Disney News: Toy Story FastPass, Eat to the Beat Line-Up, Mickey’s Party Tickets & More

Here are some news items that caught our eye regarding the various Disney Destinations we offer as vacation options.

FastPass+ for Toy Story Land Opens to Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Guests, Special Extra Magic Hours To Be Offered

Are you counting down the days until Toy Story Land opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® on June 30, 2018? Today, we have some exciting news to share – FastPass+ reservations are now open for Guests staying at select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels.

FastPass+ reservations are available for attractions in the land. Guests who are up to 60 days from their Walt Disney World Resort hotel check-in can choose one FastPass+ reservation for one of the Toy Story Land attractions, plus two other attractions in the park such as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror , and more, depending on availability.

But FastPass+ reservations are just one of the ways you can experience Toy Story Land. Beginning July 1, 2018, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will also operate from 8 a.m-10:30 p.m. for a limited time. In addition, even more Extra Magic Hour opportunities will be available including daily morning Extra Magic Hours, plus evening Extra Magic Hours offered once per week.

Sheila E, 98 Degrees, MercyMe, Tauren Wells Bring Magic to 2018 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

We’re excited to give you an update on the “Eat to the Beat” concert series for this year’s Epcot® International Food and Wine Festival, taking place this fall at Walt Disney World® Resort.

New to this year’s concert series will be percussionist extraordinaire and singer Sheila E and ‘80s Canadian rockers Glass Tiger. 98 Degrees – featuring brothers and “Dancing With the Stars” alums Nick and Drew Lachey – also bring their smooth harmonies to the festival. Maybe they’ll sing “True To Your Heart” from Disney’s “Mulan”? And, if that weren’t enough, entertainer Jim Belushi brings his rhythm-and-blues band The Sacred Hearts to the festival this year.

This year’s lineup also will include two Contemporary Christian music artists: MercyMe, who successfully branched out from music this year with the hit film based on lead singer Bart Mallard’s life called “I Can Only Imagine”; and former “Royal Tailor” front man Tauren Wells, who has found mainstream success this year, touring with Mariah Carey and Lionel Richie.

Returning favorites include ‘80s pop stars Tiffany and Billy Ocean, ’90s hit makers like Hanson and Everclear; and swing-meisters Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, who close out the festival as they have for the last couple of years.

The lineup so far is:

8/30-31 – Blue October – “Into the Ocean”
9/1-3 – Tiffany – “I Think We’re Alone Now”
9/4-5 – MercyMe – “I Can Only Imagine” NEW
9/6-7 – Glass Tiger – “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone) NEW
9/8-9 – Tauren Wells – “Hills and Valleys” NEW
9/10-11 – Postmodern Jukebox
9/12-13 – TBD
9/14-16 – Baha Men – “Who Let The Dogs Out”
9/17-19 – TBD
9/20-21 – Living Color – “Cult of Personality”
9/22-23 – Sheila E – “The Glamorous Life” NEW
9/24-26 – Sugar Ray – “Every Morning”
9/27-28 – David Cook – “Light On”
9/29-30 – Jeffrey Osbourne – “On The Wings of Love”
10/1-2 – Jim Belushi & The Sacred Hearts – Various Hits
10/3-4 – Everclear – “Santa Monica”
10/5-7 – Mark Wills – “19 Somethin’”
10/8-10 – Air Supply – “All Out Of Love”
10/11-12 – TBD
10/13-14 – TBD
10/15-16 – 98 Degrees – “Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)” NEW
10/17-18 – 38 Special – “Hold On Loosely”
10/19-21 – Devon Allman Project – “Ragged and Dirty”
10/22-23 – TBD
10/24-25 – Billy Ocean – “Get Outta My Dreams”
10/26-28 – Starship featuring Mickey Thomas – “We Built This City”
10/29-31 – Hanson – “MMMBop”
11/1-2 – TBD
11/3-4 – Taylor Dayne – “Prove Your Love”
11/5-7 – Boyz II Men – “End Of The Road”
11/8-9 – The Hooters – “And We Danced”
11/10-12 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy – “Go Daddy-O”

The festival’s 23rd year runs from Aug. 30-Nov. 12, 2018.

Stay tuned for updates on the 2018 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, including celebrity chef events, “Eat to the Beat” dining packages, special events and other fun.

Adventures by Disney Announces Special South Africa Departure Hosted by Joe Rohde and Dr. Mark Penning

In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, Adventures by Disney® just announced a special adult-exclusive Safari to South Africa departure for Nov. 30, 2018. On this unique trip, you can explore Africa with special hosts Joe Rohde, Portfolio Creative Executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, and Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President, Animals, Science and Environment, who will share their expertise on storytelling, wildlife and conservation.

Throughout the trip, Joe will share his insight on this magnificent country through the lens of an artist. You can learn from Joe as he leads sketching sessions (no prior art experience required!) at iconic locations in South Africa. He’ll also share the experiences in Africa that inspired him to create Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.

Meanwhile, Mark, a native of South Africa, will share his expertise on South African natural history. You will learn about the unique species that live in the areas visited on the trip, including the birds at Cape Point; the elephants, birds and monkeys in Knysna; and the abundant wildlife found during the game drives at Kapama Private Game Reserve.

Space is limited — contact us today to reserve your spot on this exciting departure.

Tickets Now Available for Disney H2O Glow Nights, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party & Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Tickets are now on sale for Disney H2O Glow Nights at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon®, Water Park, as well as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Parties and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties at Magic Kingdom® Park.

The new Disney H2O Glow Nights offering at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is part of the Incredible Summer celebration at Walt Disney World® Resort where “Toy Story” pals will throw glow parties on select summer nights, starting June 21, 2018, inspired by the awesome party in the Pixar short, “Partysaurus Rex.”

Disney H2O Glow Nights will take place only at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon on Thursdays and Saturdays from June 21-August 11, from 8-11 p.m. Tickets cost $55 for adults and $50 for children ages 3-9 (plus tax).

Tickets are also now available for Guest-favorite fall events.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party fills Magic Kingdom Park with spooky delights on select nights beginning Aug. 17, 2018. Returning party “treats” include the “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” stage show in front of Cinderella Castle, Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade, “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks spectacular, candy and much more.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets start at $75 in advance or $85 at the gate, if available.

You can also reserve tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties. Returning favorites for the holiday party includes Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade; “Holiday Wishes” fireworks spectacular; “A Frozen Holiday Wish,” in which Queen Elsa uses her incredible powers to transform Cinderella Castle into a sparkling, icy centerpiece for the celebration; and the jubilant show, “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration.”

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tickets start at $95 in advance or $105 at the gate, if available.

Disney Cruise Line to Offer Flexible Air Option

Disney Cruise Line is excited to announce that customers will have the option to purchase Flexible Fares or Restricted Fares beginning in May. These fares come with a variety of benefits to best fit your needs.

– Flexible Fares provide the convenience of customizing your flight schedule, with an extended payment and cancellation option.

– Restricted Fares let you confirm the best available non-refundable, airline-published airfare offered by Disney Cruise Line at the time of booking, while still receiving the peace of mind of booking your flights with the Disney Cruise Line Air Program.

Ask us about air options when booking your Disney Cruise Line vacation.

All-New Play Disney Parks App Coming to Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort This Summer

You can soon explore Disneyland® Resort and Walt Disney World® Resort in a whole new way using the all-new Play Disney Parks app! Coming this summer on iOS and Android, you can play in the parks like never before using this soon-to-launch mobile app to access exclusive experiences at both locations through activities that interact with the surrounding environment. The app will be free to download.

With the touch of a button, wait time turns into play time with family and friends at certain locations. And the more you explore in Disney parks, the more there is to discover on the app. This is just the latest way Disney is making a visit to the parks even more fun and memorable in new and innovative ways.

Since the launch of My Disney Experience at Walt Disney World Resort in 2013, Disney continues to reinvent digital offerings at the parks around the world. The My Disney Experience app, Guests’ go-to vacation companion, has continued to evolve – including the Get Directions feature, Online Check-In and the recently launched Digital Key. Guests are also loving the Disneyland App, Disney MaxPass and soon mobile order at Disneyland Resort – currently available at Walt Disney World – and Disney is excited to bring this latest innovation to the parks!

Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset or service provider. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first. Apple, the Apple logo and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.