Interesting Disney News from the Week of May 16th
There were some very big announcements made last week about opening dates of many long awaited shows and attractions! There are two dates to note: May 27th/28th and June 13th.
What is opening on May 27th – 28th:
At Animal Kingdom, you will now be able to stay late and enjoy the new nighttime spectaculars:
Kilimanjaro Safaris at night, with the savanna basked in an eternal sunset, and the Tree of Life Awakening, which will include different short projection shows on the Tree of Life that will occur at various times throughout the evening. In addition, Guests will be able to dance the night away with the Discovery Island Carnivale and experience the spectacle that is the Harambe Wildlife Parti.
Also the signature restaurant Tiffins, as well as the Nomad Lounge. The restaurant is situated near Pizzafari on Discovery Island and will feature African, Asian and South American flavors.
Finally, on the following evening, May 28, Guests will be able to experience the new and temporary nighttime show called The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic, which is inspired by the hit live-action film Disney’s The Jungle Book. The nighttime shows will feature memorable moments from the film, including the iconic Shere Khan, and will be filled with music and special effects that celebrate the movie and classic songs, infused with an Indian influence.
During the show, you will experience barges with singers, Indian musicians and colorful performers who have taken to the waters and enhance the tale with music and song—while fellow players join in from nearby river banks. The show will also feature light displays and massive water screens projecting imagery from the blockbuster film.
The Jungle Book: Alive With Magic takes place several times nightly, with each show lasting approximately 20 minutes.
What is opening on June 13th:
Star Wars: A Galactic Fireworks Spectacular:
This all new nighttime show for the park will be the most elaborate fireworks extravaganza in the park’s history. The show will feature fireworks, special effects, fireworks and video projections that will show up on the Chinese Theatre and other surrounding buildings. With these projections Guests will be able to gaze at the twin suns of Tatooine, push through a field of battle droids, navigate through an asteroid field, soar down the trench of the Death Star and deliver the final blow to destroy Starkiller Base. To make the nighttime spectacular all the more better, the classic music from the films will be featured, oh and don’t forget about the spotlight beams which will resemble lightsabers in the sky and a tower of fire.
This is just another piece in the Star Wars puzzle at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Just last month, two new experiences premiered. The first is the Stormtrooper March featuring Captain Phasma, who leads the First Order Stormtroopers from the Center Stage to the Star Wars Launch Bay. Do keep in mind that this is a short show, and only lasts a couple of minutes. The second new Star Wars spectacle to debut was the live stage show that takes place at the Center Stage called Star Wars: A Galaxy, Far, Far Away. This new show celebrates all the iconic moments from the Star Wars stories and features characters from the universe including Kylo Ren, Darth Vader, Darth Maul, and Chewbacca.
Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire:
This show will bring to life classic Disney tales in a spectacular performance featuring memorable music, dancing, incredible costumes, and special effects. There will also be a brand new original song called “On This Day” that was written by songwriters Brendan Milburn and Valerie Vigoda who also wrote songs for Toy Story: The Musical and Tinker Bell: Secret of the Wings.
The show features Mickey’s troupe of Merry Makers and beloved characters from Frozen, The Princess and the Frog, and Tangled. It is slated to celebrate the unique stories of the inhabitants of the Magic Kingdom, as well as all the wonderful things that can happen when new things are experienced, such as meeting new friends, trying new things or visiting new places.
Show times are not yet scheduled for Mickeys’ Royal Friendship Faire and they could vary day to day, however the show is expected to be performed several times a day from mid-morning until late afternoon.
Soarin’ Around the World:
Soarin will officially see its new film debut with Soarin’ Around the World, but for those who want to take their farewell flights and experience the original film one last time, you will now be able to do so!
The classic Soarin’ film will be available for Guests to experience at The Land Pavilion in Epcot for a limited time starting on May 27 through June 16. Guests may book FastPass+ reservations to experience the classic film one last time beginning May 21.
In addition, at Disney California Adventure, Soarin’ Over California will be showing now through June 15.
For those unaware, when Soarin’ Around the World official debuts will take Guests to unique locations across the globe including the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, and more.
Epcot’s Frozen Ever After and Royal Sommerhaus:
These two attractions, both located in the Norway Pavilion will give Guests a chance to experience the Frozen story in a whole new way.
With the Frozen Ever After attraction, the timeline for the ride, which replaced Maelstrom, will occur after the film takes place. It will take guests on a boat tour through Arendelle during a “Winter in Summer” celebration where Queen Elsa who has embraced will create a winter-in-summer day. During the adventure Queen Elsa, Princess Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, trolls and Marshmallow join Guests on their boat journey through the frozen willow forest, past Troll Valley and up to the North Mountain to Elsa’s ice palace, returning to the Bay of Arendelle. For those looking to make FastPass+ reservations, you will be able to do so beginning on May 21.
Over at the Royal Sommerhaus, guests can meet both Anna and Elsa in their new greeting location. The story behind the Royal Sommerhus is that the location is Anna and Elsa’s summer home that was opened for visitors and was inspired by a Norwegian countryside cabin. Royal Sommerhaus will not be offering FastPass+.
As a reminder, with the addition of the Royal Sommerhaus at Epcot, Anna and Elsa will be leaving the Princess Fairytale Hall at the Magic Kingdom. Other characters will be slated to take their place in the Fantasyland meet and greet location. For Guests looking to see Anna and Elsa in the Magic Kingdom, you’ll be able to catch them in both the Festival of Fantasy Parade and the upcoming new Cinderella Castle stage show, Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire.
With the addition of both the Royal Sommerhaus and Frozen Ever After, the Norway Pavilion will now open at 9:00 a.m. daily.
Most information shown is from TouringPlans.com
Can’t wait to see what happens next week!
