Walt Disney World News & Rumours March 2019

Time for a jam-packed update of all the latest news from Walt Disney World. Our monthly Walt Disney World update brings you all the latest news and rumours from Walt Disney World.  Our Walt Disney World News & Rumours March 2019 includes changes at Epcot, ticket price increases and all the latest from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Disney Minnie Van Service

Disney continues to expand the Minnie Van Service. You can now be transported from Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World between 7 am to midnight. This is a slight expansion on previous hours but has come with another increase in price. The new price is $155 + tax for 6 passengers and 6 bags. Alternatively, a check on the Uber App shows the same journey being around $50. However, if you are staying at Walt Disney World remember you can also get free transport through the Magical Express.

The Minnie Vans might look pretty, but they are vastly over priced.

Tower of Terror Refurbishment

Tower of Terror isn’t closing, and there are no plans for a change in theme, but for spring and summer 2019 the ride will be operating at reduced capacity. During this time half of the attraction will be closed for an extensive refurbishment.

Big Changes at Epcot

It has been rumoured that Future World is set for massive changes, but details previously have been sparse. This has now changed with a new entrance to the park and a new pavilion already announced.

The entrance to Epcot is getting a significant redesign. New pathways, green spaces and a newly reimagined fountain have already been announced. The Leave Legacy photos will also find a new, more appropriate, home just outside the park. Disney promises further transformation with further announcements due soon.

A new Play Pavilion will open in the former Wonders of Life. Wonders of Life closed in 2007 and since then has been used occasionally as the Festival Center. The new pavilion has not yet got an official name but Dinsey is promising “first-of-their-kind experiences devoted to playful fun, inviting guests into an innovative, interactive city bursting with games and hands-on activities.” The new pavilion will open in time for Disney World’s 50th anniversary  so guests can “interact with favorite Disney characters in an energetic metropolis unlike anything ever seen before at Epcot.”

A new Experience Center in the Odyssey Events Pavilion will be opening so guests can see previews of the changes being made to Epcot. This new area will open in 2019.

We have created a Guide to all the changes at Epcot coming in the next few years.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is clearly a great money maker for Walt Disney World. To meet the demand a 3rd location will soon be opening at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Also, the current Magic Kingdom location will be getting an expansion too.

Extra Magic Hours and Fastpass+ offered to more guests

What started off at the Disney Springs hotels has gradually been getting extended to more offsite hotels. Both the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and Waldorf Astoria hotels now have access to Extra Magic Hours and the extended Fastpass+ booking windows.

These developments do take away some of the exclusivity of the Walt Disney World perks and do mean even more guests have early access to Fastpass and Extra Magic Hours. However, you can now get a similar Disney World experience at a cheaper price.

Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard beach Direct Buses Returning

Direct buses to Typhoon lagoon were removed several years bac but is due to return shortly. Recently to access Typhoon Lagoon you have had to change bus at Disney Springs. This is a positive and welcome change.

Ticket Prices Increased

We warned about this last month and we now have confirmation Walt Disney World ticket prices have increased. A one-day park hopper ticket now costs as much as $219!

Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood

We are really excited about this new restaurant in  Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs. Gran Destino Tower is the highlight of the expanded resort. We have managed to obtain a booking at Toledo just after it opens.

The full menu for Toledo has now been released and it does look rather special. It also looks great value on the Disney Dining Plan costing just 1 credit.

Automated PhotoPass Cameras

We think this is quite sad, but Disney is starting to replace photographers at some meet & greet locations with automatic cameras. Click here for more information.

If you want to learn more about PhotoPass or Memory Maker we have created a useful guide.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Update

We are getting closer to the opening of Star Wars’s: Galaxy’s Edge and the Disney Publicity Machine is now in Hyperdrive. Actually we are a lot closer than we initially thought as the dates have been brought forward.

The confirmed opening dates are may 31 at Disneyland and Hollywood Studios  August 29. However, we are going to have to wait a little longer for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance which will now be part of a Phase 2 opening.

However, guests will be able to experience the new attraction Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run plus enjoy the sights and sounds of Black Spire’s Outpost. Guests will also be able to taste unique galactic food and explore the interesting street markets. You can find out more about the opening, and how you can get into Star Wars: Galaxy Edge in our recent news update.

We have also received details of the height requirements of the big 2 new attractions:

• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at least 38″.
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at least 40″.

However, only once the attractions open will we know if the attractions are suitable for young children.

We are also starting to be tempted with some of the food and drink offerings at both Oga’s Cantina and Ronto Roasters. Surprisingly, there will be no table service location at Galaxy’s Edge, presumably, we will need to wait until the hotel opens for that, but the food and drink do look sensational. However, expect big lines at all locations.

If the food and drink offering isn’t enough Disney have als started to release details of the unique merchandise you will find at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Perhaps pinching an idea from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s wand shop Ollivanders there is going to be a lightsaber shop. I am not sure how this will fit in with Star Wars canon but it does sound great fun. The location will be called Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers. However; they will not be cheap with rumours suggesting a full lightsaber will cost $160.

We think Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is looking fantastic but it will not be a cheap day out!

We will be back with another Walt Disney World News & Rumours update in March. If you have missed any of our previous updates you can find them all here.