From Disneyland to China, the monorail is riding a new high. But would it work in LA?

In 1959, Walt Disney watched his monorail encircle Disneyland in Anaheim, a train from the next century bringing park guests, appropriately enough, into Tomorrowland. Disney figured transportation planners would take his monorail concept — a sleek, elevated, electric-powered train straddling a single beam — and replicate it inside real cities. “He wanted to build a whole city with monorails and people-movers,” said David Koenig, author of several books on Disney’s legacy. “He was convinced every...
Tags: Transportation, Asia, News, California, La, China, Trains, Disney, Los Angeles, Sport, Soccer, North America, Disneyland, Local News, Epcot, Walt Disney

Miami Dolphins rule Walt Disney's Epcot over Patriots

The Miami Dolphins fan base was well represented at Walt Disney Worlds Epcot park on Friday afternoon as we mingled through the crowds. One of the few things I enjoy is walking through the Disney parks and people watching. More specifically
Tags: News, Disney, Miami Dolphins, Epcot, Walt Disney, Walt Disney Worlds Epcot

Theme Park Bits: Goodbye to Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster, A Lion King Celebration, and More

In this edition of Theme Park Bits: A musically charged roller coaster is going the way of the dodo in Paris. Epcot’s space-themed restaurant may have a name. Disneyland will celebrate The Lion King this summer. And more! The Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster featuring Aerosmith is one of only a handful of thrill-ride-style roller coasters in the Disney parks, but it’s going away at Disneyland Paris. On September 1, the attraction will shut down for good to make room for a new Iron Man-themed attrac...
Tags: Movies, Disney, Earth, Paris, Theme Parks, Disneyland, Epcot, Disneyland Paris, Aerosmith, Mickey, Disney Parks Blog, Ratatouille, Disney California, Paris Epcot, Disneyland YouTube

2019 WDW Marathon Cheering Recap

As I did last year, this year, I flew down to Walt Disney World for marathon weekend to hang out with friends, cheer on friends and strangers, and celebrate my birthday. This cupcake was weirdly filled with sprinkles, and I’m not sure what I think about that. I got to Disney on Thursday (my birthday) and after I checked in and grabbed lunch, I wandered the parks for a while and went over to check out the race expo. I learned that when you can do whatever you want whenever you want...
Tags: Health, Uncategorized, Disney, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Grand Floridian, Cowbell, Slinky Dog, WDW Marathon Cheering Recap

Theme Park Bits: Zootopia Land, Jurassic World’s Roller-Coaster Layout and More

In this week’s edition: Zootopia is expanding to Shanghai Disneyland. The Jurassic World roller-coaster track layout may have been revealed. The Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run attraction might have a single-rider line. Disney’s Riviera Resort is open for reservations. And more! The biggest news this week in the world of theme parks is that one of Disney’s recent animated hits is going to get its own section in one of the company’s parks. Can you believe that it’s been nearly three years...
Tags: Japan, Movies, China, Disney, Spain, United States, Conan, Theme Parks, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Orlando, Universal Studios, Triton, Pepe, Anaheim

Theme Park Bits: Disneyland Ticket Prices, Avatar Soundtrack, Up is Headed to the Animal Kingdom, and More!

In this edition: Tickets are going up, up, up at Disneyland. Pandora: The World of Avatar has an official soundtrack. Disney CEO Robert Iger went to Twitter to defend recent remarks. Get a decent look at the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge ride vehicles. Disney has purchased even more land in Central Florida. And more! We begin this week with some unsurprising but not particularly good news. Excited about your next trip to Disneyland Resort? Prepared to fork over at least one of your kidneys as w...
Tags: Florida, Hollywood, Movies, India, Disney, Indiana, Pandora, United Kingdom, Walt Disney Company, Theme Parks, Iger, Pixar, Disneyland, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Epcot

YouTube Allows Disney Nerds to Relive Extinct Theme Park Attractions

The Disney nerd community recognized a sad anniversary yesterday. It’s been 20 years since the ride Horizons closed at the Epcot theme park in Walt Disney World. But there was one bright spot. People were able to share home videos of the beloved “extinct attraction” on YouTube.Read more...
Tags: Science, Disney, Walt Disney World, Epcot, 1990s, Epcot Center, Horizons, YouTube Allows Disney Nerds

Best Ways to Save on Food at Disney World + 2019 Free Disney Dining Plan Available!

Best Ways to Save on Food at Disney World + 2019 Free Disney Dining Plan Now Available! ** Disney has just announced that the 2019 free dining plan is now available! We have all the details you need to know about this years promotion below (updated 1/2/2019)! This is much earlier then Disney usually releases the free booking options, so this is a big deal in the world of  Disney Dining. More details below.  Food can be a big expense for families visiting Walt Disney World. If you want to eat ...
Tags: Travel, Amazon, Germany, Disney, Google Maps, Walt Disney World, Costco, Frugality, Epcot, Wdw, Animal Kingdom, Disney World, Britta, Kissimmee, Disney Dining, Buca di Beppo

Theme Park Bits: Disney Animatronic Stolen, A Sneak Peek at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Animal Kingdom’s New Ambassadors, and More

In this edition of Theme Park Bits: Take a look behind the scenes of Universal Orlando’s nighttime spectacular Disney has released a sneak peek at the experience of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge A petition is gaining steam, attempting to relieve Disney of the trademark for “Hakuna matata” Disney World’s Top of the World lounge is being used for paid DVC events moving forward Has one of Epcot’s old Audio-Animatronic figures been stolen? And more! Every theme park worth its salt has to have a ...
Tags: Movies, Mississippi, Africa, Disney, Harry Potter, Island, Theme Parks, Millennium Falcon, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Jack, Epcot, Orlando, Animal Kingdom, Disney World, Tom Sawyer

15 people with minor injuries after Disney World bus crash

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Fifteen people have been taken to a hospital with minor injuries after two buses collided at Walt Disney World. The Florida Highway Patrol says one bus rear-ended another at a parking booth near Epcot on Tuesday morning. There were 51 passengers on the two buses. A highway patrol spokeswoman […]
Tags: News, Nation, Epcot, Disney World, LAKE BUENA VISTA Fla, Nation & World, Walt Disney World The Florida Highway Patrol

How to Make a A-Frame Christmas Tree

Around this time of year, it's become a tradition to come up with an alternative Christmas tree idea. This year is no exception!The inspiration for this year's tree is from a visit to Epcot at Walt Disney World. Steph took the boat ride in the Land Pavilion and saw their version of a ladder tree, wh...By: MotherDaughterProjectsContinue Reading » [Author: MotherDaughterProjects]
Tags: Lifehacks, Epcot, Motherdaughterprojects, Walt Disney World Steph

Theme Park Bits: Universal Studios on New Year’s Eve, The Disney Skyliner, Mickey’s 2019 Celebration, and More

In this edition of Theme Park Bits: The Disney Skyliner at Walt Disney World has an opening date. Knott’s Berry Farm has announced a new rushing-rapids attraction. Walt Disney World will introduce automated cameras at some meet-and-greet locations next year. Shanghai is now home to two major theme parks, with a rival to Disney opening recently. Captain Marvel is headed to Disney California Adventure. Disney’s revealed more details about the upcoming Mickey Mouse attraction at Disney’s Hollywoo...
Tags: Florida, Movies, Disney, Shanghai, Theme Parks, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Universal Studios, Mickey Mouse, Knott, Mickey, Walt Disney World Resort, Hollywood Studios, Universal Studios Hollywood, Disney California Adventure

‘Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge’ Hotel Details Revealed; First Look at Disney California Adventure’s ‘Spider-Man’ Ride

Disney is dropping some serious money to expand its theme park empire. A says the company will be spending more on its theme parks parks than it did on Lucasfilm, Marvel, and Pixar combined – approximately $24 billion over the next five years alone. A big chunk of that cash is being spent on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the immersive new Star Wars land which aims to transport guests into a galaxy far, far away, and some new details have arrived about the Galaxy’s Edge hotel that will seamlessly ...
Tags: Florida, Movies, California, Disney, Theme Parks, Pixar, Disneyland Resort, Lucasfilm, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Orlando, Universal Studios, Disneyland Paris, Saratoga Springs, Imperial, Spidey

‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Roller Coaster Vehicles Revealed

We’ve written about Disney’s plan to include spinning roller coaster cars on their upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster at Walt Disney World, but a new video shared by Disney Parks chairman Bob Chapek gives us our first look at the new vehicles in action. Check it out below. At an International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions event, Chapek showed off some new test footage of the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy attraction and revealed what the new ride vehicles will ...
Tags: Florida, Movies, Disney, Theme Parks, Guardians Of The Galaxy, Walt Disney World, Marvel Studios, Epcot, Disney Parks, Disney Imagineers, Disney/Pixar, Bob Chapek, Chapek, International Association of Amusement Parks, Caitlin Dineen

Travel News: November 5, 2018

Epcot Festival of the Arts Debuting at Disney World in January Travel Pulse Disney World announced Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts will debut January 18. The annual celebration of the visual, culinary and performing arts will last for 39 days through February 25, 2019, and features more live music than ever, fresh tastes to savor and new artwork to admire and bring home.   Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas getting water coaster Travel Weekly Royal Caribbean International’s Navi...
Tags: Travel, Disney, Silicon Valley, Venice, Epcot, Royal Caribbean, Guangdong, News And Deals, Disney World, Lam, Greater Bay Area, Rialto Bridge, Hong Kong Macau, Disney Cruise Line, Accademia Bridge, Travel Weekly Royal Caribbean International

Dapper Day brings 20,000 to Disneyland to ‘turn it all the way up’ with dashing fashions

It’s that time of year again when parasols, bow ties, high heels and straw boater hats are more common at Disneyland than t-shirts, cargo shorts and flip flops. Dapper Day returns to Disneyland on Sunday with an influx of tens of thousands of visitors dressed in refined and elegant styles that recall an earlier era when people wore their Sunday best to attend the Anaheim theme park. After nearly a decade, the unofficial event has expanded to twice-a-year visits to Disneyland as well as Dapper Da...
Tags: Florida, France, Disney, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Sport, Soccer, Glendale, San Diego, Long Beach, Bill, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Smith, Berkeley, Epcot

Is there a down side to the phenomenal growth of theme parks and their prices?

Are theme parks enjoying a golden era or are they slipping into a dark age? For an outsider, this question might seem a bit silly. Attendance is surging, with the top 10 theme parks in the world each now attracting more than 10 million visitors a year. The world’s most popular theme park, Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, welcomed more than 20 million visitors last year, according to the industry’s TEA/AECOM Theme Index global attendance report. Disneyland ranked second, on the cusp of that 20 ...
Tags: Florida, China, Disney, Sport, Beijing, Things To Do, Soccer, Universal, Warner Bros, Amusement Parks, Abu Dhabi, Disneyland, Orange County, Epcot, Orlando, Disney World

Theme Park Bits: Hollywood Studios’ New Car Entrance, Human Ashes at Disney, ‘Stranger Things’ Maze Lights-On

In this edition of Theme Park Bits: You can now use the Play Disney Parks app to unlock the availability of special ride trading pins. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is about to implement a new entrance route for automobile traffic. Don’t read the foodie guide to Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays on an empty stomach. Human ashes at Disney: they’re there, they’re real, and Cast Members have to clean them up. Why take the kids to the local shopping mall to trick or treat when you can do...
Tags: Movies, Disney, Earth, Theme Parks, Peter Pan, Wall Street Journal, Epcot, Caribbean, Mickey Mouse, Don, Mickey, Pirates, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Universal Studios Hollywood, Disney Parks

Theme Park Bits: ‘Toy Story’ Land Christmas, Rumored Opening Date for ‘Star Wars:’ Galaxy’s Edge in Florida

In this edition of Theme Park Bits: What’s the best guess for when the Florida version of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open next year? See a preview for the first-ever Christmas overlay in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. One daring couple has traveled across time zones to visit six Disney parks in the same 24 hours. Find out about the reopening of the World of Disney store and some concurrent Funko Pop! releases. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is celebrating a major milesto...
Tags: Florida, Movies, California, Disney, Tennessee, Harry Potter, Magic, Tokyo, Theme Parks, Batman, Warner Bros, Disneyland, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Sam, Bahamas

‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Roller Coaster’s Revolutionary New Ride System Revealed in Disney Patents

Roller coasters with spinning cars is not a new thing, but those spins have all previously relied on the design of the track or the weight distribution of the cars to initiate the rotations. Now, The Walt Disney Company has filed a new patent for technology that will allow the ride car’s spins to be controlled remotely, and they’ll debut this tech at Epcot’s Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster in Orlando, Florida. Get more details below. Spinning roller coasters are a dime a dozen. Here’s ...
Tags: Movies, Disney, Theme Parks, Guardians Of The Galaxy, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Orlando Florida, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, The Walt Disney Company, Santa Cruz Beach, Disney Patents, WDWNT

Theme Park Bits: ‘Jungle Book’ Ride Rumored for Epcot, Oswald’s Rabbit Luck Runs Out at California Adventure

In this edition of Theme Park Bits: “The bare necessities of life” … like an India pavilion and Jungle Book ride … could come to Epcot. Prepare to have your butts baked in the high-flying “oven” gondolas of the Disney Skyliner system. Guess which two TV superheroes dropped in like grizzly bears on a couple of Pandora glampers. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit’s luck has taken a turn for the worse at Disney California Adventure. Learn who invented the sandwich and how that relates to Downtown Disney’s r...
Tags: Florida, Hollywood, Movies, Budget, California, India, Disney, Earth, Theme Parks, Disneyland, Jon Favreau, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Caribbean, Orlando, Mickey Mouse

‘IllumiNations’ pyrotechnic show ending next year at Epcot

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — After almost two decades, Walt Disney World is ending the pyrotechnic, light and fireworks show which nightly lights up the sky above its Epcot theme park. The theme park resort said on its blog this week that the “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” show would be replaced with a new show once […]
Tags: News, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Orlando Fla, Nation & World

Travel News: September 20, 2018

Epcot’s IllumiNations to End in 2019 Travel Pulse Epcot’s IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth will be ending in the second half of 2019. Disney made the announcement Monday. While Epcot fans will be sad to learn of the closure of the show after almost 20 years of entertainment, Disney Parks Live Entertainment is already working to create new thrills to debut immediately following the conclusion of IllumiNations.   Cruise CEO warns that the good times won’t roll forever Travel Weekly The cruise ...
Tags: Travel, Disney, Earth, Delta, Las Vegas, United, Southwest Airlines, Epcot, American Airlines, Travel News, News And Deals, Jetblue Airways, Lehman Brothers, Ritz Carlton, Southern Nevada, Las Vegas Review Journal

Epcot's “IllumiNations” to end

Bad news for fireworks fans, Epcot enthusiasts, and lovers of old-fashioned Disney tradition. On Monday, Disney announced that Epcot’s IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth fireworks show, which marked the closing of each day at the theme park, will end in the summer of 2019, after 20 years. One of the park’s most complex shows, IllumiNations incorporates fire and water effects, fireworks, and an orchestral soundtrack. Its most iconic moment is when the 28-foot-tall globe projects various video...
Tags: Travel, France, Disney, Theme Parks, Disneyland, Epcot, All, Disney World, Hollywood Studios, Disney Parks

Epcot’s IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth to Be Replaced By New Fireworks Show

Walt Disney World’s Epcot theme park is undergoing a multi-year transformation, and the resort is putting one of its long-running institutions on the chopping block. Disney has announced that IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, a nightly show that was first introduced in 1999 as part of the company’s Millennium Celebration and has been running ever since, will be closing next year and an all-new “nighttime fireworks spectacular” will take its place. Watch a full video of IllumiNations below, a...
Tags: Movies, Disney, Earth, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Walt Disney, Wakanda, Magic Kingdom, Disney Parks, Disney/Pixar, Peter Sciretta, Marvel Studios Black Panther

Theme Park Bits: ‘Stranger Things’ Food, ‘Mary Poppins’ Ride Rumored, Shakira’s ‘Try Everything’ Includes Disney

In this edition of Theme Park Bits: Get the lowdown on Stranger-Things-inspired dishes and other food at Halloween Horror Nights. See concept art of the Jurassic World area at Universal Studios Beijing. “The hips don’t lie:” Shakira made an appearance at Disneyland Resort this week. Watch a life-size puppet of Miguel from Coco get in on the mariachi fun at California Adventure. Who’s ready for Mary Poppins Returns … and a Mary Poppins ride at Epcot? And more! Halloween Horror Nights 2018 ...
Tags: Coco, Movies, California, Disney, Beijing, Shakira, Theme Parks, Jurassic World, Disneyland, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Emily Blunt, Epcot, Miguel, Universal Studios, Disney World

Fly cheap to Iceland and India

For the cost of an extra day of park-hopping, you can now ditch the whole family in Florida and go to Iceland. Not that we’re suggesting you bail on the entire family, leaving them to wait on interminable lines in oppressive humidity by themselves. But if by day three of your Disney World vacation your nephew’s insistence on seeing Goofy is wearing a little thin, there are now insanely cheap ways to get as far away from Orlando as possible. WOW Air, the folks who almost single-handedly floode...
Tags: Travel, Europe, Florida, London, Berlin, India, Disney, US, Sales, Paris, Iceland, New Delhi, Epcot, Orlando, Wow Air, All

Theme Park Bits: Spaceship Earth Overhaul Rumored, ‘Snow White’ Characters Coming to Wilderness Lodge

In this edition of Theme Park Bits: See concept art for the new Tropical Hideaway area of Adventureland at Disneyland. Are you ready to elbow up to the bar at Oga’s Cantina in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? Epcot’s Spaceship Earth may be gearing up for its first ride scene update in over a decade. Snow White characters will soon be marching into the dining room at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Take a guess who earns more: Cast Members at Disney World or employees at your local Target. And more … ...
Tags: Japan, Florida, Movies, Disney, America, Watson, Theme Parks, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Skype, Epcot, Cto, Disney World, Anaheim, Knott, Mickey

Theme Park Bits: ‘Ratatouille’ Ride Names, ‘Hocus Pocus’ Anniversary Goods, Couple Rides ‘Jurassic Park’ 62 Times

In this edition of Theme Park Bits: Watch the ride record for Universal’s Jurassic Park – The Ride get broken with a marriage proposal. Find out which opening-day attraction at Islands of Adventure is soon due to close forever. Drink spills are up at Walt Disney World as restaurants stop circulating plastic lids and straws. Learn how you can celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hocus Pocus in style at Disney this Halloween. See the list of names that is officially being brainstormed for Epcot’s u...
Tags: Florida, Movies, California, Matt Damon, Disney, Harry Potter, Bird, Theme Parks, Disneyland, Times, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Caribbean, Tomorrowland, Brad Bird, Disney World

Body Found in Vehicle Fire Near Walt Disney World, Officials Say

The fire happened on a road near Disney's Epcot attraction
Tags: Florida, News, Uncategorized, Disney, Epcot, Onetime, Vehicle Fire Near Walt Disney World