Disney News

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  • New Redesigned Entrance Coming to Epcot at Walt Disney World

    New Redesigned Entrance Coming to Epcot at Walt Disney World

    As we previously reported, a multi-year transformation of Epcot is underway that will reimagine the park while keeping true to the original vision. Today, Disney announced that the entrance to the park will be redesigned as part of this transformation.

    There will be exciting changes to the way you come and go at Epcot. As you can see in the concept art, changes are coming to the Epcot main entrance, where the plaza will welcome guests with new pathways, sweeping green spaces and a newly reimagined fountain. This new design will pay homage to the original park entrance with fresh takes on classic elements.

    “Epcot has always been, and always will be, an optimistic celebration of the real world that is brought to life through the magic of Disney,” said George A. Kalogridis, president, Walt Disney World Resort. “The exciting plans we have on the horizon will honor Epcot’s rich legacy of creativity and innovation while continuing to exceed the expectations of our guests for decades to come.”

    As part of the new entry experience, Leave A Legacy photos will be moving into a beautiful setting just outside the park’s gateway. The Leave a Legacy program, launched during Epcot’s Millennium Celebration in 1999, giving guests the opportunity to commemorate their visit to Epcot at the turn of the last century.

    Photo-capture stations took their pictures, which were then etched onto steel tiles and mounted on one of 30 monoliths in the Leave a Legacy Plaza. Each stone ranges in height from 3 to 19 feet, and the heaviest one weighs more than 50,000 pounds!

    Additional significant redevelopment will begin between Spaceship Earth attraction and the World Showcase Promenade. More details about the transformation of this area will be announced at a later date.

  • Walt Disney Archives Founder Dave Smith Passes Away at the Age of 78

    Walt Disney Archives Founder Dave Smith Passes Away at the Age of 78

    In the same week that Walt Disney’s Son-in-Law and Former Disney CEO passes away, the Disney family is now mourning the loss of yet another Disney legend. Walt Disney Archives founder Dave Smith passed away in Burbank, California, on February 15, 2019 at the age of 78.

    Dave dedicated his four-decade career at The Walt Disney Company to preserving Disney’s precious treasures from film, television, theme parks, and beyond.

    “I’m deeply saddened to learn of Dave Smith’s passing,” said Bob Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “He was the unsung hero of Disney’s history who, as our first archivist, spent 40 years rescuing countless documents and artifacts from obscurity, investing endless hours restoring and preserving these priceless pieces of our legacy, and putting them in context to tell our story. Dave was a true Disney Legend, and we are indebted to him for building such an enduring, tangible connection to our past that continues to inspire our future.”

    Named a Disney Legend in 2007, Dave was beloved by fans around the world for his wide knowledge of the Company’s rich history, which he shared in books and through his popular magazine column “Ask Dave.”

  • Man Points Gun at Guests Over Parking Spot Dispute at Animal Kingdom Report Says

    Man Points Gun at Guests Over Parking Spot Dispute at Animal Kingdom Report Says

    According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, a Lake Mary couple allegedly had a handgun pointed a handgun at them by an elderly man during a dispute over a parking space for the disabled at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

    The man’s name wasn’t released and he wasn’t arrested, because there were conflicting stories about what happened, according to the report. The Sheriff’s Office has forwarded the case to the state attorney’s office to decide whether to file charges.

    According to the OCSO, The altercation happened on Sunday while the 60-year-old man and his 62-year-old wife were visiting the theme park.

    The woman, who was driving, told deputies that she was waiting for a car to back out of a parking spot so she could pull into the space. That’s when a man driving a gray SUV came from the opposite direction at a high rate of speed and cut in front of them to take the spot.

    The driver was described as in his 70s with a full, gray beard. She claims he almost crashed into them and when her husband raised his right fist at the SUV driver, he responded by lifting a handgun and pointing it at them over the steering wheel. The passenger of SUV driver disputes their claim.

    The SUV driver was found at the theme park security checkpoint. He was with his passenger, a 65-year-old North Carolina woman who admitted to authorities that the man did make an angry gesture back, but she said it was with his wallet in his hand and not a gun.

    She told deputies that they were concealed weapon permit holders and there was no gun in the vehicle. A search warrant from a judge was obtained by the sheriff’s office to search the man’s vehicle, but the incident report was redacted and it’s not clear if anything was found.

  • 3-Day Florida Residents Discover Disney Tickets are Back

    3-Day Florida Residents Discover Disney Tickets are Back

    There’s no better way to kick off 2019 than with a Walt Disney World Resort visit and now is the perfect time, because the 3-Day Florida Residents Discover Disney tickets are back!

    Florida Residents can now purchase a 3-Day Discover Disney Ticket for only $175 plus tax for a limited time ($59 per day plus tax), valid for admission to one theme park per day. Residents can also add a 4th day for just $20 more plus tax (4 days for $49 per day plus tax or $195 total plus tax). Disney World tickets can be purchased now through June 27, 2019, and Florida Residents can visit any day through June 30, 2019.

    Now More Than Ever, it’s time for Florida Residents to visit Walt Disney World Resort! Take a look below at all the amazing things happening at the parks this year!

    • Starting January 18, Magic Kingdom Park will host Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration and honor Mickey and Minnie Mouse with new entertainment, special experiences, merchandise and more. The new “Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party” will travel down Main Street, U.S.A. several times daily, and you can meet Mickey and Minnie together – wearing their new celebration outfits – in Town Square Theater. Plus, rock around on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and enjoy the Happily Ever After fireworks spectacular at night.
    • Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios this year. Beginning January 18 guests can party with Pixar pals and enjoy an Incredible Celebration where Pixar Place is transformed into a Municiberg city block, complete with incredible décor, live entertainment, character appearances, and more (including the Edna Mode Experience)! Plus, a door to the monster world will open at Walt Disney Presents, where Mike and Sulley from Disney•Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.” will be greeting you. And Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and the rest of the gang are ready to welcome you into Andy’s backyard at the park’s new Toy Story Land; twist around hills, curves, and drops on Slinky Dog Dash and take a spin through space on Alien Swirling Saucers.
    • The 25th anniversary of Walt Disney Pictures’ animated classic “The Lion King” will be celebrated in a big way at Disney’s Animal Kingdom beginning January 18 with the debut of the “Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party” on Discovery Island and immersive backdrops which will allow guests to step into scenes from the film, in addition to The Festival of the Lion King musical extravaganza. And while you’re at the park, it’s the perfect time to check out Pandora – The World of Avatar; fly on the back of a banshee on Avatar Flight of Passage and drift through a bioluminescent rainforest on Na’vi River Journey.
    • Don’t miss the Epcot International Festival of the Arts from January 18 through February 25 where the Disney on Broadway Concert Series expands to offer live performances seven nights a week this year! And later this spring, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will return to the park from March 6 through June 3, with the Garden Rocks Concert Series which also expands to seven nights a week! Plus, glide through the land of Arendelle on Frozen Ever After and adventure to places around the globe on Soarin’ Around the World.

    Tickets can be used anytime now through June 30, 2019 with no blockout dates. Proof of Florida residency required. Tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Tickets exclude activities and events separately priced.

    If you need help booking your magical vacation, contact Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Vikki for help. My services are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!

  • New Vanellope Magic Band is Sugary Sweet

    New Vanellope Magic Band is Sugary Sweet

    The newest Magic Band release is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth! It features Vanellope von Schweetz, the spunky princess from the Wreck It Ralph franchise. 

    The light pink band features Vanellope on one side, and the You’re My Hero necklace she made for Ralph on the other side.

    This band is not Limited Edition, which means it should be around for a while, but it’s only available in parks as of right now.

    If you need one for your trip make sure to contact Kimberly at Merlin’s Cauldron!

  • Wreck-it Ralph and Vanellope Meet & Greet at Epcot Gets a New Home

    Wreck-it Ralph and Vanellope Meet & Greet at Epcot Gets a New Home

    Starting this week you can meet Wreck-it Ralph and Vanellope from Disney’s animated adventure “Ralph Breaks the Internet” in a brand new location at Epcot!

    The encounter opened up last fall, when their movie debuted in theaters in a temporary location inside Innoventions West. Now you can bump fists and pose for pics with this lovable video game “villain” and his adorable pal in the Imagination! pavilion.

    The staff of the Imagination Institute is now conducting a new experiment, creating a portal into other dimensions. That portal has opened a window on the internet for Ralph and Vanellope to step through, right into the ImageWorks area of the Imagination! pavilion, where you can meet with them every day.

    The hit film “Ralph Breaks the Internet” is now available on Digital and comes to Blu-ray on February 26. Available for the first time on 4K Ultra HD!

  • Disney Skyliner Gondolas Make First Test Runs Between Parks and Resorts

    Disney Skyliner Gondolas Make First Test Runs Between Parks and Resorts

    The Disney Skyliner Gondola system has been making a lot of progress lately and this week it hit another exciting milestone! The first guest cabins have begun making test runs back-and-forth between Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

    The state-of-the-art gondola system will begin transporting guests at the Walt Disney World Resort beginning later this fall. The system will conveniently connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort as well as the proposed 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney’s Riviera Resort.

    The test-run gondolas recently traveled across Victory Way between the stations at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and the station at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. “Soon there will be more gondolas added and cycling on the line as teams continue testing and training,” said Walt Disney Imagineering associate project manager Steve Pratt.

    As you can see in the image with The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in the background, the gondolas remained covered during testing. But when operating later this fall, some cabins will feature beautiful graphics based on Disney films, attractions and characters.

  • Little Mermaid Inspired Cupcake Splashes into Walt Disney World Resort

    Little Mermaid Inspired Cupcake Splashes into Walt Disney World Resort

    Disney is always coming up with the tastiest new treats and now they’ve come up with a new Little Mermaid inspired cupcake that you’ll definitely want to be part of your world!

    This vanilla cupcake is filled with pineapple compote and topped with coconut buttercream, crispy pearls, graham cracker crumbs, edible glitter, and a white chocolate mermaid tail.

    If you want to try the mermaid-inspired cupcake, splash on over to Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort to try this ADORABLE Mermaid Tail Cupcake.

  • New Mickey Ice Cream Bar Inspried Cake Now Avaiable at Disney Springs

    New Mickey Ice Cream Bar Inspried Cake Now Avaiable at Disney Springs

    Amorette’s Patisserie has a special new offering at Disney Springs. The pastry shop recently added a new dome cake design inspired by the Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar!

    Amorette’s Patisserie is known for their incredible dome cakes, often themed after popular Disney characters such as Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald.

    This one just might be the cutest thing you’ll ever see. With fondant buttons and ears made of chocolate, this dessert is sure to be a hit at any party or special occasion. As for what’s on the inside, that’s up to you.

    You can place an order by calling 407 934-3500 or by visiting the shop at least 72 hours in advance. For more details on these specialty cakes, visit the Amorette’s Patisserie web page.

  • Disney Announces Voyageurs’ Lounge Coming to Riviera Resort Inspired By Walt’s Travels

    Disney Announces Voyageurs’ Lounge Coming to Riviera Resort Inspired By Walt’s Travels

    The magic never ends at Walt Disney World. The new Riviera Resort—opening in Fall 2019—has announced that a new travel-themed lounge known as Voyageurs’ Lounge, will be a part of the fun to be at the newest Vacation Club hotel.

    Inspired by Walt’s love of traveling through Europe, this spot will showcase Walt Disney’s worldwide expeditions and the literary works he brought home as souvenirs. The Voyageurs’ Lounge will be located next to the Le Petit Cafe and will serve as a fun, comfortable place for families and friends to gather and share travel memories.

    Much like the rest of the resort, the decor in the Voyageurs’ Lounge will represent the book collection of Walt Disney and will exhibit Disney’s unique connections to Europe. Modern design meets family tradition in this artfully-inspired resort.

    Few things were as important to Walt Disney as family and travel. The Voyageurs ‘s Lounge inside the brand-new Riviera Resort is the perfect combination of the two.