Each week, we take a look at the biggest Disney news revealed during the past few days, and this week has been a HUGE one for Disney news!
We’ve got massive updates about Annual Passes at both Disney World and Disneyland, all kinds of details about the Star Wars hotel coming to Disney World, tons of reopening news, and so much more. So, what are we waiting for?! Let’s dive in!
1 — Disney World Will Sell Annual Passes Again Soon
We start with some HUGE news about Annual Pass sales at Disney World. Except in very limited circumstances, Disney World has not been selling NEW Annual Passes for several months now. But, existing Passholders have been able to renew their passes.
Well, this week, Disney World confirmed that new Annual Pass sales will resume soon! According to Disney, new Annual Pass sales will become available in time for the start of Disney’s 50th Anniversary celebration (which kicks off on October 1st).
We’ll definitely keep an eye out for more details on that!
Click here to see more about Disney’s confirmation that Annual Pass sales will soon resume!
2 — ALL the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser News
On Friday of last week we got a more precise opening timeline for the Star Wars hotel — spring 2022! We also got to share tons of new details about the experience, a first look at the food, info about how it’ll tie into Galaxy’s Edge, hidden areas on the ship, and other information. But this week we got even MORE details!
First up, we got details on the pricing for the Star Wars Hotel experience. Of course, the rates will depend on your departure date, the number of guests in your cabin, and the type of cabin you choose.
But, just as an example — Disney has shared that a party with 2 guests to a cabin could cost $1,209 per guest per night, or $4,809 total for the voyage. Let’s just say you might have to break open a few of your piggy banks to swing a trip to space.
We’ve also got information about just what is included in the price of your stay. There’s no denying this experience isn’t cheap, but it will include food and drinks (with some exclusions), the ongoing and interactive entertainment, admission to Hollywood Studios for an excursion to Galaxy’s Edge, and more.
While meals are included, there is a special dining experience called the Captain’s Table that guests can enjoy for an additional charge.
Click here to see everything we know about dining at the Star Wars hotel!
Wondering what types of rooms you’ll be able to book aboard the Halcyon? We’ve got details on that too, including information about how many guests can fit in each room and a special room called the Grand Captain Suite that comes with unique perks.
If you’ve always dreamed of training with a lightsaber, you’ll be able to do that in this new experience. BUT, there’s a catch. There is an age requirement for this experience so you’ll want to look at that closely if you’re traveling with little ones.
What else will you be able to do on the ship? Well, Disney has released a sample itinerary to give you an idea of what your intergalactic trip will be like. Click here to see more details!
If you’re wondering what to pack for this hotel experience, we’ve got you covered. Disney has shared a packing list for the hotel and we’ve got all the details right here.
But wait, there’s MORE! This week we also got to check out Disney’s FIRST commercial for Galactic Starcruiser. Click here to check it out!!
Also, this week we learned that College Program participants can work at the Star Wars hotel. WHEW. That’s a lot of Star Wars hotel news. We expect even more news will continue to be revealed about this experience as Spring 2022 gets closer, so stay tuned for more details.
Click here to see 7 important Star Wars hotel details you missed!
3 — Halloween Has Started in Disney World!
The first Disney After Hours Boo Bash event is set to take place in just a few days in Magic Kingdom, so it seems Disney is getting ready for spooky season!
This week, Halloween decorations arrived in Magic Kingdom! The first thing we spotted were some fall-colored banners on several of the buildings.
And just a few days later, some of those classic carved pumpkins arrived on Main Street, U.S.A. as well! Keep in mind that Disney has said that the Halloween decorations on Main Street, U.S.A. will get a “magical transformation” for the events in October as the 50th Anniversary celebrations begin. We’ll be keeping an eye out for more details about that.
And with the Halloween decorations came some Halloween merchandise! This week we spotted NEW Halloween ears online, matching Halloween pajamas from Target, Halloween costumes online, Halloween ears and backpacks available to pre-order, and Halloween Loungefly items available to pre-order.
It may only be August, but it looks like spooky season is already getting started!
Click here to see more photos of the Halloween decorations that have arrived in Magic Kingdom!
4 — Dates and Times Announced for Disney’s Latest Hotel Perk
As part of Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, all guests staying at Disney World hotels and select other hotels will get special early access to the theme parks each day.
But, guests staying at Deluxe Disney Hotels or Deluxe Villas will also get a special extended evening hours perk! This will let them stay in select parks extra late on select nights.
This week, we got some dates and times for Disney’s Extended Evening Hours hotel perk. If you’ll be visiting Disney World later this year and are staying at a qualifying hotel, be sure to check and see if you’ll be able to take advantage of this perk!
5 — More Reopenings
This week was FULL of reopenings or reopening news for both Disneyland and Disney World. We’ll start in Disney World!
In Magic Kingdom, Cool Ship reopened, the Hall of Presidents reopened with the new animatronic of President Biden, Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor reopened early, and, perhaps most importantly for all the Disney foodies out there, the fan-favorite Columbia Harbour House reopened!!
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Catalina Eddie’s reopened with some pizza, breadsticks, and more. In Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Pizzafari reopened with some pizza options as well.
In EPCOT, Nine Dragons reopened in the China pavilion.
A number of reopenings took place at the Disney World resorts too. The Beaches & Cream To-Go Window reopened at Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
Crew’s Cup Lounge and Yachtsman Steakhouse both reopened in Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.
And Toledo — Tapas, Steak, and Seafood reopened at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
At Disneyland, Hearthstone Lounge reopened at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and 4 fan-favorite restaurants will be reopening at Disneyland Resort soon!
Click here to see a full list of the restaurants that are and are not open in Disney World!
6 — Fireworks News
This week we also got some exciting fireworks news. First, fireworks are BACK in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! The Wonderful World of Animation nighttime show has become available for guests to enjoy again at this park.
This week we also got the times for Disney’s new, upcoming fireworks shows — Harmonious and Disney Enchantment — which will both debut on October 1st. If you’ll be heading to Disney World in October and want to see these shows, be sure to check out those show times.
Click here to get a first look at the Cinderella Castle projections coming for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary!
7 — News About the Service Replacing the Magical Express
This week we also got some big news about the service that is set to replace Disney’s Magical Express when the Magical Express ends in January of 2022. This new service, called Mears Connect, will be run by Mears, the company that currently operates Disney’s Magical Express.
Wondering how much this Mears Connect service will cost? This week we got details on the pricing for this service.
There are two different service options available — standard and express (formerly called “premium”).
Each are priced differently.
Click here to see more about the pricing for the Mears Connect service!
8 — BIG Passholder News from Disneyland
And finally, we end our big news round-up with huge Passholder news from Disneyland. Disneyland discontinued their Annual Passholder program earlier this year and announced that a new program would soon be announced. Disneyland teased its new “Magic Key” passholder program earlier this week, and then released some big details!
First, Disneyland’s new Annual Passholder program will be called “Magic Key.” There are various Magic Key levels which are priced differently and come with different perks and benefits.
Magic Key passes will go on sale starting August 25th.
Keep in mind that Disneyland admission can be upgraded to the new Magic Key pass.
Want to know how to use Disneyland’s new Magic Key pass system? We’ve got all the details you need to know here. And click here to see 5 details you missed about Disneyland’s Magic Key pass.
Click here to learn more about the Magic Key Program.
Of course, other Disney news was shared or announced this week aside from those top stories. Check out some of the Disney news you should know below:
- Eating in Disney World just changed…again
- Disney World rides you might not have expected you’ll need to wear a mask on
- The Back Side of Water treat finally arrived in Disney World!
- Disney employees will be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine
- Pumpkin Spice Mozart is back in Disney World
- The “it’s a small world” clock looks different now in Disney World
- Disney World Cast Members will get a preview of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and so will Disney World Passholders, and Disney Vacation Club Members
- New Italy-inspired Minnie ears have arrived in Disney World
- New animated shorts starring Goofy will be released soon
- A new cookie has arrived at Gideon’s Bakehouse
- Dining reservations are open for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary!
- 2 new donuts have arrived at EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival
- You can pre-order Disney World’s 50th Anniversary book now!
- A new map has arrived in Magic Kingdom
- You could win FREE Disney items every day this month — check out how!
- Trader Sam’s will take reservations soon in Disneyland
- Florida’s COVID-19 cases have spiked 800% in the last month
- The 2021 hurricane season is projected to get more active
- The US is reportedly working on a plan to require foreign visitors to be vaccinated against COVID-19
- Enter to win a FREE trip on Disney’s latest cruise ship!
And that’s a look at the big Disney news from this week. Be sure to check back with us for more updates!
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