A new series is coming to Disney+! Get ready to take a peek ‘behind the curtain’ of the most beloved attractions and destinations at Disney Parks and Resorts around the world, from Jungle Cruise to “it’s a small world” to the Haunted Mansion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. And now, we’re excited to share, Disney has launched the trailer for this highly anticipated film!
As shared by Disney: “Behind the Attraction” is a 10-part series narrated by Paget Brewster that delves into Disney Parks’ rich, amazing history using archival and never-before-seen footage and photographs to unveil how the attractions came to be and how they’ve been refined over the years as new ideas surface and technology evolves. Hear the unique story behind each Castle at the Parks and learn how Disney Imagineers designed and built them and discover the intricacies of the transportation systems at each park, and how the iconic Disneyland Hotel came to be. Including rare interviews with Walt Disney, each episode also features exclusive interviews with Disney Legends and dozens of past and present Imagineers, including Bob Weis, Jeanette Lomboy, Kim Irvine, Scott Trowbridge, Tom Fitzgerald, Scot Drake, Carmen Smith, Joe Rohde, and others who divulge insider secrets of the parks and how iconic Disney attractions were brought to life.”
A little bit of humor mixed in with the facts… we’re loving it! Who else is ready to go “Behind The Attraction”?! The Disney+ Original Series from executive producers Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Brian Volk-Weiss will begin streaming the first five episodes July 21 on Disney+.
Today Disney is celebrating “Halfway to the Holidays!” If you’re ready to plan a visit to Walt Disney World for the 2021 holidays, we have some exciting news for you! Disney has announced holiday festivities happening at all four parks, Disney Springs, plus Walt Disney World Resorts. Get ready to experience festive entertainment, whimsical décor, seasonal food and drinks, and holiday-themed merchandise will all be a part of this very special season. Here’s a sneak peek as shared by Disney below:
Magic Kingdom Park
Holidays are sure to be enchanting at Magic Kingdom Park, where quintessential decorations will return to Main Street, U.S.A. When the sun sets, special holiday projections will appear most nights on Cinderella Castle, alternating periodically with the castle’s transformation into a Beacon of Magic.* What a great way to celebrate the holidays and the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort! Now, talk about an early holiday gift… “Disney Very Merriest After Hours,” a new special-ticketed event, will debut Nov. 8 before all the rest of the festive fun. It will be available on select nights through Dec. 21. The four hours of festivities will delight guests with “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks,” Disney characters throughout the park, holiday music and décor, treats included and so much more! As with other Disney After Hours events, a limited number of tickets will be sold for this event. It’s held after regular park operating hours, with lower wait times and access to more than 20 select attractions. Tickets will go on sale next month, with an early purchase window available to guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Sunset Seasons Greetings returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as the Hollywood Holiday Tower Hotel on Sunset Boulevard will twinkle once again with projection effects, magically transforming into a snowy corner of Arendelle, a Muppets gingerbread masterpiece, a Toy Story toy hotel, and a Dickensian village inspired by “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.” This holiday show will also alternate with the tower’s nightly transformation into a Beacon of Magic. Santa Claus will bring some North Pole cheer to a motorcade down Hollywood Boulevard. You will also be able to enjoy “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration,” with its festive finale featuring everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf. Minnie Mouse is also returning to host her festive meal at Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Minnie and her friends will be donning their holiday best – even Santa Goofy will be there! And throughout the season, vintage-themed holiday décor will shine bright across the park.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
It will be a wild holiday time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park with the return of seasonal décor and festive Disney character flotillas sailing down Discovery River to the sounds of joyful songs of the season. The park’s centerpiece – The Tree of Life – becomes another Beacon of Magic most nights during the 50th anniversary celebration. During the holiday season there’s even more magic inspired by nature as the holiday edition of Tree of Life Awakenings also takes place most nights.
Disney Springs
You can happily discover whatever you’re after this holiday season at Disney Springs. The shopping, dining and entertainment destination will transform into a winter wonderland, full of sparkling lights, enchanting décor and holiday surprises. This year sees the return of the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll, with elaborately decorated, Disney-themed trees – some new and some inspired by “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.” A magical snowfall will add a touch of wonder for holiday shoppers in Town Center. Here, you can find the perfect gift for everyone on your list, including yourself. Discover holiday ornaments, matching family pajamas, festive Spirit Jerseys, and more – be sure to check your list twice so you don’t forget any holiday must-haves! There will even be themed food and beverages; one of my favorite spots, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, will once again transform into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar, with delightful décor and a delicious limited-time menu filled with festive favorites.
Disney Resort Hotels
Our Disney Resort hotels will be decked for the holidays, with iconic trees and other seasonal touches. And a guest favorite will return this year, as select gingerbread displays will once again be part of our holiday season! Also at select resorts, you will find restaurants offering holiday menus and specialty food and drink.
EPCOT
Where can you enjoy traditions from around the world, with inspiring music, tasty treats and family-friendly experiences? If you guessed EPCOT … … you are correct! The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will return this year, from Nov. 26 – Dec. 30, with Holiday Kitchens around the park, performances by Voices of Liberty, the guest favorite Cookie Stroll and more!
Walt Disney World has updated their park hours which includes extended hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! The Walt Disney World website now shows parks hours have been released through September 25. With the return of fireworks, the arrival of the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, and Disney After Hours Boo Bash events, you can expect crowds to be flooding back to the magic. As you plan your vacation, here are the current posted park hours for July 11 – September 25, 2021.
Magic Kingdom:
July 11 – 31: 9:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
August 1 – 13: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
August 14: 9:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
August 15 – 31: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 1 – 6: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 7: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 8 – 9: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 10: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 11: 9:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
September 12: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 13: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 14: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 15 – 16: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 17: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 18: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 19: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 20: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 21: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 22 – 23: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 24: 9:00am to 8:30pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8:30pm)
September 25: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
EPCOT:
July 11 – 31: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
August 1 – 31: 11:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
September 1 – 25: 11:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
July 11 – 31: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
August 1 – 28: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm) *EXTENDED: Previously 8pm
August 29 – 31: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm
September 1 – 25: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom:
July 11 – 31: 8:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
August 1 – 31: 8:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
September 1 – 25: 8:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
Keep checking the My Disney Experience App before visiting as Disney has been known to add extra hours as dates draw nearer.
Headed to Walt Disney World in the next couple of days? Chances are you’ll be seeing lots of rain as Tropical Storm Elsa continues to keep Central Florida in her path. Thankfully, Elsa was downgraded from a Hurricane to a Tropical Storm – and our hopes are it stays that way! It looks like Disney is however preparing for the arrival of the storm (and likely storms in the near future) with special “Hurricane Meals Kits” on their menus.
As shared by InsideTheMagic: “Today, several quick service locations at Walt Disney World have added “Hurricane Meal Kits” to their menus for Guests. One of those restaurants is Everything POP at Disney’s Pop Century Resort.” The screenshot below shows Hurricane Meal Kits available for breakfast:
If you’re visiting Walt Disney World when tropical storm or hurricane weather hits, it’s actually a comfortable place to be from personal experience. If the weather gets bad enough, parks will close. We’ve even seen Disney moving guests staying at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campgrounds to resort hotels so they can ride out the storm in a safe location. These meal kits are another way Disney has been known to make the situation as accommodating as possible. You simply get your food and get back to your room.
Hopefully, Tropical Storm Elsa will continue to weaken as she moves through Central Florida. Without a doubt, guests can expect heavy rain and high winds.
Two popular restaurants recently reopened and the fantastic Cast Members are celebrating. We previously shared the news that Tusker House reopened on June 20, with Casey’s Corner not far behind on June 30. Well, Cast Members returning to these restaurants are all smiles about the reopening!
As shared via Walt Disney World Cast and Community Facebook: “From swinging baseball bats to swinging through the jungle, our Cast are keeping busy! Recently, they welcomed guests back to two of our favorite dining locations, Casey’s Corner and Tusker House Restaurant. We can’t thank these awesome Cast Members enough for all the magical moments – and delicious food – they serve up each day.”
