Theme Park Latest News, Photos, and Videos

There’s a new docu-series coming to Disney+ all about Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

In Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, National Geographic will give viewers an all-encompassing backstage pass to explore the magic behind two of the world’s most beloved animal experiences, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT.

Frozen‘s Josh Gad will narrate the eight part series which dives into the details within The Most Magical Place on Earth, unveiling the multifaceted aspects of animal care, operations and Imagineering.

Animals from the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, Harambe Wildlife Reserve, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Discovery Island, Tiger Temple, and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT will all be featured in the show.

“Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom captures the spirit of these two world-famous parks and its animals and ushers that feeling directly into viewers’ living rooms,” Josh said in a statement. “Each episode, we get to know these animals intimately and are immersed in the magic of Disney, and it’s been a joy giving voice to this ultimate adventure.”

Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom will premiere on Friday, September 25th, on Disney+!

The Walt Disney World Resort is getting ready to reopen!

The Walt Disney Company has submitted their plans to beginning opening up their parks and resort hotels in Orlando, Fla., beginning July 11th.

Upon government approval, the Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will open on July 11th, with EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopening on July 15th.

Disney Vacation Club properties at Walt Disney World and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will begin to reopen to Members and Guests on June 22nd, while Disney Vacation Club properties in Vero Beach, Florida, and Hilton Head, South Carolina, will be open the week before on June 15th.

Changes at the resort will include temperature checks upon arrival, physical distancing, enhanced cleaning, hand-washing and sanitizing stations and “limited-contact enhancements,” such as contactless payments, mobile orders at restaurants, according to Disney World senior VP of operations Jim McPhee, via Variety.

According to the Walt Disney World website, some “attractions, experiences and other offerings may be modified and will be limited in capacity and subject to limited availability or closure, based on direction from health experts and government officials to promote physical distancing.”

“Additionally, attractions, experiences, services and amenities may have limited availability or may remain closed,” they added.

For the latest, up to date info on traveling to the Walt Disney World resort, visit DisneyWorld.com!

The Disney Springs shopping center in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, which is part of the resort, just recently began their phased reopening last week.

The Universal Studios Orlando theme park is set to re-open to the public in just a couple of weeks!

It was just announced that the park will open to employees on Monday, June 1st and the general public on Friday, June 5th, THR reports.

The park has been closed since mid-March when theme parks across the country all shut their doors.

Parts of the CityWalk area of the resort opened up earlier this month on May 14th, and now more parts of the resort will be open.

“The health and safety of our guests and team members remains our top priority and we are taking specific measures that include screening our guests and team members, social distancing and requiring everyone to wear a face covering,” the Universal Orlando website reads. We will also be limiting capacity at venues and increasing our already-aggressive cleaning and disinfection procedures.”

For more from their new procedures, visit UniversalOrlando.com!

Find out about opening dates for another Orlando resort – Walt Disney World.

Disney just got some exciting news!

The Shanghai Disneyland theme park is set to re-open next Monday (May 11) according to the official website.

Safety precautions are being prepared and set, with some parts of the Shanghai resort already back open to the public.

Among the changes include “opening with limited attendance and required advanced ticketing and reservations, accommodating social distancing in queues, restaurants, ride vehicles and other facilities throughout the park, and implementing increased frequency of sanitization and disinfection.”

Shanghai Disneyland will be the first Disney theme park to re-open. US parks Disneyland in Anaheim and Walt Disney World are currently closed until further notice.

For ticket information, head to ShanghaiDisneyResort.com!

Disney themed face masks are also available to pre-order, with shipping set to start in June. Find out more here!

See photos of how Shanghai Disneyland are implementing social distancing in the gallery!

Disney fans will be able to watch a live fireworks show TONIGHT (April 24)!

Walt Disney World announced that they will stream the “Happily Ever After” fireworks show from Cinderella’s castle at Magic Kingdom Park in Buena Vista, Fla.

“When night falls magic fills the skies. Join us tonight at 7 p.m. ET,” the park captioned a video on Instagram Story, along with a countdown clock.

The live stream is part of the #DisneyMagicMoments, bringing the magic of all things Disney and their parks into the homes of fans who are missing the fun.

Last month, Disneyland shared a video of it’s new parade “Magic Happens”. Be sure to watch that HERE!

Cue the happy tears!

Disney just announced extended closures for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World due to the ongoing world health crisis, but are now giving fans a little Disney magic.

Anaheim’s Disneyland Resort shared a new video on Twitter of the new Magic Happens Parade, bringing the magic into everyone’s homes!

“Grab a seat on the virtual Main Street, U.S.A. curb and get ready for our new Magic Happens Parade. And be sure to check back regularly for more #DisneyMagicMoments,” they captioned the video.

Many fans were so thankful for the little bit of the magic that is Disneyland, and many even asked if more parades and park shows could be made available to watch on Disney+!

Disney has decided to keep their theme parks closed indefinitely amid the health crisis.

Both Disneyland and Disney World were previously slated to reopen on April 1st, but now the parks do not have an estimated time for begin operating again.

“While there is still much uncertainty with respect to the impacts of COVID-19, the safety and well-being of our guests and employees remains The Walt Disney Company’s top priority. As a result of this unprecedented pandemic and in line with direction provided by health experts and government officials, Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort will remain closed until further notice,” the company said in a statement.

Since the closure earlier this month, Disney has been paying its cast members and will continue to do so until April 18th.