Disney Imagineers

News

‘D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures’ Coming this Fall to the Walt Disney World Resort

Earlier this week we told you about the D23 Expo 2017, and now we have news about another D23 event but this one takes place at the Walt Disney World Resort! D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures is scheduled for November 19-20 at Disney's Contemporary Resort.

Disney Files Several Patent Applications for Drone Use in the Theme Parks

It sounds a little bit like something straight out of science fiction, but Disney recently filed three patent applications related to drone use in its theme parks.

The three patent applications are for: Aerial Display System with Floating Pixels, Aerial Display System with Floating Projection Screens, and Aerial Display System with Marionettes Articulated and Supported by Airborne Devices.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Features Faux Grass and Trees

The lush landscape at the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in the Magic Kingdom is all an illusion.

What looks like real grass, trees, and shrubs is actually Disney magic hard at work. There are 350 fake shrubs, 55 synthetic trees, and fake grass at the Mine Train location. But there's also 20,000 real shrubs and 150 live oaks, cedars, and birches at the site.

More Disney Talent Announced for D23 Destination D: Attraction Rewind

More names have been added to the roster of talent for D23 Destination D: Attraction Rewind.

The event is presented by H2O Plus and is scheduled to take place November 22 and 23 at the Walt Disney World Resort.

The roster of special guests includes Disney Legends, Imagineers, and others who are coming together to celebrate fan favorites including Adventure Thru Inner Space, If You Had Wings, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

Destination America Network to Air ‘Disney Week’ Beginning March 3

For one week next month, Disney fans will get a behind-the-scenes look at Disney parks, resorts, and cruise line during Disney Week on Destination America.

The week long programming event will highlight Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks and hotels.

Marquee for Princess Fairytale Hall Unveiled at Magic Kingdom

This fall, Disney's princesses will have a brand new magical location where they can meet and greet their loyal subjects.

Recently, Disney Imagineers added the marquee to the front of Fairytale Hall, marking a milestone in the re-imagining of the location.

‘Festival of the Lion King’ Moving to a New Theater at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Festival of the Lion King - the popular live show featuring songs from The Lion King - is moving to a new home at Disney Animal Kingdom sometime next year.

Disney recently announced that a new structure is under construction and should be ready to host the show sometime in 2014. The new theater will be located in the Harambe Village section in the Africa area of the Animal Kingdom, which seems fitting considering The Lion King takes place in Africa.

Avatarland Delayed?

Could work on an "Avatar"-based land within Walt Disney World be delayed? According to online reports, the answer is yes.

The reports say work on the sequels (yes, sequels with an "s") to the blockbuster 2009 film has not yet started and no release dates have been set for either "Avatar 2" or "Avatar 3." This stall could spill over to "Pandora: The World of Avatar" - the "Avatarland" that is slated to be built in Disney's Animal Kingdom.

'Poster Art of the Disney Parks' Book Coming to Disney Parks Soon

It's a book that's been four years in the making, and now it's almost ready to make its debut in Disney Parks Stores. "Poster Art of the Disney Parks," the creation of Disney Imagineers Vanessa Hunt and Danny Handke, showcases posters utilized by Disney to convey the essence of its theme parks and attractions.

The book includes over 300 posters and concepts, including some "never before seen" prints and almost all of the original 1950's Disneyland posters. Says author and Imagineer Hunt about her book:

Nighttime Safaris at Animal Kingdom Coming in the Future?

Back in February, we brought you news about changes to the Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney's Animal Kingdom. It now looks like Disney could be planning on adding a nighttime safari to the lineup sometime in the next few years.

Articles

Spotlight on Tiffins at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Nestled amongst the trees on Discovery Island at Disney's Animal Kingdom on the way to Pandora: World of Avatar sits the Park's matchless signature dining experience, Tiffins. This elegant outpost for adventurers is not only a showcase for world flavors, but dedicated to the unique vision of the Imagineers that created the Park. Take a look at this Disney dining experience as we spotlight Tiffins.

At Least 4 Reasons Disney’s Animal Kingdom Is Better Than Ever

Over the past couple of years Imagineers at Disney's Animal Kingdom have been hard at work to develop new concepts and experiences to breathe new life into the Park. Finally the immersive wildlife Park that's not a zoo is coming into its own and taking center stage with a full slate of exceptional experiences. I'm not even going to try and list all the reasons I love Animal Kingdom, but I will absolutely share the four best reasons to be sure it's in the plan for your next Walt Disney World vacation.

Top Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Skip Epcot’s American Adventure Pavilion

In honor of President's Day and because it is a presidential election year, today seems like a good day to travel halfway around Epcot's World Showcase to The American Adventure pavilion. Some guests choose to walk past the pavilion on their way to something else, but over the years we've discovered that this pavilion really has a lot to offer.

5 Reasons To Love Tomorrowland

Since it first debuted Tomorrowland in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom has always been fighting against time. It's the only land that is continually up against a constant clock, and Disney Imagineers are always working to keep its environments, attractions, and overall "theme" in the future. During some decades this has been easier to achieve than others. What we have currently is a sort of 1950's retro-future kitsch - yet somehow it works. Read on to find out (in no particular order) five reasons I love Tomorrowland.

Take The Ballyhoo Tour at at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn & Villas

During a recent stay at Disney's Boardwalk Inn & Villas Resort at Walt Disney World, my husband and I took part in the Boardwalk Ballyhoo guided tour. The tour takes place in and around the Boardwalk resort and surrounding area. It is a free tour and available to anyone who wishes to learn about the Atlantic City era and where the Disney Imagineers got their inspiration for the Boardwalk Resort.

What It Took to Bring MyMagic+ and Magic Bands to the Walt Disney World Resort

It's a story filled with drama, intrigue, cast changes, and outrageous budgets. Think we're talking about the latest blockbuster film from Disney? Not even close. We're talking about the story behind MyMagic+ and Magic Bands and how the way we all experience Walt Disney World Resort has changed in the past few years.

Grab a Quick Bite at “A Warehouse of Good Eating” at the Backlot Express

When you're visiting Disney's Hollywood Studios it's always refreshing to find an area that feels like Hollywood, especially since the Studio Backlot Tour is gone forever. And when you can get a decent quick service meal at the same time? Well, you're looking at a win-win situation.

Disney's Hollywood Studios Celebrates Its 25th Year

Happy 25th Anniversary, Hollywood Studios! Opened as Disney-MGM Studios on May 1, 1989, Hollywood Studios was the fifth theme park to be built by Disney Imagineers and the third to be constructed at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Let's explore briefly the origin, purpose, and identity of this park.

Previewing The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

The last bit of the New Fantasyland is still under construction at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, but each day fans get a little closer to getting to ride on the "Seven Dwarfs Mine Train." The opening date is set for "later this Spring" but when exactly we still don't know. Walls have been down and a there were even some test riders recently. The rock-work is getting its finishing touches and the top of the mountain planted.

Experience the Culture and Rugged Wilderness of our Northern Neighbors in Epcot’s Canada Pavilion

If you start your tour of the World Showcase in a counterclockwise way, your first stop will be Canada and it's definitely a pavilion you'll want to spend some time exploring.

The Canada Pavilion is one of the most beautiful pavilions in World Showcase and if you just walk by thinking "oh it's 'just' Canada" you are most certainly missing out on a great experience.