Disney News

Category: Walt Disney World

  • 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.

  • 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 Releases Images of Cabins Inside New Star Wars Hotel

    Disney Releases Images of Cabins Inside New Star Wars Hotel

    Disney released new pictures from the inside of their new Star Wars themed hotel, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.

    During an IAAPA presentation Monday, Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro shard renderings of what guests will experience when they step inside their cabin.

    In the new Star Wars Resort guests will live aboard a starship for a 2-day, 2-night experience. Unlike any typical cruise, though, you can become the heroes of your own Star Wars story in a new type of immersive experience that only Disney could create. Take a look at the new images below:

    Guests will cruise the galaxy in style aboard the Halcyon, known for its impeccable service and exotic destinations. Onboard, you’ll stay in well-appointed cabins, experience onboard dining, make a planet-side excursion to Black Spire Outpost on Batuu and much more.

  • Disney World Increasing Park Capacity to 35%

    Disney World Increasing Park Capacity to 35%

    Disney is seeing high demand and strong attendance at the parks in Orlando, Disney CEO Bob Chapek told investors recently and that means park capacity is increasing.

    Chapek said they are now allowing the parks to have up to 35 percent of total capacity each day, which is up from 25 percent.

    Additionally, Thursday was the release of Disney’s fourth quarter and full fiscal year earnings.

    The numbers are down year over year, Chapek did highlight some bright spots.

    Disney’s quarter four revenues were over 14.7 billion, that’s down 23 percent from last year.

    The report shows Disney’s fiscal year revenue was 65.3 billion, down about 6 percent from last year.

    If you take a look at Disney’s parks, experiences, and products, the number is down 61 percent in quarter four and down 37 percent for the fiscal year.

    But Chapek highlighted the success of their streaming service, Disney+, and said, “The real bright spot has been our direct-to-consumer business, which is key to the future of our company, and on this anniversary of the launch of Disney+ we’re pleased to report that, as of the end of the fourth quarter, the service had more than 73 million paid subscribers – far surpassing our expectations in just its first year.”

  • ‘Disney Holiday Magic Quest’ Special Coming to The Disney Channel

    ‘Disney Holiday Magic Quest’ Special Coming to The Disney Channel

    This holiday season, Disney Channel will transport the magic of Disney World during the holidays to viewers with a holiday special called Disney Holiday Magic Quest.

    Disney Channel is celebrating the holidays for kids and families in some special ways this year, including bringing more holiday magic to Walt Disney World Resort! Disney Channel’s first of three holiday specials is “Disney Holiday Magic Quest,” a high-stakes challenge that navigates Magic Kingdom Park.

    Raven-Symoné virtually hosts the challenge, which features “ZOMBIES 2” stars Milo Manheim, Kylee Russell, Ariel Martin, and Pearce Joza competing in a holiday adventure through Magic Kingdom Park.

    After iconic Disney villains Maleficent and Evil Queen steal holiday magic, the stars must overcome obstacles and complete challenges to restore the joy of the season. The challenges take place throughout Magic Kingdom Park and include iconic attractions and locations like Haunted Mansion and Cinderella Castle.

    The four stars are also competing for a grand prize that will benefit Toys for Tots, a nonprofit organization that delivers hope and the magic of the holidays to less fortunate children.

    Tune in for the premiere of “Disney Holiday Magic Quest” on Disney Channel, Friday, Dec. 4 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT to see if the stars successfully restore the holiday magic throughout their Magic Kingdom Park adventure! 

  • White Castle to Open Worlds Largest Location Near Disney World After 50-year Absence

    White Castle to Open Worlds Largest Location Near Disney World After 50-year Absence

    After a 50-year absence, White Castle will be opening its only Florida location near Walt Disney World and plans to break ground on Nov. 19, the company announced Thursday.

    The new White Castle will be the largest one for the chain and describes it as a “sleek, modern industrial-style architectural design” featuring the chain’s “iconic tower.”

    Known for its tiny square-shaped hamburgers, the menu also includes a variety of sliders like sloppy joe sliders and chicken and waffle sliders. If you need a side to go with your main entree, you can choose from a variety of options like mac ‘n cheese nibblers, chicken rings, corn dog nibblers, and of course, french fries.

    Its future 4,567-square foot restaurant will open at the O-Town West near Palm Parkway and Daryl Carter Boulevard. The location will have both indoor and outdoor seating and two drive-thru lanes.

    The restaurant is expected to create over 100 jobs in the Central Florida area. Construction is expected to wrap up in 2021. 

  • New White Christmas Tree Popcorn Bucket Debuts at Magic Kingdom

    New White Christmas Tree Popcorn Bucket Debuts at Magic Kingdom

    November 6th was the official kick-off of all things Holiday at Walt Disney World Resort, and we were invited to a special media preview when we spotted a new white Christmas tree popcorn bucket in Magic Kingdom!

    Last years version was green and only featured Mickey with a present on the front. This year it features Mickey and Minnie holding candy canes in front of a creamy white Christmas tree.

    The tree is decorated with tear drop shaped lights and popcorn garland as you can see below:

    After you get over the cuteness of Mickey dressed as Santa you’ll notice that the tree also lights up! There are 4 modes: only the star, the whole tree, and star and the tree, and a flashing mode.

    Who’s planning on adding this popcorn bucket to their collection? The straps are removable making it easy to add your Holiday display.

    If you’re thinking of taking a trip to Disney to grab this Merry and Bright popcorn bucket make sure you contact Kimberly at Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Kimberly to start planning.

  • New Look at the Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster Ride Vehicles

    New Look at the Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster Ride Vehicles

    Disney has released an exclusive sneak peek of two of their ride engineers as they prep some of the ride vehicles for the new Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster coming to EPCOT at Disney World.

    Epcot’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a family-friendly “storytelling coaster” that will feature a groundbreaking ride system with vehicles that rotate 360 degrees and can even do a reverse launch.  

    The attraction boasts a brand new ride system, and now we have a new look at the ride vehicles themselves, which have been designed with the same color scheme as the Milano, Peter Quill’s ship from the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie. Check them out below:

    If you look closely at the colorful paint design on the ride vehicles (called coaches in roller coaster engineering parlance), each one is unique with different wear patterns and impact marks. Imagineers were inspired by markings that appear on NASA Space Shuttles and other spacecraft upon reentry into Earth’s atmosphere.

    Keep check back on Disney Dorks as we share more on this truly out-of-this-world, awesome attraction as they make progress on construction and put these coaches on the track!

  • ‘Jingle Cruise’ Returns to Magic Kingdom for the Holidays

    ‘Jingle Cruise’ Returns to Magic Kingdom for the Holidays

    The holiday season is fast approaching and today a guest favorite holiday offering – Jingle Cruise – has returned to Magic Kingdom Park.

    Jingle Cruise is again themed as if the Skippers are homesick for the holidays and to add cheer, they decorated the attraction queue and boathouse with homemade decorations, gifts and items from back home.

    Many fans of the festive overlay to the classic attraction have already taken to the internet to share the transformation as you can see in the post below:

    Boats have temporarily been renamed with holiday monikers and the Skippers are armed with seasonal jokes. (Listen carefully in the queue, too – you may hear a holiday-themed radio broadcast playing in the background).