Disney News

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  • Disney Closes Hall of Presidents to Add Biden Animatronic

    Disney Closes Hall of Presidents to Add Biden Animatronic

    The night before President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, Disney closed The Hall of Presidents attraction at Magic Kingdom in preperation for a new addition.

    The Hall of Presidents is a show that “tells the dramatic story of the nation’s founding” using animatronics of U.S. presidents, according to Disney.

    The Disney World website was updated late Tuesday with a notice on the attraction’s page that reads, “The Hall of Presidents is currently closed for refurbishment,” as you can see in the picture below:

    By Wednesday, a sign placed outside the entrance read, “The Hall of Presidents is currently being prepared to welcome the new president.”

    Disney confirmed that an animatronic of Biden is being added to the lineup of other lifelike replicas of past U.S. presidents.

    Every sitting president since Bill Clinton has had a speaking role in the attraction. In early 2017, Disney closed the attraction for several months to add a Donald Trump animatronic and make other changes.

    Recently, there have been renewed calls for Disney to close The Hall of Presidents permanently or replace it with something less “political.”

    Fans have suggested replacements such as the Muppets taking over and doing something similar to their “Great Moments in American History” live show.

    The Hall of Presidents is one of the longest running attractions at Disney World, opening with Magic Kingdom in 1971. It only exists at Disney World; Disneyland in California has an attraction called “The Disneyland Story Presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.”

  • Disney Reveals New Baby Rhino’s Name at Animal Kingdom

    Disney Reveals New Baby Rhino’s Name at Animal Kingdom

    Disney Parks has share a video that the Animal Kingdom keeper team put together of the parks newest rhino calf to reveal his name while showing him achieving some of his important first milestones.

    Ever since his arrival announced at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park this past October, guests have been wondering about the baby boy rhino and his mom Kendi, since many of them followed Kendi’s pregnancy story on the Disney+ original series “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom,” produced by National Geographic.

    Take a look at the video below and be sure to pay close attention to the ending for the big reveal.

    The Animal Kingdom keeper team wanted to make sure their baby boy had a name with special significance – they wanted his name to honor the wildlife rangers who protect rhinos around the world. Rhinos are the world’s second largest land animal and among the most endangered animals in the wild due to poaching. 

    Ranger’s name is just another way they join the Disney Conservation Fund in efforts to support rhino conservation. Did you know they have given more than 75 grants and awards to rhino protection projects? Most recently, they gave a rhino ranger, Sgt. Mutinda Ndivo with the Big Life Foundation, a Disney Conservation Hero award for his work to protect rhinos and other wildlife in more than 1.6 million acres of wilderness in East Africa.

    Typically, a rhino calf can weigh up to 140 pounds at birth, and as expected, this baby was nursing, standing and walking around right by mom within the first hour of being born.

    Kendi was paired with dad Dugan through one of the Species Survival Plans, which are overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to ensure the responsible breeding of endangered species. White rhinos are an endangered species with a near-threatened status.

    We’ll make sure to update you when he makes his grand debut and ventures out onto the savanna at Kilimanjaro Safaris to join the crash (a rhino herd) in the coming weeks.

  • BREAKING: Magical Express Bus Service Ending at Disney World

    BREAKING: Magical Express Bus Service Ending at Disney World

    Disney World’s Magical Express bus service, which takes guests from Orlando International Airport to Disney resort hotels, is coming to an end, the company announced Monday.

    The service will no longer be available starting with arrivals on January 1, 2022. However, the complimentary service will still be available for new and existing reservations through the rest of the year.

    Disney said the change was due to a “shift” in consumer options. They also said they are “looking at how needs and preferences are changing across the travel industry, particularly in the way people want to get places faster, at their convenience. 

    “Vacationers have more options to choose from that ever for transportation, including ride-share services that save time and offer more flexibility to go where they want, when they want,” Disney said.

    Other transportation option at Disney World, such as buses, monorails and the Disney Skyliner, will still be available to visitors. In its announcement, Disney didn’t provided an update for its Minnie Van shuttle service, which was suspended in March when the parks closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Being Retired at Walt Disney World

    Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Being Retired at Walt Disney World

    Disney has confirmed that Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom will be coming to an end later this month.

    “With the changes in how our Guests use mobile technology in mind and decreased demand for Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, we will be retiring this interactive experience,” Disney said in a statement.

    Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Is an interactive scavenger hunt where, Hades has an evil plan to make Magic Kingdom park his new summer home. He’s enlisted a brigade of Disney baddies—Cruella, Scar, Jafar, Maleficent, Ursula, Yzma, Ratcliffe and Dr. Facilier—to help track down 4 enchanted crystal shards, which are hidden throughout the park and it’s up to you to foil their plans and save the day.

    Disney also said, “Our mobile devices continue to play a vital role in the Disney theme park experience, and we are constantly innovating with new, on-the-go digital experiences, such as Magic Mobile, Play Disney Parks app and additional enhancements to My Disney Experience.” So perhaps the game will return at some point in a virtual format.

    Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card game experience is set to close on Sunday, Jan. 24th, 2021

  • Disney Announces 4-day Ticket Deal for Florida Residents for $50 a Day

    Disney Announces 4-day Ticket Deal for Florida Residents for $50 a Day

    New year, new Florida Resident ticket deal! Disney World has announced a new four-day ticket offer to Florida residents that comes out to just $50 per ticket.

    This special offer invites you to visit all four parks now through June 18, 2021 (subject to blockout dates), for just under $50 per day (plus tax). You can choose your parks and choose your days for a total of $199 (plus tax).

    The Florida Resident Discover Disney Ticket is a great way to experience the fun and excitement happening across the Walt Disney World parks in early 2021. The Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts begins this Friday and runs through Feb. 22. That will be followed by the Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, which blooms to life March 3.

    You can also step inside the cartoon world in Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, travel to Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, or check out the royal makeover of Cinderella Castle while experiencing classic attractions at Magic Kingdom Park. With new character interactions across all four parks, as well, now is the time for Florida residents to discover some Disney magic all your own.

    As a reminder, Walt Disney World continues to operate with enhanced health and safety policies so everyone can enjoy the magic responsibly. To manage attendance, guests are required to have valid theme park admission and make a park reservation for each day of their visit through the Disney Park Pass system.

  • Disney World Brings Back Florida Resident Ticket Deal

    Disney World Brings Back Florida Resident Ticket Deal

    New Year, new you… And a new Florida resident ticket deal! Disney World has brought back its Florida resident deal on theme park tickets and its the perfect way to start 2021.

    The Discover Disney Ticket will be available starting January 4, according to Disney.

    With the offer, Florida residents can purchase a 4-day Discover Disney Ticket for $199 ($50 per day). Other options include a 2-day ticket for $149 or 3-day for $179.

    The Discover Disney Tickets are valid for admission to one theme park per day, and a park pass reservation is required to enter any of the parks. A Discover Disney Ticket that includes the Park Hopper option will also be available.

    The tickets can be used on consecutive or non-consecutive days but do come with blockout dates.

    The 2-day ticket expires on March 11, while the 3-day and 4-day tickets expire on June 18.

    With Disney World’s enhanced health and safety measures in place, park reservations are limited and subject to availability. To check if park passes are still available on certain days, visitors can check Disney’s availability calendar.

  • Disney World Theme Parks Booked to Capacity for New Year’s Eve Crowds

    Disney World Theme Parks Booked to Capacity for New Year’s Eve Crowds

    New Years Eve is one of the busiest days of the year at Disney World and as expected the park is booked to capacity as crowds descend on the most magical place on earth to ring in 2021.

    Disney World increased capacity to 40% for the Holidays and all four of Walt Disney World’s parks have hit that mark for New Year’s Eve according to what Disney World’s Theme Park Reservation Availability calendar shows.

    Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are no longer showing open availability, according to the calendar on the Disney World website as you can see below:

    While it appears that Disney World’s four theme parks will not be open to host its usual midnight countdowns and even Magic Kingdom will close at 11 PM, according to listed park hours, there will be festive activities available at open Disney Resort Hotels.

    Special events being hosted at select resorts include New Year’s Eve scavenger hunts, crafts and pre-recorded fireworks shows that are available for streaming from guest room TVs or the My Disney Experience app.

    Quick-service restaurants, pool bars, lounges and merchandise stores at Disney resorts will be open after midnight. Select locations will be open until 1 a.m. at the following Disney World Resort venues:

    • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas Kidani Village
    • Disney’s Beach Club Resort
    • Disney’s BoardWalk
    • Disney’s Contemporary Resort
    • Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
    • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
    • Disney’s Old Key West Resort
    • Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
    • Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
    • Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
  • Two FREE Days of Theme Park Tickets Included in New Disney World 2021 Special Offer

    Two FREE Days of Theme Park Tickets Included in New Disney World 2021 Special Offer

    Walt Disney World Resort will be offering a special “happy new year” to those planning 2021 vacations at The Most Magical Place on Earth by giving you extra park tickets with a new special offer.

    Available to book beginning Jan. 5, 2021, guests buying non-discounted four-night/three-day room and ticket packages at select Disney Resort hotels for arrivals most nights Jan. 8, 2021, through Sept. 25, 2021, will receive an additional two days of theme park tickets.

    From pleasant Central Florida temperatures to the return of the guest-favorite Park Hopper option (available as an add-on purchase), 2021 promises plenty of fun at Walt Disney World theme parks:

    • The Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts debuts Jan. 8 and runs through Feb. 22, inviting guests to experience an expansive selection of visual, performance and culinary arts.
    • Disney’s Hollywood Studios brings guests inside the cartoon world in Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, to a galaxy far, far away in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and offers the chance to play with Woody, Buzz Lightyear and their pals in Toy Story Land.
    • Cinderella Castle features a royal new look at Magic Kingdom Park, welcoming guests for the perfect portrait as they seek out classic attractions.
    • At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, guests can explore Pandora – The World of Avatar, an immersive land featuring massive floating mountains, bioluminescent rainforests and unbelievable experiences including Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey.
    • Guests will also discover new character encounters throughout The Most Magical Place on Earth, as favorite Disney friends explore all four theme parks and Disney Resort hotels.

    As a reminder, Walt Disney World continues to operate with enhanced health and safety policies so everyone can enjoy the magic responsibly. To manage attendance, guests are required to have valid theme park admission and make a park reservation for each day of their visit through the Disney Park Pass system.

  • Disney World’s Blizzard Beach Water Park to Reopen Almost 1 Year After Closing

    Disney World’s Blizzard Beach Water Park to Reopen Almost 1 Year After Closing

    After nearly a yearlong closure, Walt Disney World’s Blizzard Beach Water Park will welcome visitors back on March 7, 2021, the park announced this week.

    When Disney World reopened in July with reduced capacity, both its Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon water parks remained closed. 

    The announcement was made on Disney’s website as you can see below:

    “We will welcome back Guests and Cast Members to our water parks in a responsible way, with a plan focused on health and well-being. We will provide more details on our phased reopening plan, including a decision on the specific water park that will be reopening first, at a later time. This reopening date may change and if it does, we will let Guests know what to expect in a future update,” the statement read.

    Current tickets that include a Park Hopper Plus option or the Water Park & Sport option can be modified, canceled or used with the amenities currently open at Disney World. Unused, unexpired water park tickets can be extended through Dec. 31, 2021 by calling customer service before March 7. 

    Disney will resume selling water park annual passes and one-day water park admission “at a later date.” 

    Blizzard Beach’s reopening also marks the park’s 25th anniversary — it first opened its doors on April 1, 1995.

    Disney did not reveal any opening information about Typhoon Lagoon, its other water park which receives an annual 2 million visitors.

    “We will continue to monitor the constantly changing environment and its impact on the state of Florida as we find the right time to welcome back even more of our Guests and Cast Members,” Disney said.

    Walt Disney World also announced that four of its resort hotels will begin reopening around the same time. The All-Star Movies Resort is scheduled to reopen on March 22, with the Beach Club Resort, Wilderness Lodge and Polynesian Village Resort reopenings to follow.

  • First Look: New Entrance Fountain at EPCOT Celebrates the Past, Present and Future

    First Look: New Entrance Fountain at EPCOT Celebrates the Past, Present and Future

    As we previously reported, a multi-year transformation of EPCOT is underway that will reimagine the park while keeping true to the original vision and now crews have removed all the “progress walls” from the main entrance plaza, giving you the first full look at the reimagined entrance fountain.

    Now in front of iconic Spaceship Earth you’ll now see a reimagined fountain, standing in the footprint of the original that welcomed guests on the park’s opening day in 1982.

    While there is still more work to be done, the area is much more open and welcoming now. It features new planters, pathways, lush landscaping and a vibrant new color palette that will eventually tie into the four new neighborhoods we’re creating inside the park – World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature and World Showcase. Take a closer look at the new fountain below:

    “Our design team took special interest in this water feature, as we looked back to the geometry of the original for inspiration while creating some new magic of our own. In the fountain’s center is a brilliant light, a unique liquid-cooled fixture we’ve designed with new capabilities that complement the fountain’s changing colors and will coordinate with new lighting coming to Spaceship Earth and the upcoming World Celebration beyond,” Disney Parks said.

    Three acrylic pylons, each standing over 16 feet tall and featuring the park’s logo, surround the fountain and hearken back to the creation of EPCOT. Their timeless design and vertical presence draw your eye upward toward the sky – perfectly framing views of Spaceship Earth.

    This new fountain is the centerpiece of EPCOT’s entrance plaza, which we’ve designed as a welcoming area that brings people together. The greenery and use of water celebrate a harmony between humanity and the natural world. This park was built to inspire optimism, and we’re infusing this transformation with the magic of possibility.