WDW Daily News

Message from Disney:

Since we began our phased reopening of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park on April 30, guests have experienced countless magical moments back at the Happiest Place on Earth. From waving hello to beloved Disney characters, to lots of laughter on favorite attractions and enjoying themed treats all around the resort – magic is definitely here at the Disneyland Resort!

And with the all-new land of Avengers Campus opening at Disney California Adventure on June 4, plus the reopening of Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel on June 15 and Disneyland Hotel on July 2, there couldn’t be a more exciting time to visit Disneyland Resort.

Today, we’re pleased to announce that beginning June 15, 2021, we will once again be able to welcome travelers from outside the state of California back to our theme parks! Out-of-state visitors may now begin booking their return to the parks. Until June 15, all guests visiting the Disneyland Resort must be California residents visiting in groups no larger than 3 households.*

The State of California strongly recommends that all guests be fully vaccinated or obtain a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering the theme parks. In addition, all Guests will be required to wear an approved face covering throughout their visit at the Disneyland Resort.  

As always, our procedures may change as we continue to update our health and safety processes based on guidance from the state of California and local health officials. To help your Clients plan and prepare for their next trip to Disneyland Resort, you can share the Disneyland® Resort “Know Before You Go” information with them by using the updated “Know Before You Go” microsite – Disneytraveltradeinfo.com/dlr. We recommend that you check back on the website often, as information continues to be updated.

As a reminder, to enter a theme park, all guests (ages 3 and older) need to have both a ticket and theme park reservation for the same park on the same date.   

Disney PhotoPass Service is teaming up with Snap to show Guests Walt Disney World Resort in a whole new way, with magical augmented reality experiences to share with their friends and family – and featuring some of their favorite Disney characters.

It all starts with new ways to meet up with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse at the resort, with Snapchat Lenses starring everyone’s favorite duo. Mickey and Minnie will be right beside Guests in Snapchat with their playful expressions and gestures. They can even give Guests a hug! 

The Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Lenses will be available in the Snapchat app* only at Walt Disney World Resort, but to celebrate the launch – and other special experiences to come! – Guests can try them at home, anywhere in the U.S., until June 3. 

We can’t wait for Guests to show us their Disney spirit on Snapchat! Find the Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Lenses on the new Disney PhotoPass Snapchat profile – plus more fun Walt Disney World stories on the Walt Disney World Snapchat profile. 

This is just the beginning. We’re working with Snap on more amazing photo experiences, including some magical surprises in celebration of the Walt Disney World Resort 50^th anniversary. 

Generations have come to Walt Disney World Resort to escape the everyday, be part of their favorite Disney stories, and travel to new worlds. This fall, The World’s Most Magical Celebration will bring Disney fans together to commemorate 50 incredible years of magic. 

To mark the occasion, Disney PhotoPass Service is working with Snap to virtually transform Cinderella Castle. With the My Disney Experience app, Guests will be able to place their favorite image captured by Disney PhotoPassphotographers on the iconic castle with augmented reality. Guests can look through their camera lens in the app and they’ll see a beautiful mosaic of special moments shared by our Guests to celebrate the 50th. The best part is, Guests can share memories with friends and family, and the next time they return during the 18-month 50^th Celebration, their photo will be there waiting for them! 

There will be even more to discover in the My Disney Experience app this fall – including special Disney PhotoPass Lenses Guests can use right from the app, powered by Snap’s camera technology. Guests will be able to take selfies with their favorite Disney characters, experience unique Walt Disney World moments, and even make some magic of their very own with augmented reality! There will be more news to share ahead of the 50^th anniversary, so stay tuned.

We’re just getting started and always discovering new ways to bring Disney stories and characters to life – whether you meet us at one of our Disney destinations, at home, or online. And every day, we’re exploring how technology can help us bridge the physical and digital worlds to create unforgettable moments for our guests.

It’s all so that Guests can experience even more magic with the people they care about and be part of the stories they love. And with so many fan-favorite characters, theme park icons, and Disney adventures at our fingertips, the possibilities are practically endless for what we call the ‘theme park metaverse.’ 

We can’t wait to show Guests what else we’re working on, so stay tuned and get ready for more amazing experiences to come!

*Snapchat is available for download on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.  Snapchat requires separate registration. Separate terms of use and privacy policy apply. Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset imitations, and features may vary by handset, service provider or otherwise. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. Some features require separate theme park admission.

Walt Disney World has lifted its attendance capacity beyond its previous self-imposed 35% limit, although company CEO Bob Chapek didn’t disclose by how much…

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Since we are Halfway 2 Halloween, we’re spookily excited to announce a new Halloween-themed Disney After Hours event coming this fall to Magic Kingdom Park!

“Disney After Hours BOO BASH” will take place on select nights, Aug. 10-Oct. 31, from 9 p.m. to midnight*. Spooky festivities will include Halloween-themed cavalcades, character sightings throughout the park, special performances by the Cadaver Dans, décor, lighting, music, treat stops with plenty of candy and so much more!

“Disney After Hours BOO BASH” tickets will grant admission to Magic Kingdom Park as early as 7 p.m. without the need for a day park ticket or Disney Park Pass theme park reservation, giving Guests time to enjoy even more of their favorites. 

Guests young, old and immortal can dress in costume for the occasion and get their fill of Halloween candy. As an important reminder, costume masks are not permitted for adults; they can only be worn by children younger than 14. In addition, all Guests are required to wear approved face coverings during the event. Before Guests arrive, check our Know Before You Go page, DisneyTravelTradeInfo.com/WDW and Costume Guidelines.

In case you aren’t familiar with Disney After Hours, it’s a special event that’s open to a limited number of Guests, after normal park operating hours. The experience offers low wait times at more than 20 attractions from classics like The Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain, to newer favorites like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It’s a ghostly good time for all!

Tickets will go on sale next month, with an early purchase window available to Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Stay tuned for more details to come. We’ll share additional information about “Disney After Hours BOO BASH” as it becomes available, so keep checking for more tricks and treats.

*Some event nights in August and September will be from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. 

Walt Disney World Resort has even more reasons to get excited about visiting in May and beyond! Guests will be able to see beloved characters when Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort reintroduces an all-you-care-to-enjoy dinner starring the Fab Five. Over at the EPCOT Resort area, Guests will be able to once again enjoy seaside meals when Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort reopens, and, get their taste buds ready for the re-opening of Tusker House Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.

Chef Mickey’s Dinner

Starting May 16, Chef Mickey’s will offer an all-you-care-to-enjoy family-style dinner that will include “no touch” appearances like snapping a selfie or waving hello as Mickey and some of his favorite pals make surprising appearances in each of the dining rooms. Similar to other character dining locations, Guests will take home a souvenir with character signatures and colorful artwork. 

Seeing favorite characters isn’t all Guests can look forward to at Chef Mickey’s! The dinner menu will include items for the whole family, like starters of “Chef Mickey’s Caesar,” citrus-poached shrimp salad, and assorted breads; main courses of gnocchi, roasted garlic potato Gratin, plant-based faro wheat fried rice, prime rib, roasted turkey, and salmon; and an assortment of sweets to top off the meal. Little ones can enjoy mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, turkey corn dog nuggets, and more! 

Cape May Café 

If Guests ever dream of escaping to the beach and enjoying all the delicious food of an oceanside town, they’ll be happy that Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort reopens on May 18! The New England-style restaurant is a perfect location to refuel before and after a day of adventure at Walt Disney World. 

Guests returning to Cape May Café will find old favorites and new changes, along with its signature service and quality. The restaurant will serve breakfast and dinner, but Minnie’s Beach Bash Character Breakfast and the Seafood-and-More Dinner Buffet will not return at reopening.

That’s not to say there aren’t plenty of treats in store! The all-you-care-to enjoy family-style breakfast menu will feature popular staples like pastries (including the layered crispy, cream-filled “Lobster Tail”), omelets, and Mickey and Minnie waffles. Highlights from dinner will include house-made Parker House rolls and corn bread, a seafood boil with a variety of fresh seafood, The Turf Platter with steak and chicken, and – my personal favorite – lobster mac and cheese.  

Bookings for Cape May Café and dinnertime at Chef Mickey’s open on May 7.

Tusker House Restaurant

The Guest-favorite character dining location at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Tusker House Restaurant, will reopen this summer! During the modified character experience, Guests will enjoy delicious family-style entrees inspired by the flavors of Africa and can snap photos of Donald Duck and friends, dressed in their safari best as they promenade through the restaurant. We will share more about the menu and reservation information soon.

We look forward to welcoming Guests back to Cape May Café and for dinnertime at Chef Mickey’s later this month. And we can’t wait for Guests to savor the delicious African-inspired fare at Tusker House Restaurant in the coming months. Stay tuned for more scrumptious details and foodie news in the coming weeks!

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida will take Guests to a galaxy far, far away for an all-immersive, two-night vacation experience that goes beyond anything Disney has ever created before. What exactly does “all-immersive” mean? Well, in honor of May the 4^th, here’s a little hint … 

Not sure if what you just saw is actually what you just saw? Maybe you should watch it one more time. Or 10.

Yes, that’s a new type of lightsaber Rey is holding in her hand, created by Walt Disney Imagineering Research and Development. Guests who experience Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will be the first to see it in action – along with so much more – starting in 2022 when this amazing new two-night adventure debuts. When Guests watch that lightsaber activate right before their eyes it will be just one of the countless ways that, from the moment they arrive to the moment they depart, they’ll be plunged into a Star Wars story where their decisions and actions – or even the casual conversations they may have – determine how their personal journey unfolds.

Guests’ adventure begins at the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser terminal at Walt Disney World, where Guests will gather with fellow passengers before departing for their intergalactic destination. Guests will soon enter a special Launch Pod and leave their world behind as they make a hyperspace jump to a galaxy far, far away.

Guests will watch through viewports as they approach the massive and magnificent Halcyon starcruiser, which will be their home for the next two nights. For a limited time, Disney’s Hollywood Studios Guests can now see a model of the ship on display inside Walt Disney Presents – another special May the 4^th surprise!

When the Launch Pod’s airlock slides open, Guests will take their first step into a galaxy far, far away as Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser comes to life all around them. During their stay aboard this glamorous ship, Guests may interact with an eclectic group of characters both familiar and new, possibly including the starcruiser’s strong and charismatic captain, a plucky ship’s mechanic and a galactic superstar who can captivate an entire room with the crook of one jewel-encrusted purple Twi’lek finger.

This singing sensation will be a featured performer during one of the exquisite dining experiences inside the Crown of Corellia Dining Room, which you can see in this artist concept rendering we’re sharing today for the first time. The enticing supper club’s name is an homage to Corellia, the planet known galaxy-wide for its shipyards that gave us not only the Halcyon starcruiser, but also the Millennium Falcon. The dining room is a bright and welcoming hall that will offer breakfast and lunch to passengers before transitioning each evening into a lavish multi-course menu of both otherworldly and familiar origins.

As the journey continues, Guests will have the opportunity to train in the ancient ways of the lightsaber, learn more about the inner workings of the Halcyon starcruiser and even jump on a transport to the planet Batuu to further their adventure inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This isn’t storytelling – it’s storyliving, where Guests will see, feel and live Star Wars in a whole new way.

We’ll have much more to share about Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser in the future as we look forward to its 2022 debut; you can always visit starwarsgalacticstarcruiser.com for more details, and sign up there to receive updates.

And since it’s May the 4^th, let’s check out a few other Star Wars happenings at Walt Disney World in honor of this special day.

Star Wars Galactic Outpost at Disney Springs and select locations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are showcasing new merchandise available starting today (while supplies last), including apparel featuring the new Disney+ series “The Bad Batch” (also debuting today). There are also new items from the Rainbow Star Wars Collection, as well as new Star Tours-inspired Disney Parks Wishables including R2-D2 and C-3PO.

Today and tomorrow, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is offering special Star Wars-themed desserts and beverages available at select locations throughout the park, including the new Dark Side Chocolate Creation and returning favorite Lightsaber Churro. Also, through tomorrow, Disney Springswill offer the Grogu Mini Dome Cake at Amorette’s Patisserie and the Millennium Falcon Chocolate Pop at The Ganachery.

As you can see, the Force is strong with us here at Walt Disney WorldResort. So however you’re celebrating Star Wars today … May the 4^th be with you!

Operating any business during the pandemic has been a learning curve, as these times have been highly unprecedented.

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Disney is expanding its cruise line fleet, first with the Disney Wish. Their newest ship will begin sailing in summer 2022. In a virtual press event on Thursday, Disney presented a tour and overview of the ship. They’ve brought several new and reimagined experiences and locations to the Wish from Beauty and the Beast inspired fine dining for adults, to a Walt Disney Imagineering lab for kids, to the first ever Disney attraction at sea.

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This Walt Disney World Resort edition of Best Bites is jam-packed with a new opening announcement, fun menu offerings, and, of course, all things to celebrate a favorite day of the year for fans of Star Wars – May the 4th Be With You! Read on for all the delicious details.

Counting down to May the 4th Be With You! Check out all the creative tastes and sips.

Amorette’s Patisserie at Disney Springs

• The Child Mini Dome Cake – Vanilla chiffon cake with cookies and cream mousse (available April 30-May 5) 

The Ganachery at Disney Springs

• Millennium Falcon Chocolate Pop – Milk chocolate pop with crispy pearls (available April 30-May 5) 

Pineapple Lanai at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

• Millennium Falcon Star WarsSoft Serve Sundae – Galactic gray vanilla soft-serve with chocolate cream cookie crumbles, chocolate drizzle, white chocolate pearl stars, brownie asteroid pieces with stardust sparkles, and a Millennium Falcon chocolate accent piece (available May 2-5)

Guests that have reservations to Disney Hollywood Studios May 4 and 5 can find these fun galactic treats!

Churro Cart, Anaheim Produce, and Grand Ave. Cart at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Lightsaber Churros – Red or blue churro lightsabers served with chocolate sauce for dipping (available May 4 and 5)

Epic Eats at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Galactic Swirl Funnel Cake – Black and white funnel cake with strawberries, space dust, and candy rocks (available May 4 and 5)

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Oi-Oi Puff – Raspberry cream puff with passion fruit mousse (available May 4 and 5)

Hyperion, Animation, and Hollywood Popcorn Carts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Interstellar Sweet and Crunchy Popcorn (available May 4 and 5)

The Trolley Car Café, PizzeRizzo, and Backlot Express at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Dark Side Chocolate Creation – Malted milk chocolate mousse dome with raspberry mousse topped with slivered almonds sitting on a chocolate shortbread cookie (available May 4 and 5)

Oasis Canteen, Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge, Sunshine Day Bar at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Cosmic Rum Punch – Coconut rum, rum, pineapple juice, Minute Maid Lemonade, and grenadine served with a glow cube (available May 4 and 5)

Backlot Express, ABC Commissary, PizzeRizzo, Rosie’s All-American Cafe at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Jettison Juice – Minute Maid Lemonade and watermelon beverage syrup served with a glow cube (available May 4 and 5)
• Darth Vader Stein served with fountain drink (available at all locations May 4 and 5. After May 4, Backlot Express, ABC Commissary, Rosie’s All-American will continue to offer)

We have two new over-the-top shakes Guests have to try! One comes with a chocolate-dipped peanut butter cake and another with three cake pops! What???!!!

Hollywood Scoops at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Explosion Shake – Chocolate ice cream layered with peanut butter sauce topped with whipped cream and garnished with chocolate peanut butter crumbles and a chocolate-dipped peanut butter cake

Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort

• Wildberry Shake – Wildberry shake striped with pink and purple marshmallow and topped with whipped cream and three cake pops

The Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival continues through July 5, and the food is fabulous … and the flowers are beautiful, too! Here are just a few delicious bites from the Festival.

• Fleur de Lys (France) – Caramelized beignet filled with vanilla cream and glazed with caramel fleur de sel
• EPCOT Farmers Feast (World Showplace) – Herb-crusted spring lamb with marble potatoes, spring vegetables, and red wine-butter sauce
• Taste of Marrakesh (Morocco) – Moroccan seafood couscous with shrimp, mussels, olives, preserved lemons, and anchovy breadcrumbs
• Northern Bloom (Canada) – Griddled maple pound cake with warm peach compote and sweet corn gelato

Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has not one but two “hidden Mickeys” in their Kids’ All-You-Care-To-Enjoy Breakfast Skillet! This hearty and delicious kids’ breakfast skillet includes a Mickey-shaped waffle AND, new to the skillet, Mickey-shaped scrambled eggs! In addition to the Mickey-shaped scrambled eggs and waffle, the kids’ skillet also comes with:

• Country potatoes
• Hickory-smoked bacon
• Breakfast sausage links
• Buttermilk cheddar biscuit
• Sausage gravy

Guests can check out two new offerings at Disney Springs – one savory and one sweet. The best of both worlds!

D-Luxe Burger at Disney Springs

• Double Bacon Stack Burger – Two-pressed signature blend patties, cheddar, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and grilled onions on a house-made Parker House roll

Marketplace Snacks at Disney Springs

• Orange slushy topped with vanilla soft-serve

The Pineapple-Coconut Bread Pudding with caramel sauce and ice cream at Banana Cabana Pool Bar at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is a must try! 

We have some sweet goodness to announce! A new gelato location is opening in the Italy pavilion at EPCOT – Gelateria Toscana. Opening in May, this walk-up window will offer gelati, sorbetti, gelati floats, and much more!

• Gelati in a Waffle Cone or Cup – Chocolate, vanilla, pistachio, cookies ‘cream, stracciatella, strawberry, or tiramisù
• Sorbetti in a Waffle Cone or Cup – Lemon, raspberry, mixed berry, or mango
• Gelati Floats – Fior di Latte gelato with your choice of root beer or Coca-Cola 
• Coppa del Nonno – Fior di Latte, chocolate, and cookies ‘n cream gelati with chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and amaretti cookies
• Coppa Amicizia – Fior di Latte, cookies ‘n cream, and strawberry gelati with whipped cream
• Coppa Delizia – Fior di Latte, strawberry, and cookies ‘n cream gelati with strawberry sauce and whipped cream
• “Affogato” Espresso Gelato – Fresh Italian espresso poured over Fior di Latte gelato with an amaretto cookie
• Cannoli al Cioccolato – Crisp pastry filled with sweet ricotta, chocolate, and candied orange
• Zeppole –  Soft fried Ricotta cheese fritters dusted with powdered sugar
• Mocha Tiramisù – Mascarpone cream, espresso coffee, savoiardi biscuits, and chocolate
• Specialty non-alcoholic beverages along with cocktails, beer, and wine are also available

Guests visiting Magic Kingdom Park may soon notice the latest updates coming to the Jungle Cruise as they come around that final bend. Trader Sam is charting a new adventure along the river at both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom Parks. Ever wonder what happened to that gramophone you accidentally left behind on the boat during your last adventure? How about that beloved pith helmet that went missing?

Word on the stream is that Alberta Falls, proprietor of the Jungle Navigation Company Ltd., has entrusted her longtime friend, Trader Sam, to manage the new Lost & Found location.  But, with Trader Sam being Trader Sam, there’s always an opportunity to make some extra money. After all, all the best rides end with a gift shop, right? 

Take a look at this rendering of their newest venture together. Clearly, Sam is betting on an established reputation as the best merchant in the jungle! But, while he’s out lost and finding some new inventory, it’s the animals that get the last laugh!

The new scene is one of several that are interconnected and build on the original story and humor of the Jungle Cruise. As previously shared, our world-famous skippers will continue to present the unique adventure and interactions Guests expect.

Once complete, Guests will learn more about the events that led up to this final scene. Stay tuned, as enhancements debut later this year!