WDW Daily News

January 30, 2024

Today, we’re celebrating the grand opening of Pixar Place Hotel at the Disneyland Resort, the first fully Pixar-themed hotel in the United States! Inspired by the artistry and innovative storytelling of Pixar Animation Studios, the 479-room hotel is filled with nods to beloved films from “Toy Story” to “Ratatouille” and “Elemental.” In fact, there is a nod to every Pixar feature film to date!

At Pixar Place Hotel, Guests will see so many familiar Pixar friends brought to life in a whole new way, through various styles of playful artwork, contemporary decor and even surprise visits!

Special Guests & Pixar Characters Join Grand Opening Dedication

Ka-chow! Lightning McQueen, Mater and more Pixar pals made a special visit to celebrate the hotel’s opening day dedication alongside Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock and Pixar Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter.

“We are looking to turbocharge expansion at Disneyland Resort over the coming years, and the transformation of Pixar Place Hotel is a demonstration of how we’re creating high-quality guest experiences infused with our most popular stories,” said Potrock.

Docter, who is the Oscar-winning director of “Monsters, Inc.,” “Up” and “Inside Out,” spoke to the creative collaboration between Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering, who together bring so many favorite stories to life in Disney parks.

“At Pixar, our mission is to tell great stories. And nothing is more exciting than when we see those stories come to life in Disney parks. Pixar Place Hotel at the Disneyland Resort is the perfect example – it’s like walking into a world of Pixar. It’s truly immersive, and we’re thrilled to have collaborated with Walt Disney Imagineering to make such an experience possible for guests.”

And speaking of stories coming to life …

Pixar Place Hotel Welcomes New Characters

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January 24, 2024

Mickey and Minnie Mouse will have new looks specially designed by acclaimed Bahamian fashion designer Theodore Elyett whenever they visit Disney Cruise Line’s newest island destination, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point on the island of Eleuthera. The garments will have a distinct Bahamian flair, inspired by the bright, colorful spirit of Junkanoo, the country’s signature festival filled with joyous music and vibrant parades.

Inspired by the beauty of his homeland, Theodore’s creations reflect the culture and colorful hues of island life. His designs are seen on the likes of Miss Universe contestants, celebrities, brides, cover girls, and government officials just to name a few. Soon, Theodore’s latest work will adorn two of our favorite icons: Mickey and Minnie Mouse!

Theodore grew up in Nassau, The Bahamas, surrounded by art and fashion. His mother owned her own sewing factory, and he started making dresses at an early age. Theodore’s designs first hit the runway when he was just 13 years old, in 1998—the very year Disney Cruise Line set sail. He went on to design for Miss Bahamas contestants and Miss Bahamas Universe, and the rest is history.

When Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point opens in June of 2024, Theodore’s work will hit an exciting, new runway—a celebration of Bahamian culture straight from the eyes of the country’s artists. At Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, Mickey and Minnie’s looks will be part of a collection of colorful works of art by local creators, which guests will experience throughout the new island destination.

“The beauty of Mickey and Minnie’s looks are that they are literally ‘Junkanoo Fun in the Sun,’” Theodore said. “When you talk about the print, pattern, color, texture of Junkanoo, they’ve got that.”

Raffia, a natural material made from the leaves of Raffia palm trees, is typically used in The Bahamas to decorate accessories and Eleuthera is known for its pineapples. These details can be found in both Mickey and Minnie’s looks! 

Theodore will also design special styles for Donald and Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Chip ‘n’ Dale to wear while enjoying the natural beauty of Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point! Be sure to stay tuned for the final looks and to follow along with all the details of this exciting retreat debuting in summer 2024.

Love (and flavor) is in the air because Valentine’s Day is nearly here. To celebrate this love-inducing celebration on Feb. 14, the culinary teams and mixologists have put their passion to the plate and created some truly decadent delights and sips for guests to indulge in.

All you need is love, and an appetite, because both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort have brought out the love fest, or should we say treat fest! This year, there are plenty of beloved returns, like the Zebra Mousse Cake from The Mara and the Strawberry-Red Velvet Whoopie Pie from The Trolley Car Cafe, as well as lovely new additions worthy of your Valentine, including the Valentine’s Day Sundae from Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream and the Puppy Love Chocolate Piñata at The Ganachery. Guests will soon be on cloud nine, one bite at a time.

Time to feel the love tonight and give the taste buds some tasty attention. Here’s this year’s Foodie Guide to Valentine’s Day!

Walt Disney World Resort

Disney Springs

Amorette’s Patisserie (Available Feb. 1 through 17; mobile order available)

• Chocolate-covered Strawberries
• Strawberry Cheesecake

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January 16, 2024

Saddle up for a rustic twist on a Walt Disney World vacation!

Beginning on July 1, guests will have an all-new way to stay in the great outdoors with many of the comforts of “home” in the newest Disney Vacation Club property, The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.

The new cabins will make a relaxing retreat nestled in the scenic woodlands of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. The first loop will open on July 1 with a second loop opening later in the month, and more throughout the year.

During a stay at Fort, there are a variety of unique experiences to enjoy. Here are some fan-favorite must-do activities:

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January 16, 2024

It may be winter according to the calendar, but spring is nearly blooming at Walt Disney World Resort. And nothing says springtime fun like the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival!

This year’s festival will begin on Feb. 28 and continue through May 27 for ninety days full of beautiful topiaries, inspirational gardens, delicious dishes and rockin’ music celebrating spring. From the tiniest tykes to the young at heart, there’s something for everyone!

Today we’re sharing more details, from new topiaries to acts coming to the Garden Rocks concert series. Let’s dig in!

New Topiaries to Enjoy

Each spring, we look forward to the astounding topiaries our Disney horticulture cast create for the festival.

This year, more than 70 topiaries, featuring a delightful array of Disney characters as well as other figures and whimsical items, will fill the park. As part of the topiary magic, guests can also look forward to seeing everyone’s favorite dragon, Figment, in the newly opened World Celebration Gardens.

Something else we’re excited to share: For the first time, Groot takes root at EPCOT! The flora colossus from the “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy will appear near Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in World Discovery.

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January 12, 2024

We’re excited to share more details about “Disney The Tale of Moana,” which will debut exclusively at the Walt Disney Theatre onboard the Disney Treasure in December 2024. With set design and music bursting with elements of Pacific Island cultures which inspire the classic coming-of-age tale, this innovative production will immerse audiences in a transformational adventure across land and sea.

Read on for more details and a sneak peek of how “Disney The Tale of Moana” will come to life in the first stage adaptation inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios film.

Towering Puppets Take Stage

To create puppetry that soars to mythical heights, Disney Live Entertainment Creative Director of puppetry and articulation, Jeff Conover, teamed up with master puppet designer Michael Curry, whose creations are featured in Disney’s Tony Award-winning musical “The Lion King” on Broadway. Te Kā, the massive, fiery villain guarding Te Fiti, will be a puppet of a scale Disney Cruise Line has never before produced. When Moana meets Te Kā and restores the heart of Te Fiti, the giant Te Kā puppet will shed its fiery shell and become the gentle island goddess, Te Fiti herself.

Practice Your “Warrior Face”

The stage show will also include a brand new song, “Warrior Face,” performed by Moana and Maui when the demigod teaches Moana how to face her fears before entering the Realm of the Monsters to face Tamatoa. “Warrior Face” will join classic favorites from the Grammy-Award winning soundtrack in the stage show, including “You’re Welcome,” “We Know The Way” and “How Far I’ll Go.”

Setting the Scene in “Innocent Warrior”

“Disney The Tale of Moana” will begin in modern day on the fictional island of Motunui, in a set design filled with hints of brilliant Pacific Island cultures that will appear throughout the show. The spirit of Gramma Tala, our narrator, will introduce her granddaughter, while through vibrant dance and songs in a mix of languages including Tuvaluan, Tokelauan and Samoan, we will learn how the ocean chooses young Moana for an incredible journey to restore the heart of Te Fiti.

Transforming The Walt Disney Theatre in “How Far I’ll Go”

In this iconic scene, The Walt Disney Theatre will transform from the island of Motunui into the open ocean as Moana’s journey moves from her home to the great voyage that she’s longed for her entire life. Twinkling stars will swirl overhead and a giant, glowing manta ray will emerge and soar above the audience as a newfound sense of courage fills Moana. The manta ray is the spirit of Gramma Tala, lighting up the sea to accompany Moana on her journey to save her people.

This show looks stunning, and we know our guests cannot wait to see Moana’s incredible story unfold in a new way on the Disney Treasure! “Disney The Tale of Moana” will join a dazzling lineup of fan-favorite shows like “Beauty and the Beast” and “Disney Seas the Adventure” in the Walt Disney Theatre. Stay tuned for more details about the Disney Treasure as we count down the days until it sets sail in December 2024.

Passholders, good-to-go days are almost here! On these special days, you can enter a Walt Disney World Theme Park without a reservation.

Good-to-go days will be updated periodically on the Annual Passholder calendar, Theme Park Reservation calendar and the homepage of the My Disney Experience app.

January 9, 2024

We know guests have been itching for an update on Country Bear Musical Jamboree and more coming to Walt Disney World’s Frontierland in 2024 and beyond. So saddle up and let’s get started!

Country Bear Musical Jamboree

Get ready to knee slap and toe tap to a little country twang this summer!

If guests have been too busy trottin’ through the wild west and have missed the news, the Country Bears are getting ready to put on a new show that pays homage to the Opry style shows of Nashville. While the Country Bear Musical Jamboree will include Easter eggs from the beginning to the end including a familiar tune fans may remember, the bears will sing new, reinterpreted Disney tunes in different genres of country music – like bluegrass, pop-country, Americana, rockabilly and other styles. Here’s a look at one of the clips we shared at Destination D23.

To prepare for the show, Country Bear Jamboree will close temporarily beginning January 27 and will reopen later this summer.

The next time guests visit Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, they should be sure to look up while passing by Tiana’s Bayou Adventure for a striking new update featuring a custom handcrafted weathervane by Louisiana’s master blacksmith, Darryl Reeves.

In the spirited city of New Orleans, people can barely walk two blocks before seeing metalwork by Darryl, a 3rd generation master blacksmith and Vietnam Veteran. Whether it’s historic wrought iron fences or intricately designed custom pieces, his work is displayed across the city, and in fact, around the world. With over 50 years of service to his craft and city, it’s no wonder why we asked Darryl to create the weathervane; one of the high points of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Inside Darryl’s workshop in the historic Seventh Ward in New Orleans, heat emanates from the many furnaces used to create his shop’s labors of love. The immense artistry and complexity displayed by Darryl and his apprentices is evident in the dozens of works displayed in his gallery.

“I take metal and do anything I want with it,” the master blacksmith proudly says. “To have a free hand to design and fabricate the weathervane for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure…that’s an honor.”

Just like a good pot of gumbo, Darryl and his apprentice, Karina, have taken everything they’ve learned throughout their careers to help us tell the story of Princess Tiana and her journey to open Tiana’s Foods.

What sets Princess Tiana’s weathervane apart is that it’s crafting using centuries old techniques with a subtle African flair. Guests will be able to feel the love Darryl and Karina have poured into this smoldering iron to shape it into a masterpiece.

One of Walt Disney Imagineering’s highest priorities is to bring the authenticity of New Orleans to Disney parks and resorts to immerse Guests in this inspiring tale. When our guests visit Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, we want them to feel like taking a trip down the Louisiana Bayou in a way only Disney can bring to life.

Guests can experience this smoldering collaboration between Walt Disney Imagineering, Darryl Reeves, and Karina Roca when Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, an attraction inspired by the story from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film “The Princess and the Frog”, opens at Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida in 2024.

By: Disney Destinations

Happy New Year! This year, more than ever, we’re bringing your favorite stories to life in fun, innovative ways at our theme parks and resorts, on our cruise ships and through our amazing products and experiences around the world. From Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and the launch of the new Disney Treasure cruise ship, to the first-of-its-kind Pixar Place Hotel and other highly anticipated experiences, here are some sensational things to look forward to in 2024: 

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

In 2024, the all-new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open at Disneyland park at Disneyland Resort and Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort. 

This attraction brings guests into Princess Tiana’s world like never before on a musical journey inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios film “The Princess and the Frog.”

When the attraction opens, guests will join Princess Tiana, Naveen and jazz-loving alligator Louis on an adventure as they prepare to host a one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras celebration. Along the way, they’ll see familiar faces, make new friends and travel through the bayou to original music inspired by songs from the film as they are brought into the next chapter of Tiana’s story.

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