Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort just got an upgrade in the form of new, interactive television sets in guest rooms.
New smart TVs are slowly being introduced in Walt Disney World Resort hotel rooms. These interactive television systems have a more personalized and easy-to-use experience that welcomes guests to the room, offers access to free content, connections to streaming content, and more.
This new, interactive television system personalizes the in-room TV experience by welcoming guests upon arrival. Guests can also enjoy streaming in their room with complimentary Disney content and connectivity for their personal devices to stream their subscribed content (Disney+, Hulu, etc.). Standard channels, park hours, resort amenities, and information are also available.
Smartphones, tablets, and laptops are supported to stream to the TV. Only content from Chromecast-enabled apps (mirroring is not supported) can be sent to the TV.
Guest credentials and Connect My Device pairings will be cleared upon each check-out. Guests will use their personal devices to log into any subscription services, so information is not stored in the system.
Travelers near and far to Hogsmeade can stop in at The Hog’s Head, adjacent to The Three Broomsticks, for a little libation before continuing on to Hogwarts. And if you’re looking to commemorate that little corner of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you can pick up these two new items we found at the Universal Studios Store in Universal Studios Hollywood!
Hog’s Head Cap – $26
The rather plain all-white cap features the Hog’s Head logo and wordmark on the front.
The back reads “Hogsmeade,” embroidered in blue.
Hog’s Head Mini-Glass – $17
This mini stein features an appropriately sized handle, with the Hog’s Head logo on the front.
The back side shows art of the Hog’s Head as it appears in the films, and reads “Hog’s Head at Hogsmeade.”
We found both of these at the Universal Studios Store in Universal Studios Hollywood. Be sure to stop in and pick these up on your next visit!
For more Universal Studios news from around the world, follow Universal Parks News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news, visit WDWNT.
First of all, Passholders can save when visiting any of the four Disney World golf courses: Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course, Disney’s Palm Golf Course, Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course, or Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course. During your next tee time, don’t forget to flash that Passholder I.D. to score 15% off of your visit!
You can save on golf!
Owner’s Locker
Need somewhere to store your vacation essentials when you’re not in Disney World? Well, good news — Annual Passholders can get discounts at Owner’s Locker. With this service, you’ll be given a container to store your belongings in, then Owner’s Locker will pick up the container from your Disney Resort hotel when you check out and store it in their climate-controlled warehouse until you return. There are a variety of offers for Passholders, including free service for the first six months.
Disney World has not one, not two, but THREE preferred car rental companies where Annual Passholders can save. If you’re picking up a car from Alamo, Enterprise, or National, then make sure to book through the special website or call (407) 824-3470 to get your discounted rate.
Hoping to catch a movie while visiting Disney World? Well, Passholders can save $2 tickets at the AMC in Disney Springs! As an added bonus, it’s a dine-in theater, so for select features, you’ll be able to catch dinner AND a show.
AMC Disney Springs
Bikes and Carriage Rides
If you’re looking for something to do on your “resort day,” renting a bike or taking a carriage ride could be a fun and memorable activity. The Annual Passholder discount varies depending on your location (anywhere from 10%-15%), but don’t forget to ask when paying for your rental at your hotel.
Surrey Bike Rentals at Port Orleans Riverside
Mini Golf
And last but not least, we have to mention mini-golf! Disney World is home to two mini-golf courses (Winter Summerland and Fantasia Gardens) and they’re a great pastime for a day off from the parks. If you decide to stop by, show your annual pass for savings of 15%.
Winter Summerland Mini Golf
There you go — 7 unusual and unique Disney World Annual Passholder discounts! If you’re not certain whether or not a spot you’re visiting has a discount, it never hurts to ask, so make sure to keep that card with you at all times. Stay tuned to DFB for more discounts and tips on how to save in Walt Disney World!
Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!
With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs!
With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.
Wendi McLendon-Covey signs a new deal with “The Goldbergs”. What’s Happening: “The Goldbergs” star, Wendi McLendon-Covey, has closed a new deal for the return of the popular ABC comedy, “The Goldbergs”. Although the network has yet to make a renewal decision, Wendi McLendon-Covey is on board, so a pickup appears to be likely. This may pave […]
While the accompanying souvenir is adorable, its contents are not delicious! Flower and Garden Festival EPCOT’s Flower and Garden festival has been open since the beginning of the month and is blossoming into an absolutely experience! From the detailed topiaries to the interactive exhibits to the live entertainment and outdoor kitchens, there truly is something […]
We had a chance to stop by Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs at the Downtown Disney District to try the Giant Mozzarella Stick.
Giant Mozzarella Stick – $14
100% Real Mozzarella Cheese hand-dipped and fried in cornmeal batter coated with crispy rice puffs served with a side of marinara
We found this to be tasty and distinctive. The Rice Krispie treats made it a bit sweet, and the batter coating was super thick.
However, unless you’re splitting this with friends, you’re not going to be able to finish this.
We thought it was great, but two or three bites were enough.
However, if you have many friends and you like fried cheese, go for it.
We recommend that you skip the marinara sauce on this one. The acid from the tomatoes didn’t mix well with the sweet coating.
For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.
First of all, in case you haven’t seen it in a while, here’s the current state of the TRON: Lightcycle Run attraction in Tomorrowland! There’s a big, long ramp leading up to the attraction, plus a HUGE canopy that’s looking pretty cool! Disney doesn’t have an official opening date yet, but every day is a step in the right direction.
Looking good!
During our recent visit to Storybook Circus, we saw a NEW tunnel installed below the TRON canopy! We’re guessing that the Walt Disney World Railroad will run right under that bridge eventually. For those that have been following the status of TRON and the train, this is pretty exciting news!
Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!
With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs!
With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.
We have new information and an official statement to share regarding the accident that took place this week. ICON Park Located in Orlando, ICON Park is an entertainment complex featuring fun and games for the whole family. There’s restaurants, funky bars, boutique shops, and amusement parks for people of all ages to enjoy. Attractions include […]
Prepare to step into a bold new universe with some of your favorite characters. Game developer Kabam has teamed up with Disney and Pixar Games to bring you Disney Mirrorverse, an all-new, action-packed mobile game launching June 23, 2022.
Travel through a mystical portal known as the Stellar Mirror to enter a divergent Disney universe … the Mirrorverse. Iconic Disney and Pixar characters have been empowered and amplified by Stellar Magic into Mirrorverse Guardians.
They stand ready to defend against the Fractured, an evil threat driven to shatter the Mirrorverse.
As you progress deeper into the Mirrorverse, you’ll grow your collection of characters. You may can add Donald Duck, Goofy, Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey, Buzz Lightyear, Jack Skellington, Belle, Merida, Scrooge McDuck, Stitch, and many more who are evolved in dynamic and unexpected ways.
Prepare to enter Disney Mirrorverse by pre-registering today at disneymirrorverse.com. By pre-registering, you will unlock exclusive in-game rewards when the game releases on June 23, 2022, on the App Store and Google Play.
The Mirrorverse will continue to expand through more collectible figures from McFarlane Toys, Dark Horse Comics, and other exciting products coming soon. Fans may recall the now-defunct Disney Infinity video game that had collectible trading figures.
Are you looking forward to this new game? Let us know in the comments.
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
You know that feeling when you’re SO excited to get on your favorite Disney World ride, and you speed-walk up to the entrance, only to discover that it’s actually CLOSED? Yeah, that’s the worst. So how can you avoid it?
Expedition Everest is closed right now
We’re here to help out by bringing you a list of all the rides, attractions, hotels, and more that are scheduled to be closed next week in Disney World. Read on so you don’t fall victim to the sad disappointment of an unexpected ride closure!
The Walt Disney World Railroad will continue its multi-year closure in Magic Kingdom. This attraction has been closed for a very long time, and we’re not expecting it to reopen anytime in the next few weeks.
Spotted testing!
We have seen testing happening with the train, but that could be for maintenance rather than an indication that it’s reopening soon. According to one Cast Member, the stretch of track from Fantasyland to the Main Street, U.S.A. station has been removed for construction on the upcoming TRON: Lightcycle Run roller coaster.
TRON: Lightcycle Run
We don’t have an opening date for the TRON roller coaster yet, but we’re expecting the Railroad to remain closed at least until construction on TRON is completed. We’ll keep an eye out for specific opening dates for both of these attractions!
In Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Expedition Everest is closed for refurbishments. The coaster is scheduled to be closed through mid-April 2022. Right now, it’s on the schedule to remain closed until May 1st, but we’re hoping that it’ll open sooner and Disney just hasn’t updated the calendar yet with the official reopening date.
Expedition Everest is closed.
Finding Nemo: The Musical is closed as well. When this show returns, it’ll actually be reimagined with a new plot, and it’ll be called Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond!
Finding Nemo: The Musical
The show will feature characters and a storyline from Finding Nemo‘s sequel, Finding Dory. We can’t wait to check out the changes when the show debuts sometime in 2022.
The gift shop Souk-Al-Magreb is closed in the Morocco pavilion at EPCOT’s World Showcase.
Morocco pavilion in EPCOT
This gift shop disappears from the refurbishment calendar on April 24th, 2022, so it’s possible that the store will reopen on that day! But keep in mind that this shop has disappeared and then returned to the calendar before, so we don’t know for sure. We’ll keep an eye on it in the parks and let you know what we see.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a couple of long-term closures that are continuing for all of this coming week. The Voyage of the Little Mermaid show is closed right now, and it doesn’t have a reopening date yet.
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
And the nighttime show Fantasmic! is also not currently running. This fan-favorite show will come back sometime in 2022, but Disney hasn’t given a more specific timeline yet.
Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park is closed right now. We don’t have a reopening date for this park, but Typhoon Lagoon (Disney’s other water park) is currently open! Typhoon Lagoon is also showing some longer opening hours, with the park being open until 6PM (instead of 5PM) on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resortis finally going to reopen this week in Disney World! This is the last Disney World hotel to reopen after the pandemic closure, so we’re very excited to have all the resorts up and running again.
All-Star Sports
All-Star Sports will open on March 31st, which is this coming Thursday! We’ll be there to show you anything that’s changed about this hotel since its closure, so keep following DFB for the latest updates.
DVC members can now book their stay for the rooms. Non-DVC members can book their stay at the new rooms beginning this week, on March 31st. The new rooms, which have a Mary Poppins Returns theme, are expected to open in the summer of 2022.
While the Cozy Cone Pool is closed, the Flippin’ Fins Pool and Big Blue Pool remain open for guests at this hotel. But the Righteous Reef Playground area in the Finding Nemo section of the hotel is currently closed for some refurbishments.
Righteous Reef Playground is closed
At Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, the Martinique Village pool and Fuentes del Morro Water Play Area are both closed for refurbishment.
Martinique Village Pool
The pool is expected to reopen in mid-April 2022, and the water play area is expected to reopen in late March 2022. That means we should see the play area reopen this week! Other pools at this hotel are still available for guests, including the Fuentes del Morro Pool.
Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!
With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs!
With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.
