One of the most notable features of the “Toy Story-“themed Roundup Rodeo BBQ at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the comically giant pencils given to guests to sign their receipts at the end of their meals. Or at least it was, until the restaurant decided recently to retire them as guests kept stealing the pencils.
From its opening in late March until about a week ago, guests dining at Roundup Rodeo BBQ were able to sign their checks with this comically giant pencil, with a normal-sized pen embedded inside. The giant pen helped emphasize the feeling of guests being shrunk down to the size of a toy, with other oversized household items in place around the restaurant as part of the theming.
But some guests dining at Roundup Rodeo BBQ of late, including one of our own reporters, told us they were being handed regular pens now to sign their checks. When asked why, Cast Members are informing diners that they have suspended the use of the giant pencils as guests have been stealing them, and there were no longer enough to go around for every server. Some Cast Members expressed incredulity at guests being able to sneak the giant pencils out given their size.
At this time, Cast Members are unsure when or if the giant pencils will return to the restaurant in the future. Theft of novel props from restaurants isn’t a new phenomenon, even at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. When Docking Bay 7 first opened in 2019, guests were stealing the unique-looking sporks and selling them on eBay with insane upcharges. The restaurant later began selling the sporks to help alleviate this issue.
How do you feel about these unique pencils being stolen? Let us know in the comments below!
Roundup Rodeo BBQ
Roundup Rodeo BBQ is just beyond the giant Woody statue near the main entrance to Toy Story Land.
Lanterns are tied onto the restaurant’s sign with giant green twist ties and black wire. Like the rest of the land, there are various Tinker Toy pieces around the sign.
Like the rest of Toy Story Land, Roundup Rodeo BBQ is made to look like it was constructed out of various toys. The main building resembles a cardboard box.
The host stand is in an entryway featuring more murals of “Toy Story” characters.
One wall resembles a barn with horses looking out. Woody’s giant sheriff badge is leaning against the wall beneath a “Welcome Rodeo Fans!” banner.
One mural features “The Amazing Ropin’ Woody” lasso-ing Zurg.
An entire new selection of apparel, kitchenware, glassware, linens, decorations, and accessories is available at Volkskunst in the Germany Pavilion at EPCOT. This predominantly comprises items themed to Minnie Mouse and the edelweiss, a rare mountain flower celebrated across the Alps in Europe.
Edelweiss Hanging Wall Decoration – $29.99
The edelweiss is not the official flower of Germany, though its name is of German origin and it is commonly associated with alpine regions within the country. It is a national symbol in Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, and Romania. Receiving an edelweiss as a gift symbolizes dedication and bravery from the giver, as mountaineers of old folklore had to climb high over rough and rugged terrain to get it.
“Edelweiss” is also a popular song inspired by the flower, written by the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical duo for “The Sound of Music.”
‘Fräulein Minnie’ Decorative Bowl – $39.99
On this red mug we see Minnie sitting in a traditional German dress, admiring some edelweiss flowers.
The back says “Fräulein Minnie” with “Eine schöne Blume” below, which means “a beautiful flower.”
‘Minnie in Deutschland’ Mug – $19.99
We see the wall hanging as part of the art this time, with Minnie’s silhouette filled with blue and edelweiss flowers. Atop it reads “Minnie in Deutschland,” which is the German way to say Germany. Below it reads “Germany” and “EPCOT World Showcase.”
The back shows Fräulein Minnie holding a bouquet of edelweiss. Line drawings of traditional German buildings are behind.
‘Minnie in Deutschland’ Apron – $34.99
This apron seems to replicate the dress we see in much of the art, with a blouse and bodice pattern atop, and a skirt below which is red with edelweiss flowers all over. Of course since this is an apron, it’s all one piece.
‘Minnie in Deutschland’ Serviette – $19.99
Even your table napkins can be Minnie-themed with these “Minnie in Deutschland” napkins, following the dress pattern once more.
‘Minnie in Deutschland’ Trivet – $14.99
This trivet can keep your counter or table from getting burns while also showing off your love for Fräulein Minnie. The front features the silhouette with edelweiss on a field of blue.
On the back we see all red with the edelweiss and some Minnie silhouettes.
‘Minnie in Deutschland’ Spatula – $14.99
That same pattern of Minnie among the line drawings of German buildings returns on the front of this spatula, which has a silicone tip and a wood handle.
On the back is the Minnie silhouette with edelweiss.
‘Fräulein Minnie’ Throw Blanket – $39.99
A throw blanket is also available in blue. “Fräulein Minnie” is written atop with “Eine schöne Blume.” On the bottom we see “Germany Pavilion” and “EPCOT World Showcase.” The left and right sides are filled with edelweiss flowers, while Minnie sits admiring one at the center.
Edelweiss Pillow – $29.99
The wall hanging pattern comes back as a pillow, complete with a bow to symbolize Minnie. The flowers are embroidered.
The back side is blank.
‘Minnie in Deutschland’ Glass – $29.99
This incredibly skinny Collins glass features Fräulein Minnie standing at center with “Minnie in Deutschland” written above and below.
The back side is filled with edelweiss flowers.
Edelweiss Women’s Shirt – $39.99
This primarily red short-sleeve shirt is designed for women, and features edelweiss floewrs all over interspersed with Minnie Mouse silhouettes.
‘Fräulein Minnie’ Water Bottle – $27.99
This blue steel water bottle features the same pattern as the blanket on the front, with Fräulein Minnie among the edelweiss and the same labels atop and below.
Edelweiss Women’s Tank Top – $34.99
Unlike most items, this tank top has a light blue fabric with the Fräulein Minnie silhouette at the center.
‘Minnie in Deutschland’ Women’s Shirt – $29.99
On this shirt we see the Minnie in Deutschland art, where she’s among the line art of German buildings holding a bouquet of edelweiss. Below it reads “Germany Pavilion EPCOT World Showcase.”
‘Ich Liebe Edelweiss’ Headband – $34.99
This blue pair of ears features a red sequin bow with blue and white stripes.
Each of the ears features embroidered edelweiss.
On the outside it reads “Ich liebe Edelweiss” which means “I love edelweiss.” The outside of the band is blue while the inside lining is red.
‘Ich Liebe Edelweiss’ Zippered Pouch – $24.99
This zippered pouch is light blue with a red top. We see Fräulein Minnie sitting and holding one edelweiss flower. To her left are a heart and some flowers, both embroidered and printed. Embroidered on the top left is “Ich liebe Edelweiss.”
On the back, it’s all red with edelweiss flowers and the Minnie silhouettes.
Edelweiss Key Chain – $14.99
The dark blue Fräulein Minnie silhouette makes up this keychain, complete with her red ribbon bow.
Edelweiss Tea Bag Tray – $17.99
A small tea bag tray is available which is unlike the other Fräulein Minnie silhouettes in that the interior is the red all-over edelweiss pattern rather than the dark blue pattern with more flowers.
Germany Pavilion Minnie Mouse Youth Tank Top – $21.99
A youth tank top is available for girls in white, which features Fräulein Minnie sitting among the flowers in the German countryside.
‘Ich Liebe Edelweiss’ Youth Shirt – $21.99
A red youth shirt is also available, with Fräulein Minnie’s head on the top left-hand side wearing an edelweiss crown.
A heart is at the center chest with “Ich liebe Edelweiss” written in large stylized letters. Below is faintly written “Germany Pavilion EPCOT World Showcase.”
This white hoodie features blue accents on the bottom and on the sleeves, as well as on the pull strings.
The Fräulein Minnie silhouette is on the left-hand breast with “Germany Pavilion EPCOT World Showcase” below.
Inside the hoodie, we see edelweiss flowers and Fräulein Minnie silhouettes.
‘Fräulein Minnie’ Women’s Shirt – $39.99
This white shirt shows Minnie sitting among the edelweiss flowers and admiring one. Atop we see “Fräulein Minnie” and “Eine schöne Blume,” while below is “Germany Pavilion” and “EPCOT World Showcase.”
Snow White ‘Make Your Wishes Come True’ Shirt – $39.99
The other two apparel items we found focus on a more traditionally German set of characters — “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Here we see Snow White holding a bluebird on her finger in one hand and her dress in the other. To the left is written “Make your wishes come true.”
On the back we see designs of buildings here at the Germany Pavilion. The EPCOT logo is below along with stylized “Germany Pavilion.”
‘Grumpily Ever After’ Shirt – $34.99
Finally, we see a rather simple design of Grumpy akin to characters often seen in Japanese infographics. Above is written “Grumpily Ever After.”
On the back is that same design of pavilion buildings with the EPCOT logo and “Germany Pavilion.”
All of these are available at Volskunst in the Germany Pavilion at EPCOT. Let us know your favorite items in the comments below!
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Two years ago, the hip-hop and rock show “Club Mouse Beat” debuted at Tokyo Disneyland, featuring Mickey and his pals opening a dance club named Club Mouse. With the Tokyo Disney Resort 40th Anniversary “Dream-Go-Round” celebration continuing, we finally got a chance to see the updated ending and tag to celebrate the park’s 40th birthday!
Club Mouse Beat 40th Anniversary Version
You can watch a video of the new tag above, or keep reading for photos.
The tag features an altered and shortened version of “It’s a Good Time,” theme song for Mickey’s 90th birthday which gets reused here. After, it jumps into a special dance round featuring the characters in their 40th Anniversary costumes to the tune of “Living in Color,” a specially created arrangement for this new tag.
Characters sing and dance around the stage to celebrate the momentous event.
Finally, confetti cannons shoot off during the final chorus to symbolize the show’s end.
Before long, the curtains close and the show finally concludes.
Guests can enjoy this special tag for Club Mouse Beat during every performance of the show through the anniversary’s end on March 31, 2024. And of course, don’t miss the new “Disney Harmony in Color” daytime parade running every day as part of the celebration as well.
Club Mouse Beat
The premise of the show is pretty simple — Mickey and his pals have opened a new dance club, the titular Club Mouse, and a number of Disney characters will come out and show off their dance moves from Disney films both classic and overlooked, as well as a few old Tokyo Disney Resort shows.
The show opens with the “Club Mouse” theme song, which is a poppy, catchy, high-energy song that sets the tone for the whole show and gets the audience pumped up.
The first act is, amazingly enough, Goofy and Max dancing to “I 2 I” from “A Goofy Movie.” It is the song the father and son sing and dance to at the film’s climactic concert. That’s right, they really dug into the archives for this show, and it pays off!
Next up is Donald, comically misreading the mood as always. He tries to conduct the first few bars of Beethoven’s Fifth (wearing a wig that strongly resembles the unmistakable composer).
So out come Chip ‘n’ Dale with a good old-fashioned Mambo, a nod to the former “Minnie, Oh! Minnie” which played at Tokyo Disneyland from 2004 through 2018.
If you were ever around during winter from 2017-2019, you might remember the old “Lightning McQueen Victory Lap” that took place in American Waterfront for Pixar Playtime… well they brought it back with a chorus of “Real Gone” from “Cars” for this show, keeping the energy high. There’s even some nostalgic chanting of “Lightning, Lightning, Lightning! McQueen!”
The next nod to TDR is an oldie but goodie. Donald bursts out in an Elvis-like outfit with dancers and brings on a round of 1999’s “Donald’s Super Duck Parade.”
Classic villains like the Big Bad Wolf, the Evil Queen, and Captain Hook (when I say classic, I mean classic) come out to take over Club Mouse, now called “Club Villains” with an incredible banner featuring the Magic Mirror and the original Club Mouse sign in flames. They first dance to “Let’s Get Wicked,” which comes from a Halloween show at Hong Kong Disneyland.
Then comes a round of “Only Tonight”, the finale song from the insanely beloved “Mysterious Masquerade,” the Halloween show at Tokyo DisneySea from 2009-2010.
After the Disney friends regain control of Club Mouse, the next act is Minnie and Daisy singing their number from “Natsu Matsuri: Soryo Kobu,” the 2013 summer event at Tokyo Disneyland.
Donald bursts out yet again, playing matador to win Daisy’s heart.
The curtain then falls for a brief interlude of “Try Everything” from “Zootopia” with Nick and Judy, definitely keeping the energy going.
The show definitely wouldn’t be a dance show without one very famous (or infamous) parks song. That’s right, “It’s a Good Time” makes its Tokyo debut in this show, and this may be the perfect use for this song.
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Here’s how Pizzafari’s non-alcoholic drinks menu has changed:
REMOVED: Viva Gaia Tonic (with Glow Cube) — Minute Maid® Zero Sugar Lemonade, Sprite®, flavors of Cotton Candy, and Mint Leaves with a Glow Cube for $7.49
ADDED: Frozen Mango Slushy with Glow Cube for $8.49
ADDED: Frozen Raspberry Slush with Glow Cube for $8.49
There have been some changes to drinks at the Grand Floridian Cafe:
Grand Mimosa description changed from “Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco, Orange Juice, and a Splash of Grand Marnier Liqueur” to “Domaine Ste. Michelle Sparkling Wine, Orange Juice, and a Splash of Grand Marnier Liqueur”
Pomegranate Paradiso description changed from “WÓDKA Vodka, Pomegranate, Lemon and Pineapple Juices” to “Figenza Fig Vodka, Pomegranate, Lemon, and Pineapple Juices”
We’ve got some changes on the breakfast menu here:
Waffle Bounty Platter increased from $12.49 to $12.79
Mickey-shaped Waffles increased from $10.49 to $10.79
REMOVED: Pancakes with Berry Compote
Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Bagel Sandwich is now served with Potato Barrels and price increased from $6.99 to $8.99
Egg and Cheese Bagel Sandwich is now served with Potato Barrels and price increased from $5.99 to $7.99
Everything POP
ADDED: Pancake Bounty Platter — Vanilla Pancake, Scrambled Eggs, Potato Barrels, Bacon, and Sausage for $12.49
ADDED: Loaded Totcho Bowl — Potato Barrels topped with Scrambled Eggs, Cheddar, Sausage Gravy, and Bacon for $10.99
ADDED: Western Omelet — Ham, Bell Peppers, Onions, and Cheddar served with Potato Barrels for $10.99
ADDED: Vanilla Pancakes — Served with Bacon and Sausage for $9.99
REMOVED: Plant-based Character Waffles
Here’s what changed on the Kids’ menu:
REMOVED: Pancakes with Berry Compote
ADDED: Kids’ Vanilla Pancakes — Served with choice of two sides and choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Dasani Bottled Water for $7.29
Everything POP
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner had these changes:
ADDED: Chocolate Croissant — Drizzled with Dark Chocolate and dusted with Powdered Sugar for $4.29
ADDED: S’more Cookie — Chocolate Chip Cookie loaded with Toasted Marshmallow Creme topped with a Crunchy Cinnamon Graham Streusel drizzled with Dark and White Chocolate
ADDED: Mickey-shaped Brownie — House-made Brownie topped with Ganache, Walnuts, Marshmallows, Chocolate Chips, and M&M’s chocolate candies for $4.99
ADDED: Seasonal Sugar Cookie with Sprinkles for $3.49
Here’s what’s changed under Beverages:
ADDED: Classic Cold Brew Coffeefor $4.79
ADDED: BODYARMOR Sports Drink – Orange Mango for $4.69
ADDED: BODYARMOR Sports Drink – Strawberry Banana for $4.69
ADDED: AHA Sparkling Water – Lime & Watermelon for $3.49
Everything Pop
Specialty cocktails also had some updates:
REMOVED: Canella Peach Bellini and Smirnoff Ice
ADDED: LiveWire Crystal Shiso Mojito for $12
ADDED: Siponey Royale Whiskey Spritz for $12
ADDED: Social Hour Cocktails Whiskey Mule for $12
ADDED: Cutwater Spicy Bloody Mary for $11
ADDED: High Noon Sun Sips Vodka & Soda Pineapple for $11
Crab Corn Chowder for $22 was also added to the Soup/Salad part of the menu. It’s made with Breaded blue crab cake, creamy broth, and sweet corn succotash.
Todd English’s bluezoo
There were also some changes to the Kids’ Menu. Under appetizers, the Chilled Jumbo Shrimp increased from $8 to $13. Under Kids’ Entrees, the Fish & Chips description changed from “Hand-battered corvina, french fries and green beans” to “Hand-battered fish of the day, french fries and green beans.”
ADDED: Cono de Atún “Gilda” — Cone of Tuna Tartare, Modern Olive, Cantabrian Anchovy and Piparra Pepper for $8
ADDED: Gazpacho Estilo Algeciras — Classic chilled Spanish soup made with Tomato, Cucumbers, and Green Bell Peppers for $10
ADDED: Ensalada de Aguacate y Mojo Verde “Spanish Diner” — Avocado, Mojo Verde and Goat Cheese Salad for $13
ADDED: Piquillos Rellenos con Brandada de Bacalao — Stuffed Piquillos of Bacalao and Potato served with Manchego cheese and a Bechamel Sauce for $16
ADDED: Mejilones a la Brasa con Mojo Verde — Mussels cooked in Josper served with Mojo Verde for $16
Selection of Five Quesos
ADDED: Lubina a la Pobre — Whole roasted Branzino served with Potatoes, Olive Oil, and Fresh Herbs for $56
ADDED: Ensalada de Tomate con Ventresca — Heirloom Tomato Salad served with Red Onions, Piparra Peppers, and 4 oz. of conserved Tuna Belly from Asturias for $34
ADDED: Secreto Iberico de Bellota — Secreto Iberico cooked on the basque grill and served with Pan con Tomate for $105
ADDED: Pintxos Morunos de Cordero — Basque Grilled Lamb Skewer with Andalusian Spices for $18
ADDED: Berenjenas con Miel — Fried eggplant with honey and lemon zest for $12
ADDED: Atún Crudo con Aguacate — Thinly sliced tuna served with avocado and a citrus dressing for $18
ADDED: Blueberry Pie Sundae — Blueberry Sorbetto, vanilla, and cake batter gelato with caramel sauce, whipped cream, and graham cracker crumbs for $15.25
ADDED: Brown Cow — Vanilla gelato, coke, chocolate sauce, whipped cream for $12.50
There are even changes under the Alcoholic Gelato 21+ Milk Shakes and Floats:
ADDED: Pride Sangria — Strawberry, Pineapple, Mango, Blueberry, Prosecco for $18
ADDED: Chamoyada — Mango, Chamoy, Tajin, Beer for $18
Pride Sangria in 2022
Here’s what changed with Cannolis:
REMOVED: 3 Musketeers Cannoli
ADDED: Blueberry Cannoli — Sweet ricotta cream and blueberries for $7.50
Also, the Bombolini choices have changed from Plain, Raspberry Sprinkles, or Lucky Charms to Plain, Raspberry, Nutella, or Froot Loops. Looks like Lucky Charms is no longer available. However, you can get FROOT LOOPS Milk to drink for $6.
Finally, you can get a Split Milkshake (with two different flavors) for an additional $2.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Okay, so this one is for you Sam’s Club members (and we bet there are a lot of you out there). Sam’s Club has a promotion that could save you up to 60% OFF on your next Disney trip! That’s A GREAT deal, right?
Good news! This offer is actually good for Disneyland AND Disney World. You can save up to $35 off gate prices in Disneyland AND you can save up to $100 off Disney World tickets.
Oh, and as an added bonus, we thought we should mention that Disney H2O Glow After Hours tickets are 20% off on the Sam’s Club website! There are TONS of savings available right now.
So if you’re a Sam’s Club member, be sure to check out the Travel and Entertainment section to see this new offer. It’s almost too good to resist, right? Like even if you weren’t planning a Disney trip, this could be a sign that you should start planning one NOW.
We’ll also keep an eye out for more deals, so stay tuned to DFB for more!
When are you headed to Disney next? Have you checked out our line of fun graphic tees to wear on your trip? We’ve designed some for the whole family – from infants to adults! Click here to check them out!
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Okay, we know, we know, calories don’t count at Disney World. We’ve ALL said it.
Vivoli il Gelato
First, there’s a LOT of walking, so whatever you DO eat, you burn it off. Plus, if you’re one of the runners that participate in the runDisney events at Disney World, you can RUN all those calories off in no time. However, you may still have a good reason for wanting lighter snack options in Disney World, and we can respect that. If you do, there’s a new gelato we have to tell you about.
Vivoli il Gelato in Disney Springs just revealed its new Gelato Lite, a light gelato with all the flavor of regular gelato but with less fat and sugar.
Of course, you can also find Sorbet at Vivoli il Gelato, but if it’s gelato you’re craving, you now have a lighter option. We’ll be sure to keep an eye out for more Gelato Lite flavors and give you a heads-up about them when we’ve got more details! So stay tuned to DFB for more!
WE KNOW – there are SO many great snacks at Disney World! How do you choose (we don’t want to choose but will blow our budget on Day 1 otherwise)? We’ve got you covered! We have reviewed nearly EVERY snack available at Disney World, and we’ve written a series of DFB Guides about them!
DFB Guide and Snacks Bundle
Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining + Snacks Bundle for all the details you need to plan your snackin’ and spending. You can even download them to your smartphone – it’ll be like we’re right there with you in the parks!
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Join us live tonight, Sunday, May 21, at 9:00 p.m. ET or watch ParksCenter anytime on our new home, WDWNT.TV.
Disney’s ambitious immersive Star Wars hotel took its first voyage on March 1, 2022, and will now see its last just 18 months later.
Each week, we cover the top stories in Disney Parks news and discuss the topics that are top of mind for the Disney community. We’re back tonight with more news and discussion surrounding the latest happenings in Disney Parks. Join us live at our new time, 9 p.m. ET!
We open with a discussion of the announcement this week that Disney will be ending the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experience this September. What happened and what could be next? We’ll discuss it with our panel.
Then, we turn to the latest in Disney Parks news since our last show, including getting word that Disneyland’s Fantasmic will be shuttered through Labor Day after the fire that brought down the dragon – but will return with what Disney is calling “New Magic.”
This article contains sponsored content from World of DVC.
DVC Rental Store has brought back its best deal, and it will save you thousands on your Disney vacation!
If you are looking to visit Walt Disney World, but want to see how much you can shave off the cost, getting your Disney resort for 75% off is a great start. Of course, booking an off-property hotel can save you money, as well as Disney’s Value resorts which are priced the lowest. That being said, thanks to DVC Rental Store, you can now book Deluxe Disney Resorts for a much lower price, so staying out of the Disney bubble is no longer necessary!
If you have dreamed of riding the monorail to Magic Kingdom after waking up at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort or boating over from Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, you can now do that at a fraction of the price. Instead of paying Disney’s typical nightly rate for their resorts, which can be priced around $900.00 per night at times, depending on the resort, you can spend less than half by booking with DVC Rental Store. DVC Rental Store has a unique system that allows you to rent DVC points and use them to book a DVC room. By doing this, not only will you enjoy the luxurious perk of staying in a DVC room, but you also will not need to sign any DVC contract to make it happen.
For some, buying a DVC contract might seem daunting. Of course, all of us want to be able to visit Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom each year. Still, the cost of individual room rates through Disney is only becoming more and more expensive. Not everyone is ready to purchase a Disney Vacation Club contract at this moment in time as it is a significant and costly commitment. So what’s the solution?
Renting DVC points from DVC Rental Store can save you up to 75% on your Deluxe Disney resort room, and it is so incredibly simple. DVC Rental Store allows you to browse their inventory (which is bursting with options at the moment) without placing any down payment, which is unique to them as other companies will ask for payment to check. You can see what is available, and what it will cost, and even compare it to what that room would cost if you booked through Disney, and then you can have a happy dance knowing you are saving huge amounts of money and can now afford all those extra magical experiences like a V.I.P. Tour!
We looked at what deals DVC Rental Store has to offer for Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, one of Disney’s more pricey options for Deluxe resorts. From July 16-23, Disney would charge $5,085.00 for the week, DVC Rental Store is offering the same room for $2,508.00. Click here to get that deal!
The best thing about this deal is that now is the perfect time to take advantage of the upcoming busy seasons when you may want to visit, but are worried about the price point. If you are looking to attend the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, or enjoy the holiday season at the parks, the hotel offers that are available at DVC Rental Store are lower now than ever. Booking now for the future is a fantastic way to save, without risking the uprise in costs when those busy seasons hit, and demand increases.
So if you want to browse the savings available at DVC Rental Store, click here!
Are you looking to book a Walt Disney World Vacation? We have a way that you can go on a Disney vacation for the best price possible, with expert help! Plus, it’s 100% FREE! Our friends at Be Our Guest Vacations are Disney experts and will be able to create the most magical trip at the best price possible. Click here to begin planning! You will soon be on your way to Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT, with a perfectly planned itinerary!
Changes are hitting Disney World left and right, and now we’ve got some clues about upcoming ones!
Cinderella Castle
We’re constantly on the hunt for Disney World permits that might signal what changes are coming next to the theme parks, water parks, hotels, and more. In recent weeks/months, we’ve seen permits that hint at changes for pools and restrooms, rides and hotels, and a new restaurant. Now we’ve spotted more updates that you should know about!
What we look at are technically called Notices of Commencement. These typically indicate that work on the designated projects could start soon. Let’s see what we found.
This new permit is for “scenic prop install and theme paint touch up” for an address that matches Splash Mountain’s address in Magic Kingdom. So in the coming months, we could see a NEW prop and some paint added to the attraction area.
Splash Mountain Construction Moving Along
The “owner” for this permit is listed as Walt Disney Imagineering, and the contractor is Solomon Group Production LLC. There is no expiration date specified, so it’ll automatically expire 1 year from the date it was recorded — it was recorded on May 17th, 2023.
In terms of hotel changes, there have been a decent number of permits filed lately relating to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The resort is undergoing quite a bit of refurbishment already with construction ongoing on some of its buildings. And Disney had previously announced that the lobby would be undergoing a refurbishment.
Here’s a look at some of the recent permits we’ve found related to the Grand Floridian:
One permit for “general construction” for an address tied to Senses Spa. The contractor is Balfour Beatty Construction LLC, which we’ve seen listed on other permits for the Grand Floridian before, as well as permits for Splash Mountain, the PLAY! Pavilion, and Reflections — A Lakeside Lodge. The expiration date is 12/30/23.
A permit to “provide labor, material and/or electrical for construction” to the main lobby building at the Grand Floridian. The contractor is Buena Vista Construction Company (Disney’s internal contractor), and no expiration date is specified so it’ll automatically expire 1 year after May 15th, 2023.
In other words, there are quite a few updates that seem to be planned for the Grand Floridian in the coming months. So if you’re planning to stay here, just be aware that you could see some work being done here and there.
And finally, we wanted to mention one other permit we spotted that seems to be impacting part of EPCOT. The permit lists the owner as Walt Disney Imagineering and the work is described as “install signs.”
It appears to be tied to part of the buildings behind Spaceship Earth.
The contractor listed is Design Communications LTD. There is no expiration date on this one specified, so it’ll automatically expire 1 year from May 12th, 2023 (the date it was recorded).
There’s a LOT of construction going on in EPCOT these days so we’ll be interested to see just what signs get installed as part of this specific work.
EPCOT Construction
We’ll continue to watch for more unique permits filed in Disney World and construction work happening all around the parks. Stay tuned for more Disney news.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Planning your day in Disney World pretty much requires you to be tied to your phone these days.
Your phone does a LOT during your Disney World vacation!
You’ll need the My Disney Experience app to do a LOT, like checking in for dining reservations, ordering food, using Genie+, and more. You also need it for booking virtual queues for rides, as well as Individual Lightning Lane selections — or do you?Well, we found a way to do BOTH of those things without using your phone!
Yes, it IS possible to book virtual queues and Individual Lightning Lane selections without your phone. First, let’s talk about virtual queues. So here’s the thing: when new rides open in Disney World, they usually will NOT have a standby line and will instead use a virtual queue. You usually have two chances to grab a virtual queue reservation from your phone (it’s typically 7AM and 1PM) to get assigned a boarding group so you can ride that attraction.
Now let’s say you don’t have access to your phone for some reason or another (you left it in your hotel room, the battery is low, it overheats, etc.), but you still want to book a virtual queue for a ride. You can speak to Cast Members at Guest Relations or at a Guest Experience station and a Cast Member will book it for you (if available).
EPCOT Guest Relations
You can ONLY do this at 1PM, though (since the other virtual queue drop time happens before the parks open). The Cast Member will give you your boarding group number (be sure to write it down so you don’t forget it). You will need to keep an eye on the physical tip boards at the park or check at the ride itself to see what boarding groups are currently being called.
TRON Virtual Queue board
The same is true for Individual Lightning Lane attractions, except you have to pay EXTRA for those rides, which means you’ll need to hand over your credit card to the Cast Member booking it for you. Note that they can ONLY accept credit cards as a form of payment. No cash! (According to a Cast Member, the MagicBand scanner can be finicky with payments, so it is recommended you pay with a card) You will be given a time to ride, so be sure to write that down, too, so you don’t forget.
Cosmic Rewind Virtual Queue in EPCOT
In case you’re wondering, the virtual queue and Individual Lightning Lanes will be tied to your MagicBand or ticket card. We asked about this at several different parks and the process is a LITTLE different in each one.
At EPCOT, Cast Members at the Guest Experience tent have iPads that allow them to book reservations for you. You’ll have to go inside Guest Relations, though, at Hollywood Studios, because the Guest Experience Cast Members don’t have iPads. So be sure to double-check with a Cast Member, depending on what park you’re in.
Guest Experience Tent
Finally, you CAN book an Individual Lightning Lane for a different park than where you are at the time of booking. For example, let’s say you’re in Hollywood Studios but want to park hop to Magic Kingdom to ride TRON Lightcycle / Run later via virtual queue. You will be able to still book that paid Individual Lightning Lane in Hollywood Studios.
However, you can NOT do this with the free virtual queues — you will have to be in the same park as the ride.
We’ll be sure to let you know about any other tips and tricks you might need for your next trip to Disney World, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more!
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
