Good morning all of our Traveling Through Disney family!! We have been sporadic in our posting these last few weeks and want to apologize for that. We are back in action and ready to bring you the most up to date information that Disney has to offer.
As many of you know, earlier this year, Disney started offering an Early Morning Magic package for an additional cost. This separately ticketed event allows you first access into Magic Kingdom before any other guests. You get front of the line access to 3 attractions: Winnie the Pooh, Seven Dwarf's Mine Train, and Peter Pan's Flight. Also, you can stop by Pinocchio's Village Haus for some early morning eats at no additional cost. Early Morning Magic takes place from 7:45am to 10am on select days and the cost is $69 per adult ages 10+ and $59 per child ages 3-9.
There have been mixed reviews from critics and guests on whether or not this is a good deal or worth it.
However, it seems to be in high demand as just last night Disney announced they would now be extending this package until 9/30/16. They have even sweetened the deal now by adding Hollywood Studios Early Morning Magic!!!
That's right, starting on 8/1/16 guests will be able to enter Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom at 7:45am to have front of the line access to the most coveted rides.
Specifically, at Hollywood Studios you will be able to enjoy an all you can eat breakfast at ABC Commissary from 8am to 10am. The Hollywood Studios attractions that you will have front of the line access to are: Toy Story Mania!, Star Tours, Woody and Buzz meet and greet, Olaf meet and greet, and of course Mickey and Minnie meet and greet.
You can start booking Early Morning Magic for either park today, so if you feel like this event is for you then book now as they only let a limited number of people in the park.
Day 3 took us over to Hollywood Studios! Now we knew going in that a ton of the attractions and restaurants are currently shut down (Backlot Tour, Mike and Sully meet and greet, Streets of America, Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground.). I was surprised to see how much of the park was hidden behind walls. It is a pretty significant amount of the park at this point just FYI.
As we all know, Hollywood Studios is undergoing so major changes in that they are expanding the park to include a new Star Wars land and Toy Story land. Within that they are also adding a third track to Toy Story Midway Mania to cut down on wait times which pretty regularly exceed 2 hours.
Fret not though, all of the projected completion dates for these new lands will be December 2018 with Toy Story land opening possibly sooner. Take a look at the projected look of the new lands.
Alright so with that out of the way let's talk about our day at Hollywood Studios. We set off immediately for the Rock N Roller Coaster only to be met with a 60 minute wait at park opening. We should have stood in line because as they day went on it did not get better but we didn't. We set off to one of my favorite attractions The Great Movie Ride. I could do this one over and over again, I just love it. We did not make it to the Tower of Terror or Rock N Roller Coaster on our first Hollywood Studios day as they exceeded hour wait times all day long. I don't believe I ever saw either below 70 minutes.
Some of our favorite attractions and shows of the day were:
Toy Story Midway Mania (of course!!)
Star Tours
The Great Movie Ride
Frozen Sing A Long
Fantasmic
We also met the ever dark Kylo Ren and he scared my little Princess pretty good, even following her out the door when she said he was scary. :) We met the lovable Chewbacca too to make up for all the scary.
Now I have to backtrack a bit and tell you about the amazing lunch we had. I swear, I'm going to do a whole week of posts just to the delicious food we ate on vacation. Maybe that will be next weeks adventure.
We also watched the Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Indiana Jones stunt show spectacular. As well as watched my little princess' favorite Princess Belle in The Beauty and Beast show.
We took advantage of the Fantasmic dining package and had lunch at Mama Melrose's Italian Restaurante.
So the way the Fantasmic Dining Package works is you eat at semi off peak hours. Our lunch reservations was for 11:30am. After you get finished with your meal you are given vouchers for the first seating of Fantasmic. This way you aren't stuck waiting in line for 90 minutes like the others who did not fastpass or use the dining package.
I have to tell you I wouldn't have it any other way. We had a delicious meal and even had appetizers and desert included with the package. We received the vouchers and had amazing seats for the show that night. It was truly a great experience all the way around.
The other experience we did on Hollywood Studios day was go to Club Villain. However, I am dedicating a full post to this one as well so I will not delve into details here other than to say it was totally worth it and awesome. Especially if you are a big lover of villains which the Traveling Through Disney family certainly is.
We loved watching the Fantasmic show it was fully entertaining and a great water, light, and fire show. While we were waiting on the bus we watched the Star Wars Spectacular Firework Show. It was really cool and beautifully themed to Star Wars soundtracks of the past and present.
So there you have it. A glimpse at our full and wonderful day at Hollywood Studios. Now tell us below in the comments what is your favorite thing to do at Hollywood Studios? We can't wait to hear from you!!
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few months then everyone knows how much Walt Disney World is changing over Spring and Summer 2016.
Whether it be the new lands added to Hollywood Studios such as Star Wars land and Toy Story land, or the ever anticipated Avatar land at Animal Kingdom. There are lots of refurbishments going on at Walt Disney World during some of the busiest times of the year right now. If you've visited over the last few months you will notice some of your favorites rides are now gone at Hollywood Studios and even some meet and greets and restaurants. The ever popular walls have also gone up to hide all the magic that is taking place.
If we know one thing about Disney it is that it is an ever changing animal and when Disney takes away it almost always gives back in three fold. These new lands will be bigger and better than ever making you forget all about those walls and experiences that will now cease to exist.
And with so many traveling down to Walt Disney World whether it be for the summer or Spring Break here at Disney Traveling, we want you to be in the know.
Below you will find the most updated listing released from Walt Disney World on the current refurbishments going on thru 2016. Look at the list below to make sure you have the best information for your trip and adjust your plans accordingly.
Be sure to check back here @disneytraveling for all of the latest updates regarding refurbishments and closings.
Magic Kingdom Park
Mad Tea Party Feb. 22 - 26, 2016 Jungle Cruise Mar. 1 - 3, 2016
Monorail Now - April 2016 The Walt Disney World® Resort Monorail System is undergoing refurbishment and may be on modified service and/or routes. If Guests plan to use this form of transportation during their visit they should check to be sure of the best option available on their day of travel, as alternative transportation options will be available.
Epcot
Soarin' Jan. 4, 2016 - Summer 2016 Circle of Life Feb. 7 - Apr. 2, 2016
Disney's Hollywood Studios Theme Park
Pizza Planet Jan. 19 - Late 2016 Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure - Closing Permanently Apr. 3, 2016 Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show - Closing Permanently Apr. 3, 2016
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Kali River Rapids Jan. 4 - Mar. 17, 2016 Flights of Wonder Jan. 25 - Mar. 17, 2016
Warung Outpost Jan. 25 - Mar. 17, 2016 Boneyard Feb. 22 - Mar. 17, 2016
Disney Springs
Planet Hollywood
January 6- Summer 2016
Roadwork on Buena Vista Drive - Due to heavy roadwork, expect delays on Buena Vista Drive. It is recommended that Guests use complimentary Walt Disney World Resort transportation from Parks and Resorts to Disney Springs and plan to arrive early for reserved dining and entertainment experiences.
This just in from Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. For those of you traveling to Hollywood Studios on March 15th the ever popular Toy Story Midway Mania will be closed all day.
Those who have selected FastPasses for this day will now be allowed to choose another Fastpass for that day.
The news comes after the announcement of a third track being added to Toy Stoty Midway Mania in order to curb the sometimes massive wait times. The third track will be added later this year.
Stay tuned for more updates as they become available.
Hi all! I'm an avid Disney guru, Authorized and Earmarked Vacation Planner, and traveler. Want to advertise on my site or ready to book a vacation? Contact me now at s.marx@magicalvacationplanner.com
