Disney News

Category: News

  • Tangled 10th Anniversary Dooney & Bourke Collection Now Available

    Tangled 10th Anniversary Dooney & Bourke Collection Now Available

    In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Tangled, Dooney & Bourke has released a fairytale collection that really allows you to let your hair down.

    The collection features three silhouettes: a tote, satchel and crossbody bag and showcases Pascal, lanterns and Rapunzel.

    The new Tangled inspired collection is available on shopDisney and you can take a closer look at each one below:

    Tangled Dooney & Bourke Crossbody Bag – $198.00

    This fairytale bag includes adjustable shoulder strap for hands free convenience.

    Tangled Dooney & Bourke Satchel – $298.00

    This versatile bag includes carry handle and detachable shoulder strap for hands free convenience.

    Tangled Dooney & Bourke Tote – $298.00

    This spacious bag features the Disney Princess illuminated by the warm glow of lanterns, and the movie’s logo on the base.

  • VIDEO: Disney Parks Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Look at New Ratatouille Ride

    VIDEO: Disney Parks Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Look at New Ratatouille Ride

    During he fifth anniversary edition of “The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration,” Disney Parks revealed a behind-the-scenes look at the Ratatouille Adventure ride coming to EPCOT.

    The attraction will expand the pavilion and shrink guests to Remy’s size and scurry to safety in a dazzling chase across a kitchen with the sights, sounds and smells of Gusteau’s legendary Parisian restaurant.

    Take a look at the behind the scenes video Disney Parks posted to Twitter below:

    The loading area is made to look like to rooftops of Paris, with oversized chimneys and rain gutters. This is the area where riders will board trackless ride vehicles, which are made to look like rats.

    Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure opens in 2021. In addition to the Ratatouille ride, the expansion of the France Pavilion will include new shopping, dining, and more.

  • Woman Smacks Boyfriend After Disney World Proposal Thinking He Was Joking

    Woman Smacks Boyfriend After Disney World Proposal Thinking He Was Joking

    A Disney World proposal is usually a dream come true, but for one woman it was too good to be true and she smacked her boyfriend after he got down on one knee in the most magical place on earth.

    The young woman from Utah had suffered through her boyfriend’s fake proposals too many times so when he finally popped the question for real at Disney World, she playfully smacked him upside the head.

    The funny moment took place back in December 2018, but went viral this week, when Graice posted it on TikTok where it had racked up more than six million views. Take a look below to see the romantic\comedic moment for yourself:

    @hgoneill

    in my defense I thought he was trolling me ##fyp ##foryoupage

    ♬ original sound – Gracie

    Much to, 21-year-old, Gracie O’Neill’s suprise, this time, her boyfriend Cade was really proposing.

    The video shows Gracie and Cade posing for a photo in front of Cinderella’s castle, smiling with their arms wrapped around one another.

    When Gracie thinks the photo has been snapped and the moment is over, she moves to pull away — and Cade drops down on one knee in front of her.

    Without missing a beat, Gracie ‘karate chops’ him, playful but annoyed that he seems to be pretending to propose as a joke yet again.

    ‘This time I’m not kidding,’ Cade tells her with a smile, pulling a ring box out of his pocket and popping it open. The ensuing squeals tell the rest of the story.

  • Imagineer Behind Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Joe Rohde, is Retiring

    Imagineer Behind Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Joe Rohde, is Retiring

    Longtime Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde, who was instrumental in the development of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, is retiring from Walt Disney Imagineering.

    Rohde oversaw a trio of major projects in recent years, including Pandora — the World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom; the Guardians of the Galaxy-themed update of Tower of Terror at Disney California Adventure; and the Villages Nature Eco-Resort next to Disneyland Paris.

    Rohde, who will retire in January, reflected on his career in an Instagram post as you can see below:

    Given his multi-decade-long tenure, he said the “strange quiet time” of the pandemic affords him the opportunity to step back.

    “It has been 40 years since I stepped foot in the door at age 25, not knowing anything about theme parks, Disney, or what it meant to work for a big company,” Rohde wrote. “Every day of my life since then has been a learning experience. I’m very glad to have had that opportunity, and proud of the work that has been done, not just by me, but by all my fellow Imagineers, and especially those who worked by my side over the decades.

    Early in his tenure he worked as a model designer for Epcot Center, which opened in Florida in 1982. He went on to supervise design work for Animal Kingdom, which opened in 1998 just outside of Orlando. One signature, fan-favorite attraction at the latter park is Expedition Everest, which boasted a lifelike, animatronic yeti that Rohde had been pledging to refurbish in recent years.

    “I’m not that old yet and there are things I want to do that cannot be done here,” Rohde wrote.

    Rohde’s last day with Disney will be January 4, 2021.

  • Brightline to Build Train Station at Disney World

    Brightline to Build Train Station at Disney World

    If there is one thing that is synonymous with Disney it’s trains and now you can take a train straight to Disney World.

    Brightline and Walt Disney World Resort announced Monday that they have entered into an agreement to build a train station at Disney Springs.

    With this station, there will be a convenient travel option between Walt Disney World Resort, the Orlando International Airport and several stops in South Florida. 

    The station at Disney Springs will include a lobby on the ground level, passenger facilities and an upper-level train platform. It will reportedly be close to Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks, two water parks and more than 25 hotels. An exact location has not been disclosed.

    Brightline currently has stops in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. It will eventually connect South Florida to Orlando and Tampa.

    “We’re excited to work with Brightline as they pursue the potential development of a train station at Walt Disney World Resort, a project that would support our local economy and offer a bold, forward-looking transportation solution for our community and guests,” Walt Disney World president Jeff Vahle said.

    Other future South Florida stops include Boca Raton, Aventura and PortMiami.

    Brightline, which suspended operations in March because of the coronavirus pandemic, is on track to complete its expansion to Orlando International Airport in 2022.

  • Disney Says the Inclusion Update to Splash Mountain “isn’t the last”

    Disney Says the Inclusion Update to Splash Mountain “isn’t the last”

    Disney Parks revealed earlier this year that a plan was in place to re-theme Splash Mountain from its current Song of the South incarnation to something designed after The Princess and the Frog, and now Disney has announced there are more inclusion changes coming to the Parks in the future.

    Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro revealed durring a virtual conference by the IAAPA that the redesign of Splash Mountain is now being put on the fast track.

    Not only that, more changes or additions to the park are planned that will foster inclusion. D’Amaro said the Princess and the Frog update “isn’t the last. There will be more to come”

    For decades the Disney company has based its employee training around the “four keys.” Those have been safety, courtesy, show, and efficiency. Earlier this year, a fifth key was added, inclusion.

    The transition of Splash Mountain is one element of this new focus on inclusion. The ride’s current theme, while not explicitly…problematic, from a race perspective, is related to a movie that has some serious problems in that regard, and the redesign to The Princess and the Frog was clearly chosen not only because it works thematically, but because that film features Disney’s only African-American Princess character.

  • New Fantasyland Castle Holiday Dress is a Cream Dream

    New Fantasyland Castle Holiday Dress is a Cream Dream

    Disney’s Dress Shop has become known for vintage inspired silhouettes and gorgeous prints, and this year’s holiday dress is no exception! The new Fantasyland Castle Holiday dress is a fit-and-flare dream in a winter shade of off-white.

    This dress features a v-neckline and fold-over collar embroidered with hidden Mickey snowflakes, studded with rhinestones. The fabric belt matchs the hidden mickey snowflake pattern of the neckline.

    The castle detail on the lower left hand corner is accented with iridescent gold and silver accents, and more rhinestones. Take a closer look below:

    On the right shoulder it says Just a Touch of Sparkle. I love this little detail! Dresses like this look great with a crinoline which were available for purchase in Uptown Jewelers on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, where I spotted this dress. It retails for $129 and is also available on ShopDisney.com.

    Would you wear this dress to a Holiday Party or just to Disney? Let us know in the comments!

    If you’re looking to book a trip to Disney make sure you contact me at Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Kimberly.



  • ‘The Disney Holiday Singalong’ Coming to ABC with All-Star Lineup

    ‘The Disney Holiday Singalong’ Coming to ABC with All-Star Lineup

    Do you want to build a snowman? Or would you rather sing along to that totally chill tune from Frozen with a music superstar? ABC has announced its star-studded lineup for “The Disney Holiday Singalong.”

    This is the third iteration in the ratings phenomenon franchise, with Ryan Seacrest returning to host the night of merry music and magic on MONDAY, NOV. 30 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST).

    Celebrity performances and appearances for the festive special include Andrea Bocelli, BTS, Michael Bublé, Ciara, Chloe x Halle, Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert, Julianne Hough, Adam Lambert, Leslie Odom Jr., Katy Perry, P!NK and Kerry Washington. Additional appearances to be announced at a later date.

    Grab a box of tissues as Disney on Broadway makes its heartwarming return to the New Amsterdam Theatre for the first time since March, with a sensational performance by the members from the Broadway casts of “The Lion King” and “Aladdin,” and North American Touring companies of “Frozen.” Disney Music Group’s acclaimed seven-member a cappella group DCappella also joins in for some seasonal sounds as they will carol throughout the show encouraging viewers at home to sing along. The jolly one-hour musical event will once again include animated on-screen lyrics to allow viewers at home to sing along to the beloved Disney melodies and classic holiday carols. “The Disney Holiday Singalong” performances include the following:

    Andrea Bocelli – “Silent Night”

    BTS – “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”

    Michael Bublé – “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”

    Ciara – “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”

    Chloe x Halle – “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”

    Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert – “Hey Santa” and “Jingle Bells”

    Julianne Hough – “Whistle While You Work” and “Let It Snow”

    Adam Lambert – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”

    Leslie Odom Jr. – “What’s This?”

    Katy Perry – “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “Cozy Little Christmas”

    P!NK – “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)”

    Kerry Washington – “Joy to the World”

  • Park Hopper Option Returning to Disney World January 2021

    Park Hopper Option Returning to Disney World January 2021

    As the phased reopening of Walt Disney World Resort continues, Disney World is nearing another exciting milestone as the Park Hopper option returns starting Jan. 1, 2021.

    Guests who purchased a ticket or annual pass with Park Hopper benefits will be able to visit more than one park per day, with some new modifications as part of Disney’s ongoing focus on health and safety.

    With the updated Park Hopper experience, guests must make a Disney Park Pass reservation for the first park they plan to visit AND enter that first park prior to visiting another. At this time, a park reservation is not required after the first park, however, reservation requirements are subject to change. Take a quick look at the steps below:

    Additionally, Disney will set specific Park Hopper hours during which this option will be available. Park Hopper hours will start at 2 p.m. each day and end at the park’s scheduled close time. Guests will soon be able to check DisneyWorld.com/ParkHours and the My Disney Experience app for the most up-to-date Park Hopper hours, as they could start earlier at a later date, depending on the day and park.

    These modifications are designed to help us continue managing attendance in a way that fosters physical distancing. Additionally, other enhanced health and safety measures remain in effect, including face coverings required for all guests ages two and up.

    As a reminder, guests with a ticket or pass that includes Park Hopper benefits get the chance to see and do more during their visit, which could mean a morning on the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and an evening stroll by Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park or starting the day living your Star Wars adventure at Disney’s Hollywood Studios before an afternoon traveling around the world at EPCOT. Please note that the ability to visit another park will be subject to the park’s capacity limitations.

  • Disney’s Live-Action ‘Lilo & Stitch’ May Have Found It’s Star

    Disney’s Live-Action ‘Lilo & Stitch’ May Have Found It’s Star

    Disney may have found a lead for its live-action Lilo & Stitch. Sixteen year-old actress Siena Agudong is said to be set to star in Disney’s live-action adaptation of the 2002 animated classic, according to a report.

    Siena Agudong is already known to Disney audiences as her latest project had her playing Reina Carvajal in the new Disney Channel original movie Upside Down Magic.

    The news comes acter Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu was reported last week to be in talks to direct Disney’s Live-action adaptation.

    “I have heard the studio has tapped 16-year-old Hawaiian actress Siena Agudong to play Lilo in the updated film, which is said to follow the same concept as the animated film,” The DisInsider said in a report.

    The story of “Lilo and Stitch” is set in Hawaii and tells the story of a lonely young girl and her close encounter with the galaxy’s most wanted extraterrestrial who she mistakes for a dog. Through her love, faith and unwavering belief in ohana, the Hawaiian concept of family, Lilo helps unlock Stitch’s heart and gives him the ability to care for someone else.

    “Lilo & Stitch” has inspired multiple spinoffs, including the direct-to-video sequels “Stitch: The Movie,” “Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch” and “Leroy and Stitch.” A TV show called “Lilo & Stitch: The Series” ran on Disney Channel and ABC Kids from 2003 to 2006.

    Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich, who workied on the live-action remake of “Aladdin,” will be producing and the studio has hired Mike Van Waes to write the script. The production will be a hybrid of live-action and CG.