NEW MARQUEE FOR MICKEY AND MINNIE’S RUNAWAY RAILWAY

BY GABRIELLE

A new video published by Disney has revealed a new neon marquee for the Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction. The ride will be debuting in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort on March 4.

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will be the first ride-through attraction centred on the Mickey and Minnie Mouse characters. It will be a family-friendly ride that brings the guests inside a cartoon to have fun with Mickey and Minnie, as well as the lovable Goofy too.

The cartoon will be a brand new short called Mickey and Minnie’s Perfect Picnic.

Construction on the ride is nearly complete, and the sign for the ride can already be seen. With flashing lights and neon animations of Mickey and Minnie, it certainly promises to be lots of fun for all the family.

In the video published on the Disney Parks YouTube channel, the company’s Imagineering Art Director, Phillip Hillis, says: “This marquee is so important to this attraction because this is Mickey and Minnie’s first attraction. We want to make sure that we are providing an amazing marquee that really celebrates their entrance into a great attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.”

Of the neon Mickey and Minnie animations that have already been glimpsed, Hillis said: “We knew from the beginning that we wanted a neon Mickey and Minnie. We wanted to continue this look of neon all the way down Hollywood Boulevard, but really create this marquee as a beacon that you are guided to.”

DISNEY’S RIVIERA RESORT OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT

BY GABRIELLE

Disney’s Riviera Resort has officially opened at Walt Disney world Resort, Florida.

On December 16, 2019 a ceremony was held at the resort’s promenade to open the deluxe Riviera Resort, which takes inspiration from both the French and Italian Rivieras.

The new luxury resort features more than 300 family-friendly holiday homes, including Tower Studios, grand villas and deluxe studios.

A rooftop restaurant serves flavours of both the French and Italian Rivieras, where guests can dine with Mickey and friends.

The resort is Disney Vacation Club’s 15th property but is the first dedicated Disney Vacation Club resort to be opened at Walt Disney World since the opening of the Saratoga Springs Resort in 2004.

During the opening ceremony, Terri Schultz, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Vacation Club, said: “Blending the flavours and flair of the Italian and French Riviera with the creativity and imagination that only Disney can deliver, this new resort pays tribute to Walt and Lillian Disney’s amazing European travels while connecting Disney artistry and storytelling to this region’s renowned art heritage and inspiration.

“Not only will Disney’s Riviera Resort delight families with its gorgeous architectural details and wide range of accommodations, but members and guests will simply fall in love with the sights, sounds and flavours of Europe around every corner.

“Our team is excited to welcome families to this relaxing destination inspired by the world-famous sun-drenched Mediterranean coastline,” Schultz continued.

EPCOT’S TRANSFORMATION TO INCLUDE A NEW MEET-AND-GREET EXPERIENCE WITH MICKEY MOUSE

BY GABRIELLE

Walt Disney World Resort has unveiled that the historic expansion and renovation of Epcot theme park will include a new meet-and-greet experience with Mickey Mouse.

The current transformation of the amusement park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, is the biggest renovation of any theme park in Disney’s history.

Visitors will have the chance to experience meeting Mickey Mouse, as well as other much-loved Disney characters. It is believed that Mickey will be located at the entrance of the Imagination! pavilion, the location for the Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival.

Mickey will greet guests arriving at the Imagination! pavilion, which will show short films starring Mickey Mouse and his friends.

Other highlights of the Epcot transformation include a Mary Poppins-inspired attraction, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Unwind and Journey of Water, inspired by Moana.

Micky Mouse will be greeting guests arriving at the Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival in early 2020.

EPCOT EXPERIENCE TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT EPCOT’S TRANSFORMATION

BY GABRIELLE

Walt Disney Imagineering has created an immersive experience designed to enable visitors to take a look at the transformation of the Epcot theme park at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

The Epcot Experience showcases the changes planned for the park, revealing a comprehensive look at Epcot’s plans.

A number of unique rides and attractions are to be installed at the theme park, including a Mary Poppins-inspired attraction, the Moana-themed Journey of Water and the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Unwind.

Guests can take part in the Epcot Experience inside the Odyssey Events Pavilion. The attraction uses pioneering technology to showcase the history of Epcot and what the park is going to look like on a 12-minute recording projected on a floor-to-ceiling, 360-degree screen.

Also being presented in the large circular room will be archival footage prior to Epcot’s opening in 1982, as well as the site’s new Disney-based attractions.

The park’s night-time firework show ‘HarmonioUS’ will also be previewed during the Epcot Experience.

Projection-mapping technology will be used to highlight different regions of the theme park, alongside displays of artefacts and memorabilia of Epcot, including a park map from its opening day in 1982.

DISNEY ANNOUNCES THEME PARKS’ LEADERSHIP OVERHAUL

BY GABRIELLE

Disney has announced it is reorganising the leadership of its theme parks. The management overhaul will see Josh D’Amaro lead Walt Disney World Resort and Rebecca Campbell head up Disneyland Resort.

Moving from the role of president of Disneyland Resort, which he has had since March 2018, Josh D’Amaro will take on the position of president of Walt Disney World Resort in November.

Rebecca Campbell will succeed D’Amaro as president of Disneyland Resort. Campbell has more than 20 years’ experience at Walt Disney Company.

Talking about the appointment and the move to California, Josh D’Amaro said: “I have been incredibly honoured to lead the Disneyland Resort, and humbled to work alongside our amazing cast members.

“From the moment I arrived in Orange County, I felt welcomed and proud to engage with this community.

“Over the past two years, we’ve worked hard to ensure that Disneyland is a great place for our guests to visit and for our cast to work.

“At the same, the Walt Disney World Resort is undergoing one of its most significant transformations in its history.

“My ties to the Cast of the Walt Disney World Resort and to the Central Florida community run deep, and I look forward to rejoining the team,” D’Amario continued.

Rebecca Campbell also shared her enthusiasm for her new position, saying: “As a lifelong fan of Disney parks, I am thrilled for the opportunity to lead the Disneyland Resort.

“I can’t wait to work closely with my fellow cast members to continue to deliver great experiences for our millions of guests, and to ensure that the Disneyland Resort remains a great place to work and is a leading community partner in Anaheim and Orange County.

“This is a period of incredible investment in the Disneyland Resort, and I am excited to help bring more of the world’s favourite stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars to life for our guests,” said Campbell.

A further leadership change will see George Kalogridis taking on the role of president of Disney Segment Development and Enrichment. Kalogridis has led Walt Disney Resort since 2013.