Disney Parks Policy Changes
Beginning May 1, Disney is adjusting their guidelines on stroller sizes, which will require them to be no larger than 31" (79cm) wide and 52" (132cm) long or smaller. Also, just a reminder that wagons are not permitted in the parks. Beginning May 1, stroller wagons will also no longer be permitted.
Also beginning May 1, smoking areas will no longer be present inside Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme parks, water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex or Downtown Disney in California.
Beginning March 27, if guests plan to bring a cooler or cooler bag to store snacks and drinks for theme park or water park adventures, it’s important to know that loose or dry ice are no longer permitted.
Walt Disney World Resort
Additional Disney After Hours dates are now available and two special celebration nights are coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests must purchase an additional ticket to attend.
Here are the new dates for each park at the Walt Disney World Resort:
Magic Kingdom: May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: May 7, 14 and 21; and June 4, 11 and 18.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: May 1, 4, 10, 17, 24 and 31; and June 14, 21 and 28.
And at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there are two special celebration nights:
May 1 – Guests can celebrate Disney’s Hollywood Studios 30th anniversary with special anniversary merchandise, additional character greetings and more food & beverage offerings to purchase.
May 4 – Guests can celebrate May the Fourth dressed in their best galactic Star Wars attire. They can experience epic Character Encounters including Chewbacca with REY, Darth Vadar, Kylo Ren with CAPTAIN PHASMA, Ewoks, Jawas and imperial stormtroopers. Plus, specialty treats available for purchase.
The NBA Experience will officially open Aug. 12, 2019! This all-new destination coming to Disney Springs will invite your guests to feel what it’s like to be a basketball superstar. This one-of-a-kind environment will be packed with 13 interactive elements and hands-on activities across 44,000 square feet and two floors.
Disney Water Parks
This spring, Disney is rolling out some new offerings that are sure to make your guests visit to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon or Disney’s Blizzard Beach even more “cool” and magical. Guests can chow down on the Blizzard Burger at Blizzard Beach, topped with cheddar and a sweet and smoky ham-jam on a pretzel bun, served with cole slaw and steak fries. There are also new plant-based rice bowls, and for dessert, chocolate-dipped key lime pie.
Over at Typhoon Lagoon, guests can munch on the guacamole flight with vegetable, pineapple bacon, and shrimp varieties, or enjoy a jerk chicken rice bowl or a plant-based bratwurst sandwich. And while guests are relaxing in the sun, they'll want to have a Blue Typhoon Colada or Tropical Storm in their hand.
These are just some of the new food and beverage offerings available at Disney Water Parks.
For the first time, Guests can bundle and save 20 percent by purchasing the Splash Pack, which includes select food entrées and dessert options, a refillable Disney Water Park mug and a Disney-themed towel to take home. Guests will be able to chose from “Lilo and Stitch,” “Toy Story,” “Finding Nemo” and of course, Mickey Mouse-themed towels as a souvenir from their fun-filled, water park day. Available March 26-May 4, 2019, the Splash Packs is $44 per person, plus tax. Guests can purchase this limited-time, convenient offering at Singapore Sal’s at Typhoon Lagoon or the Beach Haus at Blizzard Beach.
Disneyland Resort
As guests plan for the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park, please take note of these important reminders:
Please note if guests are planning to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park between May 31 and June 23, 2019 they will need valid theme park admission and will be required to make a no-cost reservation, subject to availability, to access the land. Information on how to make a reservation will be available at a later date.If guests are staying at one of the three Disneyland Resort hotels during these dates will receive a designated reservation to access Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge during their stay (one reservation per registered guest); valid theme park admission is required.
This Spring, guests will be able to pamper themselves from head to toe at Rinse Bath & Body Co., a new boutique coming to the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort!
Next month isn’t just bringing April showers, but the return of the popular Eggstravaganza scavenger hunt at the Disneyland® Resort. This fun, egg-themed scavenger hunt will take place April 5-21, 2019 across Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure® Park and the Downtown Disney® District.
Disney Cruise Line
This summer, Disney cruisers are in for a double dose of fun when special 4- and 5-night cruises visit Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, not once, but twice!
Eric Crowe is a Vacation Specialist with Coasters & Castles Travel. His favorite Disney characters are Pluto, Robin Hood and Mike Wazowski.