Twisters is the sequel to the 1996 disaster blockbuster film, which starred Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton. The original film’s story follows the lives of a storm-chasing team that travels the midwest in search of studying an EF 5 tornado.
Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy produced the first film grossing over 450 million dollars globally. The sequel is set to follow the career of the storm-chasing daughter of Jo and Bill (Hunt & Paxton). No word on if Helen Hunt will make an appearance in the sequel which is directed by Lee Isaac Chung. Mark L. Smith, who co-wrote the adapted screenplay of Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Oscar winner The Revenant, penned the script.
The current release date of Twisters has the film competing with Transformers: A New Generation. Universal Studios has been busy releasing the Christmas action-comedy Violent Night starring Stranger Things‘ David Harbour. An animated Puss in Boots sequel Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, hits theaters on December 21st. Are you excited to see a return of the blockbuster disaster films of the 90’s? Let us know in a comment.
Cast Members are First Passengers in 4 Years on Walt Disney World Railroad. Today Disney announced the return of the Disney World Railroad this Holiday Season, which has not had guests onboard for over four years. Today, Cast Members were the first to experience the beloved Disney attraction prior to its return.
Yesterday, we ran into the President of Walt Disney World, Mr. Jeff Vahle, and he mentioned he would be riding the Railroad in Disney’s Magic Kingdom, for the first time in four years. Mr. Vahle said he had a conductor’s hat and was really excited. Looks like he was right, lesson learned, if he says something, believe him and act!
Congratulations to the Walt Disney Transportation and Railroad Cast Members today. We are really excited to get back onto our favorite attraction at Walt Disney World. You can read all about the new voiceover and reopening here.
We are delighted to share Walt Disney’s love of trains with the world once again, taking guests for the iconic grand circle tour of Magic Kingdom this holiday season. And before your own travels, we are honored to welcome aboard our Magic Kingdom cast members as the very first to experience this historic moment starting today, waving to guests during special #DisneyCastLife tours around the park.
Disney Confirms Walt Disney World Railroad will Return with New Voiceovers This Holiday Season. The announcement we have been waiting for four years has finally come. Disney has finally announced the reopening of The Walt Disney World Railroad and a new voiceover will accompany it. Fans of the Railroad can be heard worldwide celebrating this opening day attraction’s return.
Just this morning we posted about new permits being filed for work at the three train stations. Looks like this work will be completed much faster than we expected.
Cast members and Imagineers are celebrating a moment of nostalgia at Magic Kingdom Park this week as we prepare to welcome guests aboard the Walt Disney World Railroad once again for the holiday season. This opening-day attraction returns with a completely refreshed track looping the park, and another new surprise for fans and first-comers alike.
Not only did this historic train undergo track updates and maintenance—as 100-year-old vintage steam trains do—the creative minds at Walt Disney Imagineering also seized this moment to revisit the narration and introduce an all-new voice to bring guests into the beloved stories they encounter as they travel from one magical land to the next. “Exciting new sounds and voices will complement the familiar whistle of its steam engine,” the team of Imagineers shared. “A new conductor has assumed the role, carrying on the long tradition of warm welcomes and amusing anecdotes while adding fresh commentary and story to the journey.”
The creative voiceover process is as detailed as the train operation itself, and it all starts with our conductor. For these meticulously restored steam trains, we know the scenic grand circle tour must be guided by a voice our guests can envision and resonate with. Someone who grew up on Main Street, U.S.A., dreaming of the day they’d be on the railroad. They’ve now achieved that dream, and they know everyone and everything at Magic Kingdom … an unofficial mayor of sorts. This conductor is humble, genial, and knowledgeable, and he’s eager to help passengers of these iconic steam trains get to their destinations around the park he loves so dearly.
While our conductor points you to the familiar sights on your left and right, we embrace what makes Magic Kingdom a place unlike any other, where you can escape into completely new worlds and celebrate with characters you love. This legacy attraction now holds true the very nostalgia of opening day and blends it with the wonder of new adventures, immersing you into story after story as it loops around the park. You may even encounter a character or two along the way!
Walt Disney World Railroad will Return
We are delighted to share Walt Disney’s love of trains with the world once again, taking guests for the iconic grand circle tour of Magic Kingdom this holiday season. And before your own travels, we are honored to welcome aboard our Magic Kingdom cast members as the very first to experience this historic moment starting today, waving to guests during special #DisneyCastLife tours around the park.
New Permits Filed for Electrical Work on Walt Disney World Railroad Stations. Excitement about the Walt Disney World Railroad taking on passengers again is at an all-time high. The steam locomotives are tested daily going around Disney’s Magic Kingdom. We have witnessed Cast Members training to get guests on and off the train at each of the three Train Stations.
Unfortunately, it looks like time has taken its toll on the stations themselves, and this may delay the reopening a few extra days. Two permits have been filed locally with the Orange County Comptrollers one to Provide, labor, material, and/or electrical for construction, and the other is for Electrical work. Seems like the stations just need a little work.
This is not a huge deal overall, but this may push the opening back slightly. Rumors were we would see the train return over the Christmas Holiday, and now we know this will not happen.
Electrical Work on Walt Disney World Railroad Stations
All Aboard!
Listen to the clamor of the engine, the chug of the wheels and the call of the whistle as you travel aboard the Walt Disney World Railroad.
Take your seat on 1 of 4 meticulously restored, vintage narrow-gauge steam trains—originally built between 1916 and 1928—and enjoy a relaxing 20-minute, 1.5-mile scenic round-trip tour.
It’s a convenient—and nostalgic—way to get around Magic Kingdom park!
Find a Station You can board or disembark at any of 3 stations:
Near the entrance to the park on Main Street, U.S.A.
Ring in the New Year at Anaheim Hilton near Disneyland
Hilton has teamed up with Disneyland to invite guests to experience the magic in the New Year with a special offer. Guests can stay at an Anaheim Hilton with this limited-time offer. Available for stays December 17 2022 – March 1, 2023, guests of participating Hilton properties in Anaheim can receive parking during their stay, a discount on park admission and a $25 per night Disneyland Resort gift card.
Guests who book this Disneyland Resort PLUS offer will have the opportunity to purchase single-day or multi-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Tickets, plus new Disney Genie+ at a 5% savings off the non-discounted price of the same ticket at the Disneyland Resort Main Entrance ticket booth. In addition, now through March 1, a $25 Disney Dining Gift Card will be issued per night for every special offer reservation at each participating Hilton property.
“We are so excited for Hilton to partner with Disneyland Resort to bring this exclusive offer to our guests,” said Kassi Nopratvarakorn, director of destination marketing, Hilton. “With the upcoming opening of the reimagined Mickey’s ToonTown and the Disney100 Celebration in 2023, there’s no better place to be than Southern California to start your year.”
Hilton offers several family-friendly hotels that are within a short distance of the iconic theme parks including the Hilton Anaheim with outdoor pool and Kid’s Club Water Park and Embassy Suites by Hilton Anaheim Orange, an all- suite hotel with full, complimentary hot breakfast.
Participating hotels are all part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 18 distinct hotel brands. Members who book directly have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount, free standard Wi-Fi and the Hilton Honors mobile app.
If you’d like to visit Disneyland in 2023, contact me today! I am the preferred travel partner with Chip & Co and my services are complimentary. I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation!
Disney’s Blizzard Beach Closed for the Rest of the Week Due to Cold Temperatures
Believe it or not, it does occasionally get cold in Orlando! Because of the current cold temperatures, Disney’s Blizzard Beach is closed for the rest of the week. Due to forecasted low temperatures, the water park will be closed tomorrow, December 23, through Sunday, December 25.
Disney’s water parks typically close if the temperatures get down into the 60s and 50s. Disney has not made an announcement regarding the dates past Christmas Day, but temperatures are forecasted to be below 70 degrees through December 28. It’s likely the water park could close again or just remain closed until temperatures rise.
This is not the first time this winter that Blizzard Beach has closed due to cold temperatures. It closed back in November and was closed just last weekend.
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is also closed at the moment but that is for the park’s annual refurbishment.
Have you ever visited Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park?
If you’d like to plan your Disney winter getaway, contact me today! I am the preferred travel partner with Chip & Co and my services are complimentary. I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation!
Disney Changing Fantasmic Showtimes Starting on December 26th
Fantasmic showtimes will change starting on December 26th. The guest-favorite nighttime spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be performed later in the evening.
Now through Christmas Day, December 25, Fantasmic will be performed at 7:30 pm and at 9 pm. Starting on December 26, the show will be performed at 8 pm and 9:30 pm. The second showtime is technically after the park closes.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is scheduled to close at 9 pm each night except New Year’s Eve. Guests will still be able to enter the queue for Fantasmic as long as there is space in the amphitheater.
From January 8 through at least March 2 Fantasmic will only be performed once per day at 8 pm.
Do you enjoy watching Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
If you’d like to plan your next trip to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, contact me today! I am the preferred travel partner with Chip & Co and my services are complimentary. I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation!
NEW Summer House on the Lake Restaurant opening in 2023 has Gone Vertical in Disney Springs. The former home to Bongo’s Cuban Cafe, formally owned by Gloria and Emilio Estefan, is seeing life again. This lot has sat vacant for a few years now.
Summer House on the Lake is set to open sometime in 2023 and will be the newest restaurant at Disney Springs. We do not know much about the menu or the interior, but we do know they will be locally sourced ingredients.
There are currently locations of Summer House in Chicago and North Bethesda. Menu items include sandwiches, salads, pasta, and pizza along with handcrafted beverages. The Summer House website gives the following information:
“The California-inspired menu, led by Chef Ben Goodnick, features simple ingredients sourced from local grower partnerships and sustainable products. Rosé is poured all day off the signature Rosé Cart, alongside an extensive wine and handcrafted cocktail list. And no matter the weather, the bright and airy vibes always fill the atmosphere.”
Cast Members at The Seas with Nemo & Friends in EPCOT create a special menorah to celebrate Hanukkah. Walt Disney World is really good about making sure they celebrate every Holiday during this festive season. That includes Christmas, Kwanza, and the Jewish Holiday of Hanukkah. Dr. Mark Penning and the Disney Animals, Science, and Environment just showed us one of the interesting things they have going on.
As we continue to ring in the holiday season across Walt Disney World Resort, cast members at The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT created a special menorah to honor the weeklong celebration of Hanukkah.
Each night, aquarists on Disney’s Animals, Science, and Environment team place a piece of frogspawn coral to represent candle flames. Tonight is night three of Hanukkah, and these photos represent what the menorah will look like when fully “lit” as we celebrate all eight nights.
This unique menorah was created with a 3-D printer and is just one of the ways our cast creates magic and highlights the many traditions of our guests from around the world.
If you’re visiting EPCOT between now and Dec. 25, stop by the mariculture section on the second floor of The Seas with Nemo & Friends to see this wonderful creation.
Bob Iger Sends Cheerful Holiday Message to the Biggest Disney Fans
Bob Iger has just sent out a Holiday Message to Disney’s Biggest Fans in the World. We were lucky enough to receive one of these messages and I wanted to share it with all of you.
As we approach the end of 2022, I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude to the biggest Disney fans in the world – all of you.
Disney is fortunate to have the most devoted and enthusiastic fans, and I was reminded of this a few weeks ago when I visited Disneyland Resort and attended the Candlelight Processional. It was invigorating to be surrounded by so many guests who make what we do possible. We love your passion for our company and your enthusiasm for what we create, and we will continue to do our best to exceed your highest expectations.
As you know, next year Disney will mark its 100th anniversary. We are immeasurably grateful to the generations of fans all around the globe who have invited our stories and characters into their lives, and we look forward to celebrating the groundbreaking moments, the cherished memories, and the creative visionaries that made Disney the most beloved name in entertainment over the past century.
During the coming year, D23 will launch a slate of exciting events to mark this historic milestone. More information can be found here.
Looking at all the opportunities ahead, I can honestly say there has never been a better time to be a Disney fan. It is an extraordinary privilege to lead this remarkable company again, and I am so grateful for your continued passion for Disney. On behalf of all of us at The Walt Disney Company, I wish you a wonderful holiday season and a very happy and prosperous New Year.
Best,
Bob Iger
What do you think about Bob Iger Cheerful Holiday Message? Were you lucky enough to receive an email as well? I am excited to see all of the exciting new things coming to the Walt Disney Company in 2023! How about you?
Light Up Birthday Minnie Ears To Celebrate Your Special Day!
Celebrating a birthday at Disney is already magical! Add some extra pixie dust to your special day with these Light Up Birthday Minnie Ears created by IncrediEars on Etsy for $40. You can order yours here!
These 3D Minnie ears are available with white or colorful letters and you can also pick the color of your bow! They have sparkly and metallic options available, super cute.
You Will Want To Replace Every Outlet In Your Home With This Mickey Outlet Cover!
We are definitely adding a Mickey Outlet Cover to every outlet in our home! They are created by FINtasticalDesigns on Etsy for $10.75+. You can order yours here!
These covers are available in different colors and styles like a duplex outlet, toggle light, rocket light or blank. You can even get to choose the number of switches on the panel.
