Disney News

Category: Walt Disney World

  • Disney World Now Offers Character-Inspired Makeovers For All Ages

    Disney World Now Offers Character-Inspired Makeovers For All Ages

    Do you have kids who have had a makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and you always wished you could get one too? Well move over little ones because the Disney makeover is now for adults too!

    Disney World has offered the chance for children to get the ultimate Disney makeover for many years. Whether you want to be a princess or a pirate, the Magic Kingdom has a variety of makeover experiences for those ages 3 to 12. Now the adults get to play.

    Walt Disney World salons specialize in making you feel your best during your vacation. Not only are the salons a place for relaxation, but they now offer “Character Couture Packages” where Disney stylists transform your hair, makeup and nails into designs inspired by our classic characters!

    Just pick your favorite character and head to the salon for a transformation to spend the day at Magic Kingdom inspired by Minnie Mouse, Cinderella and Ursula. Those are just a few of the characters that the salon can transform. Other character styles include princess, villains, fab five, “galactic” styles and “hero/heroine” styles.

    The packages are offered in three tiers:

      • Storybook Style (includes hair — you’ll get plenty of bobby pins to take home as souvenirs as a bonus)
      • Magical Makeover (includes hair and makeup and takes about an hour and a half to complete, so plan accordingly)
      • Timeless Transformation (includes hair, makeup and nails).

    Makeup only includes eyes, cheeks and lips, and there is an extra charge for foundation and contouring.

    Pricing depends on the age group, with child makeovers for ages 4-14 and adult makeovers for all other ages. The cost for the makeovers ranges from $50 for a Storybook Style child package to $120 for a Timeless Transformation adult package.

    Character Couture makeovers are currently offered at Ivy Trellis Salon at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa; La Vida Health Club at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort; Ship Shape Massage Salon Fitness at Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts; and Salon by the Springs at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

    Are you currently planning your outfit for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party? This is a perfect way to get dressed up for the event. 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!

  • New Baymax MagicBand Is Ten On A Scale Of One To Ten

    New Baymax MagicBand Is Ten On A Scale Of One To Ten

    One of the first ever graphic MagicBands released back in the fall of 2014 was adorned with Baymax and Hiro from Big Hero 6 and it was a fast sell out. Ever since, fans have been hoping for Baymax to get his own MagicBand and now their wish has come true.

    Just last week Disney released one of the newest additions to the collection and with this one, also inspired by Disney’s Big Hero 6, you’ll always have the personal healthcare companion close at hand.

    The front features the face of Baymax and the backside of the band features the fictitious city San Fransokyo. This new band is for sale online, and is slowly making its way to stores throughout Walt Disney World.

    The MagicBand is Open Edition and costs $22.99. You can find them in the parks and at on shopDisney.

    MagicBands are colorful, waterproof wristbands – resembling a watch or bracelet – that you can quickly and easily touch to a sensor called a ”touch point.” You will receive a MagicBand 2 if you stay at a Disney Resort Hotel in Florida or you are a Walt Disney World Resort Passholder. They allow guests to connect the vacation choices they make in My Disney Experience – from effortless theme-park entry, to Online Check-In, Disney PhotoPass association and more.

     

  • Disney World Passholders Get Exclusive Access To Toy Story Land This September

    Disney World Passholders Get Exclusive Access To Toy Story Land This September

    Walt Disney World has some exciting news for Florida annual passholders. They announced in an email to passholders that select gold, platinum, platinum plus and premier passholders will receive exclusive access to Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in September.

    Attendees will get exclusive access to 2 new attractions and one favorite at Toy Story Land—including Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers and Toy Story Mania! Plus, hungry Passholders can chow down on tasty vittles available for purchase at Woody’s Lunch Box.

    Advance registration is required—so be on the lookout for an event invitation with registration details in your email. If an eligible Passholder would like to register a Guest to accompany them, that Guest must also have a valid Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus or Premier annual pass, be listed on your Family & Friends list and have opted to share “All My Plans” with you.

    Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus and Premier Passholders must pre-register by making an online reservation for ONE event. There is no additional charge for this event. Valid annual pass and photo ID required at check-in. Activities and attractions are subject to change without notice.

    Event capacity is limited and is subject to availability. Toy Story Land opens to the public on June 30.

  • Grand Floridian Greeter Richard Gerth Has Passed Away

    Grand Floridian Greeter Richard Gerth Has Passed Away

    Some very saddening news is hitting the Disney Community today that will break the hearts of countless Cast Members and guest alike. Richard Gerth, the Grand Floridian Greeter, passed away at the age of 92 last night due to complications from pneumonia.

    On Tuesday morning reports that Richard had fallen ill surfaced. He had been taken to hospice and according to a Facebook page that has contact with the family, Richard passed in the early morning hours.

    Starting his career at Walt Disney World in 1991, Richard Gerth, has been welcoming guests with his smile and happy disposition for generations. Gerth had become so well-known that many families make getting a picture with him an annual tradition.

    Guests loved Richard and he loved meeting them too. “I think just about every day is a good day…To be acknowledged by another person is the greatest feeling that anyone could get out of a job,” Gerth said during a 2014 interview.

    Gerth was recognized in 2013 by Disney when they awarded him the Walt Disney Legacy Award. This is the highest honor that Cast Members can achieve at Disney Parks and Resorts and those who have been honored with it wear a blue name tag rather than the traditional white name tag.

    Richard was everything you would want a cast member to be.  He was warm and friendly and it is a great loss for the Disney community.  Our thoughts, prayers and condolences and thoughts go out to his family. He was a Disney Legend and he will be greatly missed.

  • New Must Have Rainbow Sequined Minnie Mouse Ears are Bursting With Color

    New Must Have Rainbow Sequined Minnie Mouse Ears are Bursting With Color

    The recent fad over “the next hottest color” for sequined Minnie Ears is still heating up! From rose gold to millennial pink, finding the next hot color is a must. This time Disney came up with some really fabulous Minnie ears and it uses all the colors of the rainbow. The new glam headpiece is the brand’s “newest must-have” accessory at Disney Parks.

    In celebration of pride month Disney has released a set of rainbow-striped Minnie Mouse ear headbands and they are tots adorbs! Back and April, Disney added a flash of colors to the parks with the release of the Rainbow Mickey Ears hat that are super cool so you know Minnie needed a set of ears to celebrate as well!

    The super cute new ears will set you back about $24.99, but they are a great pair to wear in the park all year round!

    Even with a rainbow shining so bright, these new sequined Minnie Mouse Ears have taken the internet by storm. From Instagram to Twitter the reactions are overwhelmingly positive.  Comments on Disney’s official post have been blowing up with fans saying everything from ” omg neeeeddd”, to ” the new ‘rose gold’ ears are RAINBOW ears!” Guest are also breaking the internet with their own posts exclaiming how obsessed they are with the colorful ears.

    But wait! There is more… Minnie isn’t the only one getting a new rainbow headband. The new Rainbow Mickey Glow Ears are also a great way to sport your pride.

    This headband costs $18.77 and they light up and flash rainbow colors.

    You can find both sets of ears at multiple shops throughout the parks in Disneyland resort and Walt Disney World, so grab yours while you still can!

  • RUMOR: Baby Swap Passes are Going Digital at Walt Disney World

    RUMOR: Baby Swap Passes are Going Digital at Walt Disney World

    If a child does not meet the height requirement or a Guest does not wish to board a particular attraction, you don’t have to miss out! Disney World offers a Rider switch which many guest refer to as a baby swap pass and it’s going completely digital starting this June.

    Disney has been on the forefront of converting systems digitally.  From the My Disney Experience app you can make FastPass and dining reservations and link them to your MagicBand, a change which has made carrying around paper passes a thing of the past.

    According to multiple online reports, the Rider Swap will be the newest addition to Disney World’s digital offerings. This will make guest experience much more convenient, but it will also help Disney cut down of fraud.

    With Rider Switch, one adult can wait with the non-rider (or riders) while the rest of the party enjoys the attraction. When the other adult returns, they can supervise the non-riding Guests, and the waiting adult can board the attraction without having to wait in the regular line again!

    There are a few changes with the new system. First, cast members will need to scan a guest’s MagicBand or park ticket and add the rider switch to their entitlements. Previously rider switch passes were valid up to a month, however with the new system there will much smaller length of time.  Some reports saying even as little as one hour. Also the entire participating party will need to be present to receive a Rider Switch and guests will now only be able to hold one rider switch pass at time.

    Rider Switch is available at select attractions at all 4 Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Here is how it currently works.

    To Use Rider Switch:

    1. First check with a Cast member to see if Rider Switch is offered at the attraction in question.

    2. Once at the attraction, approach the greeting Cast Member with your entire party. At least one adult member of your party and the Guests who are not riding will be given a Ride Switch pass and asked to wait in a designated area (usually outside of the attraction). This group is “Party 2.”

    3. The other party members (“Party 1”) ride the attraction.

    4. After riding the attraction, Party 1 locates Party 2 and gives the Rider Switch pass to the adult member who will be riding. Party 1 takes over supervision of the non-riding children or Guests.

    5. Party 2 enters and boards the attraction without having to wait in the regular queue a second time. The Rider Switch Pass must be presented to a Cast Member at this time.

    If the person in Party 2 waited alone with the child, he or she may bring one other Guest back to ride the attraction with him or her. Please note that only 2 Guests are allowed per Rider Switch Pass.

    As always there are just online reports and nothing is official until Disney announces it.

  • UPDATE: Latest On Galaxy’s Edge Construction at Hollywood Studios

    UPDATE: Latest On Galaxy’s Edge Construction at Hollywood Studios

    Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open in late fall 2019 at Walt Disney World Resort, when guests will land in the middle of the action as they live their own Star Wars stories. Construction for the massive project is of galactic proportions and these are the updates you are looking for.

    The grand opening is just over a year away and anticipation is building just as fast as the construction is coming along. These aerial photos of the site gives a great view of just how much progress is being made on the upcoming land.

    Below you can see some aerial views of the arched structure for the Battle Escape attraction which will be a trackless ride that puts guests in the middle of a fight between the First Order and The Resistance.

    Galaxy's Edge
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    And here you can see a wider angle that shows the scope of this attraction.

    Galaxy's Edge
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    The tunnel between Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge and Grand Avenue is also coming along and here you can some of the newest concrete forms being added.

    Here’s a great shot of the infamous stop for traders, adventurers, and smugglers known as Black Spire Outpost!

    Here’s another angle that also shows that the rock-work on the Millennium Falcon is to be eroded petrified trees, or black spires.

    Galaxy's Edge
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    Plans for an immersive Star Wars-inspired resort at Walt Disney World Resort were unveiled last summer and below you’ll see an aerial view of the site with Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at the top. At the center is path where a raised conveyor belt transferred dirt from a staging area on the West side of World Drive.

    star wars hotel
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    This week Disney announced the exact location of the new resort which is currently under development on the south side of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, just east of World Drive. Here is another aerial overview of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge and you can see the Star Wars Resort site is upper right.

    star wars hotel
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    The progress on Galaxy’s Edge and the Star Wars Resort is just amazing to see and if you want to see how its been shaping up take a look back at our previous updates:

  • Walt Disney World Union Loses Battle Over $1,000 Bonuses

    Walt Disney World Union Loses Battle Over $1,000 Bonuses

    The National Labor Relations Board ruled this week that Walt Disney World Resort did not violate the law when the company refused to give $1,000 bonuses to its largest union unless its members approved a contract first.

    After the corporate tax cut approved by Republicans in Congress back in January, Disney announced it would give $1,000 one-time cash bonuses to 125,000 domestic workers.

    The Service Trades Council Union is a coalition of six unions representing nearly 36,000 Walt Disney World cast members which has been negotiating wages with Disney. The STCU filed an unfair labor complaint against Disney, alleging the company was retaliating against unionized cast members by refusing to give them the $1,000 bonus until they approved Disney’s wage offer. Back in December, Walt Disney World union members overwhelmingly voted ‘No’ on a contract that would have given employees a raise of at least 50 cents an hour. Disney said, they believe the 6 to 10 percent wage increase was fair.

    According to a letter from David Cohen, the NLRB’s regional director in the Tampa office, the agency dismissed the union’s complaint, saying there was no evidence Disney showed an “anti-union animus” and because it appeared to not have a history of paying bonuses to union members.

    The union plans to appeal the decision. Labor talks between Disney and the union are scheduled to resume June 8.

  • Minnie Van Service Now Open to all Visiting Walt Disney World Resort

    Minnie Van Service Now Open to all Visiting Walt Disney World Resort

    Last summer Walt Disney World Resort started it’s new Minnie Van transportation service, but it was only available to select resorts. Throughout the year it has opened up to more resorts and today Disney has officially announced that the service is now available for everyone at Walt Disney World Resort, through the Lyft app.

    The service offers a comfy and convenient way for guests to travel to and from our theme parks, to dining reservations at our resort hotels, family gatherings, shopping sprees at Disney Springs and much more in a jiffy.

    The private vans are roomy, comfortable and usually only minutes away. Each driver is a friendly Disney Cast Member trained to take you where you need to be—safely and with a smile.

    How does it work? Just download the Lyft app on your mobile device, open it from anywhere at Walt Disney World Resort and select the Minnie Van service option. Then, follow the steps below:

    • Confirm your current pickup location.
    • Enter your Walt Disney World Resort destination and tap “Request.”
    • The app will display a map tracking the vehicle en route and give you an identifying vehicle number to help you spot your car.

    With Lyft, you can request your ride from your smartphone and pay right through the app. The new Minnie Van service is an easy and friendly way to whisk your family off to the magic!

    The service is available between 6:30 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. (Hours subject to change.)

  • Super Photo Ops During the Incredible Tomorrowland Expo

    Super Photo Ops During the Incredible Tomorrowland Expo

    The Incredibles have suited up and taken over Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park!

    Now through September 3, not only can you see characters like Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible, Frozone and Edna Mode during the Incredible Tomorrowland Expo at the Rockettower Plaza Stage, but throughout the land, you’ll be immersed in the world of Pixar’s The Incredibles with themed décor, music and photo opportunities!

    With Supers now once again embraced by the world, you can let out your own Super side with photo ops staffed by Disney PhotoPass Service photographers.

    Incredibles Photopass Incredibles Photopass

    To take home these and other incredible memories captured by Disney PhotoPass during your vacation, purchase Memory Maker! With Memory Maker, you’ll get digital downloads of all your Disney PhotoPass photos for one price!

    Disney•Pixar’s “Incredibles 2” opens in theaters June 15, 2018.