Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members Now Get 30% Off At Select Table Service Restaurants

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

Walt Disney World is now offering a 30% discount at select table service restaurants for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members starting now through to September 30 2017.

Raised from 20%, guests can now get 30% off on regular price food and non-alcoholic beverages when dining for dinner prior to 6:30pm or after 8:30pm at the following locations:

  • Jiko at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Flying Fish at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort
  • The Wave…of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • Citricos at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • The Grand Floridian Café at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Olivia’s Cafe at Disney’s Old Key West Resort
  • Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside
  • The Turf Club Bar & Grill at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
  • Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Captain’s Grill at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Mobile Order Program Coming to Village Haus and Pecos Bill’s at the Magic Kingdom Next Week

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

Following the success of the other establishments already running the program, Pinocchio Village Haus and Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Cafe will join Mobile Order through the MyDisney Experience app next week.

Pinocchio Village Haus will join the program on July 24th, while Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Cafe will start on July 25th, 2017.

Other Magic Kingdom locations joining the program soon include Columbia Harbour House. The service is already offered at Tomorrowland Terrace & Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe at the Magic Kingdom, Flame Tree Barbecue, Pizzafari, Restaurtantosaurus, and Satuli Canteen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as well as D-Luxe Burger at Disney Springs.

The mobile ordering program allows guests to order at Disney counter service restaurants from their mobile devices and then pick-up the order when they are ready to eat. Check out our comprehensive review of the service to see how it works.

Sadly, Disney has confirmed that locations offering discounts will not be able to honor them through Mobile Order during the “launch period”, so guests will have to go to the counter and order the old way if they wish to get Annual Passholer, Tables in Wonderland, or any other discounts still.

Additional locations will slowly be rolled out over the coming weeks.

Marketplace Fun Finds Closing, Once Upon a Toy Being Remodeled at Disney Springs

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

Sections of the Once Upon a Toy store at Disney Springs will undergo a refurbishment beginning July 31st. To make way for this refurbishment, all of the Star Wars merchandise in the back section will be relocated to Marketplace Fun Finds across the way.

As a result, Marketplace Fun Finds will be closed July 24th to August 2nd as Disney refits and renames the location. The merchandise currently available in that store is typically available at other locations anyway, but Fun Finds has been a staple of Disney Springs for many years under many different names. Marketplace Fun Finds is not expected to return.

FIRST LOOK: Even More Merchandise Revealed for Epcot’s 35th Anniversary This October

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

We have already previewed two batches of merchandise that will be released to celebrate Epcot’s 35th anniversary this October (which can be seen here and here), but now we have even more of the merchandise line to share with you today.

While we don’t know the edition size or exact release dates of these pins, we do know they will be released on or around the anniversary date of October 1st, 2017.

The pins represent retired attractions, including the soon-to-close Universe of Energy.

The always popular hinged pins that open into three parts will be making an appearance as well.

The above pin and below boxed jumbo pin should be released on October 1st, 2017 (for obvious reasons).

The Spaceship Earth pin comes in the above box and will be rather large in size.

Among the other items being released are a keychain, magnet, and mug.

Epcot will celebrate its 35th anniversary on October 1st, 2017. No official events have been announced by Walt Disney World at this point, nor has any of this merchandise we have previewed.

VIDEO: Animated Bird Figure Returns to Expedition Everest After Extended Absense

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

We told you a few weeks ago about an ongoing lighting test for the Yeti at Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but now another long-gone effect has returned…

The bird figure at the top of the mountain has been on-and-off for many years, but has probably been missing for a few years straight at this point. The bird pops up as you arrive at the summit, but then hides until your train begins rolling backwards.

There seems to be some correlation between the Yeti lighting test and this effect returning, likely gearing up for a larger refurbishment of the ride in the months ahead.

Multiple Downtown Disney Stores Closing to Make Way for New Dining

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

The Ridemakerz, Build-A-Bear Workshop, and Chapel Hats stores at Downtown Disney Anaheim will be closing to make way for new dining in the coming months.

While the replacement for these shops has not been announced, the closures come at a time of rapid change for the district. Splitsville Luxury Lanes is currently under construction in the former home of the House of Blues, and more changes are expected to be on the way as part of the makeover of Downtown Disney.

It is unlikely that any of these closing stores will relocate to a new location within Downtown Disney, but Chapel Hats may receive an outdoor stand similar to one that they operate at Disney Springs, Walt Disney World.

The Dress Shop at Disney Springs Returns July 27th

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

The Dress Shop returns to Cherry Tree Lane in the Marketplace Co-Op at Disney Springs on July 27. First introduced in spring, this whimsical collection is filled with nostalgia that fans of Disney Parks will love. Most of the dresses sold out very quickly after the store’s opening, so this will be the first time all of the designs have been in stock since then.

Once The Dress Shop returns, guests will find the ten original dresses inspired by the Orange Bird, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, the Haunted Mansion, and more. Disney is also introducing a new Cinderella-inspired dress that contains metallic embroidery.

Look for these items at Disney Springs starting July 27. Guests will also find The Dress Shop collection in Vault 28 at Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort.

VIDEO: Monorail Teal Gets Towed Through Epcot After Yet Another Breakdown

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

In what is becoming a somewhat daily occurrence, Monorail Teal apparently brokedown on the way to Epcot and required a tow.

The following video shows the monorail, filled with guests, being pushed past the Universe of Energy towards Test Track:

The monorail breakdowns have become a more pressing issue as of late, as the fleet continues to deteriorate rapidly. This comes just weeks after Monorail Blue broke on the Epcot loop, throwing a piece of the vehicle to the ground below and forcing the train to be towed to the Tranportation and Ticket Center. Of course, more routine breakdowns do occur on a regular basis as well.

Yak and Yeti Counter Service Now Serves Breakfast Daily

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes is now serving quick service breakfast at Animal Kingdom from 9:00am to 10:30am daily.

Located in the Asia area of Animal Kingdom, Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes will now be serving a variety of breakfast sandwiches and tacos, as well as some kid favorites including french toast sticks and a pancake and sausage stick.

Here is a look at the full menu:

JW Marriott Hotel Planned Near Epcot and Typhoon Lagoon

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

It looks like a second JW Marriott luxury hotel may be coming to the Orlando area in the near future.

Kimley Horn, a planning and engineering firm, submitted plans for the new hotel Monday on behalf of DCS Real Estate Investment, LLC. The property records show that DCS purchased the land in 2013 for $2.2 million.

The proposed plans for the land include a brand new luxurious JW Marriott hotel with 516-rooms, that span 16 stories, with 50,000 square feet of meeting space, a 1000-car garage, and a rooftop bar and signature restaurant. The submitted plan for the hotel refers to the building as the JW Marriott at Bonnet Creek. The location would be on Chelonia Parkway, just south Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park, and outlined in teal on the map below.

Source: Orlando Business Journal

The architect for the project is Huitt-Zollars, whose website contains this concept art:

Credit: Huitt-Zollars, Inc.

JW Marriott is a brand of luxury hotels owned by Marriott International and named after company founder, John Willard Marriott.

As of now, the project has yet to be officially announced.