WDW Daily News

Today, Disney announced the acquisition of a partially completed ship that will bring the magic of a Disney Cruise Line vacation to new global destinations. Disney will work with the esteemed Meyer Werft shipbuilding company to complete the cruise ship previously known as the Global Dream in Wismar, Germany. The ship will be renamed with certain features reimagined under the world-renowned expertise of Walt Disney Imagineers and is expected to set sail in 2025.

The new ship, to be based outside the United States, will feature innovative Disney experiences along with the dazzling entertainment, world-class dining and legendary guest service that set Disney Cruise Line apart. The exterior will be adorned in the iconic, Mickey Mouse-inspired colors of the fleet, complete with signature red funnels.

The 208,000-gross-ton ship is expected to be among the first in the cruise industry to be fueled by green methanol, one of the lowest emission fuels available. Disney Cruise Line expects the passenger capacity to be approximately 6,000 with around 2,300 crew members.

Construction will be completed at the former MV Werften shipyard in Wismar, Germany, under the management of Meyer Werft, the Papenburg-based company that built the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish. The ship’s previous owner filed for bankruptcy before completing the vessel, enabling Disney Cruise Line to secure it at a favorable price and within the capital expenditure guidance The Walt Disney Company provided on its recent earnings call. The project also secures employment for hundreds of former MV Werften employees and will provide opportunities for numerous maritime industry suppliers in the region.

More details about the maiden voyage, itineraries and onboard experiences will be announced at a later date.

In August, Walt Disney World rolled out updates to the Disney Park Pass system which allows guests to modify their theme park reservations and book with different admission types. As we continue to focus on providing guests with the best, most memorable Disney Experience, we wanted to share an update about what’s ahead, beginning with some changes coming on Dec. 8.

  

BEGINNING DEC. 8:

1-Day, 1-Park Tickets  

• Beginning Dec. 8, Walt Disney World will introduce park-specific pricing on 1-day, 1-park tickets.Moving forward, guests will select a date and theme park before purchasing their ticket. When you purchase a 1-Day ticket for a specific date and theme park, a theme park reservation will automatically be made at the time of purchase.
  • This change is only for those who purchase 1-day tickets for a specific date and park. Most guests will continue to make theme park reservations.  
• With the new park-specific pricing, Magic Kingdom Park will be priced at or above our other theme parks due to the incredible demand, as it remains the most-visited theme park in the world. A 1-day ticket for a specific date and park will range from:
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom: $109-$159 (same range as today)
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios: $124-$179
  • EPCOT: $114-$179
  • Magic Kingdom Park: $124-$189
    • Note: The $189 price point is specifically for the week of Christmas to New Year’s.

Park Hopper Add-on 

• On Dec. 8, we will update pricing on select add-on options, including the Park Hopper Option and Park Hopper Plus Option. 

  

Annual Passes   

• On Dec. 8,Annual Pass pricing for the Incredi-, Sorcerer and Pirate Annual Passes will increase between $43-100. The Disney Pixie Dust Pass will remain at its current price.
• The Disney Pixie Dust Pass remains available for purchase, as our other three Annual Passes remain unavailable for new sales for the time being as we stay focused on our current Passholders. As a reminder, All Annual Passes continue to be available for renewal.

Now playing in cinemas around the world, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” continues the legendary story of Wakanda as Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku, Okoye and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers following the wake of King T’Challa’s death. Experience the film yourself to see how our heroes embrace their next chapter and forge  a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.

In celebration of the return to Wakanda, let’s explore some of the ways guests can commemorate the newest film in the history-making “Black Panther” franchise!

As previously announced, guests at Disneyland Resort won’t want to miss the new, limited-time experiences celebrating “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” taking place now through Jan. 8, 2023.

@disneyparks

LOOK WHO’S ARRIVED! The new warrior taking the legendary mantle of the Black Panther is here at Avengers Campus in #DisneyCaliforniaAdventure Park in celebration of #BlackPanther #WakandaForever 💜 #Disney #Disneyland #AvengersCampus

♬ original sound – Disney Parks

At Avengers Campus, meet M’Baku, chieftain of the Jabari Clan, and also witness the next warrior to take on the role of Black Panther.

In Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure park, guests can enjoy dishes inspired by African cuisine and drink offerings at the new Flavors of Wakanda marketplace. If they’re heading to the Downtown Disney District, make sure they strike a heroic pose in front of a special mural created by artist Nikkolas Smith, who previously created the art installation “King Chad.” And with MagicBand+ now at the Disneyland Resort, guests can show off their style with this limited release “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” themed MagicBand+.

Don’t miss out on these exciting new offers!

If guests have ever been to Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort during the holiday season, they know the true can’t-miss attraction – the incredible gingerbread displays! These are a staple of the most wonderful time of the year, and for good reason. The pastries teams on both coasts and at sea spend countless hours masterfully crafting these culinary works of art.  Let’s check out the wonderful displays on both coasts!

The pastry teams have been working tirelessly to brings these holiday traditions to life. Their passion goes into every detail – from the gingerbread shingles to the masterfully crafted chocolate work, and everything in between. This year marks the return of the display at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and new additions to the Jambo House Lobby Display at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, which may or may not be a life-sized baby zebra, as well as the classic and granddisplays at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

But enough waiting – let’s unwrap the entire list of gingerbread displays coming this year!

Within the walls of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park guests will uncover the Haunted Mansion Gingerbread House. For years, this display has added even more holiday flare to the Jack Skellington’s transformation of this classic attraction into Haunted Mansion Holiday. The pastry team takes over 20 days to bring this nearly 300-pound creation with three moving elements to life. Be sure guests take a ride on the Haunted Mansion for some extra festive fun.

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The most wonderful time of year is almost upon us! Let’s take a sneak peek into the yummy yuletide delights guests can enjoy at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Magic Kingdom Park this year!

This event, which is held on select nights from November 8 through December 2022, is the ultimate holiday gathering filled with beloved characters, attraction overlays, magical entertainment, like the Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, and even an appearance from Kris Kringle himself! This party is a favorite, which may or may not be because of the treats. Speaking of treats – let’s get to them.

The culinary teams have acted as Santa’s foodie helpers this year and created a sleigh worth of goodies to indulge in. With plenty of new delights this year, like the adorable Mickey Mousse Ornament Treat at the Main Street Bakery, the sweet and savory Holiday Dinner Dog at Casey’s Corner, and the can’t miss Polar Bear Claw at Cool Ship, guests will be asking for treats on their list!

Let’s unwrap the Foodie Guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies

• Lock, Shock, and Barrel Sundae: Festive vanilla cake, vanilla ice cream, strawberry topping, whipped cream, and Christmas sprinkles with a Lock, Shock, and Barrel chocolate piece (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 31 during regular park hours and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party)
• Sugar Plum Shake: Spiced sugar plum soft-serve topped with cherry syrup, whipped cream, and sprinkles (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 22 during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

 Casey’s Corner

• Holiday Dinner Dog: All-beef hot dog with cranberry mustard, savory stuffing funnel cake, and cheese curds (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 31 during regular park hours and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party)
• Christmas Tree Cake: Red velvet brownie cheesecake with eggnog buttercream and spiced caramel topped with mini sugar Christmas lights (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 22 during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

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One of the greatest ways for families to kick off the holiday season is by watching the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade together. 

Disney Cruise Line debuted an all-new cruise ship float during the turkey day tradition last year, and we are thrilled to share that the same stunning vessel will be returning to the parade later this month! This year, our majestic “ship” – inspired by the fantastical style of the Disney Wish – will float through the streets of New York once again, accompanied by an all-new performance in Herald Square.

This year’s live parade performance will be inspired by one of the new Broadway-style shows on board the Disney Wish, “Disney Seas the Adventure.” Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse and Goofy will lead an incredible cast of performers and Disney characters in this show-stopping number, which has quickly become a guest favorite aboard our newest ship. 

Check out the video below for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this magical float and its pixie-dusted debut last year.

Be sure to tune in to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC-TV on Nov. 24 from 9 a.m. to noon in all time zones.

We’ll “see you real soon” on 34th Street!

Art and foodie lovers, mark your calendars! The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts returns Jan. 13 and runs through Feb. 20, 2023, at the Walt Disney World Resort. The festival is a global celebration of visual, culinary, and performing arts where guests can find inspiration and discover their own creativity in fun ways across the park.

Topping the “must-do” list: 16 delectable Food Studios will serve up art-inspired menus appealing to a variety of palates. The creations are not just delicious, but true works of art.

And this just in! The EPCOT Festival culinary team is putting finishing touches on two new Food Studios. Moderne, located near Test Track presented by Chevrolet, will feature new mouthwatering avant-garde menu items. The other new Food Studio, Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey: Art, Food, and Little Sparks of Magic, promises to deliver treats and beverages bursting with vibrant colors and flavors. We’ll share more details about these delicious new concepts in early 2023!

During the festival, more than 100 Disney and visiting artists will showcase their eye-catching works of art. Guests of all ages can express their creative side by learning to draw a Disney character at Animation Academy, leaving their own creative mark at Expression Section: A Paint by Number Mural and helping Figment learn about art on a scavenger hunt around World Showcase.

Each evening, the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series will feature talented entertainers performing Disney songs live at America Gardens Theatre. A list of entertainers is coming soon.

EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is available with valid theme park admission and a park reservation for the same date. And remember, there’s still time to enjoy the Walt Disney World Resort 50^th Anniversary celebration now through March 31, 2023.

If guests are looking for something “cool’’ to do this holiday season at Walt Disney World Resort, then they should consider a visit to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park because the popular polar paradise reopens next month for the holiday season. And for the first time in forever, the water park will include touches from the popular Disney film Frozen.

When the wintry water park swings open its gates on Nov. 13 there will be plenty of arctic adventures, including wintry water attractions for guests of all ages, frosty eats and treats and an atmosphere of glacial glee. As we like to say around here, there’s almost ‘snow’ better place to spend the day at Walt Disney World than at a water park!

Here are some of the best ways to chill out and enjoy Blizzard Beach’s return…

Frolic with Frozen friends at Tike’s Peak

A flurry of Frozen fun has come to Blizzard Beach and guests’ young ones can enjoy them among the kid-sized thrills of Tike’s Peak. Whether they are experiencing the miniature slides and attractions, splashing around in front of Anna and Elsa’s igloo castle or playing with Olaf and his Snowgie pals in the wading pool, this area is full of Frozen-themed fun for everyone!

Ring In the Holiday Season

Feel the holiday cheer with limited-time food and beverage offerings such as Orange Bird DOLE Whip cone and Peppermint Milkshake. Through Dec. 31, guests can immerse themselves in a merry atmosphere that has a daily snowfall, holiday music, festive inner tubes and even a tropical-dressed Santa.

Take the Plunge Down Summit Plummet

Calling all thrill-seekers! Did you know that the fastest attraction at Walt Disney World is right here at Blizzard Beach? Descend Mount Gushmore in a near-vertical drop on the tallest and fastest freefall body slide in town.

‘Luge’ Yourself in New and Returning Culinary Creations

Guests can savor brand new bites like Cajun Shrimp and Grits, and sip on new beverage options like a Watta-Melon Passion Lemonade from Lottawatta Lounge. Returning favorite flavors include seasonal DOLE Whip offerings, a Double Bacon Cheeseburger and the iconic 50^th Ice Dream Sand Pail Sundae.

Kick back in a Polar Patio

Need time to unwind? Guests can rent a private patio space complete with polar perks like comfortable seating options and refillable drink mugs for a relaxing break from the action.

Ready, Set, Snow at Toboggan Runners

Guests can sleigh the day away as they zoom down the water slide toboggan style. In a course filled with dips, hills and fierce competition, guests can race against their friends and family to see who will take first place.

Family Fun at Teamboat Springs

Team up with friends and family to experience one of the longest whitewater raft adventures in the world. Guests can expect twists and turns, unpredictable rapids and drenching sprays of water along the way as their oversized inner-tube raft ventures down this thrilling waterslide.

The Ski-riffic Way to the Top of Mount Gushmore

Guests can take in the view of the snowy setting as they embark on a leisurely journey to the top of Mount Gushmore on Blizzard Beach’s own chairlift. Dressed in bright colors, this lift will effortlessly transport them to some of the iconic attractions at the park, including Summit Plummet, Slush Gusher and Teamboat Springs.

You’ll ‘Glove’ Runoff Rapids

Propel down Mount Gushmore on three unique slides with thrilling twists and turns along the way, ending in a huge splashdown at the bottom.

In celebration of Walt Disney’s World’s 50^th anniversary, Disney has launched Extended Evening Theme Park Hours as a benefit for guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts, Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts or other select hotels, to enjoy a few extra hours at select theme parks. Today, they shared that this popular benefit will continue beyond the 50^th Anniversary celebration throughout all of 2023!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Currently, Extended Evening Theme Park Hours are available at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on select dates.
• They are extending this benefit throughout all of 2023 for guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts, Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, or other select hotels, for select nights at select theme parks.

“Welcome to Fantasmic! …”

We could not be more excited to share that “Fantasmic!” returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Nov. 3. Back and better than ever, the larger-than-life, open-air nighttime musical will boast the live performers, stunning effects, rousing music and dazzling pyrotechnics you know and love – complete with a brand-new show sequence!

“Through this entire sequence, we go on a journey with our heroes. We see them faced with a decision, and how hard that can be for them, then watch as they find that strength within themselves to push through in a truly spectacular way,” says Disney Live Entertainment Show Director, Matthew Hamel.

And spectacular it is. The new heroes sequence features a high-energy Aladdin chase with stunts never before seen on the “Fantasmic!” stage, a powerful scene with Elsa set to the song  “Show Yourself” that is sure to thaw the most frozen of hearts, and stirring moments with Pocahontas, Moana and Mulan. Fun fact: To help choreograph the authentic Chinese martial arts you’ll see in Mulan’s scene, the creative team brought in Mimi Chan – the original muse and model animators used when bringing the character of Mulan to life for the 1998 animated film.

“We know this show means so much to people, and we’ve kept that in mind every step of this journey.” says Disney Live Entertainment Producer, Laurice Marier. “Even beyond the new scene, we’ve taken this time to upgrade the lasers, the lighting, the sound, all to bring this show back even more beautiful than it’s ever been. We’re all really just so excited for guests to see it.”

So, will the powers of Mickey’s incredible imagination still be strong enough, and bright enough, to withstand the evil forces that invade Mickey’s dreams? We are about to find out. See everyone there!

And don’t miss out!  Beginning Oct. 26, “Fantasmic!” dining packages for select restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be available for performances Nov. 30 and beyond