Disney News: Play Disney Parks App, Holidays on Land/Sea & More

Here’s our latest look at some of the top news stories from the various Disney Destinations we offer to customers.

Play Disney Parks App Debuts at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort

We’re so excited to share this news with you! The all-new Play Disney Parks mobile app made its official debut at Disneyland® Resort and Walt Disney World® Resort last month. The app is free to download.

The #PlayDisneyParks app was designed for families and Guests to enjoy together. With group play that enables everyone to join in on the fun, you can turn wait time into play time with all-new interactive experiences and activities created for select attraction queues, including: “Playset Party” at Toy Story Mania! in Disney California Adventure® Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, “Off to Neverland” at Peter Pan’s Flight at Disneyland® Park and Magic Kingdom® Park, “Rocket Race” at Space Mountain at Disneyland Park and Magic Kingdom Park, and “Andy’s Boardgame Blast!” at the new Slinky Dog Dash coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And there’s even more to explore in the app!

Guests signed into their Disney account (available to guests 13 and over) can also earn, collect and share uniquely themed achievements, rewarded for playing games, answering trivia, completing challenges and experiencing select attractions across Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. And with the Disney trivia feature, there’s sure to be something for everyone to enjoy as guests can discover fun facts about their favorite theme parks.

This first-of-its-kind Disney app will also allow you to celebrate the songs of Disney in a whole new way. Access Apple Music®* from within the app to tap into a curated audio experience featuring official playlists inspired by beloved theme park lands, attractions and characters – and some favorite memories too. Apple Music subscribers will even be able to add favorite Disney tracks direct to their Apple Music library allowing them to live and re-live the magic of Disney parks music at home.

And this is just the beginning. The Play Disney Parks app will evolve over time with new experiences and offerings, including the eagerly anticipated Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, coming to Disneyland Resort in summer 2019 and Walt Disney World Resort in late fall 2019.

Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations, and features may vary by handset, service provider or otherwise. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first. Some features require separate theme park admission.

*Some features require Apple Music subscription and are only available on iOS devices. Separate terms and conditions apply.

Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone and Apple Music are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Google Play is a trademark of Google LLC.

Disney Cruise Line Setting Sail for Magical Winter Holidays This Year

‘Tis the season… to come aboard! This winter, you can unwrap some holiday magic with Disney Cruise Line.

Beginning in early November, the Disney cruise ships will transform into glittering wonderlands as they are “decked out” for another season of Very Merrytime Cruises, our special holiday sailings packed with festive events for the whole family!

During the most wonderful time of the year, you can join us for a jolly lineup of winter parties and themed entertainment unlike anything else on land or at sea. Special stem-to-stern holiday events include:

Mickey’s Tree-Lighting Magic, where Mickey and his pals lead carols and the lighting of the ship’s three-deck-tall Christmas tree.

Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball, a magical welcome party for the guests of honor, Santa and Mrs. Claus, featuring Broadway-style entertainment and favorite Disney characters… including a pair of royal sisters whose appearance causes a flurry of “frozen” fun as a magical snowfall overtakes the atrium!

Deck the Deck Holiday Party, a tropical celebration up on deck where Disney friends lead hula hooping, limbo under oversized candy canes and high-energy family dances like the “Yuletide Slide” and a conga line around the pool.

Holiday activities for the whole family, like building gingerbread houses, meeting Santa Claus and singing along with Dickens-inspired carolers. Plus, special activities just for kidsinclude decorating stockings and gingerbread men cookies, making holiday cards and creating holiday animation cells.

Sea-sun’s greetings ashore at Disney’s private island Castaway Cay, where the celebration continues with “snow flurries,” a decked-out Christmas tree, Disney character meet-and-greets and merry island music.

And Guests sailing on each holiday will have even more festivities to enjoy, like Thanksgiving Day feasts and football games on the ship’s jumbo screen, Christmas morning surprises from Santa Claus and daily Hanukkah services.

Set sail for a different kind of holiday celebration with Disney Cruise Line!

Joy Through the World! Holidays at Walt Disney World Resort Return November 8!

It’s Christmas in July! Today we’re announcing the return of the holiday season to Walt Disney World® Resort. Starting Nov. 8, 2018, you will be able to celebrate this magical season with festive parties, captivating holiday décor, delicious treats, spectacular entertainment and enchanting experiences that make this season one of the most wonderful times to visit Disney’s theme parks, resorts and more!

A Flurry of Fun comes back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios® with the return of Sunset Seasons Greetings. Featuring impressive new laser effects and “snow,” holiday magic transforms the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel with spectacular projections of beloved Disney Characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Olaf sharing their favorite seasonal stories.

Another returning favorite is the nighttime spectacular Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! The new Toy Story Land also gets special seasonal fun including holiday songs on Alien Swirling Saucers and more!

At Epcot®, you will discover joyous holiday traditions of 11 World Showcase nations during Epcot International Festival of the Holidays beginning Nov. 18, 2018. One of our favorite holiday traditions at Epcot is the Candlelight Processional and this year it starts performances on Nov. 22, 2018.

New this year at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, the magic of nature will receive a holiday touch with the inclusion of Diwali, the holiday Festival of Lights in India, as part of the new live show UP! A Great Bird Adventure.

There’s even more holiday fun at the resorts across Walt Disney World Resort with festive seasonal décor as well as life-sized edible creations. And at Disney Springs®, your Clients will find the perfect destination for holiday shopping, dining and entertainment, with the chance to experience holiday magic along the way.

Now is the time to play big and start planning your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World Resort!

Candlelight Processional Dining Packages on Sale Now

Even though summer is in full swing here at Walt Disney World® Resort, we’re excited to bring you information about this year’s holiday events at Epcot®.

Part of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, the Candlelight Processional is one of the most beloved events at Walt Disney World Resort. Many Guests plan their holiday vacations around their favorite celebrity narrators. This year’s event starts on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, 2018 for the first time ever.

The Candlelight Processional presents the traditional story of Christmas in truly spectacular fashion – with a 50-piece orchestra, a massed choir and a celebrity narrator. The processional is performed three times per night (5, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.) during the holiday season at the America Gardens Theatre. Also available, on select days and evenings, Candlelight Processional Dining Packages which include a delicious meal and a guaranteed seat for one of the Candlelight Processional performances. Availability is limited.

Candlelight Processional Dining Packages are on sale now.

We have a couple of names to share on the celebrity narrator front. Returning favorites include actress/host Whoopi Goldberg; entertainer Pat Sajak; actors Neil Patrick Harris, Chita Rivera, Gary Sinise, Blair Underwood and Edward James Olmos; and Jodi Benson, who voices Ariel in Disney’s animated classic “The Little Mermaid.”

Here is the lineup so far. We hope to share more names soon.*

11/22 – 11/23 – Chita Rivera
11/24 – 12/2 – TBD
12/3 – 12/6 – Neil Patrick Harris
12/7 – 12/9 – Whoopi Goldberg
12/10 – 12/12 – TBD
12/13 – 12/14 – Blair Underwood
12/15 – 12/17 – Gary Sinise
12/18 – 12/20 – Pat Sajak
12/21 – 12/23 – TBD
12/24 – 12/25 – Edward James Olmos
12/26 – 12/27 – Jodi Benson
12/28 – 12/30 – TBD

Lunch and dinner packages are available at some favorite Epcot restaurants like Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (Norway pavilion); Biergarten Restaurant (Germany pavilion); Chefs de France (France pavilion); Coral Reef Restaurant (The Seas pavilion); The Garden Grill Restaurant (The Land pavilion); La Hacienda de San Angel** and San Angel Inn Restaurante (Mexico pavilion); Nine Dragons Restaurant (China pavilion); Restaurant Marrakesh and Spice Road Table (Morocco pavilion); Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room (United Kingdom pavilion); Teppan Edo and Tokyo Dining (Japan pavilion); and Tutto Italia Ristorante and Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria (Italy pavilion).

Breakfast, lunch and dinner options are also available this year at Epcot-area resort restaurants at Ale & Compass at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, with breakfast and dinner options being offered at Trattoria Al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk.

Candlelight Processional Dining Packages start at:

For Breakfast: $38 plus tax per person for adults and $22 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9.
For Lunch: $50 plus tax per person for adults and $16.99 plus tax per person for children, ages 3.
For Dinner: $55 plus tax per person for adults and $16.99 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9.

Epcot provides an extravaganza of holiday entertainment, merchandise, food, beverages and festivities where Guests can celebrate at Epcot throughout the holiday season. Time-honored traditions come alive through the sights and sounds of the countries of World Showcase, and live performances enliven the park throughout the day.

*Narrators and entertainment are subject to change without notice. Epcot admission is required and not included in the dining package price.

** Candlelight Processional Dining Packages are available for dinner only.

Holidays at the Disneyland Resort Returns November 9 through January 6

Holidays at the Disneyland® Resort will return once again this year, bringing seasonal magic to the Merriest Place on Earth Nov. 9-Jan. 6, 2018. This festive season will include the return of favorite holiday experiences and entertainment, as well as dazzling decor decked out throughout the resort!

At Disney California Adventure® Park, Festival of Holidays will again bring the spirit of the season to life through special entertainment, including the return of Disney ¡Viva Navidad! street party. Delicious food at the Guest-favorite Festive Foods Marketplace will present a mix of holiday dishes and beverages that bridge many diverse cultures and family traditions. For the residents of Cars Land, two attractions will receive their holiday overlay again this year to become Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree.

At Disneyland Park, seasonal fan favorites return, including the enchanting Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular and magical “A Christmas Fantasy” parade. In addition, seasonal transformations will once again take over “it’s a small world” Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday.

‘Rivers of Light’ Dessert Party coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom This Summer

Each night at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, you can embrace the magic of nature during the beautiful nighttime experience, “Rivers of Light.” With captivating special effects, music, and animal folklore, this incredible show celebrates the beauty of all living things. And now, you can celebrate the beauty of sweet desserts with the new Rivers of Light Dessert Party.

With this new dining experience, you can add a sweet ending to your day by enjoying a beautiful buffet of Disney’s Animal Kingdom-themed desserts, snacks, and drinks before enjoying VIP views of “Rivers of Light.” Guests start by checking in 60 minutes prior to the main show (8:15 p.m. for a 9:15 p.m. show) at the Rivers of Light Asia Viewing Area Terrace located across from Expedition Everest. Here they’ll enjoy house-made desserts, snacks, specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, iced tea, lemonade, and water. When the show is about to start, they’ll head down to the VIP Seating Area, where they’ll enjoy exceptional views of Rivers of Light.

This exciting new dining experience will take place on select nights starting on Monday, August 6, 2018. Reservations are now available. The price is $79 for adults and $47 for children (tax inclusive) and must be paid for in full at the time of booking. Guests must be at least 21 years of age or older and able to present a valid form of ID to consume alcoholic beverages.

New Show Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy Opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Early 2019

Calling all racers! Beginning in early 2019, there’s going to be another exciting reason to get revved up about a visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. It’s Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, a high-octane first-of-its-kind new show that’ll put you right in the middle of the world of Disney•Pixar’s “Cars.”

At Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, located near Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, you will come face-to-face with racing legend Lightning McQueen, who is excited to showcase what he’s learned over the years with Guests – the next generation of rookie racers. Of course, as Lightning McQueen has discovered throughout his career, things don’t always go according to plan, and he has to think fast to get back on course. With friends Tow Mater, Cruz Ramirez and the gang from Radiator Springs on his side, Lightning gears up for the challenge.

You can speed on over to find out what happens when Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy opens early next year!