It’s just about May now, which is exciting for me for one big reason – I’m going back to Disney World! I’ve got some exciting things planned, including visiting the Flower and Garden Festival, enjoying the Star Wars fireworks and dessert party, and dining with an animal specialist at Animal Kingdom Lodge. I’ll be doing some trip reports on the blog as well as sharing about anything else I interesting I find at the parks – if there’s anything in particular you want to hear about, let me know!
Disney News
- Tiffins, the new signature restaurant at Animal Kingdom, will be opening on Memorial Day weekend. And the food looks so good!
- This new tour at Animal Kingdom Lodge sounds so cool – I’d love to try it but don’t have the funds right now.
- Opening dates or time frames have been announced for a number of things, including a new Star Wars fireworks show (summer) Soarin’ over the World (June 17th), Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire show at Magic Kingdom, a Jungle Book show, nighttime safaris, and evening after parties at Animal Kingdom (memorial day weekend), and Frozen Ever After (June).
- We got a first look at some of the concepts for the new Toy Story land. I think it looks really well themed, but a little disappointed personally that the rides look very simple.
- The live action Jungle Book premiered this month with excellent box office numbers. Have you seen it?
Disney Rumors
Epcot // Frozen Ever After was announced to open sometime in June – but rumors are going around that it may at least begin previews as early as May 27th.
Animal Kingdom // Rivers of Light, which was previously supposed to open on April 22nd, has been delayed – and no announcement has been made as to when it will open. Some rumors have said this is because it bombed at cast previews, while others have speculated that they delay is due to high cost to operate and they are hoping to recoup some costs before opening it.
Hollywood Studios // The Tower of Terror may be getting a bar and lounge! I think this would be very cool – I’m sure they could do some great themeing. Plus I’m not always up for going on this ride so I can grab a drink while my friends and family ride 😉
Movies // JJ Abrams apparently made a statement about Rey’s parents not being in the 7th Star Wars movie – and then seemed to backtrack on that statement. So do we have any other clues as to her parentage?
Other Disney blog posts
I love this new feature on the Disney Parks Blog – they’re sharing the “best bites” of the month, all of the new food items they’re featuring around the parks!
Reading about Simply Sinova’s Disneyland Paris parks haul has me so excited for my trip there in September – so much cute merchandise that she picked up in Paris!
Melissa Sue over at Mouse on the Mind shared lots of good info if you ever want to get a haircut at the Harmony Barber Shop in Magic Kingdom – and it’s not just kids that can get a haircut, but adults too!
Mindy from This Fairy Tale Life is going to Aulani – and I’m so excited for her! Can’t wait to hear about it on her blog once she gets back.
What Disney news this month are you most excited about?
The new Jungle Book is fantastic! Loved it! And Star Wars fireworks? That sounds amazing!
Yes, Jungle Book was stunning – and I’m so pumped for Star Wars fireworks!
Toy Story Land?! Oh my goodness, we’ll have to take our kids. And I’m with you, I’m not a fan of the Tower of Terror, but I’d gladly go have a drink while everyone else plummets to the earth. 🙂
I think Toy Story Land will be the perfect needed addition for kids at Hollywood Studios! And I’m much more excited about the Tower of Terror bar than the lounge 😉
I always love reading your behind the scenes stuff. I can’t wait to hear all about your trip!
Thanks, I’m so excited to go and share about it!
Have an awesome time at WDW and ride The Haunted Mansion for me!
Are you gonna be staying at one of the resorts?
Thanks! Always gotta ride the Haunted Mansion! I’ll be staying at All-Star Music 🙂
SO MUCH OF THIS <3 We are huge Disney fans too, my husband and I , and want to take our baby to be to Disney as soon as he or she is old enough. Toy Story Land sounds amazing. Night Safaris sound really fun too! And the bar in Tower of Terror? I just want to take pics in that hahaha
Aww, I imagine planning your child’s first trip will be amazing! There are so many new things coming to Disney in the next couple of years, it’s a very exciting time!
Toy story!!!! I must go!
I know, I’m so excited for it! I hope the construction doesn’t take too long!
Great roundup! I just bought an annual pass so this is all really helpful info 🙂 I love the idea of a bar at Tower of Terror!
That’s so exciting that you’re an annual passholder! I’ve had my AP for a couple of years now and I love it.
Thanks for sharing all of this. I haven’t been to Disney in forever but it’s fun to read about all of this and dream of our next trip.
Yes, I love to dream up future trips even if I don’t have anything in the works!
I love this!!! I’ve never been to Disney World before but I’ve been to Disneyland so many times I can’t keep track. I’m hoping to go for my birthday this summer.
That’s awesome! I’ve been to Disneyland once but I had so much fun, I’d love to go back!
From what I know, there were no cast previews at all for Rivers of Light – they cancelled them about the week before they were supposed to start. I’m so sad; I really wanted to see a preview! But FROZEN EVER AFTER! Also we should try and meet up again this month when you come 🙂 Nick is working Flower and Garden too!
Interesting – I know they did a press preview because someone from my travel agency went. I even saw videos. But I’m just really confused about why they didn’t start it haha. I’d love to meet up!