WDW Daily News

The historic Aug. 29, 2019,  grand opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® is right around the corner.  And while we’ve been sharing many exciting updates and images from the land, today’s awe-inspiring aerial view may just be the best yet!

This video, which includes new music from Oscar-winning composer John Williams, features a  first look at Star Wars:Galaxy’s Edge as the sun rises.  It also showcases the land’s amazing landscape and rockwork.

When guests visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, they’ll be transported to the planet of Batuu, where they can live their own adventure in and around Black Spire Outpost.  Beginning Aug. 29, 2019,  at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests will be able to take the controls of the most famous ship in the galaxy aboard Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, enjoy innovative food and beverage offerings and several new galactic experiences as they become part of the Star Warsstory.

The new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which opened May 31, 2019, at Disneyland® Park in California, will open August 29, 2019, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida. 

The beloved “Main Street Electrical Parade” has returned to light up Disneyland® Park and delight thousands of Guests each evening. The nighttime spectacle features half-million sparkling lights and “electro-syntho-magnetic musical sounds.” After 47 years since its debut performance at Disneyland, this beloved parade still radiates a sense of wonder, joy and – for some – warm nostalgia. 

See what Guests are saying about this iconic parade’s return:

Beginning today, Aug. 15, 2019, guests can “fall into fun” like never before at Walt Disney World® Resort with a new ticket offer. With the “Mid-Day Magic Ticket,” Guests can enjoy admission after 12 p.m. to one theme park per day. 2-, 3- and 4-day Mid-Day Magic tickets are available for start dates on or before Dec. 15, 2019.

• 2-Day Mid-Day Magic Ticket: Valid for admission after 12 p.m. 2-day Mid-Day Magic Tickets are available from $88 per day plus tax (from $176 total plus tax) and expire four (4) days after the selected start date. 
• 3-Day Mid-Day Magic Ticket: Valid for admission to after 12 p.m. 3-day Mid-Day Magic tickets are available from $84 per day plus tax (from $252 total plus tax) and expire five (5) days after the selected start date.
• 4-Day Mid-Day Magic Ticket: Valid for admission after 12 p.m. 4-day Mid-Day Magic tickets are available from $79 per day plus tax (from $316 total plus tax) and expire seven (7) days after the selected start date.
• This is the first time we’re offering a late-entry ticket with special pricing that allows Guests to enter our theme parks starting at noon and enjoy the day and evening. This option works best for Guests who are looking for an opportunity to start their morning at a leisurely pace, to enjoy other early-morning activities (golf, pool, etc.), or to travel from their accommodations. 
• With these tickets, the magic starts at noon as Guests will receive admission to one theme park per day after 12 p.m. Additionally, Guests can secure afternoon and evening FastPass+ to select attractions, entertainment and Character Greets up to 30 days in advance.  Guests can enjoy new seasonal excitement, including new sips and savors at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and the holiday Hoopla Dance Party in DinoLand U.S.A at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park starting Nov. 8. 
• For our guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels, our date-based ticket product is still the best option, giving them the flexibility and opportunity to experience all the magic that our theme parks have to offer, including the morning Extra Magic Hour benefit

 When Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party begins Sept. 17, 2019 for 20 select nights at Disney California Adventure® Park, you will discover many new and exciting experiences. Exclusive to Oogie Boogie Bash is the all-new “World of Color” show – “Villainous!” 

The Disney Parks Live Entertainment team has been working on this nighttime spectacular for months. The villainous side of Disney characters will be brought to life through fountains, lights, lasers, projections and special effects. Steven Davison, Executive, Parades & Spectaculars, gives us a glimpse into this original Halloween story. This twisted tale carries a young girl named Shelley Marie on an unforgettable journey through devious encounters with The Queen, Ursula, Dr. Facilier, Hades, Jafar, Maleficent and more. Let’s take a look!

Oogie Boogie Bash, which takes the place of Mickey’s Halloween Party, is a separate-ticket event. You can enjoy an unforgettable night of Halloween fun featuring other new experiences, including an interactive “Descendants”-inspired dance party, a stage show with Mickey Mouse, and a mysterious Disney villains walk-through experience. 

For more information and tickets to Oogie Boogie Bash at the Disneyland Resort, visit Disneyland.com/HalloweenParty.

We have delicious news to share … the mobile order service is officially available at select Disney Resort hotels. 

With a few taps of the screen, you are now able to use this service to save time and skip the line to order at seven newly-participating quick-service restaurants, including Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, the World Premiere Food Court, the End Zone Food Court and the Intermission Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Resorts, as well as Everything POP Shopping & Dining at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, The Mara at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Contempo Café at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. 

These locations are the latest additions to the mobile order lineup, joining Centertown Market and Spyglass Grill at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, as well as over 20 other quick-service locations throughout the four theme parks and Disney Springs® area. And there’s more on the way, as we plan to expand the service to additional Disney Resort hotel locations soon!

The mobile order service offers the convenience and flexibility of ordering, paying for and picking up fresh meals and snacks directly from the pick-up counter where Cast Members deliver the food – saving you time to enjoy all there is to see and do at Walt Disney World® Resort. To see the full list of participating locations, you can tap “order food” in the My Disney Experience app. And don’t forget, if you have a Disney dining plan they can now redeem your meals and snacks through the service.

Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset or service provider. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.

App Store is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Google Play is a trademark of Google LLC.

Young princesses and knights can step into their own fairytale at a “grand” new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, now open at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa! The location offers guests age 3-12 magical transformations from their own Fairy Godmothers-in-Training at Walt Disney World® Resort.

Joining the existing Biddidi Bobbidi Boutique locations at Magic Kingdom® Park and Disney Springs®, the latest enchanted boutique at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is a great option for Guests looking to dress up before visiting Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or enjoying a delightful buffet at 1900 Park Fare. Plus, a Disney PhotoPass Studio has also recently opened at the resort, providing you the opportunity to capture picture-perfect royal portraits in front of a traditional backdrop. 

In addition to the recently-opened boutique, all Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique locations have introduced special new merchandise including a spirit jersey, Minnie Mouse Ear headband, MagicBand and accessories, available to add to any transformation package. 

Young princesses can also choose from four new hairstyles inspired by modern royalty with customizable options including braids, bows and flower halos. Take a look at the video below for examples of the new styles:

• Enchanted – Hair is styled in a bun or messy bun hairpiece and includes choice of princess bow or shining tiara.
• Fantasy – Hair is swept back into a bun, covered with a curly hairpiece and topped with a coordinating flower halo.
• Royal Braid – Hair is styled in a bun and accessorized with an attached Royal Braid. A princess bow completes this look fit for royalty!
• Pixie Magic – Add a colorful touch to this hairstyle with an elegant ponytail and matching flower halo.

As always, a variety of transformations are available and may include hairstylng, nail polish, accessories, gowns and more depending on the package you choose. Reservations for all Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique locations are encouraged and can be made up to 180 days in advance on DisneyWorld.com and Disneyland.com or by calling (407)-WDW-STYLE for Walt Disney World Resort or (714) 781-7895 for Disneyland® Resort.

Every Disney theme park is a unique and special place. There are a dozen different theme parks spread over six different cities across the world. However, the two places that were first are still the most popular locations.

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Last week we shared a glimpse into the crafting of Disney’s Riviera Resort, the newest Walt Disney World resort and Disney Vacation Club property, projected to open December 2019.

The peek behind the scenes continues with an exclusive look at the making of the tower slide that will be a focal point of the resort’s feature pool.

The inspiration for Disney’s Riviera Resort came from Walt Disney’s travels throughout Europe and the Riviera region, and the art, architecture and storytelling he found there. Imagineers weave that storytelling into the details of the entire resort, including the tower slide. This exciting feature of the resort is inspired by centuries-old stone towers and rocky bluffs found along the European Riviera shores.

The 30-foot-tall tower will house a nearly two-story-tall corkscrew slide that will wind down into the feature pool also called the Riviera Pool. Containing nearly 105,000 gallons of water, the Riviera Pool will is sure to provide wonderful, waterful fun and a refreshing reprieve from delightful days of poolside fun in the sun.

Under construction and projected to open Dec. 16, 2019, Disney’s Riviera Resort will be inspired by Europe and imagined by Disney.

Bookings for Disney’s Riviera Resort are open now. 

It was a championship-worthy celebration earlier today at Disney Springs for the grand opening of NBA Experience! Amid cheering fans and celebrity guests, Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger unveiled the first-of-its-kind destination, joined onstage by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and several current and former NBA and WNBA players.

“NBA Experience lets everybody who loves the game, live it,” Bob said. “We’re excited to open the doors to a fun and unique experience for fans of all ages.”

Hosted by ESPN personality Rachel Nichols, those in attendance were treated to a buoyant atmosphere reminiscent of a basketball arena, complete with a DJ, T-shirt tosses, fan-cam and a dance performance. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse cheered as confetti rained down toward the end of the ceremonial opening, which featured Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Grant Hill, along with NBA legend Dwyane Wade, Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez, Utah Jazz point guard Mike Conley, Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon, Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem and WNBA legend Swin Cash, now the vice president of basketball operations and team development for the New Orleans Pelicans.

“I want to thank Bob Iger and the Walt Disney Imagineering team for capturing the authentic NBA experience at this landmark destination at Disney Springs,” Adam said. “Disney creates memorable experiences better than anyone, and we are thrilled to share the excitement of NBA basketball with fans and Walt Disney World guests from around the world.”

In collaboration with the NBA, Walt Disney Imagineering developed NBA Experience as an immersive, interactive venue. The high-energy environment is packed with 13 different basketball-related activities across 44,000 square feet and two floors. Here, guests can experience what it’s like to be selected in the NBA Draft and step onto the court to make clutch shots and highlight-worthy slam dunks. NBA Experience also provides ample opportunities to learn more about the NBA and WNBA via interactive displays, films and trivia. The unique destination offers something for guests of all ages. 

With the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge set for August 29, Walt Disney World Resort continues its position as being a “force” for Florida and the economy, contributing more than 7,000 jobs to the Central Florida region since the beginning of the project in 2016. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, totaling 14 acres, is the largest single-themed land created in a Disney Park. It transports Guests to the planet of Batuu and pushes the boundaries of innovation and creativity, providing customized experiences to everyone who visits.

Among these new jobs are 1,700 operational roles, including leadership positions, entertainment performers, attractions engineers, and food and beverage and merchandise hosts and hostesses. These exciting expansions offer our Cast Members new opportunities to expand their skills and grow their careers all across our Resort. In addition, jobs were created due to the support of both small and large Florida-based companies contributing more than 5,500 local trade, artisan and construction roles.

“The anticipation for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is unlike anything else we’re experiencing at Walt Disney World Resort,” said Maribeth Bisienere, senior vice president, Walt Disney World Parks. “Our Cast Members make our parks uniquely special and we couldn’t create any of the memorable and immersive experiences for our Guests without their talents, passion and dedication.”

As part of the opening, the 1,700-member team had unique opportunities to learn about the story of this amazing new land, received specialized name tags and could customize their costume by hand-selecting apparel and accessories from an array of Resistance- and First Order-themed options, creating a unique Batuuan look and fully integrating them into life on the planet.

“I have such pride in our Cast Members and am so confident in the opening team as they bring Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to life,” said Phil Holmes, vice president of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. “This opening team is unparalleled and sets the stage in delivering out-of-this-galaxy experiences with guests traveling to Black Spire Outpost.”