New Year’s Eve at Disney Springs

DL & DCA Times Guides for 12/16-12/29

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Win Awards Around the World in 2016

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has received more than 150 awards and accolades this year as a result of the incredible commitment of our cast, crew and Imagineers. Through our rich legacy of creativity, cutting-edge innovation and exceptional quality, we continue to strive to deliver the best guest experience, and these awards inspire us to work even harder toward that goal.

In the 29th annual Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, we were honored to receive a total of 15 awards for Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and Disney Vacation Club properties, as well as for Disney Cruise Line and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa. To date, Disney properties around the world have been recognized more than 60 times by Condé Nast Traveler.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts was recognized with six prestigious awards from two industry organizations, International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) and Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). Shanghai Disneyland’s “Ignite the Dream – A Nighttime Spectacular of Magic and Light” and Disneyland Paris’s “Mickey and the Magician” both received 2016 IAAPA Brass Ring Awards. Shanghai Disney Resort also received three Thea Awards for outstanding achievement from TEA, including Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure and Camp Discovery, and a fourth Thea Award was given to Disney Parks’ Ghost Post.

TripAdvisor travelers voted to give Walt Disney Parks and Resorts more than 40 awards this year, encompassing parks, hotels and dining experiences across the globe. Highlights include top marks for Victoria & Albert’s at Walt Disney World, which also received a AAA five-diamond designation; Hong Kong Disneyland, soon to open a Marvel-themed area; and Tokyo DisneySea, celebrating its 15th anniversary with new shows and experiences. 

In addition, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts was honored with numerous awards from outlets such as U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, Travel + Leisure, Fast Company and Cruise Critic.

 

The Walt Disney Studios To Hit Industry-First $7 Billion At Global Box Office

Releases From Disney, Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm Combine for Industry Record Year

BURBANK, Calif. – December 19, 2016 – The Walt Disney Studios has become the first studio ever to reach the $7 billion threshold at the global box office, setting a new industry record.

FastPass Kiosk to go Self Serve in Epcot

From December 18 to December 24, the FastPass+ kiosk located in the Future World East Breezeway near the Mouse Gear shop (at Epcot) will be staffed by Cast Members until 1 p.m.

Afterwards, the kiosks will continue to be available to Guests as self-service kiosks (Guests will be able to make FastPass+ selections on their own).

Visitors who need assistance from a Cast Member after 1 p.m. should visit the kiosk in the West Breezeway near the Epcot Character Spot.

Restaurantosaurus To Offer Breakfast For a Limited Time

For a limited time, Guests visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park will be able to enjoy quick-service breakfast options at Restaurantosaurus in DinoLand U.S.A. The location will open to Guests 30 minutes after park open and serve breakfast until 10:30 a.m. from Monday, Dec. 19, through Saturday, Dec. 31.

Restaurantosaurus will be serving Mickey waffle platters for both children and adults, in addition to a premium topping bar featuring 12 different condiments.

The toppings include the following (offerings subject to availability): warm syrup, whipped butter, walnuts, warm cinnamon apples, warm cherries, warm bananas foster, warm caramel, warm chocolate sauce, strawberry topping, whipped cream, sprinkles, and chocolate chips.

In addition to the waffles, Guests visiting Restaurantosaurus will also find breakfast cereals with milk, yogurt parfaits and fruit cups. Be sure to stop by to enjoy this limited-time offering!

All-Star Bus Kiosks Now Serving Breakfast

You may have heard about the new pizza kiosks that recently opened near the bus stops of Disney’s All Star Resort.  These food & beverage locations are now serving breakfast daily.

The World Premiere Express (located at All-Star Movies Resort) is now offering breakfast pastries and donuts from 7:30–10 a.m., while Intermission Express (found at All-Star Music) offers breakfast sandwiches from 8–10:30 a.m.

Both locations will continue serving pizza from 7–10 p.m.

Grand Floridian Garden Party is Back

Guests of all ages are invited to visit the Mary Poppins Garden, located outside the exit of 1900 Park Fare at the front of the resort, for an evening of relaxation at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

The Garden Party is scheduled to place on Saturday, December 17, from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. During this special event, Guests will enjoy live music and will be able to purchase unique cocktails. No reservations are required, and everyone is welcome to attend.

Aulani Introduces Moana Experiences

Since Moana made her official arrival at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, she has inspired many new and exciting experiences for Guests to enjoy at the resort.

Guests now have the opportunity to meet the brave wayfinder and learn of her breathtaking adventures at Mo’olelo Fireside Stories with Moana, enjoy Uncle’s Kahakai Canoe Race, and even get a “Moana makeover” in the resort’s Painted Sky Teen Spa.

Mo’olelo Fireside Stories with Moana:

As the audience gathers around the oceanside fire pit, Moana and “Uncle,” Aulani’s very own storyteller, bring the legends of Oceania to life. Moana also recounts her own stories of way finding.

Uncle’s Kahakai Canoe Race:

Guests join Moana and Uncle as they tell seagoing stories and explain the importance of wa’a – or canoe. Then, Guests build a wa’a model and enjoy a friendly canoe race at the lagoon.

Moana Makeover:

In the Painted Sky Teen Spa, young adventurers can experience a Moana-inspired makeover, which includes styled hair, manicure, pedicure, makeup, and costume.

Disney’s latest animated film “Moana” is currently playing in theaters around the United States in 3D.

“Walt Week” to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney’s passing

With Dec. 15 marking the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney’s passing, D23 and Disney Parks are honoring his legacy with “Walt Week: Celebrating a Legacy of Imagination, Creativity, and Innovation.”

On Dec. 15, guests at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Resort are invited to share a message on Memory Boards that will be placed at each resort. The boards will then be on display for all to see at the 2017 D23 Expo from July 14–16 in Anaheim, Calif.

Here is a list of locations and times for the Memory Boards at each resort:

• Walt Disney World Resort: Inside One Man’s Dream at Disney’s Hollywood Studios from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Disneyland Resort: The gallery inside the Main Street Opera House at Disneyland Park from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m

• Disneyland Paris: Inside the Liberty Arcade on Main Street, U.S.A. from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Hong Kong Disneyland: Inside Art of Animation on Main Street, U.S.A. from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

• Tokyo Disney Resort: Mark Twain Riverboat queue from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

 

You can also go to http://www.D23.com/WalkWithWalt to learn more about Walt Disney’s history.