Mar 16 2023

Here’s What Is Coming to Walt Disney World in 2023

Do you have a Walt Disney World vacation coming up in 2023? If so, there’s so many new experiences and returning favorites to enjoy during your trip this year. Here’s what’s coming to Walt Disney World in 2023, courtesy of Disney!

In 2023, Walt Disney World Resort is the place to embrace thrills of all kinds. Exciting new experiences set to debut this year include one of the fastest coasters at any Disney theme park, a new restaurant to savor, the continued transformation of EPCOT, returning nighttime spectaculars filling night skies throughout the resort and so much more.

Walt Disney World 50^th Anniversary Continues Through March 31

It’s your last chance to experience a party fifty years in the making as the Walt Disney World 50^th Anniversary celebration will conclude March 31, 2023. Make plans to visit now to see Mickey Mouse and his pals in their EARidescent finery one last time and enjoy all the special sights, tastes and merchandise that mark this momentous event.

New and Returning Character Greetings – All Year

New and returning character experiences are sure to thrill guests of all ages. Beginning April 22, Moana will greet fellow voyagers on Discovery Island at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – just in time for the park’s 25^th anniversary. Fans of Figment will get the chance to hug the long-time EPCOT icon at the Imagination! pavilion beginning late summer. Mickey Mouse and friends will also have a new home at Communicore Hall opening later this year as part of the EPCOT transformation. And, at Magic Kingdom Park this fall, Mirabel from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ hit film “Encanto” will greet guests in Fairytale Garden surrounded by whimsical décor inspired by La Familia Madrigal. These new experiences follow the return of several Magic Kingdom character experiences including Pete’s Silly Sideshow, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Ariel in her underwater grotto and the return of character dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ Comes to Disney’s Hollywood Studios – March 23

Yee-haw! Andy’s backyard is preparing to welcome more toys at Roundup Rodeo BBQ opening March 23 in Toy Story Land. Serving barbecue-inspired comfort foods, this one-of-a-kind dining experience is the first “Toy Story” table-service restaurant in the world. A collaboration between Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney World Food & Beverage, Roundup Rodeo BBQ will bring more toy-sized, tasty fun to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. For more information, please click here!

Nighttime Spectaculars Brighten Skies and Warm Hearts at Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT – April 3

Fan-favorite nighttime spectacular “Happily Ever After” Presented by Pandora Jewelry returns to light up the night sky over Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park beginning April 3. New this year, the nightly fireworks show will fully immerse guests in heartfelt Disney stories as brand-new projections extend down Main Street U.S.A., adding even more magic to this unforgettable spectacle.

“EPCOT Forever” returns to World Showcase Lagoon starting April 3. Featuring stirring renditions of memorable EPCOT music, the show sparks fond memories from the park’s rich history.

The Grid Awaits on TRON Lightcycle / Run Presented by Enterprise – April 4

Beginning April 4, guests can climb aboard Lightcycles for a thrilling race on TRON Lightcycle / Run Presented by Enterprise. Located in Magic Kingdom Park, it is the fastest coaster attraction in a Disney theme park, alongside its sister coaster at Shanghai Disneyland. The attraction masterfully blends coaster thrills with speed, visual effects, music and a one-of-a-kind ride system to create an experience like no other. A virtual queue will be in place when TRON Lightcycle / Run opens and guests will also have the option to purchase individual Lightning Lane entry for the attraction via the My Disney Experience app on the day of their visit. For more information, please click here!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park 25^th Anniversary – April 22

2023 marks a special milestone as Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park celebrates its 25^th anniversary. With the return of entertainment such as “Festival of the Lion King” and ”Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond!,” there has never been a better time to explore this one-of-a-kind park. It is the place to encounter wild animals, take in high-speed thrills and even journey to a world beyond belief, Pandora – The World of Avatar. Make plans now to visit this special place that celebrates the magic of nature.

EPCOT Transformation Continues – Late 2023

This fall will bring even more exciting experiences as part of the multi-year transformation of EPCOT. Guests will be able to explore the wonders of water when Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana opens. This fun interactive outdoor trail offers a chance to play and interact with water as it travels from the sky to the oceans and back again. Along the way, guests learn about the importance of water and discover its playful personality – just as Moana did on her heroic voyage.

Fall will also see completion of the new World Celebration neighborhood. As the hub of the park, it will feature different gardens that change with the seasons. It will also be home to the new Communicore Plaza and the new Communicore Hall, the latter offering a place to meet Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. World Celebration will also anchor the park’s renowned festivals. It is also where guests will discover Dreamers Point, an inspiring overlook showcasing a statue of Walt Disney called “Walt the Dreamer.”

Guests will be treated to the debut of an all-new EPCOT nighttime spectacular later this year. A dazzling display of music, pyrotechnics, lasers and lighting, the show will feature an original composition and evocative selections from the Disney songbook – all woven together to remind us that we are more alike than different.

Disney100 Celebration – Late 2023

Later this year, Walt Disney World Resort will join the global celebration of The Walt Disney Company’s 100^th Anniversary – 10 decades of creativity and innovation. Look for more details to come, as EPCOT prepares to host this unforgettable celebration at Walt Disney World.

More Disney Dining Options – Throughout the Year

On April 1, 2023, Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will welcome guests to an exciting new dining experience. This signature-dining restaurant – renowned for its panoramic views of Seven Seas Lagoon – will introduce a new interior along with a refreshed menu offering a perfect balance of updated classics and new culinary delights. Guests can look forward to the return of house specialties such as lobster bisque and new dishes like Blackened Redfish and tasty plant-based options. For more details, please click here!

Later this year, more dining delights will debut, including Summer House on the Lake at Disney Springs and The Cake Bake Shop at Disney’s BoardWalk.

Will you be visiting Walt Disney World in 2023? What are you most looking forward to enjoying? Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Mar 15 2023

Fun Facts about TRON Lightcycle/Run in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World

If you’re like me, you have been impatiently waiting years for the opening of TRON Lightcycle/Run in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and next month the big day will finally arrive! Recently, Disney released some fun facts regarding the new attraction in addition to details about new TRON merchandise being offered plus a brand-new snack kiosk opening alongside TRON Lightcycle/Run. Check it out!

Beginning April 4, 2023, Walt Disney World Resort guests, also known as Users, will be digitally scanned into a mysterious game world in TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise. As members of Team Blue, they will board high-speed Lightcycles for a thrilling race through a dark, computerized world, facing off against a fierce group of Programs known as Team Orange.

The new attraction, located in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park, is the fastest coaster attraction in a Disney theme park, alongside its sister coaster at Shanghai Disneyland. It masterfully blends coaster thrills with speed, visual effects, music and a one-of-a-kind ride system to create an experience like no other.

Following events in The Walt Disney Studios 2010 film, “TRON: Legacy,” TRON Lightcycle / Run enables guests to enter the digital world via gateways that Grid creator Kevin Flynn’s son, Sam Flynn, opened. The Magic Kingdom gateway complements another gateway located in Shanghai Disneyland. Sam created the Lightcycle / Run competition as a “friendly” way for Users and Programs to interact in a gaming-style, competitive event.

Welcome to TRON

With its massive, awe-inspiring “curved wave” canopy, the new attraction is a stunning addition to the Tomorrowland skyline. Lightcycle trains appear from seemingly out of nowhere, making flowing, high-speed twists and turns beneath the gleaming canopy as they launch onto the Game Grid. The experience is even more dramatic after dark as shifting patterns of light and color create a powerful visual for riders and bystanders alike.

Onto the Grid

The experience of TRON begins before guests board Lightcycles. After passing beneath the dazzling attraction canopy, they will enter a Digitizer for another powerful preview of what’s in store when they join the games. Then it’s time to board Lightcycles in the Sync Chamber and prepare for upload.

Launching onto the Grid is an unforgettable experience for Users as their powerful Lightcycles arc gracefully beneath the towering attraction canopy and charge into a mysterious game world of light, sound and speed. The quest: Race through eight Energy Gates to defeat the menacing group of Programs known as Team Orange.

Gear Up for the Grid with New TRON Merchandise

An all-new retail experience is the place to gear up for the Grid with racing-themed apparel, collectible pins, must-have toys and light-up accessories all inspired by the TRON films and the new attraction. Guests can also purchase and customize their own TRON action figures.

Power Up at Energy Bytes

Energy Bytes, a new quick-service kiosk near TRON Lightcycle / Run, will put a fun spin on global cuisines. Items both savory and sweet offer nods to regional food offerings at Shanghai Disneyland, where the first TRON gateway is located. Selections include:

Digital Dumplings – Choose from Buffalo Chicken: Chicken Dumplings, Blue Cheese Powder and Cayenne Pepper Broth; or Beef & Broccoli: Beef Dumplings, Broccoli Pesto and Ginger-Soy Broth
Strawberry IceOform – Strawberry Ice Cream Mochi, Graham Crackers and Cheesecake Foam
Watermelon Refresher – A frozen beverage with Yuzu and Ginger
Chocolate Doughnut Holes with Mocha Sauce
Joffrey’s™ Cold Brew Coffee with Mocha Sauce

The new “bytes” are the perfect way to power up for competition.

TRON Lightcycle / Run – Data Points

TRON Lightcycle / Run is the fastest coaster attraction in a Disney theme park, alongside its sister coaster at Shanghai Disneyland.
It took more than 3,800 pieces of steel weighing almost 1,900 tons to create the attraction. The ride track is more than 3,000 feet long.
The dramatic attraction canopy covers more than 50,000 square feet, reaches 105 feet high and features more than 1,200 lights.
The Lightcycle ride vehicle incorporates onboard audio and lighting, as well as a specially crafted safety restraint that allows riders to lean forward on the cycles.
The urgent, moody musical score for the attraction was written by composer Joseph Trapanese.
The attraction’s 10-acre footprint is the largest expansion of Magic Kingdom since New Fantasyland opened in December 2012.

Prepare for the Grid

To prepare for upload onto the Grid, guests will input bags, purses, hats and other items into double-sided lockers that are opened and locked using a MagicBand, MagicBand+ or ticket media. Smaller items such as cellphones, sunglasses or wallets can be placed in a small compartment located on each Lightcycle. Following the race, guests will return to the real world and retrieve their belongings.

With Disney PhotoPass, Users have a myriad of ways to commemorate their experiences on the Grid with special photo and video effects, including Magic Shots.

Guests with valid park admission and Magic Kingdom Park reservations can request to join the virtual queue to experience the attraction via the My Disney Experience app on the day of their visit. The virtual queue is limited and subject to availability and is not guaranteed. Guests will also have the option to purchase individual Lightning Lane entry for the attraction via the My Disney Experience app on the day of their visit. Lightning Lane purchases are limited in availability. A standby queue will not be available for TRON Lightcycle / Run.

To experience TRON Lightcycle / Run, guests must be at least 48 inches tall.

System Glossary – Familiarize Yourself with the Grid

Digitizers: Two chambers where the Shiva laser performs a “digitizing procedure” on Users, sending them into the world of the Grid.
Energy Gates: Digital markers that Users and Programs compete to “capture.” The first team to capture all eight Gates by passing through them is declared the winner.
Programs: Digital beings who live on the Grid, they are created by humans through written computer code. Programs are opponents of Users on TRON Lightcycle / Run.
Shiva laser: The ENCOM SHV 20905 is the conduit by which human Users pass from the real world into the digital world of the Grid.
Sync Chamber: The load station where Users board Lightcycles, “syncing” their bodies with the vehicles.
The Grid: The digital world created by Kevin Flynn.
The Game Grid: An arena of competition within the larger digital world of the Grid, where competition takes place.
TRON Plaza: The area around and encompassing TRON Lightcycle / Run, mostly covered by its distinct canopy structure that is an expression of biological and technological harmony.
Upload Conduit: Beneath the canopy of TRON Plaza, this section of “track” carries data being uploaded from the Launcher to the Game Grid, much like a fiberoptic cable. This one-of-a-kind piece of technology, co-created by Sam Flynn, enables digital information traveling along its lines to be seen by outside “real world” observers and vice versa. This is why onlookers in Tomorrowland are able to “see” a train of Lightcycles speeding along, and Users can catch glimpses of the surrounding area from their vehicle.
Users: Human beings who must be digitized to visit the Grid and compete in TRON Lightcycle / Run.
Team Green Post-Show Space presented by Enterprise: After competing in an epic race and returning to Tomorrowland, Users are introduced to a bold new race team and their powerful, state-of-the-art Lightcycle that offers an opportunity to capture an incredible photo.

When will you be riding TRON Lightcycle/Run for the first time? Are you excited to try out the new snacks and check out the new merchandise? Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Jul 19 2021

Disney Very Merriest After Hours Coming To Magic Kingdom This Holiday Season

If you have been eagerly awaiting the news on what the Christmas season will look like at Walt Disney World this year, Disney recently answered this all important question. Instead of the festive Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, this holiday season Walt Disney World will be offering Disney Very Merriest After Hours as a fun and safer alternative. Here’s what we know about this jolly event so far, courtesy of Disney:

Merry music fills the night air. Cinderella Castle is all aglow. Snow falls on Main Street, U.S.A. as Magic Kingdom park brims with excitement.

This Christmas season, join your loved ones and friends at a truly magical holiday festival—Disney Very Merriest After Hours—held during the 50th anniversary celebration of Walt Disney World Resort. Offerings for this new event include Character sightings, fireworks, themed music and decorations, attractions and more.

Spot some favorite Disney friends as they spread their holiday cheer throughout the park. Thrill to Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show, a dazzling fireworks display hosted by Minnie Mouse. Indulge in delicious holiday treats, ice cream, popcorn and bottled beverages—all included with the cost of admission. Delight in some holiday-themed attraction overlays and Cinderella Castle projections. Plus, enjoy Magic Kingdom park for 4 hours after the park closes, and less time waiting in line for attractions!

Disney Very Merriest After Hours will take place from 9:00pm to 1:00am on select nights, from November 8 through December 21, 2021. Tickets will go on sale next month, so continue to check for updates. Event tickets will grant admission to Magic Kingdom park as early as 7:00pm, giving you time to enjoy even more of your park favorites before the event begins. These dated event tickets do not require an additional day theme park ticket or Disney Park Pass theme park reservation.

Event Highlights

Don’t miss this merriest of evenings, made merrier still when shared with those who brighten your holidays. Highlights include:

Character sightings
Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show
After-hours access to Magic Kingdom park and less time waiting in line for popular attractions
Holiday-themed attraction overlays and Cinderella Castle projections
Snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A.
Holiday treats, ice cream, popcorn and bottled beverages—all included with the cost of admission
Themed food and beverages available for purchase
Holiday-themed Disney PhotoPass photo opportunities (photos available for purchase)
Special lighting, music and more!

With very few details announced officially from Disney yet, we’ll have to wait until next month for exact dates, pricing information, and more specifics on what will be included. Be sure to check back often as I will share the details as soon as they are released!

Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks

Will you be attending Disney Very Merriest After Hours?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Jul 16 2021

First Look At A Magical 2021 Holiday Season At Walt Disney World

If you are looking for some place to get away and spend the holidays this year, look no further than Walt Disney World. Recently Disney shared a first look at what is in store for guests to Walt Disney World this holiday season. According to Disney:

Beginning November 12, festive entertainment, whimsical décor, seasonal food and drinks, special merchandise and more will all be a part of the 2021 holiday season across Walt Disney World Resort. Here is a first look at the merrymaking to come this year as part of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” honoring the resort’s 50^th anniversary.

Magic Kingdom Park

Main Street, U.S.A., will be decked for the holidays with seasonal décor.
In the evening, special holiday projections will appear most nights on Cinderella Castle, alternating periodically throughout the night with the castle’s transformation into a Beacon of Magic as part of the park’s 50^thanniversary celebration.*
“Disney Very Merriest After Hours,” a new specially ticketed event, begins November 8 and continues on select nights through the holiday season. The four-hour experience with feature “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks,” Disney characters throughout the park, holiday music and décor, treats included and much more. The event will be open to a limited number of guests after regular park operating hours, with lower wait times on more than 20 available attractions. Tickets will go on sale in August, with an early purchase window available to guests of select Disney Resort hotels.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The Hollywood Holiday Tower will twinkle anew at the end of Sunset Boulevard during Sunset Seasons Greetings. Projection effects will magically transform the park icon into snowy Arendelle, a Muppets gingerbread masterpiece, a Toy Story toy hotel, and a Dickensian village inspired by “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.” This holiday show will also alternate with the tower’s nightly transformation into a Beacon of Magic.
“For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” will feature a festive finale starring Olaf.
Santa Claus will bring some North Pole cheer to a motorcade down Hollywood Boulevard.
Minnie Mouse will host a meal at Hollywood & Vine, joined by her pals in their holiday finest – and Santa, too!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

The park’s centerpiece – The Tree of Life – becomes another Beacon of Magic most nights during the 50^thanniversary celebration. During the holiday season, there will be even more magic inspired by nature as the holiday edition of Tree of Life Awakenings also takes place most nights.
Disney characters will set sail down Discovery River, accompanied by joyful songs of the season.

Disney Springs

The Walt Disney World shopping, dining and entertainment district will transform into a winter wonderland, full of sparkling lights, enchanting décor and holiday surprises.
The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll will feature elaborately decorated, Disney-themed trees, including some inspired by “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.”
A magical snowfall will add a touch of wonder for holiday shoppers at surprise locations.
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar will become Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar with delightful décor and a delicious limited-time menu filled with festive favorites.
Disney Springs is the perfect place for guests to make their holiday shopping lists and check them twice, with a wide array of Disney holiday merchandise, including ornaments, matching family pajamas, Spirit Jerseys and more.

Disney Resort Hotels

Iconic trees and other seasonal touches will turn Disney Resort hotels into holiday hideaways.
Select resorts will feature intricate gingerbread displays perfect for holiday photographs … and inspiration for holiday treats.
Select resorts will offer holiday menus at restaurants, as well as other specialty food and drinks.

EPCOT

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will return November 26 – December 30 and will feature Holiday Kitchens around World Showcase, performances by Voices of Liberty, a Cookie Stroll and more.

Will you be visiting Walt Disney World this holiday season?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Jul 2 2021

Casey’s Corner Reopens In Magic Kingdom

Just in time for the Independence Day holiday weekend, fan favorite Casey’s Corner has reopened on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. This is fantastic news for Disney fans like me, who enjoy picking up a deliciously topped hot dog or some crispy corn dog nuggets to snack on while they wait for the fireworks to begin over Cinderella Castle.

According to Disney:

Get ready to hit your craving for hot dogs out of the park! Casey’s Corner on Main Street, U.S.A., is now open with their classic all-beef hot dogs. Catch hold of a Chili-Cheese All-Beef Hot Dog or dig into a pile of Corn Dog Nuggets. And the plant-based Loaded Slaw Dog (plant-based sausage topped with pickled slaw, barbecue vegan aïoli, and roasted corn relish), is back! The Frozen Mint Julep Lemonade is a refreshing homerun to go along with your hot dog. And don’t forget, mobile order is available at Casey’s Corner.

Other options at Casey’s Corner include plain hot dogs, plant based “sausage” dogs, French fries, chili, mandarin oranges, brownies, and assorted non-alcoholic beverages. There is not a dedicated children’s menu at this location, so sharing is a good option for guests with smaller appetites. Mobile ordering is available, and highly recommended as this location can get very busy most of the day and night.

Casey’s Corner hours vary and is generally open for lunch and dinner each day. Prices range from $10 to $14 for entrees which include a hot dog and side, $4 to $6 for additional side items and desserts, and $3 to $5 for beverages.

Disney World Enthusiast

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