A very happy mid-August to you! Halloween time has returned to the Magic Kingdom, mask requirements are back, annual passes are returning soon, and we finally discovered just how much boarding the Galactic Starcruiser will cost… Needless to say, there’s a lot to cover in today’s Update. Well, let’s get going! Grab your SPF, because while Disney might say it’s time for Halloween, it’s still full-on summer sun out here in Florida.
Boarding Soon… Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
Disney’s newest resort hotel will be like no other. Opening in the spring of next year, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will offer an immersive 2-night immersive story experience, complete with an itinerary of activities similar to what you might expect on a cruise ship.
Pricing for the 2 night adventure ranges from $4,809 for 2 guests to $5,999 for 3 adults with 1 child. Keep in mind, these prices are projected for trips between August 20-September 17, 2022. Earlier voyages and holiday months are sure to be set at an even higher premium price. With only 100 rooms, reservations may be hard to come by.
The 2-night experience includes accommodations— complete with “views” into space, access to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, food & non-alcoholic beverages (including a quick-service meal at Docking Bay 7), interactive story opportunities, and an exclusive MagicBand.
Sample itineraries suggest there is little free time between daily activities, which leaves us wondering if there will be any flexibility to stay behind, play, and explore on our own. That’s what we love about Disney cruising— besides dinner and the nighttime show, you can go at your own pace and partake in activities along the way. We hope that there’s some modicum of flexibility allowed for the Galactic Starcruiser because nothing is more stressful than rushing around trying to make deadlines when you’re supposed to be enjoying your vacation. What do you think of this lineup of activities?
Take a look at that schedule. Are there things that you think will have to be adjusted quickly? Dining times which are too short? Not enough time for sleep? Only one and a half days of activities for an expensive 2 night stay?
And how do the prices for Galactic Starcruiser stack up with what you expected?
Learn more about the Galactic Starcruiser here:
The Price of Adventure: Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser a Voyage Like No Other
Give Us More Space
Disney has announced the long-awaited Space 220 restaurant will officially launch in mid-September! Located next to the Mission:Space attraction at EPCOT, Space 220 will transport guests to the Centauri Space Station, offering gourmet cuisine with panoramic views of Earth and space. The 2-course (lunch) and 3-course (dinner) prix fixe menus are created by Executive Chef Marc Kusche.
The immersive experience will begin as you check in to the Space 220 Departure Lounge. From there, you’ll board one of two “Space Elevators” which will transport you in what seems like 220 miles above Earth to Centauri Space Station. As you begin your ascent, you’ll look down through a viewport to see EPCOT shrink away; looking up you’ll see the Space Station come into view…
Imagineer Zach Riddley shared a quick look at the Space Elevators and dining room:
View this post on Instagram
While Space 220 is opening in a few weeks, dining reservations are not yet available. Are you looking forward to this new EPCOT dining experience?
In 50th Anniversary News…
The Return of WDW Annual Passes – With the exciting news of Magic Key, Disneyland’s annual passholder replacement program, many of us on the east coast anxiously await when WDW annual passes will return for purchase. Following Disneyland’s Magic Key details in a release, Disney clarified “And for those wondering about Walt Disney World Annual Passes, new pass sales will become available in time for the start of the 50th-anniversary celebration!”
We anticipate more details on an updated WDW Passholder program later this month!
50th Anniversary Merchandise Revealed – Have you seen the 50th-anniversary merchandise collections that have already started rolling out at WDW? Hold onto your wallets and take a peek below:
UPDATED! Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary New Shows, Merchandise, and Sparkle
2021 Destination D23 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Some highly-anticipated details were recently revealed for the 2021 Destination D23 event at Walt Disney World. The event, taking place November 19-21 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, will feature Bob Chapek, Josh D’Amaro, filmmakers of Encanto, DCappella, and a cavalcade of Imagineers. Guests will also be among the first to hear exciting announcements and see sneak peeks from the many worlds of Disney. Take a look at what’s to come…
Details Revealed for Destination D23 2021 at Walt Disney World
Have you purchased your ticket yet?
Magic Kingdom Meanderings
We spent some time at Magic Kingdom this week. Between recent attraction and restaurant reopenings, construction projects, and enjoying some good ol’ park fun, here’s everything we noticed!
The scrim has [mostly] come down from the Main Street train station.
The station’s colors look great, and the “MAGIC KINGDOM” gold lettering looks extra shiny for the park’s upcoming 50th celebration.
The Walt Disney World Railroad, which has been closed since December 2018, is still down as exterior TRON construction continues. It’s hard to imagine this park without its railroad for this long, especially during the 50th celebration. Do you think we’ll be able to ride the Magic Kingdom rails on October 1st?
Stepping into the park… Fall decor has arrived, as the first Disney After Hours Boo Bash event was held on August 10th. With the scaled-back decor and offerings of last year, we’re glad to see those friendly jack-o-lantern faces once again lining Town Square and Main Street!
We briefly caught Pooh & friends in a trolley cavalcade:
This prime Halloweentime photo spot is back:
Halloween merchandise is also now available at the Emporium! Check out the full lineup below:
Ice cream lovers unite! Main Street’s Plaza Ice Cream Parlour recently reopened after what felt like forever.
Across the way, Casey’s Corner is dressed to the autumnal nines:
And Mickey pumpkin wreaths are back!
Check out this little pumpkin patch! This looks like the start of something new… Later this fall, Disney will be adding some special pumpkin coach decorations that will add to the seasonal decor alongside the EARidescent 50th celebration.
It’s a bright, sunny day at the Kingdom!
Princesses lead the ancient mirrored castle float down Main Street, also full of princesses and the Fairy Godmother, of course!
I wonder how they decided which princesses get to ride and which ones have to walk? Is there a pecking order of Disney royalty?
Cinderella Castle is looking amazing, it looks like all the 50th-anniversary decor is now in place.
The 50 plaque was the last piece to be added, installed over the castle’s clock. My goodness, those colors!
What do you think of Cinderella Castle’s look for the next 18 months?
Over in Fantasyland, It’s a Small World’s scrims have finally come down, revealing a technicolor entrance AND façade ahead of the 50th-anniversary.
Looks like the remaining pieces will receive the color treatment soon.
Call me old-fashioned, but I had to let this color-change sink in a bit. I was a big fan of the glittery monotone look this attraction had for the last 49 years. In the end, I do like the splashes of color!
Moving into Liberty Square, Columbia Harbour House has finally reopened after almost 18 months of closure. This is the largest (and we deem the yummiest) quick-service dining location at Magic Kingdom, you can imagine how much it was sorely missed as crowds have picked back up!
Mobile Ordering is the new norm for any quick-service location. There is still one register open in case you encounter any issues with mobile ordering, or if you don’t carry a smartphone. That said, the CMs at the door generally won’t let you in unless you have your mobile order placed and it’s time to pick up.
The menu has received a few changes; there’s no more pot pie, and the couscous has been traded out for white rice. But that cookie cake is calling our name…
Upstairs, you’ll find a favorite place to eat, relax in the AC, and people-watch, with views of Liberty Square and Fantasyland.
Okay, you know we had to try the Minnie Mouse Chocolate Lava Cake.
It is DELICIOUS. This ooey-gooey goodness is on par with Pixar Pier’s Num Num Cookie, plus extra chocolate. Next time you’re in Liberty Square, do yourself a favor and order one… or more to share!
We hopped onto the PeopleMover to get away from the heat for just a moment. Masks are required indoors and throughout all queues and attractions (yes, even outdoor ones!), so it does feel extra humid when you’re riding outdoors. We forgot how many more water and AC breaks we need to schedule throughout the day!
Work is still progressing over at TRON, no word on an opening date for this coaster yet (or when the Railroad will return to operation!). Perhaps we’ll hear some news at November’s Destination D23 event?
Looking out to Space Mountain, the 50-minute standby queue is spilling out into Tomorrowland. Even in the days before FastPass this attraction didn’t have a problem holding its queue inside most of the time. Shade is needed here in a desperate way.
Catch you later, TTA!
Among the recently reopened at Magic Kingdom, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor has returned to Tomorrowland! We waited 20 minutes for the next showtime.
The show has the same format from before. It was great to see and hear those improvising monsters back at work. The interactivity and audience participation make this show.
Before leaving, we grabbed a Cream Cheese-filled Pretzel from Lunching Pad. Any idea where we can find the Cheddar Jalapeno-stuffed one? It’s recently disappeared from menus.
Space 220 Ahead!
The newest restaurant at Epcot, Space 220, is making some serious headway. The fine dining experience is set to launch in mid-September. Located next to Mission: SPACE, this restaurant takes visitors up 220 miles above Earth on “Space Elevators” to experience a whole new vantage point of the planet while enjoying a meal from a prix fixe menu.
This restaurant is part of both Epcot’s massive transformation and also Walt Disney World’s historic 50th anniversary. At this time, reservations are not available. We expect that once it is closer September reservations will open up.
@disneyparks?SNEAK PEEK!? Here’s your first look at Space 220 coming soon! ##DisneyWorld50 ##Disney ##DisneyParks ##DisneyWorld ##EPCOT ##Space ##Restaurant♬ original sound – Disney Parks
The Magic is Calling!
As you probably know, October 1 kicks off the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. To help make the celebration festive and memorable, Disney has created an anthem that will be played during key moments throughout the anniversary, like during the magical nightly transformation of each park’s icons, as well as during shows and live entertainment offerings. This anthem, “The Magic Is Calling,” was written by Platinum-selling songwriter and music producer Alana Da Fonseca, working alongside award-winning composer Emily Bear and singer Journi. Take a look at the behind-the-scenes for the new song in the video below.
Disney Theme Park Ticket & Travel Deals
It’s time to give the family something to look forward to. Our travel partners at Get Away Today are here to help you plan a future theme park vacation. There are all sorts of new theme park tickets and travel deals, including 25% off select rooms at Walt Disney World & Disneyland, ticket deals to Disney and Universal theme parks, and special vacation package deals: More details and to get a quote (HERE)
Let’s Hear From You
That’s all for our trip to MK! We’ll be back with more park fun and updates soon! Are you hoping that the return of WDW annual passes will be akin to Disneyland’s Magic Keys? Do you see a trip to outer space on the Galactic Starcruiser in the near future? How much longer will we have to wait to go on the Walt Disney World Railroad? I’d love to hear your thoughts about all-things Disney World in the comments below!
More Theme Park Reading
Want more Walt Disney World coverage? Don’t worry, I got you:
UPDATED! Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary New Shows, Merchandise, and Sparkle
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