Latest news with #MagicKingdom
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The murky history behind the eerie abandoned zoological park inside Disney World
Walt Disney World is known for its magic, meticulous upkeep, and the illusion that nothing is ever truly out of place. But hidden in plain sight, just across the water from Magic Kingdom, is a part of Disney that seems to be forgotten. Discovery Island, once a bustling zoological park, now sits abandoned and off-limits, its decaying remains slowly being overtaken by nature. With a murky history, eerie silence, and strict no-trespassing rules, the 11.5-acre island has become a rare glimpse into the side of Disney most guests never see. Originally opened in 1974 as Treasure Island, the location was designed as a tranquil wildlife sanctuary, home to exotic birds, tortoises, lemurs, and more. The theme was based off the 1950 pirate film of the same name, with a fake wrecked ship placed in the center of the island. In 1977, it was renamed Discovery Island to better reflect its focus on conservation and animal observation. Guests could stroll along winding paths, explore themed habitats like Flamingo Lagoon and Tortoise Beach, and learn about rare and endangered species in a serene, natural setting. However, in 1989, reports of horrifying animal 'abuse' began to circulate. Investigators said workers at Discovery Island allegedly fired a rifle at hawks, beat vultures to death with a stick, and destroyed the nests and eggs of egrets and ibises, per UPI. The park was charged with 16 counts of animal cruelty, but the charges were later dropped, according to The Ledger. As Disney continued to expand and create more enticing rides, the ticket numbers dwindled for the wildlife island. Then, in April 1998, Animal Kingdom Park was opened and people were stirred towards the new attractions, causing Discovery Island to be left behind. The island was closed in 1999 and all of the animals were moved to either Animal Kingdom or other zoos across the United States, per The Travel. For the last 26 years, Discovery Island has been completely abandoned and tightly secured. Disney has made it clear: no guests are allowed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Justin Does Disney (@justindoesdisney) Signs around the surrounding waters warn boaters and would-be explorers to stay away. Anyone who dares to step foot on the island can face serious consequences including being arrested for trespassing and banned from all Disney properties for life. In 2020, a man named Richard McGuire was arrested after illegally camping on the island for several days during the pandemic. He later told police he thought it was a 'tropical paradise' and didn't realize he was trespassing, per TIME.
Thrill Geek
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Thrill Geek
All Aglow: What to Expect from 'Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away' at Magic Kingdom
Get ready to dream big—'Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away' is set to make its dazzling debut at Magic Kingdom on July 20, 2025, bringing a whole new level of sparkle to Walt Disney World's nighttime entertainment lineup. First announced at D23 Expo 2023, this all-new nighttime parade blends tradition and innovation, weaving together classic characters, contemporary favorites, immersive lighting technology, and a brand-new soundtrack designed to 'touch every heart.' A Parade of Magic and Light 'Disney Starlight' invites guests into a glowing dreamscape brought to life through the Blue Fairy's magic. The parade opens with a shimmer and ends in spectacular style—with a finale float inspired by the Main Street Electrical Parade, reimagined for a new generation. You'll spot Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Daisy, Snow White, Rapunzel, Aladdin, and Mickey & Minnie as they ride through the stars in glittering fashion. Characters to Watch For This radiant procession features a lineup of beloved characters including: The Blue Fairy Peter Pan & Wendy Asha The Madrigal Family (Mirabel, Isabela, Bruno) Elsa, Aurora, Tiana, Belle, and Cinderella with their princes Miguel & Pepita Moana Each float becomes a moving canvas of light and music, using cutting-edge LED technology and curved video panels to animate the parade in ways never seen before. Soundtrack & Performance The parade features an original theme song, explicitly crafted to match the emotion of watching the parade glide past Cinderella Castle. The score will include subtle nods to past Disney Parks favorites, and the choreography is timed down to the beat, combining influences from the stories represented. Must-Have Merch and Tasty Treats To mark the launch, guests can pick up themed merch, including: Light-up Mickey Ears A logo tee and collectible pin A bubble wand synced to the show's soundtrack And a cozy 'Starlight' blanket Plus, don't miss the new exclusive popcorn mix debuting at Main Street Confectionery on July 20: a sweet and crunchy blend of Bubble Gum & Blue Raspberry Candy Popcorn, mini marshmallows, M&M's®, and white chocolate drizzle. The Dream Begins July 20 With nods to classics like 'SpectroMagic' and 'Main Street Electrical Parade,' 'Disney Starlight' is poised to become the next great chapter in Disney's legacy of nighttime parades. Follow @ThrillGeek on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube for full coverage when the parade lights up Magic Kingdom this summer. Janine is a theme park and pop culture nerd from an early age. Since 1994, she's been traversing the theme park world and has enjoyed all things from Halloween events to new ride releases and beyond. When she's not at a theme park, she's probably at a concert or doing something fun with her kiddo.
Travel Weekly
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Travel Weekly
A break from the parks: The magic of a resort day at Disney World
ORLANDO -- We were less than two days into a family press trip at Walt Disney World, and after countless rides and miles of walking the Magic Kingdom, my kids needed a breather. Luckily for us, we had a full resort day next on the itinerary. I envisioned a leisurely breakfast, some time by the pool and maybe a midday nap. But I also expected to feel at least a tinge of FOMO. After all, if your day at Disney isn't spent park-hopping and maximizing every minute with attractions and character interactions, does it even count? As it turns out, yes, it absolutely does, and our day at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort proved as memorable as our theme park adventures. What we stumbled upon during our resort day -- character appearances and a full slate of family-friendly experiences -- wasn't a happy accident. It was a preview of Disney's strategy for summer 2025. On May 27, Walt Disney World will launch its Cool Kid Summer program, which runs through Sept. 1 and extends across all four theme parks. The Cool Kid Summer offerings include the GoofyCore and Big Top Bash DJ-led dance parties at Epcot and Magic Kingdom, respectively, two indoor stage shows at Hollywood Studios and hands-on crafting activities at Animal Kingdom. It also features an expanded roster of themed activities and character meet-and-greets with scheduled appearance times, focused on four properties: Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Pop Century Resort, Art of Animation Resort and Wilderness Lodge. Dale the chipmunk greets young guests at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort. Photo Credit: Christina Jelski During our day at Caribbean Beach, the fun started after breakfast when my 3-year-old, 7-year-old, husband and I headed to the lobby and ran into Dale, of Chip 'n Dale fame. (His appearance wasn't sheer luck: A sign in the lobby tells guests when to expect characters to drop by.) After the photo op, we headed to a grassy outdoor area where Disney cast members were hosting another on-property activity: tie-dye. They equipped my kids with gloves and aprons, handed them T-shirts and let them go to town with colorful dyes in kid-friendly squeeze bottles. By then, the morning sun was heating up, so we hit the pool. And while the resort's main Spanish fort-themed Fuentes del Morro Pool offers several waterslides and a shipwreck-inspired play area, the highlight for my kids were the cast member-led activities like relay race-style games and poolside water balloon tosses. Five hours -- and many, many sunscreen reapplications later -- I finally managed to drag my littles from the pool and back to our room. We'd missed our nap window, but their happy, slightly sunburned faces made the trade-off worth it. After dinner, we each satisfied our sweet tooth with a stop at the s'mores station, where my kids learned the art of perfect marshmallow toasting. From there, we capped the night with another perk for resort guests: an evening glow party. Enthusiastic cast members distributed glow sticks and light-up hula hoops while an energetic DJ turned our kids into dancing machines. As our resort day came to a close, I felt the only FOMO was for parkgoers who never schedule one. Hotels editor Christina Jelski helps her two kids make tie-dye T-shirts at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort. Source: Christina Jelski Disney summer deals stimulate bookings The Cool Kid Summer experiences arrive alongside an unusually robust lineup of summertime offers. Disney is currently offering 50% off select children's tickets; Summer Magic Tickets for Florida residents; three-day, three-park tickets starting at $89 per day; and resort room discounts of up to 30%. Resort deals are also available to Disney+ subscribers. Disney Resorts guests also get complimentary waterpark access on their check-in day this summer, with Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach operating simultaneously. Adam Duckworth Adam Duckworth, president and founder of Fort Lauderdale-based Travelmation, said Disney's focus on summer has been ramping up the past couple of years, "but this is definitely the most that we've ever seen." It seems to be working. Duckworth's Disney summer bookings are up 25% to 30% year over year, he said, with the offers appealing to his clients who want to travel domestically and those who thought a Disney trip was too expensive. "There is a mindset out there that sometimes a Walt Disney World vacation is out of range for folks in terms of dollars," he said. "But with these particular offers, I think families are saying to us again that this product that we all love so much is in range for us." Kathryn Finkelstein, a Connecticut-based advisor with MickeyTravels, has observed similar trends. The value proposition is compelling for price-sensitive families, she said, citing a client who recently considered a Disney trip over the holidays but ultimately switched to summer. "Everybody wants to be there for the holidays, but when the summer promotions came out, they asked me to price it out for summer, too," Finkelstein said. "The [$1,500] difference in price was definitely a motivator." What "puts it over the top is the programming," she added. "They always have things going on, but this is targeted specifically for summertime dates to bring people in that may be on the fence."
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
Thrill Geek
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Thrill Geek
Disney World Announces 2025 Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Dates
Start planning your costumes and candy bags — the 2025 Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is just around the corner! This beloved event at Magic Kingdom will return for another season of frightful fun, running from August 15 through October 31, 2025. Keep in mind, the party takes place only on select nights, typically on weekends or special weekday evenings. Make sure to check the official event calendar to pick the perfect night for your magical Halloween adventure. Here's the full list of 2025 event dates: August: 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29 September: 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30 October: 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30, 31 Ticket prices for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will vary depending on the event date. Early access to ticket sales begins May 15 for guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green. D23 Members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets through a special link found HERE on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at noon ET / 9 a.m. PT. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom Ticket prices for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party range from $119 to $229 per guest, plus tax, with pricing depending on the event date. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can enjoy a $10 discount on tickets for select nights in August and September. For all other guests, tickets will go on sale starting May 22. Keep in mind — these popular party nights often sell out quickly, so it's highly recommended to plan ahead and secure your tickets early for your preferred date. Good news for Disney fans: special ticket discounts are available once again for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members. You can purchase your tickets online at or by calling the Disney Reservation Center at 407-934-7639. Guests with a Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party ticket can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4:00 PM, even though the party officially kicks off at 7:00 PM. That gives you up to eight hours of Halloween fun to explore special entertainment, trick-or-treating, and all the magical surprises waiting around every corner! In 2025, the beloved Mickey's Boo-to-You Parade will step off at 8:15 PM, giving families, especially those with young children, plenty of time to soak up all the spooky fun together. Clint Gamache is the owner of ThrillGeek. He started ThrillGeek to share his love of theme/amusement parks and pop culture with the world. You can find him at Halloween Horror Nights. Also, be sure to follow him on Twitter/X, Instagram @iamcg83
