WDW News – threestrandswdw

Benefits Staying At Disney Springs Resorts

DSRA Walt Disney World recently announced a new set of benefits for staying at the Disney Springs Resort Hotel Area (with the designation of being official Walt Disney World resorts). I couldn’t help but notice that this seems to have floated under the radar. Maybe it isn’t too important to some, but I can see where it could have an impact. So, what are the new benefits?

Basically, the Disney Springs resorts are now offering the same benefits as if you were staying at a Disney-Owned on property resort. From a personal standpoint, this seems like a good thing! My first trip to WDW in 1982, I stayed in the then Hotel Royal Plaza (now the B Resort). Transportation was provided by Disney with Regular service to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Transportation to all Disney Parks is now offered at 30 minute intervals. And I believe these shuttles are operated by a third party provider.

Beginning on January 1, 2018, all Disney Springs Resorts will be able to make FastPass+ reservations 60 days out! Your resort reservation will be linked to you My Disney Experience account, and visible through the App! You will also be able to take advantage of Disney’s Magical Express and have the ability to purchase Disney Dining Packages as a part of your vacation experience!

The resorts included in these packages are:

B Resort & Spa; Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort; DoubleTree Guest Suites by Hilton Orlando; Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Palace; Hilton Orlando Resort Lake Buena Vista; Holiday Inn Orlando; Wyndham Lake Buena Vista; and Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista.

Something to look at when planning your next visit!

Thanks for reading! Have a Blessed and Magical Day, my friends!

Keeping the Magic Alive…threestrandswdw!

Weekly WDW #2

Greetings my friends! I hope this day finds you filled with Disney Magic!

Moonlight Magic After Hours events have been announced for 2017.

As a part of your DVC Membership, Disney will be hosting several After Hours events in every park throughout The Vacation Kingdom! You evenings will begin at 7pm. The park schedule is: <!– –>

Magic Kingdom – February 24 and March 3
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park – June 22, 28, July 5, 13
Disney’s Animal Kingdom – September 6, 13
Disneyland Park – November 15
Epcot – December 4, 11

Sounds like fun!!

After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park

If you are not a DVC member, fear not, you are not totally forgotten! There are some Disney After Hours events at Magic Kingdom Park scheduled over the next few months. Dates for this event are January 20, 27, February 2, 9, 16, and March 2, 9. The benefits of this package include: Little to no wait times for popular attractions, 7PM entry for the ability to see “Wishes!”, and Snacks like ice cream, popcorn, and select beverages are included!

Watch this video from Disney Parks Blog to see what it’s like!

The cost of this event is $119 plus tax for ALL in attendance!

Paint The Night

I don’t normally dabble in rumor, but this one I hope is true! It is rumored that the Paint The Night parade may find it’s way to Magic Kingdom Park for the Summer of 2017. According to WDW News Today with the lighter than expected attendance of 2016 and the fact that, Pandora, The World Of Avatar is the only ‘new’ opening this year at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, it may be the best choice to bring this wonderful parade to help draw guests to WDW.

I hope I get to see it, if it comes to the park!

Thanks for reading and remember…

Let’s Keep The Magic Alive!!

Weekly WDW Wind Up #1

Magic Kingdom Park will say good-bye to the Kingdom Cabanas beginning on February 17, 2017! It would appear that there was little interest in making use of this ‘perk’ even at a discounted price!
Miss Adventure Falls will debut at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon in the Spring of 2017. Climb aboard a 4 person raft for a quick paced adventure. All aboard!!
The 1st Annual EPCOT International Festival Of The Arts began this weekend offering interactive workshops, Broadway music, and Food! There are limited Dining experiences available. Call 407-WDW-DINE for information and reservations!
Walt Disney’s Carousel Of Progress has been lit up for Disney After Dark! With the new color scheme and recent exterior updates, it’s a beautiful piece of art in Tomorrowland!!

Thanks for reading, my friends!!

Let’s Keep The Magic Alive!

New Festival at EPCOT, With Food?

January 13 through February 30, 2017 brings a new festival to EPCOT that is sure to bring fun, frolic, and yes FOOD for guests to enjoy!

epcot-fest-of-arts

At the EPCOT International Festival Of The Arts, you will find Fun in the form of the artists, or their works that are scheduled to attend. From the works of Mary Blair and Herb Ryman to current Disney artists. You can just have a look around or watch some creative juices flow live during the Festival!

Frolic might be had by attending concerts from some of Disney’s best Broadway stars from Aladdin, The Lion King, and Newsies(my personal favorite). These concerts will be presented on the weekends of the festival and will take place on the America Gardens Theater stage. Show times are 5:30pm, 6:45pm, and 8:00pm.

2017 Appearance Schedule

January 13-16 and 20-23
Ashley Brown & Josh Strickland perform songs from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, Mary Poppins, Tarzan and The Little Mermaid.

January 27-30 and February 3-6
Kerry Butler & Kevin Massey perform songs from Disney’s Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Newsies and Tarzan.

February 10-13 and 17-20
Kissy Simmons & Alton Fitzgerald White perform songs from Disney’s Aida, Aladdin, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid.

As for Food, there will be Food Studios place around the World Showcase Promenade where you can try a vast array of foods. This is similar to, but completely different, compared to Food And Wine. To learn more about the offerings go to The Disney Food Blog page for information!

This sounds like a lot of fun!! Enjoy and remember…

Let’s Keep The Magic Alive!

Worth The Change At WDW!

Walt Disney World is testing a new dining option at Magic Kingdom Park®. Beginning on January 12 and running through February 22, several of the Quick Service venues will begin participating in Disney Dine-on-the-Go! The menu includes one Lunch Quick Service entree and one non-alcoholic beverage until 4pm and one Dinner Quick Service entree and non-alcoholic beverage good after 4pm. Desserts will be an out-of-pocket expense, if you desire.

CHH

The participating Quick Service venues are:

Casey’s Corner
Colombia Harbour House
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
Pinocchio Village Haus

Valid Park Admission Required!

The cost is $29 for adults and $12 for kids 3 – 9 and can be purchased at Magic Kingdom Park Vacation Planning booth. Is it worth it? You tell me!!

Let’s Keep The Magic Alive!

Subtle Changes at WDW

There have been a few little changes that may fly under the radar at Walt Disney World. As a member of several, maybe TOO many, Disney fan Facebook groups, I try to glean things that could be missed that could also be important information to pass on!

Tony’s Town Square has made apparently made some small changes to it’s menu, probably to enhance the introduction of alcohol to the eatery. For more information visit: WDWNT’s review of the new menu. tonys-lt-fountain

Annual Passholder may need to be aware that many Cast Members are now asking for ID for ALL passholders with purchasing privileges. So, if your kids have purchasing capabilities attached to their Annual Pass, you might want to grab their school ID on the way out the door, just in case!

I’ll keep an eye on little tidbits like this to pass along to you!

In the meantime, Let’s Keep The Magic Alive!