We have a Walt Disney World Update for you filled with delights and not too many frights. Halloween plans continue to evolve, park hours are shifting, new fall merchandise is arriving, and . . . we need your help with a Disney poll (please read all the way through). Let’s take a look at the holiday happenings. . .
More Halloween Entertainment for Magic Kingdom
Disney has released more information regarding the fall season’s entertainment lineup at the Magic Kingdom…
While Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has been canceled for this wild year, there IS some Halloween happening at Walt Disney World, as we told you about last week in our last WDW Update. And now there’s even more to look forward to! From September 15th through October 31st not only will Mickey, Minnie and friends (dressed in their Halloween costumes) cavalcade around the Kingdom, but some of your favorite villains will join in on the fright! Maleficent, the Queen of Hearts, Jafar, Gaston and even Jack Skellington may be seen during their own processionals on select days.
Main Street U.S.A. hasn’t been the same without them… the Dapper Dans happily return to the Kingdom on September 20th! For now, they’ll emerge from their tombs as the “Cadaver Dans” just in time for the spooky season.
Here’s a little something from the Dapper Dans at Disneyland to get you in the mood:
And more on the Halloween plans at WDW:
Passholder & Florida Resident Savings
Bigger merchandise discounts are back! From September 15th through October 29th, the typical 20% passholder discount will be bumped up to 30% at valid Disney-owned and operated merchandise locations. And yes, those new Halloween goodies are included!
(No word on if this discount will again be extended to shopDisney purchases.)
Not an Annual Passholder? If you’re a Florida Resident, Disney is extending a 20% merchandise discount Mondays through Thursdays, September 15th-October 29th. (To receive the discount, you’ll need to mention the offer and provide proof of residency with a Florida driver’s license, ID card or Florida-based military ID)
Have Yourself a Merry *Little* Christmas
This week brought us bittersweet news regarding Christmas at the Kingdom. While Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, the Castle Dream Lights, resort gingerbread displays and EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional are all canceled for this year, Disney will still be offering some seasonal festivities. Read all about the winter season’s modifications below!
Park Hours Update
Since holiday-themed projections are lined up for Cinderella Castle this winter season, we expected Magic Kingdom’s park hours to be extended past the current 6PM closure. Park hours have just been updated for two of the four WDW parks.
Beginning Friday, November 6th, Magic Kingdom will gain an hour to its daily schedule; open from 9AM until 7PM. (Since this will be after daylight savings time – the parks will start to get dark after 6PM)
And beginning Saturday, November 27th, EPCOT will open and close an hour later – going from 11AM-7PM to 12PM-8PM. Much better for dinner plans around the World Showcase!
Magic Kingdom Meanderings
We returned to The Most Magical Place on Earth this week to check on things for you! While the parks haven’t been busy during the week, some afternoon rain showers cleared even more guests out of the park.
Stopping into the Confectionary, we noticed some make-shift social distance markers were added to the check out queue; this is the most empty we’ve seen this shop in a while!
Lower crowds mean less spending and more perishable items left over… We noticed sweet & salty snacks from Goofy’s Candy Co., Chip & Dale Snacks and Chocolate Factory are currently buy one, get one free.
Stopping by the Emporium across the way, we noticed this new Halloween-themed Star Wars pin:
New attraction and Halloween-themed face masks have made it to Magic Kingdom!
We also spotted The Child on this new padded character headband:
And how cute is this little hover pram mug?
Heading into the Kingdom, we were on a mission to grab one of the Madame Leota sipper cups! (These just released on September 8th, along with additional Halloween food & beverage offerings)
There may be gray skies, but Cinderella Castle sure is shining bright!
Well, we finally found where most of the guests in the park are… waiting for the Madame Leota sipper cup at Sleepy Hollow!
After jumping in line, we really noticed how empty the immediate-surrounding areas were:
There she is!
I was also *dying* to try the Pumpkin-spiced Mickey Waffle Sundae. While I didn’t get any notes of pumpkin, these were warm, tasty cinnamon Mickey waffles with extra-creamy vanilla ice cream. And while I opted for no caramel, my sprinkle situation was rather disappointing. Overall, it was really good, and I’ll be giving it another try this season! It’s a nice autumnal change from my usual Citrus Swirl…but who says I can’t have both?
Sipper success! I can’t wait to add Little Leota to my Halloween decor lineup.
There is a light on the bottom of the cup, fading from blue to turqouise to green. She looks best in darker light:
After a walk-on ride of the Haunted Mansion, we made our way to the recently reopened Gaston’s Tavern.
Fantasyland weirdness: Peter Pan’s Flight posted at 10 minutes!
Here’s a look at the wait times for this rainy weekday:
Very little is happening outside Be Our Guest… and without Enchanted Tales with Belle operating, this area is rather quiet.
Approaching the newly-reopened Gaston’s Tavern, rope stanchions and ground markers outline the queue for longer waits.
As we approached the entrance, we found it rather odd for the doors to be closed. (Since the parks reopened, most doors have been propped open to reduce cross-contamination.)
Stepping inside, there wasn’t a soul in sight. We waited around for a few minutes, but no Cast Member ever came out.
After we left Gaston’s, a zone manager came up and checked the place out while talking on their radio – someone forgot to lock the door when they closed up at 5PM. Since the park closes at 6PM, and there was no posted schedule anywhere, several guests walked in and out of Gaston’s within the few minutes we were in the area. Seems like a missed revenue opportunity.
Before heading out, we walked through Tomorrowland…
This land is lacking its typical kinetic movement. Astro Oribiter was down from the surrounding rain showers, and PeopleMover has remained closed since before the park’s March closure.
Let’s take a peek at TRON: Lightcycle Run construction…
Work is still actively underway – with every Magic Kingdom visit, more support beams for the swooping LED covering are found. This coaster was originally set to open fall 2021 in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th celebration, but with the park’s extended closure and long construction delays due to the pandemic, we may not see this one open until 2022.
After spending a few hours in a rainy Magic Kingdom, and a quick trip to outer space, it’s time to head home.
Park Reservation & Reopening Survey
After one of Laura‘s recent park visits, she received this survey:
Towards the end of the survey, we found this question very interesting:
How would you answer?
Time To Make New Magic
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Give your family something to look forward to:
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