The average ticket price for getting into Walt Disney World is just north of $100, making the magic kingdom less than magical for your holiday budget. But instead of packing up the kids, wrangling them onto a plane, and then waiting in line to get into the park, just grab Lego’s new towering Disney Castle and give your family a staycation instead.
Watch – Epcot B-Roll: Soarin’ Around the World at the Land Pavilion
The Soarin’ Around the World attraction takes guests on an exhilarating “flight” above spectacular global landscapes and man-made wonders. Located at The Land pavilion at Epcot, Soarin’ Around the World gives guests a thrilling bird’s-eye view of Earth’s scenic wonders, visiting six continents in all. (Photo composite, Disney)
BEAUTIFUL DISNEY-INSPIRED PAINTINGS OF BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, DUMBO, MORE
Has there been a more divisive artist in recent American history than Thomas Kinkade? The late painter made quite a name for himself in the ’80s and ’90s with his particular style, consisting mostly of gardens and cozy cottages in the woods, usually painted with saturated pastel colors.
Walt Disney World Resort Launches Summer Vacation Season with Magical Premieres at Disney Springs & Water Parks
Inspired by Florida’s waterfront towns and natural beauty, Disney Springs is a charming district filled with unique retailers and restaurants from award-winning chefs. Throughout the summer, new stores and restaurants will open as Disney Springs more than doubles the number of retail, dining and other venues for guests.
- As Disney Springs continues to expand and diversify its dining, shopping and entertainment, more exciting high-profile tenants are coming onboard, including Anthropologie, Under Armour, kate spade new york, Sephora and Lucky Brand, among others. Other new shops opening in 2016 include Zara, Tommy Bahama and UNIQLO.
- More than 30 new tenants will be coming to Disney Springs this summer, including retail shops and dining venues.
- Home to world-class dining, Disney Springs is shaping up to be a culinary dream. With many unique flavors, there is something for all different tastes with exquisite selections such as STK, Frontera Cocina and Morimoto Asia.
- More new eateries are gearing up to open in the coming year, including Homecoming – Florida Kitchen and Shine Bar by Chef Art Smith; Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, a modern-day “pizza joint” with artisanal pies; and the reimagined, Planet Hollywood Observatory with new outdoor terrace and live entertainment.
- Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless (Frontera Cocina) and Chef Art Smith (Homecoming) join master Chef Masaharu Morimoto in a growing collection of James Beard Award winning chefs at Disney Springs.
- At Cirque du Soleil’s “La Nouba,” the new B-Boys hip-hop, breakdancing threesome showcases a rare mix of rhythm, strength and “how-did-they-do-that?” moves. As part of the show’s ongoing evolution, the masterful Aerial Bamboo act joins recent additions of madcap clowns and a breathtaking rolla bolla juggling act.
Meanwhile, Disney’s Water Parks ramp up with playful spirits and summer fun faster than Olaf can beg for warm hugs.
- At Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, Olaf from Disney’s animated hit “Frozen,” will be living his “In Summer” dream as he and Kristoff host the “Frozen Games” of friendly, fun competitions that run through Aug. 21.
- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park castaways can splash down on a sandy summer beach with a cold ale and savory snack after a wild slide on Crush ‘n’ Gusher water coaster.
Disney guests will have a magical summer experience wherever they play, dine, relax or celebrate at Walt Disney World theme parks, entertainment venues and resort hotels. For more information about Walt Disney World Resort, visit www.disneyworld.com and www.disneyparksblog.com.
Watch – Magic Kingdom B-Roll: Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire at Magic Kingdom
“Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” immerses guests in a 23-minute royal musical celebration on the Cinderella Castle stage at Magic Kingdom Park. Mickey Mouse and his pals unite in a tale of friendship featuring songs and characters from Disney’s contemporary classics “Princess and the Frog,” “Tangled” and “Frozen.”
“In ‘Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire,’ 15 Disney characters from different stories come together to showcase how diversity and the discoveries you make through friendships shape who you are,” said Show Director, Walt Disney World Entertainment, Tara Anderson.
From the land of the bewitching bayous, Goofy has invited Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen to add a little spice of New Orleans jazz to the party.
Donald Duck brings some new friends he met in the land of the enchanted woods, where Daisy Duck introduces us to her special guests, Rapunzel and Flynn. Finally, Mickey Mouse shares a surprise with Minnie Mouse, as he has traveled to the land of the mystic mountains to invite Olaf, Princess Anna, and Queen Elsa, who swirls a blast of her icy magic.
The celebration culminates in a grand dance, marked by a magical daytime fireworks finale.
“Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” is presented daily at 10:30a.m., 11:35a.m., 1:05p.m., 2:05p.m., 4:15p.m. and 5:15p.m.
Tea Time at Cheshire Cafe by Sam Allen
The “Mad Tea Party” has been a favorite of Magic Kingdom guests (or at least those guests not prone to motion sickness) since the park opened in 1971. However, in spite of its name, there is actually no tea anywhere to be found at this party, just plenty of oversized teacups spinning. For those looking to get something to drink, there is another option not far away.
“Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” Fireworks and Projection Show Immerses Disney’s Hollywood Studios Guests in Galaxies Far, Far Away
A nighttime spectacle unlike any other celebrating a space-based saga paints the skies above Disney’s Hollywood Studios with the awe inspiring Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular at Walt Disney Resort.
With galaxies not so far away for its canvas, Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular will light the night with Star Wars-themed fireworks, lasers, projections and other amazing special effects paired with Star Wars-themed music and iconic characters and scenes from the seven-film, pop culture phenomenon.
One of many magical highlights of the four-park summer line-up at Walt Disney World Resort is one of the biggest, boldest sky shows in the 27-year history of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, according to show director Michael Roddy of Disney Creative Entertainment.
Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular unfolds nightly in a series of acts in the skies and around the heart of the park. State-of-the-art effects projecting onto the Chinese Theatre and other buildings will transport guests to a galaxy far, far away.
Imagine gazing at the twin suns of the desert planet Tatooine, scavenging with Rey on Jakku, navigating through an asteroid field, soaring down the trench of the Death Star and delivering the final blow to destroy Starkiller Base.
The blockbuster show is punctuated by a tower of flame shooting tongues of fire skyward as well as powerful crisscrossing spotlight beams, creating lightsabers in the sky.
“It is a Disney sky show like none other,” Roddy said. “We are actually able to cast fireworks to tell different parts of the Star Wars story, in colors identifiable with the film whether it’s green for Yoda or creating a starfield up in the sky. Projection mapping technology allows us to dramatically overtake the buildings with images from the Star Wars saga. Custom animation delivers motion picture moments and perspectives never before experienced. And surround sound makes it seem like a TIE fighter just flew past and exploded next to you.
“So many of the things we love about Star Wars we were able to bring to life,” he said.
Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular is part of Star Wars-inspired entertainment throughout Disney’s Hollywood Studios including a new live stage show; stormtroopers march; Star Tours – The Adventures Continue attraction; a reimagined Jedi Training; themed food and beverage offerings; and Star Wars Launch Bay featuring themed galleries, artifacts, merchandise and Star Wars character encounters.
Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular at-a-glance:
- Produced by: Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts Creative Entertainment, in collaboration with Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic.
- Length of performance: approximately 12 minutes.
- Performance schedule: once nightly (showtimes vary).
- The show incorporates music and imagery from all seven films in the Star Wars
- Opening projection scenes recall the Hollywood premiere of the first Star Wars film in 1977.
- Tower of flame fires up to 140 feet in the air.
- Custom visuals were created for some projections to fully immerse guests in sequences from the films, recreating familiar scenes in ways never before seen.
- Audio for the show is presented in 7.1 channel surround, creating a rich sound quality and making possible such effects as the sound of TIE fighters and X-wing starfighters flying above and around the audience.
Why water is the heart of this Disney project
Some of the last pieces of the transformation of Downtown Disney into Disney Springs have moved into place, and although a few parts are not completed, the flavor of the redesigned and expanded dining/shopping/entertainment complex and its new emphasis on its waterfronts are apparent.
TICKETS FOR D23 EXPO 2017: THE ULTIMATE DISNEY FAN EVENT ON SALE JULY 14, 2016
On Thursday, July 14, at 10 a.m. PT, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will begin selling tickets for the next D23 Expo, which will take place July 14–16, 2017, at the Anaheim Convention Center. The largest Disney fan event in the world, D23 Expo celebrates all the wonderful worlds of Disney entertainment, uniting all parts of The Walt Disney Company under one roof, including The Walt Disney Studios (including Marvel, Pixar, and Lucasfilm); Walt Disney Parks and Resorts; Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media; and Media Networks (including ABC, Disney Channel, and Radio Disney). D23 Expo 2017 marks the fifth biennial event held in Anaheim.
Once again the Expo will celebrate the past, present, and future of Disney with live events, celebrity appearances, panels, presentations, sneak peeks, and immersive experiences. D23 Expo 2017 marks the return of fan favorites, including the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, honoring the talented men and women who have made indelible contributions to the Disney legacy; an exhibit from the Walt Disney Archives, which spotlights costumes, props, and set pieces from Disney’s rich history; and the Mousequerade costume contest.
Tickets for D23 Expo 2017 will be available at a discounted price for a limited time. From July 14–December 31, 2016, tickets are $67 for a one-day adult admission and $46 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $57 for a one-day adult admission and $41 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $296 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for members and general admission, visit D23Expo.com.
To celebrate the launch of ticket sales, D23 will be streaming select presentations from D23 Expo 2015 at D23Expo.com from Wednesday, July 13, through Sunday, July 17. Presentations include “Once Upon a Time: An Evening with Snow White & the Evil Queen” (featuring Ginnifer Goodwin and Lana Parilla), “A Goofy Movie 20th Anniversary Celebration!” (including stars Bill Farmer, Jason Marsden, and Jim Cummings), “Disneyland: Fond Memories of the Past” (with Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline), and “In Conversation with the Filmmakers and the Emotions Behind Inside Out” (featuring Pete Docter, Jonas Rivera, and a special appearance by Sadness herself, Phyllis Smith).
D23 Expo 2017 will showcase all of the latest stars in the Disney universe. In 2015, celebrity appearances included Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford, Ellen DeGeneres, Chris Evans, Lupita Nyong’o, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Dwayne Johnson. The event also featured performances by Ne-Yo, Sabrina Carpenter, the cast of Teen Beach 2, and stars of Disney’s shows on Broadway. Additionally, Disney executives and creative talent came together to deliver special presentations, announcements, and experiences to Disney fans throughout the three-day extravaganza.
A limited number of VIP Sorcerer Packages for D23 Expo 2017 will be available. The Sorcerer Package includes:
- Three-day admission ticket and commemorative Sorcerer credential
- Reserved seating at presentations in Hall D23, Stage 23, and Stage 28
- Limited-edition D23 American Tourister boarding bag
- Pre-Expo tour of select exhibits including Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives
- Exclusive shopping time in the D23 Expo Dream Store, Disney Store, and Mickey’s of Glendale
- Tour of the D23 Expo show floor the day before the Expo is open to the public
- Welcome Reception on Thursday evening
- Exclusive entrance to the Expo each morning
- A voucher for an appointment with an on-site massage therapist
- Exclusive D23 Expo gift pack including gifts from D23 and the rest of The Walt Disney Company
- Meet and Greet with a special Disney guest
- “Fond Farewell” reception on final day of Expo
- Plus, access to the Sorcerer Member Lounge and other benefits
Sorcerer Package tickets are available exclusively to both D23 Gold and Gold Family Members at $2,250 per ticket. Members have the option to purchase up to two Sorcerer tickets. Additional details and benefits are highlighted at D23Expo.com.
D23 Gold and Charter Members will be entitled to special benefits throughout the weekend. Look for announcements about these opportunities in the coming months.
For the latest news and updates about D23 Expo 2017, visit D23Expo.com.
About D23
The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a member-exclusive website at D23.com; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.
Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($74.99), Gold Family Membership ($99.99), and General Membership (complimentary) levels atD23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.
