Category: Walt Disney World

Limited Release Mickey Mouse and Figment MagicBand Is A Dream Come True

If you are looking for one little spark during your next trip to Walt Disney World then the new Limited Release Mickey Mouse and Figment YesterEars MagicBand is just what you need!

Journey into all the imagination of Walt Disney World Resort with ease using this retro-style MagicBand featuring Mickey Mouse and Figment. These are available for a limited time only.

If you want one then you don’t have to use your imagination because it’s already available on ShopDisney for $27.99.

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.

If you really want to complete the ensemble then you can journey into colorful memories of Epcot’s original Imagination Pavilion wearing this vintage-style tee from the YesterEars collection featuring Mickey and Figment. This one is also available for a limited time only and retails for $27.99 on shopDisney.

Both the MagicBand and the shirt are available from Monday April 19 2018 to Thursday April 26, 2018 so get yours while you still can!

April 20, 2018
New Millennial Pink Drink is All The Rage At Disney World

Millennial Pink Fever has spread throughout Disney Parks & Resorts! With the extreme popularity of the Millennial Pink Spirit Jerseys, Headbands, and MagicBands. Now even the snacks are getting some exciting Millennial Pink additions to the menu, but one in particular that stands out above the rest is this cute new pink drink they are calling Millennial Pink Celebration Toast.

At Disney Springs, Amorette’s Patisserie is now pouring a new sweet sip – the Millennial Pink Celebration Toast! Enjoy this tall glass of Fairy Tale Celebration Cuvee that is even topped with adorable millennial pink chocolate ears.

Now I have a new reason to visit Disney Springs and I can’t wait to get my hands on a glass Millennial Pink Champagne! Okay yes I know it’s actually sparkling wine, but Champagne has a better ring to it. Actually I don’t know if I’m more excited about the cute pink drink or the Chocolate ears on top!

I also can’t wait to snap an insta-worthy photo of the adorable pink drink! We’ll see if I can take the pic before I drink too much of it! This is reason enough to start planning a Disney World vacation like yesterday.

April 20, 2018
Girl Looking For Lost Teddy Bear After Family Trip To Walt Disney World

A New York family driving home from a trip to Disney World is now desperately trying to find their 3-year-old little girl’s teddy bear. They think the bear was possibly lost in South Carolina and they are offering a $500 reward for its safe return.

The girl’s mother, Amy Earley, posted on Facebook that the teddy bear went missing while the family was heading home from Orlando last week.

“We lost a stuffed bear traveling home from vacation 4/13,” she wrote in her post. “Stayed at Comfort Suites in Rock Hill and then started north on I77. We think he may have made his way out the window between the hotel and exit 30ish (when we realized he was no longer with us.)”

Earley said her daughter and the stuffed animal have never been apart since the day she was born. “My three-year-old daughter has never been a day without this bear and is completely heartbroken and breaking mine!” she wrote.

The internet has reacted with heartbreak as well and people have even been out scouring the area looking for it. “Drove I77 today to 485,” one comment said, “I’ll keep looking!”

Early thinks that the bear made his way out of the truck when her husband let the windows down to help with the kids’ car sickness. They have called and checked with the hotel they stayed at and had no luck.

April 20, 2018
New Solar Facilities Will Power Two Theme Parks at Walt Disney World

Disney has announced a new milestone in the company’s continued commitment to environmental stewardship. A massive new solar farm project is planned for Walt Disney World that will generate enough energy to power two of its four theme parks.

Walt Disney World Resort recently embarked on a new initiative in collaboration with the Reedy Creek Improvement District and solar project developer Origis Energy USA to bring a new 270-acre, 50-megawatt solar facility online by the end of the year that will generate renewable clean energy.

This solar facility will include half a million solar panels and will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 57,000 tons per year. That’s the annual equivalent of removing 9,300 automobiles from the roads. More broadly, this initiative will join the numerous efforts The Walt Disney Company has launched to deliver its 2020 goal of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by 50% compared to 2012.

The facility will be located near Disney’s Animal Kingdom, with construction beginning in the coming months. Just last week, Origis Energy delivered the first of many solar panels to come as part of the project (pictured above while posed in front of the Tree of Life).

Disney recently unveiled a five-megawatt solar facility near Epcot that was developed in conjunction with the Reedy Creek Improvement District and Duke Energy. During the sun’s peak hours when it is shining brightest, these two facilities together will generate enough renewable clean energy to provide up to 25 percent of the power needs at Walt Disney World Resort.

All of this builds on the company’s longtime commitment to environmental stewardship, a tradition that began with Walt Disney himself and has continued to grow with tremendous support and passion from the cast members.

Cast members will be bringing their unique skills and expertise to this next project, including representatives from Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment and Horticulture teams. Working together, they are exploring ways to make the new solar facility pollinator friendly, with rich wildflowers and vegetation, creating a safe and welcoming habitat for butterflies, bees and other insects, including endangered and at-risk species. This important work aligns perfectly with the Disney Conservation Fund’s “Reverse the Decline” initiative, which aims to reverse the decline of 10 threatened species, including butterflies.

April 20, 2018
Earth Day Eats That Disney Foodies Will Love at Disney World

Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened its gates, twenty years ago, allowing guests to experience the rare animals, world-class entertainment and the magic of nature. The park will be marking its 20th anniversary on April 22 — Earth Day — and Disney is celebrating with a Party for the Planet through May 5 with all of the Earth Day Eats that Disney Foodies will love!

This exciting party features enhanced interactions with animal care experts, family-friendly activities, character greetings, and themed merchandise. And of course, a proper celebration isn’t complete without the food! Party for the Planet will include a few new cupcakes, a mouthwatering burger, sliders, a special 3-course tasting menu at Tiffins, and the popular Tiffins Talks, a special 4-course dinner with one of the park’s conservation experts, offered on select nights.

What’s even MORE exciting is that we’re not just celebrating Earth Day at Animal Kingdom, but around the Walt Disney World Resort as well! And I know you’re eager to read about these exciting offerings, so here’s everything you need to know about all the Earth Day eats at Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Starting with two celebratory cupcakes, a Tree of Life Cupcake will be available at Creature Comforts and Flame Tree Barbecue, and an Earth Day Cupcake will be available at Pizzafari and Restaurantosaurus.

The Tree of Life Cupcake is a vanilla cupcake topped with buttercream and an edible chocolate piece; and the Earth Day Cupcake is a chocolate cupcake topped with buttercream, white chocolate crispy pearls, white chocolate mousse, and an edible chocolate piece.

On the savory side, there are delicious plant-based burger offerings at Nomad Lounge and Restaurantosaurus. Nomad Lounge will offer Impossible™ Burger Sliders with tomato chutney and smoked onion on a brioche bun and served with yucca fries. At Restaurantosaurus, you’ll find an Impossible™ Burger with avocado and tomato on a brioche bun.

Tiffins will offer a limited-time 20th Anniversary Chef’s Lunch Tasting Menu. Served daily from 11:30am to 3:30pm, this 3-course tasting menu celebrates the cuisines of Africa, Asia, and South America. Walk-ups are welcome!

All of these offerings will be available during Party for the Planet at Disney’s Animal Kingdom through May 5.

Around Walt Disney World Resort

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will have an Earth Day Cupcake April 19-22 at Roaring Fork. This yummy chocolate cupcake is filled with cookies and cream filling and topped with vanilla buttercream, cookies and cream crumble, chocolate rocks, and an edible garden.

At Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, you’ll find an Earth Day Cupcake April 19-22 at Beach Club Marketplace and The Market at Ale & Compass. This one is a ‘dirt and worms’ chocolate cupcake filled with chocolate pudding and topped with chocolate buttercream, cookie crumbs, sugar flower, and jelly candy ‘worms.’

Disney’s Contemporary Resort will have an Earth Day Cupcake at Contempo Café only on April 22. This chocolate cupcake comes in an edible chocolate flowerpot is filled with chocolate pastry cream, chocolate buttercream, and chocolate cookie crumble and topped with a buttercream flower and a chocolate Earth Day sign.

Over at Disney Springs, Amorette’s Patisserie will be offering up a cute little cactus on a stick April 22-28! This Cactus Macaron Lollipop consists of three French macarons filled with pistachio ganache and topped with icing. It’s even served on a stick for on-the-go enjoyment!

Come on out and celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Earth Day. These treats are only available for a limited time, so get them while you can!

April 19, 2018
RUMOR: Possible Dates For Free Dining Offer Returning To Disney World For 2018
Every year people wait with anticipation to find out about free dining offers that are typically announced around this time of year for Walt Disney World. Dates and details have not been released to the public as of yet, but multiple sources are reporting that free dining offers will be returning to Disney World for 2018 and could be announced as early as April 23rd.

Free dining packages are typically offered with a Disney World Resort hotel and ticket package. Last year the offer came when guests purchased a 5-night/6-day Magic Your Way package with the Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus Option and the package had to be booked by July 7, 2017. You can look for a similar deal this year, but the amount of days required for the package could vary.

Last year the free dining offer included quick service for guests staying at Disney’s value resorts, moderate resorts, and the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness and regular free dining for guests staying at Disney’s deluxe resorts. The 2018 offer will also most likely be similar to last years options as well. It’s always subject to change, but you can bet it will be an attractive offer for guests looking to save some money on their trip.

Here are some possible expected dates:
- - August 2 – September 29, 2018
  - November 24 – 27, 2018
  - December 7 – 23, 2018
The news often breaks from international travel agents from non-US markets who often receive early indication of what the offer will be in their respective markets, so the dates are also subject to change, but they are usually a pretty good indicator for dates and offer details.

Well be sure to let you know as soon as Disney makes an official announcement.
April 18, 2018
All-New Interactive ‘Play Disney Parks’ App Launching This Summer

Today, Disney announced that they have created a new app which will allow guests to interact with their environment depending on where they are in the parks. With the all-new Play Disney Parks app guests can soon explore Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort in a whole new way.

This new, free to download, interactive app allows guests to access exclusive experiences at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World through activities that interact with the surrounding environment. Coming this summer on iOS and Android, guests can play in the parks like never before using this soon-to-launch mobile app.

With the touch of a button, wait time turns into play time with family and friends at certain locations. And the more you explore in Disney parks, the more there is to discover on the app. This is just the latest way we are making a visit to our parks even more fun and memorable in new and innovative ways.

Since the launch of My Disney Experience at Walt Disney World Resort in 2013, we continue to reinvent digital offerings at our parks around the world. The My Disney Experience app, our guests’ go-to vacation companion, has continued to evolve – including the Get Directions feature, Online Check-In and the recently launched Digital Key.

Guests are also loving the Disneyland App, Disney MaxPass and soon mobile order at Disneyland Resort – currently available at Walt Disney World – and we’re excited to bring this latest innovation to the parks!

April 18, 2018
First Look at runDisney 2018 Star Wars Half Marathon Merchandise
May the course be with you! The 2018 Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side presented by OtterBox, returns to Walt Disney World Resort this weekend and if you’re running in it then you’re going to love the out of this galaxy commemorative merchandise available at the event this year! Get a first look at this weekend’s offerings:

In this year’s event merchandise collection, runners participating in the Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon, Star Wars Dark Side 10K, Star Wars Dark Side 5K, and the runDisney Kids Races will find a performance apparel including short and long sleeved shirts, tank tops, jackets and accessories.

Also look for a variety of apparel and accessories for runners participating in the Star Wars First Order Challenge, celebrating their completion of 19.3 miles.

Other products to note include Star Wars lifestyle apparel, commemorative Stormtrooper and BB-8 figurines and specialty shoe ornaments inspired by the race weekend.

Look for these commemorative items and more during runDisney Health & Fitness Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. All Guests are invited to attend during the following dates and times:
- Thursday, April 19, 2018: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Friday, April 20, 2018: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 21, 2018: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
April 18, 2018
Toy Story Land Fast Passes NOW Open With New Tier System At Hollywood Studios

Are you ready to “shrink” to the size of a toy and play with your favorite Toy Story characters in Andy’s backyard? Well construction is nearly complete on Toy Story Land and you can now begin booking your fast passes for the new land starting today at Hollywood Studios in a new tier System.

Toy Story Land opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on June 30 and FastPass+ reservations are now open for guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

The new fast pass tier system for the park has been confirmed and there are only two tiers for the park. One for tier Toy Story Land and then one tier for all of the other rides.

Effective today, FastPass+ reservations are available for attractions in the land. Guests who are up to 60 days from their Walt Disney World Resort hotel check-in can choose one FastPass+ reservation for one of the Toy Story Land attractions, plus two other attractions in the park such as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and more, depending on availability.

But FastPass+ reservations are just one of the ways guests can experience Toy Story Land. Beginning July 1, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will also operate from 8 a.m-10:30 p.m. for a limited time. In addition, even more Extra Magic Hour opportunities will be available including daily morning Extra Magic Hours, plus evening Extra Magic Hours offered once per week.

April 17, 2018
Florida Teacher Killed In Car Accident Returning From Disney Trip

A magical trip to Disney World ends in tragedy after a teacher at Middleburg High School in Florida was killed in a car accident over the weekend while returning home.

Melanie Blodgett and her husband Les Blodgett were on their way back from Walt Disney World in Orlando when their car was struck from the side, according to family members. Melanie worked in the high school’s worked in the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program, Bronco Building Blocks and Les is part of the schools custodial staff.

The couple spent the day at Disney World on Saturday, just hours before she died. She spent the day doing the thing she loved the most with the person she loved the most, according to friends.

The high school made the announcement to students and staff on Monday via their official Facebook page.

“I think all parents who had children touched by Melanie can all say how genuine and loving she was. She loved my baby like her own and was a huge influence in her decision to teach. She always put her kids first and never knew a stranger. She will be greatly missed. I am so thankful that my daughters path crossed hers.” one parent commented on the post.

Friends and family knew Melanie as a loving wife, beautiful daughter, loyal sister, and a wonderful friend. As students and teachers returned to school yesterday, they honored their beloved teacher by wearing different Disney character t-shirts.

Today Middleburg High School students wore Disney shirts for Mrs. Blodgett — before she died she was able to spend the day at her favorite place with the person she loved. pic.twitter.com/qBA1HyjsxO

— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) April 17, 2018

Middleburg High School has counselors on campus to help students and staff. The family has set up a Go-Fund-Me to help with the funeral expenses.

April 17, 2018