Late summer and early fall are popular times for refurbishment work at Walt Disney World. This summer is no exception, with some previous refurbishment announcements made earlier last month. Now, there are a few new announcements of refurbishment work being done in the parks.

First off, Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom will have a few brief closures during the month of September. These will be quick two-to-three-day periods. The dates are

• September 3 – 5, reopening on September 6
• September 10 – 12, reopening on September 13
• September 23 – 26, reopening on September 27

In addition, Spaceship Earth at Epcot will see a week-long refurbishment from August 18 – 25, reopening on August 26.

For a complete list of refurbishments for the parks, please check out our Disney World Refurbishment Schedule.

Couple of Quick Refurbishments for Walt Disney World is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

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Starbucks on Main Street at the Magic Kingdom officially opens later this week, but this weekend it has been in previews. We now know more information about what you can expect when you step foot inside this new version of the Main Street Bakery.

First off, on first initial glance, you can’t tell it’s a Starbucks location. However, almost all of the food options, as well as beverage choices, are all Starbucks. (Merchandise is distinctly Starbucks, as well.) We are hearing that in the afternoon some additional Disney offerings may be sold, like cupcakes and other sweets.

Most items will be available for a snack credit on the Disney Dining Plan. In addition, those on the Dining Plan may use a quick service entitlement for either one entree and one beverage OR one beverage, one piece of fruit, and one pastry. This does appear to be a full blown Starbucks, for the most part, menu-wise, with the pastries and sandwiches that Starbucks specializes in.

Unfortunately, the bad news is that the famous cinnamon roll didn’t make the cut. However, they are still available at Gaston’s Tavern in Fantasyland.

There is also no indoor seating any longer. This was done to make the bakery bigger to accommodate larger crowds.

This is a Disney-run location. (As someone who has previously worked in a licensed Starbucks location, from the sound of it this is a licensed store.) The employees are all Disney Cast Members. The location will accept your Starbucks cards; however, it will not be able to access your rewards. You will still earn your stars.

For a review of the location, check out AJ at the Disney Food Blog.

One thing is for sure, for those who love a good cup of coffee in the morning, it seems like the Main Street Bakery will be the place to go to get it.

Information About Starbucks on Main Street USA at the Main Street Bakery is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

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Are you excited that the 18th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is just a few short months away?

Among the more popular aspects of this festival are the Premium Events that take place during the 46-day extravaganza. These culinary and beverage programs include popular events like Party For The Senses and the 3D Disney’s Dessert Discovery. There will also be several new events like the Scotland, Land of Food and Drink.

Booking these events ahead of time is a must as space is limited. Guests wishing to attend an event may begin calling (407) WDW-FEST (939-3378) on August 13 at 7 am EDT.

Event bookings that will be available that day include:

Epcot Food & Wine Festival Premium Event Bookings To Open in August is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

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Disney’s upcoming Summer blockbuster movie, The Lone Ranger, starring Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp, is saddling up for a July 3 release.

Wanna catch a special sneak peek? From now until August 3, guests will be able to if they head over to the ABC Sound Studio (the former location of Sounds Dangerous) at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This gripping look at the movie will include special footage, including an extended trailer of the film. It’s an exciting way to get pumped for the action/adventure film.

Also, be on the lookout this weekend (June 15 and 16) over at Downtown Disney as statues of the Lone Ranger and Tonto will be on hand in some unusual places. See if you can spot them!

Limited Time Magic For Walt Disney World – Sneak Peak at The Lone Ranger is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

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This year’s Independence Day celebration at Walt Disney World is going up with a bang!

First, as part of the Limited Time Magic celebration, the Magic Kingdom will celebrate Independence Week, instead of just one day, from July 1 – 7 with a special tribute to the red, white, and blue.

Each night, the park will honor the good old US of A with a spectacular fireworks extravaganza, “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky.” This special 15-minute show will even feature 360 degree fireworks, which are a sight to be seen!

In addition, a new pre-parade will take place daily before the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade. It is set to feature Disney characters like Goofy, Donald, and Pluto, plus the Citizens of Main Street, the Main Street Philharmonic, as well as a horse-drawn calliope.

Will you be visiting the other parks on July 4? Have no fear! Special entertainment will be available at both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

At Epcot, the American Adventure Pavilion gets in on the action by holding “The Voices of Liberty Fourth of July Concert.” This show will not only feature the infamous Voices of Liberty, but will also include the Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps, as well as Disney characters. Showtimes are 12:30 pm, 1:45 pm, and 3 pm. In addition, the Voices of Liberty will also have two sets in the American Adventure Rotunda at 4:15 pm and 5 pm.

Disney characters will also be found in patriotic attire at the Pavilion. They will be located outside, near the Kidcot Funstop station from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm and from 3:30 pm – 6 pm.

Make sure to also catch the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series show featuring the Bon Jovi tribute band, Slippery When Wet. Their showtimes are 5:15 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:45 pm, and 9 pm.

To end the night, catch “The Heartbeat of Freedom” tag that will be performed after IllumiNations, which starts at 10 pm.

Finally, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, enjoy the all new “Rockin’ 4th of July Celebration.” The party kicks off with a dance party with a DJ spinning tunes at the Sorcerer’s Hat at 6 pm. Starting at 7 pm, enjoy performances from Mulch, Sweat, and Shears, with showtimes at 7 pm, 8 pm, 9 pm, and 10 pm. Make sure not to miss the rock ‘n roll fireworks spectacular at 10:15 pm.

Fantastic Fourth of July Celebrations to Take Place at Walt Disney World is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

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For those who are unaware, Father’s Day is coming (so be sure to get your father figure something great now…oh…reminds me…I need to go shopping!) Disneyland Resort will be celebrating dad over at Disney California Adventure for this week’s Limited Time Magic event.

Guests should head to Paradise Pier, where they will have the opportunity to meet both Mr. Incredible and Frozone from The Incredibles.

This event will take place from June 10 – 16. Make sure to pick up a Times Guide for exact times and location.

Limited Time Magic For Disneyland – Give Dad An Incredible Father’s Day is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

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For a limited time, enjoy more Monstrous Summer events as Monsters University hosts a special homecoming bash at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The festivities are expected to kick off on June 14, at 6 pm, at the stage located in front of the Hat.  Each evening, a Monster of Scaremonies (otherwise known as a DJ) will be pumping out beats, as well as hosting some special games in the “quad.”  Also, the MU cheerleaders will be on hand, leading guests in the MU fight song. In addition, a monster band known at Scare Supply will take the stage and perform! Make sure to keep your eyes out for (or in Mike’s case, eye) for Mike and Sulley, as they will be sure to join in on the fun and festivities too.

The event is slated to last through the fun of Monstrous Summer.

Limited Time Magic For Walt Disney World – Monsters University Homecoming is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

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Are you a gamer? Did you grow up with Nintendo? (You would totally still play your old original Nintendo if you had it, wouldn’t you? Secret…I do!)

Then make sure to make a stop at Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney’s Marketplace as Nintendo brings its Wii U Tour from now until June 23.

Guests have the opportunity to try out new games, like Nintendo Land, New Super Mario Bros. U, Lego City Undercover, Need for Speed Most Wanted U, as well as to check out the new gaming system. Guests are also be able to pose for photos with props featuring some of Nintendo’s most popular franchise characters.

This event takes place outside of Once Upon a Toy in cubes set up to look like funky living rooms and is completely free. It’ll be a fun stop for those visiting Downtown Disney for sure!

Nintendo Wii U Tour Comes To Downtown Disney is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

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This year will mark the 3rd Annual Car Masters Weekends, which is slated to take place during Father’s Day Weekend at Downtown Disney Westside at Walt Disney World. The event is essentially a classic car show, with a twist.

The main portion of the event is the car show, which will feature more than 150 classic, exotic, and muscle cars. Guests will then be able to vote on their absolute favorite.

Do you have a Cars fan in the house? This is your opportunity to meet some of the characters from Cars and Cars 2. Lightning McQueen, Mater and Finn McMissile will all be there to pose with the family. In addition, Chip Foose and Jay Ward will host a special celebrity chat. Both played instrumental parts in the making of Cars. Jay was a filmmaker on the project and automotive designer Chip contributed to the design of the character Ramone. Chip will also take part in autograph sessions.

Guests will also be able to participate in a special Cars and Cars 2 movie marathon at the AMC Downtown Disney 24.

A new addition will have guests participate in the first ever Car Masters Weekend Sock Hop over at Splitsville Luxury Lanes. The event is scheduled to take place on June 15 from 6 pm – 9 pm. It will feature live entertainment, a bowling competition, a buffet of some of Splitsville’s goodies, a limited bar, and raffle prizes. Tickets for this event are required. They will cost $69 per person and go on sale on June 5.

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Other events taking place this year include street performances from Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba; testing of the new Disney Infinity video game; activities surrounding the upcoming Monsters University, Planes, and Lone Ranger movies; test driving remote control Cars 2 RideMakerz models; and vehicles on display from the Exotic Driving Experience at Walt Disney World Speedway. In addition, there will be a DJ spinning tunes from classic 50s and 60s songs; live performances by the Car Masters Singers; and the Chevrolet Showcase where guests can pose for photographs inside the newest Chevrolet models and discover the latest in design and automotive technology.

The event is scheduled to take place from 9:30 am – 6 pm each day from June 15-16. For more information, visit DisneyCarEvent.com

3rd Annual Car Masters Weekends To Take Place June 15-16 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Much like its sister resort, Disneyland Resort is also seeing an increase in ticket prices starting June 2.

According to Disney, the pricing structure will be as follows:

*multi-day tickets expire 13 days after first use

In addition, Annual Passports have increased in price.  Here is a look at those prices:

For those looking to buy the Disney Premier Passport (which gets you access to both Disneyland and Walt Disney World) it will now cost $979.

Parking will cost $16.

If you are headed to Disneyland this summer, you should consider purchasing your tickets before then to get the cheaper cost.

Disneyland Resort Ticket Prices to Increase June 2 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.