this week Disney – Episode 6
Published: June 20, 2017 / Last Updated: June 20, 2017 / By: Arvid Bux
Happy Anniversary Shanghai Disney, and Fantasmic Returns on July 17. This and more in episode 6 of this week Disney. Make sure you subscribe to our channel and like the video!
Transcript Episode 6
Welcome to another episode of this Week Disney. Get your 5 minute update on news related to Disney Parks and Disney Travel. Before we get started, hit that like and subscribe button so that you never miss a new episode.
Happy Anniversary Shanghai Disney
Happy Anniversary Shanghai Disney! On June 16th 2016, this third park in Asia opened its doors. Within its first year, Shanghai welcomed over 11 million guests and with that, it is well on its way to break even. We were at Shanghai Disneyland a few months ago and the park looks amazing. It is for sure worth a visit.
Pirate’s Lair at Tom Sawyer Island Reopened – http://thisweekdisney.com/EO6Hk
After about a year and a half of construction for the new Star Wars Land over at Disneyland, Pirate’s Lair at Tom Sawyer Island was reopened again last week. Click the link in the description to see a walk-through made by Inside the Magic.
Meet Cruz Ramirez from “Cars 3” – http://thisweekdisney.com/L3FcM
Fans of the new Cars movie can get their picture taken with Cruz Ramirez. Cruz Ramirez can be found with Mater and Lightning McQueen near Cozy Cone Motel at Disney California Adventure. The release of the new Cars movie, and the addition of Cruz Ramirez coincide with the 5th Anniversary of Cars land which opened in 2012.
Blue Lagoon at Disneyland Paris to be renamed to Captain Jack’s – http://thisweekdisney.com/2mgOo
Just like any other Pirates of the Caribbean ride, Disneyland Paris has its own restaurant inside the ride, Blue Lagoon. As Pirates of the Caribbean is undergoing refurbishments, Blue Lagoon is also closed, and when the ride opens again, the restaurant will feature a new name; Captain Jack’s. The name already leaked earlier when the New Year’s Eve party restaurants were announced. While the name fits the theme of the ride, it does feel a bit cheap.
Disneyland Railroad returns July 29 – http://thisweekdisney.com/qF2MH
Beginning July 29 2017, the Disneyland Railroad will once again take guests on a Grand Circle Tour of Walt Disney’s original Magic Kingdom. The Disneyland Railroad will now travel across the rocks on a trestle that extends out into the Rivers of America, and for the first time ever it will make a left-hand turn on its tour of the park. Along the way, guests will enjoy a view of Walt Disney’s legendary Dioramas of the Grand Canyon and Primeval World, which have been carefully restored to their original splendor with a bit of new magic added to both.
Fantasmic! Returns Monday July 17 – http://thisweekdisney.com/-X827
Monday, July 17 2017, marks both the anniversary of the 1955 grand opening of Disneyland and the premiere of a newly enhanced “Fantasmic!,” the popular nighttime spectacular. Fantasmic has received an extensive update and will feature new scenes including characters from “Aladdin,” “Tangled,” “The Lion King” and “Pirates of the Caribbean.
Mobile Order to Include Flame Tree Barbecue – http://thisweekdisney.com/BMARt
Walt Disney World is on a role and keeps on adding new restaurants to the Mobile Order program weekly. This time it is Flame Tree Barbecue. All three restaurants; Pizzafari, Satu’li Canteen and Flame Tree Barbecue are located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
New Photo Capture Coming to Pirates of Caribbean at Magic Kingdom Park on June 19 – http://thisweekdisney.com/l6Ja2
Guests with Memory Maker will have a new photo added to their collection when they visit Pirates of the Caribbean at Magic Kingdom. The ride received a small upgrade with the addition of a camera. While both US parks never had a photo opp in the ride, other parks like Disneyland Paris and Shanghai Disneyland offered a photo to guests. Now at Magic Kingdom when you wear your Magic Band, you will see your picture taken when you leave a haunted grotto and dive into the Golden Age of Piracy
Medals runDisney Disneyland Paris 2017 revealed – http://thisweekdisney.com/-Fpyr
With just over three months to go, runDisney France has revealed the medals participants can earn when they complete the runs. New this year is the Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo Challenge which also sees its own medal. One other medal that can be earned at Disneyland Paris is the Castle-to-Chateau challenge which will be handed out to runners who complete a half-marathon in the US and Paris within a calendar year. The sale of bibs hasn’t been all that smooth, but runners have been able to book packages and their bibs. At the moment only the half-marathon is still available.
Details for Disney’s Halloween 2017 at Tokyo Disneyland & Tokyo DisneySea – http://thisweekdisney.com/pexrT
Plan on visiting Tokyo Disney later this year? You might be in luck to be there for the Halloween Season which runs from September 8 through October 31, 2017. Over at Disneyland Halloween Pop’n LIVE is presented with updated music and costumes for their main parade. Several areas of the park will also be decorated. Over at DisneySea “The Villains World” takes place. The Park will be transformed into an eerie atmosphere as the Disney Villains, together with Mickey Mouse and his Disney friends, host a cool Halloween party. This year for the first time both Parks will allow Guests of all ages to dress up as Disney Characters on any day during the special event period.
Introducing the Brand New Frozen Ever After Dessert Party at Epcot’s World Showcase – http://thisweekdisney.com/yGZMT
On select nights from July 17 until October 30th guests can enjoy the Frozen Ever After Dessert Party in Epcot. The festivities will begin at World Showcase Plaza East in an exclusive setting for guests of the Frozen Ever After Dessert Party. Among the offerings will be beverages, snacks and of course premium viewing of IllumiNations. After IllumiNations guests will have the option to ride the popular attraction Frozen Ever After. Click the link in the description for more details.
Fireworks Dessert Parties Open for Booking for Mickey’s Halloween and Christmas Parties – http://thisweekdisney.com/0q4Mk
With the return of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, the dessert parties will also make their return. Happy HalloWishes Dessert Party and the Holiday Wishes Dessert Party will be hosted again at the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant. Head over to the Disney Food Blog for more details on these Dessert Parties. Click the link in the description.
4th of July Events Scheduled For Walt Disney World – http://thisweekdisney.com/U82ke
For the 4th of July, Disney World is hosted several events. This year, all four parks and Disney Springs will be marking the occasion with parades, live music, and fireworks shows. On July 3rd and 4th, Magic Kingdom will host a “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks show at 9pm. EPCOT will add the “Heartbeat of Freedom” finale to the end of its standard Illuminations nighttime spectacular.
StellaLou Coming to Hong Kong Disneyland August 2017 – http://thisweekdisney.com/K8eaI
Last March StellaLou made her debut at Tokyo DisneySea and in August, StellaLou will also appear at Hong Kong Disneyland. Previously Gelatoni made the same leap and featured some exclusive merchandise at Hong Kong Disneyland.
Walt Disney Company Takes Full Ownership of Disneyland Paris
The Walt Disney Company has successfully taken full ownership of Disneyland Paris. In order to take full ownership, France’s laws require Disney to own more than 95% of the stock. After offering a buyout to existing shareholders that ended on June 8th, The Walt Disney Company reached 97% ownership. This led to the delisting of Euro Disney SCA from the Euronext Stock Exchange. Although the delisting already has taken place, some shareholders are thinking about suing The Walt Disney Company as they don’t agree to the terms that were set for the buyout.
Gelatoni Merchandise Arrives at Aulani – http://thisweekdisney.com/-KqfQ
Gelatoni, a Disney friend of Duffy, arrived at Aulani. Guests who have visited Tokyo Disney Resort may recognize Gelatoni. At Aulani Resort, guests can pick up different Gelatoni items created exclusively for Aulani. In total, there are 13 new items to discover. Aulani Resort is the only Disney Resort in the U.S. to offer Gelatoni merchandise!
2018 Walt Disney World Travel Packages Now Available, Dining Plan Now Include Alcohol – http://thisweekdisney.com/7oSqf
As we reported in one of our previous episodes, it seemed like Walt Disney World was adding alcohol to its Dining Plans. Now that the Travel Packages have become available, we also got confirmation that our previous report is true. Guests over 21 can choose either one single serving non-alcoholic beverage or one single serving mixed cocktail, beer, or wine within their meal entitlement. Click the link in the description for more details.
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