This past year has put many Disney projects on hold or behind schedule. Now that the parks are reopening around the globe, guests will get to see and experience some new magical additions! Take a look at what is coming to Disney parks in 2021 and beyond.
At the Disneyland Resort, as cast members are getting back to work to reopen the theme parks and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disney is getting ready for another exciting milestone: the opening of Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure park on June 4. Avengers….assemble!
As we previously announced, Walt Disney World Resort will kick off its 50th anniversary on Oct. 1, 2021. As part of Disney’s multiyear transformation of EPCOT, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will also debut on that day, while work continues on Harmonious and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – just a few of the incredible experiences coming soon!
Today, Shanghai Disney Resort started celebrating its 5th anniversary, and it has reached a major milestone with the topping out of the main attraction in the new “Zootopia” themed land.
Hong Kong Disneyland has unveiled the new Castle of Magical Dreams, part of the kickoff of its 15th anniversary celebration.
At Tokyo Disney Resort, work continues on a large-scale expansion at Tokyo DisneySea, which includes an eighth themed port with new attractions and areas based on “Frozen,” “Tangled” and “Peter Pan.”
At Disneyland Paris, Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel will open soon, with more than 300 pieces of Marvel artwork by artists from around the world. Work continues to bring more Super Heroes to Walt Disney Studios Park with Avengers Campus.
At Disney Cruise Line, Disney’s fifth ship, Disney Wish, will set sail in the summer of 2022. As a first step in Disney Cruise Line’s return to sailing, Disney recently announced a brand-new Disney Magic at Sea staycation for UK residents this summer.
Adventures by Disney announced its first-ever dedicated expedition cruises to Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands, giving guests a unique way to explore some of the world’s most fascinating ecological wonders.
All of this is just the beginning because Disney will continue to bring more innovation and magic to the next generation of experiences. You’ll also start to hear more in the months ahead about how Disney is bringing the digital, virtual and physical worlds together to create new ways to engage with guests – and to take guests and fans to places they’ve never been before.
What attraction or experience are you most looking forward to this year? If you’d like help planning your next magical Disney trip, contact me today for a free, no-obligation vacation quote!
Today in a special virtual presentation for media Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro announced that the Disney Genie (a new app that will enhance the way you plan for and experience a trip to Walt Disney World Resort) is still coming soon to Walt Disney World.
Disney Genie will make planning easier and more fun by providing customized itineraries geared to your interests, right at your fingertips – from a royal, princess-themed day at Magic Kingdom Park to a trip around the world at Epcot for foodies and even a perfect day for thrill seekers. Certain features of Disney Genie will also be available through your preferred travel professional.
Sometimes you may know exactly what you want to do, but may not know the best time or order in which to do it. You’ll be able to tell Disney Genie what you’d like to experience, and it will quickly evaluate millions of options to present you with an optimal day. And best of all, it’s flexible! If you change your mind for any reason, Disney Genie will re-optimize your day.
Disney Genie can also send you real-time tips and updates, including recommendations for experiences it thinks you’ll love, helping you navigate the theme parks with added convenience and comfort. If you don’t want to worry about making reservations in multiple steps, Disney Genie will even take care of that for you.
At this time we do not know when the Disney Genie is expected to arrive. Stay tuned to Chip and Co for more details.
Gideon’s Bakehouse is at it again with its Flavors of Florida in April. This time you had to be “in the know” or at least a follower of Gideon’s Instagram account, which some of us will refresh a few times a day to see what is going on.
Just say the phrase “Alligator Tracks” when visiting Gideon’s at @DisneySprings today, and you can scoop a homemade Orange Zest Ice Cream filled with Toasted Almonds and Dark Chocolate Chunks on top of a Cookie of your choice, though, of course, it’s meant to pair with Stuart’s Cookie!
Ok seriously Gideon’s, we get it, your cookies are amazing. Now pairing it with ice cream is only going to get me in trouble with fans of ChipandCo.com with the over-the-top reviews, and my family for dragging them through Disney Springs at a moment’s notice. We all have that one place we have to go when visiting Walt Disney World Resorts, mine is Gideon’s. I am sure some people are sighing and wanting to rage post at my love of Gideon’s and that is fine, I can take it! For all you haters reading this, Gideon’s are the best cookie in Orlando! I have decided my new nickname for the over-the-top reviews, like this one, is Gidiot’s! Please, ma’am, use that made-up word in a sentence. Ok, I will…
I am a Gidiot for constantly going early to get in line before the virtual queue happens, even knowing I could drive the extra 25 minutes to the East End Market.
Take a First Look at Jude Law’s Captain Hook in Disney’s ‘Peter Pan & Wendy’. Fans have eagerly awaited a first look at the cast of Disney’s Peter Pan & Wendy live-action film and it seems someone has been spotted in costume on set! Though we are excited to see the entire cast in costume, the only cast member to be found was Captain Hook himself, Jude Law. Jude sneakily hid either a prosthetic hook or green screened right hand from the camera, but we can’t wait to see the Cap’n in his full regalia!
Based on J. M. Barrie’s novel “Peter and Wendy” and inspired by the 1953 animated Disney classic, “Peter Pan & Wendy” is the timeless tale of a young girl who, defying her parents’ wishes to attend boarding school, travels with her two younger brothers to the magical Neverland. There, she meets a boy who refuses to grow up, a tiny fairy and an evil pirate captain, and they soon find themselves on a thrilling and dangerous adventure far, far away from their family and the comforts of home.
The film stars Jude Law as Captain Hook; Yara Shahidi as Tinkerbell; Ever Anderson as Wendy; Alexander Molony as Peter Pan; Molly Parker as Mrs. Darling; Alan Tudyk as Mr. Darling; newcomers Joshua Pickering as John; Jacobi Jupe as Michael and Alyssa Wapanatâhk as Tiger Lily; and Jim Gaffigan as Smee.
Peter Pan & Wendy is directed by David Lowery (“Pete’s Dragon”) and produced by Jim Whitaker (“Pete’s Dragon”). “Peter Pan & Wendy” will premiere on Disney+ in 2022. Be sure to check back here at Chip and Co. for updates and all things Disney!
We are pleased to share that Avengers Campus – an entirely new land dedicated to discovering, recruiting and training the next generation of Super Heroes – will open June 4, 2021 at the Disneyland Resort!
According to Disney this fully immersive land inside Disney California Adventure park, you will be invited to team up with the Avengers and their allies and live out your Super Hero dreams. Avengers Campus is comprised of several heroic locations, each hosted by a different Avenger to share their unique powers, technology and knowledge with recruits.
Today, we excited to unveil the first look inside Avengers Campus!
Sling webs with Spider-Man and unite with the Guardians of the Galaxy
The first key area is the Worldwide Engineering Brigade – also known as WEB. It brings together bright innovators like Peter Parker who have been assembled by Tony Stark to invent new technologies and equip everyday people to become Super Heroes like the Avengers. WEB will house the new WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure, the first Disney ride-through attraction to feature the iconic friendly neighborhood Spider-Man!
We previously shared that Tom Holland will reprise his role as Spider-Man in the new family-friendly attraction, which invites you to put your web-slinging skills to the test and experience what it’s like to have powers alongside Spider-Man – a feat accomplished with innovative technology adapted specifically for this attraction, perfect for up-and-coming recruits of all ages.
The second anchor attraction looms high above the land, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, a fan-favorite that opened in 2017. This rockin’ adventure blasts you straight into the “Guardians of the Galaxy” story, alongside characters from the blockbuster films and comics. As you help Rocket bust his fellow Guardians of the Galaxy out of the Collector’s Fortress, you will experience raucous mayhem, music inspired by the soundtracks from the movies, thrilling free-fall drop sequences and six different story lines!
Power up with tiny treats and massive meals
When it is time to take a break from the heroics, several new dining spots at Avengers Campus will offer dishes that are rich in both flavor and storytelling. Pym Test Kitchen is a food innovation science lab where the food and drinks tell a story. Just as Ant-Man and The Wasp use “Pym Particles” to grow and shrink just about anything, Pym Technologies applies this science to the creation of shareable bites, inventive entrees and sweet treats. You will be able to savor such items as the Impossible™ plant-based large and micro meatballs with pasta, or the “Pym-ini,” a panini served by the slice or as a long, multi-portion sandwich.
Adjacent to the Pym Test Kitchen, an oversized beer can overhead signals that grown-up beverage tastings are available at Pym Tasting Lab. You can order a craft beer, ranging from a blood orange hefeweizen to an amber lager, or try one of the Pym Research Staff’s Pym Particle-infused cocktail experiments. Both locations will offer mobile ordering via the Disneyland App.*
Visit one of The Avengers favorite food joints, Shawarma Palace. Enjoy a shawarma wrap at this food cart, which is decked out with memorabilia for Avenger fans. Lastly, Taneleer Tivan did not limit his collection to lovable misfits; he is also curating a weird and wonderful menu of intergalactic eats at the Terran Treats food cart near Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
Team up with the Avengers and their allies like never before
Throughout Avengers Campus, Super Heroes will come to life in more exciting ways than ever. You may have heroic encounters with Iron Man, Captain Marvel, Black Panther, the Dora Milaje, Black Widow, Ant-Man and The Wasp, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor and even villains like Loki, some of whom are making their first appearances at the park.
You may even have the chance to witness Spider-Man swinging into action high above Avengers Campus with gravity-defying, acrobatic feats never seen before in a Disney theme park.
At a nearby ancient sanctum, Doctor Strange will train recruits in the mystic arts by bringing this ancient sanctum to life with powerful spells. At night, the area glows even more vividly with majestic colors and lights, pulsating with mystic energy.
Suit up with the latest Super Hero gear
The WEB Suppliers store will offer the latest inventions, including interactive Spider-Bots much like the ones you will see in the new attraction, WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure. Each Spider-Bot has a remote control, and all eight articulated legs move forward and backward. You may customize your Spider-Bot with tactical upgrades to harness the powers and style of favorite Super Heroes, including Black Panther, Iron Man and Black Widow, as well as Ant-Man and The Wasp.
Other must-have items at WEB Suppliers include a specially-designed backpack to carry Spider-Bots when they are not in action, Spider-Man light goggles, a take-home spider web kit and Funko Pop! vinyl figurines of Spider-Man and Iron Man.
The Campus Supply Pod is the place to power up with official Avengers Campus gear, including performance fleece hoodies and tees, headwear, drinkware and other Super Hero supplies.
We are counting down the days till we can team up with the Avengers and their allies, sling webs with Spider-Man, taste-test inventive food and drinks and become part of a bigger universe alongside some of our favorite Super Heroes
Stay tuned for more epic updates. We hope to see you this summer at Avengers Campus!
*Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations, and features may vary by handset, service provider or otherwise. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.
Cruise lines, including Disney Cruise Line, have not sailed with passengers since early 2020. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) issued a No Sail Order last year and has very strict guidelines for cruise lines to resume sailing. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is now suing the CDC and US Federal Government demanding cruises be allowed to begin sailing again from Florida’s ports.
“Today, Florida’s fighting back. We’re filing a lawsuit against the federal government and the CDC, demanding that our cruise ships be reopened immediately,” DeSantis said today.
The CDC recently updated its guidelines for cruise lines saying ships must make test voyages, implement routine coronavirus testing and develop a strategy to vaccinate crews. The CDC has not offered any information regarding when the No Sail Order would be lifted.
Today, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody filed a lawsuit against the CDC, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Biden Administration, demanding the no sail order be lifted.
Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Miami) also criticized the US for not allowing cruises to sail when they are back to sailing internationally. “They’re sailing in Asia, they’re sailing in Europe and the United States is actually the leader in vaccinate and vaccinations. It’s time to let these ships sail, it’s time to let these people get back to work,” Gimenez said.
Stay tuned for more updates. You can see DeSantis’s press conference here.
Earlier this year Walt Disney World announced that Disney’s Magical Express will be discontinued at the end of 2021. Mears Transportation Group made it clear that they would continue to offer transportation services between the Orlando airport and hotels. Today, Mears announced a new direct service from the airport to Disney World hotels.
The new service, “Mears Connect”, will offer the same safe and reliable service the company has provided millions of guests for years. The Mears Connect service will initially operate between the Orlando International Airport and hotels in the Walt Disney World area. It will provide fast and convenient transportation service for visitors in high occupancy vehicles, thereby reducing traffic and lowering environmental impacts.
Mears Connect will offer guests scheduled service, luggage handling, convenient airport terminal staging, and return trips from hotels to the airport. Enhancements to ensure greater convenience and vehicle options will also be available. Pricing will be announced later this year along with the launch of a custom reservation platform.
Guests will be able to make reservations starting in May 2021.
“We plan to offer the same level of experience, service, and convenience we’ve provided for the last 16 years, on behalf of our longtime partner, as returning guests and first-time visitors can expect nothing less,” said Roger Chapin, a Mears spokesman. “It is important for visitors to know they still have many of the same safe transportation options for their Orlando visit, all offered by the same company who has been providing seamless, economical, and hassle-free transportation for decades.”
What do you think about this new service from Mears? Let us know in the comment box below!
Yesterday Disney confirmed that Disney’s MagicMobile will be coming to Android later this month, April 2021, which is following the rollout of MagicMobile for Apple users.
Disney MagicMobile is a new contactless way for users to access MagicBand features through your own devices. Most of the features from MagicMobile are accessible by holding up your smart device to the access points seen throughout the parks, but for those who are a fan of the MagicBand can alternate between the two.
Just like the MagicBand, guests using MagicMobile can enter theme parks (with a valid theme park reservation, and valid admission,) enter parking lots, connect Disney PhotoPass images to your account, gain access to the virtual queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and access the Magical Express.
Today, Disney+ revealed the official season two trailer and key art for “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,” premiering Friday, May 14. In season two, the East High Wildcats, who are preparing to perform “Beauty and the Beast” as their spring musical, face off against rival school North High to win a prestigious and cutthroat student theater competition. Wigs are snatched, loyalties are tested, and ballads are belted. The season also features brand-new solos written by Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett.
In addition to Rodrigo and Bassett, the series regulars are Matt Cornett, Sofia Wylie, Larry Saperstein, Julia Lester, Dara Reneé, Frankie Rodriguez, Joe Serafini, Mark St. Cyr and Kate Reinders. Guest starring this season are Derek Hough, Olivia Rose Keegan, Roman Banks, Andrew Barth Feldman and Asher Angel.
Season one of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” is currently available on Disney+. It has been “Certified Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes as measured by a consensus of reviews by top critics and audience members and was recently awarded a GLAAD Media Award. The series is created and executive produced by Tim Federle (“Ferdinand”).
Today, Disney Cruise Line reached a significant construction milestone marked by the traditional keel-laying ceremony of the Disney Wish, the first of three new ships in the line’s fleet expansion. Also announced today, the magic of Captain Minnie Mouse will come to life for the first time through whimsical artwork on the bow of the Disney Wish, a hallmark of Disney Cruise Line vessels.
“As we look to the future with anticipation and excitement for continuing our legacy of creating magical vacations for families across the globe, we are thrilled to reach this significant milestone in the shipbuilding process and to unveil Captain Minnie as the beloved character on the bow of the Disney Wish,” said Thomas Mazloum, president of Disney Cruise Line.
Keel laying takes place when the first block, or section of a ship, is lowered into the building dock, and a newly minted coin is placed under the keel for good fortune. The coin created for the Disney Wish features Captain Minnie, who made her debut aboard Disney Cruise Line ships in 2019 as part of a collection of initiatives aiming to inspire the next generation of female leaders in the cruise industry.
“In maritime tradition, keel laying is the ceremonial beginning of the ship’s life,” said Philip Gennotte, portfolio project management executive, Walt Disney Imagineering Germany, who placed the coin at the ceremony.“Today marked a momentous occasion for the Disney Wish, and I could not be more proud of our Imagineers, the cast and crew at Disney Cruise Line and the team at Meyer Werft, the shipyard in Germany, who are bringingthis enchanting ship to life.”
As previously announced, the Disney Wish is scheduled to sail its maiden voyage in summer 2022. Information on itineraries and bookings for the ship will be released at a later date.
The Disney Wish will showcase the immersive family entertainment, enchanting storytelling and unparalleled service that only Disney can deliver. The ship will be powered by liquified natural gas, or LNG, one of the cleanest-burning fuels available. At approximately 144,000 gross tons and 1,250 guest staterooms, the ship will be slightly larger than the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact a travel agent.
April is the anniversary of A Goofy Movie, an absolute Disney classic if you ask me! To celebrate the anniversary, you can stand out with the new Powerline Loungefly collection! This electric new collection features a cosplay backpack, and zip-around wallet!
The Goofy Movie Powerline Cosplay Mini-Backpack features a top zipper closures and a front zippered pocket with appliques and embroidery styled like his iconic costume.Matching themed lining and an enamel zipper puller detail finish off the rockin’ look!
You can also stand out with the coordinating all-access pass zip-around wallet! This bold new collection will be sliding onto Loungefly.com soon! If you want to make sure you get yours, there are also pre-orders still available for the backpack at Blue Culture Tees.
Be your own star and celebrate A Goofy Movie with the new Powerline Loungefly!
On the heels of Disney loosening mask restrictions for PhotoPass yesterday, comes another announcement from Disney Parks Blog. Cinderella Castle Photopass Experience is now available to schedule on the Disney My Experience app. This special PhotoPass session has been used, according to Disney, for proposals (the most frequent celebration!), birthdays, first visits, baby announcements, honeymoons, babymoons, beating cancer, anniversaries, graduations, adoptions, surprise returns home from deployment, and so many incredible personal achievements – there’s always something to celebrate when you’re at Magic Kingdom Park!
For those not familiar, Disney Parks Blog says, Capture Your Moment is a personalized 20-minute photo session with a Disney PhotoPass photographer reserved in advance. Sessions can include up to eight guests and take place on or around Main Street, U.S.A. where you can enjoy stunning views of Cinderella Castle.
To make it easier for you to book Capture Your Moment, starting today, you can now search for available sessions and book online by clicking here, or you can reserve your session by using the My Disney Experienceapp.
Just some advice, Capture Your Moment does not include prints or digital downloads. If you have Annual Pass with Memory Maker or PhotoPass Memory Maker you can access digital downloads of the session. We also found it was easier to navigate the app rather than online.
Cinderella Castle PhotoPass Experience is available starting at $50.00 per 20 sessions, you can add an extra 20 minutes by booking back to back.
My personal opinion is I love PhotoPass Memory Maker. I would recommend this to anyone with a special announcement! We spent the last trip doing nothing but PhotoPass locations, and now with masks able to be removed for photos only, this becomes a better deal. The photographers are top-notch and very professional. They know how to work with you and make the photo perfect.
