Author: disneyparks.disney.go.com

Tomorrow, Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Theme Park will welcome guests once again, the first step in the phased reopening of Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will follow soon after, on July 15.

In honor of the parks’ reopening, check out the video below where former Imagineer Maggie Elliott takes us back in time through the planning, design and original opening of Walt Disney World Resort. She shares some personal stories and reminisces about the people who made it all possible, including some Disney Legends.

You’ll hear first-person (and funny!) details about the creation of Cinderella Castle, see some incredible archival footage and photos going back five-plus decades, and learn more about the life of this amazing Imagineer. Take a look!  

For more on the reopening of Walt Disney World Resort, visit Disneyworld.com/Updates, and for more #DisneyMagicMoments like this one, be sure to keep checking with us here at the Disney Parks Blog. 

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Disney History, Walt Disney World Resort, MK, Video, WDW

As we look forward to reopening Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park tomorrow, our cast members are also preparing for the reopening of EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15.

For guests with upcoming Disney Park Pass reservations to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we wanted to share an update about Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, which will once again be using virtual queue in the My Disney Experience app. If you’ve joined the Resistance before, you will want to note a few changes to the process beginning July 15. Most importantly – as availability allows – guests will have an opportunity at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. or 4 p.m. to request to join the virtual queue. This means there is no need to arrive early to the park to check the virtual queue.  

Whether it’s your first trip to Batuu or you have joined the fight against the First Order before, there are a few important details to know before you arrive:

• First, make sure you have the My Disney Experience app. Once you enter the park, log in to your account at one of the distribution times (10 a.m., 1 p.m. or 4 p.m.). 
• Once you have logged in, select “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Virtual Queue” on the home screen. You will be able to view the current status and next steps for joining the virtual queue. 
• The app will indicate when there is no availability for a specific distribution time. Some guests may join backup groups. 
• As long as your My Disney Experience account is linked to park tickets for you and the others in your group, you can enroll everyone in the virtual queue at the same time. In order to give as many guests as possible the opportunity to join the Resistance, each guest can enter the virtual queue no more than once per day.
• Make sure push notifications are turned on for My Disney Experience so you will be alerted if your group is called to return. You’ll have up to an hour from the time of the alert to go to the entrance of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. 
• Please note that joining the virtual queue does not guarantee the ability to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. 

If you have any questions or need assistance with joining the virtual queue, cast members at Guest Experience Team locations throughout the park are available to assist. While you wait for your virtual queue group to be called, you can enjoy other experiences at Disney’s Hollywood Studios including our newest addition, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. 

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is one of the most popular attractions at Walt Disney World Resort, and we know many of our guests are familiar with using virtual queue to experience this one-of-a-kind adventure. For other attractions at Walt Disney World Resort, we plan to use our regular standby queues to manage capacity and to maintain physical distancing. 

We can’t wait to welcome you back to the magic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Walt Disney World Resort!

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort

Brook and Robin Lopez are big Disney fans – and not just because the twin brothers and professional basketball players each stand seven feet tall. These star athletes love everything Disney, and they’ve missed visiting Walt Disney World Resort just like everyone else during the theme parks’ temporary closure. 

Before they traveled to Walt Disney World Resort to join their teammates, we asked Brook and Robin to share some of their favorite Disney memories and let us know what they’re most excited to experience on their next trip into the parks. 

Keep checking back with us here at the Disney Parks Blog for more #DisneyMagicMoments like this one!

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Uncategorized, magic moments, Sports, WDW

With the recent reopening of Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, we’re sharing a special edition episode of our #DisneyCastLife series from Tokyo Disney Resort. 

Tokyo Disney Resort Ambassador Ayumi kicks off our latest show with a quick message from Tokyo Disneyland before we share special welcome back messages to cast members once again making magic for guests. 

For more #DisneyCastLife stories, follow the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort Ambassador teams on Instagram at @WDW.Ambassador and @Disneylandambassador.  And be sure to keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for more #DisneyMagicMoments. 

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From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Tokyo Disneyland, Cast Members

Today, Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort begins its phased reopening with a variety of specialty shopping and dining experiences.

The health and safety of guests, operating participant employees and Disney cast members are at the forefront of our planning. Several operational changes have been implemented based on guidance from health authorities to promote physical distancing and enhanced cleanliness throughout the Downtown Disney District. To learn more about what you can expect on your next visit, check out Disneyland.com/DTD.

To help guide you through these new measures, cast members from our Guest Experience Team are walking throughout the Downtown Disney District to help explain our new health and safety measures and answer any questions you may have. They, along with other Downtown Disney cast members, are on hand to encourage everyone to follow these measures for the health and safety of us all.

This one-of-a-kind Disney experience has reopened with a mix of family-friendly restaurants, favorite snacking stops and shopping boutiques you all know and love. The flagship World of Disney store reopens, offering the largest selection of Disney toys, souvenirs, accessories, collectibles and more at the Disneyland Resort.

Down the way, The Disney Dress Shop has vintage-style apparel perfect for summer, and Disney Home can give you a touch of Disney for every room in your house. Other shops to find great items include Sugarboo & Co., Curl Surf, Sephora, The LEGO Store, Rinse Bath & Body Co. and WonderGround Gallery, to name a few.

After shopping, relax and dine at one of the Downtown Disney District’s lovely patios and outdoor seating areas, such as Naples Ristorante e Bar or UVA Bar & Cafe. Enjoy a hearty meal or a gourmet treat! Savor something sweet at Salt & Straw scoop shop, or try the signature Strawberry Shortcake CrazyShake from Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes outdoor order window.

We look forward to seeing you!

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney District