Disney News

The Disney Parks are always looking for new ways to make attractions and experiences more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Check out this first-of-its-kind technology that will change the way some guests with disabilities experience Disney parks.

Disney engineers have plussed up their Assistive Technology Device to provide detailed descriptions of outdoor areas for visually impaired guests. Using an interactive audio menu, guests can choose the type of information they’d like to receive, from architectural elements to the location of the nearest restroom. It works using wireless technology to pinpoint its location and take pre-programmed actions. Best of all, it fits in the palm of your hand.

The Disney engineers said the device already combines many other features, including detailed audio description for more than 50 attractions; amplified audio for guests with mild to moderate hearing loss; handheld captioning that lets guests read captions while enjoying specific rides; and activation of closed captioning on television displays in pre-show areas.

Disney has already patented and licensed the technology for the handheld device, which could serve a wide variety of retail, commercial and industrial applications. And industry insiders and techies are already taking notice. The National Society of Professional Engineers just lauded the device as the new product of the year.

The Handheld Assistive Technology Device will be available starting June 27 for guests at Walt Disney World Resort and in 2011 in Disneyland Resort, for no additional cost.

Imagineers have revealed an attraction, Silly Symphony Swings, as part of the overhaul of Paradise Pier in Disney California Adventure™ Park.  These swings replaced the Orange Stinger, a swing attraction that looked like a partially peeled orange.

Check out these photos of the completed attraction and some fun facts. The attraction officially opened June 11.

Here’s the symphonic scoop on the tuneful addition to Paradise Pier:

• The attraction features 32 single-seat swings for guests, and eight pair of tandem seats for smaller riders and their responsible companion.
• The name Silly Symphony Swings pays homage to one of Walt Disney’s greatest creations – a series of cartoon shorts, called “Silly Symphonies,” which historians say revolutionized animated films. Relying mostly on music to tell their tales, this series of cartoons was honored with multiple Academy Awards and introduced audiences to several beloved Disney characters, including Donald Duck. Walt Disney Studios produced 75 “Silly Symphony” cartoons from 1929-1939. (“The Band Concert” was not among these cartoons, but it was associated with them because of its similar style.)
• Standing atop the crimson and cream-colored carousel canopy is a sculpture of Maestro Mickey Mouse, just as he appeared in “The Band Concert,” with a conductor’s baton in hand and clad in his crisp, fire-engine red bandleader’s uniform.
• The opening of Silly Symphony Swings in 2010 coincides with the 75th anniversary of the release of “The Band Concert.”
• In addition to Mickey Mouse, “The Band Concert” features several Disney character favorites, including a fife-playing Donald Duck, a flautist cow named Clarabelle and a clarinet-playing Goofy.
• A wooden deck surrounds Silly Symphony Swings, allowing non-riders to watch the fun and enjoy a restful and shady spot amidst the excitement of Paradise Pier.

Details and concept art have been released that will give the Disneyland® Hotel in California a fun, fresh makeover. The pool area is getting a whole new look, including a brand-new pool, all-new immersive water play area and a complete redesign of the Never Land Pool. Plans also call for a new restaurant and bar, and re-theming of the hotel’s three guest room towers.

Pool Transformations
The biggest transformation are the changes coming to the pool area. With a nod to the iconic original park signage, Disneyland will be spelled out in familiar blocks atop a platform supporting two huge water slides. Reminiscent of the original Monorail station at the Disneyland Hotel, at each slide’s entrance will sit a replica Monorail Car that guests will glide through as they twist and turn their way to the pool below. The pool will also feature a third, two-lane mini slide, perfect for little ones.

The Never Land Pool will receive a complete cosmetic makeover but will retain its unique shape. A new, four-foot deep pool will be built between the Never Land Pool and the water play area. A footbridge will stretch over this new pool, connecting both sides of the courtyard area and giving easy access across the property. Six new cabanas will also be added.  The new water play area and pool are scheduled to be completed by summer 2011, and the remodeled Never Land Pool is slated to be completed by summer 2012.

New Dining Locations
Two new dining locations will be introduced in the current location of Hook’s Pointe, Croc’s Bites and Bits, the Wine Cellar and the Lost Bar. A new smart casual dining concept will feature Tahitian architecture that is reminiscent of the ’50s and ’60s era of the hotel and the original Tahitian Terrace restaurant in Disneyland park. A new bar will draw on the adventure theme from the Jungle Cruise attraction.  These are scheduled to be completed Summer 2011.

Hotel Guest Rooms
The hotel’s three guest room towers will be renamed to reflect Disneyland® park’s distinctive lands. The Dreams Tower, currently under renovation and scheduled to be completed in 2010, will become the Adventure Tower. The Wonder Tower, next to undergo transformation and slated for completion in 2011, will be the Frontier Tower, and the Magic Tower, which will be finished in 2012, will become the Fantasy Tower. A large marquee featuring classic artwork for Adventureland, Frontierland and Fantasyland will identify each tower.

Click here to request your Disneyland® Resort Quote!

Question:

Can you use two non-Park Hopper® tickets the same day at the Walt Disney World® Resort?

I know this would eliminate an entire day’s ticket but they are so cheap after you purchase at least 4 days, I just thought it would come out better
if you were only going to park hop 1 day to get 5 non-park hopper tickets
and use two of them on that one day.

Answer:

Unfortunately, that is not possible. The ticket system is set up so that you can only enter one park per day per person, unless you add the Park Hopper® option. The park hopper add-on is a great option, even if you just “hop” into a different park for dinner or to catch the evening show!

Theresa Dougherty, Navigator

From Magic Maker® Aimee Fleming

You have finally arrived at the Walt Disney World® Resort! There you are standing in front of that thrill ride you have been waiting your whole vacation for…and realize that someone in your party is not tall enough to ride. What do you do?

My family ran into this same situation during our last visit this past April. We have five members in our group. Mom, Dad, our ten year old son, six year old daughter and three year old son. My ten year old is now tall enough to ride everything so he was not a problem; not so for my six and three year olds.

Our first encounter happened at the Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain attraction in Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. The height requirement is 44 inches or taller. Everyone in our family could ride except the three year old, so we used Disney’s Rider Switch Program.

What is Rider Switch? It is a great feature for families or traveling parties to use when you have a wide variety of ages and heights for some of the more thrill seeking rides.

Here’s how it works:

1. Locate a Disney Cast Member, there will always be one stationed at the beginning of the queue.
2. Explain to the Cast Member that you need to do a Rider Switch.
3. Next, you will be asked who is riding first (ex: Husband and Son).
4. The Cast Member will hand a ticket to another member of the party which looks similar to a FASTPASS® ticket.
5. Our daughter, three year old son and I were asked to step out of the line and wait for the rest of our party.
6. Once my husband and son returned, my daughter and I entered the FASTPASS® line to go straight to the ride without waiting in the regular queue again.

Rider Switch is a great advantage to use for any thrill rides where the waits can get hours long. This way the complete party or family only wait in the long lines once and everyone gets to ride. We also used Rider Switch for Rockin’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith (height requirement: 48 inches) at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™.

Not sure if a particular ride has Rider Switch? Just ask a Cast Member, they are always ready to help!  Talk to your Magic Maker™ about other ways to make the trip as smooth as possible for the entire family.

Leave us a comment and tell us what tips you have to make a Walt Disney World® vacation smooth and enjoyable for the entire family?

Click here to see the Walt Disney World® Height Restrictions Chart*

*Height Restrictions subject to change at any time without notice.