We’ve seen several neat commemorative items from Crystal Arts to celebrate Disney100, but our latest trip revealed a new Cinderella Castle Disney100 figure featuring crystals all over the structure.

Crystal Cinderella Castle Disney100 Figure – $125

The small figure is about the size of a paperweight or a snowglobe, with the colors changed to purple and silver. The silver sections of the castle are covered in crystals, while the turret tops are painted in purple.

The base is purple with a special Disney100 plaque at the center.

We found this at Crystal Arts on Main Street, U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom. Let us know if you’ll bring this home to your shelf in the comments below!

Disney100 Tiara

A new Disney100 tiara by Arribas Brothers is available for presale purchases at Kunstarbeit in Kristall in EPCOT.

Limited Release Disney100 Tiara — $89.00

This “limited time release” Disney100 tiara is available from Arribas Brothers. It is currently only available as a presale. Guests can purchase today and choose to either pick the item up when it arrives or have it shipped to their home. No official release date was given.

Three silver circles make a Mickey Mouse design with the Disney100 logo in the middle. Crystal studded art deco designs surround.

Kunstarbeit in Kristall can be found in the Germany Pavilion of World Showcase at EPCOT.

What do you think of this Disney100 tiara? Would you wear it? Let us know in the comments.

More Disney100 Arribas Brothers Merchandise

Check out more Disney100 products by Arribas Brothers at Walt Disney World:

• New Arribas Brothers Disney100 Mugs Available at Walt Disney World
• New Disney100 Mints, Trinket Box, and Shot Glass at Walt Disney World
• New Disney100 Glass Mugs and Photo Frame by Arribas Brothers at Walt Disney World
• Disney100 Platinum Mickey Figure and Glass Mug Available at Walt Disney World

Disney 100 Years of Wonder

Walt Disney World announced monthly themes to celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company over the next several months.

As previously announced, Disney100 will be celebrated at EPCOT with Mickey and Minnie in their platinum outfits and a platinum Mickey sculpture. A new Spectacle of Light show will debut on Spaceship Earth and, in late 2023, a new Disney100 nighttime spectacular will premiere to replace “Harmonious.” Journey of Water, CommuniCore Hall, World Celebration Garden, and Dreamers Point are all scheduled to open in late 2023 at EPCOT.

Mirabel will have a meet and greet at Magic Kingdom beginning “this fall” in the Fairytale Garden. She will be replacing Merida, and the area will be redesigned to look like the Casita Madrigal.

Check out our full list with locations of Disney100 pressed pennies at Walt Disney World. Other souvenirs include Disney100 silver medallions, gift cards, light-up balloons, and refillable mugs.

Here is just some of the Disney100 merchandise at Walt Disney World:

• Platinum Disney100 Minnie Mouse Ear Headband at Walt Disney World
• Full List (with Prices) of Disney100 Decades 1930s Collection Available at Walt Disney World
• Disney100 Decades ’20s Collection MagicBand+ Featuring ‘Steamboat Willie’ Now Available

The 100 Years of Wonder celebration is in full swing at Disneyland Resort, where guests can enjoy “Wondrous Journeys” at Disneyland and “World of Color – ONE” at Disney California Adventure. The platinum Mickey sculpture at EPCOT will presumably be the same as the one at Disneyland, which had to be fixed because the Walt Disney quote on the base was incorrect. Disneyland also has a platinum Minnie statue.

Disneyland Resort is offering the “Celebrating Disney100 at the Disneyland Resort” guided tour, including a walk through both parks, the drawing experience at Animation Academy, a digital download of a photo taken in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, a Disney100 snack, reserved viewing for “Magic Happens” parade, and a limited-edition pin.

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We noticed the Sunglass Hut building in Disney Springs has actually gone backwards in its refurbishment progress from the last time we stopped by. Let’s take a closer look at what’s happened.

Sunglass Hut Building Refurbishment Progress

It appears progress has actually gone backwards at this location, as the last time we stopped by, there were several gold panels installed over the display windows.

When we stopped by in February, the building had been stripped down to its base materials with all cladding removed. They’ve since kept the repainted exterior which they changed in April to a light tan color from black. A sign still hangs on the teal construction wall, directing guests to their pop-up truck selling sunglasses during the refurbishment. It reads:

Please pardon our appearance while we remodel.

Please visit our pop-up truck.

We have yet to see how they will decorate the Sunglass Hut façade. Based on our last visit and the current installments, we are guessing a gold color palette will be in use.

The interior still appears to require quite a bit of work, with no ceiling and some work lights still visible. The windows are streaked with filth from a mix of construction dust and rain.

The gold cladding we saw previously has been removed completely.

Golden borders around the window overhangs are still in place.

Sunglass Hut closed back in February, with its pop-up truck appearing about a week after the shop closed its doors temporarily. No reopening date for the popular sunglasses shop has been announced, but you can stop by the aforementioned truck as well as Island Supply in the Magic Kingdom to get your Sunglass Hut fix if you need.

Other Disney Springs News

A Corkcicle shop opened a few weeks ago at Disney Springs. The brand is known for selling colorful insulated drinkware and accessories with products ranging between $29.99 and $49.99. Corkcicle’s product line includes insulated tumblers, water bottles, stemless barware, and coolers that are easily portable.

Meanwhile, the UGG store at Disney Springs permanently closed in February. The storefront is located in the covered section of Town Center. UGG originally opened with the Disney Springs expansion in 2016.

Just like the dinosaurs, the National Geographic store at Disney Springs is now extinct and The Dress Shop has moved back into the space within Marketplace Co-Op.

While The Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando within the Disney Springs Area first started welcoming guests last December, the hotel officially held its grand opening ceremony in February and is ready for guests to come in full force. The Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando is an Official Walt Disney World Hotel. It features the same amenities as Drury Hotels nationwide along with a free shuttle to all Walt Disney World theme parks and early entry to the parks. They do not charge a resort fee on top of the nightly cost unlike many in the area.

Will you be peeking into the new Sunglass Hut when it opens in Disney Springs? We’d like to see your opinions in the comments below.

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Guests waiting for “Happily Ever After” or “Festival of Fantasy Parade” may need to look elsewhere at the Magic Kingdom, as the Castle Hub Refreshment Cart has been quietly closed for a few days.

Castle Hub Refreshment Cart Quietly Closed This Week

Since Sunday, May 21, the Castle Hub Refreshment Cart has not peddled any of its typical snacks like popcorn, churros, and pretzels. We’re unsure as of yet when the cart will reopen with its goodies.

The green curtains are drawn around the entire space, which was created when the Magic Kingdom hub was expanded in 2015.

For the moment, one of the carts has been removed from the space and placed along the guest pathway, but it was not open at any point we passed by this week. Cast Members and guests were relaxing under its umbrellas to get out of the brutal Florida summer sun for a little bit.

Guests hunting down popcorn or churros certainly won’t have to go far, the Frontierland churro cart is only a couple minutes’ walk away, and popcorn carts are just about everywhere in the Magic Kingdom.

Let us know if you’re frustrated by this current state of affairs in the comments below!

Churro Ears

The new chocolate-dunked churro ear headband is now available at Walt Disney World Resort. We found these new snack-inspired Minnie ears at the Emporium in Magic Kingdom. The ear headband will be available on shopDisney in a few days.

Churro Ear Headband – $34.99

The ears resemble two chocolate-dipped churros curled into circles. They are made of hard plastic, with chunky glitter resembling sugar.

A sparkly white Minnie bow sits between the churro ears.

The headband is chocolate-brown and also covered with sugar sparkles.

Will you be wearing these churro ears during your next Disney trip? Let us know in the comments.

Check out more Minnie ear headbands:

• New Tinker Bell Ear Headband at Walt Disney World
• New Disney100 Decades 1940s Three Caballeros Minnie Ear Headband at Walt Disney World
• NEW Purple Sequined Minnie Ear Headband at Walt Disney World
• NEW Easter Bunny Minnie Ear Headband at Walt Disney World

Disney Churros

Churros are a popular snack food at Disney Parks. They were first introduced at Disneyland in the 1960s and are now available at Disney Parks around the world.

Churros are made of dough that is piped into long, thin strips and then deep-fried. The churros are then dusted with sugar and cinnamon and served warm. They can be eaten plain or with a variety of toppings, such as chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or powdered sugar. Seasonal varieties are often made available, for holidays or to celebrate intellectual properties.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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More than a year after they closed for refurbishment, the restrooms in World Nature behind the site of CommuniCore Hall are seemingly preparing to reopen as most of the walls are down around the area.

World Nature Restrooms at EPCOT

While planters still surround the restrooms’ entrance area, the more permanent construction walls surrounding the site were down on our last visit to EPCOT. These restrooms closed in April 2022 to accommodate the construction of the central area of EPCOT including CommuniCore Hall and the Journey of Water inspired by “Moana.” Given that we saw the spaces had essentially been gutted around May of last year, we expect the restrooms to have received a full refurbishment.

Walls surrounding the rest of the site remain up as construction progresses on CommuniCore Hall, which is set to open later this year.

The restrooms are right behind the construction site for CommuniCore Hall in World Celebration, and are near The Land and the Imagination pavilions. For about a year, guests have been directed to Spaceship Earth and the Imagination pavilions for nearby restrooms.

While it’s still unknown when Disney will reopen these restrooms, we expect it won’t be too long before guests in World Nature can stop by when nature calls.

Let us know if you’ll be glad to see these restrooms open again in the comments below.

CommuniCore Hall Construction

Previously, yellow sheathing was seen added to the exterior of the complex, and now almost completely ensconces the entire perimeter.

This area behind Spaceship Earth (previously utilized for CommuniCore and Innoventions) is the last large park space still closed off, and it is also intended to be the primary themed walking grounds for World Celebration. Workers can be seen traversing the scaffolding and finalizing the foundational elements of the structure.

When World Celebration is complete, it will serve as primary hub for the entire park, with new nighttime lights, exhibition spaces, music venues and room for food kiosks intended to expand festival opportunities at EPCOT and promote an ethos of community. This will all be split between CommuniCore Hall, a flexible indoor space, and CommuniCore Plaza — an outdoor event space. A new Mickey & Friends character meet-and-greet is also set to debut.

This corner of the building is the last to show the metal framework underneath.

Wall insulation is also being installed; this entire face is fully covered.

The official Disney Parks Blog offers an overview of this entire area’s atmosphere once finished:

World Celebration will offer a beautiful hub divided into several different gardens, with a central planter based on the five-ring EPCOT logo. Filled with ample seating and shade, you’ll be invited to connect with one another and the nature around you in this lush new area. Each of these gardens will have their own identities, and they’ll change along with the festivals throughout the year.

A new statue will also be installed in an area known as Dreamers Point, with Walt Disney resting upon some steps and gazing upon the final idea he conceived and began developing before his passing.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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A new sand sculpture for Pandora Jewelry in Disney Springs is beginning to take shape, the intricate model being sculpted for the live-action version of “The Little Mermaid.”

New Sand Sculpture for ‘The Little Mermaid’

Situated between Sperry & American Threads in Disney Springs, a new sand sculpture is being crafted in honor of the upcoming release of “The Little Mermaid.” The plan is to display new Pandora Jewelry for the movie in the seashells once the artwork is complete.

The display features the film’s logotype on two of the four sides, and Disney x Pandora on the other two sides. The marketing is printed atop a bright blue banner, reminiscent of the ocean scenes found within the movie.

A faux rock punctuates each of the four corners. Ariel is just starting to take shape on the top level.

Various placards read: “Please do not touch” and a thin rope barrier is set up around the perimeter of the display.

The artists are hard at work, beginning to create a scene from “The Little Mermaid” out of sand. It’s not quite finished yet.

The open seashells will feature jewelry from the Disney x Pandora accessories line.

An informational flyer is also included as part of the display. It reads:

Pandora’s new collection captures the essence of friendship and adventure, with designs that bring to life the new perspectives of the reimagined classic, championing female empowerment and independence.

Each piece is crafted in solid sterling silver, or with 14K gold plating, featuring colorful design details to bring each character to life. Highlights of the collection include: the Ariel dangle, crafted with an iconic iridescent mermaid’s tail; Sebastian and Ursula dangles, representing the film’s favorite sidekick and infamous villainess.

Shop the new collection May 25th in-stores and online.

The Live-Action ‘The Little Mermaid’

Oscar-nominated Rob Marshall, known for his work with “Chicago” and Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns,” directs “The Little Mermaid.” The remake stars Halle Bailey as mermaid princess Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian the crab, Awkwafina as diving bird Scuttle, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, Javier Bardem as King Triton, and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula. Noma Dumezweni will portray the new character Queen Selina, Eric’s mother.

The full trailer debuted during the Oscars, and a teaser trailer was released in April. Alan Menken, who wrote the score for the original 1989 “The Little Mermaid,” made some lyrical updates for the live-action remake, with help from Lin-Manuel Miranda.

“The Little Mermaid” will be released in theaters on May 26, 2023. Bailey and Jodi Benson, who voiced the animated Ariel, united at the film’s premiere.

Take a look at some of the live-action-inspired merchandise for “The Little Mermaid” now available at Walt Disney World Resort:

• New Live Action ‘The Little Mermaid’ MagicBand+ at Walt Disney World
• Live Action ‘Little Mermaid’ Loungefly Mini Backpack Available at Walt Disney World
• PHOTOS: New Merchandise With Prices For ‘The Little Mermaid’ Live Action Remake in Walt Disney World

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Seemingly overnight, scaffolds and walls popped up around Red Rose Taverne in Fantasyland at Disneyland as an exterior refurbishment began work.

Red Rose Taverne Refurbishment

Walls in the alpine style fitting for Fantasyland at Disneyland are up around the ground level of Red Rose Taverne. Above the walls, green and red scaffolds are up around the upper portions of the structure. Scrims have not been placed at this time.

Fortunately, signage on the exterior informs guests that the restaurant is indeed open during the refurbishment, so guests craving the Grey Stuff Gateau need not fear!

The exterior dining area is also surrounded with even higher scaffolding. The cream and brown alpine walls surround the entire outside of Red Rose Taverne, while the height of scaffolding differs. In this area we see three layers of platforms for workers to access every part of the structure.

It’s unclear at this time whether scrims will go up or if Red Rose Taverne will need to close during some point of this refurbishment.

Some of the Red Rose Taverne exterior still hasn’t been covered yet, although areas further in back are still visibly scaffolded.

Since the restaurant is still open during refurbishment, guests can still dine in here on their way to a galaxy far, far away or after a relaxing ride aboard Casey, Jr. Let us know if you’ll be visiting Red Rose Taverne in the comments below!

Gourmet Breakfast Sandwich at Red Rose Taverne

If you’re looking to fuel up before a whole day at Disneyland, Red Rose Taverne has a new way to kick off the day with the Gourmet Breakfast Sandwich.

Breakfast returned to the Red Rose Taverne menu in early 2022, so we’re excited to see something new on the menu.

Gourmet Breakfast Sandwich – $10.99

Herb Blend and Crème Fraîche Egg, Maple Butter Spread, Muenster and Crispy Bacon on a Toasted English Muffin, served with Taverne Potato Bites

This looks unappealing with the egg patty, but thankfully, it’s better than it looks. It’s still not great, but at least it’s an improvement over its appearance.

The English muffin has a decent toast on it, without it being too well-done.

The egg patty is delicately flavored with herbs. It’s also slightly creamier and less chewy than one would expect from a premade egg patty.

The bacon is nice and crispy, and the muenster cheese was a nice choice for a subtle yet buttery flavor, though ours had mostly leaked out and melted all over the inside of the wrapper in reheating the premade sandwich.

Overall, it was better than we expected from a premade, gas station-style breakfast sandwich, but we wouldn’t dare call it gourmet.

For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.

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As the September opening date of The Villas at Disneyland Hotel approaches at Disneyland Resort, a new preview center has opened in the business center area to sell visiting guests on the promises of the hotel’s new Disney Vacation Club wing.

The Villas at Disneyland Hotel Preview Center

The business center at the Disneyland Hotel has been taken over by this new preview space. Large signs show off the logo for The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, as well as using its name of the Discovery Tower for the first time. This now joins the Adventure, Fantasy, and Frontier Towers.

A TV outside plays a sizzle reel selling guests on the benefits of becoming a Disney Vacation Club member at Disneyland Resort.

A decal on the door also says “stay magical year after year.”

Concept art of the rooms and hotel are on stands around the space, where there’s also some tables for Cast Members to help guests join Disney Vacation Club.

The windows are also covered up with concept art as well as a logo.

The multicolor circles and starbursts used in the resort’s advertising are part of the decoration schemes.

Guests who visit are also given a complimentary booklet and button to advertise the new hotel.

Are you excited for The Villas at Disneyland Hotel? Let us know in the comments below!

The Villas at Disneyland Hotel

The Villas at Disneyland Hotel are the newest addition to the Disney Vacation Club family, and the second Disney Vacation Club property at the Disneyland Resort after The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

The 12-story tower, currently under construction, will have 340 accommodations, including duo studios, deluxe studios, one- and two-bedroom villas, and three-bedroom grand villas. Each room is themed to a different Walt Disney Animation Studios film, from “Sleeping Beauty” to “The Princess and the Frog.” Imagineers drew inspiration from sketches, concept art, story cels, and color maps.

A video released in March shows renderings of the new villas, which include “at-home comforts” consisting of amenities for guests to do their own laundry, cook food in a real kitchen, and enjoy a little extra private space for their family during their trip.

Room types include the Duo Studio, Deluxe Studio, 1-Bedroom Villa, 2-Bedroom Villa, 3-Bedroom Grand Villa, and Garden Room.

The new villas open to guests on September 25, 2023, and reservations are already available now.

For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.

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