Category: Disney Parks

Happy Birthday Mickey Mouse! Iconic Character Turns 90 Today

Everyone’s favorite pal Mickey Mouse has been entertaining families for generations. Millions flock to California, Florida and around the world to be with him and his friends every year, and today we’re celebrating his 90th birthday.

On this day in 1928, Mickey Mouse starred in Steamboat Willie, the first commercially successful animated cartoon to use synchronized sound.

It was Disney’s third Mickey short, but the first with sound. It debuted as a sneak preview at Universal’s Colony Theatre – located at Broadway & 53rd Street in New York City. It is shown before the feature film Gang War.

Steamboat Willie is co-directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks and features the first appearance of Minnie Mouse. It is animated by Ub Iwerks, Wilfred Jackson and Dick Lundy. The short also features the work of in between artist Les Clark (who will go on to be one of “Walt’s Nine Old Men”). Walt himself supplies the voices for all the characters – although there isn’t any real spoken dialogue just whistling, grunts, laughter and other vocal sounds.

During the premiere Walt sat nervously at the rear of the theater to gage the audience’s reaction. To his delight, the Colony echoed with laughs and giggles throughout the short! Steamboat Willie was shown every night for two weeks.

Disney’s imagination created Mickey Mouse, but he drew inspiration from real-life characters. The mouse’s movements were modeled after comedic film stars in the 1920s, including Charlie Chaplin. Mickey’s creator wasn’t only responsible for dreaming the mouse up, he was also responsible for voicing the character. From July 1929, when Mickey said his first words, “Hot Dog!” until about 1947, Disney, himself, was the voice behind the mouse.

Despite the fact that this is not the first Mickey cartoon made or released, this date is still considered Mickey Mouse’s true debut … and birthday!

November 18, 2018
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.

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.

November 17, 2018
Details on New Mickey Mouse Experiences Coming To Disney Parks Revealed

At this morning’s D23’s Destination D: Celebrating Mickey Mouse event, Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Chairman Bob Chapek shared details of exciting new guest offerings inspired by none other than the legendary Mickey Mouse.

Here’s a roundup of what to expect:

Enjoy the New “Wonderful World of Animation” Nighttime Show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Bob unveiled news of an all-new cinematic nighttime experience, “Wonderful World of Animation,” which will debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in May 2019 as part of the park’s 30th Anniversary celebration. The show will use state-of-the-art projection technology. to take guests on a magical journey through more than 90 years of Disney animation, all beginning with Mickey himself. (See rendering above).

Experience Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Imagineers have been hard at work creating Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, using breakthrough technology to transform a two-dimensional cartoon into an amazing real-world experience. The first-ever ride-through attraction themed to Mickey Mouse will feature a new original story and lovable theme song as it takes guests on a journey inside the wacky and unpredictable world of Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts.

Enjoy New Mickey Mouse Offerings at Disneyland park – The festivities will continue at the Disneyland Resort with Get Your Ears On: A Mickey and Minnie Celebration, which will feature new entertainment, food and merchandise. On January 18, “Mickey’s Mix Magic” will light up the night at Disneyland park with all-new music, projections and lasers that set the scene for an epic dance party that takes over almost the entire park. The party will get even bigger when the fan-favorite Mickey’s Soundsational Parade returns to the resort in January 2019 featuring a new float with Mickey himself, who will lead the celebration down Main Street, U.S.A.

Join in on the Fun of Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration at Magic Kingdom Park – From Jan. 18 to Sept. 30, 2019, Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration will feature new food, merchandise and entertainment, including a new dance party with Mickey, Minnie and their friends.

Celebrate Your Favorite Mouse with Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Party at Sea Aboard Disney Cruise Line – Guests will enjoy an all-new high-energy deck party on the Disney Fantasy next summer.

In addition to new Mickey Mouse-inspired experiences at Disney Parks, Bob also shared a look at the recently opened Mickey: The True Original Exhibition in New York City. The exhibition provides visitors with an interactive experience inspired by Mickey’s impact on popular culture, from Instagram-worthy design elements to larger-than-life multimedia installations. That exhibition runs through Feb. 10, 2019, and tickets can be purchased at Disney.com/MickeyTrueOriginal.

November 17, 2018
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.

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.

November 16, 2018
Disney Sued For Bed Bugs at Disneyland Hotel

You might think Disney’s next live-action adaptation is “A Bug’s Life” according to a new lawsuit filed by a woman claiming the Disneyland Hotel is infested by bed bugs.

In a lawsuit filed earlier this week, Ivy Eldridge claims she suffered both physical and emotional damage after waking up at Anaheim’s Disneyland Hotel covered in bedbug bites while visiting the park with her family in April 2018, according to a L.A. Times report.

Eldridge’s attorney Brian Virag – of My Bed Bug Lawyer, Inc. – filed the lawsuit on Eldridge’s behalf, and named Walt Disney Co. and Disney Parks and Resorts as defendants in addition to Disneyland Hotel.

“People put trust in the Disney name and pay top dollar to stay at Disneyland Hotel. In this case, Ms. Eldridge’s trust was betrayed,” said Virag, per an article posted to the My Bed Bug Lawyer website.

“This was not a situation where a person sustained one or two bites. Ms. Eldridge was bitten throughout her body, including, but not limited to her face, ears, neck, arms, and back. She was absolutely butchered,” he added.

The lawsuit further claims that Disneyland was aware of the bedbug infestation, but did not take the appropriate steps to rectify it.

According to the L.A. Times Report, Disneyland spokeswoman Liz Jaeger said the company hasn’t seen the lawsuit but said in a statement that “these occurrences are extremely rare.”

“We take extensive preventative measures so that our guests are comfortable and safe during their hotel stays and when needed take aggressive steps to rectify,” Jaeger said.

November 15, 2018
Disney Reveals Guardians of the Galaxy ‘Storytelling’ Roller Coaster Ride Vehicle

The “Guardians of the Galaxy”-inspired attraction at Epcot is going to be an out of this galaxy experience like no other. Earlier this week, Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Chairman Bob Chapek shared the first details on the innovative new ride system planned to bring the adventurous attraction to life.

According to Bob, building an adventure this big will require a ride system and ride vehicles unlike anything our guests have experienced before. What guests will encounter on the Guardians of the Galaxy Attraction can best be described as a one-of-a-kind storytelling coaster that connects the adventure of a storyline with the thrills of a coaster.

“On most coasters, the vehicles point straight ahead throughout the ride,” Bob explained. “But on this attraction, each individual cab will be programmed to direct your eye to the story happening around you.

That means instead of whizzing by the action, you’ll be fully immersed in the story from the minute you launch.”

The attraction will be one of the world’s longest enclosed roller coasters when it opens in Future World at Epcot. Earlier this year, 960 trucks’ worth of concrete poured the foundation of this mammoth attraction, which will be housed inside a building so large that the volume of four Spaceship Earth attractions could fit inside it!

The attraction will open in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort in 2021.

November 15, 2018
Man Banned from Disney World After Holding Trump 2020 Sign on Splash Mountain

A man who several weeks ago was banned from Disney World after hanging a huge Donald Trump 2020 banner in the Magic Kingdom has been banned — for a second time.

Disney officials took away Don Cini’s annual pass back in September, after he posted a video of him waving a Trump 2020 banner over the Main Street Train Station. Disney reconsidered the position and allowed him to come back to the parks with the stipulation that he would not hang anymore flags.

Now his latest political antics have gotten him banned — again. And this time permanently. Cini was captured holding a Trump 2020 banner on Splash Mountain. After, the ride picture came with more than the usual decorative boarder. This one came with a note from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office saying that Cini trespassed and his conduct is not welcomed on Disney property.

Cini says that after taking the picture, he was escorted off property and he is now banned from all Disney World properties, including the theme parks, resorts, and Disney Springs.

A picture of Don Cini’s latest guerilla style political support shows him riding down Splash Mountain with a “Trump 2020” sign and on Expedition Everest, he held a “Keep America Great” sign.

We spoke with Cini and asked him if he thought it was worth it. He said, “Yes, because I shouldn’t have been trespassed.” Cini is currently meeting with attorneys to find out what options are available to him. “I didn’t expect them to trespass I just wanted to get the picture,” Cini said.

Disney has now permanently revoked his annual pass, which he says he had for 24 years. Disney’s park rules state that, “the usage of any flag, banner or sign to incite a crowd” is prohibited.

November 13, 2018
Mickey’s Birthday Complete Foodie Guide for Disney Parks
Mickey Mouse is turning 90 years young and what better way to celebrate than with Mickey-themed eats and treats across the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts! This November, for one weekend only, Disney Parks has a TON of specialty items on both coasts to celebrate 90 wonderful years of Mickey Mouse.

Oh boy, oh boy! Check out all of these yummy offerings! They will only be available Nov. 16-18, 2018, at Walt Disney World Resort and Nov. 17-18, 2018, at Disneyland Resort unless otherwise noted. Take a look at the Foodie Guide below to find out about all the yummy goodness they are dishing out to celebrate Mickey Mouse!

WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT

Magic Kingdom Park
- Birthday Bash Push Pop – filled with birthday cake pastry cream and layered with cake crumbles, buttercream, and glitter sprinkles; available at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, Pinocchio Village Haus, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café, Columbia Harbour House
- Confetti Mickey Pretzel – Mickey pretzel topped with marshmallow cream and confetti sprinkles; available at The Lunching Pad, Storybook Circus, Liberty Square Market, and pretzel carts in Main Street, U.S.A. and Frontierland
- Mickey Cheeseburger – Angus burger with macaroni and cheese, American cheese, cheese sauce, and spicy cheese dust on a Mickey Mouse Bun; available at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
- Minnie Kitchen Sink Sundae – two scoops of your choice of ice cream topped with hot fudge, whipped cream, cherries, and your choice of peanut butter or caramel served in a Minnie Kitchen Sink souvenir bowl; available at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
- Cheesy Hot Diggity Dog – all-beef hot dog topped with cheddar, queso, and seasoned cheese puffs; available at Casey’s Corner
- Steamboat Willie Cookies and Cream Cheesecake – available at Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen, The Crystal Palace, and Tony’s Town Square Restaurant
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
- Mickey’s Birthday Cupcake – chocolate cupcake topped with buttercream frosting, a fondant birthday balloon, and an edible image of Mickey; available at Creature Comforts, Pizzafari, and Restaurantosaurus
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Mickey’s Birthday Cake – vanilla cake with sprinkles, buttercream, and a chocolate Mickey medallion; available at Trolley Car Café, ABC Commissary, Rosie’s All-American Café, and Backlot Express
Epcot
- Hidden Mickey Cupcake – vanilla cupcake with brownie filling topped with buttercream icing and fondant birthday hat; available at Kringla Bakeri og Kafe Nov. 17-18
- Mickey Cookies and Cream Cheesecake – available at Sunshine Seasons
- Mickey’s Celebration Cupcake – vanilla cupcake filled with white chocolate mousse; available at Fountain View Nov. 17-18
- Mickey and Minnie Birthday Specialty Cupcakes – chocolate cupcake topped with buttercream, sprinkles, and chocolate ears; available at Coral Reef Restaurant Nov. 18 only
- Mickey-shaped Cucumber Salad – available for lunch and dinner at Garden Grill Restaurant Nov. 18 only
- Mickey Mousse – chocolate mousse with cookies and cream crumbles; available at Garden Grill Restaurant Nov. 18 only
Disney’s All-Star Resorts
- Birthday Fudge Cupcake – chocolate cupcake with fudge filling topped with fudge buttercream and chocolate balloons; available at Intermission Food Court, End Zone Food Court, and World Premier Food Court
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Cookies and Cream Sorcerer Cupcake – chocolate cupcake with cookies and cream filling topped with vanilla buttercream; available at Landscape of Flavors
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Fudgefetti Sundae Cupcake – vanilla cupcake with whipped chocolate ganache filling topped with vanilla buttercream, chocolate fudge, and sprinkles; available at Everything POP Shopping and Dining
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort
- Cookies and Cream Birthday Cupcake – vanilla cupcake filled with cookies and cream buttercream topped with cookies and cream and vanilla buttercream, white crispy pearls, and milk chocolate Mickey ears; available at Riverside Mill Food Court and Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Mickey’s Mini Gâteau – chocolate chip sponge cake with milk chocolate mousse; available at The Mara
Disney’s BoardWalk
- Steamboat Willie Heritage Mickey – white chocolate mousse tart with a dark chocolate mousse Mickey dome and chocolate buttons, ears, and tail; available at BoardWalk Bakery
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Mickey’s Birthday Cake Cupcake – red velvet cake with chocolate buttercream filling topped with cream cheese buttercream icing, white chocolate Mickey balloons, and a mini birthday cake; available at Contempo Café
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Mickey’s Birthday Cupcake – vanilla cupcake with cookies and cream filling topped with dark chocolate Mickey ears and a fondant party hat and bowtie; available at Gasparilla Island Grill
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Mickey’s Birthday Cupcake – milk chocolate cupcake with cherry and sweet cream filling topped with vanilla buttercream and white chocolate glove; available at Capt. Cook’s and Kona Café Coffee Bar
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Mickey Brownie Mousse – fudge brownie topped with chocolate mousse and milk chocolate Mickey ears; available at Roaring Fork
Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
- Mickey’s Birthday Cake – chocolate cupcake with cherry filling topped with caramel chocolate mousse; available at Beach Club Marketplace and The Market at Ale & Compass
Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- Birthday Celebration Cake – confetti cake with strawberry buttercream and chocolate ganache; available at The Artist’s Palette and Good’s Food To Go
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Cookies and Cream Birthday Cupcake – vanilla cupcake with cookies and cream filling topped with cookies and cream and vanilla buttercream, white crispy pearls, and milk chocolate Mickey Ears; available at Centertown Market
ESPN Wide World of Sports
- Mickey and Minnie Birthday Specialty Cupcakes – chocolate cupcake topped with buttercream, sprinkles, and chocolate ears; available at ESPN Grill
Disney Springs
- Started With a Mouse – Boston cream pie with white chiffon cake, blue glaçage, dark chocolate ears, and blue fondant; available at Amorette’s Patisserie
- Mickey’s Birthday Smoothie – tropical strawberry smoothie topped with whipped cream; available Amorette’s Patisserie
- Mickey Ganache Lollipop – strawberry ganache lollipop with Mickey Mouse décor; available at The Ganachery
- Mickey Milk Chocolate Ganache Square – milk chocolate ganache squares; available at The Ganachery
- Magical Birthday Sundae – vanilla ice cream with chocolate drizzle, whipped cream, sprinkles, and chocolate-dipped waffle crisps; available at Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
- Mickey Sugar Cookies – available at Leaning Palms
DISNEYLAND RESORT
- Mickey Mouse Sipper – served with choice of fountain drink or specialty beverage; available at select quick-service locations across Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park on Nov. 18 only
- Mickey and Minnie Mouse Birthday Cake Ice Cream Sundae – two scoops of birthday cake ice cream topped with a brownie, hot fudge, whipped cream, cherry, and sprinkles served in a Mickey or Minnie Mouse Kitchen Sink; available at Disneyland park (Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor) and Disney California Adventure park (Clarabelle’s Hand Scooped Ice Cream)
- Mickey Mouse Birthday Cake Crisped Rice Treat – three-layered crispy treat fruity cereal and Mickey-shaped sprinkles; available at Disneyland park (Refreshment Corner, Main Street U.S.A. Fruit Cart and Coffee Cart, Troubadour Tavern, all Toontown quick-service locations), Disney California Adventure park (Pacific Wharf Gourmet Cart, Pacific Wharf Café, Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta), Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa (Holiday Cart), and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel (Surfside Lounge, Sand Bar)
- Steamboat Willie Chocolate-Dipped Marshmallow and Caramel Apple – available at Disneyland park (Candy Palace and Hunny Spot), Disney California Adventure park (Trolley Treats), and the Downtown Disney District (Marceline’s Confectionery)
- Mickey’s Birthday Churro – warm churro rolled in birthday cake sugar and served with confetti icing; available at select Churro Carts across Disneyland park
- Mickey’s Celebration Churro – warm chocolate churro topped with cookie butter and Mickey confetti and served with a side of red marshmallow cream and Mickey buttons; available at select Churro Carts across Disneyland park
- Mac ‘N Cheese Foot-Long Hot Dog – foot-long hot dog on an Italian roll topped with creamy mac and cheese and bacon bits; available at Pluto’s Dog House
- Mickey and Minnie Mouse Birthday Frozen Yogurt Sundaes – topped with confetti sprinkles; available at Clarabelle’s at Disneyland park
- Mickey Mouse Pizza – choice of pepperoni or cheese Mickey-shaped pizza; available at Daisy’s Diner at Disneyland park
- Cookies and Cream Beignets – available at Mint Julep Bar at Disneyland park
November 13, 2018
Special Holiday Churros at Disneyland are Delightfully Delicious Treats
The Holidays at Disneyland Resort begin Nov. 9 and for some that means one thing… Churros! Special Holiday Churros are arriving at Disneyland and they are a holiday wish come true.

Throughout the holiday season, you’ll be able to feast on these yummy goodies! Take a look below at all the options.

Disneyland Park
- Churros near Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters: Sour Apple Churro with option to add side caramel sauce
- Churros near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Churro with crushed pretzels and peppermint
- Churros near Sleeping Beauty Castle: Gingerbread Churro
- Churros near Haunted Mansion: Sugarplum Candy Churro
- The Golden Horseshoe: Churro Sundae: Peppermint ice cream and a cajeta-filled churro garnished with chocolate brownie crumbles, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream
- Hungry Bear Restaurant: Churro Bites with eggnog gelato and caramel sauce
Disney California Adventure Park
- Churros near Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: Peppermint Churro with crushed candy canes and chocolate and vanilla icing
- Cozy Cone Motel: Gingersnap Churro with cream cheese dipping sauce
- Cozy Cone Motel: Pumpkin Spice Churro with cream cheese dipping sauce
- Churros near Goofy’s Sky School: Holiday Churro with red and green sugar
November 2, 2018
New Epcot Minnie Ears Coming to Disney World are Too Cute

Disney Parks has had no shortage of stylish Ears as of late and now they are releasing the cutest Epcot Inspired Minnie Ears that you’ll totally want in your ‘Future World’.

In Epcot you can do everything from riding classic attractions like Spaceship Earth to exploring the countries of the World Showcase. One moment you are flying around the world on Soarin’ and the next you’re eating fish and chips in the United Kingdom.

If you’re a fan of all things Epcot, you’re going to love the newest Minnie ears that are coming soon. Take a look at these cuties below:

First up are four new ears inspired by different pavilions of the World Showcase! There’s one each for the United Kingdom, France, Mexico and Germany, all featuring a flag bow along with Spaceship Earth-inspired ears.

Disney is never one to let a good trend pass by, so there is also a pair of bubblegum wall ears! Who doesn’t love a good wall pic? And these Minnie Ears will make that Instagram selfie complete. The bow is a perfect match for everyones favorite wall in Future World, and celebrates that classic Epcot design style you know and love.

All five new ear styles are coming soon to Epcot! Let us know which ones are your favorite in the comments.

November 1, 2018