Category: Other

A New Sense of Aloha Coming to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Post author By disneyparks.disney.go.com
Post date September 24, 2020

Today we’re thrilled to share news of exciting changes coming to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. A favorite destination of guests and cast members since its opening on Oct. 1, 1971, this beloved resort hotel immerses you in an oasis straight out of the South Seas with a sense of aloha that embraces you from the moment you arrive.

That arrival experience is about to take on a whole new look with an enhanced entryway that will debut just in time for the resort hotel’s 50^th anniversary.

One of the biggest changes will greet you right up front – a new porte-cochere will showcase the iconic mid-20^th century architecture the Polynesian is famous for. Our team from Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney World have crafted a design inspired by colors, patterns and textures found throughout the resort. This new entry features a high-pitched, open-truss roof covered in a thatched style. There’s also a bold façade that features pops of color complementing the Longhouses found throughout the resort. Along the Monorail station, bold new wooden screens will be covered with geometric patterns in bright, tropical colors that complete an exciting new composition that will greet you when you arrive.

A New Sense of Aloha Coming to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Sign outside of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Enhancements will also be made to the lush gardens and fountains that have welcomed guests to the resort since opening day.

The open and airy design of the entryway will feature dramatic lighting elements, including beautiful chandeliers inspired by glass floats, fishing nets and oversized bamboo elements. The new chandeliers will match the existing grand chandelier in the resort lobby, artfully bridging interior and exterior spaces.

While work is underway over the coming months, guests can still enjoy access to the Great Ceremonial House and its operating dining and retail outlets.

The new arrival experience is just the beginning of what guests will discover when the resort reopens in summer 2021. All of the resort’s guest rooms are being beautifully redone too. We look forward to sharing more details about Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort as they become available. Keep checking back to the Disney Parks Blog and Instagram @thezachriddley for more information on this exciting design.

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Hotels & Resorts, Walt Disney World Resort, Imagineers, WDW

Other

PHOTOS: Snap the Best Selfie In These Picture-Perfect Spots at Walt Disney World

Post author By touringplans.com
Post date September 23, 2020

The most Instagrammed spot on Earth is Walt Disney World. If you’re going to venture into the Most Magical Place on Earth, you can’t miss out on some supreme selfies. Here’s some of our favorite spots inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom for snapping the best selfies.

Magic Kingdom Selfie Spots

Roy O. Disney and Minnie Mouse Bench Inside Town Square
In Front of Cinderella Castle
In Front of Cinderella Castle Mosaics
Tomorrowland Purple Wall – Near Monsters Inc Comedy Laugh Floor and Tomorrowland Terrace

PHOTOS: Snap the Best Selfie In These Picture-Perfect Spots at Walt Disney World — Roy O. Disney and Minnie Mouse Bench Inside Town Square

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Selfie Spots

Gertie’s Ice Cream at Echo Lake
Buzz Lightyear at Toy Story Land (extra points for mimicking his eyebrows)
Multiple Spacecraft from the Star Wars Universe at Galaxy’s Edge
Echo Lake Apartments at Echo Lake (convince your friends you’ve moved)

Sure, Selfie tips are fun, but you know what’s cooler than a great selfie? Saving hours in line by knowing exactly which attractions to visit when. Become a TouringPlans subscriber and you’ll be able to do exactly that.

Do you have a favorite selfie spot? Let us know in the comments.

The post PHOTOS: Snap the Best Selfie In These Picture-Perfect Spots at Walt Disney World appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Dos and Don’ts, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, Observations, Photos and Video, best disney photos, Disney photos, disney selfies, Disney Tips, hollywood studios photos, magic kingdom photos

Disney Parks Other

The Disney Conservation Fund Continues its 25-Year Commitment to Community Conservation & Protecting the Magic of Nature

Post author By disneyparks.disney.go.com
Post date September 23, 2020

During our 25^th anniversary year, the Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) team is honored to continue providing critical support to community-led conservation efforts globally. As many organizations struggle with unexpected challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, support from the DCF will help provide groups key resources to carry forward efforts to bolster communities and to protect wildlife around the world when they need it the most.

This year, we are proud to support 50 conservation organizations working to protect more than 100 species through the Inspiring Action Conservation Grants Program, including the following initiatives:

Credit: Austin Gallagher
Credit: Susie Louis/Conservation Fusion
Credit: J. Deely/Global Penguin Society
Credit: University of Central Florida

Beneath the Waves (BTW): Shark Survival Inside Protected Areas – BTW plans to conduct a series of scientific research expeditions in The Bahamas, aimed at monitoring the behavior of sharks to understand the value that Marine Protected Areas play in their survival. This research is key for demonstrating that long-term habitat protections can benefit wildlife and people. The program also will engage local schools to ensure kids are inspired to protect sharks and the ocean habitats where they live.
Conservation Fusion (CF): Inspiring Leaders, Protecting Lemurs in Madagascar – CF is connecting people to the science of lemur and forest conservation through education, research, and leadership skills development. Madagascar is home to 112 species of lemurs, and sadly, 94 percent of all lemurs are threatened with extinction. CF is working to address the threats lemurs face by working with local communities to highlight tangible benefits of eco-tourism, empower youth and restore critical habitat by planting more than 60,000 trees each year.
Global Penguin Society (GPS): Penguins, People and the Planet – GPS has already had great success protecting penguins and their habitats, leading an effort to establish 32 million acres of terrestrial and marine protected areas in South America. This project will help support the conservation of Magellanic penguins in Argentina, expanding research to help protect penguins and working to address the threats they face, from marine plastic pollution to climate change.
University of Central Florida (UCF) Research Foundation – Oysters, Endangered Birds, and Children: The UCF Research Foundation is helping advance science and engage communities in the restoration of oyster reefs in the Indian River Lagoon in Florida, supporting other species like wading birds. The program also works with Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, Florida engaging kids as citizen-scientists, having them help to identify birds from remote wildlife cameras.

In addition, we are continuing to advance conservation collaborations through our Saving Wildlife work, whichdrives comprehensive strategies aimed at reversing the decline of butterflies, coral reefs, cranes, elephants, gorillas, monkeys, rhinos, sea turtles, sharks and rays, as well as tigers. These programs are helping to bring back species by addressing threats and empowering communities in important ecosystems from California to Brazil and Kenya to China, among other regions.

We are grateful for the communities that continue to help ensure a future for wildlife around the world, including the many Disney Guests who have helped contribute to the Disney Conservation Fund. Together we can protect the magic of nature and ensure a world of wonder for future generations to enjoy.

A complete list of our 2020 grantees can be found on our website www.disney.com/conservation. And more highlights and stories featuring the #MagicOfNature continue to be shared on Facebook and Instagram @DisneyConservation, and from @DisneyConserves on Twitter.

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Uncategorized

Other

PHOTOS: Finding Quiet Spots Inside Magic Kingdom Even When Attendance Is Increasing

Post author By touringplans.com
Post date September 23, 2020

It is clear that things are getting busier at Magic Kingdom. Last weekend was busier at Magic Kingdom than it was on Labor Day weekend. For our visit yesterday, on a random Tuesday in September, our team continued to experience decent crowds levels. Still, even with the uptick in attendance at Magic Kingdom there is still plenty of space and plenty of opportunities to find quiet spots. Right now you can appreciate parts of the park that normally are too packed with people for you to truly take a moment and enjoy.

Here’s some of the favorite quiet spots and magical moments our team enjoyed in Magic Kingdom yesterday.

PHOTOS: Finding Quiet Spots Inside Magic Kingdom Even When Attendance Is Increasing — Big Thunder Mountain Viewing Area

It may be helpful to note that our teams in Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios yesterday both reported an uptick in guests not wearing their masks properly, more than previous visits, particularly when in line for attractions. This was discussed with Guest Relations in hopes of helping make the Cast Members aware and to get fellow guests back on track.

We venture into the Walt Disney World parks daily so we can ensure our vast library of tools is accurate and up-to-date, ready for you to plan the best Disney vacation ever! Become a TouringPlans Subscriber so you have access to all our tools.

What are some of your favorite quiet spots in Magic Kingdom?

The post PHOTOS: Finding Quiet Spots Inside Magic Kingdom Even When Attendance Is Increasing appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Halloween, In the Parks, Magic Kingdom, Observations, disney covid, disney crowds, disney magic kingdom, Disney photos, Magic Kingdom Attractions

Other

What To Do If Your Florida Resident Discover Disney Ticket is Expiring

Post author By touringplans.com
Post date September 23, 2020

Holders of the Florida Resident Discover Disney Ticket only have a few days left to decide what to do with the remaining days on their ticket media.

Let’s backpedal first, shall we?

The Discover Disney ticket was available for Florida residents to purchase back in January 2020, giving Florida residents the ability to visit the parks for three or four days for under $200 through June 30, 2020. Then in the spring COVID-19 hit, the parks closed, and everyone’s tickets were frozen. Most Disney passes were extended to December but since the Discover Disney tickets were only going to be valid until June 30, their expiration was only extended to September 30 and this restriction remains in place. Thus, if you have one of these tickets laying around, you only have a few days left to decide what to do with it.

Originally, in our springtime naivety, Disney offered a special deal for folks who had vacations planned for the closure period. This deal included free dining and guests with Discover Disney tickets were given the option to transfer their ticket money to a Disney gift card for use in purchasing this package deal (since the package would require the purchase of theme park tickets to go along with it). This option became invalid once Disney did away with the Dining Plan for the time being, leaving guests with these options.

Option 1: Use It

This is definitely the easiest . . . assuming you can find yourself a park reservation.

Option 2: Apply It Towards Another Ticket Purchase

If you would like to upgrade your ticket to something else, you can apply the money you paid for your Discover Disney ticket to another ticket purchase.

Option 3: Apply It to a Disney Gift Card

While the special free dining package is no longer an option, Disney would be thrilled to have you keep your money in house and convert their ticket purchase into a Disney gift card for use on a future vacation. I suppose this makes sense if you’ve already spent your vacation savings and want to make sure you keep using it for a vacation instead of, say, accidentally using it to buy a pet tiger or pay your electric bill. From a financial perspective, however, it probably makes more sense to . . .

Option 4: Get a Refund

Yes, Disney does recognize the unusual circumstances people were placed in here and will simply refund your money . . .which, all things considered, is probably the most prudent thing to do. Then you can choose to spend your money wherever and however you see fit, be it at Walt Disney World or not.

But What If You Already Used Some of the Ticket?

So what if your ticket is partially used? Do you need to use it up or lose it? No, you do not. While most Disney tickets start down to the road to expiration after your first use, this particular ticket can be partially refunded. Once again, in light of the exigent circumstances. It will simply be prorated based on how many days were used.

What if it’s after September 30, 2020?

Let’s ignore the fact that you’re showing up late to the party and embrace the fact that you showed up at all. Don’t worry. Your money is not forever gone into Mickey’s pockets. Disney will leave the remaining value of the ticket in your account indefinitely and it can be used towards a future ticket or vacation purchase. Disney will not, however, guarantee that the money can be refunded to you beyond the end of 2020, meaning you may be locked into using it with Disney.

So how do I do it?

If you are using the ticket or decide to just leave it in your account, you don’t need to do anything. If you decide to get a refund, gift card, or apply the value towards another purchase, just give Disney’s reservations center a call at 1-407-W-DISNEY (1-407-934-7639). Be prepared for longer-than-usual waits. My hold time was estimated at twenty minutes (with no FastPass available!). Fun fact: Disney’s pre-recorded spiel also proudly proclaims that it’s “easier than ever to celebrate life’s special moments in 2020” which is a bold-faced lie. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of fun to be had to Walt Disney World, in spite of pandemic restrictions, so get out there and use that ticket if you can. But if that’s not a comfortable option to you right now, at least Disney has your back.

Trying to figure out the best bang for your buck when it comes to tickets? Use the TouringPlans Ticket Price Comparison tool.

The post What To Do If Your Florida Resident Discover Disney Ticket is Expiring appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Walt Disney World (FL), Florida Resident ticket discount, tickets