April 2016 Disney Parks News

With summer right around the corner, there is a slew of Disney magic set to come around for us all to experience! Here is the Disney Parks News for April 2016.

All New Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire Takes The Castle Stage

Many Walt Disney World fans know that every afternoon on the stage in front of Cinderella Castle guests are invited to partake in  some serious Disney magic for a 20 minute show involving original songs, dance, and lots and lots of characters. Disney Parks Blog announced that the long-running Dream Along With Mickey castle show will be replaced with Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire sometime this summer.

The show will be an immersive and magical experience, featuring songs and characters from modern Disney classics such as “Tangled,” “Princess and the Frog,” and “Frozen.”

The narrative explains that the “Fab Five” have invited some outside friends to their celebration. Goofy invites Princess Tiana, Naveen and Louis to jazz up the party, Donald Duck brings Winnie the Pooh and friends, while Daisy Duck introduces us to her guests, Rapunzel and Flynn. Finally, Mickey Mouse shares a surprise with Minnie Mouse, as he has traveled to the land of Arendelle and brought back with him Olaf, Princess Anna, and Queen Elsa, who culminates the show with a swirl of icy magic.

The show ends in a grand finale dance with a fireworks display. Mickey’s Royal Friendship Fair will play multiple times daily.

New Olaf Meet & Greet in Hollywood Studios

For the first time ever, guests can meet the summer loving snowman Olaf from Disney’s hit film “Frozen.” Guests can find Olaf at the new Celebrity Spotlight in the Echo Lake area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

For more Frozen fun, guests can view the “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” stage show for a funny retelling of the unique story, complete with appearances from Kristoff, Princess Anna, and Queen Elsa.

 

Disney After Hours At Magic Kingdom

Last week the Magic Kingdom hosted its very first Disney After Hours event at the park. The event is very similar to Extra Magic Hours in that a limited number of guests can enjoy the park beyond its normal operational times, with fewer crowds and shorter lines. After Hours nights were announced to take place on seven different evenings between April 14 and May 19, 2016 from 11:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

While Extra Magic Hours are free with park admission for WDW resort hotel guests, the After Hours event cost $149 per guest. Many Disney fans have had divisive opinions about the cost for seemingly the same thing as EMH, however, the After Hours event gains guests access to 25 popular rides and attractions, which is far more than the average EMH attraction count.  Some big hitters include:

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Disney Princess Greetings at Princess Fairytale Hall
Peter Pan’s Flight
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Space Mountain

Also consider that with a cap of about 3,000 tickets, line times hold no longer than roughly 5 minutes per ride, and the event offers ice cream and beverages included with the cost of your ticket. For more opinions and information, a great review of the event can be found here.

Frozen – Live At The Hyperion Opens Next Month

The new musical based on the Disney hit film is slated to open at the Hyperion Theater in Disney California Adventure on May 27, 2016. The theater was home to the long-running show Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular until the show’s close earlier this year.

Frozen – Live At The Hyperion is an immersive and emotional adaptation of the feature film complete with elaborate costumes and sets, large production numbers, theatrical images, and of course, the show-stopping music from the movie.

While the show aims to stay true to the film, it has been adapted for the stage and is truly considered musical theater. Dana Harrel, creative entertainment executive with Walt Disney Imagineering said, “The goal of this creative team is to take all audiences – including those that know the film, and those new to these characters­ – on this exciting and touching adventure with Anna and Elsa…We know that for many in the audience — adults and children alike – this production will be a first or rare theatergoing experience.  We undertake this responsibility with seriousness as we adapt the film to the stage.”

What are your thoughts on the upcoming additions and changes for the Disney Parks? Let me know in the comments below.

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