by Military Diva
Happy March readers!! As we turn the corner on winter and happily move into Spring, we are celebrating new and exciting changes at the Disney Destinations! This past month we have learned of changes to the Genie+ system, seen positive changes occurring for Annual Passholders, read menus for new restaurants, and enjoyed several new discounts/price changes for various products. It seems as if the Disney properties are turning their focus back to guest experiences and incentives that get us excited to travel.
We can’t wait to share the exciting news from the Disney Travel Company that hit their destinations this month!
Walt Disney World
Slinky Dog Dash
photo courtesy of Soarin’ Diva
- Park Pass Reservations are still required for park admission. Guests with park hopper passes do not need a reservation for their second park.
- Travel Protection Updates-earlier this month the pricing and inclusions for the Disney Travel Protection plan changed
- The new Walt Disney World rate is $95/adult.
- The new pricing covers all children under 17 listed on the reservation. There is no additional charge for children!
- Annual Passsholder Park Pass Reservation and Genie+ Updates
- Photo pass attraction photo downloads will be included with the purchase of Genie+
- Park Pass reservations will not be required for annual passholders entering EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom after 2:00 pm. Park Pass reservations will not be required for annual passolders entering Disney’s Magic Kingdom after 2:00 pm Monday-Friday. These changes will take effect beginning on April 18, 2023.
- Disney Genie+ Updates
- Photo Pass attraction photo downloads will be included with the purchase of Genie+ beginning March 20, 2023. Guests will see the photos in their “My Disney Experience” account and be able to download them without purchase. Memory Maker will not be required for attraction photo downloads when Genie+ has been purchased for that day.
- The Garden Rocks Concert Series lineup for this year’s EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival has been announced.
- The concert series runs on select nights from March 3-July 3, 2023
- Guests have the chance to see this show at the America Gardens Theater at 5:30, 6:45, and 8:00
- Featured acts include Journey, Daughtry, Smash Mouth, The Pointer Sisters, Jo Dee Messina, Casting Crowns, Rick Springfield, the Commodores, and more!! The full lineup can be found at DisneyWorld.com.
- The concert is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Guests must have valid tickets and either an EPCOT park pass reservation or park hopper pass to attend.
- Guests can guarantee their spot by reserving a Garden Rocks Dining Package.
- Disney After Hours is an extra ticketed experience held after the parks close to the public. Guests enjoy access to attractions, characters, and shopping with lower crowds. And special snacks and drinks are included in the cost of the ticket!
- Disney After Hours is currently available at Magic Kingdom. Events open at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios beginning in late May.
- Guests can enter Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon at 6 pm. The event officially begins at 9:00 pm and ends at midnight. Tickets will go on sale publicly on March 3. Guests of select Disney Resorts can purchase tickets beginning February 28.
- Guests can enter Magic Kingdom at 7 pm. The event is scheduled from now until March 27, running from 10:00 pm-1:00 am on select nights. Tickets are on sale now.
- Guests can enter EPCOT at 7 pm. The event runs from 10:0 pm-1:00 am. Tickets will go on sale publicly on March 3. Guests of select Disney Resorts can purchase tickets beginning February 28.
- Guests can enter Disney’s Hollywood Studios at 7 pm. Now through April, the event begins at 9:30 and ends at 12:30 am. After April the event begins at 10:00 pm and ends at 1:00 am. Tickets will go on sale on March 3.
- Tickets range from $75-149 plus tax, per guest.
- Disney After Hours is currently available at Magic Kingdom. Events open at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios beginning in late May.
- NEW and Reopening Experiences
- Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is now available to book!! This all-new Toy Story Land dining location, featuring a family-style BBQ, is set to open on March 23, 2023. The current menus are available at DisneyWorld.com. Pricing is $45/adult and $25/child (3-9)
- Narcoossees at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is reopening for dinner service on April 1! Guests interested in enjoying this signature dining experience can begin making reservations on March 1, 2023. The newly refreshed menu can be viewed on DisneyWorld.com. Guests can choose from appetizers, soups and salads, land and sea entrees, seafood add-ons, sides, desserts, and drinks. Child-friendly and allergy options are also available.
- Refurbishments and Closures
- The walking path that connects Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Magic Kingdom closed on February 13. Guests visiting Magic Kingdom from this resort can use the monorail or ferry until the walkway reopens later this spring.
- The Boardwalk Inn Concierge Lounge will close for refurbishment on March 11 and reopen at the end of April.
Disneyland Resort
Mickey’s Toontown is reopening at Disneyland Park soon!!
- Travel Protection Updates-earlier this month the pricing and inclusions for the Disney Travel Protection plan changed
- The new Disneyland rate is $85/adult.
- The new pricing covers all children under 17 listed on the reservation. There is no additional charge for children!
- Changes to Room Charging at the Disneyland Resorts took effect on February 28. Room charging will now be done via the Disneyland App; room keys will no longer have room charging abilities.
- Link your resort reservation to your Disneyland account via the app.
- Locate the “My Hotel Reservations” section
- Select “Charge to Hotel Room”
- Guests will see a barcode that will be scanned at checkout to charge to their room folio.
- Disneyland After Dark, a specially ticketed event is officially held after Disneyland Park closes.
- Disneyland After Dark: Throwback Nite will occur in Disneyland Park from 9 pm-1 am on April 18 and 20. Guests with tickets can enter the park at 6:00 pm. Once the event begins guests will enjoy lower crowds in the park, select attractions, Photo Pass party photo downloads, complimentary snacke, and tributes to the 50s and 60s.
- Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite will occur in Disneyland Park from 9 pm-1 am on May 2, 4, 8, and 11. Ticketed guests can enter the park at 6:00 pm, enjoying the same amenities as the Throwback Nite but with heavy Star Wars themes.
- NEW and Reopening Experiences
- The Villas at Disneyland Hotel are the newest addition to the company’s Disney Vacation Club properties. This new tower resort will offer basic studios, deluxe studios, and one/two/three bedroom villas. DVC Members can begin making reservations on March 15; Magic Key Holders will have access to bookings beginning on March 16; public reservations will be available on March 17, 2023.
- Mickey’s Toontown is reopening in Disneyland Park on March 19, 2023. Guests will soon be able to experience CenTOONial Park, an interactive grass play area, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (now open), Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard, Chip & Dale’s Gadget Coaster, and more!!
- San Fransokyo Square is set to open to guests in Disney California Adventure this summer!
- Discounts
- Disney Visa Cardholders can save up to 25% on select rooms booked between now and June 5. Valid dates of travel include Sunday-Thursday nights, March 12-June 8, 2023.
- Public offer-save up to 15% on select rooms booked between now and June 5. Valid dates of travel include Sunday-Thursday nights, March 12-June 8, 2023.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay
- Pearl, the newest Castaway Cay Membership Tier, will be available on May 1, 2023, for guests that have taken a minimum of 25 Disney Cruises. Benefits will include…
- Unlimited Digital Photo Downloads
- Early booking window-four days in advance of all other guests
- Early onboard and excursion bookings-123 days prior to sailing
- In-room Welcome Aboard Gifts this summer
- Complimentary Palo Dinner (availability and reservation required)
- Pixar Day at Sea returning in 2024!
- This fun-filled event will take place on select 7 Night Caribbean Cruises onboard the Disney Fantasy.
- Sailings include January 6 and 20; February 3 and 17, and March 2 Eastern Caribbean. January 13 and 27 and February 10 and 24 Western Caribbean sailings are also included.
- Marvel Day at Sea will also be available in 2024!
- The event will take place onboard select 5 Night Caribbean Cruises departing from Fort Lauderdale.
- Sailings include January 7 and 21, February 4 and 18, and March 3 Western Caribbean. January 12 and 26, February 9 and 23, and March 8 Western Caribbean sailings are also included.
Planning a Disney Vacation comes with a unique set of challenges. The properties and itineraries can be huge and intimidating. The properties change frequently. And there are many steps available to help make your trip easier and more enjoyable. It you are looking for assistance tracking all of these steps, contact Patricia with All for Dreams Travel. Patricia is an Independent Agent with Gateway to Magic Travel, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, and is experienced with Disney Destinations, Universal Properties, various cruise lines, and many other destinations. She specializes in family groups, runDisney vacations, and Military discounted travel. Send her a message today if you would like fee-free assistance for your next vacation!
