Disney News

Category: News

  • Sneak Peek at the New Disney’s Riviera Resort

    Sneak Peek at the New Disney’s Riviera Resort

    We were invited to a Special Preview of the new Riviera Resort rooms at Disney’s Vacation Club Preview Center, and we can report that this is the resort of your dreams!

    Inspired by Walt’s love of Europe and the Mediterranean, Disney’s new Riviera Resort will be your new home away from home on your next vacation. With amenities such as shelves by the front door for Magicbands and hooks in the entrance for rain coats, Disney has thought of every little detail to make your vacation Magical.

    One Bedroom Villa

    For centuries, the European Riviera has inspired visitors to relax, rejuvenate and play along the Mediterraneann, and this new resort is filled with ways to make that happen. There will be 2 pools, one of them being a “quiet” pool, and a kids splay and play area. The music will be themed to reflect Disney favorites and layered into the resort experience. Also, expect to hear lots of live music at Riviera resort.

    Sitting area

    All of the restaurants will feature handcrafted cuisine and even the Casual Dining option will serve dishes on porcelain plates.

    Topolino’s Terrace – Flavor’s of the Riviera, will be the crowning jewel of Riviera. Topolino gets it name from the European name for Mickey – Topolino! This restaurant will give you a view of two fireworks shows – Epcot and Hollywood Studios, and it will feature made from scratch pasta and sauces and a wine heavy menu.

    Blueberry pancakes with Lemon Creme and Real Maple Syrup

    The rooms at Riviera are spacious, made for family fun. We were able to preview a Deluxe Studio and a One Bedroom Villa. The Deluxe Studio has a kitchenette, dining room table that will comfortably seat 4 people, and washer and dryer. The one bedroom has a full kitchen including a dishwasher! Both rooms include an amazing new style of pull-down bed in the living room area, a huge shower separate from the tub, and amazing details.

    Bathtub in a One Bedroom Villa

    Both rooms also feature a pull-down twin sized bed under the television in the main living area. Each bed features unique artwork, and their own reading light. I’m sure this cute bed will be a favorite among young guests!

    Pull-down twin bed with a peek of the kitchenette.
    Pull-down bed open.

    There are artistic touches throughout the rooms, inspired by European artists, but with a fun Disney twist! You’ll see Beauty and the Beast characters painted in the style of Rembrandt, and Lighting McQueen from ‘Cars’ inside a Mediterranean setting.

    DVC aspect: This resort will finally offer something that most DVC resorts are missing – a smaller Studio perfect for couples. A DVC Cast Member told us that a regular Studio will run about 90 points for a week during “Choice Season,” and Deluxe Studios will run about 118 points for the same time period.

    Couch that pulls down into a bed

    Stop by the Disney Vacation Club Preview Center at Saratoga Springs resort for your own preview, and stay tuned for more information closer to the Riviera Resort opening scheduled for December 16th, 2019.

    Contact me today at Kimberly at Enchanted Kingdom Vacations to plan your own magical vacation. I have lots of Disney trips and tricks that will make your trip even more magical; all at no extra cost to you!

  • Outraged Fans Create Petition Asking Disney to Keep PhotoPass Photographers

    Outraged Fans Create Petition Asking Disney to Keep PhotoPass Photographers

    Disney World has replaced more PhotoPass Photographers with more automated cameras at character meet-and-greets across Disney Parks and now some upset guests have launched a petition on change.org that is quickly gaining attention.

    According to the petition, the photogs capture “more than just a picture and add a touch that can’t be replaced.” 

    Many upset Disney fans have taken to the internet to voice their frustrations and even show the difference between photos taken with real PhotoPass Photographers and the new automated counterparts as you can see in the post below:

    Disney made the move to automate cameras last fall at nine of their character greeting locations. There are currently over 60,000 signatures on the petition.

    “Please help overturn this decision and keep our wonderful Disney Photographers. It’s so important we do not let the magic slide. Keep the magic alive Disney,” the petition continues.

    These new automated cameras use AI software to capture candid and posed character photos, but are locked in a stationary position so the characters and character attendants are left to make sure everyone is in view of the camera.

  • Disney Villain Makeup Palettes Coming Exclusively to Ulta

    Disney Villain Makeup Palettes Coming Exclusively to Ulta

    If Halloween is your favorite time of year, and the Evil Queen is your style icon, then get ready to rule the Villainous Season in style! Because Disney has partnered with Funko POP! and Ulta Beauty to bring you a sinister new make-up collection, featuring Cruella, Ursula, Maleficent, and the Evil Queen.

    Appearing on October 6th, each Villainess will have a Make-up brush and cosmetic bag set, which have already been released, and an eyeliner and high shine lip gloss designed in their honor. With names like Thorny, Sea Witch, and Mirror they pay homage to each villains evil deeds.

    The poisonously beautiful Evil Witch and the most magnificently evil Maleficent both have eyeshadow palettes named after them with colors like Bad Apple, One Bite, and Misunderstood. They’re designed to look like the Funko POP! version of each villain when closed, so you’ll feel like your favorite villain is with you all the time!

    Cruella gets a blush and bronzer set for setting off those razor sharp cheek bones, and Ursula, that crafty set sea witch who talked a mermaid out of her voice gets her own Highlighter set.

    Which villain will you be bringing home on October 6th? With sets this cute I think I might need all of them!

  • Spider-Man May Return To Marvel Due To Apple Potentially Buying Sony

    Spider-Man May Return To Marvel Due To Apple Potentially Buying Sony

    Spider-Man fans have been slung all over the place as negotions to keep the web-slinger in the MCU heated up and then broke down. Now, as Apple is considering buying Sony Pictures, Disney is waiting in anticipation as the they could end up regaining the rights to Spider-Man for free.

    If and when Sony winds up in a merger with a company like Netflix, Amazon, or Apple, the Spider-Man IP will revert back to Marvel — and it’s unlikely anyone currently involved with the IP at Sony will get a dime when that happens, according to Forbes.

    According to a report by Cosmic Book News, an investor analyst just recently claimed that Apple may be out for a major acquisition, and Sony has been listed as a potential candidate along with studios like A24, Lionsgate, Viacom/CBS, MGM, and Netflix.

    In early September, Sony CEO Tony Vinciquerra firmly stated that Sony Studios is “not for sale,” despite regular press coverage to the contrary, but things can change and money talks.

    The Sony boss also discussed the studio’s decision to stay out of the streaming wars thus far in terms of the general market, a decision which he said allows Sony to be “more transparent” with its creators by not becoming “beholden to any platform.”

    Amazon is also said to be considering purchasing Sony Pictures as well. The reason why both companies are suddenly interested is because they both have, or are working on, streaming sites, but neither has their own theatrical production or distribution model.

  • Baymax Ride and Other New Experiences Coming to Tokyo Disneyland

    Baymax Ride and Other New Experiences Coming to Tokyo Disneyland

    The largest redevelopment ever at Tokyo Disneyland promises to enchant guests with an array of brand-new experiences, all exclusive to Tokyo Disney Resort including a new Baymax ride and a Beauty and the Beast attraction!

    Disney recently announced exciting new experiences coming to Tokyo Disneyland spring of 2020. And now they are sharing that “New Fantasyland,” a new area featuring the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast attraction and the indoor Fantasyland Forest Theatre, will open to guests on April 15, 2020. Brand-new additions in Tomorrowland and Toontown will open on the same day.

    Guests can immerse themselves in the tale as old as time upon entering Belle’s village, which features Maurice’s Cottage, Gaston’s fountain, restaurants and shops. Towering high above the forest is Beauty and the Beast Castle which houses Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, an attraction where guests join a musical adventure in vehicles that dance in rhythm to the music from the animated film. Deeper into the forest sits Fantasyland Forest Theatre, the first full-scale indoor theater at Tokyo Disneyland.

    Over in Tomorrowland on The Happy Ride with Baymax, guests can join their own personal healthcare companion for an exciting ride that swings them round and round. Popcorn enthusiasts will love The Big Pop, an outer space-themed popcorn shop also coming to Tomorrowland.

    And for the first time ever at Tokyo Disney Resort, guests will be able to meet Minnie Mouse in person at Minnie’s Style Studio in Toontown.

  • Day of the Dead-Inspired Merchandise Now Available at Disney Parks

    Day of the Dead-Inspired Merchandise Now Available at Disney Parks

    The Day of the Dead – or Día de los Muertos in Spanish – is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and by people of Mexican ancestry living in other places, especially the United States. And now, Disney has released Day of the Dead-Inspired Merchandise just in time to celebrate the occasion!

    Although Día de los Muertos isn’t celebrated until November, Disney Parks will begin the celebration month with a new collection that reflects the magic and color of this amazing tradition.

    This new Disney Parks collection, now available across both Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California, includes a variety of festive clothing and iconic Día de los Muertos-inspired ears. Everything is also available on ShopDisney.com. Take a look below!

    The new all-cotton T-shirt featured in the collection depicts distressed screen art of flowers and a calavera, along with musical notes. A scoop neckline and shirttail hem make it comfy and stylish.

    You can crown your Dia de los Muertos attire with the new festive Minnie Mouse Ear Headband. Colorful flowers span the top with a purple die cut bow that accents the sugar skull and floral pattern ears. Hermosas!

    An ear hat is also available as part of this collection featuring a sugar skull screen art with embroidered details, as well as a top hat with a purple sating band and 3D felt roses. 

    Disney Parks is celebrating the start of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) highlighting the new, colorful line of Disney Parks Día de los Muertos Collection.

  • New Tomorrowland Sign Debuts at Magic Kingdom in Disney World

    New Tomorrowland Sign Debuts at Magic Kingdom in Disney World

    The Tomorrowland entrance sign was removed a couple of months ago and now its back with an reimagined updated design.

    The new Tomorrowland sign rests atop a circle held up by two sleek minimalist arches and now serves as the new marquee to the futuristic land.

    Tomorrowland opened along with the park on October 1, 1971, and the sign was last updated in during the 1994 New Tomorrowland refurbisment.

    The change to the sign is another example of the touch-ups the land has had. Among the other enhancements in recent months: A new sign for Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, fresh paint on the Stitch’s Great Escape side and elsewhere, a spiffing up of Tomorrowland Speedway and improvements to the outdoor eating sections of Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café.

  • Church Leader Allegedly Used Embezzled Funds to Buy Club 33 Membership

    Church Leader Allegedly Used Embezzled Funds to Buy Club 33 Membership

    Charles T. Sebesta, the former leader of the Los Angeles Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist has been accused by Federal agents from the Department of Justice of using some of the $11 million he siphoned from the church to buy, among other things, a membership in to Disneyland’s exclusive Club 33 restaurant.

    Club 33, which is inside Disneyland, is one of the most expensive restaurants in the world, with an initial initiation fee of $25,000 and an annual membership fee of $10,000. Sebesta reportedly used his membership in the Club to woo entertainment and sports executives.

    Sebesta kept up this charade over a decade, working his way up through the ranks of the Fifth Church of Christ, Christ and then using his position as a Chairman to forge checks and draw in close to $11.5 million.

    There is no word yet on what his sentence will be, or if he’ll have to give up that coveted Club 33 Membership!

  • Disney Bedtime Hotline Returns for a Limited Time

    Disney Bedtime Hotline Returns for a Limited Time

    Oh boy! Do you want to help you add a touch of Disney magic to your kid’s bedtime routine? Disney has announced the return of the Disney Bedtime Hotline, where fans can call to hear special messages from their favorite characters at bedtime.

    From now until Sept. 30, your child can call up the “Disney Bedtime Hotline” and hear a special goodnight message from seven beloved Disney characters: Mickey Mouse, Woody, Jasmine, Anna and Elsa, Yoda and Spider-man.

    The number is toll-free (1-877-7-MICKEY) and is only available inside the United States. Just punch in the appropriate number to hear a bedtime message from your favorite Disney character: 1 = Mickey; 2 = Woody ; 3 = Princess Jasmine; 4 = Princess Anna and Queen Elsa; 5 = Yoda and 6 = Spider-Man

    In 2018, the Sleep Shop Hotline contained five special messages from Mickey Mouse and friends Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck.

    This year marks the second year in a row that Disney is launching this hotline, all in hopes to help parents put their children to bed. Most parents say putting their kids to bed can be stressful, with 77 percent saying they are exhausted with the process, according to a study highlighted in a Disney press release. 

    The company hopes these character messages will “give kids something to look forward to at bedtime,” the release says.

  • New Arendelle Aqua Ice Cream Cone at Magic Kindom is a Frozen Delight

    New Arendelle Aqua Ice Cream Cone at Magic Kindom is a Frozen Delight

    Disney already has a slew of merchandise and treats to go along with the new Frozen Inspired Arendelle Aqua color trend and now they have released a new ice cream cone that is truly worth melting for!

    The Aqua Cone is made with cotton candy soft-serve and topped with sugar Mickeys and cotton candy sugar!

    You can find the tasty treat at Storybook Treats in Magic Kingsom and it costs $5.99.