Disney News

Tag: transportation

  • New Pixar Pier-Themed Plane Unveiled by Alaska Airlines

    New Pixar Pier-Themed Plane Unveiled by Alaska Airlines

    Alaska Airlines has revealed its special-edition plane themed after Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park.

    Alaska Airlines has had a great relationship with Disneyland Resort for the past 20 years. This is the sixth painted plane from Alaska Airlines that allows our guests to be immersed in a Disneyland Resort celebration even before they arrive at the parks. The inaugural flight departed today from Seattle, with a stop in San Francisco for a gate ceremony and then on to its ultimate arrival in Orange County.

    The aircraft is aptly named, “Friendship and Beyond at Disneyland Resort” and is a whimsical tribute to the parks newest land, which opened back in June of 2018. Take a look at how this amazing paint job was added to the air plane:

    The unique aircraft design is a collaboration between Alaska Airlines, the Disneyland Resort and Pixar Animation Studios. The Pixar Pier-themed 737-800, tail number N537AS, begins flying throughout Alaska’s route network today, welcoming guests with its artistic flair for many years to come.

    The exterior of the plane required more than 2,800 work hours and 24 days using 50 gallons of paint in 44 primary colors and custom shades. The Toy Story trio of Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie span both sides of the aircraft, while Aliens can be spotted on both winglets. Even Rex the Tyrannosaurus makes a special appearance (hint: he is in a place that will welcome everyone boarding the aircraft).  On board while supplies last, little ones may enjoy the Disneyland Resort Activity Fun Book and Kids’ Choice Picnic Pack.

  • New Disney Skyliner Merchandise Soars into Disney World

    New Disney Skyliner Merchandise Soars into Disney World

    Yesterday, Disney shared the first look at the first Disney Skyliner merchandise inspired by artwork similar to what will be featured on the gondolas.

    The new collection offers something for every member of the family, including t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, pins, MagicBands, Christmas ornaments, toys and more.

    We’re just a few days away from the official September 29 opening of the Disney Skyliner and no Disney Transportation system would be complete with out new merch! Take a look below at all the offerings:

    Skyliner Tees and Hoodies

    Skyliner Hat

    Skyliner Mug

    Skyliner MagicBands

    Disney Pins and Buttons

    Christmas Ornaments

    Merchandise will be available at these locations:

    • International Gateway at Epcot
    • Mickey’s of Hollywood at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
    • Disney’s Pop Century Resort
    • Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
    • Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
    • Merchandise will also be available at the new Disney’s Riviera Resort when it opens later this year!

    The magical gondola system will offer guests transportation between Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot and select Disney World resort hotels.

  • New Disney Skyliner Transportation System Opens Sept. 29 at Disney World

    New Disney Skyliner Transportation System Opens Sept. 29 at Disney World

    Excited to finally get a bird’s eye view of Walt Disney World? Well, magic will soon be in the air at the Resort when the new Disney Skyliner transportation system opens to guests this Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019.

    We were invited to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort yesterday for a special dedication moment for the complimentary new transportation system. The festivities featured Disney characters, fireworks and more in honor of this “most magical flight on Earth.”  

    Take a look at this video below to see some of the fun: 

    Disney Skyliner connects Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios to four Disney resort hotels – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and the forthcoming Disney’s Riviera Resort, a Disney Vacation Club resort set to open Dec. 16, 2019. The system serves as a magic carpet, floating guests through the air aboard approximately 300 gondolas, nearly half of which are wrapped in whimsical Disney scenes of beloved characters, fan-favorite movies, theme park attractions and more.

    While riding Disney Skyliner, guests are treated to never-before-seen views of Walt Disney World Resort as they float along the treetops and waterways alike. The system provides bird’s-eye vantage points of Disney icons such as the Hollywood Tower Hotel and Spaceship Earth.

  • Virgin Atlantic Launches Millennium Falcon Themed Star Wars Plane

    Virgin Atlantic Launches Millennium Falcon Themed Star Wars Plane

    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.

  • Buses Featuring Even More Characters Join Disney Transportation at Disney World

    Buses Featuring Even More Characters Join Disney Transportation at Disney World

    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. 

  • Disney World Monorail Stalls With Guests on Board Headed to Magic Kingdom

    Disney World Monorail Stalls With Guests on Board Headed to Magic Kingdom

    A Walt Disney World Monorail stalled enroute to Magic Kingdom today trapping several guests including infants on board.

    One guest took to Twitter stating that she and others were “trapped” on a hot monorail for 30 minutes and had to open the emergency windows.

    Take a look at the post below witch includes a picture of what appears to be rescue workers below:

    Only one monorail was stuck on the line, according to a Disney spokesperson. Magic Kingdom’s monorail service was closed while Disney’s transportation team worked to fix the issue.

    The spokesperson would only confirm that the monorails experienced “down time.” Disney did not say what caused the monorail to stall or how long the monorails were down.

    All guests who were stuck on the stalled monorail train are no longer on it, according to Disney, and the monorails have since resumed normal operations.

  • Disney World Buses Get a New Design and USB Charging Ports

    Disney World Buses Get a New Design and USB Charging Ports

    Today, Disney announced that Disney Transportation buses at Disney World are beginning a major make over including a new design and some with USB charging ports.

    The next time you are at a Walt Disney World Resort bus loop, be on the lookout for Mickey and his friends!

    This month, Walt Disney World buses are taking on a new look, adorned with the sensational six: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto. From the red and yellow colors of Mickey’s attire, to the iconic Minnie polka dots and the pastel hues of Daisy, you will now arrive at your favorite destinations in full Disney style, riding along with these beloved Disney characters. Take an up close look at some of the new designs below:

    And as if boarding a colorful bus worthy of a selfie isn’t enough, you will also enjoy refreshed interiors that include brand new blue seats and laminate floors.

    Some Walt Disney World buses will also have USB charging ports conveniently located between seats throughout, so you can stay in touch with family and friends and keep your cameras ready to capture every minute of your dream vacation. 

    The new buses sure do bring a fun look to the complimentary Walt Disney World transportation that resort guests can enjoy throughout their vacations!

  • Lyft Becomes the Official Rideshare Partner of Disney World and Disneyland

    Lyft Becomes the Official Rideshare Partner of Disney World and Disneyland

    Since the Minnie Van service was introduced in 2017, Disney has partnered with the rideshare company Lyft and yesterday, Disney announced that Lyft will now be the official rideshare company for both Disneyland and Disney World.

    With this new relationship, Lyft and Disney Parks and Resorts will collaborate in a number of exciting new ways including an enhanced presence at Disney Resorts and an improved Minnie Van user experience through the Lyft app.

    “This year, Lyft will continue to celebrate the magic of Disney by expanding Lyft’s presence at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort” said David Baga, Lyft Chief Business Officer. “We’ve always been inspired by the extraordinary experiences that Disney provides for guests and we share a similar commitment to customer service. Working together will allow us to enhance the way guests experience the resorts.”

    Lyft’s new alliance with Disney Parks and Resorts will enhance the rideshare experience for Guests by expanding Lyft’s presence throughout Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. With dedicated pick-up and drop-off areas and way-finding signage, Lyft and Disney are focused on improving mobility around the Resorts through reduced wait times.

    This fall, they will be enhancing the Lyft app experience at Walt Disney World Resort, making it easier to request a Minnie Van ride, find the most convenient pickup location, and even select a wheelchair accessible vehicle. “We are thrilled to have this relationship with Lyft, connecting our guests with our Minnie Van service and playing an important role in our innovative, world-class transportation services for years to come” said Alison Armor, Vice President of Transportation Operations at the Walt Disney World Resort.

  • Disney Skyliner to Begin Transporting Guests in Fall 2019 at Walt Disney World

    Disney Skyliner to Begin Transporting Guests in Fall 2019 at Walt Disney World

    Earlier this week, Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products, announced that Disney Skyliner will be ready to begin transporting guests at the Walt Disney World Resort beginning fall of 2019!

    This new state-of-the-art gondola 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.

    Disney Gondolas Skyliner

    And next fall, Disney Skyliner will not only efficiently move you to your location, it’ll also offer a whole new way to experience Walt Disney World with amazing views only available from the sky – with great photo opportunities! For example, guests arriving at the International Gateway station will travel through the trees and be welcomed into Epcot with remarkable, never before-seen views across World Showcase.

    The innovative transportation system is quickly coming to life! Workers just installed the last support tower at the Resort and are beginning to thread the series of reinforced cables to carry guests in stylish themed gondolas.

  • Minnie Van Service Extending to Port Canaveral For Disney Cruise Line

    Minnie Van Service Extending to Port Canaveral For Disney Cruise Line

    The Minnie van service which transports guests to locations on Disney property is expanding yet again and will soon be offering guests transportation from Disney World to Port Canaveral.

    It was recently announced that Disney had expanded it’s Minnie Van service to Orlando International Airport and now they are looking expand it even further by giving guests who like to combine a cruise with their Disney trip an alternate and convenient way to get to Port Canaveral.

    Adding Minnie van service to the port has been rumored for months, but we now know Disney will begin transporting guests to the port starting September 1st. The service is only one way and will not offer return transportation.

    Through a collaboration with the rideshare service, Lyft, guests at select resorts can arrange their own private Disney vehicle right from the Lyft app on their smartphone. With Minnie Van service, Disney cast members will then pick you up and take you to wherever you want to be at Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando International Airport and now soon Port Canaveral.

    Currently point-to-point trips on Walt Disney World property cost $25, but Disney hasn’t released any info on price points for the trips to Port Canaveral.