Disney World announced some policy changes due to the impending Hurricane Idalia approaching Florida.

As of August 28, 2023, change and cancellation fees imposed by Disney will be waived for check-in dates of August 28, 2023 through September 5, 2023. Guests already staying at Disney Resort hotels whose travel plans have been impacted by the storm may receive a discounted rate to extend their stay through the evening of August 31, if needed, by visiting the front desk. Fort Wilderness guests are asked to remove and stow all outside items, including décor, and take in camper awnings.

Florida residents evacuating from the storm and first responders assisting in storm-related recovery efforts may also receive 50% off Disney Resort hotel stays on the evenings of August 29-31, 2023. For evacuees, please call (407) W-DISNEY for details. For first responders, please call (407) 828-3200 (Option 3). This applies to new bookings only and is based on availability.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf, and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will be closed on August 30.

Walt Disney World resorts and parks are currently operating under normal conditions with normal park hours.

Of course, any of this could change as they monitor the storm. For the latest updates, visit the Disney Weather Updates page.

If you’re in the path of the storm, I hope you stay safe. Crossing my fingers for you!

@Disney

Here’s a rare chance to spend the night inside the Cinderella Castle Suite in the Magic Kingdom Park in Orlando, Florida.

Give Kids The World Village is offering the chance for one lucky winner and three guests to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime Magical Celebration Vacation Package featuring a one-night stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite.

You can’t even buy a night in the castle, so this is a rare chance to try to win a stay there while contributing to a great organization. The donations will make wishes possible for critically ill children and their families at Give Kids The World Village.

For more details on this contest and to participate, visit the GKTW Magical Celebration Vacation page. This runs from now until October 16, 2023.

Top pic © Give Kids the World

Castle pic taken during our last WDW trip.

Can you believe that Halloween is already starting at Disney World?!? The parks are all decorated and the first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party was last night, August 11, 2023! This is Disney’s after-hours family-friendly Halloween party.

Disney has revealed some of the new photo ops and PhotoPass Magic Shots available during the party. Ask any of the photographers if they have Magic Shots whenever you stop for a photo. Certain ones may only be at certain locations though. Check the party map for details or ask a cast member. They’ll add fun surprises to your pictures when they appear in your My Disney Experience app afterward.

For more details about the party, visit my Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party post. Videos from the party have already surfaced on YouTube if you want to see what it’s like. Party dates are already sold out thru mid-Sept so buy your tickets soon if you want to go.

We went to one a few years ago. It’s pretty fun and a good chance to dress up, see some rare characters and shows, and uniquely experience Magic Kingdom.

Don’t substitute this for your only Magic Kingdom day, especially if this is one of your first few trips to Disney since there are still too many rides to do them all along with the unique party experiences. Plus, you’re paying a premium for the party so be sure to prioritize the unique party experiences that you won’t get during the day such as the Halloween-themed shows, rare characters and other favorites dressed in Halloween costumes, party-specific photo ops, unique foods, and merch, and of course, trick or treating!

However, if you’ve been there a few times already, then this is a good chance to still get several hours in Magic Kingdom with shorter ride times while experiencing new Halloween extras. You can get into the park with your party ticket starting at 4pm so make this your rest day in the morning instead of buying a park ticket for that day too.

Although, if you have an annual pass or daytime ticket already, the crowds are usually lower on party days since non-party guests have to leave by 6pm. Otherwise, you can also do a different park first, then go to Magic Kingdom when the party starts, if you can last til midnight that way. You don’t need to make park reservations with a party ticket and it’s not considered hopping if you go to a different park first so you don’t need hopper tickets either.

Feel free to contact me if you want to chat about the party or anything else for your Disney trip.

Pics ©Disney