Animal Kingdom Nighttime Experiences Begin Next Week, Disney Announces Several Opening Dates for Awaken Summer

Animal Kingdom Nighttime Experiences Begin Next Week, Disney Announces Several Opening Dates for Awaken Summer:

Summer will officially awaken at Walt Disney World just one week from today when the new nighttime experiences begin at Animal Kingdom. Beginning May 27, the Tree of Life will awaken at night as the animal spirits come to life through magical fireflies that will tell the stories of wonder and enchantment along with other amazing sights at the tree. 

Then as the sun sets take a ride on Kilimanjaro Safari for the first time and see the nighttime behavior and sounds of the amazing wildlife like you never seen before. Then head over to the Harambe Village in Africa to enjoy the "Wildlife Parti" as the community of Discovery Island celebrates their love of the natural world in the Discovery Island Carnivale.

That's not all as the park will truly awaken on the Discovery River with the new nighttime spectacular as we wait for Rivers of Light to be completed in, Jungle Book: Alive with Magic. The show which is inspired by the hit live-action film will show memorable moments from the film, including the iconic Shere Khan (shown above), and will be filled with music and entertainment from the film infused with Indian influence. 

FastPass+ and dining package reservations for all the new nighttime experiences will be available beginning tomorrow, May 21. 

Now we already know that Soarin' Around the World will debut at Epcot on June 17. However guests will get to relive Soarin' Over California just one last time beginning next week on May 27. FastPass+ reservations for these last farewell flights will be available beginning tomorrow, May 21.

The farewell flights will last through June 16 before the new attraction opens the next day at  The Land in Epcot and on June 15 for the attraction over in Disney California Adventure. The new show of course will debut on June 17 the day after its world premiere when Shanghai Disneyland has its grand park opening on June 16.

The next big day for Disney World will be June 17 as several of their new attractions will be set open on that day. Let's head to the Magic Kingdom where its new stage show in "Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire" will debut.

“Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” brings to life beloved Disney stories both classic and contemporary in a spectacular performance featuring an original song, memorable music, lively dancing, delightful costumes and special effects magic. Mickey and his troupe of Merry Makers have invited friends from other lands to join them in a grand celebration. So in addition to favorites like Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Goofy, the show also brings together a wonderful cast of characters from some of Disney’s newest classics: “Frozen,” “Tangled” and “The Princess and the Frog.”

The new show will celebrate the unique stories of the citizens who make up this magical kingdom and the wonderful things that can happen when we try new things, see new places, and make new friends.

Head over to Hollywood Studios to enjoy the force of Star Wars as several new experiences have opened in the past year. On June 17, however head to the Studios at night to enjoy the new nighttime fireworks spectacular in "Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular."

The new nighttime fireworks spectacular will be the most elaborate in the parks history. It will combine fireworks, pyrotechnics, special effects, and video projections that will turn the Chinese Theater and other buildings into the twin suns of Tatooine, a field of battle droids, the trench of the Death Star, StarKiller Base, and many other Star Wars destinations. That's not all as the nighttime sky is lit up with amazing fireworks, our favorite music from the films will be played throughout show. The show will be punctuated with a tower of fire and spotlight beams as they come together to form a giant lightsaber in the sky.

Last, but not least on June 21, head over to World Showcase at Epcot and visit the Norway pavilion as the new Frozen Ever After attraction and the adjacent Royal Sommerhus will open their doors. Frozen Ever After will take guests on a boat tour through the kingdom of Arendelle. 

First, guests will be transported to the "Summer Snow Day" Celebration where Queen Elsa will embrace her magical powers to create a beautiful 'winter-in-summer' day. They will then travel through Troll Valley on their way up to the North Mountain to visit Elsa's Ice Palace. The journey ends with the return trip to the Bay of Arendelle.  FastPass+ will be available for Frozen Ever After, once again beginning tomorrow May 21.

After traveling through Arendelle, guests can visit Queen Elsa and Princess Anna in their summer home, The Royal Sommerhus. It does not appear as the new meet & greet will be available for FastPass+. The Norway pavilion will open too guests along with Future World at 9 a.m. while World Showcase will open to guests 11 a.m.

The fun begins at Disney World next week as #AwakenSummer begins at Disney Parks. 

More Details on "Frozen Ever After", Clip from Soarin' Over the World Released, and More

More Details on "Frozen Ever After" Announced:

Disney World has been holding their annual summer media event over the last two days. Although not much has been announced as in opening dates including "Frozen Ever After." Everything has been announced as debuting "In Summer" but they did release some new details on the popular attraction. The info included:

• Song writers Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez created new lyrics for the attraction to the "Frozen" film songs.
• All of the original voice talent from the returned to voice their respective characters in the new attraction.
• Walt Disney Imagineering traveled to Norway to research architecture, decor, and artifacts all to be seen in the Royal Sommerhus.
• The design and the Royal Sommerhus and the surrounding area is modeled after a traditional Norwegian cabin in Trondheim.

"Frozen Ever After" and the Royal Sommerhus will both open this summer in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot.

Clips from Soarin' Around the World Released:

That wasn't all the Epcot news announced at the media preview as the media got a sneak peak of what's to come in the new Soarin' Around the World set to open you guessed it this summer. No opening date has been announced yet. The clip shows a preview of how guests will be flying over China and Australia. Here is the clip:

Soarin' closed back in January and will be reopening as Soarin' Over the World. Stay tuned for an opening date which will be announced soon you would think.

"Alice Through the Looking Glass" Preview Coming to Disney Parks:

Guests will soon to be able preview "Alice Through the Looking Glass" at both Disney's Hollywood Studios and at Disney California Adventure. The preview at both parks will begin May 6 for a limited time.

At DCA, guests will preview the sequel to "Alice in Wonderland" will be presented in 3D with special in-theater effects at the Sunset Showcase Theater (formerly where MuppetVision 3D was located). At Hollywood Studios, One Man's Dream will be housing the preview and seeing advance clips of the film. 

The preview will go on through June 12, so if you're visiting Disney Parks catch the 10-minute preview before time runs out. "Alice Through the Looking Glass" hits theaters May 27, 2016.

New Details on Frozen Ever After and Royal Sommerhus Emerge

There are some new details that have emerged on the two amazing attractions coming to the Norway pavilion in Epcot. Details have been released for both Frozen Ever After and the Royal Sommerhus and we couldn't be more excited about the attractions. First the Royal Sommerhus which will house the new meet-and-greet with Anna and Elsa. The description released:

For the first time in forever”—you’re invited to meet with Anna & Elsa inside a cozy summer cabin. Located at the Norway Pavilion in Epcot, Royal Sommerhus is the perfect place to pose for pics and share a warm embrace with the royal sisters from Frozen before heading on to other amazing adventures!

Now for Frozen Ever After where guests will be treated to their favorite songs from the animated Disney hit including a new song from Oscar-winning songwriters Bobby Lopez and Kristen Anderson Lopez. The description released below:

Come and celebrate a very special “Summer Snow Day” with Queen Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and friends. Welcome to Frozen Ever After, an unforgettable adventure where you’ll be whisked away for an on-the-water journey through Arendelle—one set to the tune of your favorite songs from Frozen! The adventure begins on the docks of Arendelle, as seen in the classic animated film. After finding a seat aboard your boat, feel an Olaf-inspired smile frost across your face when the lapping waters take you right into the frozen willow forest. Soon, you’ll be rubbing shoulders with some “boulders”—a.k.a. Kristoff’s family from Troll Valley—before bracing for the cold. High up in the icy blue world of the North Mountain, Queen Elsa’s enchanting ice palace awaits! Behold the wonder… and keep an eye out for a few more Frozenfriends too. Finally, hang on tight as you glide back down into the Bay of Arendelle and conclude this “Summer Snow Day” celebration in style—complete with many of your favorite Frozen tunes!

I can't wait to see what the two new attractions bring to Epcot. I'm sure we will be getting an official opening date for the new Norway pavilion soon so stay tuned.