Around the Mouse: Walt Disney World News, Aug 15, 2016
What’s New This Week?
Walt Disney World Theme Parks
Magic Kingdom Park
New! Limited-time Character Experience for Memory Maker Guests: In addition to receiving all your Disney PhotoPass vacation photos with Memory Maker, from August 7 through August 31, your Memory Maker purchase will also include access to a private Disney Character Experience with a Disney Princess located at Magic Kingdom Park – Heritage House. Only one person in your party needs to have purchased Memory Maker in order for your group to enjoy this Character Experience. This limited-time opportunity will be available for Memory Maker guests and their parties from 11 a.m. – 5:40 p.m., August 7 to 31.
Epcot
New! Build Your Own Lightsaber at Mouse Gear: Guests can now build their own Lightsaber at Mouse Gear at Epcot. This experience is just like those available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom.
New! Enter for a Chance to Win a Trip to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival from ABC’s The Chew: ABC’s Emmy Award-winning show “The Chew” is giving a lucky winner the chance to join them when it returns to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival this fall. The Chew’s Magical Culinary Adventure Sweepstakes will send one winner and their three guests to stay in the middle of the magic at Walt Disney World Resort between October 5-9, 2016, and experience the 21st annual appetizing event. The winner and their guests will get to attend a live taping of the ABC lifestyle show, sip and savor food and drink from more than 30 global marketplaces, including one inspired by the show: The Chew Collective in the Next Eats area of Future World. To enter, visit https://magicalculinaryadventure.com. You have until 11:59 p.m. on September 2 to enter.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
New! Celebrate Pete’s Dragon at Rafiki’s Planet Watch: Guests at Rafiki’s Planet Watch can stop by the “Pete’s Dragon” activity table in front of Conservation Station this week to learn more about national parks and pick up a “Pete’s Dragon” activity guide developed by Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment and a movie button. Guests can participate in a puzzle game about the national parks in each of the 50 states. “Pete’s Dragon” debuts in theaters Aug. 12, and is set in a national park in the Pacific Northwest.
Walt Disney World Resort – General
New! Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza Now Open: Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, the newest fast-casual restaurant in Town Center at Disney Springs, is now open! It features scratch-made dough and artisanal toppings – and two blazing hot ovens that turn out thin-crisp pies in 180 seconds. The menu centers around custom-built pizzas (you pick the toppings) all for one price, with an interactive assembly line that lets you customize a pizza (or pick one of their Signature Pizzas). The 11-inch pizzas go into the blazing hot, open-flame oven and emerge with a light-as-air, crisp crust. Beverages include lemonades, aguas frescas, real cane sugar sodas plus beer and wine. The spacious, 5,000-square-foot eatery features two open hearth ovens and seating for 200 (and accepts the Disney Dining Plan). Gluten-free dough and vegan cheese are also offered.
New! Origins Now Open at Disney Springs: Origins, a high-performance skincare retailer, is now open in Town Center at Disney Springs. Featuring products formulated with certified organic ingredients and 100 percent natural essential oils, Origins offers products for bath and body, hair, makeup and more. Origins is a socially-conscious brand that employs earth-friendly practices. The new Origins store is located near MAC Cosmetics.
New! Limited Time Offer at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique: As part of the Grand Opening Celebration this summer, Disney Springs is introducing a limited time offer at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in the Marketplace. Beginning Aug. 7, Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, Disney Visa Card members, and Walt Disney World Resort Guests will receive a 10% discount at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for guests age 3-12. This discount is available only at the Disney Springs location and applies to all reservations through Sept. 5.
Reminder! Art in August at Disney Springs: “Art in August” kicked off Thursday, August 4, 2016, at Disney Springs Marketplace. With tents set up throughout the promenade, guests can expect to find Disney artists, handmade treasures including jewelry and stationery, and unique keepsakes. “Art in August” is a vibrant, open-air art stroll that celebrates the diversity of art, featuring a little something for everyone. In addition, Guests may participate in interactive demonstrations on the promenade such as chalk drawing and meet the artists behind the Disney magic. “Art in August” is another way Guests can enjoy Disney Springs Grand Opening Summer Celebration – an event that combines new venues, added entertainment and special retail promotions, all happening through Labor Day.
New! Tables in Wonderland Accepted at New Locations: Four new food & beverage locations have been added to the Tables in Wonderland program! Effective immediately, Tables in Wonderland members will receive the 20 percent discount at the following: Jungle Skipper at Magic Kingdom Park, Tiffins Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Nomad Lounge at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar at Disney Springs.
Reminder! The Beat the Heat DJ Party Continues to Make a Splash at Disney Springs: The “Beat the Heat DJ Party” offers visitors the chance to chill out and cool down. With a lively DJ, always-on fountains, and a playful combo of bubbles, hula hoops and beach balls, the party is a huge hit with guests of all ages. During this daily extravaganza, kids and adults are encouraged to dance, splash and simply take a break. Here, bathing suits are encouraged, but not required, and sunglasses and sunscreen are always in style! If you haven’t had a chance to enjoy the Beat the Heat DJ Dance Party yet, don’t fret; it happens daily from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. and continues through September 5th.
Merchandise Events
Disney Springs
August 4-28 – Two new Precious Moments dolls will be released in August at Marketplace Fun Finds in Disney Springs Marketplace. The dolls were inspired by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. Guests can meet Precious Moments doll designer Linda Rick on August 12-13 at the location.
August 20 – We are releasing a figurine and ornament from the Disney Showcase Collection by Precious Moments at The Art of Disney. These items will only be released in select locations at Disney Parks. The ornament is titled “Faith, Trust And Pixie Dust,” and the figurine is titled “Imagination Has No Age.” Guests can meet Precious Moments Master Sculptor Hiko Maeda from noon to 2:00 p.m. and from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
August 20 – Artist Jasmine Becket-Griffith returns to WonderGround Gallery inside the Marketplace Co-Op from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Epcot
August 12-14 & 26-29 – 12-7pm – Guests can check out the latest Yardley fragrance and beauty products and meet representatives from noon to 7:00 p.m., each day at The Queen’s Table. We will be offering bottle painting and personalization on August 13-14, 27-28.
August 17-20 – Meet Fragrance designer Geir Ness from noon to 6:00 p.m. in The Puffin’s Roost at Norway Pavilion in World Showcase. Geir will showcase the latest items from his Laila fragrance and beauty collection.
August 19 – Precious Moments Master Sculptor Hiko Maeda will meet guests at The Art of Disney in Future World from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Closures and Refurbishments
Click here to view the latest renovations and closures at Walt Disney World Resort.
Written by Siera Duiser: Siera Duiser is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. She loves helping plan memorable vacations at no cost to you. Contact Siera to book your next vacation at siera@destinationsinflorida.com or 734-771-1290. Mention Couponing to Disney for a free gift! You can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
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