2017 Brings Major Snack and Dessert Changes to Walt Disney World Dining Plan

WDWNT on June 22, 2016

In 2017, dessert will be removed from all eligible counter service meals on both the Quick Service Dining Plan and the Basic Disney Dining Plan Packages. Replacing the dessert on both the Quick Service and Basic Plan will be the addition of a second snack credit daily. Overall this proposed change has the most effect on the Quick Service Plan who lost its second snack a number of years back and now loses two desserts and gains back a single snack. Other major changes include elimination of the rarely used Platinum and Premium plans.

  • 2017 Proposed Quick Service Dining Plan
    • 2 Quick Service Meals (Entree & Drink) per person per day
    • 2 Snack Credits per person per day
  • 2017 Basic Dining Plan
    • 1 Quick Service Meal (Entree & Drink) per person per day
    • 1 Table Service Meal (Entree, Drink and Dessert) per person per day
    • 2 Snack Credits per person per day

These changes come no doubt to bring better balance to the plan after last May when Walt Disney World began allowing dining plan patrons to swap drinks and/or desserts for any snack eligible item at quick service locations and allowed desserts to be swapped at table service locations for a fruit place, small salad or cup of soup.

The Deluxe Disney Dining Plan is not expected to experience any changes.

UPDATE: Walt Disney World Beaches Will Return With Enhanced Signage

WDWNT on June 22, 2016

Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Wahler issued a statement just a short while ago saying “we are conducting a swift and thorough review of all of our processes and protocols. This includes the number, placement and wording of our signage and warnings.”

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This leads us to believe the beaches should return in the next few days with signage that will include some sort of alligator warning for guests. No other information as provided at this time.

UPDATE: Beaches Remain Closed, Transportation Limited Around Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on June 22, 2016

In light of the recent events in the Seven Seas Lagoon area, beaches near the Magic Kingdom remained closed today. Disney has even gone so far as to remove all of the lounge chairs from the beaches as well.

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The Magic Kingdom ferryboats are back in operation on the Seven Seas Lagoon today, but all smaller watercraft are still being kept out of operation. Additional buses continue to be offered today in reaction to the decreased watercraft service.

There is no word as of yet on when or if these changes will be reversed.

UPDATE: Search for Gator Victim Ends, Investigation Continues

WDWNT on June 22, 2016

Searchers finally located the body of the missing 2-year-old boy a short time ago at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.

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It appears the boy was drowned since the body was found intact. Experts will compare the bite marks on the victim to the 5 alligators that were captured over the course of the last day to ensure the animal was indeed removed from the area.

Divers found the boy about 15 yards from the shoreline.

Reportedly, Matt Graves wrestled with the alligator , trying to pry to child from the alligator’s jaw, but came away only with a few scratches on his hands.

UPDATE: Disney Alters Jungle Cruise In Light of Gator Incident; First Eyewitness Report

WDWNT on June 22, 2016

The Orlando Sentinel interviewed a witness of the attack, a Bill Wilson of New Harmony, Indiana who was sitting on his balcony at the Grand Floridian:

“I looked over and here comes one of the lifeguards. He said ‘Everybody get out of the water. The mother was there and she was frantic, running up and down looking.”  Everything unfolded in less than 30 seconds, he said. A minute later, the alligator was gone. Wilson said he had seen the group walking near the water’s edge and noted it was very dark at that site. They weren’t standing under a light, he said. Wilson said response was quick from Disney personnel and first responders. He saw helicopters, fire department members, lifeguards, pontoon boats at work.  “Disney did every damn thing they could do to help,” he said. Hotel guests were not notified of the situation Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, he said.

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In response to these recent events, Walt Disney World today cut all jokes related to children and crocodiles from the Jungle Cruise attraction at the Magic Kingdom. Among the jokes, the attraction famously asked parents to “watch their children, or the crocodiles will.”

UPDATE: Sheriff Offers Updates on Changing State of Gator Incident Investigation

WDWNT on June 22, 2016

During a noon press conference, the sheriff in charge of the ongoing investigation offered a few updates on the incident.

Since it has been 15 hours since the child was taken, the effort has now become a recovery mission to bring closure to the family who suffered the loss.

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5 alligators have been removed, euthanized, and examined since the search began, but no traces of the victim have been found.

There were several eyewitnesses to the incident according to the Sheriff, so any thoughts of foul play can be laid to rest.

Walt Disney World has since closed of all of the beaches in the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake areas of the resort in response, as well, all watercraft service has been suspended.

BREAKING: FastPass+ Booking Currently Not Functioning at Walt Disney World

WDWNT on June 22, 2016

Apparently, guests at Walt Disney World are currently unable to book FastPass+ reservations.

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The service interruption is affecting all booking online and through the app, but in-park kiosks are still able to book FastPass+ for guests. All existing FP+ reservations are unaffected in the outage.

If guests try to book online, the system informs guests that distribution has concluded for the day, which is of course, inaccurate.

Disney is unsure of when the problem might be fixed, stay tuned for any updates as they are provided.

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory Closing For Major Multi-Month Remodel

WDWNT on June 22, 2016

Beginning July 11th, 2016, Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory food court at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter will be closed to undergo a significant remodeling.

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While the work is being done, guests may go to Scat Cat’s Lounge for jambalaya, gumbo, po-boy sandwiches, other hot and cold entrees, as well as the famous beignets. A selection of grab and go options are also going to be available. In-room pizza delivery service will continue to be offered from 4PM until midnight, offering pizza, hold and cold sandwiches, and pasta. Also, bus transportation to Port Orleans Riverside will be available from 7AM until midnight to accomodate guests who may want to dine at Riverside Mill food court or Boatwright’s Dining Hall.

Work is expected to be complete on Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory in the Fall of 2016.

UPDATE: Latest On Continuing Search Effort in Gator Incident at Disney World

WDWNT on June 22, 2016

The search continues by water and air over the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake at the Walt Disney World Resort as officials continue to look for a 2-year-old boy who was dragged away by a alligator roughly between 4 and 7 feet long.

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Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings stated that the Nebraska family of five was relaxing on the shoreline when the alligator attacked the boy. The father of the boy entered the water and tried to pry the child away from the gator, but was unsuccessful. He had minor scratches on his hands following the encounter.

The parents of the boy then ran to the nearby quiet pool at the resort and alerted a lifeguard of the situation. There are no lifeguards on the beaches as there are a multitude of signs warning guests not to go swimming in the Seven Seas Lagoon. Whether or not the child was in the water when he was attacked is still unclear at this time.

Vice President of Walt Disney World Resort Jacquee Wahler made the following statement:

“Everyone here at the Walt Disney World Resort is devastated by this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the family,” he said. “We are helping the family and doing everything we can to assist law enforcement.”

 

Alligator Drags Child Into Water at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

WDWNT on June 22, 2016

In what has already been a rough week for the Orlando area, another tragic story is now developing on Disney property.

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Deputies are currently searching for a missing 2-year-old boy who was dragged into the water by an alligator by the shoreline of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

It is unknown what the exact circumstances of the situation were, nor if the child or his parents are guests at the hotel.

We will update you on the search as more becomes available.