Author: Nate

Pixar Characters will Greet Guests in Toy Story Land at Disney World Resort

Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is set open to guests on June 30 and Disney has just announced some more exciting experiences that guests will find when it opens to the public. There are so many things this land has to offer that it is truly the toy box of your childhood dreams and Disney has revealed that guests will be able to meet their favorite Pixar characters right in Andy’s Backyard.

Inside this new land, you’ll have the chance to encounter characters from Disney•Pixar “Toy Story” films, including Sheriff Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl.

Woody, Buzz and Jessie will be greeting guests throughout Toy Story Land on a daily basis. And each character (along with the rest of the gang) will be joining in on the fun in a land where guests “shrink” to the size of a toy. Guests will be also be able to take a ride on Slinky Dog Dash, a roller coaster Andy has assembled from his Mega Coaster Play Kit, or take a spin on Alien Swirling Saucers, a galactic play set that Andy won at Pizza Planet.

Toy Story Land guests can also walk through a new carnival game box to experience Toy Story Mania!, which has been a guest-favorite attraction at the park since it opened in 2008. Now expanded with a third track, the popular attraction will allow even more guests to take aim at 3D objects – using everything from baseballs to cream pies – in a variety of whimsical, fast-paced games.

March 23, 2018
Make-A-Wish Child Grows Up To Become a Disneyland Cast Member

For Lexi Marincovich, making wishes come true is part of the job. As an entertainment host at the Disneyland Resort, Lexi facilitates wish visits for children with life-threatening medical conditions, in partnership with Make-A-Wish and other wish-granting organizations.

When she was a little girl, Lexi had no idea she would someday be working as a Disneyland Resort cast member.

“I was a wish child,” she said. “So when I was little, my mom said she wanted to see an older version of me. This is my shot to show these families that one day their child can work and be healthy.”

Each year, the Disneyland Resort grants approximately 750 wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions. More than half of the wishes include character encounters, hosted by cast members like Lexi.

According to Lexi, Disney characters can be a family’s symbol of hope. One wish visit that stood out to her was a child who met Oswald the Lucky Rabbit on Buena Vista Street. The child’s family considered Oswald their lucky rabbit because they would watch his cartoons and read his comics during medical treatments.

“Depending on the situation, I will tell the families I was a wish child,” Lexi said. “Working here and still being able to be involved with wishes is the best of both worlds. It means so much to me to give these families the hope and strength they need to get through whatever hardship they’re going through,” she said.

Kaavya Chanamolu, age 4, recently had her wish granted at the Disneyland Resort. Kaavya’s wish was to receive a transformation at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, experience “World of Color” and stay at the Disneyland Hotel with her family. A favorite moment was when Kaavya walked hand-in-hand with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse down Main Street, U.S.A.

“To feel the goodness coming from everyone reaffirmed our faith in humanity,” said Kaavya’s mom, Priyanka. “We saw so much joy in Kaavya and the normalcy in her again. Make-A-Wish is so important because emotional healing is what these families need. This was an emotionally elevating experience for us.”

March 22, 2018
This Summer is a ‘Carnival of Stars’ at Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disneyland is pulling out all the stops this spring and summer with the debut of ‘Carnival of Stars,’ a celebration of exciting new atmosphere entertainment and shows that’ll keep guests coming back for more. And it all starts today!

The new “We Love Mickey!” Projection Show will transform the buildings along Main Street, U.S.A., each night into a colorful canvas that pays tribute to Mickey Mouse’s major milestones. Keep your eyes out for the star of the show in his latest finery.

Guests can spot more than 100 Disney characters across the resort this spring, including the debut appearances of Black Panther, Spider-Man and Groot over the next few weeks. The Disney Friends Springtime Processional brings together more than 30 Disney characters to sing and dance with guests, and this summer, the first ever Disney∙Pixar-themed “Water Play Street Party” will keep guests cool.

Starting March 30, the Karibuni Marketplace will open in Adventureland to immerse guests in the lively colors, sights and sounds of Africa. Interactive games, exclusive souvenirs and special snacks will all be at the marketplace, and favorite Disney characters from “UP,” “The Jungle Book,” “The Lion King” and “Aladdin” will stop by.

Last but not least, the brand new stage show “Moana: A Homecoming Celebration” will premiere in Adventureland this May, which is just the first attraction of the resort’s multi-year expansion. Until then, guests can now meet the brave heroine Moana in her debut appearance at the park.

What a year we’re in for at Hong Kong Disneyland! Let us know in the comments below what you’re looking forward to on your next trip.

March 22, 2018
Marvel Land Is Officially Coming To Disneyland Resort

Marvel Land will be swinging into Disneyland Resort, the company announced Tuesday. A Marvel land is slated to open at Disneyland Resort in 2020 and New Marvel Lands will also be developed in Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong.

These new experiences at Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland will soon invite guests to become part of a bigger universe filled with epic heroes and adventures. Developed in partnership with Marvel Studios and Marvel Themed Entertainment, these three new areas will champion the next generation of Super Heroes.

At Disneyland Resort, the new Super Hero-themed land will begin recruiting guests in 2020, with even more new experiences to follow. The Guardians of the Galaxy will be joined by Spider-Man and the Avengers in what will become a completely immersive Super Hero universe, furthering the evolution of Disney California Adventure park. This new land will be anchored by the popular Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, in the adjacent space that is currently occupied by “a bug’s land.” “It’s Tough to Be a Bug” closed March 19 to make way for this new heroic experience; the rest of the land will close in late summer.

As part of the transformative multi-year expansion announced for Disneyland Paris, the new Marvel-themed area at Walt Disney Studios Park will include a reimagined attraction where riders will team up with Iron Man and their favorite Avengers on a hyper-kinetic adventure in 2020. This will follow an epic experience launching this summer, when Disneyland Paris hosts Marvel Summer of Super Heroes from June 10 to September 30. Favorite heroes will take the stage for a brand new, live-action super-production featuring cutting-edge special effects and spectacular projections.

Multi-year expansion plans are also underway at Hong Kong Disneyland, including a new themed area that will include an exciting attraction where guests team up with Ant-Man and The Wasp. This new attraction will join the Iron Man Experience, which opened in 2017 and is already the most popular attraction at the resort.

March 21, 2018
Splitsville Luxury Lanes Promises Chef-Driven Menu at Downtown Disney District

Disneyland has bowled a perfect game with this menu! Splitsville is now open to guests visiting at the Disneyland Resort, it is quickly becoming the go-to destination for not only bowling and entertainment, but also delicious dining!

The dynamic menu includes bowling alley favorites along with creative entrees and top-notch sushi. Here’s a sampling of new tasty items exclusive to the Downtown Disney District location:

Macho Nachos: Loaded with seasoned ground beef, shredded cheddar jack cheese, queso, black bean corn salsa and pickled jalapenos. Nachos are then drizzled with avocado ranch and served with a side of sour cream.
Chicken Thigh High Sliders: Two crispy chicken thigh sliders tossed in Asian barbecue sauce and topped with slaw.

Poke Bowl: Your choice of salmon, ahi tuna or tofu with pickled radish and avocado over bamboo rice. Bowls are topped with spicy mayo, Nori threads, sesame seeds, scallions and Togarashi spice.

Sweet N’ Spicy Chicken Bowl: Tempura-battered chicken, broccoli, red and green peppers are tossed in spicy Thai chili sauce and served over sushi rice.

And if you’re craving classic crinkle-cut fries, burgers and pizza, you won’t be disappointed! In the hands of Splitsville’s culinary team, bowling alley mainstays will take an artisanal twist with herbed dips, premium cured meats and grinds.

March 21, 2018
PhotoPass Props Are The Latest Trend To Capture the Magic At Disney World

Disney Props for PhotoPass ops are increasingly popular these days and PhotoPass Service is constantly adding new photo opportunities at Walt Disney World Resort. Disney prides itself in helping guest take home unique mementos that capture the magic experienced during a Disney vacation, and props are an excellent way to place you in the moment and help you tell a story with your photos.

Whether you’re marking a special occasion, stepping right into your favorite tale, or celebrating being in a Disney Park with your loved ones, there’s a prop for you! Here’s just a tiny sampling of the many props that are often available at various locations around Walt Disney World Resort throughout the year:

We also have seasonal, festival and event props! Our Halloween- and Christmas-themed props always seem to receive the most attention, but we also offer props that celebrate other special occasions like Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, Spring Break, St. Patrick’s Day, Party for the Planet, Star Wars: Galactic Nights, Independence Day, Bastille Day, Thanksgiving, and so much more.

Feeling inspired? Many of us have those essential items like toys and accessories that we always carry with us in the parks, so why not feature them in your photos? PhotoPass photographers love to get creative and incorporate your beloved “props” into pictures!

With or without props, when you visit Disney PhotoPass photographers, you won’t just be taking photos, you’ll be taking creative keepsakes that tell your Disney story!

March 21, 2018
Reimagined Redhead Returns to Pirates of the Caribbean at Disney World with New Auction Scene

Pirates of the Caribbean reopened Monday in the Magic Kingdom Park with a new role for the storied Redhead who was once up for auction on the attraction.

So if you ‘wants the redhead’, don’t worry she hasn’t gone anywhere. The famed Redhead now has a new look and a new attitude. She is also sporting a rifle and clearly isn’t taking any guff from any scurvy pirates.

The pirate auctioneer now oversees a sale of the townspeople’s most prized possessions and goods. In this scene, the familiar redhead figure has switched sides to become a pirate named Redd, who’s just pillaged the town’s rum supply and has something to say about it.

“Aw, quit your cluckin’,” Redd says. “The gentlemen wants the rum, dontcha, boys?” she calls to pirates on the opposite side of the ride’s waterway. The pirates shouting back, “We wants the rum! We wants the rum!”

First look at the new redhead Pirate scene! It is way more awesome than I thought it would be! She moves so much! #wdw #PiratesOfTheCaribbean #newredhead #redheadpirate pic.twitter.com/5YcCyZ561L

— Travis Terrell (@TravisTerrell12) March 19, 2018

The scene originally depicted a group of women bound to an auction block, with a banner reading “Auction: Take a wench for a bride” hanging above their heads. A group of nearby pirates could also be heard requesting the redheaded “wench,” who was the most prominently displayed woman on the block.

The storyline change for the attraction’s was announced by Disney last summer and put into place during the recent refurbishment.

“Just as Walt Disney embraced and encouraged Disney Parks to ‘keep moving forward’ since the opening of Disneyland Park in 1955”, Disney said about the new changes.

This isn’t the first time Disney has modified its “Pirates” rides to become more family-friendly. In 1997, Disney redesigned a scene in which pirates were chasing women, and changed it so the pirates looked to be chasing the women for the trays of food they carried. They have also augmented scenes with Jack Sparrow from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” film franchise.

The auction scene in the attraction at Disneyland Paris received a similar revision last year. Disneyland park will also receive similar updates to its Pirates of the Caribbean attraction later this spring, with work beginning April 23.

March 20, 2018
Disney’s Animal Kingdom 20th Anniversary Celebration Honors Two Decades of Wild Encounters
Disney’s Animal Kingdom will mark its 20th anniversary on Earth Day, April 22, with more wild adventures than ever before – kicking off spring and setting the stage for an incredible summer filled with all-new events and experiences at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Commemorating the milestone year, the 500-acre adventure park will offer animal encounters, family-friendly activities, specialty desserts and more during an expanded Party for the Planet celebration April 22-May 5. If plan on joining the festivities, then you can do it in style with the Limited Edition 20th Anniversary MagicBand.

Over the two-week “Party for the Planet” celebration, guests can attend conservation talks by animal-care experts and participate in enhanced interactions with some of the more than 2,000 animals that make their home at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited park.

Rafiki’s Planet Watch will take center stage for the year-long 20^th anniversary. It’s home to fun educational exhibits and activities that help create awareness of animal issues. During the 20^thanniversary, Rafiki’s Planet Watch will offer backstage experiences with experts where guests can learn about animal nutrition, visit the veterinary hospital and hear how Disney promotes global wildlife conservation.

Guests can also commemorate their visits to the theme park with special photo opportunities. They can step into an oversized picture frame celebrating the park’s 20^th anniversary. Other photo frames support Disney’s “Reverse the Decline,” an initiative created to help protect 10 threatened animal species. One recent success of the program was the birth of two critically endangered Sumatran Tiger Cubs at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Just for kids is the chance to earn a limited-edition badge as part of the Wilderness Explorer program. The badge is one of many that youngsters can earn by completing fun activities throughout the park.

Party for the Planet will also include six different Tiffins Talks – themed dinners hosted by animal experts at Tiffins, the theme park’s signature, full-service restaurant.

The 20^th anniversary fun also includes a commemorative adventure guide, limited-edition merchandise, and a special-edition print created by renowned Walt Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde. He will be available on April 22 from 1-4 p.m. to sign prints at Discovery Trading Company. Quantities are limited. For more information on Party for the Planet, visit Disneyworld.com/PartyforthePlanet.

Here are other experiences and adventures rolling out in 2018 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom:
- April 22 will mark the debut of a brand-new show, UP! A Great Bird Adventure featuring Russell and Dug from the Disney•Pixar animated comedy-adventure film “UP.” The show will give guests the chance to see Senior Wilderness Explorer Russell and his fuzzy friend Dug in a new adventure that includes encounters with exotic birds from around the world. This free-flying show will be performed multiple times daily.
- A “dino-tastic” celebration with Donald and his friends will also premiere Memorial Day weekend in DinoLand, U.S.A. This dinosaur-themed party celebrates Donald Duck’s discovery that his bird ancestors were actually dinosaurs. DinoLand U.S.A. will feature colorful new décor and playful character greetings with rarely seen pals like Scrooge McDuck, Launchpad McQuack and more. A DJ-powered dance party will mix tunes from the truck-o-saurus stage, capping the nighttime festivities.
- Memorial Day 2018 commemorates the one-year anniversary of Pandora – The World of Avatar. Here, travelers are transported to a mystical world of floating mountains, bioluminescent rainforests and breathtaking new experiences. Inspired by the blockbuster film, AVATAR, the epic land invites guests to explore a glowing landscape, encounter a larger-than-life Na’vi Shaman of Songs and soar on the back of a banshee.
March 20, 2018
Disney PhotoPass Service: Now on Instagram

Disney PhotoPass Service is known for capturing stunning photos in Disney Parks, and now Disney is they will be sharing them with you on Instagram! #PicOfTheDay #InstaCool #SoundsLikeAGreatIdea!

The Disney PhotoPass Service Instagram page is the perfect place to find gorgeous photos taken at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort by our photography experts and discover all of the photo ops we have available for you guest in the parks.

Think PhotoPass only takes your picture at iconic locations and with your favorite Disney pals? Think again! Between props, Magic Shots, light painting, attraction photos, virtual backdrops, special lenses, and even photos in front of beautiful Disney Walls, be sure to follow along on so you don’t miss out on any photo opportunities during your next visit.

After you take those picture-perfect PhotoPass photos with Disney’s photographers, you can share them using #DisneyPhotoPass for a chance to be featured on their social media pages!

March 19, 2018
DisneyStyle Opens This May at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World Resort

At Disney Springs you can find a one-of-a-kind environment combining family-friendly entertainment, dining and shopping and this May, a new shop, DisneyStyle, will join Disney Springs West Side as the destination for fresh and stylish apparel and accessories inspired by beloved attractions at Disney Parks and timeless Disney characters.

Modern Disney fashionistas will find a curated assortment of fashion forward products at DisneyStyle, from Spirit Jerseys with nods to Disney Princesses to playful headwear with a Disney twist. Guests can easily create stylish outfits perfect for visiting Disney Parks by mixing and matching fun shirts with accessories such as handbags, headbands, hats, socks, and more. The location will be found adjacent to Star Wars Galactic Outpost.

DisneyStyle will complement an already stellar lineup of Disney-themed merchandise locations at Disney Springs.

Ever After Jewelry Co. & Accessories in Town Center is now the ultimate spot for high-end fashion jewelry from Disney Parks, with an even larger selection of Guests’ favorite brands and products including PANDORA Jewelry, Alex & Ani, handbags by Dooney & Bourke, stylish headwear and more.

This weekend, celebrate the luck of the Irish and find your own pot ‘o gold at Ever After Jewelry Co. & Accessories with a special CRISLU jewelry showcase. Guests attending the event will receive a complimentary gift with any qualifying Disney by CRISLU purchase, while supplies last.

The Disney Corner, the newest pop-up shop also located in Town Center, is home to apparel, collectibles and accessories fit for princesses of all ages or fans of Mickey and Minnie Mouse. The location also carries fun Disney apparel for infants and toddlers. This enchanting two-story space will only be open for a limited time.

Specialty boutiques offer a dazzling array of the latest trends and seasonal products from Disney Parks Merchandise making Disney Springs one of the best places at Walt Disney World Resort to discover unique merchandise.

March 19, 2018