runDisney Announces Star Wars Virtual Half Marathon, DVC Launches New Options for runDisney Fans

runDisney Announces First Ever Star Wars Virtual Half Marathon:

Beginning yesterday, runDisney fans can now sign up for the first ever Star Wars Virtual Half Marathon. You can register now through February 28 at runDisney.com or at this weekends' 2018 Walt Disney World Marathon at the Health & Fitness Expo. Guests are required to run 13.1 miles around their neighborhood, on a treadmill, or wherever you enjoy running and you'll earn a very specially-themed medal by March 31.

This new virtual run experience also includes the 2018 runDisney Kessel Run Challenge, offering runners the chance to earn a special challenge medal (seen in the middle above) for completing both the Star Wars Virtual Half Marathon from home and the Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon on April 22 at Walt Disney World Resort.

As part of the registration process participants will have the opportunity to make a donation to Starlight Children’s Foundation on behalf of Star Wars: Force for Change. Starlight Children’s Foundation brings joy and comfort to hospitalized children and their families through programs at children’s hospitals around the world.

On behalf of Star Wars: Force for Change, runDisney is also thrilled to make an independent donation to Starlight Children’s Foundation in honor of the Star Wars Virtual Half Marathon.

For updates and medal releases, follow runDisney on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Disney Vacation Club Launches New Vacation Options for runDisney Fans:

Disney Vacation Club is launching new vacation options for runDisney fans called Guaranteed Event Weeks. Here are the details:

Purchasers of a Guaranteed Event Week will receive an annual, automatic, week-long reservation booking for accommodations at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, the newest Disney Vacation Club Resort, for the week associated with their favorite Walt Disney World runDisney race! For example, if you purchase the Walt Disney World Marathon Guaranteed Event Week, you will have guaranteed accommodations at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins each year for that race. In addition, owners of a Guaranteed Event Week will also have the opportunity to secure up to five race entries in advance, annually, for eligible races offered during their selected runDisney event weekend.

Guaranteed Event Weeks went on sale yesterday January , with eligible events including the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend, Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side and Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend.

Lace up your running shoes and visit DisneyVacationClub.com/Run or call 877-382-6244 for more information on Disney Vacation Club Guaranteed Event Weeks.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Express Transportation to be Discontinued; Minnie Van Service Expands to Another Resort

Express Bus Transportation Service to be Discontinued:

Walt Disney World has decided to discontinue its Express Bus Transportation service. Its final day of service will be August 23, 2017. The final day to purchase the service will be this Wednesday, August 16 with the multi-day version of the service being available until August 23. 

The service introduced last December cost $15 and would utilize backstage areas of the parks to transport guests quicker than the normal service. No exact reason was given for the discontinuation but it appears as it just wasn't being used by guests enough to continue the service. 

Source: WDWMagic.com

Minnie Van Service Expands to Another Resort:

As one transportation service is being discontinued, another one is being expanded. The Minnie Van Service introduced last month at Disney's Boardwalk and Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts is already expanding.

Beginning today, guests staying at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Copper Creek Villas and Cabins, and the Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge can begin utilizing the service. Guests can go to the front desk area of the resort the service for their use. 

Minnie Vans is a point-to-point transportation service that costs $20 per ride and is summoned through the Lyft app. The service is expected to be expanded even more throughout Walt Disney World Resort in the coming months.

Source: WDW News Today

Opening Date Set for Copper Creek Villas & Cabins; Miss Adventure Falls to Debut Soon

Opening Date Set for Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge:

Disney's newest Vacation Club will be ready in July as the Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney Wilderness Lodge currently under construction will be ready to open July 17. Sales for the new DVC will begin next week on March 8, while general sales will begin next month on April 5. This will be the second Vacation Club development at Disney' Wilderness Lodge. 

Copper Creek Villas & Cabins offers Disney Vacation Club Members and guests a new frontier for magical vacations where the comforts of home and the wonders of the wilderness are deeply rooted in the magic of Disney. Inspired by the legendary mining and railroad history of the Pacific Northwest, Members and guests will discover rustically elegant accommodations, where cozy touches mix with modern designs to create a tranquil retreat.
Offering one of the widest ranges of accommodations found at Walt Disney World Resort, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins will feature 184 modern, nature-inspired vacation homes, including Deluxe Studios, one- and two-bedroom Villas, and even three-bedroom Grand Villas, which sleep up to 12.

Artist Rendering from Disney

The new resort will also include 26 all-new luxurious waterfront cabins. Sleeping up to eight and featuring two bedrooms, two baths and large dining and living room spaces, the cabins’ floor-to-ceiling windows, exposed wooden beams and interior-exterior stone-hearth fireplace bring the beauty of the outdoors in, and offer plenty of room for families. After a long day of fun at the nearby theme parks, guests can return to their porch and relax in the built-in hot tub. Some even enjoy a view of the Electrical Water Pageant on Bay Lake!
Additional developments at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge include the recently opened Geyser Point Bar & Grill, an open-air lounge overlooking Bay Lake. The resort’s quick-service restaurant, Roaring Fork is also undergoing refurbishments and is scheduled to reopen later this year with a refreshed look and expanded outdoor seating. Boulder Ridge Cove pool, a modern-day swimmin’ hole, will also open this summer.

For even more details on the newest Disney Vacation Club resort, visit DisneyCopperCreek.com.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Miss Adventure Falls to Debut March 12 at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon:

After two name changes, Miss Adventure Falls, the new family-style raft ride is set to debut on March 12 at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon. Yesterday, we got our first look at some of the artifacts collected by Captain Mary Oceaneer, the sea-faring treasure hunter whose haul was caught in a rogue typhoon. Here is the captain's dive bell, one of her many treasures, that has ended up in the lagoon. 

This will just be one of treasures, guests will see as they twist and turn down the new fun-filled water experience aboard Miss Adventure Falls. More details coming as the new attraction opens next Sunday, March 12.

Disney Parks Blog

Wilderness Lodge Villas and New Development Get New Names; Several Summer Refurbishments Announced

Wilderness Lodge Villas and New Development Get New Names:

The Villas at Wilderness Lodge will be renamed the Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Disney Vacation Club announced today. They also announced a name for the new development of the cabins and villas being built at the resort. 

The Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Wilderness Lodge will become the 14th Disney Vacation Club Resort. They also announced that a new name would be coming for the redesigned Hidden Springs Pool at the resort. 

No announcement has been made however on when these new cabins and villas will be open at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.

Several Summer Refurbishments Announced for Walt Disney World:

Several refurbishments were announced today for this summer at Disney World for some of our favorite attractions. This will include a lengthy refurbishment for DINOSAUR at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Here is what was announced today:

• DINOSAUR (Animal Kingdom) - July 25 through September 29
• Swiss Family Tree House (Magic Kingdom) - July 6 through September 24
• Liberty Square Riverboat (Magic Kingdom) - August 1 through August 7
• One Man's Dream (Hollywood Studios) - July 16 through July 19
• MuppetVision 3D! (Hollywood Studios) - August 15 through August 22

These attractions join a few other who are on the list for summer/fall refurbishment that includes Big Thunder Mountain which is expected to close August 8-November 18 and it's a small world which will be closed for nearly a month from August 22 through September 16.