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disney things you should know

5 Disney Things You Should Know This Week – August 19, 2016

Sorry, it has been a while. I seemed to have poorly plan my family vacations this year to destinations that are stuck in 1984. Internet access has been hard to come by. But to tell the truth, taking a break from the world wide web does wonders, you should consider it. Each Friday, I provide 5 Disney things all Disney fans should know from this past week, just in case you missed them. This week, we feature news about a long time Magic Kingdom parade leaving, a brand new Disneyland entrance and some fun other Disney news items.

Main Street Electrical Parade Leaving the Magic Kingdom

main street electrical parade

The Main Street Electrical Parade, Magic Kingdom Park’s long-running nighttime parade, will officially end its historic run at Walt Disney World Resort on October 9 and then head to Disneyland Resort for a limited-time encore engagement. The quintessential Disney Parks nighttime parade, the Main Street Electrical Parade began at Disneyland park in 1972, shining brightly in the memories of thousands of Disneyland park guests until the end of its initial run in 1996. It returned to the Disneyland Resort as Disney’s Electrical Parade, bringing magical Disney stories to Disney California Adventure park from 2001 until 2010, when it crossed the country to begin its most recent run at Walt Disney World Resort.

“Paint the Night” parade will continue nightly performances, just before “Disneyland Forever” fireworks, through September 5 as part of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration. And I’m excited to share today that this popular parade will return on select nights during the holiday season later this year.

New Disneyland Resort East Entrance Coming Soon

Disneyland East Entrance

Disneyland Resort is planning to break ground on our Eastern Gateway, a new arrival point that will provide guests even more choices for access and parking when it opens in late 2018. This project on the east side of the Disneyland Resort will include a new parking structure with 6,800 spaces, a new transportation facility and an elevated pedestrian bridge.

The largest infrastructure project in the Anaheim Resort Area in the last 20 years, the Eastern Gateway will make it even easier to get to the Happiest Place on Earth by providing an east-side entry point to the Anaheim Resort Area. The new transportation facility will be the arrival point for buses, taxis, bicycles and various shuttles that currently use the existing transportation facility located on the west side of Harbor Boulevard. The new pedestrian pathway and elevated bridge over Harbor Blvd. will directly link guests arriving at the parking structure and eastern transportation facility with the main entrance plaza.

YesterEars Vintage Apparel

YesterEars

Do you have a favorite Disney t-shirt from your childhood? You may be in luck, as Disney has launched YesterEars Apparel, which will feature remakes of vintage Disney park apparel. It appears that they will be offering limited time items, so each t-shirt may be available to order for only a week, and then new shirts will be added. The name of this collection was inspired by a shop with the same name once found at the former Downtown Disney Pleasure Island. During the next three months, you’ll find limited release apparel inspired by classic Walt Disney World Resort attractions and locations.

yesterears apparel

Currently, there is a fantastic Dreamfinder and Figment t-shirt that my brother used to wear all the time (my parents like him better), as well as a cool X-S Tech themed shirt from the defunct Alien Encounter. Finally, there is a Walt Disney World Preview Center shirt, celebrating a short lived preview center located in Orlando before Walt Disney World opened. Check back each week for a new crop of vintage Disney t-shirts.

Disney YesterEars Collection

Disney Parks Moms Panel Search

Think you know a lot about Disney? Want a really cool job? Check out the Disney Parks Moms Panel. Please note, you don’t need to be a mom, woman or anything else, any human being can apply (except those that are restricted by their current occupation of course).

You should consider applying for the 2017 Disney Parks Moms Panel. The application window will open at 12:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 and close at 12:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, September 14, 2016. The first round application process includes short essay questions, basic information questions, and a sample question similar to what you’d find on the Disney Parks Moms Panel website.

This September marks the 10th year of the annual search for new panelists. The first Moms Panel search launched in September 2007 and since then more than 140 moms, dads, grandparents have helped other guests with decisions and planning logistics around all types Disney vacations.

The Disney Parks Moms Panel focuses on nearly every type of Disney vacation including Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, runDisney and events at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. And because the site is available in four languages, we hope to find panelists fluent in Portuguese, French, and Spanish.

If you’re the go-to vacation planner in the family and consider yourself very knowledgeable about Disney Parks vacations, consider applying for next year’s panel.

Tiffins Lunch Menu

Tiffins Lunch

The very popular Tiffins in Disney’s Animal Kingdom has launched a new lunch menu, which is very, very welcome. After opening, Tiffins added lunch but just offered their dinner menu at lunch, which didn’t go over very well. The new menu is just that, A Tasty of Tiffins, is a perfect way to try big flavors in lunch-sized portions.

Served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., you can choose two appetizer-sized dishes, served with Jade blend rice. Check out Tiffins, dinner there is downright fantastic, I am sure this new lighter lunch menu is too. Can’t wait to go in a few weeks.

Did I miss any Disney news this week that should have been included?

5 Disney Things You Should Know This Week – July 15, 2016

Each Friday, I provide 5 Disney things all Disney fans should know from this past week, just in case you missed them. This week, we feature news about Star Wars, Star Wars and some other stuff. OK, it isn’t all Star Wars, there is a new breakfast event in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Halloween parties announced for both Disneyland and Hollywood Studios, but mostly Star Wars.

Disney Early Morning Magic – Disney’s Hollywood Studios

disney early morning magic

Launched back in April, 2016, the very first Disney Early Morning Magic – Fantasyland has been very popular. This week, a new version located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been announced. Early Morning Magic gives you access to the theme park 75 minutes before anyone else and exclusive access to a few rides and character meet and greets as well as breakfast. In Hollywood Studios, guests will have access to Star Tours as well as Toy Story Midway Mania, two of the most popular Walt Disney World attractions, as well as several new character meet and greets.

The party starts begin August 1, and prices are $69 per adult and $59 per child (ages 3 through 9) plus tax.

For more information: Disney Early Morning Magic – Hollywood Studios

Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party

star wars dessert party

Staying with the Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme, Walt Disney World has announced a new Star Wars themed dessert party, located in the Star Wars Launch Bay. Guests will be served drinks and desserts and have time to enjoy the Star Wars Launch Bay without crowds, before heading over to a reserved area to watch the Star Wars: A Galactic Experience fireworks and show. Reservations are currently available.

For more information: Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party

Star Wars Land Sneak Peek

Disneyland Star Wars

Everything Star Wars related is happening this week apparently. Disneyland has released a sneak peek of the upcoming Star Wars Land opening soon in the Disneyland park. When I say soon, I really mean sometime probably in 2018, not that anyone knows. The new sneak peek features an overview of the 14 acre Star Wars Land, and a good idea where each previously announced attraction will be placed. Looks fantastic!

Club Villain Halloween Party

Club Villain

How does a halloween party with your favorite Disney villain sound? Awesome, right? On Friday and Saturday nights from September 2 – October 29, 2016 (and also on October 31), Sunset Showcase will host “Club Villain,” a special ticketed event filled with fabulous performances, delicious food, bewitching cocktails and enchanting encounters with some legendary Disney villains.

The mysterious Dr. Facilier will serve as host, welcoming his guests and “friends from the other side” into his parlor of mystical mishaps, with musical numbers and a wicked mix from his house DJ. Also stopping by to socialize will be several divas of evil: Maleficent, the Queen of Hearts, Cruella De Vil and the Evil Queen. Guests can also enjoy complimentary drinks from the Potions Bar, savor culinary delights from New Orleans and beyond, mingle with the villains and dance the night away.

Two “Club Villain” experiences will be held each Friday and Saturday night, with starting times at 5:15 and 8:30 p.m. 

Disneyland Halloween

Disneyland Halloween

Information for the Disneyland Halloween events have been announced this week, including a surprise additional of the headless horeseman!

Mickey’s Halloween Party guests can enjoy trick-or-treating, the exclusive “Halloween Screams” fireworks and more. And new this year, the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow will make his spooky ride through the heart of Disneyland park each night of the party!

Be sure to purchase your Mickey’s Halloween Party tickets early and mark your calendars for the following dates:

  • July 21, 2016: Tickets on sale to Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders, Disney Rewards Visa card holders and Disney Vacation Club members
  • July 28, 2016: Tickets on sale to general public
  • Mickey’s Halloween Party 2016 dates: Friday, September 23; Monday, September 26; Wednesday, September 28; Friday, September 30; Monday, October 3; Wednesday, October 5; Friday, October 7; Monday, October 10; Wednesday, October 12; Friday, October 14; Monday, October 17; Wednesday, October 19; Friday, October 21; Monday, October 24; Wednesday, October 26; Saturday, October 29; and Monday, October 31

Don’t forget that in addition the party, Disneyland comes alive during Halloween with changes to attractions such as Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy and Haunted Mansion Holiday. I love Disneyland during Halloween.

Did I miss any Disney news this week that should have been included?

5 Disney Things

5 Disney Things You Should Know This Week – July 8, 2016

Each Friday, I provide 5 Disney things all Disney fans should know from this past week, just in case you missed them. This week, we feature news from Disneyland, where we finally get a discount, new popcorn flavors abound in the Disney parks and a new home for Anna and Elsa in Epcot.

Late Summer Disneyland Discount

2016 disneyland discount

It has been a little while, but Disneyland has released a new discount. Disney VISA cardholders can save up to 25% at Disneyland between August 14 – September 29, 2016. This is a great way to stay in one of the three Disneyland Resort Hotels and save a little money. While currently for Disney VISA cardholders only, this same discount will be released to everyone on July 19, 2016.

For more information: 2016 Disneyland Late Summer Savings – Disney VISA

Main Street Popcorn

disney popcorn

Who loves Disney popcorn? Me! Now, the Main Street Popcorn company is filling Disney parks with new flavored popcorn. Flavors include caramel, kettle corn, cheddar, confetti, Sriracha kettle corn, parmesan garlic, kettle corn with red alaea salt, truffle, churro and maple bacon. Churro popcorn? I am on my way Mickey, don’t eat it all without me!

Anna and Elsa Find a Home

Anna and Elsa, currently Disney’s two most popular princesses, have finally found a home in Epcot. The Royal Sommerhus in the Norway Pavilion is now the only place to find Anna and Elsa. Check out this awesome video that shows just how cool their new home is. Oh, they also have their very own ride next door, if you didn’t know.

Watch Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire Live

Mickey freindship faire

The Magic Kingdom has a brand new stage show, Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire. While it debuted a few weeks ago in the parks, you can now catch it live on July 11. The show will start at 4:10 PM EST on July 11, 2016. While a link has not been provided yet, check back with the Disney Parks Blog on July 11 for a link. BTW, I have seen it, it is wonderful!

For live link on July 11: Disney Parks Blog

‘Inside Disney Parks’ Newscast #4

There is a lot going on this Summer at Disney Parks around the world, and this new Inside Disney Parks Newscast features a look at all the new attractions at Disney Parks. The video looks at the new Shanghai Disneyland attractions (please bring the Tron Coaster to Disney World!), Frozen Ever After and the new Soarin’.

Did I miss any Disney news this week that should have been included?