Katie Francis, Author at WDW News Today

PHOTOS: runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Sells Out of Most Merchandise, Begins to Sell Expo Signage

January 6, 2022 Katie Francis

The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is here, and the runDisney Expo opened yesterday to runners and guests. Merchandise began selling very quickly, and today, very little remains. With the Expo open tomorrow afternoon, Disney apparently improvised additional merchandise by selling the signage from empty displays. As merchandise sells out, they are marking the signs … Read more

The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure Closing for Refurbishment on January 10 at Disney California Adventure

January 6, 2022January 6, 2022 Katie Francis

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The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure will be closing for refurbishment on January 10 at Disney California Adventure. The attraction will reopen on January 14. Its façade recently underwent a refurbishment before reopening in May 2021.

RUMOR: Emilia Clarke’s Qi’ra to Star in New Disney+ Star Wars Series

January 6, 2022 Katie Francis

A new rumor from That Hashtag Show indicates that Emilia Clarke is set to reprise her role as Qi’ra from “Solo: A Star Wars Story” for a new Disney+ series. The show would follow Qi’ra though the plot is unknown. At the end of “Solo,” viewers saw her revealed as one of the leaders of … Read more

REVIEW: RunDisney Blue Hawaiian Dole Whip Float Races Back into Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for Marathon Weekend

January 7, 2022January 6, 2022 Katie Francis

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This is a pretty exciting weekend here as the Walt Disney World Marathon kicks off for the first time since January 2020. In celebration, the Blue Hawaiian Float has returned to Pineapple Lanai at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Blue Hawaiian Float – $13 This is an alcoholic treat. The previous version had lime Dole Whip … Read more

Disneyland Monorail Closing for Refurbishment on January 24

January 15, 2022January 6, 2022 Katie Francis

UPDATE 1/15/22: Disney has confirmed that the Monorail closure is due to the construction at Downtown Disney District. The closure has been delayed until February 14. Disneyland Resort has announced that the Monorail will close for refurbishment on January 24. No reopening date has been announced yet. It’s worth noting that the Monorail just returned … Read more

BREAKING: Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure to Open Standby Queue, Eliminate Virtual Queue Beginning January 10 at EPCOT

January 6, 2022 Katie Francis

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Beginning January 10 at EPCOT, the virtual queue at Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will be discontinued, and the attraction will switch to a standby queue. Individual Lightning Lane will still be offered for purchase for guests. As with previous Virtual Queue discontinuations, Disney has noted that they may choose to enact the system at a later … Read more

Disney Vacation Club Adds New Exchange Options for ‘Disney Experiences’ and Non-Disney Resorts Through Interval International

January 5, 2022 Katie Francis

Disney Vacation Club sign at Boulder Ridge Villas

Disney Vacation Club announced today that Interval International exchanges are now officially available, and the Disney and World collections have been reorganized and updated. Exchanges through Interval International include thousands of resorts across the world plus “high-quality properties” such as Marriott, Sheraton, Hyatt, and Westin. National Geographic Expeditions and Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experiences are … Read more

PHOTOS: ‘Encanto’ IP-Themed Food Studio Coming to EPCOT International Festival of the Arts 2022

January 5, 2022 Katie Francis

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Vibrante & Vívido, which premiered last year during the 2021 EPCOT Festival of the Arts, is returning this year with an expanded name as Vibrante & Vívido: Encanto Cocina. The sign uses the same font as the movie’s title logo and is decorated with Mirabel’s colorful art. The booth is located between Morocco and France. … Read more

PHOTOS: New Ornament Celebrates 50 Years of Disney’s Contemporary Resort

January 5, 2022 Katie Francis

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Last October, Walt Disney World turned 50, and three resorts celebrated alongside the Magic Kingdom: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort. A lot of celebratory merchandise has arrived, the latest of which is a series of ornaments featuring the resorts. Disney’s Contemporary Resort Ornament – $29.99 The ornament is … Read more

BREAKING: Fire Engine Drives Through CityWalk as Small Fire Breaks Out at Universal Orlando Resort

January 5, 2022 Katie Francis

A fire truck and rescue vehicle just drove across a bridge at CityWalk in Universal Orlando Resort in response to a “small fire.” Team Members told us there was a “small smoldering fireat one of our venues,” though they could not give us any further details at this time. The truck headed through a back … Read more

Disneyland Cast Members Left Waiting for Medical Pay as COVID-19 Cases Rise

January 5, 2022 Katie Francis

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Workers United Local 50, one of the unions representing Disneyland Cast Members, has reported that “response time” on COVID-19 related medical pay is currently delayed. Full-time and select part-time Cast Members qualify for up to two weeks of pay for missed shifts if they have a confirmed case of COVID-19. The union advises that “To … Read more

Walt Disney World Annual Passholders Can Get Discounted Tickets to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

January 5, 2022 Katie Francis

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park has finally reopened after nearly two years, and now, Annual Passholders can save $20 off tickets. The discount can be used for the Passholder and up to three guests at a rate of $49 plus tax per person. The discounted tickets are valid for visits through December 31, 2022. This … Read more

Walt Disney World Offering Up to $500 Off a 5-Night Stay at Select Resort Hotels

January 5, 2022 Katie Francis

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In addition to the latest Florida Resident offer, Walt Disney World is offering all guests up to $500 off a 5-night stay at select resort hotels between March 6 and July 7, 2022. Guests can save $100 per night at the following resorts: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village Disney’s … Read more

Florida Residents Can Save Up to 20% With Latest Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Offer

January 5, 2022 Katie Francis

Walt Disney World has released the latest Florida Resident discounts for stays at select resort hotels between March 11 and July 7, 2022. Florida Residents can save 20% off the following: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Family Suites Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Disney’s Grand … Read more

PHOTOS: Souvenir Iron Man Infinity Gauntlet Beverage Holder Returns to Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure

January 4, 2022January 4, 2022 Katie Francis

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The Iron Man Infinity Gauntlet beverage holder has returned from “the Blip” to Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure. Likely victim to supply shortages, the gauntlet has been long absent from the park. The gauntlet resembles Iron Man’s Infinity Gauntlet from “Avengers: Endgame.” A cup holder is built into the hand of the gauntlet. The … Read more

BREAKING: Power Outage in Magic Kingdom Resort Area Shuts Down Ferry Boat and Monorail Service

January 4, 2022January 4, 2022 Katie Francis

UPDATE 7:36 p.m.: Reports indicate that the ferries and Monorail have both resumed service. A power outage in the Magic Kingdom resort area has reportedly caused the shut down of the ferry boats and the Monorail around 6:00 p.m., according to Cast Members. Guests are currently only able to take the bus system to other … Read more