Walt Disney World Free Dining Offer for Fall 2016 Announced

Disney has released the Free Dining package details for Fall 2016:

Get a FREE dining plan when you purchase a non-discounted 5-night/6-day package that includes a room at a select Disney Resort hotel and theme park ticket with Park Hopper or Water Park Fun & More Option.
Call our friends at Magical Travel to book your vacation now: 1-866-207-8387, or magicaltravel.com.
Offer valid at select Disney Resort hotels for arrivals most nights:

  • August 23 through October 1, 2016
  • November 15 through November 21, 2016
  • November 26 through November 28, 2016
  • December 10 through December 21, 2016

Book through July 8, 2016.

Explore the Disney Resort hotels and Disney dining plans eligible for this offer in the chart below.

Select Disney Deluxe Villa Resort Hotels
FREE Disney Dining Plan
Select Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels
FREE Disney Dining Plan
Select Disney Moderate Resort Hotels
FREE Disney Dining Plan
Select Disney Value Resort Hotels
FREE Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan

Package Includes

  • Room
  • Theme park ticket(s) with Park Hopper or Water Park Fun & More Option
  • Dining Plan (Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan with Value Resort hotel packages; Disney Dining Plan with Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resort hotel packages)

Important Details

  • The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited.
  • Advance reservations required.
  • Tickets and options must be used within 14 days of first use.
  • Children ages 3 to 9 must choose from the children’s menu, if available.
  • Some table-service restaurants may have limited or no availability at time of package purchase.

Offer Restrictions

  • Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion.
  • Excludes alcoholic beverages and gratuities.
  • Everyone in the same room must be on the same package.
  • Offer excludes the following room types: 3-bedroom villas, campsites, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Little Mermaid Standard Rooms and Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.

Jungle Cruise-Themed Skipper Canteen Restaurant to Undergo Radical Menu Change

Since the Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen restaurant opened at the Magic Kingdom last December, it has been a point of much controversy. Many applauded the diverse menu, a great departure from other eateries around the park. However, a lot of guests have taken a seat at the restaurant only to find a menu that might be a little scary to those less-familiar with cuisine from other regions. Maybe it’s just too much for such a popular theme park to serve such food? Probably not considering how many other establishments in the park serve fairly standard food offerings. Regardless, Disney will be changing the menu due to the demands of these unsatisfied guests.

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Disney has not stated when the change will happen, but cast members at the restaurant have been informed that the changes are coming. The menu is expected to radically change, with almost all of the current offerings going away or moving to another restaurant at Walt Disney World (the head-on shrimp are moving to Tiffins at Animal Kingdom).

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We’ll be sure to bring you the new menu once it debuts, so stay tuned.

REVIEW: New Oasis Bar Opens at Polynesian Village Resort With Tasty Tropical Flavors

The new quiet pool at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort opened recently, and with it came a new pool bar: The Oasis. In addition to a bar area, the Oasis also has a food service window to offer guests a counter service option as well. The food menu is the same at both, but alcoholic and specialty drinks will only be found at the bar.

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A look at the fairly large menu

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The banana cabana has to be in my top five favorite drinks at Walt Disney World. I really enjoy coconut, banana, and pineapple in drinks, so having them all together in one was just perfection. The other guests in my party agreed that this is easily their favorite drink here as well.

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The Grand Margarita was fine, but nothing special.

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The Lava Flow struck me as an improved version of the ubiquitous Pina Colava sold at every other bar. I like the Colava a lot, but this was a little sweeter and had more flavor to it. Disclaimer: I like sweet, what some would call “girly” drinks as you’ll notice as we roll on with these reviews.

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The Niue Rita is pretty solid. Pretty much what you expect based on the ingredients.

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The Frosty Pineapple is probably the drink most reading this would be excited to get (as it contains Pineapple Dole Whip), but it just wasn’t that good. The “spiky pineapple” at Trader Sam’s is similar, but just prepared to perfection compared to this. This drink is for the most part pre-prepared in a machine and was just way too sweet.

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The sashimi was great, very fresh. Pretty much waht you expect from this kind of dish anywhere at this resort by now.

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The fried wontons are what most guests refer to as “Poly Chips”. They are still good, and I like them with this sauce, but they are still best in the nachos at Captain Cook’s.

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The Kahlua pork sliders came with a healthy side of fries

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These tasted just like the dish from the food and wine festival at Epcot, but you get three here for a much better price (and a side). They were fantastic, just as they are at Epcot.

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For dessert, we had the Malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts with a passion fruit curd)

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At the end of the day, they were just sugar-covered doughnuts, but they were very good and mixed great with the dipping sauce.

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Overall, the Oasis is a really good pool bar compared to many others around Walt Disney World. I was very happy with the food and drinks (even if we didn’t really care for 2 of the 5 we had). Keep in mind, this bar is intended for resort guests only and is behind the locked gates in the quiet pool area, but you can get in if you just perhaps wait for another guest to open the gates (not that we endorse this). Regardless, we plan to visit the Oasis bar again in the near future, most likely for a small bite and a Banana Cabana.

Fulton’s to become “Paddlefish” Restaurant in Fall 2016

Fulton’s Crab House will open a new concept this fall called “Paddlefish”.

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The re-imagined restaurant will welcome guests with a bow to stern update including interiors reflecting the crisp luxury of modern yachting, and new spaces include a lushly appointed rooftop lounge overlooking Disney Springs, outdoor waterfront bar featuring a “build your own” fish boil and private dining areas. The new menu stars fresh seafood with an oyster shucking bar, Florida stone crab and Alaskan king crab, with hearty steaks and chops, as well as classic and curated cocktails.

The new restaurant will also bring about the return of the working paddle-wheel on the back of what was once the Empress Lilly.

REVIEW: Beaches & Cream Soda Shop Introduces Amazing Alcoholic Milkshakes

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Beaches and Cream is already one of the most popular dining establishments at Walt Disney World, but something tells me it is about to become even more popular with the addition of new hard floats and milkshakes!

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There are now 5 Hard Floats & Milkshakes guests will find on the menu foe either dining in or take out. On a side note, a member of our party had a tree nut and peanut allergy and could still have any of these. Beaches and Cream is really good with dealing with allergies, so don’t be afraid to stop by and order even if you think you might have an issue. Chances are they will be ready to serve you safely.

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We ended up ordering three of these drinks for “review purposes”. Here’s what we thought:

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The Grasshopper Float combines mint chocolate chip ice cream with Guinness. I will warn you that you probably need to already enjoy mint ice cream and Guinness to like this one, but if you do, you’re in for a real treat.

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The Root Beer Float is excellent. Tasted exactly like I expected: like a hard root beer perfectly mixed with vanilla ice cream.

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My favorite, by far, was the S’mores Shake. It was really smooth and had just the right hint of alcohol flavor added to the blend of spectacular sweets. I probably could have had at least 2-3 of these if no one had stopped me (or if the line wasn’t 30-45 minutes long at the counter…

I already love Beaches and Cream, but these hard drinks are really well done and give you another reason to visit if you happen to want an adult beverage and dessert all rolled up into one. I will be back again real soon to try the other flavors… or maybe to just get another S’mores Shake…

PHOTO REPORT: Animal Kingdom 4/26/16 (Safaris, New Merchandise, Tiffins, ETC.)

I made a quick stop at Disney’s Animal Kingdom earlier this week, so let’s see what’s new and exciting around the now 18-year-old park:

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Welcome

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The FastPass+ entrance for Kilimanjaro Safaris is back in the original location, so this sign now points the way

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Let’s take a ride, shall we?

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Work continues on Tiffins which will officially open on the 27th of May

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Pandora: The World of AVATAR will take slightly longer…

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This new Animal Kingdom mug is pretty great

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These new baby outfits are pretty adorable

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Select TAG merchandise can now be found around the parks, this was in Riverside Depot

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Another new luggage tag

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New plastic photo frames

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A new Animal Kingdom fleece throw for sale

Tokyo Disneyland Adding Beauty and the Beast & Big Hero 6 Rides; DisneySea To Add Soarin’

Oriental Land Company has announced their plans for their fiscal year 2020. Both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea will be getting new attractions. In addition, Tokyo Disneyland will be receiving a new themed area (Beauty and the Beast), restaurants, and shops. More details can be found on TDRExplorer.com and the English press release.

Tokyo Disneyland

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A new land themed after Beauty and the Beast which will have a new attraction, restaurant, and shop. Which will be located where the Grand Circuit Raceway is currently located in Tomorrowland. The new attraction will be inside the Beast’s Castle. The expected completion date is Spring 2020.

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Along with the new themed area a Big Hero 6 attraction and live action theater are also being build in the same area. Over in Toontown a new character greeting facility for Minnie Mouse will also open.

Tokyo DisneySea

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Soarin’ will finally come to Tokyo DisneySea in the Mediterranean Harbor. Expected to open in 2019.

Disney After Hours Event Now Discounted for Annual Passholders and DVC Members

Disney After Hours, the controversial hard-ticket event at the Magic Kingdom we broke the story on a few weeks ago, doesn’t seem to be doing quite as well as Walt Disney World would have hoped. In an effort to increase sales for the event, Disney is now offering 50% off tickets for annual passholders and Disney Vacation Club members.

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Disney After Hours takes place on the following dates:

  • Thursday, April 28, 2016 from 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM
  • Thursday, May 5, 2016 from 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM
  • Sunday, May 8, 2016 from 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM
  • Thursday, May 12, 2016 from 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM
  • Thursday, May 19, 2016 from 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM

Discounted tickets are $75.00 (plus tax). For tickets, call (407) 827-7185 or stop by a ticketing window at Walt Disney World.

PHOTO REPORT: Magic Kingdom 4/27/16 (New Dessert Party, New Menus, New Merchandise, ETC.)

I visited the Magic Kingdom this past weekend (as well as some of the surrounding resorts), so let’s see what’s new and exciting in our latest photo report:

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Welcome to the Magic Kingdom

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Tarps up on the facade of the Hall of Presidents

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Heritage House is completely closed now

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A new “same day” dessert party option is available at the Magic Kingdom which gives guests viewing of the show from one of the former FastPass + viewing areas.

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Guests enjoy their food and drinks up here on the second level and then are walked over to the viewing area. This new party is $59 for adults and $35 for children (including tax).

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This is where you can sign up for the same-day dessert party on the day desired.

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Found a new Alice Through the Looking Glass phone case in the Emporium

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Restrooms near City Hall are closed for refurbishment

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Found the variant cover for Haunted Mansion issue #2 at the Contemporary, but they were also at Memento Mori at one point

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We rented a Sea Raycer one day this past weekend and drove past the Wildnerness Lodge DVC expansion construction

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Even though the park wasn’t busy on Sunday, the Main Street Bypass was open during the Festival of Fantasy Parade

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I’m not sure if this is helping in any way, but there are numbers on the ground before you get on the ramp at Peter Pan to help keep parties separated and ready to board…

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The yodeler is missing from “it’s a small world” again, but his audio is playing. I call this the “Phantom Yodeler” effect.

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The personalized goodbye is working on a consistent basis now

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Thankfully, the menu at Diamond Horseshoe has been changed. I will have to go back to see if this is an improvement at all.

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Also found Alice Through the Looking Glass prints on sale at the Art of Disney

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There is a seasonal Donald’s Butt cupcake on sale at the Bakery… it’s a vanilla cupcake

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Some great vintage style albums were recently released at the parks and resorts, found these at Contemporary

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PHOTO REPORT: Epcot 4/29/16 (Circle of Life, Ample Hills Creamery, DVC Lounge, ETC.)

This weekend, I made a quick visit to Epcot and the nearby resorts to see what’s new and exciting, so let’s take a look:

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The Circle of Life is back

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AMD SO IS THE WALL CARPET!!!!

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So, after being closed for two months, nothing was visibly changed. Some have claimed there was a new handicap access ramp installed, but I couldn’t find it. Regardless, nothing that would have taken over two months to complete was actually done.

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Work continues on the new DVC lounge at Imagination, they are now painting

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In MouseGear, there’s a PIXAR display filled with non-PIXAR merchandise

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A Figment MagicBand was released recently

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Took a cruise on a friendship boat

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Over at the Boardwalk, the new Ample Hills Creamery is nearing completion

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Beach Club has some great resort specific merchandise

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