Disney News

Category: Disney Parks

  • Disney Confirms More Marvel Land Plans For Worldwide Parks

    Disney Confirms More Marvel Land Plans For Worldwide Parks

    Today, Disney released new exciting details on their plans to bring more Marvel Heroes to Disney Parks across the globe.

    They’re calling it the Global Avengers Initiative where they are assembling Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and soon fans will be able to interact with their favorite cinematic and comic book superheroes in a whole new way at Disney theme parks around the world.

    The studio has confirmed several details about its Marvel theme park characters, and below you can find a breakdown of which characters are getting specialized rides or attractions at each Disney park.

    Marvel LAnd Avengers

    “My team and I are collaborating closely with our partners across Studios and Entertainment to create exciting experiences and attractions where you can join your favorite Super Heroes at Disney Parks and Resorts,” said creative executive for Walt Disney Imagineering’s Global Marvel Portfolio Scot Drake. “Together, we are expanding this epic story universe in a way that, for the first time ever, will allow you to take on an active role alongside these Super Heroes.”

    These interconnected stories are coming to life at our Disney Parks. In Hong Kong Disneyland, guests have already started battling the forces of Hydra in the Iron Man Experience. Beginning in March 2019, they will join Ant-Man and Wasp in a fight against Arnim Zola and his army of evil Hydra Swarm-bots in the all-new interactive attraction, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! In Disney California Adventure park, guests have been helping the Guardians escape the Collector’s Fortress in Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT! And soon, in both Disney California Adventure park and Disneyland Paris, guests will encounter the heroes in new and exciting ways, from the mystic arts of Doctor Strange to the gravity-defying feats of Spider-Man. Guests will also experience the latest in Pym Technology with Ant-Man and Wasp and be wowed as Iron Man, Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Captain America and more leap into action on a moment’s notice.

  • The Twinings Tea Experience at Epcot’s Rose & Crown

    The Twinings Tea Experience at Epcot’s Rose & Crown

    The World Showcase has always been a place where you can immerse yourself in cultures from around the world, but did you know that you can experience a Time-Honored British Tradition where you will learn the difference between various tea blends and the secret to making the perfect cup.

    The free Twinings tea tour in Epcot’s United Kingdom has always been one of the most popular tours at the festival. It’s still being offered, but now there’s an additional tour that’s even tastier.

    My wife, Dawn, and I recently attended the Twinings Tea Experience at EPCOT’s Rose & Crown Restaurant where a Twinings-trained Cast Member took us through the history of the brand and its flavors. The experience begins promptly at 9:45am so allow plenty of time to get to the UK Pavillion located inside World Showcase.

    No more than 24 guests are seated in the Rose & Crown dining room. There are very few two top tables so you may be seated with guests outside of your own party. This was a big plus for us as we love meeting new people and discussing all things Disney!

    The Hosts and Hostesses, some of whom work at the Twinings Tea Shop across the street, gave us a brief history of tea in the UK as well as instructing us about how to prepare a proper “cuppa” tea.

    One guest at each table was chosen to time the brewing of each tea with an adorable 3 hourglass style timer. Different teas must be brewed for different times or else they will become bitter. Also, NO microwaving your brewing water here in the UK! Microwaved water will not allow all of the tea’s flavor to be extracted during brewing.

    Our hot teas included, English Breakfast, Chai Spiced Apple, Pomegranate Raspberry Strawberry Green Tea, and Holiday Berry Herbal Tea. Side Note: The “H” in Herbal is not silent here in the UK! We were also treated to one of my personal favorites, Lady Grey Iced Tea. Yes, iced tea in the UK…the horror! The hostess was clear that icing one’s tea is simply not done in her homeland.

    Along with the wonderful teas, we were served tea sandwiches. These included, Coronation Chicken, Irish Cheddar and Branson Pickle, Egg Salad, and Cream Cheese with Cucumber.

    Of course, they save the best for last…Scones with Clotted Cream and Strawberry Jam! We were told that the jam always goes on first, then the clotted cream. Who knew?

    This is a wonderful experience to start your EPCOT day. It lasts about 45 minutes and, at $30 per person, is among the best values at Walt Disney World. It books up fast, and the price is scheduled to increase to $35 per person in April 2019, so get your reservation now by contacting one of the amazing travel specialists over at Enchanted Kingdom Vacations.

    Oh, and don’t forget to stop by the Twinings Tea Shop we mentioned earlier. You may want some tea, an hourglass timer or a beautiful “cuppa”.

    So would you care for a spot of tea on your next visit to Epcot?  Let us know in the comments below.

  • Disney Reveals First Up Close Look at the Millennium Falcon at Hollywood Studios

    Disney Reveals First Up Close Look at the Millennium Falcon at Hollywood Studios

    Disney Parks has released a first close-up look at the Millennium Falcon in a behind-the-scenes look at development on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios.

    Guests can take the controls of the fastest ship of the galaxy in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, one of two signature attractions coming to Galaxy’s Edge. This attraction will put guests behind the controls of the most famous ship in the galaxy. There will be three unique flight crew roles guests will be able to take on.

    The second attraction is called Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Guests will be in the middle of an epic battle between the Resistance and the First Order in this attraction.

    This all-new land opens at Disneyland (summer 2019) and Walt Disney World (fall 2019).

  • 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 Purple Potion Minnie Ears are the Next Must Have at Disney Parks

    New Purple Potion Minnie Ears are the Next Must Have at Disney Parks

    Move over Rose Gold and Millennial Pink, because everyone’s going to want to make room in their wardrobe for the New Purple Potion Minnie Ears arriving at Disney Parks.

    The new set of sequined lavender Minnie ears comes with a purple and blue iridescent padded bow atop a sequin-covered headband.

    Modern Family‘s Sarah Hyland and Disney star Jordan Fisher snapped a fun picture of themselves wearing the new Purple Potion ears while filming The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration which aired last week as you can see in the Instagram post below.

    If you missed them on last weeks Holiday Special then catch them again on the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade airing Christmas morning (10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. EST, 9:00-11:00 a.m. CST/MST/PST).

    Disney hasn’t released how much these beauties will cost, but they will probably set you back about $28 as other Minnie ears are usually similarly priced.

  • Complete Guide to Holiday Celebrations at International Disney Parks

    Complete Guide to Holiday Celebrations at International Disney Parks

    Season’s greetings! No matter where your holiday travels take you this year, something enchanting awaits you at Disney Parks across the world. Now through the New Year, we’re ringing in the most wonderful time of the year with special celebrations and enchanting experiences across the globe.

    At Disneyland Paris, wake up, grab a cup of hot cocoa and see the reason for the season in the form of a larger-than-life advent calendar in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. The Disney Christmas Parade is now bringing cheer not once but twice daily down a snow-sprinkled Main Street, U.S.A. and past a tinsel-twinkling Christmas tree. Keep an eye out for Stitch on the Royal Castle Stage as he wrecks the halls for A Merry Stitchmas.

    Mickey’s Christmas Big Band

    Celebrate 90 years of magic and fun with Mickey Mouse during Mickey’s Christmas Big Band at Walt Disney Studios Park, including a drum solo by Mickey himself. The new Surprise Mickey! show is your chance to join in a very special birthday surprise while celebrating the merriest time of year. Wrap up your day with Goofy’s Incredible Christmas, an immersive nighttime show with incredible special effects and a whole lot of Goof projected onto The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

    Christmas tree on the Fantasyland side of Cinderella Castle at Tokyo Disneyland

    This year, Tokyo Disneyland multiplies the cheer of Christmas times 35 for the resort’s 35th anniversary. Such a milestone celebration calls for a spectacular Christmas tree on the Fantasyland side of Cinderella Castle, with the 35th anniversary logo incorporated throughout its decor. Across the way at Tokyo DisneySea, a new show, “It’s Christmas Time,” brings a colorful revue to the Mediterranean Harbor every day.

    Mickey Avenue Winter Wonderland show at Shanghai Disney Resort

    If you have long been dreaming of a white Christmas, your dreams will come true this year at Shanghai Disney Resort! A magical winter snowfall takes place nightly during the new “Mickey Avenue Winter Wonderland” show, while the “When We’re Together” tree lighting ceremony at Enchanted Storybook Castle features the playful snowman Olaf. And whether you’ve been naughty or “ice,” glide over to the resort’s new Wishing Star Skating Rink in the center of Disneytown Christmas Market starting December 7.

    Mickey and Friends Christmastime Ball at Hong Kong Disneyland

    Finally, there’s no place like Hong Kong Disneyland for the holidays where Fantasy Gardens has been transformed into the Fantasy Gardens Wintertime Market. If caroling is more your cup of Christmas tea, join Mickey and the gang during a one-of-a-kind Mickey and Friends Christmastime Ball. This 20-minute musical extravaganza will definitely help you get your yuletide going this season! All your favorite Disney characters will come together to share the joy, including Duffy’s new friend Cookie who joins in the Christmas celebration for the first time.

  • Disney Reveals Details on New Nighttime Spectaculars Replacing IllumiNations at Epcot

    Disney Reveals Details on New Nighttime Spectaculars Replacing IllumiNations at Epcot

    As we previously reported, Disney is ending the nearly 20 year run of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth as Epcot’s nighttime spectacular and the question is, what will be replacing it?

    Earlier this month at D23’s Destination D: Celebrating Mickey Mouse, Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Chairman Bob Chapek shared an exciting update on the multiyear transformation of Epcot, including details on new nighttime entertainment planned for the park and additions to World Showcase.

    Among the announcements were updates on a new nighttime spectacular planned to open at the park in 2020. This new show will celebrate how Disney music inspires people around the world, and will feature massive floating set pieces, custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics and lasers.

    Epcot Nighttime Spectaculars

    But before that new show debuts, there will be a limited-time experience Epcot fans will love, called “Epcot Forever,” which will debut in fall 2019 and will feature classic Epcot tunes. “Epcot Forever” will begin with a spark of imagination that swells into an epic spectacle of fireworks, music, lighting, lasers, and special effects kites.

  • VIDEO: Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Attractions’ Names Revealed and More

    VIDEO: Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Attractions’ Names Revealed and More

    At the recent D23’s Destination D event, Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Chairman Bob Chapek shared exciting new details about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge including the names of the new land’s two marquee attractions.

    Disney Parks released a few videos that will give you a sneak peek into the two major attractions coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort. Take a look at the names of the attractions and the videos below:

    MILLENNIUM FALCON: SMUGGLERS RUN

    This attraction will put guests behind the controls of the most famous ship in the galaxy. There will be three unique flight crew roles guests will be able to take on. Honestly, it sounds like a dream come true to this Star Wars fan!

    STAR WARS: RISE OF THE RESISTANCE

    Guests will be in the middle of an epic battle between the Resistance and the First Order in this attraction. The sneak peek above was shot in the actual attraction!

    We also learned that the legendary John Williams will be creating new and original Star Wars themes exclusively for the land. Prepare your emotions for this preview of the all-new music, recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios:

    The attractions are to open at Disneyland Resort in summer 2019 and at Walt Disney World Resort in the fall.

  • Chefs Bake Up Holiday Magic with Gingerbread Displays at Disney Parks and Resorts

    Chefs Bake Up Holiday Magic with Gingerbread Displays at Disney Parks and Resorts

    Wide-eyed wonderment will wash over Disney guests this holiday season when they see gingerbread displays at select Disney theme parks and Disney resort hotels, as well as the ships of Disney Cruise Line.

    Nothing says the holidays like the sweet aroma of gingerbread and the smell is in the air all over Disney Parks. In the spirit of the season, Disney chefs decked the halls (roofs, doorways and windows, too) to create life-sized, gingerbread houses yummy enough to eat.

    Here’s a look at storybook houses, carousels and other confections baked with love by Disney chefs, with savory sweets for sale in most locations:

    • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – This year marks the 20th anniversary of this resort hotel’s gingerbread house. A classic recipe from Austria inspires the ornaments, cookies and a house standing 14 feet tall in the lobby. Home to The Bake Shop, the gingerbread house is the perfect place to pick up holiday treats. Gingerbread house decorating demonstrations occur daily Dec. 1-25.
    • Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Cinderella Castle is re-created with an “it’s a small world” backdrop depicting Cinderella and Prince Charming greeting guests in the castle forecourt. The 18-foot display is crafted from thousands of gingerbread blocks. A life-sized spinning carousel highlights the display.
    • Disney’s Beach Club Resort – Donald Duck- and Daisy Duck-themed horses are decorated with chocolate, sugar and fondant in this scrumptious classic carousel.
    • Disney’s BoardWalk Resort – A delightful gingerbread version of the resort’s BoardWalk features iconic locales such as BoardWalk Bakery, Flying Fish, Trattoria al Forno and more.
    • The American Adventure – Patriotic flair meets pastry magic at Epcot, where gingerbread renditions of the U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument (topped with golden Mickey ears!) are on display
    • Amorette’s Patisserie – This sophisticated pastry shop at Disney Springs dresses up its front window with a miniature gingerbread replica of itself – right down to the gingerbread trees!
    • The Haunted Mansion – Disneyland Resort turns to Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” to create a wonderfully spooky gingerbread display inside this classic attraction. A giant spider with glowing eyes hangs over the Grand Hall Table, attempting to pry the edible gingerbread mansion from its foundation as gingerbread zombies watch in amazement.
    • Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa – Disney artists, engineers and bakers teamed up on a gingerbread house that adds to the resort hotel’s festive lobby. With over 600 pounds of gingerbread and adorned with Hidden Mickeys, this grandly Californian gingerbread house is on display all season long.
    • Disney Cruise Line – Aboard the four Disney Cruise Line ships, the chef competition is on! Bakery teams are challenged to create their own individual gingerbread houses for display throughout the holiday season in the atrium lobby of each ship. Taking weeks to conceptualize and construct, each features more than 600 pounds of gingerbread dough, 200-plus pounds of sugar and 5,000 gingerbread bricks.
    • Aulani – A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii gets its gingerbread on with “A Kakamora Holiday.” This festive display includes a chocolate tree, a Moana-inspired gingerbread hut, chocolate sleigh and merrymaking Kakamoras celebrating with a tropical twist.
  • 2.5 Million Pounds of Turkey Legs Consumed Annually at U.S. Disney Parks

    2.5 Million Pounds of Turkey Legs Consumed Annually at U.S. Disney Parks

    Thanksgiving Day is here and chances are you’ve got turkey on your mind. So now seems like the perfect time to share some interesting facts about the Turkey Legs at Disney Parks.

    It’s estimated that guests consume more than 1.6 million turkey drumsticks every year at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort – that’s 2.5 million pounds of turkey.

    Turkey legs

    Here a few more interesting facts about the snack with a culinary cult following:

    • If they legs seem bigger to you then what you have on the turkeys you serve at your Thanksgiving meals, they are. The drumsticks come from toms — the male turkeys who have far larger legs.

    • The turkey leg debuted at Big Al’s Coonskin Caps in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World in the late 1980s, grew in popularity, and then went on to migrated west to Disneyland.

    • Each leg weighs about 1.5-pound legs and are cured with a salt solution, some saying the hickory smoked legs have a ham-like taste.

    • If you’re counting calories the legs each contain about 720 calories and about 36 grams of fat.

    That’s a lot of turkey! So, how much of the total are you responsible for?