The Cinderella movie is coming out this weekend. Walt Disney World has lots of Cinderella merchandise news to kick off the premiere and other news in Around the Mouse. Join us as we take a look at what is new at Walt Disney World this week.
Walt Disney World Theme Parks
Magic Kingdom Park
New! 24 Hour Event Announced for Memorial Day Weekend: The “Coolest Summer Ever” is coming to the Walt Disney World Resort. And it all begins with a fan favorite – a 24-hour event at Magic Kingdom Park – during Memorial Day weekend, the traditional kickoff to summer. Olaf will be the official host of the “Coolest Summer Ever” and is kicking off the summer with an all-night party at the Walt Disney World Resort. Magic Kingdom Park will be open to guests for 24 hours of nonstop fun from 6 a.m.-6 a.m. May 22-23. Guests are invited to dress to show their Disney Side while a selection of favorite attractions, entertainment, merchandise, food and beverages will be on tap all night long to celebrate the start of the “Coolest Summer Ever” at Walt Disney World Resort.
New! Aloha Isle and Sunshine Tree Terrace Swap Locations and Menus: Aloha Isle and Sunshine Tree Terrace will be swapping locations and menus on March 12. Dole Whip and other pineapple favorites will be available at Aloha Isle’s new location behind The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, and Sunshine Tree Terrace will offer citrus treats near the front of Adventureland.
New! Turkey Legs Leaving Frontierland: Turkey leg fans need to know their favorite snack is leaving Frontierland and Liberty Square – but look for the legs in Tomorrowland at the Cool Ship starting on March 25.
Epcot
New! Additional Theater Being Added to Soarin: Disney announced on March 5th that they are adding an additional theater at Soarin’! This expansion is scheduled to be completed by late 2016 and will offer even more opportunities to enjoy this beloved attraction. They will also be updating the screens and projection system at Soarin,’ bringing a visually enhanced experience.
New! Voices of Liberty Expands Songs and Adds New Show: Starting this week, Voices of Liberty has a fresh new look and sound for their appearances on the outdoor stage at America Gardens Theatre. Two days each week, this remarkable 8-part a cappella group is bringing their talents to even more Guests, performing fresh arrangements of popular American songs, both classic and contemporary. Voices of Liberty will continue their traditional performances in the rotunda of The American Adventure pavilion Wednesday through Sunday each week.
New! Stephen Twinings to Appear at Epcot: From March 13-15, Guests who visit The Tea Caddy in the United Kingdom from 1-8 p.m. will have the opportunity to discover delightful teas from Twinings® of London and meet Stephen Twining, a 10th generation Twining family member.
New! Wearable Gift Card Now Available at Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival: Complete your visit to the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival with an exclusive wearable Disney Gift Card created especially for this year’s event. With a new Festival-themed design, the mini Disney Gift Card has all the functionalities of a regular Disney Gift Card, with the added convenience of wearing it around your wrist. Enjoy the sights and scents of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival while discovering foods that highlight the taste of spring. Simply use your Disney Gift Card at any festival kiosk, and enjoy! The fun doesn’t have to end after the Festival! Reload your Disney Gift Card on property as often as you like, and use it for practically all things Disney throughout Walt Disney World Resort and at other Disney destinations nationwide.
Reminder! Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Underway: The 75-Day festival opened March 4 and continues through May 17, 2015. Here you can enjoy topiaries of Disney favories, ten new gardens, play areas and more. You can rock out at the new Garden Rocks Concert Series, featuring artists from the 60’s through 90’s. Delight your taste buds at eleven Outdoor Kitchens, including the new, Latin-inspired Botanas Botanico. Explore Fun Fresh Weekends during the festival with themed special events!
New! March 13 – 17 is Spring into Spring Weekend Presented by Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. at Epcot Flower & Garden Festival: Taste fresh new flavors at the Outdoor Kitchens, see Disney topiaries bloom in full color, get some spring in your step with the Garden Rocks Concert Series, celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the American Adventure and feel refreshed with a specialty beverage from Joffrey’s Coffee “The Official Specialty Coffee of Walt Disney World Resort.”
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
New! Frozen Summer Fun Live Will Return: “Frozen” Summer Fun LIVE will bring Princess Anna, Queen Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf with citizens of Arendelle appearing daily at Disney’s Hollywood Studios June 17-Sept. 7. Like last year, the celebration includes the Frozen Procession, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration (available now), Frozen Fireworks, Hot Frozen Nights DJ Dance Party, Frozen Merchandise and Food & Beverage (some available now), and Olaf’s Summer Cool Down.
New! Doc McStuffins to Meet with Guests: Disney is hard at work creating a dedicated space for Doc in the park’s Animation Courtyard, adjacent to “Disney Junior – Live on Stage!” Once it’s complete in May, you’ll be able to visit with Doc in a setting inspired by her playhouse clinic on the popular TV show. And don’t forget! You can also see Doc McStuffins in “Disney Junior – Live on Stage!” and spend time with her during Disney Junior Play ‘n Dine at Hollywood & Vine, both at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort.
New! Toy Story Mania to Receive Expansion: On March 5th, Disney also announced that it is expanding Toy Story Mania by adding an additional track. This expansion is scheduled to be completed by late 2016 and will offer even more opportunities to enjoy this beloved attraction.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
New! Winged Encounters Relocated: The landing perch for Winged Encounters-The Kingdom Takes Flight will be relocated in front of the Tree of Life starting March 10, 2015. All show times remain the same, but are subject to change.
New! A New Sumatran Tiger at Maharajah Jungle Trek: Malosi, a new Sumatran tiger for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, will be introduced to his onstage exhibit on March 12. As the tiger is introduced to the new environment, he may not be on stage for the full span of the day.
Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
Updated! Holiday Brunch Available at 1900 Park Fare: Beginning March 29 through April 5, brunch will be offered at 1900 Park Fare from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. It will be a brunch buffet, serving breakfast and dinner items. The main entrance to this temporary new offering will be at Grand Floridian Cafe, not 1900 Park Fare. This will not be a character or entertainment dining experience. The price is $23.99 for adults (ages 10+) and $12.99 for children (ages 3-9).
New! Disney Polynesian Pool Refurb Updates: As Disney continues to re-imagine Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, they expect the newly refurbished feature pool to be available after April 13. This new area will include a zero-depth entry pool, water slide, infinity hot tub and children’s activity play area. With the new feature pool available, this gives them the opportunity to refurbish the leisure pool at the resort. So the East leisure pool will be unavailable during April 13 through the early 2016.
New! Disney Beach Club Room Refurbishments: The new rooms look beautiful! Refurbishment is currently on the 3rd floor and expected to finish Disney’s Beach Club rooms by the end of May 2015. They will then move onto the Beach Club Villas and then over to Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Here’s a video tour of a recently refurbished room.
New! Cocktail Service at Muddy Rivers at Port Orleans: Muddy Rivers at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside is now offering a new menu featuring grab-and-go food for Guests. This poolside bar located on Ol’ Man Island will feature the same packaged options as what is offered in the Riverside Mill food court. This new menu will be included as part of the Disney Dining Plan. Cocktail service is now available on Ol’ Man Island allowing Guests to order and receive food and drinks directly from their poolside lounge chairs. This service will run daily from noon to 6 p.m. (weather permitting).
New! River Roost Lounge at Port Orleans Serving Breakfast for a limited Time: River Roost Lounge at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside will now be serving select breakfast items. Called “River Roast,” this pilot gives Guests the opportunity to experience a secondary location for breakfast. Available from 7 a.m. to noon daily, this new menu features select breakfast items including
assorted pastries, breakfast sandwiches, cereals, oatmeal and an assortment of specialty coffees. This
pilot will be running until May.
New! St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter: Celebrate the luck of the Irish this St. Patrick’s Day at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter. On March 17, the resort will offer festive fun for Guests including recreational activities and special Food & Beverage and Merchandise offerings. The event will take place at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter courtyard from 5-9 p.m.
New! “Fat Tuesdays” Party Test at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter: On March 31, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter will premiere a new Guest event, “Fat Tuesdays,” keeping the spirit of Mardi Gras alive. This outdoor experience, taking place in the Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter courtyard from 5-9 p.m., will feature festive fun including exciting activities, a DJ and special Food & Beverage offerings.
New! Frozen Fridays Now at Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter: Wintery fun is flurrying over to Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter. Beginning March 3 and running through the end of the month, the resort will offer a new evening experience to Guests called “Frozen Fridays.” The experience will run each Friday starting at 4 p.m. This event will feature fun activities, a campfire with a “Frozen” singalong, special Food & Beverage offerings and a showing of Disney’s “Frozen” to end the night.
Walt Disney World Resort – General
New! Monorail Hours Adjustment: Service on the Express monorail will be suspended on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 11:30am – 6pm starting March 10. During these times, Guests visiting Magic Kingdom Park can use the Resort monorail or watercraft to reach their destination.
New! Bus Service Tested Between Water Parks: During March 15-April 11, Disney will be conducting a park to park test between Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Parks. This test will coincide with the new park hopper ability that Guests now have when both water parks are open. The new route will be between Blizzard Beach > Typhoon Lagoon > Blizzard Beach from Noon-one hour after park close daily. Two buses will be operating every 30 minutes.
New! WonderGround Gallery Now Open at Marketplace Co-Op: WonderGround Gallery has expanded its distinctive and eclectic art collections into a larger retail space within the Marketplace Co-Op, now open for art enthusiasts and Disney fans to enjoy. Showcasing works from a new generation of artists and unexpected finds in home and lifestyle merchandise, WonderGround Gallery draws inspiration from Disney’s deeply rooted heritage of art and storytelling. Guests visiting the Marketplace Co-Op will also find The Sign Shop display, celebrating Disney theme park architecture and attractions through eclectic vintage signs.
New! Paradiso 37 and Planet Hollywood Expanding and Changing with Disney Springs: As Downtown Disney continues the largest expansion in its history to transform into Disney Springs, Paradiso 37 and Planet Hollywood are also expanding and refreshing their offerings for Guests. Expansion work to capitalize on its beautiful waterfront setting is currently taking place at Paradiso 37. Renovations include doubling the seating, adding more terrace dining, building an outdoor performance stage and adding a second entrance. Updates also include adding new artwork and a fresh color palette to the restaurant. Paradiso 37 will remain open while undergoing renovations. Work is expected to be complete in summer 2015. Planet Hollywood is re-imagining its flagship location into a four-story stargazing observatory with a revamped menu and expanded outdoor terrace and bar. To be renamed the Planet Hollywood Observatory, the venue will undergo intensive renovations and share the Disney Springs turn-of-the-century design aesthetic on its exterior. The interior will feature a fresh new look throughout the space and will be adorned with movie imagery and celebrity memorabilia. Also coming to the venue is a new outdoor terrace and bar called Stargazers that overlooks the heart of the property and will feature live entertainment. Refreshed dining options will highlight Planet Hollywood’s timeless classics and introduce a host of new additions. The Planet Hollywood Observatory is set to debut in spring 2016.
Reminder! Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival Returns in 2015: Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant is painting the town green with their Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival March 13-17. This authentic St. Patrick’s Day celebration features inventive cuisine by Irish celebrity chef Kevin Dundon, live music by Scythian, $3 Band, Reel Ó Gránde, Drops of Green, The Brayzen Heads and The West Coast Trio along with performances by award-winning Irish dancers. The celebration will take place March 13 from 4 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. and March 14-17 from noon until 1:30 a.m. On St. Patrick’s Day, Guests will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis. A cover charge of $10 will apply to Guests 18 and over. For more info about live music, Irish dance, face painting and other activities, go to www.raglanroad.com.
Merchandise News
New! “Cinderella” Merchandise in the Parks: Disney’s “Cinderella” arrives in theaters on March 13. Cinderella Merchandise has already arrived at Magic Kingdom Park. Check out these new products inspired by the live-action film. Some of the items such as drinkware and dolls are also found at the Disney Store. The open edition pin was created especially for Disney Parks. There is also a limited edition pin being released on March 12 in select merchandise locations at Disneyland andWalt Disney World Resorts. The pin has an edition size of 3,000.
The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique locations at Disneyland park in California and Magic Kingdom Park in Florida will carry a beautifully romantic Cinderella dress inspired by a dress worn in the live action film. Please note the dress will be available while supplies last at Disney Parks.
Finally, new ALEX AND ANI pieces are coming to Disney Parks in March. While these items were not specifically created for the live-action film, I think they complement the “Cinderella” assortment perfectly. The “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes” bangle will be released on March 13. This bangle will be offered in Shiny Silver and Yellow Gold finishes and is part of the “Words are Powerful” collection.
New! Unique Shirts Coming to Disney Parks Online Store for a Limited Time: Several unique Disney Parks-inspired shirts will be coming to the Disney Parks online store in March 2015. Disney Design Group artist Richard Terpstra designed the two shirts that will be released from March 9-15, 2015. For the “Date Night at Disneyland Resort” shirt, Richard was inspired by vintage advertising from Disneyland park. This design will be offered for both women and men. Richard’s other vintage shirt design, The Dapper Dans at Main Street, U.S.A., will be offered for men, women and youth. Richard designed the If You Had Wings shirt that combines visual elements from the attraction that operated in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park in Florida from June 5, 1972 until June 1, 1987. These limited release shirts will be found at http://www.DisneyStore.com/ParkEvents during their respective release dates. Please allow 3-5 weeks for delivery (express shipping is not available).
From March 30 to April 5, we will release two shirts that were inspired by classic Disney attractions from Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. The Adventure Thru Inner Space was designed by artist Ian Giles. This Tomorrowland attraction was found at Disneyland park from August 5, 1967 to September 2, 1985
Merchandise Events
March 12: Something ‘charm’ing awaits you from the Disney Parks Collection PANDORA.
March 13: Pick up a copy of Lee Cockerell’s newest book, Time Management Magic at Art of Disney in the Downtown Disney Marketplace. Watch DisneyParksMerchandise.com for more information regarding this event, including signing times.
March 13 – 15: Precious moments doll designer and artist Linda Rick will be on hand for special appearances and signings throughout the day at Heritage Manor at the American Adventure Pavilion in Epcot, as we celebrate the release of her Spring collection. Linda will also appear March 20 – 22. Not able to make it? No problem! Representatives from Precious Moments Dolls will be on hand March 12 – April 12 at Heritage Manor at the American Adventure Pavilion in Epcot and March 12 – April 27 at Once Upon A Toy in Downtown Disney Marketplace.
Written by Lori Wall: Lori is a lifelong fan and visitor of Walt Disney World! Her love of Disney World has grown through visits with her own family as well as through planning magical vacations for others! Lori is an expert in maximizing vacations while sticking to a travel budget. Contact her about saving an extra 5% off your Disney vacation with an insider tip! Book your vacation with Lori at (845) 698- 0102 or request a price online.
