NEWS ROUND UP: Summer Room Sale, Longtime Magic Band Wish Comes True, New Characters, Premium Parking Coming?, Multiple Price Increases, New Dining, runDisney Changes & More
The news round up this week is once again pretty full. Lot’s of news, announcements and rumors coming out of Disney recently. However, while there is some pretty good news in here, a lot of the stories are probably going to get folks pretty fired up.
1 – Long Time Magic Band Wish Comes True
Disney visitors have been hoping and pleading for ages for a purple Magic Band option. Late last year Disney World teased guests when they introduced a purple band available for customization. However, Disney has finally added purple to the list of options available free to resort guests and annual pass holders. They are now available when making reservation and selections.
2 – Disney Announces Limited Summer Room Discounts
Disney has released a summer room sale offer available to Annual Passhlders and Florida residents. The offer is very limited and certain restrictions may apply. The current offer provides a 25% discount and Value Resorts and a 35% discount at Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts. For more details and help booking your vacation, call our travel partners Magical Vacation Planners at (321) 286-5313. You can also get a no obligation, FREE vacation quote by clicking here. Their services are free to you and they can answer any questions you may have.
Read more details on this offer here.
3 – Popular New Characters to Join Baymax at Character Spot in Epcot
Big Character news out of Epcot this week. Joy and Sadness, from Pixar’s Inside Out, are joining Baymax in the recently expanded Character Spot. The new meet and greet will also feature immersive theming as guests travel to headquarters to meet the characters. Read the full details here.
4 – Reservations Now Open for Minnie’s Springtime Dine
Warm temperatures and plenty of Florida sunshine mean that spring is in the air at Walt Disney World Resort. To celebrate, Minnie Mouse and pals are dressed in their garden party best, ready to host a springtime soiree!
On the menu, look for classic picnic foods with a twist, like refreshing coconut-lavender lemonade and springtime salads like watercress or basil-lime fruit salad. Hearty entrées include barbecue meatballs, buffalo baked chicken, lobster and shrimp mac ‘n cheese, herb-roasted pork and more. For dessert, passion fruit cheesecake, key lime tarts and banana cream puffs are just a few of the delicious offerings.
Reservations are now open, and can be made by visiting DisneyWorld.com/dine or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.
5 – Disney Unveils More Price Increases
Price increases continue at Walt Disney World. This week Disney quietly raised the prices for their Standard and Deluxe Dining Plans.
6 – Nightly Resort Fees Coming?
In related pricing news, rumor has it that Disney is considering implementing a nightly resort fee on top of the cost of the room. The proposed resort fee is $15 per night. The resort fee would cover the costs of using Magical Express, Wi-Fi, Magic Bands, Extra Magic Hours, parking and various resort entertainment options. While resort fees are common at many other destination hotels and resorts (including Swan & Dolphin), this would be a first for Disney. Up until now, these extras were promoted as just some of the many additional “Free” benefits of staying on property.
While there has been no official announcement or plans coming out of Disney, the speculation stems from a survey Disney is currently sending out to past guests.
7 – Premium Parking Options May Be Coming Soon to Disney World Parks
WDW Magic is reporting that Disney will soon start offering premium parking sections in their parking lots.
Premium parking would be located closest to the park entrance within walking distance and would allow guests to skip the trams. The cost for premium parking is expected to be an additional $15 on top of the normal fee of $20 (or $35 total). Testing should start soon.
8 – Major Changes coming to Wine & Dine runDisney Events
runDisney unveiled a revamped Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend this week. The great news is that runDisney has added a new 10k event and a corresponding challenge for those who run both the 10k and the half-marathon. The bad news (for some) is that one of Disney’s few nighttime races will now be run Sunday morning. This removes one of the elements that made the race unique among Disney races. The after party will now be Sunday night. Read more details here.