Dollywood has announced a new childcare subsidy benefit for hosts in a new partnership with WeeCare, finding affordable local childcare for employees of the Smoky Mountains theme park. What’s Happening: Dollywood officials today announced an unparalleled benefit for hosts working at the Smoky Mountains theme park. Through a new partnership with WeeCare, the largest childcare network […]
The post Dollywood Announces New Local Childcare Benefit For Employees appeared first on LaughingPlace.com.
It’s time for another anniversary of a classic animated Disney film, and with anniversaries comes new merch!
©Disney
2021 marks the 25th anniversary of the release of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Disney just announced a new limited edition doll being released soon in celebration of the anniversary! Disney’s limited edition dolls are huge for collectors and if you’re one of them, you will definitely want to add this doll to your collection.
We’ve seen the limited edition Rapunzel doll and the Evil Queen Masquerade doll, and soon a new limited edition doll will be available for all the collectors out there! The Esmeralda Limited Edition Doll will be on shopDisney on July 10, 2021 at 7AM PT. Her classic costume from the animated film looks stunning!
©shopDisney
We expect the Esmeralda doll to cost $129.99, as previous limited edition dolls have also had the same price tag. And when Disney says “limited,” they mean it! There were only 5,500 Rapunzel dolls released in the U.S. and we anticipate a similar release for Esmeralda, which means if you want to add her to your collection, set your alarm and mark your calendars now!
The Esmeralda Limited Edition Doll will be on shopDisney on July 10th at 7AM PT. Stay tuned to DFB as we learn more about the pricing and the limited number of dolls available!
With more than 750 pages, the 2021 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 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today!
Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. 
Will you be adding Esmeralda to your doll collection? Let us know in the comments!
The post ALERT! Disney’s Releasing A Very Limited Edition Hunchback of Notre Dame Collectible first appeared on the disney food blog.
Earlier this week, we spotted the new Walt Disney World Logo Belt Buckle at MouseGear in EPCOT, followed closely by the Cinderella Castle Belt Buckle also found at The Emporium on Main Street U.S.A. Now, another belt has joined the collection. Minnie Mouse Pearl Bow Belt Buckle – $29.99 While the other versions featured only a gold or silver-plated design, what makes this bow-tiful buckle unique is the line of pearls outlining the iconic gold Minnie Mouse bow we know […]
The post PHOTOS: New Minnie Mouse Belt Buckle Makes A Pearlescent Debut At Magic Kingdom appeared first on WDW News Today.
Disney On Ice is coming back to Orlando this September with the show “Mickey’s Search Party.” What’s Happening: Orlando Sentinel has reported that Disney On Ice is back, coming this fall with the show “Mickey’s Search Party” at Amway Center. “Mickey’s Search Party” is not actually about a search party looking for Mickey, but a search party […]
The post Disney On Ice Returns to Orlando This September appeared first on LaughingPlace.com.
Bum bum ba ba ba bum bum ba ba ba bum bum bum bum ba-bum! If it’s unclear, we’re singing the Star Wars theme song.
There’s so much to do around here!
Why? Because we got some BOMB Star Wars merchandise news this morning! We’ve seen lots of cool Star Wars merchandise this year like character plushes, Starbucks mugs, and more! Now, get ready to step up your wardrobe with the latest announcement…
Disney just dropped 12 Star Wars Button-up Shirts for pre-order on shopDisney! If you’re looking for an outfit for your next visit to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, you’re in luck!
©Disney
Check out this Boba Fett ”A Bounty Day” KUNUFLEX Short Sleeve Shirt featuring everyone’s favorite OG Mandalorian!
Or, if you’re more into those original trilogy main characters, snag the Star Wars ”The Trilogy” KUNUFLEX Short Sleeve Shirt.
©Disney
The shirts are all available for pre-order at a price of $65.99 each!
There is no predicted shipping date for these shirts yet, but if you buy, you’ll receive an email to find out when they’re ready to ship!
©Disney
And hopefully, you won’t have to wait too long for your new Star Wars ”Stay on Target” KUNUFLEX Short Sleeve Shirt.
To pre-order these shirts, head on over to shopDisney! And, as always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney merchandise updates!
With more than 750 pages, the 2021 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 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today!
Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose.
Which shirt will you be snagging? Tell us in the comments!
The post 12 NEW Star Wars Shirts are Now Available for Pre-Order from Disney! first appeared on the disney food blog.
Getting around Disney World seems easy right? They offer free buses, boats, the monorail and Skyliner; or, you can just drive yourself to get everywhere you need to go.
Monorail
Things aren’t as easy as they seem and the secrets we’re gonna share today can save you hours of wasted time.
Check out the secrets to getting around at Disney World and more in our latest DFB video!
The post DFB Video: 22 Secrets To Getting Around Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog.
“When will Walt Disney World bring back ____?” and other questions about reopenings or the return to normalcy are incredibly common, with inquiries about the Dining Plan, FastPass+, Annual Passes, restaurants, resorts, entertainment, fireworks, and more asked countless times per day. As such, we’re going to consolidate the answers to all of those frequently asked […]
The post What’s Returning to Disney World in 2021 & 2022 appeared first on Disney Tourist Blog.
There are some things in Disney World that the average guest won’t ever see!
Cinderella Castle
From fireworks shows to general maintenance, it takes a lot of work to keep the parks magical for guests. And that involves several things that only happen once the parks are already closed for the day! Let’s peek behind the closed gates and see what happens late each night in Disney World.
Let’s start off with a bang…literally! When Disney World is preparing to debut a new fireworks show, or a special display for a holiday or event, the show has to be tested before it’s performed in front of guests.
Fireworks Testing Seen from Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
And, as many Disney fans know, even outside of the “busy season,” there are still plenty of guests in the parks from rope drop to close. This means the fireworks testing has to take place once the parks have already closed! This usually means LATE at night!
Fireworks Testing
Guests can often see glimpses of the fireworks testing from outside of the parks at nearby hotels. If they can stay up late enough to catch them, of course! We recently spotted Harmonious testing after EPCOT closed. (Problem with fireworks is they’re loud and…y’know…in the sky. Tough to hide. 
)
Have you ever wondered how the Disney World shows seem to be so flawless every time? Well, the performers get plenty of practice before they first debut in front of guests!
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
Show rehearsals are scheduled when the parks are closed to allow performers to do a full run-through on-stage before debuting in front of guests.
Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire
Because even at the “Most Magical Place on Earth,” it would be tough to hide a rehearsal happening on the Cinderella Castle stage!
Just like the shows, Disney parade performers have the opportunity to practice without an audience before they make their official debut!
Festival of Fantasy
And the same goes for any new floats or effects for new and seasonal parades as well! Cast Members perform after-hours tests on new parades before they premiere to guests.
Magic Kingdom
Performing rehearsals in an empty park helps make sure that the finished product is amazing when it’s time to debut in front of a crowd! You think navigating Main Street, U.S.A. and its treacherous trolley tracks is tough as a guest? Try it in costume set to choreography! Practicing on the actual route is crucial to success.
Given the amount of foot traffic that comes through the parks each day, the concrete outdoors and in buildings can take a serious beating!
Tower of Terror Line
And while it is possible to perform some routine maintenance with guests present in the parks, concrete work presents more of a challenge. After all, Disney wouldn’t want guests walking through wet concrete!
Tomorrowland Pavement Construction
With the safety of guests in mind, any major concrete work will be scheduled for after the park has closed for the day. Occasionally, guests may spy markers blocking off freshly concreted areas but the concrete has typically set and it’s more of a precaution to give it ample time to cure.
Disney World restaurants, attractions, show buildings, and decor are regularly repainted to keep them looking fresh.
Cinderella Castle
This is especially important for anything exposed to the intense Florida sun, which can cause some serious bleaching!
“it’s a small world”
And while guests might spot evidence of the activity, like scrim or construction walls surrounding a building, the repainting itself will be done after guests have headed out for the evening. Next time you’re in the parks, check railings, benches, and more in the morning — you might spy a few “Wet Paint” signs!
Disney World is known for its dedication to keeping the Resort clean and well-maintained. And that extends beyond the parks!
Welcome to Disney World!
During the evenings, large trucks come out to clean the streets around Disney World Resort property.
EPCOT Parking Entrance
The dedication to keeping everything around the Resort property well-maintained helps ensure that guests get a great impression of Disney World even outside of the actual parks.
Occasionally, Cast Members are given the opportunity to ride an attraction before the park opens or after it closes to guests.
Slinky Dog Dash
For example, one former Cast Member on our team was able to join in on an early-morning Cast Member tour of Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom before the park opened for the day!
Haunted Mansion
Most rides, especially coasters, need the tracks to be fully walked each day before guests can ride as a safety precaution. These checks and tests of the rides occur while the parks are closed!
These Tracks are Checked Each Day!
We appreciate ALL of the hard work that Cast Members do to make our vacations special, so we’re definitely in favor of giving them the VIP treatment!
If you’ve been to Disney World around the start of the Halloween or Christmas seasons, you might be shocked to walk into the park one morning and find it completely transformed since your visit the day before. This is especially evident when the big switch from fall to Christmas decor happens.
Halloween Decor at Magic Kingdom
Well, you have a team of fast-working Cast Members to thank for that metamorphosis! Disney World holiday decorations are put up overnight to ensure their installation doesn’t interfere with guest safety…or disrupt the magic!
Christmas Tree at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Holiday decor often doesn’t all go up on the same night, which means you might continue to spot new details as the season goes on (at least the first few days!).
EPCOT Christmas tree 2020
But even when there’s still more decor to be added, you won’t spot Santa’s elves hauling a Christmas tree down Main Street, U.S.A. in broad daylight! (They DO, however, haul them around late at night while you’re sleeping!).
Safety is Disney’s top priority, and that includes making sure everyone exits the park when it closes for the evening.
Animal Kingdom Exit
Ever thought of hiding out and spending the night skipping around Disney World? It’s not that easy (or legal!). Once the parks have closed for the day, Cast Members perform walk-throughs to make sure there are no guests left behind.
EPCOT at Night
Cast Members typically clear sections of the park each night, sweeping for any straggling guests. As tempting as it is to spend the night inside of one of the parks, make sure you stick to the sanctioned After Hours Events to avoid experiencing a security sweep first-hand!
Some of the packages offered by Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings include ceremonies at various locations inside the Disney World parks.
©Disney Fairy Tale Weddings
And if having several thousand theme park attendees on your guest list sounds like a logistical nightmare, don’t worry — the in-park weddings are held either before the park opens or after it closes to allow for a private ceremony!
You Can Have a Wedding in Pandora!
For example, weddings inside Magic Kingdom often start 2-3 hours after the park closes…
Magic Kingdom at Night
…weddings in the Tower of Terror courtyard start 1.5 hours after Disney’s Hollywood Studios closes…
Hollywood Tower Hotel Flags
…and several World Showcase pavilions are available for 9AM ceremonies before the section of the park opens to guests.
The Canada Pavilion is one of the World Showcase locations that offers weddings!
If you’ve got the budget to spend on a Disney World wedding, there are several awesome in-park locations for a private ceremony outside of park hours!
As busy as Disney World is during the day, there are some things that ONLY happen once the parks have closed. From rehearsals, to maintenance, to happily ever afters, it seems like there’s pretty much always something happening in Disney World — even outside of normal operating hours!
With more than 750 pages, the 2021 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 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today!
Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose.
Have you ever seen any of these after-hours activities happening in Disney World? Let us know in the comments!
The post 10 Things That Only Happen in Disney World When It’s CLOSED first appeared on the disney food blog.
Annual maintenance is an inevitability no matter where you go. Fortunately, Tokyo Disney Resort prefers to tell Guests far in advance of upcoming maintenance plans. Quite a bit of attractions are scheduled for their week-long refurbishments through January 2022 (and a couple of multi-month ones on the way too), so let’s take a look at the refurbishment schedule at both Tokyo Disneyland & Tokyo DisneySea! Please note that these lists do not include shops, restaurants, and attractions currently closed due […]
The post Tokyo Disney Resort Announces Attraction Refurbishments Through January 2022 appeared first on WDW News Today.
SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. has announced that Tom Iven has taken over as Chief Operating Officer (COO) effective June 28, 2021. What’s Happening: This morning, SeaWorld announced that Tom Iven has taken over for Walter Bogumil as COO effective starting today, June 28, 2021. The SeaWorld Board of Directors unanimously approved the appointment. Iven previously served […]
The post Tom Iven Named Chief Operating Officer for SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. appeared first on LaughingPlace.com.
