Kali River Rapids Reopens Early from Refurbishment at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
It was announced that Kali River Rapids would be closed for Refurbishment starting on January 9th for an extended period of time. It was expected to reopen on March 17th, just in time for some Spring Break guests! That is almost 3 weeks sooner than predicted!
We are excited to share the news that Kali River Rapids in Disney’s Animal Kingdom has opened early and is operating TODAY!
With Florida bypassing Spring and heading right into Summer temperatures this will be a welcome addition to the how Florida days.
Skim across an erupting geyser, drift below a canopy of lush vegetation and be whisked along fast-moving rapids. Graze gushing waterfalls and bedrock amid the raging current. Then, as the harmony of nature is disrupted, you’ll plummet down a dramatic 20-foot slope!
Mickey Mouse Cartoon Pals Tumbler Spotted At Epcot!
Take your favorite beverage with you everywhere you go with this Mickey Mouse Cartoon Pals Tumbler we found at Epcot for $22.99! It’s so cute and even comes with a straw to make it easier to use.
The tumbler features a beautiful ombre design in blue and teal with silhouettes of beloved Disney characters like Minnie, Donald, Pluto, Daisy, Goofy and more! Plus artwork featuring Mickey Mouse and “Mickey Mouse, Cartoon Pals” text on the front, so cute.
You can take a look at this tumbler in our Instagram post:
New Up Loungefly Backpack To Go On Exotic Adventures!
Adventure is out there! Take all your essentials to exotic adventures with this Up Loungefly backpack we found at Magic Kingdom for $78. You can also get yours online at shopDisney right now!
This adorable backpack features an all over pattern of Carl, Russell and Dug with ice cream cones. The front pocket features them outside an Ice cream shop dealing with Russell dropping his ice cream cone and Dug ready to go clean it, he definitely saw his opportunity and took it!
You can take a closer look at this backpack in our Instagram post:
Central Florida’s Port Canaveral recently edged out Port Miami to become the business cruise port in the world
Fans of Disney Cruise Line are likely familiar with Port Canaveral, the central Florida cruise port that is located just under 60 miles from the Walt Disney World Resort. The port, which is home to both Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish, recently edged out Port Miami to become the world’s busiest cruise port.
According to reporting from the Orlando Business Journal, 4.07 million cruise passengers set sail out of Port Canaveral in 2022, which is slightly higher than the 4.02 million passengers that embarked out of Port Miami, the previous record holder. Captain John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO, noted “This historic milestone is testament to the efforts of our team and cruise partners to provide a best-in-class experience for all cruise guests sailing from Port Canaveral.”
The growth of Port Canaveral is not expected to slow, as current projections predict the annual passenger total at Port Canaveral will grow to approximately 6.43 million passengers by 2027.
In addition to Disney Cruise line, ships from Carnaval, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean also set sail out of Port Canaveral, with MSC Cruise Lines coming to the port in April 2023. The cruise industry is vital for the life of the port, with 80% of the port’s revenue coming from the cruise industry and a full-time job being created by every 24 passengers that take a cruise.
Ready to head down to Port Canaveral and set sail on Disney Cruise Line? Contact me so we can begin planning today! As a Disney Cruise Line veteran and an agent with Destinations To Travel, I would love to help you set sail on a magical vacation at sea. With Disney Cruise Line currently celebrating its 25th anniversary, there is no better time to book your first (or next) Disney cruise.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Visiting Reedy Creek Fire Station Today to Sign Takeover Bill
Governor Ron DeSantis will be visiting Disney’s Reedy Creek Fire Station today to sign the legislation into law effectively taking state control of Walt Disney World’s self-governing district.
The proposal for Disney’s Reedy Creek passed the state Senate earlier this month with 26 votes in favor, and 9 opposed. All proposed amendments to the measure failed, which means it will now head to Governor Ron DeSantis for his signature today.
Disney is ready to work with the government as they take control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District at Walt Disney World.
Mando and Grogu Return to Marvel Comics in New Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season 2 Series
This is the Way! StarWars.com announced an eight-issue comic book adaptation of the second season of The Mandalorian. Marvel’s The Mandalorian series concludes next week, and season 2 will start with an adaptation of “The Marshall,” adapting when Mando encounters Marshall Cobb Vanth.
The creative team from Marvel’s Mandalorian Season 1 will return to work on the second season run. Rodney Barnes and artist Georges Jeanty are returning for the series, with Jeanty and artist Steven Cummings doing the artwork for issue 1.
Barnes told StarWars.com. “Adapting The Mandalorian has been a pure treat! The series embodies all aspects of the Star Wars universe: the myth, the mystery, and the spectacle that made me fall in love with it so long ago. It’s an honor to be part of this project!”
You can see the variant covers (above), and stay tuned for the release date of Season 2 of The Mandalorian from Marvel Comics!
Red Panda Mei from Pixar’s Turning Red will make her first-ever Disney parks appearance in Shanghai later this spring! With her cute and fluffy look and fun-loving attitude, Red Panda Mei is sure to charm her way into the hearts of all guests.
Mei will be greeting guests from March 1st through May 31st as part of Shanghai Disneyland’s limited-time spring offerings.
Also coming to Shanghai Disney guests will have a chance to meet Oswald the Lucky Rabbit!
The Walt Disney Company marks its 100th anniversary this year, and to express gratitude towards storytellers, creators, and Disney fans and families around the globe, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit — one of the first characters created by Walt Disney and his team — will make his debut at Shanghai Disney Resort from April 10.
Echoing the Year of the Rabbit, Oswald will join the park’s daily activities to bring good fortune to everyone as well as appear in a welcoming ceremony for his debut at the resort. Guests can take part in a piece of Disney history by joining Oswald for a fun photo moment on Mickey Avenue. Dedicated merchandise, including Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Duffy and Friends and other special celebratory collections, will also give guests even more ways to take home a piece of the 100th birthday magic.
Guests will also be able to snap unique photos or videos with Oswald through a new AR camera function in the official Shanghai Disney Resort App, featuring Disney-themed AR filters available exclusively at the resort.
Also announced this morning the Mandalorian and Grogu will be greeting guests in Disneyland Paris starting in March as well.
The Mandalorian & Grogu are coming to Disneyland Paris sorry Disney World…
The Mandalorian is coming from a galaxy far, far away to Disneyland Paris! Sorry, Disney World still no Mando & Grogu for you…
The bounty hunter and his curious small companion Grogu are heading to Discoveryland where guests might have the chance to cross their paths from March 1st through the 14th before they take off on another mission… This is the way!
All joking aside, when will we get a Mandalorian Meet & Greet in Disney World? For now, we have a fun video of the Mandalorian & Boba Fett visiting Disneyland in California below:
Roundup Rodeo BBQ Sign Installed Ahead of Opening. The entrance to what could be the most fun eatery opened at Disney World in a long time, probably since Be Our Guest in the Magic Kingdom in 2012, is about to open in under a month and is taking shape. Roundup Rodeo BBQ is located in Toy Story land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The sign which will greet guests as they walk into the new Roundup Rodeo BBQ is finished, just not unveiled yet. The backdrops and theming around the entrance are also complete and can now be fully seen. Including we got a first view of the doorways and sign right above the entrance to the building itself, which reads “Howdy Partners”
Roundup Rodeo BBQ – Opening March 23, 2023! Rustle up some tasty BBQ fare at this western-themed restaurant where you’ll see the world through the eyes of Andy’s toys.
Discover what it feels like to be one of Andy’s honorary toys. At Roundup Rodeo BBQ, you will be surrounded by Andy’s rodeo at play––everything from western towns and train station playsets.
Plus, take a gander at images of popular characters, including a larger-than-life display of Jessie riding on the back of a Trixie pull toy! You can also view a scene of Bo Peep and her sheep posed to perform in the rodeo.
Grab a meal and enjoy a whimsical kaleidoscope of toys, games and playsets!
Rustle Up Some Grub
Mosey on over for some tasty vittles at our family-style BBQ! Check back soon for more detail
Green Army person won’t have to keep a lookout to much longer.
Disney News Highlights: Tiana’s Bayou Construction Update, Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers at Hollywood Studios, What’s New on Disney + in March, plus no more Room Key payments in Disneyland, and much more.
Splash Mountain Demolition Focuses on Track Removal as Scaffolding Goes Up Splash Mountain Demolition Focuses on Track Removal as Scaffolding Goes Up. We have witnessed two sides of Disney’s Construction in the past few years. The first side would be them taking 5 years to complete Tron Lightcycle/ Run, it felt like it took forever for the ride to be finished. The second is how unbelievably fast Disney can be to remove and refurbish an attraction.
Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers Greeting Guests in Hollywood Studios Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers Greeting Guests in Hollywood Studios. By now you probably know of our love of character meet and greets at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. If you haven’t figured that out, then I have failed you! Seriously though, when new character meet and greets happen we are there waiting in line. As was the case when Disney brought back Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers.
New Wall-E Collection Available At Hollywood Studios! Spring keeps getting closer and closer, start getting ready for the next season with this Wall-E collection featuring adorable pieces to connect with nature and take care of our planet.
What’s Coming to Disney+ in March 2023 Hello, fellow Disney+ subscribers and fans! Disney+ has released the latest schedule of all things old and new coming to the streaming service in March 2023. Get ready for an exciting list of content with some surprises along the way!
Tower of Terror Shaft Construction Completed Drops Wait Times Drastically Tower of Terror Shaft Construction Completed Drops Wait Times Drastically. For the past year, Walt Disney World has seen long wait times for The Hollywood Tower Hotel. Disney crews were hard at work fixing the shafts for the elevator lift/drop and only leaving one elevator shaft open at a time. Now that has ended, with the opening of both shafts at the same time.
The home, which has been recreated in the image of the Heeler’s home, is located in Brisbane, Australia. One lucky family (2 adults & 2 children) will get the chance to live like Bluey and her family for the weekend!
The house has been completely customized to bring the cartoon experience to life, with quirky details Bluey fans will recognize from the show.
Airbnb has worked with BBC Studios, co-commissioner and global distributor of Bluey, to create this magical experience.
From Airbnb:
“Inside, discover rooms re-imagined with a breezy Mid-century modern aesthetic coupled with playful pops of colour. The girls’ playroom, with its signature rainbow canopy, kiwi rug and numerous toys – including Bluey’s beloved Chattermax toy and Magic Xylophone – is the ultimate setting for creative play.
Kids can stay overnight in Bluey and Bingo’s bedroom, snuggling down for sleepytime in two single beds beneath a custom stained-glass window, surrounded by colourful hanging lanterns, cloud cushions and, of course, a hand-crafted watermelon rug. Once the putdown’s done, and the kids are tucked up with Bingo’s floppy and Grey Dancer, parents can retreat to Bandit and Chilli’s airy and plant-filled master bedroom – complete with queen-sized bed, rattan furnishings and neutral tones.”
Some things to note:
Please keep sticky geckos off the ceiling
No pets allowed – especially emus named Shaun.
How fun would it be to get to stay in Bluey’s house?!
Tigger Steals Balloons While Cast Member Gives Chase in Funny Viral Video
Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo! A funny viral video featuring our favorite bouncy tiger has caught our attention. Tigger, that’s T-I-double guh-er, stole some balloons at Disneyland Paris and a Cast Member chased him down!
Instagram user @mademoiselle_angelique shared a video of Tigger running with a handful of Mickey balloons while a Cast Member chased after him.
At the end of the video, Tigger gives the balloons back while the Cast Member admonishes him. He then gives hugs and kisses to the other Cast Members in the area.
