DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: Awesome New Character Breakfast, Flower & Garden Details Released, New Resort, Star Tours Changes & New Star Wars Offerings, Villains News & More
We love it when new things open at Disney World, so this was a great week! This week saw the opening of an awesome new character breakfast, a new resort, new Star Tours scenes, along with a bunch of additional Star Wars related offerings. Disney also released details on the upcoming Flower & Garden Festival as well as a cool addition to the Villains After Hours party. Disney also made an important change to how the virtual queue for Rise of the Resistance works, and guests can check out the Tron coaster ride vehicles over in Tomorrowland. All this and more in this week’s news roundup.
1 – New Character Breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort
Topolino’s Terrance – Flavors of the Riviera at the new Disney’s Riviera Resort is open for breakfast and dinner. The breakfast is a new character dining experience called Breakfast a la Art with Mickey & Friends. This fun and delicious breakfast features Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy, each in a different artist outfit. Check out our full review at the link below.
2 – Flower & Garden Festival Details Released
The Epcot Flower & Garden Festival is taking place from March 4-June 1, 2020. One of the more popular offerings of the festival is the Garden Rocks concert series. This week Disney announced the concert line-up, and there are some new acts we are really excited about. Get all the details at the link below.
3 – New Offerings Inspired by Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Now at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the last movie in the Star Wars saga, was released this past weekend. We enjoyed a fan event and the movie Thursday night. On Friday morning, we had a chance to get a look at all of the new offerings at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that have been inspired by the film. There are new scenes in Star Tours-The Adventures Continue, new props and a new film at Star Wars Launch Bay, and new merchandise. Check out all the details at the link below.
Check out our Instagram Story highlight with lots of photos and video from the event!
4 – Disney Announces New Additions to Disney Villains After Hours
Disney Villains After Hours is a popular special ticketed event that debuted last summer at Magic Kingdom. The event is back with more dates and even more offerings during the event. Catch all the details at the link below.
Click here for details on the new additions added to Disney Villains After Hours.
5 – Disney Updates Policy on Opening of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Virtual Queue
Star Wars: Rise of Resistance is proving to be very popular with guests. As we’ve been reporting for the last few weeks, Disney has been using a Virtual Queue for the attraction. Guests wanting to ride this attraction need to get to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at least an hour before park opening to ensure that they will be able to secure a boarding party. This week, Disney changed the policy slightly. Guests had been able to enter the park before the park officially opened and gain entry to the boarding party. In this way, guests who got to the park very early had an advantage by being in the front of the line. Disney has eliminated this advantage this week. Now, regardless of when they allow guests into the park, the virtual queue will open at the official opening hour.
We were there on Friday. Guests were allowed to enter the park around 6:30 am; however, the virtual queue did not open until 7:00 am, the posted opening time. So, at 7:00 am—no matter when guests got to the park—everyone had an equal chance to join the boarding party. As long as you give yourself plenty of time to park or arrive by Disney transportation, go through security, and enter the gate before the official opening time, you’ll have a good chance at getting a boarding party when the park officially opens. Our tip is to have your MyDisney Experience app fully closed (swipe up in iOS) and open the app right at opening time. If your app is already open, it will need to update with the system, and you’ll lose precious time.
6 – Disney’s Riviera Resort Now Open
Disney’s Riviera Resort, the 15th Disney Vacation Club property, is now open. The resort is inspired by Europe, imagined by Disney, and Disney’s Riviera Resort immerses guests in the grandeur and enchantment of the European Riviera. The deluxe resort is also the first dedicated Disney Vacation Club resort at Walt Disney World since the opening of Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort in 2004. We were there for the grand opening dedication ceremony and had a chance to check out the resort afterward. Check out what you need to know at the link below.
Click here for what you need to know about Disney’s Riviera Resort.
7 – TRON Lightcycle Run Ride Vehicles Out for Guests
One of the things we are most excited about coming to Magic Kingdom for the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World is the Tron Lightcylc Run roller-coaster. Now, over in Tomorrowland, you can get an up-close look at the new ride vehicle. Disney cast member Jennifer Fickley-Baker shares more below:
A pair of Lightcycles just raced their way into Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park, giving guests the opportunity to preview the energy and excitement of the TRON Lightcycle / Run attraction’s high-tech universe long before it opens to guests in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World in 2021.
TRON Lightcycle / Run is a coaster-style attraction that will allow riders to board a train of two-wheeled Lightcycles for a thrilling race through the digital frontier. A similar attraction is a guest-favorite at Shanghai Disneyland since the park’s opening day.
Located in an all-new area near Space Mountain, guests can now hop onto the Lightcycles, grab the handles and prepare to face an unknown digital frontier.
8 – First-Ever Disneyland Paris Princess Run Race Weekend Announced
There’s a new race coming to Disneyland Paris! Disney cast member Shawn Slater has all the details below.
In tribute to all of our beloved Disney Princesses, guests can now sign up for the very first edition of the Disneyland Paris Princess Run next year from May 8-10! Enjoy a weekend of festivities for every level all while discovering the magic of the resort and taking home a few exclusive souvenirs.
Guests will find themselves under the sea with Ariel on a 5K run and singing Be Our Guest with Belle on an 8K run, while kids can take part in 100M, 200M and 1KM runs with the princesses’ loyal friends such as Cinderella’s adorable mice Suzy and Perla or Pocahontas’ mischievous raccoon Meeko.
In honor of the film’s 70th Anniversary, athletes and challenge enthusiasts alike can even participate in the Cinderella Challenge 13K by taking part in two runs to receive a new, additional medal. And along the way, Disney characters will be cheering guests through the winding routes inside the resort.
It’s sure to be a pixie-dusted weekend at Disneyland Paris, so snatch up your tickets soon! For even more fun, mark your calendars for the fifth annual Disneyland Paris Run Weekend next September 24-27 with even more iconic runs and breathtaking challenges.
9 – 2020 Disney Parks Merchandise Now Available
2020 is almost here, and Disney Parks 2020 merchandise is now available! Disney cast member Anthony Armenia shares more below.
Each year as Guests flock to Disney Parks around the world, they leave with memories and mementos commemorating that year’s visit, to cherish for years to come. As we prepare for a whole new decade, the annual merchandise collection is back with a bang at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disney Resort as well as online at shopDisney.com!
T-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies, oh my! Featuring Mickey Mouse and friends along with the 2020 date, the Disney Parks 2020 Collection includes a variety of apparel for both kids and adults alike.
What’s a new year without new ears? One of the hottest items from this year’s collection is the Minnie Mouse ear headband featuring colorful confetti, a sequined blue bow, and of course, embroidered with the 2020 date available at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Shanghai Disney Resort and online at shopDisney.com!
Ch-ears to the new year with home décor as well, including these festive 2020 mugs with celebratory handles, available at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland.
Wear a reminder of your magical vacation! Make 2020 dazzle with an all-new Mickey Mouse ear charm by Pandora Jewelry or even an Alex and Ani bangle featuring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse available at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and online at shopDisney.com!
The keepsakes don’t stop there! Other products in this year’s assortment include everything from collectible pins and ornaments to toys and frames to commemorate your 2020 vacation!
Find the Disney Parks 2020 Collection at select merchandise locations throughout Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland and even Shanghai Disney Resort:
Want to celebrate 2020 from home? Select items from the collection are available now on shopDisney.com and coming soon to shopDisney.fr and shopDisney.co.uk. Visiting Tokyo Disney Resort? Keep an eye out for their own exclusive 2020 collection as well!
As you ring in the new year and celebrate your 2020 Disney Parks vacations, be sure to share your 2020 style with us by using #DisneyStyle!
Click here to see some of the items on our Instagram page.
What’s New at Walt Disney World!
It’s a very exciting time growth and development at Walt Disney World. In fact, there are so many new things opening, coming and happening, it’s hard to keep track. Here’s a cheat sheet to help keep things straight and make sure you haven’t missed anything.
2019 Holiday Season at Walt Disney World – Now Through January 5, 2020
Click here for amazing can’t miss 2019 holiday offerings at Walt Disney World.
Click here for everything you need to know about the 2019 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!
Click here for our guide to the holiday offerings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Click here for 5 Reasons to visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom during the holiday season.
Click here for our guide to celebrating the holidays at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Click here for the holiday foodie guide for Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Click here for what you need to know about the 2019 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays.
Click here for the 2019 guide to the Gingerbread Displays around Disney Parks.
Click here for our guide to meeting Santa Claus at Walt Disney World.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Now Open
Disney Skyliner – Now Open
Click here for what you need to know about the Disney Skyliner
Epcot Forever – Now Open
Click here to learn more about Epcot Forever.
The Epcot Experience – Now Open
Click here to learn more about the Epcot Experience.
Disney’s Riviera Resort – Now Open
Click here for what you need to know about Disney’s Riviera Resort.
Reimagined Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort – Now Open
Click here for our review and walkthrough with photos and video.
NBA Experience at Disney Springs – Now Open
Click here for our review and what you need to know about this fun new experience.
Coming Soon to Disney World!
Epcot International Festival of the Arts, January 17-February 24, 2020
Click here for the latest on the Epcot International Festival of the Arts.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – Opening March 4, 2020
Click here for what we know so far about Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, March 4-June 1, 2020
Epcot Reimagined – Now Through Fall 2021 for Walt Disney World’s 50thAnniversary
Click here for more on our sneak peek at updates coming to the France pavilion in 2020.
Click here for what you need to know about the new Epcot – including details on 20 new experiences!
Drawn to Life – New Cirque du Soleil Show – April 17, 2020
Click here for everything we know about this new show!
Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration – 2021
Click here for our rundown of everything that’s coming for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary!
Star Wars Hotel – 2021
Disney Cruise Line’s Lighthouse Point – Disney’s 2nd Island in the Caribbean – unknown
Click here for everything we know about Lighthouse Point!
For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.