Disney News

Category: News

  • Magic Kingdom Ranked Best Theme Park in the World Surpassing Islands of Adventure in Tripadvisor Awards

    Universal Studios’ Islands of Adventure has held the #1 ranking among the “best theme parks in the world,” in Tripadvisor’s annual Travelers’ Choice Awards for the past five years, but this year Magic Kingdom at Disney World has won the top spot.

    To determine the rankings, Tripadvisor said it pulled together “all the reviews, ratings and saves that travelers share from across the globe.”

    Islands of Adventure slid to the third spot for 2020. Rounding out the top five were Puy du Frous of France at No. 2, Disney’s Animal Kingdom at No. 4 and Universal’s Studios Florida at No. 5.

    “Every year, we pull together all the reviews, ratings, and saves that travelers share from across the globe — and use that info to spotlight the very best,” the Tripadvisor website says. Tripadvisor’s site features user-generated content, comparison guides and reservations for travel experiences, including hotels.

    Other Florida theme parks to make the list include Disney’s Hollywood Studios at No. 12 and Fun Spot’s Kissimmee park at No. 23. As far as water parks go, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon ranked sixth in the world, while Disney’s Blizzard Beach ranked 19th.

    For the complete list of Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards, visit tripadvisor.com/travelerschoice.

  • Pixar Announces New Animated Film ‘Luca’

    Pixar Announces New Animated Film ‘Luca’

    Pixar announced on Thursday that its next original animated feature film will be “Luca,” a coming-of-age tale about a young boy experiencing an unforgettable summer in Italy.

    The film centers on a young boy named Luca who is secretly a sea monster from another world that lies just below the surface of the water. Appearing as a human, he meets a newfound best friend with whom he shares an unforgettable summer at a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, filled with gelato, pasta, and endless scooter rides. But Luca’s secret threatens this idyllic experience.

    Take a look at some of the beautiful art from the film below:

    The film is directed by La Luna‘s Academy Award nominee Enrico Casarosa, who grew up where the film is set.

    “This is a deeply personal story for me, not only because it’s set on the Italian Riviera where I grew up, but because at the core of this film is a celebration of friendship. Childhood friendships often set the course of who we want to become and it is those bonds that are at the heart of our story in Luca,” said Casarosa in a statement.

    Walt Disney said Luca is set to open in U.S. theaters on June 18, 2021.

  • Baby Mandrill Was Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

    Baby Mandrill Was Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

    Walt Disney World has been welcoming guests back during the phased reopening and now they are welcoming a new baby mandrrill to Animal Kingdom.

    On Saturday, July 25, the animal care team at the park welcomed a “colorful” mandrill infant, born to first-time father, Linus, and mother, Scarlett.

    Scarlett and baby have already begun making short appearances in their habitat on the Kilimanjaro Safari, joining the other members of their mandrill troop. Take a look at the video below:

    Mom and baby are doing well and spending lots of time bonding. In fact, their bond is so close that at the baby’s neonatal exam, our veterinary team wasn’t able to determine if the baby is a boy or a girl just yet, because mom is keeping the infant so close to her belly.

    While this little one is pretty tiny now, mandrills are actually the largest species of monkey in the world. They’re a vulnerable species found in African rainforests along the equator, where their habitat is disappearing because of deforestation and poaching. This birth is an example of how our dedicated and highly trained team of Disney animal care experts works with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) on Species Survival Plans (SSPs). The SSP assures responsible breeding for endangered species, such as mandrill monkeys, allowing for a healthy and genetically diverse population of such animals for years to come.

  • Security Finds Two Guns and Marijuana in Womans Diaper Bag at Disney World

    Security Finds Two Guns and Marijuana in Womans Diaper Bag at Disney World

    A woman was arrested at Walt Disney World after security for the Florida resort found two guns and some marijuana in her child’s diaper bag, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

    Yunique Smith was arrested July 18 on misdemeanor counts of carrying a concealed weapon and marijuana possession, according to the report.

    Officials say Smith was going through Epcot security with an adult man, their 7-month-old daughter and her 7-year-old son when the guard spotted a 9mm handgun and a plastic bag containing marijuana.

    A search of the diaper bag revealed a .45 caliber handgun on the bottom after Orange County deputies responded.

  • Disney Releases New Florida Resident Ticket Deal After Reopening

    Disney World is finally back open and they have released a new ticket offer just for Florida residents.

    The Magic Flex Ticket is available for a 2-day, 3-day, or 4-day duration at a discounted rate. Each of these promotions can be used for consecutive and non-consecutive dates during the offer period.

    The 2-day Magic Flex ticket goes for $130 per person and is valid until the end of September. The 3-day pass starts at $175 and a 4-day pass goes for $195. Both the 3-day and 4-day flex tickets can be used until November 20, and then from November 29 – December 18.

    Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom  parks both reopened on July 11 after being closed since March due to the coronavirus pandemic, while Epcot and Hollywood Studios reopened on July 15. 

    Disney started to reopen in mid-July, implementing guiding principles such as social distancing, enhanced cleaning, and reduced contact. The park has also introduced temperature screenings, along with facemask requirements to keep guests and cast members safe.

    To make Magic Flex reservations, guests will need to show proof of residency when purchasing online and before entering the park.

    If you need help booking your magical vacation, contact Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Vikki for help. My services are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!

  • Disney World Guest Falls in Water on Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom

    Disney World Guest Falls in Water on Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom

    Splash Mountain is back in the news again, but this time because a guest fell in to the water of the Magic Kingdom attraction during an evacuation.

    The ride had been shut down and cast members were escorting guests off of the attraction when one guest made an unexpected splash.

    TikTok user @_parkerdanielle shared a video last week of herself falling in while she tried to capture video of the attraction on the way out. Take a look a the video below:

    @_parkerdanielle

    this would only happen to me… SO embarrassing. ##disney ##magickingdom ##disneyworld ##LetsFaceIt ##splashmountain ##MoreHappyDenimDance

    ♬ original sound – _parkerdanielle

    Its seems as the the guest was not seriously injured and made light of the incident captioning it, “CEO of falling into the water on Splash Mountain.”

    Disney recently announced Splash Mountain will be re-themed to “Princess and the Frog” and many guests have been trying to get one last ride on the attraction before it changes.

  • Disney Releases Recipe for Fried Pickles from Carnation Café at Disneyland

    Disney Releases Recipe for Fried Pickles from Carnation Café at Disneyland

    Carnation Café in Disneyland has been serving up their signature deep-fried bites of tart, salty, crunchy pickles since 2012 and now Disney has released the recipe.

    Located right on Main Street, U.S.A, the classic fried pickle recipe from Carnation Café makes the perfect DIY recipe.

    Take a look at the ingredients and instructions below which includes their delicious house-made zesty dipping sauce:

    Fried Pickles from Carnation Café from Disneyland Park
    Makes 1 dozen

    Zesty House Sauce

    • 1 1/2 teaspoons favorite Sriracha sauce
    • 1/2 cup favorite ranch dressing
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons lime juice
    • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
    • 1/8 teaspoon coarse salt
    • 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper

    Fried Pickles

    • 2 cups canola oil
    • 1/2 cup flour
    • 3 large eggs
    • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
    • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
    • 16-ounce jar of dill pickle spears, about 12 pickles (should be uniform in size; cut in half widthwise, if necessary)

    For Zesty House Sauce:

    1. Combine all ingredients in small mixing bowl, whisking well.
    2. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

    For Pickles:

    1. Using caution, pour oil into large skillet and heat to 365°F.
    2. Place flour in shallow dish.
    3. Whisk eggs until smooth in small mixing bowl. Transfer to another shallow dish.
    4. Mix panko and Parmesan cheese together in another shallow dish.
    5. Lightly dredge each pickle spear in flour.
    6. Add pickle to whisked eggs, tossing gently to coat.
    7. Add pickle to bread crumb mixture to coat.
    8. Place breaded pickle on tray and repeat steps until all pickles are breaded.
    9. Carefully place breaded pickles in skillet and fry until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally.  Remove from skillet and drain on paper towels.  Serve immediately with zesty house sauce.
  • Farm Rich Releases New Mickey Mouse & Friends Mozzarella Shapes

    Farm Rich Releases New Mickey Mouse & Friends Mozzarella Shapes

    Farm Rich, known for its frozen appetizers, announced today that they have teamed up with Disney to release these new Mickey Mouse & Friends Mozzarella Shapes and they look delish!

    These fun new mozzarella shapes are inspired by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse’s iconic bow and the crispy bites are filled with mozzarella goodness..

    Check out the packaging below so you’ll know what to look for at your local grocery store:

    The crispy snack meets Disney’s Nutrition Guidelines and are made with 100 percent real mozzarella cheese and have 13 grams of protein per serving.

    These cute apps cost $6.99 and are available right now at grocery stores across the U.S. at stores like Publix, Kroger, Meijer, Albertsons/Safeway, Giant Eagle, C&S, Wegmans, Weis and more, and they’re also available for purchase online through Amazon Fresh.

  • Disney World Postponing Mary Poppins Ride & ‘Spaceship Earth’ Update at Epcot Due to Coronavirus

    Disney World Postponing Mary Poppins Ride & ‘Spaceship Earth’ Update at Epcot Due to Coronavirus

    Although Disney World has reopened, Disney has confirmed that they will still be pausing work on the Mary Poppins-inspired attraction planned for Epcot’s World Showcase and the reimagining of Spaceship Earth.

    With guests once again visiting the parks it was noticed that mentions of the Mary Poppins ride and “Spaceship Earth” refurbishment had been removed from the ‘Epcot Experience preview center’ where guests can watch a video about the changes coming to the park.

    “As with most businesses during this period, we are further evaluating long-term project plans. The decision was made to postpone development of the “Mary Poppins”-inspired attraction and Spaceship Earth at this time,” Disney said in a statement.

    The new changes coming to Epcot were first announced in August 2019 at the D23 Expo, the company’s annual conference. “Every inch of every park should be magical, and that’s why I’m so excited about this transformation,” Bob Chapek, Chair of Parks, Experiences and Products, said at the time.

    During the event, Dick Van Dyke, who played chimney sweep Bert in the 1964 version of Mary Poppins, helped Chapek announce that the company’s first-ever attraction themed to the classic film would be built on Cherry Tree Lane, inside Epcot’s U.K. pavilion.

    Though the company had not yet announced an opening date for the two attractions, guests who attended Epcot’s reopening on Wednesday told the publication that the ride was still open in its previous form. 

    Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom  parks both reopened on July 11 after being closed since March due to the coronavirus pandemic, while Epcot and Hollywood Studios reopened on July 15. 

  • Disneyland Paris Begins Phased Reopening Today

    Disneyland Paris Begins Phased Reopening Today

    Today, Disneyland Paris has reopened their doors after being forced to close for four months amid the coronavirus pandemic.

    The phased reopening of Disneyland Paris begins with Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios Park, Disney Village and Disney’s Newport Bay Club Hotel, and includes enhanced health and safety measures in line with guidance from the French government and health authorities.

    Some experiences have been reimagined, some provide a new way for guests to be part of the magic, and some will be temporarily unavailable and return at a later date, but the timeless magic and unique storytelling for which the resort is known will remain.

    The reopening of Disneyland Paris is also a chance to continue the resort’s ongoing commitment to support the local communities. Together with Disney VoluntEARS, in August the resort will welcome 300 children from the Île-de-France region and their families to experience a day at Disneyland Park during their summer holidays. Additionally, the resort made several donations to the local community over the past few months, including food and medical-related supplies and the planting of thousands of flowers to recognize and honor local hospital staff.