Category: Disney Parks

We recently told you about some of the fall fun coming September 15 – October 31 to Magic Kingdom Park, and today I’m excited to share more details about seasonal entertainment experiences headed your way!

Throughout the day, special Halloween cavalcades will pop up on the parade route and head down Main Street, U.S.A. You could come across Mickey Mouse and his pals, all dressed up for the occasion in Boo-tiful Halloween costumes. On select days, you may even encounter a cavalcade of Disney Villains – from Gaston and Maleficent to Queen of Hearts and Jafar – creeping down the path, or a nightmarish procession featuring the Pumpkin King himself, Jack Skellington! 

As another special treat for the Halloween season, we are thrilled (and chilled!) to welcome the iconic Dapper Dans back to Magic Kingdom Park, beginning September 20, performing as their undead alter egos The Cadaver Dans. You’ll be enchanted by a cappella performances from the Cadaver Dans when they emerge from their tombs.

The Halloween spirit is also in the air over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where Minnie’s Halloween Dine is set to return to Hollywood & Vine, beginning September 25. A monster feast will be served to your table, and favorite Disney friends will make special appearances in the restaurant. You can wave and snap photos of your hostess, Minnie Mouse, dressed as a happy witch. Goofy is coming as a spooky cowboy, with Mickey Mouse as a funny vampire, and his best pal, Pluto, gets into the act wearing a cute Halloween collar.

Halloween may look a little different this year, but I’m here for it! Who else is excited for a visit to the parks this fall?

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort, DHS, Halloween, MK, WDW

Rev your engines and get ready to switch into high gear on Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure park. In this new “Ride & Learn” video, buckle up for a tour around Carburetor County — where the movie “Cars” springs to life. You’ll even learn a few fun things as you cruise through town and zoom past the towering Cadillac Range mountains. 

This high-octane attraction features familiar car-acters, the many sights of Radiator Springs and of course, a high-speed race through the Ornament Valley.

Ready, Get Set, Go! 

Thanks for racing alongside us today! Discover more #DisneyMagicMoments here on the Disney Parks Blog. 

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort, Cars Land, DCA, DLR, Video

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to feed lions or how about introducing a new baby hippo to its “bloat”? You’ll get a chance on September 25 on Disney+ with the series premiere of “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom,” which showcases everything you’d like to know about our animals and animal care team. Here’s a look at the show’s brand-new trailer.

“Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom” is an original eight-episode docuseries from National Geographic that gives viewers an all-encompassing backstage pass to explore the magic of nature within Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT. 

Anala, the Sumatran tiger, near a camera log.

Expect to see an unprecedented look at some of the most intriguing animals on the planet and how we care for them at Disney. I know you’ll be impressed by the animals you see in the series, but I think what you’ll really walk away with is a love and appreciation for our animal care experts who have formed remarkable bonds with the 5,000-plus animals who call Walt Disney World Resort, “home.” I’m extremely proud of our animal care team and love how their passion and skill shine through this series. 

Keeper Mel Hall cares for Cassanova, an Abyssinian Ground Hornbill.

So, set aside time on Friday, September 25 to enjoy the premiere of the “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom” on Disney+, with new episodes dropping each Friday for the eight-episode run of the series. It’s going to be a wild ride. 

Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom production team and keeper Lori Kurdziel observe lions Kinsey and Dakari.

Follow my Instagram page (@DrMarkAtDisney) as well as @DisneyPlus #MoDAK and the Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment Facebook page (@DisneyASE) for more information about the show and an inside look at the work my team is doing to care for these animals each and every day. 

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Behind the Scenes, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, BtS, disney+, Video

The Force will soon be flowing once again inside Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida. Beginning Sept. 20, the Gatherers will invite you into this mysterious shop in Black Spire Outpost to train you in the ways of constructing a lightsaber. 

Savi’s Workshop is packed with unusual parts and whimsical pieces collected from the far reaches of the galaxy. Under the mystical Gatherers’ guidance, you construct a one-of-a-kind lightsaber and bring it to life through the power of a kyber crystal. You can build your lightsaber along one of the following themes: 

• Peace and Justice – Utilize salvaged scraps of fallen Jedi temples and crashed starships in Republic-era lightsaber designs that honor the galaxy’s former guardians.
• Power and Control – Originally forged by warriors from the dark side, objects used in this lightsaber style are rumored remnants from the Sith home world and abandoned temples.
• Elemental Nature – Craft a lightsaber from special components born from the Force, such as Brylark trees, Cartusion whale bones or Rancor teeth.
• Protection and Defense – Incorporate hilt materials bearing mysterious motifs and inscriptions that reconnect a lightsaber’s wielder with the ancient wellspring of the Force.

For those who may have visited the shop in the past, you’ll notice the experience will be slightly adjusted. For instance, capacity will be reduced to allow for physical distancing between guests in accordance with the park’s guidelines during its phased reopening. 

Advanced reservations (highly recommended) for Savi’s Workshop will open Sept. 16 via Disneyworld.com or the My Disney Experience mobile app; you can also stop by the shop to check for walk-up availability on the day of your visit. You must have a valid Disney Parks Pass reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios prior to making a reservation for Savi’s Workshop. 

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

I don’t like to repeat myself when it comes to photography – if I find a cool angle on a shot, tomorrow I want to find a different one. This can be a real challenge sometimes, though, now that I’ve been a Disney photographer for nearly 40 years! But I’m always in search of new locations and perspectives that showcase the grandeur and magic of Disney destinations around the world.

This little philosophy of mine was the primary reason I was invited to Tokyo Disneyland in early 1989. The park had been open for a few years by that point and the team over there was looking for a fresh perspective on how to photograph the resort.

The photo you see here was taken during that trip. My idea was a classic “East meets West” visual, with Mickey Mouse greeting a young Japanese woman in a traditional kimono. While this image may appear clean and simplistic in form, it took a lot of preparation to set up – Tokyo Disneyland is one of the most popular theme parks in the world, and we needed its World Bazaar area (its version of Main Street, U.S.A.) completely clear of guests and cast members. It took a lot of discussions, but it was also a good lesson for my fellow photographers in Tokyo for turning dream photos into reality.

I made some great friendships on that trip, and I still remain in touch with members of that team to this day, more than three decades later. We frequently talk about new technologies in our field and share advice on one another’s assignments. And it all started with this photo, which has always been one of my favorites. Simple, elegant and uniquely Tokyo Disneyland!

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