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Right now, behind the scenes at Walt Disney World, the team at Central Shops is probably taking apart your favorite ride. Don’t worry, it’s all part of the schedule. Since 1969 — before Magic Kingdom even opened — this one-of-a-kind workshop has upheld Walt Disney’s legacy of seamless magic by caring for our iconic rides, Audio-Animatronics, signage, props, and more.  To a lifelong Disney fan, stepping into Central Shops is like entering a 300,000-square-foot wonderland. So, when Director of Manufacturing, Fred Cox and Manager of Manufacturing, Rich Votava invited us on a tour, we happily donned safety goggles to fall down the rabbit hole.  Behind the scenes at Disney World, Space Mountain vehicles are serviced at Central Shops. The Backstage Lives of Your Favorite Rides Over 400 skilled artisans, machinists, and craftspeople come together at Central Shops to build, repair, and restore Disney magic amid a constant whir of tools and heavy machinery.  Here, ride vehicles from every corner of Disney World mingle as they come in for a check-up. Fred led the way past a fleet of pristine Space Mountain ships poised to take their place again among the stars. Nearby, a hunk of metal parts promised to give Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind its signature swagger. Just around the corner, Pooh’s honeypot awaited a cheerful fiberglass refresh.  We were dazzled, but Fred picked up the pace, ever on schedule. “You see those pieces behind you?” He gestured toward a row of metal wheels and bars, “Some of those are Tron, and some of those are Seven Dwarfs.” Fred is in his element. A Disney cast member for nine years, he recently returned to Central Shops for the opportunity to work with his team on the rides that come to the shop floor. Carousel horses, pirate ships, and Doom Buggies alike eventually come to see Fred, Rich, and the Central Shops team through their Cycle-Overhaul Program.  As we wandered through a small yard of disassembled Mad Tea Party teacups, Fred explained that the Cycle-Overhaul Program schedules attraction vehicles, set pieces, and other parts to come off the ride and into the shop for regular maintenance. Our field of teacups had a long-standing appointment on the calendar to show up, and after rigorous maintenance and inspection, they will keep another date to twirl again at Magic Kingdom. For roller coaster vehicles, the “meter-based” program is used instead, which requires inspection and maintenance after a vehicle runs a predetermined number of times around the track. Fred explained, “The entire coaster is brought back to this facility … and we tear it completely down into itty-bitty pieces. When I say we tear it apart, we tear it apart. We rip that bad boy up!”  Fred does not mince words when it comes to ride maintenance and the importance of safety inspections. The maintenance is rigorous, taking each coaster vehicle down to the smallest components. To service a coaster, Fred said it can take 12 to 18 weeks from the time it arrives at Central Shops to when it’s put back in service, with Tron and Guardians taking a bit longer due to their complicated ride systems. A Mad Tea Party teacup waits for its parts to be inspected at Central Shops. Exploring a Few Tools of the Trade Next, Fred showed us a few of the specialized tools utilized by the Quality Assurance Team at Central Shops and stressed the importance of the role. As Fred said definitively, “These guys are the ones that make sure everything is functioning and working properly.”  Here, we discovered part of routine QA that few guests may have considered, like X-ray machinery to check for rotting wood and drones deployed to access hard-to-reach places for inspections (including underwater). Incorporating new technology into Central Shops has been integral for keeping up with every single need of the Disney World parks and resorts. Our tour brushed near a machine the size of a small office, where we could peek in a window to witness a dancing laser happily blasting a castle outline into a thick sheet of metal. Fred smiled and held up a version of the finished product, a recognition award for retirees of the Walt Disney Company. At Central Shops, this and other specialty equipment are used by skilled craftspeople to create awards, signage, and even the nametags you see worn by every cast member in the parks and resorts. Awards, cast member name tags, and signage are all created at Central Shops. Every part needed for Disney World rides, props, animatronics and more is built, repaired, or restored in-house. For example, Fred told us that if they need a specific bolt for a ride, the team can consult with Imagineering and the original ride blueprints, then custom-machine that bolt in-house.  Fabricating new parts and even all-new sights at Disney World is a big part of the Central Shops work. Rich, a 23-year cast member who has been with Central Shops for 15 years, cited the Ariel and Flounder icon at Art of Animation Resort as the most memorable project he’s worked on at Central Shops.  Rich recalled, “If you see it, it has three little seaweed leaves that come up and support Flounder. We had to build that here in Central Shops to withstand hurricane-force winds. And when you see a 6-foot Arial grow into a 25-foot Ariel inside this building — it’s truly amazing.” Rich said taking his kids to see the icons he worked on is one of the highlights of the job.  This doll is all set to rejoin the band for the Happiest Cruise That Ever Sailed. Upholding a Legacy of Disney Artistry Over the years, work orders for teacup touch-ups have increased to high-tech development of cutting-edge ride systems — like the entire room we saw dedicated to upkeeping the Avatar: Flight of Passage vehicles. But, while we saw advanced computer technology at Central Shops, we also saw timeless hand-crafted artistry at work.  Traditional artists and craftspeople like sculptors, painters, and woodworkers collaborate here every day to create and

Everybody in the pool! H2O Glow After Hours return to Typhoon Lagoon from May to September Get ready to party with Rex — tickets go on sale in April with a new kids ticket price Mark your calendars and get ready to glow-up this summer because tickets for H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon at Walt Disney World go on sale next week. This family-friendly event takes place on select nights throughout the summer from May 23rd to September 13th. That’s right, your summer nights are about to get that much brighter. Your quintessential party host each night will be Partysaurus Rex and this time he’s bringing along some of his Toy Story friends to help ensure everyone has a night to remember. Each night is  a chance to dance the night away in your most colorful glow-in-the-dark style and enjoy amazing complimentary snacks (think Mickey bars, popcorn and select beverages). I’ll tell you more about the food and drinks later. Right now, get ready to get your tickets because guests staying at a Disney World hotel can purchase tickets starting April 1, while tickets for the general public are available starting April 4.  If you’ve been to H2O Glow in the past, then I don’t have to tell you about the fun that’s in store. But if this is going to be your first year attending, then let me give you the scoop on the nighttime thrills ahead. Here are all the details. How to Glow Up This Summer at H2O Glow After Hours Radiate with excitement through the night, whether you’re “glowing’’ with the flow on Castaway Creek or daring to drop five stories on Humunga Kowabunga. Plus, the after hours timing means you’ll avoid any potential searing midday summer heat. And the best part is that the wait times will be shorter compared to visiting Typhoon Lagoon during the regular daylight hours. Enjoy all of the park’s iconic attractions, especially the Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool, which is North America’s largest wave pool. Indulge in Radiant Food and Drinks at H2O Glow There is always deLIGHTful food and drinks at H2O Glow, but this year we’ve added even more scrumptious bites. Two of my favorite new foods are our Chicken and Mickey-shaped Waffle Sliders, which you can get at Leaning Palms, and our Glow-versized Loaded Baked Potato at Typhoon Tilly’s. We are still cooking up more menu items, so I’ll have a full list of food and drinks for you in the coming weeks, but just be prepared to have your taste buds tickled all night long. Be a Star on the Dance Floor H2O Glow comes to life and shines bright during the DJ dance party. Move and groove under the stars to an electric glow-filled party on the dance floor.  Full of dazzling lights, pulsating music and a few of your favorite Disney characters, the dance party is sure to be a glowingly good night that you won’t want to miss! So, get your H2O Glow tickets next week because it’s a fun way to keep the kids cool during the warm summer months. We’ve made it extra appealing for young families because for the first time this year kids get in for only $42.50, which is half the price of the $85 adult ticket. And if you’re an Annual Passholder or Disney Vacation Club member, you can save even more! Tickets can be purchased at this website or by calling the Disney Reservation Center at (407) 934-7639. Come on and join the fun, so you can experience Typhoon Lagoon in a whole new light! Share what you’re looking forward to doing the most at our Instagram channel, @DisneyWaterParks, and we’ll look forward to illuminating your summer with a glowing good time! Disney World Announces New Family Deals for Summer 2025 READ MORE Celebrating 30 Years of Frosted Fun at Disney’s Blizzard Beach READ MORE Villains Show and Nighttime Parade Coming to Walt Disney World READ MORE The post H2O Glow Dates Announced for Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. ​

Did you know that Walt Disney World is the largest and most visited theme park destination in the world? Whether celebrating a milestone, the vacation of a lifetime, or just a day of fun, millions travel to Florida every year to make unmatched memories at Disney. There’s just nothing like it.  Being nearly twice the size of the island of Manhattan, there’s a lot you might not know about our parks and resorts. So, here’s a list of some of my favorite facts about Walt Disney World that are perfect for your next trivia night with friends. Magic Kingdom Facts  Towering over Magic Kingdom, Cinderella Castle stands 189 feet tall. The landmark is donned with blue and gold turrets, lofty spires and yes, it’s true, there is a Cinderella Suite inside too.  All aboard! The Walt Disney World Railroad operates four-steam powered trains originally built between 1916 and 1928. That means some of them are more than 100 years old.  Thirteen lanterns hang from the Liberty Tree in Liberty Square and each one represents one of America’s original 13 Colonies.  The costumes featured in the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade were crafted in ten different shops in eight cities across two countries. Now that’s Disney magic!  Next time you’re at TRON Lightcycle / Run, listen in for some great tunes. Disney enlisted the help of composer Joseph Trapanese to create a whole new soundtrack for the attraction in Magic Kingdom. Joseph previously worked with Daft Punk on the Grammy-nominated TRON: Legacy soundtrack as well as the music for the TRON attraction at Shanghai Disney Resort. EPCOT Facts  Did you know that EPCOT is an acronym? It stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow – a name coined by Walt Disney himself in 1966.   The icon of EPCOT, Spaceship Earth, is a geodesic sphere standing 180 feet tall. It’s made up of two spherical structures with a ride track encased inside. On the outside, you can find 11,324 aluminum triangle tiles, catching the attention of guests as soon as they walk into the park.  The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is one of the longest flower and garden festivals in the United States. It features more than a mile and a half of stunning gardens throughout the park and 70 individual topiaries, including many favorite Disney characters.  Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the first Disney coaster to include a reverse launch AND the first Disney Omincoaster, which means the ride vehicles can rotate a full 360 degrees.   World Showcase features 11 country pavilions located all along World Showcase Lagoon. At 40 acres large, World Showcase Lagoon is the largest body of water at any Disney Park around the world.  Disney’s Hollywood Studios Facts  Since 2017, Walt Disney World has debuted a new attraction every year and 3 themed lands. At 14 acres, Stars Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the biggest of them all and is the largest single-themed expansion in a Disney Park ever.  The Millennium Falcon docked at the Black Spire Outpost Spaceport in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge measures more than 100 feet long.  At 199 feet tall, it would take about 770 stacked Nestlé Mickey’s Premium Bars to reach the top of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.  If you took the more than 3.7 million Nestlé Mickey’s Premium Bars served annually at Walt Disney World, it would stretch to the top of Tower of Terror 4,892 times.  Keep your eye out next time you visit Tower of Terror … Every clock in the building is stopped at 8:05 – which is the exact time on Halloween night in 1939 that lightning struck the hotel, causing five unfortunate souls to mysteriously disappear.   Toy Story Mania! made history as the first Disney attraction designed for and built at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort at the same time. On the west coast, it dons a slightly different name: Toy Story Midway Mania!  Disney’s Animal Kingdom Facts  Disney’s Animal Kingdom was the fourth theme park to open at Walt Disney World Resort, debuting to the public on Earth Day, April 22 in 1998.  The park’s massive Tree of Life icon stands 145 feet tall and features 337 sculpted animals in its trunk.  What if I told you that Walt Disney World is home to the tallest “mountain” in Florida? Inspired by the icy peaks of the Himalayan Mountains in Asia, the Expedition Everest mountain is considered the tallest “mountain” in Florida at almost 200 feet.  At 110 acres, Kilimanjaro Safaris is big enough to house 83 football fields. Imagineers mixed concrete with stones, dirt and twigs to create the bumpy road traveled on throughout the ride.  This is a wild one for you: The amount of popcorn served annually at Walt Disney World adds up to the weight of 1,557 African elephants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.    Disney Resort Facts  If you wanted to stay in every room at every Disney Resort, it would take you decades. There are nearly 29,000 resort rooms at Walt Disney World with options for nearly every budget. Staying in one room per night would take you more than 79 years!  From bed sheets, pillowcases, towels and more, our resort cleans tons of laundry – literally. Walt Disney World is home to one of the largest laundry facilities in North America. More than 100 million pounds of linen is washed, dried and sorted here every year. Even cooler: These facilities also clean laundry for Give Kids The World Village, a Florida nonprofit that Disney teams up with to help grant wishes for children facing critical illnesses and their families.  Disney’s All-Star Sports has a tennis racquet that’s large enough to cover an entire tennis court. Seriously. It’s 51 feet tall! The resort also has a massive tennis can sculpture, which can hold nearly 9.5 million regulation sized tennis balls.  Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort hands out more than 1,300 leis to guests every day.   The Big Blue Pool at Disney’s

Magic mirror on the wall, what else can you tell us about “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” opening this summer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?  You don’t need to wait for a cursed spindle, a litter of puppies, or your motley pirate crew for this wickedness coming soon. Just announced, “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” will cast a spell over Hollywood Studios this Summer, starting on May 27, 2025. In this new show, the villains we love to loathe take center stage. To figure out who has been the most misunderstood, the Magic Mirror summons you (yes, you!) to help him decide who’s been the most unfairly treated. The likes of Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent step into the spotlight to make their case about why they’ve been treated the most unfairly over the years. Step into this mysterious realm, where Disney’s most infamous baddies finally get their chance to share their side of the story. Ready to root for your favorite villain? It’s all happening this summer at Hollywood Studios! What is “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” about?   They’ve broken through the Magic Mirror’s glass — now what? This immersive musical stage show brings the most devilish foes into our world to figure out, once and for all, who is the most misunderstood. Who has had the worst time as a villain? It’s time for these baddies to share their side of the story in a show full of theatrical magic, witty humor, and plenty of mischievous charm.  But in the end, it’s you who decides who has been treated the most unfairly. But…choose wisely. You never know who might have a poisoned apple up their sleeve. What Villains Will Be There?  Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent will be in the spotlight here, but you might catch a glimpse of the most infamous evildoers trying to break through the glass and join in on the melee. When does “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” begin performances?  Mark your calendar! The brand-new show opens May 27th at Hollywood Studios at the Sunset Showcase. With multiple showtimes each day, you’ll have plenty of chances to experience the magic, mayhem, and mischief firsthand.   Sunset Showcase will feature a brand-new stage with the latest technology, as well as comfortable theater seating. Peek at “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” — if you dare Gaze upon a view of what you’re going to see this summer. A dedicated team has spent nearly two years developing the cutting-edge stage design for the show, which includes thrilling effects for the audience.   Ready to cheer on your favorite baddie? See you this summer at Hollywood Studios.   The post “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” — Everything You Need to Know  appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. ​

Life will be the bubbles this summer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios when “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” opens! Journey under the sea with Ariel and friends starting on May 27, 2025, when this all-new theatrical production inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios classic The Little Mermaid opens to fin-tastic applause. This fully reimagined show will take the audience to Ariel’s treasure trove, keeping the lively puppets, props, and scenery center stage. But new to this production, get ready to be dazzled with new digital puppetry and jaw-dropping effects. Plus, the addition of new-to-the-show songs! No need to hold your breath, May 27 will be here before you can shake a dinglehopper. What is “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” about? Nestled in Animation Courtyard, Ariel, Flounder, Sebastian, Prince Eric, and more will take to the stage to retell the classic story of The Little Mermaid. This fully reimagined show will feature stunning set pieces, imaginative costumes, cutting-edge effects, skillful puppetry, and a bold new design aesthetic that captures Ariel’s imagination and emotions through her unique view of the world around her. What songs will be included in the reimagined show? They say life is better down where it’s wetter for a reason. And that’s because audiences will once again get to hear “Under the Sea” and “Part of Your World” as part of the performance. Plus, two new new-to-this-theater musical numbers will debut, “Daughters of Triton” and “Kiss the Girl.” Don’t try to hide it — you’ll want to hum along. When does “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” begin performances? Swim on down to Hollywood Studios for May 27 (or jump on the Skyliner, or take a bus or boat) for these performances to kick off! With multiple showtimes each day, you’ll have plenty of chances to experience this, guppies. Don’t fret, poor unfortunate souls, here’s a peek at “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” This world makes such wonderful things, including a look at one of the performances in the upcoming show! Ariel will again flip her fins center stage when the musical adventure opens this summer. Plus, a new collage highlighting the characters guests know and love from The Little Mermaid has arrived, leaning into the animation-inspired style for the full production. Sea you this summer at Hollywood Studios! The post “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” – Everything You Need to Know appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. ​

Calling all Space Rangers! Exciting updates are on the horizon for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, including a new show scene, updated ride vehicles and gameplay enhancements. Here’s what you can expect from this iconic Tomorrowland attraction next year.    Brand New Scene As their adventure begins, guests will now be greeted by an all-new character! This friendly robot — aptly named “Buddy” — was created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios to play a key role on the Star Command team.   As a support-bot, Buddy makes sure departing Space Rangers are fully prepared for their mission, enthusiastically providing encouragement, final system checks on their Star Cruisers and a chance to hone their blaster aim. This will be a great time for guests to check out some of the new, interactive target features before blasting off to defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg and save the galaxy.  New Ride Vehicles Star cruisers will also receive a face lift with a new design inspired by the colors of Buzz Lightyear and Star Command. Each enhanced vehicle will also now come equipped with video monitors that provide real-time scoring updates and other exciting features.   Handheld Blasters Each ride vehicle will now include handheld blasters for better aim, helping guests to score even more points. These new blasters will be perfect for our younger riders, allowing them to participate more in the experience.   And, if you’ve ever wondered where you’re aiming (don’t worry, you’re not alone), these enhanced blasters will now include an always-on laser and come in two different colors per star cruiser, in addition to new lighting, sound and vibration effects, so players know where they’re aiming throughout the mission.   Interactive Targets The static Z targets found in the attraction today will be upgraded with new technology that will allow them to react and light up when hit. It also opens the door for a few other ideas Imagineers have in mind.   Work on these updates recently passed an important milestone, as fellow Imagineers were invited to participate in a playtest of the new targets, blasters and gameplay ideas. Playtests are a critical part of the design process, where the project team is able to try out variations of a concept in a real-world setting, gaining critical insights into which ideas work best and how the experience can be improved. It’s all part of delivering an out-of-this-world experience for our guests.  “Everyone had a great time, and our team learned a lot,” project creative director Justin DeTolla said. “We’ve been working on this project for quite some time now, so it was exciting to see it all come to life for the first time in the field.”   To prepare for these updates, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will temporarily close in August and reopen next year. Star Command, over and out!  The post New Space Ranger Spin Updates Coming to Disney World appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. ​

Summer is almost here, and there’s nothing like a visit to Walt Disney World Resort when the kids are out of school! And this summer will be extra fun, with special deals, two new shows, a new nighttime parade and limited-time activities and entertainment created for families with kids.   Here’s why summer 2025 is the perfect time for your family to visit and experience more magical moments you can find only at Disney World.   Save with Disney World Ticket, Dining & Hotel Deals   Of the four seasons, summer includes our lowest-priced dates, and your family can save with special deals available for booking starting March 27:   50% Off on Kids Tickets: You can purchase a 3-day or longer kids (ages 3-9) standard ticket for 50% off. This deal is available for visits beginning May 27 through September 20, 2025.   3-Day, 3-Park Ticket: Get a 3-day, 3-park ticket starting at $89 per day ($267 total, plus tax) for visits starting on April 6 through September 22, 2025. This ticket is for admission to EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom (one theme park per day, not valid for admission to Magic Kingdom).   Free Dining Plan Deal Returns: Back by popular demand, you can get a free dining plan with the purchase of a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day (or longer) package that includes a room at select Disney Resort hotels and a ticket with a Park Hopper option. This offer is for visits on select dates from June 29 through December 22, 2025.    Disney Resort Room Deals: Save up to 30% on select Disney Resort hotel rooms when you stay longer for visits beginning August 1 through October 11, 2025. Special deals on rooms are also available for Florida Residents and Annual Passholders.    We’re always looking to provide families options to help them save. Visit DisneyWorld.com/Offers for more details starting March 27, 2025, on each of these special deals.   Plus, in 2025, Disney Resort hotel guests can enjoy free admission to a Disney water park on their check-in day, included as part of their stay (subject to availability). This perk has quickly become a guest favorite and will be a great way to start your vacation during the summer. Your admission will be automatically loaded onto your My Disney Experience account on your check-in day, so make sure you download the app if you haven’t already! Click here for details on this benefit.   More Disney Magic Is Coming for Kids in Summer 2025   From May 27 through September 1, 2025, families should be on the lookout for limited-time experiences perfect for young kids in the theme parks, including kid zones featuring new activities and fun ways to interact with more Disney characters. There will be pop-up entertainment offerings, games, music, dancing and other adventures to help your little ones make those core Disney memories.    For example, over at Magic Kingdom, families can discover kid zones with added fun in Storybook Circus and in Tomorrowland with Stitch. And following the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival, families with young kids will be able to cool down while enjoying the ultimate game party and play space featuring none other than Goofy as he takes over CommuniCore Hall at EPCOT. We don’t want to spoil all the surprises but be on the lookout for more details soon.   Some of our characters will also be out in the park earlier than normal for Disney Resort hotel guests during their daily early theme park entry period (valid theme park admission required). What better way to rope drop than saying hello to some of your favorite Disney pals!   Reminder: Our theme parks are often open for longer hours during the summer months, which can help you plan your day around a mid-day pool break or get on more of your favorite attractions. You can find a few tips to stay cool this summer from planDisney.   Stay at These Disney Resort Hotels for Additional Summer Fun    This summer, guests staying at select resorts – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – will be able to enjoy even more Disney-themed activities designed for families with kids. These activities will include character visits with set appearance times to help you plan your day and an expanded itinerary of things to do with your family throughout your stay at these four resorts.   Other activities will continue to be available across all our resorts, like Disney movie nights, brought to life by our amazing cast members, in addition to perks like complimentary transportation around Disney World.   See New Shows and Nighttime Parade   The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure and Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After will both debut on May 27, 2025.   The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure: If your child is in their Disney Princess era (or never left) then this show is for you! The Walt Disney Animation Studios classic “The Little Mermaid” comes to life on stage with all-new sets and stunning visuals.   Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After: Or, if your kids are enchanted by Disney Villains, this delightfully wicked stage show engages the audience to decide who has been treated the most unfairly of them all.  Plus, the new nighttime parade, Disney Starlight, is coming to Magic Kingdom later this summer. Your little ones will want to stay up for this one, where you’ll spot beloved characters from “Peter Pan,” “Encanto,” “Frozen” and more. It’s our first nighttime parade at Disney World in nearly 10 years! Stay tuned for more details and an opening date as we put on the finishing touches.   Plan Your Vacation with Disney Family Travel Specialists   Guests will be able to book our new summer deals by visiting DisneyWorld.com starting March 27. Our team of Disney cast members at our contact center can help with your family’s vacation planning needs. They can take extra time to talk you through your options and share their top travel tips for families, wherever you are in your Disney planning

Have you ever seen the Detroit Tigers actually meet a tiger?  The team recently got an unforgettable opportunity to meet the newest member of the Walt Disney World family — Bakso, a critically endangered Sumatran tiger cub.   While training in Florida, five players, Colt Keith, Matt Vierling, Tyler Holton, Will Vest and Zach McKinstry, and their families, took some time off the diamond to visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, where they encountered the adorable cub and his mom, Sohni, in the park’s Maharajah Jungle Trek. Pictured left to right: Colt Keith, Matt Vierling, Tyler Holton, Will Vest and Zach McKinstry Starting off their adventures, the team boarded a train and braved Expedition Everest before boarding a safari vehicle where they spotted dozens of animals on the Harambe Wildlife Reserve on Kilimanjaro Safaris. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Detroit Tigers (@tigers) After a quick stop for photos at the park’s iconic Tree of Life, the team ventured over to see Bakso. The Detroit Tigers caught a glimpse of the cute baby tiger and his mom, Sohni, a moment that highlights the park’s role in fostering connections between guests and wildlife. For Detroit Tigers pitcher, Will Vest, having his wife and two kids at Disney, and seeing the new tiger cub, was extra special.   “I think it’s kind of cool to have the kids out to see this. For my son, anytime that he sees a tiger — he’s always like, Daddy’s team! So he’s starting to kind of connect the dots there. It was cool to be up-close and see the baby cub walking around,” Will Vest explained.  Baseball Meets Wildlife   Pictured left to right: Zach McKinstry, Tyler Holton, Will Vest and son, Matt Vierling and Colt Keith Now at almost six months old, Bakso continues to grow. Both mother and cub are often seen pouncing and prowling as they roam their lush habitat, and during the Detroit Tigers visit, this was no exception. The team gathered around the windows of the habitat to see Bakso run and play. With less than 600 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, Bakso’s impact is felt worldwide, as he serves as an ambassador for his declining species.   “I’ve been here before and I have seen the tigers, but not a cub. So that was really special,” said Detroit Tiger pitcher Tyler Holton. “Seeing the little guy — being a Tiger, seeing a tiger, it definitely is an interesting perspective. Obviously, everyone has their nicknames, but to be here at Disney and see the real-life tiger is cool!”   Disney collaborates with Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Species Survival Plan (SSP) to support endangered species, like the Sumatran tiger, through expert partnerships that boost conservation efforts, strengthen populations and advance scientific knowledge.  These memories the players were able to make with the tigers are just some of the incredible opportunities guests can enjoy when visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, a place where imagination and the natural world are weaved together to create a magical experience for all.    For the latest updates on Bakso and all the animals at Walt Disney World Resort, follow Dr. Mark on Instagram and Disney’s Animals, Science, and Environment Facebook page.  The post Baby Bakso’s Latest Visitors — The Detroit Tigers appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. ​

If you’ve seen or played the golf courses at Walt Disney World, you know they are amazing. Lush fairways. Pristine greens. And touches of Disney sprinkled all around the four courses, enough to remind you that you’re still at The Most Magical Place on Earth.  But, in particular, if you play the Magnolia course and get towards the end, you might start to feel a little…well, “grumpy.” That’s because four of the last five finishing holes have recently been beautifully redesigned and have affectionately been named “Grumpy’s Gauntlet.”  Those holes – No. 14, 15, 16 and 17 – really are stunning. Think white sand bunkers. Unblemished fairways. And tropical landscaping. If you’re like me, you’ll definitely want to snap a few selfies during that stretch of holes.  In addition to being esthetically-pleasing, though, “Grumpy’s Gauntlet” will also test your nerves and your skill. I mean, take the 15th hole for instance. It’s a whopping 597 yards from the back tee box. And No. 17 is a par 3 that plays more 200 yards.  But the new whimsical Disney touches that have been added to the Magnolia course go far beyond just those four holes. In fact, every hole on the course has a name related to a Disney movie and includes a quote from legendary golfer Arnold Palmer or Walt Disney himself. For instance, hole No. 6 is called “The Mouse Trap” and features Walt Disney’s famous quote “I hope we never lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a mouse.” Hole No. 15 is called “The Dinglehopper” in reference to the Disney movie The Little Mermaid with an Arnold Palmer quote that says, “It’s a funny thing; the more I practice, the luckier I get.”   And there is a cool, new 18-hole putting green at the course (It’s fondly called the “Greatest Green Ever Played”) that features a scorecard and hole locations that change almost daily. It’s both fun and challenging as a warmup before you tee off as well as a great option for the kids. The name pays homage to the biographical Walt Disney Pictures sports film, The Greatest Game Ever Played, which is based on the early life of amateur golf champion Francis Ouimet and his surprise victory at the 1913 U.S. Open.   In all, the putting green and the reimagined holes represent the most extensive redesign of the Magnolia course and the latest changes since 2015 when several enhancements were completed around the course, which is located across from the new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.  Now that all of that work is complete, it’s time to hit the links. Book your tee times at www.golfwdw.com.  See ya on the tee box!  The post Magnolia Golf Course Now Offering a Dose of ‘Grumpy’ with Loads of Golfing Fun  appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. ​