Walt Disney World Park Hours Released Through July 31

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

Planning 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 July 31! As you plan your vacation to the most magic place on earth, here are the current posted park hours for May 18 – July 31, 2021.

Magic Kingdom:

  • – May 18 – 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)

EPCOT:

  • – May 18 – 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)

Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

  • – May 18 – 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)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

  • – May 18 – 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)
pandora _ tree of life _ animal kingdom _ disney fanatic

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.

Magic Kingdom Cast Member Who Served in World War II Honored

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Saturday was Armed Forces Day, and Disney honored a Magic Kingdom Cast Member who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Veteran Alex Stromski served around the world until he retired as a Lieutenant Commander in 1967 and “now serves guests at Walt Disney World Resort in his role as a cast member at Pinocchio’s Village Haus in Magic Kingdom Park.”

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The Magic Kingdom honored Stromski with a special sunrise flag-raising ceremony with his family and friends. Stromski helped the Magic Kingdom flag detail raise the flag and was recognized by management as well as members of Disney’s SALUTE Veteran diversity group.

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“I’m honored and humbled,” Alex said, holding a shadowbox of a flag flown over the park the day prior in his honor.  “This is something I never would have expected.” Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle said Stromski was also given a Disney challenge coin at the ceremony.

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“Alex enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17 at the end of WWII as he felt the calling to serve and follow in the footsteps of a friend who served in the Navy in between the first and second World Wars.  Alex later earned a commission as an officer and went to flight school at Naval Air Station Pensacola, where he was classmates with future astronaut and lunar pioneer Neil Armstrong.  Alex served around the world in maritime patrol squadrons, worked with experimental naval aircraft such as dirigibles, and served on the team responsible for keeping the peace in the demilitarized zone following the signing of the Korean War armistice.”

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When Walt Disney World opened in 1971, Stromski became a frequent visitor and, eventually, an Annual Passholder. “I loved how Walt had great respect for the military,” Alex said.  “I realized that this was something I wanted to be a part of, so I applied and got a full-time job at Pinocchio’s Village Haus in 2013.”

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“I love helping create the experiences that families will remember for years,” he said. “I especially enjoy meeting the military families and veterans who visit us.”

Stromski and thousands of other military veterans who work for The Walt Disney Company are being saluted for National Military Appreciation Month.

Moana, Mulan & Mira Join Character Appearances at Walt Disney World

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

The month of May marks Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! Disney is celebrating with character appearances, as well as special food and drinks. We’re ecstatic Walt Disney World has welcomed back Moana, Mulan, and Mira to the parks!

As shared by Disney: At Magic Kingdom Park, Moana and Mulan have recently joined other favorite characters in appearances on character cavalcades and the upper level of the Main Street Railroad Station to interact with guests throughout the day.

Mulan is also visiting EPCOT once again, where you may see her welcoming guests to World Showcase as part of the Princess Processional.

Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Mira, the royal detective from India, has joined the Disney Junior Motorcade.

We’re thrilled that Moana and Mulan will continue to make character appearances even after Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is over. You’ll only be able to see Mira through the end of June however, so be sure to snap a photo of her while you can! You can check out all of the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebrations via DisneyParksBlog.

Cast Members Welcome Guests Back to Magic Kingdom’s PeopleMover

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

We previously shared the news that Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover was scheduled to open on Monday, April 26 after a year-long closure. Well, as Disney hinted towards, the attraction actually reopened later in the day on Sunday, April 25! Walt Disney World Cast Members took to social media to share their excitement in welcoming guests back to this beloved attraction.

As shared via Walt Disney World Cast and Community Facebook page: “Paging Mr. Morrow, Mr. Tom Morrow! Cast Members were among the first to ride the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover before it reopened this weekend after an extended refurbishment. Everyone is so excited this classic attraction is back and taking Guests on our favorite leisurely voyage through Tomorrowland. #PeopleMover #DisneyCastLife— at Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover.”

It looks like Disney guests aren’t the only ones excited that this attraction is once again back up and running!

Jungle Cruise Scene of Trader Sam Animatronic Replaced

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

We previously shared the news that both Disneyland and Walt Disney World’s iconic Jungle Cruise attraction would be undergoing changes with new scenes and storytelling. Now, Disney has released the latest information regarding the former Trader Sam finale scene of the attraction which is now to be replaced with a gift shop scene.

As shared by Disney: “Word on the stream is that Alberta Falls, proprietor of the Jungle Navigation Company Ltd., has entrusted her longtime friend, Trader Sam, to manage the new Lost & Found location. But, with Trader Sam being Trader Sam, there’s always an opportunity to make some extra money. After all, all the best rides end with a gift shop, right? Take a look at this rendering of their newest venture together. Clearly, Sam is betting on an established reputation as the best merchant in the jungle! But, while he’s out lost and finding some new inventory, it’s the animals that get the last laugh!”

Disney has noted that the new scene is one of several that are “interconnected and build on the original story and humor of the Jungle Cruise”. The “head” salesman, Trader Sam, isn’t in the art rendering of the scene as far as we can tell. We’ll keep you posted as we learn more about the animatronic Trader Sam and if Disney plans to place him in another location.