Category: Disney Parks

New Reusable Shopping Bags Introduced at Disneyland and Walt Disney World

Disney Parks is a shopper’s paradise with hundreds of unique stores that offer unforgettable souvenirs and memorable gifts for loved ones. Guests visiting Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort now have a new option for carrying home purchases with the release of colorful reusable shopping bags.

Available for a nominal fee and offered in three sizes, these reusable shopping bags are made of 80% recycled materials, and are similar to reusable bags first introduced at the World of Disney stores last fall. Bags will feature Disney character designs mixed with recognizable icons from Disney Parks, and will be found in Disney owned-and-operated shops.

At Disneyland Resort, Guests will find four bags – one each for Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park; a bag for Downtown Disney District and Resort Hotels; and the current World of Disney bag.

At Walt Disney World Resort, there will be seven bags introduced: a bag at each of the four theme parks; a bag for owned-and-operated shops at Disney Springs; a shared Walt Disney World Resort-inspired bag for Resort Hotels, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and other merchandise locations; and the existing World of Disney bag.

Offered as an alternative to plastic shopping bags, the addition of reusable bags will help minimize single-use plastic waste across our global operation and are part of our broader efforts to further extend our ongoing commitment to conservation and advance environmental sustainability goals.

February 6, 2019
VIDEO: Vampirina Joins Disney Junior Dance Party! at Disneyland Resort

The wildly popular Disney Junior Dance Party! at Disney California Adventure park is now welcoming Vampirina to the stage!

This live show features music and characters from beloved Disney Junior TV shows—through high-energy songs, dazzling special effects and beloved characters.

Disney Junior Dance Party! is hosted by Finn Fiesta and DJ Deejay, who encourage guests to sing and dance to their favorite Disney Junior songs.

The interactive atmosphere is perfect for kids to sing, dance and play along with favorite Disney Junior stars like Doc McStuffins, Timon from “The Lion Guard,” Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse from “Mickey and the Roadster Racers,” and now Vampirina from the hit Disney Junior series, “Vampirina.”

February 3, 2019
Mobile Order App Introduces New Enhanced Look at Disney Parks

Ordering food and beverages at Disney Parks has never been simpler since the mobile order app was introduced in 2017. Now Disney Parks has rolled out a new, enhanced look that makes the mobile ordering experience easier than ever.

The app allows guests to plan ahead, save time by not waiting in line, and make the most out of their visit to the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.

This update—available now in the Disneyland App for Disneyland Resort and coming soon to the My Disney Experience App for Walt Disney World Resort — features an easier navigation and improved design with fun, colorful icons and even more photos of the menu items. In addition, guests with certain allergies or dietary restrictions can better discover the options that may meet their needs at participating locations.

With more than 20 participating quick-service restaurants at each destination, you can easily place meal and snack orders from wherever you happen to be in the park. Once you arrive at the restaurant and tap “I’m here,” your order will be ready for pick up at a designated window within minutes – without ever waiting in line to order and pay!

The mobile order feature is just one of the many ways we continue to enhance the guest experience, including Disney MaxPass at Disneyland Resort, digital room keys at Walt Disney World Resort and so much more.

February 2, 2019
Mickey Mouse Ballon Popcorn Bucket Comes to Magic Kingdom

The Mickey Mouse Ballon Popcorn Bucket was recently released at Disneyland and now the collectable souvenir has made it’s way to Magic Kingdom Park at Disney World.

The bottom half of the Mickey Balloon Bucket is clad with Mickey’s classic red pants while the top has two shiny black ears. A lanyard with a Mickey shoe pattern attaches to the ears for easier carrying.

The Mickey Balloon Bucket inspired by the Mickey ears helium balloons like you might buy on Main Street USA, much like last years popular version.

This new popcorn bucket goes along with the also recently released exclusive passholder Steamboat Willie balloon-shaped popcorn buckets. A Minnie Mouse inspired version should be released soon.

The popcorn bucket can be found at select popcorn Kiosks throughout the Magic Kingdom. It will cost you $18 and refills are $2.

February 1, 2019
Celebrate National Plan for Vacation Day with Disney Parks

It’s National Plan for Vacation Day, and what better place to spend your well deserved get away than at a Disney Park!

Did you know at least 705 million vacation days are left unused by Americans every year? That’s so much time you could be spending on exploring new places, having the time of your life, and making lifelong memories with friends and family. This year, Disney Parks wants to ensure you don’t miss a moment to take a vacation and make some magic!

There’s something for everyone at Disney properties around the world. Take a look below and you’ll see there is something for everyone – from foodies to adrenaline junkies to explorers and more – so buckle up for our top suggestions to make lifelong memories with family and friends in 2019!

For the Foodie:

Sip and savor the flavors of the Food & Wine Festival at Epcot (Fall 2019) and at Disney California Adventure (March 1-April 23). Speaking of sampling great eats and drinks, don’t miss Le Rendez-vous Gourmand at Disneyland Paris (Summer 2019). Back on the west coast, celebrate the Year of the Pig at Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure now through February 17th. If you want to star in a famous painting while also satisfying your pallet, stroll through the offerings of Epcot’s Festival of the Arts now through February 25th.

For the Adrenaline Junkie:

Get ready to make the jump to lightspeed. This summer at Disneyland and this fall at Walt Disney World, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will give guests the chance to pilot the Millennium Falcon and come face-to-face with the First Order. But don’t wait until then to feed your need for speed. Take an “Incredible” joyride on the Incredicoaster at Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure. Buckle up for TRON Lightcycle Power Run in Shanghai Disneyland. Last but not least, play big in Andy’s backyard with Woody and the gang at Toy Story Land in Walt Disney World and Hong Kong Disneyland as well as in Disney•Pixar Toy Story Land in Shanghai Disneyland.

For the Leisure Seeker:

Ready, set, relax! Treat yourself to a beachside retreat at Aulani: A Disney Resort & Spa or set sail with Disney Cruise Line. If you still want access to the Walt Disney World Resort, beat the heat and bask in some much-needed R&R at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach water parks. Want serenity instead of sea-legs? The mainland at Disneyland Paris’s immersive eco-tourism destination: Villages Nature Paris provides a peaceful escape for your perfect recharge.

For the Hero-in-Training:

Avengers, assemble! Join Ant-Man and The Wasp this March in Hong Kong Disneyland Resort for Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! While in Hong Kong, don’t miss the opportunity to suit up with Tony Stark at The Iron Man Experience. Encounter the likes of Thor, Captain America, and Black Widow at Disneyland Paris’ Marvel Seasons of Super Heroes March 23 through June 16th. You can also catch Captain Marvel during Disney Cruise Line’s Marvel Day at Sea (Feb. 3, 8, 17, 22, March 3 and 8). Finally, drop in for a fun, free-falling scream-fest at Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure.

For the Explorers:

Adventure is out there! For unforgettable journeys outside of Disney Parks, Adventures by Disney offers global excursions ranging in length from four nights to two weeks. Take your adventures from this world to another when you enter the Valley of Mo’ara in Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. When you return to Earth, hit the road and get your kicks on Route 66 with Lightning McQueen and Mater in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure.

These experiences provide only a glimpse of what guests can encounter at Disney Parks across the globe! Whether you see yourself walking right down the middle of Main Street USA, strolling the beaches of Hawaii, or sword-fighting with swashbuckling rogues, your unique interests and vacation must-do’s await your arrival in 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!

January 29, 2019
Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park Closes Due to Cold Weather

The cold never bothered us anyway! Okay, so it actually does, because temperatures are low enough to temporarily close Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park.

Cold weather is sweeping through Florida and is expected to keep temperatures too low for guests to enjoy the water park.

Disney’s Blizzard Beach has been closed since Thursday and will remain closed through Monday according to the Walt Disney World website.

“For parts of Central Florida, it will be the coldest start of the season,” certified meteorologist Rusty McCranie said.

Typhoon Lagoon is already closed until March 16th for renovations, but the cold snap surely would have surely closed anyway.

All other Walt Disney World Theme Parks remain are open for business.

January 26, 2019
Maleficent Float Returns To Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom

As we previously reported, The Maleficent Dragon float would be returning to the Festival of Fantasy Parade at the Magic Kingdom and it looks like the time is finally here!

Disney has confirmed that everyone’s favorite villain, Maleficent, is returning to Magic Kingdom Park today to re-take her rightful place in the parade.

The float was removed from the parade back in May after it burst into flames as the parade strolled through the park. The head of the dragon spits flames and apparently malfunctioned. Take a look at the video below to see the incident.

The fire was quickly extinguished after it broke out and there were no reports of injuries.

While she still has her same Steampunk style and signature wicked smile, the Maleficent dragon will be sporting a refreshed look, enhanced with new features designed to keep her in check while on show.

January 25, 2019
Disneyland Resort Celebrates 60 Years of ‘Sleeping Beauty’

The gateway to Fantasyland—and the symbol of all the magic of Disneyland park—is Sleeping Beauty Castle. An opening day landmark since 1955, Sleeping Beauty Castle has the distinction of being named after a Disney heroine nearly four years before Sleeping Beauty appeared in her title film role 60 years ago in January 1959. In fact, “Sleeping Beauty” was still in its early stages of production when Disneyland park opened.

Sleeping Beauty Castle has the distinction of being named after a Disney heroine nearly four years before Sleeping Beauty appeared in her title film role 60 years ago in January 1959. In fact, “Sleeping Beauty” was still in its early stages of production when Disneyland park opened.

Over the years, the colors and finishes on Sleeping Beauty Castle have been refreshed and updated since Disney Legend and Imagineering Artist Herbert Ryman first created the concept illustration of the castle. Today, 60 years after the film “Sleeping Beauty” debuted, Sleeping Beauty Castle is undergoing another refurbishment through spring in preparation for this summer’s opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

The refurbishment is part of Project Stardust—a number of enhancements to the Disneyland Resort, specifically Disneyland park, to continue to deliver a world-class guest experience. The enhancements will range from overall beautification of the theme park to maximizing guest comfort and access. When Project Stardust is complete, Disneyland park will remain the beloved icon and international treasure it is today, while preparing the theme park for its next phase of significant growth, starting with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, where tradition meets a new frontier.

A number of efforts are already underway or completed. On Main Street, U.S.A., for example, curbs are being enhanced with slow inclines to help improve access when guests first enter. New brickwork adds to the storytelling of the iconic thoroughfare, and for the first time, the horse-drawn streetcar track was replaced in its entirety. In Fantasyland, reconfigured guest queues for Matterhorn Bobsleds, “it’s a small world” and Dumbo the Flying Elephant have improved guest access and comfort, while Tropical Hideaway in Adventureland now welcomes guests to a brand new area that was previously underutilized.

Throughout Disneyland park, the locations of planters and outdoor vending carts are being adjusted to make room for additional walking space and new, more efficient stroller areas. There also will be more seating in Disneyland park than ever before when Project Stardust is complete. We look forward to sharing more about these efforts and carrying forward Walt Disney’s vision for Disneyland park, while preparing it for future generations.

In the video below, Disney Imagineer Kim Irvine talks about the beautification of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

January 24, 2019
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!

January 23, 2019
New ‘I Lava You’ Limited Edition MagicBand Released for Valentine’s Day

You’ll blow your top when you see the new Valentine’s Day themed MagicBand! Disney has released a new Magicband featuring characters from the Pixar short film Lava at Walt Disney World.

This Magicband has the cutest design on it. One side features Uku, the lonely volcano, and text saying “I Lava You” and the other side features Lele, Uku’s love interest, with the words “Happy Valentine’s Day 2019” written on it.

This is the fourth Valentine’s Day band Disney has released. It is a limited edition with a size 2400 and retails for $34.99. You can find it in Disney Parks as well as shopDisney.com

MagicBands are colorful, waterproof wristbands – resembling a watch or bracelet – that you can quickly and easily touch to a sensor called a ”touch point.” You will receive a MagicBand 2 if you stay at a Disney Resort Hotel in Florida or you are a Walt Disney World Resort Passholder. They allow guests to connect the vacation choices they make in My Disney Experience – from effortless theme-park entry, to Online Check-In, Disney PhotoPass association and more.

January 21, 2019