Category: Disney Parks

Last week, we announced that the latest expansion to Tokyo Disneyland Park — featuring New Fantasyland, Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, The Happy Ride with Baymax and Minnie’s Style Studio — is set to open to guests on Monday, September 28!

Ahead of the opening, I’m excited to share three new
behind-the-scenes videos featuring Disney Imagineers showcasing the exciting new
things to explore in the Park’s largest expansion ever. Across Fantasyland,
Tomorrowland and Toontown, these new attractions, restaurants and shops have
transformed the park into a magical new experience that we can’t wait to share.

The newest area of Fantasyland will immerse guests in the
world of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Beauty and the Beast.” Belle’s village
will make guests feel like they’ve dropped into the beginning of the classic
film and are getting ready to follow Belle on her adventure. The centerpiece of
the area, Beauty and the Beast Castle, will hover above the land and house the
new attraction, Enchanted Tale of Beauty
and the Beast.

Over in Tomorrowland, The Happy Ride with Baymax, inspired by Disney Animation’s Oscar-winning film, “Big Hero 6,” will celebrate the fan-favorite character Baymax as guests join their very own personal healthcare companion for an exciting musical whip ride set to swing them round and round.

Then last, but certainly not least, over in Toontown, international fashion designer Minnie Mouse will welcome guests into Minnie’s Style Studio, where guests can meet the mouse herself and take photos with her modeling her own fashionable creations.

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are owned and operated by Oriental Land Co, Ltd.

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

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, today I’m so happy to share a special #DisneyMagicMoment that goes behind the magic of the legendary Mariachi Cobre from EPCOT. 

The group is celebrating its decades-long performing history at Walt Disney World Resort here in Florida and are sharing with all of us some of their favorite songs. 

Watch as Esteban Carrillo, a long-standing member of Mariachi Cobre, takes us on the journey of this fantastic musical family that has been performing at Walt Disney World for 38 years! 

You can attend Mariachi Cobre’s daily performances of the world-famous, traditional folk music from Jalisco, Mexico, at the America Gardens Theater at EPCOT. 

And be sure to participate in our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month as we share more #DisneyMagicMoments during this special time – follow along on social media using the hashtags #HispanicHeritageMonth and #DisneyFamilia!

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

To say we’re excited at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is putting it lightly  – we are over the moon ecstatic about the premiere of “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom”  from National Geographic, streaming today on Disney+. I know you are going to love getting to see the exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at what goes into caring for the 5,000+ animals who call Walt Disney World Resort home.

What better way to celebrate a new show…than with a new addition. 

I’m thrilled to share news that in the wee hours of Tuesday, Sept. 22, a baby female Masai giraffe was born backstage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Weighing in at 156 pounds, she is healthy, actively nursing and was strong and feisty during her neonatal exam. Our girl, yet-to-be-named, is already showing she has a close bond with her mom Mara. The pair will continue to stay backstage until baby meets all her developmental milestones. We expect her to join the herd on the savanna in the coming weeks.

I’m thrilled to share news that in the wee hours of Tuesday, Sept. 22, a baby female Masai giraffe was born backstage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Weighing in at 156 pounds, she is healthy, actively nursing and was strong and feisty during her neonatal exam. Our girl, yet-to-be-named, is already showing she has a close bond with her mom Mara. The pair will continue to stay backstage until baby meets all her developmental milestones. We expect her to join the herd on the savanna in the coming weeks.

This baby’s spirited personality runs in the family. In Episode 1 of “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom,” you’ll meet her grandma, Kenya, who bravely participates in a voluntary hoof trimming procedure. And you may recall seeing her mom Mara before. She made headlines in January 2019 when she gave birth to her first calf Jabari on Harambe Wildlife Reserve within the Kilimanjaro Safaris.

This birth marks the second successful pairing of Mara and the calf’s dad George through the Species Survival Plan (SSP), which ensures the responsible breeding of endangered species.

So much to stay tuned for… new episodes of “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom” on Disney+ every Friday through mid-November… and more milestone moments with our newest giraffe calf…so follow along here and at @drmarkatdisney on Instagram and @DisneyASE on Facebook.

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, DAK, WDW

Aloha!

Over the past several months we have enjoyed sharing some Aulani Resort magic with you at home. We shared peaceful scenes from the resort to help you find your Zen, an inside look at Aulani Resort, Cast Member performances of hula at home and celebrated national Lū‘au Month. Through it all, we have looked forward to welcoming families back to our vacation paradise when the time was right, and today we’d like to share our plans with you. 

Given Hawaii’s recent announcement of a pre-arrival testing program for those traveling from out-of-state, we are working toward a phased reopening of Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa beginning on Sunday, November 1. And just like our other Disney destinations that have re-opened, we are using a measured approach that focuses on the health and safety of our guests, cast and community. 

Our gradual, phased approach to reopening considers the guidance of local and national government and health authorities, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as the U.S. Travel Association and Disney’s team of health and safety experts. This deliberate approach allows us to evaluate and adjust along the way, as circumstances and the recommendations of health authorities evolve. 

Because each of us shares a responsibility for the health of our community, we will be making resources available to help make guests aware of our new policies, so they, too, can do their part. 

We look forward to helping you make new memories with your family, friends and loved ones at Aulani Resort in the near future. Please continue to visit Aulani.com for updates. 

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Aulani, Disney Vacation Club, Hotels & Resorts, Vacation Planning

Today we’re thrilled to share news of exciting changes coming to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. A favorite destination of guests and cast members since its opening on Oct. 1, 1971, this beloved resort hotel immerses you in an oasis straight out of the South Seas with a sense of aloha that embraces you from the moment you arrive. 

That arrival experience is about to take on a whole new look with an enhanced entryway that will debut just in time for the resort hotel’s 50^th anniversary. 

One of the biggest changes will greet you right up front – a new porte-cochere will showcase the iconic mid-20^th century architecture the Polynesian is famous for. Our team from Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney World have crafted a design inspired by colors, patterns and textures found throughout the resort.  This new entry features a high-pitched, open-truss roof covered in a thatched style. There’s also a bold façade that features pops of color complementing the Longhouses found throughout the resort. Along the Monorail station, bold new wooden screens will be covered with geometric patterns in bright, tropical colors that complete an exciting new composition that will greet you when you arrive.

Enhancements will also be made to the lush gardens and fountains that have welcomed guests to the resort since opening day. 

The open and airy design of the entryway will feature dramatic lighting elements, including beautiful chandeliers inspired by glass floats, fishing nets and oversized bamboo elements. The new chandeliers will match the existing grand chandelier in the resort lobby, artfully bridging interior and exterior spaces.  

While work is underway over the coming months, guests can still enjoy access to the Great Ceremonial House and its operating dining and retail outlets. 

The new arrival experience is just the beginning of what guests will discover when the resort reopens in summer 2021. All of the resort’s guest rooms are being beautifully redone too. We look forward to sharing more details about Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort as they become available. Keep checking back to the Disney Parks Blog and Instagram @thezachriddley for more information on this exciting design.

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Hotels & Resorts, Walt Disney World Resort, Imagineers, WDW