If you’ve ever traveled to Walt Disney World, you know that once you see the gateways, you’re home. Now those same arches will soon get a magical new look.
Walt Disney World entrance signs to get fresh new look
New Signature Rapunzel Makeover debuts at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique aboard Disney Cruise Line
A new Signature Rapunzel Makeover experience is now available at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique aboard all four Disney Cruise Line ships.
Ice Palace Boutique to offer kids Frozen-style makeovers
A new offering is coming to Frozen Summer Fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that will give kids a chance to prepare for Coronation Day in Arendelle. [Read more…]
Magic Kingdom’s Jungle Cruise to become the Jingle Cruise for the holidays
For the first time, the Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom will receive a seasonal change this November when it becomes the Jingle Cruise. [Read more…]
Winter 2010 issue of Orlando Attractions Magazine now available for preview and pre-order
The Winter 2010 issue of Orlando Attractions Magazine is now available for preview and pre-order.
Feature articles in this issue include:
• COVER STORY: A Whole New World
Reimagined and expanded Fantasyland to deliver more magic than ever before.
• Blast Off Into Superspace
Disney’s Space Mountain reopens with new enhancements.
• Star Tours II: The Imagineers Strike Back
Disney finally announces a long-awaited Star Tours makeover.
• From Stamps to Sleeping Beauty
Disney animator Ron Dias lives his dream.
• Skipper Ben’s Top 10 Tourist-Area Restaurants in Orlando
• Muggles To Be Allowed Into the Wizarding World
Harry Potter fans are excited for the opening of his Wizarding World this Spring.
• Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
Still serving up great entertainment (and dinner) after 35 years.
• Fun Meets Luxury
Second-ever Waldorf Astoria is just one of three new Orlando hotels.
…and much more!
Here are a few preview pages:
You can flip through a preview of the entire issue here.
If you subscribe now, you’ll be among the first to receive the new Winter 2010 issue when it begins to be mailed in mid-December. And you should receive it in time for Christmas!
So preview and pre-order the Winter 2010 issue here and pre-order a copy or subscribe today.
Sisters get opposing makeovers at Disney's Pirates League and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Video and Photos
We recently had the chance to follow two young girls as they ventured into the Magic Kingdom for makeovers. One wanted to become a princess at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique inside Cinderella Castle and the other made her way into Adventureland to join the scallywags at the Pirates League.
You can read about their journeys in an article written by our own “Out of the Loop” writer Andy Guinigundo in the Fall 2009 issue of Orlando Attractions Magazine.
To accompany the article, here is a fun video I put together documenting the two girls’ makeovers:
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Thanks to Andy’s daughters Abby and Isabella for putting up with our cameras during their makeovers.
D23 Expo: Star Tours 2 announcement video
Below is the exciting announcement of the long-rumored Star Tours makeover featuring Stormtroopers, Darth Vader, and Jay Rasulo, chairman of Disney Parks & Resorts.
Details are scarce but you can read a little more about the announcement here.
D23 Expo: Video of the full Fantasyland expansion announcement
Here is a video of the full Walt Disney World Fantasyland expansion announcement made by Disney Parks & Resorts at the Disney D23 Expo in Anaheim, Calif. on Sept. 12, 2009:
Read more about the upcoming major expansion and view all of the concept art in our previous post.
D23 Expo: Star Tours 2 confirmed for Walt Disney World and Disneyland
After years of rumors, a much-anticipated makeover of the Star Tours attractions at Walt Disney World and Disneyland is on the way. The announcement was made at the Disney Parks & Resorts presentation at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, Calif. on Sept. 12, 2009.
Details are scarce at the moment as Disney’s Imagineers are working hard with Star Wars creator George Lucas and his team to create the new experience.
The rides will close in 2010 to reopen in 2011 at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios with a new 3D experience bringing guests to new Star Wars scenes. 3D footage of a pod-racing scene was shown to the audience at the Expo after Stormtroopers and Darth Vader joined in the fun.
We’ll have a video of the Star Tours reveal online soon. In the meantime, here’s the scene that Disney showed the D23 Expo audience (shown in 3D at the Expo):
D23 Expo: 20 pieces of concept art for the major Fantasyland expansion now confirmed for Walt Disney World
The long-rumored Fantasyland expansion / addition has been confirmed at the D23 Expo during the Disney Parks & Resorts presentation. Imagineers did not want to comment specifically on the leaked blueprint but it appears that, more or less, all of what was rumored is coming true.
The Fantasyland expansion will begin construction in early 2010 and all except Pixie Hollow will complete in 2012 with Pixie Hollow to follow in 2013.
Included in the new additions are The Little Mermaid dark ride Ariel’s Adventure, a Beauty and the Beast restaurant, elaborate princess meet and greets, and a double Dumbo that will have an interactive covered area rather than a queue for those waiting to ride.
Mickey’s Toontown Fair will be completely replaced as part of the Fantasyland addition, replaced by the new Dumbo ride/area and Pixie Hollow. The meet-and-greets for Mickey Mouse and his friends will be moved elsewhere in the park, though Imagineers declined to comment on the plans just yet.
The current west side of Fantasyland that includes Peter Pan’s Flight and It’s a Small World among other rides will remain the same as it is now and will not be receiving a makeover.
Imagineers say that while there are a lot of new princess elements being added to Fantasyland, they will be incredibly interactive and immersive and should appeal to boys as well as girls.
The new area of Fantasyland will be filled with trees and appear much more lush and shady than the current area.
The new construction will not affect the existing Fantasyland and there will be no major closures. Pooh’s Playful Spot may be disappearing as part of the project. The Little Mermaid ride will be taking the spot formerly occupied by the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction.
Here is the concept art for the Fantasyland addition that was displayed to the packed audience…
Princess meet-and-greets will be elaborately themed and will serve as much more than just acting as a place to take a picture. Interactive elements and small shows will entertain guests:
Beauty and the Beast’s castle will serve as a meet-and-greet, interactive walkthrough exhibit, and turn into a full-service nighttime restaurant. Scenes to be included will be similar to those found in the Animation area of Disney’s California Adventure, with the Beast’s library and wilting rose among others, but will be enhanced:
The interior ride portion of Ariel’s Adventure will be nearly identical to the attraction being built at Disney’s California Adventure. However, the exterior will be themed very differently to fit in with the Fantasyland environment rather than DCA’s Boardwalk area:
The Dumbo area of the Fantasyland addition will be huge, encompassing much of the existing Toontown. It will include two Dumbo carousels and a circus-themed interactive waiting area to ride. There will no longer be a long, hot queue:
Pixie Hollow, coming in 2013, will allow guests to greet the Disney Fairies in their own elaborate environment:
A full video of today’s Disney Parks and Resorts reveal of the Fantasyland addition will be available soon so keep checking back.