Walt Disney World Announces New Additions

At the D23 Expo 2022, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro made several exciting announcements about the future of Walt Disney World Resort and beyond.

D23 Expo 2022 Walt Disney World Announcements

While I’m excited about the news Josh covered, let’s take a closer look at the magical news for Walt Disney World, including all-new attractions, the return of several fan favorites, and the addition of beloved characters here.

Walt Disney World D23 Expo 2022 Announcements

Magic Kingdom Park

D23 Expo 2022 WDW Announcements

Ready to begin … Those words will fill the air with the popular anthem “Happily Ever After” when an updated nighttime spectacular lights up the skies at Magic Kingdom Park in 2023.

D23 Expo 2022 WDW Announcements

That won’t be the only addition lighting up the skies at Magic Kingdom Park. Neon lights and speeding lightcycles will fill Tomorrowland as your chance to enter the grid with TRON Lightcycle / Run arrives in spring 2023.

You’ll climb aboard your very own Lightcycle and race through a dark, computerized world alongside your family and friends.

As you swoop and swerve throughout the course, your team will compete to be the first to race through eight Energy Gates and claim victory.

D23 Expo 2022 WDW Announcements

Foolish mortals, prepare yourselves for a new happy haunt at the Haunted Mansion.

The Hatbox Ghost has heard your calls and will materialize next year.

You may recognize this popular character from the attraction at Disneyland Resort in California.

D23 Expo 2022 Walt Disney World Announcements

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will take you along with Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen and their friends as they host a party at Tiana’s Place for the people of New Orleans.

It’s up to us to help find the missing ingredient when this exciting new attraction opens in late 2024.

EPCOT

D23 Expo 2022 Walt Disney World Announcements

The multi-year transformation of EPCOT will soon reach another major milestone with the completion of the World Celebration neighborhood in late 2023.

With lush, green space for you to relax, plus the opening of Communicore Hall and Communicore Plaza, this central location in the park will be the new home for festivals and the perfect space to gather with family and friends.

D23 Expo 2022 Walt Disney World Announcements

It will also be home to Dreamers Point, an inspiring new area where you can view the new Walt Disney statue called “Walt the Dreamer.”

D23 Expo 2022 Walt Disney World Announcements

Over in World Nature – the EPCOT neighborhood dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty, awe, and balance of the natural world – we’re excited to share that Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, will also open in late 2023.

The new exploration trail will allow guests to learn about the story of water on our planet.

D23 Expo 2022 Walt Disney World Announcements

As you may have seen through Moana’s bond with the ocean, water has a mind of its own, and you’ll get to interact with it throughout this attraction.

D23 Expo 2022 Walt Disney World Announcements Figment Meet and Greet EPCOT

Imagination has always been a core theme at EPCOT, with attractions and experiences that push the boundaries.

One key character always comes to mind when we think about imagination, and he’s coming to life in a whole new way by the end of next year.

Epcot Forever Fireworks
David Roark, photographer

As we look ahead to the future and the celebration of the Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary, we’re excited to share that a new nighttime spectacular is in the works for EPCOT.

The new show is currently in development and will debut late next year, carrying on the park’s legacy of inspiring nighttime entertainment that unites guests around World Showcase Lagoon.

I cannot wait to see all of these at the Walt Disney World Resort!!!

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DVC Neighborhood News: Interested in sharing your Membership stories?

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You’ve told us how much you love your DVC Membership — now’s your chance to tell the world!

We are looking for dynamic, enthusiastic Members who might be interested in sharing their favorite Disney Vacation Club DVC stories on camera for use in upcoming marketing tactics. If this sounds like fun and you’re planning to be at Walt Disney World® Resort in May, we’d love to hear from you! Just click here to provide us with your contact information, details on your travel party and a picture, and a Disney Cast Member will be in touch in the next few weeks.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Your Disney Vacation Club family

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Daily Shot App Web Series Now Available On The Go In The App Store

DISNEY INTERACTIVE LAUNCHES DAILY SHOT ON THE APP STORE

Daily Shot App Web Series Now Available On The Go

 

Daily Shot  App
Daily Shot Now Available in the App Store!

Fans of Popular Newsy Web Series Daily Shot with Ali Wentworth Can Now Get Their Daily Cup of News and Laughter to Go!

 

Disney Interactive has launched Daily Shot on the App Store, a new app that delivers episodes of the popular newsy web show Daily Shot with Ali Wentworth right to fans’ iPhones and iPads. With the Daily Shot app, fans can also access past episodes of the show and easily share their favorite videos with friends via email, Twitter and Facebook. You will even be able to connect directly with Ali Wentworth through her Twitter account@AliEWentworth!

On Daily Shot with Ali Wentworth, the funny comedienne, actress, best-selling author and mother of two, shares her irreverent take on the latest news and current events, along with her producer and co-host John Carhart. The 3-7 minute episodes are filmed at her kitchen table and on location around New York City, and provide busy parents a daily dose of news, celebrity gossip, sports headlines, and more.

I have really enjoyed the episodes that I have seen, because it reminds of when I was little and heard my Mom talking around the table with her friends over a cup of coffee. And while the episodes are only a few minutes, the time doesn’t pas by too quickly and it doesn’t seem so compacted that it seems rushed or forced.

Daily Shot airs across the Yahoo! network, including Yahoo! Screen (http://screen.yahoo.com) and Shine (http://shine.yahoo.com) and on Disney’s leading online parenting platform, Babble.com, where she also has a personal blog titled Ali in Wonderland.

Ali Wentworth was co-creator, star and co-executive producer of the television series, Head Case on the Starz Network. She has appeared in numerous television shows including, The Oprah Winfrey Show as an on-air correspondent, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Hard Ball, In Living Color and Seinfeld, among others. Her movie appearances include “It’s Complicated,” “Jerry Maguire,” “Trial and Error” and “The Real Blonde.”  Earlier this year, Ms. Wentworth released a new book, Ali in Wonderland, a collection of funny stories about her life, which quickly became a New York Times best seller.  She has also authored The WASP Cookbook, a collection of family recipes spiced up with a humorous commentary on life.

If you have a few minutes, make sure to check the Daily Shot out!!!

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Universal Orlando Resort Announces A New Themed On-Site Hotel Development

Cabana Bay Beach Resort Exterior

ORLANDO, Fla. (July 9, 2012) – Universal Parks & Resorts and Loews Hotels & Resorts will build a new hotel development at Universal Orlando that will add high-quality, high-value options for families wanting an affordable on-site experience.

Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort will offer two distinct experiences within the development’s multiple buildings:  900 family suites, capable of sleeping six, that include kitchen areas and 900 standard guest rooms – offering both moderate- and value-priced accommodations.  It will be operated by Loews Hotels & Resorts and is scheduled to open in 2014.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort Suite

The hotel will be themed differently than anything else currently available at Universal Orlando.  It will evoke the driving vacations so many Americans grew up enjoying with their families – spending time at sweeping motor courts just off the highway, where families relaxed and played after a long day’s drive.  The new hotel’s hip, vintage look will be accented with bold design, dramatic, clean lines, bright, period colors and touches of neon. Inside areas including the lobby, dining areas and large, comfortable rooms will follow suit.  The hotel will have two themed pool areas.

“Our new hotel will give guests an affordable, incredibly themed on-site hotel experience unlike anything else at our resort,” said Tom Williams, chairman and chief executive officer, Universal Parks & Resorts.  “Our new family suites and family-value pricing will give our guests on-site options they’ve never had before.”

Cabana Bay Beach Resort Lobby

The hotel will be built on a 37-acre site within Universal Orlando Resort and adjacent to Universal’s Islands of Adventure – just offHollywood Way and Turkey Lake Road.  Site work will begin soon.  Pricing information, opening timeframes and room on-sale dates will be released over time.

The new hotel will allow families to choose between value pricing or the higher level of benefits and service that come with staying at other on-site Universal Orlando hotels – Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, the Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort.  It will provide early park admission, proximity to Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios and resort-wide charging privileges – but will not offer complimentary Universal Express Unlimited Access.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort Pool

“The Cabana Bay Beach Resort furthers our goal of operating special and distinct properties in important markets,” said Paul Whetsell, Loews Hotels & Resorts president and CEO.  “This is another important step in our plan to expand the Loews system in major markets across the United States.”Follow us for more updates: Facebooktwitteryoutubetumblrinstagram

Celebrate Father’s Day at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin

Here’s a special offer from Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin:

In honor of Father’s Day, guests can receive a special rate and complimentary room upgrade during Father’s Day Weekend 

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – May 30, 2012 – Families looking to give dad the vacation he deserves can now do so with a special Father’s Day offer from the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel.  For the weekend of June 15-17, guests can receive rooms starting at $199 per night and a complimentary room upgrade at the Orlando hotel.

Located in the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel offers easy access for dads to spend time with their families in the Disney theme parks, unwind on one of the four championship golf courses or drive an exotic sports car at the Richard Petty Driving Experience.

In addition, the hotel itself offers a number of amenities and activities that will appeal to dad and the entire family including five pools, recreational activities, and numerous dining options such as Shula’s Steak House and character dining.

Reservations can be made online at www.swandolphin.com/offers or by calling 1-800-227-1500and mentioning “Father.” Based on rate schedule availability. Offer is valid for stays June 15-17. Taxes, resort services fee and gratuities not included. Not valid with any other special offers, promotions, or for existing reservations or groups.

In the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort, the award-winning Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is the gateway to Central Florida’s greatest theme parks and attractions. The hotel is located between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and nearby Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Magic Kingdom Park. Guests can discover 17 world-class restaurants and lounges, sophisticated guest rooms with Westin Heavenly Beds and the luxurious Mandara Spa. The hotel features five pools, two health clubs, tennis, nearby golf, complimentary transportation throughout the Walt Disney World Resort and the Extra Magic Hours benefit, where each day, one of the four Walt Disney World Theme Parks is open extra time to enjoy select attractions.  (Valid Theme Park admission and Resort ID required). The hotel can be reached at 800-227-1500, www.swandolphin.com or through Facebook at www.facebook.com/swananddolphin.Follow us for more updates: Facebooktwitteryoutubetumblrinstagram