Olaf has arrived

It was announced a couple months ago, and the day is finally here.  Olaf arrived at Hollywood Studios just last week and is now meeting gust in the area near the WDW Radio Studios, which is currently the location of Star Wars: Path of the Jedi.  This is right across from the Indiana Jones Stunt Show, and near the Star Tours ride.  Please see the map for the location.

2016 Halloween and Christmas Party Prices Released

For all those that have been to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, there is normally a little bit of excitement when party dates and ticket prices are released.  The last few years, the parties have become so popular, that many dates have been selling out quite early.  From experience, a sold out party is not quite as fun as the (used to be typical) empty park to run around with various Halloween and Christmas activities.  All together, my family loves the parties. As often as we go to Disney, the parties are something we only get to do once every couple of years, so it always adds additional excitement for the trip.

Disney Weddings

Many Disney fans are very familiar with the Disney Wedding Pavilion.  Anytime you ride from Magic Kingdom to the transportation and ticket center, the audio recording always points out the Disney Wedding Pavilion with the back drop of Cinderella’s Castle.  But has anyone ever seen the “backdrop?”   Well here it is:

Disney wins Lawsuit

Some of you Disney fans may remember a situation back in 2013 when guest were “buying” handicap guest to help get them to the front of the lines.   This caused much controversy, and eventually led to Disney changing policies related to Handicap and other guest with disabilities. Disney’s old system allowed guest with “Guest Assistance Cards” to go right to the front of most lines (or to enter through the exit) with virtually no wait.  With all the controversy, Disney made a change to the policy.  

New Disney Announcements

Just last week I reported that there were more updates to come this week.  Although there have been a few clarifications since last week, there have not been any new announcements.  Last week, I provided many sneak peaks and updates here for all the big announcements.  Since all the announcements were coming through fast and furiously, the information I provided skipped through much of the detail and really just provided the BIG news.  I will attempt to provide a little more details today and a better summary (less the cool video previews.  If you would like to see all the video previews, you can go here and see them all.

Pin Trading at Disney World

To be completely honest with you, about 5 years ago I could have never imagined writing an article about pin trading.  I would have been more shocked if someone told me that I would let me kids trade pins.  Well that was then, and this is now.  A lot has obviously changed in my opinion.  For one, I learned that pin trading does not have to be as expensive as I once thought.  Another change is that my kids are really not big on souvenirs since they have been to Disney so many times, therefore pin trading is their new “souvenir”

Many updates and Previews Today

Many new updates have been released in the last day or two, with many more to come as well.  I would expect the remained of announcements to continue through next week.  I will try to list all the announcements that I am aware of here.

• A new Disney Princess will be joining the courts at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort this summer. Princess Elena of Avalor is Disney’s first princess inspired by diverse Latin cultures and will have her own animated series premiering this summer on Disney Channel.  Elena will be appear to guest in the Magic Kingdom beginning in August.

• The third Toy Story Mania track will debut Memorial Day Weekend (May 27-30)

• Frozen attractions will be opening in Epcot in June

• The next generation of the popular Soarin’ attraction makes its premiere at the grand opening of Shanghai Disneyland this summer as Soarin’ Over the Horizon. THe very next day, the ride will open at Epcot with the new third theatre.   Fastpass+ will be an option for Soarin’ beginning Thursday, April 21.

• New Millennium Falcon Ride in Hollywood Studios

 

• Disney has finally announced the starting date of Animal Kingdom’s nighttime offerings. Starting Memorial Day Weekend (May 27-30) you will be able to enjoy a whole bunch of wonderful new entertainment and attractions – after dark:
  • “Jungle Book: Alive with Magic” Show is being planned for the Summer, Discovery River will become the stage for a limited-engagement show inspired by Disney’s hit live-action film “The Jungle Book.” “Jungle Book: Alive with Magic” is filled with music and special effects that celebrates the new film and the classic songs, now infused with an Indian influence.
  • The Tree of Life Awakens – the park’s iconic Tree of Life undergoes an extraordinary “awakening.” You can expect to see animal spirits come to life throughout the evening by magical fireflies. Each scene appears to emanate from within the tree itself and reveals stories of wonder.
  • Kilimanjaro Safaris After Dark – Guests can enjoy Kilimanjaro Safaris in the evening hours, thanks to special lighting that will allow guests to explore the savanna – and its inhabitants – well into the night.
  • Harambe Wildlife Parti – Guests can turn into “party animals” at the Harambe Wildlife Parti and enjoy lively African music, exotic foods and drinks, and explore the local marketplace.
  • Discovery Island Carnivale – On Discovery Island, guests can join the local community in their celebration of their love for nature in this party that features music, dancers, stilt walkers, food and more.
  • Tiffins – Guests can enjoy the park’s newest eatery, Tiffins, for both lunch and dinner. Check out this previous post for a peek at what to expect from the menu.
  • Nighttime Attractions – The park’s attractions, now operating in the nighttime hours, will take on a whole new life. For the first time, guests will be able to experience the thrill of attractions like Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids – surrounded by darkness. They’ll also be able to enjoy colorful midway games and attractions in DinoLand, U.S.A.

• Note: There has still not been any further announcements regarding the start date of River of Lights. – While the park will be open into the late-evening all Summer long, it is now uncertain that Rivers of Light will make its debut anytime soon. Rumors persist that the wireless control system for the nighttime show’s floats is just not working, or even that one of the larger flower barges may have sunk into the Discovery River. Either way, I wouldn’t count on seeing this show anytime soon as Disney is obviously being very cautious in its publicity.Whatever the case may be, this latest development makes the situation look possibly worse than we originally imagined. If the show does debut this Summer, we expect it to be mid-way or late into the season.
  

  Stay tuned for any and all details on Rivers of Light as they become available.

 

• Preview of Night time Safari Ride

• Preview of Tree of Life Projection Show

• Preview of River of Lights

Announcements to come next week

 

News 13 from Orlando, will be covering several announcements beginning next week at Disney World as part of the 3 day summer media event.

On Monday, Disney is expected to unveil a preview of a fourth area at Disney Springs called the Town Center, expected to open this summer. The “neighborhood” will feature new dining, shopping and entertainment options. The company says Town Center will be the largest retail expansion at Disney World Resort.

Expansion of Wishes Dessert Party

Some may have noticed that the Fastpass+ options have disappeared for dates that are in the future.  This is usually advanced notice that there will be changes coming in the near future and an announcement as well.  Although Disney has not updated their website or made an official announcement, it is clear from the details on the internet that the Wishes Dessert Party will be expanding.  The area that was formerly used for Wishes Fastpass+ viewing will now be reserved for guest attending the Wishes Dessert Party.

Tax Day at Disney? YES

For those that do not know, I am a CPA by trade, and a Disney nut by choice.  As a result, no one else would be more fascinated with the lead image on this blog then me.  Does it even make sense that Disney has mailboxes in Disney World?   Well I guess they are fun for decoration.  But who puts a sign on their mailbox for decoration on tax filing day?   OK, it is Disney.  They are amazingly detailed at everything that they do, and it includes going to great lengths like this one.  I love it.