Last night, D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event concluded with the star-studded return of the Disney Legends Ceremony. This year, a number of notable names were inducted from all corners of The Walt Disney Company. Below, you can see all of the ceremony, divided into individual videos for each inductee. So without further ado, let’s get […]
The post Videos – 2024 Disney Legends Ceremony at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event appeared first on LaughingPlace.com.
The actor, who plays Nick Marsh on the ABC hit series, will be in more episodes of the upcoming season, hinting at the future of Meredith and Nick’s relationship. What’s Happening: Deadline exclusively reports that Scott Speedman has closed a deal to continue to recur on Grey’s Anatomy’s upcoming 21st season. It is expected he will appear […]
The post Scott Speedman to Appear in Additional Episodes of ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” Season 21 appeared first on LaughingPlace.com.
Disney’s major fan event just wrapped up, and we were left with a LOT of big announcements!
In front of the convention center
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event took place in Anaheim, CA, and it was basically an entire weekend filled with Disney news. We got updates on future films, announcements about Disney Cruise Line, and of course, plenty of big reveals about things coming to the theme parks. But through all that news, there were some things that we didn’t get ANY information about! So here are the announcements that were missing from D23.
First of all, we expected to get a lot more information about the expansion coming to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. We’ve already seen pictures of the rooms and we know the opening date, but what about details on the special offerings or the dining options?
Restaurant concept art
The closest that we got to information about the new Island Tower is that there was an exhibit featuring some Disney Vacation Club concept art. Among those pictures, we spotted a few new pieces of concept art that featured a sneak peek at a restaurant and at one of the water play areas.
Over at Disney’s BoardWalk, we’re waiting on some major restaurant updates! The Cake Bake Shop has been under construction for quite a while now, with the opening timeline getting pushed back as construction moves slowly. We’d love to get more details about this restaurant, but alas, we learned nothing from D23!
Cake Bake Shop construction
The resort is also welcoming a new walk-up stand in the future, Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs. It has been under construction since last year, and we were hoping to get a little update during D23 on this spot as well.
Another announcement we were crossing our fingers for at D23 was the possibility of getting Tiana’s Palace as a restaurant in Disney World. Rumors have circulated in the past that Tiana’s Palace might replace Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe in Frontierland, considering its close proximity to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe
Disneyland Park already has Tiana’s Palace in its New Orleans Square, but we’d love to get the same treatment here on the East Coast — imagine that delicious southern food!
Several years ago, Disney announced a new offering called the PLAY! Pavilion would be coming to EPCOT, finding its home in the former Wonders of Life Pavilion in World Discovery. It was supposed to arrive as part of the EPCOT transformation, but we haven’t had an update on this project in quite some time.
©Disney || Play Pavilion Concept Art
The EPCOT Monorail spiel still mentions a “city built on the power of play” as something that’s coming soon to the park, so we were hoping D23 would provide us with an update on this offering — is it still on the table or canceled entirely? We suppose we’ll have to wait and see.
And speaking of possibly abandoned ideas from the EPCOT transformation, what about the Spaceship Earth overhaul? It was announced at a D23 event a while back that Spaceship Earth would get some new scenes, some much-needed updates, and a new storyline. However, this project has been quite stagnant in recent years.
©Disney
During D23, we did get some information about Spaceship Earth, but it was only related to the new Spaceship Earth lounge. Alas, this seems like something else we’ll just have to hope Disney shares more information about in the future.
After D23 ended, the first thing many fans did right after was hop onto the internet and speculate WILDLY about some of the new announcements. Multiple new lands and attractions were announced, but Disney wasn’t very specific with locations for some of them. Mainly, we’re left wondering where things like the new Monsters, Inc. Land at Hollywood Studios and the Avatar experience in California Adventure will go.
Monsters Inc. Land Concept Art ©Disney
Will these be expansions to the parks or will they take over older attraction spaces? We’re so curious! Disney also didn’t reveal the specific locations of the Cars and Villains offerings at Magic Kingdom during the Experiences Showcase, but they announced those details after the weekend was over.
And last but not least, the biggest announcement that many were hoping for or expecting that got left off the list was a fifth park! With Disney World’s neighbor, Universal Orlando, building a new park, many fans speculated that it was time for Disney World to add another park of its own.
Magic Kingdom
Instead of this, however, Disney has revealed several expansions and changes to the current parks that will likely increase capacity and allow them to grow revenue, without the massive cost of building a park from the ground up. Maybe they’ll announce that fifth park someday, but for now, we’ll be on the lookout for these current expansions.
So there you have it — all the announcements that were MISSING from D23 this year! We’ll make sure to keep you in the loop with any more Disney news, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Which of these announcements do you wish Disney had talked about? Tell us in the comments!
The post 7 HUGE Announcements That Were MISSING From Disney’s HUGE News Drop first appeared on the disney food blog.
We know when Lightning Lane prices will finally dip.
Lightning Lanes in Walt Disney World
A lot of aspects of waiting in line at Disney World changed since the company introduced the new Lightning Lane Single Pass and Lightning Lane Multi Pass systems last month. However, one thing that’s remained stable is the price…until now.
Since the changeover to the new system in late July, Lightning Lane Multi Pass prices for the Magic Kingdom haven’t been below $25, oscillating between $25 and $27. In fact, it goes back further than that, as prices for the Lightning Lane Multi Pass system’s predecessor Genie+ system hadn’t seen prices dip below $25 since May 1st.
That’s going to change in September. On September 2nd, prices for Lightning Lane Multi Pass at the Magic Kingdom are currently scheduled to be priced at $23. What’s even more surprising is this is Labor Day, meaning many people have a 3-day weekend. Usually the parks are quite busy on holiday weekends, but based on these prices, it seems Disney isn’t expecting that.
Lightning Lane
If you haven’t used the new system yet, a quick refresher on how it works:
You will now be able to make 3 Lightning Lane selections in a theme park, in advance of your visit and choose available times as you make your selections. From there, as you use each selection on the day of your visit, you can use the My Disney Experience app for availability to make an additional selection.
New park maps
Lightning Lane Single Pass will remain similar to Individual Lightning Lanes, today in concept. You’ll still be able to “secure a time to ride one of (Disney’s) most highly demanded attractions” for an additional charge. However, you’ll now be able to make said purchase and plan in advance.
Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel and other select hotels will be able to plan Lightning Lane Multi and Single passes up to 7 days in advance, for their entire stay (up to 14 days). All other guests can plan up to 3 days in advance.
Haunted Mansion Lightning Lane
If you’ve been waiting for Lightning Lane passes to go down in price before trying out the new system, you should keep your schedule open in early September. Stay tuned to DFB for further coverage of Disney’s ticketing system.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Have you used the new Lightning Lanes yet? How did you like the system? Let us know in the comments below.
The post We Know When Lightning Lane Prices Will DROP in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog.
An iconic Disney World attraction is closing soon in Magic Kingdom!
Magic Kingdom
Don’t worry though, it will only be for a few months. And, now we officially have the reopening date.
There have been a lot of changes happening in Magic Kingdom recently, including the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and the Country Bear Musical Jamboree. However, one attraction will soon be added to the “closed for refurbishment” list. Jungle Cruise is scheduled to close beginning August 26th.
Jungle Cruise
We have known about this closure for some time now, but we did not know when the attraction would be reopening. But we do now! Disney has updated the website with the reopening date for Jungle Cruise. The ride will reopen on October 17th, 2024, towards the end of the Halloween season at Magic Kingdom.
Jungle Cruise
Currently, Peter Pan’s Flight is closed for refurbishment in Magic Kingdom, but the ride is expected to reopen on August 20th. Luckily, that means that only Jungle Cruise will be closed for refurbishment beginning August 26th. But if you are hoping to laugh at some punny Dad jokes while viewing animatronic wildlife before October 17th, you better hurry over to Magic Kingdom soon! Although, it is good to know that at least Jungle Cruise will be open in time to be transformed into Jingle Cruise for the holiday season.
Jingle Cruise
If you are planning on heading to Magic Kingdom soon and want to know everything there is to know, make sure you check out our ULTIMATE guide to Magic Kingdom in 2024:
Stay tuned to DFB for all your Disney World news!
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
What is your favorite attraction in Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!
The post NEWS: Reopening Date Revealed for Jungle Cruise Refurbishment in Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog.
It has been a weekend for the books at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event!
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event
One of the most anticipated events of the weekend was the Horizons: Disney Experiences Panel. This panel was focused on the parks, resorts, cruises, and more. In this panel, Disney usually shares a lot about their upcoming plans, and Disney did not hold back on the announcements this year.
There were SO many announcements made during the Disney Experiences Panel at D23: The Ultimate Fan Event. It could be hard to keep track of everything they ended up announcing, but have no fear! We are here with a round-up of all the major announcements made by Disney during the panel. Like we said, there are a lot, so grab some popcorn and let’s get into it!
At last year’s D23 event, Disney announced that a NEW tavern would be coming to Adventureland in Magic Kingdom and this year we got more details as well as an opening timeline. This “rambunctious watering hole will offer a welcoming haven for all pirate-kind, big and small, and everyone in between.” That means this lounge will NOT be reserved for adults only. Disney teased a selection of “grogs and grub,” so it sounds like we could get some PIRATE FOOD! The lounge is scheduled to open in 2025.
Pirates Lounge ©Disney
Following in the footsteps of previous iconic nighttime spectaculars like the Main Street Electrical Parade and Spectromagic, the new Disney Starlight is scheduled to launch in the summer of 2025! This new nighttime entertainment will use “the latest technology” to tell new stories about Disney’s classic characters. The parade’s floats are expected to include new characters like some of our favorites from Encanto and Frozen, along with a few nostalgic ones like Peter Pan!
“Disney Starlight” ©Disney
Magic Kingdom will also be getting a Cars Land! The cars are leaving Radiator Springs to explore the West and into new frontiers. There will be two NEW Cars attractions coming to Magic Kingdom. One will take you on a race through the mountains and wild terrain along mountain trails, dodging geysers and splashing through mud holes. The second ride will geared toward smaller racers and will be fun for the whole family! Construction on this new area in Frontierland will begin early in 2025!
‘Cars’ Land ©Disney
Disney also announced that a VILLAINS LAND is coming to Magic Kingdom! The new land will encompass all our nightmares and may make happily ever after feel like a distant dream, according to Disney. Look out for new dining and shopping “on an incredibly twisted grand scale.” This new land will feature fan-favorite Disney Villains and two new attractions!
Villains Land Concept Art ©Disney
Walt Disney Imagineering is collaborating with Chevrolet to embrace the spirit of innovation while celebrating a human “drive” for a brighter tomorrow. The updated version of the ride is anticipated to highlight the past, present, and future in its upcoming design. Disney confirmed the queue will feature six distinct exhibits, and within each room, celebrate the vehicles as well as the people behind the vehicles who usher in that next chapter in our collective journey. Imagineers are adding new show scenes that will showcase technological advances and show “how our lifestyles and relationships to mobility connect everyone.” Disney has an anticipated reopening timeline of 2025.
Reimagining concept art ©Disney
A new lounge is coming to EPCOT, and its sleek look is inspired by the “stories, shapes, and enduring legacy” of this beautiful icon. The decor draws inspiration from its unique geometric sphere and hopes to offer a zen space for families filled with “rich textures and warm metallic tones, giving it a mysterious and elegant intimacy.” This NEW lounge is set to open at EPCOT in 2025. Based on the concept art, this Spaceship Earth-inspired space looks like it will have an AMAZING fireworks view.
Spaceship Earth Lounge ©Disney
The new show ‘Zootopia: Better Zoogether’ will officially be coming to the Tree of Life theater in the winter of 2025! Disney explained that the show will take us on an adventure through different biomes seen in the film. Based on the concept art, it looks like this will be an updated 3-D experience — we recognize those iconic yellow glasses!
Zootopia: Better Zoogether ©Disney
Disney has officially confirmed that DinoLand U.S.A. will become Pueblo Esperanza and will feature Encano and Indiana Jones. The new land will feature classic Spanish-style architecture with a large hacienda that will be one of the largest quick-service restaurants at Disney World There will also be two signature attractions — an Encanto ride featuring the beloved Madrigal family and a new Indiana Jones adventure ride! Construction on the new land will begin this fall and the land will open in 2027.
Pueblo Esperanza ©Disney
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will soon include one of the most popular Star Wars characters,the Mandalorian! New missions are going to be added to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers run in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! We don’t know much about these new missions, but we know that they will feature the Mandalorian and Grogu. This new Mandalorian and Grogu storyline will coincide with the release of upcoming films in 2026!
New missions on Smugglers Run ©Disney
Monsters, Inc. Land will officially be in Hollywood Studios! The story of the land will pick up after the events of the film, and humans have now been invited to visit the world of Monsters, Inc. For the first time ever, we’ll finally get to visit the laugh factory with Sully and Mike. You’ll go into the factory and experience the first suspended coaster ever in a Disney park. Construction on the new land will begin next year.
Monsters Inc. Land Concept Art ©Disney
A new Avatar experience is coming to Disney California Adventure at Disneyland Resort! The new area of Pandora will be different than the one in Animal Kingdom and will feature new exciting sights and experiences. The new destination will have all-new adventures that explore Avatar: The Way of Water, Avatar: Fire and Ash, and more upcoming Avatar films. There will also be a brand-new ride that will take you on a thrilling excursion all the way to the wide-open seas of Pandora.
Avatar Land ©Disney
Disney has now announced that the first-ever audio-animatronic of Walt Disney himself will be coming to Disneyland in a brand-new show. The new show, “Walt Disney — A Magical Life” will share a space inside the Main Street Opera House with “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.” After the initial run of the new show, “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” and “Walt Disney — A Magical Life” will alternate screenings at the Main Street Opera House.
“Walt Disney – A Magical Life” ©Disney
The Avengers Campus is going to get a huge expansion that will double its current size. Disney announced TWO new Marvel attractions coming to the land. First up is the LONG-AWAITED Avengers E-Ticket. Teased at events going back to 2019, the latest and final version of the attraction will be called Avengers Infinity Defense. A new Iron Man attraction is also coming to the land, with Robert Downey Jr. reprising his role as Tony Stark! In Stark Flight Lab, “you’re going to sit in two-person pods and deploy to a test station. Then a robot arm grabs your pod and starts whirling you around in a simulated flight.”
Avengers Campus ©Disney
The smash hit Disney/Pixar film Coco is coming to the Disneyland Resort in the form of a brand-new attraction. The attraction will be a boat ride in Disney California Adventure that will see music play a large role. Disneyland’s new Coco attraction is set to break ground in 2026.
©Disney
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will officially open in Disneyland on November 15th! According to Disney, “The Happiest Place on Earth will open their attraction inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ film The Princess and the Frog on Nov. 15, 2024 (at the start of the Holiday season at Disneyland Resort)! And not only that but Critter Country will be appropriately renamed Bayou Country when Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens.”
Construction progress in Disneyland — July 2024
An all-new Lion King Land is on the horizon in Disney Adventure World! The new Lion King Land will have you exploring the Price Lands with new areas of dining, shopping, and attractions. There will be characters, and the land will be set at Pride Rock (which looks to be a new log-plume style ride).
©Disney
World of Frozen will be coming to the park in 2026! Disney recently opened World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disney, and this new Disneyland Paris land looks like it may be a similar concept. We’re excited to have another park representing an entire dedicated land to Frozen!
World of Frozen ©Disney
At Shanghai Disneyland, a Spider-Man roller coaster is on the way. Plus a new Marvel ride was announced for Hong Kong Disneyland. Disney is expanding its Marvel-themed area at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort by adding a brand new Avengers-themed ride. The idea for the Marvel area at Hong Kong Disneyland is that Tony Stark has chosen Hong Kong as the Asian headquarters for Stark Industries. It will also become home to the Stark Expo, showcasing all the latest Stark Industries tech.
©Disney
There you have it! A full roundup of ALL the announcements Disney made about the Disney parks during the Disney Experiences Panel. There is definitely a lot of great expansions, attractions, and experiences to anticipate in the coming years. We can’t wait to see how all these additions progress, and we will be sure to keep you updated with all the latest news.
Stay tuned to DFB for all your Disney parks news!
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
What announcement are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments!
The post EVERY MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT for the Disney Parks from D23 This Weekend first appeared on the disney food blog.
Southern California was struck by a sizeable earthquake this afternoon outside of Los Angeles, and near Disneyland Resort.
Disneyland
According to the KTLA, an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.6 struck the Los Angeles area on Monday, August 12th around 12:20PM PT.
People across the Los Angeles area were able to feel the earthquake. The National Weather Service stated that a tsunami was not expected and so far there have not been any reports of extensive damage, according to Margaret Steward of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
#BREAKING: Watch KTLA’s live coverage of the 4.6 magnitude quake that struck just east of Dodger Stadium. https://t.co/7ll3DziZez pic.twitter.com/2Xn0d1FGmv
— KTLA (@KTLA) August 12, 2024
The hurricane struck nearby to Anaheim, CA which is where the Disneyland Resort is located. While it is oftentimes hard to feel the earthquake when you are in Disneyland, the parks will sometimes still shut things down to make sure everything is safe.
Disney California Adventure
One of our reporters felt the earthquake in Anaheim, but another reporter who was in Cars Land at the time did not feel anything. When we checked the app soon after the earthquake struck, we did notice that a few rides were closed in the park. However, it is hard to know for sure whether the closures were related to the earthquake or not.
Cars Land in Disneyland
While earthquakes are fairly common in California, it can still be scary to be in one or to worry that you may be affected by one when you are in Disneyland Resort. Know that Disney is well equipped to respond when an earthquake strikes and they will make sure that everyone stays safe. If you happen to be in an earthquake while you are visiting Disneyland, remain calm and make sure to follow Cast Member instructions!
We will continue to keep an eye on the news, so make sure to stay tuned to DFB for all your Disney news!
Did you feel the earthquake today? Let us know in the comments!
The post BREAKING: 4.6 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Southern California first appeared on the disney food blog.
The new comic series, which was announced at San Diego Comic-Con, will be released this November. The ongoing storyline is created by Gerry Duggan and artist Danny Kim. What’s Happening: Marvel has given fans a first look at the variant covers for the debut issue of WEST COAST AVENGERS #1. The new title will assemble the […]
The post Avengers Assemble — Check Out All the Variant Covers for Marvel’s “WEST COAST AVENGERS #1” appeared first on LaughingPlace.com.
The west-side of Disneyland Park has been under heavy construction for months. Earlier this year, major projects including a refurbishment of the queue and the addition of an attraction gift shop commenced for Haunted Mansion. Additionally, the iconic experience’s nextdoor neighbor has been undergoing a magical transformation into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. In preparation for the opening […]
The post Photos — August 10th Haunted Mansion and Bayou Country Construction Update appeared first on LaughingPlace.com.
One of the first panels we attended at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2024 in Anaheim was “So How Do You Direct Animation, Anyway?” Friday morning on the Walt Disney Archives Stage. Below you can find my recap of this insightful presentation. First off I wanted to share images of the Anaheim Convention Center hallway […]
The post D23 2024 Panel Recap: “How Do You Direct Animation” with Ron Clements, Jennifer Lee, Peter Sohn, and More appeared first on LaughingPlace.com.
