Disney News

The Walt Disney World® Resort’s newest resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is currently scheduled to start opening in phases beginning on May 31, 2012.

Located near Disney’s Pop Century Resort, the new resort will offer 1,120 family suites (including a bedroom and living room) themed after “The Lion King,” “Cars” and “Finding Nemo” animated films.  The family suites are designed to comfortably accomodate up to six guests.  Each suite includes two separate bathrooms, a master bedroom, and three separate sleeping areas within the living space.

There will also be 864 standard guest rooms inspired by “The Little Mermaid.” The current opening timetable has the “Finding Nemo” wing opening May 31, the “Cars” wing in late July, and “The Lion King” wing in late September. The final wing, themed after “The Little Mermaid,” is scheduled to debut in December 2012.

Although Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is still several months away from opening, it’s already set to break records by planning the largest swimming pool at the Walt Disney World® Resort (aside from the water parks). This pool will be located in the “Finding Nemo” wing, and will measure 11,859 square feet. The resort also will feature two other pools and a children’s water play area.

You can now start making reservations to stay at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort for your vacation to the Walt Disney World® Resort.  Talk to your Magic Maker® for more information or click below to request a quote.

*Images are Walt Disney Imagineering Concept Art, actual construction may vary

Little fans of  “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” now have the opportunity for some swashbuckling fun at the Disney Parks! Jake, from the popular Disney Junior show, will begin greeting guests this month at both the Disneyland® Resort and the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Starting today (November 13), Jake will be making regular appearances at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ at the Walt Disney World® Resort. He joins Handy Manny, Special Agent Oso and June from “Little Einsteins” at the Disney Junior Play ‘n Dine at the Hollywood & Vine restaurant on Disney’s Hollywood Studios‘ Hollywood Boulevard. Guests at the character dining experience will be able to get into the action by swabbing the deck, rowing the boat and shouting “yo ho” to songs from the show, including “Roll Up the Map,” “Hot Lava” and “Talk Like a Pirate.”

Jake will join the Stars of Disney Junior at their meet and greet location in the Animation Courtyard. In order to make way for Jake, the Little Einsteins will no longer appear at that location.

Jake fans visiting the Disneyland® Resort will also be able to meet their favorite little pirate beginning November 20, along Hollywood Boulevard at Disney California Adventure® park.

Guests visiting both parks can also see Jake, Izzy, Cubby, and Skully as the sneak up on Captain Hook and Mr. Smee at the Disney Junior- Live on Stage show.  The little pirates from Jake and the Never Land Pirates join Mickey and gang, the Little Einsteins, and Handy Manny and his tools in this fun, interactive show geared just for preschoolers.

Be sure to check daily entertainment guides for show times, character greeting times and locations.  Talk to your Magic Maker® about making a reservation to eat with Jake, Handy Manny, Oso, and June at the Disney Junior Play ‘n Dine.  Characters appear at the Hollywood & Vine restaurant for breakfast and lunch.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a hard-ticket* event that takes place after the Magic Kingdom® Park closes. Enjoy snow falling on Main Street U.S.A., special holiday entertainment, additional character meet-and-greets, complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, and a performance of Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season fireworks.

This year, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade will feature an appearance by Duffy the Disney Bear and a special appearance by Santa Claus, himself.  New character meet and greets will be available, including Phineas & Ferb in Tomorrowland, the Seven Dwarfs in Frontierland and Duffy the Disney Bear in Town Square.

Castle Dream Lights
Be sure to catch the enchanted Cinderella’s Holiday Wish stage show, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald, Goofy, Pluto and Cinderella appear to admire the lovely holiday decorations at the park. Then they share their ideas on how to decorate Cinderella Castle for the season. The Fairy Godmother covers the castle in glittering ice, making it look just like her special glass slippers.

You can see the show nightly at the Magic Kingdom® Park throughout the holiday season with regular admission.

Contact your Magic Maker® to reserve your tickets now!

*Parties will take place Nov. 9, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29 and 30, Dec. 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16 and 18. Day-of-event pricing is $62.95 and $57.95 for ages 3-9. Savings of $6 per ticket are available if tickets are purchased in advance.  Entertainment and ticket prices subject to change without advance notice.

Guests heading to the Magic Kingdom® Park tonight for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party are in for a real Halloween treat. For the first time in the park’s history, Mickey will be talking with guests and testing some new tricks backstage at Town Square Theater.  Check it out:

*Please remember that this is just a test.

Happy Halloween!  If you didn’t get a chance to celebrate this spooky day at the Walt Disney World® Resort or Disneyland® Resort this year, then start planning for next year’s trip!  Here are the haunted happenings that took place this year that you won’t want to miss next year!

Disneyland® Resort in California

Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy
The darkest regions of space and time cross over into a ghostly netherworld in the classic attraction, Space Mountain!  Haunting sound effects and a chilling soundtrack surround you as you scream your way through space.

Main Street Pumpkin Festival
More than 300 totally unique pumpkins decorate the plaza throughout Main Street, U.S.A.  Be sure to check them all out as well as the delicious treats for sale.

Haunted Mansion Holiday
This timeless attraction has been taken over by Jack Skellington and his gang from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”  The Haunted Mansion is transformed from haunted house to Halloween Town complete with special soundtrack and exclusive Halloween experiences.

Big Thunder Ranch Halloween Roundup
Head to the corral and get close with different barnyard animals.  Then meet up with Sheriff Woody and Jessie while participating in lively arts and crafts.  Learn from the master Disney arts as they create elaborate pumpkin designs.

Mickey’s Halloween Party
You are invited to an exclusive party with Mickey and the gang at the Disneyland® Park.  Clad in costume, trick-or-treat around the park.  Fireworks erupts the night sky to a spooky and haunting soundtrack in Halloween Screams.  A separate ticket is needed for this event that takes place select nights.

Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Dress up in your favorite costume and trick-or-treat around the Magic Kingdom for some delicious treats.  Take a ride on some of your favorite attractions and be sure to catch Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade that kicks off by a erie ride by the Headless Horseman.  The Disney Villians light up the night sky in the Happy Hallowishes fireworks.  Don’t forget to catch your favorite characters in their costumes.  A separate ticket is needed for this event that takes place on select nights.

Haunted Carriage Rides
Roam the woods of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground on a 25-minute Haunted Carriage Ride while hearing the “Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”  Reservations are needed to participate in this spooky experience.

Delicious Halloween Treats
Throughout the entire resort, feast on delicious treats created just for this time of the year.  Pumpkin spice funnel cakes, pumpkin fudge and cheesecake, and Halloween-themed cookies and baked goods.  Some of your favorite characters are recreated as caramel apples during the Halloween season!

Halloween Fun at the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
Check with your resort hotel for fun Halloween Happenings during your stay.  Participate in Mummy Wrap-Ups, Cupcake Decorating, Monster Mash Pool Bashes, Costume Parades, or catch a haunted flick under the stars.

*Halloween events may vary from year to year at the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts and can change without notice.