Disney executives and the parks teams made big announcements this week regarding exciting new guest experiences at Disneyland Resort, Disney World and even Disney Cruise Line. A new Star Wars celebration seems to be the headliner in Disney travel news! Let’s jump right in so you can start planning your adventure!
photo: @bizzy.runninganddizn
First, for any Disney related travel plans, let me encourage you to utilize the service of a travel professional that specializes in Disney Destinations.
Disneyland
Seasons of the Force
Beginning April 5 and running through June 2, 2024, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park will celebrate Seasons of the Force.
First, a new nighttime spectacular will light up the planet of Batuu on select nights. “Fire of the Rising Moon” will honor the heroes of the rebel alliance celebrating the freedoms fought and won from the Empire. This fireworks display will be accompanied by the familiar and beloved John Williams musical score and more.
Second, Photopass photographers are taking magic shots to a whole new level inside Galaxy’s Edge. Don’t miss you chance to grab a souvenir photo with a holopuck magic shot during this time!
Next, guests with Magic Band+ can interact with new features in the land searching for bounty hunters using the Play Disney Parks app. The new “augmented thermal viewer” feature will delight every Star Wars fan across the galaxy.
Finally, in Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park, Space Mountain will feature a limited time overlay. “Hyperspace Mountain” will debut on April 5, 2024. Guests can ride this beloved attraction with a special Star Wars enhancement through June 2, 2024. In addition, the Star Tours attraction will feature new destinations inspired by Disney+ favorites The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and Andor.
Specialty Star Wars themed food and beverages will be available during the Star Wars celebration throughout the Disneyland Resort.
New Merchandise Shops
The story of Princess and the Frog is getting even more love this year in Critter Country at Disneyland Park. In addition to the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (formerly Splash Mountain) in 2025, the princess’s friends are opening 2 new shops.
photo: Disney Destinations
Ray’s Berets and Louis’s Critter Club will each offer guests the chance to purchase headwear, accessories, toys, and specialty items. As a result, Critter Country will temporarily close on May 1, 2024, for the new theming.
Disney World
Magic Kingdom
photo: bizzy.runninganddizn
This summer, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (formerly Splash Mountain) will open at Magic Kingdom! Guests will take a beautiful boat ride through the story following the tale of The Princess and the Frog. All of Tiana’s friends will join in on the fun. The music sights and smells of New Orleans are guaranteed to be spectacular. No official opening date has been announced. Stay tuned.
Animal Kingdom
photo: Disney Destinations
The Lion King is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park will host the celebration. New merch will be available in honor from June 10- September 6, 2024. Also, guests can purchase an adorable new Pumbaa “popcorn bucket” during the 3-month party.
Head to Rafiki’s Planet Watch to meet both Timon and Rafiki this summer! Lastly, the Animation Experience is set to offer guests the chance to exclusively draw characters from the Lion King.
EPCOT
The finishing touches on the transformation of the front of EPCOT will be completed this Summer. On June 10, the CommuniCore building will open to the public and the last of the walls will be down. In celebration, the park is offering a limited run on an Encanto themed Sing-along on the CommuniCore Plaza Stage. “¡Celebracion Encanto!” will fill the air several times a day inviting guest to sing-along with their favorite Encanto songs. This will be a limited time show until September 6, 2024.
Along with the CommuniCore building, the plaza and Inspiration Gardens will join the already open World Celebration Gardens at the front of EPCOT. In addition, to the delight of guests, Mickey and Friends will meet and greet guests at the entrance of the new space.
Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Hollywood Studios won’t be left out of the new summer experiences. In honor of the release of Inside Out 2 on June 14, Joy will meet and greet guests at Pixar Plaza starting June 10. Joy will have here new home among her Pixar friends such as the Incredibles cast.
New merchandise will also be available for the new movie inside the park.
Typhoon Lagoon
H2O Glow After Hours events will return this year to Typhoon Lagoon in Disney World. This special ticketed event starts May 25, 2024, on select nights through August 31, 2024. Dance and splash into the late night with a DJ, complimentary snacks and beverages as well as surprise Disney characters.
Tickets go on sale March 22 and cabanas will be available for rent this year. In addition, special “Glow” themed snacks and beverages will be available for purchase.
Disney Springs
Hold onto your hats! A drone show, Disney Dreams that Soar, is coming to Disney Springs this summer. The first of its kind nighttime experience will light up the skies above the West Side at Disney Springs. The show will celebrate all things flight including Disney movies and include music, quotes, and choreographed drones in the sky late nights from May 24- September 2, 2024.
Fort Wilderness Campground and Cabins
The renovated cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, a Magic Kingdom area resort, are open now for bookings starting with stays on July 1, 2024. More cabins will open to guests throughout the year. The updated 1-bedroom stand-alone accommodations have a full kitchen, outdoor space, and living areas.
Fort Wilderness Resort is perfect for groups who love the camping environment. The resort is home to Tri-Circle-D Ranch, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, as well as Chip n Dale’s Fireside Sing-along. This resort is a great place for extra magical activities such as archery, horseback riding and more! The resort beach offers great views of both the Magic Kingdom fireworks and the Electrical Water Pageant at night.
Disney Cruise Line
Information about the NEWEST Disney Cruise ship, the Disney Destiny, was released this week. For the first time, heroes AND villains will delight guests on board the sister ship to both the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure.
The latest cruise option will feature both sides of beloved stories such as The Lion King, One Hundred and One Dalmatians and Hercules. This includes characters to meet and greet on the ship! More news will be released as the ship gets closer to her inaugural sailing. Stay tuned.
Also announced were brand new Summer 2025 itineraries for the rest of the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Read all the options HERE.
The Disney travel news this week included exciting new and returning experiences for guests this Spring and Summer season. From Star Wars celebrations at Disneyland Park to lighting up the summer night at Typhoon Lagoon, Disney parks guests have great options.
If you are thinking about a vacation to any Disney destination or Universal property, you can submit a free no-obligation quote request to start planning your trip right away. Alternatively, reach out to DizN Vacations. Their team of expert and experienced travel professionals are great at creating personalized travel to the theme parks.
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