Brad Maki, Key to the World Travel

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Brad Maki, Key to the World Travel I will help you plan, book, and prepare for your Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, or other travel destination with no extra cost to you.

Walt Disney World news this week:In a sorely-needed update, Buzz Lightyear Spaceranger Spin will be getting a refurbishm...
04/04/2025

Walt Disney World news this week:

In a sorely-needed update, Buzz Lightyear Spaceranger Spin will be getting a refurbishment later this year with updated vehicles, a new show scene, and detachable blasters that will make the game play better. If you've ridden this in the last 5 years, you know this ride is in rough shape! (This photo is literally from 10 years ago!)

Disney is bringing back luggage transfer service (on a limited basis) to some of its resort hotels! This seemed like a goner after stopping when Covid hit. But they are bringing it back at the five value resorts (Pop Century, Art of Animation, and the three All-Star resorts) beginning today if you are flying Southwest Airlines for your flight home. If you are leaving one of those resorts and flying Southwest, you can bring your luggage to the resort airline check-in desk before 1:00 a.m. the night before (if your flight is before 1:00 p.m.) or at least 4 hours prior to departure (but no later than 1:00 p.m.) if flying out after 1:00 p.m. Let's hope they continue rolling this out to all resorts and expanding to more airlines - this is huge time saver rather than lugging bags to the airport and checking them there!

BOTH Disney water parks will be open at the same time this summer. They have only had one open at a time since reopening after Covid. Both will be open from May 21 through the summer. Remember that Disney resort guests get a free water park admission on their check-in day in 2025.

Walt Disney World news this week:Disney announced some limited-time offerings as well as opening days for new shows this...
29/03/2025

Walt Disney World news this week:

Disney announced some limited-time offerings as well as opening days for new shows this summer.

The previously-announced shows of The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure and Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After will both debut on May 27 at Hollywood Studios. Disney will also begin showing Disney Starlight, the new nighttime parade at a yet-to-be-announced date at Magic Kingdom "later" this summer.

Limited-time offerings will include kid zones in Storybook Circus and Tomorrowland (both in Magic Kingdom) and a kids play space in CommuniCore Hall in Epcot from May 27-September 1. Guests of some Disney resort hotels will also see more character visits at specific times; the included resorts are Art of Animation, Pop Century, Caribbean Beach, and Wilderness Lodge Characters will also be out during the Early Entry period in the theme parks, when typically they are not available until later in the day.

Disney also announced new ticket, hotel, and dining offers for summer dates. The free dining plan is available for stays June 29-Sept. 30, Oct. 20-Nov. 1, and Dec. 6-22. There is a kids 50% off ticket deal for dates May 27-Sept. 20. And there is an up to 30% off room discount at the Disney resorts Aug. 1-Oct. 11. Please let me know if you have a trip (or want to plan a trip) during any of these dates so I can run the numbers for you.

Walt Disney World news this week:Kali River Rapids reopened at Animal Kingdom today after its annual refurbishment.It's ...
14/03/2025

Walt Disney World news this week:

Kali River Rapids reopened at Animal Kingdom today after its annual refurbishment.
It's Tough to Be a Bug closes this Sunday permanently to make way for the new Zootopia-themed show in the Tree of Life later this year.

There will be a new Mandalorian mission available on Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run starting May 22, 2026 at Hollywood Studios. It will have connections to the new Mandalorian and Grogu film that comes out the same day.

Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge will be closed for a short refurbishment, May 12-21, 2025. Winter Summerland Mini Golf course at Blizzard Beach will be going through refurb April 28-June 16; one course will remain open at a time but no advanced reservations will be available (walk-ups only).

Pop Century Resort is adding a little coffee shop (no date announced), and the All-Star resorts are getting some refreshing in their lobbies with new murals. Nice to see some attention paid to the value resorts!

Typhoon Lagoon reopens May 1 and Blizzard Beach will close. This seems to now be the standard pattern at WDW with only one park being open at a time. I thought maybe with the new water park benefit for people buying hotel/ticket packages that this would change considering the water parks might be a bit busier.

Walt Disney World news this week:At long last! Disney announced they will be ending the virtual queue system for both Ti...
21/02/2025

Walt Disney World news this week:

At long last! Disney announced they will be ending the virtual queue system for both Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom AND Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot starting next week on Tuesday, Feb. 25. Both attractions have been using virtual queues since they opened. Tiana opened in summer 2024, but Guardians opened back in 2022, so this is a welcome change.

Walt Disney World news this week:I knew it was coming, but I wish it wasn't so soon! MuppetVision 3-D will have its last...
25/01/2025

Walt Disney World news this week:

I knew it was coming, but I wish it wasn't so soon! MuppetVision 3-D will have its last show on June 7. I was fortunate to see it earlier this month, probably for my last time. Nearby PizzeRizzo will also close that day, and Mama Melrose Ristorante will close on May 10. These closures are making way for the new Monsters Inc. area with a door coaster, show, and restaurant.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure will have some 6:00 p.m. closures on select dates in January and February. Disney isn't saying if this is due to weather, maintenance, or saving costs. So if you're going in the next few weeks, check the schedule and adjust your plans.

Walt Disney World news this week:Disney announced its annual "free dining" promotion this week. You can get a dining pla...
07/01/2025

Walt Disney World news this week:

Disney announced its annual "free dining" promotion this week. You can get a dining plan included with a regular-priced package including Disney resort stay (minimum 3 nights) and tickets (minimum 3-day Park Hopper). The included dates are May 27-June 26 and July 6-August 6, 2025.

There is also a room discount available for similar dates.

Let me know if you are interested in a summer vacation to Disney World!

Here are a few photos from my New Year's trip with my family. It was a lot of firsts and lasts. Happy new year!

Walt Disney World news this week:The only thing of note this week is that Disney announced the dates for the Flower & Ga...
14/12/2024

Walt Disney World news this week:

The only thing of note this week is that Disney announced the dates for the Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot. It will be held in 2025 from March 5 to June 2. This is just my excuse to post my favorite topiary!

Walt Disney World news this week:Disney provided some updated timelines this week on previously-announced projects.The n...
05/12/2024

Walt Disney World news this week:

Disney provided some updated timelines this week on previously-announced projects.

The new stage show at Hollywood Studios will be named "Disney Villains: Unfarily Ever After" and is on schedule to open in the summer. The revamped Little Mermaid show will be renamed "The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure" and will include the songs Daughters of Triton and Kiss the Girl (new to the show). This also comes next summer.

At Epcot, Test Track will be sponsored by General Motors (rather than only Chevrolet) and feature a new storyline and new ride vehicles. The updated timeline has it opening in late summer 2025.

The new nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom will be named "Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away" and open in the summer.

At Animal Kingdom, the new "4-D" Zootopia theatre show will open inside the Tree of Life in winter 2025. Disney also announced that Dinosaur will remain open for 2025, after which it is scheduled to be shuttered for the new Indiana Jones ride.

I haven't posted a news update in a very long time as there hasn't been much to report. But today, Disney announced the ...
23/11/2024

I haven't posted a news update in a very long time as there hasn't been much to report. But today, Disney announced the closure of my beloved MuppetVision 3D sometime next year to make way for the new Monsters, Inc. door coaster ride. This was the last project Jim Henson had a hand in, and it will be missed a great deal. RIP, MuppetVision!

Disney tried to soften the blow by also announcing a re-theme of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster in Hollywood Studios. They will change it from Aerosmith to Muppets. I can't imagine it will have the same wit and charm of the 3-D movie, but I'll take a wait and see approach!

Walt Disney World news this week:We went from almost no news in a month to lots this last week!  In order of biggest to ...
20/10/2024

Walt Disney World news this week:

We went from almost no news in a month to lots this last week! In order of biggest to least in impact/importance:

Disney announced yet another version of its skip-the-line service, this one called Lightning Lane Premiere Pass. This is a pilot where Disney give guests one-time entry to each available Lightning Lane entrance in the theme park they are visiting that day (it doesn't work across parks for Park Hopping). This includes attractions included in both Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass, but without the need to select an experience time. Pricing is very high - ranging from $329 per person to $499 per person depending on time of year and park selected. This rolls out October 30 and will be sold to Deluxe resort guests only in limited quantities.

Magic Kingdom ride updates: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will close for more than one year starting January 6, not reopening until early 2026. This is likely to help with the construction of the new things previously announced (Cars ride, Villains land, etc.). Jungle Cruise reopened from refurbishment this last week and is rebranded as Jingle Cruise returns for its seasonal update November 2.

At Animal Kingdom, the planned closures of some Dinoland attractions were announced. Triceratop Spin and Fossil Fun Games close starting January 13. Dinosaur will remain open (but look for that to close later in 2025).

At Hollywood Studios, the planned return of Voyage of the Little Mermaid has been delayed to Summer 2025.

Finally, Disney announced its typical lineup of holiday season offerings that begin Nov. 12. This includes the Merry Menagerie puppeteers at Animal Kingdom, the return of the holiday finale at the Frozen Singalong along with a new Holiday Spirit Band in Hollywood Studios, and the Frozen Holiday Surprise show on the castle stage at Magic Kingdom. The International Festival of the Holidays at Epcot starts Nov. 29 and continues through Dec. 30. The Candlelight Processional also returns to Epcot with celebrity narrators. Decor will be up in all parks, Disney Springs, and the resort hotels starting in November.

It's been a minute since my last Walt Disney World news post. There hasn't been too much new or exciting going on, thoug...
11/10/2024

It's been a minute since my last Walt Disney World news post. There hasn't been too much new or exciting going on, though the parks did close this week on Wednesday and all of Thursday for Hurricane Milton. Things reopened today with minimal impact. A recap of what's happened in the last month or so (not much!):

Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy has permanently closed at Hollywood Studios to start making room for the new Disney villains show that will open sometime next year.

There's a new menu over at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe in Magic Kingdom. There is a new double chili con queso burger and several create-your-own bowl options like steamed tamale, nachos, southwest Caesar, and rice bowls that can be customized with chicken, pork, or beef. These come at the expense of a few other burgers and the fajita platter, but it looks much improved! I usually don't report on menu changes, but Pecos Bill is a family favorite, and we also love Chipotle, and this is a big deal to us!

Finally, there is a new discount offer out for dates from January-May 2025. If you already booked with me and the discount applied to your reservation, it's already done! If you are thinking about a trip in early 2025, now is the time to consider booking so let me know and I'll help find you the best pricing available.

Walt Disney World news this week (so far!):Lightning McQueen's Racing Academic will be closing by October 7 at Hollywood...
05/09/2024

Walt Disney World news this week (so far!):

Lightning McQueen's Racing Academic will be closing by October 7 at Hollywood Studios to make way for a new Disney Villains show that will start in that space in the summer of 2025. Disney says that the live show will feature villains like "Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook and Maleficent each breaking through the glass to take the stage in live production numbers."

TRON Lightcycle / Run will move from a virtual queue to a regular standby queue on Sept. 9! This is great news, as the virtual queues cause a lot of stress and require perfect timing to secure a spot. Virtual queues will remain in place for the new Tiana's Bayou Adventure, and inexplicably (after more than 2 years!) at Epcot's Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Some pretty big news I wanted to get out before the end of the week!

Huge Walt Disney World news from last night's fan club event, D23! Here's a quick rundown of all the major announcements...
11/08/2024

Huge Walt Disney World news from last night's fan club event, D23! Here's a quick rundown of all the major announcements with more details to come in the coming months (and years):

A new nighttime parade called "Disney Starlight" will debut next summer (2025) at the Magic Kingdom next summer. The Blue Fairy from Pinocchio is the "host" for this parade featuring characters from Peter Pan, Frozen, Encanto, and more.

Tropical Americas is the name of the new land at Animal Kingdom, replacing the current Dinoland USA. It will feature three new attractions when it opens in 2027. The signature attractions are based on Indiana Jones (replacing the current Dinosaur ride) on an all-new adventure and Encanto, a ride through the Madrigal home, encountering animals due to Antonio's gift to talk with them. The new land will also feature a new carousel with favorite wood-carved animals from Disney stories.

Frontierland in Magic Kingdom will be expanded with a new Cars-themed area. The first will be a thrilling ride through the mountains with a smaller attraction geared toward smaller riders. Construction begins early next year.

There will a new land in Hollywood Studios featuring the monsters from Monsters Inc. The signature attraction will be a thrilling suspended coaster through the door vault featured in the movies. Construction begins next year.

A new Star Wars adventure on Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run will feature the Mandalorian and the cute little Grogu character. It's scheduled to begin around the same time the feature film featuring those characters drops in 2026.

Test Track at Epcot will reopen next year (2025) with it's all-new experience.

In what may have been the biggest announcement, Magic Kingdom will receive an all-new land themed after the Disney villains! Not much detail was shared other than that it will feature two major attractions, shopping, and dining, but preparation is underway.

Not Disney World, but they also announced that four (yes four!) new cruise ships will be added to the Disney Cruise Line fleet from 2027-2031. These are in addition to the two others that are coming this year and next (Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny).

Walt Disney World news this week:Rock 'n' Roller Coaster reopened a little earlier than expected this week at Hollywood ...
03/07/2024

Walt Disney World news this week:

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster reopened a little earlier than expected this week at Hollywood Studios after a lengthy refurbishment. Still the same attraction with Aerosmith. So much for a Muppets Electric Mayhem update that I was secretly hoping for!

Peter Pan's Flight is closing for a short refurbishment starting July 8 and going through August 20. No word on what will change (if anything).

Happy 4th everyone!

Some big news out of Disney World today. Genie+ is going to be gone starting July 24!  They are replacing it with a syst...
25/06/2024

Some big news out of Disney World today. Genie+ is going to be gone starting July 24! They are replacing it with a system that combines aspects of Genie+ and the old FastPass+ system. At first glance, it all looks positive (though it still costs money...they will never return to "free" access!).

The system where you can book multiple attractions will be called Lightning Lane Multi Pass, and the current "Individual Lightning Lanes" will be called Lightning Lane Single Pass. Guests staying in a Disney hotel can book up to 3 Lightning Lanes (at times of their choosing) per day of their trip 7 days ahead of time. Other guests can book 3 days before.

My agency has a good article about it that explains the logistics and details:
https://www.keytotheworldtravel.com/walt-disney-world-announces-genie-changes/

A quick update on Walt Disney World:Disney announced that Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party will return to the Magic K...
25/06/2024

A quick update on Walt Disney World:

Disney announced that Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party will return to the Magic Kingdom on select evenings starting Nov. 8 and going through Dec. 20. Tickets are priced at $169 to $219 per ticket this year and go on sale starting July 10. Contact me if you have this in your plans for this year!

Disney also announced the return of the Epcot Festival of the Holidays and Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios.

Finally, Disney World released new discounts that work on resort and package stages from Oct. 6 to Dec. 25. If you are already booked with me, I'll reprice your package when the discount goes live on Thursday. If you aren't already booked but want a fall or early winter trip, let me know!

I haven't been good about getting Walt Disney World news out this summer, but it's been mostly quiet. A couple things of...
24/06/2024

I haven't been good about getting Walt Disney World news out this summer, but it's been mostly quiet. A couple things of that last few weeks:

The Frontierland Shootin' Arcade's last day of operation was today (June 23). This opening-day Magic Kingdom attraction is closing to make way for a new Disney Vacation Club member lounge.

Test Track in its current iteration had its last day of operation last weekend. It now begins a lengthy refurbishment that Disney announced several months ago. It's probably time. No word on whether the build-your-car feature will be retained or removed.

In other news, Disney Cruise Line has released itineraries for late 2025 through early 2026. If you are interested in a Disney Cruise in the next couple years, let me know so I can get you some pricing.

Catching up with Walt Disney World news from the past few weeks!The hubbub has been around the opening of Tiana's Bayou ...
12/06/2024

Catching up with Walt Disney World news from the past few weeks!

The hubbub has been around the opening of Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom. It officially opens on June 28 (no change), and Disney has released quite a bit of information about the attraction, including a full ride-through video, merchandise shop information, and details for rabid fans. The photo is of my last ride on Splash Mountain with friends and strangers alike smiling for the camera!

Communicore Hall at Epcot has finally opened, and all of the Epcot construction walls are down after more than 4 years! The hall includes space for festival happenings, a stage currently occupied by the Encanto sing-along show, and a new area to meet Mickey Mouse and friends. The Mickey & Friends area is a new addition to Genie+.

The Country Bear Jamboree at Magic Kingdom will return July 17. Disney has been releasing snippets of Disney songs reimagined as country/bluegrass tunes. Let's hope the bears haven't lost their sense of irreverence!

The new Polynesian tower guest rooms are now open for booking by both DVC and non-DVC members. They are first available for stays starting December 17, 2024.

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