Disney News: “Incredible” Summer, Summer ’19 Cruises, Egg-stravaganza Returns & More

Just in time for Easter, here’s news of a returning favorite at Walt Disney World and some other updates from the Disney Destinations we proudly represent.

WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT’S ‘INCREDIBLE SUMMER’ WILL BRING NEW EXPERIENCES TO ALL FOUR PARKS

This summer, beloved stories from several Disney films will come to life at Walt Disney World® Resort in the form of new attractions, entertainment, experiences and more at all four parks, setting up summer 2018 to truly be an “Incredible Summer.”

Here’s what you can expect at each Walt Disney World Resort location.

The Incredibles Take Over Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom® Park – You can party with Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, and Frozone from Disney•Pixar’s “The Incredibles” and the soon-to-be blockbuster “Incredibles 2.” Edna Mode, the greatest superhero costume designer, will also make her debut appearance. Each evening, you can enjoy a “SUPER” dance party on the Rocket Tower Stage.

The Guardians of the Galaxy Take the Stage at Epcot® – StarLord, and Gamora from “The Guardians of the Galaxy” will join an alien band, taking you on a journey through the cosmos. The party will feature hits from Awesome Mix Tapes 1 and 2 – fun and favorite tunes from the two movies’ soundtracks – building the anticipation for a new Epcot Guardians of the Galaxy attraction.

“Explorer’s Meet UP! A Great Bird Adventure” & A “Dino-Tastic” Celebration for Donald Duck Will Debut At Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park – Two new can’t-miss offerings will debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in time for the park’s 20th anniversary. First, you can discover new bird species from around the world at the new show “Explorer’s Meet UP! A Great Bird Adventure,” which will star Senior Wilderness Explorer Russell and his furry friend Dug. The park will also launch a “dino-tastic” celebration, in which Donald Duck takes over Dinoland, U.S.A., in a new character celebration.

See “The Incredibles 2” at AMC Disney Springs® – Everyone’s favorite family of superheroes is back in “Incredibles 2” – but this time Helen is in the spotlight, while Bob navigates the day-to-day heroics of “normal” life at home with Violet, Dash and baby Jack-Jack, whose superpowers are emerging. When a new villain hatches a brilliant and dangerous plot, the family and Frozone must find a way to work together again—which is easier said than done, even when they’re all Incredible. “Incredibles 2” busts into theaters on June 15, 2018.

And last, but not least …

Toy Story Land Opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® – One major highlight of “Incredible Summer” will be the grand opening of Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This new 11-acre land will shrink guests to the size of a toy and allow them go explore the fun and adventure of Andy’s backyard. There, you can experience two new attractions: the family coaster Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers. Toy Story Land also will feature an existing guest-favorite attraction, Toy Story Mania!, which will expand to add a third track into the rotation. The land’s Woody’s Lunch Box will be a new quick-service restaurant that will offer up tasty meals and old-fashioned soda floats to Toy Story Land Guests.

Toy Story Land opens June 30th.

DISNEY CRUISE LINE SUMMER 2019 ITINERARIES

In summer 2019, Disney Cruise Line will sail on new itineraries to seven new ports in Europe, including a first-ever round-trip cruise from Rome and first-time visits to destinations in Sweden, France, Spain, Denmark and Northern Ireland. Disney Cruise Line will take Guests on a grand tour of Europe with visits to the Mediterranean in early summer and northern Europe in late summer. Plus, adventures continue with sailings to Alaska, the Caribbean and the Bahamas, including new cruise lengths aboard the Disney Fantasy.

New round-trip sailing from Rome
For the first time, Disney Cruise Line Guests can experience the rich history of Rome as a bookend experience in a single cruise. On June 14, 2019, the Disney Magic will sail an eight-night round-trip cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome).

First-time visits to seven new ports in Europe
Disney Cruise Line will call on seven new ports in Europe for the first time in 2019, including Gothenburg and Nynashamn (Stockholm), Sweden; Toulon (Provence) and Brest, France; Cartagena, Spain; Fredericia, Denmark; and Belfast, Northern Ireland. Throughout the summer, the tour of Europe includes engagements in the Baltic, Norwegian fjords, Iceland, British Isles and the Mediterranean.

Return to Alaska
In 2019, the Disney Wonder will return to Alaska for the summer season. A variety of five-, seven- and nine-night itineraries will depart from Vancouver, Canada, with stops in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier and Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska, plus Victoria, Canada.

Special Disney Fantasy itineraries to the Caribbean and Bahamas
In addition to seven-night eastern and western Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida, the Disney Fantasy will embark on a variety of special itineraries to the Caribbean and Bahamas throughout the summer of 2019. These include a three-night Bahamian cruise departing August 7, a six-night western Caribbean cruise departing June 30, an eight-night southern Caribbean cruise departing June 22, and an 11-night southern Caribbean cruise departing July 27.

More opportunities to explore Disney’s exclusive private island
In 2019, the Disney Dream will sail a series of cruises that include two stops at Castaway Cay so guests can have twice the fun in the sun and enjoy even more of Disney’s award-winning pristine island paradise. These special itineraries are in addition to three- and four-night Bahamian cruises from Port Canaveral that visit Nassau and Castaway Cay.

Bookings open to Platinum Castaway Club Members and Golden Oak on March 5, 2018 at 8 a.m. ET.
Bookings open to Gold Castaway Club Members on March 6, 2018 at 8 a.m. ET.
Booking open to Silver Castaway Club Members, Adventure Insiders and Disney Vacation Club Members on March 7, 2018 a.m. ET.
Bookings open to the general public on March 8, 2018.

Also in the summer of 2019, Disney Cruise Line Guests can enrich their experience by combining a cruise with a package from Adventures by Disney®.

New in 2019, Adventures by Disney will offer a pre-cruise guided experience in Rome. These 3-night Short Escapes, also offered in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Barcelona, allow families to experience memorable icons in ways that few can, such as a private, after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in Rome. Plus, activities like ziplining, flamenco dancing and preparing local cuisine immerse families in the culture of the region.

And, you can also enhance select European sailings with an Adventures by Disney package during the cruise. Adventure Guides lead travelers to experience the best of each port, helping them unlock the wonders of the destination through immersive excursions and off-the-beaten-path adventures. In addition, you will enjoy exclusive receptions onboard and have access to concierge service from these dedicated guides throughout the voyage.

These Adventures by Disney offerings open for booking beginning March 8, 2018. A Vancouver Short Escape will open for booking later this year.

EGG-STRAVAGANZA RETURNS, NEW HONEY BEE SCAVENGER HUNT ADDED TO EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FLOWER & GARDEN FESTIVAL

The popular Egg-stravaganza scavenger hunt is coming back to the Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival. Today we’re sharing some details on this springtime egg-sperience as well as an ALL-NEW Spike the Honey Bee scavenger hunt.

From March 16-April 1, 2018 guests visiting the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival can participate in the Egg-stravaganza scavenger hunt – hunting high and low in World Showcase for “eggs” that portray favorite Disney characters.

As you find the hidden Disney Character-themed “eggs” in the park, you can record your discoveries by placing a corresponding sticker on a specially themed Egg-stravaganza map. Maps and stickers can be purchased for $5.99, plus tax at the following parks and locations:

Disney Trader
Pin Central
World Traveler

When you find all of the “eggs” and complete your scavenger hunt map, you then return it to Disney Traders for a sp-egg-tacular surprise.

Also, along with the egg-cellent adventure, Disney is featuring a new springtime scavenger hunt called Spike’s Pollen Nation Exploration. In this hunt, Disney’s favorite honey bee, Spike, has been pollinating his way around the festival, giving gardeners of any age the chance to follow his pollination trail around World Showcase at Epcot.

It’s easy to start this new scavenger hunt. You can pick up a garden map and stickers at Port of Entry. Then, it’s time to look for Spike!

As you explore the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, be on the lookout for Spike as he pollinates Epcot’s gardens. In each garden, you have to search for the plant Spike has pollinated, identifiable by Spike himself and a Spike’s Pollen Nation Exploration plant stake. Once you find him, you can add the corresponding sticker to your map.

After your journey is complete, you can return your map for a springtime surprise.

Maps and stickers for Spike’s Pollen Nation Exploration can be purchased for $5.99, plus tax at Port of Entry.

A PATH LESS TRAVELED – DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR

As a part of the 20th anniversary celebration of Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, you can get an insider’s look at some of the ways Disney brings the magic of nature to life in a new limited-time experience called A Path Less Traveled – Disney’s Animal Kingdom 20th Anniversary tour. This collection of experiences will take you backstage to tour the vet hospital and Animal Nutrition Center, perform a nest check on a purple martin birdhouse as part of a Disney’s conservation project, gaze at some of the park’s largest inhabitants during Caring for Giants and end the day with VIP viewing of Rivers of Light.

A Path Less Traveled will be offered daily from April 1-May 5, 2018. Tours can be booked in advance for $59 per person, plus tax. Please contact us for more information.

ENCOUNTER REY BEGINNING THIS MAY IN STAR WARS LAUNCH BAY AT DISNEYLAND RESORT

As the development of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge continues at Disneyland Park, Star Wars Launch Bay in Tomorrowland is the go-to destination for all things from the galaxy far, far away. And beginning this May, a new face will join this interactive experience with the arrival of the Resistance’s newest hero, Rey.

A scavenger from the planet Jakku, Rey is a survivor toughened by life on a harsh desert planet. Despite dismissing herself as “no one,” she learns that her life is being shaped by the mysterious power of the Force. Central to the stories of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Rey has become an inspiration to a new generation of Star Wars fans.

Joining Chewbacca, Rey will visit with Guests at the Light Side character experience throughout the summer, with Darth Vader and Kylo Ren encountering guests at the Dark Side area. Be sure to check the Entertainment times guide upon your arrival to the park, as encounter times are subject to change.

DISNEY HOME NOW OPEN AT DOWNTOWN DISNEY DISTRICT AT THE DISNEYLAND RESORT

The highly anticipated Disney Home store is now officially open at the Disneyland® Resort! Disney Home, located in the Downtown Disney® District, offers fans a variety of Disney-themed home-related treasures from glass wear to linens, kitchen goods and more. The curated assortment of home goods available will change with each season.

The opening of the Disney Home store is a part of the continuous, promenade-wide transformation happening at the Downtown Disney District in 2018. Multiple new venues like Splitsville Luxury Lanes and significant refurbishments to marquee dining and retail locations will be completed throughout the year while Downtown Disney District remains open to Guests. The result will be a fresh, one-of-a-kind Disney experience, immersing Guests by day and night in the greatest mix of family-friendly dining, shopping and entertainment.