Disney News

Category: Walt Disney World

  • New Disney PhotoPass Opportunity Materializes at the Haunted Mansion in Disney World

    New Disney PhotoPass Opportunity Materializes at the Haunted Mansion in Disney World

    Disney PhotoPass Service now offers a unique attraction photo on the Haunted Mansion attraction in Walt Disney World.

    Disney PhotoPass Service will capture a spirited photo of you as your Doom Buggy journeys through a labyrinth of haunted chambers in the Haunted Mansion attraction at Walt Disney World Resort! You might even notice a few silly spooks that fill in the dead space of your photo.

    This is the 13th attraction photo capture opportunity in Florida and joins more than 100 places where Disney PhotoPass Service captures memories throughout Walt Disney World Resort. At Character Experiences, participating dining locations, and the most scenic locations around the parks, Disney PhotoPass Service is committed to ensuring you have photos of your favorite vacation moments to treasure long after you’ve departed.  

    To preview, purchase and download this attraction photo, you must be wearing a MagicBand or MagicBand 2 Icon in a MagicKeeper that’s linked to your Disney account. When you do, your photo will be automatically linked to your account, where it can be previewed in the My Disney Experience app.

    And with Memory Maker, all of these Disney PhotoPass photos will follow you home! Make final arrangements to purchase Memory Maker at least three days prior to your vacation at the advance purchase price of $169. Purchase Memory Maker after your vacation for $199.

    In celebration of the launch of our 13th attraction with photo capture at Walt Disney World Resort, we’ll be offering a few special opportunities around the Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom Park on April 13!


  • BREAKING: Smoking to Be Banned at Disney Parks Beginning May 1st

    BREAKING: Smoking to Be Banned at Disney Parks Beginning May 1st

    Disney Parks has just announced a major policy change that you may need to know if you’re planning a trip in the near future. Disney Parks is banning smoking with in it’s parks.

    Beginning May 1, smoking areas will no longer be present inside Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme parks, water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex or Downtown Disney in California.

    Designated smoking areas will be available outside the entrances to the areas listed above, and at Disney Springs in Florida. For guests who have room or dining reservations, smoking areas are also available at Disney Resort hotels.

  • Exclusive Star Wars Event Coming to Epcot for DVC Members in April

    Exclusive Star Wars Event Coming to Epcot for DVC Members in April

    A one-night-only Star Wars: Galactic Gathering will turn the World ShowPlace pavilion at Epcot into an exclusive Star Wars experience for Disney Vacation Club Members and special guests on April 10 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

    During this Membership Magic event, Disney Vacation Club Members and special guests will enjoy Star Wars-themed foods and beverages, meet favorite Star Warscharacters, pose for photos with Star Wars set pieces and props, and more. (That’s a whole lot of Star Wars).

    The culinary team behind this event has developed a carefully crafted menu that promises to satisfy even a Wookiee-sized appetite. The epic lineup includes hors d’oeuvres, specialty beverages and all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet featuring a salad cone station (try the Endor Cous Cous!), a small-bites station (including a Tatooine Cheeseburger Spring Roll), a bowl action station (with Alderaan Bean Wat with Basmati Scented Rice and Cilantro among the options) and a carving station. Sweet options range from a Blue Milk Panna Cotta to Darth Vader Cupcakes to BB-8 Mousse Domes.

    When you aren’t blasting through the buffet or snapping selfies with treasures of the Star Wars galaxy, you’ll dance to the tunes of a DJ who will provide a stellar soundtrack to transport you to your favorite planet. 

    The cost per person is $225 for adults and $210 for children (inclusive of tax and gratuity), and separate Theme Park admission is required. Eligible Members can book this experience for themselves and as many as 5 guests, per Membership. Members may make reservations here. Enjoy the party, and may the Force be with you.

  • Beauty and the Beast Bar Replacing Mizner’s Lounge at Grand Floridian

    Beauty and the Beast Bar Replacing Mizner’s Lounge at Grand Floridian

    Mizner’s Lounge at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is set to close in April for refurbishment and according to multiple online sources the location will be re-themed as a Beauty and the Beast Lounge.

    According to @SchuckJH on twitter the area will be re-imagined as a live-action version of the Beauty and the Beast film and could involve not just a simple overlay, but a total transformation like the Snow White-themed Storybook Dining at Artist Point recently was.

    If the rumors are true, Mizner’s Lounge will transformed into various settings from the Beast’s Castle. Some of the themes rooms will include the library, the ballroom, and the outside patio will be transformed in the woods from outside the Beast’s castle.

    Apperantly “The Library” will have plush couches and a fireplace where current bar sits. “The Ballroom” will have a chandelier. “The Woods” will have indoor/outdoor seating. Around 140 seats total.

    As with all rumors, take it with a grain of salt. Nothing is official until Disney announces it.

  • VIDEO: Man Blows Away Hotel Lobby Singing ‘Ave Maria’ for Daughter at Disney World

    VIDEO: Man Blows Away Hotel Lobby Singing ‘Ave Maria’ for Daughter at Disney World

    When you visit Disney World you know the cast is going to be magical, but sometimes the guests can be just as magical. An ordinary guest visiting Disney World last week amazed the lobby at The Grand Floridian as he broke out singing “Ave Maria” in front of dozens of people.

    Justin Gigliello, a 30 year old Connecticut man, was having lunch at the resort when the impromptu performance was prompted by Gigliello’s six year old daughter. She asked the resort lobby Pianist if he could play the song so she could here her dad sing.

    Of course he said yes, and the rest will blow you away. Take a look at the video below:

    When the he finished singing, the amazing performance was met with applause. Gigliello says it feels amazing when the audience is into it and that is what makes it all worth it. “One of the women came up to me and said she was in the gift shop and when she heard me singing she had to come out to see what was going on,” Gigliello said.

    Gigliello’s performance is amazing, but his daughter is stealing a little bit of the spot light too. Everyone’s eyes are glued to the little girl as she watches her father with pride and awe as he sings her favorite song.

    “It’s an incredible feeling. I didn’t really notice it until I watched the video. To see my child with so much pride in her father is amazing,” said Gigliello. “I can just see the love and admiration in her whole expression.”

    Gigliello works full time at an insurance company, but he did go to school for voice performance and has a bachelor of arts from the Boston conservatory. He sings locally occasionally and also teaches voice and piano lessons.

  • Lawsuits Seeking $15k Claim Disney World’s PeopleMover Caused Injures

    Lawsuits Seeking $15k Claim Disney World’s PeopleMover Caused Injures

    Two sets of Disney World visitors who say they were injured on the PeopleMover at Magic Kingdom have filed lawsuits against the company seeking damages in excess of $15,000, a pair of lawsuits claim.

    New Jersey couple Heather and John Tregidgo claim they were injured on the Tomorrowland attraction during a visit in June 2015, according to a lawsuit filed in late February in Orange County. The couple said they were riding the PeopleMover with their two children when it abruptly stopped in the dark Space Mountain section.

    “After the cart containing the Tregidgo Family came to a stop it was struck from behind by a trailing cart,” the lawsuit said.

    The lawsuit alleges Disney “carelessly and negligently maintained” the PeopleMover, creating a “dangerous” condition.  

    Heather Tregidgo, according to the lawsuit, suffered injuries that required hospitalization and surgery.

    In a separate incident, Kristie Deieso said she was injured on the ride during a visit in February 2017. Deieso’s lawsuit, which was filed earlier this month, claims the ride malfunctioned, causing the vehicles to “crash into one another.”

    Deieso received injuries that caused “pain and impairment,” the lawsuit said.

    Open since 1975, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is a slow-moving tram that transports passengers in the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland. On the 10-minute ride, the maximum speed is about 7 mph, according to a Disney Parks Blog post from 2011.

  • New Briar Rose Gold Spirit Jerseys and Merch Coming Soon to Disney World

    New Briar Rose Gold Spirit Jerseys and Merch Coming Soon to Disney World

    Attention all Disney fashionistas! A brand-new Briar Rose Gold Spirit Jersey is set to debut at the Walt Disney World Resort 

    The spirit jersey comes out with an entire Briar Rose Gold collection, inspired by Princess Aurora (aka Briar Rose) from “Sleeping Beauty,” will make its debut at Disney World on April 1.

    Briar Rose Gold Minnie Mouse ear headbands, Spirit Jerseys, backpacks, jewelry, tumblers and more are on their way to merchandise locations at the Walt Disney World Resort. The Briar Rose Gold Collection is just the latest in a line of fun colors inspired by hot fashion trends, like rose gold, millennial pink and Potion Purple.

    Take a look below for a sneak peek at the new items.

    Guests who wish to purchase the traditional Rose Gold Minnie Mouse ear headbands – the very first in this trendy line of fashion-forward Minnie Mouse ear headbands that no true Disney fan is complete without – before they’re gone from our parks, should do so by the end of March. They are available at locations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.

  • New Spirit Jerseys Have Gone to the Dogs at Disney Parks

    New Spirit Jerseys Have Gone to the Dogs at Disney Parks

    Spirit Jerseys have been all the rage lately. From Rose Gold to Millennial Pink, there is a little something for everyone and that includes your dog now too!

    That’s right, for those who love to match thier K-9 friends, you can grab a Disney Parks Spirit Jersey and pick one up for your favorite pooch too.

    The Spirit Jerseys are already immensely popular so it may be a little “ruff” getting your paws on one, but once you do, you’ll be making memories that will last fur-ever. Now all they need is matching sequined minnie ears that fit.

    The Disney Tails collection is now avaiable at Disney Parks with a wide variety of colors that will keep you and your furry friend matchy matchy all the time.

    For humans, a Spirit Jersey runs around $65, but for your pup, one will only set you back $34.99. (But it’s worth every penny.)

  • 5-Layer Rainbow Flower Cotton Candy Now at Epcot is Instgram-Worthy Yumminess

    5-Layer Rainbow Flower Cotton Candy Now at Epcot is Instgram-Worthy Yumminess

    Disney debuted their all-new Spring Fantasy Cotton Candy treat for Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival and it’s five layers of stunningly beautiful sugary goodness.

    This is a can’t-miss menu item if you’re planning a spring visit to the parks. It’s five fluffy layers of international delight are each a different color and it will be available to guests at Epcot in Walt Disney World throughout the festival.

    The trend, which originated in China, not only garnered major Instagram fame for its magical five layer flower aesthetic, but also for the near-hypnotizing process of how it’s made. The flower shaped cotton candy is the perfect fit for the festival. Take a look how it’s made below:

    It can be found at the Lotus House in the China Pavilion at the World Showcase, and if you want to get all five layers, it’s going to set you back $15.

  • Epcot’s Spaceship Earth-Inspired Mickey Sipper Arrives at Disney World

    Epcot’s Spaceship Earth-Inspired Mickey Sipper Arrives at Disney World

    Mickey already turned 90, but Disney Parks is celebrating all year long and even the merchandise at Epcot celebrates the mouse. A Mickey Mouse shaped, Spaceship Earth inspired sipper has made its way to Disney Parks.

    Mickey already has a sipper of his own, but this Epcot themed sipper also pays homage to everyone’s favorite pal as well as the classic Epcot attraction.

    The sipper retails for $16.99 and can be found in Mouse Gear at Epcot in Walt Disney World.