Disney News

Tag: disney world

  • 2021 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Begins July 15

    2021 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Begins July 15

    The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival returns to Walt Disney World Resort this fall with 129 days of entertainment, events, and, of course, a veritable cornucopia of wonderful food and tasty beverages.

    Starting July 15th and running through November 20th, marketplaces across the park will feature dishes from Hawaii, Australia, Germany, Canada, Greece, and more!

    Take a look below at a full list of the global marketplaces that there will be:

    • The Alps – Opening October 1
    • Australia
    • Appleseed Orchard
    • Belgium – Opening October 1
    • Brazil – Opening October 1
    • Brew-Wing at the Epcot Experience – NEW!
    • Canada
    • China
    • The Donut Box
    • Earth Eats hosted by Impossible™
    • Flavors from Fire hosted by The NFL on ESPN
    • France
    • Germany
    • Greece
    • Hawaiʻi
    • Hops & Barley
    • India – Opening October 1
    • Ireland – Opening October 1
    • Italy
    • Japan
    • Kenya – NEW! Opening October 1
    • Lobster Landing – NEW! Opening October 1
    • Mac & Eats – NEW! Opening October 1
    • Mexico
    • The Noodle Exchange – NEW!
    • Refreshment Outpost
    • Refreshment Port hosted by Boursin® Cheese
    • Rotunda Bistro – NEW!
    • Shimmering Sips hosted by CORKCICLE®
    • Spain – Opening October 1
    • The Swanky Saucy Swine – NEW!
    • Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina – NEW!

    There will also be entertainment throughout the park, including performances by Voices of Liberty, Mariachi Cobre, and Jammin’ Chefs and a live-music concert series performed Friday through Monday evenings. In addition, bands from Central Florida play on the America Gardens Theatre stage.

    Finally, there will also be a Ratatouille-themed scavenger hunt for families to enjoy.

  • New Rainbow Magic Shots at Disney World Celebrate Pride Month

    New Rainbow Magic Shots at Disney World Celebrate Pride Month

    Disney World has added new “Rainbow Magic Shots” to help you celebrate PRIDE this June! When I read about the new Magic Shots online I decided I wanted to capture a rainbow in each park. So, last week I did all four parks in two days. Keep reading to see them all and find out where and how you can get them.

    The Details

    Each of the four parks has two Magic Shots. I initially thought that each park had two unique Magic Shots, making it a total of 8, but there’s really only two total. That means you can pick your favorite park and get them both there if you want! The official Disney names are “Rainbow Magic Swirl” and “Floating Rainbow Magic Shot.” But, the Cast Members I spoke to had their own names. I heard them referred to as “Rainbow Swirl” and “Rainbow in Your Hands.”

    Where to Find Them

    The easiest way to find the location of a Rainbow Magic Shot is to head to the landmark of each park and look for a PhotoPass Photographer (They’re Cast Members in Khaki Vests). In some cases I was only able to find one, because even the Cast Members didn’t know exact locations.

    Hollywood Studios: Hollywood Blvd. leading to the Chinese Theater, and Sunset Blvd. leading to Tower of Terror.
    Epcot: Has two entrances, so it makes sense that you’ll find one at each. There’s one in front of Spaceship Earth, and one at the International Gateway in front of a large topiary butterfly. International Gateway is the back entrance to Epcot between the UK and France. You can get there by parking at Hollywood Studios and taking a Friendship Boat or the Skyliner.
    Animal Kingdom: the first one is front of the Tree of Life at the park entrance. I asked around at other PhotoPass locations was didn’t find the second one.
    Magic Kingdom: One of the locations is of course Cinderella Castle! There are several spots to get photos along Main Street. I chose to walk as close as I could to the castle. While waiting in a line in the middle of Main Street I noticed a PhotoPass Photographer to the left, between the two patches of Hub Grass standing by himself. So, I asked if he could do the Rainbow Shot for me. He said yes!

    The Results

    Here are my Rainbow Magic Shots! I did use Lightroom on my phone to brighten these images.

    EPCOT International Gateway
    • Magic Kingdom
    • Animal Kingdom
    • Hollywood Studios

    How to Make Sure You Get A Rainbow Magic Shot

    Here are a few tips if you want to get a Rainbow Magic Shot for yourself.
    First, make sure you’re in front of a park icon like Cinderella Castle, The Tree of Life, Spaceship Earth, or Tower of Terror. Second, ASK! Don’t be afraid to politely ask a Photopass Photographer if they can do the Rainbow MagicShot for you. Third, make sure you visit during the month of June. Happy PRIDE to all my LGBTQ+ friends!

    If you’re planning a future trip to Disney World why don’t you reach out to me at Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Kimberly? I’m full of useful tips and tricks for planning the BEST DAY EVER at Disney World.

  • Disney CEO Predicts Full Capacity at Disney World by End of Year and No Mask’s by this Summer

    Disney CEO Predicts Full Capacity at Disney World by End of Year and No Mask’s by this Summer

    Disney CEO Bob Chapek, participated in a virtual Q&A session at the J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference and predicted that Disney World could be at full capacity by the end of the year.

    Chapek said his team anticipates “low double-digit growth” as the company follows federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention coronavirus operating guidelines.”

    Since reopening in Florida last July, the company has slowly expanded the daily number of people allowed to access its Florida parks. Disney hasn’t released any attendance numbers, however.

    He also hinted its parks’ mask mandates could be lifted by the summer, saying not having to wear masks would be a “bigger catalyst for growth in attendance” and “make for an even more pleasant experience,” Chapek shared durring the company’s second-quarter earnings call early this month.

    Disney World in Orlando, Florida, a state with fewer COVID-19 restrictions, has been operating at a lower-than-usual capacity since July 2020.

    Disneyland in Anaheim, California, reopened on April 30 after a 13-month closure. For now, the park and neighboring Disney California Adventure are restricted to operating at 25% capacity under state health rules, but the state of California is aiming to fully reopen June 15.

    Parks were forced shut a year ago March and devastated financially. Disney took a $6.9 billon hit in parks last fiscal year

  • Watermelon Dole Whip Is Returning to Disney World this Summer

    Watermelon Dole Whip Is Returning to Disney World this Summer

    Summer is right around the corner and Disney World has announced that Watermelon DOLE Whip is coming back soon to Disney Springs!

    Be on the lookout for this delicious DOLE Whip Watermelon Parfait with Key Lime Custard coming to Marketplace Snacks on May 26.

    Disney Springs took to Twitter to share the news as you can see below:

    Marketplace Snacks operates daily in Disney Springs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. t0 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

  • Disney World Resorts Offering Discounts to Teachers and First Responders this Summer

    Disney World Resorts Offering Discounts to Teachers and First Responders this Summer

    Disney World is honoring the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic by offering discounts to teachers and first responders who stay at a resort this summer.

    The special offer applies to six of the resorts at Disney Springs and lasts until July 14. According to the Disney Springs Hotels website, the offer is based on availability so space may be limited. 

    First responders and teachers can choose to stay at B Resort and Spa, DoubleTree Suites, Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palance and Orlando Lake Buena Vista, Holiday Inn and Wyndham Garden.

    Discounted rates start from as low as $79 a night to $160 a night.

    The discounts apply to Preschool, Daycare, Kindergarten and grade school teachers, as well as college professors. First responders must be police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, doctors and nurses.

    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!

  • Disney World Teams Up With Snapchat for New Augmented Reality Filters

    Disney World Teams Up With Snapchat for New Augmented Reality Filters

    Disney Parks and Snap announced Thursday that they’re teaming up to bring augmented reality to the Walt Disney World.

    It all starts with new ways to meet up with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse at the resort, with Snapchat Lenses starring your favorite duo.

    Mickey and Minnie will be right beside you in Snapchat with their playful expressions and gestures. They can even give you a hug! Take a closer look at the video below:

    There will be even more to discover in the My Disney Experience app this fall – including special Disney PhotoPass Lenses you can use right from the app, powered by Snap’s camera technology. You’ll be able to take selfies with your favorite Disney characters, experience unique Walt Disney World moments, and even make some magic of your very own with augmented reality!

  • New Disney World Cast Member Name Tags Coming for 50th Anniversary

    New Disney World Cast Member Name Tags Coming for 50th Anniversary

    Disney World’s 18-month long 50th anniversary celebration kicks off October 1st and cast members are getting new name tags to celebrate.

    “Cast members have been the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort for nearly 50 years. To honor their contribution to the magic, cast members will receive a new nametag this fall, with a touch of ‘EARidescence,’ in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort,” Disney said in a post.

    Take a closer look at the reveal below:

    A team of graphic artists and costume designers spent more than a year developing the new nametag, testing a number of colors and printing techniques before completing the final design. The new nametags feature several special details:

    • An exclusive color wash, inspired by the sparkling new 50th anniversary looks for Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, was developed and applied with an innovative printing technique and glaze to give each nametag a pearlescent shimmer.
    • Holographic gold foil with sparkling color-shift elements is individually applied to each nametag, bringing additional shine to the Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary logo.
    • Royal blue lettering matching the turrets of Cinderella Castle brings a regal pop of color to the nametag, ensuring each cast member name and hometown is a focal point against the glistening background.

    All of these elements will combine to produce a distinct shine across each nametag, reflecting the EARidescent décor that will be on display across Walt Disney World Resort for the duration of the celebration.

    The new EARidescent nametags will debut later this year, in time for the Oct 1 start of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.”

  • VIDEO: Baby Zebra Born at Disney World on Kilimanjaro Safaris Savannah

    VIDEO: Baby Zebra Born at Disney World on Kilimanjaro Safaris Savannah

    The folks over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are seeing stripes today!  The park has just announced the birth of a Hartmann’s Mountain zebra foal.

    Some lucky guests riding Kilimanjaro Safaris for to see the birth on the savanna this morning. Estimated to weigh about 65 pounds, the healthy baby boy has long legs and was standing and nuzzling with mom within minutes of birth.

    Mom Heidi is a parenting pro – staying close to her baby to bond and nurse. Bonding is especially important, as a young zebra will imprint on its mother’s scent and memorize the unique markings on its mother’s hind legs to tell her apart from others in the herd. In the coming weeks, the pair will rejoin sister Asha and the rest of the herd on the savanna. Take a look at the video below:

    The foal was born as part of the Species Survival Plan program, which is overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and ensures responsible breeding and genetic diversity of hundreds of animal species.

    Today’s joyful arrival marks the first zebra birth at Walt Disney World this year. The resort is home to three distinct types of zebra: Hartmann’s mountain zebra, Grevy’s zebra and plains zebra. Though zebra may all be defined by their stripes, there are distinct stripe patterns that define each type. Hartmann’s mountain and Grevy’s zebras have stripes that stop right at the edge of their bellies, while stripes on common zebras wrap around the whole body. You can tell a Grevy’s zebra from a Hartmann’s mountain zebra by looking at their ears. They are larger on the Grevy’s zebra. 

    Hartmann’s mountain zebras are found in sub-Saharan Africa and are a vulnerable species due to habitat loss and hunting.

  • Disney World Drops Outdoor Mask Requirement

    Disney World Drops Outdoor Mask Requirement

    Face coverings for guests at Walt Disney World Resort will no longer be required when outdoors beginning on Saturday.

    “Starting May 15, face coverings for guests will be optional in outdoor common areas at Walt Disney World Resort,” Disney said in a statement. “With the exception that guests must wear face coverings from the entrances at all attractions, theaters or transportation and throughout those experiences.”

    Based on these updates, guests are still expected to bring a face covering with them for their visit.  Social distancing guidelines still apply.

    If a guest is stationary while eating food or drinking a beverage, the guest is allowed to be maskless.

    When it comes to temperature checks to allow visitors to enter, all three major parks, Disney, Universal and SeaWorld, either have already eliminated them or are planning to do so soon.

    Disney announced on its website that it would be phasing out on-site temperature screenings for cast members starting May 8 and for guests on May 16.

  • Disney World Cutting Back on Physical Distancing

    Disney World Cutting Back on Physical Distancing

    Restrictions designed to fight spread of Covid-19 are loosening up at Disney World as more Americans get vaccinated and coronavirus cases fall.

    The latest update came Wednesday from Disney on physical distancing.

    Disney disclosed in a message on its app that it plans to start limiting physical distancing to three feet in some areas of the parks, although six feet of space would still be maintained in restaurants and shops. The message, which said the changes were “gradual,” did not mention ride lines.

    Disney’s move comes after both Universal and SeaWorld have already cut physical distancing from six to three feet in some areas.

    When it comes to temperature checks to allow visitors to enter, all three major parks, Disney, Universal and SeaWorld, either have already eliminated them or are planning to do so soon.

    The company has announced on its website that it would be phasing out on-site temperature screenings for cast members starting May 8 and for guests on May 16.

    “Since reopening, we have considered guidance from public health authorities, government agencies, and our own team of health and safety experts as we assess and update health and safety measures to help prevent the spread of Covid-19,” Disney said in a statement.