What's New in 2008
- The Disney-MGM Studios theme park is now Disney's Hollywood Studios ™. The renamed theme park will see existing attractions revamped and new ones open. Read More >
- Dining experiences around Walt Disney World ® Resort have been changing, starting last fall and going through late 2008. Read More >
- Several attraction makeovers wrapped up in late 2007, and more will be completed in early 2008. Read More >
- Another Year of a Million Dreams will see even more fabulous prizes distributed. Read More >
- Disney's Pirate and Princess Party Read More >
- ESPN The Weekend Read More >
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The Disney-MGM Studios theme park is now Disney's Hollywood Studios ™. The renamed theme park will see existing attractions revamped and new ones open.
Disney's Hollywood Studios ™ became the new name of the theme park on January 7. Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage reopened with the latest stars of Playhouse Disney, including Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Little Einsteins. The Stars and Motor Cars Parade will be replaced in March by the Block Party Bash, starring your favorite Pixar characters. And the Pixar Toy Story characters will be out in full force when Toy Story Mania, a new interactive 3-D ride experience, opens this summer.
Dining experiences around Walt Disney World ® Resort have been changing, starting last fall and going through late 2008.
The dining upgrades started in October, as Teppan Edo, Tokyo Dining and Tutto Italia opened at Epcot ®. At Disney's Animal Kingdom ® in November, the Yak & Yeti Restaurant (table service) and Market (counter service) opened, while Tusker House switched over from counter service to buffet dining. Coming this spring, The Wave will open at Disney's Contemporary Resort, featuring Asian fusion cuisine. Nine Dragons at Epcot ® will close early in 2008 and will reopen late in the year featuring interactive cooking stations, while Tutto Italia will be expanded and hold an official grand opening. Also late in 2008, T-Rex Cafe is expected to open at Downtown Disney ®, putting a prehistoric spin on the Rainforest Cafe concept.
Several attraction makeovers wrapped up in late 2007, and more will be completed in early 2008.
In September 2007, the Haunted Mansion reopened from a major refurbishment that saw the addition of many major special effects that have enhanced the storyline and brought the marvels of this classic attraction to a new level. Over at Epcot ®, the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros opened at the Mexico pavilion in late 2007, while the Canada pavilion welcomed a new version of the "O Canada" film featuring actor Martin Short. And in February, Spaceship Earth will return from its length refurbishment with new animatronics, new narration, a new score and a new, interactive ending. This summer will see the opening of Toy Story Mania, a new interactive 3-D ride experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios ™.
Another Year of a Million Dreams will see even more fabulous prizes distributed.
After a highly-successful 15 months, another Year of a Million Dreams will see even more amazing prizes given away. From a private day at Disney's private island of Castaway Cay all to yourself to a tethered hot air balloon ride an a Spaceship Earth-shaped balloon, from more stays in the Cinderella Castle Dream Suite to a trip to the movie premiere for High School Musical 3, from Dream Ears to Dream Fastpasses and everything in between, the Disney Dreams Giveaway during the second Year of a Million Dreams will continue to delight those lucky guests who are surprised by the Dream Squad during their day at the Walt Disney World ® Resort.
Disney’s Pirate and Princess Party
Disney's newest after-hours party is a real blast -- literally! While the Halloween and Christmas Parties have special fireworks, only the Magic, Music and Mayhem! Fireworks at Disney's Pirate and Princess Party blows up Cinderella Castle! In fact, that's Show Producer Laura Offerdahl's favorite moment in the show. She told MousePlanet about that last year in an interview for Episode 5 of the MouseStation Podcast. You can find that show here: http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=pc070208pc. The fireworks show features a pirate battle for the castle, as well as a battle between the fairies from Sleeping Beauty over whether the castle should be blue or pink. Disney's Enchanted Adventures Parade features the first-ever appearance by Tinker Bell in a parade at Walt Disney World ®, on one of two new floats created just for this parade. There are special meet-and-greets feature all princesses, the wicked stepmother and stepsisters from Cinderella, and Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. There are even dance parties at various locations in the Magic Kingdom. Treasure hunters can get their fill, as well. Various locations throughout the park give away plastic bead necklaces and/or candy treasures. Check your special Pirate and Princess Party park map for specific locations. (Hint: towards the end of the night, the treasure locations may be looking to get rid of what they have left so that they don't have to drag it back into storage, so you may be able to get extra booty as the night wears on.) And don't forget that wearing costumes to this party is not just for kids -- grown-ups have a great time getting in the spirit, as well! The Party is held at the Magic Kingdom ® Park on February 22 and 26, and March 1, 6, 11 and 14. Advance purchase discounts of $2 per ticket are available from the Walt Disney World web site or by calling (407) WDW-AHOY.
ESPN The Weekend
If you're a sports fan looking for a different experience at the Walt Disney World ® Resort, then ESPN The Weekend may just be up your alley! From February 29 through March 2, you can catch your favorite shows being broadcast live from Disney's Hollywood Studios. Shows will be broadcasting from the Sorcerer's Hat Stage throughout the weekend, and the ESPN Sports Zone will be set up at the end of Sunset Boulevard, back beyond the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster courtyard. You'll have to opportunity to go Inside ESPN to find out what it's like putting on your favorite shows. You might even get the chance to find out what it's like to audition for ESPN! Think you're good with sports trivia? Maybe you'll get a chance to team up with a sports celebrity and try to Stump the Schwab. Still not enough? Sports celebrities will be appearing throughout the weekend in motorcades and Q&A sessions. Already signed on are Shaun Alexander, Gary Carter, Roger Clemens, John Franco, Antonio Gates, the Harlem Globetrotters, Maurice Jones-Drew, Donovan McNabb, Jim Palmer, Richard Seymour, Steve Smith, Donte Stallworth, Ben Watson and Roy Williams. Over 20 ESPN celebrities will be there, as well! ESPN The Weekend is included in your regular park admission. You can see more at www.ESPNTheWeekend.com. Don't forget to wear your favorite team colors!
