September is half over, but it has already proven to be a month filled with change at Walt Disney World. The news bits below are a recap of recent news and events that have taken place from September 1-15, 2014.

Purchasing Magic Bands without tickets:

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On September 4th, Disney announced Guests now may purchase solid-colored magic bands without having to link them to their My Disney Experience account. The Magic Bands eligible are colors Grey, Red, Pink, Blue, Purple, Yellow and Orange priced at $12.95 + Tax. This excludes ALL special edition Magic Bands.

Disney to begin new allergy friendly menu trial:

Disney will be testing a new allergy friendly menu at Flying Fish Café at Disney’s BoardWalk,
ABC Commissary, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, The Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Kona Cafe and Captain Cooks at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, and World Premiere Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort.

The new menus will help guests select from a special list, instead of the chef needing to stop by the table each time you dine. Should you still wish to speak with a chef, the option will remain available.

This menu test is expected to run from September 9th through October 20 2014.

Disney Quest’s Ride the Comix Closes:

Disney Quest’s Ride the Comix, which was a virtual reality game that placed you in a comic book, closed on September 7th. Players in the game would fight against super villains. But they were no match for the need to expanded the FoodQuest restaurant seating area.

Astro Orbiter Refurbishment:

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Photo by Cory Disbrow

The planets have realigned….well….almost.

The centerpiece for Tomorrowland, the Astro Orbiter, has its planets back. The gleaming orbs are shined and ready to go when the attraction reopens on September 28th. Hopefully the spinning effect of the planets will return with this refurbishment as well.

Repairs underway near Club Cool:

Walls are still up around the section of walkway from the side path that takes you from Canada to Future World and Club Cool. These walls went up immediately following the Flower and Garden Festival (this was the location of the butterfly house). The reason is said to be a gas main rupture. The entire area had to be dug up for it to be repaired. We will keep you updated as things progress.

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Food and Wine preperations:

The kiosks for Food and Wine Festival 2014 are mostly in place.The festival is set to begin Friday (Preview day on Thursday). The festival will run 53 days this year which is one week longer then last year. More details to come.

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Cinderella Castle Lights Installation Begins:

The crane is in place to begin installation of the Dream lights placed on the castle for the holidays each year. The installation will run from September 8 to September 21 2014 assuming there are no weather delays.

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Apple Pay Coming to WDW:

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At the September 9th Apple event, senior VP of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue, announced Apple Pay will be available at Walt Disney World “by Christmas.” This announcement came with information on the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6+. Apple Pay is a payment system that uses just your iPhone. You can read more about Apple’s payment system at http://www.apple.com.

Cirque Du Soleil Dark for Refurbishment:

The popular show at Downtown Disney will have no performances from September 14-22 during which time it will be refurbished. Shows will resume on September 23rd.

Magic Kingdom Cosmic Rays Charging Kiosk being removed:

Remember those cell phone lockers in Cosmic Rays and the Space Mountain Gift Shop?
They were unfortunately removed on September 12th. The best option for recharging is now the USB ports or the 110v outlets located in Storybook Circus, Space Mountain gift shop, and the Rapunzel area restrooms. With these options, you must bring your own charger. Personally, I liked the concept of the charging lockers, which allowed you to plug in, safely leave your device behind and pick it up later fully charged. However, the lockers always seemed to be in use when I visited them, making it nearly impossible to use them. Hopefully they will come back with a new design which offers even more lockers.

Frozen Attraction Confirmed for Norway:

Yoohoo, Epcot, BIG Norway announcement.

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Even though Tom Staggs, Chairman Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, was scarce on details, he took to Twitter on September 12th to announce that ‘Frozen’ will be making a permeant home in Epcot’s Norway Pavilion.

A ‘Frozen’ themed attraction will replace Maelstrom and will take guests on a trip to Arendelle. And good news for those that love Meet-and-Greets, Anna and Elsa are getting a permeant location in the rehab also. Maelstrom will have its last day of operation on October 5th 2014, with the new Frozen attraction opening in early 2016.

Disney fans are divided on whether they like this idea or not. You can read the Pros and Cons on recent articles right here on MiceChat.

Downtown Disney West Side High Line:

The new Food Truck area is taking shape at Downtown Disney West Side. The structure is up and when completed will house seating. Take a look at the concept art. Not sure how to feel about food trucks in Downtown Disney. What do you think about this?

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Halloween decorations and merchandise in Magic Kingdom:

Halloween is in full swing at the Magic Kingdom with all decorations and merchandise in place. Everything seems to have been plussed a bit this year.

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Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party Begins:

The first Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party was September 1st, with additional dates throughout September and October. A new up charge dining experience has been added to the event . . .

Villains Sinister Soirée: A Wicked Takeover of Cinderella Castle:

For $99 (plus tax) in addition to your admission to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, you can join Lady Tremaine inside Cinderella Castle along with her evil friends for a dessert party. The soirée also includes preferred viewing for the 8:15 Boo to You Parade and preferred viewing for the Hallowishes fireworks show. More details on the event can be viewed here on the Official Disney Parks

Blog:http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/08/villains-sinister-soiree-a-wicked-takeover-of-cinderella-castle-with-vip-parade-viewing-fireworks-and-delicious-sweets-at-mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party/

The little things:

1. On 9/2/2014 Disney filed a permit for Carpentry work on a “Gorilla Suspension Bridge” at Animal Kingdom

2. On 9/2/2014 Disney filed a permit for Carpentry work on a “Kilimanjaro Safari Stroller Bridge” at Animal Kingdom

3. On 9/2/2014 Disney filed a permit for construction on buildings 2,3,4, and 5 at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter

4. On 9/2/2014 Disney filed permits for “Electrical Upgrades” to both Splash Mountain and Space Mountain

5. On 9/4/2014 Disney filed a permit for a “Console Relocation” inside The Land

6. On 9/3/2014 Disney filed a permit for the installation of fans in the Tomorrowland Face Painting Area

7.On 9/3/2014 Disney filed a permit for construction of Disney Springs World of Disney Expansion, and Service Yard

8. On 9/3/2014 Disney filed a permit for reconfiguration of the recreation dock at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

9. On 9/4/2014 Disney filed a permit for “Disney Springs Graphic Package to be installed “1”-1640 E Buena Vista Dr,

10. On 9/4/2014 Disney filed a permit for Mechanical work on the Theater in the Wild at Animal Kingdom

11. On 9/4/2014 Disney filed a permit for “General Construction” on the Lower Flume of Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom

12. On 9/4/2014 Disney filed a permit for Electrical/ General Construction on the Living Seas Life Support Control System

13. On 9/4/2014 Disney filed a permit for demolition of the Disney Springs Cast Services Building and the adjoining Parking Lot

14. On 9/8/2014 Disney filed a permit for Replacing antennas, adding lines, radios and associated tower top equipment to an existing cellular tower operated by ATT Mobile located on Reams Road

15. On 9/9/2014 Disney filed a permit for electrical work on Kilimanjaro Safaris in Animal Kingdom. This can only be assumed to be the beginnings of support for the night version.

16. On 9/9/2014 Disney filed a permit for installation of Trattoria Al Fornon Signage on Disney’s Boardwalk. This signage will replace Kouzzina by Cat Cora.

17. On 9/9/2014 Disney filed a permit for general construction on DVC Geiger Counter in Tomorrowland

18. On 9/9/2014 Disney filed a permit for Train Track Maintenance on the service track in Magic Kingdom

19. On 9/9/2014 Disney filed a permit for construction on the Belle Meet and Greet Queue

20. On 9/9/2014 Disney filed a permit for construction on the queue to Storytime with Belle

21. On 9/9/2014 Disney filed a permit for Old Key West Electric Eel Sign-New Marquee Sign on Wall

22. On 9/9/2014 Disney filed a permit for a new oven in the Electric Umbrella

23. On 9/9/2014 Disney filed a permit for general construction on Mama Melrose in Hollywood Studios

24. On 9/9/2014 Disney filed a permit for a new oven in the Odyssey Building

25. On 9/9/2014 Disney filed a permit for Memento Mori Signage at 4000 Tunnel Way

 

The MiceChat Orlando Invasion (Gumball Rally, Sip and Nibble, Halloween Events and More)

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW, READ BELOW AND SIGN UP TODAY!

We have a lot of magical fun have lined up for October. As always, feel free to join us for as much or as little of the following events as interest you! We will be visiting Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney Hollywood Studios, and of course the Magic Kingdom. We will also be going to the Universal Orlando Resort to experience the wonderful new Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley and Escape from Gringotts!

Just look at the crazy itinerary of events we have lined up for this totally awesome trip:

October 23 – Universal Orlando Resort

This year we kick off the fun with a trip to Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure.  Here we will experience daytime thrills and nighttime chills.

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The day will begin with a visit to Diagon Alley inside Universal Studios Orlando and a ride on the new, state-of-the-art attraction, Escape from Gringotts. Then we will journey on the Hogwarts Express into Islands of Adventure to experience Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.  Along with all of the other world class attractions like The Amazing Spiderman and Men In Black, this promises to be a day you will never forget. Contact Fairy Godmother Travel for discount Universal Studios theme park admission.

Then, as the sun sets, the brave souls who remain will join us for the 24th annual Halloween Horror Nights.

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This event is truly one of the very best Halloween events in the entire world.  With maniacally clever haunted houses and beautifully designed movie quality sets, it truly is in a class by itself.

For those joining us for the day AND the nighttime activities, we’ll have dinner as Universal transitions from regular operation to Haunt. Be sure to contact [email protected] to reserve your spot for dinner and to find out where we will meet.  If you’d like to join us for Halloween Horror Nights, you’ll need the front of line tickets (HHN Express Pass).  Contact Fairy Godmother Travel for discount tickets

Sign up below to let us know if you plan to join us for the day, HHN or both. We’ll save a spot for you at our meal reservations.  Please note that you will need a park hopper ticket for the day and a Universal Express pass for Halloween Horror Night to keep up with the group.

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Sip and Nibble – October 24

Friday will be the always fun, often imitated, but never duplicated, Sip and Nibble at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival. This is where we meet new and old friends, share food & drink, and try to make it through all the food and wine offerings. This year there are 25 separate kiosks featuring food and wine from continents and countries such as Africa, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Greece, Hawai’i, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Patagonia, Poland, Puerto Rico, Scotland, Singapore, South Korea. There are also odd kiosks with really great food (the Cheese kiosk is really GOOD!), the most delicious vegetarian dishes and fantastic drinks (alcoholic and non) for you to enjoy. Lets take bets—will we make it past France this year? (Hint . . . we’ve never failed to finish yet!). It’s an absolutely amazing day of food, drink and friendship!!!

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Last year we had an rollicking good time around the Seven Seas Lagoon.  In fact, Disney Legend Bob Gurr even joined us for our trip around the world.

Our Sip and Nibble event has a small fee to cover the cost of lanyards, pens and shot glasses for attendees. if you can’t afford the fee, please come anyway. The more the merrier.

Magic Kingdom and La Nouba – October 25

We’ll spend the day at the Magic Kingdom with a noon meet at Tomorrowland Terrace. We’ll meet for about 15 minutes or so to allow folks to gather and then head off for lunch together (Lunch will be upstairs at Columbia Harbor House at 12:30). Then we’ll explore some of the wonderful attractions of this great Disney park.

This is also the date of D23’s Fanniversary.  If you are interested in seeing Fanniversary, please click the link:  D23 FANNIVERSARY  (when Fanniversary is over, you can catch back up with us by following us on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/MiceChat to find out where we are)

If you book your MiceChat Orlando Invasion vacation with Fairy Godmother Travel you will get to attend Tuesday’s Cirque du Soleil show for free! This is a $100 savings per person and can only be obtained by booking through Fairy Godmother Travel – Contact Fairy Godmother Travel HERE 

The Walt Disney World Gumball Rally – Sunday October 26

One great day, two huge parks, a world of maniacal fun, how many attractions can YOU ride?

The MiceChat Walt Disney World Gumball Rally returns October 26th in the  “Walt Disney World Monorail Rally.”  Teams of 2, 3, or 4, will race to see who can ride the most attractions in the Magic Kingdom and Epcot in one day.  Players who have competed in the Disneyland version have raved, “It’s the most fun I have EVER had in the park!”

To win, you’ll need a good strategy, but even the most prepared teams will have to deal with with varied operating hours, closures, ride breakdowns, parades, and weather to visit a set of specific attractions in each of the two parks in this year’s event.

!!! This time around, the event includes a dinner buffet  while you await the scores !!! 

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Throughout the day, teams will scramble around the WDW resort completing their assigned questions. But only one team can win!

1st place for the WDW 08' Gumball Rally went to . . .THE DISNEY DIVAS!!!!! - Teresa Cory and Lisa Schneider

What amazing adventures are in store for the players this year?  Sign up to find out . . . it really is the most fun you’ll have in the parks all year.

Adventure Day – October 27

Head into the jungle and have an adventure with us! MiceChat will be having a lunch meet-up at Animal Kingdom on this day at 11:30 am, followed by a trek into the jungles of Disney.

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We are having a lunch meet up at 11:30 at the Flame Tree BBQ. Get your food and head down to the first covered hut near the lagoon—if you have trouble finding us, call the MiceChat Hotline at 949-274-8778.

From the Movies to Mickey – October 28th

Join us for a quick bite at 10:30am at “Starring Rolls” in the Disney Studios park. We’ll ride Tower of Terror, see the Indiana Jones Stunt Show, pick up some of the stage shows. Then, as the hours begin to fade to darkness, we’ll join Mickey and pals in the Magic Kingdom for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!

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Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party – Evening of October 28

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Halloween isn’t just about scares.  At Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party you can become a kid again and spend the night trick or treating with all of your MiceChat pals!  You’ll be treated with the special Halloween Fireworks at Cinderella’s Castle, the amazing Boo to You Parade, bags filled with candy and endless character interactions.  Not to mention the rides!  When was the last time you got to yell “trick or treat” (and get candy)?!

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Meet at on the train platform on Main Street at 6:30pm – Just in case of rain we’ll have cover while we wait for our Mice Pals to assemble. We will shut down the Magic Kingdom in true MiceChat style!

These parties sell out (Oct 31 is already sold out!) so we recommend getting your tickets HERE  ASAP. The party tickets are running $71.36 per adult.

Deals

Deals up to 30% off are available right now for the MiceChat Invasion.

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So what do you think? See any events here you’d like to attend? Book a week with Fairy Godmother Travel and save – Or add your name to the list below and we’ll let you know when and where you can sign up for each of the events. It’s a pretty impressive line up of amazing fun and events.  We will see 6 different theme parks, two halloween parties, meals at outstanding restaurants, and the nicest people you can ever travel with.  Yes, the MiceChat WDW Invasion will be a magical not-to-be-missed week!

Join the MiceChat WDW Invasion and Gumball Rally Info List
for updates and information on the MiceChat WDW Invasion 2014.

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