Category: Disney Parks

The Walt Disney Company has been a proud supporter of FIRST, the world’s leading youth-serving nonprofit advancing STEM education, for over 25 years. Disney has a long history of innovating with technology to bring beloved characters and stories to life in more imaginative and immersive ways and we are committed to leveraging our expertise to provide inspiration and opportunity to the next generation of innovators. 

This week, FIRST’s annual Global Innovation Award will feature 20 semi-finalist teams (out of 40,000 possible teams representing 100 countries), who have worked together all year during the FIRST RISE, powered by Star Wars: Force for Change season in hands-on, team-based robotics challenges, embodying the spirit of Disney innovation and developing the skills they need to create the futures they imagine. Students will explore what it means to be an innovator, and find solutions for today’s societal problems to impact the world for generations to come. 

FIRST LEGO League Challenge (students ages 9-16) teams have been tasked with developing an Innovation Project — identifying unique solutions in their community and reimagining how to make their city or town a better place for everyone. Drawing inspiration from the community of Black Spire Outpost found at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Walt Disney Imagineering will be presenting unique educational opportunities during the event featuring behind the scenes looks at the development of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance given by Walt Disney Imagineers. 

Disney’s work with FIRST is rooted in one simple commonality: a shared mission to inspire big dreams. FIRST is at the forefront of inspiring kids to dream big and reach their potential through science and technology. See where these students’ paths to change the future begin during the Global Innovation Award broadcast on Saturday, June 27 at 11:00 a.m. ET / 8:00 a.m. PT on FIRSTtv. 

To learn more about how Disney is supporting the next generation of innovators and storytellers click HERE! 

To learn more about FIRST and how to get involved, click HERE!

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Community Outreach

Last weekend marked International Yoga Day! To celebrate, we hosted hundreds of cast members for a cast-exclusive yoga event at Shanghai Disney Resort and provided thousands more all over the world with digital event offerings. Today you’re invited to join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the #DisneyMagicMoment that took place!  

At Disney we’re focused on providing our cast members with resources and offerings to promote self-care and wellness all year long. These International Yoga Day offerings are just one of the many ways that we support our cast in their wellness journeys.  

Now, let’s take a trip to Shanghai Disney Resort to see an incredible look into of how our cast celebrated International Yoga Day! 

More than 200 cast members joined Mickey Mouse and the Shanghai Disney Resort Ambassadors, Eleven and Fiona, in rolling out their yoga mats in front of the Enchanted Storybook Castle. While following local health and safety measures in Shanghai, cast enjoyed the relaxing yoga session paired with a tranquil view of the sun rising over the castle.  

“It’s a day to slow down, take a deep breath and focus your mind,” said Cici Li, Vice President of Human Resources at Shanghai Disney Resort. “I’m so happy to be able to celebrate International Yoga Day here in front of the Enchanted Storybook Castle. I hope that today’s cast can learn a couple of poses that they can practice at home to stay fit and healthy.” 

The rest of our parks around the world celebrated digitally – from a virtual yoga instruction led by prominent instructor Tara Stiles for Disneyland Paris to weeklong digital yoga classes available for Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort to a virtual yoga class led by cast member Mandy at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, our cast members united for wellness celebrations across the globe.  

Especially during these times, we’re proud to host experiences like these for our cast members. Stay tuned for more stories from Disney Parks and until then – Namaste and be well! 

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Shanghai Disney Resort, Video

Based on the beloved book by Eoin Colfer, Disney’s “Artemis Fowl” is now streaming on Disney+ and I’m calling on all you Disney fashionistas for a spellbinding adventure of our own. 

In celebration of the release and the search for that perfect, comfy-meets-fashion Disney look while you’re at home, I’ve partnered up with Leslie Kay, author of the new book, “DisneyBound: Dress Disney and Make It Fashion” to take your loungewear look to the next level using items you already have in your closets.

In the film, 12-year-old genius Artemis Fowl sets out to save his father and save the world, and in doing so uncovers an ancient, underground civilization—the amazingly advanced world of fairies. Prepare to face your destiny and unlock some powerful secrets with some inspiration on how to bound as your favorite characters from the film:

Channel your inner genius with a black and white ensemble. Virtually any combination of black and white would work here so, go ahead and get creative! Complete the Artemis Fowl-inspired look with a pair of black shades to show you’re ready to take on anything that comes your way!

Embrace your fairy green best as Holly Short with a lime green jumpsuit, slick shades, fantastical earrings and a forest green belt with matching heeled boots to let everyone know you mean business!

Some of our friends on Instagram joined in on the fun already, check out their marvelous looks and share yours with us by using #DisneyMagicMoments:

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A post shared by Tiffie Starchild (@tiffiestarchild) on Jun 25, 2020 at 5:02pm PDT

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Looking for even more Disney-inspired looks to rock while streaming your favorite movies, shows and shorts? You’re in luck! Check out our other at home guides to Disney bounding as Ian & Barley from “Onward” and Anna, Elsa & Kristoff from “Frozen 2” or check out Leslie’s new book, “DisneyBound: Dress Disney and Make It Fashion.”

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Characters, disney+, Disneybound

Walt Disney World Resort is about to become the center of the pro basketball world this summer. We are excited to share that the National Basketball Association officially announced today it will finish its 2019-20 season at Walt Disney World Resort. The season, which was interrupted by the pandemic, will resume in July with team practices and games played at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in the Arena, HP Field House and Visa Athletic Center. 

Game play will resume on July 30 with 22 teams (the eight teams in each conference with the highest current winning percentages and the six teams currently within six games of the eighth seed in either conference) competing to determine seeding for the NBA Playoffs. The playoffs will feature 16 teams and the NBA Finals will end no later than October 13 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Based on current guidelines which were developed with the league, public health experts and government officials, all games will be held without spectators. Walt Disney World Resort and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex are thrilled to continue the long-standing relationship with the NBA, which includes the first-of-its-kind entertainment venue, NBA Experience, at Disney Springs.

For more information about the resumption of the 2019-20 NBA season, including details on the competition format, visit www.NBA.com.  

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Walt Disney World Resort, ESPN Wide World of Sports, WDW

Today we are thrilled to share a first glimpse of a project Imagineers have been working on since last year. Splash Mountain – at both Disneyland park in California and Magic Kingdom park in Florida – will soon be completely reimagined. The theme is inspired by an all-time favorite animated Disney film, “The Princess and the Frog.” We pick up this story after the final kiss, and join Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure – featuring some of the powerful music from the film – as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance.

Tiana is a modern, courageous, and empowered woman, who pursues her dreams and never loses sight of what’s really important. It’s a great story with a strong lead character, set against the backdrop of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou. In 1966, Walt himself opened New Orleans Square when it became the first new “land” added to Disneyland park, so it feels natural to link the story and the incredible music of “The Princess and the Frog” to our parks.

The voice of Princess Tiana and Tony Award-winning actress, Anika Noni Rose, shared, “It is really exciting to know that Princess Tiana’s presence in both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom will finally be fully realized! As passionate as I am about what we created, I know the fans are going to be over the moon. The Imagineers are giving us ‘The Princess and the Frog’ Mardi Gras celebration we’ve been waiting for, and I’m here for it!”

The approach to retheming or “plussing” attractions (as Walt Disney referred to it) begins with Imagineers asking the question, how can we build upon or elevate the experience and tell a fresh, relevant story? It’s a continuous process that Imagineers are deeply passionate about. And with this longstanding history of updating attractions and adding new magic, the retheming of Splash Mountain is of particular importance today. The new concept is inclusive – one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by, and it speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year.

Charita Carter, the senior creative producer leading the project at Walt Disney Imagineering shared, “Like Princess Tiana, I believe that courage and love are the key ingredients for wonderful adventures. I am delighted to be a part of bringing this fun-filled experience to our guests.”

For Imagineers, change is rooted in a tradition set by Walt Disney who encouraged new innovations, new ideas, new scenes and current storytelling. And the experiences they create can be enjoyed by guests who visit our parks from all over the world.

As part of the creative development process, conceptual design work is well underway and Imagineers will soon be able to conduct preliminary reviews and develop a timeline for when the transformation can start to take shape.

Stay tuned for more!

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, WDW