Disney recently unveiled the plans for a new merchandise location in EPCOT called Creations Shop. Located toward the front of the park, this new store will be part of a revitalized center to the park. Photos reveal just how close we are to seeing the fresh look ahead.
The Creations Shop will have a bold design to accentuate its innovative merchandise. Slated to sell not just souvenirs, but items to enhance your memories of the trip, this location should celebrate all the uniqueness of Disney World. The building will have an open and welcoming feel. Nature will be invited into the environment with large glass walls to allow sunlight and a view.
Nature isn’t the only beautiful adornment in the shop though. A large mural of Mickey Mouse will extend along one of the walls. Mickey is always a great source of inspiration but apparently we should be prepared for a “wow factor” in this wall. We can’t wait!
Creations Shop will be opening this summer, as will the new Club Cool! Only a few months from now, we will be shopping in a whole new way and tricking our friends into trying Beverly. Photos show that the work isn’t finished yet, but it is well underway. The new park center will be called World Celebration, which is fitting since we will be celebrating its opening soon!
Sony Moves Up the Premiere Date for ‘Hotel Transylvania: Transformania‘. Your favorite Monsters are back this summer! Dracula and the gang will return for a fourth installment of the Hotel Transylvania franchise in Hotel Transylvania: Transformania. This week, Sony Pictures announced the new animated film will premiere earlier than expected, and will exclusively premiere in theaters on July 23, 2021.
Currently Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, and Selena Gomez are the only listed cast members, but the whole “Drac Pack” is expected to return for the final animated film for the franchise. Be sure to check back here at Chip and Co. for updates and all things entertainment!
Keep your belongings safe with all your favorite Disney pets and this cute Loungefly Collection! Printed with cats and dogs from The Aristocats, The Lady and the Tramp and more with flowers all around. You’ll feel like you’re stepping into spring style with all your favorite Disney pets!
Disneyland Cast Members will be gifted a nametag upgrade for the reopening according to @DisneyDragon. In a Twitter post on April 9, 2021, we got a chance to see the new nametag badge photos. Along with a message for cast members. “You’ll receive one to wear soon, and another one presented in a keepsake box at a later date”. “Bringing Back the Magic” will now be the highlighted phrase along the bottom of the new nametags. Every cast member of Disneyland will be receiving these new nametags.
Disneyland is set to reopen on April 30, 2021. It has been closed for over a year now. We have previously posted about ticket sales, what rides and entertainment will be available, and the new guidelines that will be in place.
No word on if or when Walt Disney World Resort cast members will receive an updated nametag. We have not heard anything on that front. What we have heard is Disneyland Cast Members have been receiving their call-back notices over the past few weeks, and are excited to return to make the magic happen.
Straight from under the sea is the new Disney Sebastian Scentsy Buddy! You are sure to love this cutey, plus he comes with a new fragrance designed for Scentsy Disney The Little Mermaid products.
Just like the Lady and the Tramp collection, this cute buddy and scent will launch on April 12th! So Sebastian can show off his shiny shell, the zipper for his Scent Pak is on his belly! The new scent Little Mermaid: Kiss the Girl – Enchanting strawberry, raspberry, lime and subtle waves of sea mist will make you fall head over heels.
Brightline is currently working on a new line with a stop at Orlando International Airport. The Brightline rail will offer a wonderful new pathway for Florida transportation.
The route to Disney from Orlando International Airport would cost $1.03 billion-$2.1 billion, depending on which alignment is selected, and the company hopes to start service on the segment as early as third-quarter 2026. The full Tampa extension could start service by 2028 or 2029, according to Michael Cegelis, executive vice president of rail infrastructure for Brightline.
Brightline’s Orlando extension project will cover 170-miles from West Palm Beach to Orlando International Airport. It will connect Miami to Orlando via high-speed rail by late 2022.
Adventures by Disney is returning to more than two dozen destinations around the world on six continents. Guests can discover a different kind of magic as they venture to some of the most fascinating destinations on earth. We now know the 2022 Adventures by Disney itineraries and dates!
Advance booking begins on April 12, 2021 for all previous Adventures by Disney Guests and Guests whose departures were cancelled by Adventures by Disney due to COVID-19. Booking opens on April 13, 2021 for Disney Vacation Club Members, Disney Cruise Line Gold & Platinum Castaway Cay Club Members, Golden Oak Members and Club 33 Members. General booking begins on April 14, 2021.
Plus, if Guests book by July 15, 2021, they can save $500 per person on select Adventures by Disney group land departures from March 11, 2022-April 1, 2023.
If you’d like help booking your next Adventures by Disney vacation, contact me today for a free, no-obligation quote!
Walt Disney World is celebrating its 50th anniversary this October 1. There are so many new and exciting experiences coming to Disney parks this year but Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro is thinking about the future. D’Amaro spoke to CNN Business about the next 50 years for Disney parks around the world.
“It’s going to be fresh, it’s going to be technology-ridden. It’s going to be incredibly relevant to guests all around the world,” the Disney Parks chairman told CNN Business. “Every single day, these parks are changing.”
D’Amaro said Disney will continue to be the magic that guests expect and protect Walt Disney’s legacy while also invite brand new guests into the Disney world, infuse brand new character and intellectual property into the parks, and look at new technologies that will make the park experience even better.
D’Amaro was also asked about the synergy between Disney+ and the Disney theme parks. “I think that as the Disney company continues to see such huge success with Disney+, and as you see new intellectual properties start to materialize -— whether that be in the world of Marvel or the Imagineers creating something incredibly new and interesting — that is the Disney difference. We will bring those things together to take to the world in a different way,” D’Amaro said. Just like Disney theme park attractions inspire film and TV and film and TV inspire the parks, Disney+ will likewise inspire the parks and vice versa.
New technologies are coming to the Disney parks. The park pass reservation system and mobile order are already in use and seem to be here to stay. When Avengers Campus opens in Disney California Adventure, guests will see new technology layered into the attractions, merchandise, and food venues. According to D’Amaro, Disney will essentially be able to make their physical footprint new every day. So, a guest could experience the same land or food venue one day and it would be completely different the next.
Disney Parks laid off 30,000 Cast Members last fall. Over 10,000 Cast Members are returning to work at the Disneyland Resort and D’Amaro says Walt Disney World is continuing to bring back Cast Members. “These cast members, they are the heart and soul with everything that we do here. I care passionately about them,” D’Amaro told CNN Business.
Disney has had to make changes and adapt to being open during the pandemic. While D’Amaro did not say if any of Disney’s rules or guidelines will be changing or relaxed, he did say, “As that world changes and guidelines change, we’ll edit our operations and continue to accelerate into the future.”
Stay tuned to Chip&Co for all your Disney parks updates!
Walt Disney World theme park hours have been extended once again! This time, hours have been extended for more than just one week. Hours have now been extended for dates through June! Take a look.
Epcot was previously scheduled to be open from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM from April 25 through June 19. It will still be opening at 11:00 AM every day. The park will now close at 10:00 PM from April 25 through May 8 and at 9:00 PM from May 9 through June 19.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios was previously scheduled to be open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM from April 25 through June 19. It will now be open from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom was previously scheduled to be open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM from April 25 through June 19. It will now be opening at 8:00 AM daily. It will close at 8:00 PM from April 25 through May 1 and at 7:00 PM from May 2 through June 19.
Will you be visiting Walt Disney World between now and mid-June? If not, let’s plan your trip! Contact me today for a free, no-obligation vacation quote.
This summer UK residents can set sail on a unique Disney staycation at sea aboard 2-, 3- and limited 4-night cruises from the UK on the Disney Magic. These Disney Cruise Line sailings depart on select dates from London Tilbury, Newcastle, Liverpool and Southampton. Take a look at the different itineraries and departure dates available.
Tilbury (London) Situated on the north shore of the River Thames, Tilbury (aka ‘the quay to the capital’) is less than 30 miles away from the iconic sights and sounds of London. Depart on 2- and 3-night cruises on selected dates from 11th June – 25th June.
2-Night Disney Magic at Sea UK Staycation Sailing from London Tilbury Tilbury (London) • At Sea 6/14/21, 6/16/21, 6/21/21, 6/23/21
3-Night Disney Magic at Sea UK Staycation Sailing from London Tilbury Tilbury (London) • At Sea • At Sea 6/11/21, 6/18/21, 6/25/21
Newcastle, England From its engineering marvels to its scenic gardens, Newcastle is one of England’s greatest cultural centers, and easy to reach from Glasgow and Edinburgh. Depart on 2- and 3-night cruises on selected dates from 29th June – 9th July.
2-Night Disney Magic at Sea UK Staycation Sailing from Newcastle Newcastle, England • At Sea 7/5/21, 7/7/21, 7/9/21
3-Night Disney Magic at Sea UK Staycation Sailing from Newcastle Newcastle, England • At Sea • At Sea 6/29/21, 7/2/21
Liverpool, England With convenient transportation links, Liverpool is known for its historic sites, celebrated architecture, fabulous food and rock and roll! Depart on 2-, 3- and limited 4-night cruises on selected dates from 13th July – 30th July.
2-Night Disney Magic at Sea UK Staycation Sailing from Liverpool Liverpool, England • At Sea 7/13/21, 7/18/21
3-Night Disney Magic at Sea UK Staycation Sailing from Liverpool Liverpool, England • At Sea • At Sea 7/15/21, 7/20/21, 7/27/21, 7/30/21
4-Night Disney Magic at Sea UK Staycation Sailing from Liverpool Liverpool, England • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea 7/23/21
Southampton One of England’s major ports, Southampton has been called Britain’s “Gateway to the World” and offers everything from a fascinating history to modern art. Depart on 2-, 3- and limited 4-night cruises on selected dates from 4th August to 1st September.
2-Night Disney Magic at Sea UK Staycation Sailing from Southampton Southampton • At Sea 8/4/21, 8/16/21, 8/18/21, 8/30/21, 9/1/21
3-Night Disney Magic at Sea UK Staycation Sailing from Southampton Southampton • At Sea • At Sea 8/6/21, 8/13/21, 8/20/21, 8/27/21
4-Night Disney Magic at Sea UK Staycation Sailing from Southampton Southampton • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea 8/9/21, 8/23/21
Here’s when these sailings can be booked:
14th April 2021: Platinum Castaway Club Members (By Phone Only)
15th April 2021: Platinum and Gold Castaway Club Members (By Phone Only)
16th April 2021: Platinum, Gold and Silver Castaway Club Members (By Phone Only)
19th April 2021: All Guests (By Phone and Online)
14th April 2021: Golden Oak Club Members (By Phone Only starting at 9:00 AM BST)
16th April 2021: Disney Vacation Club Members and Adventures by Disney Insiders (By Phone Only starting at 9:00 AM BST)
Will you be taking a Disney Magic at Sea sailing this summer?
The real Wonder Woman plane apparently landed at MCO this past week. I am unable to verify these reports because I cannot see the plane. Seriously though, how did they get pictures? Orlando International Airport tweeted on April 8, 2021, with some great photos of the Wonder Woman plane about to depart.
Mexican LLC Volaris wrapped its livery of Airbus A320’s in a cross-promotion with WW84. This was done back in December of 2020, but it is the first one to land and gate at MCO. They have previously been seen with appearances in the U.S. in Denver and Oakland, Calif. This was the first time Volaris has altered its fuselage wrapping one of its aircraft in a special livery.
“We like to think that Volaris, like Wonder Woman, is the airline of the people, and in the midst of (COVID-19), we could not have a better ally to continue democratizing the skies,” Daniel Gelemovich, Volaris’ Director of Marketing, said. “At Volaris, the idea of doing disruptive marketing is born from offering experiences that reflect the identity and DNA of the airline, as a brand that always seeks to innovate in every way.”
WW84 – Diana Prince lives quietly among mortals in the vibrant, sleek 1980s — an era of excess driven by the pursuit of having it all. Though she’s come into her full powers, she maintains a low profile by curating ancient artifacts and only performing heroic acts incognito. But soon, Diana will have to muster all of her strength, wisdom, and courage as she finds herself squaring off against Maxwell Lord and the Cheetah, a villainess who possesses superhuman strength and agility.
Celebrate Earth Day in a magical way with the new Earth Day Disney Key! This magical new key with sustainable materials will be making its way to to shopDisney April 19th! That’s just in time for Earth Day on April 22nd!
You’ll notice this key looks a little different from keys we have seen in the past! This key is made from more eco-friendly materials, and even the string looks to be a non traditional cord. We don’t know exactly what the key is made from, or how much the cost will be to obtain it. However, we’re loving that they chose not go a more eco-friendly route for Earth Day!
Will you be grabbing the Earth Day Disney Key when it launches on shopDisney on April 19th?
