Disney Parks new interactive MagicBand+ has finally made its debut at Walt Disney World.
The original MagicBand was introduced in 2013 at Walt Disney World, allowing guests to go-hands free for things like park admission, hotel room entry, retail and dining.
The new version of the wearable device features color-changing lights and haptic vibrations. It will also be able to recognize gestures.
Guests will be able to use the band to interact with the new 50th anniversary character statues, the nighttime spectaculars and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
In the Star Wars-themed land, for example, guests will be able to use MagicBand+ to find virtual bounties. During the nighttime spectaculars, the device will light up and complement what’s happening in the shows.
Along with the new features, MagicBand+ will continue to have the same functions as previous version of MagicBand, including park entry, guest room entry and Disney PhotoPass.
The new interactive MagicBand can be found at Disney Springs for $29.99 and is currently only available in black, blue and red.
For the first time, Disney+ subscribers can save on stays at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels most nights July 8 through Sept. 30, 2022.
Disney+ is known for bringing hours of entertainment to your homes, and with our Disney Resorts Collection, you can immerse yourself in some of your favorite Disney tales.
When it is time to head out to the theme parks, you can step right into the worlds of some of your favorite Disney+ movies or shows. Join Chef Remy in a culinary caper during Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT, help the Resistance infiltrate the First Order in Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and enjoy more exciting experiences across all four theme parks. Plus, when staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you can enjoy ease, convenience and special benefits as you can see below:
More Time in the Parks: During the 50th Anniversary celebration, Disney Resort hotel guests can enjoy 30 minutes of early entry to any theme park every day! Plus, guests staying in Disney Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resorts can also experience extended evening hours on select nights in select theme parks. For both of these options, guests will need valid theme park admission park reservation and Resort ID.
Get Around with Ease: Complimentary transportation options, such as the world-famous monorail, Disney Skyliner and water taxis make it easy and fun to travel around. Some Disney Resort hotels are even within walking distance of a theme park.
Magic Around Every Corner: The fun is seemingly endless at a Disney Resort hotel, where you can enjoy themed pools with waterslides, poolside activities and delicious dining experiences. You may even spot some familiar Disney friends palling around.
For more information, including how to make sure your Disney+ subscription is linked to your My Disney Experience account in order to book, visit DisneyWorld.com/DisneyPlus.
Disney has announced that Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is set to officially debut May 27 at EPCOT in Disney World!
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a family-friendly adventure, featuring a totally new type of roller coaster experience we’re developing just for this attraction – it’s a storycoaster that rotates 360 degrees so you’re always focused on all the action as you help the Guardians save the galaxy.
A new trailer for the attraction was also released along with the news. Take a closer look below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5ACZ6haz7Y
The attraction will also feature the first reverse launch on a coaster in Disney history. It will be one of the largest enclosed coasters in the world.
“It’s a massive experience that will match the scale and adventure of the Guardians of the Galaxy films,” the release said.
A little Starbucks and Disney can make any day more magical. So, coffee fans can rejoice now that the new Starbucks location in EPCOT has been announced.
This spring, Connections Café will become the new home of Starbucks at EPCOT. Connections Café is directly across from Creations Shop in World Celebration.
Like other Starbucks locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort, this Starbucks will be designed to fit the theme of its surroundings.
To make way for Starbucks to move to its new location in World Celebration, Traveler’s Café in World Showcase will close this spring. Stay tuned for more details as we prepare to celebrate another milestone in the transformation of EPCOT!
Disney Parks has released Tomorrowland Minnie Mouse Ear Headbands and your future will sparkle when you wear this super cute accessory in the parks.
Inspired by the land championed by Walt Disney himself as ”A vista into a world of wondrous ideas,” it features silver glitter ears and a purple satin bow with a celestial print.
Take a closer look below:
You can find these shimmering new ears at the Disney Parks, as well as shopDisney.com for $29.99.
Disney’s new Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is the next level of immersive storytelling. But is it a good as Disney wants you to believe? After our media preview yesterday, I would say the answer is a resounding; Yes!
First of all, this isn’t just a “Star Wars themed Hotel.” This is an extremely immersive storytelling experience that you get the pleasure of spending two nights in. Have you ever wanted to work side-by-side with Stormtroopers to thwart Resistance Rebels? Help break Chewbacca out of the Brig? Get to train with a Lightsaber? If the answer to any of those is yes, then a voyage on the Halcyon would be a dream come true.
We got the Highlight Reel for this media event, so I won’t be walking you through every part of the experience. Besides, your experience won’t be like anyone else’s. This is a real life Choose Your Own Adventure. You could take two, or even three voyages, and have a different experience each time! Take a upclose look at all the details below:
The Crown of Corellia Dining Room
Everyone’s voyage starts as you board a transport shuttle and dock with the Halcyon in space. When the doors open you’re in the ship’s opulent Atrium. Seating areas covered in dark red velvet, gleaming lights reflecting off the polished floor. This is a side of Star Wars we haven’t seen represented at Disney before. Think the posh setting of Canto Bight, or Senator Padme Amidala’s wardrobe in the prequels. No dirty, worn surfaces, or recycled junk aboard the this glamorous Starcruiser.
During a welcome ceremony you’ll be introduced to the characters who will be traveling with you, including the cruise director and the captain. The Crew stays with you for the whole voyage so you’re able to form relationships.
Rooms
The rooms are small, with furniture made to tuck away.
And speaking of your cabin, let’s talk about sentient droids for a minute. In each room is a panel where you can interact with D3-O9, an AI driven character experience that Disney is testing. She’s been on the ship since it was built. She knows ship gossip, and she wants to talk to you. She might fill you in when things happen aboard the ship, like I don’t know, the First Order coming aboard!
Food
Like a traditional cruise, food is included on your journey aboard the Halcyon. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style in the Crown of Corellia Dining Room. Dinners for your two nights aboard are very different. The Dining Room isn’t huge, so when you book your voyage you’ll get to pick an early or later seating.
The first dinner is very showy, with a performance by the galactic superstar, Gaya. For the second dinner, which is a sampling of dishes from all over the galaxy, the chef comes to talk about the food.
Merchandise
Don’t have the right clothes for an off-world trip? Looking for just the right souvenir to remember your voyage? The Chandrila Collection boutique located inside the Atrium will have just what you need. There’s something for every Star Wars fan.
Elegant yet subtle jewelry that you could wear back home on Earth. Backpacks, patchescostumes that were designed after Imagineers visited Skywalker Ranch, a Captain’s outfit for younglings, and so much more.
How to Interact
Your “Datapad,” or Play Disney App on your cell phone, will play a big part in this immersive cruise. It’s where you’ll see your itinerary; which can change depending on what choices you’ve made on board and on Batuu. Maybe while helping the cruise director you let it slip that you’re sympathetic to the Rebel Cause. Now she’s sending you a message asking for your help retrieving some Coaxium on your shore excursion to Black Spire Outpost. Family members can also take different paths with some helping Resistance Rebels and others helping the First Order.
Role Playing
During the media tour we got to experience a bit of the story line for the First Order and the Resistance. The path you choose while you’re aboard will effect what experiences you encounter.
We participated in some First Order sabotage in Engineering where we had to work together with other passengers.
We trained on the bridge. You get to try out all the stations including weapons, shields, and systems.
Do you have to be a massive Star Wars fan to enjoy the Galactic Starcruiser? No. As long as you enjoy good storytelling about good vs. evil, and maybe like to engage in some role playing, you’ll have an amazing experience. The Halcyon includes several new characters, so all the passengers are getting to know them. It’s pretty easy to tell who is a bad guy and who is a good guy. The story-line for this adventure is set between Episodes 8 and 9, but you don’t need to see all the movies to jump into the fun. There’s always the invitation to engage, to go deeper into the story, but never a push.
I would say guests on the Halycon will be getting an out of this world, immersive experience. I’m going to book my next voyage right now!
When the Magical Express ended service January 1st of this year, guests suddenly became responsible for booking alternate transportation to Disney World on their own. But now we have great news! Private ground transportation to and from Walt Disney World Resort is now available as a package add-on through the Walt Disney Travel Company.
As part of this offering, there are several options available, including exclusive vans, sedans, SUVs, executive limousines and stretch limousines. These can be booked up to five days prior to arrival.
Round-trip transportation from Orlando International Airport to a Walt Disney World Resort hotel can be added online to a Walt Disney Travel Company package via the Disney Travel website or by calling the Disney Reservation Center. Take a look below at some of the available options:
Up to one complimentary car seat will be available for children five years old and under, with additional car seats subject to availability.
Please note that as part of our health & safety guidelines, all drivers and Guests are required to wear masks in vehicles.
Attention parade lovers! We have exciting information about when Guests can experience returning favorites and new entertainment offerings at Magic Kingdom Park.
Kicking off the fun on Feb. 11 is the brand-new “Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade!” Starring nearly 30 of your favorite Disney and Pixar friends, this super-sized cavalcade features Nick and Judy from “Zootopia,” Baloo and King Louie from “The Jungle Book,” José Carioca and Panchito from “The Three Caballeros,” plus Merida, Moana, The Incredibles, and more – including the Magic Kingdom debut of Miguel from “Coco” in his mariachi best.
That’s not the only much-anticipated offering coming to the parade route. We’re excited to share that the beloved Disney “Festival of Fantasy” Parade returns to Magic Kingdom Park beginning March 9 – the anniversary of the debut of the parade in 2014 – winding its way through the park not once, but twice each day!
Dazzling Guests since its debut, the Disney “Festival of Fantasy” Parade features beloved characters from “The Princess and the Frog,” “Tangled,” “Peter Pan” and more bringing their individual stories to life on enchanting floats that look as though the characters themselves had a hand in crafting them. Looming 26 feet above the parade route and 35 feet in length, the fire-breathing Maleficent Dragon float returns just as menacing as ever. There’s no way this show-stopping beauty would be excluded from such a glittering assemblage.
Speaking of shimmering gatherings, “Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire” will make its debut on the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage Feb. 25! The show, newly enhanced for the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration, will incorporate favorite scenes inspired by “Frozen,” “Tangled,” and “The Princess and the Frog” – plus a new opening and a new finale with Mickey Mouse and all his friends in their sparkling, EARidescent fashions. Presented multiple times a day, the show will also include an all-new, original song entitled “Where the Magic Feels Like Home.”
These new and returning experiences add to the all-new entertainment that debuted with the launch of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration, including “Disney Enchantment,” “Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade,” and “Harmonious” – with more to come when “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” and “Fantasmic!” open later this year.
The latest update to Disney Genie+ Service has extra … character!
Starting Jan. 26, Guests who have purchased the Disney Genie+ Service will find select Character Sightings have been added as selections for Lightning Lane entry.
Keep reading to find out which characters you can see.
Cinderella and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall at Magic Kingdom Park
Princess Tiana and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall at Magic Kingdom Park
Mickey at Town Square Theater at Magic Kingdom Park
Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Seeing characters by using the standby entrance will still be available, but the Genie+ option gives guests another way to visit their best pal, Disney Princesses or everyone’s favorite snowman who is worth melting for. These will also still modified experiences; no touching or hugging characters. Who are you most excited to see?
The rental strollers at Disney World Resort just got a bit more character! This new design featuring Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse just rolled out today.
The strollers are black, yellow and red and feature Mickey and Minnie Mouse designs on the side.
Disney said on social media Thursday that cast members prepped the new strollers early Thursday morning to have them ready by park open. Take a closer look below:
