World Drive Digital Sign Now Operational at Walt Disney World. Disney World has been constructing digital directional signs all around the Walt Disney World Resort for the past year. Western Way has one operating, along with Buena Vista Drive has two.
Now drivers heading south on World Drive leaving Disney’s Magic Kingdom will see a new Digital direction sign operating. This is one of the largest digital signs installed so far. On one side is directions to the two other parks plus Other Disney Resorts, and the right side of the sign points towards Epcot and Disney Springs.
Disney & Make-A-Wish Makes Dream Come True for Little Marvel Fan
A young Marvel fan has had a wish come true at Disney California Adventure thanks to Make-A-Wish and Disney! 3-year-old Colton and his family traveled from their home in Oregon on a Make-A-Wish visit to the Disneyland Resort earlier this year.
The Iron Man fan was dressed head to toe in his own Iron Man costume when he and his family walked into the Chamber of Commerce in Disney California Adventure park to ask if it might be possible for Colton to meet his idol at Avengers Campus. Colton was born without an immune system, and it was only due to a lifesaving bone marrow transplant that he was able to make the trip.
At the time, a Cast Member contacted their partners in Entertainment, who scheduled a time that afternoon for the family to arrive at Avengers Campus. A Disney PhotoPass photographer was brought along to capture the moment.
But when the time came, it wasn’t Iron Man who walked out… it was Black Panther, accompanied by his trusty Dora Milaje! Gamora soon followed with Doctor Strange not far behind. Super Hero after Super Hero arrived, with Colton too stunned to speak. Finally, Iron Man walked out and was standing face to face with his smaller alter-ego. As the two exchanged poses, Colton’s mom, Kayla, said through tears, “It’s like looking into a mirror!”
After the Super Heroes gathered for photos with Colton and his family, Colton was made an honorary Super Hero. “He truly believes with his entire heart and soul that he is now one of them because of the special time and attention they gave him,” said Kayla. “It was just a moment for them, but it was truly life-changing for him.”
Before everyone waved goodbye, the family shared that it was Colton’s older sister, Khloe, who donated her bone marrow to save her brother’s life. That’s when Black Panther knelt down and told Khloe that she was the real Super Hero.
This was a moment that will stay with Colton and his family forever. That’s what Disneyland is all about! Making magical memories for families to cherish forever.
Want to plan your magical visit to Disneyland? Contact me today for a free vacation quote! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel and my services are complimentary.
Gov. Ron DeSantis Responds to Disney Canceling Lake Nona Move
The Press Office for Governor Ron DeSantis has responded to the news that Disney has decided to cancel their plans to move Walt Disney Imagineering from California to Lake Nona, Florida.
“Disney announced the possibility of a Lake Nona campus nearly 2 years ago. Nothing ever came of the project, and the state was unsure whether it would come to fruition.
“Given the company’s financial straits, falling market cap, and declining stock price, it is unsurprising that they would restructure their business operations and cancel unsuccessful ventures.”
NEW: Press office for @GovRonDeSantis responds to Disney canceling Lake Nona:
"Given the company’s financial straits, falling market cap, and declining stock price, it is unsurprising that they would restructure their business operations and cancel unsuccessful ventures.” pic.twitter.com/Pf15IB8tfT
Disney has officially canceled plans to move Walt Disney Imagineering to Lake Nona Florida
Disney has officially canceled plans to move Walt Disney Imagineering to Lake Nona in Florida. Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Josh D’Amaro emailed cast members earlier today letting them know of the decision.
You can read the full statement issued to Disney Cast Members on the canceled Lake Nona plans here.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Permanently Closing in September
Disney’s immersive Star Wars experience, the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is permanently closing this September. Disney released a statement regarding the closure:
“The final voyage for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will take place Sept. 28-30, 2023.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is one of our most creative projects ever and has been praised by our Guests and recognized for setting a new bar for innovation and immersive entertainment. This premium experience gave us the opportunity to try new things on a smaller scale of 100 rooms, and we will take what we’ve learned to create future experiences that can reach more of our Guests and fans.
We will be contacting Guests booked for voyages departing on or after Sept. 30 to discuss their options and modify their plans. To prioritize these Guests, we are pausing new bookings until May 26.
We are so proud of all of the Cast Members and Imagineers who brought Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser to life and look forward to delivering an excellent experience for Guests during the remaining voyages over the coming months.”
This news is only somewhat surprising. Disney has had a difficult time filling the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser voyages. The pricing was too much for the average family.
Even with discounts being offered the location had to cancel multiple voyages due to low occupancy.
What do you think about this major announcement from Disney?
New Seasonal Menu Debuts at Hollywood Brown Derby in Hollywood Studios
A new seasonal menu has debuted at Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
This fan-favorite location nestled within Hollywood Boulevard is quite the popular spot and for good reason. The contemporary American cuisine speaks for itself, and this summer menu is no different. With several delicious additions from the kitchen, you’ll want to come back again and again to try them all.
Whether you’ve been here before or want to try this restaurant for the first time, The Hollywood Brown Derby has something for everyone to enjoy.
The appetizers have several eats that are packed with flavor. Starting off, we’ve got some seafood options resurfacing for you. The Crab Louie features crispy olive bread, citrus blend, fried capers, and Louie sauce. For those shrimp fans out there, the Shrimp Cocktail is topped with shaved fennel cucumbers and a traditional cocktail sauce.
If you’re a cheese lover like me, then there are two items that will spark your interest. The Heirloom Tomato and Burrata Salad combines shaved onions, Thai basil, gremolata, and a delicious citrus vinaigrette into a can’t-miss dish, while the Charcuterie Board features the Chef’s selection of cured meats, cheeses, and accompaniments.
For the more adventurous eaters, the Escargot is accompanied by roasted garlic béchamel and crispy prosciutto and the Roasted Bone Marrow is composed of braised beef, pickled mustard seeds, and a fig bread crostini. How delicious do these all sound? And we haven’t even gotten to the main course yet!
The entrée menu is packed with flavorful delights with a variety of options for everyone to enjoy. Let’s start with some new ones for the land lovers out there. The classic Filet Mignon is paired with glazed carrots, potato pave, horseradish cream, and a tasty peppercorn sauce to finish it off. The Lamb Shank is accompanied with summer vegetables, harissa vinaigrette, and nasturtium chermoula.
Do you love chicken? What about dumplings? How about them together? If that sounds good. then the new Free-Range Chicken and Dumplings is the dish for you. It brings together these two classics with a lemon-ricotta Gnudi, shishito cream, and a gooseberry jus. If you like pork, the recently added Grilled Pork is right up your alley with a mouthwatering lavender-sage polenta and local corn salsa, complete with a huckleberry barbecue sauce. Now that’s a dish!
The seafood aficionados have a couple options to choose from as well – the new Sustainable Fish and the Seafood Cioppino. The Sustainable Fish with white bean ragout, derby summer vegetables, and roasted tomato emulsion is a lovely addition to the menu while the Seafood Cioppino brings together favorites from the sea with shrimp, sea scallops, seasonal fish, mussels, a toasted baguette, and aromatic tomato broth – yum!
Last, but certainly not least for the new items, we have The Hollywood Brown Derby’s latest rendition of a classic comfort food dish – Shepherd’s Pie. This option combines roasted garlic mashed potatoes, mushrooms, peas, corn, and carrot Romesco into a plate that will warm your soul and ignite your taste buds. Did I mention this one is plant-based?
For those repeat diners, don’t you worry, because some fan-favorites are still here to stay for both lunch and dinner. The Famous Cobb Salad is a classic, and for good reason. This famous dish is made up of spit-roasted turkey, bacon, egg, tomatoes, blue cheese, avocado, and a classic dressing. If you want to enhance this dish even more, you can add chicken or shrimp.
The sweet tooths out there will be pleased to know that the sweet staple, the Grapefruit Cake, isn’t going anywhere. This Brown Derby original combines a moist vanilla sponge cake, grapefruit syrup, and cream cheese icing into a dessert that’s as delicious as it is beautiful.
I don’t know about you, but my mouth is watering just thinking about all these new items. I can’t wait to drop on into The Hollywood Brown Derby this summer to try my fair share of these eats.
What do you think of the seasonal menu?
Want to head to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to try the new menu? Contact me today for a free vacation quote! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel and my services are complimentary.
Disney has officially canceled plans to move Walt Disney Imagineering to Lake Nona Florida
Disney has officially canceled plans to move Walt Disney Imagineering to Lake Nona in Florida. Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Josh D’Amaro just emailed cast members letting them know of the decision.
I wanted to let you know that we’ve just begun communication regarding our updated plans for the Lake Nona campus As many of you know, the company had decided to build a new Disney campus in Lake Nona, and many Cast Members, Imagineers. and Employees were asked to commit to making a move to Florida.
While some were excited about the new campus, I know that this decision and the circumstances surrounding it have been difficult for others. Given the considerable changes that have occurred since the announcement of this project, including new leadership and changing business conditions, we have decided not to move forward with the construction of the campus.
This was not an easy decision to make, but I believe it is the right one. As a result, we will no longer be asking our employees to relocate For those who have already moved, we will talk to you individually about your situation, including the possibility of moving you back.
It is clear to me that the power of this brand comes from our incredible people, and we are committed to handling this change with care and compassion. I remain optimistic about the direction of our Walt Disney World business We have plans to invest $17 billion and create 13,000 jobs over the next ten years. I hope we’re able to do so.
We are committed to our teams who call Central Florida home and to all of our Cast Members around the world, and I want to thank you for your continued dedication to Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products and for delivering world-class entertainment for our Guests.
With the text that reads: That’s right, Passholders! The Figment Annual Passholder magnet is coming soon.
Disney World Unveils June 2023 V.I.PASSHOLDER Days
Walt Disney World Unveils V.I.PASSHOLDER Days with Exclusive Limited-Time Offerings for Annual Passholders in June 2023
No, it’s not your imagination—a new Passholder magnet is coming! Check out the special sneak peek video and see if it sparks any guesses as to who will be featured.
Passholders will have a limited-time, exclusive space to rest and cool off with dedicated seating (subject to availability).
Passholders can enjoy increased discounts on select merchandise and dining locations across Walt Disney World Resort, including select EPCOT International Flower and Garden Outdoor Kitchens.
New Passholder exclusive treats will be available for purchase.
Passholders will also get a chance to capture memories of their latest park visit with two limited-time photo ops.
Live-Action Ariel Meet & Greet Starting May 26th at Walt Disney World and Disneyland
Get ready to meet the enchanting live-action version of Ariel at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort starting May 26th, coinciding with the release of the new “The Little Mermaid” live-action adaptation.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can find Ariel for a delightful meet-and-greet experience at Walt Disney Presents. Don’t miss the chance to catch a sneak peek of the film and explore authentic props at the Walt Disney Presents Theater, available for a limited time.
Ariel at Disneyland Park Join in the magic at Disneyland Park, where Ariel will be greeting guests on the promenade near the iconic “It’s a small world” attraction. Be prepared to immerse yourself in a memorable encounter with the beloved character.
Disney’s Live-Action The Little Mermaid
“The Little Mermaid,” visionary filmmaker Rob Marshall’s live-action reimagining of the studio’s Oscar-winning animated musical classic, opens exclusively in theaters nationwide on May 26, 2023.
“The Little Mermaid” is the beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters, and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea, and while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric.
While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land, but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.
New Stitch Ear Headband Spotted At Disney Springs!
Experiment 626 fans will love this Stitch Ear Headband we found at World of Disney in Disney Springs for $34.99! It used to be available online at shopDisney but it appears to be out of stock right now, hopefully we can get a restock online soon because this headband is a must have.
The padded design features Stitch’s adorable face, 3D ears, and is topped with his distinctive tuft of hair. A simple but fun design to add to your collection, you can take a closer look at this headband in our Instagram post:
New Moana Cell Phone Accessories Available At Epcot!
These new Moana cell phone accessories are calling us! But don’t worry, you don’t have to sail across the ocean to get them, they are available at the Creations Shop at Epcot!
We found an AirPods clear case and a phone case featuring Moana, Pua and Hei Hei surrounded by icons like a sailing boat, flowers, palm trees and the kakamora.
We also found an ornament and magnet to featuring Moana holding the heart of Te-Fiti necklace. You can take a closer look at all these pieces in our Instagram post:
The new AdventHealth ER, located just outside Walt Disney World at Flamingo Crossing, is now open
Walt Disney World guests and cast members have a closer venue to seek emergency care. The new AdventHealth ER, located just outside the gates of the Walt Disney World resort in Flamingo Crossing, is now open.
Flamingo Crossing is an area located just outside of the Walt Disney World resort in which the Disney College Program housing is located. The new AdventHealth ER, located in the same area, opened yesterday. The design of the new ER features Key West-influenced architecture and Disney-inspired touches to enhance the patient experience.
Walt Disney World president Jeff Vahle was on hand for the ribbon cutting, along with Mickey and Minnie Mouse. AdventHealth is the Official Health Care Provider of Walt Disney World® Resort.
The new ER is staffed with a comprehensive clinical team, including board-certified emergency physicians and emergency nurses, and provides full ER services along with onsite diagnostic imaging services, including X-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scans, and an onsite lab for fast results.
The AdventHealth ER at Flamingo Crossing is open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
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 who specializes 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!
Fun Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Remote Control Trackless Train Available At Disney World!
Get all aboard the Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Remote Control Trackless Train we found at Walt Disney World for $149.99! You can also get yours online at shopDisney and have hours of fun.
This remote control trackless train features a battery operated locomotive and carts, shake and spin plus it plays music and character phrases! It also comes with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy figures making it extra adorable.
Definitely a fun toy set for yours kids or to have as a collectible item to have in your home!
