Disney News

Category: News

  • New Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster Opening in 2022 at EPCOT

    New Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster Opening in 2022 at EPCOT

    Disney announced today that Epcot’s new roller coaster, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, will debut at Epcot in Walt Disney in 2022.

    “Our friends from Xandar will open the first “other-world” showcase pavilion at EPCOT next year, inviting us on an intergalactic chase through space and time,” Disney says.

    Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a family-friendly adventure, featuring a totally new type of roller coaster experience they’re developing just for this attraction – it’s a storycoaster that rotates 360 degrees so you’re always focused on all the action as you help the Guardians save the galaxy.

    Not only that, but Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will also feature the first reverse launch on a coaster in Disney history and is one of the longest enclosed coasters in the world. It’s a massive experience that will match the scale and adventure of the Guardians of the Galaxy films.  

    As part of the ongoing transformation of EPCOT, Disney is infusing this park with more ways to dream, to be inspired and to connect with our world – or other galaxies, in this case.

  • BREAKING: Next-Gen MagicBand+ Will Debut in 2022 at Walt Disney World

    BREAKING: Next-Gen MagicBand+ Will Debut in 2022 at Walt Disney World

    Disney announced today that the next-generation MagicBand+ for Walt Disney World Resort will be released next year.

    The original MagicBand was introduced in 2013 at Walt Disney World, making the guest experience in the parks and resorts more convenient and hands-free for things like park and guest room entry, retail and dining, Disney PhotoPass and more. MagicBand+ will retain those popular features and add functionality that unlocks new moments of magic for you. 

    After you enter a theme park, MagicBand+ will come alive at various times with color-changing lights, haptic vibrations and gesture recognition. Take a closer look at the details below:

    The wearable will allow you to engage with favorite Disney moments in new ways, including:

    • Play like a bounty hunter in a galaxy far, far away and find virtual bounties throughout Black Spire Outpost in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 
    • Interact with the “Disney Fab 50 Character Collection,” the golden sculptures spread throughout the Walt Disney World theme parks.
    • Experience nighttime spectaculars in a new way as you see your band light up and complement the magic in the skies, including the new “Harmonious” at EPCOT and “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park.

    MagicBand+ will be available for purchase beginning next year, including a discounted, pre-arrival price for Disney Resort hotel guests as well as new and renewing Walt Disney World Annual Passholders. Current MagicBands will continue to be available, too, along with the complimentary Disney MagicMobile service that extends MagicBand features, such as park entry, to smart devices. 

    MagicBand+ will help immerse you in Disney stories and connect with characters you love like never before. We’ll have more to share about this exciting new technology in the future, so keep following us here at the Disney Parks Blog for updates. And be sure to check out all our coverage of the Walt Disney World 50th anniversary, because “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” begins tomorrow!  

  • Video Of Woman Inappropriately Touching Gaston At Disney is Going Viral

    Video Of Woman Inappropriately Touching Gaston At Disney is Going Viral

    A guest at Disney World was told to “get out” while getting her picture taken with Beauty and the Beast character Gaston after she touched him inappropriately.

    In the video, which was originally shared on YouTube in 2015, a woman can be seen standing next to Gaston for a photo touching his chest in a flirtatious manner.

    The encounter prompted an instant response from the Disney cast member, who stepped away before gesturing for the woman to leave, telling her: “You’re out. NOW.” As you can see in the video below:

    The actor immediately pulls away, while staying in character pushes her towards the exit and says “get out.”

    This week the video resurfaced after, Evan Snead, who goes by the username @evansnead on TikTok, where he frequently shares behind-the-scenes facts and videos about Disney theme parks, uploaded the video to TikTok as a reminder to guests of the importance of treating Disney cast members with respect.

  • Visa Introduces Disney World 50th Anniversary EARidescent Card Design

    Visa Introduces Disney World 50th Anniversary EARidescent Card Design

    Chase Disney VISA is now offering a new 50th anniversary design for cardholders in honor of The World’s Most Magical Celebration at Walt Disney World.

    All you have to do is log into your Chase account and search “Card Design.” From there, you’ll be able to click “Change My Card Design” and you’ll be led to a page with all the design options where you can select the new Walt Disney World 50th design.

    It’s free and easy to change your Disney Visa Credit Card design anytime. Just click here to get started.

    Disney Visa Cardmembers receive limited-time offers and year-round perks. Take advantage of offers for travel, entertainment and shopping including collectibles, limited-edition pins, special events and much more. New offers become available often, so be sure to check back frequently!

  • Main Street Confectionery Reopens Sept. 29 at Magic Kingdom Park

    Main Street Confectionery Reopens Sept. 29 at Magic Kingdom Park

    We have some sweet news! The Main Street Confectionery hosted by Mars Wrigley is reopening on Sept. 29 at Magic Kingdom Park, just in time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort!

    With new interactive opportunities to customize your confections and a fresh new look throughout, the Main Street Confectionery is your go-to spot for delicious treats. It’s also where you can see confectionery magic being made by hand.

    When you step into this charming, turn-of-the-century sweet shop, one of the first new things you’ll see is the colorful candy wall, which includes 38 varieties of M&M’S and SKITTLES! If you’re in the mood for something savory and sweet, you can now personalize your popcorn experience with multiple combinations. Select from four popcorn flavors – caramel, rainbow fruit, buttery, cheddar – and then top it all off with a selection of M&M’S or SKITTLES candies or perhaps even with some chocolate drizzle for an extra sweet treat!

    You can even get a front row spot at the candy kitchen area to watch cast members make and decorate your favorite goodies like the character-inspired candy apples and Mickey crisped rice cereal treats being made and decorated. There are more than 30 new items you won’t find anywhere else!

    Some of my favorites are the new fudge varieties, like the Peanut Butter Fudge – featuring creamy peanut butter fudge topped with M&M’S Peanut Butter Candies and drizzled with chocolate. Yum!

    Of course, this signature Magic Kingdom shop will offer limited-time treats for “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.” These four new sweets will be available starting on Oct. 1.

  • Disney’s All-Star Sports to Remain Closed Indefinitely Awaiting Updates

    Disney’s All-Star Sports to Remain Closed Indefinitely Awaiting Updates

    Disney’s All-Star Music and Movies Resorts have reopened, but Disney has announced that the reopening of All-Star Sports will be postponed until further notice.

    “We’re excited to continue welcoming Guests back to our Disney Resort hotels, such as at Disney’s All-Star Resorts, where we recently reopened the Music and Movies themes,” Disney said in a statement.

    At this time, Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort will remain closed while they take the opportunity to refresh the Sports theme area. A new reopening date for rooms at All-Star Sports at a later time.

    Guests with upcoming reservations will receive communication via email and will be instructed to reach out to their Travel Professional to modify their stay, at no additional charge. This modification will have no impact to other vacation experiences that may be booked, such as Theme Park reservations or dining.

  • Disney World Hiring Hundreds at Job Fair on Monday with $1500 Signing Bonus

    Disney World Hiring Hundreds at Job Fair on Monday with $1500 Signing Bonus

    During a recent earnings call, Disney executives said visitor capacity at the parks will increase as resort staffing returns and that means more jobs are coming to Disney World.

    Walt Disney World is hosting a job fair next week to hire hundreds of people across custodial, culinary, housekeeping and food and beverage jobs, with several positions eligible for bonuses.

    Those applying to housekeeping and specific culinary jobs could be eligible for a $1,000 and $1,500 new hire bonus, respectively. The bonuses will be paid in two increments: employees will receive the first payment after working in their new roles for at least 90 days, and the remainder will be paid after 150 days, according to the company.

    The job fair on Monday, Sept. 20, at the Coronado Springs Resort is part of Disney’s efforts to hire 700 to 1,100 employees weekly by the end of the year, according to the company.

    The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the resort’s convention center. Face coverings are required to attend. Under Disney’s vaccination policy, new hires are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and must provide the company a copy of their vaccination card at least seven days before their start date.

    Disney laid off over 18,000 workers at Disney World during the pandemic and furloughed thousands more. Disney spokeswoman Andrea Finger said more than 50,000 employees have since returned to work and the resort’s workforce totals over 65,000 employees, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

  • VIDEO: New Baby White Rhino Born at Disney World

    VIDEO: New Baby White Rhino Born at Disney World

    An endangered white male rhino calf was born earlier this month at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and Disney had shared a sneak peek of the newborn.

    Born to first-time mom Jao backstage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Mom and baby are doing great under the keepers’ watchful and joyful eyes. I am happy to report that the beautiful calf snuggled up to mom and began nursing right away.

    The video below features endearing moments as mother Kendi bonds with her playful new baby:

    “While we give Jao and her baby boy ample time to bond, it will be a little while before we know the calf’s weight.,” Disney said. Typically, white rhino calves can weigh as much as 140 pounds at birth.

    Rhinoceros also have one of the longest gestation periods of any mammal – approximately 16 to 18 months. Our animal care team’s veterinarians, scientists and animal keepers kept a close eye on Jao throughout her pregnancy, conducting regular checkups and ultrasounds to ensure a safe birth.

    Jao was paired with dad Dugan, the bull of the herd, through one of the Species Survival Plans, which are overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to ensure the responsible breeding of endangered species. This birth is a true milestone for this endangered species. And our herd continues to grow. This delivery marks the 12th rhino born at Disney, and the second rhino born in the last year. And even more hooves are on the horizon as another first-time mom, Lola, is expected to give birth this fall. 

    In the coming weeks, Jao and baby are expected to join the “crash” (a group of rhinos), in their habitat on the Harambe Wildlife Reserve where park guests can catch a glimpse of the herd while aboard Kilimanjaro Safaris.

  • Light Up Jack Skellington Popcorn Bucket Comes to Disney World

    Light Up Jack Skellington Popcorn Bucket Comes to Disney World

    What’s This? What’s This? The Jack Skellington Annual Passholder Popcorn Bucket has finally arrived at Disney World just in time for the spooky season.

    Shaped like Jack Skellington from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, the popcorn bucket sells for $20.00. It features a purple strap with the Annual Passholder logo on it and it even lights up.

    The Popcorn Bucket is exclusive to Disney Springs and will be available at the Popcorn locations in Marketplace, The Landing & West Side. Take a closer look below:

    Get yours starting today, while supplies last. Limit 2 per Passholder.

  • Disney World 50th Anniversary Happy Meals Coming to McDonald’s

    Disney World 50th Anniversary Happy Meals Coming to McDonald’s

    Happy Meals at McDonald’s are getting a magical update. To celebrate Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary, McDonald’s will release limited-edition Happy Meal toys.

    Starting Sept. 14, the fast food restaurant giant is getting in helping celebrate Walt Disney World Resort’s upcoming 50th anniversary with with custom Happy Meal toys and a chance to win a vacation to Disney’s big milestone event in Orlando.

    A few of the toys will even be dressed in sparkly “EARidescent” outfits, perfect for Disney World’s “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” an 18-month celebration running from Oct. 1, 2021 through April 1, 2023 at Walt Disney World Resort to celebrate the resort’s 50th anniversary. Take a closer look at the toys below:

    The event is for a limited time, and only at participating McDonald’s nationwide, but the gifts will be big for Disney fans. The home of the Golden Arches will be dolling out never-before-seen figurines — 50 in total — each featuring different fan favorite figurines of Disney characters over the years.