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Disney Things June 3

5 Disney Things You Should Know This Week – June 3, 2016

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Each Friday, I provide 5 Disney things all Disney fans should know from this past week, just in case you missed them. This week was a very, very slow Disney news week. Here are the super important Disney news items for this week:

Disney Wonder Enhancements

Disney Wonder Upgrades

Something that should have happened years ago, the Disney Wonder is finally going to get a major upgrade! Upgrades include a new water slide, new water play areas, two new restaurants, a new adults only area complete with an English Pub and a Marvel Super Hero Academy for the kids, plus many, many more.

For more information on the Disney Wonder upgrades: Disney Wonder to be Updated

Star Wars D-Tech On Demand

star wars phone case

Walt Disney World is constantly adding new designs to their D-Tech, on demand service. With this service, you can create custom cell phone and other cases and more recently, Magic Bands. Are you sick of your boring purple magic band? Customize a new one with D-Tech, and choose from hundreds of designs, and even put your name right on the outside of the Magic Band. This month, Disney is adding new Star Wars designs into the system, and some are down right desirable.

Personally, I think the red x-wing fighter Magic Band is calling my name.

For more information: D-Tech on Demand Awakens This Summer with Limited Release Star Wars Artwork

China Stamps

Disney Stamps China

With the opening of Shanghai Disneyland just a few days away, China has announced two super cute stamps in commemoration of the grand opening. The stamps features Mickey and Minnie in one stamp and Cinderella’s Castle with Tinker Bell on the second. No word on whether the stamps will be made available to purchase outside of China.

Savor the Savanna Experience

savor savanna

Today, Walt Disney World announced a new evening experience at the Animal Kingdom called Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience. This new event takes you on a private safari ride through Kilimanjaro Safaris, finally stopping at the best overlook in all the savanna. Once there, you will be treated to drinks and tapas while you over look the savanna.

For more information: Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience

Frozen Games

frozen summer games

This week marks the grand opening of the Summer Frozen Games at Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park. Kristoff and Olaf from Disney’s hit animated film “Frozen” are on their way from Arendelle to help host the inaugural “Frozen” Games at Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park this summer.

Starting May 27 and running through Aug. 21, our “Frozen” friends will invite guests visiting Blizzard Beach to join Team Kristoff or Team Olaf each day to participate in a variety of winter-themed activities including:

  • Ice Pail Relays where teams line up and pass pails of water to one another, trying to be the first to fill a container at the end.
  • A “Snowball” Toss where pairs compete in a snow-themed water balloon toss.
  • Ski Pole Limbo, a snowy twist on traditional limbo—using a ski pole as the limbo bar!
  • Slide Races that allow teams to race down one of the signature water slides at Blizzard Beach.

Olaf and Kristoff will be on hand, appearing on the Observation Deck near Summit Plummet to take part in the opening and closing ceremonies, and giving updates on their teams’ progress throughout the day.

The “Frozen” Games will be an all-day event that guests can sign up for when they arrive at the park entrance. All activities are included with regular admission to Blizzard Beach.

Did I miss any Disney news this week that should have been included?

Disney Wonder Updates

My Thoughts on the Disney Wonder Updates

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Earlier today, Disney Cruise Line finally announced the updates that are going to be made to the Disney Wonder this Fall. While many people were aware of the giant hole in the Disney Wonder schedule for the last year, not much was known about exactly what was going to be changed on Disney’s second oldest ship. The Wonder’s sister ship was updated in 2013, and the fact that the Wonder had not yet received a similar update has been frustrating to many Disney Cruise fans. Well, that is all about to change.

My Thoughts on the Disney Wonder Updates

  • It is about time! As mentioned above, these updates are 2 – 3 years overdue. The ship was really the sore thumb of the Disney Cruise fleet, as it lacked many of the updated experiences added to the Magic, and that were introduced on the Dream and Fantasy. However, Disney Cruise was a bit hamstrung on this decision. The Disney Wonder sails from Florida to Alaska and back every year by way of the Panama Canal. As the Wonder currently sails, she can pass through the Panama Canal, but the Magic cannot, with the additions that have been made to that ship. So, Disney Cruise decided to wait for the new Panama Canal, which is much winder, to open this year. Once open, the new canal will easily accommodate the updated Wonder or Magic without problem.
  • Marvel Super Hero Academy – I am all for anything added to Disney Cruise ships or Disney theme parks that are aimed to entertain boys. As the parent of three boys (and two girls), there is just very little at any Disney destinations for boys, but an embarrassing amount of options available to little girls. The Marvel Super Hero Academy will be a fantastic option for boys and girls alike in the Oceaneer Club, and has received rave reviews on the other ships that Disney has added it to.
  • Oceaneer Club Updates – Andy’s Room, Frozen Adventures and Disney Club Junior will be added to the Oceaneer Club on the Wonder. While the Oceaneer Club on the Wonder has been ok, these updates will bring it inline with the other Disney Cruise ships.
  • Tiana’s Place Restaurant – Princess Tiana will finally get her own place. Replacing the tired Parrot Cay Restaurant, it will be interesting to see if Tiana’s is better received. Parrot Cay has always been a bit of a strange choice for me, like Disney ran out of money and just threw together a third restaurant. Any restaurant that features food from the Bayou along with Jazz is off to a great start, I hope it all works out.
  • After Hours – A new adult only area that will feature a new Cadillac Lounge as well as a brand new English Pub. The Dream and Fantasy have a huge adult only area, but there just isn’t room on the Wonder, so this will have to do. I love the adult only places on the Dream and Fantasy, though I rarely go there, but they offer adults a fantastic place to hang out and socialize.
  • Animator’s Palate – Animator’s Palate will be updated to include the “Drawn to Magic” and “Animation Magic” dinner shows, which are down right fantastic. Probably my favorite dining experience on the Dream and Fantasy, the show holds everyone’s attention the entire meal. Great, great change!
  • Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – Finally, a BBB will be added on the Wonder. It has been super popular on the other Disney Cruise ships, I am sure it will be on the Wonder too.
  • Cabanas Casual Dining – Beach Blanket Buffet is being converted into Cabanas, similar to the other cruise ships, with buffet options for breakfast and lunch as well as a table service option for dinner. I rarely eat here, but I do enjoy the Cabanas concept much better than Beach Blanket, so another nice change.
  • Water Fun – Disney will be adding three new water areas to the Wonder, and all three are great additions to the ship:
    1. Twist ‘n’ Spout – Yes! The water slides on the other three Disney Cruise ships have been super popular and have been a great addition. While no other information is given, I am sure it will be a blast.
    2. Dory’s Reef – A new splash zone will be added near Mickey’s pool
    3. AquaLab – A water play zone for kids and adults alike. You can never get enough water play areas on a cruise ship.

That is about it. I am sure the rooms and common areas will all receive an upgrade, similar to the Magic in 2013. I am excited to see the new additions to the Disney Wonder, I think all of the announced changes are positive and long overdue.

Port Orleans Riverside

3 Reasons to stay at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort

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Walt Disney World offers some fantastic resort options for their guests, but one of my favorite resorts is Port Orleans Riverside. In fact, Riverside was the very first resort I stayed at on my first trip to Disney World back in the early 90’s, and back when it was called Dixie Landings. My family still loves to stay here and is our moderate resort of choice while visiting Walt Disney World. While I know it is a fantastic resort, I offer you three reasons why you should consider staying at Port Orleans Riverside on your next Disney vacation:

  • Royal Guest Rooms – If you have a princess or prince at home, and want to treat them to a special room while at Disney, consider a Royal Guest Room at Port Orleans Riverside. These rooms are over the top special, and feature ornately decorated beds that include a special fireworks display in the headboard, custom bed coverings and drapes to give the room that royal feel, unique art featuring Tiana and friends as well as other special touches including a flying carpet in each room! While there is a little extra cost for these rooms, they are totally worth it, and the only place like it on property.
  • Sassagoula River Cruise – Yes, Sassgoula is as much fun to say as it is to cruise. The Sassagoula River stretches from Port Orleans Riverside down to Port Orleans French Quarter and then onto Disney Springs. Board a boat for a leisurely 2 1/2 mile cruise, there isn’t anything quite like it at Disney. Take the boat one way or round trip, totally up to you, as there is also bus service between Disney Springs and Riverside.
  • Pool Hopping – My family loves to swim while on vacation, and we often return home from the parks for a few hours after lunch to relax and swim on a daily basis. If you are staying at Port Orleans Riverside, you have access to not only Ol’ Man Island at Riverside and the Swimmin’ Hole, but you also have access to Doubloon Lagoon at Port Orleans French Quarter as well, so your resort comes with two of the best pools on Disney property. Doubloon Lagoon is a short walk or boat ride down the river from Riverside. Nothing quite like giving the kids two great swimming options to choose from.

Of course, there are many more reasons to stay at Port Orleans Riverside. Why do you stay there?