While it may never see the light of day, Walt Disney Imagineering was tasked with changing Walt Disney World Resort buses for the better and created something called the Sorcerer Class transport.
The Sorcerer Class Bus, a prototype by Walt Disney Imagineering for Walt Disney World
The bus (displayed just for attendees of the D23 Destination D event over the weekend) looks like any Walt Disney World Resort bus on the outside, but inside guests would find special lighting, pre-recorded audio triggered by guests, and a tricked out interior design.
The Sorcerer Class Bus, a prototype by Walt Disney Imagineering for Walt Disney World
In theory, the automated announcer would talk guests through what they could see at their destination, but also recognize birthdays and other events on-board the motor coach through the RFID technology in the MagicBand.
The Sorcerer Class Bus, a prototype by Walt Disney Imagineering for Walt Disney World
With special Sorcerer Mickey Mouse themed-straps, posters with the Disney World park icons, and other decor, the bus is far more charming than the usual fare that transports guests from one place to another around the Vacation Kingdom of the World.
The Sorcerer Class Bus, a prototype by Walt Disney Imagineering for Walt Disney World
The lighting above is in-time to a variety of audio playing abroad the bus, best viewed in our video down below:
Again, Disney clearly stated that the busses are not in production, nor are they planned to be, but it is interesting to see that this was at least a concept. It is always said that good ideas never go away at Walt Disney Imagineering, so it is more than likely that some of the features of this transport could show up at Walt Disney World at some point in time. We will just have to wait and see…
Disney today announced a brand new event at Walt Disney World Resort: the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, debuting Jan. 13 – Feb. 20, 2017. It’ll be a trifecta of global masterpieces: combining visual, culinary and performing arts for six weekends.
From the art of Disney historical artist Mary Blair and Herb Ryman art of Epcot to current Disney artists Joe Kaminski and Costa Alavezos, you’ll not only be surrounded by incredible visions, you’ll watch the creative process live.
In the inaugural year of the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, a collaboration with Disney Theatrical will bring an exciting new showcase of favorite music and Broadway talent to the America Gardens Theatre stage. Over the six weeks of the festival, guests can enjoy different pairings of phenomenal Broadway talent in concert singing the award-winning music of Disney on Broadway.
You can then feast on creations that look almost too good to eat, but you won’t be able to resist the new Food Studios. Your eyes and taste buds will battle over which sense is getting the better treat.
The Epcot International Festival of the Arts will run Fridays through Mondays, and unveil brand new art each week. Each weekend will offer an original experience.
It seems the Planet Hollywood Observatory at Disney Springs will not be opening in mid-December 2016 as originally anticipated…
Guests with mid-December reservations were contacted today and told that their reservations were cancelled. Those with late-December reservations have still not received word if their reservations will be honored, most likely because Planet Hollywood simply does not know at this time. The official website for the Planet Hollywood Observatory is now only taking reservations beginning January 3rd, 2017.
We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.
Some of The Walt Disney Company’s most powerful franchises will come to life in a way guests can only experience at Hong Kong Disneyland
Characters and stories from “Frozen” to await guests in an exciting, completely new themed area, while fans will be in the middle of the action with their favorite Marvel Super Heroes
HONG KONG (Nov. 22, 2016) – Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) announced a multi-year development plan to take the park to a new level of excitement, leveraging some of the most beloved and successful franchises of The Walt Disney Company. Plans include new themed areas, attractions and entertainment, launching almost every year from 2018 through 2023.
Hong Kong Disneyland Expansion Site Plan
Guests will experience Marvel and “Frozen” like never before as HKDL leverages the best of Disney to bring both these world-renowned franchises to life in their own immersive areas. The centerpiece of the park and the gateway to Fantasyland – the castle – will also be transformed to create spectacular entertainment experiences for guests.
“We are more excited than ever about the future of Hong Kong Disneyland,” said Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We are bringing the best of The Walt Disney Company to this wonderful tourist destination, giving guests from around the world an experience only Disney can deliver and an experience they can only have with us at Hong Kong Disneyland.”
Some highlights of the new experiences that will delight Disney fans and guests from around the world include:
An epicenter of Marvel Super Heroes that will continue to unfold. From the launch of Iron Man Experience, the Marvel universe continues to grow at HKDL. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters will be reimagined into a brand new experience for guests to fight alongside the icons of the Marvel Universe. Further, another thrilling attraction dedicated to one of the most popular Marvel franchises will be added to expand the epicenter of Marvel Super Heroes as exciting events unfold in phases. These experiences will replace the Buzz Lightyear and Autopia attractions.
MARVEL Shooter Ride to Replace Buzz Lightyear in Tomorrowland
An exciting new “Frozen” themed area where characters and stories from the kingdom of Arendelle will come to life in ways guests have never experienced before at a Disney park. Guests will enjoy two new attractions and be immersed in Arendelle with uniquely themed dining, shopping, and entertainment.
A completely transformed Castle and Hub area to showcase brand new daytime and nighttime shows and entertainment offerings that will celebrate every prince and princess who ever wished upon a star and dared to follow a dream. An “Adventureland Show Place,” which invites guests to “Moana’s Village Festival” through a series of daytime entertainment offerings anchored around a lively stage show in a new interactive entertainment environment. In addition to experiencing live shows and immersive Disney storytelling, guests can meet Moana, heroine of the new Disney animated film that will be released globally starting November 2016.
The major development plans extend the excitement and amazing growth at HKDL, as the resort is set to open the eagerly anticipated Iron Man Experience officially on January 11, 2017 and the richly themed Disney Explorers Lodge resort hotel later in the first half of the year.
HKDL has continued to grow since its opening in 2005 and has broadened its appeal to families and young adults as well as diverse markets, including local, mainland China and overseas guests.
The three themed areas launched between 2011 and 2013, Toy Story Land, Grizzly Gulch and Mystic Point, have enhanced the park’s attractions and entertainment offerings and boosted the park’s attractiveness to different market segments. In 2013, Mystic Manor was awarded the prestigious Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement – Attraction, the equivalent of the Oscar in the theme park industry. In the following year, the nighttime parade “Disney Paint the Night” was launched and subsequently honored with a Thea Award.
In celebration of HKDL’s 10th Anniversary in 2015, the new stage show “Mickey and the Wondrous Book” and a new walk-through experience “Fairy Tale Forest” were introduced. This past summer, “Star Wars: Tomorrowland Takeover” presented attractions and offerings themed after another classic Disney franchise.
“The all-new developments will further reinforce HKDL’s position as a world-class tourist destination for everyone, including families and young adults, and help build lifelong memories across generations of families,” said Samuel Lau, executive vice president and managing director of Hong Kong Disneyland.
HKDL’s two shareholders – The Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong Government – have agreed on the development plans, subject to funding approval by the Company’s Board of Directors and Legislative Council for their respective share of investment.
As we reported yesterday, a new add-on event is coming to the Magic Kingdom which includes viewing of the daily Festival of Fantasy Parade from the Liberty Belle Riverboat.
Treat your senses to a Liberty Square Riverboat “sundae fun-day” and reserved viewing of one of our grandest processions.
Make the most of your next visit to Magic Kingdom park, where Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen are throwing an unforgettable party… and you’re invited! The occasion begins on the dock as your royal hosts welcome you and your sweet tooth to an ice cream social, complete with ice cream and toppings, drinks, and sweet treats.
Then board the Liberty Square Riverboat and relax while enjoying the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade—all from the comfort of your special viewing location!
After the parade, Tiana and Naveen will join you to continue the party as you all cruise around the Rivers of America, circling Tom Sawyer Island.
Pricing and Reservation Details
This special event is available for $49 per adult and $29 for children ages 9 and under (tax included). For reservations, you can book online or by calling (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463.
Please check in at the Liberty Square Riverboat entrance 45 minutes before the parade begins.
Already available at Walt Disney World, FuelRod exchangable portable electronics charging batteries are now available at the Disneyland Resort. There are currently 10 locations where guests can purchase and exchange their FuelRods at the Disneyland Resort theme parks, hotels, and Downtown Disney district. The cost for the initial rod is $30 and includes unlimited exchanges. You can read a full review of how FuelRods work at Walt Disney World here.
The locations for the Disneyland Resort are:
Disneyland Park:
Main Street Locker Rental & Storage
Starcade (near ATM)
“it’s a small world” Toy Shop
Hungry Bear (lower level)
Disney California Adventure Park:
Kingswell Camera
Treasures in Paradise
*Downtown Disney District:
ESPN Zone
*Disneyland Hotel:
Outside Business Center (Fantasy Tower)
*Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa:
Convention Area
*Paradise Pier Hotel:
Hotel Lobby Area
*Locations in Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park are available now, kiosks at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort and Downtown Disney District will be installed in early December 2016.
Beginning 11/30, ABC Commissary at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will offer a “fast-casual dining experience” for dinner, providing Guests with an enhanced menu focusing on made-to-order, healthy and specialty items at the counter service location.
After ordering at the register, Guests will receive a pager and then find a seat while their food is prepared. Their food will then be brought directly to their table. The fast-casual dining begins daily at 3:30 PM. Lunch will remain the same as it is now.
Rivers of Light has been delayed since April 22nd, 2016.
The cast member previews (only for cast of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park) will take place on the evenings of November 27th and 28th at 8pm. No photography or video recording will be allowed at the event.
With cast member previews happening soon, a formal debut for the long-delayed nighttime show is imminent.
The Disney Vacation Club accommodations formerly known as The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge have assumed a new name – Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, but this is just the beginning of the changes at the resort as the cabins outside of the main lodge are erected.
A sweeping re-imagination of the former Hidden Springs Pool is also underway. Depicted in the artist rendering below and scheduled to open in summer 2017, Boulder Ridge Cove will feature an expanded sun deck and zero-depth-entry pool in what appears to have been an abandoned rock quarry.
A nearby “Boulder Ridge Railway and Mining Co.” water tower will be among the pool area’s landmark reminders of its pioneering past, while a vintage mine cart supports the mining theme with an affectionate nod to Disney history.
Beyond the new pool space, scheduled enhancements to the resort are “chugging along” and include a brand-new bar & grill, in addition to a quick-service restaurant. Geyser Point Bar & Grill will be located in the heart of the feature pool area of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, where guests can grab a bite to eat as they lounge by the resort’s main pool. The rendering for this area highlights ample outdoor seating and architecture that looks right at home with that of the existing Lodge, as well as Boulder Ridge Villas.
This is a weird one folks, but some of the All-Star Resorts will be selling pizza nightly at their bus stop areas.
Starting November 23rd, the locations will be open nightly from 7-10pm at Disney’s All-Star Music and Movies Resorts. The locations offer a very limited menu, mainly cheese and pepperoni pizza.
