It’s been another massive year for Disney theme parks and if there’s one area where the parks went from strength to strength it was all of the delightful ways that Disney kept us entertained throughout the course of the year. As we prepare to say good-bye to 2016 and ring in an equally promising year ahead, here are several of Disney’s 2016 entertainment milestones worth celebrating.
Star Wars – It’s definitely been the season for Star Wars across the Disney properties this year. Disneyland welcomed Season of the Force, there was a Star Wars Tomorrowland Takeover at Hong Kong Disneyland as well as the launch of “Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away and “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” which kept guests entertained over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Shanghai Disney Resort – Who can forget the Grand Opening of Disney’s most accomplished theme park Shanghai Disneyland in June. The opening ceremony was the largest entertainment program ever for the opening of a Disney destination. Since then, the park has been wowing visitors with attractions like “Eye of the Storm – Captain Jack’s Stunt Spectacular” , “Tarzan: Call of the Jungle” and a breathtaking Mandarin language production of “The Lion King.”
Tokyo DisneySea 15th Anniversary Celebration – It was also the “Year of Wishes” over at Tokyo Disney Resort as Tokyo DisneySea celebrated its 15th birthday. Included in the festivities were new entertainment offerings like “Crystal Wishes Journey” and “Out of Shadowland” which wowed the crowds.
Cinderella Castle – Over at Disney World, the Magic Kingdom also welcomed a new entertainment line-up including “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” where Mickey and friends join much-loved Disney characters from movies like the “Princess and the Frog” and “Tangled” in this celebration of friendship. The Castle Forecourt stage also played host to “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration” which was jam-packed with Christmas charm and the breathtaking new evening projection show “One Upon a Time. ”
“Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” – This all singing, all dancing Broadway-style musical version of Frozen opened its doors to West Coast Disney visitors this year. The show boasts an impressive cast and uses state-of-the-art technology to transform this California Adventure Park theater to a winter wonderland.
“Mickey and the Magician” – The much lauded Disneyland Paris production was awarded by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions with its Brass Ring Award for Best Theatrical Production. This new show at Walt Disney Studios Park, takes Mickey Mouse on a magical, musical journey of self-discovery and enlists the help of a few Disney friends as well as some truly impressive special effects.
Disney Cruise Line- received an Arendelle makeover with the introduction of its newest Broadway-caliber stage show “Frozen: A Musical Spectacular” and gave little sailors an opportunity to brush up on their superhero skills with Disney Wonder’s Marvel Super Hero Academy.
Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa – also played to its strengths with the introduction of “KA WA’A a fantastic new luau experience and welcomed Disney’s newest Disney friend Moana who took time away from her travels to visit with guests at the resort.
Festival of Holidays – Rounding out the year, Disney California Adventure park debuted this new seasonal event paying homage to holiday celebrations and traditions from a range of different cultures. While World of Color Season of Light offered the same delightful nighttime water pageantry but this time with a Christmas twist.
“Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” – This Hollywood Studios nighttime offering proved a worthy addition to Disney World’s already robust holiday line-up. Set to Christmas music and using lasers to create glittering ribbons in the night sky, it quickly became a fan favorite.
“Starbright Celebration – An Intel Collaboration” – This Disney Springs holiday offering provided visitors with a glimpse of what future entertainment at the parks may look like in the years ahead. Using drones illuminating the night sky to tell a Christmas story, its prove that Disney remains on the cutting edge when it comes to providing new magical and innovative ways to inspire guests.
Its hard to believe that all of these amazing activities happened just in the last 12 months. Now just image what 2017 will hold.
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