This is the weekly news, rumors and refurbishments update for Walt Disney World for the week of December 21, 2014.
Here are the four biggest updates from around the resort for the past seven days…
1. Contactless payments are now accepted at Walt Disney World
Apple Pay and other contactless payment options such as Google Wallet are now supported at Walt Disney World. Disney is able to use the resort wide RFID infrastructure to support these new payment methods.
Apple Pay can be used by anyone using an iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and the Apple Watch when released in 2015. Google Wallet is also supported and you can check with your phone manufacturer for eligibility.
Apple Pay is extremely secure, requiring a fingerprint scan to authorize payment and using a different credit card number for each transaction. This ensures that no credit details are ever given to the merchant (in this case Disney).
Using Apple Pay is also very easy. You will see a EMVCo symbol (similar to a WiFi symbol on its side) on the Mickey readers that you use to tap your MagicBand at the supported locations. Currently most merchandise and quick service food locations support contactless payments and locations that use handheld devices such as a table service restaurant will be added at a later time.
2. THINK by IBM and Test the Limits will be closing at Epcot
Innoventions East will be losing two exhibits at the start of 2015. THINK by IBM will close on January 1, 2015 and Test the Limits Lab will close on January 6, 2015. THINK opened just two years ago, but alas the sponsorship has come to an end. Although, I doubt many guests will shed a tear.
No replacement has been announced.
3. Island Supply at Magic Kingdom will become a Sunglass Hut in January
Currently-closed Island Supply in Adventureland is being converted to the Island Supply Sunglass Hut opening on January 8, 2015
Island Supply Sunglass Hut will sell high-end sunglasses such as Oakley. Sunglass Hut have stores throughout the country including one in Downtown Disney West Side.
I have never been to Island Supply before it closed in October, but it used to sell surf related clothing and accessories.
4. Dole Whip is now served at the Sunshine Tree Terrace
This may not seem like a big update, but the lines at Aloha Isle certainly are. No longer is the little window in Adventureland the only place to grab some famous Pineapple Dole Whip. The Sunshine Tree Terrace has started to sell the soft serve treat along with another Magic Kingdom favorite, the Citrus Swirl.
So next time you are in the mood for pineapple soft serve ice cream, check out the lines near the little Orange Bird.
