Category: Disney Parks

Disney’s Animal Kingdom 20th Anniversary Celebration Honors Two Decades of Wild Encounters
Disney’s Animal Kingdom will mark its 20th anniversary on Earth Day, April 22, with more wild adventures than ever before – kicking off spring and setting the stage for an incredible summer filled with all-new events and experiences at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Commemorating the milestone year, the 500-acre adventure park will offer animal encounters, family-friendly activities, specialty desserts and more during an expanded Party for the Planet celebration April 22-May 5. If plan on joining the festivities, then you can do it in style with the Limited Edition 20th Anniversary MagicBand.

Over the two-week “Party for the Planet” celebration, guests can attend conservation talks by animal-care experts and participate in enhanced interactions with some of the more than 2,000 animals that make their home at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited park.

Rafiki’s Planet Watch will take center stage for the year-long 20^th anniversary. It’s home to fun educational exhibits and activities that help create awareness of animal issues. During the 20^thanniversary, Rafiki’s Planet Watch will offer backstage experiences with experts where guests can learn about animal nutrition, visit the veterinary hospital and hear how Disney promotes global wildlife conservation.

Guests can also commemorate their visits to the theme park with special photo opportunities. They can step into an oversized picture frame celebrating the park’s 20^th anniversary. Other photo frames support Disney’s “Reverse the Decline,” an initiative created to help protect 10 threatened animal species. One recent success of the program was the birth of two critically endangered Sumatran Tiger Cubs at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Just for kids is the chance to earn a limited-edition badge as part of the Wilderness Explorer program. The badge is one of many that youngsters can earn by completing fun activities throughout the park.

Party for the Planet will also include six different Tiffins Talks – themed dinners hosted by animal experts at Tiffins, the theme park’s signature, full-service restaurant.

The 20^th anniversary fun also includes a commemorative adventure guide, limited-edition merchandise, and a special-edition print created by renowned Walt Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde. He will be available on April 22 from 1-4 p.m. to sign prints at Discovery Trading Company. Quantities are limited. For more information on Party for the Planet, visit Disneyworld.com/PartyforthePlanet.

Here are other experiences and adventures rolling out in 2018 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom:
- April 22 will mark the debut of a brand-new show, UP! A Great Bird Adventure featuring Russell and Dug from the Disney•Pixar animated comedy-adventure film “UP.” The show will give guests the chance to see Senior Wilderness Explorer Russell and his fuzzy friend Dug in a new adventure that includes encounters with exotic birds from around the world. This free-flying show will be performed multiple times daily.
- A “dino-tastic” celebration with Donald and his friends will also premiere Memorial Day weekend in DinoLand, U.S.A. This dinosaur-themed party celebrates Donald Duck’s discovery that his bird ancestors were actually dinosaurs. DinoLand U.S.A. will feature colorful new décor and playful character greetings with rarely seen pals like Scrooge McDuck, Launchpad McQuack and more. A DJ-powered dance party will mix tunes from the truck-o-saurus stage, capping the nighttime festivities.
- Memorial Day 2018 commemorates the one-year anniversary of Pandora – The World of Avatar. Here, travelers are transported to a mystical world of floating mountains, bioluminescent rainforests and breathtaking new experiences. Inspired by the blockbuster film, AVATAR, the epic land invites guests to explore a glowing landscape, encounter a larger-than-life Na’vi Shaman of Songs and soar on the back of a banshee.
March 20, 2018
Disney PhotoPass Service: Now on Instagram

Disney PhotoPass Service is known for capturing stunning photos in Disney Parks, and now Disney is they will be sharing them with you on Instagram! #PicOfTheDay #InstaCool #SoundsLikeAGreatIdea!

The Disney PhotoPass Service Instagram page is the perfect place to find gorgeous photos taken at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort by our photography experts and discover all of the photo ops we have available for you guest in the parks.

Think PhotoPass only takes your picture at iconic locations and with your favorite Disney pals? Think again! Between props, Magic Shots, light painting, attraction photos, virtual backdrops, special lenses, and even photos in front of beautiful Disney Walls, be sure to follow along on so you don’t miss out on any photo opportunities during your next visit.

After you take those picture-perfect PhotoPass photos with Disney’s photographers, you can share them using #DisneyPhotoPass for a chance to be featured on their social media pages!

March 19, 2018
Mickey Balloon Popcorn Buckets Released At Magic Kingdom Have Guests Flying High

If the newest popcorn bucket from each trip is a must have for you, then you’ll be excited to know that the Mickey Mouse Balloon Popcorn Bucket which debut in Disneyland in 2015 as part of the park’s 60th Anniversary is now available at the Magic Kingdom!

We know everyone loves those Mickey Mouse shaped Balloons at the parks and of course there is the popcorn bucket collectors and connoisseurs; well now you can have the best of both world.

As you can see in the photo below red is the only color available right now, but you never know if any other colors might “pop” up during your next trip to Walt Disney World Resort.

A post shared by Kelly (@livingthetheme) on Mar 13, 2018 at 6:49am PDT

During their debut in Disneyland in 2015 as part of the park’s 60th Anniversary — the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration, they released various other colors including blue, and purple.

The premium popcorn bucket which celebrates the iconic Mickey balloon and is this bucket is perfect to hold your keepsakes long after your visit to Walt Disney World.The buckets will only set you back about $15 including and same-day refills are only $1.75.

March 18, 2018
Easter Bunny Hops To Magic Kingdom Park Starting March 19

Even if you are having a bad “hare” day you are still going to want to get your picture with this guy! Guests visiting Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park are in for some hippity hoppity fun starting March 19, when the Easter Bunny will begin making appearances at the park.

Easter Bunny will greet guests from March 19 through April 1 in the Town Square Courtyard. On March 31, and April 1 (Easter Sunday), a special pre-parade will make its way down Main Street, U.S.A.

The parade is a veritable Character Palooza and will feature Mr. & Mrs. Easter Bunny, Daisy, Duck, Thumper & Ms. Bunny, White Rabbit, Yellow Rabbit, Clara Cluck, Hippos, Ostriches, Dancing Chicks and the Azalea Trail Maids from Mobile, Alabama.

All entertainment is subject to change without notice. Check the Times Guide or the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit for the most up-to-date information.

March 16, 2018
First-Ever Pixar-Themed Package Available at Disneyland Resorts

Pixar Fest is coming to the Disneyland Resort, April 13 through September 3, and in addition to the dazzling new “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” and the return of “Paint the Night” parade and Pixar Play Parade, the celebration can also extend to the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort with a special Pixar-themed room and ticket package.

This special Pixar Decorated Room and Ticket Package includes an enhanced in-room and in-park experience with the included purchase of 2-Day or more theme park tickets! In your hotel room, our team can create a colorful Pixar-filled welcome, complete with a door banner, themed blanket and balloons, as well as a limited-edition Pixar Fest print all to take back home to remember the magic. This premium package also includes reserved viewing** for the highly popular “Paint the Night” parade in Disney California Adventure park!

With so many unique offerings, the Pixar Decorated Room and Ticket Package is very limited in quantity. The package is available for guests staying at the Disneyland Hotel or Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa for two nights or more, most Sunday through Thursday nights between April 15 and June 14, 2018. All interested guests can book now through June 13, 2018 with a personal vacation advisor by calling (866) 858-1865 or booking through a travel agent.

We also have a special booking offer available this spring. Guests can save up to 20 percent on select rooms at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disneyland Hotel, and 10 percent on select rooms at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, on most Sunday through Thursday nights between April 15 and June 14, 2018.* Book now through May 31, 2018.

The off is not valid for stays at Disney’s Paradise Pier hotel and travel must be completed by June 1618. Requires the purchase of a 2, 3, 4 or 5 day Disneyland Resort Theme Park ticket for each registered guest (ages 3 and older) in the reservation.

March 16, 2018
After Internet Confusion Disney World Is NOT Reversing Resort Parking Fees

As we reported Wednesday Walt Disney World will begin charging guests a fee for overnight parking at their resorts as of March 21, 2018. They have received serious backlash over the new fee and after a brief ‘glitch” on the Disney World official website, the new updated pricing information was missing causing a bit of excitement for many guests.

Don’t get too excited yet though because, if you check the official Walt Disney World Parking page you will see the new overnight parking fees are back and aren’t going anywhere. Well… More like, if they disappear from the site again, it doesn’t mean they’ve changed their minds.

For a moment earlier on Thursday it simply said “Standard self-parking at Resort hotels is complimentary for Resort Guests. Valet parking is available at select Disney Deluxe Resorts for $25 per day.” You can see the apparent internet mishap in the picture below .

The internet quickly blew up with people hoping that Disney had listened to complaints, but Disney isn’t usually in the habit of reversing decisions like this after they have become public.

Maybe Stitch ate the page and they had to make a new one. In any event, the change is permanent and still coming in March. Disney World’s website now again lists the full details of the resort overnight parking fees. You can take a look at the full break down of pricing details here.

March 15, 2018
Reservations Now Open for Pixar Play Zone at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

This April Disney’s Contemporary Resort will introduce a brand-new, playful and immersive Pixar character experience for kids ages 4-12 as part of a pilot program. Starting today, the reservation lines are officially open!

The little ones will be transported to a world full of excitement and adventure with their favorite characters from Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story” and “The Incredibles”!

It all kicks off with Space Ranger Training where kids will learn how to identify and battle enemies of the Star Command. Then, Woody and Jessie will show them the ropes of the Wild West during Woody’s Roundup. During the Piston Cup Challenge, youngsters will be able to build a race car, then race it on the Radiator Springs Racetrack. And finally, kids will learn some sweet dance moves during the Incredible Dance Party with Mr. Incredible and Mrs. Incredible. What else is on the menu? Games, dinner and dessert, of course!

The nightly getaway for kids will open doors for registration at 5 p.m. and programming will run from 6-10:30 p.m. for a fee of $65 per child (plus tax). Children must be fully toilet-trained.

While the kids play, parents can enjoy their own getaway throughout Walt Disney World Resort.

March 15, 2018
BREAKING: Disney World Resorts Will Start Charging Resort Guests For Parking
Walt Disney World will begin charging resort guests for overnight parking beginning next week. The company has officially announced the change today after months of speculation.

Effective for reservations made March 21, 2018 and thereafter, standard overnight self-parking is available to registered Guests for a fee that will be applied to their hotel folio upon check-out. All parking fees include applicable tax.

Standard Overnight Parking charges per Resort Category:
- Disney Value Resorts: $13 per night
- Disney Moderate Resorts: $19 per night
- Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts: $24 per night
Complimentary standard parking is available to Guests staying at the Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Each campsite provides parking space for one motorized vehicle.

Valet Parking is still available at select Disney Deluxe Resorts and Disney Deluxe Villas but will see an increase to $33 per night (sales tax included).

Disney Vacation Club members will not be charged for standard overnight self-parking when staying at a DVC Deluxe Villa, regardless of whether they use vacation points or another form of payment. Members also will not be charged to park when using vacation points to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel.

For day guests complimentary standard self-parking is still available while enjoying select dining, shopping, entertainment, and recreation experiences at Disney Resort hotels.
March 14, 2018
Sneak Peek of Limited-Time Pixar Fest Food and Merchandise at Disneyland
Pixar Fest at Disneyland Resort will be turning things a little inside out as they celebrate all things Pixar from April 13 through September 3. The the return of “Paint the Night” parade and Pixar Play Parade and the dazzling new “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” is just incredible, but the limited-time foods, beverages and merchandise will take you to infinity and beyond.

Check out how some of your favorite Pixar pals and stories are inspiring delicious treats in unexpected ways:

“Up”
- Fried-ricksen Bologna Sandwich – Carnation Café, Disneyland park
- Fredrickson TV Diner – Carnation Café, Disneyland park
- “Up” Merit Badge Éclair – Jolly Holiday Bakery Café, Disneyland park
- “Up”-Tart – Nutella Pop Tart Chocolate Fredrickson House & Balloons – Capuccino Cart, Disneyland park
“Toy Story”
- Boot Beer Root Beer Float served in a Souvenir Woody’s Boot – Golden Horseshoe, Disneyland park
- Jessie’s Berry Jubilee Funnel Cake (House-made funnel cake topped with blueberries, strawberries, chocolate cookie crumbles, crème anglaise, white chocolate, and gold-dusted whipped cream) – Stage Door Café, Disneyland park
- Lots-o’-Straw-“Bear”-y Funnel Cake (Strawberry-cherry topping, strawberry butter and streusel, with spiced syrup drizzle) – Hungry Bear Restaurant, Disneyland park
- Lots-o’-Straw-“Bear”-y Churro – Tomorrowland, Disneyland park
“Coco”
- Coco Churro (Chocolate and vanilla bean dust and salted cinnamon sugar served with a spiced Mexican chocolate dipping sauce) – Frontierland, Disneyland park
“Monsters, Inc.”
- Mike Wazowski Bread – Pacific Wharf Café, Disney California Adventure park
- Sulley Premium Popcorn Bucket – All Disneyland Resort popcorn carts
- Mike Wazowski Sipper – Disney California Adventure park quick-service restaurants
You can take this first-ever celebration of friendship home with you – or share it with a friend – with new, limited-time merchandise. Apparel includes Pixar Fest logo tees for adults and kids as well featuring some of your favorite Pixar pals Woody, Buzz, Mike and Sulley – to name just a few. Loungefly is creating a special Pixar Fest leather tote, and a limited release pin will feature the event logo. Be sure to choose this adorable tumbler featuring an illuminated claw reaching down toward an excited alien from “Toy Story.”
March 13, 2018
‘Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular’ Is Coming to Disneyland

Pixar Fest is the biggest celebration of Pixar to ever come to Disney Parks and it all starts April 13 at the Disneyland Resort. Among the festivities is a brand-new fireworks spectacular that celebrates friendship through dazzling pyrotechnics and memorable music. “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” will light up Disneyland park throughout Pixar Fest connecting guests to their favorite Pixar characters and adventures like never before.

The nighttime show creates an emotional journey told with light, music, and magic—one that begins with the meeting of unlikely pals and follows along as they overcome obstacles and form lasting relationships.

The stories of “Together Forever” will come to life through projections on iconic park locations: Sleeping Beauty Castle, the water screens of the Rivers of America, the façade of it’s a small world, and even the buildings of Main Street, U.S.A. And in the grand tradition of everyone’s favorite resident of Pixie Hollow, Tinker Bell, flying over the castle, Together Forever will feature a flyover by Buzz Lightyear himself… and—incredibly—the house from Up!

“Together Forever is the crown jewel of Pixar Fest,” says the spectacular’s creative director, Susana Tubert. “In creating the show, the team and I decided on a format that reflects this idea of a ‘visual symphony’ or journey through the five stages of friendship. We have the first movement, called ‘Chance Encounters’; the second movement [is where] the characters fall ‘in like’ and go on adventures; they overcome adversity together; they forge everlasting bonds; and then we have the finale, which is a celebration of all the Pixar friendships.” says Tubert.

Don’t miss Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular, debuting at Disneyland park on April 13!

March 13, 2018