This is another great organization that is providing relief for folks affected by Hurricane Ian. They’ve provided meals for many other areas that have needed relief also. If you wish to donate, click the link below.
World Central Kitchen
Category: Disney World FL
Hurricane Ian Relief
If you can help with Hurricane Ian relief, the Red Cross is one of the organizations that you can donate to. Our hearts go out to everyone who was affected.
Disney World phased reopening
Disney World has announced a phased reopening of the theme parks and Disney Springs on Friday, Sept 30th, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
- Magic Kingdom
- 8 a.m. Early Theme Park Entry
- 10 a.m. All Guest entry
- 6 p.m. Park close for non party guests
- 7 p.m.-12 a.m. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
- EPCOT
- 9 a.m. Early Theme Park Entry
- 11 a.m. All guest entry
- 9 p.m. Park close
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- 10 a.m. Early Theme Park Entry
- 12 p.m. All guest entry
- 9 p.m. Park close
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- 11 a.m. Early Theme Park Entry
- 1 p.m. All Guest entry
- 7 p.m. Park close
- Disney Springs
- 10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
- The Drawn to Life 5:30 p.m. show on Friday, Sept. 30 will be rescheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m.
- Fantasia Fairways Miniature Golf Course
- 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Theme park reservations are required.
The early theme park entry benefit is available for guests staying at Disney Resort hotels and select other hotels.
Dining
All dining and Enchanted Extra experience reservations prior to the listed park hours above are canceled.
Guests who have existing dining or Enchanted Extras experiences during the Early Theme Park Entry window will be allowed to enter the parks whether or not they are Resort Guests.
Transportation
Transportation will operate as normal, pending our current weather protocols. Transportation will begin operation 30 minutes prior to each park open. Resort Guests are encouraged to take their own vehicles if they choose to visit another location on property.
Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
For Guests with a Friday, Sept. 30 check-in, please arrive at your resort no earlier than 3 p.m. ET; Guests who arrive before 3 p.m. will not be able to check in. Guests may reschedule their trip or cancel their stay with us; any customary cancellation fees will be waived.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will resume operations with voyages departing Saturday, Oct. 1.
Continued temporary closures
The following locations will remain temporarily closed:
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
- Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park
- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
- Winter Summerland Miniature Golf
Please note that all reopening timelines are tentative, and subject to safety conditions.
For the most up-to-date information about temporary closures and impacts, check the My Disney Experience app and DisneyWorld.com/Weather
©Disney
Florida theme parks announce closures
In light of the impending landfall of Hurricane Ian thru central Florida, most major theme parks have announced closures for Wednesday and Thursday. So far, Disney World, Universal, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Legoland have confirmed closures of all of their Florida parks, as well as Disney Springs and CityWalk.
I expect that all other area attractions will be closing soon as well. Depending on the results of the hurricane, the closures may be extended. Double check before you go, if you still plan on going this week.
Stay safe!
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Disney World has announced the 2022 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays! It will begin this year on November 25, 2022 with additional holiday foods, activities, and merch.
One of the most popular events of the festival is the Candlelight Processional. You can see “a celebrity narrator tell the story of Christmas, recounting the biblical tale of a savior born in Bethlehem. Woven into the production are stirring songs of hope and joy performed by the orchestra and massed choir.”
Shows take place at 5:15 PM, 7:00 PM or 8:30 PM at the America Gardens Theatre at EPCOT at no additional cost besides your park ticket. It is a very beautiful production!
The schedule of celebrity narrators is subject to change, but here are the ones that have been revealed so far. Certain ones can get very popular so plan to line up very early or book a dining package that includes tickets to the show.
- 11/25 – 11/26: Simu Liu
- 11/27 – 11/29: Chita Rivera
- 11/30 – 12/1: Raul Esparza (NEW)
- 12/2 – 12/3: Whoopi Goldberg
- 12/4 – 12/6: Isabella Rossellini
- 12/7 – 12/9: Daymond John
- 12/10 – 12/12: Josh Gad (NEW)
- 12/13 – 12/14: Gloria Estefan (NEW)
- 12/15 – 12/18: Neil Patrick Harris
- 12/19 – 12/20: Mariska Hargitay (NEW)
- 12/21 – 12/23: Cal Ripken Jr.
- 12/24 – 12/26: Marie Osmond
- 12/27 – 12/28: Courtney Vance
- 12/29 – 12/30: Angela Bassett
Note: narrators can change. Check the official Disney festival page for the most recent updates on the schedule and additional details about the festival.
This is another fun EPCOT festival that we love. Feel free to contact me if you want to chat more about this or if you want me to help plan your trip.
Happy Holidays!
©Disney
Disney waiving change fees due to Hurricane Ian
Due to the impending landfall of Hurricane Ian on the Orlando area, Disney World has announced that they are waiving all change and cancellation fees for dining and resort reservations between Sept 26 – Oct 3, 2022.
Some resorts and the water parks have already been announced with closures as well.
For the latest updates on Disney World weather related events, go to:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/experience-updates/weather-updates/
I hope you’ll be safe if you’re within the path of the hurricane!
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will be held from July 14 – November 19, 2022 this year. That means it starts today! This is one of our favorite Disney World events!
Eat around the world at the many marketplaces featuring global cuisine and beverages. This is foodie heaven with delicious dishes, fine wine, craft beer, spirits and other beverages sure to satisfy every palate.
For a full list of the numerous marketplace menus, check out the festival page below:
In addition to the food, there are also other fun activities. Participate in the Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak or Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit scavenger hunts. Commemorate your trip with special photo ops. And of course, there will be plenty of merch if you want to do some souvenir shopping.
Also, you can enjoy live concerts at the Eat to the Beat concert series with performances nightly starting at 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:00 PM at the America Gardens Theatre.
For a full performance schedule, see below:
Feel free to contact me if you want to chat about this or any other Disney event. We love these festivals!
More characters are returning!
Exciting news! More characters are returning to the Disney World restaurants!
Sept 20, 2022 – Pooh and friends are joining the lunch and dinner celebration at The Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom.
Sept 27, 2022 – Lilo and Stitch will be kicking off your day at breakfast at ‘Ohana in the Polynesian Resort.
Oct 4, 2022 – Minnie and friends will be hosting a breakfast beach party at the Cape May Cafe in the Beach Club Resort.
Character meals are a great way to get your hugs and pics without waiting in line.
Feel free to contact me if you want to discuss anything about Disney dining.
Flavors of Florida
Starting today, July 5, 2022, through August 14th, over 30 restaurants and shops at Disney Springs will be offering beverages and dishes inspired by the flavors of Florida.
You can see the full list of offerings below or pick up a printed event guide at the Disney Springs Welcome Center or any participating location.
Of course, you can do some Florida-inspired shopping at Flavors of Florida, too. Many shops will offer Florida themed items.
Flavors of Florida is presented by CORKCICLE.
Christmas Party at Disney World
It’s already more than halfway to Christmas! Disney has announced that all of the usual festivities will return to all of the parks this year. More details on those coming soon.
At Disney World in Florida, this means the Festival of the Holidays in EPCOT and many other events in the other parks. However, the most anticipated is probably the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and Disney has confirmed that it will indeed return in its full glory this year!
This special event takes place on select nights November 8 to December 22, 2022, from 7pm – midnight ET, though you can get in the park after 4pm with the party ticket. No park reservations necessary for the party.
Throughout the evening, you can:
- Delight in the amazingly festive Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks show!
- Gather to watch Disney Characters give a yuletide nod to the season during Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.
- Head over to Cinderella Castle for a yuletide stage show, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration!
- Get the perfect picture and Magic Shots with Disney pals dressed in their Christmas best!
- Make your night extra sweet when you explore the park searching for cookies and cocoa, plus many other holiday treats and merch.
- Dance the night away at several dance parties with your favorite characters.
- Take in the elaborate decorations that bring the spirit of the season to life!
- Enjoy lower crowds on rides and shows, some with holiday overlays and decor.
- See Santa!
Tickets range from $139 – $199. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can save $10 per ticket.
Tickets are on sale now for guests of select hotels at the Walt Disney World Resort.
All other Guests may purchase tickets beginning on July 7, 2022.
Tickets are limited so certain days can sell out. If this is a must-do and you’re limited to certain days, you may want to buy your tickets ASAP.
We’ve been to this in the past and it was pretty fun. However, if you’re not going to the party, you may want to go to a different park on a party day since Magic Kingdom will close early to non-party guests.
For more details on the party and to buy tickets, go to:
Feel free to contact me if you want to chat more about this or your trip in general.
©Disney
Adventures By Anne 