Construction on the new Dreamworks area at Universal Studios Florida is beginning to outgrow the construction barriers that currently surround the area, as Shrek’s House can now be seen rising above the walls.
Hours at Animal Kingdom have also been extended, with the park now open from 8 am through 8 pm each day March 10 through 16. Early Park Entry will begin at 7:30 am.
Full Details Revealed for Disney Channel Nite in Disneyland
A new Disneyland After Dark Nite is coming to the Disneyland Resort! Disney Channel Nite will celebrate iconic Disney Channel TV shows and characters on two nights next month. Here’s all we know about this new event!
Celebrate the iconic TV shows and characters that defined your childhood at Disneyland After Dark: Disney Channel Nite! Let your inner rockstar out while you sing, dance and laugh along to the stories and tunes that captured your heart and filled your TV screen with magic!
Event Details
Disneyland After Dark: Disney Channel Nite
Location: Disneyland Park
Dates: March 5 and March 7, 2024
Time: 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM
Ticket Price: $139 per Guest (ages 3+)
The ticket to this event also includes admission to Disneyland Park as early as 6:00 PM—that’s 3 hours before the party begins—on the valid date of your ticket. Guests with a ticket to this event do not need to make a theme park reservation to enter Disneyland Park at 6:00 PM or later.
Music and Entertainment
Descendants Musical Journey at the Rivers of America Come aboard the Sailing Ship Columbia for a musical journey with songs from all 3 Descendants movies.
DescenDance At the River of America, join the VK dancers from the Isle of the Lost as they show off their wicked moves.
Disney Channel Rocks Party at this rock concert-style stage show that totally pumps up the volume to hit songs from popular Disney Channel programming.
High School Musical / Zombies Pep Rally Get ready for this high-energy special mash up to stop and celebrate songs from High School Musical and Zombies with you at designated spots along the parade route.
Camp Rock Karaoke & Disney Channel Trivia Challenge in the Golden Horseshoe Saloon Take turns singing your favorite songs as solos, duos and groups! The karaoke party will alternate with the Ultimate Disney Channel Trivia Challenge.
Phineas and Ferb Dance Party at Tomorrowland Terrace Join a lively dance party featuring terrific songs from the world of Phineas and Ferb and more!
Fond Farewell Make sure you swing by Town Square and wave goodnight.
Character Experiences Let childhood nostalgia become new memories when you meet some iconic Disney Characters such as:
Kim Possible
Baloo, King Louie and Don Karnage
Lilo, Stitch and Experiments
Chip, Dale and Monterey Jack
Darkwing Duck and Launchpad McQuack
Goofy and Max
Rapunzel and Flynn Rider
Huey, Dewey, Louie and Scrooge McDuck
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse
Attractions
Enjoy after-hours access! Ride some of the park’s classic attractions—usually with shorter wait times.
Scrumptious Eats
Nibble the night away! Purchase unique dining experiences and event-night-only sweet and savory menu options at select Disneyland Park locations.
Dining Packages Add flavor to your celebration when you book a delicious dining package at Cafe Orleans or River Belle Terrace!
Special Keepsakes Receive a commemorative credential and guide map as well as unlimited downloads of Disney PhotoPass digital photos taken during the party. (Credentials and maps are limited to one per ticketed person.)
Disney PhotoPass Scan the QR code on your event wristband into the Disneyland app to access Disney PhotoPass digital photos captured during the event. Disney PhotoPass photos must be linked to your Disney account to be downloaded. Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads exclude separately priced Disney PhotoPass packages and products offered at select locations. Photos can be downloaded from your Disney account as often as desired, up to 45 days after initial capture. Disney PhotoPass service is subject to the Disney PhotoPass terms and conditions and the Disney PhotoPass expiration policy. Online registration required.
Themed Photos
Step into imaginative backdrops of some of your favorite Disney Channel Original Movies and TV shows, including:
Disney Channel Wand ID
Event Step & Repeat
Camp Rock
The Cheetah Girls
Gargoyles
Halloweentown
Hannah Montana
Lizzie McGuire
The Proud Family
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody
Teen Beach Movie
That’s So Raven
Wizards Of Waverly Place
Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century
Dress Your Inspired Best
Step out in style—dress as your favorite Disney Channel character!
Ready to experience Disneyland After Dark? Contact me to start planning your trip! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are FREE, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation.
Every year, Universal Orlando’s Art and Design Team works wonders to bring the Mardi Gras Parade to life at Universal Studios Florida. As soon as one parade ends, they’re already planning for the next, creating six new floats to join six returning favorites.
This year’s theme celebrates the elements, with floats representing earth, wind, fire, water, the sun, and the moon. The team, led by Art Manager Kerstin Mais and Lead Set Dresser Deb Aull, takes four weeks to transform blank float skeletons into dazzling works of art.
The process begins with “glittering,” where the team applies glitter to the floats based on the designers’ vision. This step alone takes up to two weeks. Then, they add layers of foliage, beads, and decorative items to make the floats pop. The team’s creativity and teamwork are key to bringing these designs to life.
The final step is adding special effects, lighting, and audio to enhance the parade experience. When the floats make their debut, the team takes pride in seeing their hard work come together, creating memorable moments for parade-goers.
Into the Inklands Now Available at Local Games Stores and Preorder at Amazon
Hey there, fellow Disney Lorcana fans! Have you heard the news? The latest and greatest expansion set, ‘Into the Inklands’, just hit local game stores as of February 23, 2024, and we’re so hyped.
So, what’s the buzz all about? Well, let me tell you – ‘Into the Inklands’ isn’t just your average card set. Nope, it’s a whole new level of awesome! Picture this: brand new Location cards that whisk you away to fantastical places within the Disney universe. These new locations have refined gameplay and added a new exciting element to Lorcana that we can’t wait to experience this weekend.
But wait, there’s more! ‘Into the Inklands’ introduces a bunch of shiny new “glimmers” – special powers and upgrades that shake up the game in the best way possible. Trust me, you’re gonna love the extra dose of strategy and excitement these babies bring to the table.
Oh, and did I mention I got to crack open a bunch of booster packs, an illumineers trove (courtesy of Ravensburger, no less), and an epic “Into the Inklands Gift Set”? Yeah, it was like Christmas morning times a thousand! Trust me, this expansion is the real deal – whether you’re a seasoned pro or a total newbie.
We love the Illumineers Trove for several reasons – first of the packs of booster cards always seem to have an incredible pull rate. We know this is just in our heads, but I feel like I always get super lucky when I open a trove. This time around we found two legendary cards in our Trove from Ravensburger. We pulled Mickey Mouse Trumpeter and Hydra Deadly Serpent, which will go right into our decks. But wait, there’s MORE! We love the new damage counters (dice) and Lore Counter. Also the trove came with card dividers that are themed to the various inks to help with the storage of cards in the beautiful storage box.
Ravensburger also sent a “Gift Set”. The set has two oversized versions of Tinker Bell Very Clever Fairy and Stitch Covert Agent. You also get foil versions of those cards along with four booster packs, 34 damage counters, and two lore tracker tokens.
Now, let’s talk collectibility. You know how Disney Lorcana cards are like precious treasures? Well, ‘Into the Inklands’ takes it to a whole new level with its jaw-dropping artwork and super sleek foil-enchanted cards. Seriously, these bad boys are like gold dust for collectors! Pictured below is a new promotional Stitch that can only be won via gameplay at your local store. Check Lorcana’s website for a store locator to find a local tournament near you.
And here’s the cherry on top: you can snag your own piece of the action by pre-ordering ‘Into the Inklands’ on Amazon right now! Just hop on over to the official product pages and sign up for the virtual queue. It’s like a lottery, baby! If you’re lucky enough to score an invite, you’ve got 72 hours to snatch up your fave goodies before someone else swoops in.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your deck, rally your friends, and let’s dive headfirst ‘Into the Inklands’ together! With Disney Lorcana TCG, the adventure never stops! Stay tuned for more Lorcana news and updates and check back with us as we discuss our favorite cards from this exciting new expansion.
Spring will soon bloom at EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival! From Feb. 28-May 27, guests can enjoy a springtime event filled with enchanting topiaries, brilliant gardens, fresh flavors and lively entertainment. (Abigail Nilsson, Photographer)
Spring has arrived at Walt Disney World Resort, and with it, the much-anticipated EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival! From February 28 to May 27, guests can immerse themselves in 90 days of floral beauty, delicious food, and family fun.
This year, the festival welcomes new topiaries, including Groot from “Guardians of the Galaxy,” Asha and friends from “Wish,” and Miguel and Dante from “Coco.” Fan favorites like Figment and Princess Tiana are also back to add magic to the gardens.
With over 25 garden destinations, visitors can explore the Floating Gardens, Festival Blooms, and learn about attracting birds at Songbird Meadow. The English Tea Garden presented by Twinings offers tours showcasing plants used in their teas.
Culinary Creations
The festival’s Outdoor Kitchens are serving up innovative dishes like the Cubanito and Key Lime Wine Slush, along with returning favorites such as Chicken & Waffles and Chocolate Whisky Cake. Guests can also embark on the Garden Graze food stroll, sampling various dishes and earning a special treat upon completion.
Interactive Fun for Everyone
Families can join in two scavenger hunts: Spike’s Pollination Exploration and the Egg-stravaganza Hunt. Butterfly Landing allows guests to get up close with beautiful butterflies, while Blossoms of Fragrance presented by Scentsy offers a sensory experience. Kids can burn off energy at Camp Get Out ‘N’ Play Garden.
Garden Rocks Concert Series
The Garden Rocks concert series features daily performances at the American Gardens Theatre, with new acts like Modern English and Crowder, as well as returning favorites.
Official festival merchandise includes Orange Bird apparel, “Coco” inspired items, and the Butterfly Collection starring Minnie Mouse. Guests can also book dining packages for priority seating at Garden Rocks concerts.
A Disney Cast Member has created an installation for the Disney Springs Art Walk: A Canvas of Expression. Titled “Gullah Magic,” the artwork celebrates Black History Month by showcasing the rich heritage of the Gullah people, descendants of West and Central Africans who still live in the South today. The work in one of a handful of Art Walk installations created by cast members.
Cast Member Marcella Swett who has Gullah roots, aims to educate visitors about this vibrant culture, which is also part of Florida’s history. The painting features symbols of Gullah traditions, such as a seagrass basket and a grain of rice, and depicts three faces representing the past, present, and future of the Gullah community.
Disney fans might already be familiar with Marcella’s talents. She’s a Senior Production Artisan for Disney Live Entertainment and has previously displayed her chalk art at Disneyland Resort during Black History Month. Her work is part of Disney Parks’ “Celebrate Soulfully” offerings, which highlight Black artists and their stories.
Marcella, a former art teacher, continues to inspire the next generation of artists. She recently shared her painting process with students from Osceola County School for the Arts, offering them a glimpse into the world of professional artistry. This mentorship is part of Disney’s Future Storytellers initiative, which encourages students to explore their creativity and imagine their future careers.
Marcella joins a select group of Black artists, including Nneka Jones, Nardstar, and Ernest Shaw, who have contributed to the Art Walk. Their artwork invites visitors to “Celebrate Soulfully” at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, showcasing the magic of their personal stories and cultural backgrounds.
Disney Hosting Open Casting Call for Moana Live Action Movie
Have you ever dreamed of being in a Disney movie? You will get your chance this March as Disney is holding an open casting call for the upcoming live-action Moana remake.
Disney announced, “We are excited to begin casting for the feature MOANA and to begin populating the fictional island of MONTUNUI! All talent hired outside of Atlanta will be flown to and from Atlanta for work. We are looking for all types and those with experience with traditional Fishing methods, basket weaving, weaving, lei making, hat making and more! We are looking forward to meeting everyone!”
Locations for the open call are in West Hollywood and Agoura Hills California on the 9th and 10th of March. You can register or update a profile at talent.ahartcasting.com if you have an interest in injoining the cast of islanders.
Disney’s live-action remake of Moana will star Duane Johnson reprising his role as Maui. There is no date yet announced for the release of this film, but an animated Moana 2 will hit theaters this fall.
Check back for more production updates here at Chip and Company. Good luck to all those auditioning!
Closer Look at the Foods Coming to Tokyo Disney Sea Food & Wine Festival
Tokyo Disney Sea is hosting its first ever Food & Wine Festival this year! We’re taking a closer look at some of the food coming to the festival. There are three ‘Chef’s Imagination‘ specialty menus that will be offered during the festival.
This course depicts memorable scenes from the Disney movie “Frozen.” The appetizer is inspired by the valley where trolls live. The fish dish is wrapped and steamed to show how Elsa’s heart is closed due to her fear of ice magic. Enjoy the main dish of meat while imagining the atmosphere of a solemn coronation ceremony. The final dessert is of course a happy ending. Enjoy the atmosphere of the happy kingdom of Arendelle, which has regained its warmth with true love, with rare cheese mousse.
Ristorante di Canaletto
Development Chef: Yoshihiro Sato
Theme: Rapunzel’s Forest
This set follows the story of the Disney movie “Rapunzel.” The appetizer depicts the forest with the tower that Rapunzel has lived in since she was a child, and the scene where she feels freedom when she lands on the grass for the first time is expressed through a pasta dish with herbs. The main meat dish will give you a sense of the wildness of the roughnecks you meet at the bars you stop at on your journey. The dessert is inspired by the scene of watching lanterns dancing in the night sky. Please enjoy while remembering the romantic scene where the light sways.
Magellan’s
Development Chef: Hiroshi Matsutani
Theme: Peter Pan’s Neverland
This menu starts with an hors d’oeuvre inspired by Pixie Hollow, the valley where fairies live. It’s served with a color-changing sauce made from balsamic vinegar and topped with shimmering pixie dust. The fish dish is conger conger vapoor. Inspired by the restaurant `Lookout Cookout,’ which is full of Lost Kids ideas, the garnish uses a variety of ingredients to represent the Lost Kids gathering in their hideout. The main dish is roast beef, a traditional British dish, representing the attraction `Peter Pan’s Neverland Adventure.’ Dessert is a bright red mixed berry cake inspired by Captain Hook. Let your imagination run wild with your next adventure.
What do you think of a food and wine festival coming to Tokyo Disney Sea?
Disney Touches Lives of Children at Local Orlando Hospital
Children at a local Orlando hospital were recently treated to a fairytale adventure fit for royalty. Patients at AdventHealth for Children in Orlando were surprised with princess dolls and plush toys from Disney Store, books from Disney Publishing and a new delivery of Starlight hospital gowns and pants inspired by heroines like Tiana, Ariel, Mulan, Cinderella and Belle. Oh, and a visit from an iconic Disney Princess, of course (Spoiler alert! It was Belle).
“After the stressful week we had, this was the biggest blessing,” said one patient’s mom, Iris. “The moment she put on the gown, she said ‘mom, I’m a princess.’ It’s amazing to now see her happy, relaxed and motivated.”
Five Disney Princess Gowns Changing the Patient Experience We all know Disney Princess ballgowns are unmatched in fairytale style, and this latest delivery of Disney Princess hospital gowns are no different as they’re making a big impact on the patient experience at children’s hospitals around the world.
They help patients feel like their favorite Disney Princess while taking on their treatments, alleviating stress and bringing new, happy memories for families during a hospital stay – even if just for a moment.
A Memorable Visit from a Disney Princess No party is complete without magical moments – and this was a special one! Belle surprised young patients at the party, bringing books and tales of inspiration that helped patients and families find strength in their own stories.
“Every kid should be able to feel like a Disney Princess or superhero,” said Iris. “It makes the hospital experience less scary; it makes the kids feel comfortable.”
Disney’s Continued Commitment to Children’s Hospitals This Disney Princess party is one of the many ways we’re helping to reimagine the patient experience in children’s hospitals around the world and builds on our long legacy of supporting children facing critical illnesses. It’s some of the most important work we do here at Disney!
“Being able to take patients away from the scariness and uncertainty of the hospital setting is really magical, and it’s cool that we’re able to partner with Disney in doing that,” said Casey Lashely, a Child Life Specialist at AdventHealth for Children. “Bringing that joy is huge. By doing that, we’re able to help normalize this environment as much as possible for patients. It helps them in their healing journey to be able to have something else to focus on.”
This event is also the most recent collaboration between Disney and Starlight Children’s Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that aims to provide programs to hospitals and medical facilities across the country to help kids cope with the stress and loneliness of being hospitalized.
Disney Supports Healthcare Heroes An ENORMOUS thank you to all our local healthcare workers who are the real heroes of these stories.
Dapper Day Spring Outing is Coming to Disney World in April
Calling all Fashionistas! It’s almost time to “Step out in style” for Dapper Day’s Spring Outing at the Walt Disney World Resort! This exciting 2 day event hosted by DAPPER DAY will be held on Saturday April 20th at EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival, and Sunday April 21st at the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World.
Dapper Day is an event that originated at Disneyland in California,but has since expanded to other Disney parks and beyond. It’s a day to dress up in stylish and fashionable attire, often with a vintage or retro flair, to enjoy the parks in a more elegant and refined manner. Fans showcase a wide range of styles, from classic 1950s looks to more contemporary and chic outfits, all while embracing a sense of style and sophistication! Dapper Day is a fun and popular event for those who appreciate fashion and Disney, and what better way to combine them then to get all dressed up and strut your stuff at the parks!
Be sure to check out Dapper Day’s New Spring Collection at Walt Disney World April 20th and 21st! A valid theme park ticket is required for entry. We’ll see you there!
New Disney Princess Half Marathon Merchandise Spotted At The runDisney Expo!
We visited the runDisney expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports to check out the new Disney Princess Half Marathon merchandise available now! If you want to visit the expo, you can do it from February 22 through February 24, the products are enchanting!
Are you a fan of spirit jerseys? We found two including a passholder exclusive design! The regular one features “Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2024” across the back with Ariel, Tiana and Rapunzel surrounded by themed park icons like Cinderella Castle, Tower of Terror, Spaceship Earth and Tree of Life. The front features the runDisney logo and Cinderella Castle in blue and pink colors.
The other one features “Passholder” across the back with a slightly different Tiana, Rapunzel and Ariel racing to the castle artwork.
As for shirts, we found 4 different ones the three main princesses from this year available in short and love sleeve. Two finisher shirts featuring Anna and Elsa are also available, one is a purple tank top and the other is a white short sleeve tee.
Moving on to accessories, Loungefly released a backpack fit for royalty! It features a gorgeous blue color with green details, the front showcases Ariel, Tiana and Rapunzel running through Walt Disney World, you can even see the different themed park icons like Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, Tower or Terror and Tree of Life.
The front also features the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2024 runDisney logo and some clouds with stars. Turn it around and you will find three tennis shoes inspired in each one of the princesses, and on the side the runDisney logo with a crown takes over.
Lug also released two bags! One will help you carrying your water bottle to keep hydrated all day! It features an all over pattern of Ariel, Tiana and Rapunzel racing through Disney World and runDisney logo. It also features two pockets on a side to carry all your essentials like phone, money, etc. So cute!
The tote bag features a royal blue color with Ariel, Rapunzel and Tiana running to the castle! Is the perfect size to bring everything you need during the marathon weekend.
Finally, the ear headband feature Ariel, Tiana and Rapunzel running through Walt Disney World on one ear and their different kingdoms on the other. The bow is made of sparkly blue sequins and feature a Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2024 logo charm, on the side, you will find “runDisney” embroidered in yellow.
