Reopening Date Announced for Tusker House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Parks

Exciting news for all those Tusker House fans out there! The dining experience will be slightly different from the previous buffet, and the character experience will be modified. Today, Disney has released the reopening DATE!

As shared via Disney Parks Twitter: “Just announced: Tusker House Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park will be reopening on June 20! Bookings start Friday, June 4. Graze on a bountiful family-style menu brimming with African-inspired flavors and see the host, Donald Duck—along with his Disney Friends!”

We’re so excited to have an official opening date! Are you making plans to dine with Donald Duck and friends at Tusker House? Be sure to snag those reservations as soon as possible when they open bookings this Friday, June 4.

Morning Shows Added for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Festival of the Lion King

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

Via DisDining.com

Delight in a Broadway-style show filled with songs, pageantry and puppetry celebrating the classic movie, The Lion King! We previously shared the exciting news that “A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King” is now open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. While the show is different from pre-COVID days, it’s still just as spectacular to say the least! The popularity of this returned park entertainment is obviously drawing in the crowds, and Disney is responding with more showtimes!

As shown on the Walt Disney World website, showtimes are now available for “A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King” including two morning shows at 10:30am and 11:30am. The afternoon (12:30pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm) and evening (5:00pm) remain. Check out the screenshot below for June 1 showtimes.

Be sure to check your My Disney Experience App for showtimes on the day of your visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom so you can plan your day with Hakuna Matata in mind!

Walt Disney World Park Hours Released Through August 14

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

Hello summer! 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 14! As you plan your vacation to the most magic place on earth, here are the current posted park hours for June 1 – August 14, 2021.

Magic Kingdom:

  • 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 – 13: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
  • August 14: 9:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)

EPCOT:

  • 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 – 14: 11:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)

Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

  • June 1 – 30: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
  • July 1 – 31: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
  • August 1 – 14: 9:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

  • 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 – 14: 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. Happy planning, Disney fans!

CEO Bob Chapek Gives More Specific Details on Theme Park Capacity Increases at Walt Disney World

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

Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Chapek spoke at the J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media, and Communications Conference and addressed theme park operations.

Bob Chapek stated that capacity would continue to increase over the upcoming months at Walt Disney World, with “low double digits increases” in attendance. He expects to see benefits from the changes in COVID-19 policies near the end of the fourth fiscal quarter.

He also said the process for relaxing the guidelines has been slowed by OSHA guidelines, but did not elaborate further.

Chapek reiterated his point about the company using the shutdown to reanalyze passholder/legacy programs.

CEO Bob Chapek Confirms Disney Park Pass System, Virtual Queues Here to Stay

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

After addressing capacity, Disney CEO Bob Chapek spoke about theme park technology today at the J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media, and Communications Conference.

Chapek cited the new Disney Park Pass theme park reservation system and virtual queues, such as the boarding groups for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, as examples of how technology helped guests stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Virtual queues are a hot topic in the theme park community, with many guests either loving or hating the system. However, the virtual queue process has already undergone many changes to make it easier for guests, and Disney will likely continue to hone the process.

Chapek specifically stated that the Disney Park Pass theme park reservation system would remain in place beyond the scope of the pandemic. However, this is not new information as the Park Pass calendars for Walt Disney World already extend into 2023.