Breaking News! Disney Genie is coming this Fall! Replacing FastPass, FastPass+, and MaxPass, Disney Genie is a complimentary new digital service at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. It will include tips that can help you reduce time in lines, discover magic around every corner, and take the guesswork out of “what’s next.”
For even more convenience and flexibility, there are 2 other paid options for enjoying the parks through a queue called the Lightning Lane entrance. (This will save time in line!)
Lightning Lane selections will be made on the same day of your visit and can be used across multiple theme parks, great for those who love the Park Hopper option. Attractions will continue to offer a traditional standby queue (or virtual queue at certain attractions) to maximize flexibility. Guests can choose from all the new options, a mix of them, or none at all! Stay tuned for more information!
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One of my all-time favorite restaurants, Boma - Flavors of Africa is reopening Friday, August 20th. Reservations will be available August 18th. If that wasn't exciting enough...it's been announced that it will reopen as a BUFFET! This is a huge deal because this is the first time Disney's reopened a buffet since March 2020! Boma is unique because it not only offers typical breakfast and dinner fare, but also has completely unique African dishes.
Breakfast offerings include creamy pap, turkey bobotie, pancakes, waffles, deviled eggs with salmon, and delicious freshly baked items from the Boma bakery. At dinner, the rotisserie area will offer pork ribs, salmon, African-spiced strip loin, Durban rotisserie chicken, and lamb bobotie. The kid’s cooking pod will have pasta and meatballs, mac n’ cheese, and chicken bites. The rotating selection of soups, stews, and chowders are back, as well as tasty salads like berbere chickpea salad and North African cauliflower salad. For dessert, enjoy delicious Zebra Domes (YUM!!!!!!!) and a variety of other sweet treats. Boma is located at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will debut in spring 2022 at Walt Disney World Resort. We recently learned a lot more about what we can expect. We already know the adventure will begin at the Galactic Starcruiser Terminal at Walt Disney World, where Guests will enter a launch pod and head out into space. It will be part live immersive theater, part themed environment, part culinary extravaganza, part real-life role-playing game—and so much more. Step off the launch pod and into your own epic Star Wars story, one where you decide your fate. While your story unfolds, you’ll have the power to choose your path. What's Included
Dining The Crown of Corellia Dining Room will feature fare from all over the galaxy along with familiar favorites from your home planet. Breakfast will include small plates and a variety of beverages including juices, coffee and Bubo Wamba Family Farms blue milk. Lunch will feature sandwiches, soups, mini flatbreads, salads, and sweets. On the first night, the dining room transforms for dinner into a table-service supper club with a special musical appearance. The second night, The Taste Around the Galaxy showcases courses inspired by iconic destinations throughout the galaxy. The meal includes group appetizers for the table, a choice of entrée and a specialty plated dessert. Arrange to sit at the captain’s table for an especially memorable dinner experience in a prime location. (An additional fee is required for Captain’s Table seating.) The Sublight Lounge is the perfect place to sip a beverage and relax. Looking to wager a few credits? Sidle up to the Sabacc gaming table and play a casual hand of holo-sabacc. During your planet excursion to Batuu, you can enjoy a quick-service meal at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo or other select locations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Interactive Activities During your voyage, you won’t just meet new and familiar Star Wars Characters, you’ll interact with them. You'll also have access to special features in the Star Wars: Datapad experience available on your mobile device as part of the Play Disney Parks app. Throughout your adventure, you are encouraged to don your galactic best. But whatever planet’s clothes you choose to wear, be sure to save your very finest for the traditional end-of-cruise gala celebration. Lightsaber Training - Wield a lightsaber and face off against a remote training device in this exclusive interactive activity. (Must be at least 7 years old to participate.) Bridge Training - Explore the working bridge of the legendary Halcyon starcruiser and learn how the navigation, power, defense and other critical systems keep the Halcyon starcruiser safe. Batuu Excursion - Board a transport to Black Spire Outpost on Batuu. Your missions throughout Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge—including your adventures on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run—will influence events back on the ship. Cabins
Imagine waking up inside of a Star Wars story. The starcruiser features 100 well-appointed cabins and suites. Standard Cabin
Breaking News from Walt Disney World and Disneyland Beginning Friday, July 31st, face coverings will once again be required for all guests 2+ at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Guests will be required, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face coverings in all indoor locations and upon entering and throughout all attractions and in enclosed transportation vehicles, including shuttles, buses, monorails and at Disney Skyliner. Disney's official statement is below. "We are adapting our health and safety guidelines based on guidance from health and government officials, and will require Cast Members and Guests ages 2 and up, to wear face coverings in all indoor locations at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort beginning Friday, July 30, regardless of vaccination status. At Walt Disney World Resort, this includes upon entering and throughout all attractions and in enclosed transportation vehicles, including shuttles, buses, monorails and at Disney Skyliner."
I strongly recommend checking both Walt Disney World and Disneyland's "Know Before You Go" sections often, as information continues to be updated. Stay tuned for more travel updates. Calling all foodies! Disney has announced the reopening of four dining locations! 2 quick-service restaurants and 2 table service restaurants are returning in August. Keep reading to learn everything we know about the reopening of these fan-favorites. Beginning August 2nd, Pizzafari at Animal Kingdom will reopen. This quick-service location offers pizza (of course!) but you'll also find chicken parm sandwich, a green and grains salad, and specialty cupcakes and beverages!
Beginning August 5th, Columbia Harbour House at Magic Kingdom will reopen again! Seafood favorites are back, including the Lobster Roll and Trio Platter, as well as chicken strips, hushpuppies, the Lighthouse Sandwich (my personal favorite!!!!), and the Harbour Salad. Looking for a sit-down dining experience? 2 popular locations are also reopening! Yachtsman Steakhouse, at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, reopens August 5, 2021, with booking available July 29th. In addition to their signature steaks and chops, the Chilled Admiral’s Tower for Two is back as well as the creamy Lobster Bisque and the Yachtsman’s Chocolate Cake for Two. Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood, located at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will also reopen August 5, 2021, with booking also available July 29th. Here, you'll sample small plates and dishes inspired by the flavors of Spain. The signature Chuletón Bone-in Rib Eye is on the menu along with Char-grilled Steak, Rioja-braised Chicken, and “Café con Leche” Choux. All of my clients receive my professional dining recommendations and important details about booking advanced dining reservations. To become one of my concierge clients, contact me! It’s been really great this summer to see so much of the magic returning to the parks. Today, Disney announced the return of FOUR fan-favorite shows!
In other Disney news, we did find out that EPCOT's "EPCOT Forever" will end its run on September 28th, while "Happily Ever After" will conclude its run on September 29th at Magic Kingdom.
All-new nighttime spectaculars “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom and “Harmonious” at EPCOT will debut October 1st as part of The World’s Most Magical Celebration. To book your 2021 or 2022 Walt Disney World stay, contact me as soon as possible to secure your room and rates.
Walt Disney World has announced four new resort hotel reopenings, available for booking tomorrow, July 8th. Yes, this OFFICIALLY means that every hotel will be reopened by the end of 2021!
Beginning July 8, 2021, I will begin booking:
Just in time for the start of the “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” on Oct. 1st, Walt Disney World will be rolling out a new early theme park entry benefit for Disney Resort hotel guests and guests of other select hotels, giving them the first chance to enjoy select attractions at EVERY theme park, EVERY day. These guests will also be among the first each day to see the dazzling decorations and EARidescent excitement. Guests will need a valid ticket or pass and a theme park reservation for the same park on the same date for early theme park entry.
In addition, with the kickoff of the 50th anniversary, guests staying at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Disney Resort hotels will also be able to enjoy extended evening hours on select nights in select theme parks. Extended evening hours will begin in early October with specific dates and parks to be shared at a later time. For both of these options, select attractions, merchandise and food and beverage locations will be available. Be sure to also bring your MagicBand, Disney MagicMobile pass or Key to the World card linked to their stay, or another form of Resort ID. Back at your Disney Resort hotel, enjoy even more magic! During the celebration, be on the lookout for surprise appearances by some favorite Disney pals like Goofy and Pluto, who will be dressed in their EARidescent best and dropping by to visit with guests across Disney Resort hotels! These new offerings will join a number of other great services available for Disney Resort hotel guests such as complimentary on-site transportation and the direct-to-room service available in the My Disney Experience app. Speaking of Disney Resort hotel stays, we know many of you are also wondering when Disney dining plan packages will return. Disney has not yet shared an update on timing, we are planning to bring this guest-favorite option back at a later date. We will also continue to reopen more Resort offerings, including restaurants like ‘Ohana (with the noodles!) To book a stay at any of the resorts in the Disney Resort Collection or to be among the first to get information about the dining plan return, contact me! Rooms are booking at an unprecedented rate! Disney has released a first look at the re-imagined rooms at Disney's Contemporary Resort. As Walt Disney World prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary this October, Imagineering is tapping into that optimistic spirit once again in reimagining Disney’s Contemporary Resort, enhancing its retro-modern aesthetic that evokes Tomorrowland … with a dash of something Incredible, too. Currently all nine floors of guest rooms in the tower are being completely refurbished. Rooms will blend a sleek Monorail motif with some favorite characters from Pixar Animation Studios’ Incredibles films.
As part of this reimagining, Disney is also updating the Guest lobby and check-in experience. Beginning July 16th, much of the first-floor lobby will be closed while it undergoes refurbishment. Once complete in late September, Contemporary’s lobby will feature an enhanced check-in experience with enhanced seating locations. Once the tower Guest rooms are complete, work will begin on the rooms inside the Garden Wing. For booking information or details about the refurbishment, contact me.
Beginning Oct. 1, “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” honors the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort, and, wow, are there some great new details about this incredible 18-month event! Resorts are booking up quickly, contact me as soon as possible to get your stay booked!
A new nighttime spectacular, “Disney Enchantment,” will help kick off the 50th anniversary festivities when it debuts Oct. 1 at Magic Kingdom. Created to launch with “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” this evening extravaganza will take Guests on a journey filled with adventure, wonder and empowerment. Inspiring everyone to believe in magic, “Disney Enchantment” will feature music, enhanced lighting, stunning fireworks and, for the first time, immersive projection effects that extend from Cinderella Castle down Main Street, U.S.A.
Joining “Disney Enchantment” on Oct. 1 will be “Harmonious” at EPCOT, one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney park. This new show will bring the globe together at World Showcase Lagoon in a celebration of Disney music that inspires people worldwide. It’s a grand, powerful tribute to the stories and songs that unite us, embracing new technical magic that incorporates pyrotechnics, choreographed moving fountains, lighting and media in new ways. “Harmonious” will invite Guests to travel the globe through new interpretations of classic Disney songs as you’ve never heard them before, reimagined in more than a dozen languages by a diverse group of 240 artists from around the world.
There’s also new daytime entertainment stirring at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Check out this artist rendering of “Disney KiteTails,” which will come alive several times daily at the Discovery River Amphitheater beginning Oct. 1. Performers will fly windcatchers and kites of all shapes and sizes, while out on the water elaborate three-dimensional kites – some stretching to 30 feet long – will depict Disney animal friends, including Simba, Zazu, Baloo and King Louie. These colorful creations will dance through the sky to the beat of favorite Disney songs in an uplifting, vibrant experience for the whole family.
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will be the hosts for “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” and they’ll be decked out in sparkling new EARidescent fashions for the 50th anniversary. As you can see in the photo above, their best pals want to get in on the shimmer, too, as Donald Duck and Daisy Duck, Goofy and Pluto, and Chip ‘n’ Dale will be sporting their own custom-made EARidescent looks beginning Oct. 1. Guests will get a chance to see them when they travel through Magic Kingdom several times daily in the new “Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade.”
These eight friends will also be featured in special golden character sculptures debuting Oct. 1 at Magic Kingdom; in this artist rendering, you can see Mickey and Minnie shining in the sunlight near Cinderella Castle. There will be 50 characters total in this series of sculptures that will be displayed across all four theme parks. We’ll soon reveal more of the “Disney Fab 50” as excitement builds for the big day, as well as the surprising ways Guests will be able to interact with these beautiful sculptures as part of the 50th anniversary celebration.
This fall, bring home “Walt Disney World: A Portrait of the First Half Century,” a beautiful new coffee table book from Disney Editions. You can see the cover art above for this insider’s look at the history and evolution of Walt Disney World, written by Kevin Kern, Tim O’Day and Steven Vagnini. A link for that book can be found above or here from Amazon.
“The World’s Most Magical Celebration” will also see the grand opening of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT, icons at each of the four parks transforming into Beacons of Magic at night, EARidescent décor all across the resort, plus much more. Walt Disney World cast members – who will be wearing new EARidescent nametags designed especially for this occasion – are looking forward to sharing all this magic with Guests, as they are the heart of this momentous event. You won't want to miss this celebration! Contact me for more details! |
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