Play Disney Parks Adds New Challenges at Disneyland Resort
Guests visiting the Resort on a regular basis will truly appreciate the added discoveries and challenges available to them through the Play Disney Parks app. Featuring fun games, stories, activities, and trivia, the app provides guest with plenty of things to do anytime they visit. The most recent addition (formally announced this week) to Play Disney Parks, Fortune and Story, includes two new challenges: “Esmeralda the Fortune Teller” or “The Tall Tales of Fortune Red.” Both challenges can be played in Disneyland and features three ten-part stories to collect for each machine. The stories we started off with during our first encounter were “Riding the Rails” from Esmeralda (about “a locomotive led by a mystical guide”) and “A Pirate’s Tail” from Fortune Red (concerning a familiar-sounding encounter with a cursed key-bearing canine).
Disney Cruise Line Announces Pricing Changes
Last week the Disney Cruise Line announced some pricing changes to select experiences and ground transportation. The changes went into effect on Friday and Saturday. Some special experiences like the Castaway Cay massages saw prices lowered while dining experiences on each ship were slightly increased. Guests enjoy international cruises in Europe can now expect to pay less for ground transportation while a slight increase went into effect for trips to and from Port Canaveral.
Disneyland Shares Tropical Hideaway Photos
Before you get too excited, the new restaurant has not opened yet, but fans are sensing its official reveal is only days away. Disneyland Resort did share a series of pictures exploring some beautiful details of the eatery, theming, a provided a look at Rosita. The Tropical Hideaway replaces what was Aladdin’s Oasis, which hadn’t seen much use in recent years. The newly reimagined location has been transformed and will provide guests with a beautiful and atmospheric place to escape the hustle and bustle of the Park while enjoy delicious and exotic themed foods.
shopDisney Debuts and Previews New Merchandise
On Monday, shopDisney announced a new collection for 2019 called Disney Wisdom. The collection of limited edition merchandise will be released on the 3rd Saturday of each month and will be themed to a famous inspirational quote, a beloved character, and color scheme. Dumbo will be the featured character for January. At the end of the week, shopDisney released a limited edition Mary Poppins Returns doll inspired by the new film. Finally, the much loved Walt Disney World Starbucks “You Are Here” mugs made their way online and can now be shipped directly to fans. There are four mugs to collect, and if that’s not enough, there are also twin ornaments available too!
Disney•Pixar Announced Title and Release of New Film
Back in 2017 at the D23 Expo, Disney fans learned that Pixar’s next film would be set in a suburban fantasy world. The story would be inspired by director Dan Scanlon’s own childhood and relationship with his brother. This week, they revealed that title of the film, Onward along with a release date of March 6, 2020. “Onward introduces two teenage elf brothers who embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left out there.” To make the news even more exciting, Pixar announced four cast members: Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Octavia Spencer, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Other Stories of Note
Natacha Rafalski Announced as Présidente of Disneyland Paris. Rafalski has been named to the position in place of Catherine Powell who received a promotion this past spring. Rafalski has been with Disney for over 2 decades and has extensive international experience.
Cinderella and 24 other films added to the National Film Registry. This week the Library of Congress announced the 25 films they’ve selected to be added to the National Film Registry. The complete list of films includes movies that are important and relevant to American culture and history.
Modern Family cast reportedly in talks for 11th and final season. According to Deadline, ABC’s primetime hit show is looking like it will get an 11th season. All of the adult cast members are talking salaries and are supposedly nearing the end of negotiations, while the young adult cast is in early talks regarding their salaries.
Frozen characters outfits and medals coming to Kingdom Hearts Union x [Cross]. The fantastic mobile app is getting a little bit of chilly fun with the addition of Frozen medals. Plus, fans can unlock three new outfits for their avatars themed to Elsa, Anna, and Olaf.
Epcot announces Festival of the Arts menus. In just a few weeks, Epcot will again be celebrating the Arts in its many forms and that, of course, includes creative culinary delights. The full lineup of tasty offerings found at kiosks around World Showcase is now available.