There may not be snow in Florida, but at Walt Disney World, there’s no shortage of holiday spirit. From elaborately decorated Christmas trees to characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse dressed in their holiday best, there’s holiday magic in the air all throughout the resort despite of the lack of chilly temperatures.
Video: An Inside Look at New Disney Parks Technology, Personalized Experiences and More
Recently, Bob Chapek, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products shared some exciting updates during the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo (IAAPA). Today, we have highlights from Bob’s presentation that featured a first look at new technology coming to Disney parks, including more lifelike Audio-Animatronics figures and a new ride system for Epcot’s highly-anticipated “Guardians of the Galaxy”-themed attraction.
Stay tuned for future updates on technology and experiences featured in the video.
Party with Pixar Pals and More as Disney’s Hollywood Studios Marks 30 Years
- JUST ANNOUNCED! May 1, 2019, marks the 30th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The park will celebrate this milestone all year long, starting Jan. 18 with the reveal of a new 30th anniversary logo.
- Pixar Avenue will be the place for guests to show off their inner Supers with The Incredibles. Guests will celebrate the heroic deeds of Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible and Frozone, who will make appearances throughout the day during a party featuring lively music, dancing, interactive games and more Super fun. Guests will meet super-suit designer Edna Mode and see some of her greatest creations. They may also spot signs for the whereabouts of the youngest Incredible – the mischievous and multi-powered Jack-Jack.
- A door to the monster world will open inside Walt Disney Presents, inviting guests to visit with Mike and Sulley from Disney•Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.”
- Guests will feel like honorary toys in the new Toy Story Land. Based on the beloved Pixar Toy Story films, the playful land features two new attractions – Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers – as well as fan-favorite Toy Story Mania!
- In addition, the new high-energy live show “Disney Junior Dance Party!” will feature characters from Disney Junior television series, including Vampirina, Doc McStuffins and many more.
Feel the Love During ‘Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party’ at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Guests will take a walk on the wild side at Disney’s Animal Kingdom during the “Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party,” featuring Timon and Rafiki from Disney’s “The Lion King.”
- Each day on Discovery Island, the dance party will encourage young adventurers to let their inner animals roam free on the dance floor as a street band plays a fiery soundtrack in a World Beat style.
All this excitement will be here in two shakes of a mouse’s tail! To make sure no one misses a moment, guests will find a new countdown clock online at Disneyworld.com/nowmorethanever. It’s rolling down to when the fun begins on the morning of Jan. 18, 2019!
More Broadway Music Than Ever at Epcot International Festival of the Arts
- The Epcot International Festival of the Arts comes to life Jan. 18-Feb. 25, 2019, where guests will indulge in world-class culinary, visual and performance arts.
- The Disney on Broadway Concert Series expands to seven days a week during the festival, providing more opportunities than ever before to hear pairs of Disney on Broadway stars sing favorite tunes from award-winning productions. The lineup will rotate regularly, featuring music from “The Lion King,” “Frozen,” “Beauty and the Beast” and other hit shows.
- The festival will include 13 Food Studios, plus additional creative food and beverages around Epcot, featuring an expanded selection of delicious new tastes to savor.
- Art collectors and Disney enthusiasts alike will find artwork for sale throughout the park, from the Art of Disney store to Festival Markets. In addition, special festival merchandise will be available at Mouse Gear and other Epcot locations.
- The 2019 festival provides fun every day for the whole family, including performance artists, complimentary seminars, hands-on activities and Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt.
- While experiencing all the Epcot International Festival of the Arts has to offer, guests will want to spend another evening around World Showcase Lagoon taking in “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” which will be ending in the second half of 2019 to make way for an all-new nighttime spectacular.
Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration Arrives at Magic Kingdom Park
- Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration will honor those true originals, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, with new entertainment, merchandise and specialty food and beverages at Magic Kingdom.
- JUST ANNOUNCED! Mickey and Minnie will greet guests together inside Town Square Theater, wearing all-new, colorful outfits for their special celebration.
- JUST ANNOUNCED! Guests will enjoy Celebration Station inside Town Square Theater, where they may sign a guestbook to let Mickey and Minnie know, personally, how much fun they had during the party.
- JUST ANNOUNCED! An all-new song, “It’s a Good Time,” will play several times daily as part of the new “Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party.” During this high-energy bash, singing hosts will invite guests to join in the fun with Disney pals including Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, and many others.
- JUST ANNOUNCED! Mickey’s beloved dog, Pluto, will meet guests under the big top at Pete’s Silly Sideshow in Storybook Circus.
Watch ‘Candlelight Processional’ Live from Epcot December 4 at 8:10 p.m. ET
For Guests visiting Walt Disney World® Resort during the holidays, “Candlelight Processional” at Epcot® is a must-do, chill-evoking live musical performance that celebrates the season and leaves entire families in awe. For the first time ever, our partners at the Disney Parks Blog are showcasing“Candlelight Processional” live on Dec. 4, 2018, as part of their #DisneyParksLIVE stream series.
We will live stream the park’s 8:15 p.m. show with host actor Neil Patrick Harris, with our live stream starting just minutes before, at 8:10 p.m. ET, so you can get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring this beautiful show to life.
To tune into the live stream on December 4, simply visit the Disney Parks Blog at 8:05 p.m. ET that night.
We hope you join us as we celebrate the joy of the season.
The Beignet Burgers At Disney World Just Combined Two Gloriously Delicious Things In One
Calling all beignet lovers! I have great news for you. Disney has blessed us all yet again with their latest food addition: the beignet burger at Disney World, which combines two iconic favorites in one. You can find the sweet-and-savory combo meal in Port Orleans French Quarter’s Sassagoula Floatworks food court.
Play Disney Parks Mobile App Includes Música En Español!
Today we’re excited to share that a new playlist has been added to the Play Disney Parks app, featuring music in Spanish.
The new “Disney en Español” playlist is available in the app at Epcot®, specifically at the Mexico Pavilion. Guests can listen to songs from Disney•Pixar’s “Coco” and other Disney movies and shows, all in en español!
So how does this work? When you are using the app, they’ll see that each park has a map and within it, a music icon. They can click on that and like Disney magic, an Apple Music playlist will come up from each of the parks with dedicated lists throughout various areas within the park. For example, when Guests are in Epcot, they need to make sure they click on the icon that is on the Mexico Pavilion so they can listen to the playlist.
You will be able to preview the music on the playlist with a thirty-second sample of each song, and new users can even sign up for a free three-month trial from within the app and enjoy full-length versions of their favorite Disney songs.
Guests can also listen to this playlist at home when they are getting ready for their vacación to Walt Disney World Resort or even after they return from their trip!
To use the Play Disney Parks app and listen to the “Disney en Español” playlist on Apple Music, you can download the app from the App Store!
*Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations, and features may vary by handset, service provider or otherwise. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first. Some features require separate theme park admission.
*Some features require a three-month Apple Music trial or subscription and are only available on iOS devices. Separate terms and conditions apply.
Apple, iPhone and Apple Music are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Google Play is a trademark of Google LLC.
Toy Story Land During the Holiday Season Is Disney Magic at Its Best
From jumbo trees to themed parades, Walt Disney World takes the holiday season seriously, and Toy Story Land is about to experience it firsthand. Disney’s newest land will, for the very first time, be doused in yuletide cheer with over-the-top decor designed to make you feel like a toy inside Andy’s backyard. Even better? Because everything in Woody and Buzz Lightyear’s expanse is larger than life, the festive additions are too, giving an eye-popping new take on tinsel and tree toppers.
