Disney World Unveils a Brand-New “Disney Thrills” Ticket Offer

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

For Disney World fans who are ready to welcome in the new year with a visit to the Most Magical Place on Earth, Disney has an exciting new ticket offer that was just unveiled.

Beginning Thursday, January 11, fans can purchase a brand-new multi-day ticket called the Disney Thrills Ticket. A two-day Thrills Ticket costs only $199 plus tax, and for guests who have the time to spend an extra day in the Central Florida Disney parks, a three-day Thrills ticket costs just $20 more at $219 per ticket, excluding tax.

As with most of Disney’s promotions, there’s a bit of fine print, so let’s get out those magnifying glasses and read through it.

First, the offer is only available to Florida residents, and proof of residency is required. The Disney Thrills Ticket is available for use in the parks from January 11 to March 15, 2024, and weekends are NOT excluded. The ticket does require an advance park reservation, but according to Disney Parks Blog, “this early 2024 ticket offer gives our Florida friends the flexibility to pick the dates and parks that work best for their trip.”

The Disney Thrills Ticket allows admission to one theme park per day, and advance park reservations are limited to availability determined by Walt Disney World and park capacity limits.

Also, the Disney Thrills Ticket can be used on consecutive days or non-consecutive days. For all the information about the new ticket offer at Disney World, including information about add-ons to the ticket, like Park Hopper, guests can visit DisneyWorld.com.

A rundown of all the ticket info can be found below:

The beginning of the year is the perfect time to visit the four theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort. EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts kicks off on January 12 and runs through February 19, 2024. And let’s not forget that January and February are usually some of the coolest and least crowded times of the year to visit Disney World.

The Disney Thrills Ticket can be purchased online or at the parks beginning on January 11, 2024.

Disney Gets a Big Break in Bringing Back Reedy Creek

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

All the way back in April 2023 — which seems like a lifetime ago — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis officially dissolved the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Reedy Creek had been in place since 1967 and essentially allowed Walt Disney World to function as its own government. Reedy Creek would pay its taxes, but they would not have to go through the red tape for things like permits and construction. They were also in charge of Disney World’s electrical grid, internet, first responders, and more.

After dissolving Reedy Creek, DeSantis hand-picked a new board and renamed the area The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

Since then, things have not gone well for DeSantis’ new board. Things with Disney have gone from bad to worse, with the two locked-in dueling lawsuits. Then, there are the mass resignations that are happening within the CFTOD. In less than a year, dozens of qualified employees — some of whom have been there a long time — have quit. They have reported that morale is at an all-time low, calling the CFTOD board members “unqualified and incompetent.”

Central Florida Tourism Oversight District

Since its dissolution, thousands have been fighting to end the CFTOD and reinstate Reedy Creek. The first big attempt to legally bring back Reedy Creek was made in November 2023, but several Republican lawmakers walked out of the meeting. That meant that a vote on Reedy Creek could not take place.

But now, things have changed.

Reedy Creek fire department

On Friday, January 5, Orange County legislators backed a proposal to bring back Reedy Creek. Orange County is one of the counties where the Walt Disney World Resort is located. State Senator Linda Stewart said that Reedy Creek is essential to the area, because the new CFTOD board is not being “transparent” and they have broken the way the district should operate.

While this is a big win for Disney in its fight against DeSantis and the CFTOD, the repeal is still a long way off from becoming a reality. Orange County is one of the most liberal areas in the state. So, it makes sense that Orange County legislators would back it. However, the deal has to pass through the State House of Representatives and the State Senate.

Ron DeSantis

Both the state House and the state Senate are Republican-controlled, with many of the legislators supporting the dissolution of Reedy Creek. Legal experts think that it is unlikely that they would vote for the reinstatement of Reedy Creek.

Body of Florida Mother Who Disappeared in 2012 Resurfaces Outside Walt Disney World

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Every year, millions of fans find a peaceful refuge at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. There, families feel that they can relax and escape the horrors of the regular world. Unfortunately, no amount of Disney magic can completely disguise the potential dangers of the world outside.

This week, we reported that police solved a “12-year-old mystery” when they discovered the body of a missing Florida woman outside Walt Disney World Resort. This tragic incident has shaken the Orlando community as police reveal more information about what happened to this mother.

The body of a Florida mother, who went missing in 2012 under mysterious circumstances, is believed to have been discovered in a pond just outside the renowned Walt Disney World Resort. The shocking revelation has sent shockwaves through the community and reopened the investigation into her disappearance. Now, just days after the body was discovered by police, the public is learning more about how the ongoing search for one Florida mom came to an end on a fateful December day. While numerous online groups have spread information about the incident, the police have just recently fully revealed what many believed to already know about this discovery.

The woman, who is believed to be Sandra Lemire, vanished without a trace nearly a decade ago, leaving her loved ones and authorities perplexed. For years, her family tirelessly searched for answers after she disappeared after leaving a restaurant in Kissimmee.

Walt Disney World wdw cinderella castle

It was an astonishing twist of fate that led to the grim discovery. Divers from Sunshine State Sonar found the body and car after roughly a year and a half of searching for her in 63 bodies of water around Florida. They looked in this particular body of water, which was a retention pond just by the Walt Disney World Interstate 4 exit, because of a tip from the Orlando Police.

As of January 2, 2024, we now know that this tip was given because an Orlando detective was able to trace Sandra’s last call to a cell tower near Walt Disney World Resort.

On Saturday, December 30, the minivan belonging to Sandra Lemire was discovered submerged by divers. Soon after, the remains of a woman, presumed to be Sandra, were discovered as well.

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As the investigation into Sandra Lemire’s disappearance and death unfolds, the Orlando Police Department, in conjunction with other relevant authorities, will leave no stone unturned to bring clarity and closure to this long-standing mystery.

Disney World Clarifies Its Free Dining Plan Offer

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Resorts, Disney+, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Disney World is clarifying the offer of free Disney Dining plans for Disney+ subscribers that the company first shared last Tuesday, and guests might not be happy with some of the newly-released details.

On Tuesday, the Walt Disney World Resort announced a brand-new promotional offer that includes free Disney Dining plans for Disney+ subscribers, following the announcement in May 2023 that the Disney Dining plan was scheduled to return to Disney World on January 9, 2024. Bookings including the new dining plans were available as of May 31, 2023.

This week, Disney World shared news about a new offer for Disney+ subscribers who purchase select vacation packages at Disney World. Per the announcement, the offer applies to non-discounted 4-night, 4-day vacation packages that include a room at select Disney Resort Hotels, as well as theme park tickets with the Park Hopper option added on. The promotional offer extends to packages purchased for travel between July 1, 2024 and September 30, 2024.

dinoland usa entrance

But on Wednesday, Disney World made another announcement, this time clarifying the specifics about eligible stays that will net guests the free Disney Dining plans–and which Disney Dining plan is available to guests, depending on where they’re staying on property.

The following points are the highlights of Disney World’s clarification:

  • Guests who select a Disney Value or Moderate Resort Hotel or The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will receive the Quick-Service Dining plan, but they can pay to upgrade to the Disney Dining plan.
Art of Animation
  • Guests who book their stays at a Disney Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort hotels will receive the Disney Dining Plan.
  • Guests who book at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will not be eligible for the free Disney Dining plan promotion.
  • Guests who book three-bedroom grand villas at Disney Deluxe Villa Resort hotels are also excluded from this offer.
  • The free Disney Dining plan promotion is only available to Disney+ subscribers in the U.S. and Canada. Subscribers in other countries are not eligible for the promotion.
disney plus star wars content streaming
  • It’s worth restating that in order to receive the free Disney Dining plan promotion, guests must include the park hopper option with their theme park tickets.

The following locations are available to guests as part of the Disney Dining plan. They are categorized by Disney World theme park. A notation of two asterisks (**) is included next to the name of each restaurant that requires two table-service credits.

Magic Kingdom Locations

  • Be Our Guest Restaurant**
  • Cinderella’s Royal Table**
  • The Crystal Palace
  • The Diamond Horseshoe
  • Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
  • Liberty Tree Tavern
  • The Plaza Restaurant
  • Tony’s Town Square Restaurant

EPCOT Locations

  • Akershus Royal Banquet Hall**
  • Biergarten Restaurant
Biergarten Restaurant
  • Coral Reef Restaurant
  • Garden Grill Restaurant
  • La Hacienda de San Angel
  • Le Cellier Steakhouse**
  • Nine Dragons Restaurant
  • Rose & Crown Dining Room
  • San Angel Inn Restaurante
San Angel Inn Restaurante

  • Spice Road Table
  • Teppan Edo
  • Tokyo Dining
  • Tutto Italia Ristorante
  • Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • 50’s Prime Time Cafe
  • Hollywood & Vine
  • The Hollywood Brown Derby**
  • Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
  • Roundup Rodeo BBQ
Guests and cast member at Roundup rodeo BBQ
  • Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

  • Rainforest Cafe
  • Tiffins Restaurant**
  • Tusker House Restaurant
  • Yak & Yeti Restaurant

Disney Springs

  • The BOATHOUSE**
  • Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
  • City Works Eatery & Pour House
  • The Edison
The edison bar
  • Enzo’s Hideaway
  • House of Blues Restaurant & Bar
  • Jaleo by Jose Andres**
  • Mario & Enzo’s Ristorante
  • Morimoto Asia**
  • Paddlefish**
  • Paradiso 37
  • Planet Hollywood
  • Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant
  • Rainforest Cafe
  • Splitsville Dining Room
  • Teralina Crafted Italian
  • T-REX
T-REX Restaurant

**Requires two Table-Service meal credits

Additional restaurants located at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels are also available to guests with the Disney Dining plan.

New Restaurant Coming Soon to Disney Springs: Four Exciting Things to Expect from Summer House on the Lake

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

Summer House on the Lake is a new restaurant that is opening soon at Disney Springs. The restaurant has shared details on what to expect from its newest location opening this winter at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, from the restaurant’s first-ever “Cookie Bar” to its signature Rosé Cart, and more. Summer House on the Lake will be the fourth location of the California-inspired restaurant from Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, joining existing locations in Chicago, IL. and North Bethesda, MD., and Las Vegas, NV., opening this winter. From the decor to menu, here are four exciting things guests can look forward to at Summer House on the Lake.

Summer House on the Lake will introduce the brand’s first-ever “Cookie Bar,” featured front and center at the restaurant’s entrance. The Cookie Bar will serve a variety of the restaurant’s beloved oversized cookies, bars, and other sweet specials. Guests can indulge in flavors like Sea Salt Chocolate Chip, Birthday Cake, Oatmeal Scotchie, Apple Oatmeal and Vegan Snickerdoodle, as well as rotating seasonal flavors. The bar will offer a selection of coffee, wine and beer on draft, as well as specialty cocktails such as the Tropical Dreams with vodka, Pamplemousse liqueur, and habanero honey, all available to enjoy at the restaurant or take to-go around Disney Springs. Guests will also be able to purchase a bottle of the restaurant’s own private-label wine, Summer House Rosé, to take home with them.

Another reminder that it’s always summer at Summer House is the Rosé Cart. Summer House on the Lake’s Rosé Cart will offer more than six varieties of rosé by the glass or bottle, including the restaurant’s star Summer House Rosé, made in partnership with California-based BonAnno Wines. The Summer House Rosé serves as a standout in the robust rosé program, offering a delicate and floral taste with tart cherries and watermelon, complementary to the lively and fresh menu and representative of the restaurant’s overall beverage approach. A selection of spritzes, summery cocktails (including zero-proof options), fresh juices, and a largely California-sourced wine list add to the laidback West Coast vibes.

Summer House on the Lake’s West Coast-inspired menu will feature celebrated favorites and signature items exclusive to Disney Springs. Brunch will be served Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with options including: Mexican Hash Browns; Breakfast Pizza with applewood bacon, a sunny side up egg and parmesan cream; and Breakfast Tostadas. Fluffy pancakes and waffles, salads, and sandwiches will also be available, alongside a selection of other items from the lunch and dinner menus. Guests can also expect seasonal salads, artisan pizzas and entrees like Herbed Chicken Paillard and local Grouper Fish ‘n’ Chips with malt vinegar fries and tartar sauce. An extensive kids menu will be available all day – with a choice of vegetables or fries on the side.

Summer House’s design brings the beauty of a summer day indoors, welcoming guests to enjoy sweeping views and a relaxing lakeside breeze. The space, which boasts three bars, an airy, natural light-filled dining room centered around a lush tree reaching toward a skylight, and greenery throughout, was designed in collaboration with renowned architecture and design firm Rockwell Group. Seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor dining, Summer House offers both freestanding tables and banquettes ideal for families and large groups. An iconic centerpiece of each Summer House location that will be included at Summer House on the Lake is the bright blue “YES” sign located in the dining room. It symbolizes the entire team’s commitment to “saying yes” to the guest, making each dining experience a memorable one.