My good golly gosh. We have yet another massive Disney theme park news update this week! I thought the mile-long run down from a couple of weeks ago was impressive, but this week’s lineup of news stories is equally as impressive.
We have some exciting updates from upcoming lands and attractions from both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. The future of Disney Parks is bright, in my opinion! Let’s waste no time and get started with this week’s news update.
First Look at Audio-Animatronics, Attraction Poster, and New Characters for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
This was a busy week for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, scheduled to open this summer at Walt Disney World and later in 2024 at Disneyland Resort. Disney unveiled the attraction’s official poster for the Magic Kingdom version…
…and we got introduced to six more original characters. These musical critters will appear further down the bayou playing what is known as Rara music.
In a new video series on YouTube called “We Call It Imagineering,” we also got a great look at many of the Audio-Animatronic figures that will appear throughout Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
From Tiana to Mama Odie to Louis, these figures look absolutely incredible and I cannot wait to see them in person.
All we need now is an opening date!
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT TIANA’S BAYOU ADVENTURE.
Walt Disney Imagineering Teases Tropical Americas Area Coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Last year at Destination D23, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro teased fans with a “Blue Sky” concept for what could potentially come to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The land, inspired by the Tropical Americas (Central and Southern America), looks more like a reality after this week’s updates.
Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) shared a video on Instagram of a recent trip to the Yucatán Peninsula, one of the many locations being used as inspiration for the Tropical Americas area. It certainly feels much more real than Blue Sky at this point, as this trip was referenced as part of the “planning and research going into the changes coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.” That sure sounds concrete to me!
The video also included a look at some of the 3D Models being used in the design phase, including one that looks an awful lot like the Casita from Disney’s “Encanto.”
New concept art was also revealed, including plans to include a carousel as one of the new attractions in this Tropical Americas area. According to journalist Scott Gustin, who was recently hosted at WDI, more will be revealed at the D23 Expo this August. Start saying your goodbyes to DinoLand U.S.A…
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THIS YEAR’S D23 FAN EVENT.
Disney Shares Concept Art For Potential Avatar Experience Coming to Disneyland
Disney fans tuned in this week to the Walt Disney Company Annual Meeting of Shareholders for clues and insight into what might be coming to the theme parks. While there weren’t many announcements made for the Experiences division, we did get a look at new concept art for the Avatar-themed experience that could be on its way to Disneyland Resort.
The art was referred to as “creative inspiration” for a “possible new destination,” per Disney CEO Bob Iger. This land appears to be very much in that Blue Sky phase of planning, and it could be dependent on the fate of DisneylandForward, the initiative from Disney to update its zoning agreement with the city of Anaheim. Nothing concrete yet, but the concept art is exciting nonetheless!
CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT DISNEY’S $60 BILLION INVESTMENT IN ITS PARKS AND EXPERIENCES.
Permits Filed For Development Work Behind Magic Kingdom
The 2023 Destination D23 event spent a lot of time in discussions about Blue Sky projects, including what was, at the time, a potential expansion of Magic Kingdom. Scott Gustin posted on Twitter X this week the news that permits were filed for development work behind Magic Kingdom, signaling that those Blue Sky discussions could be further along than we previously thought!
According to Gustin, these permits will “prepare the area for a future expansion expected to be the largest expansion in the park’s history.” It sounds like we will finally learn what is “Beyond Big Thunder.”
PLANNING A 2025 DISNEY WORLD VACATION? HERE’S WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW WILL BE AT THE RESORT!
Reservations For Free Dining Plan Offer Go Live Next Week at Disney World
Free Disney Dining Plan offers were an annual occurrence prior to 2020, and one of Disney World’s biggest promotions of the year. With the Dining Plan reinstated, it looks like we’re finally getting another go around at those Free Dining offers – but with some new stipulations.
The latest Free Dining offer is set to go live for reservations next week on April 9, with the Free Dining option available for vacations on select dates in July, September, and December. This offer will be exclusive to Disney VISA cardholders. We’ll know more about this offer when it launches next week, so stay tuned for more info.
SHOULD YOU GET THE DISNEY DINING PLAN ON YOUR NEXT DISNEY WORLD VACATION? CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
Test Track To Close at EPCOT Soon For Reimagining
Yet another Destination D23 announcement is moving along! It was announced last year that Test Track in EPCOT would go through another transformation. The ride, which originally opened in 1999, was redesigned to its current version in 2012.
This current version of the ride will close temporarily starting on June 17, 2024. The length of this closure was not announced, but I would be prepared for the ride to remain closed for the rest of the year (really it all depends on how extensive this transformation is).
When it reopens as Test Track 3.0, it will draw inspiration from the ride’s predecessor, World of Motion. We can also expect that like the last transformation, this new version of Test Track will integrate the latest technology when it comes to cars and transportation.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT WHAT WAS ANNOUNCED AT THE 2023 DESTINATION D23 EVENT.
Season of the Force Begins at Disneyland
Today is a big day for Star Wars fans out on the West Coast. Disneyland Resort officially begins Season of the Force today, April 5. The springtime festival will run through June 2. During Season of the Force, limited-time offerings will be available around Disneyland Park, including the return of Hyperspace Mountain.
Today is also the day that Star Tours: The Adventures Continue debuts its latest updates, bringing characters and destinations from Ahsoka, Andor, and The Mandalorian to the ride. These updates are also appearing starting today in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Paris.
Over in Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland, limited-time offerings are now available. This includes walk-around BD-X droids which will make daily appearances at Galaxy’s Edge only during Season of the Force. Sabine Wren will also make daily appearances in Galaxy’s Edge for Season of the Force.
At night, a new fireworks show called “Fire of the Rising Moons” will be offered only in Galaxy’s Edge. This will give guests a new way to experience the nightly fireworks at Disneyland, with John Williams’ Star Wars score playing in the background.
And, of course, there will be plenty of limited-time food and merchandise items available for purchase during Season of the Force as well.
CLICK HERE FOR MY FULL GUIDE TO SEASON OF THE FORCE AT DISNEYLAND RESORT.
V.I.Passholder Days Announced For Walt Disney World
V.I.Passholder Days are returning to Walt Disney World this spring. It was announced this week that Disney World Annual Passholders can enjoy limited-time magnets, a lounge, discounts, and more from May 1 through June 26.
More details will be announced as we approach V.I.Passholder Days, but for now, if you’re a Disney World Annual Passholder and you have a May or June trip planned, you’ll want to keep an eye out for more updates!
CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT SOME OF THE BEST WAYS TO SAVE ON YOUR WALT DISNEY WORLD VACATION.
Details and Ticket On-Sale Dates Revealed For Pride Nite at Disneyland
Disneyland Resort is hosting a series of themed After Dark events in 2024. Already this year, we saw Sweetheart’s Nite and Disney Channel Nite, and in April and May, Disneyland Park will host Star Wars Nite. The final After Dark event of the year will be Pride Nite, taking place on June 18 and 20, 2024.
Disney has announced that tickets for Pride Nite will go on sale next week. Magic Key holders will have an opportunity to score tickets in their own presale, taking place on April 9 no earlier than 9:00 am PT. The general public on sale will be on April 11 no earlier than 9:00 am PT. At Pride Nite, guests can enjoy rare character meet and greets, a dance party, a special nighttime parade, line dancing, special food and beverage items, and more.
CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT THIS YEAR’S LINEUP OF FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS COMING TO DISNEYLAND RESORT.
New Acrobatic Show Debuts at EPCOT
We have another quick update from EPCOT this week! The park has been undergoing a multi-year transformation, particularly in the front half of the park, which will reach completion in June. As part of that transformation, and in a move nobody had on their 2024 BINGO card, EPCOT debuted a new acrobatics show this week!
The show, called Forces of Nature, features a small ensemble of acrobatic artists representing the core elements of nature. The show can be spotted throughout the day at World Celebration Gardens.
CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT THIS YEAR’S LINEUP OF EPCOT FOOD FESTIVALS.
Electrified Vehicles Being Considered For Autopia at Disneyland
This week, the Los Angeles Times reported that Autopia in Disneyland could be getting a new upgrade. The ride, which opened with the park in 1955, has been operating with gas-powered vehicles for decades. Now, the cars are potentially on their way to becoming electric.
According to the report, Disneyland is exploring the possibility of upgrading the cars, though it has not been confirmed whether this change is happening or when it will take place. I personally think this is an awesome upgrade for Autopia, a ride that kids love and, in my opinion, isn’t going anywhere anytime soon (sorry, folks! I know y’all want something else to go where Autopia and the submarines are, but I just don’t see that happening!).
