Six Wild Facts About “UP! A Great Bird Adventure” At Disney’s Animal Kingdom

There’s a new show in the wilderness! Senior Wilderness Explorer Russell and his furry pal Dug from Disney•Pixar’s animated hit film UP join bird experts on a new adventure featuring encounters with birds from around the world. UP! A Great Bird Adventure makes its onstage debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Earth Day, April 22, coinciding with the theme park’s 20th anniversary.

Here are six wild facts about the new 25-minute show:

  • Led by an avian enthusiast and bird experts, this unique experience features a close-up look at bird species from South America, North America, India, Africa, and other locations around the globe.
  • More than 15 species of birds make appearances, including toucans, parrots, macaws, and an African fish eagle with a magnificent 7-foot wingspan.
  • This is the first time that Russell and Dug from DisneyPixar’s UP appear onstage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
  • An original, authentic Indian musical score features themes from DisneyPixar’s UP.
  • Twenty animal trainers were involved in the training and rehearsal that brought the show to the stage. Four trainers work with the birds and the actors during every performance.
  • The production team’s goal is to showcase beloved Disney characters and the amazing natural behavior of birds to inspire guests to connect with nature.
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‘American Idol’: Idina Menzel to Mentor Disney-Themed Night

For the first time in forever, “American Idol” will host a Disney-themed night on the ABC singing competition. And the contestants will get get a little help from Queen Elsa of “Frozen” herself.

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Pixar Fest is under way at Disney theme parks. Next up? Pixar Pier coming to California Adventure

Pixar Fest debuted at Disneyland Parks on Friday with a multimedia fireworks show and two parades, “Pixar Play Parade” and the lighted “Paint the Night” Parade.

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All-New Play Disney Parks App Coming to Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort This Summer

Guests can soon explore Disneyland® Resort and Walt Disney World® Resort in a whole new way using the all-new Play Disney Parks app! Coming this summer on iOS and Android, guests can play in the parks like never before using this soon-to-launch mobile app to access exclusive experiences at both locations through activities that interact with the surrounding environment. The app will be free to download.

With the touch of a button, wait time turns into play time with family and friends at certain locations. And the more guests explore in Disney parks, the more there is to discover on the app. This is just the latest way we are making a visit to our parks even more fun and memorable in new and innovative ways.

Since the launch of My Disney Experience at Walt Disney World Resort in 2013, Disney continues to reinvent digital offerings at their parks around the world. The My Disney Experience app, our Guests’ go-to vacation companion, has continued to evolve – including the Get Directions feature, Online Check-In and the recently launched Digital Key. Guests are also loving the Disneyland App, Disney MaxPass and soon mobile order at Disneyland Resort – currently available at Walt Disney World – and we’re excited to bring this latest innovation to the parks!

We can’t wait to share with you everything this first-of-its-kind Disney app has to offer. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to launch this summer.

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. Apple, the Apple logo and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

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20 things you may not know about Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which turns 20 on Earth Day

Twenty years ago this month (on Earth Day, to be exact), Walt Disney World in Florida welcomed its fourth theme park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, on April 22, 1998.

The concept of presenting live animals to theme park guests originated with — of all people — Walt Disney himself. Walt’s love of animals was sparked when, at the age of 4, he moved with his family from Chicago to Marceline, Mo., and he began to take care of farm animals.

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Tickets Now Available for Disney H2O Glow Nights, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party & Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Tickets are now on sale for Disney H2O Glow Nights at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon®, Water Park, as well as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Parties and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties at Magic Kingdom® Park.

Earlier this month, we shared the exciting details of the new Disney H2O Glow Nights offering at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. As part of the Incredible Summer celebration at Walt Disney World® Resort, “Toy Story” pals will throw glow parties on select summer nights, starting June 21, 2018, inspired by the awesome party in the Pixar short, “Partysaurus Rex.”

Disney H2O Glow Nights will take place only at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon on Thursdays and Saturdays from June 21-August 11, from 8-11 p.m. Tickets cost $55 for adults and $50 for children ages 3-9 (plus tax). Tickets are commissionable for the following dates: June 21, 23, 28, 30; July 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28; August 2, 4, 9 and 11.

Tickets are also now available online for Guest-favorite fall events.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party fills Magic Kingdom Park with spooky delights on select nights beginning Aug. 17, 2018. Returning party “treats” include the “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” stage show in front of Cinderella Castle, Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade, “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks spectacular, candy and much more.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets start at $75 in advance or $85 at the gate, if available.

You can reserve tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties. Returning favorites for the holiday party includes Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade; “Holiday Wishes” fireworks spectacular; “A Frozen Holiday Wish,” in which Queen Elsa uses her incredible powers to transform Cinderella Castle into a sparkling, icy centerpiece for the celebration; and the jubilant show, “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration.”

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tickets start at $95 in advance or $105 at the gate, if available.

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The Disney Dress Shop Now Open at Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort

The Disney Dress Shop is now officially open in its new location at Downtown Disney® District at the Disneyland® Resort!

The delightful apparel and accessories collection created especially for Disney Parks has been a fan-favorite of Disneyland Resort Guests since the pop-up shop opened last year in Downtown Disney. The new location next to Marceline’s Confectionary will continue to offer the whimsical collection, but in a larger environment.

Your Clients will find retro-designed items inspired by favorite Disney characters and theme park attractions, including several recently released items inspired by Mary Poppins, Main Street, U.S.A., “it’s a small world” and the Haunted Mansion. In addition, shoppers can also find Disney Parks PANDORA jewelry.

Whether guests are looking to complete a frightfully-fashionable look, or turn your day of shopping into a jolly holiday, The Disney Dress Shop is filled with unique items to show off your passion for Disney style.

The Disney Dress Shop opening is part of the promenade-wide transformation at Downtown Disney District in 2018, resulting in a fresh, one-of-a-kind Disney experience. Multiple new venues and significant refurbishments to marquee dining and retail locations will be completed throughout the year while Downtown Disney District remains open to Guests.

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Music Makes the Magic for Pixar Fest at the Disneyland Resort

The memorable music of Pixar films will be ever-present at the Disneyland Resort during the first-ever Pixar Fest, April 13-Sept. 3, 2018. From performances of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” to the soundtrack of “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular,” the familiar and heartwarming music of the films will become part of the guest experience at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Parks.

At Disneyland Park

The new multimedia show, “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular,” will surround guests with music, projections, lasers, fire and pyrotechnics. It features a new musical score, recorded by an orchestra of 101 musicians and 20 vocalists, enhancing a storyline that celebrates the everlasting bonds of friendship. Among the songs featured in “Together Forever” are:

  • “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from “Toy Story,” a song that serves as the musical thread of the show
  • “If I Didn’t Have You” from “Monsters, Inc.,” featuring a new musical arrangement in genres such as big band and surf rock
  • “The World Es Mi Familia” from “Coco,” sung by Anthony Gonzalez, who voiced lead role of Miguel in the film; with traditional mariachi instruments such as the vihuela, guitar and guitarrón
  • “Married Life” from “Up,” featuring the beloved composition of Michael Giacchino
  • “Life is a Highway” from “Cars,” performed by Rascal Flatts

“Pixar Play Parade” steps off with a lively, upbeat soundtrack that will have guests dancing and clapping along with some of their favorite Pixar characters. “Countdown to Fun” kicks off this energetic parade, and new music accompanies three new story elements in the show. The Pixar Lamp and Ball, from the Pixar original short “Luxo Jr.,” roll down the parade route to a “Pixar Medley,” the “Inside Out” unit is accompanied by the “Main Theme” and “Bing Bong Song,” and the “Up” element brings guests a new rendition of “Spirit of Adventure.”

Special renditions of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from “Toy Story” will be performed by the Disneyland Band along with other musical talent – the Straw Hatters, Dapper Dans, Main Street Piano Player, Royal Street Bachelors and Jambalaya Jazz Band. The Straw Hatters also perform a rendition of “Married Life” from “Up,” along with the Royal Street Bachelors who include “If I Didn’t Have You” from “Monsters, Inc.” in their repertoire.

Beginning June 8, The Pixar Pals Dance Party at the Tomorrowland Terrace will get guests of all ages mixing, mingling and dancing with their favorite Pixar pals. Along with the entertaining music, guests will enjoy meeting characters such as Russell, Dug, Woody, Jessie, the Green Army Men and other Pixar characters.

At Disney California Adventure Park

The musical fun of Pixar Fest continues at Disney California Adventure.

Guests will enjoy the catchy tunes of “Paint the Night” parade as it returns to the Disneyland Resort. High-energy, upbeat renditions of songs from Disney and Pixar films include “If I Didn’t Have You” from “Monsters, Inc.”; “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from “Toy Story”; “Life is a Highway” from “Cars” and many more.

At Paradise Gardens, guests will be treated to the musical sounds of TripleDent Gum presents The Pixarmonic Orchestra. This zany, seven-piece band performs a fun-filled repertoire of songs from Pixar films with unconventional instruments such as cowbells, kazoos, duck calls, sirens and slide whistles. On June 23, The Pixarmonic Orchestra will move to a new location at Pixar Pier.

Additionally, the Grammy® Award-winning Mariachi Divas will perform a special rendition of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” in their repertoire at Pacific Wharf.

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55 Magical Mickey-Shaped Foods You Can Eat at Disney Parks

Waffles, pretzels and…hard-boiled eggs? Here’s your comprehensive guide to all the snacks modeled after the world’s most-famous mouse

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Runners Will Channel The Force This Weekend at the 3rd Annual Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side at Walt Disney World Resort

Runners will get a chance to embrace their ‘’dark side’’ this weekend when more than 43,500 runners participate in the third annual Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side presented by OtterBox at Walt Disney World Resort.

The runners, including 16,000 from Florida, are putting down their light sabers and lacing up their running shoes during the galactic April 19-22 race weekend, which includes runDisney Kids Races, 5K, 10K and half marathon races. There is also the runDisney Health and Fitness Expo, where runners can check out the latest official runDisney race merchandise, fitness apparel, footwear, high-tech gadgets and nutritional products.

More than 17,000 runners will participate in the half-marathon, 12,000 in the 10K and 12,500 in the 5K, while 2,000 will take part in the kid’s races.  During the four-day race weekend, runners from 52 countries will have the rare opportunity to come face-to-face with Captain Phasma, the Dark Enforcer Kylo Ren and First Order stormtroopers, as well as other favorite Star Wars characters.

runDisney Health & Fitness Expo Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side
Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Star Wars 5K • EpcotFriday, 5:30 a.m. start
Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Star Wars 10K • Start: Magic Kingdom| Finish: EpcotSaturday, 5:30 a.m. start
Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side • Start: Magic Kingdom| Finish: EpcotSunday, 5:30 a.m. start
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