The 8 BIG Updates from Walt Disney World (And Beyond) This Week (January 1-6, 2019)

Sunday, January 6, 2019 - 06:13

This week at Walt Disney World, a whole bunch of new perks for annual passholders are announced, another Pixar character from the movie "Up!" is set to appear at Disney's Animal Kingdom, plus 2019's free dining discount is released!

Programming note: Though we normally devote some time to Orlando-area parks outside Lake Buena Vista, there has been so much going on at Walt Disney World over the past seven days that we decided to forgo the “beyond” this week. You’ll hear about all the news from Universal Orlando Resort, Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando in next week’s update!

1. Kevin from Up! to appear at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Image: Disney

Disney announced this week that Kevin, the bird from from Up! will be appearing at Disney's Animal Kingdom beginning on an unspecified date next month. This new character experience is just the latest Up addition to the park, as guests can already meet Russel and Dug, and see Up characters in the UP! A Great Bird Adventure show.

2. More Dine-In theaters coming to the Disney Springs AMC

Dine-in theatre

Image: Disney

The AMC theater at Disney Springs will be getting a few upgrades over the coming weeks, with more theaters being converted to Dine-in and recliners being installed in the existing dine-in theatres. The bar areas will also see a refurbishment over the coming weeks.

Amanda KondolojyView Profile

Managing editor of Theme Park Tourist and dark ride enthusiast. Amanda is a lifelong theme parks fan who lives just outside Orlando. When she’s not booking FastPass+ reservations, standing in a queue or eating the latest specialty cupcake, you can find her watching a Marvel movie, reading a book (probably by Neil Gaiman) or singing along to showtunes in her car. Contact: [email protected]