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Walt Disney World Resort continues to invest in the guest experience of its resort hotels and will soon be offering enhanced dining options, added event areas and more guest rooms at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Work has begun on a new 15-story tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort that will bring an additional 500 rooms with suites and concierge level services. The new tower, overlooking Lago Dorado, the resort’s centerpiece lake, will offer a rooftop dining experience with panoramic views of popular nighttime fireworks from nearby Disney theme parks. “For many of our guests, magical memories begin at one of our 27-themed resorts each and every day,” said Josh D’Amaro, senior vice president of Walt Disney World Resort Operations. “At Walt Disney World Resort, we continue to expand our portfolio and invest in new resort developments that allow even more guests to be immersed in all that a Disney resort has to offer.” Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will also re...

Great news from the Disney Parks Blog! Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will have more Star Wars fun to look forward to this spring when BB-8, the loyal droid from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, begins character greetings at the park’s Star Wars Launch Bay. BB-8 will appear in addition to Kylo Ren and Chewbacca, two characters from the Star Wars galaxy who guests regularly encounter at Star Wars Launch Bay. In addition to character greetings, the location also offers guests the chance to explore galleries full of treasured memorabilia and authentic replicas of large-scale Star Wars artifacts, including some from the latest film in the franchise, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Star Wars Launch Bay is just one experience that has debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to the delight of Star Wars fans over the past two years: “Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away” daytime show features characters from around the Star Wars galaxy; while the guest-favorite “Star Wars: A Galact...

It’s an exciting spring season at Walt Disney World Resort, one filled with new fun that spans all four theme parks, Disney’s Water Parks and Disney Springs. From the unveiling of a whole new land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to an awe-inspiring fireworks show at Magic Kingdom Park to more retail and restaurant openings at Disney Springs, there more to see and do at Walt Disney World Resort than ever before. Here’s a closer look at what is in store: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Opening May 27, Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will transport guests to a mystical world of bioluminescent rainforests, floating mountains and soaring Banshees. In collaboration with filmmaker James Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment, Disney is bringing to life the fantasy world of Pandora, inspired by Cameron’s epic film AVATAR. Guests will discover two main adventures in this breathtaking new land. Avatar Flight of Passage, sending guests flying above the jungles o...

Rivers of Light, an all-new nighttime show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, will begin delighting Walt Disney World Resort guests Feb. 17. Rich in symbolism and storytelling, the elaborate theatrical production takes guests on a breathtaking emotional journey – a visual mix of water, fire, nature and light all choreographed to an original musical score. The new 15-minute show is the latest addition to the lineup of nighttime experiences at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Celebrating the majesty of nature and the connection between animals and humans in the world, the performance combines live performers, beautiful floating lanterns, glistening fountains, special effects and authentic animal imagery projected on giant water screens. “Disney’s Animal Kingdom is built around the lives of animals, built around the rules of nature, and those rules dictate that as you move between day and night everything changes…and you’re going to want to see that,” said Joe Rohde, Creative Executive, Wal...

It’s no secret that every ‘once upon a time’ story ends with ‘happily ever after.’ Beginning May 12, Walt Disney World Resort guests will discover just how magical and emotional that fairy tale ending can be with the newest, most breathtaking fireworks show in the history of Magic Kingdom Park – “Happily Ever After.” In addition to fireworks, the stunning new nighttime extravaganza will feature more lasers, lights and projections than any Disney show before it. “Happily Ever After” is also an entirely new kind of Disney storytelling, one that will take guests on an inspiring journey filled with heart, humor and emotion. Guests become part of the journey themselves as they follow favorite Disney characters on an adventure to seek out their destiny, face adversity and ultimately fulfill their dreams on the road to their happily ever after. The 18-minute spectacle will feature scenes from classic Disney films such as “The Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin” to modern blockbusters “Moana...

Sixteen music acts of multiple genres with hits spanning the past five decades will play the Garden Rocks Concert Series at the 24th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival . Running 90 days and kicking off March 1, this year’s festival launches the concert series March 3 to showcase performers every Friday through Monday until Memorial Day, May 29. It’s the first year the Garden Rocks acts will appear every festival Monday. Simple Plan, Exposé and Berlin featuring Terri Nunn will rock Epcot audiences for the first time. Jon Secada, who first played the Garden Rocks stage in 2015, will kick off the concert series March 3. Guests can dance in their seats each festival weekend to classic tunes at the park’s outdoor America Gardens Theatre overlooking the World Showcase Lagoon. An eclectic mix of Flower & Garden Festival fan favorites includes 1960s icons Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, ’70s-’80s chart-toppers The Pointer Sisters and ’90s hit-makers Gi...

It was 1987 when the winning quarterback in Super Bowl XXI began a tradition of going to Walt Disney World Resort to celebrate. That would carve out a place synonymous with glory and achievement in sports and other human endeavor. Thirty years later, that same honor fell to running back James White, a hero of Super Bowl LI in Houston. White caught one touchdown pass and rushed for two others – including the game-winner in overtime – to help rally his team to an epic, come-from-behind 34-28 victory over Atlanta to capture the NFL Championship. For his on-field heroics, White was honored with a celebratory parade this past Monday down Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom Park. Park guests and NFL fans alike lined the iconic street as White smiled and waved from a float he shared with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and other Disney characters. Afterwards, White posed for photos with Mickey and Minnie and enjoyed some fun time in the park, experiencing some of its most popular...

Levy Restaurants is excited to announce the grand opening of Paddlefish, its newest dining experience at Disney Springs. The seafood-centric restaurant, formerly known as Fulton’s Crab House, has undergone an extensive, multimillion-dollar transformation which involved a full renovation with a brand new design (interior and exterior) that has transformed the vessel into a modern yacht experience. The aesthetic of Paddlefish was inspired by a modern, seafaring yacht with its clean lines, crisp designs, refined woods and a sophisticated color palette of blues and grays. Purposeful elements will be showcased in the dining areas such as booths that are put into spaces with great views and a bar that overlooks the paddlewheel. Unique design features include opening up all of the windows for an open-air feel and bar areas decorated with brass accents that resemble fish gills. “We’re excited to embark upon Paddlefish’s next voyage, and can’t wait for guests to share this new expe...

Pandora – The World of Avatar will open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Saturday, May 27, it was announced yesterday by Disney CEO Bob Iger during The Walt Disney Company Shareholders meeting. Inspired by Academy-award winning filmmaker James Cameron’s box-office hit, “AVATAR,” the new 12-acre land will immerse guests in the lush world of Pandora about a generation after the film’s human-Na’vi conflict. The magical new land will transport guests to a mystical world of bioluminescent rainforests, floating mountains and soaring Banshees. Two main adventures will beckon Disney’s Animal Kingdom guests: Riding a magnificent Mountain Banshee, guests will soar across Pandora on Avatar Flight of Passage. This high-tech adventure will offer a thrilling flight through the jungles and floating mountains, and over the majestic oceans of this colorful world. On the family-friendly Na’vi River Journey guests will sail down a sacred river hidden within a glowing rainforest. The expedit...

Celebrate love with your significant other on Valentine’s Day and every day at the most magical place on earth, Walt Disney World Resort. Throughout the 40-square-mile playground there’s simple and luxurious splurges for couples of all ages — from moonlit strolls and stolen kisses aboard attractions to pampering spas and intimate dining for two. The four Walt Disney World theme parks and 26 resort hotels create a perfect setting for spontaneous romance. Gazing at dazzling fireworks, a surrey bike ride for two, or a leisurely swing beachside, couples can embrace a bouquet of romantic experiences. Here’s a few options for lovebirds: The Couple that ‘Spas’ Together… – What’s more enjoyable than a luxurious spa treatment? Imagine sharing it with that special someone.  The Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and the Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, both feature a “couples room” where guests can enjoy specialized spa treatme...