WDW Daily News

In summer 2021, Disney Cruise Linewill sail a variety of itineraries around the world including a return to Greece – back by popular demand – and exciting and varied European destinations, Alaska ports and tropical locales. Plus, Disney Cruise Line will visit three first-time ports of call in Greece, Sweden and Norway.

Explore the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Beyond

In summer 2021, a new collection of itineraries is part of Disney Cruise Line’s grand tour of Europe. From May through July, the Disney Magic will visit captivating locales in the Mediterranean including the Greek Isles, Spain and the French Riviera. From late July through September, the ship will transport guests to bucket-list destinations in the British Isles, northern Europe, the Baltic, Iceland and Norwegian fjords.

The Disney Magic will return to the awe-inspiring beauty of Greece in summer 2021, where guests can marvel at the stunning landscapes and archeological wonders of the region, like Santorini with its iconic whitewashed cliffside dwellings and Mykonos with beautiful beaches along the azure Aegean Sea. Four special voyages departing from Rome will visit the Greek Isles, with cruises ranging from eight to 11 nights.

Each of these unique Mediterranean itineraries combines a selection of stops in Greece with visits to other notable cities in the region. Noteworthy ports of call in Greece include Katakolon near ancient Olympia – home to the first Olympic Games – and the gorgeous Greek island of Kefalonia, a first-time port of call for Disney Cruise Line.

Another itinerary highlight is a visit to the picturesque Sicilian harbor city of Messina, where guests can sample tantalizing, locally grown citrus fruits and delectable olives. One cruise features a stop at the city of Dubrovnik, Croatia, known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” Thewalled medieval Old City of Dubrovnik is a UNESCO World Heritage site that offers spectacular seaside views and centuries-old cobblestoned lanes to explore.

Additional first-time ports of call for Disney Cruise Line include the medieval city of Visby, Sweden, considered to be one of the best-preservedmedieval cities in Scandinavia andthe village of Eidfjord, Norway, home to geographic wonders and situated at the foot of Hardangervidda, Norway’s largest national park.

Adventures in Alaska 

The Disney Wonder will return to Alaska for the 2021 summer season to explore the region’s breathtaking natural vistas, glaciers and wildlife.

Departing from Vancouver, Canada, seven-night itineraries will visit Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Dawes Glacier. One nine-night Alaskan adventure will visit Hubbard Glacier, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Juneau and Ketchikan. A special five-night cruise will travel to Dawes Glacier and Ketchikan.

Each Alaska sailing will offer adventure and fun in port and aboard the ship, with stunning scenery, exciting Port Adventures and special Disney Cruise Line touches that will bring the splendor and spirit of “The Last Frontier” to life onboard.

Tropical Vacations to the Caribbean and Bahamas 

In summer 2021, Disney Cruise Line will embark on a variety of vacation voyagesto tropical destinations in the Caribbean and Bahamas. Ranging from three- to nine-night sailings, the varied itineraries allow guests to experience charming island cultures, sunbathe on golden beaches and revel in local marketplaces. Most itineraries include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

In addition to seven-night eastern and western Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, near Orlando, Florida, and the Walt Disney World® Resort, the Disney Fantasy will embark on an assortment of itineraries throughout the summer of 2021. These include a six-night sailing and an extended nine-night Caribbean cruise. Three-, four- and five-night Bahamian cruises round out the Disney Fantasy summer season – all including a stop at Castaway Cay. One special five-night cruise features two stops at Disney’s private island.

The Disney Dream will provide even more opportunities for guests to visit Castaway Cay in the summer of 2021 with all three- and four-night Bahamian cruises calling on the private island paradise.

Guided Experiences with Adventures by Disney

In summer 2021, Disney Cruise Line guests can enrich their cruise vacation with a variety of add- on packages from Adventures by Disney, a leader in family guided group vacations. Highlights include a return to Alaska and popular packages in northern Europe and the Mediterranean. 

With Adventures by Disney, guests can book the ultimate Disney cruise experience on select sailings in Alaska and Europe. Throughout the voyage, knowledgeable Adventure Guides provide dedicated service both onboard and in port, as they lead guests on specially curated excursions, interactive activities and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Onboard the ship, guests enjoy unique experiences and premium amenities exclusive to Adventures by Disney, such as an intimate talkback session with Walt Disney Theatre cast members followed by a behind-the-scenes costume and prop activity.

Adventures by Disney also offers popular pre-cruise vacations in Rome; London; Barcelona, Spain; and Copenhagen, Denmark. These two- to three-night Escapes feature unforgettable experiences in iconic cities, such as a private guided tour to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in Rome. Plus, activities like flamenco dancing, mosaic making and preparing local cuisine immerse families in the culture of each region.

Bookings for these Adventures by Disney offerings open to the public on Feb. 27, 2020.

When To Book Summer 2021 Itineraries 

Platinum, Gold or Silver Castaway Clubmembers, can take advantage of the opportunity to book summer 2021 itineraries before they go on sale to the general public on February 27, 2020.  Book either online or by phone during the designated booking window: 

• February 25, 2020: Platinum Members 
• February 26, 2020: Platinum and Gold Members 
• February 27, 2020: Platinum, Gold and Silver Members 
• February 28, 2020: all Guests 

Oh, boy! It’s time for “Vacation Fun!”

The newly re-imagined Mickey Shorts Theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® will debut March 4 to feature a one-of-a-kind animated short featuring everyone’s favorite mouse and his leading lady.

The original animated short, “Vacation Fun,” celebrates Mickey and Minnie’s favorite vacation memories, plus a few new adventures! “Vacation Fun,” which is exclusive to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, will feature new animation and clips from favorite Mickey shorts, including Panda-monium, Couples Sweaters, Potatoland, Croissant de Triomphe, Entombed, Dumb Luck, Al Rojo Vivo, Yodelburg and Outback at Ya!.

After the show, you can make even more memories by stepping into life-sized versions of beloved animated Mickey shorts, where you can pose for photos with family and friends. Existing shorts from the Mickey Mouse television series that are being used in the post show photo experience are Yodelburg, Potatoland, Entombed and Panda-monium.

Check out the new attraction poster for Vacation Fun, debuting at Disney’s Hollywood Studios March 4.

There’s so much Mickey & Minnie excitement beginning soon at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where a visit to “Vacation Fun” is a great way for you to sit back and enjoy a new short, or snap some pics with some of their favorite Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts, and the new Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction is an opportunity to actually burst into an all-new adventure where they are immersed in the center of a Mickey Mouse cartoon!

Nobody wants to spend more, but higher prices may not be all bad.

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The tastiest time of the year is just around the corner as the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival returns to the Disneyland® Resort on Feb. 28! In addition to the amazing sips, savories and signature events coming for you to enjoy next week, there is an exclusive menu of merchandise items arriving that every Disney foodie must check out! Take a look at the sneak peek! 

For those ready to experience the festival, the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine spirit jersey is the perfect attire to don as you taste their favorite foods. Chef Mickey welcomes all who are ready to eat in this hot pink jersey decked with whimsical food ingredients. And the chef headband makes the perfect accessory! 

Tasting the good life is possible with this year’s tee shirts that celebrate the yummy side of the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. You can keep it casual with tees that showcase your inner Disney foodie! They can complete the look with their very own stainless tervis that they can enjoy any beverage in during their visit. 

The merchandise menu doesn’t end there! You can add some Disney touches to your kitchen with the serving bowl, oven mitt and dish towel. The festive kitchen wear will transform their home into a magical festival of its own! 

This year, there is something on the menu for everyone! You can head over to  Festival Gifts (on the Performance Corridor, near Seaside Souvenirs), Studio Store and Elias & Co. at Disney California Adventure Park to explore all these limited-time items!

90-plus performers in vibrant costumes will soon bring the “Magic Happens” parade to life when it debuts in Disneyland® Park on Feb. 28. This all-new daytime spectacular celebrates moments of magic that are at the heart of so many Disney stories.

Drawing inspiration from modern fashion runways and adding a uniquely Disney flair, these pieces are on the cutting edge of design and technology. Our creative costume team gave us a tour as the team was fitting, stitching and fabricating a few of these elaborate creations. Check out the video below for this behind-the-scenes peek:

The Disney Parks Merchandise Team is now offering MADE—a new and expanded way to customize and create your own Disney merchandise. With MADE, guests will now be able to create customized apparel, including short and long-sleeved T-shirts, (even Disney Springs designs) from a library of Disney art to celebrate everything from family vacations, birthdays, seasonal holidays and more. (Don’t worry, guests will still be able to customize phone cases, MagicBands, magnets, and commemorative bricks as well.) Purchases are ready for pick-up in just a few hours or conveniently delivered to a Disney resort or shipped home.

Guests will start to see this new brand transitioning at current D-Tech on Demand locations inside our retail stores including:

• Magic Kingdom Park – Tomorrowland Light & Power Co.*, Frontierland Trading Post, and Curtain Call Collectables
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Star Wars Launch Bay and Celebrity 5 & 10 Shop
• Disney Springs – Marketplace Co-Op* and NBA Experience
• Disneyland Resort – Star Wars Launch Bay and Star Traders

(*At this time, customized apparel options are available exclusively at Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. and Marketplace Co-Op.)

New designs and art will be continually added to the MADE experience throughout the year.

The time has come to celebrate American barbecue at the NOW OPEN Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue hosted by Coca-Cola at EPCOT®! In the heart of The American Adventure pavilion, a glorious restaurant named after the regal-est eagle, Sam the Eagle of The Muppets, joins our ever-growing collection of dining establishments around World Showcase. 

This distinctly patriotic fast-casual restaurant has won the honor of hosting “Sam’s Centennial Cook-Off: A Salute to All Cook-Offs but Mostly Barbecue,” a competition fit for all patriots and pit masters. The contest brings a variety of classic backyard barbecue selections from across the country together to battle it out for Sam’s top award.

On the menu are BBQ dishes such as Kansas City smoked chicken, Memphis dry-rub pork ribs, North Carolina chopped smoked pork butt, and a Texas beef brisket sandwich. If you are those looking for a lighter option, the Power Greens Salad is a great choice, too, with fresh citrus fruit, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and radishes drizzled with a fresh citrus vinaigrette and topped with chilled pulled chicken. There is also a delicious plant-based BBQ Jackfruit Burger served on garlic toast. 

Outside, the outdoor bar and patio is a great place for you to sit back and enjoy a selection of all-American beverages, too! The drink menu features craft brews and ciders from across the country on draft as well as wines from the west coast, Coca-Cola fountain beverages, and specialty regional cocktails like the Tennessee Lemonade with whiskey and peach or the non-alcoholic Berry Punch with white grape juice, strawberry, peach, and blackberry. 

In addition, at a nearby merchandise cart, you will be able to browse a selection of exclusive merchandise featuring none other than Sam the Eagle. Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue is NOW OPEN at EPCOT! You are welcome to come on down and celebrate the art of American BBQ.

As the new “TRON Lightcycle Run” motorbike roller coaster readies to open at the Magic Kingdom later this year (or early next year), the rest of Tomorrowland is in the midst of a multi-year update that may be far larger than most fans had previously realized.

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By: Disney DestinationsFebruary 18, 2020

In Disney and Pixar’s original adventure, “Onward,” teenage elf brothers Ian and Barley Lightfoot embark on an extraordinary quest after being given the chance to spend one more day with their late father. And soon, they’ll be making another epic journey…to meet you! 

On March 5, Ian and Barley will make their Disney Parks debut as part of the Disneyland After Dark: Pixar Nite special event, and beginning the next day – the same day “Onward” hits theaters – you will be able to meet them daily at Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure® Park. 

Set in a suburban fantasy world, “Onward” introduces us to Ian Lightfoot, a 16-year-old elf who yearns for the father he lost before he was born. Ian is sweet and determined with the best of intentions, but his lack of confidence and nervous energy trips him up more often than not. Ian is convinced that if only he had his father’s guidance, his life wouldn’t be so complicated and messy. 

Ian’s older brother Barley Lightfoot is a big, boisterous 19-year-old elf who loves magic and immerses himself in fantasy role-playing games. He’s a free spirit who may be slightly more passionate about the past than the present. When their late father inadvertently sends Barley and Ian on an epic quest together – one highlighted by mystery and magic – Barley fires up his beloved and mostly dependable van Guinevere and never looks back. 

Disney and Pixar’s “Onward” releases in U.S. theaters on March 6, 2020, so make plans to see the movie and then head to Disney Parks to say “Hail, fellows!” to Ian and Barley! First, be sure to check out the latest products inspired by the film, available now on the Shop Disney website and at Disney Parks around the world.