This is the airline you are looking for! Virgin Atlantic has given one of its Boeing 747 aircraft a major Star Wars themed makeover and it is out of this galaxy!
The Millennium Falcom themed 747 will now transport you from London Gatwick Airport to Orlando, Florida, where you’ll be able to experience Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, at Walt Disney World Resort.
The aircraft, which will be known as “The Falcon” – showcases the iconic Millennium Falcom – the famous spaceship once owned by Han Solo. It forms part of Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Holidays’ celebrations of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which opened in Orlando in August.
It’s part of a promotion that Virgin Holidays is doing in partnership with Walt Disney World. Virgin says the decal is 144 feet long from end to end and took three weeks to print.
“It was a very exciting brief to be able to redesign our aircraft livery to represent something as iconic as the Millennium Falcon and it’s not something that you get to do every day,” Virgin Atlantic senior engineer Dave Napper said in a news release. “We have many Star Wars fans within the company who jumped at the chance to get involved in some way, and we cannot wait to see ‘The Falcon’ take flight.”
The new plane wrap also comes as Disney World ramps up promotion for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on August 29.
After a dazzling 20-year run, we’ll soon be bidding a fond farewell to “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” at Epcot and to commemorate the occasion Disney has released a Farewell IllumiNations Spirit Jersey.
If you love “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” too, you still have a few more nights left to catch this classic Epcot show before its final performance on September 30, 2019.
Fans of the firework show will be able to purchase a Farewell IllumiNations spirit jersey at Mouse Gear, World Traveler, and the kiosk outside Port of Entry in Epcot starting today. There is no better way to remember this dazzling show after its 20-year run!
Looking for a Minnie headband to top off your “IllumiNations” look? The light-up Minnie headband is the perfect addition for your farewell look.
Keeping checking Disney Dorks for details on upcoming “Epcot Forever” merchandise available on October 1! All merchandise available while supplies last.
Dooney & Bourke is celebrating ten years of Disney-inspired designs with the release of new designs for the 10th anniversary bags.
They are also celebrating with the re-release of “Disney Sketch” and “Mickey Balloons” – two original prints that were originally released ten years ago and will be available in new color combinations. Each of the anniversary patterns has a special hangtag and dustcover; plus, a few favorite silhouettes have been released from the vault.
If you want to be among the first to purchase the latest Dooney & Bourke bags, make plans to visit Ever After Jewelry Co. & Accessories at Disney Springs on Friday, October 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Guests who make any Dooney & Bourke purchase during the event will receive a complimentary Dooney & Bourke small zip pouch, while supplies last, and will also have the chance to meet Ian Ray, the Creative Director for the brand. Not sure where to park? The Lime Garage is closest to the store, which is located in the heart of Town Center.
We were invited to a Special Preview of the new Riviera Resort rooms at Disney’s Vacation Club Preview Center, and we can report that this is the resort of your dreams!
Inspired by Walt’s love of Europe and the Mediterranean, Disney’s new Riviera Resort will be your new home away from home on your next vacation. With amenities such as shelves by the front door for Magicbands and hooks in the entrance for rain coats, Disney has thought of every little detail to make your vacation Magical.
One Bedroom Villa
For centuries, the European Riviera has inspired visitors to relax, rejuvenate and play along the Mediterraneann, and this new resort is filled with ways to make that happen. There will be 2 pools, one of them being a “quiet” pool, and a kids splay and play area. The music will be themed to reflect Disney favorites and layered into the resort experience. Also, expect to hear lots of live music at Riviera resort.
Sitting area
All of the restaurants will feature handcrafted cuisine and even the Casual Dining option will serve dishes on porcelain plates.
Topolino’s Terrace – Flavor’s of the Riviera, will be the crowning jewel of Riviera. Topolino gets it name from the European name for Mickey – Topolino! This restaurant will give you a view of two fireworks shows – Epcot and Hollywood Studios, and it will feature made from scratch pasta and sauces and a wine heavy menu.
Blueberry pancakes with Lemon Creme and Real Maple Syrup
The rooms at Riviera are spacious, made for family fun. We were able to preview a Deluxe Studio and a One Bedroom Villa. The Deluxe Studio has a kitchenette, dining room table that will comfortably seat 4 people, and washer and dryer. The one bedroom has a full kitchen including a dishwasher! Both rooms include an amazing new style of pull-down bed in the living room area, a huge shower separate from the tub, and amazing details.
Bathtub in a One Bedroom Villa
Both rooms also feature a pull-down twin sized bed under the television in the main living area. Each bed features unique artwork, and their own reading light. I’m sure this cute bed will be a favorite among young guests!
Pull-down twin bed with a peek of the kitchenette.Pull-down bed open.
There are artistic touches throughout the rooms, inspired by European artists, but with a fun Disney twist! You’ll see Beauty and the Beast characters painted in the style of Rembrandt, and Lighting McQueen from ‘Cars’ inside a Mediterranean setting.
DVC aspect: This resort will finally offer something that most DVC resorts are missing – a smaller Studio perfect for couples. A DVC Cast Member told us that a regular Studio will run about 90 points for a week during “Choice Season,” and Deluxe Studios will run about 118 points for the same time period.
Couch that pulls down into a bed
Stop by the Disney Vacation Club Preview Center at Saratoga Springs resort for your own preview, and stay tuned for more information closer to the Riviera Resort opening scheduled for December 16th, 2019.
Contact me today at Kimberly at Enchanted Kingdom Vacations to plan your own magical vacation. I have lots of Disney trips and tricks that will make your trip even more magical; all at no extra cost to you!
Disney World has replaced more PhotoPass Photographers with more automated cameras at character meet-and-greets across Disney Parks and now some upset guests have launched a petition on change.org that is quickly gaining attention.
According to the petition, the photogs capture “more than just a picture and add a touch that can’t be replaced.”
Many upset Disney fans have taken to the internet to voice their frustrations and even show the difference between photos taken with real PhotoPass Photographers and the new automated counterparts as you can see in the post below:
Disney made the move to automate cameras last fall at nine of their character greeting locations. There are currently over 60,000 signatures on the petition.
“Please help overturn this decision and keep our wonderful Disney Photographers. It’s so important we do not let the magic slide. Keep the magic alive Disney,” the petition continues.
These new automated cameras use AI software to capture candid and posed character photos, but are locked in a stationary position so the characters and character attendants are left to make sure everyone is in view of the camera.
The Tomorrowland entrance sign was removed a couple of months ago and now its back with an reimagined updated design.
The new Tomorrowland sign rests atop a circle held up by two sleek minimalist arches and now serves as the new marquee to the futuristic land.
Tomorrowland opened along with the park on October 1, 1971, and the sign was last updated in during the 1994 New Tomorrowland refurbisment.
The change to the sign is another example of the touch-ups the land has had. Among the other enhancements in recent months: A new sign for Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, fresh paint on the Stitch’s Great Escape side and elsewhere, a spiffing up of Tomorrowland Speedway and improvements to the outdoor eating sections of Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café.
Disney already has a slew of merchandise and treats to go along with the new Frozen Inspired Arendelle Aqua color trend and now they have released a new ice cream cone that is truly worth melting for!
The Aqua Cone is made with cotton candy soft-serve and topped with sugar Mickeys and cotton candy sugar!
You can find the tasty treat at Storybook Treats in Magic Kingsom and it costs $5.99.
Dreaming of visiting Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival or seeing Animal Kingdom decorated for the Holiday’s? Well, Florida residents are in luck because Disney recently announced a special flexible ticket deal exclusively for them!
The Florida Resident Seasonal Flex Ticket is available for use most days (some black out dates do apply) through February 29, 2020 at the following rates for guests ages 10 and over:
3-Day Ticket – $249 plus tax ($83 per day, plus tax)
3-Day Ticket w/Park Hopper – $284 plus tax
3-Day Ticket w/Park Hopper Plus – $304 plus tax
4-Day Ticket – $269 plus tax ($68 per day, plus tax)
4-Day Ticket w/Park Hopper – $309 plus tax
4-Day Ticket w/Park Hopper Plus – $329 plus tax
Please be aware that the following block out dates apply:
November 21 through November 28, 2019
December 18, 2019 through January 2, 2020
This is a chance for Florida Residents to embark on exciting and new adventures at the Walt Disney World Resort with this special ticket offer including:
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – Now Open!
DETAILS: Tickets and any options must be purchased through December 17, 2019 and used by February 29, 2020. Valid September 5 to November 20, 2019, November 29 through December 17, 2019 and January 3 through February 29, 2020. Tickets can be used on non-consecutive days. Proof of Florida residency required. All tickets and options are nontransferable and nonrefundable and exclude activities/events separately priced. Water parks are subject to rehabilitation, seasonal and weather closures.
Contact me at Kimberly’s Kingdom with any questions or to purchase these tickets today!
When Disney’s Riviera Resort opens in December 2019 families will find it’s filled with many new places to make memories. And today, we have a sneak peek at Riviera Resorts interactive water play area – S’il Vous Play.
Styled after the public fountains found throughout Europe, S’il Vous Play draws it’s inspiration from the 1940 Disney classic, “Fantasia.” This interactive water play area will provide young guests the perfect place for fun in the sun, surrounded by fanciful creatures.
Inspired by the “Dance of the Hours” in “Fantasia,” S’il Vous Play features elephants filling dump buckets with their trunks, dancing ostriches, and hippos splashing water into decorative bowls.
As young guests frolic in the water and zoom down slides, older guests may even spot the playful references to the animated film’s classical music, which featured the works of many European composers.
Stay tuned for more news on this new DVC resort and a Sneak Peek of the rooms coming soon! Contact me at Kimberly’s Kingdom to book your next family stay.
As we previously reported, Walt Disney World has introduced new buses adorned with the sensational six: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto and as we roll on into September, Disney has announced that even more buses featuring characters from some of the most beloved Disney films are joining the fleet.
Now guests will be able to enjoy a ‘Hakuna Matata’ journey with Simba from Disney’s “The Lion King,” experience a whole lot of laughs with Mike and Sully from “Monsters, Inc.,” or see how far they’ll go with Moana – as these new designs full of character and fun hit the roads around Walt Disney World!
And, similar to the buses featuring the sensational six, these buses have those new blue seats and laminate floors throughout. Some of the buses will also have USB charging ports conveniently located between seats, so you can re-charge your devices and not miss a moment of capturing and sharing your Disney vacation memories as you can see below:
In the coming weeks keep an eye out for buses featuring characters from Disney’s “Frozen” and many more.
