Walt Disney World to Re-Open Tomorrow After Effects from Hurricane Irma

Photo Credit: @JEFF_EMT on Twitter

Hurricane Irma has left Florida for the most part, the curfew has been lifted, and Walt Disney World will resume operations tomorrow, September 12. The cast members along with countless others began clean up of the resort as Irma caused several downed trees and minor flooding in spots but the resorts or the parks never lost power. Tomorrow's hours for the parks are:

Magic Kingdom will open at 9 a.m tomorrow morning and close at 7 p.m. due to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. The park will also have Extra Magic Hours from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. for Walt Disney World Resort guests.

Epcot will be open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. with Extra Magic Hours for resort guests from 9 p.m. until 11 p.m.

Disney's Hollywood Studios will open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Disney's Animal Kingdom will also be open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Disney Springs will open from 10 a.m until Midnight. 

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Disney's Blizzard Beach will remain closed tomorrow.

Running Updates on Hurricane Irma at Walt Disney World & Disney Cruise Line

Last year, Walt Disney World closed for a day and a half due to Hurricane Matthew. This weekend it looks like the strongest hurricane on record could effect Walt Disney World again and they are already preparing for the worst with several changes to its schedule and has set up a FAQ on its website about its hurricane policy.

Hurricane Irma is a Category 5 hurricane that has sustained 185 mph winds. The hurricane right now is expected to hit the southern part of Florida on Sunday afternoon as a Category 4 hurricane.

UPDATE 9/8: 
Due to the oncoming effects of what is Hurricane Irma, Walt Disney World will close its parks for the second straight year. The parks will close early tomorrow 9/9 and will close through Monday, September 11. The parks will resume normal operation on Tuesday, September 12. Here is the full details and statement from Walt Disney World which can be seen through the link here.

To all Florida residents and friends, please stay safe and our prayers are all with you.

UPDATE 9/7 Evening: Walt Disney World has announced several cancellations and closures due to the oncoming threat of Hurricane Irma. Here is a list of what was announced:

• Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground will close beginning Saturday afternoon 9/9.
• Performances of Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue and Mickey’s Backyard BBQ have been cancelled for Saturday 9/9, Sunday, 9/10, and Monday 9/11.
• The Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has been cancelled for Saturday evening.
• Highway in the Sky Dine Around is cancelled for Saturday evening, 9/9.
• Disney’s Vero Beach Resort will close Friday 9/8 at 2PM.
• Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort will close on Saturday 9/10 at 10AM.
• Night of Joy has been cancelled for Saturday, 9/9. 
• Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has been cancelled on Sunday 9/10. 

Stay tuned for more updates and stay safe. 

UPDATE(9/7 Morning): The  Orlando International Airport will cease all commercial flights at 5:00 p.m. this Saturday, September 9. 

The Orlando International Airport (@MCO) is ceasing commercial flights starting at 5pm on Saturday, September 9thhttps://t.co/VkacAIjt4p pic.twitter.com/w87fXzEH1K

— BlogMickey.com (@Blog_Mickey) September 7, 2017

Original Story:

We are operating under normal conditions and continue to monitor Hurricane Irma. Read our hurricane policy here: https://t.co/B2N0hKep9b pic.twitter.com/8Q9X64g0DC

— WDW Today (@WDWToday) September 6, 2017

As of now, Disney's Blizzard Beach will be closed both Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9 due to Hurricane Irma. Walt Disney World has not made a decision on Typhoon Lagoon as of yet. Both water parks could be closed through the weekend depending on the track of Irma.

Disney has also deflated Aerophile (Characters in Flight) at Disney Springs and will remain under suspended operation until Hurricane Irma is no longer a threat. As of now that is all of the effects of Hurricane Irma at Walt Disney World.

Hurricane Irma is also effecting Disney Cruise Line. The Disney Fantasy sailing which began on September 2 will be cut short and return to Port Canaveral on September 7, two days ahead of schedule. Guests aboard this sailing are receiving a two-night credit for returning early plus 25% discount on a future cruise. The September 9th sailing aboard the Fantasy has been cancelled. Guests will receive a full refund and 25% discount on a future sailing.

The Disney Dream sailing that began on September 4 is also returning early on the 7 and will receive a refund equal to 2 nights of their stay and a 25% discount on a future cruise. Sailings that were scheduled for September 8 and 11 have been cancelled. Guests on these sailings will receive a full refund and a 25% discount on a future cruise.

Affected guests will have from September 18 through October 18, 2017 to use the 25% discount offer to book a future cruise. Stay tuned for updates on Hurricane Irma.

Walt Disney World Making Changes for Solar Eclipse; Rivers of Light #DisneyParksLive Stream

Walt Disney World Making Changes for Solar Eclipse:

With the Solar Eclipse taking place tomorrow August 21, Walt Disney World is making changes throughout its parks and resorts. There is a projection of 80 to 90% coverage in the area of parks. Total darkness may occur between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Here is a list of what's been announced so far for changes during the day and afternoon:

• Marina at the Grand Floridian Resort will be closed all day on Monday and reopen on Tuesday.
• Tom Sawyer Island at the Magic Kingdom will close at 2 pm and will stay closed for the entire day on Monday.
• Animal Trails at Animal Kingdom will close briefly prior to it getting dark and will reopen once the darkness period is over.
• Blizzard Beach will close as needed at the onset of darkness. Entertainment will be available at the beach area of the park and additional lighting will be added. Also, buses will be running directly to Typhoon Lagoon from 1:30 to 2:45 pm.
• Typhoon Lagoon already has nighttime lighting installed and will be utilizing during the darkness period. There should be no impact to guests of the park.
• Sammy Duvall’s Watersports Centre will be closed from 12 to 5 pm on Monday since Disney is shutting down all lake activities.
• Ferry Transportation sounds like it will be also stopped between 12 and 5 pm per Sammy Duvall’s announcement. No official word on this has been announced by Disney as of now.

Disney will not be providing any eclipse glasses to guests, so if you are visiting Walt Disney World tomorrow plan on bringing your own.

Source: Chip & Company

Rivers of Light to be Live Streamed Through #DisneyParksLIVE on August 22:

On Tuesday August 22, #DisneyParksLIVE will live stream Rivers of Light from Disney''s Animal Kingdom. Here are the details from the Disney Parks Blog:

In case you haven’t seen this amazing nighttime show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, “Rivers of Light” celebrates animals and nature by combining floating set pieces, lanterns, a soaring musical score, fountains and more. The show’s storytellers “narrate” this emotionally moving show through a combination of dance, music, song and shadow puppetry. 

Our live stream of “Rivers of Light” will begin Tuesday, August 22 at 8:40 p.m. EDT. A fresh blog post with the live video will appear at the top of the Disney Parks Blog Tuesday night right before the show. 

And as always, to follow along on Twitter, use the hashtags #DisneyParksLIVE.

Rivers of Light is quite the show, I saw it back in June and I look forward to watching the live stream on Tuesday night.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Brazil Coming to World Showcase?, Club Penguin Island Event at Blizzard Beach, & More

Brazil Coming to World Showcase as New Country Pavilion?:

Photo Courtesy: WDW News Today

We are 11 days away from the D23 Expo and the rumors are getting hot. Today, WDW News Today, reported that Brazil could very well be the next country added to World Showcase in Epcot. The pavilion would be in between the Italy and Germany pavilions. 

It would be an empty 1.5 acre plot that was left empty since Epcot opened back almost 40 years ago in 1982. There is a rumor of an attraction but there has been no word on what kind of attraction would be placed in the new pavilion. 

According to the sources WDW News Today has, Disney will be announcing Brazil as the new country at this months D23 Expo in Anaheim. The D23 Expo takes place July 14-16, 2017.

Source: WDW News Today

Club Penguin Island Event Coming to Disney's Blizzard Beach:

Club Penguin Island, the popular mobile game, will be coming to Disney's Blizzard Beach for a very special event. Just like in the game, the event will let guests make friends and embark on adventures together. 

Guests visiting Disney’s Blizzard Beach on July 29 will have the chance to participate in lots of Club Penguin Island-themed activities such as a penguin splash competition in the Ski Patrol area, coloring contests, a ‘snowball’ toss with water balloons, and much more!

More details on this event will be released in the coming weeks so stay tuned.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

New Food & Wine Logo Released Plus List of New Food Booths Announced:

Today, we got our first look at the logo for this year's Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. The logo this year features Remy from Ratatouille. 

Also a list of tentative new food booths were released with names subject to change:

• Avocados of Mexico
• Cheese – Hosted by Boursin
• Beer (in the former Segway room of Innoventions)
• Flavored by Fire
• Active Eats
• Spain

There will be 35 amazing food and wine marketplace booths at this year's festival which will run for a record long 75 days. This year's Epcot International Food & Wine Festival takes place August 31 through November 13, 2017. 

Source: WDW News Today

Frozen Summer Games Returning to Blizzard Beach; Frozen on Broadway Cast Announced

Frozen Summer Games Returning to Blizzard Beach:

The Frozen Summer Games will be returning to Disney's Blizzard Beach on May 26. After the success of its inaugural year last year, the games return pitting guests against each other with Team Kristoff vs. Team Olaf. Guests will play different games such as the Ice Pail Relays, Snowball Toss, Ski Pole Limbo, and slide races. 

New this year, guests will be able to meet and take photos with Kristoff and Olaf at Blizzard Beach. Either Kristoff or Olaf will be at the designated photograph location inside the water park. Here you can take photos with them telling them which team you chose to play on.

Between crafts, the games, and a DJ spinning some up-tempo tunes, the Frozen Summer Games are sure to be highlight of the day for guests visiting Disney's Blizzard Beach this summer. 

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Frozen on Broadway Cast Has Been Announced:

Disney's Frozen the Broadway Musical won't open until 2018, but today the cast has been announced for the musical. The musical will premiere next year at the St. James Theater.  Here is the stars of the show:

Cassie Levy as Elsa:

Levy has starred on Broadway in Ghost, Wicked, and the 2014 revival of Les Misérables.

Patti Murin as Anna:

Murin was in the original Broadway productions of Lysistrata Jones and Xanadu.

Jelani Alladin as Kristoff:

This will be Alladin’s Broadway debut, and what a debut it will be.

Greg Hildreth as Olaf:

Hildreth previously stared in Peter and the Starcatcher and Cinderella on Broadway.

John Riddle as Hans:

Riddle previously starred in The Visit’s Young Anton.

Robert Creighton as the Duke of Weselton:

Creighton previously starred on Broadway in The Little Mermaid and Anything Goes.

Frozen on Broadway will be directed by Tony-award winner Michael Grandage and choreographed by Tony-award winner Rob Ashford. Music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.  The show will start out of Broadway later this year at the Buell Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, beginning August 17 through October 1, 2017. It will then join The Lion King and Aladdin on Broadway in Spring 2018.

Source: Oh My Disney

New Security Checks at Resorts and TTC for Magic Kingdom; Water Parks Testing Virtual Queues

New Security Checks at Monorail Resorts and TTC for Magic Kingdom:

Beginning Monday April 3, guests entering the Magic Kingdom from the monorail resorts and the Transportation & Ticket Center will be pre-screened before getting to the park, Disney announced today. They will then be able to skip the security checks when they arrive at Magic Kingdom.

Guests arriving by bus or boat will still go through security but at new checkpoints that were installed in front of the park. This new security system will allow for less congestion at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom. Previously the congestion has caused much stress on guests because of how busy and long they could get. This was first reported by WDW News Today.

Walt Disney World Water Parks Testing Virtual Queues:

Today, both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach have begun testing virtual queues for guests. The test will run through April 7. The system allows guests to reserve a spot in line without actually standing in line. Walt Disney World already does this with Dumbo in the Magic Kingdom. 

The attractions this includes are Downhill Double Dipper, Slush Gusher, and Summit Plummet at Blizzard Beach and the new Miss Adventure Falls at Typhoon Lagoon. This test comes ahead of Universal opening its new water park, Volcano Bay, which is supposed to use the same kind of virtual queue system. 

Disney Announces Performers for Disney's Night of Joy in September

Disney has announced today the performers for Disney's Night of Joy that will occur September 9-10, 2016 at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex for the first time ever. This year's artists will consist some of the top 15 of Christian performers including 2015 Grammy Award winner Francesca Battistelli. Here is the lineup for each day:

• September 9th - MercyMe, Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, Francesca Battistelli, Crowder, Matthew West, Stars Go Dim, and Zealand Worship
• September 10th - newsboys, for King & Country, Young & Free, Switchfoot, Red, Thousand Foot Krutch, and Tim Timmons

Fans will also have more ticket options this year, more than ever before. Here are there options as follows:

• A single-night ticket for Friday’s concerts – $39 plus tax (in advance); $45 the day of the show (if available).
• A ticket which would include a day at one of the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks and the concerts for Saturday night – $99 plus tax (in advance); $114 plus tax the day of the show (if available).
• A 2-Day ticket which includes both nights’ concerts, a day at one of the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks – $119 plus tax (in advance).

Guests who purchase the 2-day ticket before August 9, 2016 will also receive (1) admission to their choice of either Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon from September 6-12, 2016. Group discounts are also available. Tickets go on sale in mid-April. For more information on Disney's Night of Joy check out nightofjoy.com. You can also stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog and on here for updates on entertainment and events. 

Kylo Ren Officially Greeting Guests at Hollywood Studios; Blizzard Beach Closed Through Mid Week

Kylo Ren Officially Greeting Guests at Hollywood Studios:

While, Kylo Ren has been greeting guests at Disneyland's Star Wars Launch Bay for a few weeks, today officially the new Star Wars villain has begun greeting guests at Hollywood Studios. Kylo Ren is replacing Darth Vader who was originally meeting with guests when Star Wars Launch Bay opened. Darth Vader can still be seen at the new Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple along with the Seventh Sister from Star Wars Rebels. Although it is rumored that Kylo Ren will also be replacing the Seventh Sister very soon at the new Jedi Training Academy where he will join Darth Vader.

Kylo Ren now graces the Times Guide at Hollywood Studios.

Chewbacca remains as the character meet & greet on the Light Side of Star Wars Launch Bay.

Blizzard Beach Closed Through Mid Week:

Disney's Blizzard Beach water park is closed through Wednesday February 10, 2016. beginning today due to cold weather temperatures in the Orlando area. The park is expected to reopen on Thursday. Disney's other water park Typhoon Lagoon is already closed through March due to its annual refurbishment. 

New York Comic Con to Have Preview of Star Wars Rebels Season 2; Blizzard Beach Annual Refurbishment Moved Up

New York Comic Con to Have Preview of Star Wars Rebels Season 2:

Are you excited for the upcoming second season of Disney XD's "Star Wars Rebels?" I know I am and now the upcoming New York Comic Con beginning October 8 will have a sneak preview for fans  of Season 2.

Also scheduled is a panel discussion with special guests and previews of two new episodes from the series. When the series left off after season one and the mid-season movie special, "The Siege of Lothal," our heroes were quickly and efficiently becoming more like rebels and were drawing attention from the top of empire with the likes of Darth Vader and Grand Moff Tarkin. Vader and Tarkin have now been tasked with trying to eliminate the Ghost Crew. 

Our rebel heroes Kanan, Ezra, Sabine, Hera, Zeb, and Chopper return and will be on the search for some new friends as well as some old to help take down the empire. This will include the return of Ahsoka Tano as seen in "The Siege of Lothal" and three notable clones from the series "Star Wars Clone Wars" in Captain Rex, Captain Gregor, and Commander Wolffe.

Also released today is a new poster with key art from Season 2 of "Star Wars Rebels." The poster reads, "Their greatest strength will be each other."

Blizzard Beach Annual Refurbishment Moved Up:

Today, it was revealed that the annual refurbishment of Disney's water park Blizzard Beach has been moved up and extended. The refurbishment of the park will now begin October 4, 2015 instead of the previously scheduled for later that month on October 25. 

The water park is tentatively set to reopen on January 3, 2016. On that same day, the annual refurbishment of Disney's Typhoon Lagoon is set to begin.