Disney News

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  • New Character Being Added to Jungle Cruise Updated Backstory at Disney World and Disneyland

    New Character Being Added to Jungle Cruise Updated Backstory at Disney World and Disneyland

    As we previously reported, Disney is building on the original story of the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland park and Magic Kingdom Park and now they have revealed new details on a new character being added to the backstory.

    “We’re adding more humor, wildlife and skipper heart to the classic attraction, and as part of a much larger effort, this updated experience will welcome new characters from around the world,” Disney said.

    The enhancements include several new scenes guests will experience along the river, all interconnected. The world-famous skippers will continue to share the unique adventure and interactions guests expect on the Jungle Cruise.

    The new scenes will heighten the skippers’ legendary comedic tone, beginning with a trapped safari party that finds itself up a tree after their journey goes awry. Unexpected scenarios along the way will give the jungle and animals the last laugh!

    Now in addition to adding the skippers into the story, they’re also expanding the attraction’s backstory, centered around Alberta Falls, granddaughter of world-renowned Dr. Albert Falls, as the proprietor of the Jungle Navigation Company Ltd.

    Jungle Cruise fans might be familiar with her name; however, wouldn’t you know it, Disney “recently uncovered” a copy of an interview with Alberta Falls that was featured in a 1938 issue of The Daily Gnus about her and the World-Famous Jungle Cruise. Take a look below:

    Stay tuned to Disney Dorks for more details coming later this year!

  • Disney Sending Passholders Exclusive Orange Bird Magnet

    Disney Sending Passholders Exclusive Orange Bird Magnet

    Walt Disney World will soon be sending an exclusive Orange Bird magnet to its annual passholders, the resort said on its website.

    The resort says it plans to mail out an exclusive Orange Bird magnet to active passholders as a “thank you” for being a passholder.

    The Orange Bird magnet was originally set to be distributed to passholders last year as part of the Flower and Garden festival, which was cut short because of the pandemic.

    When Disney World’s theme parks reopened in the summer, Disney mailed passholders a special Tinker Bell magnet as a way of saying “welcome back.” But many wondered about the Orange Bird magnet.

    Well passholders can look for to the magnet this summer, when Disney begins mailing them out. Each household will receive two magnets, according to Disney. Passholders should make sure their address information is correct or updated by March 31.

    The magnet also comes in celebration of this year’s Taste of Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival which runs through July 5. The festival has features Orange Bird-themed merchandise.

  • New Lucky Charms Donut Coming to Disney Springs

    New Lucky Charms Donut Coming to Disney Springs

    If you’re lucky enough to be at Disney Springs around St. Patrick’s Day then you’re going to want to try the new the new Shamrock Supreme Donut coming to Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew.

    This festive snack is a glazed donut with vanilla icing topped with green shamrock sprinkles, Lucky Charms marshmallows, Sour Patch crumbles, a gummy rainbow strip, vanilla buttercream, and a chocolate gold coin.

    The donut-maker took to social media to share a sneak peak of the tasty new treat and it looks Sham-𝙍𝙊𝘾𝙆’ingly delicious as you can see below:

    The Shamrock Supreme Donut will only be available at Everglazed from March 15th through March 17th.

  • Disney World Reveals MagicMobile Service as MagicBand Alternative

    Disney World Reveals MagicMobile Service as MagicBand Alternative

    The MagicBand at Disney World makes each visit even simpler and more seamless and now Disney is introducing MagicMobile service which will effectively turn your mobile device into a MagicBand.

    Launching in phases starting later this year, Disney MagicMobile service is a convenient and contactless way to access MagicBand features like theme park entry through the power of your iPhone, Apple Watch or other smart device.

    Guests will be able to create a Disney MagicMobile pass through the My Disney Experience app and add it to their smart device’s digital wallet. It works like magic – most features will be available by just holding up your smart device near an access point, just like you do with a MagicBand. Disney MagicMobile service and its features will roll out first on Apple devices.

    Guests may choose to use Disney MagicMobile service or a MagicBand – pick whichever option works best for you during your visit. You can even use both and alternate between the two for added flexibility. They’ll also soon be introducing more MagicBands in trendy new colors and fun designs featuring favorite Disney characters and stories.

    The existing digital room key feature will continue to be available specifically within the My Disney Experience app, which helps guests expedite their arrival by using online check-in service, going directly to their Disney Resort hotel room and using their phone to unlock their door. Disney Resort hotel guests may also still pick up a Key to the World card at their convenience by visiting the front desk.

  • Cinderella’s Castle Gets First Piece of 50th Anniversary Decor at Disney World

    Cinderella’s Castle Gets First Piece of 50th Anniversary Decor at Disney World

    Preparations for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration are underway and the first bit of celebratory decorations have begun to appear on Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom!

    The park’s iconic centerpiece received its first piece of decor ahead of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” which is planned to begin on October 1.

    Take a closer look below:

    Walt Disney Imagineering developed new colors, gold detailing and vibrant hues for this makeover, drawing inspiration from Disney Legend Mary Blair’s vision of the classic film, “Cinderella.”

    The overall Cinderella Castle makeover will continue in the coming months, as the turrets and towers receive shimmering pearls, jewels and ribbons in royal blues and iridescent golds. At night, this royal landmark will be a vision to behold, as it becomes one of the shining Beacons of Magic, shimmering with EARidescence.

  • BREAKING: Ratatouille Ride Grand Opening at EPCOT Set for Oct. 1, 2021

    BREAKING: Ratatouille Ride Grand Opening at EPCOT Set for Oct. 1, 2021

    Disney has just announced the grand opening of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT is set for Oct. 1 2021 in time for Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th anniversary celebration!

    That date may sound familiar, as it will also mark exactly 50 years since Walt Disney World officially opened for the first time. So Chef Remy will help us kick off “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” in Parisian style.

    In this delicious new attraction, you’ll feel like you’ve shrunk to the size of Chef Remy as you scurry through Gusteau’s famous restaurant on a wild adventure for the whole family (no height requirement!). Based on Disney and Pixar’s Academy Award-winning “Ratatouille,” the experience will be part of a newly expanded France pavilion inside EPCOT that will also open Oct. 1.

    When you round the corner into this new portion of the pavilion, you’ll be transported into a fanciful version of Paris that feels straight out of the animated film. As you can see in this beautiful nighttime photo we’re sharing today, it’s easy to understand why little Remy fell so head-over-heels in love with the “city of lights.”

    Also opening Oct. 1 will be La Crêperie de Paris, a new restaurant offering both table- and quick-service options. The menu will feature sweet crepes, savory buckwheat galettes (naturally gluten friendly) and authentic French hard cider. The attraction, restaurant and pavilion expansion are all part of the historic transformation of EPCOT currently underway, celebrating how the impossible becomes possible through the power of imagination … and a little Disney magic. This amazing time in the park’s history has already brought us a reimagined main entrance with new entrance fountain, “The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure” exhibit and new films in three different pavilions, with much more on the way.

    Remy will be joining Disney World for “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” an 18-month event that will feature new experiences at the four Walt Disney World theme parks and beyond, where shimmering EARidescent décor will appear as if by magic.

  • Disney World Parks Sold Out for Spring Break

    Disney World Parks Sold Out for Spring Break

    Walt Disney World is sold out of tickets to all four parks next week, according to the theme park’s website.

    There are available spots for some of the parks starting March 20, but the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are booked for the rest of the month.

    Park Pass reservations are unavailable for Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios for both theme park guests and Disney resort guests until at least March 20.

    Although Disney is a popular destination this spring break, the park is still operating at a limited capacity and enhancing cleaning and safety measures. Guests are still required to wear masks and remain socially distant.

    As for the West Coast, California health officials announced last week that beginning April 1, theme parks, including Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood, may be eligible to reopen at a reduced capacity.

    Soon after the announcement, the Walt Disney Company said that California residents can expect Disneyland and California Adventure to open very soon.

    “We are encouraged that theme parks now have a path toward reopening this spring, getting thousands of people back to work and greatly helping neighborhood businesses and our entire community,” Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock said in a statement. “With responsible Disney safety protocols already implemented around the world, we can’t wait to welcome our guests back and look forward to sharing an opening date soon.”

  • First Look: ‘Moana’ Inspired Re-Themed Rooms at Polynesian Resort in Disney World

    First Look: ‘Moana’ Inspired Re-Themed Rooms at Polynesian Resort in Disney World

    As we previously reported, Reimagining is underway at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at Disney World Resort! And now these new photos released by Disney take you inside a newly reimagined guest room at the resort.

    These reimagined spaces feature a new color palette inspired by the Pacific Ocean and its many islands, including details, patterns and textures from the hit Walt Disney Animation Studios film “Moana” – look closely and you might even spot some characters from the story!

    You’ll also see all-new furnishings and fixtures. In the bathrooms, for instance, Disney Imagineers took inspiration from the sandy ocean floor for the tiles and carved details in the vanity. The colorful patterns found throughout the room bring a whole new energy to the space, evoking undulating ocean waves and tropical flowers. Take a closer look below:

    Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is now accepting bookings for late July 2021, and the next time guests pull up to the Great Ceremonial House, they’ll notice even more exciting changes we’re currently working on. The porte cochere is in the midst of a dramatic overhaul that will feature a high-pitched, open-truss roof covered in a thatch style with pops of color. Above the porte cochere, the Monorail station is receiving new wooden screens with tropical colors, adding to the open and airy vibe befitting of the South Seas.

    This popular locale joins the other Disney Resort hotels of Walt Disney World in creating the Disney Resorts Collection, where the magic found in the theme parks extends to every moment of a guest’s vacation. Disney Resort hotels offer a wide selection of fantastic settings to choose from, inspired by worlds both real and imagined. Guests are fully immersed in our legendary storytelling and guest service that extend beyond our theme parks to every moment of a stay, whether visiting an African savanna, strolling a seaside boardwalk, seeing a favorite Disney character or so much more – there’s magic seemingly around every corner.

    We’ll have more to share about the developments happening at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort in the weeks and months to come. This exciting progress is part of the overall evolution of our Disney Resort hotels, as they infuse even more Disney touches across their collection – just in time for “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” beginning Oct. 1, 2021, in honor of Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary.

  • Disney World Workers Spat on & Harassed by Guests While Enforcing COVID Safety Rules According to Report

    Disney World Workers Spat on & Harassed by Guests While Enforcing COVID Safety Rules According to Report

    While trying to enforce safety protocols at Disney World durring the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney World cast members have reported being spat on, yelled at, and pushed by guests.

    In a report published by the Orlando Sentinel, a Disney security guard that was stationed at Disney’s Contemporary Resort hotel detailed the incident when they reminded a guest to put their mask on before walking into the building.

    The male guest — who was not identified by name by the publication — reportedly told the guard, “I’m a guest,” and asked to be left alone, before he allegedly spat at the guard with some of his saliva landing on the guard’s forehead.

    The outlet added that the man then “hurried inside the hotel” where he entered an elevator bank and disappeared. He was unable to be identified following the incident.

    “There’s never a day when I don’t have a story,” another employee, who took on a new role enforcing mask rules in the Disney Springs parking garages after her previous job was terminated, told the Sentinel. “I cried the first week I started. It was not a good time at all. Imagine going to work every single day where people ridicule you.”

    “I’ve had a guest literally get right up in my face and literally curse me out,” she added to the publication. “If I honestly didn’t have good coworkers, I would have already quit by now.”

    At the Walt Disney World resort in Orlando, guests need to comply with a series of safety protocols during their stay, including wearing an approved face mask at the resort’s four theme parks — Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom — as well as its resort hotels and Disney Springs.

    Since reopening, the resort has instituted strict new health and safety protocol, including mandatory mask-wearing, temperature checks upon entry, cashless payments, remote ordering at restaurants, limited capacity at parks and socially distanced lines, shopping and dining. They’ve also enacted an “enhanced” cleaning and sanitation regimen.

    Since then, some restrictions have been reduced, such as not spacing out guests on certain rides, while others have been tightened, namely, the required wearing of masks when not actively eating or drinking, even when seated in a dining location.

  • New Orange Bird Ears Fly into EPCOT’s Flower & Garden Festival

    New Orange Bird Ears Fly into EPCOT’s Flower & Garden Festival

    It’s time to think happy thoughts, because new Orange Bird Minnie ears just arrived in EPCOT for Flower & Garden Festival.

    They are so cute, with giant orange chrysanthemum poms-poms for the ears. They’re puffy all the way around, which gives them a 3-D look. The bow is a sparky green sequin material and decorated with orange blossoms. The Orange Bird in the center of the bow is hard enamel, like a pin.

    One side of the ears is embroidered with the words HELLO Sunshine! These ears were $29.99. I found them in Mouse Gears, but they are also available at several Festival Merchandise kiosks throughout the World Showcase. Take a closer look below:

    So, are you planning on picking up some Orange Bird merchandise this year? Let us know in the comments!

    And if you want to visit the Flower and Garden Festival yourself contact me at Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Kimberly for free help planning your trip!