Disney Cruise Line to Offer Magical Sailings in Australia and New Zealand for the First Time

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

At D23 Expo, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro announced that Disney Cruise Line is bringing the magic of a Disney vacation to families and fans in Australia and New Zealand during limited-time “Disney Magic at Sea” cruises that immerse guests in Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars stories beginning in late October 2023.

Repositioning cruises for the Disney Wonder will be the first South Pacific voyages for Disney Cruise Line, giving guests the chance to experience destinations like Fiji and Samoa.

The Disney Wonder will embark on these “Disney Magic at Sea” cruises through Feb. 2024, ranging from two to six nights and departing from four home ports: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia; and Auckland, New Zealand. 

“Disney Magic at Sea” bookings open Sept. 29 for Australia and New Zealand and repositioning sailings open Oct. 6 for the general public.

Guests that are Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club and select other affinity groups may take advantage of the following extended early booking windows for the repositioning cruises:

  • Oct. 3, 2022: Platinum Castaway Club Members & Golden Oak Members
  • Oct. 4, 2022: Gold Castaway Club Members
  • Oct. 5, 2022: Silver Castaway Club Members, eligible Disney Vacation Club Members and Adventure Insiders
  • Oct. 6, 2022: All Guests

Additionally, guests onboard the repositionaing sailings arriving or departing from Sydney will have exclusive access to a special Adventures by Disney itinerary. The Sydney Escape offers a 4-day, 3-night adventure, where guests will explore some of the best this magnificent city has to offer, making it the perfect pre- or post-adventure for their South Pacific Disney Cruise.

New Horizons for Disney Cruise Line and the Disney Treasure

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

At D23 Expo, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro offered a first look at exciting news for Disney Cruise Line, including unveiling the sixth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Treasure, and an update on Lighthouse Point, the new beautiful new island destination in the Bahamas.

The sixth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Treasure, will set sail in 2024. Imagineers have dreamed up a new design concept inspired by the theme of adventure, celebrating Walt Disney’s lifelong love of exploration. The Grand Hall — the magnificent three-deck-tall atrium that welcomes guests on board — is inspired by the grandeur and mystery of a gilded palace, drawing on real-world influences from Asia and Africa, and paying homage to the far-off land of Agrabah. At the center, the signature statue will feature Aladdin, Jasmine and their Magic Carpet.

In the Bahamas, progress continues on a beautiful new island destination at Lighthouse Point, which will bring the natural beauty and rich culture of the Bahamas to life for Disney Cruise Line guests.

Disney Replacing Harmonious, New Nighttime Spectacular at EPCOT

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

It was just revealed at D23 that next year, during Disney’s 100th year anniversary, a very special nighttime show will be coming to EPCOT at Disney World.

At Disney World, Guests have so many choices when it comes to live entertainment. From actual plays like Beauty and the Beast at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to firework shows at the Magic Kingdom. Guests looking for some magical Disney entertainment are certainly in luck.

This show is set to replace Harmonious, an “infamous” spectacular that was recently introduced at the Park. We don’t have much more information on the show, but for now, enjoy Harmonious while you can!

harmonious concept art

Disney Teases Overhaul of DinoLand U.S.A.

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

Today, at Disney’s 2022 D23 expo, it was teased by Josh D’Amaro, Chairperson of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, that DinoLand, U.S.A., could be completely reworked in an upcoming project.

Nothing was confirmed, nor were there any dates or specific themes given, but concept art was revealed from the “blue sky” idea. “Blue sky”  is basically a design process that allows Disney Imagineers to think outside the box and not worry about budgets, not yet at least.

Below is the concept art for a potential DinoLand U.S.A. overhaul:

dinoland

The Dinoland, U.S.A. section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park is somewhat divisive among Disney Parks fans. Some love the carnival-themed area, while others feel that it should be rethemed to feature a recent Disney IP, such as Raya and the Last Dragon (2021).

It is worth noting that, at this time, Disney World officials have not confirmed what will replace the Primeval Whirl Wild Mouse-style ride or if Dinoland, U.S.A. will be rethemed at any point in the near future. For now, Guests can continue to visit the area where carnival games, the Restaurantosaurs quick service location, and the Triceratops Spin ride are all available.

DinoLand, U.S.A. features what is possibly Disney World’s scariest attraction with DINOSAUR, a time-traveling adventure. DINOSAUR opened alongside the Animal Kingdom Park in April of 1998, although it had a different name and offered a slightly different experience. DINOSAUR is an intense, exciting, and downright prehistoric trip through time, letting Guests witness the moments just before the dinosaurs were wiped out of existence due to an asteroid impact. As its slogan states, “It’s fast, it’s a blast, It’s in the past!”.

Opening Timeframe For Disney World’s TRON Lightcycle / Run Revealed

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Five years after the first announcement was made at D23 Expo 2017, Disney Parks chief Josh D’Amaro has just revealed when TRON Lightcycle / Run will open to Guests at the Walt Disney World Resort.

TRON Lightcycle / Run, a copy of the attraction found in Shanghai Disney Resort’s Shanghai Disneyland, has been under construction for multiple years. Back in 2020, Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley shared updates of the canopy construction, called the Upload Circuit in-Universe, and it is this structure that will house the ride vehicles — or lightcycles.

Reaching up to 60mph at its fastest point, TRON Lightcycle / Run will see Guests propelled into the Magic Kingdom skyline, careening alongside Cinderella Castle, and over the spectators of Tomorrowland. The story of the attraction sees Guests joining “Team Blue for a high-speed launch into a competition against Team Orange,” racing through the eight energy gates to secure victory.

TRON Lightcycle / Run Testing in the dark

After Pandora — The World of Avatar and its game-changing Flight of Passage attraction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Slinky Dog Dash, and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and this year’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT, Guests have long been in need of a new thrilling attraction at Magic Kingdom Park.

And now, the time when Guests can mount the lightcycles and soar into the sky has been revealed. Talking at the D23 Expo 2022 in Anaheim, Southern California, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro has announced that TRON Lightcycle / Run will open at the Magic Kingdom in spring of 2023.

TRON Lightcycle / Run ride vehicle at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

It’s been a long time coming for the TRON roller coaster. The attraction was slated to open during the Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th anniversary — The World’s Most Magical Celebration — but plans were derailed due to the pandemic, with many (including EPCOT’s World Celebration renovation) delayed. The announcement of the opening date will mark the end of a very long five years.

Shown from left: Cindy Morgan, Bruce Boxleitner (as Tron)

Based on the cinematic franchise from which it gets its name, TRON Lightcycle / Run draws inspiration from both Steven Lisberger’s TRON (1982) and the sequel, TRON: Legacy (2010) by director Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick). Chris Beatty, Portfolio Creative Executive of Walt Disney Imagineering, recently shared that TRON Lightcycle / Run will take place after the events of TRON: Legacy. He said:

Our story picks up following the events of “TRON: Legacy,” whose main character, Sam Flynn, is now opening new gateways into this digital realm at specific locations around the world. The first portal he created is at Shanghai Disneyland with the original TRON Lightcycle Power Run, and now Magic Kingdom guests will get their turn through this second gateway.

Soon Guests will be able to board their ride vehicles and soar into The Grid as Disney Parks unleashes its next big deal attraction.