. However, there is unfortunately no way to know exactly when that will be as Disney is already looking to cut costs across the resort, and there doesn’t seem to be an end for the dispute with the actors’ union in sight.
6. Free magnet now available for annual passholders
The deadline for annual passholders to cancel their passes is August 11th, but those who keep their passes will have brand-new Tinker Bell Passholder magnet mailed to them later this month (one per household) as a “thank you” for continuing to be part of the Walt Disney World passholder family. These magnets will not be available in the parks and will only be available via mail.
7. New ShopDisney discount announced for annual passholders
Though Walt Disney World normally gives annual passholders merchandise discounts in the theme parks from now through August 14th, 2020, shopDisney will honor a 30% discount for Walt Disney World Annual Passholders on a wide assortment of products.
In order to to get this discount, annual passholders will need to sign in to their ShopDisney account affiliated with their Disney Parks Account and then enter the Promotion Code AP30OFF into the Add Promotion Code area during the checkout process. Not all products will qualify for this deal.
8. DVC Moonlight Magic events cancelled
Unsurprisingly, Disney has cancelled all of the Disney Vacation Club Moonlight Magic After Hours events scheduled to happen this fall at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. These after hours event typically offer attractions, character meet and greets, a DJ dance party and refreshments and were originally planned for September 15, 22, and October 6 2020, but will no longer proceed as planned, and no rescheduling information has been provided yet.
9. SeaWorld expands operating schedule
Though SeaWorld has only been operating only five days a week since reopening, the park announced that they will be shifting to a six-day schedule and will now be open on Thursdays through September 6, Unfortunately, the park will still remain closed on Tuesdays for the foreseeable future and the park will return to more limited operations next month, in the short term this is a very good sign for this park!
10. Annual Passholder appreciation days return to Universal Orlando Resort
Though several attractions are closing this month as part of broader cost cutting measures, Universal Orlando Resort is bringing back its Passholder Appreciation Days kicking off next week from August 10 through September 30. This year, passholders can enjoy a number of perks, including the following:
- Dedicated parking lane at the Universal Orlando toll plaza
- Dedicated passholder entrances at the theme parks
- 30 percent discount on select Express passes.
- Premier and Preferred Passholders can take advantage of an extra hour in the parks with Early Park Admission. The perk will also be extended to Power and Seasonal passholders but only on select dates through September 30.
In addition to the perks listed above, Universal Orlando Resort annual passholders can also purchase exclusive merchandise, including an exclusive popcorn bucket for $7.99 plus tax.
