PHOTOS: Disney World Rolls Out Free Mosquito Repellent to Combat Zika Virus

WDWNT on September 2, 2016

On Saturday, we told you about the introduction of complimentary bug repellent at the Disney World theme parks and Disney Springs to help combat the Zika Virus presence in central Florida. On Sunday, Disney rolled out the program resort wide. Here’s how it works…

Mosquito Prevention Kiosk in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom

Mosquito Prevention Kiosk in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom

These kiosks are located all around the parks and Disney Springs. Cast members are handing pamphlets out to guests about mosquito prevention and then invite them to apply repellent to themselves. On Sunday, cast were tallying the number of guests using the program. By mid-afternoon, one kiosk at Disney Springs informed us that they already had over 50 guests who had taken advantage of the program.

Repellent Basket at a kiosk in Disney Springs

Repellent Basket at a kiosk in Disney Springs

Guests do not actually receive anything to keep with them, but they can stop at these kiosks and apply the repellent to themselves. All resort rooms at Walt Disney World have similar bottles of repellent placed in them by housekeeping. Guests do in fact get to keep these bottles distributed to their guest room.

It is unknown for how long Walt Disney World will offer the repellent, but it will likely be until the threat of Zika is gone from the Central Florida area.

Children Now Require Biometric Finger Scan to Enter Walt Disney World Theme Parks

WDWNT on September 2, 2016

Children under the age of 10 have never been required to scan a finger when entering a Walt Disney World theme park, something required of all ticket holders over that age for many years at the Vacation Kingdom of the World. Starting just last week, children under age 10 now are required to have their fingerprint scanned to enter the Walt Disney World theme parks, water parks, and DisneyQuest.

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A guest relations cast member we spoke to over the weekend confirmed the changes after 3 separate reports were sent to us by WDWNT readers.

The change is reportedly part of the continuing effort to fight ticket fraud and Walt Disney World Resort ticket resales. Child tickets in the past would have no fingerprint associated with them, nor would they require photo ID, so it would have been very easy to transfer tickets between guests under the age of 10.

Disney has made no official statement on the new policy beyond the instructions given to front gate cast members at their theme parks.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: New Prop Added to Pirates of the Caribbean at Magic Kingdom, More Changes Coming

WDWNT on September 2, 2016

A new prop has appeared in the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at the Magic Kingdom, one that should be familiar to fans of the popular film series based on the classic ride…

A glass case, reminiscent of the one used to carry the mermaid in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, has appeared on the beach

A glass case, reminiscent of the one used to carry the mermaid in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, has appeared on the beach

The glass case at the very back of the beach scene looks just like the one used to transport the captured mermaid in the 4th film in the Pirates series, On Stranger Tides.

A mermaid is captured and transported in this case in the 4th Pirates of the Caribbean film

A mermaid is captured and transported in this case in the 4th Pirates of the Caribbean film

We also have a video to share of the new prop:

It is unknown if the prop is the actual one from the movie, but it is at least a rather convincing replica of the glass cage featured in the film.

In October 2012, a mermaid scene was added to Pirates of the Caribbean at the Magic Kingdom, projecting images of mermaids onto the surface of the water. The mermaid skeleton on the beach was also added at this time. The projection was turned off quite a while ago, but a similar or updated effect is expected to debut at the attraction soon, especially with the addition of the case which also calls back to these characters from the last film.

Other small changes have been made to the attraction lately, including the removal of the “Dead Men Tell No Tales” banner outside of the ride. Further changes are expected leading into 2017 when a larger enhancement of the attraction is expected to take place.

Tables in Wonderland Discount Extends to 4 New Restaurants Starting Today

WDWNT on August 18, 2016

Guests with the Table in Wonderland dining discount card were informed today that 4 new restaurants are now offering the 20% discount to cardholders. The new restaurants are:

  • Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar
  • Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen
  • Nomad Lounge
  • Tiffins

The discounts are valid starting today, August 5th, 2016.

PHOTO REPORT: Magic Kingdom 8/8/16 (Tomorrowland Overhaul Continues, New Haunted Mansion Merchandise, ETC.)

WDWNT on August 18, 2016

Changes continue in Tomorrowland, a store is getting merchandise themed to the store, and Monorails are on socks in our latest photo report from the Magic Kingdom…

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I bought the monorail socks…

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Painting continues on the rock-work in the front of Tomorrowland

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If you head back into the Stitch extended queue, you can see that the back of the rocks have been primed already

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The device holding signs for various businesses in Tomorrowland was removed, likely because all of the pavement at the entrance is about to be ripped up

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Tarps are still up at the Haunted Mansion

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Memento Mori has some new merchandise on sale inspired by the store itself, including this wood sign for $125.00

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This weird stretching room dress was released recently

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New tank top inspired by wallpaper in Memento Mori

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New hitchhiking ghost pin

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There is also a new bronze coin featuring Madame Leota for $25.00

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Over at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Capt. Cooke’s has a new menu (which I sadly haven’t had time to try yet)

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Chairs are back and the beaches are now open around most Walt Disney World resort hotels

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Two cast members from Casey’s were out and about selling hot dogs before the Electrical Parade, which I thought was pretty ingenious…

CONFIRMED: Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade to Conclude At Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on August 18, 2016

Today, Disney announced to entertainment cast members that the Main Street Electrical Parade at the Magic Kingdom will officially conclude October 9th, 2016 as their contracts will not be renewed at this time.

The parade returned to Walt Disney World in 2010 and replaced its replacement SpectroMagic, which was supposed to return at then of the Summer that year. The Electrical Parade’s run was extended indefinitely and SpectroMagic was left outside to rot until it was realized that the parade was beyond repair. The Electrical Parade has run at the Magic Kingdom on most nights since that June 2010 return.

This announcement comes on the heels of news last week that the new Electrical Parade, “Paint the Night” at the Disneyland Resort, will conclude on September 5th. One would suspect that Paint the Night will be moving to the Magic Kingdom based on these announcements, but nothing has been confirmed at this time.

Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

UPDATE: Disney has just announced that the Main Street Electrical Parade will return to Disneyland Resort for a limited engagement.

UPDATE: Paint the Night Parade to Remain at Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on August 18, 2016

Following up the announcement that the Main Street Electrical Parade will return to Disneyland Park in early 2017, it was also announced that the Pain the Night Parade will perform on select evening during the holiday season somewhere at the Disneyland Resort.

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The announcement leaves Walt Disney World without a nighttime parade. It is possible that this move is to accommodate new nighttime entertainment at the Magic Kingdom coming sometime in the near future, whether that me a new parade or fireworks show.

PHOTO REPORT: Magic Kingdom 8/12/16 (Tomorrowland Overhaul, Big Thunder Mountain Closed, ETC.)

WDWNT on August 18, 2016

Tomorrowland slowly gets a new look, Big Thunder Mountain scaffolding goes up, and the 45th anniversary of the Magic Kingdom grows closer in our latest photo report:

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This door to the Confectionery is closed while the Cotton Candy machine is repaired

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Painting of the rocks at the entrance to Tomorrowland continues

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A preview of the finished product can be found HERE

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A tent storing all of the paints is located in the Stitch extended queue and old second theater exit

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Some new Finding Dory D-Tech on Demand cases available at the Light and Power Co.

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A new MagicBand as well

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There is now a Pascal light-up squeeze toy lanyard… thing…

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The ham and cheese stuffed pretzel has made it on the menu board at Gaston’s Tavern, so I guess it is staying

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Enchanted Tales with Belle is open, but still behind tarps

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Tarps are still up at the Haunted Mansion as well

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There si now a Walt Disney World entrance ornament to match the 4 park ornaments, should they ever come back in stock

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Trashcan ornaments in full effect

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They are much smaller than the salt and pepper shakers

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The graduation ornament for this year features Mickey taking a selfie…

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Big Thunder Mountain is now closed through November for sprucing up and the possible addition  of the new finale scene

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The signage on the construction walls is pretty amazing

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The first piece of Walt Disney World 45th anniversary merchandise has hit stores, and it’s a pen

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The Dead Men Tell No Tales banner outside of Pirates of the Caribbean was removed after 10 years…

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I hadn’t seen this chalkboard magnet before

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We did finally find an open flip book notepad…

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“Elena of Avalor” Royal Welcome Show to be Presented Daily for Limited Time at Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on August 18, 2016

Starting today and running through August 27th, 2016, the Elena of Avalor Royal Welcome will be presented daily at Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom.

Princess Elena of Avalor, the first Latin-inspired Disney princess, receives a royal welcome on Aug. 11, 2016 during her arrival at Magic Kingdom Park in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Princess ElenaÕs arrival at Walt Disney World follows the debut of the new Disney Channel animated series, ÒElena of Avalor.Ó The adventurous princess appears daily in ÒThe Royal Welcome of Princess ElenaÓ stage show at Magic Kingdom. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

The show will be presented at 9:05AM, 10:00AM, 12:20PM, and 1:35PM and will be very similar to the ceremony presented yesterday. A Princess Elena meet and greet is still slated to be added to the Magic Kingdom later this month, but no further details have been presented.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Merchandise for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in 2016

WDWNT on August 18, 2016

Today, Disney provided a sneak peek of the merchandise coming to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party for 2016.

There is a limited edition retail MagicBand with an edition size of 3,000. It will be released at Emporium and Box Office Gifts on Main Street, U.S.A.

The limited release and limited edition pins will be released in Big Top Souvenirs in the Storybook Circus area of New Fantasyland. The pin assortment includes individual pins, a limited edition box set, a limited edition framed pin set, a limited release mystery pin set, and a limited release pin created especially for Annual Passholders. Guests may also find event apparel and holiday ornaments in this location.

Apparel may also be found in Mickey’s Star Trader in Tomorrowland, or at Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A.

Additional items were previewed in a video on the Disney Parks Blog: