WDW Daily News

Since opening day of Magic Kingdom Park in 1971, The Hall of Presidents has brought to life the heritage of the United States and shared the symbolic importance and uniqueness of the office of the President. Almost 50 years later, the story of liberty’s leaders continues to be told and retold to new generations as Walt Disney originally envisioned. For the past few months, work has been underway to add President Joe Biden to the stage as the 46th President of the United States. As Disney Imagineers are putting the final touches on the show, which will debut to guests in August, we’re sharing a behind-the-scenes look at the latest update. 

 Just as Walt envisioned, creative teams have been busy programming an Audio-Animatronics replica of the President, pairing it with a delivery of the presidential oath of office recorded at the White House by President Biden himself just for the attraction. Every detail comes together to create a realistic and symbolic glimpse into the office of the President through the years, from the carefully tailored clothing to the props, documents and furniture placed throughout the stage. Next time Guests visit, they may notice the table next to President Biden is adorned with a few special items, each with their own significance to the President—including peach blossoms to represent his home state of Delaware and a pair of aviators as a nod to his proclivity for the sunglasses.  

 And for those who are curious about what happens to presidents at The Hall of Presidents after their term has ended, the Audio-Animatronics figure of former President Donald J. Trump will take its place on stage among those who have previously served.  Guest can take their seat in our stately theater beginning next month as we share the incredible story of the American presidency and watch as the curtain rises to welcome back all the Presidents.

With their recent updates on “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” honoring the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort, Disney shared that 50 fabulous Disney characters will be cast in gold and displayed across their theme parks. Now, we have more details on the “Disney Fab 50” series, including a special reveal of the first sculpture – Mickey Mouse! 

During the magical celebration, which begins on Oct. 1, Guests will be able to find these golden character sculptures throughout all four of the Resort’s parks. And leading up to their appearances, friends from around the Disney company will be announcing which characters Guests can expect to see – starting today with Bret Iwan, the voice of Mickey Mouse. 

The Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse sculptures are also being dedicated to Disney cast members of the past, present and future. After all, our cast – along with Mickey and Minnie- are truly considered the heart of the upcoming anniversary celebration.

Mickey is the first, and other character sculptures will be announced in the upcoming weeks by Disney friends, including Walt Disney World, Disney+, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation Studios, D23, Disney Channel, NatGeoTV, Disney Vacation Club and more. 

Guests can also virtually “collect” each golden Disney character sculpture on Instagram. To add a sculpture to Instagram Collections, just tap and hold the bookmark icon. Then, on the “Save to” screen, tap the collection where you want to save the image or create a new collection. Happy hunting!

As we near this special milestone, stay tuned for additional character reveals and to learn more about how these pieces of art will inspire new ways for Guests to interact with the 50th anniversary at Walt Disney World Resort during “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.” 

Today, we’re bringing you holiday cheer with a day of the merriest announcements, surprises and more giving a first look at the upcoming holiday season at Disney Parks around the world!  

JUST ANNOUNCED: Holiday Happenings At Walt Disney World Resort Including All-New After Hours Event

Festive entertainment, whimsical décor, seasonal food & beverage offerings, and holiday-themed merchandise will all be a part of a very special season at each of Walt Disney WorldResort’s four theme parks, Disney Resort hotels and Disney Springs. Also, starting Nov. 8, “Disney Very Merriest After Hours”, a new special-ticketed event will be available on select nights featuring “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks,” Disney characters, holiday music and décor, treats and so much more! 

JUST REVEALED: Celebrate 20 Years of Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland Resort

One of our favorite attractions of all time, Haunted Mansion Holiday, will return for its 20th season beginning Sept. 3! This merry makeover of the eerie estate, inspired by “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,” celebrates the collision of Halloween and Christmas. We’re excited to give you a first look at this year’s gingerbread house, a favorite tradition which changes each year.

LIMITED TIME: Satisfy Your Holiday Cravings With New and Returning Drink Offerings

No holiday celebration is complete without festive sweets and we got Guests covered with some limited-time offerings, now through July 18. Guests can head on over to Disney Springs, located within Walt Disney World Resort, and stop by Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company’s The Landing location for the return of some jolly java. Joffrey’s is offering their classic Peppermint Mocha Latte, a delicious combination of espresso, milk, dark chocolate sauce, and peppermint syrup. Pair it with a special Halfway to the Holidays themed ripple print, available for select beverages. At the Downtown Disney District in Disneyland Resort, Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer is bringing back their Peppermint Classic Shake. This peppermint patty shake is topped with whipped cream, crushed peppermint and chocolate drizzle. 

FIRST LOOK: Merriest Merchandise Coming Soon

Now that we’re halfway to the holidays, it’s time to start thinking about what gifts for friends and family! First of many all-new Sketchbook Ornaments are releasing soon to shopDisney. Also, Guests can get excited for new holiday-themed ear headbands, Spirit Jerseys, and more, coming to parks and shopDisney.com this holiday season. Global retailers such as BoxLunch and Amazon are rolling out some fun holiday-themed merchandise too, including a summer fun “Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas” collection! 

Have A Very Merry Christmas Aboard Disney Cruise Line

From early November through December, the Disney Cruise Line fleet is decked out in holiday cheer and entertainment during Very Merrytime Cruises. Holiday magic is unwrapped for the whole family with festive holiday decor, favorite characters in their finest holiday attire and a special visit from none other than Santa Claus. 

A Halfway to the Holidays TikTok Live Event from Disney’s Blizzard Beach

The holiday cheer was too much to fit into just a day, so join us @DisneyParks on TikTok this Wednesday, July 14^th at 7:30 p.m. ET for a special after hours tour of Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park at Walt Disney World Resort. Get an inside look at favorite attractions, a sneak peek at new limited-time offerings, special entertainment moments from the Dapper Dans and more!

Hope you all have an amazing #HalfwaytotheHolidays.

This email from Disney Vacation Club confirms that DVC members will be provided extended hours. Here is the release:

EXPERIENCE SELECT ATTRACTIONS AT EVERY THEME PARK, EVERY DAY PLUS SPECIAL EXTENDED EVENING HOURS ON SELECT NIGHTS.

Dear Disney Vacation Club Member, As you begin planning your visit to “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” in honor of Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th anniversary, we wanted to make sure you’d heard the exciting news that starting October 1st you will be eligible for special theme park access when staying at Walt Disney World Resort because you are a Member. Members and Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels and Disney Vacation Club Villas, as well as other select hotels, will have a new early theme park entry benefit giving them the first chance to enjoy select attractions at EVERY theme park, EVERY day, with a valid ticket or pass and a theme park reservation for that theme park and date. Additionally, Members and Guests staying at a Disney Vacation Club Resort or Disney Deluxe Resort hotel will exclusively be able to enjoy extended evening hours on select nights in select theme parks providing more time to enjoy the Magic. Extended evening hours will begin in early October with specific dates and parks to be shared at a later time, so please be sure to check back on DisneyWorld.comfor the latest. Throughout the celebration, Disney Vacation Club Resorts at the Walt Disney World Resort will offer even more with surprise appearances by some favorite Disney pals like Goofy and Pluto, who will be dressed in their EARidescent best. Plenty of fun awaits you and your family as we get ready for “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.” See you real soon! Disney Vacation Club Please note that Disney Resort hotel benefits are subject to change without notice. Theme Park admission is not part of the ownership interest and is sold separately.

Guests can sip and savor across six continents at the EPCOT^®International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE^®. We have 129 delicious days – July 15 through Nov. 20 – to celebrate the best of food and drink at the more than 20 festival-exclusive global marketplaces opening this week and even more coming in the fall! In addition to all the classics and fan favorites, there are SEVEN new marketplaces:

• The Noodle Exchange (Near Traveler’s Café)
• Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina
• The Rotunda Bistro (American Adventure Rotunda)
• The Swanky Saucy Swine (Near Disney Traders)
• Brew-Wing at the EPCOT Experience
• Lobster Landing (Near Mission: SPACE) – Opening Oct. 1
• Mac & Eats (Near Mission: SPACE) – Opening Oct. 1

Our festival chefs always focus on authenticity through ingredients, cooking techniques, and presentation to honor the diverse cuisines. And our beverage team thoughtfully pairs wine and beer with the selections at each global marketplace, providing a fantastic variety for our guests.

Emile’s Fromage Montage is the perfect way for cheese lovers to get their cheese fix. Guests can check their Festival Passport for the five select marketplaces to purchase delicious cheese dishes, collect their stamps, then stroll over to Shimmering Sips marketplace for a special prize!

And kids of all ages love Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak, the family fun scavenger hunt looking for the adorable Remy statuettes hidden all over the festival.

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Here are the updated Disney Resort hotels that will be reopening and start accepting bookings on July 8, 2021 for: 

• Disney’s All-Star Music Resort for arrivals beginning Sept. 16
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside for arrivals beginning Oct. 14
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter for arrivals beginning Oct. 28
• Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort for arrivals beginning Dec. 9

Disney is excited to continue welcoming Guests to hotels that have recently opened, like Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, and are busy preparing Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for arrivals to begin on July 19 and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge on Aug. 26. 

With this news, all Walt Disney World Resort hotels will be open by the end of 2021 and we look forward to welcoming more Guests to the magic over the next several months!

Disneyland Paris has just announced that they will be replacing their free FastPass program…

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With pandemic restrictions largely lifted at Walt Disney World, one would expect that things are largely, “back to normal.” In fact, with social distancing and mask restrictions gone but the parks perhaps not up to full capacity, especially for the summertime, it could seem like now is the best possible time to visit theme parks like the most magical place on earth.

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We can’t keep this news under Mickey’s sorcerer hat much longer. Fans of “Mickey’s PhilharMagic” will soon be tapping to a new song with the debut of an animated scene based on Disney and Pixar’s “Coco.”

The musical number “Un Poco Loco” will anchor the new scene when it opens to Guests at Disney California Adventure Park and Disneyland Paris on July 17, before being added to Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort later this year.

The film’s fun, upbeat music and characters combined with the humor of Donald Duck marks the first time Disney and Pixar animators have worked on a creative endeavor where characters from both animation studios will be seen together on screen.

Because music is such an integral part of the show, we were also fortunate to tap one of the film’s original composers– the world-renowned Germaine Franco –to produce a “Coco” score unique to “Mickey’s PhilharMagic.”

Guests will enjoy this new scene alongside all of the show’s current fan favorite musical numbers. Now it’s time to put on those opera glasses and let the show begin!