WDW Daily News

We are bubbling with excitement to share more of the tropical features coming to the new Island Tower addition at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, projected to open on December 17.

Delicious Dining at Wailulu Bar & Grill 

Guests can get ready to indulge in the delicious flavors of the South Pacific Islands at the Wailulu Bar & Grill. “Wailulu” means calm water in Hawaiian, which is very fitting as this unique restaurant will boast breathtaking views of the Seven Seas Lagoon.

Wailulu Bar & Grill will feature spacious indoor and outdoor seating areas and a bar space overlooking Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom Park. This casual walk-up pool bar will feature an all-day menu for lunch and dinner that is influenced by the Polynesian Islands’ local and indigenous ingredients. Specialty coffee and on-the-go morning pastries will be available for breakfast.

The dining room will be adorned with dazzling Polynesian-inspired artwork created exclusively for the space, including pieces crafted from recycled materials and reclaimed fishing nets. The fish will be “swimming” throughout the space, leading to a grand textile piece featured in the bar area, representing a colorful coral reef. 

The center of the dining room will showcase an abstract Polynesian Stick Chart, an ancient navigation tool used to traverse the seas. A vibrant centerpiece composed of beautiful shades of blue, teal and green faux-stained glass will create an ambiance to dive in and explore the mouthwatering menu! 

Speaking of exploration, our favorite wayfinding princess, Moana, will be featured in a painting on display in Wailulu Bar & Grill. 

We will be sharing more information about Wailulu Bar & Grill and its tasty menu in the near future!

Soak Up the Sun in New Pool & Splash Area

Little ones can embrace their inner wayfinder at Moana’s Voyage, a whimsical new splash area that will feature life-size sculptures of Moana and her iconic canoe from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film.

The tower will also be home to Cove Pool, a brand-new zero entry pool offering even more opportunities to relax.

Take in Stunning Terrace Garden Views 

Guests staying at the Island Tower addition will enjoy exclusive access to four tropical terrace gardens.

Each terrace garden will feature vibrant artwork, lush foliage and uniquely themed seating areas. The distinctively designed hideaways will offer families a serene local to gather and take in the views during their stay. 

Speaking of views, these oases will offer picturesque views of Disney’s Oak Trail and Magnolia Golf Courses or Seven Seas Lagoon, making it a spectacular place for the Magic Kingdom fireworks.

Our island-inspired adventure is just getting started, so stay tuned to see how far we’ll go!

The Island Tower addition is new developer inventory at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows and is under construction, projected to open December 17, 2024. 

Over the weekend, we announced that “Disney Hercules” will debut on the Disney Destiny in 2025, along with a first look at a new rendering from “Disney The Tale of Moana” premiering on the Disney Treasure later this year!

From Zero to Hero: Disney Cruise Line to Debut All-New “Hercules” Stage Show

Our favorite Greek gladiator will take center stage onboard the Disney Destiny in an all-new, Broadway-style show, “Disney Hercules” when the ship sets sail in November 2025.

This lively retelling of the popular Walt Disney Animation Studios film will feature the iconic music and larger-than-life characters we all know and love from the original movie, presented in an all-new way. 

Mythical Melodies: New Take on a Timeless Tale

Developed exclusively for the Disney Destiny, “Disney Hercules” will stay true to the story and spirit of the film while showcasing a bold, modern adaptation tailor-made for the stage. 

The production will draw on the creative team’s extensive and diverse experience that ranges from theatre to pop music. Get ready for show-stopping musical numbers, incredible vocals, stunning visuals, immersive projection effects and so much more!

What to Expect: The Gospel Truth

Like the film, the Muses will be the show’s storytellers and take guests on a journey through this ancient tale of good vs. evil.

The show will include all the beloved songs from the film, so be prepared to go the distance! Plus, the theatrical debut of heartful ballad “Shooting Star.”  

The new musical arrangements in “Disney Hercules” will emphasize the pop and gospel influences that make this soundtrack iconic to so many fans.  

All the Ship’s a Stage: Entertainment Abounds

Beyond spectacular shows, the Disney Destiny will have entertainment experiences around every corner. You’ll never know where you might encounter characters, live music, interactive performances, game shows and more!

From the all-new “Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King” dining experience to a variety of shows, meet-and-greets, and special appearances by your favorite heroes and villains, a legendary cruise vacation awaits.

Guests will find their hero’s welcome onboard the Disney Destiny when it sets sail in 2025!

First Look: New Rendering from “Disney The Tale of Moana” Premiering on Disney Treasure Later This Year

“Disney The Tale of Moana,” the Broadway-style show debuting on the Disney Treasure later this year, will bring Moana’s unforgettable coming-of-age adventures from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film to live audiences for the first time – and we’re sharing a first look from one of the key climactic moments from the production. 

The scene depicts Moana as she takes her final stand against Te Kā, the fiery lava-wielding foe who will appear on stage as an incredible fifteen-foot-tall puppet, the largest puppet ever produced for a Disney Cruise Line show. “Disney The Tale of Moana” will also portray Moana’s courageous determination to restore the heart of Te Fiti and the resulting transformation of the Te Kā puppet into her true self, a stunning green goddess.

Audiences will see many of their favorite characters from the film reimagined as puppets, including a young version of Moana. The captivating array of puppetry is being developed for the show by Jeff Conover, creative director of puppetry and articulation for Disney Live Entertainment, and Michael Curry, whose previous credits include “The Lion King” on Broadway.

Guests can get ready because the time to taste their way around the world is almost here. The countdown to the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE is fast approaching. This delicious celebration takes place from Aug. 29 through Nov. 23, 2024, and is filled with incredibly tasty offerings featuring cuisines from around the globe.

Hopefully guests have saved their appetite because we have plenty of new additions and classic items on the menu this year. From the Liquid Nitrogen Frozen Sweet Potato Mousse at the Swirled Showcase to the Tostada de Camarones at Mexico, guests will embark on a flavorful journey.

Guests can’t forget to savor the flavors with one of the many signature drinks such as the refreshing Blood Orange Agua Fresca from Earth Eats. No matter where the destination takes guests, there’s tons of delicious bites and sips for their taste buds to celebrate.

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Check out the trailer for Moana 2.

The presence of Super Heroes is expanding at Disney parks around the globe. The original Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure at Disneyland Resort will double in size with the addition of two new attractions, Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab. Shanghai Disney Resort will introduce its first major Super Hero attraction, a Spider-Man-themed, high-energy thrill coaster. At Hong Kong Disneyland, the presence of the Avengers will continue to expand with a major new attraction coming to Tomorrowland featuring Spider-Man and one of his most formidable villains.

An all-new Avatar experience will come to Disney California Adventure including an innovative new attraction that will bring all the action, the excitement, and the wonder of Avatar to life in a completely new and thrilling way.

Next year, a new show based on the life of Walt Disney, “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” will play at the Main Street Opera House at Disneyland park and feature the first-ever Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney. After the show’s debut run, it will play in rotation with “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.”

On the heels of the highly anticipated World of Frozen, set to open in 2026, the first-ever ride through attraction themed to “The Lion King” will come next to Disney Adventure World at Disneyland Paris in a new Lion-King themed area of the park, complete with dining, shopping and character meet & greets. This water attraction will go down into the caves beneath Pride Rock to follow Simba on his journey from cub to king, following the story from the classic Walt Disney Animation Studios film. 

Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will feature two new signature attractions – a thrilling adventure following the heroic Indiana Jones into an ancient Maya temple and a journey through the Casita Madrigal from “Encanto” following Antonio’s story on the day after he received his magical gift. It will also feature a beautiful carousel featuring animals from many favorite Disney stories, perfect for young families to enjoy. Tropical Americas is set to open in 2027. 

Work is already underway on a new land dedicated to Disney Villains coming to the Magic Kingdom – complete with two attractions, dining, and shopping – where happily ever after may feel like just a distant dream. It will be a fearless new vision of what a Disney experience can be on a grand scale that only Disney can deliver.