Travel Tuesday: March 8, 2016 — Zootopia and Finding Dory Characters Coming + Purple MagicBands
Welcome to Travel Tuesday — your guide to what's happening around the Disney Parks and beyond! If you're planning a Disney vacation or are about to embark on one, we'll let you know what changes, additions, and experiences you can expect.
This week's edition find characters from Zootopia and Finding Dory making their way into the parks, purple MagicBands making a lot of vacationers happy, and two new ways to cruise with Disney on the horizon.
Disneyland Update | Walt Disney World Update | Other Disney Destination Update
Disney Parks Overall
Star Wars Lands to Break Ground
At this year's shareholder meeting, Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger mentioned how excited he was about the construction of the new Star Wars Lands at Disneyland Park and Disney's Hollywood Studios. He also discussed the two attractions that have been announced. One allows guests to be in command of the Millennium Falcon while the other puts the guests in the midst of an epic battle between the Resistance and the First Order.
When asked by a shareholder if a third attraction was cut due to budget concerns, Iger said that there have been many versions of the plans and that they are confident that finished product will be spectacular. He also said they are spending plenty of money on the new lands.
Finally, he announced that the two lands will officially break ground in April.
The Jungle Book Preview
In what is not a surprising event, Disney Parks announced that a preview of The Jungle Book will be coming to both the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World on March 18. Replacing the Zootopia preview, the new sneak peek will be held at the Bug's Life Theatre at Disney California Adventure and at One Man's Dream at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
The version at Disney California Adventure will feature special in-theater effects.
The Jungle Book will be released April 15.
Zootopia Characters
With Zootopia breaking Disney Animation box office records, it should be no surprise that Nick and Judy will be coming to Disney Parks. At Disney California Adventure, they will meet guests on Hollywood Boulevard. At Walt Disney World, they will be participating in the “Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It!” Street Party at the Magic Kingdom. No start date was given, but they should be making appearances soon.
Finding Dory Comes to Turtle Talk
At both Epcot and Disney California Adventure, characters from Finding Dory will be added to Turtle Talk. Destiny the whale shark, Bailey the beluga whale, and Hank the octopus will join Dory and Crush in meeting and interacting with guests. The new additions should start appearing in early May. Finding Dory comes to theaters June 17.
Quick Takes
Alamo Launches “I Wanna Disney Parks Vacation” Sweepstakes
RunDisney Reportedly Switching to PhotoPass for Events
Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Park
It appears that Super Hero HQ in Disneyland's Tomorrowland, will go down as one of the shortest lived "attractions" in history. The experience, which opened in November, is located on the top floor of the former Innoventions building while Star Wars Launch Bay resides on the first floor. It was announced that the experience will be closing April 2 and that Marvel characters will be moving to Hollywood Boulevard near the Hyperion Theatre.
In addition to a small retail venue, Super Hero HQ featured meet-and-greets with Spider-Man and Thor as well as an interactive Iron Man experience. Spider-Man will be making the move to DCA where he will be joined by Captain America who last appeared before Super Hero HQ's opening. Thor will no longer meet guests at the Disneyland Resort. (Presumably until Thor: Ragnarok is close to opening).
Disney California Adventure
Following Friday's Annual Passholder preview, Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters officially opened on Monday. The replacement for Luigi's Flying Tires did not get much promotion, but returns some capacity back to Cars Land. Check our more about the new ride here.
Disney has released the official name, creative team, and opening date for the upcoming Frozen musical at Disney California Adventure. Frozen- Live at the Hyperion will premiere May 27. The Creative Entertainment team is led by Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Entertainment Portfolio Executive Dana Harrel who is working with Director Liesl Tommy (Broadway’s “Eclipsed”), Writer Chad Beguelin (Tony Award® nominee for “Disney’s Aladdin” and “The Wedding Singer”), Musical Supervisor and Arranger Jason Michael Webb (Musical Director for Broadway’s “The Color Purple”), Puppet Designer Michael Curry (Tony Award® winner for “Disney’s The Lion King”).
In an effort to not have two Frozen stage experiences, “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” will close April 17, 2016. There is no word if Muppet-Vision will return, if a new experience is planned for the space, or if the venue will remain vacant.
Downtown Disney
Disney has revealed the exact location of Downtown Disney's second Starbucks. The new Starbucks will be located next to Disney Vacation Club showroom on the west end of the district near the Disneyland Hotel and Downtown Disney Monorail Station.
Quick Takes
Reservations Open for New ‘World of Color’ Dessert Party at DCA
Refurbishments
| Disneyland Park | |
| Autopia | Jan. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes | Jan. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| Disneyland Railroad | Jan. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| Disneyland Railroad - Mickey's Toontown | Jan. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| Disneyland Railroad - New Orleans Square | Jan. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| Disneyland Railroad - Tomorrowland | Jan. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| Fantasmic! | Jan. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| Jungle Cruise | Jan. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| Mark Twain Riverboat | Jan. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island | Jan. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| Sailing Ship Columbia | Jan. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| Indiana Jones Adventure | Feb. 29 - Mar. 3, 2016 |
| Mad Tea Party | Mar. 7 - 9, 2016 |
| Disney California Adventure | |
| Grizzly River Run | Feb. 15 - Mar. 15, 2016 |
| Disneyland Hotel | |
| D-Ticket Pool | Jan. 4 - Mar. 11, 2016 |
| E-Ticket Pool | Jan. 4 - Mar. 11, 2016 |
| Mickey Spa | Jan. 4 - Mar. 11, 2016 |
Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World has lifted the spring blockout dates for those with Florida Resident Disney Select tickets. While other blockout dates still apply, March 19 – April 1 are now available for those ticketholders.
The Florida Resident Disney Select ticket pricing is $68 per day for a 3-day ticket (total price: $202), and $56 per day for 4-day ticket (total price: $223). It provides access to one theme park per day, includes FastPass+ and expires six months after first use or by December 17, 2017. Summer blockout dates apply.
The elusive purple MagicBand is now available complimentary for guests with resort reservations. While originally promised to be part of the initial lineup of MagicBands, production challenges caused a lengthy delay in rolling it out to guests. Eventually, the band was rolled out for purchase.
Now guests can receive the purple band for free the next time they stay at a Walt Disney World Resort.
Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom's refurbishment of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been delayed. The attraction was scheduled for a three month refurbishment starting in April, but it has been reportedly delayed until August 8 through November 18. Big Thunder last had a major refurbishment in 2012. It is unknown what work will be done while the attraction is closed.
Epcot
The expanded Flower and Garden Festival began last week at Epcot. For a full report see Jeremiah's report.
This weekend's Garden Rocks performer is STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas (“We Built This City”.) The concerts occur on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the American Gardens Theatre.
Disney's Hollywood Studios
The newest hand-painted, limited-edition Ink & Paint cel will be available at Disney's Hollywood Studios on March 12. "Goofy Sport" features Goofy, Mickey, and Donald participating in a soccer match at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Ink & Paint artists will be available for a special signing from 10a.m.-1p.m. at Stage 1 Company Store. Guests unable to attend in person can pre-purchase the cel now through March 10 at 5 p.m. Eastern.
Disney's Animal Kingdom
The official opening date for Disney's Animal Kingdom's new nighttime show, Rivers of Light, has been announced. The first major nighttime spectacular at the park will debut to guests on April 22, the park's 18th birthday.
To answer fan questions about the new show, the Disney Parks Blog will be hosting a live chat on Tuesday, March 8 at 1:15 p.m. EST with Michael Jung and Mark Renfrow from the show's creative team.
Disney Springs
Disney Springs reached a milestone with the installation of the area's icon, the Disney Springs Watertower. More changes to Disney Springs are underway with the Disney Tag boutique joining the Marketplace Co-Op at Disney Springs Marketplace on March 11. This new location will offer Disney-inspired travel products.
Events
This week's schedule of Atlanta Braves Spring Training games at ESPN's Wide World of Sports.March 8: Vs Mets 1:05pm
March 11: Vs Phillies 1:05pm
March 12: Vs Nationals 5:55pm
March 14: Vs Rays 1:05pm
Merchandise Events
March 8: Those with tickets to the 1:05 Braves game vs the Mets can meet author Dan Schlossberg at Champion Stadium, from 11 a.m. – Noon. He is the author of the new book When the Braves Ruled the Diamond.March 9-12: Geir Ness will be on hand for a special appearance as he showcases the latest from his Laila fragrance and beauty collection. Guests can meet Geir from Noon – 6 p.m., each day, at The Puffin’s Roost in the Norway Pavilion inside Epcot's World Showcase.
Quick Takes
Kristoff & Olaf to Host Frozen Games at Blizzard Beach
Is Six Flags Going to One-Up Disney With This New Technology?
A Tink’s Eye View: Photos Taken from Cinderella Castle
Walt Disney World Worker Caught Using Dirty Mop to Clean Food Court Tables
Walt Disney World Refurbishments
| Magic Kingdom | |
| Monorail The Walt Disney World Resort Monorail System is undergoing refurbishment and may be on modified service and/or routes. Guests should check to be sure of the best option available on their day of travel, as alternative transportation options will be available. | Now - April 2016 |
| Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin | Mar. 6 - 10, 2016 |
| Epcot | |
| Soarin' | Jan. 4, 2016 - Summer 2016 |
| Circle of Life | Feb. 7 - Apr. 2, 2016 |
| Disney's Hollywood Studios | |
| Pizza Planet | Jan. 19 - Late 2016 |
| Toy Story Midway Mania - 1 Day Only | Mar. 15, 2016 |
| Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure - Closing Permanently | Apr. 3, 2016 |
| Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show - Closing Permanently | Apr. 3, 2016 |
| Disney's Animal Kingdom | |
| Kali River Rapids | Jan. 4 - Mar. 17, 2016 |
| Flights of Wonder | Jan. 25 - Mar. 17, 2016 |
| Warung Outpost | Jan. 25 - Mar. 17, 2016 |
| Boneyard | Feb. 22 - Mar. 17, 2016 |
| Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park | |
| Annual Refurbishment | Jan. 4 - Mar. 19, 2016 |
| Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort | |
| Bay Cove Pool | Feb. 1 - Mar. 18, 2016 |
| Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge | |
| Concierge Lounge Closed for refurbishment. An alternative lounge location will be available during this time. | May 7 - 22, 2016 |
| Disney's Art of Animation Resort | |
| Schoolyard Sprayground | Jan. 4 - Mar. 11, 2016 |
| Disney's BoardWalk Inn | |
| Flying Fish Restaurant | Feb. 1 - Sep. 30, 2016 |
| Seashore Sweets' Closed to make way for a new experience. | Feb. 1, 2016 |
| Disney's BoardWalk Villas | |
| Guest Villa Renovations | Through Spring 2016 |
| Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort | |
| Aruba Pool | Feb. 22 - Apr. 15, 2016 |
| Disney's Polynesian Village Resort | |
| General Construction During this time, Guests will observe construction taking place and certain pathways and buildings may be unavailable. | Through Spring 2016 |
| East Pool Closed for enhancement. Guests may see or hear work in progress. | Through Spring 2016 |
| Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside | |
| Alligator Bayou Pool B | Mar. 7-8, 2016 |
| Alligator Bayou Pool C | Mar. 9-10, 2016 |
| Disney's Wilderness Lodge & Villas | |
| General Resort Refurbishments Due to multiple resort refurbishment projects, Guests will notice construction work in various areas. Noise may be overheard while this work is being completed, but construction will not begin until after 9 a.m. Certain pathways, including the nature trail, will be unavailable. The Hidden Springs leisure pool area (the leisure pool atThe Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge), resort beach, playground, Marina and Recreation fire pit will be unavailable. | Through 2017 |
| Cub's Den (Children's Activity Center) - unavailable | Through 2017 |
| Sturdy Branches Health Club | July - October 2016 |
| Disney Springs | |
| Roadwork on Buena Vista Drive Due to heavy roadwork, expect delays on Buena Vista Drive. It is recommended that Guests use complimentary Walt Disney World Resort transportation from Parks and Resorts to Disney Springs and plan to arrive early for reserved dining and entertainment experiences. | Through May 2016 |
| Planet Hollywood | Jan. 6 - Summer 2016 |
| Mickey's Pantry / The Spice & Tea Exchange | Feb. 29 - Mar. 14, 2016 |
| Fulton's Crab House | Apr. 4 - Dec. 31, 2016 |
Other Disney Destinations
Disney Cruise Line
At the shareholder meeting, Bob Iger announced that Disney has entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany for two new cruise ships. The schedule calls for the new ships to be completed in 2021 and 2023.
“We pride ourselves on the unforgettable vacation experiences we deliver to our guests each and every day, and the expansion of our Disney fleet will allow us to create even more magical memories for families at sea and in incredible cruise destinations around the world,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company.
The new ships will be approximately 135,000 gross tons and will include about 1,250 guest staterooms. This will make the two new ships slightly larger that the current biggest ships in the fleet, the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy.
The design, guest offerings, ship names, and itineraries are still under development. With several years until these new ships set sail, we expect many more details to be announced in the years to come.
Among the business community, analysts view this as Disney taking advantage of the relatively strong dollar compared to the Euro to get the ships at a good value.