Very interesting episode last week on Once Upon a Time. Finally, Regina is going forward with Robin Hood. We learned how Zelena intends to break the laws of magic to change the past. However, that scenes I loved the most were between Mary Margaret and… Read More »Once Upon a Time 3-19 Preview: A Curious Thing
New garage is rising on the Westside
Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney is the main shopping, dining, and night time entertainment area for the resort. Over the years it has seen a few transitions, but current project promises change on a new scale – mostly upscale, as it turns out.
As part of Disney’s efforts to add more elements that appeal to families with, how shall we say it, extra-spending cash, Downtown Disney will become Disney Springs and bring with it new upscale shopping, high end dining experiences, and new entertainment options. To go along with the increased expectation in crowds, Disney is adding new parking garages as well.
I recently stopped by to grab some photos and video of the transition and was amazed at how much work is going on already. So much, in fact, that I’ve had to split this update into two parts.
Part one today looks mostly at the concept art that’s up around Downtown Disney and a few of the projects going on on the Westside of Downtown Disney. Tomorrow, we’ll dive into changes at Pleasure Island (soon to become the “waterfront district”) and the Marketplace (where Downtown Disney got its start).
Read More »Disney Springs Construction Update – April 2014 – Part I
Indigo is back with another installment of “A Kid’s View of Disney.” This time we go on a flying carpet high over Adventureland for a unique POV video. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin is one of the attractions we have been wanting to ride for… Read More »A Kid’s View of Disney – The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Please note: Updates with answers to my questions from a Walt Disney World spokesperson are below. I’ve added a few strategy ideas too.
There’s some magic happening behind the scenes at Walt Disney World’s new MyMagic+ and Fastpass+ service. A few weeks ago Disney Park’s chair Tom Staggs promised us changes were coming, and now they’ve delivered.
Starting Monday, after you have used your initial three FastPass+, you will be permitted to select an additional Fastpass+ via the kiosks located in the parks. Then, after you’ve used that one, you’ll be able to choose another, and so on until you run out of time or the park runs out of Fastpasses (most likely the latter at EPCOT, btw. It only has 8 FP attractions).
Disney has also turned on the ability to select and use additional Fastpass+ when you park hop as well.
I have a few questions about these options and I’ve reached out to Disney for the answers. Here they are…
1a. Do you have to use your first three Fastpass+ entitlements before you can park hop?
Answer: Currently, Yes.
1b. If not, do you lose your Fastpass+ in the originating park if you do park hop. For instance, if you have two morning FP reserved and one late night FP, can you park hop in the middle and use FP at the second gate?
Answer: You must redeem or pass the arrival window of all three Fastpass+ entitlements before you are eligible for the next Fastpass+ selection.
2. How does this work in parks with tiered offerings. Assuming, a FP+ for Test Track is available can I reserve it after I’ve already used one FP for Test Track in my original three entitlements? (it would have to be a real slow day at EPCOT for this scenario to be true, but it’s good to know).
Answer: After you have redeemed or passed the arrival window of all three Fastpass+ entitlements, you can select a Fastpass+ for an attraction or show you have previously selected the same day, if they are available, of course. This means that at Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you will be able to make additional selections from any available experience in either experience group.
For now this change is only available via the in park kiosks. But a Disney World spokeswoman says that they still in test mode and are working to make it available via the My Disney Experience app.
A few strategy ideas below the jump:
May 1 is the silver anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. With 25 years of history and decades of Hollywood icons to celebrate, you might expect a year long bash at the third gate to open at Walt Disney World. However, that’s not the way Disney… Read More »25th Anniversary Events Announced for Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 1
“Feast”, a new short from Walt Disney Animation Studios, will make its world premiere at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival June 10, 2014. “Feast” is from first-time director Patrick Osborne (head of animation, “Paperman”). It tells the story of one man’s love life as… Read More »Walt Disney Animation Unveils First Look at “Feast” a new short
What is it with celebrities singing “The Bear Necessities”? First we had UK signers Robbie Williams and Oly Murs give their take on the classic song from Disney’s Jungle Book. Now Loki, aka Tom Hiddleston, is getting in on the act. Better watch it now… Read More »Tom Hiddleston (Loki) Sings The Bear Necessities
The water park wars don’t usually get a lot of coverage in the traditional or online media, but it’s on in Orlando. Universal is rumored to be working on a complete re-envisioning of the water park experience (either on the property where Wet-n-Wild now sits… Read More »Ihu’s Breakaway Falls Nears Completion at SeaWorld’s Aquatica