Work is continuing full steam ahead as Disney preps to open the all-new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure later this year. In addition to obvious progress on the exterior of the ride, as well as recently shared images of the Tiana animatronic that will be featured inside the ride, the images on the construction walls have also been updated!
A large mural has been added to the construction walls that have been in place outside of the former Splash Mountain since construction began. Photos of the new walls were shared on Disney’s WDW Ambassador Instagram page, which noted cast members gathered on the morning of Feb 13th (which was fittingly Mard Gras!) to celebrate the news that the attraction will open in Summer 2023.
The new mural provides the perfect backdrop for a photo op, so be sure to swing by on your next visit to the Magic Kingdom to grab a selfie!
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!
A line of staple products are on hand, as well as a rotating array of limited-time items themed after the season such as these Saint Patrick’s Day and Valentine’s Day items.
Guests can visit the newly refreshed Basin Store near World of Disney in Disney Springs.
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!
Union Representation Coming for 1,700 Disneyland Characters and Parades Cast Members in Disneyland
Union representation for 1,700 Disneyland characters and parades Cast Members is coming soon! Calling themselves “Magic United,” Cast Members who work in the Disneyland resort’s Characters and Parades departments announced today that they are unionizing with Actors’ Equity Association.
Equity, as it is more commonly called, is the national union that represents 51,000 professional actors and stage managers on Broadway and in live theatre across the United States, including the performers at Walt Disney World in Florida.
Magic United is currently collecting union authorization cards from 1,700 Cast Members for voluntary recognition from Disney Resort Entertainment. If the majority signs, the union will seek recognition; otherwise, Equity will submit the cards to the National Labor Relations Board. Upon receiving the petition, the NLRB will schedule a union recognition election for Cast Members in the Character and Parades Departments. Following a vote in favor, the company will be legally obligated to negotiate a contract with Equity’s representatives.
The bargaining unit comprises Cast Members from the Characters department responsible for bringing Disney magic to life, including parade performers and supporting roles like Hosts, Trainers, and Leads.
Magic United Cast Members at Disneyland Resort perform diverse functions, often juggling multiple roles across different departments. Despite these differences, they share a common passion to initiate constructive dialogues with their employers. Their goals include addressing issues such as ensuring safe and sanitary workplace conditions, fair wages, and greater transparency in scheduling and rehiring practices.
The leaders of Magic United echoed released the following statement today:
“As the Entertainment Cast Members at the Disneyland Resort, it is time for us to come together as a union, to use our collective power to ensure that the park is a safer, more sustainable place to build careers and share magic with Guests from all over the world.
“We chose Actors’ Equity Association as our union because we’ve seen how well they work with Disney in Florida, on Broadway and on tour. Our Walt Disney World colleagues exemplify how you can be pro-Disney and pro-union at the same time. Furthermore, the vast majority of our park colleagues here in Anaheim already have union representation. It’s a win/win: when we can speak with a collective voice, we can have a clearer, more productive conversation with our employer. Ultimately this will result in a better experience for all – Cast Members, managers and more importantly, our Guests.
“We find inspiration in Disney every day, in the stories that we get to tell. Whether we are meeting Guests up close or dazzling them with a parade, we know we are making lifelong memories. And now, we’re laying the groundwork for the future of entertainment employment at the Disneyland Resort. With Magic United, we can work together with each other and with Disney leadership to ensure our talents remain central to the Disneyland experience for generations to come. We are the Magic! We are the union!”
This 3D printed night light is shaped like Cinderella castle and features an automatic light sensor that will turn on when it starts to get dark and off when it becomes light. Definitely a must have in your home!
New Stitch Attacks Snacks Popcorn Plush Available Now At shopDisney!
New month, new plush! The Stitch Attacks Snacks Popcorn Plush just landed online at shopDisney for $29.99. This month, our favorite space invader is enjoying one of Walt’s favorite snacks: popcorn!
This is the second release in a series of 12 Stitch attacks snacks plush, it features an aloha shirt with an all over popcorn print and is holding some fuzzy popcorn kernels. His foot also features a “Stitch Attacks Snacks” patch.
Super cute! Are you making these plush part of your Ohana? We want them all!
The shoe are available in orange, purple, white, or yellow and are customized with Figment, “One Little Spark” text and other icons from the Imagination pavilion at Epcot! So cute!
Mickey And Minnie Valentine Day T-Shirt For A Romantic Style!
We found this super cute Mickey And Minnie Valentine Day T-Shirt at Hollywood Studios for $29.99 and thought it was a great graphic tee to match with your favorite skirt or jeans and create a romantic style for this valentine’s day!
The shirt is light gray and features Minnie and Mickey taking a walk holding hans with hearts all around, they are adorable! Check out the video at the end of our Instagram post for a closer look at this magical tee:
Mickey Mouse 2024 Graduation Pandora Charm Available At Epcot!
Celebrate your big day with this Mickey Mouse 2024 Graduation Pandora Charm to remember your accomplishment for years to come! The new charm is available at Epcot for $90 and is a great gift for your or the graduate in your life.
The charm is silver with gemstones around the trim, it features a light blue background with Mickey Mouse wearing a graduation cap on one side and “Class of 2024” in yellow letters on the other.
Check out our Instagram post for a closer look of this charm and other Disney updates:
Walt Disney Imagineering shares a first look at the first-ever Princess Tiana Audio-Animatronics figure, which will debut this summer in Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Park in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The new attraction will feature familiar faces from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film "The Princess and the Frog."
First Look at Tiana from Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Walt Disney World
Amid Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans, the enchanting Princess Tiana invites you to join her in the celebration of dreams and good times at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, a magical new attraction opening this summer at Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World Resort, Florida.
Walt Disney Imagineering shares a first look at the first-ever Princess Tiana Audio-Animatronics figure, which will debut this summer in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Park in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The new attraction will feature familiar faces from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film “The Princess and the Frog.”
Taking a deeper dive into Princess Tiana’s journey beyond the events of “The Princess and the Frog,” this attraction transforms the bayou into a lively spectacle filled with music, Mama Odie’s magic, and a delightful cast of new friends – from otters and rabbits to raccoons and turtles, all playing instruments crafted from natural bayou materials. Get ready for an unforgettable journey featuring zydeco and other authentic New Orleans tunes, both original compositions and beloved classics, crafted in collaboration with acclaimed artists PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard.
The adventure comes alive with the voices of familiar characters from the film, including Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen, Jenifer Lewis as Mama Odie, Michael Leon Wooley as Louis, and the incomparable Anika Noni Rose reprising her role as Princess Tiana.
As guests float through the picturesque Louisiana bayou, they’ll encounter lifelike Audio-Animatronics figures, including Princess Tiana, Louis, Mama Odie, Eudora, Charlotte, Prince Ralphie, Prince Naveen, and more. The attraction immerses guests in the authentic artistry of New Orleans, featuring captivating pieces by Louisiana artist Malaika Favorite, a stunning metalwork weathervane by master blacksmith Darryl Reeves and apprentice Karina Roca, and the inspired artwork of Sharika Mahdi.
To add a touch of the French Quarter experience, the attraction queue is infused with the mouthwatering aroma of beignets frying, providing guests with a sensory journey through the heart of New Orleans.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure exemplifies the spirit of making dreams come true, bringing together Imagineers, Disney Animation artists, Cast Members, and talented Louisiana artisans. Prepare to embark on this extraordinary adventure when the attraction opens in Walt Disney World Resort in Florida in the summer of 2024, followed by its debut in Disneyland Park in California later in the same year. Get ready to experience the magic and charm of Princess Tiana’s world like never before!
See the video below:
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be Opening Summer of 2024!
We can’t wait for you to “come join the party” when Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida this summer, and later in 2024 at Disneyland Park in California.
Donald Duck Easter Egg Sipper Coming to Disneyland
A new seasonal sipper is coming to the Disneyland Resort! The Donald Duck Easter Egg Sipper is the cutest novelty item to add to your Disney collection.
The new Donald Duck Easter Egg Sipper will be available at select locations around the Disneyland Resort starting on February 15, 2024. The sipper is $24.99.
The sipper features Donald wearing a large light blue Easter egg. The egg is decorated with polka dots. Donald is holding a basked of eggs in one hand and a carrot in the other along with wearing bunny ears. A carrying strap is attached and is yellow with different colored easter eggs along it.
What do you think of this cute sipper? Will you be heading to Disneyland to get one for your collection?
If you’d like to plan your next visit to the Disneyland Resort, 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.
Ridley Pearson To Sign Copies of ‘Kingdom Keepers Inheritance: Villains’ Realm’ at Disneyland
Author Ridley Pearson will be signing copies of his newest book ‘Kingdom Keepers Inheritance: Villains’ Realm’ at the Disneyland Resort soon! Guests hoping to meet Pearson and get their book signed will want to head to Disneyland on February 25.
Guests can see Ridley Pearson at Wonderground Gallery in Downtown Disney on February 25 from 11 am to 1 pm.
The store unlocks its doors at 9am, granting you access to purchase your book and join the queue. Pearson will be available for signings from 11am to 1pm. The primary parking area at Disneyland Resort begins operations at 8am.
The book is set to release on February 27, 2024, but fans have the opportunity to obtain their copies two days in advance at this book signing event.
Will you be heading to the Disneyland Resort for this event?
If you’d like to plan your next trip to Disneyland, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are FREE, and I’d love to help you to plan a magical vacation.
Meet The Disney Cast Member Helping Florida Pets Find Forever Homes
Paws in the Park, hosted by Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando and one of the most popular Disney VoluntEARS events of the year, took place this weekend with more than 300 Disney cast members attending the community fundraiser during its milestone 30th anniversary – including cast member Carol who has an extra special connection with the organization.
Carol adopted her dog, Moses, at the event five years ago. She has attended the fundraiser with him through Disney every year since.
“I’m so grateful that Disney gives us cast members the opportunity to volunteer and give back to our community. I would have never met Moses if not for this special event, and I’m just so thankful he came into my life five years ago. I love bringing him back to Paws in the Park every year to join our Disney team and help even more pets in Florida.”
The Walt Disney World fundraising team, also known as the “Disney Dogs,” took home the top fundraising spot once again this year, raising almost $10,000 for Florida pets in need. Disney has now officially taken home the top fundraising spot for 15 of the last 17 years. Every dollar donated has helped the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando find homes for thousands of homeless animals in Central Florida, offer low-cost veterinary care and manage animal intake at its shelters.
Walt Disney World Ambassador Shannon Smith-Conrad said, “One of the best parts of the Disney Cast Life is unique experiences we get to participate in outside of the resort and in our community. For decades, Paws in the Park has been a favorite for our cast, myself included. It’s one of the best ways to spend time together with our Florida family, all while giving back to pets that need our help.”
Ready to plan your next Disney vacation? 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.
