Disney4me

Are you planning to visit Disneyland in 2023? Then you’ll need to know about a few major CLOSURES happening in the parks! Snow-topped Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland From popular rides to fan-favorite restaurants, there are several closures happening at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Never fear — we’ve got a full list of everything that’ll be closed in the parks in 2023 so that you can find all the information you’ll need for your upcoming trip. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Closure Date: Now – January 26th; reopening on January 27th Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is making its West Coast debut on January 27th to celebrate The Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary! Disney’s Toontown Toontown won’t open until March, but this ride will be available a bit earlier. It will be housed in the El CapiTOON Theater. Click here to learn more about Disney’s 100th anniversary celebrations. Mickey’s Toontown Closure Date: Now – March 8th, 2023 Disney has announced an “ambitious reimagining of Mickey’s Toontown,” which will reopen on March 8, 2023, along with the addition of the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction. Toontown! In the meantime, the following attractions are unavailable to guests while Toontown is closed: Chip ‘n Dale Treehouse Donald’s Boat Gadget’s Go Coaster Goofy’s Playhouse Mickey’s House AND Meet Mickey Minnie’s House Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin Get a first look at Disney’s reimagining of Mickey’s Toontown here! Tarzan’s Treehouse Closure Date: Now – February 11th, 2023 Tarzan’s Treehouse in Disneyland’s Adventureland is currently closed for a retheming. Disney has revealed that the attraction will pay tribute to the original treehouse Walt Disney and his Imagineers built in 1962 for the movie Swiss Family Robinson. It will return in a “fresh, new way”at Disneyland park in 2023. Tarzan’s Treehouse under construction The Adventureland Treehouse will show “wondrous new environments created amongst the branches of a giant tree on the shores of the Jungle River.” Guests will also be able to enter by the giant waterwheel and go up the wood rope stairways into the tree. Inside the treehouse, you will find rooms that the family created in this new story. The mother will have a music den, the son a nature room, and the daughter an astronomer’s loft. All of these things are made with found objects, natural resources, and “pure ingenuity.” See MORE concept art for the retheming of the Adventureland Treehouse HERE! Indiana Jones Adventure Closure Date: Now – Spring 2023 This popular ride closed on January 9th, 2023. Indiana Jones Adventure Disney hasn’t announced a specific reopening date, but they have said it’ll reopen sometime in the spring of this year. “it’s a small world” Closure Date: January 9th, 2023 – January 20th, 2023 Disneyland’s “it’s a small world” closed on January 9th as Disney is removing the holiday overlay. “it’s a small world” Disneyland It will reopen on January 20th, 2023, as the normal “it’s a small world” (without the holiday overlay). Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln Closure Date: January 9th, 2023 – January 26th, 2023 Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln closed on January 9th, 2023. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln This attraction, which features “next-generation audio-animatronics technology,” will reopen on January 26th, 2023. The Disneyland Gallery Closure Date: January 9th, 2023 – January 26th The Disneyland gallery showcases “Disney-inspired art by contemporary artists” along with “historic and rare theme park concept renderings, models, and memorabilia.” Disneyland art It closed on January 9th and will reopen on the 26th. Grizzly River Run Closure Date: January 9th, 2023 – Spring 2023 This water ride closed on January 9th for refurbishments. Grizzly River Run Disney hasn’t announced a specific reopening date, but we do know that it’ll reopen in the spring 2023. Fairfax Market The Fairfax Market snack kiosk in Disney California Adventure closed on January 9th, 2023. ©Disney Disney announced that it will reopen on January 29th. Learn more about Fairfax Market here. Radiator Springs Racers Closure Date: January 17th, 2023 – January 24th Radiator Springs Racers will close in Disney California Adventure on January 17th, 2023. Radiator Springs Racers The popular ride is scheduled to reopen on January 16th, 2023. Mickey’s PhilharMagic Closure Date: January 24th – February 4th The Mickey’s PhilharMagic show is going to close on January 24th for some refurbishments. Mickey’s PhilharMagic It’ll reopen on February 4th, 2023. Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind Closure Date: January 30th – February 10th The Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind is located on Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure. It’s scheduled to close on January 30th, 2023. Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind The ride is going to reopen again on February 10th. Haunted Mansion Closure Date: January 30th – February 10th Haunted Mansion gets a festive overlay each holiday season, but that overlay is being removed later this month. Haunted Mansion Holiday will close on January 30th, 2023. Haunted Mansion The attraction is scheduled to reopen as the normal Haunted Mansion ride on February 10th. French Market Restaurant Closure Date: February 17th – TBA This Disneyland restaurant is closing permanently on February 17th, 2023, in order to make way for the NEW Tiana’s Palace restaurant. The new spot will feature food inspired by Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. The inside of the restaurant. Disney hasn’t announced a specific opening date for the new restaurant yet, but it’ll be sometime this year. Click here to learn more about Tiana’s Palace. Mint Julep Bar Closure Date: February 17th – TBA The Mint Julep Bar will also be closed as Disneyland works on the Tiana’s Palace restaurant, but it’s going to reopen as part of the new restaurant. There’s fruit in our Mint Julep! So don’t worry — you’ll still be able to buy the fan-favorite drinks and Mickey beignets at this spot once it returns! Splash Mountain Closure Date: Not yet announced Splash Mountain will close at an as-yet-unannounced date to be transformed into a Princess and the Frog-themed attraction! Splash Mountain in Disneyland Get ready for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to open in late 2024! Disney has shared that the reimagined attraction will pick up the story of The Princess and the Frog “after the final kiss, and join Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure – featuring some of the powerful music from the film – as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance.” Read all about the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure HERE! We’ll continue to update this post as more closures are announced. Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news. Click here to learn about a major park hopping CHANGE at Disneyland. Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! See Our DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Learn About Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland Check Out What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Get All the Info About Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Should You Go to Disneyland in 2022? Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Are you visiting Disneyland in 2023? Let us know in the comments. The post Everything That Will Be CLOSED in Disneyland in 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Universal has settled a lawsuit with a Brazilian tourist who said her son's foot was crushed on the E.T. Adventure ride. View the full article

We JUST kicked off the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, but it’s not long before we’ll be ready to start the next big festival! Flower & Garden Festival The Festival of the Arts only runs until February 20th, and then just a few weeks later the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival starts on March 1st. This year, it runs until July 5th (that’s over four months of festival fun!) and we’re getting some returning offerings as well as some new ones! One of the biggest draws during the Flower & Garden Festival is the stunning topiaries that fill the planters all around the park. We’ve seen plenty of iconic characters in the past, but this year we’ve got some new faces joining them! Buzz Lightyear topiary from 2022 In 2023, topiaries of Mirabel, Antonio, Isabela, and Luisa from Disney’s Encanto will be added to the festival, all located near the front entrance of EPCOT. But that’s not all! A new Princess Tiana topiary will also be added to The American Adventure. Those sound like some great photo ops! Fantasia Topiaries from 2022 But besides the new topiaries, Disney has shared a few of the old favorites that will be returning, including Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook, Tick Tock Croc, Figment, Anna, Elsa, and more. We can’t wait to see them all! We’ll be there for the first day of the festival and we’ll make sure to share all the excitement with you along the way, including reviews of the new food, details about the entertainment, and photos of all the activities. Stay tuned to DFB for the news leading up to and during this festival! Click Here to See Our “Best of the Fest” Picks From the Festival of the Arts! Click HERE to See All the Updated Details for EPCOT's International Flower and Garden Festival! Ready to Plan for Your 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Trip? Pre-Order the DFB Guide to the 2023 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival e-Book today! This 200+ page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Your purchase includes several bonus items as well -- including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable Outdoor Kitchens Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Pre-Order your 2023 edition today! Don't miss a moment of the fun! Use code SPRING at check-out to get $2 off the cover price! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Have you ever been to the Flower & Garden Festival? Tell us in the comments! The post New ‘Encanto’ and Princess Tiana Topiaries Coming to the 2023 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

New topiaries for Epcot's flower and garden fest will be based on 'Encanto,' Princess Tiana at Disney World. View the full article

It’s time to gear up for another of EPCOT’s annual festivals! Flower & Garden Festival 2022 There are 4 festivals in EPCOT each year: the Festival of the Arts, the Flower & Garden Festival, the Food & Wine Festival, and the Festival of the Holidays. Now, we know the DATES for the 2023 Flower & Garden Festival. If you’re planning to visit EPCOT this coming spring, you’ll want to see this update! The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival will take place from March 1st through July 5th in 2023. EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival 2022 This festival is included in the price of your EPCOT park ticket. During this festival, you can check out outdoor kitchens (AKA food booths) around the park, which have specialty eats and drinks with a springtime theme. In 2022, there were 18 food booths, and Disney has said that there will be more than 15 at this year’s festival. Fleur de Lys The Garden Rocks Concert Series will also be returning, which are free performances that take place throughout the festival at the America Gardens Theater. America Gardens Theater during the 2022 Flower and Garden Festival There’s a lot more to see and do at the Flower & Garden Festival in EPCOT, so check out our complete guide to see all the activities! And keep following DFB for more updates on all the latest EPCOT festival news. Complete Guide to the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Click HERE to See All the Updated Details for EPCOT's International Flower and Garden Festival! Ready to Plan for Your 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Trip? Pre-Order the DFB Guide to the 2023 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival e-Book today! This 200+ page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Your purchase includes several bonus items as well -- including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable Outdoor Kitchens Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Pre-Order your 2023 edition today! Don't miss a moment of the fun! Use code SPRING at check-out to get $2 off the cover price! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Are you visiting EPCOT during the Flower & Garden Festival? Let us know in the comments! The post BREAKING: Dates Announced for the 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Tips To Make The Most of Your Cruise Before You Leave Home | planDisney Podcast – Season 2 Episode 1View the full article

What Happens When You First Check In To Your Stateroom | planDisney Podcast – Season 2 Episode 1View the full article

Dining Options On a Cruise - Which Is The Best For You? | planDisney Podcast – Season 2 Episode 1View the full article

Fun Things To Do On A Disney Cruise For The Whole Family | planDisney Podcast – Season 2 Episode 1View the full article

Why The Crew On A Disney Cruise Are So Special | planDisney Podcast – Season 2 Episode 1View the full article

Meet The Assistant Cruise Director of The Disney Dream | planDisney Podcast – Season 2 Episode 1View the full article

Disney Dream Destinations: Where To Go On Your Next Trip! | planDisney Podcast – Season 2 Episode 1View the full article

What To Expect On A Halloween On The High Seas Cruise | planDisney Podcast – Season 2 Episode 1View the full article

5 Quick Tips For First-Time Sailors On A Disney Cruise | planDisney Podcast – Season 2 Episode 1View the full article

Visit planDisney.com | planDisney Podcast – Season 2 Episode 1View the full article

Meet The planDisney Panelists | planDisney Podcast – Season 2 Episode 1View the full article

Experience spring at the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival beginning March 1!View the full article

Everybody stay calm. (WE ARE NOT CALM.) TRON construction at night — Early January 2023 We’re just a few months away from the opening of TRON Lightcycle / Run in Disney World, and we’re trying our best to contain our excitement. Disney has announced that this coaster with motorcycle-style seats will open on April 4th, 2023. We’re keeping a close eye on the construction site to watch for any changes, and we noticed a few major updates recently! During our last visit to check on TRON Lightcycle / Run in Magic Kingdom, we saw that some construction walls had been replaced by shrubs in rolling pots — a good sign that work is starting to wrap up inside! Walls are down! This time around, we rode the PeopleMover to check out what was going on inside the site. We spotted several Cast Members using a crane to continue work on the area around the attraction. TRON construction The pavement looks to be mostly complete, and the landscaping is coming along as well! There are still several spots that will probably be filled with more plants or decorations. Still some landscaping to do One very important element has been installed — the restroom sign! The restrooms will be located up the ramp, and they look to be close to the entrance of the ride. The restroom sign! There are also some updates at the Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. gift shop, which is close to TRON Lightcycle / Run. Construction walls here have also been replaced by rolling boxes of shrubs, and Disney recently filed a permit for some quick changes to the structure. The side of the shop is looking great! The permit, which is owned by Walt Disney Imagineering, is to “install clock, banners, and signs” at the gift shop. Here’s a look at what the shop’s facade currently looks like. We’ll be watching for changes here! Another angle Those are all the construction updates we noticed at TRON Lightcycle / Run this time around, but we’ll be watching for more changes as the opening date gets closer! Want to learn more about this ride’s opening? Check out these posts: Park Passes Have Completely Sold Out for Annual Passholders on TRON’s Opening Day The Best Way To Get a Guaranteed Ride on TRON Lightcycle / Run on Opening Day DVC Member Previews Announced for TRON / Lightcycle Run Annual Passholder Previews Announced for TRON / Lightcycle Run Cast Member Previews Announced for TRON / Lightcycle Run Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest news from Disney. Read our full guide to TRON Lightcycle / Run here. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you going to ride TRON Lightcycle / Run on its opening day? Let us know in the comments! The post The Latest UPDATE on TRON Lightcycle / Run Construction in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Fans have been waiting over a decade for the new movie, Avatar: The Way of Water to arrive. Now that it’s here, it’s been getting a lot of attention. Pandora — The World of Avatar This movie sequel has inspired all kinds of additions and changes throughout Disney parks and beyond — Joffrey’s released an Avatar-inspired iced-tea recipe, Satu’li Canteen had a whole menu overhaul, and there’s even talk about changes coming to its popular ride in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It turns out, all of the fanfare isn’t for nothing — this film has been breaking records at the box office lately! Earlier this month we reported that Avatar: The Way of Water was doing well at the box office, dethroning Jurassic World for the 7th highest-grossing film title. And now it’s going even further! AMC Theater According to Variety, Avatar: The Way of Water has grossed $1.928 billion globally, and has recently surpassed Spider-Man: No Way Home as the 6th highest-grossing film in box-office history! ©Disney The next milestone on its journey is to cross the $2 billion mark — which all five movies out-ranking it have done: Avatar ($2.9 billion), Avengers: Endgame ($2.79 billion), Titanic ($2.2 billion), Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($2.069 billion), and Avengers: Infinity War ($2.04 billion). Avatar: The Way of Water Reaching the $2 billion mark would be quite the milestone on its own, as it would make it the first pandemic-era film to have done so. It is likely that this film will cross that milestone, so stay tuned to DFB for all the updates! Will ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ Become the BIGGEST Film of the Year? Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you seen this sequel in theaters yet? Let us know in the comments! The post 'Avatar: The Way of Water' Is Breaking Even MORE Records at the Box Office! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s time to take a trip back to Magic Kingdom! Welcome to Magic Kingdom! We just found out a popular meet and greet and character experience will both be returning to the park soon, but that’s not all that is new. Come with us to see everything that’s new in Magic Kingdom this week! Magic Kingdom Construction Updates Over near the Barnstormer, there are rolling bushes hiding away the pouring of concrete, which will lead to TRON Lightcycle / Run! Rolling bushes near the Barnstormer And speaking of TRON, there’s more construction happening! The side of the shop is looking great! Construction on the store is looking great, and it looks like the last of the pavement is being finalized near the entrance of the ride. Progress! We’re looking forward to seeing the final touches come into place before the ride opens in April! Magic Kingdom Merchandise Updates The Emporium We spotted a Pink Mickey Baking Dish for $29.99… Pink Mickey Baking Dish …and a Pink Mickey Mug for $19.99. Pink Mickey Mug There’s also a new Valentine Stitch Plush for $34.99! Valentine Stitch Plush You can also grab an Orange Bird Water Bottle for $22.99. Orange Bird Water Bottle There’s also a new Marvel Pin for $12.99. Marvel Pin You can grab the adorable Grogu Plush for $29.99! Grogu Plush Lastly, we spotted a 100th Anniversary Medallion Collection Book for 24.99. 100th Anniversary Medallion Collection Book We love how shiny it is — who wouldn’t? Uptown Jewelers We spotted a new 100th Anniversary Dooney & Bourke Crossbody for $228. 100th Anniversary Dooney & Bourke Crossbody We suggest grabbing this collection ASAP since it could be gone sooner rather than later. Frontier Trading Post A new Strange World Pin is available for $17.99. Strange World Pin If you haven’t seen this film yet, you can check it out on Disney+ now! Star Traders We spotted an Oswald nuiMO for $19.99. Oswald nuiMO If you’re a nuiMO collector, don’t miss this one. Big Top Souvenirs You can grab the Crush Beach Towel for $29.99! Crush Beach Towel It so totally rocks, dude! Bonjour Village Gifts We spotted a Snow White Postcard for $7.44… Snow White Postcard …and a Walt Disney World Print for $49.99. Walt Disney World Print It’s. a great way to bring Disney magic back to your home. Sir Mickey’s We spotted a Princess Pillow Set for $39.99… Princess Pillow Set …and a Princess Animations Collection for $119.99! Princess Animations Collection Both are great gifts for the Princess lover in your life. Fantasy Faire We spotted a new Cars Hat for $24.99. Cars Hat And it stars two of our favorite characters! Memento Mori We spotted a Haunted Mansion Pullback Toy for $9.99… Haunted Mansion Pullback Toy …a Haunted Mansion Phone Case for $29.99… Haunted Mansion Phone Case …a Haunted Mansion Character Letter M Print for $45… Haunted Mansion Character Letter M Print …and a Haunted Mansion Character Letter H Print for $45! Haunted Mansion Character Letter H Print Memento Mori is always the place to go for Haunted Mansion merchandise. Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe We found a new Moana Ornament for $24.99… Moana Ornament …and an Ursula Ornament for $24.99. Ursula Ornament It’s never too early to start collecting ornaments for next year, right? Magic Kingdom Crowds And that’s everything new we spotted in Magic Kingdom. As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news! Here’s why you DON’T want to go to Magic Kingdom on January 31st. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. How much of this merchandise would you be tempted to buy? Tell us below! The post What's New in Magic Kingdom: Haunted Mansion Merchandise and TRON Updates first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Over the past decade or so, we’ve seen Disney take on a LOT of projects in the domestic theme parks. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge With everything from the addition of Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge to the complete overhaul of EPCOT, there has been a ton of construction happening in Disney World. But Disneyland Resort hasn’t been without its projects either (like Avengers Campus!) and right now, one Disneyland project is proving that Disney can get stuff done quickly…when they want to. If you’ve been following along with the changes coming to Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland Park, then you know that the project has been moving along relatively quickly. The “ambitious reimagining” of the land was announced in November of 2021 and the land closed just a few months later in March 2022. Mickey’s ToonTown Now, it’s set to open a year later on March 8th, 2023. That’s quite an impressive turnaround for renovating an entire land with a new restaurant, play area, snack stand, and more. And that timeline stands in stark contrast when compared with another ongoing project — the TRON Lightcycle Run coaster in Magic Kingdom. ©Disney TRON Lightcycle Run has been under construction since 2018 in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland. The ride is set to open on April 4th, 2023, which means that crews have been working on the site for more than FIVE years. They broke ground for the ride in February 2018 and since then, they’ve built not only the new attraction, but re-routed the Walt Disney World Railroad. ©Disney However, when compared to the speed of Toontown construction, it’s not nearly as impressive. The reimagining of Mickey’s Toontown was an original concept, while TRON Lightcycle Run is a copy of the OG ride in Shanghai Disneyland — which makes one think that it could be completed faster. To make the comparison fairer, you could add in the construction of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway to the Toontown timeline (which would back things up to 2020, when construction for that ride began), but that’s still two years less than TRON. ©Disney So what made TRON take so long? Well, we can’t deny that the pandemic was a big factor. The ride was originally set to open in time for the 50th Anniversary of Disney World in October 2021. It got delayed by a full year and a half due to financial issues and the fact that construction in the parks was shut down for a while. Pandemic-related shipping delays and labor shortages may have also played a factor. TRON Lightcycle Run construction — Early January 2023 With that original timeline, it would’ve taken TRON Lightcycle Run three and a half years to be completed, which lines up closer to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Disneyland, which is sitting at a little less than three years. It generally takes rides longer to be completed than things like general refurbishments or restaurants, simply because you have to go through extra safety checks, ride testing, and other requirements before it can open. ©Disney So opening a new ride may be a huge undertaking, but all in all, we’re SERIOUSLY impressed with the speed at which Toontown has been changed. We’d love to see more restaurant and refurbishment projects be completed with that kind of timeline, and we’re pretty sure other guests feel the same! Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the changes in the theme parks and resorts of Disney World. and Disneyland Resort. We’re ready to take on 2023 with all the excitement that it has to offer! Click Here to Learn More About the Toontown Changes! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think of the construction timeline for Toontown and other Disney projects? Tell us in the comments! The post See? Disney Parks Can Get Stuff Done When They Want To first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

One of the most highly anticipated attractions in Disney World is TRON Lightcycle / Run in Magic Kingdom‘s Tomorrowland. The attraction doesn’t open until April 4th, 2023, but some people will get to preview the coaster before it officially opens! Vehicle testing DVC Members, Annual Passholders, and Disney Cast Members will all be offered preview rides on TRON Lightcycle / Run. Now, we have the DATES for those Cast Member previews! Cast Member previews for TRON Lightcycle / Run will take place between February 6th and March 3rd. Eligible Cast Members can register for previews starting on January 30th. Disney released this information on the Cast Member hub today. TRON Lightcycle Run Billboard Cast Members will be allowed to bring up to 3 guests with them to the preview. Each person can only register for ONE preview experience. Disney also stated that Magic Kingdom Cast Members will have Cast-exclusive early access preview opportunities in early February. TRON Coaster We’ll be watching for news about when the DVC and Annual Passholder preview dates will be, so stay tuned to DFB for more updates! Click here to learn all about TRON Lightcycle / Run. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you planning to ride TRON Lightcycle / Run when it opens in Disney World? Let us know in the comments. The post DATES ANNOUNCED for TRON Lightcycle / Run Cast Member Previews in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Ever wondered just how much the Disney executives make in a year, a week, or even a day? ©The Walt Disney Company We’ve taken a look at executive compensation packages and salaries in the past, analyzing how much Disney paid Bob Chapek to leave, Iger’s salary upon his return to the CEO position, and both Chapek and Iger’s salaries from 2021. But now we’re taking a look at one Disney executive who didn’t remain in his position for very long but got a SUBSTANTIAL amount of money during his short tenure. Recently, Disney filed a Preliminary Proxy Statement with the SEC ahead of the 2023 Shareholders meeting. It contains information about the Trian Group’s proxy battle attempts, financial compensation for its executives, a look at the Board of Governors, items that will be voted on, and more. One of the things tucked within the report is a look at just how much certain executives made in 2022. The executive we’re focusing on now is Geoff Morrell. Morell joined the company on January 24th, 2022 as Chief Corporate Affairs Officer. The end date for his employment agreement was previously set at December 31, 2024. ©Walt Disney Company But, just a few months after his arrival, the Company “made the unilateral decision to…terminate Mr. Morrell’s employment effective June 30, 2022.” His termination was announced on April 29th, 2022. That meant from January 24th to April 29th he spent about 68 business days in his position (according to an online calculator — the Wall Street Journal puts it at around 70 weekdays). In the report, Disney explained that 2022 brought a number of management changes, “designed to address specific management needs identified by the Board.” Among those changes was the termination of Morrell. Walt Disney Company Headquarters ©LA Times At the time Morrell’s departure was announced, he shared that “After three months in this new role, it has become clear to me that for a number of reasons it is not the right fit.” Earlier in 2022, Morrell had Tweeted (and swiftly deleted) the opening date for the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride in EPCOT prior to its official announcement, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Morrell’s departure came following weeks where Disney’s name often made headlines regarding the handling of the situation surrounding the Parental Rights in Education Bill (what critics call the “Don’t Say Gay” bill) in Florida, the dissolution of Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District by the Florida legislature, and more. These, and other matters, would ultimately lead to the removal of Bob Chapek as CEO as well. EPCOT Let’s break down just how much Morrell made in his short time at Disney. First, in connection with his hiring, he got a cash sign-on bonus of $2,750,000 (this was mainly to replace “foregone compensation from his previous employer”). They also provided him $500,000 as he had to internationally relocate himself and his family for this position. But there’s more. According to the report, Morrell’s total compensation was $8,365,403 for the short months he spent with Disney — that included a $489,500 salary, his $2,750,000 bonus, over $2,000,000 in stock awards, and over $1,000,000 in other compensation. Divided by around 67 business days that would mean he earned around $123,020 per DAY. ©Disney In comparison, we can see that former CEO Bob Chapek earned a total of $24,183,003 for fiscal year 2022 (though he was ousted from the CEO position near the end of the year), Christine McCarthy (CFO) made $20,235,669 in fiscal year 2022, and current CEO Bob Iger made $14,998,299. ©Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images But Morrell could earn even MORE. Disney notes that if Morrell “completes all of the terms of his post-employment consulting agreement and general release, he would be entitled to the following cash based payments:” $2,506,849 in remaining base salary through the end of his original employment agreement term; $1,500,000 equivalent to a target bonus for fiscal 2022; and a buyout of the home Mr. Morrell purchased in Southern California. Disney shares that, “consistent with past relocation practices for unique circumstances,” a third party bought Morrell’s home on Disney’s behalf in June of 2022 for the same price that the property was originally purchased. Disney will sell the property and get the benefit (or loss) of any gains or losses. As of October 1st, 2022, the property had not yet been sold. ©Disney Why have these specific termination payments been approved? Well, Disney says that they “okayed” these conditions due to “unique factors specific to his situation that involved an international move for Mr. Morrell and his family.” They go on to note that “This decision was made in the best interest of the Company and, we believe, will mitigate further disruption to the Company.” Magic Kingdom While other news sites have picked up on Morrell’s substantial compensation package, highlighting the extreme amount he made in less than 4 months on the job, this would not be the start of Disney’s potential troubles when it comes to executive pay. The Trian Group, which has been preparing for a proxy battle with the Disney Company in an attempt to get Nelson Peltz a seat on the Board of Directors at Disney, has criticized Disney for its “poor corporate governance,” which has led to “over-the-top compensation practices,” among other things. To read more about Trian’s attempts to get Peltz on the board, click here. You can also click here to see why Disney opposes Peltz’s attempt to get on the Board, and click here to see more of their criticisms of Disney. ©New York Times Nelson Peltz of Trian Partners We’ll continue to keep an eye out for updates on this situation, how Disney’s management practices may change in the future, and what will become of the Board with the proxy battle underway. Stay tuned for the latest details. Click here to see what one celebrity had to say about Iger’s “fight for the future of Disney” Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What do you think about this executive compensation package? Tell us in the comments. The post Disney Executive Made Over 0,000 PER DAY Before Being Terminated first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We are officially just a short time away from the start of The Walt Disney Company’s 100th Anniversary Celebration! ©Disney So far, we know that the celebrations at Disneyland will include the opening of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, the return of the Magic Happens Parade, not one but TWO new nighttime spectaculars, and much more. Now that we are getting closer to the official start date of January 27th, Disney has released more information on the different ways guests can participate in all of the anniversary celebrations, and something many of us guessed would happen has now been confirmed! Disney announced that all around the Disneyland Resort, there will be platinum statues and medallions displayed. Each one is not only an excellent photo opportunity, but those with a MagicBand+ can interact with them! Medallion statue concept art © Disney We saw this for the first time during the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebrations. During the 50th anniversary, 50 golden statues of different characters were set up around all four parks. If you had a MagicBand+, you could wave it in front of these statues to hear a special audio (and they sometimes changed these for different events). Disney has announced they will be creating both statues and medallions and that they would be interactive as well, but we are unsure whether it will be exactly the same as the 50th statues or include different features. Chip ‘n’ Dale Fab 50 statues Disney also teased other potential Disney100 decor interactions we could use our MagicBand+ for later this year, so stay tuned to our site for all of the details! The Important Secret About Your MagicBand+ Learn More About Disney 100 Years of Wonder – The 100th Anniversary Celebration! When Disney’s 100 Year Anniversary Celebration Actually Starts Is the 100th Anniversary Coming to Disney World? A NEW 100th Anniversary Disney Credit Card Design Is Coming! PHOTOS: Sparkly NEW 100th Anniversary Minnie Ears Are Now Available in Disney World ALL of the Disney 100th Anniversary Merchandise You Can Get Online Right NOW! Check Out the NEW 100th Anniversary Starbucks Tumbler Inside Look at NEW 100th Anniversary Disneyland Fireworks Show Sleeping Beauty Castle Will Get a NEW Look For Disney’s 100th Anniversary Get ALL of the Latest Updates on the 100th Anniversary Celebration Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe What other things are you hoping to see as part of the 100th celebrations? Comment below! The post MagicBand+ Will Interact With NEW 100th Anniversary Statues in Disneyland first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney is celebrating its 100th Anniversary in some BIG ways! 100 Years of Wonder ©Disney New nighttime spectaculars are coming to Disneyland, new eats and drinks have been revealed for the parks, new merchandise has dropped online and in Disney World (and Disneyland), and there’s even a traveling exhibit coming to more cities soon. Now Disney has announced ANOTHER special 100th Anniversary experience, but you’ll have to travel to Disneyland Resort to see it! Disney has announced that The Disney Gallery on Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland Park will soon be home to a NEW exhibit — The Disney Gallery Presents: Disney 100 Years of Wonder. The exhibit is inspired by “Walt Disney’s vision for Disneyland to be where his films come to life.” Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Within the exhibit, you’ll be able to look at artwork created by original Disney animators for some of the early Disney films, as well as concept art from Disney Imagineers to “recreate those stories in the park.” There, you’ll also find an animator’s desk, a multi-plane camera model, and more. It sounds a bit like some of the things you can find over at Walt Disney Presents in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Animator Desk in Hollywood Studios Disney calls it a “magnificent tribute to Disney films that became Disneyland Resort attractions, park experiences that later inspired Disney films and the rich traditions they both share.” Jungle Cruise at Disneyland Note that the Disney Gallery is currently closed for refurbishment. It lists operating hours beginning January 26th, 2023. We’ll be on the lookout for details about whether this will truly mark the reopening of the Gallery and when the 100 Exhibit may arrive. ©Disney For more about Disney’s 100th Anniversary, click here to see the 100th Anniversary merchandise you can get at Target, or click here to check out the 100th Anniversary credit card design you can get! Click here to see our review of a NEW 100th Anniversary snack at Disneyland! Learn More About Disney 100 Years of Wonder – The 100th Anniversary Celebration! When Disney’s 100 Year Anniversary Celebration Actually Starts Is the 100th Anniversary Coming to Disney World? A NEW 100th Anniversary Disney Credit Card Design Is Coming! PHOTOS: Sparkly NEW 100th Anniversary Minnie Ears Are Now Available in Disney World ALL of the Disney 100th Anniversary Merchandise You Can Get Online Right NOW! Check Out the NEW 100th Anniversary Starbucks Tumbler Inside Look at NEW 100th Anniversary Disneyland Fireworks Show Sleeping Beauty Castle Will Get a NEW Look For Disney’s 100th Anniversary Get ALL of the Latest Updates on the 100th Anniversary Celebration Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe Will you be checking out this experience? Tell us in the comments! The post Disney Announces NEW 100th Anniversary Experience first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article