1900 Park Fare is re-opening at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa on April 10. This iconic restaurant will feature returning guest favorites along with a newly refurbished dining room and other special touches.
Here are five things guests can look forward to when they visit:
Wish Upon a Star with Favorite Disney Characters
Because meals are best enjoyed alongside friends, a few familiar faces will stop by throughout breakfast and dinner –some for the first time at this location! In this refreshed character dining experience, guests will be joined by Aladdin in his Prince Ali look, Cinderella, Mirabel and Tiana in her new look for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure as they celebrate the power of a wish.
Enjoy a Feast Fit for Royalty
An enchanting buffet will be served for breakfast and dinner, featuring some guest favorites — yes, that includes the strawberry soup! — along with new menu offerings dreamed up by our talented chefs to pay tribute to some of the characters and stories guests will encounter throughout the restaurant.
Look for Nods to the Restaurant’s Heritage
Fans of 1900 Park Fare will remember Big Bertha, an antique organ that has called the resort home since 1988. Guests can look for her in the Main Dining Room, where she’s on display as its grand centerpiece!
Just like before, carousel theming is woven throughout the restaurant — starting with the impressive new mural shown above, which will serve as the focal point of the restaurant’s entrance. In one of the adjoining dining rooms, guests will find drawings of carousel animals inspired by classic Disney films like “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Little Mermaid.”
Delight in Exclusive New Artwork
The artistic touches continue throughout the Main Dining Room, where guests will find twelve new portraits created exclusively for the restaurant by Disney artists. Each one, inspired by the impressionist art style of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, features a different Disney character as they hope, dream and wish upon a star (or even a magic lamp or a wishing well).
Celebrate Traditions and Create New Ones
Over the years, 1900 Park Fare has been the backdrop of so many of our guests’ favorite vacation memories. At the heart of this unique restaurant is the magic and whimsy of turn-of-the-century gardens and fairgrounds, where people of all ages came together to enjoy each other’s company. The spirit of those carefree days spent outdoors is brought to life with each detail big and small, making it the perfect place for guests to create new memories with loved ones.
Reservations for 1900 Park Fare open on March 5 at DisneyWorld.com
While guests are there, they can explore other ways the resort has been receiving some grand touches that build upon its Victorian elegance with additional storybook charm. While staying in one of the newly refurbished Guest rooms, guests can also dine underneath the lovely London sky at Cítricos, inspired by “Mary Poppins Returns” or enjoy some shimmering sips at Enchanted Rose Lounge, inspired by “Beauty and the Beast.” Recently refreshed spaces at Narcoossee’s and Victoria & Albert’s, the culinary crown jewel of Walt Disney World Resort, provide even more ways to be our Guest and enjoy all that Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has to offer.
There’s even more to come as we continue to refresh and enhance Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and we can’t wait to share more with guests in the future.
Walt Disney World is known for being the epitome of magical experiences and joyful memories.
Amongst the magical day-to-day, it’s easy for tourists to forget that the sprawling resort actually sits right in the heart of what used to be swampland, and many of its residents, including the American Alligator, avoided evictions when Mickey Mouse came to town.
Florida’s sub-tropical climate, high humidity, and beautifully designed landscapes make it the perfect place for exciting amphibious reptiles to take up shelter.
As Central Florida, where Walt Disney World is located, acts as a gateway to one of the last wild frontiers of the state, the Florida Everglades, it isn’t uncommon to have run-ins with wildlife all over Disney World, including Magic Kingdom and its numerous resort locations.
Sadly, most memorable, a fateful incident in 2016 brought attention to the presence of alligators in the vicinity of one of these resorts.
Since that day, savvy guests have had the presence of dangerous reptiles seared into the back of their minds, and Disney has taken steps along with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission to create a more sustainable future for tourism to live in harmony with the abundant wildlife that calls Walt Disney World home.
In June 2016, tragedy struck when two-year-old Lane Graves was attacked and killed by an alligator near Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.
This unfortunate incident sent shockwaves through the community and prompted Disney to embark on several initiatives to enhance safety protocols and prevent such incidents in the future.
After the incident, Walt Disney World took immediate action to prioritize the safety of its guests while maintaining the enchanting atmosphere that has made it beloved worldwide. The resort implemented the following safety measures:
Perimeter ropes: Disney erected permanent rope fixtures and barriers around the water bodies within the resort to restrict access to guests and wild animals, reducing the chances of accidental encounters.
Clear and visible signage was placed throughout the resort, reminding guests of the potential presence of wildlife in the area and providing safety guidelines to follow.
Disney established a dedicated team of wildlife specialists responsible for monitoring the wildlife population within the resort and ensuring the safety of both animals and guests. They work closely with local authorities and experts to remain updated on wildlife behavior and implement necessary precautions.
Disney World followers got to see this team in action recently when a black bear, another common Florida species that can be dangerous, was spotted in the Frontierland area of Magic Kingdom, prompting an entire shutdown of most of the park for around half a day.
Walt Disney World has a longstanding commitment to wildlife conservation and environmental stewardship. They actively engage in several initiatives to safeguard the natural habitat and promote biodiversity. Here are some examples:
The Walt Disney Company supports various conservation and research programs dedicated to protecting and preserving wildlife. These initiatives aim to understand animal behavior better, promote habitat restoration, and raise awareness about the importance of conservation.
Disney incorporates educational elements into its theme parks and resorts to raise awareness among guests about the importance of wildlife conservation and the need to respect natural habitats. Through informative displays and interactive experiences, visitors understand the interconnectedness between humans and wildlife.
Despite exhaustive efforts to educate guests regarding the potential dangers lurking in waterways around Walt Disney World, like Seven Seas Lagoon, where the Lane Grave incident occurred, some guests ignore the danger and enter bodies of water around the property anyhow.
Most recently, a guest to Magic Kingdom reportedly jumped from the rafts that carry visitors to Tom Sawyer Island, while another at EPCOT jumped from one of the bridges in the World Showcase.
A quick search online, specifically on YouTube, reveals several videos of Walt Disney World guests fishing dangerously close to the lakes and ponds that scatter around the property, while some even show daring visitors swimming.
It’s hard to imagine anyone willing to enter a body of water that could have a 920-lb alligator lurking below. However, whether it be stupidity or ignorance, it does still happen around Walt Disney World.
If you’ve been to Walt Disney World enough, chances are you’ve had your fair share of wildlife encounters. It isn’t uncommon for Grand Floridian Resort guests to run across a variety of slithering serpents or for guests aboard the Disney Skyliner, boat service, or even the Monorail to spot alligators from their high vantage point.
Although it certainly isn’t news that the American Alligator calls Florida home, it’s never a bad idea to continue educating the public, especially travelers unfamiliar with the state of Florida and its wildlife, when it comes to a possible encounter with an alligator at Walt Disney World.
It seems that some people are convinced that gators (affectionately nicknamed by locals) are more myth and reality for some guests. Still, one image shared to Reddit recently suggests that they are certainly out and about at Disney, reinforcing to guests that they should adhere to Disney’s rules about entering their waterways.
User u/daveoski posted a clear photo to the Walt Disney World subreddit, a beautifully captured one of a scaly lizard hunting the surface near the campgrounds at Fort Wilderness Resort.
“Took the boat from MK to the campgrounds for a hoop dee doo reservation and was able to capture some pictures.”
This particular alligator was spotted hanging around the Fort Wilderness Campground area, a very popular resort that many Disney World guests enjoy during the holiday season in Florida.
Fort Wilderness, although not a monorail resort like Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, is close to Magic Kingdom, a place full of small children and families enjoying magical experiences throughout their day.
The gator attack incident at Walt Disney World in 2016 was a tragic event that led to increased safety measures and a renewed focus on wildlife conservation.
Ultimately changing the lives of Melissa Graves and Matt Graves forever, the loss of their young son, Lane Thomas Graves, should serve as a reminder that although Disney World is a magical place, it is not immune to accidents and danger.
Walt Disney World remains committed to providing guests with a safe and magical experience while demonstrating responsible stewardship of the environment.
By continuously evaluating and improving safety protocols and actively participating in wildlife conservation efforts, the Resort ensures that the enchanting world of Disney harmoniously coexists with the natural wildlife that calls it home.
In the event of an alligator sighting, guests are advised to immediately report it to the nearest Disney Cast Member and follow all safety guidelines provided.
As per Disney World rules and regulations, signs are clearly posted showing the immediate dangers of wildlife and the risk they pose to guests. There is a reason that Disney does not allow free-swimming in their waterways, and alligators are big part of that, so, stay dry!
Disney execs have confirmed plans to breathe new life into a recently closed $400 million experience at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Disney Parks have been in existence since Walt Disney oversaw the construction of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, which opened to guests on July 17, 1955. Just 16 years later, the Walt Disney World Resort opened to guests.
Over the course of the history of Disney’s domestic parks, several rides and attractions–and even a water park–have disappeared, never to return again. In place of the attractions that are removed, new attractions often crop up–though not always.
Over the years, Disneyland locations and attractions have closed, including Merlin’s Magic Shop, where actor Steve Martin began his career with Disney, the Skyway to Tomorrowland, the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train, and even a shop on Main Street, U.S.A. that sold lingerie.
At Walt Disney World, fans have lamented the disappearance of the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction at Magic Kingdom and the mighty Maelstrom ride at the Norway pavilion along the World Showcase in EPCOT.
On September 7, 1998, Mr. Toad had his final wild ride at Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom, ultimately stepping aside to make way for Winnie the Pooh to move into his old home, and near-riots ensued as grieving guests found it too difficult to say goodbye.
In November 2001, Disney World indefinitely closed its first water park, River Country, and in January 2005, the Disney Company announced that the park would not reopen.
In 2023, both Walt Disney World and Disneyland bid farewell to the Splash Mountain log flume attraction that had been a guest favorite for more than 30 years. Though Disney’s Imagineers clearly reimagined the wrong attraction, the construction of a new experience, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, is already underway at both locations.
And though the closures of attractions, rides, and other elements at Disney’s theme parks aren’t new, the revival of a “permanently closed” attraction is something virtually unheard of by fans of the parks.
But that’s exactly what’s happening at the Central Florida Disney parks.
According to TravelPulse, Disney World execs have confirmed plans to “revive” one of the resort’s most recently shuttered experiences, known by most fans as the Star Wars hotel.
Disney called it Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser,
The Starcruiser was actually a Disney World Resort hotel that served as a type of all-inclusive resort of sorts from the galaxy far, far away.
While staying at the Star Wars-themed hotel, which doubled as an entirely immersive storytelling experience during which fans could dress the part of their favorite Star Wars characters and play out various roles and “stories,” guests also visited the planet of Batuu, which is technically the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge addition at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Despite the fact that Disney conducted a survey ahead of concrete plans to build the Galactic Starcruiser, the results from which overwhelmingly suggested guests’ interest in such an experience, the end result was extremely expensive, even by Disney World standards.
The experience opened in early 2022, and by May 2023, Disney was already announcing its inevitable doom. Many of the packages were $5,000, and some guests paid well over $6,000. The stays were for two nights and included a journey to Batuu but did not include costumes, which were optional, food, drinks, and the like.
It closed in September 2023, and nothing had been said about what might come of the location.
Disney reportedly spent more than $400 million to build the location, but the company was reportedly able to write off some of its expenses. When it closed in late 2023, the experience was said to have cost Disney approximately $250 million in losses.
In January, however, Disney World filed a permit with the county for “general construction,” though no details about the work were given initially. Fans have been encouraged to guess what Disney’s building in place of the now-defunct Galactic Starcruiser.
Founder and CEO of International Theme Park Services, Dennis Speigel, says the closed Star Wars hotel still has life in it–and not to expect Disney World to be done with it just yet.
“Disney will do something with the facility,” Speigel said. “They’ll pick themselves up, brush themselves off, and start all over again.”
As of the time of this post, no further details have been disclosed, and it’s not known when fans will begin to see what is to come of the location. But as Disney World execs have promised to revive the former Star Wars hotel location, fans of the Central Florida Disney theme parks are anxious to know more about just what those execs have up their proverbial sleeves.
Stay in the magic at Walt Disney World Resort! Disney® Visa® Cardmembers can enjoy special Cardmember rates at select Disney Resort hotels this spring.
Rates vary based on room type, Resort hotel and travel dates. For example, use your Disney Visa card to book a stay—and take advantage or special rates—at the following Resort hotels:
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort and Disney’s All-Star Music Resort – $129 per night, plus tax for a Standard Room, for stays most nights from March 25 through April 27, 2024
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort – $229 per night, plus tax for a Standard View Room (accommodates up to 5 Guests), for stays most nights from March 25 through June 29, 2024
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn – $419 per night, plus tax for a Resort View Room, for stays most nights from March 25 through June 29, 2024
Plus, enjoy other great rates at the following Disney Resort hotels for stays most nights from March 25 through June 29, 2024:
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort – Preferred Room
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort – Preferred Room and Family Suites
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Standard View and Savanna View Rooms)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (Cars Family Suite)
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Disney s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room. Length of stay requirements may apply.
Today, we’re celebrating the grand opening of Pixar Place Hotel at the Disneyland Resort, the first fully Pixar-themed hotel in the United States! Inspired by the artistry and innovative storytelling of Pixar Animation Studios, the 479-room hotel is filled with nods to beloved films from “Toy Story” to “Ratatouille” and “Elemental.” In fact, there is a nod to every Pixar feature film to date!
At Pixar Place Hotel, Guests will see so many familiar Pixar friends brought to life in a whole new way, through various styles of playful artwork, contemporary decor and even surprise visits!
Special Guests & Pixar Characters Join Grand Opening Dedication
Ka-chow! Lightning McQueen, Mater and more Pixar pals made a special visit to celebrate the hotel’s opening day dedication alongside Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock and Pixar Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter.
“We are looking to turbocharge expansion at Disneyland Resort over the coming years, and the transformation of Pixar Place Hotel is a demonstration of how we’re creating high-quality guest experiences infused with our most popular stories,” said Potrock.
Docter, who is the Oscar-winning director of “Monsters, Inc.,” “Up” and “Inside Out,” spoke to the creative collaboration between Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering, who together bring so many favorite stories to life in Disney parks.
“At Pixar, our mission is to tell great stories. And nothing is more exciting than when we see those stories come to life in Disney parks. Pixar Place Hotel at the Disneyland Resort is the perfect example – it’s like walking into a world of Pixar. It’s truly immersive, and we’re thrilled to have collaborated with Walt Disney Imagineering to make such an experience possible for guests.”
And speaking of stories coming to life …
Pixar Place Hotel Welcomes New Characters
Who’s your friend who likes to play? It’s Bing Bong from “Inside Out,” making his worldwide debut, as this is the first time he is being seen at any Disney property! This part-cat, part-elephant, part-dolphin imaginary friend is greeting guests and making more core memories at Pixar Place Hotel, beginning today!
And is that … piano music? All the way from The Half Note Jazz Club, it’s Joe Gardner from “Soul!” Guests may find Joe getting lost in the music as he plays piano near the hotel lobby staircase. In this alcove, the ethereal artistry of “Soul” creates a mood with deep purple walls and drawings of jazz musicians and counselors from “The Great Before,” with Joe dropping in on occasion to play piano for passersby.
Pixar-Themed Spaces You Can Enjoy Now, Plus More Pixar Touches To Come
There are so many sights to see at Pixar Place Hotel, so let’s explore the new areas!
The iconic Pixar Ball and Lamp now welcomes guests at the front lobby entrance, with an abstract mobile of Pixar characters floating from the skylight above. Guests may even catch a glimpse of Carl and Ellie’s house from “Up” as it travels up and down the lobby elevator.
The lobby is a vibrant, colorful blend of different art galleries. Seven giant portraits of Pixar characters surround the front desk including Sulley from “Monsters, Inc.” and Merida from “Brave.” These portraits depict characters at pivotal moments in their journeys when they are discovering their world or a piece of who they are for the very first time. Nearby, guests also see maquettes of Elastigirl from “The Incredibles,” Flik from “a bug’s life” and more!
Guests may even hear new music specially composed for Pixar Place Hotel! Celebrating favorite themes from many Pixar films, 10 new arrangements of Pixar cues can be heard in the hotel lobby and the album is available now digitally to listen to!
The rear entrance of the hotel is inspired by the stages of character design development, as artists bring ideas from pencil and paper illustrations to something built in the computer. In this part of the hotel, guests will see animator thumbnail sketches and lit wireframes of Buzz Lightyear from “Toy Story,” Edna Mode from “The Incredibles” and others in action poses.
Throughout the lobby and elevator cab flooring, there are 16 silhouettes of Pixar friends randomly embedded in the porcelain tiles, which is a nod to the flooring details found at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif.
Next, let’s visit Great Maple! This flagship restaurant and modern American eatery serves an all-day menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner using the highest quality seasonal ingredients. Dive into any of the amazing dishes — like Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Maple Bacon Donuts — take in the sophisticated ambiance of gorgeous green leather seating, a beautiful bar area and seamless transition to an open-air patio. The black and white portraits of Pixar characters seen throughout the space were originally created for the Pixar offices in Emeryville, Calif., and this is the first time they are being publicly displayed! What’s more, the food and beverage offerings throughout the hotel are all operated by Great Maple.
Just off the lobby, The Sketch Pad Café serves assorted pastries, sandwiches, grab-n-go items and offers a full espresso bar. It’s a great spot to stop on the way to a fun-filled day in the parks, although guests may want to sit and stay a while in this fun space. Along the café walls is a timeline of Pixar films conveyed through character design and early concept art from Buzz Lightyear, a star of the studio’s first feature film, “Toy Story,” to Mei Lee from “Turning Red.”
Now, let’s head to the third-floor rooftop deck, where Pixar touches abound! At the new Pixar Shorts Court, the whole family can play games inspired by the animation studio’s iconic shorts “Bao,” “For The Birds,” “La Luna” and “Burrow.” Guests can even lounge and enjoy a bite to eat beneath umbrellas from “The Blue Umbrella.”
Opening adjacent to the Pixar Shorts Court in early March, Small Bytes will serve up inventive floats and tasty “bytes,” such as ceviche, soft pretzels and nachos, and will be open to non-hotel guests. While guests are noshing, they can see the pixel-art style portraits of 22 Pixar characters, created expressly for Pixar Place Hotel! Spot Lightning McQueen from “Cars” and Remy from “Ratatouille.”
As the sun begins to set on a great day, cozy up by the firepits (cleverly reminiscent of some hotheaded Pixar characters), enjoy drinks and appetizers, and watch the fireworks of Disneyland Park light up the sky on select evenings.
At the pool area, hotel guests can frolic on a “Finding Nemo”-themed splash pad at Nemo’s Cove, take a ride on Crush’s Surfin’ Slide and splash in Pixel Pool. Guests may choose to rent private daybeds, cabanas and pods to lounge the day away in comfort and style.
As we make our way to the guest rooms, let’s take a peek at some of the art found along the way. Each floor of the 15-story hotel displays a mural outside of the elevator banks giving an homage to a different Pixar film, from “Finding Nemo” to “Cars.”
Now, to the guest rooms! From the headboards featuring concept art from feature films to the accent pillows with a Pixar Ball motif, there are Pixar touches to be found all around. For a more in-depth look at the guest rooms, take a look at this tour from Walt Disney Imagineering art director Kirstin Makela!
And there’s more! Pixar Place Hotel also has a fitness center where guests can see a mural of Mike and Sulley from “Monsters University” on treadmills and the STOR-E retail shop offers more unique art, Pixar apparel and toys, and Disneyland Resort souvenirs and sundries.
Later this year, the hotel will offer its new lounge, the Creators Club, to its concierge level guests. This lounge will showcase the collaboration between Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios, featuring concept art, maquettes and attraction posters. See repurposed light fixtures from the former “a bug’s land” and a snake ride vehicle from Jessie’s Critter Carousel in Disney California Adventure Park. Adorable! Here, concierge level guests will be invited to enjoy snacks and beverages throughout the day, and a dedicated concierge may assist with any requests during their visit.
Additionally, two new 2-bedroom themed signature suites will be available for arrivals later in 2024. The Coco Suite will pay tribute to Miguel and his family’s legacy through vibrant Oaxacan art, and the Incredibles Suite will have a midcentury design with a “spy-fy” twist, complete with Parr family memorabilia.
Guests staying at any of the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort can enjoy benefits such as hotel guest activities and early entry 30 minutes prior to regular theme park opening into a designated park to enjoy select attractions, dining and shopping locations.* Plus, guests of Pixar Place Hotel can enjoy a convenient, dedicated entrance to Disney California Adventure Park just a short walk away.
