We have all of the details about the all new World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland
It’s not quite coronation day, but the excitement is still building-the grand opening of the World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland is just around the corner! The land, scheduled to open on November 20, is divided into two sections: Arendelle Village and Arendelle Forest, each offering unique attractions and experiences for guests to enjoy. We have all of the details about this new land ready for you!
World of Frozen will contain two attractions, one familiar to guests of other Disney parks and one exclusive to Hong Kong Disneyland:
Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs: Prepare to be thrilled by the family-friendly coaster, exclusive to Hong Kong Disneyland. As you journey through the charming Trading Post, you’ll find delightful summer treasures and winter wonders on display. Oaken himself greets you from his sauna as you embark on this exciting ride through the forest.
Frozen Ever After: A perfect family adventure awaits on this enchanting boat ride. You’ll traverse the North Mountain, witness Elsa’s Ice Palace, Troll Valley, and meet beloved Frozen characters, including Olaf and Sven, brought to life with state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics technology.
World of Frozen will contain several dining options for guests to choose from:
Golden Crocus Inn: Craving a hearty meal? This nautical-themed quick-service restaurant in Arendelle Village serves Norwegian-inspired dishes, from seafood to pasta.
Northern Delights: The scent of chocolate beckons you to this sweets shop in Arendelle Village, offering a delectable range of desserts, confectionery, and cooking goods.
Forest Fare: After a day of adventure, satisfy your snack cravings at Arendelle Forest’s quaint cart, featuring churros, cookies, shaved ice, and more.
Character Meet and Greets and interactions will, of course, be a part of the World of Frozen, since no visit to Arendelle would be complete without meeting your favorite Frozen characters:
Playhouse in the Woods: Elsa opens the doors to her secret childhood hideaway in Arendelle Forest. This unique theatrical experience brings Anna, Elsa, and Olaf to life through singing, projection mapping, special effects, and sensory elements.Character Encounters: Meet not only Anna and Elsa at Playhouse in the Woods but other beloved Frozen characters like Oaken and Kristoff, who are excited to celebrate Summer Snow Day with you.
Shopping is a key part of every Disney parks experience, and World of Frozen contains several shops for you to pick up that perfect souvenir:
Tick Tock Toys & Collectibles: Explore a cherished, centuries-old toy shop in Arendelle Village that offers a range of goodies, from Olaf-themed headbands to Nordic-inspired sweaters. Don’t forget to visit the “Royal Post of Arendelle” just outside the shop to send postcards to friends and family.
Traveling Traders: Located in Arendelle Forest, this pop-up shop is the perfect spot to pick up small gifts, including keychains, shoulder plush, headbands, and more.
With attractions, dining options, character encounters, and merchandise, there’s something to delight every Frozen fan. Don’t miss the grand opening on November 20, as this captivating world brings the beloved Frozen characters and locations to life like never before!
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!
The new cake, which is available through October 31, is a chocolate cake with Raspberry Cream Cone buttercream.
The cake decorations features Experiment 626 decked out for Halloween, including vampire fangs and even a cape!
The exterior of the cake is fondant, with a chocolate cake inside filled with the raspberry buttercream. The buttercream contains small ice cream cone pieces.
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!
Disney Shares Behind-the-Scenes Details on Upcoming Short ‘Once Upon a Studio’
The brand-new original short, Once Upon a Studio, unfolds after the workday at Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California, just after the departure of artists, technologists, and storytellers. Disney Legend Burny Mattinson, who boasts a remarkable 70-year tenure at The Walt Disney Company—surpassing all other employees—is the final person to exit. With the coast clear, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse emerge from a picture on the wall, urging their animated companions to gather for an official 100th-anniversary portrait. A delightful mix of hand-drawn characters like Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and Merlin, alongside CG characters such as Baymax and Rapunzel, engage in comical chaos as they hastily assemble for the group photo.
If that sounds like an ambitious endeavor… that’s because it is.
Once Upon a Studio is the brainchild of directors Dan Abraham and Trent Correy, who developed the pitch in secret for eight months before presenting it to Disney Animation Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee in late 2021. From its inception, they knew the short would be technically complicated—but they always saw the reward in the risk. “Because we built the pitch for so long, the short hasn’t actually changed much,” Correy says. “We changed characters out and tightened up the pacing, but structurally, it’s basically the same as the pitch. We got Bradford Simonsen and Yvett Merino on board as producers very quickly, and Dan and I were lucky enough to be able to write, storyboard, and direct it. So, we jumped into editorial and started making it.”
Their first step was to turn the storyboard panels into a rough cut to assess what they had. “I have visual effects and live-action background, so I started mapping the milestones of when to line up and hire a crew to shoot the plates; we wanted to start attacking that at the same time we were getting the boards up,” Simonsen says. “And then Yvett and I were chatting every day about this massive cast and how we were going to bring them all back.”
“That alone was another logistical challenge because we had over 40 of the original voices come back,” Merino explains. “We did everything from recording in-person to recording over Zoom when people were out of the state or out of the country. It was such a testament to their experiences with Disney Animation, because the pitch was literally, ‘We’re doing a short to celebrate 100 years. We have a line for you. Would you like to be involved?’ Everyone we reached out to said yes, and they did so without knowing anything.”
Inherently, a project such as Once Upon a Studio requires a skilled team of animators. The directors looked no further than venerated veteran animator and director Eric Goldberg as head of hand-drawn animation. His team included a handful of hand-drawn experts, including Mark Henn and Randy Haycock, in addition to CG animators who had hand-drawn experience; five apprentices specializing in traditional animation; and five returning animation greats who had helped to create some of the Studio’s most beloved characters. Much to Goldberg’s delight, the directors insisted that the hand-drawn animation be done with paper and pencil as much as possible and that the characters be faithful to their roots. In the end, an estimated 80 percent of the characters featured in the short are hand-drawn.
“This is absolutely the film that had to be made to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Disney and Disney Animation,” Goldberg says. “I think it absolutely fits the bill. I was so excited to work on it and to work with so many of my friends and colleagues. We really tried to honor the past and bring it up to date in the modern day. It’s just been marvelous.”
Andrew Feliciano, a 10-year Disney veteran, was head of CG animation. In all, more than 100 CG characters appear in Once Upon a Studio, hailing from such feature films as Frozen and Wreck-It Ralph and shorts such as Feast and Us Again. Asha, the star of Disney Animation’s upcoming feature film Wish, also makes an early debut in the short film.
“We had the benefit of having people who are able to do both CG and hand-drawn animation,” Feliciano says. “In the scene with Moana and Flounder, for example, Mario Furmanczyk animated both characters. He started by animating Moana, so he had a very clear place to put Flounder. Our shot planning team printed out every single frame for him to put it on paper. Then, he put paper on top of it and he would ‘drop’ Flounder right there.” According to Goldberg, it was especially important to pay attention to eyelines in scenes such as this. “You have to make sure Moana’s eye-line is looking where she is depositing Flounder,” he says. “Another example: Trent animated a penguin with a plate of spaghetti walking past the Mad Hatter. You need him to see it to say, ‘Oh, waiter!’ You really have to make sure that all that timing and eye direction is correct to make it all appear believable.”
Animators from both teams were in constant communication, all in service of the story. And, due to technological advancements, CG character models from Chicken Little to Tangled had to be rebuilt so they would work in the current pipeline.
Making hand-drawn and CG characters look congruous in the same scene was also tricky. “Depending on the needs of a particular scene, we were very, very flexible in terms of what should come first and whatever is going to work best for each particular shot,” Goldberg explains. “When the hand-drawn characters and CG characters interact, there’s a lot of back and forth and coordinating to do—especially if they make contact with something.”
That can be intricate enough for a scene with a handful of characters—let alone 543 of them! Abraham sketched the original idea for the group shot at the end of Once Upon a Studio, which features characters from more than 85 feature films and shorts. Correy then created a “heat map” to determine each character’s placement, Goldberg says. “They both had a huge hand in working out what that shot was going to look like,” he adds. As if the sheer volume of characters wasn’t enough, there were other technical aspects to consider. “The camera’s pulling back, but it’s also rising, so the perspective is actually changing on the groundline as you’re watching the shot reveal,” Goldberg says. “You have to place all of the characters on what we call ‘cards’ so that they are in the right perspective points throughout the entire three-dimensional camera move.”
In the end, all that coordination and dedication paid off—and fans will get to see it for themselves when Once Upon a Studio debuts Sunday, October 15, at 8 p.m. ET/PT as part of ABC’s The Wonderful World of Disney: Disney’s 100th Anniversary Celebration!. “I had a fabulous time working alongside the CG animators whom I’ve been working with for years,” Feliciano says, “and I loved getting to spend time and work very closely with the hand-drawn animators like Eric, Randy, and Mark, as well as the apprentices. It was a really fun experience. The animation reviews and dailies were so much fun, because you never quite knew what you were going to see; it was always going to be a mix of different things. Like, you have Stromboli shaking the vending machines so perfectly and it’s just hysterical and joyful. This short was such a great way to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the Studio.”
Freeform Celebrates 30 Days of Disney All November Long!
Get your Mickey ears and popcorn ready as Freeform celebrates “30 Days of Disney” with treasured Disney films starting Nov. 1. Fans will be transported into a world of nostalgia with beloved classics like Disney Animation’s “The Little Mermaid” and “Tangled” to more recent films like Disney-Pixar’s “Moana” and “Coco,” with a dash of seasonal classics like “Home Alone” and “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” to gear up for the holiday season.
The programming event will also feature the Freeform premieres of “Captain Marvel,” “Free Guy,” “Jungle Cruise” and “Raya and the Last Dragon.”
Throughout each week in November, your wishes will come true with special marathons of your favorite Disney movies. During the weekend of Nov. 3, root for your favorite sheroes in movies like “Mulan” and “Brave.”
Then, on Saturday, Nov. 11, hop aboard the ship as we take an adventure with Jack Sparrow for a marathon of “Pirates of the Caribbean” films.
During the weekend of Nov. 18, fans can dawn their tiaras to celebrate like a Disney Princess with classics including “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Princess and the Frog.”
To celebrate the beloved film’s 10th anniversary, Freeform will air a marathon of “Frozen,” “Frozen II,” and the short film “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” on Monday, Nov. 27.
Last year Glitter Toaster Strudel (isn’t that the BEST name?!) gave birth to seven babies. Vice President of Disney’s Animals, Science & Environment, Dr. Mark Penning, shared the news about her eight babies on Instagram.
“Baby news! Lesser Madagascar hedgehog tenrec mom, Glitter Toaster Strudel, just welcomed eight newborns at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park!
Glitter Toaster Strudel and her new babies are ambassador animals, helping teach guests about the species and how they can help protect wildlife. You can occasionally spot Glitter Toaster Strudel with keepers at Conservation Station at Rafiki’s Planet Watch!
Did You Know lesser Madagascar hedgehog tenrecs aren’t actually hedgehogs at all? These unique animals are classified differently and are more closely related to moles! Tenrecs’ tails are covered with short spines, and hedgehogs have tails without spines at all.”
Will you be heading to Disney’s Animal Kingdom to try to get a peek of Glitter Toaster Strudel and her babies?
If you’d like to plan your next visit to the Walt Disney World Resort, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are complimentary and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation!
Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Grinchmas Returning to Universal Hollywood
The holiday season is almost here and we’re excited for Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Grinchmas are returning to Universal Hollywood! Both will return on November 24, 2023, and run daily through Monday, January 1, 2024.
Experience the enchanting holiday spirit at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter during Christmas. Hogsmeade village comes alive with glistening lights, charming garlands, and festive wreaths. Enjoy special a cappella performances by the Frog Choir, explore village shops while sipping on hot Butterbeer, or indulge in festive treats at Three Broomsticks.
As night falls, “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” treats you to a mesmerizing light projection show, illuminating Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Watch as the iconic castle springs to life, accompanied by enchanting music from the Harry Potter film series.
Commemorate your Christmas visit with exclusive keepsake items like personalized ornaments, cozy sweaters, scarves, and stockings available for purchase in Hogsmeade Village.
Join in the lively ‘Grinchmas’ Who-bilation, now featuring an all-new daytime performance starring the Who-Bee Doo-Wops group. These musical sensations from Who-ville will have you grooving to hip-swinging, bell-ringing holiday classics.
In Universal Plaza, the iconic 65-foot-tall ‘Grinchmas’ tree, adorned with hundreds of ornaments and thousands of LED lights, promises nightly tree lighting ceremonies and a magical snowfall flurry, spreading good tidings and warm season’s greetings.
You can also partake in ‘Grinchmas’ activities like taking photos with the Grinch and his loyal dog Max, joining Cindy-Lou Who for daily story time where she shares ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas,’ and visiting the Who-ville post office to send a cheerful postcard.
A themed craft area offers the chance for joyful holiday decorating, whether you’re making paper ornaments to hang on the Grinchmas tree or taking them home as a holiday keepsake. Plus, indulge in delectable Who-tacular sweet treats like the Grinch Donut and hot cocoa, available for purchase.
Are you ready to plan your holiday visit to Universal Hollywood? Contact me for a free vacation quote! I’m a travel agent with Destinations to Travel and my services are complimentary.
Disney Celebrates National Gumbo Day with the recipe from Tiana’s Palace
Happy National Gumbo Day! What better way to commemorate this occasion than by indulging in an authentic gumbo recipe straight from the heart of New Orleans at Tiana’s Palace, located within Disneyland park. The Disneyland Resort culinary team embarked on a culinary journey to the vibrant streets of New Orleans alongside Walt Disney Imagineering to ensure that Tiana’s Palace resonated with the city’s genuine spirit. This inspired them to place a significant emphasis on authenticity when crafting the beloved House Gumbo dish.
Today, in honor of National Gumbo Day, we invite you to partake in a delightful surprise from Disney Eats – an exquisite House Gumbo recipe from Tiana’s Palace, nestled in the heart of New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park.
Gumbo, renowned for its medley of meat, shellfish, vegetables, and stock, is a beloved staple of New Orleans cuisine. Regardless of how you choose to prepare it, what truly matters is sharing it with loved ones and relishing in its heartwarming flavors.
Disney Chef Toby Hollis and Operations Manager Lindell Skinner, of New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park, shed light on gumbo’s significance as a cherished dish at Tiana’s Palace. Chef Toby then takes the stage, demonstrating how you too can embark on a culinary adventure and create this delectable dish.
Lindell Skinner, a proud native of NOLA, shares his deep-rooted connection to Tiana’s Palace. He remarks, “My New Orleans heritage and upbringing played a crucial role in selecting the menu items that would best resonate with our guests.”
The Disneyland Resort culinary team’s visit to New Orleans, alongside Walt Disney Imagineering, was pivotal in ensuring that Tiana’s Palace authentically embodied the spirit of the city. This journey underscored the significance of authenticity and the team’s unwavering commitment to channeling that spirit when crafting the House Gumbo dish.
With 20 years of culinary expertise under his belt, Chef Toby underlines the importance of being deliberate with each ingredient and its contribution to the overall dish. He notes, “Striving for authenticity has taught me how each ingredient influences the final outcome of the dish.”
The House Gumbo recipe from Tiana’s Palace includes chicken thighs, chopped vegetables, and Louisiana-sourced andouille sausage and heirloom white rice. See the full recipe below.
Join Disney Chef Toby Hollis as he demonstrates how you too can get in on the action and prepare this delicious dish while he chats with Operations Manager Lindell Skinner about how gumbo is a staple meal at Tiana’s Palace.
Walt Disney World Disney Classics Christmas Holiday Spirit Jersey Available At Magic Kingdom!
The new Walt Disney World Disney Classics Christmas Holiday Spirit Jersey is now available at The Emporium in Magic Kingdom, as well as, online at shopDisney for $79.99. A great piece for cozy and magical style this holiday season!
This fun holiday spirit jersey features a bright green color with characters like Peter Pan, Bambi, Thumper, Alice and Cheshire Cat opening presents on the front plus the retro Disney World logo in gold on the top right with Tinker Bell spreading pixie dust over it.
Turn it around and you will find Santa Mickey, Mrs. Santa Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto around the Christmas tree opening presents and enjoying delicious treats, the Walt Disney World logo is also featured across the back in gold sparkly letters with colorful light bulbs all around.
You can take a closer look at this festive spirit jersey in our Instagram post:
Mickey And Minnie Mouse Loungefly Glow In The Dark Holiday Ear Headband Spotted At Magic Kingdom!
This Mickey And Minnie Mouse Loungefly Glow In The Dark Holiday Ear Headband is a must have this holiday season! You can get it now at Magic Kingdom, as well as, online at shopDisney for $44.99.
It features Christmas wreaths ears with Mickey Mouse on one ear and Minnie in the other in their holiday attire! The ears also feature colorful light bulbs that glow in the dark for an extra fun touch plus a big red bow that contrast perfectly with the green in the rest of the ear headband.
You can take a closer look at this ear headband in our Instagram post:
Disney Journal Kit Available At The Creations Shop In Epcot!
Write down all your memories on this magical Disney Journal Kit we found at the Creations Shop in Epcot for $29.99! A great way to start journaling and taking some part of your day to relax.
Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando Paints It Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness in October
The iconic Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando is going all out in its support for breast cancer awareness throughout the month of October with a series of “PINKTOBER” activations.
The front of the prestigious hotel and its iconic guitar fountain are bathed in a radiant pink glow, symbolizing their dedication to the cause.
Select guest rooms have been transformed into pink havens with pink sheets adorning the beds. A commendable gesture, as the hotel pledges to donate a portion of each night’s room rate to charity for every booking of these special rooms during October. Guests are encouraged to request a stay in one of these distinctive pink-sheeted rooms upon their arrival.
For the musically inclined, pink co-branded Gibson guitars are available for guests to borrow, strum, and harmonize within the comfort of their rooms.
The Rock Shop is proudly showcasing limited-edition PINKTOBER merchandise, and a percentage of the proceeds from these sales will be channeled towards charitable causes.
Guests can savor specially crafted pink drinks at the Beach Club, The Kitchen, and Velvet Bar, with a fraction of the cost being donated to charity, amplifying their commitment to the cause.
Hard Rock International and the Seminole Tribe of Florida have collaborated with the American Cancer Society to commemorate tribal member Nancy Frank’s incredible 20th anniversary of breast cancer survival. A special, limited-edition pin, designed by tribe member and Native American artist Victoria Billie Osceola, is now available. The heartwarming part is that 100% of the proceeds from this commemorative pin, available throughout October and Indigenous People’s Month in November, will be directed to the American Cancer Society.
Hard Rock International offers exclusive limited-edition merchandise, including a PINKTOBER-themed Hard Rock t-shirt, hat, water bottle, and tote bag. These items not only serve as tokens of support for breast cancer awareness and research but also contribute to the cause. Through the Hard Rock Heals Foundation, a share of the proceeds will go to charities dedicated to raising awareness and funding for breast cancer research.
For those interested in supporting this heartfelt cause, the PINKTOBER commemorative pin and 2023 retail collection are now available in stores and online at Rock Shops.
About Hard Rock Heals Foundation
The Hard Rock Heals Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization that oversees all philanthropic outreach for Hard Rock International. Their belief in the power of music to stir emotions, inspire, connect, and restore is at the core of their mission. Since its inception in 1971, Hard Rock International has united people worldwide through the power of music and has collaborated with artists from emerging talents to iconic figures in support of charitable efforts globally. The Hard Rock Heals Foundation extends grants and assistance to individuals with the common goal of healing through the power of music. Their partnerships with like-minded, music-centric organizations serve as a conduit to improve lives and promote wellness.
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!
First Homebuilders announced for Cotino, a Storyliving by Disney community
Disney’s Cotino community will welcome homeowners of all ages, offering single-family residences. Some residences will be located on home sites specifically designated for those 55+. And, in the future, condominiums will be available within the community.
Disney magic will touch many aspects of this thriving home environment and be on full display with the Cotino community’s: Stunning home collections, designed and built by builders who are known for their quality homes and excellence in developing communities. Parks, pathways, and a promenade that will reflect the imagination of Disney Imagineering Designated home sites that will be a haven for adults 55+ will surround its namesake, Longtable Park – an exclusive park for its residents.
The enchantment of Disney will permeate many facets of this thriving residential environment, prominently on display within the Cotino community, which boasts:
Exceptional Home Collections: The community features a range of stunning home collections, designed and constructed by reputable builders renowned for their quality homes and excellence in community development.
Picturesque Parks and Pathways: Parks, meandering pathways, and a charming promenade are designed to reflect the creative ingenuity of Disney Imagineering, ensuring that the entire community exudes a touch of Disney magic.
Longtable Park for 55+: Surrounded by designated home sites, Longtable Park stands as an exclusive haven for residents aged 55 and above. The park’s centerpiece is a grand, elongated table inspired by Walt Disney’s cherished vision of communal breakfast gatherings that bring people together.
A grove of palo verde and olive trees encompassing the area
Shaded seating areas for relaxation
Bocce ball courts for recreational enjoyment
Barbecue grills for outdoor cooking and social gathering
Disney Imagineers will play a pivotal role in shaping the magic of Storyliving by Disney communities, ensuring that each community embodies the essence of a dream living destination. With captivating architecture, an array of amenities, and a diverse range of activities, these communities are envisioned to be havens where residents can truly live their dreams.
The focal point will be a large, long table inspired by Walt Disney’s love of community breakfast to bring people together. Park features will include: Beautiful desert landscaping A surrounding grove of palo verde and olive trees Shaded seating areas Bocce ball courts Barbeque grills Disney Imagineers will be the visionaries behind the magic of Storyliving by Disney™ communities—and will help make each one the kind of beautiful haven where people dream of living, with delightful architecture, amenities and activities.
The Cotinocommunity lifestyle will thrive in an abundance of wonderful places where you can enjoy yourself, such as promenades and parks—some with spectacular views of the water and mountains. With Artisan Club membership, you will be able to access special venues for activities and entertainment, such as a members-only clubhouse, and a refreshing area at Cotino™ Bay and the beach.
Cotino Bay will be the jewel of the Cotino community and will feature the clearest turquoise waters with Crystal Lagoons® technology. It will be enhanced by a promenade with striking views of the oasis and the mountains beyond, while the beach with its inviting white sands offers a variety of activities.
