Disney News

Category: Construction

  • New ‘Zootopia’-Themed Land Coming to Shanghai Disneyland

    New ‘Zootopia’-Themed Land Coming to Shanghai Disneyland

    Tuesday, Shanghai Disney Resort announced that a “Zootopia”-themed land is coming to Shanghai Disneyland!

    The Land will be based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ hit animated movie, this exciting development will be the park’s eighth themed land and the first-ever “Zootopia”-themed land at any Disney park.

    This marks the second major expansion since the resort opened in 2016. The first expansion added a Toy Story Land to the park where guests feel as if they’ve been shrunk down to the size of their favorite Toy Story toys.

    In this new land guests will be invited to experience the mammalian metropolis of Zootopia “where anyone can be anything,” with a new major attraction that will seamlessly blend Disney storytelling and state-of-the-art technology to bring this fan-favorite movie and its characters to life – including Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. Entertainment, merchandise, and food and beverage offerings will invite guests to fully immerse themselves in the Academy-Award-winning animated movie.

    The development of the world’s first “Zootopia”-themed land follows the huge success of the “Zootopia” animated movie globally, particularly in China where it broke box office records to become the country’s No. 1 animated feature film in history.

    Construction is set to begin later this year! Keep checking Disney Dorks for more updates!

  • BREAKING: First Disney Skyliner Gondolas Being Installed at Disney World

    BREAKING: First Disney Skyliner Gondolas Being Installed at Disney World

    Construction on Disney’s new Skyliner gondola system is moving along rapidly and today the first gondola cable cars were were spotted being installed today Walt Disney World.

    We got a glimpse of the gondolas making their way onto Disney property back in June and now we are getting a look at exactly what these will look like while hanging on the line.

    As you can see in the photos below the gondolas are being added to the line at the International Gateway Disney Skyliner station at Epcot.

    When it’s finished, the transportation system will connect Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century and Caribbean Beach resorts and other locations with Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot.

    There is no official date, but the Disney Skyliner project is expected to be completed by fall of 2019.

  • Disney’s Aulani Resort Guests Receive $50 Per Night Credit During Pool Refurbishment

    Disney’s Aulani Resort Guests Receive $50 Per Night Credit During Pool Refurbishment

    Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii boasts an impressive number of pools and water features and a certain level of maintenance is required to keep the amenities and offerings updated and in line with Disney standards. Guests traveling there this year should be aware of some temporary closures and a special “Pardon Our Pixie Dust Offer” that Disney is giving guests.

    The Waikolohe Pool and Stream, as well as several other features in the Waikolohe Valley at Aulani, will be undergoing necessary maintenance in 2019.

    Guests staying from August 19 to December 17, 2019 will receive a resort credit of $50 per night for every night of their stay. The credit can be used toward any offering at Aulani Resort including dining, merchandise, a visit to Laniwai Spa, an island excursion, and more. Take a look at the specific closures below:

    Here’s the schedule for closures:

    August 19 to October 11, 2019
    Closed:
    Waikolohe Stream
    Tubestone Curl Waterslide
    Menehune Bridge
    Waikolohe Stream Whirlpool Spa

    October 14 to December 17, 2019
    Closed:
    Waikolohe Pool
    Volcanic Vertical Waterslide
    Aulani Pool Parties
    Rainbow Reef
    Waikolohe Pool Whirlpool Spa
    Both ‘Alohi Point Whirlpool Spas

    There are also plenty of other water activities that will be staying open during the updates, including these:

    • Aulani Resort Beach at Ko Olina Lagoon— white-sand beach featuring an abundance of fun-in-the sun activities
    • Ka Maka Grotto— the infinity pool with sweeping ocean views
    • Ka Maka Grotto Whirlpool Spa
    • Keiki Cove Splash Zone— the kids’ delightful interactive splash zone
    • Wailana Pool— will include Guests of all ages during pool refurbishment

    Make sure to contact Kimberly at Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Kimberly for an Aulani vacation quote!

  • Tomorrowland Speedway Closes for Tron Coaster Construction at Disney World

    Tomorrowland Speedway Closes for Tron Coaster Construction at Disney World

    As we previously reported, a clouser for Tomorrowland Speedway in Magic Kingdom at Disney World has been imminent and it seems the plans are right on track.

    The attraction has officially closed on Jan. 2nd for refurbishment to make way for Tommorowland’s new Tron Coaster.

    The attraction will be closed for about four and a half months. The exact date is yet to be determined but reports suggest it should reopen on May 18, 2019.

    The Tron coaster will occupy an entirely new area next to the land’s Space Mountain and the closure is necessary because parts of the giant coaster hang over Tommorowland Speedway. Parts of the track will be adjusted, but when it reopens it will be the same attraction guests know and love, according to Disney Parks.

    Magic Kingdom’s Tron attraction, is set to debut in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary in 2021. It is based on TRON Lightcycle Power Run at Shanghai Disneyland. This coaster-style attraction allows riders to board a train of two-wheeled Lightcycles for a thrilling race through the digital frontier. TRON Lightcycle Power Run debuted on Shanghai Disneyland’s opening day and quickly became the highest-rated attraction at the park.

  • Get Your First Sneak Peek of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Attraction

    Get Your First Sneak Peek of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Attraction

    Today Disney Parks shared a sneak peek at the new Beauty and the Beast ride and attraction coming to Tokyo Disneyland.

    The Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, as it will be called, is modeled after the original 1991 animated film and features animatronic figures of Belle, Beast, her horse Philippe and other characters. The attraction is being added to the park as part of a large-scale development plan bringing new attractions, entertainment, shopping and dining to the park.

    “We’re very excited to be creating the first ride through attraction of Beauty and the Beast anywhere in the world right here in Tokyo Disneyland,” said Disney Imagineering Senior Producer Jim Clark. Take a look at some of the details and amazing concept art below.

    Beauty and the Beast Tokyo Disneyland

    The ride is just part of a Fantasyland revamp. Beauty and the Beast Castle will be the centerpiece of a new area themed to “Beauty and the Beast” in Fantasyland and tower nearly 98 feet above the surrounding area and house the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, a new attraction inviting guests to step into the animated film aboard ride vehicles that dance in rhythm to the film’s music.

    Beauty and the Beast Tokyo Disneyland

    The nearby Village Shoppes and La Taverne de Gaston will further allow guests to explore the world of the film and enjoy the ambience of Belle’s village.

    Beauty and the Beast Tokyo Disneyland

    The ride will debut in spring in 2020 as part of the resort’s expansion plan. In addition to nearly doubling the size of Fantasyland at Tokyo Disneyland, Imagineers are hard at work on an eighth themed port at Tokyo DisneySea, celebrating the stories of Frozen, Tangled and Peter Pan and connecting to a new deluxe hotel with a one-of-a-kind luxury wing.

  • New Toy Story-Inspired Hotel Coming to Tokyo Disney Resort

    New Toy Story-Inspired Hotel Coming to Tokyo Disney Resort

    A new family-friendly Disney hotel based on the Disney·Pixar “Toy Story” films is coming soon to Tokyo Disney Resort!

    From the hotel exterior to the spacious gardens, guests will enjoy a world where everything looks like it’s made of toys. The guest rooms are inspired by Andy’s bedroom, including Woody, Buzz Lightyear and their friends, with colorful furniture and other immersive features inspired by the world of “Toy Story.” The hotel will also include dining and shopping.

    This comes on the heels of major upcoming development plans at both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea over the next few years. The approximately 600-room hotel is projected to open during the resort’s fiscal year 2021.

    Stay tuned as we share more details about the exciting developments underway at Tokyo Disney Resort.

  • First Look: Disney Skyliner Gondola Revealed at Walt Disney World Resort

    First Look: Disney Skyliner Gondola Revealed at Walt Disney World Resort

    Earlier this week, we shared the exciting update that Disney’s new Skyliner gondola system will begin operating at the Walt Disney World Resort in fall of 2019. Today, we finally get a first look at one of the actual finished gondolas up close!

    Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Chairman Bob Chapek unveiled the gondola to Disney fans during D23’s Destination D: Celebrating Mickey Mouseevent.

    Once operating, the gondola system will connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resortas well as the proposed 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney’s Riviera Resort. You can take a look at the reveal below.

    As you can see, Disney Skyliner will be fun and offer a new way to experience Walt Disney World Resort with amazing views only available from the sky.

    Disney Gondolas Skyliner

    Select gondolas will have iconic Disney characters incorporated into their exterior design to give the appearance that a Disney pal is riding along with guests, such as characters from the ‘Fab Five,’ figures from Disney attractions, fan favorites from movies, and more.

  • Disney Skyliner to Begin Transporting Guests in Fall 2019 at Walt Disney World

    Disney Skyliner to Begin Transporting Guests in Fall 2019 at Walt Disney World

    Earlier this week, Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products, announced that Disney Skyliner will be ready to begin transporting guests at the Walt Disney World Resort beginning fall of 2019!

    This new state-of-the-art gondola system will conveniently connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort as well as the proposed 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney’s Riviera Resort.

    Disney Gondolas Skyliner

    And next fall, Disney Skyliner will not only efficiently move you to your location, it’ll also offer a whole new way to experience Walt Disney World with amazing views only available from the sky – with great photo opportunities! For example, guests arriving at the International Gateway station will travel through the trees and be welcomed into Epcot with remarkable, never before-seen views across World Showcase.

    The innovative transportation system is quickly coming to life! Workers just installed the last support tower at the Resort and are beginning to thread the series of reinforced cables to carry guests in stylish themed gondolas.

  • Disney Reveals Name of New 15-story Tower at Coronado Springs Resort

    Disney Reveals Name of New 15-story Tower at Coronado Springs Resort

    Last year, Disney announced a massive expansion of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and today, Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Chairman Bob Chapek unveiled more about the reimagining, including the name of the new 15-story centerpiece of the resort, the Gran Destino Tower.

    The tower, which will be completed in July 2019, will serve as the new main entrance point for guests visiting the resort, and will add a total of 545 new guest rooms (including 50 suites) to the resort, as well as feature a gorgeous two-story lobby. A themed table-service restaurant is also planned for the top of Gran Destino Tower, which will serve up delicious food and incredible views of the Walt Disney World Resort.

    An oasis set on the shore of Lago Dorado, the reimagined Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort celebrates the daring spirit of the great Spanish explorers, artists, writers and architects. Throughout the resort, guests will discover a blend of classic Spanish influences, imaginative Disney touches and modern comforts both inside and out. The resort’s more than 1,800 existing rooms have also been fully updated with new fixtures, furnishings and lighting. A second new restaurant is planned to open on an island in the middle of the resort’s 14-acre lake, Lago Dorado, with new walkways stretching across the water, making it convenient no matter where guests stay at the resort. And a fresh color palette will tie the entire resort experience together, blending the new and the newly reimagined.

    Guests will soon be able to make reservations for Gran Destino Tower for stays beginning in July 2019.

    If you need help booking your magical vacation, contact Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Vikki for help. My services are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!

  • New Parking Lot Entrance for Hollywood Studios Opens on November 8

    New Parking Lot Entrance for Hollywood Studios Opens on November 8

    Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been undergoing its largest expansion in decades with the recent opening of Toy Story Land and the upcoming opening of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. To accommodate all the new additions, a new entrance for vehicles at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is opening and it will change how guests arrive and access parking at the theme park.

    Disney is currently reimagining Disney’s Hollywood Studios and preparing for the park’s exciting 30th anniversary in 2019. Along with the work, they are also transforming the park’s arrival experience to make it easier and more convenient to come and go.

    Looking at the map you’ll see the transportation change you need to be aware of. Beginning November 8, guests driving to Disney’s Hollywood Studios will use the new entrance and exit located off of Osceola Parkway. The current main entrance off World Drive and Osceola Parkway will be repurposed for Disney cast members only and the satellite entrance on Buena Vista Drive will be dedicated to buses.

    When the new entrance opens, drivers will just need to spot one of the many updated roadway signs throughout the Walt Disney World Resort to easily navigate to the Disney Hollywood Studios parking lot. Vehicles coming from southbound Victory Way will also find a connecting road leading to the park.

    Keep checking back on Disney Dorks for future updates on work to improve the arrival experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including expanded parking, adjusted tram lanes, additional bus parking and the Disney Skyliner.