<<Introduction>>

Spring has sprung and another edition of the INTERCOT Insider has sprung into your mailbox.  As spring brings change to our weather patterns, spring has brought lots of changes to the Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts.  From new hard ticket events to closures of whole lands and from 2 new Cruise Ships to 30 new spots at Disney Springs; we give you the scoop on the changes sprouting up at your favorite Disney destinations. Hang on to them hats and glasses, cause this here's the most informative ride on the internet!

<<Disney Deals>>

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>>Details on INTERCOT Discussion Boards

>>Contact Magical Journeys Today!

<< INTERCOT News Room>>

The INTERCOT News Room has been buzzing with exciting announcements and interesting updates during the first weeks of Spring.  Be sure to follow the link at the bottom of each item for more details and to join in on the discussion on the INTERCOT Discussion Boards.

New Hard-Ticket Events Coming to Magic Kingdom

Disney After Hours and Early Morning Magic are two new hard ticket events aimed at Guests who do not qualify for Extra Magic Hours.  Disney After Hours will include ice cream novelties, bottled beverages, and 'after hours' access to the park's most popular attractions.  Early Morning Magic will include breakfast at Pinocchio Village Haus and 'before hours' access to popular Fantasyland attractions.

>> Pricing, Dates, Details & Discussion

Tiered Pricing for 1-Day Tickets

Disney has begun tiered pricing for 1-Day tickets at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.  Guests purchasing 1-Day tickets will pay varying rates depending on the anticipated crowd levels for the time of their visit; more expensive during the busy months and less expensive during the less busy months.

>> Details & Discussion

Two New Cruise Ships to Join the Disney Fleet

Disney is again expanding its family cruise business with plans to build two new ships, each of them showcasing the immersive family entertainment, enchanting storytelling and unparalleled service that only Disney can deliver. The company has entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany. The schedule calls for the new ships to be completed in 2021 and 2023.

>> Details & Discussion

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Refurb Delayed

The Magic Kingdom park has announced that the multi-month refurbishment for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad originally scheduled for the Spring and Summer has been delayed till later in the year.

>> Details & Discussion

Frozen Games Coming to Blizzard Beach

Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park will play host to the inaugural Frozen Games this summer. Guests visiting the waterpark can to join “Team Kristoff” or “Team Olaf” and participate in a variety of activities, including Ice Pail Relays, a Snowball Toss to Ski Pole Limbo and Slide Races.

>> Details & Discussion

Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters Opens

Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters is the newest attraction in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park.  Guests are invited to join the excitement by hopping aboard miniature Italian roadsters, inspired by late 1950s micro cars. Each cousin performs the traditional dances of Carsoli, moving to upbeat music and Luigi’s singing in a precision-choreographed dance across what appears to be a trackless “dance floor.”

>> Details & Discussion

<<Springing-Up in Disney Springs >>

A total of 30 new tenants were announced as coming to Disney Springs, including new retail shops and dining venues. Highlights of this wave of the expansion include a Sephora Beauty Studio including Mini Makeovers, two-stories Under Armour, a Coca-Cola store with rooftop beverage bar, an eponymous sports store inspired by the trophy room in the Jordan family estate, a flagship American Threads location, francesca’s featuring daily arrivals of fashion-forward clothing.

In addition to the bounty of stores, two unique Disney operated restaurants have been announced. At D-Luxe Burger, burger aficionados are in for a treat with gourmet burgers made from a signature blend of beef, unique toppings and freshly baked buns. The signature dessert here will be Burger styled macarons; rather than red meat, these treats will be red velvet with other confectionary alternatives to traditional burger toppings. Amorette’s Patisserie features elements of an artist’s loft and art gallery side-by-side within the comforts of a small town patisserie. Timeless classic and contemporary pastries are the stars in this unique high-end pastry shop.

>> Disney Springs Expansion Details & Discussion

>> D-Luxe Burger Menu & Pictures

<<Calendar Corner>>

The Walt Disney World resort has announced dates and pricing for its two most popular hard ticket seasonal events.  The 2016 Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will be held 29 nights from September 2 through October 31.   Guests planning on attending should note that Disney has revised their costume policy and added additional restrictions regarding costume weapons for this event.  The 2016 Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party will be held 21 nights from November 7 through December 22nd.  Get all the details below on the INTERCOT Discussion boards.

>> Halloween Party Dates & Costume Policy

>> Christmas Party Dates

<<Redrawing the Map>>

With the large area closures looming for April 2, 2016 at Disney's Hollywood Studios additional details have been announced and demolition in a nearby area has already begun.

Construction walls went up around Premier Theater and the former Phineas & Ferb/Cars Meet & Greet area in January 2016. Exterior demolition work on the Premier Theater has recently become evident from outside the construction walls.

The full list of April 2, 2016 closures has been announced as the following:

~ Earffel Tower
~ High Octane Refreshments
~ Honey I Shrunk The Kids Playground
~ Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show
~ Prop Shop
~ Studio Catering Co.
~ The Writers Stop
~ Watto's Grotto
~ Youse Guys Moychindice

The Park has internally announced that the wide spread attraction/shop/restaurant closures will result in the effective closure of the Streets of America and Mickey Avenue "lands". The long unofficially named Muppets Courtyard will reportedly become an official "land" and absorb the former Streets of America areas up to Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano. Additionally, the remaining stretch of Mickey Avenue will reportedly be absorbed into the Animation Courtyard.

Are you excited for the coming changes or nostalgic about what is being removed?

>> Join the Discussion

<<Conclusion >>

As the East Bunny hops away along the bunny trail, this edition rides into the sunset. We hope this issue has kept you up-to-date on all the recent announcements and changes from Disney Parks & Resorts. We'll be back in a few weeks with more great tips, news, and deals.  See ya real soon!