Universal Orlando is delivering once again. Coming this Spring is an all-new, interactive character experience – DreamWorks Destination. Where guests can meet, greet and dance along with their favorite DreamWorks characters in an incredibly-themed location that brings the high-energy fun of the franchise’s most popular animated films to life.
— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) May 18, 2021
What is DreamWorks Destination?
DreamWorks Destination will be a first-of-its-kind character experience where guests can interact with multiple beloved characters from DreamWorks Animation’s hit film franchises, Trolls, Madagascar, Kung Fu Pandaand more. Catchy tunes from various DreamWorks movies will fill the air as guests enter a bright, colorful party atmosphere – all set against a nighttime sky inspired by the animation studio’s iconic opening sequence from its films. As bright lights illuminate the scene, guests will connect with their favorite DreamWorks characters, grab some fun photos and even join them for an epic dance party that will get every member of the family to move it, move it.
DreamWorks Destination will open this spring and an exact opening date will be shared soon. For more information and the latest updates on Universal Orlando’s health and safety protocols, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com.
Keep following along as we learn an opening date for DreamWorks Destination. We think this will be such a fun addition for younger kids and families.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts has been the topic of rumors and innuendo yesterday, and we are here to speculate a little. Reports were circulating online yesterday about Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter having an opening date change to August 1, 2021. Trip Advisor had made a change to the resorts taking reservations, saying it would allow reservations to be made Aug 1. There has been no official word from Disney.
Both the Port Orleans resorts have been closed for well over a year now. They shut down along with the rest of Walt Disney World resort due to the pandemic last year and never reopened. Riverside remains the largest moderate resort not open.
With the new changes to the CDC guidelines, and with Disney loosening mask mandates around the resort area speculations are running wild about when or if these still closed resorts will re-open soon. As of right now we only have a limited number of Resorts reopening, as you can see in the photo below. Unlike some reports about reopening, we have not heard from Cast members being recalled to work at these resorts.
We recently posted some areal photos from an empty Port Orleans resort area, which can be viewed HERE.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts Riverside is my personal favorite resort on Disney property, and I am glued to any info that comes out online hoping for that elusive date when I can book a stay! Bayou rooms are well themed, the relaxed atmosphere of the old Mississippi feel, Old Man Island is one of the best pools and relaxation areas. Plus the Royal Rooms are comfortable, and a princess’s dream come true. Little ones and grown ones. Oh and let us not forget the walk between the resorts to get beignets.
Riverside – From the stately white-column mansions of Magnolia Bend to Alligator Bayou’s quaint backwoods cottages, delight in a picturesque setting that evokes the romance of rural Louisiana. Take a short walk along the Sassagoula River to Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, known for Southern specialties like gumbo, jambalaya, and beignets.
French Quarter – Revel in the romance and pageantry of New Orleans’s historic French Quarter at this Moderate Resort hotel. Discover cobblestone streets, gas lamps, wrought-iron balconies, and fragrant magnolia blossoms, along with colorful Mardi Gras characters and the sounds of jazz. Then stroll along the lushly landscaped Sassagoula River to Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, where the bayou beckons, as do Cajun and Creole specialties.
Again, this is all rumor and speculation at this time until we get direct word from Disney.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel is about to get a new outside marquee. We do not have many details yet. Permits have been filed locally with Orange County Comptroller office for Project H -Install New Ground Mount Marquee. This is great news and means we are that much closer to the opening next year.
We have recently had a ton of news regarding Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, on May the Fourth be with you. A model of the cruiser itself showed up at Hollywood Studios, also added to the Disney World Resort map, at the same time, Disney had sent out a few posts saying they are now Hiring Cast Members at the new Hotel.
The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Hotel is a 2-night immersive experience. Guests begin their Star Wars adventure the second they enter the Galactic Starcruiser Terminal. From there, you will be brought into an exclusive launch pod that will transport guests to the Halcyon. The Halcyon is the themed starcruiser where guests will enjoy their two-day cruise across the galaxy.
“Monsters At Work” takes place the day after the Monsters, Incorporated power plant started harvesting the laughter of children to fuel the city of Monstropolis, thanks to Mike and Sulley’s discovery that laughter generates ten times more energy than screams.
It follows the story of Tylor Tuskmon, an eager young monster who graduated top of his class at Monsters University and always dreamed of becoming a Scarer until he lands a job at Monsters, Incorporated, and discovers that scaring is out and laughter is in.
After Tylor is temporarily reassigned to the Monsters, Inc. Facilities Team(MIFT), he must work alongside a misfit bunch of mechanics while setting his sights on becoming a Jokester.
Produced by Disney Television Animation and inspired by the world of Disney and Pixar’s Academy Award-winning “Monsters, Inc.,”the series introduces new monster characters alongside returning favorite
“Monsters At Work” will begin streaming Friday, July 2, exclusively on Disney+.
If you’re looking for a thrilling whitewater adventure at Walt Disney World Resort, look no further than Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You’ll want to note, however, this attraction is now opening one hour later than the park opens.
The Disney World website has updated to show that the operating hours for Kali River Rapids are now 9 am to 7 pm. Ride operating hours are available through July 16th. Disney’s Animal Kingdom park opens at 8 am and closes at 7 pm. Park hours have been released through the end of July and the park opens at 8 am each day.
We aren’t sure the reasoning for opening the attraction an hour after the park opens. It could be due to the line being too small that early in the day. I don’t know about you, but I don’t rush to get on Kali River Rapids first thing in the day.
Stay tuned to Chip & Co for more Walt Disney World news!
The Disneyland Resort finally reopened at the end of April. The resort has a reservation system similar to Walt Disney World. Guests are required to make a park reservation along with having valid park admission in order to enter a park. Now, guests purchasing tickets can make their park pass reservations at the same time!
To purchase a ticket and make a theme park reservation together:
Start at Disneyland.com/ParkReservations and click “Select Ticket.”
Select the number of days you wish to visit the parks.
Choose the number of tickets you need for all guests in your party, ages 3 and up.
Select your ticket type – one park per day, or Park Hopper tickets.
Pick a date and park for your theme park reservation, subject to availability.
• If you choose Park Hopper tickets, select your starting park for each day of your visit, subject to availability. You can then begin crossing over between the parks after 1 p.m. that day (based on availability)!
For added convenience, you may now select the add-on option of purchasing parking vouchers, in advance.
If you already have a valid ticket, you’re halfway there! All you have to do now is book your theme park reservation using the separate reservation booking tool.
If you’ve already purchased and have a valid ticket:
Log into your Disney account on Disneyland.com or the Disneyland app to link valid theme park tickets prior to accessing the park reservation system.
Head to Disneyland.com/ParkReservations and click “Make Park Reservation.”
Create your party.
Select the day and theme park you’d like to visit. Guests with Park Hopper tickets will select which theme park they wish to start their day, pending availability, and then will be able to begin crossing over between the parks after 1 p.m. that day (based on availability).
Review, and confirm your visit! And as a reminder, guests with multi-day tickets will be required to make a separate park reservation for each day they plan to visit the theme parks.
In addition to making sure you have your valid ticket and theme park reservation prior to your arrival, here are a few additional reminders to help you plan ahead of your visit back to the theme parks:
Until further clarification from the state, only California residents may visit the parks, and in groups no larger than 3 households, in line with current state guidelines. Proof of residency may be required.
Keep in mind that appropriate face coverings for each guest age 2 and older, including those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine, must be worn at all times, except while actively eating or drinking, and while physically distanced. Eating and drinking are only permitted in designated dining areas while in the theme parks and not permitted while queuing or in attractions.
Download the latest version of the Disneyland app before you arrive. Plan ahead with mobile order to purchase food at select locations in the parks with contactless payment, join a virtual queue, check attraction wait times, park maps, and so much more! And make sure your notification and location services are turned on so you can get the most out of the app’s features.
Will you be visiting Disneyland soon? Contact me today to start planning your vacation!
If looks could kill, you’d slay with this new Disney Cruella Collection by MAC. Now available at Disney Springs, or for preorder online, the collection will help you recreate some iconic and daring trends just in time for the film’s release!
Bold reds mark the collection, as well as a 70s-inspired packaging. It includes nine new products to make you look as daring as Cruella herself.
There are new shades of their bullet Matte Lipsticks, retailing for $21. The shades are called DeVil in the Details, Sweet-N-Vicious, and Camden Caper. The new Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour ($25) shades are Queen of Mean, Mayhemmed, and Glamarchy. These colors could make your lips look wicked!
There is an eight-pan eyeshadow palette called Cruella To Be Kind ($45). The colors included in the palette are vivid white, silver, grey lilac, sparkling red, black, blue, pink, and black with gold sparkle. As the song says, she has “ice in her stare, ” and these shimmering eyeshadows can only add to that cold effect!
A Dual-Ended Pro Longwear Eye Liner ($26) has one black end, a shade called De-Vinyl, and one white end, Tightly Laced. The Powder Blush Duo ($31) includes two blushes. Tickled Pink, which is a bright pink, and Cruel-La Intentions, a neutral peach.
Grab all these exciting new products at Disney Springs’ MAC Store, or online. And be sure to watch Cruella in theatres and on Disney+ Premier Access on May 28th!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris was the place to be today, to watch the miracle of birth. It’s a Boy, Disney Parks Blog posted. Some lucky guests got to see the birth of a Hartmann’s mountain zebra foal that was born on the savanna this morning. Estimated to weigh about 65 pounds, the healthy baby boy has long legs and was standing and nuzzling with mom within minutes of birth.
Mom Heidi is a parenting pro – staying close to her baby to bond and nurse. Bonding is especially important, as a young zebra will imprint on its mother’s scent and memorize the unique markings on its mother’s hind legs to tell her apart from others in the herd. In the coming weeks, the pair will rejoin sister Asha and the rest of the herd on the savanna.
The foal was born as part of the Species Survival Plan program, which is overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and ensures responsible breeding and genetic diversity of hundreds of animal species.
Today’s joyful arrival marks the first zebra birth at Walt Disney World this year. The resort is home to three distinct types of zebra: Hartmann’s mountain zebra, Grevy’s zebra, and plains zebra. Though zebra may all be defined by their stripes, distinct stripe patterns define each type. Hartmann’s mountain and Grevy’s zebras have stripes that stop right at the edge of their bellies, while stripes on common zebras wrap around the whole body. You can tell a Grevy’s zebra from a Hartmann’s mountain zebra by looking at their ears. They are larger on the Grevy’s zebra, and can be seen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Hartmann’s mountain zebras are found in sub-Saharan Africa and are a vulnerable species due to habitat loss and hunting. To learn more about zebras and other species we are working to protect, visit DisneyAnimals.com and follow me and my amazing team on Instagram: @DrMarkAtDisney.
Were you at the Park today and get a chance to see this happen? If you have photos please let us know.
The Disney Wish, Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, will debut next summer. The ship will have incredible accommodations with amazing features. Today, Disney shared more information and details on the enchanting staterooms available on the Disney Wish.
New for the Disney Wish, Walt Disney Imagineers have imbued every stateroom with the soft, dreamlike worlds and restful imagery of enchanted Disney fairytales through glittering gold-leafed headboard murals and framed pieces commissioned exclusively for the Disney Wish.
In line with the ship’s overall design motif of enchantment, stateroom artwork will represent classic and contemporary Disney stories that capture the essence of wish fulfillment and dreams come true, such as Cinderella (whose maxim “a dream is a wish your heart makes when you’re fast asleep” is particularly fitting).
Beyond the artwork, every detail has been designed to tell a story, from pixie-dusted furnishings to delicate linen embroidery inspired by the fleet’s signature golden filigree. This even extends into the corridors, where exquisite decoration serves the greater purpose of wayfinding: Richly themed carpeting, softly colored accent walls, magical lighting and unique adornments will provide guests with an intuitive yet artful cue to know they’ve arrived at their home away from home.
Every stateroom aboard the Disney Wish has been designed with ample room for families, plenty of storage space and upscale amenities. Most of the ship’s 1,254 staterooms will offer an ocean view — including 877 (70%) with a spacious verandah — and there will be 451 connecting doors that adjoin rooms to accommodate larger families. Some connecting staterooms will have a partition between verandahs that may be opened to create a bigger, shared balcony.
Most staterooms will feature Disney Cruise Line’s signature split-bathroom concept, with a sink and shower in one room and a sink and toilet in a separate room. All will include a bathtub – perfect for giving children a bath.
Enhanced storage options, roomy closets and elevated bed frames with generous under-bed space will provide plenty of places to store suitcases and other bulky items essential to family travel.
Little ones will delight in a secret starfield hidden above pull-down beds, with original artwork revealing a constellation of Fairy Godmother overhead.
Other exceptional amenities and highlights will include a 43-inch TV, USB and USB-C ports, large vanity, mini drawer refrigerator, full-length mirror, mini safe, hair dryer, privacy divider, queen and pull-out sofa beds, deluxe toiletries, plush robes, and lavish bed linens and duvets.
The Disney Wish will elevate the concierge experience with 76 concierge staterooms and suites – more than double the number available on other Disney ships.
Accommodating up to five guests, these rooms will feature spacious living areas, king beds, luxurious finishes and premium amenities. Most will include a generous private verandah, and most have been designed with the rich color palette and distinctive iconography of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Tangled.”
One-bedroom concierge suites will have a separate living room, walk-in closets, two 43-inch TVs and two bathrooms (including a main bathroom with rain shower, bathtub and double vanity).
Seven exclusive oceanview rooms are Disney’s first-ever staterooms located above the bridge. These will have extended living areas with breathtaking views of the ocean through floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the bow.
In addition to the Wish Tower Suite, the Disney Wish will also debut four royal suites that celebrate the gilded world of Disney Animation’s “Sleeping Beauty,” with two Princess Aurora Royal Suites and two Briar Rose Royal Suites. Each pair includes a single-floor option and a two-story configuration, the first of their kind for the Disney fleet.
Royal suites will feature extravagant details, upscale furnishings and first-class amenities, including an extensive living area, open dining salon, sizeable pantry and private hot tub on the oversized verandah.
Each suite has two main bedrooms — each with its own opulent bathroom featuring a double vanity and either a rain shower or bathtub — as well as a double sleeper sofa in the living room and a third bathroom with a shower.
The two-story royal suites will boast floor-to-ceiling windows and stunning statement pieces, like an elegant spiral staircase and a spectacular two-deck-high bespoke stained-glass frieze.
All concierge guests will receive a premium level of dedicated service and access to exclusive areas and amenities throughout their voyage. The Concierge Lounge will be more than triple the size from previous Disney ships and will offer a full bar, delicious light bites, special kids’ area and an outdoor terrace with incredible views. From the lounge, concierge guests will have access to a private sun deck with two whirlpools, a wading pool, a bar, lush lounge furniture and the superlative service of a pool deck host.
Steeped in enchantment and inspired by Disney stories, accommodations aboard the Disney Wish will be a peaceful retreat designed with families in mind, featuring custom-made artwork depicting beloved Disney fairytales. Take a look:
If you’d like to sail on Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wish, contact me today to start planning! I am a travel agent with Amazing Magical Adventures, a Disney Earmarked agency. I can help you plan a magical vacation at no extra cost to you!
Upgrade your regular peanut butter & jelly sandwich to this decadent Friend PB&J with Bananas Sandwich from Universal Orlando Resort!
This treat can only be found during Halloween Horror Nights but you don’t have to wait until then to eat it because we have a recipe so you can recreate it at home! Plus we found the secret to this super tasty sandwich: funnel cake batter!
Avengers Campus in California Adventure will be opening on June 4th and I for one can’t wait to check out all of the sights, sounds, and experiences in this all-new Marvel Themed Area.
Today Disney has given us a first look at the new food & drinks you can try when you are checking out this all new area in Disney’s California Adventure.
Just as Ant-Man and The Wasp used “Pym Particles” to grow and shrink just about anything, Pym Test Kitchen featuring Impossible, the quick-service restaurant on Avengers Campus, uses “Pym Particles” to grow and shrink innovations in food science. You will be the taste-testers savoring hero-sized meals and tiny treats while you watch the Pym food scientists at work in the kitchen lab.
You’ll even be able to watch the growing and shrinking of an iconic food offering, a pretzel, as it makes its way through the quantum tunnel directly above and centered in front of the kitchen laboratory. From large to small, small to large, with the final result: a super-sized pretzel ready for sharing! Check out all the fun goodness for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks!
Breakfast
Calculated Breakfast = E x 2 + (B+P)/T – Eggs Two Ways with smoked bacon, crispy potato bites, and focaccia toast
Impossible Quantum Garden Breakfast – Plant-based folded omelet with Impossible breakfast sausage, crispy potato bites, and focaccia toast
Ever-Expanding Cinna-Pym Toast – Baked Pym particle bread and egg custard with cinnamon-sugar topping, a fried egg, smoked bacon, and maple syrup
Spoonful of Cereal – Bran flakes and raisins garnished with a yogurt-covered pretzel and served with reduced-fat milk and a ripe banana
Nano Eggs-periment 101 – Softly arranged eggs and turkey bacon with toast (for small beings ages 3 through 9)
Cinna-Pym Mini Toast – Warm toasted cinnamon Pym particle bread with turkey bacon and maple syrup (for small beings ages 3 through 9)
These fun Red Particle Mini-Meals for small beings ages 3 through 9 include a Cuties Mandarin Orange, Dannon Yogurt, and choice of small lowfat milk or small DASANI Water (except Mini Pasta & Impossible Meat-balls).
Teeny Pym-ini – Toasted ham and provolone sandwich with marinara dipping sauce
Subatomic Chicken Sandwich – Crispy breaded chicken breast on a soft roll
PB&J Flavor Lab: Assemble Your Own Experiment – Smooth peanut butter, strawberry jelly, and Pym particle bread
Mini Pasta & Impossible Meat-balls – Rigatoni and ditalini pastas, plant-based meat-balls, tomato sauce and dairy-free Parmesan served with coconut milk yogurt and small DASANI water
Pym Tasting Lab (mobile order available)
The Pym Tasting Lab, right next door to the Pym Test Kitchen, is where the oversized beer can gives a hint at what’s in store for you. Here, you can order craft beers (ranging from a pilsner cold-fermented lager to an amber ale) with unique beer taps – glasses fill from the bottom up! Particle-infused cocktail experiments and beer cocktails will quench your thirst as you nibble on Snack Molecules.
Honey Buzz – Gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup with a honey straw
X-Periment –Tequila, Minute Maid Lime Juice, mango and habanero syrups with mango popping pearls
Honey Fusion – Gin, Minute Maid Lemonade, honey syrup, IPA, and a honey straw
Molecular Meltdown – Marshmallow milk stout and vanilla ice cream topped with miniature marshmallows
The Regulator –Tequila, Minute Maid Lime Juice, mango and habanero syrup, wheat ale, and mango popping pearls
Particle Fizz –Hard Seltzer with cherry pearls
Draft beer, hard seltzer, and wine
Snack Molecules – Mini pretzels, honey roasted peanuts, and sweet & spicy popped sorghum
You may recall that after the Battle of New York, the Avengers discovered their new favorite food after checking out Tony Stark’s favorite “shawarma joint” just two blocks from the battle zone. Well, the Avengers loved the food so much they invited the Shawarma Palace crew to open a second location at Avengers Campus. This cart, decked out with Avengers memorabilia, is sure to become a must-try spot for Avengers fans!
New York’s Tastiest – Chicken shawarma wrap, garlic spread, and coconut yogurt-tahini sauce with pickled vegetables
Impossible Victory Falafel – Plant-based-falafel and cauliflower wrap, garlic spread, hummus and coconut yogurt-tahini sauce with pickled vegetables
Terran Treats
Near Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, you’ll find another food cart with a couple of unique treats. Curated by Taneleer Tivan, this cart features weird and wonderful galactic concoctions he’s conceived to lure guests to his fortress.
New celebrity home on the market! J.J. Abrams is selling his home in Pacific Palisades, California. The house is 7,395 square ft. It has 5 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms.
Celebrity one of the most extraordinary properties to become available in quite a long time!
Extremely special walled and gated Classic Traditional with breathtaking city & ocean views, gorgeous grounds, and rare privacy in the very finest Westside location. Painstakingly designed and crafted by the owners for themselves with no detail overlooked and no expense spared.
Graceful formal living and dining rooms with their own fireplaces, plus a sun-drenched game room. Wonderful open cook’s kitchen and family room with large breakfast area! There’s even a sitting area open through French doors to covered outdoor living room with fireplace & heaters, pool/spa, bocce court and gorgeous gardens with wide open views that span from the Getty, across Century City to the beach.
