WDW Daily News

In 1955 Walt Disney himself enlisted Coca-Cola to help finance the then-gigantic $17 million construction cost of his first theme park, Disneyland. In return, the beverage giant became a soft drinks supplier at the Californian park and has also occupied this slot at its counterpart, Walt Disney World in Florida, since its ornate iron gates swung open in 1971.

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H2O Glow Nights are back at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon® Water Park for a second summer! Inspired by the popular Toy Story Toon, “Partysaurus Rex,” this exclusive after-hours party will take place on select nights from May 30-Aug. 24, 2019. Here are some of the top reasons you should add H2O Glow to their summer 2019 bucket list.

1. Enjoy More Attractions and Spend Less Time Waiting

Going to an after-hours party at Disney guarantees a smaller crowd and shorter wait times. H2O Glow Nights are no different. With all of the Typhoon Lagoon attractions open throughout the night, the only question is which attraction to visit first.

2. Experience Typhoon Lagoon In A New Light

“Magical” is the first word that comes to mind when describing the lighting effects used to put the glow in H2O Glow Nights. From the colorful ice cubes in the drinks to the neon hula hoops on the dance floor, any true Disney fan will appreciate the details that make this event so unique.

3. Meet Favorite Characters From “Toy Story”

If you haven’t gotten a chance to meet Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie – this is their chance! And what’s more, rumor has it, Forky, from the all-new movie, “Toy Story 4,” will be making an appearance at H2O Glow Nights. You heard it here first!

4. Explore Our Adults-Only Venue

H2O Glow Nights truly has something for everyone- including adults! Designed with adult partygoers in mind, “The Wharf” features special entertainment and a bar. Glowritas anyone?

5. Try #Instagramable Food Inspired by “Toy Story”

You will want to come hungry to this event! The menu items at H2O Glow Nights are photogenic, delicious and themed to compliment the glow party atmosphere. From the Western Beef Brisket Dish to the Buzz Blaster, it’s hard to choose a favorite!  

6. Show Off Your Dance Moves

By day, the sandy beaches of Typhoon Lagoon are perfect for soaking up the sun and scoping out the Surf Pool. By night, the beaches transform into a high-energy DJ-hosted dance party you won’t want to miss.

7. Purchase Exclusive Glow-In-The-Dark Merchandise

What better way to commemorate the H2O Glow Nights experience than taking home a piece of the party. Our exclusive new merchandise collection includes a glow-in-the-dark T-shirt and a Tervis tumbler and features artwork inspired by the event.

Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland® Park is now open after a months-long refurbishment, and it’s more beautiful than ever! The beloved icon now features vibrant new colors, a new roof and charming and subtle pixie dust, among other enhancements.

Over the years, the colors and finishes on Sleeping Beauty Castle have been refreshed and updated since Disney Legend and Imagineering Artist Herb Ryman first created the concept illustration of the castle in the 1950s.

“What’s interesting about this time is that we used an ages-old painting technique called atmospheric perspective to visually heighten the castle,” said Kim Irvine, art director at Walt Disney Imagineering. “We warmed the pink hues on the lower towers and gradually added blue to lighten the colors toward the top.”

The same technique was used for the new roof, now with gorgeous cobalt hues. Each of the 18 original turrets was digitally scanned to create the same roofline, and pixie dust was sprinkled on the center roof.

“We focused the golden accents and pixie dust around the entrance to the castle, as though it has been magically enchanted,” said Irvine. Colorful banners, pennants and landscaping also were included, and the Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough received new paint and lighting.

To celebrate the reopening, the Disneyland Resort made a donation to Ryman Arts, a charity founded in Herb Ryman’s memory, and planted a dwarf fir tree in his honor. The “Ryman Tree” recalls a Christmas tree that belonged to Herb Ryman the last year of his life that was once planted near the castle after his passing.

When Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens at Disneyland® Park on May 31, it will be the largest and most technologically advanced single-themed land expansion ever in a Disney park. You will step right into a remote planet full of unique sights, sounds, smells, tastes and other immersive experiences.

To help you “map” out your visit, we’re excited to share a first look at the Disneyland Park guidemap!

As you can see, there are three entrances into the new 14-acre land. Once inside, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be filled with plenty of stories to explore as your own adventure—from an authentic Star Wars cantina on the Outer Rim of the galaxy to exotic creatures, a Resistance encampment and daring missions aboard the Millennium Falcon!

You can now also navigate Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on their mobile phone or desktop! Check out the map on Disneyland.com and the official Disneyland App. 

Data rates may apply. Availability may vary and coverage may not be available. Get parents’ permission if under 18.

Micky Mouse and Cinderella costume characters, and many other beloved Disney icons continue to serve up smiles — millions of them — at attractions around the world.

Magic Kingdom at Disney World in Florida was the world’s most-visited theme park in 2018, with a whopping 20.8 million visitors, according to an annual report released Wednesday by Themed Entertainment Association and AECOM, which tracks and ranks attendance at theme parks around the world. (Disney doesn’t publicly release attendance figures.)

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This Halloween season, Guests of all ages are sure to have a ghoulishly good time at the new Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party at Disney California Adventure® Park. This separately-ticketed party is packed with exclusive new entertainment and experiences, including the new “World of Color” spectacular – “Villainous!”

Tweens will be treated to multiple new experiences – including the new interactive DescenDANCE Party and more! Here’s what’s in store:

• DescenDANCE Party – A new pulsing party in the Backlot area of Hollywood Land is inspired by the popular “Descendants” franchise from Disney Channel. As the DescenDANCE Party begins, a spell is cast, summoning the greatest dance crew from the Isle of the Lost to throw down and lead everyone in moves that are set to the biggest hit songs from all three “Descendants” movies.  The original “Villain Kids” might even crash the party through magic mirrors. Once the DescenDANCE crew returns to their realm, the Backlot DJ continues to spin tunes that will make any “Villain Kid” proud, inviting everyone to step onto the dance floor into the night.
• “Villainous!” – The new “World of Color” show weaves a Halloween tale about a young girl named Shelley Marie. This twisted tale carries Shelley on an unforgettable journey, exploring the villainous side of Disney characters through fountains, lights, lasers, projections and special effects. “Villainous!” shows that, deep down, there’s a little villain in all of us.
• Character encounters – Tweens will love meeting beloved Disney characters – and villains, too. You may be surprised at who you discover at this Halloween party, like Dr Facilier, Jafar and Maleficent!
• Immersive Treat Trails – Trick-or-treating is not just for little kids! There is so much to see at the new, wonderfully wicked treat trails throughout the park. Iconic characters such as Mad Hatter from Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland,” or even Oogie Boogie himself will surprise and delight. Additional treat trails will feature oversized cauldrons full of treats for all Guests to enjoy.
• “Frightfully Fun Parade” – The favorite Halloween parade is coming to Disney California Adventure park for the first time! The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow starts the procession, followed by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse who lead the cavalcade of characters and many mischievous Disney villains who are ready to stir up some trouble along the parade route.

This spook-tacular Halloween party is only offered on 20 select nights this fall.

By: Disney DestinationsMay 23, 2019

The epic, aerial adventure Soarin’ Over California returns to Disney California Adventure® Park! From June 1 to 30, 2019, this beloved attraction is coming back for a limited time this summer.

Your Clients can take flight and enjoy a bird’s-eye view over California. This virtual tour celebrates the beauty and wonder of the Golden State—from San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge to the crashing waves in Malibu. Guests will be raised high into the air, and surrounded by an immersive, 80-foot projection dome to simulate the graceful motion of flight, while their senses will be teased with iconic scents found throughout California.

Originally opened in 2001, Soarin’ Over California became a fan-favorite attraction. In 2016, the attraction became Soarin’ Around the World, taking you over the many wonders of the world—from the majestic Swiss Alps to the Great Wall of China.

The return of Soarin’ Over California adds to the exciting offerings available at Disney California Adventure Park this June. 

“Rivers of Light: We Are One” debuts this weekend at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, as the next chapter of this beautiful nighttime pageant unfolds, telling the story of our connection with animals and the emotions and milestones we all share in our journey through the great circle of life. This reimagined version of the show introduces additional, stunning imagery and familiar animal characters from Disneynature films, along with a colorful tapestry of classic moments from Disney animation.

Also starting this weekend, the Tree of Life awakens each evening with a new story inspired by this summer’s release of “The Lion King.” Moments from Simba’s journey are depicted in a beautiful artistic style, set to an evocative musical score comprised of new arrangements of familiar tunes. And all summer long, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is celebrating “The Lion King,” from the Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party and unique photo opportunities to the ever-popular “Festival of the Lion King” and special décor throughout the park.

There is a whole pride of eats and treats coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park this summer with offerings that celebrate some favorite characters and moments from Disney’s beloved tale, “The Lion King.”

All of the items listed below begin on May 24, 2019 and will run through the end of summer. From latte art and ice cream sandwiches to special cones and more, there are enough treats here to have a feast fit for a (lion) king!

Simba Ice Cream Sandwich – Available at Tamu Tamu

Vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two chocolate chip cookies and decorated with chocolate tail and an image of Simba

Simba’s Sunset Dole Whip – Available at Tamu Tamu

Pineapple Dole Whip topped with red syrup made up of watermelon and coconut

King’s Cooler – Available at Tamu Tamu

Pineapple Dole Whip with rum topped with red syrup made up of watermelon and coconut

Asante Slush – Available at the Shave Ice Cart Near Harambe Market

Shaved ice topped with watermelon and passion fruit-mango syrup

Serengeti Sangria – Available at Dawa Bar, Harambe Market, and Boneyard Bar

Red sangria

Bugs ‘n Grub Waffle Cone – Available at Anandapur Bus and Trilo-Bites

Chocolate soft-serve ice cream in a green cone with cookies and cream “dirt” crumbles, gummy worms, and a chocolate beetle

“The Lion King” Novelty Sipper and Popcorn Bucket – Available Later this Summer at various Outdoor Vending Locations throughout the Park

Only available while supplies last

“The Lion King” Latte Art – Available at Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co.

Special latte art featuring Simba

Lion’s Latte – Available at Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co.

Hot or iced latte with white chocolate and coconut and featuring Joffrey’s “Flavors of Africa” artisan roast coffee from Kenya

Simba Cupcake – Currently available at Pizzafari

Yellow vanilla cupcake filled with white chocolate mousse and topped with buttercream, an edible piece featuring Simba, and a fierce mane of orange and yellow icing

Simba and Nala Waffles – Currently available at Tusker House (breakfast only)

Kid’s waffles featuring Simba and Nala

Special “The Lion King”-themed Merchandise – Available at Mombasa Marketplace, Discovery Trading Company, and Island Mercantile

You can enjoy these treats in style with apparel including a Long Live the King Black Youth Tee, a Simba Youth Baseball Cap, and a Hakuna Matata Adult Tee

But that’s not all – in addition to all of these fun treats, there are a few more ways you can celebrate “The Lion King,” such as our new limited-time dining experience – Circle of Flavors: Harambe at Night. This event happens on Wednesday nights throughout the summer and takes Guests on a flavorful journey inspired by the animated classic. You can take a train ride to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, enjoy live entertainment, and graze on hors d’oeuvres featuring authentic African fare plus a variety of other delicious selections.

And as we’ve previously shared, next door at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jiko – The Cooking Place is featuring a limited-time special “Lion King”-themed prix fixe menu.