Category: Magic Kingdom

Rumors have been swirling for weeks that a major menu change is coming to the Jungle Navigation Co. Skipper Canteen Restaurant at the Magic Kingdom. On top of that, Disney suddenly began accepting advance dining reservation up to 180 days out for the restaurant just last week in an effort to draw in more guests. Well, over the last few days, the kid’s menu at the restaurant underwent a few changes…

Now gone from the menu:

• Safari Soup – egg drop soup
• Amazon Annie’s House-made Arepas – slow cooked beef, black beans, and queso fresco served with Yuca planks. Comes with choice of dessert (see below) and choice of small lowfat milk, small bottled water or small apple juice

New items replacing these dishes are the Safari Snack and Chef Tandaji’s Crispy Chicken.

Also, the mac and cheese received a name change and less complex description (probably in an attempt to appeal to more kids). Here is the original description:

• Junior Skip’s Special Mac and Cheese – a typical Egyptian dish consisting of ground beef, pasta, bechamel sauce and house-made JBen cheese gratinee served with broccoli. Comes with choice of dessert (see below) and choice of small lowfat milk, small bottled water or small apple juice

The bigger changes to the main menu are still expected, but appear to have been delayed, at the very least, for now.

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.

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.”

Slowly over the last few years, we have seen Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom undergo a radical color change as various attractions have slowly received new, more colorful paint schemes. Carousel of Progress is the latest victim of the winds of change:

The facade is mostly white, but one segment of the lower section sports the new look.

I don’t know about you, but the color and styles remind me a lot of the old Space Mountain entrance…

We’ll keep you updated on the “progress” as the facade continues to be painted (since this minor paint job seems to be major news to us Disney fans).

What do you think of the new look for the Carousel of Progress?

Starting tomorrow, reservations can be made for a three-course lunch at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant which will include reserved viewing for the Main Street Electrical Parade, right in front of the flagpole on Main Street U.S.A.

The dining package includes your choice of appetizer, entrée, dessert and a beverage.

Cost is $45 for adults, $17 for children plus tax and gratuity, or is one table-service entitlement on the Disney Dining Plan. Reservations open June 7, and can be made by visiting DisneyWorld.com/dine or calling 407-WDW-Dine.

All tickets go on sale tomorrow, 5/5/16:

MICKEY’S NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY 2016

• September 2, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 29, 30
• October 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31

September 2, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 25 – $72.00 plus tax age 10+, $67.00 plus tax age 3-9 in advance, $79.00/$74 same-day

September 29, 30 – $79.00 plus tax age 10+, $74.00 plus tax age 3-9 in advance, $88/$83.00 same-day

October 2, 6 – $86.00 plus tax age 10+, $81.00 plus tax age 3-9 in advance, $95.00/$90 same-day

October 4, 10, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27 – $91.00 plus tax age 10+, $86.00 plus tax age 3-9 in advance, $95.00/$90 same-day

September 23 – $85.00 plus tax age 10+, $80.00 plus tax age 3-9

October 7, 14, 21, 28, 30 – $95.00 plus tax age 10+, $90.00 plus tax age 3-9

October 31– $105.00 plus tax age 10+, $100.00 plus tax age 3-9

Passholder Rates available 9/2, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 23, 25, 29, 30; 10/2, 6 – Rates are $67-80 (depends on night) plus tax. Disney Vacation Club members also have discounts on additional nights (including all dates APs already get) 10/4, 10, 11, 13, 16, 18, & 20 ranging between $62-83.

MICKEY’S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY 2016

• November 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29
• December 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22

November 10, 13 – $86.00 plus tax age 10+, $81.00 plus tax age 3-9 in advance, $91.00/$86 same-day

November 18, 27, 29, December 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13 – $92.00 plus tax age 10+, $87.00 plus tax age 3-9 in advance, $96/$91.00 same-day

November 7, 8, 11, 15, December 1 – $91.00 plus tax age 10+, $86.00 plus tax age 3-9

December 9, 15 – $96.00 plus tax age 10+, $91.00 plus tax age 3-9

December 16, 18, 22 – $99.00 plus tax age 10+, $94.00 plus tax age 3-9

Passholder Rates available 11/7, 8, 11, 15; 12/1, 11, & 13 – Rates are $74-$84 plus tax depending on night. DVC members also have discounts on additional nights (including all dates APs are entitled to) 11/10, 13, 18, 27, 29, & 12/6 ranging between $74-89 plus tax.

Disney is offering a special add-on dessert party at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in 2016.

On select evenings from Friday, September 2 through Monday, October 31, you can enjoy Mickey’s “Boo-To-You” Halloween Parade from a special reserved Main Street, U.S.A. location. This is followed by a private dessert party with views of the Happy HalloWishes fireworks bursting above Cinderella Castle.

At a table draped in black tablecloth with a flickering jack-o’-lantern, dine on Halloween-themed cupcakes and desserts prepared that same day by the pastry chef, with a bountiful buffet of sweet treats like chocolate-dipped strawberries, chocolate mousse, ice cream, cheeses and fresh, seasonal fruits. There is also sparkling cider, signature lemonades, specialty Halloween drinks, hot chocolate, coffee or tea.

The Happy HalloWishes Dessert Premium Package costs $69 for adults or $39 for children (ages 3 to 9), plus tax. A separate Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party ticket is also required and is not included in the price of the package.

The package will be available on the following dates:

September 2, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 29 and 30
October 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30 and 31
Call (407) 939-3463 to reserve your premium package or book online.

“Celebrate the Season” has been entertaining guests for as long as I can remember at Walt Disney World. The show actually began at Top of the World at the Contemporary before moving to the Magic Kingdom for the Christmas season in the early 1990’s. Disney today announced the retirement of the show and a brand new show debuting at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2016:

Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration

Feel holiday magic come alive in a jubilant new stage show that fills the air with music, laughter and shimmering snowflakes!

It’s just days before Christmas and all through this house, excitement is stirring thanks to Mickey Mouse.

Mickey is thrilled that the holidays are here, and he knows the only way to make this season more special, is to share it with friends. So he’s throwing a Most Merriest Celebration and inviting lots of Disney pals—and you—to join the festive fun!

Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto are dropping by dressed in their Christmas best. Peter Pan is flying in from Never Land, Alice and the White Rabbit are hurrying over from Wonderland and Woody and Jessie from Toy Storyare galloping in for this holiday ho ho hoedown. Plus, Snow White and Dopey, Pinocchio, Jiminy Cricket and many more surprise guests will be stopping by.

This joyous performance is the perfect yuletide treat to share with your family. You’ll hear favorite Characters ring and sing in the holidays with carols old and new—more than a dozen delightful songs in all! You’ll witness the splendor of Cinderella Castle—aglow with enchanting and ever-changing holiday illuminations. And you’ll feel the warmth and wonder of the season as this unforgettable performance is Christmas-wrapped up in one sensational, snowy, show-stopping finale.

Here’s a video from the final season of “Celebrate the Season” for you to enjoy:

On the heels of today’s news about a new vehicle entrance for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, permits have also been filed for a major revamp of the Magic Kingdom vehicle entrance area.

The plan would see the addition of roads that will go over the toll plaza area in both directions, bypassing them for easier access to and from the Magic Kingdom area resort hotels and backstage areas. The new road returning guests to World Drive going south would also help alleviate Seven Seas Drive traffic and provide a better traffic flow for some area cast members going home in the evening. Traffic on Vista Boulevard would also have easier access to World Drive in both directions.

Road work to alleviate traffic behind the park where Magic Kingdom cast members park is already ongoing and will be completed by the end of this Summer.

There is no word yet on when construction might begin, but this is expected to be the beginning of many changes to the Magic Kingdom vehicle entry plaza and parking area.