What’s New This Week?
Walt Disney World Theme Parks
Magic Kingdom Park
New! Temporary Changes to Parades and Shows: Due to construction work, some Magic Kingdom entertainment offerings will be impacted certain dates throughout January. The Main Street Trolley Show and Move it! Shake it! Dance and Play it! will be adjusted Jan. 5, 7, 12, 15 and 29. On these dates, the Trolley Show will use the Main Street fire truck and Move it! Shake it! Dance and Play it! will be presented at 12:30 and 15:40.
Epcot
Reminder! Baymax Joins Epcot Character Spot: Character Spot at Innoventions West, is expanding to offer Guests opportunities to meet even more of their Disney friends. Guests can now meet Baymax, everyone’s favorite personal healthcare companion from Disney’s “Big Hero 6.” Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy will continue to greet Guests on the opposite side of the breezeway, and Chip ‘n’ Dale can be found just around the corner outside. Character Spot is open from park open to park close daily.
Reminder! ‘Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival’ to Now Open At Epcot: This new experience will feature a look into the visionary minds behind some of the world’s most iconic animated films today. Once inside the theater, guests can put on their 3D glasses and enter the imaginative worlds of three animated shorts – “Get A Horse,” “For The Birds” and “La Luna” – which will burst to life on the big screen (and in the theater) like never before. ‘Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival’ is now open in Future World at Epcot.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
New! Sneak Peek at “Zootopia” Coming Soon: For a limited time starting January 21, a sneak peek of Disney’s newest animated film “Zootopia” will be presented as part of Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, offering Guests a special advance look at scenes from the film. The current finale of Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream will go on a brief hiatus during this time. Zootopia is a melting pot, where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything. But when rookie Officer Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, con-artist fox, Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman), to solve the mystery. “Zootopia” opens in 3D in theaters March 4.
New! Reservations Now Open for Minnie’s Silver Screen Dine at Hollywood & Vine: From January 4 to March 20 Minnie Mouse will be inviting all of her friends to join her at Hollywood & Vine, where she’s hosting a fabulous dinner party celebrating the glamour of Hollywood! Guests will walk the red carpet and see some of the biggest stars of the silver screen. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy are dressed in their designer best. It’s the perfect Hollywood party filled with dazzling décor and a musical score. Guests can book reservations for this festive dining experience now by calling 407-WDW-DINE or visiting Disneyworld.com/dine. Breakfast and lunch periods will continue to feature Disney Junior Play ‘n’ Dine at Hollywood & Vine,
including fun interactive moments with favorite Disney Junior pals Jake, Sofia, Doc McStuffins and Handy Manny.
New! Character Greetings Closed Jan 4: Disney’s Hollywood Studios is about to start work on the the largest expansion in the history of the park. This expansion will include a new Star Wars-themed land and a Toy Story Land. To make room for these new experiences, character greetings with Phineas & Ferb and Lightning McQueen & Mater not be available after Jan. 4. Additionally, the Joffrey’s kiosk and and the merchandise cart located near Premiere Theater will be closed after Jan. 4.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
New! Baby Marmoset Born at Rafiki’s Planet Watch: Disney’s Animal Kingdom recently welcomed a new Geoffrey’s marmoset baby! Two 3-year-old marmosets are the proud parents, and they are demonstrating great parenting skills. You can often see the baby riding mom or dad’s back. Because the parents are keeping a close eye on the baby, the team at Disney have been unable to identify whether the baby is a male or female. They are monitoring the baby closely and will conduct the baby’s first neonatal check-up in a few weeks.
Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
New! Changes Coming to BoardWalk Area: To make way for new experiences, The Yard and ESPN Club merchandise shop will close Jan. 6. It has not yet been announced what will replace these shops.
New! Cub’s Den Temporarily Closed at Wilderness Lodge: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is undergoing multiple refurbishment at this time. Beginning in January 2016, Cub’s Den, the children’s activities center, will be temporarily closed. As an alternate, Guest can book a reservation at the following locations based on availability: Lilo’s Playhouse at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Sandcastle Club at Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Simba’s Cubhouse at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Remember that Lilo’s Playhouse and Sandcastle Club recently started offering new programming, including cooking classes, zany lava experiments, enchanting character interactions and dinner, as well as a different pricing structure.
Walt Disney World Resort – General
New! Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend returns Jan. 6-10, 2016: The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna returns on Jan. 6-10, 2016. As one of the largest sporting events in Central Florida, the Walt Disney World Marathon draws more than 100,000 fans, spectators and runners from around the globe. Weekend Overview:
- Jan. 6-9: runDisney Health & Fitness Expo
- Jan. 7-8: Breakfast at Epcot
- Jan. 7-9: runDisney Kids Races, Pasta in the Park Party at Epcot
- Jan. 7: Walt Disney World 5K presented by Cigna
- Jan. 8: Walt Disney World 10K presented by Cigna
- Jan. 9: Walt Disney World Half Marathon presented by Cigna
- Jan. 10: Walt Disney World Marathon presented by Cigna, Cool Down Party at Disney Springs
New! RunDisney Costume and Safety Guidelines: With Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend beginning this week, RunDisney has adjusted its costume and safety guidelines to clarify the rules for participation. Similar to the Disney Parks, all runDisney runners and Guests, along with their costumes and bags are subject to screening prior to entering the event staging areas. Weapons of any kind, including toy guns, are not allowed for any participants. While costumed attire may be worn during runDisney events, Guests are no longer permitted to wear costumes that could conceal prohibited items. This includes costume props that surround the entire body. Full details can be found here.
New! Planet Hollywood Closed for Renovations: Planet Hollywood closes January 6, 2016 for a renovation that will last approximately 6 months. When it reopens in Summer 2016, it will be renamed Planet Hollywood Observatory and it will be 13,000 square feet larger. The new name and look will be in line with the theme and design at Disney Springs. Planet Hollywood Observatory will also have a a new patio bar, new terrace and more outdoor seating.
Merchandise Events
Jan. 8 – 10: Be sure to stop by and check out the latest releases of handmade bath and body products from Rinse. Representatives will be on hand throughout the day, each day, Jan. 8 – 10 and Jan. 15 – 17 at Heritage Manor in the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot.
Jan. 13 – 17: Artist Greg McCullough returns to Art of Disney at Disney Springs this month. See some of his latest releases and more Jan. 13 – 17 and Jan. 27 – 31 from 1 – 8 p.m., each day.
New! ALEX AND ANI to Retire Mickey, Minnie and Pluto Character Bangles at Disney Parks: The new year is here, and new styles and designs from ALEX AND ANI are on their way. In order to make room, for the very first time, the following character silhouette ALEX AND ANI bangles will retire beginning January 11, 2016.
- Mickey Mouse
- Minnie Mouse
- Mickey Mouse and Pluto (who appear together)
If you’re looking to add one of these bangles to your collection or someone else’s, be sure to get them before they’re gone! Look for these ALEX AND ANI pieces and more online and in stores at Walt Disney World Resort including: Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Disney Outfitters, Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Bayview Gifts, Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Keystone Clothiers, Disney Springs – Tren-D and World of Disney Store, Epcot – Mouse Gear and Magic Kingdom Park – Emporium.
New! 2016 Merchandise Celebrates Music, Magic and Memories: The arrival of 2016 means that some of the most popular products from Disney Parks have been updated. Each year, the Merchandise team introduces a collection merchandise to celebrate a particular year and this year is no exception. For the 2016 collection, there is a nod to music from Disney Parks. The artwork includes characters with instruments and other musical icons. Guests will find the artwork on a variety of items including graphic MagicBands, apparel, headware,Vinylmation figures, holiday ornaments, Dooney & Bourke handbags, plush, and much more.
Closures and Refurbishments
Click here to view the latest renovations and closures at Walt Disney World Resort.
