Disney News

Category: Walt Disney World

  • Single Rider Lines Returning to Disney World

    Single Rider Lines Returning to Disney World

    Disney World continues relaxing restrictions at the parks and now single riders lines are returning to for attractions.

    The single rider line is designed for solo riders. Cast members will place those riders with other parties to fill in all the space on designated rides.

    According to the Walt Disney World website, the single rider is no longer listed under the paused Attractions and Entertainment section of the website, as you can see below:

    Disney World has already ended the mask requirement for guest and cast members who are vaccinated and has removed social distancing markers from some queue lines for rides.

  • Disney World Drops Indoor Mask Policy for Vaccinated Guests

    Disney World Drops Indoor Mask Policy for Vaccinated Guests

    As of Tuesday, fully vaccinated guests at Disney World are no longer required to wear face coverings in most areas of the park. according to its website.

    Masks are still required for Disney transportation, including buses, monorails and the Disney Skyliner gondolas.

    No proof of vaccination will be required and the Resort will be relying solely on the honor system. Orange County, Florida lifted all local face mask recommendations on June 5.

    “We’re not quite ready to bring back everything yet,” the website reads, “but we are optimistic and look forward to the day when Disney pals and princesses are able to hug once again.”

    Disney World is also easing its physical distancing guidelines, and will update its terms in visibile locations throughout the park.

  • Fireworks Could Be Returning to Disney World in July

    Fireworks Could Be Returning to Disney World in July

    Fireworks will return to Disney World during the first week of July just in time for the 4th of July according to several online reports.

    Reportedly, Happily Ever After and EPCOT Forever will be returning to their respective parks. It is unlikely that Harmonious would debut at EPCOT, but considering the pyro tests that have been seen from EPCOT area resorts, its debut may be sooner than we think, according to MonorailNews.com.

    This would make since Disney Parks has been relaxing covid saftey measures and has also recently begun to hire new pyrotechnic and special effects designers as well as bringing back former cast members to the job according to reports.

    Happily Ever After takes you on a dazzling journey of color, light and song that captures the heart, humor and heroism of favorite Disney animated films. Cinderella Castle becomes part of the story by magically transforming through amazing state-of-the art projection technology you have to see to believe.

    This astounding 18-minute fireworks extravaganza uses more lights, lasers and special effects than any other fireworks spectacular in the history of Magic Kingdom park, plus a soaring score featuring contemporary versions of beloved Disney songs.

    During EPCOT Forever you’ll witness the wonder as the story of Epcot and its next incredible chapter come to life in this new nighttime spectacular. Behold the single “spark of imagination” that started it all. Watch it grow, evolve and transform into an epic nighttime extravaganza that stirs the senses and captures all you love about Epcot—and all that’s to come—with dazzling fireworks, stunning laser effects and choreographed kites set to tunes that have become theme park favorites.

    Hopefully the rumors prove true! We’ll keep you updated so stay tuned to Disney Dorks for the latest updates.

  • 2021 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Begins July 15

    2021 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Begins July 15

    The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival returns to Walt Disney World Resort this fall with 129 days of entertainment, events, and, of course, a veritable cornucopia of wonderful food and tasty beverages.

    Starting July 15th and running through November 20th, marketplaces across the park will feature dishes from Hawaii, Australia, Germany, Canada, Greece, and more!

    Take a look below at a full list of the global marketplaces that there will be:

    • The Alps – Opening October 1
    • Australia
    • Appleseed Orchard
    • Belgium – Opening October 1
    • Brazil – Opening October 1
    • Brew-Wing at the Epcot Experience – NEW!
    • Canada
    • China
    • The Donut Box
    • Earth Eats hosted by Impossible™
    • Flavors from Fire hosted by The NFL on ESPN
    • France
    • Germany
    • Greece
    • Hawaiʻi
    • Hops & Barley
    • India – Opening October 1
    • Ireland – Opening October 1
    • Italy
    • Japan
    • Kenya – NEW! Opening October 1
    • Lobster Landing – NEW! Opening October 1
    • Mac & Eats – NEW! Opening October 1
    • Mexico
    • The Noodle Exchange – NEW!
    • Refreshment Outpost
    • Refreshment Port hosted by Boursin® Cheese
    • Rotunda Bistro – NEW!
    • Shimmering Sips hosted by CORKCICLE®
    • Spain – Opening October 1
    • The Swanky Saucy Swine – NEW!
    • Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina – NEW!

    There will also be entertainment throughout the park, including performances by Voices of Liberty, Mariachi Cobre, and Jammin’ Chefs and a live-music concert series performed Friday through Monday evenings. In addition, bands from Central Florida play on the America Gardens Theatre stage.

    Finally, there will also be a Ratatouille-themed scavenger hunt for families to enjoy.

  • Disney CEO Predicts Full Capacity at Disney World by End of Year and No Mask’s by this Summer

    Disney CEO Predicts Full Capacity at Disney World by End of Year and No Mask’s by this Summer

    Disney CEO Bob Chapek, participated in a virtual Q&A session at the J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference and predicted that Disney World could be at full capacity by the end of the year.

    Chapek said his team anticipates “low double-digit growth” as the company follows federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention coronavirus operating guidelines.”

    Since reopening in Florida last July, the company has slowly expanded the daily number of people allowed to access its Florida parks. Disney hasn’t released any attendance numbers, however.

    He also hinted its parks’ mask mandates could be lifted by the summer, saying not having to wear masks would be a “bigger catalyst for growth in attendance” and “make for an even more pleasant experience,” Chapek shared durring the company’s second-quarter earnings call early this month.

    Disney World in Orlando, Florida, a state with fewer COVID-19 restrictions, has been operating at a lower-than-usual capacity since July 2020.

    Disneyland in Anaheim, California, reopened on April 30 after a 13-month closure. For now, the park and neighboring Disney California Adventure are restricted to operating at 25% capacity under state health rules, but the state of California is aiming to fully reopen June 15.

    Parks were forced shut a year ago March and devastated financially. Disney took a $6.9 billon hit in parks last fiscal year

  • Watermelon Dole Whip Is Returning to Disney World this Summer

    Watermelon Dole Whip Is Returning to Disney World this Summer

    Summer is right around the corner and Disney World has announced that Watermelon DOLE Whip is coming back soon to Disney Springs!

    Be on the lookout for this delicious DOLE Whip Watermelon Parfait with Key Lime Custard coming to Marketplace Snacks on May 26.

    Disney Springs took to Twitter to share the news as you can see below:

    Marketplace Snacks operates daily in Disney Springs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. t0 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

  • Disney World Resorts Offering Discounts to Teachers and First Responders this Summer

    Disney World Resorts Offering Discounts to Teachers and First Responders this Summer

    Disney World is honoring the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic by offering discounts to teachers and first responders who stay at a resort this summer.

    The special offer applies to six of the resorts at Disney Springs and lasts until July 14. According to the Disney Springs Hotels website, the offer is based on availability so space may be limited. 

    First responders and teachers can choose to stay at B Resort and Spa, DoubleTree Suites, Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palance and Orlando Lake Buena Vista, Holiday Inn and Wyndham Garden.

    Discounted rates start from as low as $79 a night to $160 a night.

    The discounts apply to Preschool, Daycare, Kindergarten and grade school teachers, as well as college professors. First responders must be police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, doctors and nurses.

    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 Teams Up With Snapchat for New Augmented Reality Filters

    Disney World Teams Up With Snapchat for New Augmented Reality Filters

    Disney Parks and Snap announced Thursday that they’re teaming up to bring augmented reality to the Walt Disney World.

    It all starts with new ways to meet up with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse at the resort, with Snapchat Lenses starring your favorite duo.

    Mickey and Minnie will be right beside you in Snapchat with their playful expressions and gestures. They can even give you a hug! Take a closer look at the video below:

    There will be even more to discover in the My Disney Experience app this fall – including special Disney PhotoPass Lenses you can use right from the app, powered by Snap’s camera technology. You’ll be able to take selfies with your favorite Disney characters, experience unique Walt Disney World moments, and even make some magic of your very own with augmented reality!

  • New Disney World Cast Member Name Tags Coming for 50th Anniversary

    New Disney World Cast Member Name Tags Coming for 50th Anniversary

    Disney World’s 18-month long 50th anniversary celebration kicks off October 1st and cast members are getting new name tags to celebrate.

    “Cast members have been the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort for nearly 50 years. To honor their contribution to the magic, cast members will receive a new nametag this fall, with a touch of ‘EARidescence,’ in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort,” Disney said in a post.

    Take a closer look at the reveal below:

    A team of graphic artists and costume designers spent more than a year developing the new nametag, testing a number of colors and printing techniques before completing the final design. The new nametags feature several special details:

    • An exclusive color wash, inspired by the sparkling new 50th anniversary looks for Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, was developed and applied with an innovative printing technique and glaze to give each nametag a pearlescent shimmer.
    • Holographic gold foil with sparkling color-shift elements is individually applied to each nametag, bringing additional shine to the Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary logo.
    • Royal blue lettering matching the turrets of Cinderella Castle brings a regal pop of color to the nametag, ensuring each cast member name and hometown is a focal point against the glistening background.

    All of these elements will combine to produce a distinct shine across each nametag, reflecting the EARidescent décor that will be on display across Walt Disney World Resort for the duration of the celebration.

    The new EARidescent nametags will debut later this year, in time for the Oct 1 start of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.”

  • VIDEO: Baby Zebra Born at Disney World on Kilimanjaro Safaris Savannah

    VIDEO: Baby Zebra Born at Disney World on Kilimanjaro Safaris Savannah

    The folks over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are seeing stripes today!  The park has just announced the birth of a Hartmann’s Mountain zebra foal.

    Some lucky guests riding Kilimanjaro Safaris for to see the birth on the savanna this morning. Estimated to weigh about 65 pounds, the healthy baby boy has long legs and was standing and nuzzling with mom within minutes of birth.

    Mom Heidi is a parenting pro – staying close to her baby to bond and nurse. Bonding is especially important, as a young zebra will imprint on its mother’s scent and memorize the unique markings on its mother’s hind legs to tell her apart from others in the herd. In the coming weeks, the pair will rejoin sister Asha and the rest of the herd on the savanna. Take a look at the video below:

    The foal was born as part of the Species Survival Plan program, which is overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and ensures responsible breeding and genetic diversity of hundreds of animal species.

    Today’s joyful arrival marks the first zebra birth at Walt Disney World this year. The resort is home to three distinct types of zebra: Hartmann’s mountain zebra, Grevy’s zebra and plains zebra. Though zebra may all be defined by their stripes, there are distinct stripe patterns that define each type. Hartmann’s mountain and Grevy’s zebras have stripes that stop right at the edge of their bellies, while stripes on common zebras wrap around the whole body. You can tell a Grevy’s zebra from a Hartmann’s mountain zebra by looking at their ears. They are larger on the Grevy’s zebra. 

    Hartmann’s mountain zebras are found in sub-Saharan Africa and are a vulnerable species due to habitat loss and hunting.