Guests visiting Universal’s Islands of Adventure will note a missing feature on the Skull Island: Reign of Kong attraction. Universal has removed the 3D elements of the ride, thus eliminating the need for the 3D glasses. Universal has not released an official announcement detailing the reason for this change, however it is likely a cost saving measure to reduce the number of cast members needed to operate the attraction.
For those unfamiliar, Skull Island: Reign of Kong is an immersive ride that takes guests on an adventurous journey to the mysterious Skull Island, home of the legendary King Kong. The queue serves to transport guests into a dense jungle environment, setting the stage for the adventure ahead.
Once aboard the expedition vehicles, riders embark on a journey through the foreboding landscape of Skull Island. The ride utilizes a combination of animatronics, 3D (now 2D) screens, and special effects to bring the world of King Kong to life. Guests encounter various prehistoric creatures and face the wrath of hostile natives before coming face-to-face with the colossal King Kong himself.
While the 3D glasses did provide a nice bit if immersion, there are no elements to the ride that specifically rely on 3D elements or effects. The Universal Orlando app has been updated, changing the rides category to ‘thrill’ from ‘3-D/4-D Experience,’ indicating this is likely a permanent change and not a short-term adjustment.
Orlando is buzzing with excitement as the city unveils its latest urban project, “The Canopy.” This innovative space, once known as the Under-i Project, is set to transform downtown Orlando into a vibrant and inclusive hub that connects neighborhoods and fosters a sense of community.
The Canopy’s design is a beautiful blend of nature and technology, inspired by Orlando’s lush canopy of trees. It aims to create a sustainable urban oasis that reflects the city’s spirit. The project’s name and design came about after considering feedback from residents through an online survey and public meetings in fall 2023.
The new design focuses on six core principles that residents identified as important:
Connection: Making the space accessible for all by seamlessly integrating with various transportation modes.
Safety: Ensuring the well-being and security of visitors through thoughtful design and planning.
Community: Providing space for gatherings, festivals, and cultural events that bring people together.
Greenery: Adding lush landscaping and green spaces for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Mobility: Creating pedestrian-friendly walkways and bike paths to encourage active lifestyles and sustainable transportation.
Artistic Immersion: Enriching the space with immersive art installations to inspire creativity.
In addition to these features, the city will pilot a temporary rideshare zone and parking concept in the Pine Street and Central Boulevard area. This pilot will include around 150 temporary public parking spaces for short-term parking and ride-share services. The goal is to integrate flexible transportation options, making it easier and more enjoyable for people to visit downtown Orlando. The pilot project, set to begin in early April 2024, will last about 12 months and provide valuable feedback for the permanent project design.
Construction for The Canopy is expected to start in early 2025 and take around 24 months to complete. This project promises to be a game-changer for Orlando, creating a space where technology, nature, and community come together to create a truly unique urban experience. For more information on the project, visit orlando.gov/thecanopy.
Kim Schaefer (left), 67, celebrates a "miracle" moment with her daughter, granddaughter and Minnie Mouse. Schaefer completed the Disney Princess 10K presented by CORKCICLE at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. on Saturday, Feb. 24. The runDisney event was the first race for Schaefer who underwent double lung transplant surgery in 2020 after she was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease. (Omark Reyes, photographer)
(Omark Reyes, photographer)
Colorado Resident Conquers Her First-Ever RunDisney Race After Life-Saving Lung Transplant Surgery
Four years post a life-saving double lung transplant, 67-year-old Kim Schaefer, hailing from Windsor, Colorado, achieved a remarkable feat by conquering the Disney Princess 10K presented by CORKCICLE, surrounded by her family, Disney cast members, and the spirited encouragement of Minnie Mouse at the finish line at Walt Disney World Resort. Prior to her transplant in 2020, Schaefer grappled with interstitial lung disease, relying on two oxygen machines to navigate her home. The transplant not only saved her life but also granted her the ability to participate in the running event for the first time, turning her journey into a Disney fairy tale of resilience.
Schaefer’s health challenges began in 2010 when she first experienced breathing difficulties during a family vacation. After years of medical tests and various treatments, she was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease, a condition causing progressive scarring of lung tissue, limiting oxygen intake. In 2019, additional diagnoses of sarcoidosis and pulmonary hypertension further compounded her health struggles.
In 2020, Schaefer became a candidate for a double lung transplant, facing daunting 50 percent survival odds due to age and other factors. Overcoming these odds, she found solace and motivation in running, particularly envisioning her participation in a runDisney race. This weekend, Schaefer transformed that vision into reality by completing the 10K during the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend. Celebrating the emotional achievement with her daughter and granddaughter, who also ran the race with her, Schaefer plans to extend the celebration by exploring the theme parks at Walt Disney World.
The Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend continues with the half marathon on Sunday and yoga on Monday. This event is the third of four on-site race weekends at Walt Disney World during the 2023-24 runDisney season, with the upcoming runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend scheduled for April 18-21. These inclusive races cater to runners of all fitness levels, offering the unique experience of running through Disney theme parks, enjoying world-class entertainment, and earning distinctive Disney medals.
Southwest Airlines Reveals New Look for Interior Cabins
If you fly Southwest Airlines you’ll want to know about an upcoming change to the interior cabins. Redesigned aircraft cabin interiors featuring RECARO aircraft seats will debut in early 2025!
Southwest Airlines partnered with Tangerine, a leading design company that specializes in transportation, to create an updated cabin interior for new aircraft deliveries beginning next year. The design is based on extensive research covering Customer and Employee perceptions of color, comfort, and their aspirations for the overall onboard experience. The design brings to life Southwest’s warm energy with deep blue tones, sky blue accents, and a nod to the Southwest Heart woven throughout the carpet.
As part of this refresh, Customer research and product testing guided Southwest to select the global supplier of premium aircraft seats, RECARO, to provide comfortable seating that complements the calm blue palette planned for the refreshed cabins. The Southwest Heart will be threaded throughout the interior with the recognizable symbol debossed on seat headrests, alongside a sunray pattern on the seats.
“Southwest flies above our competition with industry-leading flexibility and our legendary Hospitality,” said Tony Roach, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at Southwest Airlines. “Our redesigned cabin interior significantly enhances our inflight Customer experience and will complement the amazing service that our Crews provide.”
The new RECARO seats include a multi-adjustable headrest cushion for enhanced head and neck support, an intuitively designed seat for ultimate comfort while maximizing seat width and overall support. The upgrades continue as each seat also will include a personal electronic device holder for Customers to enjoy free Inflight Entertainment on their devices more easily.
“RECARO is proud to collaborate on expanding our footprint in the Americas, especially when working with a local partner like Southwest who began their story at the same time as us,” said Mark Hiller, Ph.D., and CEO of RECARO Aircraft Seating and RECARO Holding. “Our new seat will be a great addition to the Southwest Customer Experience, as its durable design and comfort features will serve Passengers well.”
“We’re delighted to be part of Southwest’s historic journey and next phase in their modernization plan,” said Matt Round, Chief Creative Officer at Tangerine. “We’ve listened to Southwest’s Customers and Employees and responded by creating a distinctive new cabin interior that meets and exceeds their desires. By working closely with Southwest and all suppliers involved, we were able to ensure the design intent was executed in the cabin to the highest possible quality. The stunning result is a testament to what can be achieved through a collaborative spirit from all those involved.”
What do you think of the new seats coming to Southwest Airlines?
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Disney Shifts Happily Ever After Performance Times Later
Magic Kingdom’s nighttime spectacular, Happily Ever After, has had its performance times changed. Throughout March the show will be performing later in the evening.
Currently, Happily Ever After is performed at 8 pm every night. As the sun starts setting later in the day, the performance gets moved back. Starting March 10 the show will perform at 8:30 pm. Then, beginning March 31st the show time will move to 8:45 pm.
The Walt Disney World calendar is accessible up to April 20, and the fireworks are set for 8:45 pm through that date. There’s a possibility the show could be pushed back to 9 pm.
Are you willing to stay up later for Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom?
If you’d like to plan your next visit to Disney World, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel and my services are free.
Everything Coming to Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD in March 2024
Check out the upcoming programming lineup for Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD in March 2024! Get ready for fresh episodes of beloved shows like “Pupstruction,” “Mickey Mouse Funhouse,” “Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur,” “Firebuds,” Marvel’s “Spidey and his Amazing Friends,” and “Hailey’s On It!” Additionally, there are new episodes of “Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventure” on the channels, along with everyone’s beloved Australian little dog friend, “Bluey!”
Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur “Dog Day Mid-Afternoon” TV-Y7 (10-10:30am EST)
When Pops fosters a mysterious stray dog and enters him into a dog show, a paranoid Lunella is convinced the creature is an evil alien who intends to sabotage the event.
Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur “In the Heist” TV-Y7 (10:30-11am EST) Lunella discovers that a stolen Kree artifact is about to cause a cataclysmic storm, but when none of the adults believe her, she must swipe it herself.
Friday, March 8
Firebuds “Skitty Kitty/Heat Wave” TV-Y (12-12:30pm EST on Disney Channel/9:55-10:25am EST on Disney Junior)
“Skitty Kitty” – Violet must care for a mischievous cat while the Firebuds track down thieves at a flea market.
“Heat Wave” – The Firebuds visit a desert roadside attraction on an extremely hot day.
Jack McBrayer (“Wreck-It Ralph”) guest stars as Harvey the RV.
Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures “The Starship Show/Nash’s Super Busy Day” TV-Y (1-1:30pm EST on Disney Channel and Disney XD/11:40am-12:10pm EST on Disney Junior)
“The Starship Show” – Nash and the Jedi must recover a ship stolen by Draiven.
“Nash’s Super Busy Day” – Kai tries to help Nash with deliveries.
When Pops’ rivalry with former best friend and skate partner Vernell threatens to ruin Roller Jam, Lunella meddles in their beef to squash it.
Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur “Dancing With Myself” TV-Y7 (10:30-11am EST)
Lunella is desperate to find a date to the school dance, but when she gets Kid Kree to be her escort, she learns that peer pressure can harm the relationships that matter most.
Friday, March 15
Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends “Tiny Car Caper/Toothy Fairy Tricks” TV-Y (1:30-2pm EDT on Disney Channel/12:30-1pm EDT on Disney Junior)
“Tiny Car Caper” – Zola shrinks the city’s cars…and Detective Stacy!
“Toothy Fairy Tricks” – Rhino mistakes Wasp for the Tooth Fairy.
Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures “The Prince and The Pirate” TV-Y (1-1:30pm EDT on Disney Channel and Disney XD/11:40am-12:10pm EDT on Disney Junior)
When Taborr tries to steal from Starlight Beacon, it’s up to the young Jedi to stop him.
When Moon Girl teams up with the amazing super hero Turbo, she realizes the true cost of keeping up a secret identity.
Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur “The Molecular Level” TV-Y7 (10:30-11am EDT)
After Lunella tells her family that she’s Moon Girl, she must convince them she will be safe, which seems impossible when Molecule Man shows up for revenge.
Friday, March 22
Firebuds “Wayne’s Trains and Automobiles/Jazzy Buds” TV-Y (12-12:30pm EDT on Disney Channel/9:55-10:25am EDT on Disney Junior)
“Wayne’s Trains and Automobiles” – The Firebuds rescue a train after Wayne tries to steal his cargo.
“Jazzy Buds” – Jazzy forms her own rescue team called Jazzy-Buds.
Lauren “Lolo” Spencer (“Give Me Liberty”) recurs as Jazzy, and Harvey Guillén (“Mickey Mouse Funhouse”), José Andrés (“We Feed People”), and Oscar Nuñez (“The Office”) return as Uncle Tad, Chef Al, and Chef Fernando, respectively.
Saturday, March 23
Hailey’s On It! “The Umpire Strikes Back/Magician: Impossible” TV-Y7 (11-11:30am EDT)
“The Umpire Strikes Back” – Hailey goes to great lengths to catch a foul ball at a Barnacles game.
“Magician: Impossible” – When a popular magician’s tricks are exposed, Hailey must find the perpetrator.
Monday, March 25
Bluey “Cubby” TV-Y (9:30-9:45am EDT on Disney Channel/8:00-8:15am EDT on Disney Junior)
Bluey and Bingo build a very special cubby for their stuffed toy Kimjim.
Tuesday, March 26
Bluey “Exercise” TV-Y (9:30-9:45am EDT on Disney Channel/8:00-8:15am EDT on Disney Junior)
Bingo pretends to be Boss Bluey’s new employee in the middle of Dad’s backyard workout.
Wednesday, March 27
Bluey “Relax” TV-Y (9:30-9:45am EDT on Disney Channel/8:00-8:15am EDT on Disney Junior) Bluey and Bingo would rather play games and explore their holiday hotel room than relax on the beach with Mum.
Thursday, March 28
Bluey “Stickbird” TV-Y (9:30-9:45am EDT on Disney Channel/8:00-8:15am EDT on Disney Junior) On a trip to the beach, Mum teaches Bluey how to throw while Bingo and Dad get creative with a funny-shaped stick.
Friday, March 29
Bluey “Show & Tell” TV-Y (9:30-9:45am EDT on Disney Channel/8:00-8:15am EDT on Disney Junior)
Bluey wants to know why Dad’s always bossing her around!
Attention Disney Visa Cardmembers! You can now enjoy a 10% discount on the Savi’s Handbuilt Lightsaber experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This special offer lets you build your own custom lightsaber in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, with the help of expert Batuuan Gatherers.
The Lightsaber experience, priced at $249.99, includes everything you need to create your unique lightsaber, including a hilt, sleeves, an emitter, kyber crystal, and more!
Booking a reservation is strongly advised, as walk-in availability is limited. A credit card is required to secure your reservation, but payment is only processed at check-in. The 10% discount is applied at the time of purchase.
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.
