Disney News

Category: Disney Parks

  • Disney Developing Fireworks You Can Feel For The Visually Impaired

    Disney Developing Fireworks You Can Feel For The Visually Impaired

    With the new year right around the corner fireworks certainly come to mind and we all know that no one does fireworks like Disney Parks and Resorts. In an effort to make their fireworks spectacular inclusive for everyone, Disney recently announced they are working on a way for visually impaired guests to ‘Feel’ fireworks.

    Known as Feeling Fireworks, Disney Research has been hard at work developing a prototype of a unique haptics-supported fireworks display experience specially tailored to visually impaired users.

    Unveiled at the User Interface Software and Technology conference held in Quebec City, Canada back in october, the low-cost technology is still in very early stages, but it has a 66 percent success rate and is making good progress. The team plans to continue improving the experience and believes that the day will come when everyone will be able to enjoy the thrill of fireworks shows.

    Tactile effects are created using directable water jets that spray onto the rear of a flexible screen, with different nozzles for different firework effects. The approach is low-cost and scales well, and allows for dynamic tactile effects to be rendered with high spatial resolution. A user study demonstrated that the tactile effects are meaningful analogs to the visual fireworks that they represent, with sighted users able to label the correct correspondence of tactile-to-visual effects by a large margin over chance. Beyond the specific application, the technology represents a novel and cost-effective approach for making large scalable tactile displays, with the potential for wider use.

    As Disney continues to take more steps to find creative solutions—with the use of new technology—for ensuring the most inclusive experience possible for all the visitors to its parks, we look forward to hearing about even bigger and more innovative designs in the future.

  • Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Expands to Six Weeks in 2018

    Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Expands to Six Weeks in 2018

    It’s day four for Disney’s 12 Days of Disney Parks Christmas and it’s time for another exciting new announcement.

    Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival will return March 2 through April 12, 2018, bringing delicious cuisine, specialty beverages and exciting entertainment to Disneyland Resort guests for its third season. The culinary festival will expand to six weeks, with more days for guests to enjoy the flavors of the Golden State.

    More than a dozen Festival Marketplaces will feature California-inspired tastes and sips. Guests will experience presentations and demonstrations with celebrity chefs such as Robert Irvine and Alex Guarnaschelli; food and beverage tastings; winemaker dinners; beer, wine and spirit seminars – all in addition to live music, entertainment and special activities throughout the festival.

    The festival’s signature events will include new experiences such as the Disney Family of Wines Dinner, as well as returning favorites like Sweet Sundays and the Winemaker or Brewmaster Dinners. Another guest-favorite returning to the festival is the Junior Chef experience, with hands-on fun led by Chef Goofy, for children ages 3 to 11.

    Keep an eye on Disney Parks Blog and Disneyland.com for more information about the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, returning March 2 through April 12, 2018!

  • Hot New Walt Disney Limited Release MagicBand

    Hot New Walt Disney Limited Release MagicBand

    A special new MagicBand was released Wednesday for Walt Disney’s Birthday. This beautiful purple magic band features Tinker Bell and a black-and-white photo of Walt Disney on one side and his signature on the other.

    This one’s already wildly popular as it’s the first ever MagicBand with Walt on it available for purchase and not promotional use. You’ll feel like the king of Walt Disney World Resort when wearing this limited release MagicBand 2. With a simple touch, redeem FastPass+ selections, enter parks, charge purchases to your room, and much more.

    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.

    This beauty is available at shopDisney.com for $27.99 and is a very good price for a Limited Edition.  Especially when it has the face of Walt himself.

  • New Story Elements for the Pixar Play Parade When it Returns to Disneyland

    New Story Elements for the Pixar Play Parade When it Returns to Disneyland

    Disney kicked off it’s 12 Days of Disney Parks Christmas today and as promised here is the daily update on exciting new offerings coming to Walt Disney Parks & Resorts in 2018 and beyond.  Disney has announce some exciting details on some new story elements for Pixar Play Parade, which is returning to Disneyland Resort this spring.

    Pixar Play Parade returns April 13 to the Disneyland Resort – this time, at Disneyland park! Part of the limited-time Pixar Fest celebration, this delightful parade will bring even more of your favorite Pixar stories to life with the addition of three new story elements.

    The parade will begin as all Pixar films have, with an appearance by the iconic and adorable Pixar Lamp. Rolling ahead of the famous lamp will be the familiar yellow Pixar Ball, making a cameo in Pixar Play Parade, as it has in many Pixar films.

    Up Pixar Parade
    Also joining the parade are characters from the beloved film, “Up.” Wilderness Explorer Russell will appear astride the colorful flightless bird, Kevin, with Carl Fredricksen and Dug following behind amid green foliage and snipe chicks, with Carl’s tethered house floating above.

    inside out pixar parade
    Another popular Pixar story coming to Pixar Play Parade is “Inside Out.” Perched atop colorful memory orbs, Joy and Sadness take flight aboard Bing Bong’s rocket wagon, with Bing Bong himself cheering them on!

    Don’t miss these new story elements and the return of Pixar Play Parade, beginning April 13 at Disneyland park. And check out the rest of the fun to come during Pixar Fest here!

  • You Can Now Give a Disney Vacation as a Gift

    You Can Now Give a Disney Vacation as a Gift

    Want to put some ‘real’ magic in someone’s stocking this year? Give the gift of Disney!  That’s right, you now actually give a Disney vacation as a gift through their new website.

    Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Disney has made it easier than ever to give magical Disney vacations, theme park tickets or special Disney experiences as gifts for those lucky friends and family on your gift list. The new GiveDisneyVacations.com website is the way to unwrap Disney memories that will last a lifetime. It takes the guesswork out of what to give. And there’s no worry about size, color or some assembly required.

    It’s Easy to Gift an Entire Disney Vacation

    For the first time ever, guests can select from a full portfolio of Disney destinations and experiences to gift — all in one, easy-to-navigate place. Guests can explore GiveDisneyVacations.com and open a dedicated feature page profiling each Disney destination available. From an unforgettable escape on an Adventures by Disney trip or a voyage aboard Disney Cruise Line, or a vacation at the sun-drenched beaches of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina Hawai’i to exciting Disney Vacation Club properties, the vacation gifting options are endless. Or gift them the experience of a lifetime with a visit to the enchanting world of magic and make-believe at the Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort.

    Disney Park Tickets and Gift Cards Offer More Gifting Options

    The gift of Disney is the most magical gift of all. Big things – magical things – can come in small packages. GiveDisneyVacations.com offers guests a quick and easy option to gift just about any Disney experience with the purchase of Disney Gift Cards1. Imagine the joy on Christmas morning, birthday, anniversary, graduation, new baby or any occasion gifting a Disney experience. Disney Gift Cards can be redeemed for practically all-things Disney including merchandise, theme park tickets, dining experiences, entertainment, resort stays and experiences onboard Disney Cruise Line ships. And with the convenience of email, it makes for a great last-minute gift idea, too.

    Guests can simply choose a Card design, activate and give the gift of Disney magic. Cards themselves are like a Disney vacation in your pocket, colorfully designed in Disney themes from Mickey at Christmas to Minnie and Mickey for Valentine’s Day, Goofy to Donald, Pirates to Princesses.

    Cards may be purchased in set amounts of $25 up to $150, plus denominations of $200, $300 and $500. The activated Card with amount specified can even be e-delivered to the gift recipient or for a memorable unwrapping moment sent via traditional mail, enclosed in a themed gift card holder. The Card ships free to any U.S. address, when standard shipping is selected.

    Regardless if mailed or shared as an eGift, senders can pair the Card with a personalized message. And because the Disney Gift Card charges no fees and never expires, senders can gift friends and family worry-free and let the magic begin.

    For a Limited Time Only:

    At Walt Disney World Resort, it easier than ever this holiday season to unwrap the magic of a Disney vacation with a gift beyond belief. Through Nov. 15, guests may purchase a Walt Disney World Resort vacation – a 6-night/7-day room and ticket package for a family of four for travel throughout 2018 — with rates as low as $96 per person, per day at a select Disney’s All-Star Resort2. And you’ll get a specially designed gold-trimmed gift box that includes limited-edition Magic Bands for your group to mark the special occasion3. What an exciting time to make it a Walt Disney World vacation, too, with the much acclaimed Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and exciting openings on deck, including Toy Story Land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in summer 2018.

    At the Disneyland Resort, guests continue to enjoy the thrilling, new Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! at Disney California Adventure Park, and the beloved nighttime spectacular “Fantasmic!” at Disneyland Park, now more brilliant than ever. This holiday season, anyone can give the gift of a Disneyland experience to family or friends with a special offer to visit early in the new year. A package priced from $144 per person, per day, for a family of four includes a 3-day/2-night hotel stay, along with park tickets and hotel dining certificates4. Guests also receive a fun surprise prior to arrival. Booking is available from Nov. 16 to Nov. 27, 2017 for travel on select nights from Jan. 7 to Feb. 1, 2018. And even more magic is on the way in 2018!

    Beyond the theme parks, there are even more magical offerings to make your family’s holiday wishes come true. Enjoy winter in paradise at Aulani Resort with savings up to 30 percent on 5-night stays in select ocean view rooms, plus receive $50 resort credit per night when you book your stay before Oct. 25, 2017. Or, why not give your family something they can enjoy for years to come – the gift of Disney Vacation Club Membership. Now through Oct. 31, 2017, you can save $2,600 or more on membership at select Disney Vacation Club Resorts.  

  • Spread Holiday Cheer and #ShareYourEars to Support Make-A-Wish

    Spread Holiday Cheer and #ShareYourEars to Support Make-A-Wish

    It’s time for some holiday cheer in the Disney Parks, but first…  Let me take a selfie. It’s for a good cause though and you get to show off your favorite Mickey ears. This holiday season, Disney Parks is donating $5 to Make-A-Wish, up to $1 million, for each photo you take and share on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram wearing “Mickey Ears” – or any fun, creative ears – with the hashtag #ShareYourEars.

    If you remember, last year they held the same event and millions of fans who shared all types of “ear photos” on social channels making #ShareYourEars a huge success. That enthusiastic sharing led to doubling the original donation pledge to $2 million.

    Now it’s time to take your “ear photos” to a new creative level. From now until Christmas Day – December 25, 2017 – Disney Parks is hoping you’ll post fun and unique “ear photos” with the hashtag #ShareYourEars. You can post right now.

    And keep checking the Disney Parks Blog all month long as they feature some great #ShareYourEars photos shared on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. they’re looking for “ears” in the following categories: (1) groups and animals, (2) fun and creative, and (3) and holiday spirit.

    With nearly 9,000 Disney-related wishes granted worldwide each year – including experiences at Disney theme parks and voyages on Disney Cruise Line – this campaign is close to our hearts. For more information about Make-A-Wish America, visit wish.org.

  • A Dozen “Must-Do’s” This Holiday Season at Walt Disney World Resort

    A Dozen “Must-Do’s” This Holiday Season at Walt Disney World Resort

    The most wonderful time of the year is here, and it’s even more magical at Walt Disney World Resort! Delicious treats, joyous holiday spectaculars and all-around merriment bring the spirit of the season to life across all four theme parks, Disney resort hotels and Disney Springs.

    Here’s a list of 12 “must-do’s” during your Christmas vacation at Walt Disney World Resort.

    1. Sunset Seasons Greetings at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Guests can enjoy all-new spectacular holiday projections displayed on the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel! This new holiday experience runs continuously throughout the night and features animated scenes of Mickey, Minnie and other beloved Disney characters sharing their favorite Christmas stories. Keep an eye out for the billboards that come to life and the falling snow on Sunset Boulevard. Talk about magical!
    2. New Holiday Kitchens at the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays: Experience the flavors of the holidays, as you meander through World Showcase stopping at each of the festival’s many Holiday Kitchens. These kiosks serve up food and drinks that take the words “warm and cozy” to a whole new level. There’s even a Holiday Kitchen that’s all about sweet treats like snowflake sugar cookies and warm apple fritters with cinnamon ice cream and caramel sauce.
    3. S’mores, Hot Cocoa and Christmas Carols at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground: Immerse yourself in the yuletide grandeur of the Pacific Northwest at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge where a majestic Christmas tree towers over the resort lobby. Cozy up to the fire and relax with a cup of hot cider or cocoa and holiday treats. For more frontier-style holiday happenings head over to Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground where carolers arrive by hay wagon spreading the sounds of the season.
    4. Winter Summerland Miniature Golf: Join Santa and his elves at their off-season retreat for two 18-hole adventures available all year-round! The indecisive elves built two courses, one that showcases the warm Florida weather and another that represents the arctic North Pole. What better way to create a new holiday tradition than with family games, Christmas melodies and festive décor?
    5. Exciting New Holiday Merchandise: Unwrap another holiday tradition – shopping! Disney Springs has almost as many gift options as Santa’s bag. Shoppers will find everything from top-name brands to one-of-a-kind specialty stores. Popular new merchandise items include three new holiday-themed headbands that, much like the highly popular rose gold Minnie Mouse ears, promise to be a holiday hit!
    6. Jolly Décor: Take in the glistening holiday décor that brightens all four Theme Parks, the Disney resort hotels and Disney Springs! Wreaths, garlands and more surround you with holiday cheer. Giant floating ornaments, sky-high Christmas trees and magical snow flurries create a winter wonderland all around the vacation kingdom.
    7. Holiday Entertainment at Disney Springs: Every corner of Disney Springs is wrapped and ready for the season with festive holiday décor and seasonal entertainment. This year an expanded Christmas Tree Trail features ten new trees inspired by Disney classics such as Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, Snow White and Dumbo.
    8. Tasty Treats: Taste the newest Flurry of Fun confections at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. From red velvet whoopee pies decorated with icing garland, ornament pearls, and holiday sprinkles to Olaf Cake Pops and apple cranberry cobblers, these holiday sweets will have you smiling from ear-to-ear!
    9. Candlelight Processional at Epcot: One of the most beloved Epcot traditions returns with new celebrity narrators. Disney legend Kurt Russell is among the newcomers, along with Pat Sajak, Matt Bomer and CCH Pounder who will join returning favorites Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg, Jaci Velasquez and others. The Candlelight Processional is a retelling of the Christmas story as told by a celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and mass choir. The show takes place at the America Gardens Theatre nightly at 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m., Nov. 24-Dec. 30.
    10. Gingerbread Houses: Explore stunning edible creations at select Walt Disney World resort hotels, like the life-size holiday gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. A giant edible spinning carousel is a holiday tradition at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, while a holiday village with a miniature train takes center stage at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. New this year, Disney’s Contemporary Resort will be home to an 18-foot-tall Cinderella Castle, crafted with thousands of gingerbread blocks, rolled fondant and modeling chocolate.
    11. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party: It’s a Christmas party like no other! Each special ticket, limited-attendance event features an exclusive performance of Holiday Wishes fireworks, and the very first performances of other spectaculars like Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, the Frozen Holiday Wish castle-lighting ceremony and Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration stage show. The special party, complete with cookies, cocoa and snow flurries, begins at 7 p.m., after regular park hours. Parties will be held on November 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 26 and 28, and December 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21 and 22.
    12. Meet Santa Claus: A cozy conversation with Father Christmas, himself, makes the holiday season complete. Santa Claus will park hop to greet guests at Disney Springs and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. He’ll even make an appearance during Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade at Magic Kingdom Park.
  • Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Celebrates 25th Years

    Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Celebrates 25th Years

    It’s time for a Party!  A flower party… Celebrating 25 years, Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival kicks off this spring at Walt Disney World Resort!  Who doesn’t love those beautify Disney topiaries and here is where you a ton of them gathered all in one place.

    The event starts February 28 and continues through May 28, 2018, with seasonal fun for all. What began in 1994 as a 38-day celebration of Disney-style gardens and topiaries has grown over the years to a 90-day spring extravaganza with something for every generation.

    The 2018 festival, which takes place during the 35th anniversary of Epcot, will showcase millions of brilliant blossoms, flavor-rich cuisine from 15 Outdoor Kitchens, Disney topiary stars, interactive play gardens and live chart-topping musical acts during the Garden Rocks Concert Series.

    The 90-day festival will open with an irresistible array of sights, sounds, tastes, aromas and tactile discoveries:

    • New and creative dishes will debut at 15 Outdoor Kitchens encircling the World Showcase Promenade. Guests can sip and savor their way around Epcot, enjoying chef-inspired noshes and refreshing libations.
    • A bonanza of Disney character topiaries, including classic-character favorites Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and many others, will play a starring festival role. Returning this year, Belle will be featured in France along with Beast, Snow White in Germany with the Seven Dwarfs, and Anna and Elsa in Norway.
    • A brand-new Future World interactive play garden and a revved-up Road to Florida 500 garden featuring new games and play challenges will set the pace for family festival fun. The new interactive area in Future World will feature a play maze, a sensory garden, an activity zone and a covered seating area. The redesigned “Cars”-themed garden based on the Disney•Pixar sequel, “Cars 3,” will add more fun activities like highway bingo for families.
    • A brand-new Epcot front-entrance topiary garden will set the milestone anniversary scene with a kaleidoscope of blooming color where topiary icons Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy will greet festival guests.
    • The popular Garden Rocks Concert Series will feature hit makers of the 1960s, ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s on the America Gardens Theatre stage. Three evening concerts each Friday through Monday present musicians that span multiple genres.
    • Garden Rocks Dining Packages will be available on select days at a number of Epcot restaurants.

    Each Outdoor Kitchen will feature its own raised-bed or in-ground garden of herbs and produce that can inspire the growing numbers of guests who want to learn to grow what they eat.

    “The culture of growing your own food continues to trend, and our guests each year have quite a few questions related to edible gardens,” says Eric Darden, festival horticulture manager. “They get a big kick comparing items in our gardens with the herbs and produce our chefs incorporate into the festival’s Outdoor Kitchen recipes.”

    And there’s more:

    • The back-by-demand Figment topiary garden between Future World and World Showcase will offer the perfect selfie backdrop and family photo opportunity.
    • The Royal Tea Garden Tour will return for a second year each festival morning at the United Kingdom pavilion. For a small fee, guests can follow a knowledgeable guide through the tranquil tea garden setting to learn the history and artistry behind growing and blending tea. A post-tour treat of tea and scones is included. The shorter, complimentary English Tea Garden Tour also will be offered on select days.
    • Among the nearly 100 festival topiaries will be returning favorites like the pandas and Bromeliad dragon at the China pavilion, The Three Caballeros at the Mexico pavilion, Disney-Pixar’s Woody at the American Adventure pavilion and Buzz Lightyear in Future World.

    Dozens of Disney-crafted “flower towers” and beds of multi-colored blooms will transform the park’s landscape. At least 70,000 bedding plants will surround the Future World east and west lakes alone; on the water, 220 mini-gardens will be set afloat.

    For more information about the 25th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival or on how to book your magical vacation contact Travel Time with Vikki today. My services are completely free and I’ll all find you the lowest rates.  Let me do all the hard work so you don’t have to.

  • 12 Days of Disney Parks Christmas

    12 Days of Disney Parks Christmas

    Over the next 12 days you can expect an exciting new announcement from Disney each day. That’s right!  It’s like a new Christmas gift everyday! A dozen announcements over 12 days about exciting new offerings coming to Walt Disney Parks & Resorts in 2018 and beyond.

    Starting Dec. 5 and continuing daily through Dec. 16, the Disney will unveil exclusive new details about events, entertainment, attractions and more at the Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, as well as new offerings aboard Disney Cruise Line.

    This magical “12 Days of Disney Parks Christmas” news will give fans a first look at the stellar line-up of projects and updates coming to Disney Parks & Resorts, including:

    • Never-before-seen images and video
    • New resort hotel experiences
    • Delectable new dining options
    • Special events
    • Updates about new attractions announced at the 2017 D23 Expo

    We’re so excited for the first announcement! Stay tuned to Disney Dorks for the announcements and you can expect the first one tomorrow.

  • Star Wars: Galactic Nights Returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios December 16

    Star Wars: Galactic Nights Returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios December 16

    There are holidays, and then there are “Star Wars” holidays. An upcoming special event at Walt Disney World is designed to add cheer and share insights about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the land under construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. The one-day event — dubbed Star Wars: Galactic…

    The special event, Star Wars: Galactic Nights, which sold out last April, will return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on December 16.

    Held after park hours from 7 p.m.-midnight, the event will be filled with out-of-this-world entertainment that celebrates the entire Star Wars saga.

    Among many thrills in store, guests can expect to enjoy Star Wars entertainment, special photo opportunities, event-exclusive merchandise and F&B, character greetings, a look at the ongoing Star Wars expansion coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and much more.

    Here’s a look at other event offerings:

    • Star Wars Entertainment – Both Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks and the Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away stage show will be enhanced with special saga elements.
    • Sneak Peeks at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – The Epic Theater will play host to a special one-night-only panel discussion about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the 14-acre Star Wars expansion that’s set to open in 2019 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
    • Special Photo Ops – Throughout the park, guests can step into immersive and iconic scenes from their favorite Star Wars films in a series of incredibly detailed photo locations, including new backdrops inspired by Star Wars Rebels and more.
    • Character Encounters – Be on the lookout for Star Wars characters like Ewoks, AWR Troopers and roaming droids; Jedi Knights teaching younglings in Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple; rocketing to the stars aboard Star Tours – The Adventures Continue; and more.
    • Exclusive F&B and Merchandise – Even more specialty Star Wars-themed food and beverage and merchandise will be available.
    • Enjoy park attractions – Select attractions will be open to all guests. At embarkation points to Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, guests may come face-to-face with Stormtroopers on the lookout for a Rebel spy.

    Star Wars: Galactic Nights access and activities will be exclusive to event ticket holders. Last spring’s event sold out, so booking early is strongly suggested. Tickets are priced at $129 adults, $124 ages 3-9.

    Tickets are now on sale at Disneyworld.com/GalacticNights