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Halloween Crowd Levels at Walt Disney World

This weekend will have the longest park hours since Walt Disney World re-opened in July. Extended park hours are a signal from Disney that they are expecting higher crowds. Hollywood Studios is the only park without extended park hours. This is a bit strange as it is the park with the highest wait times. Expect more tricks than treats this year.

Magic
Kingdom
 EPCOT Hollywood
Studios
Animal
Kingdom
Fri, 10/30 9 am – 8 pm 11 am – 9 pm 10 am – 7 pm 8 am – 6 pm
Sat, 10/31 9 am – 9 pm 11 am – 10 pm 10 am – 7 pm 7 am – 6 pm
Sun, 11/01 9 am – 8 pm 11 am – 9 pm 10 am – 7 pm 8 am – 6 pm

Disney may be using this weekend as a test to see if they can increase capacity for the upcoming holiday season.

Touring Tips

  • Arrive early, take advantage of the parks opening their gates 30-60 minutes before official park opening time.
  • Take advantage of the longer park hours, and take a mid-day break.
  • Use a Touring Plan.
  • Avoid peak dining times.
  • Avoid EPCOT on the weekends.
  • Avoid the Magic Kingdom on Halloween Day.

 

Halloween Crowd Levels at Walt Disney World

The post Halloween Crowd Levels at Walt Disney World appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Crowd Calendar, Walt Disney World (FL)

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#DisneyMagicMoments: Join Us for a Special ‘Halloween’ Edition of Disney Family Game Night with Guest Appearance by Michael Strahan – Oct. 30 at 7PM ET

On the eve before Halloween, we’re continuing our #DisneyMagicMoments with a frightfully fun edition of Family Game Night filled with spooktacular surprises for the entire family. 

Beginning at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 30, you can create magical memories and have some Disney fun by participating in LIVE game play during the “Halloween” edition of Disney Family Game Night.  The night will feature trivia, puzzles, guessing games and more.  

Also, Michael Strahan from ABC’s “The $100,000 Pyramid” and “GMA” will be a special guest host of this edition’s bonus round! You can watch Michael weekdays on GMA on ABC.

#DisneyMagicMoments:  Join Us for a Special ‘Halloween’ Edition of Disney Family Game Night with Guest Appearance by Michael Strahan – Oct. 30 at 7PM ET Check back on Friday at 7 pm ET for Disney Family Game Night

As always, we’ve gathered a few items you’ll want to have ready for game play. First, PRINT OUT a Disney scorecard for game play.

#DisneyMagicMoments:  Join Us for a Special ‘Halloween’ Edition of Disney Family Game Night with Guest Appearance by Michael Strahan – Oct. 30 at 7PM ET Disney Family Game Night spooky scorecard

Scorecards will be needed during challenging trivia rounds testing how much you know about Halloween at Disney!  

#DisneyMagicMoments:  Join Us for a Special ‘Halloween’ Edition of Disney Family Game Night with Guest Appearance by Michael Strahan – Oct. 30 at 7PM ET

To make the Game Night extra special, we’re also sharing an eerily awesome activity pack that’s sure to deliver de-frightful fun for everyone.  Whether it’s a chilling concoction or dreadfully delightful Jack Skellington garland, learn how to add more magic to the night from our recent Homebound Day story.  

#DisneyMagicMoments:  Join Us for a Special ‘Halloween’ Edition of Disney Family Game Night with Guest Appearance by Michael Strahan – Oct. 30 at 7PM ET Halloween DIY projects

You can also learn how to create a haunting Halloween Tree and a terrifically terrible treat from The Evil Queen by visiting our earlier Homebound Day update. 

Check back here on the Disney Parks Blog on Friday at 7 p.m. ET for LIVE play during Disney Family Game Night.  Be sure to share your game night experience with us by using hashtag #DisneyMagicMoments and tagging us @WaltDisneyWorld. And if you’re not able to join us on Friday, the game will be available for replay on YouTube and Facebook

Gather your team and we’ll see you back here on Friday night!

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

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PHOTOS – Enjoy EPCOT at Night!

There are quite a few drawbacks to visiting Walt Disney World on a weekend right now. We’ve seen wait times that are 20 – 30 minutes higher on average in each of the parks over the weekends as compared to during the week. This is especially true at EPCOT, which is very popular with Florida residents for a quick visit over the weekend. But, it does mean sometimes hours are longer on the weekends with higher crowds. And with a later closing time comes more time to enjoy the beautiful setting that evening brings. This weekend our team enjoyed some time in EPCOT as closing was later than during the week.

Come take a stroll with us and enjoy a few of the lovely sights. There’s something enchanting about evenings at EPCOT with the colorful lights and soft glow that seems to surround you.

PHOTOS – Enjoy EPCOT at Night!
PHOTOS – Enjoy EPCOT at Night!

PHOTOS – Enjoy EPCOT at Night!
Imagination Pavilion at Night
PHOTOS – Enjoy EPCOT at Night!
Morocco Pavilion at Night

PHOTOS – Enjoy EPCOT at Night!
PHOTOS – Enjoy EPCOT at Night!

We are in the parks daily so we can ensure our tools and resources have up-to-date information. We highly recommend visiting the parks first thing in the morning when they open, and during the last hour of operations of the day. You can access our Lines app and use our Touring Plans to know exactly which attractions to visit at what time, in order to save hours of waiting in line. Become a TouringPlans Subscriber today.

When was the last time you got to enjoy an evening stroll at EPCOT? What’s your favorite place in EPCOT to visit at night? 

PHOTOS – Enjoy EPCOT at Night!

The post PHOTOS – Enjoy EPCOT at Night! appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Epcot, Photos and Video, disney at night, epcot at night, epcot photos

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Disney Parks Other

Look for Some Fresh Pixie Dust at the Entrances to Walt Disney World Resort

“Are we there yet?” 

If you’ve ever traveled to Walt Disney World Resort with children – or maybe even adults! – I’m sure you’ve heard that phrase once or a hundred times. Everyone’s just so excited to experience their favorite attraction or grab their best bite to eat, the trip can feel like it takes FOREVER. 

When you stop and think about it for a moment, though, the very first bit of magic you experience is actually driving underneath the Walt Disney World gateways – those grand arches stretching over the roadways that tell you, yes, you’ve finally arrived at The Most Magical Place on Earth. You are here! 

Starting today, these gateways to a Disney vacation are about to get some pixie dust as we begin to adorn them with a new color palette that complements the recent royal makeover of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park. The rendering above gives you a first glimpse at what the entrances will look like when they’re finished; in addition, you’ll see these colors appear on the Magic Kingdom Park Auto Plaza as we bring a new shimmer to that iconic entryway. 

These refreshed gateways will continue to set the tone for all the stories you’ll tell and the memories you’ll cherish long after your visit. They’re also part of the broad tapestry of new experiences happening across Walt Disney World as part of the resort’s historic transformation that includes expansive themed lands like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, new attractions like Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and new places to stay like Disney’s Riviera Resort. 

Keep checking back with us here at the Disney Parks Blog for more updates on this exciting project and more as we continue to chronicle the transformation of The Most Magical Place on Earth! 

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

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Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamela Hymel Honored with HERO Bill Whitmer Leadership Award

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamela Hymel Honored with HERO Bill Whitmer Leadership Award

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products’ Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamela Hymel was recently honored with the Bill Whitmer Leadership Award from the Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO), which recognizes sustained leadership in workplace health and well-being. For nearly a decade as Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hymel has guided the segment’s global occupational health and wellness strategy, and most recently, Dr. Hymel helped lead the development and implementation of enhanced health and safety measures across our parks and resortsin response to the coronavirus pandemic. You can read more from her on Disney Parks’ commitment to the well-being of our guests and cast members on the Disney Parks Blog.

Read the press release below:

Dr. Pamela Hymel of The Walt Disney Company receives HERO Bill Whitmer Leadership Award

Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate sustained leadership in enhancing workplace health and well-being

WACONIA, MN (Oct. 26, 2020) — Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO) announced today that Dr. Pamela Hymel, chief medical officer at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, has been chosen as the recipient of the Bill Whitmer Leadership Award from HERO (the Health Enhancement Research Organization) for 2020.

The award, which recognizes sustained leadership in enhancing acceptance, effectiveness, and accountability in workplace health and well-being, is one of five awards given annually as part of the HERO Forum to honor dedication and commitment to the well-being industry, and acknowledge the outstanding achievements of individual leaders in the field. This year’s award was presented Sept. 24 during the virtual HERO Forum20.

“The events of 2020 have driven home the need for leaders who understand the value of well-designed and well-executed health and well-being initiatives. Dr. Hymel has worked tirelessly to advance the field, improve our understanding, and increase adoption of best practices and emerging practices in workplace health and well-being,” said Karen Moseley, President, HERO. “Dr. Hymel has demonstrated what is possible when workplace culture is intentionally designed to unite people for the good of all.”

Dr. Hymel has been with Disney for nearly 10 years, where she is responsible for developing global occupational health and wellness strategy, as well as managing domestic occupational medicine clinics and programs, guest first aid services and wellness programs. Dr. Hymel is one of the architects of Disney’s reopening approach for its theme parks and resorts, which includes enhanced health and safety measures, such as face coverings and physical distancing; increased cleaning and disinfecting across the parks; technology solutions such as mobile ordering and contactless payments to limit contact; cast member training and workplace safety protocols; and guest information and education so they can help do their part during their visit.

Dr. Hymel’s accreditations include a Doctor of Medicine from Louisiana State University Medical School, board certification in internal medicine and occupational medicine, and a Masters of Public Health from Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans.

“I am very fortunate to work with Disney’s incredible team of experienced health and safety experts, in addition to local health and government authorities, to help promote well-being for our guests and cast members as they return to the magic around the world,” said Hymel. “I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from HERO, and to stand alongside such an inspiring and distinguished group of award winners for 2020.”

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For more information: 

Barbara Tabor, HERO / (+1 651-230-9192) / barbara@taborpr.com

About HERO – Based in Waconia, MN, HERO (the Health Enhancement Research Organization) is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 corporation that was established in 1996. HERO is dedicated to identifying and sharing best practices that improve the health and well-being of employees, their families and communities. To learn more, visit www.hero-health.org. Follow us on Twitter @heroehm or LinkedIn.

The post Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamela Hymel Honored with HERO Bill Whitmer Leadership Award appeared first on Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.

From our friends at dpep.disney.com
Filed Under: Awards and Recognition