New Pylons Installed at EPCOT Main Entrance Fountain

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Zach Riddley, Walt Disney World Site Portfolio Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering took to Instagram this morning to share three photos of the new pylons installed last night (August 10) at EPCOT!

Zach shares, “I’m excited to share a first look at the pylons we installed last night as we continue to reimagine the EPCOT main entrance fountain, which has anchored this area since the park opened in 1982. Our design team took special interest in looking back to the original geometry for inspiration and infusing new features with a little bit of added magic to bridge the past, present and future of EPCOT . These majestic pylons also draw your eye upward toward the sky and perfectly frame views of the iconic Spaceship Earth attraction. I can’t wait to reveal the completed look for this fountain later this year!”

Disney Reduces Capital Expenditure Decrease for Parks to $700 Million

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

As it turns out, Disney Parks, Resorts and Products will be spending more than previously expected on construction and refurbishments at the theme parks.

At last week’s Q3 earnings call, The Walt Disney Company announced that the cut in capital expenditures has been reduced to $700 million. Previously, a $900 million cut was expected. Disney CFO Christine McCarthy attributed the spending cut to lower spending on domestic Disney resorts, including Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort.

The news comes off the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic devastating the company’s finances. Disney Parks, Resorts and Products reported a $2 billion loss for the third quarter, which covered most of the closure of domestic Disney parks and Disneyland Paris. The Disneyland Resort remains closed at this time, with no reopening date reported as of yet.

Walt Disney World has already begun to see the results of this spending cut. Last month, it was confirmed that both the large-scale refurbishment of Spaceship Earth and the Mary Poppins-themed section of the United Kingdom Pavilion at EPCOT had been postponed, while rumors abound that work on Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge has been cancelled. Other projects remain ongoing with work continuing “in stages,” including TRON Lightcycle / Run at the Magic Kingdom and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and the Play! Pavilion at EPCOT, as well as Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Disneyland and Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure.

Walt Disney World Files Permit for “Project Nugget” Construction on Magic Kingdom Fireworks Launch Site

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

While all fireworks and nighttime spectaculars at the Magic Kingdom are temporarily suspended due to new health and safety regulations across Walt Disney World, a new permit has been filed pertaining to a so-called “Project Nugget”, with the address located at the park’s fireworks launch site.

The Notice of Commencement lists the following description: “MK Project Nugget Main F-B Electrical, 1440 Floridian Way”, with the work described as labor, material, and/or electrical for construction. Typically, this usually means some kind of developments or improvements in the area.

Given that the permit includes a project name, it may be a sign of something larger beyond just your typical construction work. We’ll keep an eye on any further permits pertaining to this project moving forward, and hope to see fireworks return to the Magic Kingdom soon!

WDW Shares Annual Pass Refund Calculations Ahead of Cancellation Deadline

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Today marks the deadline for Walt Disney World Annual Passholders to decide to cancel their passes. Ahead of this, the resort has shared the calculations that will be used to determine how much guests will be refunded.

From Walt Disney World’s website:

  • The refund amount, if any, for each pass circumstance is unique and based on factors such as: new or renewal, down payment amount, refunds to date, activation date, etc.
  • If the total amount that you paid for your pass(es) (minus any refunds already given and any payments waived, returned or not collected) exceeds the “usable value” (see below) of your pass(es), that excess will be refunded to you.
  • The usable value of your pass(es) equals the total sale price of your pass(es) multiplied by the number of days that you could have visited any park prior to March 16 and divided by the total number of access days to any park permitted under the pass(es) at pass activation.
  • If you made a payment between July 11, 2020 and August 11, 2020 or a payment between March 14, 2020 and April 4, 2020 that was not already refunded, your refund will be at least the amount of any such payment(s).

Passholders looking to cancel their passes can utilize the personalized link in the email from Disney Destinations on July 14, 2020, or call V.I.PASSHOLDER Support at (407) 939-7277 if paid in full or (888) 701-4100 (Option 3) if on the Monthly Payment Plan by tomorrow, August 11th.

Adventures by Disney Cancels Most Trips Through October 31st Due to COVID-19

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

After canceling all trips through September 30th, Adventures by Disney has announced that, for the safety and well being of all guests and Cast Members, nearly all trips through October 31st, 2020 have been suspended, with the exception of Southern California adventures.

From Adventures by Disney:

Adventures by Disney has been closely monitoring the latest information regarding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is in regular contact with local, state, national and international health agencies for information and guidance.

With the wellbeing of our Guests and team members as our top priority and in line with direction from health experts and government officials, Adventures by Disney has made the decision to suspend most departures through October 31, 2020.  

Note: This does not impact guests booked on the Southern California adventures.

Most interestingly is that Southern California adventures include a visit to the Disneyland Resort and a stay at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Currently, both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure remain closed, with resort hotels cancelling reservations through August 29th. Should the adventures happen as scheduled, it may mean that resorts hotels will reopen sometime in the next few weeks.