When visiting a Disney Park, Guests look forward to experiencing the Magic that surrounds them. There is something beautiful and inspiring about getting to immerse yourself in so much joy and wonder. Some Cast Members go above and beyond for their Guests by making some Magical Moments happen while in the Park. Anything from some pixie dust to a special character interaction can count as a magical moment.
One Disney Guest was in the spirit of giving on a recent trip to Walt Disney World Resort. He decided to go above and beyond to make the Disney experience extra magical for some children.
Visiting Disney Parks is an incredibly expensive thing to do. Between accommodations, Park tickets, food, and merchandise, it’s easy to spend a large amount of money at a Disney Resort. For TikToker @Kurttocci, money seems to be no object.
Kurt is a TikToker who has amassed a massive 1.6 million followers for his content. He is known for making fun, upbeat videos. He describes his niche as “making people smile.” Kurt often films video content within the Disney Parks. In a video uploaded on March 20, 2023, Kurt showed himself making some magic over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort.
In the video, he heads over to Galaxy’s Edge to give “the force” to some youngsters visiting the Park. Kurt headed to a store and grabbed dozens of Star Wars lightsabers. The total of his buying spree was a staggering $809.20!
After making his big purchase, he went on to hand out the lightsabers to dozens of children. It was so cool seeing so many magical moments happening in the Park! Some of the Cast Members even supported him, and Wookie gave him some big grunts of approval.
In 2023, Walt Disney World Resort is the place to embrace thrills of all kinds. Exciting new experiences set to debut this year include one of the fastest coasters at any Disney theme park, a new restaurant to savor, the continued transformation of EPCOT, returning nighttime spectaculars filling night skies throughout the resort and so much more.
1 – Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Continues Through March 31
It’s your last chance to experience a party fifty years in the making as the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration will conclude March 31, 2023. Make plans to visit now to see Mickey Mouse and his pals in their EARidescent finery one last time and enjoy all the special sights, tastes and merchandise that mark this momentous event.
2 – New and Returning Character Greetings – All Year
New and returning character experiences are sure to thrill guests of all ages. Beginning April 22, Moana will greet fellow voyagers on Discovery Island at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – just in time for the park’s 25th anniversary. Fans of Figment will get the chance to hug the long-time EPCOT icon at the Imagination! pavilion beginning late summer. Mickey Mouse and friends will also have a new home at Communicore Hall opening later this year as part of the EPCOT transformation. And, at Magic Kingdom Park this fall, Mirabel from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ hit film “Encanto” will greet guests in Fairytale Garden surrounded by whimsical décor inspired by La Familia Madrigal. These new experiences follow the return of several Magic Kingdom character experiences including Pete’s Silly Sideshow, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Ariel in her underwater grotto and the return of character dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table.
3 – Roundup Rodeo BBQ Comes to Disney’s Hollywood Studios – March 23
Yee-haw! Andy’s backyard is preparing to welcome more toys at Roundup Rodeo BBQ opening March 23 in Toy Story Land. Serving barbecue-inspired comfort foods, this one-of-a-kind dining experience is the first “Toy Story” table-service restaurant in the world. A collaboration between Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney World Food & Beverage, Roundup Rodeo BBQ will bring more toy-sized, tasty fun to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
4 – Nighttime Spectaculars Brighten Skies and Warm Hearts at Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT – April 3
Fan-favorite nighttime spectacular “Happily Ever After” Presented by Pandora Jewelry returns to light up the night sky over Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park beginning April 3. New this year, the nightly fireworks show will fully immerse guests in heartfelt Disney stories as brand-new projections extend down Main Street U.S.A., adding even more magic to this unforgettable spectacle.
“EPCOT Forever” returns to World Showcase Lagoon starting April 3. Featuring stirring renditions of memorable EPCOT music, the show sparks fond memories from the park’s rich history.
5 – The Grid Awaits on TRON Lightcycle / Run Presented by Enterprise – April 4
Beginning April 4, guests can climb aboard Lightcycles for a thrilling race on TRON Lightcycle / Run Presented by Enterprise. Located in Magic Kingdom Park, it is the fastest coaster attraction in a Disney theme park, alongside its sister coaster at Shanghai Disneyland. The attraction masterfully blends coaster thrills with speed, visual effects, music and a one-of-a-kind ride system to create an experience like no other. A virtual queue will be in place when TRON Lightcycle / Run opens and guests will also have the option to purchase individual Lightning Lane entry for the attraction via the My Disney Experience app on the day of their visit. For details, visit DisneyWorld.com.
6 – Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park 25th Anniversary – April 22
2023 marks a special milestone as Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park celebrates its 25th anniversary. With the return of entertainment such as “Festival of the Lion King” and ”Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond!,” there has never been a better time to explore this one-of-a-kind park. It is the place to encounter wild animals, take in high-speed thrills and even journey to a world beyond belief, Pandora – The World of Avatar. Make plans now to visit this special place that celebrates the magic of nature.
7 – EPCOT Transformation Continues – Late 2023
This fall will bring even more exciting experiences as part of the multi-year transformation of EPCOT. Guests will be able to explore the wonders of water when Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana opens. This fun interactive outdoor trail offers a chance to play and interact with water as it travels from the sky to the oceans and back again. Along the way, guests learn about the importance of water and discover its playful personality – just as Moana did on her heroic voyage.
Fall will also see completion of the new World Celebration neighborhood. As the hub of the park, it will feature different gardens that change with the seasons. It will also be home to the new Communicore Plaza and the new Communicore Hall, the latter offering a place to meet Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. World Celebration will also anchor the park’s renowned festivals. It is also where guests will discover Dreamers Point, an inspiring overlook showcasing a statue of Walt Disney called “Walt the Dreamer.”
Guests will be treated to the debut of an all-new EPCOT nighttime spectacular later this year. A dazzling display of music, pyrotechnics, lasers and lighting, the show will feature an original composition and evocative selections from the Disney songbook – all woven together to remind us that we are more alike than different.
8 – Disney100 Celebration – Late 2023
Later this year, Walt Disney World Resort will join the global celebration of The Walt Disney Company’s 100th Anniversary – 10 decades of creativity and innovation. Look for more details to come, as EPCOT prepares to host this unforgettable celebration at Walt Disney World.
9 – More Disney Dining Options – Throughout the Year
On April 1, 2023, Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will welcome guests to an exciting new dining experience. This signature-dining restaurant – renowned for its panoramic views of Seven Seas Lagoon – will introduce a new interior along with a refreshed menu offering a perfect balance of updated classics and new culinary delights. Guests can look forward to the return of house specialties such as lobster bisque and new dishes like Blackened Redfish and tasty plant-based options.
Later this year, more dining delights will debut, including Summer House on the Lake at Disney Springs and The Cake Bake Shop at Disney’s BoardWalk.
10 -Experiencing Walt Disney World Theme Parks
To experience all that Walt Disney World theme parks have to offer, guests need both valid park admission and a park reservation on the same date. Guests can visit DisneyWorld.com for more information about planning their visit.
In December, we first reported that the ongoing refurbishment of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney’s MGM Studios) might secretly be a retheme, cutting ties with Steven Tyler. In a newly-filed lawsuit, Tyler stands accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl in the 1970s.
A recent report from a Disney Cast Member, shared to Reddit by u/wampantwabbit, appears to confirm the rumor. “I mentioned a tee I wanted from RnR that they didn’t have in my size to a cast member today and she ‘confirmed’ that WDW have ‘lost the contract’ with Aerosmith and it will now be rethemed,” the Guest reported.
Of course, this is just a rumor, and front-line Disney Cast Members are often kept in the dark about any major Disney Park news. But fans have long hoped for a retheme of the ride. Even before the allegations against Tyler, many felt it was outdated. Disneyland Paris rethemed its version of the Walt Disney Studios Park ride to Avengers Assemble: Flight Force, located in Avengers Campus.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will reopen in the summer of 2023. Will it star Powerline from A Goofy Movie (1995) or another timeless rock band? Or will Steven Tyler remain? Inside the Magic will continue to report on the ride as it undergoes refurbishment.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is the only Disney Park coaster to go upside down and a must-do for all thrill-seekers! “Race along the darkened freeways of Los Angeles in a super-stretch limo to the rockin’ tunes of Aerosmith,” reads the official Disney attraction description. “Inside their Hollywood music studio, legendary rock band Aerosmith is wrapping up a recording session. When their manager tells them they’re late for a concert across town, the band invites you to ride along.”
“Hop into their gleaming limousine and speed off into the night as Aerosmith’s hard-rock harmonies fill the air. Buckle up before zooming through the city on this roller-coaster style attraction. Speed through iconic Hollywood landmarks. Maneuver past traffic jams and swoop into 3 thrilling inversions—2 rollover loops and one corkscrew—as the wind races across your face. Will you make it to the year’s biggest concert in time?”
Guests of Walt Disney World Resort had an interesting day yesterday. The massive crowds, ride breakdowns, and smoke-filled air combined were enough to take some of the magic away from Guests. Those visiting Hollywood Studios were met with a particularly disappointing day, especially when it reached nighttime at the Disney Park.
After a long day of wandering through the Parks, many fans look forward to relaxing and watching a nighttime spectacular at the end of their day. This is especially true when the rest of your Park day has been met with long lines and frustrating ride breakdowns. Each Park’s unique evening show is a huge draw to spend the whole day at a certain Park, and for many it is the highlight of their day.
Last night, the crowds at Hollywood Studios gathered on Sunset Boulevard to watch the 8:00 pm showing of Fantasmic!. Some fans of the show wait for an hour or more the secure the best seating for the performance. Certain fans even pay big bucks for the Fantasmic Dining Package to ensure they can see the show from a prime viewing area. When people are paying money and missing out on valuable Park time to secure a good viewing point, they typically expect to see the nighttime show…right?
Unfortunaly, last night that assumption was wrong for this Disney theme Park. Just 30 minutes before the showtime, Guests of Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park revived a push notification in their Disney app. The notification read:
“Important Entertainment Update We would like to apologize that the 8:00 PM presentation of ‘Fantasmic!’ has been cancelled. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
Fans were frustrated with the how last minute the cancellation was, and they were disturbed that Walt Disney World did not offer any explanation. Guests took to Twitter to air out their grievences. One user Tweeted:
@WDWNT We’ve encountered several snafu’s this week, but tonight they cancelled the 8 PM Fantasmic show about 30 minutes prior to showtime. A load of unhappy people who were lined up all the way down Sunset. Never seen so many missteps as this week…
Another Twitter user shared their thoughts, agreeing that the Fantasmic! cancellation was just one of the disappointing things to happen in the Parks this week.
Just to add to the hot mess that is @WDWHS today, Fantasmic has just been announced as cancelled
It is clear that Walt Disney World Resort had a rough weekend and underperformed in the eyes of many Guests. Even the most loyal Disney fans felt let down by the events of this weekend. We all hope that Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park and the rest of Walt Disney World Resort can get back on their feet and regain control in the four theme parks.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is now closed for refurbishment.
There is a sign near the start of Sunset Boulevard to let guests know Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is closed. It also directs guests to Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy.
There are no construction walls up around the attraction (yet). Cast Members were out with small games for guests to play.
The entrance to Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is past the entrance to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, so the courtyard will remain open.
Rock Around the shop is also closed.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror was recently restored to full capacity to help accommodate more guests while Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is closed.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is scheduled to reopen in the summer. Disney did not announce details about the refurbishment, but it would likely only include general maintenance, not any changes to the actual experience. However, this could change following the lawsuit against Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler. Were Disney to remove Tyler and Aerosmith from the ride, it could potentially extend the refurbishment.
