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Welcome to A Disney State of Mind!! This weekly newsletter will share with you Disney tips, tricks, news and my personal reviews and experiences in hopes it helps as you plan your supercalifragilistic vacation to the Most Magical Place on Earth!
Let's jump right in and get to this week's news and information!
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NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WEEK
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Boarding Groups Implemented at Hollywood Studios
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It is finally open!! Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opened its doors to the public yesterday morning and it was nothing short of a spectacular success. Those that braved the intense crowds got to enter to park around roughly 4:45am. Within minutes the wait time skyrocketed to 300 minutes for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler Run! As the course the day went on, the wait time seemed to decrease, as it seemed the crowds leveled out.
It was not long into the day that we learned Disney officially implemented the Boarding Group process. Some of us had heard rumblings of it over the course of the last few days, but nothing was announced or official. If you might recall, Disneyland rolled out this same process when their Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opened in May, and it's been super successful and easy for Guests to manage and follow. Considering it seemed to be sprung on Guests at Walt Disney World, it all appeared to roll out rather smoothly.
In case you are wondering for a future trip, here is how the process works - I created an infographic you can print or keep on your phone so you have it at the ready if you need it. :-)
 I also updated my Complete Guide to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge with this new info. To read more, click here.
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Another D23 has come and gone! We'll have to wait another 2 years before it comes around again, but Disney has certainly left us with enough to be excited about until then!
As most of us know, Epcot is about to undergo a major transformation. And I, for one, cannot be more excited! I've been visiting Epcot since the early 80s, and while things have changed slightly over the years, I'm really looking forward to this massive overhaul! We've seen a lot of improvements and expansions at all 3 of the other parks over the years, and Epcot has been left virtually untouched. From time to time, we may have seen a slight change or upgrade, but it's seen the least amount of love over the last decade, if not more. It's time.
Here's a quick recap of some of the highlights!
Epcot will be split into 4 areas: World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature and World Showcase. The first half of Epcot will no longer be referred to as Future World with this new change.
World Celebration: Spaceship Earth will be receiving a 2-year upgrade starting in 2020 and a new multi-level pavilion will be created and act as home base to park festivals and events. I think the most exciting (for me) is the new statue of Walt Disney that is going to be erected at the exit of Spaceship Earth, also known as Dreamers Point.
World Discovery: Will be the home of Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind Coaster, Space 220 Restaurant and the all-new Play Pavilion.
World Nature: Will be the future location of a brand new Moana attraction "Journey of Water", and the new film "Awesome Planet" will debut in Jan 2020.
World Showcase: China will welcome a new film called "Wondrous China", Canada will also release a new film called "Canada Far & Wide" in Jan 2020, France will add "Beauty & the Beast Sing-A-Long" to the long running Impressions of France for a double-feature in Jan 2020, Remy's Ratatouille Adventure and a new creperie restaurant to debut in Summer 2020, an all-new Mary Poppins attraction will be added to the UK Pavilion, and finally "HarmonioUS" Nighttime Spectacular will debut in 2020!
Whew! That's a lot of change for one park! I suspect when all is said and done, we probably won't recognize the park. I am really excited for all of the changes and I hope you are too! I have updated my Complete Guide to All the New Magic Coming to Walt Disney World! Bookmark this file as it's updated frequently as thing are a changed or added!
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PLANNING INFO & OTHER WDW NEWS
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Mid-day Magic Ticket Offer
Not an early riser? Rather hit the parks later in the day? If you enter after 12:00PM, Disney has a new ticket offer just for you! Click here to read all about it!
Fall and Holiday Ticket Offers
Want to visit Walt Disney World this Fall or for the Holiday. Check out these offers here!
REMINDER: Extra Extra Magic Hours Started August 29
Now that Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is open Extra Extra Magic Hours has started. Read all the details here!
Dapper Day Returns
November 15 (Disney Springs), 16 (Hollywood Studios - Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge) and 17 (Epcot). Read complete details here. AND you can now SHOP for fun Dapper Day accessories! For more, click here!
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Beaches and Cream Soda Shop - The Beach Club Resort
Set to close in early August 2019 and reopen in December 2019. Currently, the last date available for advanced dining reservations at Beaches & Cream is Saturday, August 3.
Walt Disney World Railroad, Main Street U.S.A - Magic Kingdom
Closed now through TBD
Astro Orbitor - Magic Kingdom
Closed now through TBD
"O Canada" - Epcot
The "O Canada" movie shown at the Epcot Canada Pavilion in World Showcase will undergo a refurb and close as of August 1. Currently the Festival Center for the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.
UP! A Great Bird Adventure - Animal Kingdom
Set to close September 8 - 14 for a refurb; set to reopen on September 15
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REMINDERS & UPCOMING EVENTS
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MAGIC KINGDOM
Mickey & Minnie's Surprise Celebration / Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party!
Don't miss the Mickey & Minnie meet & greet inside Town Square! And be sure to enjoy the new street party featuring an all new song "It's a Good Time" as it makes its way down Main Street (several times daily).
Dates: Now through September 30, 2019
Rare Character Meet & Greet
Rare characters have been appearing daily for meet and greets at the flag pole near the entrance to the park. They are unpublished and anyone's guess who will show up each day!
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Here are this year's dates:
- August 16, 20, 23, 27, 30
- September 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29
- October 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31
- November 1
See my complete guide here!
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Here are this year's dates:
- November 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24
- December 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22
See my complete guide here!
EPCOT
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth Ending
IlluminNations: Reflections of Earth will end it's 20-year run making way for an all-new nighttime spectacular.
Dates: September 30, 2019
Epcot Forever
Temporarily replacing IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, Epcot forever will tap into the history of Epcot through music, imagery, laser, fireworks and more!
Dates: October 1, 2019
Epcot Food & Wine Festival
Celebrate one of the biggest festivals of the year with delectable food, drinks and entertainment. See my complete guide here.
Dates: August 29 - November 23, 2019
Epcot Festival of the Holidays
Celebrate all the delights of the season, including the Candlelight Processional!
Dates: November 29 - December 30, 2019
Hollywood Studios
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Grand Opening
Dates: August 29, 2019
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Rise of the Resistance
Dates: December 5, 2019
Animal Kingdom
Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party
Dance party including Timon and Rafiki. Daily on the Discovery Island stage.
Dates: Now through September 30, 2019
Tree of Life "Lion King" Projection Show
New projections on the Tree of Life featuring music and animation paying tribute to the classic film.
Dates: Memorial Day Weekend - September 30, 2019
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DSM TIP OF THE DAY (WEEKLY RECAP)
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In case you missed it on social media, here is a recap of my tips for this week!
Be sure to follow along on social media (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter) for the latest tips, news and information!!
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That's all for this week my friends! As always, thank you for following along here and on social. I appreciate all of you!
Until next week...have a magical weekend and week ahead! And always stay in a Disney state of mind...
Marnie ºoº
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