A Blog About Disney Stuff

Happy birthday Disneyland! We know you’re not open on your 65th birthday and we wish we were there to celebrate with you!

This week, see a fun way to get your workout on, learn what big award Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge won, and more.

In Case You Missed It – Disney and Universal Orlando News and Rumors

In reopening, Disney Parks’ chairman, Josh D’Amaro was interviewed by CNN. Josh shared that the parks are ready and safe for Guests.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was named by the THEA Awards as the best new land.

Want to get a Disney-themed workout during these crazy times? Here are some fun Zumba videos to Disney songs! I may ad these into my repertoire.

Disney+ earned a big award. It received the 2020 Achievement Award in Audio Description from the American Council of the Blind (ACB).

A new Star Wars animated series is going to be coming to Disney+. It’s called the Bad Batch. What do you think of this new show? Interested?

Halloween Horror Nights 30 is a go, at least as of right now. And they are slated to still offer scareactor dining…just socially distant.

The post In Case You Missed It: News and Rumors – Week of July 17, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: In Case You Missed It

Well, we have some major casualties due to the coronavirus and the lengthy closures that the Walt Disney World Resort experienced. A number of both current and recently announced attractions are now being impacted.

First, let’s get to the attractions that are closing permanently. It appears that Stitch’s Great Escape, Primeval Whirl, and Rivers of Light are now no longer going to be available to Guests.

Disney confirms Primeval Whirl at Animal Kingdom, Stitch’s Great Escape at Magic Kingdom and Rivers of Light at Animal Kingdom are permanently closed. pic.twitter.com/dapOGOlbWt

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) July 16, 2020

Stitch’s Great Escape isn’t too much of a surprise. The attraction was already pretty well closed in its current form anyway. Primeval Whirl also isn’t that big of a surprise. The wild mouse coaster has been seasonal for a few months due to the rumored issue with the fact that replacement parts for the coaster have been increasingly difficult to find. The big surprise from this list though is Rivers of Light. The attraction has been plagued with issues from the beginning, however.

Now, let’s move on to the attractions that have been rumored to have been postponed. Three big projects for Epcot appear that they will not be moving forward, at least for the time being. The Mary Poppins attraction, the Epcot Festival Center as we knew it to be announced, and the update to Spaceship Earth have all been shelved. All three were announced at the last D23 Expo.

Back in May, Chapek said they would go over projects with a “fine-tooth comb.”

Earlier today, Disney said it will take a different approach to the previously announced Festival Center. The Spaceship Earth overhaul and Mary Poppins attraction have also been postponed. https://t.co/YH1qnbUOmf

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) July 16, 2020

What are your thoughts about these big changes for the Walt Disney World Resort?

The post Big Changes to Rivers of Light, Primeval Whirl, Spaceship Earth and More appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: News, Walt Disney World (FL), Mary Poppins, Primeval Whirl, Rivers of Light, Spaceship Earth, Stitch’s Great Escape

Yo Ho Yo Ho it’s a Loungefly life for me! A new Disney Loungefly backpack has sailed into the Magic Kingdom, and it is a treasure for any fan of Pirates of the Caribbean. The pattern features cute cartoon interpretations of classic scenes from the ride. There’s the iconic mangy dog with the set of keys and Redd the Pirate, the latest addition to the ride, is also on board. You can also find this Loungefly backpack at shopDisney online.

Will you sail the high seas with this new Disney Loungefly backpack?

The post New Pirates of the Caribbean Backpack by Loungefly Sails into Magic Kingdom appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Magic Kingdom, Merchandise, disney loungefly, Pirates of the Caribbean

Jill Estorino will become president and managing director for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products International, effective immediately. In her new role, the 29-year Disney veteran will be responsible for overseeing the company’s parks and resorts international operations and development, including Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Resort with the Oriental Land Company, Shanghai Disney Resort and Disneyland Paris.

“Jill is known as an innovative and dynamic leader, and she’ll bring her nearly 30 years of Disney experience to guide our international parks into the future,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.

Estorino replaces Michael Colglazier who served in this role for the past three years.

For the past five years, Estorino has served as Executive Vice President, Global Marketing and Sales, where she led the organization that manages consumer and client relationships around the world, identified opportunities for new products, experiences and services, and drove demand for the renowned Disney Destinations vacation portfolio.

Prior to that, she served as Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sales, Asia Pacific for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, leading the teams at Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disney Resort to achieve business goals and ensure a consistent brand presence in the APAC region. Previously, she was Senior Vice President, Marketing Strategy for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, leading a team that developed marketing strategies to drive attendance and occupancy for Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, and Disney Vacation Club.

“I am excited for the opportunity to once again work more closely with our teams in Europe and Asia and to share Disney Magic with Guests and fans throughout the world.” Estorino said.

Estorino also sits on the board of directors of the Association of National Advertisers, lending her time to its #SeeHer advisory board and the board of directors for Hong Kong Disneyland.

The post Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Names Jill Estorino President and Managing Director of Disney Parks International appeared first on Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.

From our friends at dpep.disney.com
Filed Under: Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Parks and Experiences, Shanghai Disney Resort, Tokyo Disney Resort

Now that Magic Kingdom has reopened we get to enjoy our favorite shops restocked with new merchandise. At Main Street Jewelers we spotted lots of new purses and backpacks, including this big Millennium Falcon Loungefly Backpack.

The base is black and the main compartment is the Falcon with dimensional elements. This Loungefly Millennium Falcon backpack sells for $75.00. So far it does not appear that this item is available at shopDisney online.

Is this Millennium Falcon backpack soaring into your shopping cart?

The post Millennium Falcon Backpack by Loungefly Soars in Magic Kingdom appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: In the Parks, Magic Kingdom, Merchandise, Star Wars, disney loungefly, Millennium Falcon, star wars loungefly