New 2024 Mickey Mouse Ear Headband Spotted At Epcot!
Welcome the new year with this 2024 Mickey Mouse Ear Headband we found at Epcot! A whole new collection has arrived to Disney Parks and online at shopDisney to celebrate the new year in Disney Style.
The headband features bold and bright colors all around. The ears showcase Cinderella castle in bright pink with stars and Mickey icons confetti all around, a colorful yellow, green, blue and pink trim plus 2024 across the headband with the different themed park icons and Mickey Mouse!
You can take a closer look at this fun ear headband in our Instagram post:
Disneyland After Dark Nites are returning in 2024, now with more event nights! Guest-favorites like Sweethearts’ Nite and Star Wars Nite will be returning along with a new Disney Channel Nite! Events take place on select nights January through June 2024.
Disneyland After Dark events are separately-ticketed, themed evenings that include after-hours theme park and ride access (often with less wait times!), unique entertainment, beloved and sometimes rare character appearances, specialty food, beverage, and merchandise offerings, and so much more!
Each Disneyland After Dark event begins with a three-hour pre-party mix-in at Disneyland park from 6 to 9 p.m. PT before the party officially begins. In addition to all the themed fun brought to life just for the party, your admission also includes commemorative keepsakes such as a souvenir credential and an event guide map, plus unlimited digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos taken throughout the party, which is a great way for you to capture treasured memories.
Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite Jan. 23, 25, 30, Feb. 1, 6, 8, 12 & 14, 2024, at Disneyland Park
Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite celebrates the love all around us on eight different nights in Disneyland. Plan a dreamy rendez-vous, besties night, or start a family tradition at these sensational soirées. Sweethearts’ Nite will include many heartwarming offerings:
A royal cavalcade will make its way through Disneyland park, offering an enchanting gathering of some of Disney’s favorite royals, transported by equally splendid equines.
Near “it’s a small world,” dance along with princesses, princes and Disney characters at the evening’s royal ball.
Stitch and Angel will host their very owndance party at the stage in Tomorrowland. Join them throughout the night to dance and sing to some awesome beats!
Throughout the park, unique photo backdrops will offer you an opportunity to step inside some of Disney’s iconic scenes of love and friendship, including “Lady and the Tramp,” “Tangled,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Aladdin,” and more.
Divine lighting, fabulous projections and the music of Disney love songs create the ultimate atmosphere for romance, friendship and family throughout the park.
Enjoy many sweet treats to indulge in and themed savory items available throughout the park, created especially for Sweethearts’ Nite. New offerings will include the shortbread cookie churro with strawberry cheesecake dipping sauce and the Café Daisy fried heart-shaped ravioli, plus some returning and reimagined favorites like the Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe Chocolate & Strawberry-stuffed croissant.
Plus, specialty menu items will also be available at Plaza Inn, Cafe Orleans, River Belle Terrace and Carnation Café, subject to availability. Reservations are recommended and can be booked online soon.
A limited number of Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite tickets will go on pre-sale for Magic Key holders beginning Dec. 12, 2023 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT) on Disneyland.com. On Dec. 14, 2023 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), tickets will go on sale to the general public and are subject to availability.
Disneyland After Dark: Disney Channel Nite Mar. 5 & 7, 2024, at Disneyland Park
Get ready for this all-new, nostalgic celebration as Disneyland After Dark: Disney Channel Nite comes to life, highlighting themed offerings from favorite Disney Channel shows across various eras of programming with fantastic music, memorable characters, high-energy parties, unique photo opportunities, and more! Join in the fun with fellow Disney Channel fans with great offerings including:
The “High School Musical” pep rally will take place through the streets of Disneyland park celebrating the songs from the beloved “High School Musical” franchise.
The “Phineas and Ferb” dance party at the stage in Tomorrowland will be a high-energy dance party, complete with a DJ and appearances by your favorite “Phineas and Ferb” characters!
“Camp Rock” karaoke will allow you to sing favorite songs, andThe Ultimate Disney Channel Trivia Challenge will test true Disney Channel fans, all in the cozy atmosphere of The Golden Horseshoe.
“Descendants”at the Rivers of America will invite you to take a cruise on the Sailing Ship Columbia and enjoy music from the “Descendants” trilogy.
Opportunities to step into imaginative photo backdrops representing favorite Disney Channel shows and movies, including “Lizzie McGuire,” “The Cheetah Girls,” “Teen Beach Movie” and more, will make you the star!
Enjoy specially themed foods and snacks all evening long. A few items to expect are the mini banana burritos and tropical banana punch at Red Rose Taverne, plus chili cheese loaded nachos, and s’mores donut skewer from Café Daisy. Additionally, specialty dining packages will be available, too – more details coming soon.
A limited number of Disneyland After Dark: Disney Channel Nite tickets will go on pre-sale for Magic Key holders beginning Dec. 12, 2023 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT) on Disneyland.com. On Dec. 14, 2023 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), tickets will go on sale to the general public and are subject to availability.
Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite April 16, 18, 23, 25, 30, May 2, 7 & 9, 2024 at Disneyland Park
Star Wars Nites are back, with more nights than ever before! Prepare to launch your course for a galactic adventure like no other. Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nites will take place during Season of the Force, happening at Disneyland park from April 5 – June 2.
On sale dates and additional details for Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite are forthcoming, so keep your eyes on the Disney Parks Blog in the coming months.
Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite June 18 & 20, 2024 at Disneyland Park
Last year, Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite came to life for the very first time, and it’s back in 2024 with entertainment, colorful characters, photo opps and more on two spectacular evenings in June at Disneyland park!
Stay tuned for on-sale dates and additional details for Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite in the coming months.
We can’t wait for the return of Disneyland After Dark! Which event are you most excited about?
If you’d like help planning your next Disneyland trip, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are free, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation.
Hulu on Disney+ Rolls Out Beta Version to Bundle Subscribers Today
Are you a devoted fan of Loki on Disney+ and The Bear on Hulu? Well, get ready for a seamless streaming experience as two of the most beloved series will soon be available within one app.
The beta version of Hulu on Disney+ is making its debut for Bundle subscribers today, with plans for an official launch in the spring. This development marks an exciting progression in Disney’s streaming ventures.
To delve into the details, we had a conversation with Joe Earley, Disney Entertainment’s President of Direct-to-Consumer, to discuss the rollout, the appearance of Hulu on Disney+, and the future prospects for Disney streaming.
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what you need to know:
What is Hulu on Disney+?
Commencing today, Bundle subscribers can anticipate the Hulu tile to join the existing array of tiles for Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic when they access their Disney+ app.
Clicking on the Hulu tile will take subscribers to a Hulu Hub, where they’ll be able to choose from thousands of movies and series from Hulu’s library for playback via Disney+. They will have access to extensive Hulu content, including award-winning Originals, next day TV, and a huge library, right there, inside Disney+ without the friction of navigating from one app to another.
Why is this being called the “beta” phase? When will the official launch happen?
What Bundle subscribers will see today is a limited beta version, with the official launch slated for March 2024.
“It’s an exciting next step for Direct-to-Consumer, but it’s important that people have managed expectations about what the experience is going to be,” Earley said.
The beta version is intended to help Disney better understand the consumer’s needs and wants when it comes to Hulu on Disney+ before it officially launches in the spring. It will also give parents time to set up controls that make sure everyone in their household is watching what’s appropriate for them.
But wait, will Hulu’s series and films that are more geared toward adults conflict with the more family-friendly Disney+ brand?
No, according to Earley, who explained that the company has already seen great success outside of the United States where Disney’s classic and general entertainment titles exist in one app.
He underscored that one of the company’s top priorities is ensuring Disney+ remains a safe space for families. And that the two-step launch approach will allow Bundle subscribers with a Disney+ subscription to explore Hulu content and give Disney+ subscribers time to adjust parental controls and establish profiles for the entire family, if they don’t already exist.
“There are a few reasons why we think this is going to be an exciting new experience for our subscribers,” Earley said. “Even before the launch of Disney+, research was very clear that consumers want ‘kid time,’ ‘we time,’ and ‘me time.’ I want incredible stuff for my kids, I want to watch things as a family, and then I want to put the kids to bed and watch things that are more adult in nature.”
What does Disney want to accomplish with Hulu on Disney+?
Earley hopes that this integration continues Disney’s commitment to putting subscribers first and creating a seamless viewing experience for all. He also hopes it will drive deeper engagement and discoverability by having more content available in one place.
“It’s an unbelievable value in terms of the price point for the Bundle, to get all this content in one place,” he said. “Beyond unlocking that experience for our existing Bundle subscribers, our hope is to inspire Disney+ and Hulu standalone subscribers to upgrade to the Bundle as well, once they see everything that can be accessed.”
Will Disney+ and Hulu still be available as standalone apps?
Yes. This is not a replacement for standalone Hulu or Disney+ – both will still be available as separate offerings. Hulu + Live TV and Premium add ons will still only be available within the Hulu app, along with the full Hulu SVOD content library.
What does this mean for Disney’s streaming strategy overall?
“The road to get there requires that we optimize what we have now in terms of content, marketing and user experience, and then monetize it in the best way possible,” he said. He also noted that continuing to innovate is important for the platforms to stay competitive.
“One of the things that Hulu on Disney+ is going to achieve is it’s going to increase engagement, which reduces churn,” Earley added. “When someone goes into Disney+ they have this enormous other world to access and I think that people are going to discover content they never even realized was on Hulu.”
What else should consumers know about the Hulu on Disney+ beta roll out?
“I hope consumers realize that one Bundle subscription — which is competitively priced — can unlock the incredible original content, the blockbuster films that come from all our studios, and a 100 years’ worth of stories from Disney+,” Earley said. “Not to mention the amazing titles that come from Hulu Originals, FX, 20th Century Studios, Searchlight, and all of our amazing partners.”
The jacket is black with Powerline logo across the chest on the front, while the back features him with his name at the top and “Stand Out World Tour ’95” text. The yellow stripes on the lining add an electric style to the coolest band ever, at least according to Max!
The sign is laser cut from 1/4″ thick Birch plywood, and sanded to a smooth finish so is all ready to paint/stain, or use as. There are also three different sizes and you can personalize it with your kid’s name! It will make a great addition to their room.
Super Fun Minnie Mouse Disco Ball Ear Headband Available At Box Lunch Gifts!
How cool would this Minnie Mouse Disco Ball Ear Headband look to celebrate New Year’s Eve at Epcot? Is perfect! You can get it exclusively at Box Lunch Gifts for $25.83, so cute.
Nostalgic Disney100 Mickey Mouse View Master 3D Collector Set Spotted At Animal Kingdom Lodge!
We are obsessed with this new Disney100 Mickey Mouse View Master 3D Collector Set! Do you remember playing with this as a kid? We certainly do and are so excited to see it back with reels inspired in our favorite Disney movies.
We found it at Animal Kingdom Lodge but is also available online at shopDisney for $39.99 so you can order yours now! Just in time for the holiday season.
The view master is Mickey Mouse shaped with platinum glasses and red on the back. It comes with 9 reels inspired in movies like Cinderella, Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree. It’s very vintage looking and so nostalgic, a must have for sure!
You can take a closer look at it in our Instagram post:
Ravensburger has unveiled the upcoming release of Disney Lorcana’s third chapter, titled “Into the Inklands.” Set to hit specialty stores on February 23, 2024, and mass retailers on March 8, 2024, this installment introduces a novel game element known as “locations,” represented by specialized cards featuring iconic settings such as Motonui and the Jolly Roger.
The Into the Inklands expansion brings a diverse array of characters into the mix, including Pluto, Perdita from “One Hundred and One Dalmatians,” Kit Cloudkicker from “TaleSpin,” Scrooge McDuck, and Jim Hawkins, along with more members of the RLS Legacy crew from “Treasure Planet.” Notable preview cards include Steel Minnie Mouse – Funky Spelunker (Dreamborn, Hero), Amber Piglet – Pooh Pirate’s Captain (Dreamborn, Hero, Pirate, Captain), and Emerald Peter Pan – Lost Boy Leader (Dreamborn, Hero).
A noteworthy addition to the game is the inclusion of “mini-stories” within Into the Inklands, delving into the lore of Disney Lorcana. The narrative follows the Illumineers, who accidentally unleash a flood of mixed ink, resulting in the creation of Floodborn characters. Tasked with gathering scattered lore throughout the Inklands, the Illumineers discover an “ominous shadow storm” at the edge of Lorcana when venturing beyond the Great Illuminary.
Products associated with Into the Inklands encompass two starter decks (one Amber/Emerald and one Ruby/Sapphire) priced at $16.99 each, two deck boxes featuring Robin Hood and Scrooge McDuck at $5.99 each, two sleeve sets (Robin Hood and Scrooge) for $9.99 each, two playmats (Moana on Motonui and Stitch in space) at $19.99 each, portfolio folders at $19.99, an Illumineer’s Trove priced at $49.99, and a gift set available for $29.99.
Here is the official press release:
Ravensburger, the acclaimed publisher of award-winning board games and high-quality toys and puzzles, revealed today the newest expansion to the Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game (TCG), named Into the Inklands. The third installment of the wildly popular Disney Lorcana TCG, Into the Inklands introduces location cards, which feature beloved Disney story settings and offer players special abilities and interactions. The set also debuts new in-game mini-stories and expands featured characters. Into the Inklands will be released first at local game stores on February 23, 2024, followed by mass market retailers on March 8, 2024.
“With each new release, enthusiasm and excitement for the Disney Lorcana TCG grows in magnitude,” said Filip Francke, Global Head of Games at Ravensburger. “Watching this community consistently grow and become more diverse tells us that we are getting it just right with Disney fans who are completely charmed by the art and stories, TCG die-hards who appreciate the strategic gameplay, and even new players who have tried their very first TCG and now play every weekend.”
For the first time since the game’s launch, players or “Illumineers” will be able to have their character glimmers visit locations from popular Disney stories, such as Motonui from Disney’s “Moana” or the Jolly Roger from Disney’s “Peter Pan.” Locations are a new card type that opens up new strategies – some give bonuses when characters visit them, while others provide benefits just by being in play. These new location cards will be included among more than 200 totally new cards when Into the Inklands launches. This new set also introduces additional narrative across cards as stories unfold through quotes and descriptive text (flavor text), allowing players to discover even more links between cards.
A bevy of beloved Disney stories and characters will be making their Disney Lorcana TCG debut in Into the Inklands. Players will now be able to quest for lore alongside fan-favorite good dogs like Disney’s Pluto and “101 Dalmatian’s” Perdita, as well as characters like Scrooge McDuck from “DuckTales,” Kit Cloudkicker from “TaleSpin,” and Jim Hawkins and the RLS Legacy crew from “Treasure Planet,” bringing late-90’s nostalgia to the game.
The Disney Lorcana TCG set Into the Inklands continues the story of the Illumineers who were mysteriously transported to the realm of Lorcana (The First Chapter). After accidentally unleashing a flood of mixed ink (Rise of the Floodborn) that scattered precious lore throughout the realm, Illumineers are now tasked with finding the lore and returning it to the Hall of Lorcana. However, their quest may be more treacherous than they realize, as an ominous shadow storm has been spotted gathering at the edges of Lorcana, adding urgency and mystery to the path ahead.
The Disney Lorcana TCG set Into the Inklands will include two Starter Decks featuring combinations of Amber/Emerald or Sapphire/Ruby cards ($16.99 USD/$21.99 CAD) and booster packs ($5.99 USD/$7.99 CAD). A new Illumineers Trove ($49.99 USD/$64.99 CAD), a Gift Set ($29.99 USD/$39.99 CAD) and play accessories including Card Sleeves ($9.99 USD/$12.99 CAD), Deck Boxes ($5.99 USD/$7.99 CAD), Card Portfolios ($19.99 USD/$24.99 CAD) and Playmats ($19.99 USD/$24.99 CAD) will also be available. All cards in this set can be played alongside the previously released sets, The First Chapter and Rise of the Floodborn, and used to update existing Disney Lorcana TCG decks.
New Disney Storyliving Community ‘Asteria’ Coming to North Carolina
The Storyliving by Disney team, in collaboration with Disney Imagineers and DMB Development, has embarked on the creation of a distinctive community inspired by Walt Disney’s enduring curiosity and dedication to learning.
Drawing inspiration from Walt’s philosophy, “We keep moving forward, opening new doors and doing new things because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths,” the Asteria community is envisioned as a haven of exploration. Nestled in approximately 1,500 acres in Chatham County, North Carolina, just outside Raleigh, this Storyliving by Disney community promises to infuse the magic of Disney into residents’ daily lives.
Here are three intriguing facets awaiting exploration in the Asteria community:
Adventure is Out There: Discovering the Beauty of North Carolina The Asteria community marks the expansion of Storyliving by Disney to the East Coast, immersing itself in the scenic beauty of North Carolina. Collaborating with Walt Disney Imagineering and DMB Development, the community design blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living. Residents can anticipate expansive neighborhood parks, extensive walking and biking trails, and an immersive connection with the natural surroundings. The community’s name, Asteria, pays homage to the native North Carolina aster flower, reflecting the region’s natural allure from Earth to sky.
Life-Long Learning: Resident Amenities Designed to Spark Curiosity Asteria community homeowners will join a club that prioritizes learning and connectivity, fostering a sense of community and appreciation for the outdoors. Encompassing a wellness and recreation center, restaurant, sport courts, swimming pools, and community gardens, the club offers spaces for residents to gather and explore new interests. Disney-inspired programming, curated by Disney Imagineers, promises unique experiences, including family fun days, storytelling dinners inspired by Disney tales, and classes with Disney artists.
Starting a New Story: The Asteria Community Lifestyle The Asteria community, boasting Disney placemaking and exceptional customer service, will showcase diverse home styles lining charming streets. With over 4,000 residential units, including single-family and multi-family homes, and dedicated sites for 55+ adults, the community caters to various lifestyles. Situated near Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Durham in Pittsboro, the Asteria community offers residents the allure of big-city amenities within the enchanting charm of a small town. As part of the Chatham Park master-planned community, Asteria is poised to redefine the essence of community living.
The Asteria community is in the beginning stages of planning with Walt Disney Imagineering and DMB Development. Homes in the community will be built by select homebuilders with sales anticipated to begin by 2027. Additional details including an option to join the community’s email list can be found by visiting storylivingbydisney.com/asteria.
The Asteria community is the second announced Storyliving by Disney community in the U.S. following the Cotino community, which is currently under development in Rancho Mirage, California. Additional Storyliving by Disney locations are under exploration.
This post contains general information about future proposed community plans which are subject to change or cancellation at any time without notice. Mandatory club membership requires approval and all aspects thereof, including all amenities and offerings, will require payment of dues and/or fees and be subject to recorded covenants and additional terms and conditions. Residential community is Disney branded and managed, developed by DMB Development with homes built and sold by third-party builders. Disney is not the builder or seller of homes within Storyliving by Disney communities; third-parties developing and building are independently owned and operated. This does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation to buy, real estate to residents of any state or jurisdiction where prohibited by law, or where prior registration is required, but has not yet been fulfilled. Equal Housing Opportunity. See storylivingbydisney.com for full details.
We have details on the two new hotels coming to Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe Theme Park
Epic Universe, the all-new theme park currently under construction at Universal Orlando Resort, is progressing rapidly toward its 2025 opening. While we do not yet have an exact date on when the park will open, nor do we have many confirmed details on exactly what rides and attractions the park will contain, we do now have confirmation on the names and details of the on-property resort hotels that will call Epic Universe home.
Epic Universe will be home to two on-property hotels: Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort. As the names imply, both resorts will contain a space theme with Stella Nova resort being inspired by the “infinite vastness of the unknown universe, where galaxies spiral ever outward, and unknown worlds revolve around unnamed stars” and Terra Luna Resort drawing inspiration from the “thrill of exploring the unknown, pushing the limits of discovery, and stepping into new landscapes” according to the resort websites.
Both resorts will contain 750 guest rooms each as well as a myriad of amenities such as resort-style pools, game rooms, and a variety of restaurant and lounge options. Universal Orlando Resort Guests will enjoy early park entry as well as complimentary park transportation during their stay.
Both resorts are currently accepting reservations, with reservations at Stella Nova Resort starting in January 2025 and Stella Nova Resort reservations starting in February 2025.
While we have no confirmed date for the opening of Epic Universe, other than sometime in 2025, we have to wonder if the opening of these two resorts signals a plan to open the park sometime during the first quarter of the year.
Ready to book your next epic vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Universal Orlando vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Universal destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Universal vacation package through me!
CommuniCore Hall at EPCOT will not open until 2024
The walls are falling around the new World Celebration neighborhood in EPCOT. World Celebration Gardens and the Walt the Dreamers statue officially opened on December 5th, with guests providing positive feedback on both the statue and the new garden. While this is positive progress, it appears construction on the World Celebration area will not be completed this year, as the opening of CommuniCore Hall opening has been officially delayed until 2024.
We noted a great deal of progress on CommuniCore Hall during our most recent visit to EPCOT, with Spaceship Earth-styled tiles being installed on the building’s exterior. It is apparent, however, that a great deal of work remains that will not be finished within the next 3 weeks.
Disney has officially confirmed the opening of CommuniCore Hall will be delayed until 2024. When opened, the hall will serve as a hub for EPCOT’s myriad festivals, as well as a meet and greet location for Mickey and friends.
Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Disney destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Disney vacation package through me!
‘Soul’, ‘Luca’ and ‘Turning Red’ heading to theaters for the 1st time
In a cinematic treat for audiences, three beloved Disney and Pixar feature films— “Soul” (2020), “Luca” (2021), and “Turning Red” (2022)—are set to make their nationwide big-screen debut in 2024. Starting January 2, 2024, tickets will be available for special engagement theatrical runs, providing moviegoers with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the magic of Pixar’s storytelling before the anticipated June 2024 release of “Inside Out 2.”
The theatrical experience promises to deliver these Pixar gems in the grandeur they deserve, offering audiences a unique chance to relish the films as intended. As an added delight, each feature film will be complemented by a Pixar animated short film, a tradition that has enchanted viewers in previous Pixar theatrical events.
“Soul,” slated for a theatrical opening on January 12, will be paired with the SparkShort “Burrow.” Following suit, “Turning Red,” premiering on February 9, will be preceded by the SparkShort “Kitbull.” Lastly, “Luca,” gracing the big screen on March 22, will be accompanied by the timeless Pixar short “For the Birds.” This cinematic celebration is a prelude to the much-anticipated release of “Inside Out 2” later in June 2024, ensuring that audiences can bask in the magic of Pixar’s storytelling prowess on the silver screen.
