“The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure” Exhibit Coming to EPCOT This February

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Via wdwnt.com

The historic transformation of EPCOT will take another step forward in early February with “The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure,” a new exhibit debuting inside The American Adventure. Featuring Joe Gardner from Disney and Pixar’s “Soul” – now streaming on Disney+ – you’re invited on a musical tour of America to learn about this inspiring genre of music.

Check out this new video from Walt Disney Imagineering’s Carmen Smith to hear more about what’s in store for this experience. 

Mears Issues Statement on Disney’s Magical Express Service Suspension

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

As we reported earlier yesterday, Disney’s Magical Express service, which provides guests with transportation between Orlando International Airport and the Walt Disney World, will be ending in 2022. The service was operated by Mears Transportation, which has seen a number of layoffs due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and has since issued a statement regarding the suspension of the service.

Mears Transportation issued the following statement to Spectrum News 13

“Walt Disney [World] made us aware of their decision. While we are disappointed Disney will no longer offer this service, we intend to continue offering transportation services between the airport and all area theme parks and hotels to meet the demand of our visitors now and in the future.”

Disney’s Magical Express service is set to end on January 1, 2022. For more information on Mears Transportation options to the theme parks, including shared shuttles, Mears taxis, and even private cars, click here.

Disney’s Magical Express service was launched back in 2005, offering guests complimentary motorcoach transportation between MCO and Walt Disney World Resort hotels as a benefit of staying on-property. Other popular benefits for Disney Resort hotel guests have also been modified or suspended:

  • Complimentary MagicBands are no longer offered for resort stays
  • Souvenir luggage tags and Magical Extras booklets are now only available by request at resort front desks
  • Extra Magic Hours will be replaced with “Early Theme Park Entry”, providing just 30 minutes of early access to parks—however, guests now have the option to choose which park

NEW Marvel Loungefly Backpack Now Available

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Via wdwnt.com

Walt Disney World has a new Marvel backpack by Loungefly perfect for anyone who doesn’t have a favorite superhero but still wants to proclaim their love for the comics and movies.

This black backpack has the red Marvel logo patterned across the front of it.

The inner lining has the Marvel logo in red and white.

marvel-loungefly-12

This Loungefly backpack is available at Uptown Jewelers in Magic Kingdom for $75. 

Early Theme Park Entry Announced

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

NOW AVAILABLE

  • – Return of the Park Hopper Option: We kicked off a new year with the exciting milestone of bringing back the Park Hopper option, with some new updates as part of our ongoing focus on health and safety. With the return of this option, guests can enjoy more Disney magic in our theme parks, including the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts happening now through Feb. 22, 2021 and the Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival springing to life beginning March 3.
  • – Special Vacation Offer: For those of you ready to start planning your next vacation, we just released a special new offer! Get two extra days added to your ticket when you buy a 4-night/3-day room and ticket package at select Disney Resort hotels for arrivals most nights Jan. 8 through Sept. 2, 2021. Also, visit DisneyWorld.com/Offers to learn more about other great offers we recently launched for visits to Walt Disney World Resort.

COMING SOON

  • – Early Theme Park Entry: We know how much guests enjoy extra park time, so coming later this year as part of our 50th anniversary celebration, Disney Resort hotel guests and guests of other select hotels will be able to enjoy more fun with 30-minute early entry to ANY theme park, EVERY day. It’ll be a great way to get a jump start on your Disney day, no matter the day! As a reminder, the Extra Magic Hours benefit was suspended when Walt Disney World Resort reopened last summer, and as we continue to manage attendance with health and safety top of mind, Extra Magic Hours will not return. The new early theme park entry benefit helps us better spread visitation across all four theme parks, while providing added flexibility by giving guests extra early park time on each day of their vacation and in the park of their choosing. Please note that guests need valid admission and a park reservation made via the Disney Park Pass system to enter a theme park.

As with every other change we’ve made in our history, we will help guests navigate through these next steps and will continue to deliver on what’s expected from a Disney experience. We remain focused on exploring new ways for guests to spend more time with their friends and families and creating memories to last a lifetime.