Disney just announced new spectacular Spring discounts for Disneyland guests!
All guests can save up to 25% off select rooms at a Disneyland Resort Hotel, valid most Sunday through Thursdays from April 11 to June 9.
Take a look below at all the deals:
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Save 25% on Premium rooms
Save 15% on Standard rooms
Disneyland Hotel
Save 20% on Premium rooms
Save 15% on Standard rooms
Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel
Save 10% on Premium and Standard rooms
Book now through June 6, 2022; travel must be completed by June 10, 2022.
A similar offer will also be available for Disney Visa Cardmembers. Their offer also includes weekends, so if you’re a Cardholder that’s the discount to go with. They can enjoy special savings on stays for most nights (including weekends) at a Disneyland Resort hotel from April 11, 2022 through June 9, 2022.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Save 25% on Premium room types and 15% on Standard rooms
Disneyland Hotel
Save 20% on Premium room types and 15% on Standard rooms
Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel
Save 10% on Premium and Standard room types
Book now through June 6, 2022. Travel must be completed by June 10, 2022.
A little Starbucks and Disney can make any day more magical. So, coffee fans can rejoice now that the new Starbucks location in EPCOT has been announced.
This spring, Connections Café will become the new home of Starbucks at EPCOT. Connections Café is directly across from Creations Shop in World Celebration.
Like other Starbucks locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort, this Starbucks will be designed to fit the theme of its surroundings.
To make way for Starbucks to move to its new location in World Celebration, Traveler’s Café in World Showcase will close this spring. Stay tuned for more details as we prepare to celebrate another milestone in the transformation of EPCOT!
Disney’s new Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is the next level of immersive storytelling. But is it a good as Disney wants you to believe? After our media preview yesterday, I would say the answer is a resounding; Yes!
First of all, this isn’t just a “Star Wars themed Hotel.” This is an extremely immersive storytelling experience that you get the pleasure of spending two nights in. Have you ever wanted to work side-by-side with Stormtroopers to thwart Resistance Rebels? Help break Chewbacca out of the Brig? Get to train with a Lightsaber? If the answer to any of those is yes, then a voyage on the Halcyon would be a dream come true.
We got the Highlight Reel for this media event, so I won’t be walking you through every part of the experience. Besides, your experience won’t be like anyone else’s. This is a real life Choose Your Own Adventure. You could take two, or even three voyages, and have a different experience each time! Take a upclose look at all the details below:
The Crown of Corellia Dining Room
Everyone’s voyage starts as you board a transport shuttle and dock with the Halcyon in space. When the doors open you’re in the ship’s opulent Atrium. Seating areas covered in dark red velvet, gleaming lights reflecting off the polished floor. This is a side of Star Wars we haven’t seen represented at Disney before. Think the posh setting of Canto Bight, or Senator Padme Amidala’s wardrobe in the prequels. No dirty, worn surfaces, or recycled junk aboard the this glamorous Starcruiser.
During a welcome ceremony you’ll be introduced to the characters who will be traveling with you, including the cruise director and the captain. The Crew stays with you for the whole voyage so you’re able to form relationships.
Rooms
The rooms are small, with furniture made to tuck away.
And speaking of your cabin, let’s talk about sentient droids for a minute. In each room is a panel where you can interact with D3-O9, an AI driven character experience that Disney is testing. She’s been on the ship since it was built. She knows ship gossip, and she wants to talk to you. She might fill you in when things happen aboard the ship, like I don’t know, the First Order coming aboard!
Food
Like a traditional cruise, food is included on your journey aboard the Halcyon. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style in the Crown of Corellia Dining Room. Dinners for your two nights aboard are very different. The Dining Room isn’t huge, so when you book your voyage you’ll get to pick an early or later seating.
The first dinner is very showy, with a performance by the galactic superstar, Gaya. For the second dinner, which is a sampling of dishes from all over the galaxy, the chef comes to talk about the food.
Merchandise
Don’t have the right clothes for an off-world trip? Looking for just the right souvenir to remember your voyage? The Chandrila Collection boutique located inside the Atrium will have just what you need. There’s something for every Star Wars fan.
Elegant yet subtle jewelry that you could wear back home on Earth. Backpacks, patchescostumes that were designed after Imagineers visited Skywalker Ranch, a Captain’s outfit for younglings, and so much more.
How to Interact
Your “Datapad,” or Play Disney App on your cell phone, will play a big part in this immersive cruise. It’s where you’ll see your itinerary; which can change depending on what choices you’ve made on board and on Batuu. Maybe while helping the cruise director you let it slip that you’re sympathetic to the Rebel Cause. Now she’s sending you a message asking for your help retrieving some Coaxium on your shore excursion to Black Spire Outpost. Family members can also take different paths with some helping Resistance Rebels and others helping the First Order.
Role Playing
During the media tour we got to experience a bit of the story line for the First Order and the Resistance. The path you choose while you’re aboard will effect what experiences you encounter.
We participated in some First Order sabotage in Engineering where we had to work together with other passengers.
We trained on the bridge. You get to try out all the stations including weapons, shields, and systems.
Do you have to be a massive Star Wars fan to enjoy the Galactic Starcruiser? No. As long as you enjoy good storytelling about good vs. evil, and maybe like to engage in some role playing, you’ll have an amazing experience. The Halcyon includes several new characters, so all the passengers are getting to know them. It’s pretty easy to tell who is a bad guy and who is a good guy. The story-line for this adventure is set between Episodes 8 and 9, but you don’t need to see all the movies to jump into the fun. There’s always the invitation to engage, to go deeper into the story, but never a push.
I would say guests on the Halycon will be getting an out of this world, immersive experience. I’m going to book my next voyage right now!
When the Magical Express ended service January 1st of this year, guests suddenly became responsible for booking alternate transportation to Disney World on their own. But now we have great news! Private ground transportation to and from Walt Disney World Resort is now available as a package add-on through the Walt Disney Travel Company.
As part of this offering, there are several options available, including exclusive vans, sedans, SUVs, executive limousines and stretch limousines. These can be booked up to five days prior to arrival.
Round-trip transportation from Orlando International Airport to a Walt Disney World Resort hotel can be added online to a Walt Disney Travel Company package via the Disney Travel website or by calling the Disney Reservation Center. Take a look below at some of the available options:
Up to one complimentary car seat will be available for children five years old and under, with additional car seats subject to availability.
Please note that as part of our health & safety guidelines, all drivers and Guests are required to wear masks in vehicles.
Attention parade lovers! We have exciting information about when Guests can experience returning favorites and new entertainment offerings at Magic Kingdom Park.
Kicking off the fun on Feb. 11 is the brand-new “Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade!” Starring nearly 30 of your favorite Disney and Pixar friends, this super-sized cavalcade features Nick and Judy from “Zootopia,” Baloo and King Louie from “The Jungle Book,” José Carioca and Panchito from “The Three Caballeros,” plus Merida, Moana, The Incredibles, and more – including the Magic Kingdom debut of Miguel from “Coco” in his mariachi best.
That’s not the only much-anticipated offering coming to the parade route. We’re excited to share that the beloved Disney “Festival of Fantasy” Parade returns to Magic Kingdom Park beginning March 9 – the anniversary of the debut of the parade in 2014 – winding its way through the park not once, but twice each day!
Dazzling Guests since its debut, the Disney “Festival of Fantasy” Parade features beloved characters from “The Princess and the Frog,” “Tangled,” “Peter Pan” and more bringing their individual stories to life on enchanting floats that look as though the characters themselves had a hand in crafting them. Looming 26 feet above the parade route and 35 feet in length, the fire-breathing Maleficent Dragon float returns just as menacing as ever. There’s no way this show-stopping beauty would be excluded from such a glittering assemblage.
Speaking of shimmering gatherings, “Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire” will make its debut on the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage Feb. 25! The show, newly enhanced for the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration, will incorporate favorite scenes inspired by “Frozen,” “Tangled,” and “The Princess and the Frog” – plus a new opening and a new finale with Mickey Mouse and all his friends in their sparkling, EARidescent fashions. Presented multiple times a day, the show will also include an all-new, original song entitled “Where the Magic Feels Like Home.”
These new and returning experiences add to the all-new entertainment that debuted with the launch of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration, including “Disney Enchantment,” “Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade,” and “Harmonious” – with more to come when “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” and “Fantasmic!” open later this year.
The latest update to Disney Genie+ Service has extra … character!
Starting Jan. 26, Guests who have purchased the Disney Genie+ Service will find select Character Sightings have been added as selections for Lightning Lane entry.
Keep reading to find out which characters you can see.
Cinderella and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall at Magic Kingdom Park
Princess Tiana and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall at Magic Kingdom Park
Mickey at Town Square Theater at Magic Kingdom Park
Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Seeing characters by using the standby entrance will still be available, but the Genie+ option gives guests another way to visit their best pal, Disney Princesses or everyone’s favorite snowman who is worth melting for. These will also still modified experiences; no touching or hugging characters. Who are you most excited to see?
Get Ready to Rock! The popular Garden Rocks Concert Series returns to the 2022 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival this March!
New this year, internationally recognized artists will perform at the America Gardens Theater stage Friday-Monday, while local Orlando bands step into the spotlight Tuesday-Thursday.
The series features something for everyone – from returning favorites like The Guess Who, Rick Springfield and Simple Plan to Latin hitmakers Melina León and Claudia Leitte, Christian music superstar TobyMac and groovin’ legends Kool & The Gang. View the full list of announced artists below:
List of Garden Rocks Performers
March 4-5 – The Guess Who
March 6-7 – Rick Springfield
March 11-12 – Melina Leon – NEW to Garden Rocks
March 18-19 – Mike DelGuidice, currently on tour with Billy Joel – NEW
March 20-21 – Kool & The Gang – NEW to Garden Rocks
March 25-28 – The Orchestra starring former members of ELO
April 1-2 – The Spinners
April 3-4 – The Pointer Sisters
April 8-9 – Blue October – NEW to Garden Rocks
April 15-16 – Tommy DeCarlo, singer of the band Boston – NEW
April 17-18 – Don Felder, Formerly of The Eagles
April 22-23 – STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas
April 24-25 – Claudia Leitte – NEW
April 29-30 – Berlin
May 1-2 – TobyMac
May 6-7 – Blood, Sweat & Tears
May 8-9 – The Commodores – NEW to Garden Rocks
May 13-14 – Ambrosia with Peter Beckett – NEW
May 20-21 – A Flock Of Seagulls
May 22-23 – Collin Raye – NEW
May 27-28 – Thelma Houston – NEW
May 29-30 – Little River Band
June 3-6 – Simple Plan
June 10-13 – Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
June 17-20 – Plain White T’s
Beginning Jan. 19, guests can secure their spot at the show by booking a Garden Rocks Dining Package available Friday-Monday. Find out more by visiting FreshEPCOT.com. Keep following My Disney Dorks to find out more about the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival happening during the 18-month long Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary celebration.
Disney World has added new “Rainbow Magic Shots” to help you celebrate PRIDE this June! When I read about the new Magic Shots online I decided I wanted to capture a rainbow in each park. So, last week I did all four parks in two days. Keep reading to see them all and find out where and how you can get them.
The Details
Each of the four parks has two Magic Shots. I initially thought that each park had two unique Magic Shots, making it a total of 8, but there’s really only two total. That means you can pick your favorite park and get them both there if you want! The official Disney names are “Rainbow Magic Swirl” and “Floating Rainbow Magic Shot.” But, the Cast Members I spoke to had their own names. I heard them referred to as “Rainbow Swirl” and “Rainbow in Your Hands.”
Where to Find Them
The easiest way to find the location of a Rainbow Magic Shot is to head to the landmark of each park and look for a PhotoPass Photographer (They’re Cast Members in Khaki Vests). In some cases I was only able to find one, because even the Cast Members didn’t know exact locations.
Hollywood Studios: Hollywood Blvd. leading to the Chinese Theater, and Sunset Blvd. leading to Tower of Terror. Epcot: Has two entrances, so it makes sense that you’ll find one at each. There’s one in front of Spaceship Earth, and one at the International Gateway in front of a large topiary butterfly. International Gateway is the back entrance to Epcot between the UK and France. You can get there by parking at Hollywood Studios and taking a Friendship Boat or the Skyliner. Animal Kingdom: the first one is front of the Tree of Life at the park entrance. I asked around at other PhotoPass locations was didn’t find the second one. Magic Kingdom: One of the locations is of course Cinderella Castle! There are several spots to get photos along Main Street. I chose to walk as close as I could to the castle. While waiting in a line in the middle of Main Street I noticed a PhotoPass Photographer to the left, between the two patches of Hub Grass standing by himself. So, I asked if he could do the Rainbow Shot for me. He said yes!
The Results
Here are my Rainbow Magic Shots! I did use Lightroom on my phone to brighten these images.
EPCOT International Gateway
Magic Kingdom
Animal Kingdom
Hollywood Studios
How to Make Sure You Get A Rainbow Magic Shot
Here are a few tips if you want to get a Rainbow Magic Shot for yourself. First, make sure you’re in front of a park icon like Cinderella Castle, The Tree of Life, Spaceship Earth, or Tower of Terror. Second, ASK! Don’t be afraid to politely ask a Photopass Photographer if they can do the Rainbow MagicShot for you. Third, make sure you visit during the month of June. Happy PRIDE to all my LGBTQ+ friends!
If you’re planning a future trip to Disney World why don’t you reach out to me at Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Kimberly? I’m full of useful tips and tricks for planning the BEST DAY EVER at Disney World.
A new special event is brewing this Halloween season at Magic Kingdom park—Disney After Hours BOO BASH! Join this ghostly gathering offering music, decorations, attractions and oh-so-eerie entertainment.
In case you aren’t familiar with Disney After Hours, it’s a special event that’s open to a limited number of guests, after normal park operating hours. The experience offers low wait times at more than 20 attractions from classics like the Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain, to newer favorites like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It’s a ghostly good time for all!
Get in the spooky spirit with Halloween-themed cavalcades. Indulge your sweet tooth at candy stops throughout the park. See some of your favorite and fiendish Disney friends as they lurk about, from Dr. Facilier and Captain Barbosa, to Goofy and Chip ‘n’ Dale. Stop and listen to the Cadaver Dans during their special comeback (from the dead) performance. And enjoy themed offerings, from sweet treats to savory delights.
Disney After Hours BOO BASH will take place on select nights from August 10 through October 31. Tickets will go on sale next month, with an early purchase window available to guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Disney After Hours BOO BASH tickets will grant admission to Magic Kingdom park as early as 7:00 PM without the need for a day park ticket or Disney Park Pass theme park reservation, giving you time to enjoy even more fun.
Event Highlights
This hauntingly happy Halloween event is sure to be spook-tacular! Highlights include:
Halloween-themed cavalcades
Candy stops, with plenty of sweet surprises
Character sightings throughout the park
Special performances by the Cadaver Dans
Attractions, including favorites like Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain
Themed food and beverages available for purchase
Special décor, lighting, music and more!
Plus, Disney After Hours BOO BASH offers low wait times at some of your favorite attractions at Magic Kingdom park.
Dress in Your Boo-tiful Best
Guests young, old and immortal can dress in costume for the occasion and get their fill of Halloween candy. As an important reminder, costume masks are not permitted for adults; they can only be worn by children younger than 14. In addition, all guests are required to wear approved face coverings during the event. Before you arrive, check our Know Before You Go page and Costume Guidelines.
It’s time to think happy thoughts, because new Orange Bird Minnie ears just arrived in EPCOT for Flower & Garden Festival.
They are so cute, with giant orange chrysanthemum poms-poms for the ears. They’re puffy all the way around, which gives them a 3-D look. The bow is a sparky green sequin material and decorated with orange blossoms. The Orange Bird in the center of the bow is hard enamel, like a pin.
One side of the ears is embroidered with the words HELLO Sunshine! These ears were $29.99. I found them in Mouse Gears, but they are also available at several Festival Merchandise kiosks throughout the World Showcase. Take a closer look below:
So, are you planning on picking up some Orange Bird merchandise this year? Let us know in the comments!
