Walt Disney World
Theme Park News

Epcot's Kidcot Fun Stops
June 18, 2013
Walt Disney World planners recognize that young children love to color and collect items. Luckily for young Epcot guests, the park has incorporated these activities in craft stations, called Kidcot Fun Stops, in each of the 11 country pavilions at the park's World Showcase. Though these attractions were designed for children, they may just be the motivation families need to walk all the way around World Showcase Lagoon. Plus, parents no doubt will appreciate a short break in their touring to rest and recharge.

Remembering Merlin the Magician
June 18, 2013
The beloved live action show where Merlin selects a young guest from the audience to attempt to pull the sword from an anvil to become the new temporary ruler of Fantasyland (until the next show in a half hour) premiered at Disneyland in the Summer of 1983 after the opening of the New Fantasyland so this year marks Merlin's 30th anniversary as a park character. At Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, the show opened in 1993 (though other sources claim 1994) and delighted guests until its final performance on August 15, 2006.

July 1-7: 4th of July Fireworks Nightly at Magic Kingdom
June 13, 2013
Walt Disney World announces July 4th celebrations including a special Limited Time Magic event! Beginning July 1 through July 7th, enjoy 4th of July fireworks at the Magic Kingdom!

Embracing the Queue Line!
June 12, 2013
Here are some reasons why you just might want to embrace the queue.

Wilderness Explorers Program at Animal Kingdom Open
June 04, 2013
Animal Kingdom's newest attraction, Wilderness Explorers, is built around a theme from the Disney-Pixar film "Up." One of the main characters in the 2009 animated movie, Russell, is a Wilderness Explorer, which is a fictional version of Boy Scouts. As Russell is working to earn his final merit badge, he gets caught up in an elderly man's drama and ends up traveling on an unexpected journey.

Now Walt Disney World's newest theme park has developed a Wilderness Explorers program that encourages kids to learn about specific areas of their world by earning merit badges, similarly to how the group functions in the movie. The Wilderness Explorers attraction at Animal Kingdom, which debuted June 1, is open to all guests, though the materials are geared toward kids ages 7 to 10.

Maple Leaf Tickets Honoring Old Prices thru 6/13/13
June 03, 2013
Our approved ticket vendor, MapleLeaf Tickets is honoring their previous Disney pricing while supplies last.

Ticket Prices Rise at WDW and DL
June 02, 2013
Walt Disney World and Disneyland have raised their ticket prices effective June 2, 2013. Our ticket vendor, Maple Leaf Tickets, is honoring the current pricing through June 10, 2013.

A Pirates Adventure: Treasure of the Seven Seas
May 31, 2013
The creative forces at Disney World are banking on that with a new scavenger hunt at the Magic Kingdom called, not surprisingly, A Pirate's Adventure. Located in a small building on the outskirts of Adventureland, just past the arches connected to Pirates of the Caribbean and across from the Pecos Bill and Tortuga Tavern dining area, is the spot where would-be pirates plot their raids. After a series of simple steps on a touch-screen computer, players will head out on one of five possible quests to help Captain Jack Sparrow locate the Treasures of the Seven Seas. They are armed with a paper map and a "magic talisman" (otherwise known as a RFID-chipped card).

Be Our Guest Receives National Award
May 31, 2013
Just six months after opening its doors, Be Our Guest Restaurant at Magic Kingdom Park earned national recognition for the groundbreaking dining experience being provided to guests in New Fantasyland.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts received an Operator Innovation Award from the National Restaurant Association (NRA) for the technology at the restaurant. An independent panel of expert judges recognized Disney for driving advancement in the foodservice industry.

Celebrate the Magic Summer Edition!
May 28, 2013
The Celebrate the Magic! castle show in the Magic Kingdom has a "Limited Time Magic" special segment. New in this edition are Phineas and Ferb, the Little Mermaid, and Lilo and Stitch.

Autumn 2013 Brings Fall Color to Walt Disney World
May 22, 2013
Fall 2013 is a grand celebration at Walt Disney World Resort, with the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, Boo-tiful Fun, Night of Joy, an Opening Fit for a Princess and more leading up to the holidays. On land - and sea - Disney guests will find unrivaled excitement. As temperatures cool, the fun heats up. Here's a look at what's ahead.

Star Wars Weekends Final Day!
May 16, 2013
Star Wars Weekends begin May 17! Are you ready? Turn to AllEars.net for complete coverage.

        Related Links:
         -- Celebrity Motorcade Video
         -- Event Map Week 3
         -- Event Times and Guide Map June7-9
         -- Chip and Dale Debut as Ewoks
         -- An Ewok's Tale Video
         -- Celebrity Signings
         -- Hyperspace Hoopla
         -- Tips for Kids
         -- Event Map Week 2
         -- Stormtroopers Show Video
         -- Event Times and Guide Map
         -- Character Meet and Greets
         -- Celebrity Welcome
         -- Celebrity Motorcade
         -- Legends of the Force Motorcade

May the 24th Breakfast Meet
May 15, 2013
Meet Deb Wills and Deb Koma for a breakfast meet and greet at the Tomorrowland Terrace in the Magic Kingdom at 9:00am.

Adventurers Outpost Now Open!
May 15, 2013
Mickey and Minnie have arrived in their new air conditioned meet and greet location in Animal Kingdom's Discovery Island area.

Merida Becomes Official Disney Princess
May 11, 2013
Merida became the newest Disney Princess May 11, 2013 at a special ceremony in Disney's Magic Kingdom.

Not So Scary Halloween Party Dates/Prices!
May 01, 2013
Dates and prices for the 2013 Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Tickets went on sale May 1, 2013.

Very Merry Christmas Party Dates/Prices!
May 01, 2013
Dates and prices for 2013 Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Tickets went on sale May 1, 2013.

A Pirate's Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas - Testing!
April 29, 2013
Contributing photographer Jason of disneygeek.com had a great opportunity my last morning at Walt Disney World. The Imagineers were conducting a public "play test" of A Pirate's Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas. This is a new interactive experience that will be opening in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom in the near future. The testing started earlier in the morning and I managed to make it there about 11:45am and was one of the last groups through, they shut down around noon. The adventure begins at the Enlistment Quarters, the old Crows Nest.

Festival of Fantasy Parade to Debut in Magic Kingdom in 2014
April 26, 2013
Walt Disney World President George Kalogridis announced Friday, April 26, that a new daytime parade, the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade, will debut in the Magic Kingdom in spring 2014. (This will replace the current Celebrate the Magic daytime parade.)

The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade will bring the magical stories of New Fantasyland to Main Street, U.S.A., through fantastic and innovative new parade floats, vibrant costumes, and an original soundtrack that will feature beloved songs from favorite Disney films, plus a new parade theme song.

Monstrous Summer Soars at Walt Disney World!
April 25, 2013
Disney's Monstrous Summer is bursting with good times for the entire family.

The "Monstrous" lineup includes entertainment enhancements celebrating the June 21 release of the Disney-Pixar animated feature, "Monsters University." Mike and Sulley are dropping in from MU to scare up monstrous surprises all summer long. Guests will find all-new collegiate settings for meeting their favorite aspiring scarers. On the Backlot at Disney's Hollywood Studios, guests will find the Monsters University Student Union, complete with a view of the campus. Over at Magic Kingdom, the gang at the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor have been studying new jokes and are ready to graduate to new comedy bits in honor of their alma mater. Throw in Star Wars Weekends, the grand reopening of California Grill, a new spa for Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and more and it adds up to a summer that's exciting, thrilling, magical... Monstrous!

        Related Links:
         -- Wilderness Explorers Coming Soon to Animal Kingdom
         -- Princess Fairytale Hall
         -- Animal Kingdom's New Wilderness Explorers
         -- One Family's All-Nighter
         -- "Mike Wazowski" Helps Kick Off Monstrous Summer - Announces 24-Hour Park Opening May 24!
         -- Mike Wazowski and Sulley Meet/Greet
         -- 24-Hour "All-Nighter" May 24-25: More Details
         -- All-Nighter Kick Off
         -- Chip and Dale Pajama Dance-Off
         -- Mike Wazowski and Sulley Grand Marshals Video
         -- Monstrous Monorail Debuts!
         -- Mickey and Minnie Model PJs Video