If you are like us you know to always try to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris early in the morning as that seems to be the time when the animals are most active. This trip we weren’t able to make it early and showed up about noon, but got a huge surprise when the male lion and two lionesses were all perched on top of a rock during Kilimanjaro Safaris.
Take a look at photos of the Butterfly Topiaries and surrounding plants at Epcot for the 2016 Flower & Garden Festival.
Take a look at some photos from the last days around the Streets of America at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The area is now closed to make way for Star Wars Land.
At the Walt Disney World® Resort, we are always looking for ways to help Guests further customize their experience and make it even easier to create unforgettable moments with their families and friends.
Starting April 10, 2016 guests will notice the following enhancements to how they make FastPass+ selections:
Recently we shared the dates for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Today we’re back with dates for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This favorite Walt Disney World® Resort holiday tradition returns to the Magic Kingdom® Park for a festive 21 nights this year.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will take place the following nights:
Tickets for both Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will go on sale later this spring.
By now you are aware that Disney’s Hollywood Studios is undergoing a transformation as it adds Toy Story Land and Star Wars Land. One of the apparent casualties is Pizza Planet. There is no word whether this restaurant will be closed for good, made over into a new themed restaurant, or simply just moving its location into Toy Story Land.
Take a look at some photos of the current construction of the building.
As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. That’s the case with the updated park maps for Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Fantasyland looks even more magical in the golden light of morning, and now Disney Early Morning Magic presents a new option perfect for guets who want to get an early start at Magic Kingdom® Park.
Breakfast at Pinocchio Village Haus will feature seasonal fruits, fresh-baked pastries, scrambled eggs, veggie frittatas, smoked bacon, pork and turkey sausages, waffles and much more. And during their special time in the park, guests will also have quick access to Peter Pan’s Flight, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
Disney Early Morning Magic requires a separate ticket – $69 for adults and $59 for children ages 3-9 (plus tax) – in addition to regular theme park admission. Disney Early Morning Magic will take place on select dates from 7:45-10 a.m., beginning April 26, 2016.
Please note Disney Early Morning Magic will be offered on different dates than Extra Magic Hours.
In a word, it’s Fantasmic!
Another dream comes true at Walt Disney World Resort, only this time it’s Mickey Mouse’s dream that comes to life in a brilliant display of lights, lasers, fireworks and water animation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The 25-minute spectacular “Fantasmic!” features 50 performers and combines dazzling special effects, colorful pyrotechnic explosions, beloved Disney characters, animation and dancing waters synchronized to the melodies of timeless Disney classics. The presentation lights up the sky on select nights above the 6,900-seat amphitheater behind The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror off Sunset Boulevard. The specially designed amphitheater also can accommodate 3,000 standing guests.
The show takes guests inside the dreams of Mickey Mouse — where his magic creates dancing waters, shooting comets, animated fountains, swirling stars, balls of fire and other amazing wonders. When Disney villains intrude on Mickey’s fantasy and turn his dreams into nightmares, he uses the powers of good to triumph over evil.
The opening scene takes place on a darkened island surrounded by a 1.9-million-gallon moat. A faint musical note pierces the air as a brilliant cone of light reveals the star of the show, Mickey Mouse. Mickey’s imagination brings the waters surrounding the island to life as he conducts the “Fantasmic!” musical score.
The music builds as animated comets soar across three giant water screens, sprinkling the night with twinkling stars. At the direction of Sorcerer Mickey, the stars dance in unison to the melody of “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” while pyrotechnic comets soar across the water.
To the sounds of African drums and the chatter of wild animals, vividly costumed animal characters emerge from behind the water screens. They perform a wild, upbeat version of “I Just Can’t Wait to be King” from “The Lion King” while animated characters Simba and Nala splash playfully in the water.
A cascade of bubbles fills the water screens as Disney characters dance to a medley of Disney favorites including “Under the Sea” and “Be Our Guest.” More bubbles rise and guests discover Jiminy Cricket trapped inside a large rising bubble. Jiminy escapes the bubble only to find Monstro the whale in pursuit. Monstro’s tremendous body sends waves crashing against the rocks and water onto guests seated in the front rows.
With the waters again calm, the silence is broken by the thunder of a cannon. The island transforms into the “New World” as scenes and music from Disney’s “Pocahontas” fill the island. The action reaches a climax when Pocahontas abruptly stops a battle and appears face-to-face with John Smith as colored leaves whirl across water screens to the tune of “Colors of the Wind.”
The leaves transform into puffy white clouds as the mood turns to love and romance. Disney character-couples Cinderella and Prince Charming, Belle and Beast, Aladdin and Jasmine, Ariel and Eric, and Snow White and her Prince float above the water in a magical dream-like setting filled with twinkling lights and Disney love songs.
The merriment fades and the music becomes haunting as the Evil Queen from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” brews a magical spell to defeat Mickey Mouse amidst lightning, flares and smoke effects. She calls on villains including Ursula, Cruella, Scar, Frollo, Jafar, Maleficent and Hades to harness the positive energy Mickey possesses and make it evil. Mickey is terrified when Maleficent unexpectedly transforms into a ferocious 40-foot-tall dragon whose breath ignites the waterway with a sea of flames that overtakes the island.
Mickey pulls a magical sword out of the mountain and summons the waters, creating a giant curtain which surrounds the island. The fountains begin to dance again, smothering the fierce flames while Mickey defeats the dragon.
The mood brightens in the festive finale of fireworks, sparkling effects and a full orchestral score as favorite Disney characters sail past the audience aboard the Steamboat Willie River Boat in a celebration of Mickey’s triumph over evil.
“Fantasmic!” premiered at Disneyland in California in 1992. The Disney’s Hollywood Studios production features many new show elements and incorporates scenes from animated releases such as “The Lion King,” “Pocahontas,” “Hercules” and “Mulan.”
“Fantasmic!” is presented on select nights with performance times varying based on park hours.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios immerses guests in the glamour of show business 365 days a year with thrilling attractions, incredible Broadway-style shows, world-class atmosphere entertainment and interactive film, television and radio production facilities. The theme park and working production facility is part of the 25,000-acre Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla.
For more information, call 407/824-4321 or visit www.disneyworld.com.
Take a look at some photos of the creation of ‘The Jungle Book’ Sand Sculpture at Disney’s Animal Kingdom & Epcot.
ANIMAL KINGDOM ENTRANCE
EPCOT WORLD SHOWCASE
