Latest news with #EPCOT
Miami Herald
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Fresh Beats, Family Fun and Summer Vibes Take Over Walt Disney World Resort
This summer, Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando is turning up the fun with the debut of Cool Kid Summer, an enchanting celebration filled with pop-up entertainment, interactive activities and family-friendly surprises across its theme parks, water parks and hotels. Now through September 1, guests can catch added character experiences, dynamic games, lively dance parties, two new stage shows, a nighttime parade premiering in July and more. Our family visited during opening week of Cool Kid Summer, and I can confirm that it's the can't-miss event of the season. Here's what to expect - and how to join the party. At Disney's Magic Kingdom, my children (ages 5, 5 and 8) danced with Pluto and played midway-style games at Big Top Bash at Storybook Circus, then headed to Tomorrowland for Galactic Blast, a space-themed DJ dance party with Stitch. At Hollywood Studios, we caught two new stage shows, followed by the interactive "Get Animated at Animation Courtyard," featuring jump rope performers, magicians, games, crafts and an indoor DJ dance party with Mickey Mouse and Disney Junior friends. At EPCOT, we spent a fun-filled morning at the all-new dance-and-play experience GoofyCore. And at Animal Kingdom, the kids earned limited-time Wilderness Explorers badges and participated in a singalong at Discovery Island. SheBuysTravel tip: For even more fun, stay at Disney's Pop Century Resort, Disney's Art of Animation Resort, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort or Disney's Wilderness Lodge - all of which are offering character visits, family games, music and more as part of the event. One of our family's favorite Cool Kid Summer spots is the brand-new GoofyCore activation at EPCOT, where CommuniCore Hall has been transformed into an immersive indoor play experience featuring a DJ dance party and games with Goofy and his friends. The memories created here are priceless; this is an event where Goofy made time to dance, play games and build forts with my kids. The two new stage shows at Hollywood Studios are also terrific: "The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure" and "Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After" are colorful, high-energy and perfect for all ages. SheBuysTravel tip: Make sure to pick up a Cool Kid Summer guide for each of the parks, as well as a limited-edition Magic Shot photo guide with a map to all the best spots for fun family photos. An interactive map can also be found in the My Disney Experience app. One major addition to Walt Disney World 's programming will be the dazzling nighttime parade "Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away," set to premiere July 20 at Disney's Magic Kingdom. The first evening parade at the park since 2016, the parade will feature a majestic musical score, a procession of glittering floats and beloved Disney characters. Inspired by the classic Main Street Electrical Parade, guests will be treated to enchanting moments from Disney and Pixar animated films such as Moana, Encanto, Frozen and Peter Pan. Mickey and Minnie Mouse will debut sparkling costumes for the parade, with new themed treats and commemorative merchandise available for purchase. Some of the most memorable moments during Cool Kid Summer are the unexpected ones - the impromptu dance parties, surprise character pop-ins and themed sequences that appear out of nowhere. On our visit, a spontaneous banshee parade through Pandora at Animal Kingdom had our kids clapping and cheering alongside cast members, while at Magic Kingdom, we stumbled upon Rapunzel and Flynn Rider dancing in the streets. SheBuysTravel tip: Leave room in your days at the theme parks (and even resorts) to linger and explore. Disney has packed this seasonal event with moments meant to surprise and delight. Planning a visit? There are several new ways to stretch your vacation budget during Cool Kid Summer: 50% Off Kids Tickets: Save on multi-day kids' park tickets (ages 3–9) for visits through September Three-Park Ticket: Visit EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom for as low as $89 per day (through Sept. 22).Disney Resort Hotel Deals: Save up to 30 percent on select resort stays from August 1 – October 11, with additional offers for Annual Passholders and Florida Subscriber Rates: Exclusive discounts for Disney+ subscribers, with hotel rates starting at $99 per night at select Resident Summer Magic Ticket: Four-day park ticket for just $60 per day (through Sept. 27).Free Water Park Admission: Complimentary water park entry on check-in day for Disney Resort hotel guests through Sept. 7. SheBuysTravel tip: Stay at a Disney Resort hotel to enjoy 30 minutes of early park entry each day; a smart way to beat the crowds and heat. To stay cool at the parks, try alternating indoor and outdoor attractions. Magic Kingdom Must-Do's: Essential Experiences for Preschoolers and Young ChildrenHow to Make the Most of Walt Disney World's EPCOT with Preschoolers and Young ChildrenInsider Tips for Visiting Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom with Preschoolers and Young ChildrenDisney World FAQs for First Time Visitors (and Veterans!) The post Fresh Beats, Family Fun and Summer Vibes Take Over Walt Disney World Resort appeared first on She Buys Travel. Copyright © 2025 SheBuysTravel · All Rights Reserved
The Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Closed Disney attraction to reopen after year-long overhaul with advanced cameras, sensors & new soundtrack
A FAN-favourite attraction is roaring back to Disney World – and theme park bosses promise it will be better than ever. After a long-anticipated wait, Test Track by General Motors will reopen in Walt Disney World's EPCOT theme park in Bay Park, Florida, on July 22 this year. 1 Updates to the popular attraction, which has been closed for more than a year, include a new musical score and scenes that use advanced cameras and sensors to 'see' the world through the eyes of a vehicle. The ride has always been known for celebrating new and future automotive technology. To ensure the authenticity of one scene, Disney engineers used more than 29,000 points of light. Disney bosses say it's also a reminder of the importance of road trips. The attraction, which originally opened in 1998, closed on June 17 last year for refurbishment. Test Track soft-opened to the public, as Test Track 1.0, on December 19, 1998. I went on my first Disney cruise with classy champagne bars, watercoasters and West End-style shows This came after a long delay due to problems revealed during testing and to changes in design. It officially opened on March 17, 1999, replacing the World of Motion ride, which closed three years earlier in 1996 Finishing touches are in place to get the attraction road ready. Special previews will be announced in the coming weeks for selected guests. These will include Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, Golden Oak residents and Club 33 Members. Guests will have the opportunity to 'test' the attraction before its official opening date next month.
Boston Globe
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Disney without the crowds? Teens thinking their parents are (kinda) cool? Yes, there is such a place.
Now imagine that Disney experience wrapped up in three hours, a brief window to take in as many rides as most people do all day. This land exists — it's called Advertisement On select nights in Florida, from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., Disney holds a special event at one park when only people with a special wristband can board rides at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, or Hollywood Studios. You can officially enter at 7 p.m., but the perks begin later. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up I did this recently with my two teenage kids in Florida. between $155 and $185, a tad more than a normal day ticket (prices vary by park and date). But the nighttime alternative is good bang for your buck. Consider our experience with Disney's hot, newish Advertisement Around 8:30 p.m., when the park was still open for regular ticket holders, my kids and I saw the mass of humanity lined up and said no, thank you. When we came back at 11 p.m., we zipped through in minutes. The ride is way cooler at night, by the way. The parks and attractions, including EPCOT's Spaceship Earth, look cool in the dark. Jason Margolis Another night, we hit EPCOT and the indoor roller coaster Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which opened in 2022. On a normal day, you can either wait up to a whopping two hours or pay about $20 for a Lighting Lane Single Pass, which reserves you a spot. (More on that process in a bit.) During After Hours, we practically walked on, then hopped back in the queue for a second go. Side note for roller coaster enthusiasts: My kids and I agreed that Guardians is hands down the coolest ride we've ever done. The train zips through the dark as a different disco or '80s pop song propels you along, a nice touch to make each time a bit different. I won't spoil the big surprise, but the ride has an unexpected twist, which blew our minds. The special bracelets that got us on the Disney After Hours rides. Jason Margolis Overall, the longest we waited at night was about 20 minutes for the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster in Hollywood Studios, still much quicker than during the day. Here's another small bonus of Disney After Hours: carts hand out unlimited popcorn, sodas and water, and ice cream bars, all for no charge. For a teenager, or anyone for that matter, is there anything better than free food? Advertisement Now, Disney After Hours is not for everyone. Most people there were young adults without kids, with some families sprinkled in the mix. Parents with young children, this event is not for you. Or people who like to soak in the entire Disney vibe, I'd stick to the daytime. After dark, there are no shows, no parades, and very few places to eat or shop. Character sightings are sparse — we only spotted Pluto. Disney After Hours events give guests three hours – after hours – to explore one of the Walt Disney World Theme Parks. Throughout Magic Kingdom, guests can enjoy more than 20 attractions and experiences including the new TRON Lightcycle / Run. Steven Diaz/Steven Diaz, Photographer Also, it's a rather late night. In one of my less-than-stellar parenting moves, when my 13-year-old daughter was just plain tuckered out and it wasn't even close to midnight, I gave her a 20-ounce Coke and some popcorn so my 16-year-old son and I could keep the good times rolling. (But hey, it was free!) And she POWERED through the rest of the night. I also think my kids may have thought I was bordering on cool for just a brief moment as I obliterated all the rules. (My wife was stuck back in Boston preserving her vacation time, so all good there.) Further, my kids loved the perfect teenage schedule: sleep in as late as possible, hit the pool for a few hours, then slowly make our way to the parks by 7 p.m. There was plenty to fill our days as well — Disney has lots to do outside the parks, from riding canoes or horses, taking a boat tour of the themed hotels, strolling 'Disney's Boardwalk' and playing games of chance, or just shooting some free billiards at a hotel. My daughter and I also took a cake-decorating class at the Disney Springs shopping area one day while killing a few hours. Advertisement Now, going back to that Lightning Lane, an After Hours ticket isn't entirely necessary to cut down on wait times if you're well prepared. Disney has its ride reservation system down to a science, and you can put in for up to five attractions in advance: three on a multi-pass and two additional single passes for bigger attractions. When we went to the parks during the daytime, I had my morning laid out a week in advance, including passes for TRON and Guardians. And when Disney says Lightning Lane, they mean it — we never waited more than 5-10 minutes for a ride. But reserving those rides tacks on another $60 or so per person; pretty quickly that late-night ticket starts looking like a sweet deal. Also, the Lightning Lane can only be used for a specific ride once, unless you're willing to purchase an unlimited 'premier pass,' which can run north of $400 per person at Magic Kingdom, a bridge too far for me. With the regular Lightning Lane, once you check in for a ride, you can immediately select a new one on Disney's app. It's a fun system to navigate, but the ride choices become slim pickings as the day goes on. You also quickly become even more tethered to your phone than usual. During the After Hours event, you just go where you want, when you want. After arriving at a park around 7 p.m., we'd hop on a few of the smaller rides with short lines, grab a nice sit-down meal in the park, then wait impatiently for the clock to strike 10 p.m. From that moment on, we were all focus. Advertisement The author's son and daughter headed toward the last ride of their late-night adventure. Jason Margolis Our last night, as the hour approached 1 a.m, we decided to make our last ride When we got off the ride, we realized it was only 12:57 a.m., and we still had three minutes of fun to go. (Also, my daughter needed to burn off the caffeine somehow.) So we ran through the exit, did a U-turn into the entrance, and were back on our rat-shaped vehicle for one more spin with a solid minute to spare. Jason Margolis can be reached at
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The evolution of Florida's iconic theme parks: a journey through time
As we approach the opening of Epic Universe, WFTV has put together a list of Central Florida's theme parks. Don't miss out on the chance to watch archive Channel 9 coverage of these beloved parks, showcasing their history and highlights. Also stay tuned for all the latest updates as we get closer to this thrilling new addition to the world of theme park. Founded by Owen Godwin near Orlando, Gatorland is a wildlife preserve known for hundreds of alligators and crocodiles. Visitors enjoy live shows, gator wrestling, and zip lines throughout the park. This classic Florida attraction is focused on native wildlife conservation. Cypress Gardens, opened by Dick Pope Sr. in Winter Haven, was Florida's first commercial theme park, famous for botanical gardens and water ski shows. Legoland Florida replaced it in 2011, offering Lego-themed rides and family attractions for kids 2-12. Located in Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, created by Walt Disney's company, Magic Kingdom is the first park at Walt Disney World Resort. The park was inspired by Disneyland's design, with themed lands like Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, and Fantasyland. Magic Kingdom is known for Cinderella Castle, iconic rides like Space Mountain, and a spectacular fireworks show. George Millay and partners founded SeaWorld as a rehabilitation program to help injured or orphaned animals. The park features marine life exhibits, animal shows, and thrill rides. It also aims to educate guests about ocean conservation through interactive experiences. Circus World in Haines City opened in February 1974. The park was sold several times and finally closed in May of 1986. It was remodeled and reopened as Boardwalk and Baseball in 1987, but closed due to low attendance in 1990. EPCOT opened in October 1982, celebrating technology and culture. The park features Future World's innovations and World Showcase's 11 country pavilions, which offer authentic food and entertainment. EPCOT is dedicated to celebrating human achievement, technological innovation, and international culture. One of Disney's water parks, Typhoon Lagoon, opened in 1989 and features a giant wave pool and themed slides. The theme park story involves a storm wrecking a tropical paradise. Originally Disney-MGM Studios, it spotlighted movie-making magic. It was the third of four parks built at Walt Disney World. The park hosts lands like Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story Land. Themed as a ski resort melting in Florida heat, Blizzard Beach opened in April 1995 as the third water park. Its theme is the 'Disney legend' of a freak snowstorm in the area, and it becomes Florida's first ski resort. Universal Studios opened on June 7, 1990. It was the first of three theme parks to open at Universal Orlando Resort. The park was created to bring Hollywood movies to life. Universal Studios Florida offers rides based on films like Jaws, Transformers, and The Mummy, plus live shows and immersive experiences. The park operates annual events such as Halloween Horror Nights, where the park transitions to a Halloween theme featuring haunted houses and scare zones on select nights. Disney's Animal Kingdom opened on Earth Day, April 22, 1998, and was the fourth theme park built at the Walt Disney Resort. The park is dedicated and themed around the environment and animal conservation. The theme park features Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest, and Pandora – The World of Avatar with groundbreaking attractions. Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, along with CityWalk, opened on May 28, 1999, as part of a significant expansion that turned Universal Studios Florida into Universal Orlando Resort. Islands of Adventure is designed around the concept of exploration, with each section of the park representing a different themed island, such as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. SeaWorld Aquatica opened on March 1, 2008, and is themed to the southern Pacific and features Australian and New Zealand-based animal mascots. Some rides feature passing through animal attractions. Universal Volcano Bay Water Theme Park is a tropical-themed water park. It replaced Wet' n Wild as Universal Orlando's only water park and the third theme park overall. The water park introduced TapuTapu wristbands for virtual queueing and cashless payments. Centered around a volcano, it offers thrilling slides and immersive tropical theming. Universal's newest theme park, Epic Universe, is the first major new park in Central Florida in over 25 years. Featuring lands like Super Nintendo World and How to Train Your Dragon, it promises groundbreaking rides and immersive storytelling. WFTV will cover the grand opening week with exclusive updates and behind-the-scenes access. It's one of the most anticipated theme park expansions in Central Florida, which will open this week, and WFTV Channel 9 is your home for everything Epic Universe. This week, our team is bringing you in-depth coverage of Universal Orlando Resort's new theme park: Epic Universe. Channel 9 will show you sneak peeks inside its five immersive worlds. Journey to a Celestial Park between worlds at Universal's Epic Universe LIVE BLOG: Get your first look at Epic Universe Universal opens preview center for Epic Universe this summer Epic Universe district to get hundreds more acres Universal Orlando shares new details about 'Super Nintendo World' at Epic Universe Universal Orlando shares first look at Epic Universe, new theme park opening in 2025 Epic Universe hotel demand expected to mirror '4 or 5′ Harry Potter Wizarding Worlds Universal releases official first look inside Epic Universe Universal Orlando Resort will showcase 'portals' to Epic Universe in these major US cities Universal Orlando Resort announces Epic Universe add-ons for guests Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Going to Disney World unplanned? One dad goes viral after spending $1,400 on family trip
It's no secret that Disney World is expensive, but just how much of a hit will your wallet take? Well, one Dad from Florida went viral after breaking down the price of his $1,400, unplanned visit to Disney World. Craig Stowell, a professional YouTuber based in West Palm Beach, Florida, took his family to Walt Disney World in April, during Easter weekend and had some sticker shock after he spent a grand total of $1,391.91 on parking, tickets, food and drinks, he told USA TODAY. "Know that everything is more expensive than it used to be," said Stowell. "It's not just a quick trip up to Disney anymore. It's the cost of my son's first car." Stowell's family was visiting him from New Hampshire on Easter weekend, when they decided to do an impromptu Disney trip, Stowell said. So, they packed their things and drove to Orlando, Florida, from West Palm Beach, Florida, which is around 170 miles southeast of Orlando. In a video he posted about his day, he talks about just how much money he and his family spent on a day trip to Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs. One of the first big purchases was the tickets, he said. For Stowell, his wife and three kids, including his son who was younger than 10, entrance to Hollywood Studios cost $974. The tickets were purchased on the day they visited the park. Tickets are broken up into two categories, according to Disney's website. Tickets for children who are 3 to 10 years old are a bit cheaper than tickets for adults, who need to be purchased for anyone who is 11 and older to enter the parks. Children younger than 3 enter the park for free. The remaining $345.91 was spent on parking, which is $30 per car, food and drinks. Spending Memorial Day weekend at Disney? See crowd calendar, weather Since the family visited the theme park on a holiday weekend, their tickets were more expensive due to a holiday surcharge, Stowell said. One-day tickets for Florida residents on Disney's website start at $119, and can be even cheaper for Florida residents planning to visit the park for multiple days. Yes, tickets for Florida residents will be more expensive during Memorial Day weekend. During the holiday weekend, tickets start at $159, according to Disney's website. The price of admission for each park varies. Listed below are the prices of tickets to enter the Disney parks on Saturday, May 24: Magic Kingdom- $184 EPCOT- $179 Disney's Hollywood Studios- $179 Disney's Animal Kingdom- $159 A family of five, with one child younger than 10 years old, would pay $947.87, including taxes, to enter Hollywood studios during the holiday weekend, according to Walt Disney World's website. That price tag doesn't include the additional costs of parking, Lightning Lane passes, photo packages, hotel stays or food. Stowell recommends that people trying to save some money plan ahead and skip the parks during holiday weekends and go during the off-season instead. Florida residents can also save money on their Disney trip by purchasing tickets for multiple days, according to Walt Disney World's website. While a one-day Florida resident ticket starts at $119, three and four-day tickets start at $87 and $72. The Florida Resident Summer Magic Ticket, which is valid from May 18 to September 27, offers an even more inexpensive experience. The summer magic tickets will cost the following, according to the resort's website: 4-Day Ticket – $60 per day, plus tax 3-Day Ticket – $75 per day, plus tax 2-Day Ticket – $105 per day Finally, Stowell offered one more piece of advice for Disney guests above the age of 21: "Don't buy the alcohol," said Stowell. It "would have saved a lot of money for me." Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn,X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dad goes viral for spending $1,400 on spontaneous family Disney trip
