Two #DisneyParksLIVE Events Later This Week; Stitch's Great Escape Returning

Two #DisneyParksLIVE Events to be Streamed Later This Week:

This week the Disney Parks Blog will be live streaming two events. The first being on Thursday with a live stream of "A Frozen Holiday Wish" and the lighting of Cinderella Castle. The live stream will begin at 8:10 p.m. EST. 

“A Frozen Holiday Wish” stars the royal sisters Anna and Elsa, and their friends Olaf and Kristoff. In this show, Queen Elsa uses her incredible powers to present a gift to everyone in the kingdom by transforming Cinderella Castle into a glimmering ice palace, perfect for the holiday season. Trust me, this must-see show will give you chills!

This is on November 9 during the first Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party of the season. 

The next live stream will happen on Friday, November 10 when we will get our first look at the new "Beauty and the Beast" musical production live from the Disney Dream. This live stream will take place at 10:40 a.m. EST. 

Here we will get a sneak peek at the newest Broadway-style musical. The new show brings the timeless fable to life like never before, featuring a style of theater that interlaces classic storytelling elements along with cutting-edge technology. 

Fans are encouraged to use #DisneyParksLIVE during the live stream to follow along on Twitter.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Stitch's Great Escape Returning for Holiday Season:

Much to the chagrin of many, Stitch's Great Escape will return for seasonal operation during the holiday season. The attraction which has been closed since the end of August will operate from December 23, 2017 through January 6, 2018 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily. 

The ride has been turned into a character meet & greet for Stitch most recently. Rumors are still hot saying the ride will eventually close for good. 

Running Updates on Hurricane Irma at Walt Disney World & Disney Cruise Line

Last year, Walt Disney World closed for a day and a half due to Hurricane Matthew. This weekend it looks like the strongest hurricane on record could effect Walt Disney World again and they are already preparing for the worst with several changes to its schedule and has set up a FAQ on its website about its hurricane policy.

Hurricane Irma is a Category 5 hurricane that has sustained 185 mph winds. The hurricane right now is expected to hit the southern part of Florida on Sunday afternoon as a Category 4 hurricane.

UPDATE 9/8: 
Due to the oncoming effects of what is Hurricane Irma, Walt Disney World will close its parks for the second straight year. The parks will close early tomorrow 9/9 and will close through Monday, September 11. The parks will resume normal operation on Tuesday, September 12. Here is the full details and statement from Walt Disney World which can be seen through the link here.

To all Florida residents and friends, please stay safe and our prayers are all with you.

UPDATE 9/7 Evening: Walt Disney World has announced several cancellations and closures due to the oncoming threat of Hurricane Irma. Here is a list of what was announced:

• Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground will close beginning Saturday afternoon 9/9.
• Performances of Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue and Mickey’s Backyard BBQ have been cancelled for Saturday 9/9, Sunday, 9/10, and Monday 9/11.
• The Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has been cancelled for Saturday evening.
• Highway in the Sky Dine Around is cancelled for Saturday evening, 9/9.
• Disney’s Vero Beach Resort will close Friday 9/8 at 2PM.
• Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort will close on Saturday 9/10 at 10AM.
• Night of Joy has been cancelled for Saturday, 9/9. 
• Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has been cancelled on Sunday 9/10. 

Stay tuned for more updates and stay safe. 

UPDATE(9/7 Morning): The  Orlando International Airport will cease all commercial flights at 5:00 p.m. this Saturday, September 9. 

The Orlando International Airport (@MCO) is ceasing commercial flights starting at 5pm on Saturday, September 9thhttps://t.co/VkacAIjt4p pic.twitter.com/w87fXzEH1K

— BlogMickey.com (@Blog_Mickey) September 7, 2017

Original Story:

We are operating under normal conditions and continue to monitor Hurricane Irma. Read our hurricane policy here: https://t.co/B2N0hKep9b pic.twitter.com/8Q9X64g0DC

— WDW Today (@WDWToday) September 6, 2017

As of now, Disney's Blizzard Beach will be closed both Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9 due to Hurricane Irma. Walt Disney World has not made a decision on Typhoon Lagoon as of yet. Both water parks could be closed through the weekend depending on the track of Irma.

Disney has also deflated Aerophile (Characters in Flight) at Disney Springs and will remain under suspended operation until Hurricane Irma is no longer a threat. As of now that is all of the effects of Hurricane Irma at Walt Disney World.

Hurricane Irma is also effecting Disney Cruise Line. The Disney Fantasy sailing which began on September 2 will be cut short and return to Port Canaveral on September 7, two days ahead of schedule. Guests aboard this sailing are receiving a two-night credit for returning early plus 25% discount on a future cruise. The September 9th sailing aboard the Fantasy has been cancelled. Guests will receive a full refund and 25% discount on a future sailing.

The Disney Dream sailing that began on September 4 is also returning early on the 7 and will receive a refund equal to 2 nights of their stay and a 25% discount on a future cruise. Sailings that were scheduled for September 8 and 11 have been cancelled. Guests on these sailings will receive a full refund and a 25% discount on a future cruise.

Affected guests will have from September 18 through October 18, 2017 to use the 25% discount offer to book a future cruise. Stay tuned for updates on Hurricane Irma.

New 'Beauty and the Beast' Stage Show on Disney Dream; Wishes to be Replaced by 'Happily Ever After' Fireworks

New 'Beauty and the Beast' Stage Show Coming to the Disney Dream:

A brand new 'Beauty and the Beast' stage show is coming to Disney Cruise Line aboard the Disney Dream. The new musical production that will be a live-action adaptation of the animated classic. 

“Beauty and the Beast” aboard the Disney Dream will bring the timeless fable to life like never before, featuring a style of theater that interlaces classic storytelling elements with cutting-edge technology, to create a unique, theatrical experience in the 1,340-seat Walt Disney Theatre. An innovative take on the story will transform renowned songs into spectacular, show-stopping numbers, and lavish costumes and puppetry will bring a fresh perspective to beloved characters."

The show will debut aboard the Disney Dream voyage on November 6, 2017. It will be joining an already show-stopping lineup that includes "The Golden Mickey's" and "Disney's Believe." Stay tuned for more information in the coming months on the new "Beauty and the Beast" musical stage show.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Wishes to be Replace by New Nighttime Fireworks Spectacular 'Happily Ever After':

"Wishes" will perform for its final time on May 11 with a brand new nighttime fireworks spectacular, "Happily Ever After", will debut on May 12. Here are the details from the Disney Parks Blog:

The spectacular will inspire guests to seek out and find their own “Happily Ever After” by showcasing some of the greatest adventures Disney characters have taken to achieve their dreams. The show will feature the latest fireworks and pyrotechnics and original animation, plus a heart-tugging original score. And thanks to the inclusion of state-of-the-art projection mapping technology, more Disney characters than ever before will be featured in the show, including moments from “Moana,” “Brave,” “Big Hero 6,” “Zootopia,” “The Princess & The Frog,” “Aladdin” and many others.

The Fireworks Dessert Parts that takes place at the Tomorrowland Terrace will continue to take place for guests to enjoy a spectacular view of the new "Happily Ever After" fireworks. Check out this video previewing the show:



Source: Disney Parks Blog

More Celebrity Narrators Announced for Candlelight Processional; Disney Cruise Line Announces Early 2018 Ports & Itineraries

More Celebrity Narrators Announced for Candlelight Processional:

Three more celebrity narrators have been announced for this year's Candlelight Processional at Epcot. Added to the list which is almost complete are some well-known voices that you may have seen in some Disney animated classics. Ming-Na Wen (Mulan), Jodi Benson (Ariel), and Robby Benson (the Beast in "Beauty and the Beast") have all been added to the list of narrators for this year's processional. 

The only available dates now for the show with nobody announced is the 3-day gap from December 7-10. Here is the list of current narrators and when they will narrate the 2016 Epcot Candlelight Processional:

• Steven Curtis Chapman
  November 25 to 27, 2016
• Neil Patrick Harris
  November 28 to December 1, 2016
• Whoopi Goldberg
  December 2 to 3, 2016
• Edward James Olmos
  December 4 to 6, 2016
• Robby Benson
  December 10 to 12, 2016
• Meredith Vieira
  December 13 to 15, 2016
• Jim Caviezel
  December 16 to 18, 2016
• Joe Morton
  December 19 to 21, 2016
• Ming-Na Wen
  December 22 to 24, 2016
• Jodi Benson
  December 25 to 27, 2016
• Cal Ripken, Jr.
  December 28 to 30, 2016

The Epcot Candlelight Processional will take place November 25 through December 30, 2016. Show times are 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. in the American Gardens Theater. 

Disney Cruise Line Announces Early 2018 Ports and Itineraries:

Today, we learned where Disney Cruise Line will be leaving from and going to from January through May 2018. This will include visiting Bonaire, a popular Caribbean destination located just north of the South American coast, for the first time ever. The Dutch Caribbean island is favored because of its arid climate and sunny weather. It is also known for its beautiful waters, reef-lined coast that lures water-sport enthusiast for scuba-diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, and kiteboarding.

Here is what early 2018 looks like aboard Disney Cruise Line:

San Juan to Southern Caribbean, including Bonaire
From San Juan, Puerto Rico, the Disney Wonder sets sail on three seven-night cruises to the Southern Caribbean. Departing Jan. 14, 21 and 28, each voyage offers a unique itinerary with four destinations and two days at sea. This limited-time engagement includes a combination of calls on Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba, St. Lucia, Martinique, Antigua and St. Kitts.

San Diego
Our return to San Diego in April and May includes seven Disney Wonder cruises to Baja and the Mexican Riviera, where you can enjoy world-famous beaches and snorkeling. Five-night sailings visit Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico, while two- and three-night cruises call on Ensenada. Friday departures for the two-night cruises offer the ultimate weekend getaway from San Diego.

Port Canaveral
With three ships in port and cruise lengths spanning three, four and seven nights, you have a full menu of options from Port Canaveral, Florida. Plus, every sailing includes a day at Castaway Cay. The Disney Fantasy continues to sail seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages, while the Disney Dream embarks on three- and four-night cruises to Nassau and Castaway Cay. From Feb. 8 through April 8, the Disney Wonder will alternate similar three-, four- and seven-night itineraries.

Miami
To kick off 2018, the Disney Magic continues sailing from Miami with four- and five-night voyages to the Bahamas, plus five-night Western Caribbean cruises. You’ll also visit Castaway Cay during every one of these sailings. Other Bahamian ports of call include Nassau and Key West, while a stop in Grand Cayman or Cozumel headlines the Western Caribbean itineraries.

Guests can begin booking these trips this Thursday October 27, 2016. More details on 2018 itineraries can be found here on the Disney Cruise Line website.

Reservations Now Open for Merry & Bright Dessert Party/Merry & Bright Dinner Reception; Disney Cruise Line Summer 2016 Destinations

Merry & Bright Dessert Party
Guests will be able to treat themselves to decadent desserts and drinks as they enjoy the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights for one last time this year with reservations for the Merry & Bright Dessert Party. The reservations can be made for select nights between November 6 to December 24, excluding November 17, December 9, and December 18, from 7 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. The party will also be available from December 25 - December 30 from 8:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Tickets are $69 for adults and $39 for children ages 3-9, Tax and gratuity will be included. Guests will also receive a heart-warming keepsake in a custom roll-up stadium blanket. Reservations can be made now online or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

Merry & Bright Dinner Reception
The fun doesn't stop there as guests can ring in the new year as they enjoy the Osborne Lights with the Merry & Bright Dinner Reception. This will be available for 3 nights only from January 1-3, 2016. Guest will be treated to a holiday-theme fare of shrimp, beef, and turkey served with wine, beer, and other specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. To top it off, guests will receive a custom shadow box keepsake featuring their own Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.

Disney is expecting this special 3-night event to sell out, so make your reservations early. Tickets will be $99 per adult and $54 for children (ages 3-9), tax an gratuity included. Reservations can be made online or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

Disney Cruise Line Announces Summer 2016 Destinations:

The Disney Cruise Line announced some of the destinations its cruise ships would be touring in Summer 2016 for its cruise ships. Here they are:

Disney Magic

• Iceland and Norway - Explore the Norwegian Fjords, Iceland, and Scotland
• British Isles - England and Scotland
• Mediterranean - Visit Naples, Rome, and Monte Carlo

Disney Wonder

• Alaska - Cruise from mountainous shores to fjords fed by glaciers en route to discovering the fabulous frontiers of Alaska

Disney Dream

• Bahamas - A Bahamian voyage for an enchanting trip to the tropics

Disney Fantasy

• Eastern Caribbean - Experience enchantment with a stop at the British Virgin Island of Tortola

Disney Dream Being Transformed with New Experiences Coming This Fall

Before we get on to our news for the new experiences on the Disney Dream a short note. The refurbishment date for the Pirates of the Caribbean has been moved back to June 8 instead of the closing of May 11 originally. The ride will still remain closed for the entire summer and has a tentative re-opening of September 26, 2015. Now on to the big changes coming to the Disney Dream this fall.

Disney Dream to be Transformed this Fall with New Experiences Coming:

Today, on the Disney Parks Blog it was announced that new experiences will transform the Disney Dream this fall in spaces throughout the ship. The new experiences coming will include two new interactive youth areas themed to Star Wars and Disney Infinity, a sweet shop themed to Wreck-it-Ralph, a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and a new waterfall bar area exclusive for adults.

Concept Art for Star War: Millenium Falcon Interactive Play Area

The Disney Oceaneer's Club is getting two new play interactive play areas and one will be an out-of-this-galaxy experience in a complete replica of the Millennium Falcon from Star Wars. Young guests will be able to join the Rebel Alliance upon entering the area and assist in navigating the ship. Children will be able to sit in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon and guide the ship through hyperspace and be able to trigger light speed jumps to different locations throughout the Star Wars galaxy.

Also available in the newly themed area will be Star Wars-themed crafts, games, and activities. Children will be able to watch episodes of "Star Wars Rebels" on a large screen as well as virtually joining the rebellion at gaming stations that will feature the series' action-packed adventures. That is not all as the every popular Jedi Training Academy is making it's way in a new shipboard version.

The other new interactive area to join the Oceaneer's Club will be the high-tech area based on a Disney Infinity Toy Box. In the new area children will be able to experience a whole new way of playing together with virtual experiences and immersive activities. There will be customized on-screen adventures that will bring their favorite characters and stories to life from around the Walt Disney Company. 

The complete set of all the Disney Infinity characters will be available on display for creative inspiration and gameplay. Kids will be able unlock exclusive gameplay only available on the Disney Cruise Line and be able to continue the adventures at home. A life-size Disney Infinity base will let children take the place of characters for a group gaming experience that will be unlike any other. It will literally allow children to immerse themselves into the game. 

Concept Art for Venellope's Sweets & Treats

Venellope's Sweets & Treats is coming to Deck 11 of the Disney Dream. Immerse yourself into "Wreck-It-Ralph" in this delectable shop that will be themed to the candy land in the game Sugar Rush from the movie. Handmade gelato, assortment of candy, and other delectable treats among other things will be available in this new sweet shop. The sweet shop will indeed look like a race track, checkerboard-patterned floor, gas pump-style gumball dispensers, and will include Vanellope's race car and King Candy's throne. You will be able to enter into the shop through two entrances: one inside Cabana's restaurant and another that will be outside by the pool deck.

The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique all be coming to Deck 5 midship on the Disney Dream as children ages 3-12 will be transformed with pixie-dust and piratical makeovers. Much like the ones in the parks children aspiring to be princesses and knights will be transformed into royalty with the help of a fairy godmother-in-training. On pirate party night on the ship the boutique will become The Pirates League where swashbuckling pirates of all ages can transform into their inner pirate.

Finally, Satellite Falls is coming to Deck 13 forward, a circular splash pool with benches and a gently falling rain curtain that will provide cooling comfort exclusively for adults. Around the upper deck, adult guests about the Dream will be able to soak up the sun in loungers or relax in the shade under a canopy.

Guests will be able to experience everything on the Disney Dream when it debuts on sailings beginning October 26 on a four-night voyage from Port Canaveral, FL. It will be on dry dock from October 4-24, 2015 in Freeport, Bahamas.