WDW Daily News

Disney PhotoPass Service is bringing Guests a lens that will help them live their Star Wars story wherever they are – without needing to make the jump to hyperspace.

First, they can use this lens to select their species. Maybe they’re a Zabrak with a crown of horns protruding through their head. Perhaps they’re a Twi’lek or Togruta showing off their very striking features. Or, maybe they’re simply a human. That’s fine too!

Then they can discover who they truly are, because they can choose to unveil their hidden identity as one of the Empire’s Jedi-hunting Inquisitors – just like those seen in the new limited series “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” now streaming only on Disney+. 

I sense a disturbance in the Force.

Now through June 7, Guests can enjoy complimentary access to this lens in the Snapchat app by visiting the Lenses section of the Disney PhotoPass Service Snapchat profile. Whether they’re in the parks or at home, they can use this lens to capture out-of-this-galaxy photos and videos.

Starting June 8, this lens will be available exclusively in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios through the My Disney Experience app with the purchase of Disney Genie+ service.* With their purchase, they’ll unlock many other Disney PhotoPass Lenses, giving them a fun new way to capture the magic of Walt Disney World Resort right from their mobile device.                           

*With the purchase of Disney Genie+ service, Walt Disney World guests can access many Disney PhotoPass Lenses in the My Disney Experience app as soon as they enter the park. Select Disney PhotoPass Lenses are accessible only within designated areas of Walt Disney World Resort. Other Disney PhotoPass Lenses will remain accessible in the My Disney Experience app until 5:59 a.m. on the 45^th day after the day on which the Disney Genie+ service was used; certain states and localities are excluded. Many Disney PhotoPass Lenses use technology that detects the coordinates of key points on a guest’s face and/or hands and may be used only by guests 18 years of age and older who have consented to use of this technology. Therefore, guests unable to provide such consent, as well as guests under 18 years of age, will have fewer lenses available to use. To access Disney PhotoPass Lenses, an eligible mobile device with the My Disney Experience app with access to the device’s camera and location is required. A purchase of Disney Genie+ service at Walt Disney World Resort does not include downloads of a guest’s Disney PhotoPass photos or videos that were captured by photographers and onboard attractions. Use of Disney PhotoPass Lenses is subject to the Terms and Conditions. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.

Beginning today, Disney Parks are celebrating PRIDE Month as part of our commitment to recognize and celebrate the contributions, cultures and experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

This year, at all four Walt Disney World theme parks, look for all-new incredible, Pride-themed backdrops celebrating love. Each park photo wall is unique, themed to its surroundings and honors the diversity and pride within the LGBTQIA+ community, like the one above at EPCOT.

For those who want to do something a little different, Disney PhotoPass Service will have photo props like a rainbow umbrella, Magic Shots and colorful photo opportunities throughout Walt Disney World, plus new virtual backdrops at the Disney PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs.

At Disney Springs, Guests will find new décor and photo opportunities in celebration of Pride Month, as well as a new photo opportunity inspired by Love, Victor – a Hulu Original Series. The final season will debut on June 15 on Hulu and Disney+. Don’t miss the Disney Springs Art Walk, which celebrates the work of both local artists and artists from around the globe and currently features a new piece from Chad Mize, a multimedia artist, designer and muralist.

Locations including T-REX Cafe, Kendra Scott, Kate Spade New York, Coca Cola Store and more will also have exciting offerings throughout the month of June. Learn more here about the latest Pride Month offerings at Disney Springs.  

Of course, no celebration is complete without food! Coming soon, keep an eye out for this month’s Foodie Guide to limited-time food and beverage offerings available throughout Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

In the My Disney Experience app, look for new pass designs for Disney MagicMobile service, now available on eligible iPhones, Apple Watch or Google Pay enabled Android phones. Personalize your pass with a variety of designs in honor of Pride Month.

  

The brand new Disney Pride Collection is available throughout Walt Disney World this month and beyond, with apparel, accessories, pins and more from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. And this month is the perfect time to shop, with profits from the Disney Pride Collection benefiting organizations that support LGBTQIA+ youth and families, including Zebra Coalition, based here in Central Florida.

In an effort to further support the Zebra Coalition in its mission to provide a community where all youth feel safe and empowered, we are donating an additional $100,000 to help expand its housing and counseling services. To learn more about this organization and others, visit TWDCPrideCollection.com.

No matter what our guests are celebrating, an iconic ear hat has been a Disney tradition since the very beginning. This month, we’re introducing new stitching colors options to Share Your Pride. These new personalization options will be available year-round and feature the colors of the pride and transgender flags. Personalization options are available at Curtain Call Collectibles at Magic Kingdom Park, Gateway Gifts at EPCOT and Disney’s Wonderful World of Memories at Disney Springs

We hope you’re ready for some foodie news that’ll rock Guests’ taste buds’ world because we’ve got some exciting updates that are coming soon to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. From sweets to the savory, there are plenty of new items joining the treats roster at the park, and they are not to be missed.

The foodie adventure is about to begin. Let’s get into this edition of What’s Cooking, shall we?

Whether they’ve been to Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater Restaurant before or have always wanted to drive into this retro classic, the new menu premiering June 2 is not to be missed. This “theater” is debuting some super tasty offerings including appetizers, entrées, and desserts. Guests can start their meal with the Sci-fi Smoked Wings tossed in a porter barbecue sauce with a house-made pineapple and poppy seed coleslaw or the Spinach and Artichoke Dip, a plant-based blend of spinach, artichoke, red peppers, cauliflower, cashew cheese, and oat milk served with house-made chips.

Read more

The Eat to the Beat Concert Series presented by Florida Blue Medicare is ready to serve up some piping hot tunes at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE starting this July!

This year, we’re following the same recipe as our recent festivals, with internationally recognized artists as well as local bands bringing their sizzling sounds to the America Gardens Theatre stage. Our five-star menu has something for every taste – from house favorites like Baha Men, Tiffany, and Air Supply, to fresh-to-the-festival acts like Hoobastank, Los Amigos Invisibles and Stokley.

Get a taste of the announced artists below:

• July 14-15 – Baha Men
• July 16-18 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
• July 29-30 – Taylor Dayne
• July 31-Aug. 1 – Tiffany
• Aug. 5-8 – Joey Fatone & Friends
• Aug. 12-13 – The Devon Allman Project
• Aug. 14-15 – Christopher Cross
• Aug. 19-20 – Journey former Lead Vocalist Steve Augeri
• Aug. 21-22 – Air Supply
• Sept. 2-3 – Southern Avenue
• Sept. 4-5 – Kris Allen & David Cook
• Sept. 9-10 – Hoobastank (NEW)
• Sept. 16-17 – Los Amigos Invisibles (NEW)
• Sept. 23-24 – BBMak
• Sept. 30-Oct. 1 – Stokley (NEW)
• Oct. 2-3 – Sheila E.
• Oct. 7-8 – Mark Wills
• Oct. 9-10 – 38 Special
• Oct. 23-24 – Billy Ocean
• Oct. 28-31 – Hanson
• Nov. 4-7 – Boyz II Men

Beginning May 24, Guests can secure their spot at the show by reserving an Eat to the Beat Dining Package available Friday-Monday. Find out more by visiting TasteEPCOT.com. 

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival runs July 14 through Nov. 19, giving Guests plenty of time to taste their way around the world with an irresistible selection of gourmet plates and refreshing beverages at more than 25 Global Marketplaces located throughout the park. That’s nearly 130 days to feast on heartwarming dishes inspired by campfire-cooked summertime favorites at Flavors from Fire, dig into South American cuisine and culture at Brazil, or snack on crispy yucca fries at The Fry Basket.  

Cheese lovers will want to check out Emile’s Fromage Montage, where they can sample a variety of delicious cheeses served in inventive ways. Purchase any five cheese dishes listed in the Festival Passport and collect a stamp for each cheese dish purchased. Once they’ve collected all five stamps, Guests can bring the stamped Festival Passport to Shimmering Sips for a specialty item. 

To experience EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, Guests must have both valid admission and a park reservation for EPCOT on the same date.

It’s almost time for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind to launch into EPCOT on May 27, and we can’t wait for the world to experience this intergalactic chase through space and time. Before clients help save the galaxy, there are a few things to know about how to experience this incredible new attraction, which will open with a virtual queue. Clients may also have the opportunity to purchase an individual Lightning Lane entry to the attraction. At this time, there will not be a standby queue option.

How to enter the virtual queue

Beginning at 7 a.m. on the day of their park reservation, clients with a valid ticket or pass and a Disney Park Pass Reservation for EPCOT will be able to check for an available boarding group via the My Disney Experience app* and request access to the virtual queue. This can be done before clients leave their Resort hotel or on the way to the park.

At 1 p.m., there will be another opportunity to join the virtual queue for anyone who wasn’t able to join a boarding group earlier in the day. Keep in mind, you must be inside EPCOT to access this second virtual queue opportunity.

In order to give as many guests as possible the opportunity to save the galaxy, each person can enter the virtual queue no more than once per day during regular park hours. Please note that joining the virtual queue does not guarantee the ability to experience Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Virtual queue during extended evening hours

Registered guests staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort, Disney Deluxe Villa Resort or other select hotels will have an additional opportunity to request to join the virtual queue at 6 p.m. on select dates during extended evening theme park hours. Guests with this benefit do not need to be in EPCOT to request to join at that time.

Guests will need valid admission and a theme park reservation for the same park on the same day to experience extended evening hours — or, guests may experience extended evening hours if they have a ticket or annual pass with the Park Hopper option and first enter the park where they made their reservation.

How to purchase individual Lightning Lane entry

Clients with valid park admission and a park reservation can purchase individual Lightning Lane entry in the My Disney Experience app* via the Disney Genie service on the same day of their visit, subject to availability.

Virtual queue and individual Lightning Lane entry are only accessible via the My Disney Experience app*. If clients have questions or need assistance registering for virtual queue or purchasing an individual Lightning Lane entry, look for one of the Guest Experience Team Cast Members throughout the park, who will be happy to assist.

How to download and share attraction photos

After experiencing Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, don’t forget about the attraction photo! There will be two options to automatically link the attraction photo to a My Disney Experience account:

• Enable Bluetooth® on a mobile device for the My Disney Experience app* before riding. Log in to the app sometime earlier that day, and keep the device out of low power mode. Then, just keep the device in a pocket or bag while enjoying the ride.*
• Wear a MagicBand that is linked to a My Disney Experience account.

We can’t wait to welcome everyone to this awesome new family thrill-coaster! As Rocket says, “It’s save the galaxy time – again.”

*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.

DIsney is making an adjustment to how guests purchase Disney Genie+ service at Walt Disney World Resort, which remains popular and in high demand amongst our guests.  

Beginning June 8, Disney Genie+ will only be offered through the My Disney Experience app on the day of visit – we will no longer offer the option to purchase this service pre-arrival as a ticket add-on for dates remaining in 2022 and in 2023.  

This means that, moving forward, whether guests have an Annual Pass, multi- or single-day ticket, they will now purchase Disney Genie+ on the day of their visit via the My Disney Experience app, one day at a time, subject to availability.

If guests have already purchased a ticket or package that includes Disney Genie+ service for dates later in 2022, the service will be honored during their visit. Please also note this update is also only happening at Walt Disney World Resort and will not affect Disneyland Resort, as the services vary at each destination.

Additionally, Walt Disney World Resort theme park tickets, Disney Resort hotel stays and packages for visits in 2023 will also open bookings beginning June 8. We look forward to sharing additional details about our 2023 packages and ticket product soon.

We are excited to share that our early theme park entry benefit for Disney Resort hotel guests will continue for visits throughout all of 2023, giving Resort guests the first chance to enjoy select attractions at every theme park, every day (valid admission, park reservation and Resort id required).

One of the neat things about Walt Disney is that all four of its Florida theme parks — and even the resort’s two water parks — are differentiated experiences.

Full Story

Imagine this – “Fantasmic!,” Disney’s longest-running nighttime spectacular, is celebrating its 30^th anniversary today! That’s right – on this day thirty years ago – May 13, 1992 – “Fantasmic!” premiered to Guests at Disneyland Park.

“Fantasmic!” is an emotional extravaganza of colorful Disney-animated story scenes, choreographed to an exciting musical score. The waters of the Rivers of America come alive as Mickey Mouse dreams he is the Sorcerer’s Apprentice and faces dastardly villains, using the power of his imagination to save the day. Along the way, fantastic events and images as seen in stories like “Fantasia,” “The Jungle Book,” and more come to life with live performers, character appearances, enhanced special effects and pyrotechnics.

Some updates have been made to “Fantasmic!” at Disneyland Park through the years. An enhanced version of the original “Fantasmic!” presentation premiered in 2009, featuring digital projections and the spectacular 45-foot-tall fire-breathing Maleficent dragon. The show then added even more new magic in 2017, including new scenes and featured songs such as “Friend Like Me” and “A Whole New World” from the Walt Disney Animation Studios classic, “Aladdin.”

Since its debut in 1992, “Fantasmic!” has performed nearly 11,000 shows at Disneyland Park! And we just can’t wait for this “journey beyond your wildest imagination” to return to the Rivers of America soon, on May 28.

We are thrilled “Fantasmic!” will be joining the other nighttime spectaculars – “World of Color” at Disney California Adventure Park, plus the “Main Street Electrical Parade” and “Disneyland Forever” fireworks spectacular at Disneyland Park – upon its return. Just one more way Guests will be able to “ignite the night” at Disneyland Resort!

Theme Park reservations and valid admission for the same Park on the same day are required for Park entry. Park reservations are limited, subject to availability and not guaranteed. Entertainment, experiences, and offerings may be modified, limited in availability or unavailable, and are subject to restrictions, and change or cancellation without notice. Park admission and offerings are not guaranteed. Visit disneytraveltradeinfo.com/dlr for important information to know before visiting.

This summer, Walt Disney World Resort will launch our newest wearable, MagicBand+, followed later this year by the “Hey Disney!” digital voice assistant. Both products will enhance guest visits throughout the 50^th anniversary celebration and beyond.

If you already own a MagicBand, you understand how this technology makes visits to Walt Disney World more convenient with just a tap of your band when entering parks and guest rooms*, making retail and dining purchases*, and creating magic moments with Disney PhotoPass service. MagicBand+ will do all that and more.

Use MagicBand+ to Bring Sculptures to Life

You may have seen the golden character sculptures throughout the four Walt Disney World theme parks during the 50^th anniversary celebration. Soon, you’ll be able to use MagicBand+ to bring the sculptures to life and interact with them on the “Disney Fab 50 Quest.” You can also dive deeper into the experience using the Play Disney Parks mobile app to keep track of which sculptures you’ve found. The more you find, the more features you can unlock with digital achievements and an augmented reality feature that will give you a glimpse into your favorite characters’ worlds.

MagicBand+ Invites You to Join the “Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters” Experience

Over in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, MagicBand+ invites you to join the “Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters” experience, where you’ll use your band to find numerous virtual bounties hidden throughout Black Spire Outpost. MagicBand+ will be your guide, vibrating and lighting up to show if you’re on the right path. You can then use the augmented reality thermal viewer in the Play Disney Parks app – which reveals what’s behind locked doors in Black Spire Outpost – to uncover your virtual bounty**. Once your mission is complete, the local guild master will reward you with galactic credits.

Experience Nighttime Spectaculars in a New Way with MagicBand+

You can also experience nighttime spectaculars in a new way as you’ll see your MagicBand+ light up and complement the magic in the skies! It’s a dazzling way to join in the celebration and create unforgettable memories at the theme parks.

These experiences will be available with MagicBand+ and will launch when the new wearable goes on sale this summer. Disney Resort hotel guests and Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will have the option to purchase at a discounted, pre-arrival price. You can still use existing MagicBands and Disney MagicMobile, available on eligible devices, to enjoy other features, such as park entry*. The original MagicBand wearable will continue to be available for purchase as well.

MagicBand+ will be available at Disneyland Resort later this year. Some of the features will vary between Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. We’ll have more to share on that soon.

Magical New Digital Voice Assistant – “Hey Disney!”

There’s a magical new digital voice assistant ready to bring Disney characters and stories to life called “Hey Disney!” Using Alexa technology for supported Amazon Echo devices, you’ll be able to ask all the useful questions – weather forecasts, set timers and alarms, etc. – and get answers from more than 25 popular characters including Mickey Mouse, Olaf, Rocket and Groot, Princess Tiana and many more. Plus, when you stay at select Disney Resort hotels, you can use “Hey Disney!” to learn helpful information about your vacation, order room amenities and more. Wondering when the next bus to EPCOT leaves or need to request more towels for your room? Just ask the Disney Magical Companion, a new character who will interact with you via “Hey Disney!”

‘Hey Disney!’ will begin rolling out in select Disney Resort hotel guest rooms across Walt Disney World later this year as part of our 50^th anniversary celebration. Access will be offered as an optional, complimentary feature during guest stays. “Hey Disney!” will also be available for purchase for supported Amazon Echo devices via the Amazon Alexa Skills store, inviting Disney fans to make every day at home more magical. In the future, MagicBand+ will work with “Hey Disney!” by pairing with supported Amazon Echo devices to enhance some “Hey Disney!” experiences. More details will be released soon.

Which experience are you most excited about? Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more updates on new magic coming to Walt Disney World Resort as part of the 50^th anniversary celebration.

*Guests can use MagicBand and MagicBand+ to gain access to Walt Disney World theme parks with valid admission and theme park reservations, enter their Disney Resort hotel room, and charge food and merchandise purchases to the payment card on file at their Disney Resort hotel room during their stay.

**To use the Play Disney Parks mobile app to enhance the MagicBand+ experience, guests must be logged into the Play Disney Parks app with the Disney account linked with their MagicBand+.

Disney has released new artwork for Epcot’s transformation Take a look: