Ears the News: January 30, 2021 Edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Ears The News

Brought to you by our friends at WDWMagic.com

Chevrolet teams up with Walt Disney World to reveal new electric car

Walt Disney World has teamed up with Chevrolet to reveal a new electric car. Not much information has been revealed, however, this special event will take place on February 14, 2021. This event will “show how magic can take place when the imagination is electrified.” Stay tuned for more details!

Photo Courtesy of WDWMagic

Exterior refurbishment underway at Bonjour Village Gifts in New Fantasyland

The Magic Kingdom has been working on the exterior refurbishment projects in New Fantasyland. Bonjour Village Gifts is currently closed as crew members are painting the exterior of the building.

 

Photos Courtesy of WDWMagic

United States travel restrictions for United Kingdom, Brazil and much of Europe renewed until further notice

Travel restrictions have been reinstated today by President Joe Biden. As stated by press secretary Jen Psaki, “On advice of our administration's medical and Covid team, President Biden has decided to maintain the restrictions previously in place for the European Schengen area, the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and Brazil. With the pandemic worsening and more contagious variants spreading, this isn't the time to be lifting the restrictions on international travel."

Travel restrictions will remain in effect and will be evaluated every month until terminated by the President.

Photo courtesy of WDWmagic

Changes coming to the Jungle Cruise at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort

Disney announced that their plans to update the Jungle Cruise with new additions to add “more humor, wildlife and skipper heart -- and also reflect and value the diversity of the world around us.”

Photo Courtesy of WDWMagic

Many of the classic jokes will remain, but the skippers will have new material to work with. The new Jungle Cruise movie will not be part of the attraction but stay tuned for a few easter eggs to the movie.

Photo Courtesy of WDWMagic

Tickets now on sale for the reopening of Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park

Blizzard Beach, one of the two WDW water parks, is set to reopen on March 7, 2021. Both parks have been closed since March 2020 due to COVID-19. A reopening date for Typhoon Lagoon is not yet available.

A One-Day Water Park Ticket (without blockout dates) is now available for $69 + tax (Adult) and $63 + tax (ages 3 – 9). Other ticket options are also available. Tickets can be purchased online at Disneyworld.com and will remain valid through Dec. 31, 2021.

For those planning to visit, there are two important points to note with regard to mask and reservation policies.

Masks will be required in all areas outside of the water and Disney Park Pass reservations will not be required.

Photo Courtesy of WDWMagic

More details announced for the 2021 Taste of EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival

Disney shared details about the upcoming 2021 Taste of EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival. The festival will take place in just over a month. The Festival will run from March 3, 2021 and will run through July 5th. It is available through valid admission and a park reservation for the same date.

According to WDWMagic:

Topiaries will include Remy in the France pavilion, Tinker Bell and the Fairy Houses in the United Kingdom, Lady and the Tramp in Italy and Sorcerer Mickey at the park’s reimagined main entrance.

20 different garden areas all across EPCOT, including floating gardens on the waters of Future World, a bamboo garden in China, a tropical rainforest garden in Mexico and the English Tea Garden Presented by Twinings of London in the United Kingdom (where you can also take a Self-Guided Tea Tour). The Goodness Garden Butterfly House Presented by GoGo squeeZ returns, where you can view butterflies up close.

More than 20 Outdoor Kitchens will offer a specialty menu of creative cuisine. More details to come.

Voices of Liberty will perform an all-American a cappella showcase, celebrating the landscape, heart and human spirit of America, and Mariachi Cobre takes the stage for a performance of world-famous Mexican folk music. The Jammin’ Gardeners will be performing rhythmic beats with inspired backyard percussion, and head into World Showplace, where the EPCOT Pianist will be playing a selection of songs of the season.

At the Flavor Full Outdoor Kitchen and garden along the Imagination Walkway, the whole family can learn ways to stay healthy courtesy of the Health Full Trail Presented by AdventHealth

Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration is a springtime quest to find the buzzzz-iest honey bee at Walt Disney World Resort. During the Easter season (March 19 – April 4), you can also take part in the Egg-stravaganza Scavenger Hunt to find Disney pals and their oversized eggs all around the World Showcase.

Official event merchandise includes apparel, headwear, drinkware and much more, featuring Orange Bird, Figment, Minnie Mouse and Spike the Bee.

Photo Courtesy of WDWMagic

TRON Lightcycle Run construction at Magic Kingdom

Crews are hard at work preparing the exterior canopy. The ride was supposed to open in Spring of 2021 to help celebrate Magic Kingdom’s 50th celebration. We can expect TRON to be complete in 2022.

Photo Courtesy of WDWMagic

Disney Cruise Line extends suspension of all departures through April and select Disney Magic and Disney Wonder sailings in May

Disney Cruise Line extended the suspension of all departures through April and selected Disney Magic and Disney Wonder sailings in May 2021.

Our team at Disney Cruise Line remains focused on the health and well-being of our Guests and team members. We are carefully preparing for a return to service following the guidelines issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As we continue to refine our protocols and await further technical guidance from the CDC, we are cancelling all sailings departing through April 2021 and select sailings onboard the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder in May.

Sailings are cancelled aboard the Disney Fantasy through April 24; the Disney Dream through April 30; the Disney Magic through May 9; and the Disney Wonder through May 12.

Here is the full update from Disney Cruise Line

Additionally, as previously shared, based on the conditional sail order provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Disney Cruise Line must cancel sailings longer than 7 nights.

Guests booked on affected sailings who have paid their reservation in full will be offered the choice of a cruise credit to be used for a future sailing or a full refund. Guests who have not paid their reservations in full will automatically receive a refund of what they have paid so far. Affected Guests and travel agents will receive an email from Disney Cruise Line outlining details and next steps.

Guests who've booked their reservation through a travel agent should contact them directly with any questions. Those who've booked directly with Disney Cruise Line and have questions after receiving their email should call (866) 325-6685 or (407) 566-7797.

Photo Courtesy of WDWMagic

Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover refurbishment extended once again

The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover refurbishment has been extended to at least February 28, 2021. The ride has been closed since the first week of March and has been closed ever since. The reopening date has been pushed back numerous times. It was originally supposed to open at the end of the month, January 31, 2021.

Photo Courtesy of WDWMagic

Disney Vacation Club to launch Scenic Selfies scavenger hunt as part of its 30th anniversary

Celebrating its 30 year anniversary, the Disney Vacation Club is offering some new in-park offerings. Beginning of February 16, 2021, Scenic Selfies takes you on a scavenger hunt across all 4 major theme parks of Walt Disney World. You’ll discover the Disney details that are part of each park’s story.

Bring your smart device and visit one of the Disney Vacation Club kiosk in each park:

Magic Kingdom Park (Tomorrowland), EPCOT (alongside the Canada pavilion), Disney’s Hollywood Studios (before the entrance to Toy Story Land) and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park (Asia).

At the end of the scavenger hunt, participants will receive one of the four commemorative Disney Vacation Club 30th Anniversary buttons, unique to each park.

The DVC lounge at the Imagination! Pavilion in EPCOT will open for the rest of the year. Operating hours are currently 12pm - 7pm, but will move to 11am - 6pm from January 31 2021.

Photo Courtesy of WDWMagic

Valentine's Day Chef's Tasting at Morimoto Asia Disney Springs

Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a special Chef’s Tasting on February 14, 2021.

As stated:

Taking place in the restaurant's four private dining rooms, there will be two seating times for the multi-course gourmet dinner at 6pm and 8:30pm. There are four private rooms available, and each separate space can accommodate up to four guests.

You can reserve your seats today for $225 plus tax and gratuity per person, and an optional beverage pairing is offered for an additional $85 per person. E-mail MorimotoEvents@PatinaGroup.com to make a reservation.

Thank you again to our friends at WDWMagic! Visit WDWMagic.com to stay up to date on the latest Walt Disney World news. 

Elisa Mendoza

Elisa loves helping others create magical memories with their family and friends. You can email Elisa at elisa@kingdomkonsultant.com.