DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: What’s New & Upcoming in 2023; TRON Review, Need to Know & Soft Opening; Water Park Reopening & More

Chad & Cindy NykampMarch 19, 2023Last Updated: March 19, 2023

It was a big week and Disney World and beyond. We got an overview of a bunch of new stuff coming in 2023. The opening of the very long-awaited new roller coaster, TRON Lightcycle / Run is here, and we have a review and everything you need to know, including details on a soft opening. Some more details came out on Tiana’s Bayou transformation and Disney Cruise Line’s new private island. All this and more are below in this week’s news roundup.

1 – What’s New and Coming to Walt Disney World in 2023!

As the 50^th Anniversary celebration comes to a close, there is still a lot to look forward to in 2023! Exciting new thrilling experiences are set to debut this year! Guests can look forward to one of the fastest coasters at any Disney theme park, a new restaurant to savor, the continued transformation of EPCOT, returning nighttime spectaculars filling night skies throughout the resort and so much more. Visit the link below for what’s new and coming to Walt Disney World in 2023!

Click here for all the details on what’s new and coming to Walt Disney World in 2023.

2 – TRON Lightcycle / Run: Our Review and What You Need to Know

TRON Lightcycle / Run, located in Magic Kingdom, is the fastest coaster attraction in a Disney theme park, alongside its sister coaster at Shanghai Disneyland. Guests can climb aboard Lightcycles for a thrilling race full of coaster thrills with speed, visual effects, music, and a one-of-a-kind ride system that creates an experience like no other. A virtual queue will be in place when TRON Lightcycle / Run opens, and guests will also have the option to purchase an Individual Lightning Lane entry for the attraction via the My Disney Experience app on the day of their visit. Learn more at the links below.

Click here for our review and what you need to know about TRON Lightcycle / Run.

Click here for everything you need to know about the story behind TRON Lightcycle / Run.

Click here for the first look at TRON Lightcycle / Run merchandise.

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3 – Disney Announces Soft Opening for TRON Lightcycle / Run

While officially opening on April 4, 2023, Disney has announced a soft opening period of TRON Lightcycle / Run from March 20 to April 2. Guest visiting during that time can join the Virtual Queue or pay for an Individual Lightning Lane selection. Visit the link below for all the details.

Click here for details on the soft opening of TRON Lightcycle / Run.

4 – Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Reopening

We reported earlier that Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon would be reopening on Sunday, March 19. Due to expected inclement weather, the opening has been pushed back until Monday, March 20. Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for park hours.

5 – Tiara-topped Water Tower Coming Soon to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom

This week Disney announced a construction update about Tianya’s Bayou Adventure coming to Magic Kingdom. Disney Cast Member Carmen Smith shares all the details below.

We have exciting news! Construction on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure continues to take shape, and later this summer, a tiara-topped water tower emblazoned with the Tiana’s Foods logo will make its way to Magic Kingdom.

Disney Parks guests will get to experience Princess Tiana’s story like never before following the attraction’s debut at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort in 2024, and what a party it will be! The story will pick up where the film left off as guests join Princess Tiana and jazz-loving alligator Louis on an adventure down the bayou as they prepare to host a one-of-a-kind celebration during Mardi Gras season where everyone is welcome. Along the way, guests will encounter familiar faces, make new friends and travel through the bayou to original music inspired by songs from the film.

Our team of Imagineers recently traveled to New Orleans to capture the true essence of the Mardi Gras celebration, the energy, the colors, the rhythms of the music, all that and more to infuse into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to create lots of memorable fun for guests!

6 – Disney Cruise Line Announces New Island Destination Opening Season

In the summer of 2024, Disney Cruise Line will welcome guests to a one- of-a-kind island destination at Lighthouse Point, located on the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas, for the first time. Created in close collaboration with local artists and advisors, the vibrant island retreat will be a unique celebration of Bahamian culture brought to life with the quality and service of a Disney vacation. Learn more about the island offerings at the link below.

Click here to learn about Lighthouse Point, Disney Cruise Line’s new island destination coming in 2024.

7 – Walt Disney World Resort Delivers Joy to Children’s Hospitals Across Florida

Walt Disney World Resort and Starlight Children’s Foundation surprised patients at AdventHealth for Children, a part of AdventHealth Tampa, with some extra pixie dust on Friday, delivering a special mobile movie theater unit, character-themed hospital wear, toys and more as part of Disney’s global commitment to help reimagine the patient experience in children’s hospitals around the world.

“We know that a little Disney magic can go a long way in making someone’s day, and that’s exactly why events like these are so important to us,” said Tajiana Ancora-Brown, Director of External Affairs at Walt Disney World Resort. “A hospital stay can often be overwhelming, and we hope these special deliveries will bring new happy memories, inspire hope and help build resilience for these patients and families across Florida and around the world.”

Mickey Mouse joined in the celebration at AdventHealth for Children along with Disney leaders and cast members as patients enjoyed an advanced screening of Disney On Ice presents Frozen & Encanto to mark the arrival of this new theater in a distinctly Disney way. B-roll and interviews from the screening can be found here and photos can be found here.

Moving forward, this theater will bring new releases and beloved classics to help create positive memories during a child’s time at the hospital, as well as immersive experiences and personal moments that deliver joy and comfort. Patients and families will be able to continue enjoying the latest Disney storytelling through complimentary Disney+ access and first run movies through Disney Movie Moments, both provided to child life professionals.

“Our hearts are full knowing we can ease the burden and anxiety for our young patients and their families – at least for a little while,” said Bruce Bergherm, President and CEO of AdventHealth Tampa. “We believe in healing the whole person – body, mind and spirit – and this opportunity is exactly what our patients need as part of their recovery to feel whole.”

This delivery from Walt Disney World Resort marks the first of six donations by Disney taking place in hospitals and nonprofit organizations across Florida throughout March, including: Wolfson Children’s Hospital at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation in Miami, Golisano Children’s Hospital of South West Florida in Ft. Myers, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg and Give Kids The World Village in Kissimmee. Disney Cruise Line is making an additional five deliveries to hospitals in Florida and other port cities, with more taking place around the world throughout the year.

This is all made possible by the company’s continued collaboration with Starlight Children’s Foundation to bring the positive power of Disney stories to children’s hospitals, together.

Through the collaboration, Starlight Children’s Foundation offers Disney-themed Starlight hospital wear, care packages and deliveries of toys and games to its nationwide network of children’s hospitals, including AdventHealth for Children. Used as engagement tools by child life specialists, these programs help young patients get through the stress of medical procedures and hospitalization.

“We’re honored and grateful to have a longstanding relationship with Disney in helping us achieve our mission of delivering happiness to seriously ill kids and their families,” said Adam Garone, CEO of Starlight Children’s Foundation. “Together for over 20 years, we’ve been transforming the hospital experience through programs that entertain and provide comfort to kids at a time when they need it most.”

These efforts build on Disney’s long legacy of supporting those in need and joins other recent initiatives like welcoming back regular character visits to our local Central Florida children’s hospitals.

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