Disney News

Author: Deanna

  • Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Being Retired at Walt Disney World

    Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Being Retired at Walt Disney World

    Disney has confirmed that Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom will be coming to an end later this month.

    “With the changes in how our Guests use mobile technology in mind and decreased demand for Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, we will be retiring this interactive experience,” Disney said in a statement.

    Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Is an interactive scavenger hunt where, Hades has an evil plan to make Magic Kingdom park his new summer home. He’s enlisted a brigade of Disney baddies—Cruella, Scar, Jafar, Maleficent, Ursula, Yzma, Ratcliffe and Dr. Facilier—to help track down 4 enchanted crystal shards, which are hidden throughout the park and it’s up to you to foil their plans and save the day.

    Disney also said, “Our mobile devices continue to play a vital role in the Disney theme park experience, and we are constantly innovating with new, on-the-go digital experiences, such as Magic Mobile, Play Disney Parks app and additional enhancements to My Disney Experience.” So perhaps the game will return at some point in a virtual format.

    Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card game experience is set to close on Sunday, Jan. 24th, 2021

  • Disney Makes New Changes to Virtual Queue for New Star Wars Ride

    Disney Makes New Changes to Virtual Queue for New Star Wars Ride

    Disney World is making a slight adjustment to the virtual queue process for one of the most popular experiences at Walt Disney World Resort, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

    Beginning Sunday, Dec. 20, distribution times for virtual queue enrollment will be 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.

    Currently the virtual queue reopens daily at 2 p.m. for anyone who wasn’t already able to join a boarding group earlier in the day.

    Keep in mind, to access the 1 p.m. virtual queue opportunity Guests must have a valid ticket or pass, a Disney Park Pass Reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and be inside the park. Access to a boarding group is subject to availability and not guaranteed.

    As a reminder, only Guests with a Disney Park Pass reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be able to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

    When Park Hopper hours become available on Jan. 1, 2021, Guests visiting from another theme park will not be able to request to join the virtual queue. We encourage these Guests to explore other areas of the park, including in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge where they may experience Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run among other offerings.

  • Park Hopper Option Returning to Disney World January 2021

    Park Hopper Option Returning to Disney World January 2021

    As the phased reopening of Walt Disney World Resort continues, Disney World is nearing another exciting milestone as the Park Hopper option returns starting Jan. 1, 2021.

    Guests who purchased a ticket or annual pass with Park Hopper benefits will be able to visit more than one park per day, with some new modifications as part of Disney’s ongoing focus on health and safety.

    With the updated Park Hopper experience, guests must make a Disney Park Pass reservation for the first park they plan to visit AND enter that first park prior to visiting another. At this time, a park reservation is not required after the first park, however, reservation requirements are subject to change. Take a quick look at the steps below:

    Additionally, Disney will set specific Park Hopper hours during which this option will be available. Park Hopper hours will start at 2 p.m. each day and end at the park’s scheduled close time. Guests will soon be able to check DisneyWorld.com/ParkHours and the My Disney Experience app for the most up-to-date Park Hopper hours, as they could start earlier at a later date, depending on the day and park.

    These modifications are designed to help us continue managing attendance in a way that fosters physical distancing. Additionally, other enhanced health and safety measures remain in effect, including face coverings required for all guests ages two and up.

    As a reminder, guests with a ticket or pass that includes Park Hopper benefits get the chance to see and do more during their visit, which could mean a morning on the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and an evening stroll by Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park or starting the day living your Star Wars adventure at Disney’s Hollywood Studios before an afternoon traveling around the world at EPCOT. Please note that the ability to visit another park will be subject to the park’s capacity limitations.

  • White Castle to Open Worlds Largest Location Near Disney World After 50-year Absence

    White Castle to Open Worlds Largest Location Near Disney World After 50-year Absence

    After a 50-year absence, White Castle will be opening its only Florida location near Walt Disney World and plans to break ground on Nov. 19, the company announced Thursday.

    The new White Castle will be the largest one for the chain and describes it as a “sleek, modern industrial-style architectural design” featuring the chain’s “iconic tower.”

    Known for its tiny square-shaped hamburgers, the menu also includes a variety of sliders like sloppy joe sliders and chicken and waffle sliders. If you need a side to go with your main entree, you can choose from a variety of options like mac ‘n cheese nibblers, chicken rings, corn dog nibblers, and of course, french fries.

    Its future 4,567-square foot restaurant will open at the O-Town West near Palm Parkway and Daryl Carter Boulevard. The location will have both indoor and outdoor seating and two drive-thru lanes.

    The restaurant is expected to create over 100 jobs in the Central Florida area. Construction is expected to wrap up in 2021. 

  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Virtual Queue Can Soon Be Booked from Outside the Park

    Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Virtual Queue Can Soon Be Booked from Outside the Park

    Since its debut last year, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance has proven to be one of the most popular attractions at Disney World and to to help alleviate wait times and shorten lines Disney to created a virtual queue that could only be accessed while inside Hollywood Studios. Now Disney has changed the procedure and you can access the virtual queue outside the park.

    To better help guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios plan ahead for their day at the park, they’re piloting a new approach to the virtual queue system for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Starting Nov. 3, 2020, here’s how it will work: 

    • Guests with a valid ticket or annual pass and a Disney Park Pass reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be able to access the virtual queue system and check for an available boarding group starting at 7 a.m. on the day of their park reservation. This can be done before you leave your Disney resort hotel, or wherever else nearby you might be at that time. 
    • Just as we do today, the virtual queue will reopen daily at 2 p.m. for anyone who wasn’t already able to join a boarding group earlier in the day. Note: Guests must be inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios to access this second virtual queue opportunity, and access to a boarding group is subject to availability and not guaranteed. 

    Disney is hoping this new approach will make a day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios more enjoyable and relaxing, as guests no longer need to be inside the park each morning to request a boarding group for the first virtual queue opportunity. As a reminder, you need to be inside the park to request the 2 p.m. boarding groups. 

    To try to maximize the number of boarding groups Disney’s able to accommodate while adhering to current health and safety guidelines, they recently added a clear barrier between the two rows of seats on each First Order Fleet Transport vehicle inside the attraction. This enables them to invite more guests to board Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance each day. 

    The attraction’s virtual queue is only accessible via the My Disney Experience mobile app. To maximize your opportunity to secure a boarding group, here are some tips we recommend you check off your list prior to your day at the park: 

    • Register an account in My Disney Experience
    • Download the My Disney Experience mobile app on your smart device or ensure you’re using the most updated version of the app before you arrive at the park. 
    • Link and assign all park tickets in your party to a My Disney Experience account
    • Have a valid Disney Park Pass reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the day you’re visiting
    • Select one member of your party to access the virtual queue for everyone in your group; if multiple people in your party try to join the virtual queue simultaneously, that may complicate your ability to secure a boarding group
    • Remember, virtual queue boarding groups are limited and subject to availability 

    This new pilot approach to the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance virtual queue is designed to give guests the best possible experience during a day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

  • New Sorcerer Mickey Crocs from the ‘Wishes Come True Blue’ Collection are Too Cute

    New Sorcerer Mickey Crocs from the ‘Wishes Come True Blue’ Collection are Too Cute

    Disney is teaming up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to celebrate 40 years of making dreams come true with their brand new “Wishes Come True Blue” color collection and the Sorcerer Mickey inspired Crocs are just adorable.

    You’ll be the definitive twinkle toes in these glittering Crocs. Part of the Disney Parks Wishes Come True Blue Collection, they feature Crocs’ signature design with a sparkling silver crescent moon, stars, and Mickey icon so you’ll feel glamorous every step of the way.

    This is the first-ever Disney color collection that celebrates and supports a nonprofit’s impact and ongoing collaboration with Disney. This collection features a wide variety of products from headwear and accessories to apparel and much more as you can see below:

    Disneyland Mask by Spirit Jersey – Wishes Come True Blue – $12.99
    Disneyland Spirit Jersey for Adults – Wishes Come True Blue – $69.99
    Minnie Mouse Ear Headband – Wishes Come True Blue $29.99
    Mickey Mouse Leggings for Women – Wishes Come True Blue – $39.99

    Disney has helped Make-A-Wish grant 140,000 wishes around the world since 1980 through their theme parks, stores and television and movie studios.

    Twenty-five percent of every item purchased from the collection from now until World Wish Day on April 29, 2021, up to $500,000, will go toward the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The items are available on ShopDisney.com.

  • ‘Wishes Come True Blue’ Loungefly Backpack Celebrates 40 Years of Disney and Make-A-Wish

    ‘Wishes Come True Blue’ Loungefly Backpack Celebrates 40 Years of Disney and Make-A-Wish

    Disney is teaming up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to celebrate 40 years of making dreams come true with their brand new “Wishes Come True Blue” color collection and Minnie’s true blue fashion shines on this dazzling mini backpack by Loungefly.

    Featuring a sequined design, Minnie ears, a white star-embossed bow, plus white star cutouts, this bag’s compact silhouette makes it easy to carry your essentials around in style.

    This is the first-ever Disney color collection that celebrates and supports a nonprofit’s impact and ongoing collaboration with Disney. This collection features a wide variety of products from headwear and accessories to apparel and much more as you can see below:

    Disneyland Mask by Spirit Jersey – Wishes Come True Blue – $12.99
    Disneyland Spirit Jersey for Adults – Wishes Come True Blue – $69.99
    Minnie Mouse Ear Headband – Wishes Come True Blue $29.99
    Mickey Mouse Leggings for Women – Wishes Come True Blue – $39.99

    Disney has helped Make-A-Wish grant 140,000 wishes around the world since 1980 through their theme parks, stores and television and movie studios.

    Twenty-five percent of every item purchased from the collection from now until World Wish Day on April 29, 2021, up to $500,000, will go toward the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The items are available on ShopDisney.com.

  • Hong Kong Disneyland Closing Again Amid Coronavirus Surge

    Hong Kong Disneyland Closing Again Amid Coronavirus Surge

    Hong Kong Disneyland announced Monday that it is temporarily closing again one month after reopening due to a recent surge in coronavirus cases.

    The new regulations limit gatherings, previously set at 50 people, to no more than four.

    Hong Kong has seen over 100 new local cases this past week, after almost three weeks without a single case.

    Last week, officials said one of the confirmed cases had visited the park and stayed at the resort before being diagnosed.

    The Hong Kong Government said the measures will be in place for at least seven days and will be re-evaluated after a week.

    Hong Kong Disneyland reopened on June 18 and was the second Disney property to reopen after Shanghai Disneyland.

    On Saturday, the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom reopened at Walt Disney World in Central Florida, concerning health experts who urge people not to gather in groups. Guests at the park said that people were wearing masks and social distancing, and videos showed near-empty parks.

    The park will close on July 15, while the resort hotels will remain open with adjusted levels of services and enhanced health and safety measures that reflect the guidance of health and government authorities.

  • New Loungefly ‘Hocus Pocus’ Collection is Wickedly Fabulous

    New Loungefly ‘Hocus Pocus’ Collection is Wickedly Fabulous

    Loungefly is releasing a new Hocus Pocus inspired collection that will have you running amuck amuck amuck!

    Make a spellbinding addition to your favourite ensembles with this Hocus Pocus inspired mini backpack and wallet that both feature bewitching stylised character artwork.

    Take a look below at the collection:

    LOUNGEFLY DISNEY HOCUS POCUS CHIBI MINI BACKPACK – $79.90

    The faux leather mini backpack is debossed with the Sanderson Sisters in spellbinding chibi style with gold foil accents and Thackery Binx adorns the front pocket! The Faux leather mini backpack

    LOUNGEFLY DISNEY HOCUS POCUS CHIBI WALLET – $42.00

    This faux leather ziparound wallet is debossed with the same chibi style and had a gold zipper pull that says “Hocus Pocus,” but Thackery Binx is hiding on the inside.

  • Disney World Annual Passholders Accidentally Charged for Multiple Months

    Disney World Annual Passholders Accidentally Charged for Multiple Months

    Disney World is reopening later this month so it was expected that annual pass holders would start seeing charges resume on thier monthly payment plans, but some have reported being overcharged for the past three months while the theme parks were closed due to the coronavirus.

    Disney World has already confirmed that they are aware of the mistake and are working to resolve the issue.

    “Passholders on the monthly payment program were incorrectly charged today. We are in the process of reversing these charges and apologize for the inconvenience this caused,” a Disney spokesperson said in an email.

    Disney World has been closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic. An email was sent to passholders in April stating that monthly payments were placed on hold through the closures. The company said it would refund payments made March 14 through April 5 for passholders who pay monthly.

    Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme parks will reopen July 11 and Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will reopen July 15. Disney has announced a phased reopening with limited capacity, new reservation protocols and health measures due to the coronavirus.