New Enhancements, Dining Options Coming to Disney’s BoardWalk

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Resorts

Via Disney Destinations

We’re gearing up to make a seaside splash at Disney’s BoardWalk! Over the next few years, we’ll be bringing new enhancements and offerings to life along this beloved, turn-of-the-century promenade – from a charming new lobby design and nearby coffee bar to delectable dining options, refreshed guest rooms and other special touches.

Waterside strolls will be extra special with storybook sweet treats and dreamy desserts at The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers, a new table service restaurant and bakery that’s sure to delight. Expected to open in 2023, this restaurant will offer both savory and dessert menus, along with afternoon tea service, in a whimsical atmosphere that complements the magic of the idyllic charm of Disney’s BoardWalk that Guests know and love.

And with this new sweet spot on the horizon, the BoardWalk Bakery will become a new sandwich shop for Guests to enjoy a bite along the water’s edge, joining other current food and beverage locations like BoardWalk Ice Cream.

Through the doors of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, light and airy touches will reinvigorate the lobby, lounge and guest rooms, carrying the seaside breeze right inside. Just off the lobby, a new coffee bar with artisanal beverages and quick bites will be available to-go or in newly refreshed seating spaces inside or outdoors.

The Disney Resort hotel experience is a special part of what makes each Walt Disney World vacation truly memorable. As one of 31 themed resorts in the Disney Resorts Collection, Disney’s BoardWalk offers something for everyone – from shopping and dining to entertainment and recreation. We look forward to sharing new details about these enhancements at the resort as they become available.

Disney Announces Closure of EPCOT Experience

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

The EPCOT Experience opened in 2019 and was a really cool way for guests to see the upcoming changes that would take place during the historic transformation of EPCOT. Many projects have now been completed, Disney has announced that the experience will close to make way for new things.

Here is the Instagram Post from Zach Riddley, Creative Portfolio Executive Walt Disney Imagineering:

Here is the text from his post:

Since its 2019 debut, Walt Disney Imagineering presents the EPCOT Experience has welcomed more than two million guests, as travelers from around the world enjoyed an immersive look at the past, present and future of this beloved park. This attraction gave our team a chance to share a first-person view of the vision coming to life during this ongoing “state of becoming.” It’s a rare moment to see these milestones unfold, and we’ve been inspired and deeply grateful to have this opportunity to pull back the curtain on our thinking.

With the transformation now well under way and many of those projects now open – including Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Harmonious and the upcoming debut of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind this summer – we have decided it is time to close the EPCOT Experience on March 14 and make way for exciting new activations of the Odyssey pavilion to create a great experience for our guests.

I’m proud of the work and storytelling that our Imagineers put into this incredible 360-degree presentation, as it beautifully set the stage for the largest transformation in the history of EPCOT, and provided an in-depth look at the exciting attractions and experiences being developed for this beloved park. I always like to say to our team that EPCOT is a park about people – our dreams, our curiosity and our ability to make magic possible when we work together. The EPCOT Experience was a showcase of all those things, inviting each of you to dream with us as we create the future of EPCOT together.

We have a lot more to share in the weeks and months ahead, and I am grateful for the opportunity to provide an in-depth look at the process through our Imagineering lens. Follow along with me here as we share more exciting details about this historic EPCOT transformation, including Journey of Water inspired by Moana, the ongoing evolution of World Celebration, and more!

Imagineering Ride Team Enters Next Phase for TRON Lightcycle Run

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

The Walt Disney Imagineering project team will soon celebrate a significant milestone on the construction of the TRON Lightcycle / Run attraction, as Guests at Magic Kingdom Park will be getting their first glimpses of ride vehicles on the track! 

As we begin the next phase of ride testing, we’ll soon start a process known as “push/pull,” where sections of the seven-vehicle train are slowly moved through the entire ride track. Once the track is completely ready, trains will begin launch tests at incremental speeds, with the team eventually working their way up to full-speed launches.

All of this exciting progress will be visible to our Guests in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park as trains make their way out of the launch zone and underneath the attraction’s iconic canopy.

Check out this new video for a behind-the-scenes look from Executive Ride Engineer, Jerold Kaplan, as the team prepares for this important milestone.

Join Captain Minnie and Goofy on a New Musical Adventure Aboard the Disney Wish

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

This summer, Disney Cruise Line will welcome the very first Guests aboard our newest ship, the Disney Wish!

After their first day spent exploring the ship, Guests will head to the beautiful Walt Disney Theatre to see an original musical spectacular called “Disney Seas the Adventure.” The show will begin with Captain Minnie Mouse handing over the helm to her dear friend Goofy, leaving him a little unsure about the responsibility. With the help of some familiar friends, he’ll embark on a musical voyage into favorite Disney and Pixar stories on a journey to discover his own inner captain.

With an impressive roster of beloved characters, a full line-up of renowned Disney songs and a first-of-its-kind finale, this show is sure to be a sensational way to kick off a Disney Wish vacation!

We’re pleased to share a sneak peek from “Disney Seas the Adventure”:

Early in his adventure, Goofy will learn the power of hard work to make a dream come true when he meets Tiana during a lively performance of “Almost There” from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “The Princess and the Frog.”

Disney Seas the Adventure • The Disney Cruise Line Blog

The show’s grand finale will feature a cavalcade of characters joining Captain Minnie and Goofy on stage. But rather than bidding the audience farewell, these favorite Disney friends will lead guests out of the theater and into the Grand Hall for an unforgettable sendoff experience unlike anything we’ve done before. 

And that’s just a small taste of the magic in store during this one-of-a-kind theatrical adventure! Other musical numbers include a high-energy production of “Go with the Flow” from the “Finding Nemo – The Musical” show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom; a powerful medley of “Let it Go,” “How Far I’ll Go” and “Touch the Sky” performed by Disney heroines Elsa, Moana and Merida; and a bold rendition of “Go the Distance” with Hercules and a host of heroes from a variety of Disney films.

Disney Plans Return Of Missing Annual Pass Option

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

At both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort, one of the most beloved aspects for many Guests who visit often is the ability to purchase an Annual Pass, or, a Magic Key Pass, depending on what coast you are on. Before COVID-19 hit the Parks, Guests were able to also purchase a Premier Pass, this allowed Guests to have the option to own an Annual Pass that would allow them to go between both Disneyland and Disney World. After COVID-19, that pass disappeared, but now, it may return.

Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom

During the question and answer portion of today’s shareholder meeting with The Walt Disney Company, one Disney fan and long-time Guest asked when the Premier Pass would return. The speaker in question was the same one who was able to tell previous CEO Bob Iger that this pass should be created over 10 years ago, and now returned after noticing it was no longer available with no return in sight.

When hearing the passion that this Disney Guest had from the Premier Pass, noting how Guests and Cast Members loved it, Disney CEO Bob Chapek responded with the intention to do something about it. Chapek noted, “I can check the possibility on bringing back the possibility of bringing back the Pass.” He also assumed that the Guests who wanted this Pass were “in a small unique club” however he wants to eliminate friction for Guests and will try and reinstate the Annual Pass for both coasts.