June 2021 Magic Kingdom Refurbishments

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Via DisDining.com

Are you planning your most magical trip yet to Walt Disney World this June? Whether you’re visiting for Father’s Day or simply to spend a little time surrounded by Pixie Dust, Disney is ready to invite you home. There are however a few refurbishments you’ll want to take note of as you prepare your days in the parks.

There are currently four closures listed beginning June 1, 2021 on the Walt Disney World refurbishment calendar.

1. Walt Disney World Railroad (Magic Kingdom):

Sorry Disney fans, this one has been closed for a LONG time now, and we are missing it dearly. The railroad closed temporarily way back on December 3, 2018 and has remained closed since. The extended closure is due to the construction of the new attraction, Tron Lightcycle Run. Our best guess is that we won’t have a chance to take a ride on the railroad until Tron opens… which has yet to be announced.

Disney Railroad

2. The Hall of Presidents (Magic Kingdom):

No surprise here as Disney is hard at work preparing Hall of Presidents for the 46th President, Joe Biden. For Trump’s Presidency, the attraction closed in January 2017 for refurbishment and reopened in December 2017. If history repeats itself, we are hoping to see Hall of Presidents reopen in December 2021.

Hall of Presidents

3. Main Street Confectionery (Magic Kingdom):

Yes, this tasty shop filled with delightful treats closed on March 29, 2021 for a lengthy refurbishment. Currently, the refurbishment calendar has the Confectionery listed as under refurbishment through August 7, 2021. Note – August 7 is as far as Disney’s park hours are currently listed at the time of writing this article which is as far as the refurbishment calendar goes. This refurbishment could go longer once the calendar is updated. Get excited though because when it reopens Disney has said we will have a chance to customize our confections!

4. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom):

As noted on the Walt Disney World website: “Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be closed for refurbishment from June 7 through June 12. The webpage does say to check back for updates, but we’re hopeful the refurbishment timeframe will remain on track and Big Thunder will only remain closed for the week.

Dine at The Wave this June while you still can!

Take note that in July The Wave… of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort will be unavailable for the summer as Disney refurbishes the space in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort. Reservations will be available through July 15. If you’re looking to enjoy this restaurant as is one last time, June is a great month to do it! The Disney rumor mill and speculations are hard at work with this refurbishment. Much of the speculations suggest Disney could make this a character dining restaurant with characters from The Incredibles. While we would absolutely love that, there is no confirmation from Disney.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom are currently listed as being free from refurbishment closures (yay!). Keep in mind, refurbishments are listed to help us plan but it is not set in stone. Disney has been known to extend refurbishments, shorten them, and even close attractions and/or shops suddenly for refurb.

Cast Members Celebrate Reopening of Disney’s Cape May Café

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Resorts

Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort recently reopened on May 18 with a yummy new menu! While currently Cape May Café is not offering Minnie’s Beach Bash Character Breakfast or the Seafood-and-More Dinner Buffet, the new menu is excellent and the Cast Members are as wonderful as ever. Cast Members took to social media to share their excitement that Cape May Café is finally open once again

As shared via Walt Disney World Cast and Community Facebook: “As we continue to reopen more and more locations within Walt Disney World, we are encouraged by the big smiles and cheers from our Cast Members who take pride in their job of creating happiness for our Guests. This week, we are congratulating the Cast at Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort on their successful reopening. We are so happy to see so many happy faces back in action. #DisneyCastLife #Reopening #WeCreateHappiness”

Welcome back Cast Members! We’re thrilled to have this excellent dining option at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Be sure to make your dining reservation 60-days in advance as this tasty restaurant fills up quickly with it’s new return.

1,000 Disney Pieces To Be Auctioned as Disney Collector Sells Home

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

There are Disney collectors… and then there’s the Rummell Family! They took their love for collecting all things Disney to a whole new level by transforming their home of 23 years into their personal “happiest place on Earth.” With the recent sale of their home fetching $2.24 million, they are putting many of their Disney items up for sale in an auction. That’s right, you’ll have a chance to snag pieces like a Rocket Jets rocket, an Autopia car, and a buggy from Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

As shared by OC Register: “Disney collector Scott Rummell just sold the four-bedroom Yorba Linda home that he and his wife, Terry, spent 23 years transforming into their very own “happiest place on Earth.” Assorted ride vehicles, hand-silkscreened attraction posters, and other objects from the 25,000-piece Disneyland and Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom collection infuse almost every corner of the 4,569-square-foot house with playfulness. But none of it comes with the deal — the house fetched $2.24 million with multiple offers six days after listing on April 23.”

Rummell now plans to sell 1,000 pieces this December at a two-day exhibition and sale put on by Van Eaton Galleries in Sherman Oaks. He’s hoping to bring in a minimum of $2 million dollars for the Disney items.

So what are a few of the items that will be going up for auction? Some items include four vintage ride vehicles, Rocket Jets rocket, Autopia racer car, and a Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride buggy. Want a Skyway gondola? One will be up for auction and is expected to bring in around $600,000.

“Even though it seems like we’re leaving Disney behind, we’re not,” Rummell says. “We designed our Dana Point house to look like the Disney Beach Club Resort in Orlando. We actually bought art that they had in the lobby and rooms so it has that Disney nautical feel. And so, we’re not leaving Disney completely behind.”

We’ll be keeping an eye on auction details for December as we’re excited to see what pieces will be available to bid on. Would you transform your home into a Disney paradise? It looks like the Disney investment paid off big for this family!

Walt Disney World Park Hours Released Through August 7

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Summer is right around the corner! As you plan your vacation to Walt Disney World you’ll want to keep an eye on your My Disney Experience App for the latest update in park hours. The Walt Disney World website now shows parks hours have been released through August 7! As you plan your vacation to the most magic place on earth, here are the current posted park hours for May 23 – August 7, 2021.

Magic Kingdom:

  • – May 23 – 31: 8:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
  • – June 1 – 26: 8:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
  • – June 27 – 30: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
  • – July 1 – 31: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
  • – August 1 – 7: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)

EPCOT:

  • – May 23 – 31: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
  • – June 1 – 30: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
  • – July 1 – 17: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
  • – July 18 – 31: 11:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
  • – August 1 – 7: 11:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)

Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

  • – May 23 – 31: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
  • – June 1 – 18: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
  • – June 19: 9:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
  • – June 20 – 26: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
  • – June 27 – 30: 9:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
  • – July 1 – 31: 9:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
  • – August 1 – 7: 9:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

  • – May 23 – 31: 8:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
  • – June 1 – 20: 8:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
  • – June 21: 8:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
  • – June 22: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 5pm)
  • – June 23 – 26: 8:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
  • – June 27: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 5pm)
  • – June 28 – 30: 8:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
  • – July 1 – 31: 8:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
  • – August 1 – 7: 8:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)

Keep checking the My Disney Experience App before visiting as Disney has been known to add extra hours as dates draw nearer. Just be sure to snag your Park Pass reservations as soon as you know which date you are looking to experience a select parks.

Disney to Donate a Book for Every Book Purchased on shopDisney Through 2021

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Disney is has started a new program via shopDisney that will last through the end of the year. For the “Buy a Book, Give a Book” program Disney will donate a book for every book purchased through 2021. That’s right, you can buy all the books you’d like, knowing with every book purchase you’re giving to a great cause! 

As shared by Disney: “For every book purchased on shopDisney.com now through December 31, 2021, Disney will donate a book to First Book (firstbook.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing new books and educational resources to educators who serve children in need. As one of the world’s largest children’s publishing brands, Disney Publishing Worldwide has a unique opportunity to inspire the next generation of storytellers and equip them with books and resources to build their skills. In addition to igniting a love of storytelling in children, educators report that First Book resources help students develop confidence in their own abilities and promote cross-cultural awareness.”