Category: Disney Parks News

Effective for reservations made on or after March 21, 2018 Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests will be charged an overnight self-parking fee.

Overnight Parking Charges by Resort Category:

• Value Resorts: $13 per night
• Moderate Resorts: $19 per night
• Deluxe and DVC Deluxe Villa Resorts: $24 per night

Complimentary parking will continue to be offered at the Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.

Valet Parking will continue to be offered at select Deluxe Resorts and DVC Deluxe Villas for $33 per night.

All prices include sales tax.

Disney Vacation Club Members

DVC Members will not be charged for self-parking when staying at a DVC Deluxe Villas, regardless of whether they use vacation points or cash.  DVC Members will not be charged for self-parking at other Walt Disney Resort hotels when staying on points.

Day Guests

Complimentary self-parking is available while enjoying select dining, shopping, entertainment, and recreation experiences at Disney Resort hotels.

What do you think of these changes?

Join the discussion on our Community Forums.

Disney has updated Disney World and Disneyland Ticket and Annual Pass Prices for 2018 as of today.

Walt Disney World

Annual Passes

Standard Platinum and Platinum Plus Annual Passes increased 9% across the board.  DVC Annual Passes increased 7% on average, ranging from 5% (Gold Annual Pass)-8% (Platinum Plus Annual Pass).  Water Park Annual Passes increased 4%.

Discount	Annual Pass	2018 Price	2019 Price	Increase
None	Platinum - New	$779	$849	9%
None	Platinum - Renewal	$662	$721	9%
None	Platinum Plus - New	$869	$949	9%
None	Platinum Plus - Renewal	$738	$805	9%
DVC/Florida Resident	Gold - New	$559	$589	5%
DVC/Florida Resident	Gold - Renewal	$475	$500	5%
DVC/Florida Resident	Platinum - New	$679	$729	7%
DVC/Florida Resident	Platinum - Renewal	$577	$619	7%
DVC/Florida Resident	Platinum Plus - New	$769	$829	8%
DVC/Florida Resident	Platinum Plus - Renewal	$653	$704	8%

Single-Day Tickets

1-day Magic Kingdom Base Tickets increased an average of 3%, ranging from 2% (Value)-4% (Regular/Peak Season).  1-Day Epcot/DHS/DAK tickets increased an average of 4%, ranging from 3% (Value/Peak Season)-7% (Regular Season).  Park Hopper option remained the same for 1-Day tickets during Value and Regular periods and increased during Peak period.

Ticket	2018 Price	2019 Price	Increase
1-Day Magic Kingdom Value	$107	$109	2%
1-Day Magic Kingdom Regular	$115	$119	3%
1-Day Magic Kingdom Peak	$124	$129	4%
1-Day Epcot/DHS/DAK Value	$99	$102	3%
1-Day Epcot/DHS/DAK Regular	$107	$114	7%
1-Day Epcot/DHS/DAK Peak	$119	$122	3%

Multi-Day Tickets

Multi-day Tickets increased an average of 4%, ranging from 1% (for 7-10 day tickets) to 9% (4-day tickets).  Park Hopper option remained the same for 4-10 Day tickets and increased for 2-3 Day tickets.

Ticket	2018 Price	2019 Price	Increase
2-Day	$199	$209	5%
3-Day	$289	$305	6%
4-Day	$350	$380	9%
5-Day	$370	$395	7%
6-Day	$390	$405	1%
7-Day	$410	$415	1%
8-Day	$420	$425	1%
9-Day	$430	$435	1%
10-Day	$440	$445	1%

See our Walt Disney World Annual Tickets & Passes spreadsheet for all  Annual Pass, Ticket, and Option prices.

Disneyland

Annual Passes

Disneyland Annual Passes increased an average of 15%, ranging from 9% (Southern California Select Annual Pass and Premier Annual Pass, which is valid for Disneyland and Disney World) to 18% (all other Annual Passes):

Annual Pass	2018 Price	2019 Price	Increase
Southern California Select Annual Pass	$339	$369	9%
Southern California Annual Pass	$469	$549	17%
Deluxe Annual Pass	$619	$729	18%
Signature Annual Pass	$849	$999	18%
Signature Plus Annual Pass	$1,049	$1,149	9%
Premier Annual Pass	$1,439	$1,579	9%

Single and Multi-Day Tickets

Disneyland 1-Day tickets increased an average of 5%, ranging from 0% (1-Day 1-Park Value Season) to 9% (1-Day 1-Park Peak Season).  Multi-day tickets increased an average of 5%, ranging from 4% (3-Day 1-Park Ticket) to 6% (2-Day 1-Park Ticket):

Ticket	2018 Price	2019 Price	Increase
1-Day 1-Park Ticket Value Season	$97	$97	0%
1-Day 1-Park Ticket Regular Season	$110	$117	6%
1-Day 1-Park Ticket Peak Season	$124	$135	9%
2-Day 1-Park Ticket	$199	$210	6%
3-Day 1-Park Ticket	$270	$280	4%
4-Day 1-Park Ticket	$290	$305	5%
5-Day 1-Park Ticket	$305	$320	5%

What do you think about these changes?

Join the Discussion on our Community Forum.

DVCinfo has confirmed with Disney sources that Children’s Activity Centers located at Walt Disney World DVC resorts will be closing for good effective July 31, 2018:

Children’s Activity Centers provide secure, supervised childcare for children ages 3 to 12.  Children can enjoy arts, crafts, movies, toys, video games, and board games.  Dinner, snacks, and themed activities are also provided.

According to Disney, the service is not being utilized enough to maintain it , and they are “seeking other ways to offer other services to children under 12.”  In-room Childcare Services is still available, provided by Kid’s Night Out.  DVC Community Halls will still be available at DVC resorts as well.

Have you ever used this service? Will you miss the availability of this offering?

Join the Discussion on our Community Forums.

Disney has added the following resort area restaurants to Open Table, the leading provider of free, online reservations: 

• Artist Point – Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Boatwright’s – Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort
• Flying Fish – Disney’s Boardwalk New
• Grand Floridian Cafe – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
• Jiko – Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Kona Cafe – Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
• Olivia’s Cafe – Disney’s Old Key West Resort
• Sanaa – Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• The Wave – Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Wind & Waves Grill – Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

Interestingly, all have same day availability as of being added, despite Advance Dining Reservations being booked 6 months in advance through DisneyWorld.com, indicating Disney is either holding back tables for Open Table reservations, or they have been unable to fill all the reservations themselves.

Join the Discussion on our Community Forum.

At the end of July, Disney and Lyft launched the Minnie Van Service to provide private transportation driven by a Disney Cast Member to and from anywhere at Walt Disney World for a flat $20 including tip for up to 6 passengers.

The Minnie Van Service was first made available to guests of  Disney’s BoardWalk and Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, and has gradually been expanded since then.  The service is now available to guests of all Disney Vacation Club Resorts, with pickup and drop locations at any location within Walt Disney World.

How to Sign Up for the Minnie Van Service

1. Download the Lyft app
   • iOS
   • Android
2. Activate the Minnie Van Service – When staying at an eligible resort, you will receive a notification in the Walt Disney World (AKA My Disney Experience) app with a link to activate the Minnie Van Service.  If you missed the notification or want to activate the service in advance you can click the link above.
   
3. Launch the app and receive confirmation– once you enter your phone number and click Download & Claim, open the Lyft app and you’ll see the following splash screen after searching for a location within Disney World, indicating the Minnie Van Service is now enabled:

How to Use the Minnie Van Service

1. Search for a Pickup Location – anywhere within Walt Disney World
2. Select Minnie Van Service – click circle in lower left that says Lyft and select Minnie Van Service:
   
   The circle should now show the Minnie Van Service logo:
3. Select an available Pickup Location – indicated by blue dots on the map, e.g. here are all the pickup locations shown for every DVC resort:Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas
   
   Disney’s Beach Club Villas
   
   Disney’s BoardWalk Resort  & Villas
   
   Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
   
   Copper Creek Villas and Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
   
   Disney’s Old Key West Resort
   
   Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
   
   Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
   
   The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
   
   
4. Set Pickup and Confirm Location –  drag the screen to move big blue pickup pin to one of the blue dots on the map then confirm the pickup location:
   
   
5. Add Destination – once you Confirm the Pickup Location, click Add destination, search for a destination (e.g. Bus Stop – Magic Kingdom), then click Request Minnie  Van Service.That’s it!  You’ll receive the name of the driver and their license plate number to look for and can track their location on the map.  You will receive an app and text notification when they arrive, and the driver will confirm your name for the reservation when you get in their vehicle, then automatically drive to your drop-off location.  Your credit card linked to your Lyft account will automatically be charged (tip included).

What do you think of this new service?

Join the discussion on our Community Forums.

For the past two years, Disney Parks has held Disney After Hours ticketed events in the spring at Magic Kingdom Park, opening the park after hours to a limited number of guests to have the park to themselves, including complimentary ice cream, popcorn & select bottled beverages at carts throughout the park.

Dates

8:00 PM to 11:00 PM on the following dates:

• Friday, January 19, 2018
• Friday, January 26, 2018
• Tuesday, January 30, 2018
• Thursday, February 8, 2018

9:00 PM to Midnight on the following dates:

• Thursday, February 15, 2018
• Thursday, March 1, 2018
• Thursday, March 8, 2018

Details

Disney After Hours nights do not replace Extra Magic Hours (EMH) for resort guests and are held on non-EMH dates. Tickets include park entry one hour before the event. Tickets are $119 in advance or $124 the day of the event. Tickets for DVC Members and Annual Passholders are $89. Tickets can be purchased online.

Join the Discussion on our Forum

Updated 5:00 AM EDT 9/10/17

Resort Closures

• Disney’s Vero Beach Resort will close Friday, September 8 at 2 PM
• Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort will close on Saturday morning, September 9, at 10 AM
• The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will close Saturday, September 9 at 2 PM
• Disney’s Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will close Saturday, September 9 at 2:00 PM

Disney World Closures

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Closing Saturday, September 9 at 7 PM – Monday, September 11; Saturday, September 9 Rivers of Light performance canceled
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Closing Saturday, September 9 at 7 PM – Monday, September 11; Saturday, September 9 Fantasmic! and Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular performances canceled
• Epcot: Closing Saturday, September 9 at 9 PM – Monday, September 11; The Saturday, September 9 Illuminations Reflections of Earth performance is canceled
• Magic Kingdom: Closing early on Saturday, September 9 at 9 PM; The Saturday, September 9 Happily Ever After fireworks performance is canceled
• Disney’s Blizzard Beach: Closed Friday, September 8 – Monday, September 11
• Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon: Closing Saturday, September 9 at 5 PM – Monday, September 11
• ESPN Wide World of Sports: Closed Saturday, September 9 – Monday, September 11
• Disney Springs: Closing Saturday, September 9 at 9 PM – Monday, September 11
• Disney Dining: Will not enforcing dine reservation cancellation policies through Monday, September 11; Pre-paid dining and premium experiences will be automatically canceled and refunded

Transportation

• Disney Resort transportation from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park will end Saturday, September 9 at 8 PM
• Disney Resort transportation from Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot and Disney Springs will end Saturday, September 9 at 10 PM

Event Cancellations

• Night of Joy performance has been cancelled Saturday, September 9; Guests with tickets for Saturday can attend Friday’s event instead by exchanging their tickets at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Box Office; Requests for a full refund for either event night will be honored
• Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party has been cancelled Sunday, September 10; Guests are invited to exchange their event tickets for another Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or upcoming Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, or a 1 Day Magic Your Way Tickets with Park Hopper Option, to be used within the next 2 years
• To receive a full refund for event tickets or redeem these offers, Guests should call (407) 939-7818 by January 31, 2018 between the hours of 7:00 AM and 11:00 PM or email [email protected]

DVC Resort Reservations

You are eligible for a full or partial refund of your points or cash reservation for Hurricane warnings issued by the National Hurricane Center within 7 days of your arrival for an Orlando, Vero Beach, or Hilton Head DVC Resort or your place of residence.

Cancellations

• Reservation with an arrival date within 7 days of an active Hurricane Warning can be cancelled online
• Email Member Services with the following information once you cancel online to have your Vacation Points restored from Holding Account points:
  • Your name
  • Reservation number
  • Description of your request
• Member Services will make the adjustment within 4 weeks
• Points will be restored based on their type when originally applied (Banked, Borrowed, or Current Year)
• If you have questions or concerns about how points will be returned, call Member Services at (800) 800-9800 or (407) 566-3800

Early Departures

• At check-out, a Cast Member will refund remaining nights on reservations directly for cash reservation or will communicate to DVC Member Services to credit your points for reservations made using Vacation Points
• Member Services will make the adjustment within 4 weeks
• Points will be restored based on their type when originally applied (Banked, Borrowed, or Current Year Points)
• If you have questions or concerns about how points will be returned, call Member Services at (800) 800-9800 or (407) 566-3800

Extensions

If your return flight or travel plans are impacted, and you wish to extend your stay, contact the front desk to extend your stay, based on availability.

Evacuations

In the event of a Resort evacuation, the same refund policy will apply. Check with the front desk to check out and request your refund.

Resources

• National Hurricane Center Hurricane Irma Warnings
• Orlando International Airport Closure Saturday, 5PM EDT
• Current Orlando International Airport Closures
• DVC Member Hurricane FAQ
• Cash Reservation Hurricane FAQ
• Disney World Closures & Cancellations

Please join the Discussion on our Forum

With temporary fencing and signs going up along shorelines at Walt Disney World in the wake of the unfortunate tragedy of a 2-year old child getting killed by an alligator, one wonders what the permanent solution might be.

The fencing looks like this:

The new signs:

Disney Statement on the fencing and signs

Disney released the following statement:

“We are installing signage and temporary barriers at our resort beach locations and are working on permanent, long-term solutions at our beaches. We continue to evaluate processes and procedures for our entire property, and, as part of this, we are reinforcing training with our Cast for reporting sightings and interactions with wildlife and are expanding our communication to Guests on this topic.”

There have been reports of guests feeding alligators from the decks of the new Polynesian bungalows which are over the Seven Seas Lagoon. If true, this could have contributed to the tragic loss of life. I wonder if Disney is going to install cameras to watch the bungalow decks like they do at the Animal Kingdom Villas?

What do you think of this? What options should Disney consider for the permanent solution? What about doing something like this?

Click here to discuss this on our forum, or add your comments below.

Thanks to WilsonFlyer (Bob) for the photos.