NEW World Celebration Gardens at EPCOT

Posted on January 22, 2024January 22, 2024 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Via DisneyLists.com

Since 2019, EPCOT has been undergoing a historical transformation; thankfully, it is almost complete. On December 5, 2023, World Celebration Gardens, including the sure-to-be popular Dreamers Point, opened to guests. The new area is a gorgeous spot to sit, relax, and enjoy the views of Spaceship Earth.

World Celebration Gardens

In the middle of EPCOT, you’ll now find World Celebration Gardens. This area features beautiful greenspaces for guests to explore. In the center, there is a large planter based on the five rings of the iconic EPCOT logo.

The gardens feature ample seating and shade. Guests are invited to connect with one another and the nature around them in this lush new area. When we visited, we found lots of different kinds of seating areas. From tables and chairs, benches, and Adirondack-type chairs. This area will be a fantastic spot to take a rest or eat a meal.

The area also includes many different charging stations where guests can charge their devices while sitting there.

Dreamer’s Point

Found within World Celebration Gardens is Dreamers Point, where guests can visit the new “Walt the Dreamer” statue. The statue shows Walt later in his life when he was dreaming up the initial concepts for the park and the overall Florida Project. His relaxed and reflective demeanor was important to the design of this statue, a nod to the pure optimism he felt for the future and the magic of possibility that was the basis for the dream he never saw come to life.

Below, you can see the entire area. Guests can sit on either side of Walt for a special photo. So far, we’ve seen a Disney PhotoPass photographer posted there regularly.

As you can see from the photos, guests will need to step up to sit next to Walt. One criticism we’ve heard is that guests who cannot transfer from a mobility device will have trouble getting close to Walt. However, as seen below, there is a spot to the left of Walt where a wheelchair could be backed in for a photo.

We’ve visited both during the day and at night. Do note that the lightning is quite blinding in the evening, and you’ll need to be extra careful stepping down after your photo.

Overall, we’re very pleased with the statue. We’ve seen some really tender moments from guests. We’ve seen children hug Walt and some adults getting a bit teary. Like Roy Disney’s statue with Minnie at Magic Kingdom, the ability to sit next to Walt and have some interaction makes the experience more meaningful.

New Character Greeting Spaces

Also, in the new gardens are a few new character greeting spaces. We’ve seen Pluto and Daisy greeting guests. Check the My Disney Experience app for greeting times.

Communicore Plaza

The last section still yet to be completed is Communicore Plaza, which was also supposed to open in December 2023. However, Disney pushed back the opening until sometime in 2024. Communicore Hall will be a place to meet Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.

Communicore Plaza will be the new home for festivals. See the concept art below for an idea of what it will be like inside.

World Celebration Gardens is a fantastic new addition to EPCOT. The beautiful gardens offer guests a great place to rest and meet. Guests will also not want to miss the Walt the Dreamer statue. Be sure to check out the gardens on your next visit to EPCOT.

Full List of Food and Beverages Coming to Walt Disney World for Valentine’s Day 2024

Posted on January 18, 2024January 18, 2024 by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

The Disney Parks Blog has released the full guide of food and beverages coming to Walt Disney World Resort for Valentine’s Day 2024.

Valentine’s Day 2024 at Walt Disney World

Disney Springs

Amorette’s Patisserie (Available Feb. 1 through 17; mobile order available)

Chocolate-covered Strawberries
Strawberry Cheesecake

The Ganachery

Puppy Love Chocolate Piñata filled with hazelnut truffle treats and crisp pearls (New) (Available Feb. 1 through 15)
Mickey Chocolate Bites: Milk chocolate with caramel crisp pearls, solid 65% dark chocolate custom blend, and solid milk chocolate (New) (Currently available through Feb. 29)
Champagne-Strawberry Ganache Square: Strawberry ganache blended with champagne enrobed in dark 65% chocolate (Available Feb. 1 through 18)

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar (Available Feb. 1 through 17)

Berry Lovely: Bacardí Dragonberry Rum with orange juice, pineapple juice, cranberry juice, watermelon syrup, and splash of soda garnished with a strawberry (New)

Vivoli il Gelato (Currently available through Feb. 29)

Love Potion: Vanilla gelato, Fanta Strawberry, and whipped cream
Cupid’s Bombashake: Strawberry cheesecake shake topped with a cheesecake-filled Bomboloni

Outdoor Vending at West Side – Landing (Available Feb. 1 through 17)

Beautiful Rose: Herradura Silver Tequila, Cointreau liqueur, rose syrup, lime juice, lemon juice, and red cranberry juice garnished with a lime wedge (New)

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE

The Mara (Available Feb. 1 through 14; mobile order available)

Zebra Mousse Cake: Amarula mousse and chocolate sponge inspired by the iconic Zebra Domes

DISNEY’S BEACH CLUB RESORT AND DISNEY’S YACHT CLUB RESORT

Beach Club Marketplace and The Market at Ale & Compass (Available Feb. 1 through 14; mobile order available)

Cupid’s Mousse: Devil’s food cake, vanilla bean mousse, and cherry compote (New)

DISNEY’S BOARDWALK

BoardWalk Deli (Available Feb. 1 through 14; mobile order available)

Strawberry Cheesecake Brownie: Rich brownie topped with strawberry cheesecake garnished with chocolate whipped cream, pink crisp pearls, and pink chocolate hearts

DISNEY’S CONTEMPORARY RESORT

Contempo Café (Available Feb. 4 through 29; mobile order available)

Sweet Heart Cookie: Sugar cookie with heart sprinkles topped with cream cheese buttercream, red velvet cake pieces and heart, and a drizzle of dark chocolate (New)

More Valentine's Day 2024 offerings from Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

DISNEY’S GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT & SPA

Gasparilla Island Grill (Available Feb. 1 through 29; mobile order available)

Raspberry Macaron Heart: Macaron filled with raspberry cream and a passion fruit curd (New)

DISNEY’S OLD KEY WEST RESORT AND DISNEY’S SARATOGA SPRINGS RESORT & SPA

Good’s Food to Go and The Artist’s Palette (Available Feb. 1 through 14; mobile order available at The Artist’s Palette only)

Love Letter Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake with strawberry pastry cream, white chocolate mousse, and buttercream flowers

DISNEY’S POLYNESIAN VILLAGE RESORT

Kona Island (Available Feb. 1 through 14)

Stitch and Angel Date Night Cupcakes: Vanilla cupcakes with fillings inspired by classic pairings: chocolate and peanut butter mousse filling and peanut butter mousse and jelly filling

Pineapple Lanai (Available Feb. 1 through 14)

Valentine Float: DOLE Whip Raspberry with Rosa Regale Sparkling Red topped with raspberries and strawberries

DISNEY’S RIVIERA RESORT

Le Petit Café (Available Feb. 1 through 14)

Trois Macarons: Raspberry ganache, strawberry jam, and milk chocolate ganache

DISNEY’S WILDERNESS LODGE

Roaring Fork (Available Feb. 1 through 14; mobile order available)

Love Bug Marshmallow: Strawberry marshmallow with a ganache center on a graham cracker cookie

Available at Various Disney Resort Hotel Quick-Service Restaurants (Available Feb. 1 through 29; mobile order available)

My (Plant-based) Sweetheart Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake with a love-ly swirl of vanilla buttercream and heart sprinkles (Plant-based); Available at the following locations:
- World Premiere Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
- Intermission Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
- End Zone Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
- Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Centertown Market at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Spyglass Grill at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Everything POP Shopping & Dining at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Riverside Mill Food Court at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
- Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

Magic Kingdom

Sunshine Tree Terrace (Currently available; mobile order available)

I Lava You Float: Fanta Strawberry and passion fruit flavor served with DOLE Whip Orange and topped with popping candy (Plant-based)

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The Hollywood Brown Derby (Available Feb. 1 through 14)

Red Velvet-White Chocolate Mousse atop a chocolate cookie

The Trolley Car Café (Available Feb. 1 through 14)

Strawberry-Red Velvet Whoopie Pie: Red velvet cake filled with cream cheese buttercream topped with strawberry buttercream

EPCOT

Connections Café (Available Feb. 14 only)

Valentine’s Day Baumkuchen with chocolate and strawberry layers (New)

Connections Eatery (Available Feb. 9 through 14; mobile order available)

Valentine’s Day Milkshake: Vanilla milkshake with strawberry sauce, whipped cream, and chocolate garnish (New)

Le Cellier Steakhouse (Available Feb. 14 only)

Profiterole: Raspberry cheesecake profiterole (New)

Disney Imagineering Showcases Incredible ‘HoloTile Floor’ Which Could Change VR & Theme Park Experiences Forever

Posted on January 18, 2024January 18, 2024 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Walt Disney Imagineering has revealed an exciting new piece of technology called the “HoloTile floor” in a video celebrating Disney Research Fellow and Imagineer Lanny Smoot’s induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

In the video, Smoot gives a quick demonstration of the new tech. The floor is made up of small circular pieces that shift and rotate as the user walks upon it, allowing for omnidirectional movement.

Smoot’s induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame marks the second person from The Walt Disney Company to receive the prestigious honor, with the first being Walt Disney himself.

Two users walk around on the HoloTile floor.

According to Smoot, the HoloTile will automatically adjust in order to keep the user on the floor, and can even accommodate multiple people independently.

Two users demonstrate the HoloTile floor with a possible maze featuring BB-8.

The floor can be used to traverse through virtual reality (VR) spaces, allow users (and potentially guests) to move around in the same space collaboratively, and Smoot also suggests its use in theatrical productions for dancers onstage. In one section of the video, Smoot and another user are walking on the HoloTile floor to get BB-8 from the “Star Wars” sequels through what appears to be a maze, with both on-screen visuals and projections on the tile.

A person potentially uses "The Force" to move a box on a section of HoloTile floor.

Another short clip shows someone who, to us, appears to be using “The Force” to move a box around the section of HoloTile.

Ultimately, Smoot says that while there are “so many applications for this type of technology,” Walt Disney Imagineering doesn’t know yet where it will be used.

Smoot sits on a chair as he is moved with "The Force" on the HoloTile Floor.

It gives me an amazing opportunity to use these inventions that I’ve made in service of people having fun.Lanny Smoot, Disney Research Fellow and Walt Disney Imagineer

See this exciting new technology in action in the video below:

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Animatronics to Have Physical Faces

Posted on January 18, 2024January 18, 2024 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

New details about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure have been revealed by NOLA.com, including information about the advanced audio-animatronics that will be used on the ride. A NOLA.com reporter toured the attraction at Magic Kingdom in early January with Imagineering executive creative director Ted Robledo.

Robledo began his tour on the queue courtyard for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, where there are new flagstone pathways and a mural by Louisiana artist Malaika Favorite. The mural is on a two-story barn that remains from Splash Mountain but was repainted yellow before the mural was added.

Robledo said the courtyard will set the scene for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. “Like a movie, this is the setting. We’ve got to know where we’re at,” he said.

The first floor of the barn, which guests enter as part of the queue, will house the offices of Tiana’s Foods. The backstory of the attraction explains that Tiana founded the co-op after the events of “The Princess and the Frog.”

Poles outside the barn will support loudspeakers broadcasting a 1920s radio show. Reimagined classic New Orleans songs will play, performed by local musicians assembled by New Orleans musician and Grammy winner Terence Blanchard.

In addition to Favorite and Blanchard, Disney has recruited Maroon 5 keyboardist P.J. Morton, another New Orleans native, and the family of the late Queen of Creole Cuisine, Leah Chase, who served as inspiration for Tiana.

“This is our love letter to New Orleans, and in that spirit, art is everywhere,” Robledo said. “The city as a place is as important as a character. The story reacts to the place. We’re starting to hint at that in the queue, to try to craft that love letter to New Orleans in every way possible.”

At the ride’s loading area, NOLA.com noted there were cranes hoisting pallets of Tiana’s Foods crates. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will use the same ride vehicles and track as Splash Mountain. The NOLA reporter got to walk some of the track and stated all of Splash Mountain’s fake vegetation has been replaced with plants native to Louisiana, including cypress trees, marsh grasses, and Spanish moss.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure concept art featuring Louis, Tiana, and animal band

“This will be where we first see ‘the critters,’ as we’re calling them,” Robledo said, referring to the ride’s new animal band seen in the above concept art.

Two-dimensional cutouts of Louis and Tiana currently represent their future animatronics. We previously saw a preview of a Louis animatronic. The cutouts help designers see how the characters fit into the scenes.

Hong Kong and EPCOT Frozen Ever After Elsa animatronics

There will be several Tiana animatronics that will speak directly to guests. The animatronics, NOLA.com stated, will be the same high-tech versions recently used for World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland. The animatronics are notable for having advanced physical faces instead of projected screen faces, which were popular for Disney a few years ago.

The Audio-Animatronics will be the same at the Disneyland Park version of the attraction, as will most aspects of the experience.

Tree and hut inside Tiana's Bayou Adventure

Other new elements inside Tiana’s Bayou Adventure included a pair of stone arches over the ride flume. But some of the Splash Mountain architecture like rocks and boulders will remain.

We saw a glimpse inside Tiana’s Bayou Adventure during “A Special Edition of 20/20 – Disney 100: A Century of Dreams.”

Robledo said of the removal of the tree from the top of Splash Mountain, “We needed some real estate there to fit the added show magic.”

Mama Odie concept art for Tiana's Bayou Adventure

The tour stopped before the ride’s climactic scene, which was previously the Laughin’ Place. Robledo said of the surprise scene, “I’ll just say it’s got a lot to do with magic. It’s a magical moment that happens down there.”

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open this year at both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland.

Walt Disney World Theme Park Shuts Down to Brace for Winter Weather Impact

Posted on January 18, 2024January 18, 2024 by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Right now, winter storms are wreaking havoc along the East Coast, causing disruptions and closures in unexpected places. Many major cities have experienced heavy rain, snow, freezing temps, and severe wind gusts this January. Even in sunny Central Florida, the Walt Disney World Resort is not immune to the effects of these weather systems.

The resort, known for its magical experiences and world-class attractions, has taken the necessary precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of its guests and cast members. As a result, one of its premier theme parks has been forced to temporarily suspend operations.

While Central Florida is typically known for its warm climate and sunny skies, the region is not entirely immune to the occasional cold snap. This winter, a series of powerful winter storms have swept across the East Coast, causing temperatures to drop dramatically.

As a result, the Walt Disney World Resort has had to make the difficult decision to close the Blizzard Beach water park temporarily, prioritizing the safety and well-being of its visitors.

Blizzard Beach, located within the enchanting Walt Disney World Resort, is a beloved destination for families and thrill-seekers alike. With its thrilling water slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools, this Disney water park offers a refreshing escape from the Florida heat.

However, Mother Nature has taken its toll, as plummeting temperatures have made it impossible to maintain the park’s operations.

By closing Blizzard Beach, the Resort ensures that guests can continue to enjoy the magic of the other attractions and experiences it has to offer without compromising their safety.

With a plethora of theme parks, including the iconic Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park, and the immersive Animal Kingdom Park, visitors can still indulge in unforgettable adventures while Blizzard Beach receives the necessary hiatus until it can reopen safely.

The closure of Blizzard Beach serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of weather and its impact on even the most well-prepared establishments. Walt Disney World Resort, known for its attention to detail and commitment to guest satisfaction, prioritizes the safety of its visitors above all else.

The decision to temporarily close Blizzard Beach is a testament to this dedication, ensuring that guests can feel secure and protected during their visit.

As guests eagerly await the reopening of Blizzard Beach, Walt Disney World Resort continues to monitor the weather conditions and work diligently to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for all visitors.

Guests are encouraged to check the official Blizzard Beach calendar for updates on the reopening of Blizzard Beach and any additional information pertaining to their visit.