WDW Daily News

A slew of new experiences – from art classes and fishing excursions, to pirate experiences and mermaid schools and more – are already, or will soon be, available to book at Walt Disney World® Resort hotels.

Here’s a look at each new Guest offering:

Captain Hook’s Pirate Crew at Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Ahoy, mateys! Reservations are now open for a new group experience that invites young recruits ages 4-12 into the world of pirate feasting and treasure seeking, high-energy sailin’ and swashbucklin’ fun. The new Captain Hook’s Pirate Crew at Disney’s Beach Club Resort teaches youngsters pirate ways, and lets them follow clues that will lead to hidden treasure and being named to Captain Hook’s Pirate Crew. Armed with clues, young buccaneers will comb through the resort and set sail on a pontoon boat around Crescent Lake, in the latest seafaring adventure at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Once the treasure is unearthed, all join in a Pirate feast that includes selections such as Cannon Meatballs with marinara or macaroni and “gold” sauce for entrees, along with a treasure chest treat or fruit for dessert. Captain Hook’s Pirate Crew is priced at $55 per child (plus tax); the adventures begin April 28. To book a reservation for your Clients, call 407-824-KIDS.

Note: This experience replaces Pixar Play Zone at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, which closes on March 30, 2019.

Mermaid School

Guests can become part of Ariel’s world at the Mermaid School at select Walt Disney World resort hotels. Guests ages 4 and older can enjoy an hour-long class where they’ll be fitted with a swimmable “tail” and led through activities teaching them how to swim in a pool like a mermaid. Mermaid School will be offered on select dates at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. Classes are $50/person (plus tax). Bookings will open mid-March through 407-WDW-PLAY.

Cabanas at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts

Reservations are open for rentals of the new poolside cabanas at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, where your Clients can indulge in the lap of luxury. These private hideaways exclusive to Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts provide guests with a bevy of services, including:

• Padded furniture (chairs and couch)
• Dedicated Disney cast member service
• Cocktail service
• Mounted television with cable access
• Complimentary sunscreen and other skincare products
• Mini-refrigerator stocked with complimentary soda and water
• Complimentary fruit tray
• Plush towels
• Lockable cabinet
• Charging outlets for mobile devices

These new cabanas are exclusively for guests staying at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. Reservations for half and full day rentals are now open for dates beginning March 17 through 407-WDW-PLAY. 

New Art Programs

All-new master classes led by professional artists at select Walt Disney World resort hotels will have your Clients creating their own masterpieces. Classes range from $35 (plus tax) to $50 (plus tax) per person, offered to ages 12 and older for most experiences. 

The artful lineup will include:

• Win, Paint, Show at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
• Wild About Painting, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Painting on de’ Bayou (adults), Painting by the Lagoon (kids), Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter Resort. NOTE: children’s painting class is $30 per person (plus tax); designed for ages 6 and older; accompanying parent required.
• Painting in the Vineyard, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts
• Canvas and Wine Glass Painting on the Boards, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

 Bookings (select dates per resort) are available through 407-WDW-PLAY.

Fishing Excursions

Whether a seasoned sportsman or amateur angler, guided excursions or dockside fishing in the waterways of Walt Disney World Resort are great fun for Guests of all ages. Aboard a 21-foot SunTracker pontoon (up to five guests) or a tournament-style NITRO bass-fishing boat (for one or two participants), teeming Disney waters are an angler’s dream. Outings (two or four hours) are catch-and-release. The fleet has been joined by a new NITRO ZV21, operating out of the Magic Kingdom® Park marinas. To book an excursion for your Clients, call 407-WDW-BASS.

Parks, attractions, entertainment or character experiences may change operating hours; close due to refurbishing, capacity, weather, special events, character availability or other reasons; and otherwise change or be discontinued without notice and without liability to the owners of the Walt Disney World Resort. 

Any hints and rumors about Avengers: Endgame and Star Wars: Episode 9 are a hot commodity online. New footage? That’s hotter than a pre-haircut Thor.

CNET sister site ComicBook.com is reporting that footage from the upcoming films was shown at a meeting of Disney shareholders on Thursday — and that’s not all. Scenes from the new live-action Lion King as well as the Avatar sequel and Toy Story 4 were also reportedly shared.

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Disney Parks, Experiences and Products shared an exciting announcement many of you have been waiting to hear – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is opening ahead of schedule on May 31 at Disneyland® Resort in Southern California and August 29 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® in Florida.

That’s right – it’s debuting early because of high guest interest in experiencing this new, immersive land.  On opening day for phase one, your Clients will be able to live your own Star Wars story and take the controls of the most famous ship in the galaxy aboard Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, sample amazing galactic food and beverages, explore an intriguing collection of merchant shops and more.

And for phase two, opening later this year, will be Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, the most ambitious, immersive and advanced attraction ever imagined that will put guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance and will blur the lines between fantasy and reality.  In light of tremendous demand, Disney made the decision to open the land in phases to allow Guests to sooner enjoy the one-of-a-kind experiences that make Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge so spectacular.

Guests planning to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park between May 31 and June 23, 2019 will need valid theme park admission and will be required to make a no-cost reservation, subject to availability, to access the land. Information on how to make a reservation will be available at a later date. Guests staying at one of the three DisneylandResort hotels during these dates will receive a designated reservation to access Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge during their stay (one reservation per registered guest); valid theme park admission is required.

A reservation will not be offered or required to experience Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at the Walt Disney World® Resort. And you should know that valid theme park admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is required to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge after its opening on August 29, 2019. Capacity is limited. Additionally, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be open during Extra Magic Hours. During Extra Magic Hours Guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels can spend extra time at Disney’s Hollywood Studios enjoying select attractions. Details will also be available at a later date.

We know how excited many of you are to visit the galaxy’s Outer Rim and that they’ll have questions about how to best experience Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – so, here are some important details to help start the planning:

Park Admission: Regular theme park admission is required to enter Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There will not be a separate ticket for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.  To visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park between May 31 and June 23, 2019, guests will need valid theme park admission and will be required to make a no-cost reservation, subject to availability, to access the land.  We’ll share information on how to make a reservation at a later date. 

Land Entry: Because we anticipate galactic excitement during the opening months this year, we are planning ahead to deliver the best possible experiences for our guests.  Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be open during normal park operating hours. It will not be included in Extra Magic Hour or Magic Morning at Disneyland Park. It will be open during Extra Magic Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Attractions: Disney FASTPASS service, including access via Disney MaxPass, (at Disneyland Park) and Disney FastPass+service (at Disney’s Hollywood Studios) will not initially be offered at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. We will continually evaluate our operations and services in order to help provide a great guest experience.

Planning:  You should also note that vacation packages, park tickets and Disney Resort hotel stays do not guarantee access to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The land —including participation in its experiences—will be subject to capacity restraints and other restrictions. We’ll also be sharing more information on what you need to know when planning a visit to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, including arrival and planning details in upcoming posts here on Disney Travel News. 

Keep checking for updates on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort in Southern California and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida. 


Capacity for the parks, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and its experiences is limited.  Access to the park, land and experiences may be restricted or unavailable depending on guest demand and other factors.

You won’t find an ordinary green-and-white traffic sign around Disney World. Here’s the story behind the fun purple-and-red signs that the park uses instead.

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Minutes ago, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products shared an exciting announcement many of you have been waiting to hear – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is opening ahead of schedule on May 31 at Disneyland® Resort in Southern California and August 29 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® in Florida.

That’s right – it’s debuting early because of high guest interest in experiencing this new, immersive land.  On opening day for phase one, guests will be able to live your own Star Wars story and take the controls of the most famous ship in the galaxy aboard Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, sample amazing galactic food and beverages, explore an intriguing collection of merchant shops and more.

And for phase two, opening later this year, will be Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, the most ambitious, immersive and advanced attraction ever imagined that will put guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance and will blur the lines between fantasy and reality.  In light of tremendous demand, Disney made the decision to open the land in phases to allow Guests to sooner enjoy the one-of-a-kind experiences that make Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge so spectacular.

Guests planning to visit Star Wars:Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park between May 31 and June 23, 2019 will need valid theme park admission and will be required to make a no-cost reservation, subject to availability, to access the land. Information on how to make a reservation will be available at a later date. Guests staying at one of the three Disneyland Resort hotels during these dates will receive a designated reservation to access Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge during their stay (one reservation per registered guest); valid theme park admission is required.

A reservation will not be offered or required to experience Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at the Walt Disney World® Resort. And you should know that valid theme park admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is required to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge after its opening on August 29, 2019. Capacity is limited. Additionally, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be open during Extra Magic Hours. During Extra Magic Hours Guests staying at select Walt Disney WorldResort hotels can spend extra time at Disney’s Hollywood Studios enjoying select attractions. Details will also be available at a later date.

Now, if you’re as excited as we are about experiencing Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, we have important information you should know before you go and begin your own Star Wars adventure in a galaxy far, far away. Please check back later today for details. 

Epcot is headed into a multiyear transformation that will see a new park entrance and a new, currently unnamed “play pavilion” taking the place of the Wonders of Life pavilion. The changes will begin later this year.

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For over 15 years, Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant has been a Guest favorite at Disney Springs®.  As soon as you enter the restaurant, they can feel as if they’re in Ireland. And that’s because most of the interior was actually built in Ireland and shipped to Orlando. While Guests never need a reason to celebrate at Raglan Road, the annual Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival, which is held March 15-17, is a perfect time to visit! Here are a few highlights to expect this year:

Live Entertainment: Guests can always find amazing live music at Raglan Road, and there will be even more jam-packed talent at the festival. The line-up includes the Young Dubliners, one of Celtic rock’s hardest working bands and the festival headliner; Ben Gunnery, Irish music superstar and multi-instrumentalist; Briste, a female duo with a mix of country, folk and Irish traditional music; The Byrne Brothers, an Irish music family featuring Dempsey (age 9), Finn (age 12) and Luca (age 14) playing alongside their father Tommy; The Raglan Roots Coalition, an edgy house band known for its soul-rockin’ Celtic bluegrass funky beats and High Road, three talented musicians hailing from Ireland with a crowd-pleasing symphony of traditional Irish songs, among others.

Authentic Irish Grub: The classic fish and chips are always a “must-have,” but don’t forget that Raglan Road boasts an incredible menu of Irish pub favorites and brilliantly reimagined classics. If you are looking to try something new, they can enjoy the Guinness-infused Bangin’ Bangers and Mighty Mash (that’s sausage and mashed potatoes Irish-style) or “In Cod’s Way”, a pan-seared north Atlantic cod with lemon, herb crusted potatoes, garden peas, with a tomato and caper butter sauce. Of course, there’s always a mighty selection of brews, whiskeys, and cocktails to cap off the dining experience.

Family-Friendly Fun: You can bring the whole family and watch the ever-popular Raglan Road Irish Dancersplucked from the world’s greatest Irish dance shows. Guests can catch them intermittently throughout the festival and learn traditional Irish dance steps from the pros with no experience necessary! Plus, there is also complimentary face painting March 15 from 3-9 p.m. and March 16-17 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

If you are planning to celebrate on St. Patrick’s Day, plan ahead for the fun! On March 17, Guests will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis with a cover charge of $10 for each guest age 18 and older. Reservations can be booked for other festival days, including brunch, by calling 407-938-0300.

And if you are in need of a little outfit inspiration, stop by the Shop for Ireland right outside the restaurant for apparel and accessories that will help  capture the true Celtic spirit.

You can get ready to dance all night and join in on the fun with “Mickey’s Mix Magic” at Disneyland® Park. As part of Get Your Ears On – A Mickey and Minnie Celebration, we’re celebrating 90 years with the one and only Mickey Mouse.

“Mickey’s Mix Magic” is a nightly extravaganza featuring high-energy projections, lighting, lasers and of course, pulsating music! In fact, the show’s musical score is inspired by the irresistible beat of house music—bringing energy and fun that appeals to Guests of all ages. 

The biggest celebration of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in Disneyland history also includes the fan-favorite “Mickey’s Soundsational Parade,” as well as festive décor and limited time food, beverage and novelty items!

Categories: Disneyland Park

Now aboard all four Disney Cruise Line ships, children’s dreams of being a princess can come true with a new Signature Rapunzel makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Truly fit for royalty, the stunning, heirloom-quality gown features a latticed bodice and rich fabrics.

To complete the look, Fairy Godmothers-in-training adorn each little princess with a crystal tiara, a gold-plated sun pendant necklace, and a gold-plated and sterling silver bracelet with pink, purple and white Swarovski stones.

Add the princess shoes and sash, imperial hairstyling, nail polish, shimmery makeup and sparkling face gems, and the royal transformation is complete!

This new Signature Rapunzel package also includes an ultra-luxurious white robe with lavender trim and crown embroideries, plus an organza garment bag and a satin hanger.

Makeovers at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique can be booked online at DisneyCruise.com in advance of embarkation or onboard the ship during a cruise.

You can come on out to Disney California Adventure® Park and enjoy the best of Californian cuisine, beverages and entertainment during Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, now through April 23, 2019! Here’s what to expect:

Culinary Demonstrations: Guests can head to the Backlot Stage in Hollywood Land to watch and learn from talented chefs as they share recipes and tips for preparing favorite dishes.

Festival Marketplaces: You can explore 14 different Festival Marketplaces for a varied and vibrant smorgasbord of small plates, specialty wines and craft beers. Each location’s menu is inspired by fresh, California-grown ingredients!

If guests are interested in tasting their way through the festival, the Sip and Savor Pass is now available to all Guests. This pass entitles you to eight select food or non-alcoholic beverage items from any participating Marketplaces, Paradise Garden Grill and select Festival Food & Beverage Carts. guests can use all eight coupons in a single day, or spread them out over multiple visits!

Family Entertainment: Guests can enjoy an entree of fun-filled entertainment, including lively performances of Jammin’ Chefs, who use pots, pans and percussion to wow the crowd. During Jr. Chef, kids ages 3 to 11 get to whip up fantastic fun during this hands-on “cooking” experience that ends with a tasty surprise.

Event Merchandise: Guests can commemorate this year’s festival with exclusive event merchandise. There is plenty to please the palate of any Disney fan—from festive headwear and apparel, to kitchen accessories and souvenirs.