Saturday, April 27, 2013

Roundup of the Latest Walt Disney World News and Announcements


So as you may have seen, the last week or so there’s been lots of news and announcements coming from Disney.  Here’s a roundup of the latest all in one place for you:

-Disney is kicking off summer with their Monstrous 24-Hour “All-Nighter”.  From 6am on Friday, May 24, 2013 thru 6am the next morning, the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure in California will all be open for a full 24-hours.  There will be special entertainment, “monster-themed madness” plus special merchandise, food and “boo-verages”.  Now, this will be Memorial Day weekend so you can expect very heavy crowds...plus the temperatures have already started heating up.  But if you’re up to the challenge, you can enjoy a crazy 24-hour party on either coast!

-Coming next year, Spring 2014, the current Magic Kingdom daytime parade “Celebrate a Dream Come True” will be replaced by the Festival of Fantasy Parade.  The new parade will be highlighting New Fantasyland, specifically Brave, Tangled, Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Dumbo, Sleeping Beauty and The Little Mermaid along with others.  There will be new floats and costumes plus a whole lot more, so if you’re already looking ahead toward a Spring 2014 or later trip, be sure to check it out!
pic by Disney, float concept

pic by Disney

-As if Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios didn’t already have plenty of fun, this year on May the 4th (aka “Star Wars Day” to tons of die-hard Star Wars fans, read more about The History of May the 4th at starwars.com http://starwars.com/news/the-history-of-may-the-4th.html ) Disney is adding some Limited Time Magic!  Special entertainment and shows, characters, a dance party and exclusive merchandise...all topped off with a Star-Wars themed fireworks show!  Parents will also be able to join their kids in special family Jedi Training Academy sessions.  Again, it’s sure to be pretty crowded but looks like May the 4th is going to be an amazing time!

-In some exciting news from runDisney, the Princess Half Marathon Weekend in 2014 will be adding a 10K option on Saturday.  Plus, they’ve added the Glass Slipper Challenge-complete both the 10K on Saturday and the Half Marathon on Sunday and you’ll receive the bonus Glass Slipper Challenge medal.  Sounds like runDisney is capitalizing on the success of the Dumbo Double Dare challenge (Disneyland in September) and the Dopey Challenge (WDW next January) with the addition of this 10K option.  And as if that wasn’t enough good news, if you participate in both the Tinkerbell Half Marathon (January in Disneyland) and the Princess Half Marathon (WDW in February), you’ll get a Special Edition Coast to Coast Challenge Medal.  It’ll look like the regular Coast to Coast medal, but will have pink enameling and a pink lanyard.
Full pic of new C-2-C medal and lanyard, by runDisney

Close-up of new C-2-C medal, by runDisney
-I know Disney Cruise Line is a favorite of many of my readers, so you’ll be thrilled to her that the Disney Magic cruise ship will be undergoing a huge overhaul when it goes into dry dock this fall!  Updates to restaurants, the atrium, kids areas (a new Avengers Academy--yay!) as well as adult areas just to start.  There will also be updates to the water areas including the new AquaDunk slide which will drop you three stories plus take you out twenty feet from the side of the ship.  If you’ve never sailed on the Disney Magic before, you’re definitely going to want to add it to your list now!

-The Boardwalk Bakery at Walt Disney World’s Boardwalk Resort has now reopened after it’s refurbishment, and it’s three times as big as it was before.

-Monorail Teal now has a Monsters University wrap with different monster characters in the windows and banners on the outside.
Front of the "Monsterail", pic by Disney
Full shot of the "Monsterail", pic by Disney

Whew!  Lots of stuff going on, I hope you have a chance to check out at least some of the fun!  And if you need help booking, just let me know-I’d be glad to help :-)

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