WDW Daily News

NEW – In December 2024, the curtain will open on a brand-new original Broadway-style production on the Disney Treasure. Joining a dazzling lineup of fan-favorite shows including “Beauty and the Beast” and “Disney Seas the Adventure,” will be none other than “Disney The Tale of Moana.” Debuting exclusively at the Walt Disney Theatre onboard the Disney Treasure, “Disney The Tale of Moana” will bring the adventurous journey of Moana, inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios film, to center stage for the first time. The show will follow Moana as she embarks on an incredible journey to save her island after she is chosen by the ocean to restore the heart of Te Fiti. Fans of the original film will recognize many beloved characters like Gramma Tala, Maui and Tamatoa when they appear on stage, as well as songs from the film’s iconic soundtrack. 

More about this imaginative, one-of-a-kind show will be announced at a later date.

October 11, 2023

Beginning Jan. 9, 2024, guests with a ticket with Park Hopper benefits or an Annual Pass will be able to once again visit another theme park at any time of day during park hours (subject to capacity limitations). As a reminder, since returning in 2021, Park Hopper access has only been available after 2 p.m. each day. Now, there will be no more waiting – guests can decide when it’s time to visit another park.

On days when theme park reservations are required for Annual Passholders and certain non-dated tickets, Passholders and guests will be able to take advantage of the updates to Park Hopper access after visiting their first park.* For example, if a Passholder has a reservation at EPCOT and enters the park at 9 a.m. for a quick ride or two, they can then head to another park right after.

And there is even more news for Passholders! “Good-to-go days” will begin sometime in January! With good-to-go days, the theme park reservation calendar will be updated periodically and will show Passholders select days when they may visit a Disney World theme park without needing a theme park reservation (blockout dates will continue to apply like they do today). 

Disney Trips Made Easy & Simple  

Why are we doing this now? We want to make visiting Disney World easier, simpler and more fun! We know how much Disney means to so many of our guests, and we continue to make changes to get more value out of a vacation and to help guests enjoy our theme parks the way they want to. Here are just a few of the ways we’ve done that so far:

Now available   

• Complimentary self-parking is back for Disney Resort hotel stays
• Annual Passholders may visit the parks after 2 p.m. without needing a theme park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom
• Digital downloads of select PhotoPass attraction photos taken in the park on the day of visit now included in the purchase of Disney Genie+ service
• Parking trams returned to all four Disney World theme parks 

Coming Jan. 9, 2024   

• Announced today: Bringing back all-day Park Hopper access during park hours
• Theme park reservations no longer required for date-based tickets (our standard ticket option)
• Disney dining plans available once again for Disney Resort hotel guests as part of a package

2024 is going to be an incredible time to visit and guests can start planning their visits today.

*To use the Park Hopper benefit, Annual Passholders must make a theme park reservation for the first park they plan to visit AND enter that first park prior to visiting another.  Or, they can enter a theme park without a reservation on a “good-to-go” date for that park or after 2 p.m. (except Magic Kingdom on Saturdays and Sundays) before visiting another park.

October 5, 2023

The time for fa-la-la-la-la is just around the corner! To celebrate, the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth at Walt Disney World Resort brings the joyful season to life with magical traditions, jubilant entertainment, delicious dishes and sparkling merchandise.

Grab a mug of hot cocoa and let’s take a look at all that’s coming!

NEW Celebrity Narrators Join EPCOT Candlelight Processional Alongside Returning Favorites

Long a guest favorite, the EPCOT Candlelight Processional is the retelling of the Christmas story by a narrator and a massive choir, accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra, herald trumpets and the incredible Voices of Liberty. This spectacular event returns this year with more new celebrity narrators than ever before! Nine new voices join the ranks of captivating storytellers who share the universal message of this heartwarming story.

To plan your visit, here’s the full list of this year’s celebrity narrators:

• Chrissy Metz (NEW): Nov. 24-25
• Luis Fonsi (NEW): Nov. 26-27
• Ann-Margret (NEW): Nov. 28-29
• Simu Liu: Nov. 30-Dec. 2
• John Stamos: Dec. 3-5
• Neil Patrick Harris: Dec. 6-8
• Marlee Matlin: Dec. 9-11
• Brendan Fraser (NEW): Dec. 12-14
• Eva Longoria (NEW): Dec. 15-16
• Joey McIntyre (NEW): Dec. 17-18
• Sterling K. Brown (NEW): Dec. 19-20
• Jordan Fisher (NEW): Dec. 21-23
• Steven Curtis Chapman: Dec. 24-26
• Audra McDonald (NEW): Dec. 27-28
• Lisa Ling: Dec. 29-30

Candlelight Processional Dining Packages Open Oct. 17

Want to ensure your seat for the performance? There’s no better way than to book a Candlelight Processional Dining Package. Choose from seven distinctive eateries, offering everything from character dining at Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Harvest Feast at Garden Grill Restaurant in The Land pavilion to signature dining at Le Cellier Steakhouse in the Canada pavilion. With breakfast, lunch and dinner options, there’s something for everyone. For more information, including pricing and availability, visit the Disney Travel Agents website.

Santa Returns to the Odyssey Pavilion

Santa Claus himself will visit with guests at the Odyssey pavilion from Nov. 24 through Dec. 24. Don your festive best for the perfect photo op and make sure you’ve been nice! But that’s not all, because …

Storytellers From Around the World Share Tales and Traditions

… World Showcase comes alive with magical legends and lore as storytellers from around the globe captivate listeners with myriad tales. Celebrate the season with laughter in the Norway pavilion as a mischievous Barn Santa makes an appearance; observe the wonder of a Chinese Lion Dancer commemorating the Lunar New Year; join a fascinating journey to learn more about Hanukkah festivities around the world; and rediscover the magic of special moments as Pere Noel shares the delightful words of a child’s letter. As you stroll the park, don’t miss the beautiful and diverse décor throughout World Showcase – and beyond.

Even More Joy

To fill your cup up even more, sing along with the exuberant voices of JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season in World Showcase Plaza. With uplifting Gospel and R&B songs celebrating Christmas and Kwanzaa, the biggest challenge you’ll have will be standing still! And as a bonus, enjoy a sparkling boat tour through Living with the Land in World Nature, where the greenhouses will be decked out with twinkling holiday light displays.

Tantalizing Holiday Kitchens and a Decadent Cookie Stroll Highlight Seasonal Flavors

What’s a holiday without feasting? If tucking into delicious goodies is your favorite way to celebrate, then you’ve come to the right place. More than 15 Holiday Kitchens will entice your palate with treasured dishes that celebrate a panoply of global holiday cheer. While we can promise you that there will be plenty of returning favorites like Slow Roasted Turkey with Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and Cranberry Sauce, there are also scrumptious surprises in store. Keep an eye out for all the jolly details coming soon in the Disney Eats Foodie Guide.

Remember to save room for the delectable Holiday Cookie Stroll! There’s nothing better than exploring the sights and sounds of the festival with a sweet treat in hand. My family loves to try them all, and I know you will, too. Purchase five cookies from any of the official cookie stroll locations and collect the matching stamp for each cookie to add to your festival passport. Once you’ve collected five stamps, bring the stamped passport to the Holiday Sweet & Treats Holiday Kitchen and receive a specialty cookie. Since you can complete the stroll at your leisure through December 30, it’s the perfect activity to enjoy with family and friends every time you visit the festival.

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt

Set off on an adventure with Olaf for his Holiday Traditions Expedition Scavenger Hunt, a fun way to explore World Showcase. Just purchase your map and stickers from select festival merchandise locations and seek out the “tradition” that Olaf has found in each pavilion. Whether or not you complete the quest, you can redeem your map at Creations Shop, Disney Traders or World Traveler at International Gateway for a special festival holiday keepsake.*

Note that to experience any in-park offerings, guests must have valid theme park admission and may need a theme park reservation depending on the type of admission and date of visit. The ability to visit a theme park is subject to the park’s capacity limitations.

From celebrating beloved and familiar traditions to learning about new ones, EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth is the perfect way to embrace the cheer and good will of the season. Be sure to stay tuned to Disney Parks Blog for more details now through the beginning of the festival.

*Redemption valid through Dec. 30 or while supplies last.

By: Disney Destinations

Today Disney Vacation Club officially opened its 16^th property, The Villas at Disneyland Hotel at the Disneyland Resort, which is the 4^th and newest tower available to guests staying at the Disneyland Hotel.

Did you know each tower at the Disneyland Hotel has a unique name? The new Disney Vacation Club tower is named “Discovery” and joins the three existing Disneyland Hotel towers named “Fantasy,” “Adventure” and “Frontier.”

In this all-new, 12-story tower, guests will find 344 themed rooms celebrating the creativity and magic behind some of the most beloved Walt Disney Animation Studios stories just steps away from all the magic at the Disneyland Resort theme parks!

“The Villas at Disneyland Hotel celebrates the remarkable legacy of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ storytelling and the creative process these talented artists go through to bring Disney characters to life from sketch to screen,” said Bill Diercksen, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Vacation Club. “With imaginative details and spacious accommodations, this beautiful new tower is the perfect place for families to create magical vacation memories for years to come.”

Today’s dedication in California was FULL of character – literally!

Princess Tiana, Anna and Elsa, and King Louie and Baloo, all characters featured throughout the tower’s enchanting custom artwork, were there to celebrate the opening of this brand-new resort. And closing out the show with a powerhouse number, Disney on Broadway legend Kissy Simmons gave a soul-stirring performance of the new Disney Vacation Club anthem “Where We Belong (Welcome Home).”

 In the spirit of celebration, here are four reasons to check out the newest Disney Vacation Club resort:

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH DISNEY STORIES

The Villas at Disneyland Hotel celebrates the creative storytelling process with countless artistic details woven throughout every space.

From the moment guests enter the lobby, they’ll greeted by a beautiful mural exclusively created for The Villas at Disneyland Hotel by Disney Animation artist Lorelay Bové, known for her work on favorites like “The Princess and the Frog” and “Encanto.” This brand-new artwork brings together your favorite characters, scenes and stories – including a sneak peek of art from the upcoming Walt Disney Animation Studios film, “Wish.”

With extraordinary attention to detail, the creativity of Disney immerses every guest in beloved stories at every stop! From the stunning lobby to each of the 344 guestrooms where the worlds of “Sleeping Beauty,” “Fantasia” and “The Princess and the Frog” come to life.

Speaking of rooms…

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TREAT YOURSELF TO COMFORT

Powered with pixie dust and combined with just-like-home amenities, each room type at The Villas at Disneyland Hotel offers the perfect stay for families of all sizes to stay year after year.

For smaller parties, The Villas at Disneyland Hotel features newly imagined duo studios for two and spacious deluxe studios that sleep up to four.

For those looking for even more space, families can spread out in a one- or two-bedroom villa that features a full-size kitchen equipped with cookware, comfortable living area, and washer and dryer.

Guests looking for even more space can stay in the multi-level Grand Villas that sleep up to 12 guests. Grand Villas feature three bedrooms, full-size kitchen, large dining area, washer and dryer and a double-sided fireplace connecting the living area to a private outdoor balcony.

A PERFECT STAY FOR PLAY

Get ready for some fun in the sun at the brand-new Palette Pool area! Little ones can cool off at the whimsical “Steamboat Willie” splash pad, inspired by the revolutionary sound cartoon that marked the world debut of Mickey Mouse! Kids can star in their own story by joining captain Mickey at the helm of the boat brought to life with waterfalls, fountains and misty fog effects.

After all that fun, you can head to the Palm Breeze Bar – which will open later this year – to grab a tasty poolside drink and snack.

All Disneyland Hotel guests will be able to enjoy this exciting new area, as well as the other two pool areas and water slides that guests have enjoyed for years at the resort.

Guests can also take advantage of the tower’s ideal location just steps away from the excitement of Disneyland park, Disney California Adventure park and the Downtown Disney District.

We loved celebrating the official opening of The Villas at Disneyland Hotel today with our Disney Vacation Club family, and we can’t wait for guests to visit this incredible new tower soon!

All aboard! Guests can once again sail across Bay Lake between Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground on the watercraft “blue route” beginning Oct. 1. This route will be available to Guests daily beginning at 3 p.m., making it even easier to grab a bite to eat at a neighboring resort.

Save up to 25% on stays most Sunday to Thursday nights from January 9, 2024 through February 22, 2024—when you book by December 15, 2023
Save up to 30% on stays most nights February 25, 2024 through March 24, 2024—when you book by December 15, 2023
Not ready to book? Other savings are available when you book after December 15, 2023.

For more details & to book this deal, please reach out to any Travel Agent at Wish Upon a Star with Us,

By: Disney Destinations

The Walt Disney Company is developing plans to accelerate and expand investment in its Parks, Experiences and Products segment to nearly double capital expenditures over the course of approximately 10 years to roughly $60 billion, including by investing in expanding and enhancing domestic and international parks and cruise line capacity.

Today, Senior Disney executives, including Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro, gathered with Wall Street analysts and investors at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida for an investor summit focused on Disney’s Parks business and its track record of investing aggressively and intelligently in experiences that leverage the powerful and ever-growing library of Disney stories, which has proven incredibly effective.

“We’re incredibly mindful of the financial underpinning of the company, the need to continue to grow in terms of bottom line, the need to invest wisely so that we’re increasing the returns on invested capital, and the need to maintain a balance sheet, for a variety of reasons,” said Bob Iger. “The company is able to absorb those costs and continue to grow the bottom line and look expansively at how we return value and capital to our shareholders.”

Read more

September 12, 2023

Disney Cruise Line is introducing nostalgic stories from beloved Disney theme park attractions to guests at sea for the first time ever with the debut of several Disney Parks-inspired venues onboard the Disney Treasure.

We recently shared new details about three of these dynamic new spaces– the Periscope Pub, inspired by the spellbinding adventure of Walt Disney’s 1954 film and the legacy Disney Parks attraction, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” Skipper Society, which will draw on Jungle Cruise attractions from around the world, and Tomorrow Tower Suite, which will honor EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort. Here’s a first look at some of the secrets that Disney Imagineers are incorporating into their designs for each space.

1. At Disneyland Resort, a variety of flora and fauna sprouting around Jungle Cruise gives guests the sense that they are sailing in waterways around the globe. In honor of the original attraction, the plants throughout the Skipper Society on the Disney Treasure will be the same foliage species thriving in Disneyland.
2. You may notice the vintage-style luggage stacked neatly behind the bar at Skipper Society featured in the artist rendering of the venue. Each suitcase will be plastered with travel stickers that represent locations depicted inside the Jungle Cruise attraction – including the backside of water!
3. It’s hard to forget the iconic green and red architecture of the attraction building in Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World Resort, which announces to all who see it that they are steps away from a hilarious adventure onboard the Jungle Cruise! As it happens, the green and red tones depicted on the walls of Skipper Society will be exact color matches to the Jungle Cruise attraction marquee at Magic Kingdom.
4. While sipping cocktails or sampling tasty morsels at Skipper Society, future Disney Treasure guests will hear familiar music playing in the venue, including spiels from the Jungle Cruise attractions around the world! That means you’ll hear Skipper voices from across the globe and in various languages such as English, Dutch, French, Cantonese, and more. 
5. Skipper Society will have a jungle boat name of its own! Imagineers will dub the vessel housing the bar “Ems Empress” after the Ems River where the Disney Treasure will make her first voyage to sea. An “Ems Empress” sign will hang proudly inside the venue when the Disney Treasure sets sail in December 2024.

6. Throughout the Periscope Pub, guests will discover various artifacts, drawings and books used by Captain Nemo and his brave crew during undersea explorations on the Nautilus.
7. Only eagle-eyed fans will spot the hidden numbers located behind the bar in Periscope Pub! Disney Imagineers will include numbers on the large submarine pressure gauge decorating the back bar of the venue. These numbers honor the geographical coordinates of Meyer Werft shipyard where the Disney Treasure was built, and the official hull numbers of each ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet.
8. The Periscope Pub will offer a delicious menu of light bites, undersea-inspired drinks and craft brews, including three exclusive tap beers that will be uniquely themed to the “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” film and celebrated theme park attraction. 

9. Beloved by generations of Disney Parks goers, Figment is the adorable purple dragon who first debuted at the Journey Into Imagination attraction at EPCOT at Walt Disney World. In the Tomorrow Tower Suite, guests will encounter Figment posing in various hiding places.
10. Imagineers will place a special sculpture at the base of the Tomorrow Tower Suite’s spiral staircase that honors the iconic EPCOT landmark, Spaceship Earth. The sculpture will bring the spirit of EPCOT to life when guests enter the suite through music and lighting effects.

There are even more secrets to uncover onboard the Disney Treasure, which will embark on its inaugural season of seven-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Port Canaveral in December of 2024. Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club members can book a Disney Treasure cruise beginning today, Sept. 12, 2023, and bookings will open to all guests on Sept. 20, 2023. 

September 9, 2023

At Destination D23 this weekend, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro shared several new updates and announcements on experiences coming to EPCOT, including a new nighttime spectacular, Figment character meet and greet, reimagined Test Track and more. 

Here are five things Guests need to know about what’s coming to EPCOT.

A new nighttime spectacular called “Luminous The Symphony of Us” will debut at EPCOT on Dec. 5, 2023! 

“Luminous The Symphony of Us” will feature fireworks, fountains, lasers, lighting effects and music and continue Disney’s long tradition of amazing nighttime entertainment at the park.

Fan-favorite Figment will begin greeting guests at EPCOT on Sept. 10!

Beginning tomorrow, the iconic purple dragon will be at the Imagination Pavilion at EPCOT sparking creativity and helping imagination soar.

The World Celebration neighborhood at EPCOT will begin welcoming Guests this December! 

World Celebration will unite the front of the park, tying together the other two new EPCOT neighborhoods, World Discovery and World Nature.  The completion of the last of the park’s three neighborhoods is the latest major milestone in EPCOT’s multi-year transformation.

Also, the popular Test Track attraction at EPCOT is being reimagined!

Imagineers along with teams from corporate alliance partner Chevrolet are reaching back into history for inspiration – from the original World of Motion – and bringing that spirit of optimism to the next iteration of Test Track!  More to come in the future.

And Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will open on Oct. 16, 2023! 

Journey of Water is a new walk-through experience located within World Nature – the EPCOT neighborhood dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty and balance of the natural world.  

Also on Oct. 16 – Moana will arrive in World Nature and make her first appearance in her own dedicated space near Journey of Water. 

September 9, 2023

During Destination D23, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro shared exciting updates on what’s coming to Magic Kingdom Park, including new experiences at the Country Bear Jamboree and Haunted Mansion attractions – as well as something unique for Pirates of the Caribbean fans!

Country Bear Jamboree will be getting new songs and the bears will be performing a new act!

Disney Imagineer Chris Beatty told the Destination D23 audience that when the show debuts, the bears will be reinterpreting favorite Disney songs in different genres of country music – like rockabilly, bluegrass, pop-country and other styles. 

Imagineers are envisioning the new take as a homage to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, and they’re working with Nashville musicians to get the authentic country sound.  The popular attraction will continue to have the fun and friendly tone and same characters.

In late November, the legendary Hatbox Ghost will be materializing in the Haunted Mansion attraction in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

The iconic grim grinning ghost will appear in the Haunted Mansion attraction as Guests pass the Endless Hallway, welcoming himself inside from the swinging wake in the cemetery and grinning at passing Doom Buggies.

Imagineer Daniel Joseph joined Josh on the Destination D23 stage over the weekend for the announcement and shared details about the arrival of Hatbox Ghost. 

Also, a new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge is coming to Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park in Florida. 

This first-of-its-kind experience will extend the story of Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.  Imagineers are currently in the design process and more details will be coming.

We hope everyone is as excited as we are about the new experiences and plans coming to Magic Kingdom Park!