Disney News

Category: Walt Disney World

  • World of Disney Stores Getting a Major Remodeling in 2018

    World of Disney Stores Getting a Major Remodeling in 2018

    When you think of Disney Parks and Resorts, the first thing that comes to mind is the rides and attractions and next of course is the shopping. Well for some that may be the other way around and if you love to shop at Disney then you’ll be excited to find out that the World of Disney store locations in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort and in Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort are getting a major makeover this year.

    Shopping at Disney Parks is an adventure with hundreds of shops and boutiques to explore. The largest of these shops, World of Disney, serves as the “must see” destination for finding many beloved souvenirs from stylish apparel to home décor. Now, as part of continued enhancements to guests’ shopping experiences at Disney Parks both of these stores will be reimagined beginning in mid-February 2018.

    When the interior redesign work is completed, guests will discover the products they love from Disney Parks in a dynamic and distinctly Disney retail environment.

    Work will be completed in phases throughout 2018, so Guests can continue shopping in the World of Disney stores during construction.

    Shops in Town Center at Disney Springs, such as Ever After Jewelry Co. or The Disney Corner (opening in mid-February), will carry select merchandise while World of Disney undergoes renovations.

    At Downtown Disney District in California, World of Disney will remain open during the renovation. Additionally, Guests can find great shopping in the recently opened Dream Boutique, as well as the Disney Home store opening February 2018 in the former D-Street location.

  • Buying Additional FastPass+ Being Tested at Disney World

    Buying Additional FastPass+ Being Tested at Disney World

    One of the many benefits of Disney World has always been their free FastPass+ system for their rides and attractions, but Disney may be testing out a pilot program that would allow guests to purchase additional FastPasses.

    WFTV’s Chip Skambis reports that, according to his sources, Club Level Guests at Disney’s Deluxe Resorts will be able to buy three additional FastPasses for $50 per day per person.

    According to multiple online reports Disney could be rolling out this pilot test program as early as this Friday for guests staying in eligible rooms at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

    Here are some of the details that have been reported so far on the possible new option.

    For $50 plus tax per guest per day, guests staying in eligible rooms with a minimum three-day stay will receive three additional FastPass+ selections per day, a booking window of up to 90 days in advance and preferred viewing location for nighttime spectaculars.

    This is a great option for those who are willing to pay for it, but where Disney guests who can’t afford the extra charge will suffer most, is when there are fewer fast passes available to them because they have all already been booked up.  A 90 day window is unprecedented, and with guest collecting as many as 6 fast passes, the people it will hurt the most is those who buy their tickets at the window with expectations of booking FastPasses once they enter the park.

    Free FastPasses aren’t much good when there isn’t any available. According to one media outlet, Disney had confirmed the information, but until Disney officially confirms it we’ll just keep this complied in the long list of rumors.

  • American Wins Disney Marathon For First Time Since 2004

    American Wins Disney Marathon For First Time Since 2004

    No one does marathons like Disney and this past weekend runners started out 2018 with a 26.2-mile run through all four Walt Disney World theme parks and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for the 25th Anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna.

    It was an action-packed race weekend that included the Walt Disney World 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Goofy’s Race and Half Challenge, 5th Anniversary Dopey Challenge, runDisney Kids Races, and the runDisney Health and Fitness Expo.

    Victory was especially sweet for runner Nick Hilton, who not only became the first American to win the race since 2004, but also qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for the 2020 Summer Games.

    Crossing the finish line in 2 hours, 17 minutes, 52 seconds, Hilton is only the fourth American to win the race. The last American winner was 14 years ago. A Brazilian runner had won the race six of the past seven years.

    Celebrating 25 years of running magic with everyone’s favorite host, Mickey Mouse, at the most magical race on Earth, runners took on the exciting Walt Disney World Marathon. The marathon included plenty of surprises, entertainment, and Disney magic along the way.

    With special entertainment experiences every half mile along the course, from full marching bands to a 100-member choir to nostalgic Disney movie soundtracks and exciting meet & greet opportunities with beloved Disney characters, the four-park celebration was nothing short of spectacular.

    Disney Marathon

    Along with the adrenaline-charged feeling of triumph, every runner received a commemorative finisher’s medal and special 25th anniversary Mickey Mouse ears to wear after crossing the finish line at Epcot.

    Disney Marathon

    Congratulations, runners! Check out more race weekend highlights in our video below.

  • Monorail Doors Open While In Motion With Guests On Board

    Monorail Doors Open While In Motion With Guests On Board

    Please stand clear of the doors…  In this case, that’s a warning that shouldn’t be taken lightly as Monorail Red took off with passengers inside and the doors still open. Several days ago the monorail doors malfunctioned on its way to Epcot at Walt Disney World.

    We all know that love is an open door, of course that’s only as long as it’s not a monorail door. A video posted to social media recently is quite concerning as a door on one of the Disney World monorails was open while the train was in motion.

    As you can see in the video, guests were on board the monorail at the time of the incident and though they may be giggling at the mishap this was clearly an unsafe situation.

    The person who posted the video wrote in the post, “Monorail red is not having a good day and I’m having a panic attack.”

    A second video uploaded by the same user showed the door remained open as it arrived at the Epcot station.

    I need a drink. @disney, guys, you gotta get on this, what if somebody had fallen?

    A post shared by abbieprimeknits (@abbieprimeknits) on

     

    It’s unclear, at this point, how the doors opened in the first place, but no injuries were reported.

    To make sure this doesn’t happen the doors of each monorail car are equipped with sensors that alert the driver if any doors are still open before they depart.  Obviously this system must have malfunctioned in this case.  Lucky no one was hurt during the incident.

    Stickers were recently placed on the monorail doors by Disney that read: “Caution: Do not lean against door.” It’s not clear if the warning signs were in response to the incident.

  • Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante Opens at Disney Springs

    Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante Opens at Disney Springs

    National Spaghetti Day was Thursday January 4 which made for the perfect day to welcome the newest Italian Dining Gem, Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante, to Disney Springs! The opening showcased the stunning new Italian restaurant located at the reimagined Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort — Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante.

    The new dining destination brings to Disney Springs the warmth of Italy and the dreamiest Italian cuisine this side of the Atlantic, courtesy of Executive Chef Theo Schoenegger. The restaurant officially began serving dinner to the public on January 5. Lunch and brunch service will begin later this month.

    Fittingly, the media sneak peek on January 4 coincided with National Spaghetti Day, providing the perfect Italian backdrop for the occasion. A dedication ceremony featured Italian ambassadors, chefs, executives from Patina Restaurant Group, Delaware North (Patina Restaurant Group’s parent company), Disney; and very special guests Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.

    Disney restaurants often have a backstory, part of the company’s tradition of immersive storytelling. Mirroring that tradition, Patina Restaurant Group collaborated with Walt Disney Imagineering to create the story for Maria & Enzo’s.

    “The story behind Maria and Enzo is one of travel, food, love and friendship, all steeped in Italian tradition,” said Valenti, referring to the backstory of Maria and Enzo, an Italian couple that immigrated to Central Florida in the 1920s. “Their story is set in a long-forgotten sea-plane air terminal that became the setting for the restaurant.

    “We couldn’t be happier to have a chef as talented as Theo Schoenegger,” Valenti continued. “A native Italian with an incredible repertoire, his cooking has a delicious authenticity that brings the story to life.”

    Following the dedication, media and special guests enjoyed the food and hospitality at Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante, where Chef Schoenegger presented a variety of signature dishes including, of course, spaghetti in honor of National Spaghetti Day.

    Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante

    An intimate Italian trattoria set in the once-abandoned Disney Springs airline terminal from the 1930s, now transformed into a restaurant. The dining room is open and airy, featuring 50-foot ceilings with views of Lake Buena Vista. The restaurant interiors showcase artifacts that recall air travel of the time, with brightly illustrated pictographs, reimagined air terminal boarding gates and a First Class Lounge where randomly selected guests are upgraded upon arrival. The menu, created by Michelin star-rated Chef Theo Schoenegger, features a variety of handmade pastas including Busiate con Granchio (spiral pasta with crab), Rigatoni all Norma (eggplant, chile, tomato, ricotta salata) and ‘Ncasciata al Forno (Sicilian baked pasta) – served tableside. Other highlights include Braciola di Maiale (Berkshire pork chop, plum mostarda), Nodino di Vitello (grilled veal chop) and Tonno (grilled ahi tuna steak, pistachio pesto) all served with rosemary potatoes and tempura fried vegetables. The spectacular wine list of more than 100 bottles is – lovingly — primarily Italian. The restaurant is open from 11:30 a.m. to 12 midnight daily, with weekend brunch coming soon.

    The backstory is that the restaurant was the dream of Maria and Enzo who met in Italy before moving to Florida and wanted to introduce Italian cuisine to the townfolk of the bustling Disney Springs. An airline pilot, Enzo was drawn to an abandoned airline terminal, which became the spacious setting for the restaurant. 

    Enzo’s Hideaway Tunnel Bar

    A speakeasy inspired by Roman aperitivo bars, located in the storied rum-runner tunnels that adjoin Maria & Enzo’s. Inspired by Florida’s true history of rum running, Enzo’s Hideaway pours Prohibition-era cocktails and serves a casual menu of hearty Roman dishes, such as the city’s legendary Bucatini alla Carbonara (hollow spaghetti with creamy egg and pancetta sauce) and Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe (square-cut spaghetti with pecorino and black pepper). In honor of the weekly dinners Enzo hosted for family and friends, the tunnel bar hosts Sunday Supper, a family-style meal each week. Enzo’s Hideaway Tunnel Bar is open from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily.

    The backstory tells the tale of Enzo and Maria discovering a long-hidden cavern below the terminal that connected to abandoned sections of the next-door power plant (which today is called The Edison). To Enzo’s astonishment, he came across a Prohibition-era hideaway where a team of flying rum-runners once gathered. Evidence of smuggler activity was everywhere, untouched for decades. Bottles and casks of rum were found along with a roster of flying operatives and their code names. It was a fascinating glimpse at an unknown chapter of the town’s past. Enzo shared his discovery with the local historical society and also decided that the space might make an irresistible spot for dining and socializing. Now it is a cozy gem of a hideaway for Enzo to highlight the family recipes he grew up on, featuring specialties from Rome and nearby regions.

    Pizza Ponte

    A fast-casual concept and the perfect place for a quick bite serving pastries, pizza, Italian sandwiches, and espresso. Pastry specialties include Bomboloni (Italian doughnuts) Sfoglia di Riso (pastry with rice cream) and Tiramisu. Savory items include signature Triangolo (stuffed pizza bread) sandwiches, Porchetta (roast pork) and Pizza al Taglio, Sicilian-style pizza by the slice. Pizza Ponte is open from 8 a.m. to 12 midnight daily.

    The backstory reveals that Maria began a simple cafe inside the lobby of what was once the bustling Disney Springs air terminal. Pastries and pasta were the initial offerings, but eventually the family was able to install wood-fired pizza ovens that helped make them even more successful. Pizza Ponte is accessed from the entrance beneath the air terminal’s old Control Tower. Within this entrance, guests can view family photos from Maria and Enzo’s many cousins, uncles, aunts and others who began to arrive as their business began to thrive. An elegant wraparound window anchors the space and catches a lot of attention from pedestrians crossing the bridge from the Disney Springs West Side. Offerings reflect many of the most popular foods from both Maria’s roots in Southern Italy and Enzo’s favorites from the region around Rome.

  • The Edison at Disney Springs Opens to Grand Gala

    The Edison at Disney Springs Opens to Grand Gala

    So many new things 2018 has to bring us and at Disney Springs it’s no different.  On New Years Eve with corks popped, performers dazzling and searchlights painting the skies, The Edison at Disney Springs, rang in 2018 with a grand opening party on New Years Eve.

    The Edison, a lavish, “Industrial Gothic”- themed restaurant and entertainment venue, toasted the new year with an eye-filling spectacle of world-class entertainment, bountiful food stations, craft cocktails and an unforgettable fizzy Champagne toast for the countdown to midnight.

    The showy soiree began with a Hollywood-style red carpet made from the train of a red ball gown. Hosts in flapper attire and inventors on stilts greeted special guests amid the dazzling step and repeat photo ops reminiscent of a Tinseltown premiere. Inside, a live band, cabaret dancers, aerialists, variety acts and a DJ created an otherworldly scene and grand celebration as guests welcomed in 2018.

    The ticketed grand opening party was the glittery lift-off for The Edison. By day, the new venue will be a playful dining experience for families, while at night, the space transforms into a destination focused on craft cocktails, contemporary American fare and entertainment unique to Central Florida, all within an eye-popping, waterfront setting.

    The Edison creates a completely unique combination of style, art and design with great food, cocktails and world-class entertainment.  A fully immersive experience, The Edison features multiple themed areas to explore, such as the Lab performance space, The Ember Parlour, Telegraph Lounge, The Patent Office, The Tesla Lounge, The Radio Room, and the Waterfront Patio.

    “The lights are officially on at The Edison and we’re delighted that guests can now experience the extraordinary entertainment, craft cocktails and cuisine unlike anything else in Central Florida,” said Nick Valenti, CEO of Patina Restaurant Group. “The reimagined power plant celebrates an era of invention and imagination in a new and distinct way.”

    Open for lunch and dinner, The Edison treats guests to menu creations of Chef PJ Finneran that consist of contemporary American fare such as Pork Belly Pops (chile-brown sugar glaze), Crispy Fried Chicken (cast iron buttermilk biscuits), and a signature The Edison Burger, (a juicy combination of house-ground sirloin, short rib and brisket, topped with Cabot cloth-bound cheddar, onion rings, smoked bacon, house pickles, lettuce, tomato, special sauce and served with hand-cut fries). The Edison will soon introduce Bartender’s Midnight Breakfast, a late-night menu that will include traditional breakfast fare at night and offer guests a perfect way to keep the party going as the evening is winding down.

    The Edison’s beverage lineup focuses on artfully crafted cocktails, interesting beers and wines, and house-made punches that serve from two to 10 guests. The Edison Signature Series includes cocktails such as The Wonderlust (Pernod Absinthe, Nolet’s Gin, Crème de Violette, pineapple syrup, lemon), Lady Marmalade (Corsair Absinthe, Hangar One, Noilly Prat vermouth, Giffard Ginger, verjus, pomegranate), The Crimson Vesper (Absolut Elyx, Lilet Rouge, Plymouth Sloe Gin, orange) and The Edison (Woodford Reserve, Belle de Brillet Pear Liqueur, lemon).

    The center of the restaurant is stage for a dance floor and performance stage, where an eclectic lineup of live entertainers including musicians, aerialists and dancers fire up the night.

    The Edison is now open Sunday-Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Thursday-Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Guests at The Edison must be 21 years or older starting at 10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday nights. There is a cover charge of $15 per guest beginning at 10 p.m. Additionally, The Edison has an enforced dress code Thursday-Saturday evenings beginning at 10 p.m. Men must wear slacks, jeans or dress shorts. No ball caps, sleeveless shirts or flip-flops are permitted. Jackets are optional.

  • UCF Knights Honored with Parade at Magic Kingdom

    UCF Knights Honored with Parade at Magic Kingdom

    They may not have won the national championship, but UCF has won the respect of the nation as well as recognition from Walt Disney World. The mouse welcomed University of Central Florida Knights, Sunday, after their impressive undefeated season this year.

    UCF Knights Football Team Celebrated in Parade at Walt Disney World Resort

    It was black and gold as far as the eye could see at Magic Kingdom Park as they celebrated UCF’s amazing football season with a magical parade at the Walt Disney World Resort.

    UCF Knights Football Team Celebrated in Parade at Walt Disney World Resort

    The parade for Orlando’s hometown team follows a January 1 victory in the Peach Bowl that capped the Knights’ undefeated 13-0 season. Along with University of Central Florida student-athletes, today’s Magic Kingdom Park celebration included UCF cheerleaders and The Marching Knights, the university’s official band.

    As you can see, the parade route down Main Street U.S.A was decorated in University of Central Florida colors, including black-and-gold balloons on lamp posts. And many guests wore UCF black-and-gold team shirts and jerseys to honor the team.

  • LEAKED: Slinky Dog Coaster Test Video in Toy Story Land

    LEAKED: Slinky Dog Coaster Test Video in Toy Story Land

    We’ve brought you several construction updates on the developments of Toy Story Land and the toy box is filling up nicely. Now we can do you one better with some really neat video that surfaced Saturday and gives us a great look at The Slinky Dog Dash attraction in action as they test it out.

    In the video, uploaded by Mickey Views, we see the full train racing up a fairly steep incline and then gliding down around the corner as it traveled the track. It finishes up by seemingly springing up and down, like a slinky dog might do, as it fades out of sight.

    Slinky Dog Dash is a family coaster themed as if Andy built it in his backyard using his Mega Coaster Play Kit and some of his other favorite toys. The attraction’s ride vehicles, inspired by the character of Slinky in the film, will send riders dipping, dodging and dashing around turns and drops Andy has created to stretch Slinky’s coils to the max.

    In this new land guests will shrink to the size of a toy so they are able to explore Andy’s backyard, which is filled with toys from the “Toy Story” films.

    The 11-acre land will be themed around toys from the “Toy Story” movie series, like the Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster and Woody’s Lunch Box, a quick-service window serving soda floats and more. Another ride will be Alien Swirling Saucers, where aliens circling in flying saucers pull along rocket ships full of guests. Toy Story Land is expected to open summer of 2018.

  • Toy Story Mania Closures in Preparation for Toy Story Land

    Toy Story Mania Closures in Preparation for Toy Story Land

    It’s 2018! It’s a new year, a new you and a new Hollywood Studios. The eagerly anticipated opening of Toy Story Land is not to far away.  In preparation, the third track of Toy Story Mania has been closed, according to Disney.

    The third track opened for Toy Story Mania in May of 2016, which helped alleviate the long longs for the ride. However, the third track is now closed as of Jan. 3, 2018, and it will most likely remain that way until Toy Story Land is ready to open.

    The lines will be longer for the time being, but a Disney spokesperson said, the ride is still fully operational.

    To accommodate the ride’s new entrance into the new land, some changes are being made, as you can see in display model.

    Toy Story Land

    It’s not just the one track that will be closed. You can expect the ride will fully close in the next few weeks to make the final preparations and for the grand opening. No dates have been set for that as of yet.

    In this new land guests will shrink to the size of a toy so they are able to explore Andy’s backyard, which is filled with toys from the “Toy Story” films.

    The 11-acre land will be themed around toys from the “Toy Story” movie series, like the Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster and Woody’s Lunch Box, a quick-service window serving soda floats and more. Another ride will be Alien Swirling Saucers, where aliens circling in flying saucers pull along rocket ships full of guests.

  • Photos: Star Wars Land Construction Update

    Photos: Star Wars Land Construction Update

    Last week we brought your some construction updates on Toy Story Land, and this week we wanted to show you some of the latest construction progress on Star Wars Land known as Galaxy’s Edge.

    Set to open in 2019, we have we have long time to go, but these pictures give us some real perspective on how the new land is developing.

    These awesome photos from bioreconstruct show how fencing blocks off the land from the rest of the park.

    These are some really great aerial photos showing us the newest work in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, near the transition with Toy Story Land.

    Galaxy's Edge Construction
    Photo: @bioreconstruct
    Galaxy's Edge Construction
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    And here we get to peer into the Millennium Falcon attraction at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge.

    Galaxy's Edge Construction
    Photo: @bioreconstruct
    Galaxy's Edge Construction
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland park in 2019. The new land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is just one element of the multi-year transformation of the park, which also includes Toy Story Land, set to open in the summer of 2018.