Walt Disney World:
Disney's Hollywood Studios has announced the return of two popular shows.
"For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration," is returning on October 5th. There will be some adjustments to staging and audience seating to allow for appropriate physical distancing.
Disney Junior fans can join the fun at "Disney Junior Play & Dance!" in the Animation Courtyard. Each party performance throughout the day features a dynamic DJ spinning favorite‚ songs from Disney Junior TV shows, plus special‚ onstage appearances by Disney Junior stars such as Mickey Mouse, Vampirina (seen above in the Character Cavalcade) and more.
We previously announced that Disney's Polynesian Village Resort will delay reopening until the summer of 2021. Well, we received more details on what you can expect when it does reopen.
The arrival experience is about to take on a whole new look with an enhanced entryway that will debut just in time for the resort hotel's 50th anniversary. One of the biggest changes will greet guests right up front - a new porte cochere will showcase the iconic mid-20th century architecture the Polynesian is famous for. The team from Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney World have crafted a design inspired by colors, patterns and textures found throughout the resort. This new entry features a high-pitched, open-truss roof covered in a thatch style. There's also a bold facade that features pops of color complementing the Longhouses found throughout the resort.
Along the Monorail station, bold new wooden screens will be covered with geometric patterns in bright, tropical colors that complete an exciting new composition that will greet guests when they arrive.
Enhancements will also be made to the lush gardens and fountains that have welcomed guests to the resort since opening day. The open and airy design of the entryway will feature dramatic lighting elements, including beautiful chandeliers inspired by glass floats, fishing nets and oversized bamboo elements. The new chandeliers will match the existing grand chandelier in the resort lobby, artfully bridging interior and exterior spaces.
All of the resort's guest rooms are being beautifully redone too.
While work is underway over the coming months, guests can still enjoy access to the Great Ceremonial House and its operating dining and retail outlets.
The monorail station at Disney's Polynesian Resort Village will be closed in early November. Guests staying at the Resort will need to take the monorail to the Transportation and Ticket Center and walk along the path to the Resort.
Disney has reported that they will be laying off 28,000 cast members in the United States in the Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products unit. They stated that 67% of the layoffs will be part time employees. Josh D'Amaro, the chairman of Disney Parks, said the staffing cuts were necessary because of the prolonged impact of the Coronavirus on business.
Universal Orlando Resort has made the long-awaited announcement of their newest addition to Islands of Adventure, The Jurassic World VelociCoaster. This new predator in the theme park will raise the bar in extreme roller coaster design and become the ultimate experience for coaster enthusiasts and thrill-seekers.
Spanning more than 4,700 feet of track and reaching heights of up to 155 feet!!
The coaster's signature maneuvers will have guests twisting and soaring above land, barrel rolling just inches above water, speeding through near-misses and launches within the paddock, and more‚ with just a lap restraint holding them in place.
Accelerate through two pulse-pounding launches, the fastest reaching 70 mph in 2.4 seconds Encounter a one-of-a-kind, 360-degree barrel roll right above the Islands of Adventure lagoon.
Experience a zero-gravity inverted stall that will send riders upside down across 100 feet of track in a jaw- dropping maneuver that is the first of its kind.
Go airborne during the towering "Top Hat," which propels riders 155 feet in the air and then immediately into an 80-degree drop - Universal's steepest drop yet
Brace for a total of 12 heart-pounding seconds of airtime - the thrilling sensation of weightlessness riders feel when they are lifted from their seats - throughout the entire adventure!
Only at the Universal Orlando Resort!
Universal Orlando Resort has announced a new promotion, buy a 2-park 2-day base or park to park theme park ticket and receive 3-DAYS FREE! A base ticket allows the guest admission to either Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure per day. A park to park ticket allows the guest admission to BOTH Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure on the same day. Ticket is valid for any five (5) calendar days during a seven (7) consecutive calendar day period which includes the first day any portion of the ticket is used, with no block out dates. All ticket usage must be completed on or before August 31, 2021 when the ticket will expire in full. The tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable, and must be used by the same person on all days. Ask your Coasters & Castles Travel advisor for more information. Additional restrictions may apply, and benefits are subject to change without notice.
Disneyland Resort has begun a phased reopening of the Downtown Disney District. The Hotels of the Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park remain closed and will reopen at a later date, pending state and local government approvals.
Guests may be receiving email communication from Disney if they have a Disneyland Resort hotel reservation between now and Oct. 17, 2020, letting them know they may modify or cancel their Disneyland Resort hotel reservations or Walt Disney Travel Company packages. Ask your travel advisor for more information.
The No Sail Order for cruise ships has been extended until October 31, 2020. Many cruise lines already had self-imposed bans until that date. Several have extended further out. The extension is to give the cruise industry extra time to get new protocols in place. Cruise industry representatives will meet with members of the Trump Administration to discuss plans to resume operations safely.
Disney Cruise Line has announced that as of Sept. 25, 2020, a temporary final payment extension was added to Disney Cruise Line sailings through March 31, 2021. In addition, they are temporarily relaxing their cruise cancellation fee schedule for sailings through March 31, 2021. For sailings through March 31, 2021, they are temporarily extending final payment until 60 days prior to sailing for Guests booked in unrestricted stateroom categories. This means that those Guests who have not yet reached their final payment due date can wait until up to 60 days prior to sailing to pay for their cruise vacation. Onboard cruise activities can be scheduled within your Castaway Club booking window once final payment is received.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has extended their popular Cruise with Confidence policy to allow cancelations up to 48-hours prior to sailing in exchange for a 100% Future Cruise Credit when reservations are booked on or before November 30, 2020 on sailings through April 30, 2022. Their Lift & Shift policy allows guests who simply wish to move their existing reservation to next year, protecting their original cruise fare & promotion, for qualified future sailings.
Virgin Voyages has cancelled sailings through November.