The Minnie Van service at Walt Disney World just celebrated serving its 1 millionth guest.
Now Walt Disney Theme Parks has now announced that they will be collaborating with the popular ridesharing service Lyft.
According the Disney Parks Blog, this fall, Lyft and Disney will be enhancing the app experience at the Walt Disney World Resort. The update will make it easier to request a Minnie Van ride, find the most convenient pickup location, and even select a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
Disney has unveiled “Soul” as an upcoming original Pixar film, which will debut 1 year from now on June 19, 2020.
The studio announced Wednesday that it had dated the film. While plot details are scarce, Pixar did release the tagline for the movie: “Ever wonder where your passion, your dreams and your interests come from? What is it that makes you… YOU?”
Pete Docter, who won Academy Awards for “Up” and “Inside Out,” is directing the story that takes place between New York City and the cosmic realms. A voice cast has not yet been announced.
In a strange move, annual pass prices took a big hike overnight for Walt Disney World. A few reasons why this is a little eye-brow raising;
It was less than a year ago that prices on annual passes were raised. So why have 2 price increases within the same year?
Seems to be a move to get ready for the August 29th opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
This comes on the same day that 2020 Vacation Packages open up.
While these price hikes are a bummer, they are not surprising. Attendance is up, but the amount of money being invested by Disney into the parks has also increased.
They have already made some huge changes to the parks with a lot more massive changes planned to happen in the future.
Disney Premier Annual Pass
This is the U.S. Disney Parks’ flagship AP, with admission to every theme park at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, no blockout dates, PhotoPass & MaxPass included, parking, and the highest level of discounts.
It has increased from $1949 to $2099 (up $150)
Disney Platinum Plus Annual Pass
This is Walt Disney World’s flagship AP, with admission to all four theme parks and both of the water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports, Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, no blockout dates, PhotoPass included, parking, and the highest level of discounts.
It has increased from $849 to $999 for Florida residents and DVC members (up $150) and from $994 to $1219 for everyone else (up $225).
Disney Platinum Annual Pass
This is Walt Disney World’s other AP without any blockout dates, which also includes PhotoPass, parking, and the highest level of discounts.
It has increased from $749 to $899 for Florida residents and DVC members (up $150) and from $894 to $1119 for everyone else (up $225).
If you enjoy a good cruise, Disney Cruise Line offers several that might be just the thing you need.
In fall 2020, Disney Cruise Line will bring holiday celebrations closer to you than ever, with Halloween and winter holiday sailings departing from New York, California, Texas and Florida. The 2020 fall season offers a range of itineraries that will visit a variety of tropical locales, with most sailings featuring that extra-special Disney holiday sparkle.
Halloween on the High Seas returns to Disney Cruise Line in September and October 2020 with spooky good times for the entire family. On select sailings across the fleet, you’ll be treated to a “mouse-querade” costume party, lively entertainment, ghoulish food and beverage delights, trick-or-treating, seasonal kids’ activities, a villainous party just for adults and a ghostly ship takeover with elaborate décor and a magical pumpkin tree.
From early November through December, the Disney Cruise Line fleet is decked from bow-to-stern with holiday cheer and entertainment during Very Merrytime Cruises. Holiday adventures are unwrapped for the whole family with merry parties, a tree lighting ceremony, festive activities, special food and beverage surprises, favorite characters in their finest holiday attire, a winter wonderland ball with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a flurry of “Frozen” snowfall.
The Disney Magic returns to New York in October for sailings to Bermuda and Canada, all featuring Halloween on the High Seas. Three five-night cruises offer two days in Bermuda, giving you extra time to indulge in the island’s famous pink-sand beaches, abundant water activities, stylish shopping and distinctive blend of British and Caribbean culture.
One five-night cruise will visit Canada’s charming seaport cities including Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada’s oldest incorporated city, which is home to outdoor activities and an impressive natural phenomenon called the “reversing falls rapids.” On this sailing, you’ll also visit Halifax, the provincial capital of Nova Scotia. Rich in maritime history, Nova Scotia boasts Victorian-style public gardens and one of the world’s largest natural harbors.
The Disney Wonder sets sail from San Diego in September, with Halloween on the High Seas cruises to Baja and the Mexican Riviera. Baja itineraries from two to five nights highlight the region’s famous beaches and water activities with calls on Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico. One seven-night Mexican Riviera cruise, with additional stops in Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta, completes the southern California sailings. On November 6, the Disney Wonder departs San Diego for a 14-night Panama Canal crossing.
From late November through December, the Disney Wonder will make Galveston, Texas, its homeport for Very Merrytime Cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas, with four-, five-, six- and seven-night sailings. Caribbean itineraries include stops in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico and Grand Cayman. Bahamian cruises feature stops at Nassau, Bahamas and Key West, Florida, as well as our private island Castaway Cay, reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests.
In fall 2020, the Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream will sail to the Bahamas and Caribbean from Port Canaveral, Florida. Most sailings include our special Halloween or winter holiday celebrations, plus each of these cruises from Florida includes a day of fun in the sun on Castaway Cay.
The Disney Fantasy will sail Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries ranging from three to eight nights, and the Disney Dream will sail three- and four-night Bahamian cruises.
Whether Dad’s ideal day is spent enjoying sports and the great outdoors, experiencing exciting attractions or sampling delicious cuisine, there is something for every dad at Walt Disney World Resort this Father’s Day.
Here are just a few of the options for making Dad’s day the best one yet:
Dining Options
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Flame Tree Barbecue will offer a limited-time Dad’s Platter with brisket, pulled pork, chicken and ribs. Restaurantosaurus will offer a “burger and brew” combo featuring a jalapeño popper burger. And a Father’s Day cupcake will be available at select locations around the theme park.
A prix fixe menu will be offered at Coral Reef Restaurant at Epcot, featuring a grilled 10-ounce top sirloin steak, a grilled shrimp skewer and loaded mashed potatoes, as well as choice of appetizer and dessert.
Jiko at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will offer a Father’s Day prix fixe menu that includes oak-grilled, bone-in ribeye and fire-roasted bone marrow as well as an optional wine pairing.
Special offerings will also be available at Flying Fish at Disney’s BoardWalk Entertainment District and Citricos at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Celebrate the man of the hour with Morimoto Asia’s Orange Gator & Waffle Cone – made with succulent tempura sake marinated alligator, wok-tossed in a sweet and tangy orange sauce, and served in a crunchy house-made waffle cone.
Activities/Recreation
Ride the Waves at Typhoon Lagoon Dad can learn how to master the waves at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park with private surfing lessons. Instructors teach participants everything from standing on a surfboard to riding the waves in the park’s large wave pool.
Disney World is home to the ESPN Wide World of Sports, which hosts many different sporting events from baseball to cheerleading tournaments throughout the year. The AAU Gymnastics National Championship will be taking place over the 2019 Father’s Day weekend if your dad wants to see some action.
Sail the Seven Seas on the Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage Ahoy Mateys! This swashbuckling cruise across Seven Seas Lagoon is perfect for Dad and his little mates. Captain Hook and Mr. Smee from Disney’s Peter Pan make appearances as the ship sets sail. Departing from Disney’s Contemporary Resort, this voyage offers snacks, beverages, and pirate fun.
There are three main golf courses that have 18-hole championship layouts: Magnolia Golf Course, Palm Golf Course and Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. The 9-hole layout at Oak Trail Course is recommended for beginners and families with children. At Oak Trail, you can try your hand at FootGolf, which combines a 9-hole golf course with soccer balls. For mini-golf fans, pick from a Winter Summerland course that features Santa and his elves year-round, or the Fantasia Gardens course that stars hippos in tutus, marching broomsticks and ballerina ostriches.
Fishing on Bay Lake Even sports fishermen’s dreams really do come true at the Walt Disney World Resort, where trophy-sized largemouth bass in the 14-pound range sometimes lurk in lakes and canals almost within casting distance of Cinderella Castle.
Epcot is easily the best Disney park to find the widest selection of beers. It’s no wonder why “Drinking Around the World” is a popular thing to do for adults ages 21 and up.
Explore the Savannah on Wild Africa Trek This African expedition experience is just right for dads with an adventurous spirit, and there’s no passport required. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, dad can explore exotic African wildlife in a natural habitat on a privately guided, three-hour journey through a savannah.
For families with a Park Hopper ticket, we recommend hitting Expedition Everest, Tower of Terror, Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain. If you have a Base Ticket, Magic Kingdom is a solid option so that you can conquer the three Mountains, or head to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for Tower of Terror, Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster and the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular (during which your dad has a chance to volunteer as a costumed extra in the show!).
No what your dad is into, there is always something fun and exciting for dad’s of all ages at Walt Disney World.
Don’t let another Fathers Day go by without experiencing a Disney Father’s Day!