fbpx

Walt Disney World News

Splitsville: Bowling Re-imagined

Hopefully your Saturday evening plans involve bowling in celebration of National Bowling Day!

Splitsville, America’s Bowling Alley, is currently under construction at Downtown Disney® West Side in the Walt Disney World® Resort and is scheduled to open this fall. The 50,000 square feet location with 30 lanes is not your traditional bowling alley – boasting an upscale menu and retro décor, two-story layout, flat-screen TVs and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Their menu contains no gutter balls: hand-tossed pizza, fresh-rolled sushi, grilled mahi-mahi with “Voodoo” shrimp and hand-cut filets alongside some alley-classics such as cheeseburgers and crinkle-cut fries can be ordered and enjoyed right at the lane.

Unlike the other four Splitsville locations in the US, the Downtown Disney® location will have a balcony with outdoor seating along with billiard tables and live entertainment. With a size and lane capacity of almost double its sister-locations, it will be a perfect place for families to have fun and make memories outside of the theme parks.

Enjoy these artist renderings of the upcoming location and a video of Guy Revelle, the Co-Founder of Splitsville, telling us what we can expect!

‘Lion King’ Family Suites Open at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

This morning, the third phase of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort opened to the public.

Celebrating the journey of Simba through the Pride Lands of Africa, the courtyards contain landscaping and theming reflecting many favorite scenes from the Academy Award-winning animated film The Lion King. And inside the 320 themed family suites, guests can hang out with the wild residents of the Pride Lands while Timon and Pumbaa make a real splash in one of the suite’s two bathrooms. The second you walk through the door, it is hard to not adopt the duo’s “hakuna matata” philosophy!

With the opening of The Lion King wing, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort now has 1,120 family suites with two bathrooms, a kitchenette, and three separate sleeping areas that can sleep up to six guests. Other family suite theming options include Cars and Finding Nemo. The last phase of the Resort, the Little Mermaid wing, will offer standard rooms sleeping up to 4 guest. That wing will open Sep. 15.

Missed any of our previous coverage? Check out the links below:

Military Savings At Walt Disney World® and Disneyland® Resort

Both Walt Disney World® and Disneyland® Resorts salute the men and women who serve our country. To show their appreciation, they are offering discounts for both destinations through the end of September 2013.

Walt Disney World® Resort

Room Discounts

Active and retired U.S. military personnel can take advantage of specially priced Disney Resort rooms for stays most nights Oct. 1, 2012 through Sep. 28, 2013.  Both active and retired members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, Reservists and the U.S. Coast Guard are eligible for this discount.

In addition to legendary Disney service, Guests staying at a Walt Disney World® Resort will enjoy complimentary onsite transportation, transfers to and from Orlando International Airport aboard Disney’s Magical Express service, and extended Theme Park hours.

Request a Quote

The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Minimum length of stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals. Offer not valid Nov. 22, 2012 through Nov. 24, 2012; Dec. 23, 2012 through Dec. 31, 2012; and Mar. 25, 2013 through Apr. 4, 2013. Valid Military ID will be required upon check-in. No group rates or other discounts apply. Advance reservations required.

Tickets

Active or retired members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, Reservists and the U.S. Coast Guard, can also obtain 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets for just $156 each plus tax. Tickets may be used most days Oct. 1, 2012 through Sep. 28, 2013. For  just $28 plus tax more, the Water Park Fun & More option may be added.

Additional information on the this ticket promotion can be obtained from your Magic Maker® or participating U.S. military base ticket offices.

Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased at participating U.S. military sales outlets ONLY by Eligible Service Members (defined below) or their spouses (but not both), for use by themselves and other family members and friends, as provided herein. These tickets may not be otherwise transferred, distributed or resold. “Eligible Service Members” are active or retired members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, Reservists and the U.S. Coast Guard. The actual prices charged at the individual U.S. military base ticket offices for Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be less than the prices set forth above. Participating military sales outlets must require that Eligible Service Members (or their spouses) present valid military identification to purchase Disney Military Promotional Tickets. Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets for admission to the Walt Disney World® Resort are not valid until activated by the Eligible Services Members (or their spouses) at Walt Disney World® theme park ticket windows. Tickets and options expire and may not be used after Sept. 28, 2013. Valid military identification will be required for purchase and use. No more than six (6) Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased and (if applicable) activated by any Eligible Service Member or spouse (regardless of the place of purchase and whether purchased by that person or that person’s spouse), and all six (6) must be purchased at the same time. Accordingly, no Eligible Service Member (or spouse) may purchase Disney Military Promotional Tickets at any military sales outlet if that person (or that person’s spouse) previously purchased Disney Military Promotional Tickets (whether at that same military sales outlet or at any other military sales outlet or at any other place. In addition, one of the six (6) Tickets purchased must be used by the Eligible Service Member or his/her spouse. Each Disney Military Promotional Ticket must be used by the same person on any and all days. Tickets can be purchased Aug. 17, 2012 through Sep. 25, 2013. Tickets not valid Dec. 24, 2012 through Dec. 31, 2012 and Mar. 24, 2013 through Apr. 4, 2013 at all Walt Disney World® Theme Parks and other gated attractions; and also Jul. 4, 2013 at Magic Kingdom® Park. Tickets must be used by Sep. 28, 2013.

Disneyland® Resort

Room Discounts

Special room rates for active and retired military personnel are available on select rooms for stays most nights Oct. 1, 2012 through Sep. 28, 2013 at the Disneyland® Hotel, Disney’s Paradise Pier® Hotel, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa. Active or retired members of the U.S. Military including the National Guard, Reservists and the U.S. Coast Guard are eligible for this discount.

Enjoy the benefits of staying at a Disneyland® Resort hotel including a special entrance to Disney California Adventure® Park, Extra Magic Hour early admission, and legendary Disney service and dining options.

Request a Quote

The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Minimum length of stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals. Offer not valid Nov. 22, 2012 through Nov. 24, 2012, Dec. 23, 2012 through Dec. 31, 2012, and Mar. 25, 2013 through Apr. 4, 2013. Valid U.S. Military ID will be required upon check-in and military member (or spouse) must stay in the room. No group rates or other discounts apply. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Advance reservations required.

Tickets

Active and retired U.S. military personnel may purchase 3-Day Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® tickets for just $125 each. These tickets may be used most dates October 1, 2012 through September 28, 2013.

Additional information on the this ticket promotion can be obtained from your Magic Maker® or participating U.S. military base ticket offices.

Disney Military Promotional 3-Day Park Hopper® tickets valid at Disneyland® Resort may be purchased at participating U.S. military sales outlets by any eligible U.S. military personnel or their spouse, from Aug. 17, 2012 through Sep. 26, 2013. Eligible military personnel are active or retired members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, Reservists and the U.S. Coast Guard. Valid military identification will be required for purchase. No more than six (6) Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased by any Eligible Service Member or spouse (regardless of the place of purchase and whether purchased by that person or that person’s spouse), and all six (6) must be purchased at the same time. Ticket is valid for three (3) days of admission to both Disneyland® and Disney California Adventure® Park. Tickets expire Sep. 28, 2013 and each day of use constitutes one full day of use. Not valid for Magic Morning early entry admission. Valid only for active duty or retired U.S. Military, including the National Guard, Reservists, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Valid and active U.S. Military (or Military spouse) ID required for purchase and admission. Limited to one (1) purchase of up to six (6) tickets per valid ID and Military member (or spouse) must accompany the persons using these tickets for Theme Park admission. May not be combined with other discounts or promotions. Ticket may not be sold or transferred for commercial purposes. Tickets not valid at all theme parks on Dec. 23, 2012 through Jan. 2, 2013, Feb. 15, 2013 through Feb. 17, 2013, Mar. 25, 2013 through Apr. 5, 2013, and Jul. 4, 2013. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.

 

Sporting Fun at Walt Disney World® Resort

With the London 2012 Summer Olympics quickly coming to a close, you may be wondering how you are going to fill that competitive sports ‘withdrawal’ that you are facing when NBC goes off the air for the last of their London 2012 Summer Olympic coverage following the closing ceremonies on August 12th.

Thankfully, Walt Disney World® Resort has plenty of sporty options to give you the sports fix you may be looking for!

One of the easiest ways to completely immerse yourself in sports during your visit to Walt Disney World® Resort is to stay at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort. This larger than life resort surrounds in you with an exciting atmosphere celebrating the sports we all love including baseball, basketball, football, surfing and tennis. From the End Zone Food Court to the oversized icons and Grand Slam pool, you will absolutely love taking in the sports-themed atmosphere of Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort!

If sleeping immersed in sports theming isn’t enough, you can eat sports around Walt Disney World® Resort too! In Magic Kingdom® Theme Park you’ll find Casey’s Corner on Main Street, U.S.A® Area serving up some of your favorite ballpark fare in a fun, old-timey atmosphere. Then there is ESPN Club at Disney’s BoardWalk Entertainment District where you can dine completely surrounded in sports action as they run 100 screens with different sports feeds. With that many screens, you’ll never miss the ‘big play’, even in the bathroom!

If you are wanting to take a ‘swing’ at sports yourself while you are at Walt Disney World® Resort, why not tee off at one of the FOUR championship golf courses located on property, some of which have hosted PGA Tour Events! Don’t have your clubs with you? That is okay because rental equipment is available at the clubhouse!  For the younger club swingers, or families looking to have fun, you can also play miniature golf at one of Walt Disney World® Resorts two 36-hole miniature golf courses!

And no sports fanatic should overlook ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, home to Walt Disney World® Resort’s state-of-the-art sports facility hosting a huge range of sports events and programs.  ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex plays host to tournaments, sports camps, academies and even Atlanta Braves Spring Training!

From driving a real racecar to countless watersports including skiing, wakeboarding, tubing and parasailing; there is practically something for every sports lover in your family!

So while the London 2012 Summer Olympics are coming to a close, your sports adventure at Walt Disney World® Resort is just beginning!

Grand Opening of New Fantasyland® Slated for Dec. 6th

We are so excited to share a very special date with you!

The grand opening of  the New Fantasyland® at Magic Kingdom® will take place on Dec. 6, 2012. Attractions included in this phase of opening are:

  • Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
  • Enchanted Tales with Belle 
  • Ariel’s Grotto
  • Be Our Guest Restaurant 
  • Gaston’s Tavern 
  • Bonjour! Village Gifts.

Limited previews of the attractions will begin Nov. 19. Additional phases of the New Fantasyland® opening include Princess Fairytale Hall in 2013 and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in 2014.

Pete’s Silly Sideshow Coming To Storybook Circus

Our guests who have been fortunate enough to visit the Storybook Circus section of the New Fantasyland® area have no doubt been amazed at the new additions to the Magic Kingdom®. But while touring the area, it is hard to not notice that the Storybook Circus area is still not completely open. Details on 2 of those unfinished locations were just released today.

One of the big-top tents will house Pete’s Silly Sideshow. Inside, guests will have the opportunity to meet some of their favorite Disney characters who secretly have some circus-like special talents! The other tent will be Big Top Souvenirs.

Here’s a first look inside Pete’s Silly Sideshow:

An opening date for Pete’s Silly Sideshow has yet to be announced. Once opened, Mickey will continue to greet his guests inside his current location at Town Square Theater on Main Street, U.S.A.®.

All images are Walt Disney Imagineer Concept artwork. Actual construction and design may vary. All entertainment is subject to change.

Enter to Win: The ‘King Of The Pride Lands’ Giveaway

This Friday, August 10th, the Lion King wing of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort opens at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida. The third phase of the resort, the Lion King wing celebrates the journey of Simba with theming from Walt Disney Pictures animated film The Lion King.

To celebrate, we have another special giveaway for you. Register to win your own movie double feature – Disney The Lion King & The Lion King 1½ DVDs!

Registering to win is simple. Just follow the directions on the app below. The app will also give you an opportunity to receive extra entries into the contest. The contest ends Sunday (August 12, 2012, at 11:59p.m. Central time), so don’t miss your change to register!

By |2017-06-27T10:22:25-05:00August 6th, 2012|Categories: Disney News, Walt Disney World News|0 Comments

Three New FREE Experiences at Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival

The Countdown is on for the 2012 Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival taking place Sep. 28 through Nov. 12, 2012.

While the festival offers a variety of premium events and experiences at a charge in addition to your admission to Epcot®, there are also quite a few that are complimentary to all guests. This year, Epcot’s® International Food & Wine Festival planners have announced three new events that won’t cost you a penny!

Chocolate Experience: From the Bean to the Bar Hosted by Ghirardelli® Chocolate Company: Everyone loves Chocolate! This new experience will put your sense of sight, taste and smell into sensory overload! Marvel at the sweet sculptures created by Disney pastry chefs and learn about the fascinating origin of chocolate. Shop for gourmet chocolate gifts and try some of the free samples. The Chocolate experience will be located inside the Festival Center and open daily from 9:00 a.m. through park close.

Wine Sampling at the Festival Center Wine Shop: Also located at the Festival Center, the Wine Shop will offer wine samples provided by the various beverages companies participating in this years festival. Sampling will be available daily at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

The Watermelon Patch Hosted by The National Watermelon Promotion Board: This experience will allow you to visit a real watermelon patch! Guests will see the watermelons growing and discover fun facts and tips from Mr. Food.

There’s still time to plan your vacation to experience this year’s Epcot’s® International Food & Wine Festival! Disney’s FREE Dining promotion is even available for select dates of the Food & Wine Festival. Contact your Magic Maker® today!

Mouse’s Best Friend?

It is said that a dog is a man’s best friend, but is it a mouse’s? Well heads up, Pluto, we think you may have some competition!

Meet Lily, a nearly 3-month old Labrador-Cathahoula mix. While searching for a new dog, Lily caught the attention of Francisco and Mejay Aguerre, and their daughter Nicole. The breeder said she had “unusual markings,” but these markings were hardly unusual to the Aguerres who are all three cast members at the Walt Disney World® Resort. They quickly recognized the marking as a perfect Hidden Mickey!

Lily, named after Walt Disney’s wife, Lillian, recently had an opportunity to meet Mickey Mouse! Enjoy the video – we bet you’ll fall in love!

By |2017-06-27T10:22:26-05:00August 4th, 2012|Categories: Disney News, Disneyland News, Walt Disney World News|Tags: |0 Comments

Photo Update of New Fantasyland Progress

Anticipation has been rising as construction of the New Fantasyland® continues! The Storybook Circus area has already opened, but the Fantasyland® Forest section is scheduled to open in phases beginning Holidays 2012.

Walt Disney World® Resort’s Imagineering team has been sharing sporadic photo updates of the area to share their excitement for the expansion. Enjoy all the detail and creativity in what will soon become the New Fantasyland®!

Go to Top