Walt Disney World Resort Update for August 10–16, 2021
Writer’s Note & News (Combined)
It’s the second week of August, and right here in my neighborhood and most of Central Florida, public colleges return in session at present. In pre-COVID-19 instances, these sizzling, humid, scattered thunderstorm days of summer season have tended to be slightly quiet instances round Walt Disney World Resort. But Halloween celebrations are underway (Disney After Hours Boo Bash begins tonight, for instance), and EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival has began, plus there are nonetheless some Florida Resident ticket provides that each one mix to probably change previous traits. As I focus on under, I visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Saturday, and it felt (largely) crowded.
At the identical time, Florida continues to be among the many leaders within the counts of recent COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations spurred by the Delta Variant. An alarming variety of younger individuals are actually changing into significantly ailing as effectively. Indeed, AdventHealth, the official healthcare supplier of Walt Disney World Resort, and the key hospital/medical facility operator within the area, has once more postponed elective surgical procedures and restricted visitation as a consequence of very excessive mattress occupancy charges. Disney Parks (on each coasts) proceed to observe the up to date steerage from the Centers for Disease Control: everybody ages 2 and up are once more required to put on face coverings in all indoor areas, points of interest, and queues no matter vaccination standing. Outdoors, face coverings stay optionally available in most areas for vaccinated company. Guests proceed to be required to put on face coverings on buses, monorails, and on Disney Skyliner. If you have not been vaccinated and also you’re eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, do your self and the remainder of us a favor: get vaccinated.
As I counsel every week, irrespective of your vaccination standing, you’ll want to examine the “experience updates” page of Walt Disney World for the most recent info it is advisable know earlier than you go to. The insurance policies are in flux, and whereas it’s unlikely the Resort will shutdown once more within the near-term, Disney very-well might impose visitor restrictions which might be stricter than these imposed by the State of Florida.
Turning to the climate past the recent, humid, each day scattered thunderstorms half, it’s Tropical Storm Season, and, proper on schedule, we’re attending to its most lively time. As I sort the ultimate sentences of the Update simply forward of our normal Tuesday publication, Central Florida, together with Walt Disney World Resort, is forecast throughout the “cone of uncertainty” for a Tropical Storm being monitored within the Atlantic Ocean; per the most recent forecast, it might affect the area beginning this Saturday, August 14. If you might be heading this fashion (or reside within the area), please preserve your self knowledgeable of the most recent forecast and get ready.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Sample Pricing and More Revealed
Following final week’s dialogue of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser particulars, this previous week, Disney Parks Blog debuted the primary industrial for the distinctive 2-night/2-day experiences coming to Walt Disney World Resort beginning in Spring 2022, after which up to date the official www.starwarsgalacticstarcruiser.com web site on DisneyWorld.com with pattern itineraries, cabin varieties, eating experiences, and pattern charges for late-summer/early fall 2022 (that historically quiet interval talked about above). As anticipated, the expertise shall be priced like a cruise (at price-points beginning above even a premium Disney Cruise Line voyage), and contains lodging, a MagicBand, meals and a planetary tour to Batuu (admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios), and can provide alternatives to be enhanced with extras you’ll be able to pay for (like dinner on the Captain’s desk, or costumes you’ll be able to order from StoreDisney.com prematurely, or the build-your-own lightsaber expertise at Savi’s, and so forth).
The two-night, immersive journey within the Star Wars universe, is scheduled to open in Spring 2022. Video courtesy Disney Parks.
The key takeaways from the up to date info now accessible concerning the expertise embody:
- The starcruiser options 100 cabins and suites.
- Standard Cabin sleeps 4-5 company: queen mattress, 2 berth-style bunk beds for one grownup every and a wall pull-down mattress for one grownup. Cabin features a mini fridge, hair dryer, in-cabin protected, cellphone with voicemail, interactive TV (together with leisure from Earth), bathtub facilities. The cabin has a window with a view out into house and a pull-out desk.
- Galaxy Class Suite is a one-bedroom dwelling house that sleeps 4 company: queen mattress and a couple of wall pull-down beds for one grownup every. Cabin contains the identical facilities as Standard Cabin plus a dwelling house with an built-in seating space, a double self-importance rest room, bar space, and two home windows with views of house together with “a number of additional” Star Wars surprises.
- Grand Captain Suite is a two-bedroom dwelling house for a household of 8 company: 2 queen beds, 2 berth-style bunk beds for one grownup every and a couple of wall pull-down beds for one grownup every. Cabin contains the identical facilities as Standard Cabin plus a major suite with a double self-importance rest room, a second rest room with a single self-importance, a bar space, and three home windows with views out into house together with “a number of additional” Star Wars surprises.
Rates at Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser shall be based mostly on a cabin room for the 2-night expertise. Screenshot from www.starwarsgalacticstarcruiser.com.
- Dining Aboard the Starcruiser shall be within the Crown of Corellia Dining Room.
- Like a cruise ship, there shall be two seatings for dinners. Guests might state a desire when reserving.
- Dinner the primary evening shall be as a table-service supper membership with “a particular musical look by a galactic celebrity.”
- Dinner on the second evening shall be “The Taste Around the Galaxy” which can function meals from “iconic vacation spot planets all through the galaxy” and every course shall be offered with a quick introduction.
- An up-charge dinner on the Captain’s Table shall be accessible, with additional programs whereas seated in a chief location within the heart of the eating room.
- Breakfast and lunch may even be accessible within the Crown of Corellia Dining Room.
- Dining During the Excursion to Batuu
- Guests can get pleasure from a quick-service meal at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo (or can wander past Star Wars-Galaxy’s Edge to different not-yet-specified Disney’s Hollywood Studios fast service areas) and have an entrée and beverage (age acceptable); company ages 3-9 can have one combo meal from kids’s menu choices within the park.
- To get pleasure from a few of the immersive experiences, company shall be required to make use of the Play Disney Parks cell app and may have to make use of or put on a MagicBand (known as a databand through the expertise). Play Disney Parks app requires entry to a cell system with a Wi-Fi or cell provider knowledge reference to the Play Disney Parks cell app put in, and company have to be signed into the appliance with their Disney account, with Bluetooth and different permissions enabled.
Views of (and about) Disney’s Hollywood Studios
A buddy was on the town and requested if I’d meet at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Saturday. I’m happy to report that with just some days’ heads-up there have been nonetheless Disney Park Pass reservations accessible as an Annual Passholder (I didn’t examine the opposite classes). It is unclear to what extent there stays any attendance cap under full capability, however a sound ticket and reservation are nonetheless wanted to go to, and park hopping doesn’t open to these with that profit till 2 p.m.
My out of city buddy needed to expertise Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. My buddy had solely the at some point to go to the park and had an early night flight to catch. We tried to hitch a Boarding Group when the digital queue opened at 7 a.m., however it crammed virtually immediately. We have been capable of be a part of a “Backup” group on the 1 p.m. opening of the digital queue, however the price at which Boarding Groups have been referred to as through the day meant that my buddy could be unable to expertise this landmark attraction.
As a neighborhood Annual Passholder, I can fairly simply shrug off the times once I go to the park and don’t get to expertise Rise of the Resistance as a result of I can strive repeatedly (and, certainly, in full disclosure, I’ve had different special-invited alternatives to expertise the attraction, as I’ve shared right here on MousePlanet earlier than due to media previews and such). The digital queue system appears slightly flawed, although, when somebody like my buddy, visiting solely for a day, is unable to expertise it in any respect. In reality, when my Boarding Group was referred to as at round 7:30 p.m., after my buddy’s flight departed, I found a extremely evident flaw within the operation of the digital queue.
We tried and failed at 7 a.m. to hitch a Boarding Group for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. At the 1 p.m. opening of the digital queue, we have been capable of get a “Backup” group task. I used to be capable of enter the attraction at simply after 7:30 p.m. Photo and screenshots by Alan S. Dalinka.
When I reached the attraction entrance and had my MagicBand scanned to substantiate my Boarding Group, I used to be despatched down the abbreviated queue hall constructed (however by no means used for) the Disney QuickPass+ service. This instantly indicated to me that there have been not many company contained in the attraction.
(Very gentle spoilers observe however nothing that was not publicly revealed by Disney earlier than the attraction opened to the general public in December 2019.)
After my transport was captured by the First Order and my fellow passengers and I have been ordered off the transport, I walked shortly previous the stormtroopers within the hangar and down the hallway to interrogation. There have been no different company queued within the hallway resulting in interrogation, and, certainly, once I was assigned an interrogation room, as a result of I didn’t linger within the hangar as most company do to admire the stormtroopers (which I’ve had ample previous alternative to do), I used to be positioned in interrogation fully alone after which obtained to expertise the rest of the attraction fully alone (not simply alone in my journey car, the one particular person within the 16 seats that journey the expertise the remainder of the way in which to the attraction’s conclusion).
I totally loved this distinctive method to expertise the attraction. I rank it solely behind my very first full time by the attraction. But once I obtained dwelling that night it dawned on me simply how dangerous that form of guest-flow by the attraction is for all of the company, like my buddy, who didn’t get to go to it in any respect. There should be a method to distribute this extra capability to extra company. Indeed, should you watch the entrance gate of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you see an excellent variety of company stream out the exit well-before park closing time, leaving shorter waits at many points of interest across the park as closing time approaches.
Personally, I wish to see a digital queue system that appears extra like QuickPass+ did at its finest – the place I may choose a time of day and didn’t need to rise up hours earlier than the park opened to try to get a time assigned. Sure, there have been busy instances the place QuickPass+ availability appeared scarce when making these points of interest reservations prematurely, however that was managed by the park holding again some availability and releasing it as operations permitted. If nothing else, if Rise of the Resistance has no inner wait time and is dispatching empty journey autos, is there any purpose the park cannot reopen the digital queue as a shock a delight second? Wouldn’t that, maybe, entice extra company to remain within the park later (and, maybe, spend extra on meals and beverage and whatnot whereas they keep)?
Without having obtained a Boarding Group for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at 7 a.m., I really feel no have to get to Disney’s Hollywood Studios throughout its morning rush.
Signs on the entrance to the park, on the entrances to points of interest and indoor areas once more observe the renewed park requirement that company put on face coverings in these locations.
The digital signal on the Hyperion additionally reminds company that face coverings indoors are obligatory.
Any present restrict on park capability is now not obvious on Sunset Boulevard throughout a sizzling Saturday afternoon in August. Posted queue instances for fashionable points of interest have been 60 minutes or extra through the early afternoon.
Starting August 15, Beauty and the Beast the Musical at Theater of the Stars will once more entertain audiences and soak up a few of the park crowds.
As night approaches within the park, park crowds are likely to diminish, particularly after a typical Central Florida summer season afternoon thunderstorm.
Tower of Terror rises excessive above the park. Through the bushes under, you’ll be able to see a few of the intensive queue within the early afternoon at Rock’n’Roller Coaster.
One of the objects within the Rock’n’Roller Coaster pre-show appears to be like sort of just like the COVID-19 spore illustration launched by the CDC. Anyone keep in mind if this was right here earlier than the pandemic?
Batuu is bathed within the final daylight of the night.
The “Millenium Falcon” sits at Black Spire Outpost within the early night gentle.
Kylo Ren’s Tie-fighter glows with the extra lighting of its “touchdown pad.”
After departing Batuu, “encounter” extra aliens and Buzz Lightyear.
The “Wonderful World of Animation” projection present lately returned to nightly showings. outdoors Chinese Theater. Currently, it’s scheduled at park closing and contains some pyrotechnics. Some of the projections stay on the theater for someday after the conclusion of the present.
Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.
This & That…
…As the beginning of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” approaches with the October 1st marking of the fiftieth anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Parks Blog welcomed again Steven Miller to its roster of authors this previous week with what shall be a visit down reminiscence lane of visits to Walt Disney World Resort for the 23 12 months veteran solid member and former Walt Disney World Resort Ambassador. Until Steven took on his present position on the Resort, he was often one of many representatives we obtained to talk with at media-invited occasions across the resort (and sometimes featured video of him speaking concerning the newest merchandise on our social media channels). Keep a watch out for his very considerate and nostalgic posts.
…As promised final week, Disney Parks Blog shared a primary look on Friday at a few of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” impressed merchandise that can quickly be accessible as a part of the Walt Disney World Resort’s celebration of its fiftieth Anniversary.
…Magic Kingdom is all decked out for celebrating Halloween now by October 31 as a result of the brand new laborious ticket Disney After Hours Boo Bash kicks off tonight with its choose nights, restricted attendance occasion schedule. Day or evening, in fact, all 4 parks and Disney Springs will provide up meals and beverage Halloween deal with choices, and Disney Parks Blog shared the perfect bites for the season (some coming quickly), together with information of a Mickey Mummy Popcorn Bucket coming quickly to all 4 parks and Disney Springs, and, beginning at present, August 10, Minnie’s Halloween Dine returns by November 3 at Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with Disney characters and associates making particular appearances in costumes for the season.
…Yesterday, runDisney revealed the medals for finishers through the upcoming 2021 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend. The theme is “wickedly scrumptious” which means the medals function Disney Villains.
…REMINDER: Masquerade Ball returns to The Edison at Disney Springs Friday, August 20, from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Live leisure shall be accompanied by trays of handed appetizers, meals stations, and a devoted menu of unique masquerade-themed cocktails. Tickets are $150 per particular person (plus tax and gratuity) and company should be 21 or older to attend. VIP cubicles and couches are additionally accessible for an an extra $250 for assured seating and a devoted server. VIP info is out there by emailing [email protected] or calling (407) 560-8155.
…REMINDER: The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic returns Friday, October 29 and Saturday, October 30, providing an out of doors competition that includes limitless meals tastings from the resorts’ culinary crew, and wine, beer and different sips from all over the world. Overnight packages and event-only tickets are actually accessible at FoodAndWineClassic.com. Overnight packages begin at $580; event-only ticket choices are $165 per particular person (together with tax and repair charges). Reservations are additionally accessible within the resort’s new tower, Walt Disney World Swan Reserve.
…REMINDER: the Swan and Dolphin Resort proceed to host job gala’s this week, hiring for culinary, entrance of home, again of home, housekeeping, and extra hospitality positions. More info on careers on the Resort is out there at http://bit.ly/swandolphinjobs. Job seekers have the choice to use forward of time at https://bit.ly/3xdUrmj, and open interviews shall be held within the Swan Ballroom within the Walt Disney World Swan Resort, 1200 Epcot Resorts Blvd. Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, as follows:
- Front Office and Housekeeping Job Fair – Wednesday, August 11, from 1 p.m. to five p.m.
- Culinary and Food & Beverage Job Fair – Thursday, August 12, from 1 p.m. to five p.m.
- All Positions Job Fair – Friday, August 13, from 1 p.m. to five p.m.
- All Positions Job Fair – Saturday, August 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
…REMINDER: Give Kids The World Village introduced a return of its extremely fashionable “Night of a Million Lights Holiday Lights Spectacular” for its second annual exhibiting, November 12, 2021 by January 2, 2022. Tickets are already accessible at www.gktw.org/lights for timed entry for the 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. nightly alternative to go to the 89-acre nonprofit resort with a glowing tree path, larger-than-life vacation shows, one-of-a-kind step-in frames and backdrops, in addition to a guided storytelling tour of 100 lit villas from the consolation of a tram. Enhancements this 12 months may even embody a 360-degree dancing lights present encompassing 21 buildings set to music with six three-minute vacation vignettes taking part in every hour, a vacation market with upgraded meals and beverage experiences, vacation merchandise, and a chance for kids to fulfill Santa in an elaborately designed Florida dwelling. VIP packages can be found, as are reductions for teams of 25 or extra. Proceeds help Give Kids the World Village (positioned at 210 South Bass Road in Kissimmee, Florida), which supplies critically ailing kids and their households with weeklong want holidays without charge.
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Resort Reservations, Ticket Advice & Special Offers
Note: MousePlanet doesn’t edit previous Updates to mirror worth will increase; for up-to-date costs, examine the latest Walt Disney World Resort Update.
Summer Florida Resident ticket choices accessible by September 17 enable Florida residents to go to the parks for $54/day (plus tax) with the $215 (plus tax) 4-day Florida Resident Summer Fun Ticket. The ticket is one park per day and Florida proof of residency is required. Specially priced two and three-day Florida Resident Summer Fun Tickets are additionally accessible. All tickets can be utilized both on consecutive or non-consecutive days. Add-ons, like Park Hopper are additionally available. Park reservations are additionally required to go to a park along with a sound ticket.
Florida Residents lodge charges for bookings by September 4, 2021, can be found on this page of DisneyWorld.com.
For everybody, Walt Disney World Resort Summer Room Offer for Select Disney Resort hotels supplies financial savings as much as 25% on rooms for stays most nights by September 29, 2021.
Walt Disney World Resort Vacation Packages can now be booked as much as 500 days prematurely on a rolling calendar, and a bundle may be held for only a $200 downpayment with closing fee due 30 days previous to journey.
Our journey accomplice Get Away Today is out there that can assist you ebook rooms and packages, and embody its complimentary Concierge Services. More particulars are here. With Get Away Today’s complimentary Price Monitoring, any time a particular comes out, it should mechanically worth examine it for every of its company. If the brand new particular is best, it should mechanically apply the brand new financial savings and let the visitor know. If it isn’t a greater deal, they are going to depart every little thing as is, and preserve their eyes peeled for future promotions that might save company extra.
You can get a trip quote from Get Away Today here. (Responses offered in 1 to three enterprise days.) You may also name 855-GET-AWAY throughout common enterprise hours (Monday to Friday 9 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. MT) and inform them MousePlanet despatched you!
Be positive to take a look at Get Away Today’s Universal Orlando Resort ticket offers too.
Only buy Disney theme park tickets instantly from Disney, a licensed vendor, or a journey company like MousePlanet journey accomplice Get Away Today! As at all times, we remind our readers that Walt Disney World Resort theme park tickets are hardly ever supplied at deep reductions except you’re a resident of Florida or eligible for U.S. Military Personnel advantages. Historically, non-Florida residents have a tendency to learn probably the most by buying tickets prematurely (and, in fact, being conscious of the principles related to these tickets). Don’t get scammed! Never purchase tickets from an unofficial or secondary outlet, similar to by eBay or Craigslist. Never hire or buy tickets from individuals approaching you outdoors Disney property stating they’ve remaining days or leftover tickets. This observe is towards the phrases of use for Walt Disney World Theme Park admissions, and should lead to denial of entry. There is not any method to decide if these tickets are legitimate till you attempt to use them to enter the parks.
 
