Disney News

Category: Attractions

  • Opening Date for New Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster at Disney World Announced

    Opening Date for New Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster at Disney World Announced

    Disney has announced that Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is set to officially debut May 27 at EPCOT in Disney World!

    Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a family-friendly adventure, featuring a totally new type of roller coaster experience we’re developing just for this attraction – it’s a storycoaster that rotates 360 degrees so you’re always focused on all the action as you help the Guardians save the galaxy.

    A new trailer for the attraction was also released along with the news. Take a closer look below:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5ACZ6haz7Y

    The attraction will also feature the first reverse launch on a coaster in Disney history. It will be one of the largest enclosed coasters in the world.

    “It’s a massive experience that will match the scale and adventure of the Guardians of the Galaxy films,” the release said.

  • Disneyland Closing Mickey Mouse’s Toontown In March For Makeover

    Disneyland Closing Mickey Mouse’s Toontown In March For Makeover

    Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland will close next year to begin work on redesigning the theme park experience, Disney announced Monday.

    This news was shared today at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo by Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, Josh D’Amaro.

    Building on the legacy of Mickey’s Toontown, Imagineers are working to create some all-new experiences so families and young children can have more opportunities to play together inside Disneyland park. The beloved Mickey’s Toontown will transform into a vibrant symphony of sights, sounds, and sensations. Focusing on today’s families with young children, Mickey’s Toontown will feature new play experiences, as well as open, grassy play spaces for everyone to unplug. The land will have landscaping for both spontaneous family play and parental relaxation.

    “We are so excited to leverage Disney’s powerful brand, develop new stories and share even more magical experiences with our guests,” said D’Amaro. “The newly reimagined Mickey’s Toontown will be a welcoming place where families and younger guests can connect and play together in fun new ways.”  

    Even with a greener and more spacious Mickey’s Toontown, the land will offer more play activities and attractions than ever before. From active play to tactile play, new experiences will let children play, slide, spin, splash, touch and listen!

    One of the new areas coming to Mickey’s Toontown will be CenTOONial Park, the first space guests will see when they enter. This natural space will be anchored by two interactive play experiences.

    At the center of CenTOONial Park will be a fountain, designed for play, which will also become a center icon for Mickey’s Toontown. As its base, water tables will invite guests to play with the water and have a sensory experience. At night, the fountain will be brought to life in a unique spectacle.

    A nearby dreaming tree will be inspired by the tree a young Walt Disney would daydream under in his hometown. Sculpted tree roots will provide an opportunity for children to play, crawl and explore, and undulating topography will offer rolling hills and a place to sit and dream.

    In addition to reopening in 2023 with the new, family-friendly and adventurous Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Mickey’s Toontown will still be home to many beloved characters including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck and more!

    Mickey’s Toontown will close in March of 2022 to begin creating these all-new experiences.

  • New Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster Opening in 2022 at EPCOT

    New Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster Opening in 2022 at EPCOT

    Disney announced today that Epcot’s new roller coaster, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, will debut at Epcot in Walt Disney in 2022.

    “Our friends from Xandar will open the first “other-world” showcase pavilion at EPCOT next year, inviting us on an intergalactic chase through space and time,” Disney says.

    Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a family-friendly adventure, featuring a totally new type of roller coaster experience they’re developing just for this attraction – it’s a storycoaster that rotates 360 degrees so you’re always focused on all the action as you help the Guardians save the galaxy.

    Not only that, but Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will also feature the first reverse launch on a coaster in Disney history and is one of the longest enclosed coasters in the world. It’s a massive experience that will match the scale and adventure of the Guardians of the Galaxy films.  

    As part of the ongoing transformation of EPCOT, Disney is infusing this park with more ways to dream, to be inspired and to connect with our world – or other galaxies, in this case.

  • Disney Reveals New Splash Mountain Reimagining Concept Art and New Details

    Disney Reveals New Splash Mountain Reimagining Concept Art and New Details

    Last year, Disney Parks announced Splash Mountain – at both Disneyland park in California and Magic Kingdom park in Florida – will be completely reimagined and inspired by the fan favorite Walt Disney Animation Studios film, “The Princess and the Frog,” and now they are releasing new details.

    Disney recently revealed a new piece of concept art and story details for the planned ride revamp, teasing a new journey set to unfold after the film’s final kiss scene. Along the ride, guests will follow Tiana (voiced by Anika Noni Rose in the film) while she plots a one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras celebration with Naveen (Bruno Campos) and Louis (Michael-Leon Wooley) in tow.

    The new “The Princess and the Frog”-themed ride will conclude with “the ultimate Mardi Gras party.” “Because if Tiana is throwing a party, it is the ultimate Mardi Gras party,” said Charita Carter, a senior creative producer for Walt Disney Imagineering, who is leading the team on the project. Carter shared new details on the attraction in a video Disney released as you can see below:

    “Original music inspired by songs from the film will bring guests into the story,” Disney states, and riders will follow the princess as they “encounter old friends and make new ones along the way,” preparing for the city’s famous spring celebration. 

  • Disney Ends Free FastPass in Favor of New Paid “Lightning Lane” System

    Disney Ends Free FastPass in Favor of New Paid “Lightning Lane” System

    Disney revealed on Wednesday the retirement of it’s FastPass program in favor of a new service calle Disney Genie+ and will cost $15 per ticket per day at Walt Disney World and $20 per ticket per day at Disneyland Resort.

    Guests will be able to choose one attraction at a time and select the next available arrival window for the Lightning Lane entrance.

    Disney Genie is intended to make planning easier and add more flexibility to those who visit parks and resorts by reducing time in lines and helping you “discover magic around every corner.” Take a look below at a few more features:

    • Get Itinerary Updates from Morning to Night: Disney Genie will continue to update your itinerary throughout your day, so you can be more spontaneous and go with the flow.
    • Find Your Favorites at a Glance: Create your very own personal tip board to instantly see your favorites. It will display current AND forecasted future wait times, helping you predict when you might experience quicker entry to attractions.
    • Enjoy More Flexibility and Fun: Disney Genie brings existing planning features together in one place. Join a virtual queue at certain attractions, make dining and experience reservations, mobile order food at many locations, get help from a virtual assistant and more.

    For even more convenience and flexibility, there are two other options for enjoying our theme parks, through a queue we are introducing called the Lightning Lane entrance that also saves you time in line:

    • Disney Genie+ service (available for purchase): For the price of $15 per ticket per day at Walt Disney World Resort and $20 per ticket per day at Disneyland Resort, choose the next available time to arrive at a variety of attractions and experiences using the Lightning Lane entrance. You can make one selection at a time, throughout the day – from classics like Haunted Mansion to thrill rides like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and newer favorites like Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (attractions subject to limited availability). This convenient option is the next evolution of the fan-favorite Disney MaxPass service from Disneyland Resort. Disney Genie+ will also include Disney parks-themed audio experiences and photo features to capture your memories – augmented reality lenses for those visiting Walt Disney World Resort and unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads from your day if you are visiting Disneyland Resort.
    • Individual attraction selections (available for purchase): Schedule a time to arrive at up to two highly demanded attractions each day using the Lightning Lane entrance – like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom Park and Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure park (subject to limited availability; attractions not included with Disney Genie+). Pricing for this option will vary by date, attraction and park and will be announced closer to launch.

    Lightning Lane selections will be made on the same day of your visit and can be used across multiple theme parks, great for those who love the Park Hopper option. Attractions continue to offer a traditional standby queue, or a virtual queue at certain attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – to maximize flexibility.

    “While the FASTPASS, FastPass+ and Disney MaxPass services will be retired, we’re incredibly excited about the flexibility and choices Disney Genie service provides. You can choose from all of our new options, a mix of them or none at all, and continue to have a great experience no matter how you decide to plan your best Disney day,” Disney said.

  • ‘Mickey’s PhilharMagic’ New ‘Coco’ Scene Coming Soon to Disney World Resort for 50th Anniversary Celebration

    ‘Mickey’s PhilharMagic’ New ‘Coco’ Scene Coming Soon to Disney World Resort for 50th Anniversary Celebration

    Disney World is adding a new “Coco” scene in “Mickey’s PhilharMagic” in Magic Kingdom at Disney World later this year during the Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary celebration. 

    One of the original composers of “Coco” – Germaine Franco – produced a score unique to “Mickey’s PhilharMagic,” bringing the musical number “Un Poco Loco,” from Disney and Pixar’s “Coco” to the fan favorite attraction.

    The 3D, animated scene extends Donald Duck’s musical journey, bringing the fantasy adventure to new heights alongside all the attraction’s fan-favorite musical numbers. Take a closer look below:

    In addition to Germaine Franco, Walt Disney Imagineering collaborated with Pixar and Disney Animation Studios to add the scene to the attraction’s other classic musical sequences. Learn more about the collaboration in this video!

    The addition of the new scene can already be seen at Disneyland Resort and Disneyland Paris.

  • Disneyland’s new Snow White ride criticized for including Prince Charming’s ‘non-consensual’ kiss

    Disneyland’s new Snow White ride criticized for including Prince Charming’s ‘non-consensual’ kiss

    Disneyland just reopened after being closed for more than a year and they are already receiving backlash for the new ending added to the park’s reimagined Snow White ride.

    The ride, now known as Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, has garnered a lot of praise for its upgrades which include new audio, new animation, new music, and stunning visual technology that includes laser projections and LED lights.

    But there’s one part of the ride that hasn’t been as well-received: the grand finale of the movie, where Prince Charming kisses a sleeping Snow White to wake her up with “true love’s kiss.”

    In a review of the new ride for SFGate.com, the outlet’s managing editor Katie Dowd, and contributor Julie Tremaine, wrote that the kiss should be removed like other “problematic scenes from rides like Jungle Cruise and Splash Mountain’.

    “Haven’t we already agreed that consent in early Disney movies is a major issue? That teaching kids that kissing, when it hasn’t been established if both parties are willing to engage, is not OK?” they wrote.

    Disney announced earlier this year that it would redesign The Jungle Cruise to replace the “Trader Sam” character, a salesman of shrunken heads. Splash Mountain, meanwhile, was being overhauled to remove stereotypes.

  • Snow White’s Scary Adventures Reimagined at Disneyland

    Snow White’s Scary Adventures Reimagined at Disneyland

    Snow White’s Scary Adventures has been reimagined into Snow White’s Enchanted Wish.

    The classic attraction has been reimagined with new music, LED black lighting and a new animation system, officials said. It also has about 50 new figures.

    A team of Imagineers have spent the last year to making the attraction decidedly less scary as the creative arm of Disney reimagined the backstory for the classic Fantasyland dark ride and added new scenes. Take a closer look below:

    “It’s a lot brighter,” city spokesman Mike Lyster said. “The ride before was a little dark. But it’s noticeably brighter and newer.”

    Now this new ride is in full sparkle as Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure reopen to the public following a year-plus closure. “Snow White’s Enchanted Wish” officially debuted on April 30, the reopening date for The Happiest Place on Earth.”

  • PeopleMover Finally Reopens This Weekend at Disney World

    PeopleMover Finally Reopens This Weekend at Disney World

    The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is finally reopening soon after a long refurbishment.

    The PeopleMover closed back in March 2020 before Walt Disney World closed due to the pandemic. When Magic Kingdom reopened in July 2020, the PeopleMover remained closed. Well, the wait is over and the ride everyone likes to relax and cool down on is finally reopening.

    Jeff Vahle, President of Walt Disney World Resort, has confirmed the refurbishment of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is nearly finished and the attraction will be reopening later this weekend as you can see in the post below:

    Stitch even got a chance to test out the ride this morning, prior to it’s Magic Kingdom reopening this weekend.

    Stitch took a test ride on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover in Magic Kingdom Park this morning, prior to its reopening at Walt Disney World later this weekend!

    Posted by Disney Parks Blog on Saturday, April 24, 2021

    Previously, the PeopleMover was scheduled to return on May 1.

  • New Character Being Added to Jungle Cruise Updated Backstory at Disney World and Disneyland

    New Character Being Added to Jungle Cruise Updated Backstory at Disney World and Disneyland

    As we previously reported, Disney is building on the original story of the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland park and Magic Kingdom Park and now they have revealed new details on a new character being added to the backstory.

    “We’re adding more humor, wildlife and skipper heart to the classic attraction, and as part of a much larger effort, this updated experience will welcome new characters from around the world,” Disney said.

    The enhancements include several new scenes guests will experience along the river, all interconnected. The world-famous skippers will continue to share the unique adventure and interactions guests expect on the Jungle Cruise.

    The new scenes will heighten the skippers’ legendary comedic tone, beginning with a trapped safari party that finds itself up a tree after their journey goes awry. Unexpected scenarios along the way will give the jungle and animals the last laugh!

    Now in addition to adding the skippers into the story, they’re also expanding the attraction’s backstory, centered around Alberta Falls, granddaughter of world-renowned Dr. Albert Falls, as the proprietor of the Jungle Navigation Company Ltd.

    Jungle Cruise fans might be familiar with her name; however, wouldn’t you know it, Disney “recently uncovered” a copy of an interview with Alberta Falls that was featured in a 1938 issue of The Daily Gnus about her and the World-Famous Jungle Cruise. Take a look below:

    Stay tuned to Disney Dorks for more details coming later this year!