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- Due to heightened security threats, Walt Disney World theme parks have installed metal detectors ahead of each of the park’s front gates. Visitors will be randomly selected to go through them when entering the park. Another big change is that Disney will no longer sell toy guns in their parks or resorts. Also, Guests over the age of 14 will no longer be allowed to wear costumes in the parks. This appears to include Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Parties.
- Christmas Entertainment offerings will be available at Magic Kingdom in daily operation until December 31.
- Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade: presented twice daily at 12 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
- Celebrate the Season: presented daily
- A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas: presented daily
- Holiday Wishes: presented daily, prior to Disney’s Electrical Parade
- Epcot Character Spot has expanded to Innoventions West. Guests can now meet with Baymax Big Hero 6. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy will continue to greet Guests on the opposite side of the breezeway, and Chip ‘n’ Dale can be found just around the corner outside.
- Beginning January 4, the following experiences will begin refurbishment:
- Maharajah Jungle Trek in Asia, scheduled to return to operation on January 21
- Kali River Rapids in Asia, scheduled to return to operation in mid-February
- Disney Outfitters on Discovery Island, scheduled to return in mid-March
- From December 26- January 2, Guests can visit an additional FastPass+ kiosk in Asia, across from Yak & Yeti Restaurant.
- Some of the Food & Beverage kiosks at Disney’s Animal Kingdom have changed names. They are the following:
- Terra Treats on Discovery Island – previously known locally as the Allergy Kiosk
- Mahindi in Africa – previously known locally as the Harambe Popcorn Cart
- Caravan Road in Asia – previously known locally as Bradley Falls
- Warung Outpost in Asia – previously known locally as Upcountry
- Chakranadi in Asia – previously known locally as Maharajah Pretzel
- Eight Spoon Café on Discovery Island – previously known as Beastly Kiosk
- Smiling Crocodile on Discovery Island – previously known as Gardens Kiosk
- Feeding Ground on Discovery Island – previously known locally as DI Popcorn
- Disney Springs is proud to announce The Ganachery is now open in The Landing. The Ganachery, a new premium chocolate boutique created by Disney, showcases the art of chocolate making at Disney Springs. The Ganachery features 16 different kinds of handcrafted ganache (a rich mixture of chocolate and cream) infused with exotic spices and fruit flavors from around the world. The shop’s custom dark and milk chocolate blends are made from the finest fair trade ingredients available in the world.
- Morimoto Asia has opened its quick service dining location called Morimoto Street Food.
- D-Street in the West Side is now the Star Wars Galactic Outpost.
- Memory Maker has updated their pricing. The advance-purchase Memory Maker is now $149 and the standard Memory Maker is $169. When Guests add Memory Maker to their vacation, they’ll get all their Disney PhotoPass photos, including Character Experiences and Magic Shots, photos from select attraction and dining locations, magical extras like Animated Magic Shots and videos from select attractions. In addition, a new standalone $59 Memory Maker One Day entitlement product is available for purchase in the My Disney Experience mobile app.
- Due to ongoing refurbishment at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, the campfire on the beach is closed. Guests looking to take in a campfire experience can check out Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground or the campfire at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
- The Sand Castle Pool at Disney’s Old Key West Resort will be down for refurbishment from January 4–6.