Michael Dippy is a founder of IDignity, a Florida nonprofit helping U.S. citizens and legal residents obtain necessary identification documents at no cost to themselves. Dippy’s first job? Working with the Food & Beverage team at Walt Disney World in Magic Kingdom.

“Being born and raised in Orlando, Disney was the obvious choice for my first job,” Dippy said. “From day one, it was a welcoming and encouraging culture that provided me the training and resources I needed to succeed.”

When he discovered new dreams to found IDignity, he always aspired for it to be reflective of his experiences at Disney both as a cast member and a guest.

“I wanted IDignity to mirror Disney’s culture of collaboration, creativity, innovation and exceptional quality,” Dippy explained.

Today, IDignity assists more than 300 individuals each month in obtaining the identification documents they need to access education, obtain employment, gain proper healthcare, apply for housing and more.

Disney recently granted the organization with $100,000 to help further its impact. In fact, the Disney Grant helped cover an entire month of services.

“The most important thing I learned from Disney is the power to dream,” Dippy said. “I’ve relied on this to get IDignity to where it is today and will continue to rely on it as I look to the future of the organization.”

Similarly, Chris Ham started his career at Disney and is now Executive Director of the Rescue Outreach Mission, a 115-bed homeless shelter that seeks to equip and empower individuals towards a pathway to stability to bridge the gap between homelessness and housing.

Ham was also a cast member in Magic Kingdom as a Jungle Cruise Skipper taking guests on wild boat tours through the exotic rivers of the world.

With Disney World in his backyard, it was the perfect choice for a summer job. That summer job turned into 7 years of unforgettable Disney Cast Life moments. The most memorable thing Disney taught him (besides his Skipper spiel, of course) is that it takes people to make the difference.

“Disney cast members are the difference,” Ham said. “I try to run Rescue Outreach Mission like that, where everyone is in it together, and everyone plays their part to care for our guests like they are our family.”

So far, that mentality has turned into success. In 2023, Rescue Outreach Mission provided 90,000 meals and helped permanently house over 200 people.

“I value changing the trajectory of someone’s day for the better. I look them in the eyes, offer a smile, share a meal and listen to their story,” Ham said. “If we end up working together, Rescue Outreach can not only change someone’s day, but can hopefully change the trajectory of their whole lives too.”

Years after their time at Disney, Dippy and Ham still carry their cast nametags. Furthermore, they still get to make magic alongside the company as Disney works with both organizations to support those in need.

“As a cast member raising a family in Florida, it makes me proud that we support organizations like IDignity and Orlando Rescue Mission,” said Tajiana Ancora-Brown, Director of External Affairs at Walt Disney World. “They are working to create true and meaningful change for the community we all love.”

The post Mirroring Disney’s Culture: From Cast Members to Community Leaders appeared first on Disney Experiences.

Under the rotunda of the American Adventure pavilion at EPCOT, Arant was recognized for military valor and the injuries he sustained during active service with the U.S. Army in Mosul, Iraq in 2007.

Surrounded by his family and fellow Disney cast members, many of whom are veterans themselves, Arant received the Purple Heart from fellow cast member, Jenn O’Rourke, a business transformation manager at Disney Institute and a Major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

Amidst the backdrop of “Portraits of Courage,” an exhibit featuring over 60 paintings by President George W. Bush honoring post-9/11 military veterans, Arant was also presented with an American flag that flew over EPCOT in his honor, along with messages of appreciation from former President George W. Bush, Disney’s CEO Bob Iger, and Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro.

“Receiving the Purple Heart is a tremendous honor, and I am humbled that my service is being recognized in such a meaningful way,” Arant said. “I could not be prouder to be a Cast Member because Disney ensured this medal was awarded in a fitting ceremony in front of family, friends, and other cast members. Disney’s commitment to our military, veterans, and their families has been strong for over 100 years and today is another great example of just that.”

The Purple Heart stands as a symbol of bravery and sacrifice, originating in 1782 under the leadership of General George Washington to honor the heroic acts of soldiers during the Revolutionary War.

Today, this medal is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to those who have been wounded or killed while serving in the line of duty.

With this recognition, Arant joins Disney Legends including songwriter Robert Sherman and voice actor Paul Frees, who are also recipients of the Purple Heart for injuries they sustained during World War II.

Arant served nearly seven years of active service in the U.S. Army and later joined The Walt Disney Company in 2019 as part of Heroes Work Here, a company-wide initiative to hire, train and support military veterans.

The Walt Disney Company was privileged to honor Arant for his service, and extends a heartfelt thanks to him and his family. The company is grateful to all veterans who have courageously served their country and those who continue to serve today.

The post Disney Cast Member Awarded Purple Heart at American Pavilion in EPCOT appeared first on Disney Experiences.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is the most recent example of how Disney continues to turbocharge investment in its theme parks, leveraging its most popular stories to create unforgettable, immersive experiences for guests and offer them more of what they love.

Set a year after the events of The Princess and the Frog, the attraction gives guests a glimpse of life after Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen’s happily ever after. Now successful business owners, they want to bring their community together for a special Mardi Gras celebration. And so, during the flume-drop water ride, guests will join Tiana and her jazz-loving alligator pal Louis in search of band members to play at their neighborhood soirée.

Guests can “dig a little deeper” in the queue, which is lined with newspaper clippings that chronicle everything from Tiana’s Palace being named Best New Business to the grand opening of the employee-owned Tiana’s Foods, which offers hot sauces, spices, and other food products. All the way, a radio broadcast plays jazz music written by GRAMMY® winner Terence Blanchard.

“We wanted to make sure people have a good time while they’re waiting to get on the ride,” Blanchard said. “But we also wanted to represent the city so that they get a bit of a history lesson just by listening to the music as they’re waiting to go through the adventure.”

One song features vocals by Chef Leah Chase, who actually inspired the Princess Tiana character. “Leah Chase was a dreamer and a doer—a working mom of four who followed her dream to own a restaurant,” said Carmen Smith, the executive creative producer of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. “She and her husband, Dooky, ran Dooky Chase in New Orleans, but it wasn’t just a restaurant; it was a gathering place that inspired so many… When Disney Animation visited New Orleans and sat down with Chef Chase, they knew that this American original was the perfect inspiration for Disney’s first African American princess.”

As guests move further through the queue, they will discover Princess Tiana—having combined her talents with those of the local community—revived an old salt mine and the surrounding land in order to grow an array of vegetables, herbs, and spices for her recipes.

“We’re really big on expanding Tiana’s story, and great storytelling is what Imagineering does best,” said Rebecca Clancy, Project Coordinator, Walt Disney Imagineering. “We were really excited to place it amid the backdrop of Tiana’s Foods, a new business that she’s created. In fact, you’ll even see parts of the queue that reference her entrepreneurial spirit.”

“Tiana is our inspiration because Tiana is everybody’s princess,” added Charita Carter, the executive creative producer behind Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. “Everyone can find an aspect of Tiana’s story in their own story… [because] Tiana is a dreamer and a doer.”

Several stars from the film reprise their roles in the attraction, including Disney Legend Anika Noni Rose as Princess Tiana, Jenifer Lewis as Mama Odie, and Michael-Leon Wooley as Louis. “It is an amazing thing to have a ride based on something you created,” Rose said. “For people to have felt that, ‘Oh, yes, we want this in perpetuity,’ it’s mind-blowing, really.”

While in the queue, guests will be immersed in the story, helping the characters find the “missing ingredient” for Tiana’s party preparations. They’ll interact with Louis and Mama Odie as they search for musicians and hear the stylings of amphibian musicians playing Afro-Cuban, Rara, and Zydeco music.

Not only will guests be delighted by the mesmerizing scenery throughout the attraction, but they will marvel at 48 new, innovative Audio-Animatronics figures of characters from the film alongside 19 new musical critters—including an otter named Timloléon, a rabbit named Gritty, a racoon named Apollo, a beaver named Byhalia, and a turtle named Rufus.

According to Ted Robledo, executive creative director of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the critters showcase “the diverse and rich styles of New Orleans, playing their own renditions” of beloved Princess and the Frog songs such as “Almost There,” “Dig a Little Deeper,” “Down in New Orleans,” and “Gonna Take You There,” all while playing instruments made of natural materials found in the bayou. The critters also perform a song written just for the attraction, “Special Spice,” featuring the talents of Grammy winner PJ Morton, Blanchard, and Rose.

Hearing “Special Spice” performed in the attraction was “literally a dream come true,” Morton said. “It’s going to take some time for me to process this. Seeing it come full circle—because this was a two-, three-year process—and become real is totally surreal.”

“To have spent time with PJ Morton—who’s a brilliant, wonderful representation of New Orleans, a city that I love and that has been so very good to me—was beautiful,” Rose said. “It’s fun. It’s joyous. The song itself is a bop, if I may say so myself! And I think it’s going to permeate kids and adults. They will have fun with it, they will feel it, and they will leave with it—which is what you want for music. You want it to be something that moves people.”

Seeing state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics figures perform those songs makes for an unforgettable experience. “The progress Imagineering has made is remarkable,” Clancy said. “If you look at Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln in 1964, you can see how far we’ve come. It’s been spectacular to see how that team has grown and innovated in that space.”

“It took a lot of love, passion, and compassion to bring Tiana’s story to life, and we’re so incredibly proud of what we’ve come up with,” she continued. “One of my favorite parts about the attractions we build is that they are re-rideable. If you latch onto something the first time, you’ll notice something new each time you experience Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.”

The post ‘Tiana’s Bayou Adventure’ Opens June 28 at Walt Disney World Resort: What You Need to Know appeared first on Disney Experiences.

The transformation of Country Bear Jamboree — one of the last attractions Walt Disney personally helped develop — was announced at Destination D23 in September 2023, and Disney Imagineers have been hard at work ever since to revitalize the attraction for guests.

“It was an honor to work on a show with such a legacy. It’s a show that means a lot to a lot of people, including myself,” said Jake Ellis, Principal Audio Media Designer, Walt Disney Imagineering. “One of the first memories I have at Walt Disney World was sitting on my mom’s lap in the back row at Grizzly Hall and watching the Country Bears perform.”

In approaching the refresh, Ellis went on, “We knew that we wanted to keep the ethos of the bears, but we also wanted to rethink the songs in a way that was more diverse and had multigenerational appeal. Where better to look than the Disney catalog for those songs?”

With that in mind, Disney Imagineers turned to a few country music stars, including Mac McAnally for “The Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book, Emily Ann Roberts for “Try Everything” from Zootopia, and Allison Russel and Chris Thile for “A Whole New World” from Aladdin. The show will feature twangin’ interpretations of Disney songs in various genres of country music, including Americana, bluegrass, pop-country, rockabilly, and more.

Brett Swain, Director of Music Production, The Walt Disney Company, worked with each artist to reinterpret the songs. “He spun them up in this really fun way,” Ellis said. “I’m excited for my 3-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter to sit on my lap so I can introduce them to the Bears in their new form, and we’re excited for guests to experience the show.”

Roberts, who lends her vocals to Trixie St. Claire, shares his excitement.

“It’s so crazy seeing Trixie singing with my voice coming out,” Roberts said. “It’s something that I never, ever dreamed would be a reality in my life. And she just looks so cute! I could not be more thrilled with how everything turned out, and I’m so honored to be a part of it.”

Roberts’ rendition of “Try Everything” may sound different than the original recording, but its message remains the same. “Y’all can tell by the way I talk that I don’t sound anything like Shakira,” she said with a laugh. “When I was approached to record the song for Country Bear Musical Jamboree, I thought, ‘OK, we’re going to really have to put our East Tennessee into this.’ When I heard the new [country arrangement], it was so easy for me to get in the zone. I was so excited when I got into the studio and everybody told me to just sing it the way I would. I got to lean into my Appalachian and country music roots and just let her fly.”

“It’s been so neat being able to work with all these other incredible folks who are lending their voices and their talents to the Country Bear Musical Jamboree,” Roberts continued. “Everybody brings something different to the table, and that’s what makes it so cool. We have our own influences, and we’re all coming together to make something really special.”

The post How ‘Country Bear Musical Jamboree’ Is Adding a Country Twist to Classic Disney Songs appeared first on Disney Experiences.

“I really, really loved getting to experience this, and I especially love that Moana has found a special home at EPCOT,” Cravalho said. “As someone who works in clean oceans and ka wai ola, or living water, I really appreciate that this experience is also about advocacy and stewardship—and I enjoyed that I could [make water move] for a little bit. That was really cool.”

Located in World Nature at EPCOT, Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana invites guests at Walt Disney World Resort to explore the wonders of water along a lush, self-guided path. The beautifully landscaped walking trail is filled with surprises around every turn, so guests can engage with water in magical ways—just like the wayfinder Moana did with the ocean.

Cravalho didn’t know what to expect from Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana. “I knew Te Fiti would be around there somewhere,” Cravalho said of the island goddess whose heart was stolen by Maui in the original film. “Seeing her come up around the bend brought some tears to my eyes. To see her in real life and not only in animation—to be able to really see her glisten in the sun—that was a really special experience for me.”

According to Cravalho, getting to control the water like Moana was surreal.

“I voiced Moana; I didn’t play Moana,” she explained. “This felt different. To be able to make music while ‘playing’ harp strings made out of water, to manipulate the water and make it rise? That’s pretty powerful stuff.”

Cravalho—who lists pickles and turkey legs as her favorite Disney Parks snacks—added she is thrilled to see Moana’s story continue in films, theme park attractions, and beyond. “I’m so grateful for the people who have connected with Moana,” she said. “She’s for everyone who wants to grow, who wants to learn, who wants to journey beyond the reef.”

The post Auli’i Cravalho, the Voice of Moana, Makes Waves (Literally) at ‘Journey of Water’ appeared first on Disney Experiences.

The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson is an annual event held at a variety of locations across the world. It is designed to empower children with the skills and knowledge they need to swim safely and help prevent drowning – a top priority for the state of Florida.

“We are surrounded by water in Florida. It’s critical for children in our community to know how to swim,” Tajiana Ancora–Brown, director of external affairs at Walt Disney World, said. “We’re taking action to address that need by pairing skills-based learning with the fun of our water parks.”

This year, Disney World hosted the largest swim lesson site on the planet. For many participants, this was their first time learning about swim safety.

“Hosting a swim lesson of this size is no easy feat, but more than 60 of our incredible lifeguards came together to make it happen,” Grisell Carballido Lamadrid, general manager of Walt Disney World Water Parks, said. “It’s our hope that students leave with memories that will last a lifetime and knowledge that helps prevent incidents from ever taking place.”

The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson is just one of many ways Walt Disney World is giving back this summer. From unique community events like this, to Disney Grants and other donations, it’s shaping up to be the best summer ever.

The post Disney Hosts Record-Breaking Swim Lesson at Typhoon Lagoon appeared first on Disney Experiences.

This is part of a $3.1 million USD (RMB 20 million) donation to fund Disney-themed play spaces and therapeutic play activities — called Disney Fun Houses — at 50 children’s hospitals across China. The company announced the donation in June, 2016 to coincide with the opening of Shanghai Disney Resort.

Featuring Disney characters and infused with storytelling from the company’s beloved films, Disney Fun Houses provide young patients and their families a space for interactive play activities hosted by Disney VoluntEARS and hospital staff.

“We are incredibly grateful for the tremendous and ongoing support of everyone who has helped us since our opening to bring hope and happiness to those in need through Disney storytelling,” Joe Schott, President and General Manager of Shanghai Disney Resort, said.

The 50^th Disney Fun House — located at the Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine in Hangzhou — has transformed the space in the hospital with murals featuring Zootopia’s diverse landscapes, including the iconic Zootopia skyline and a one-of-a-kind Zootopia-themed mobile movie theater where young patients and their families can watch favorite cartoons, short movie clips and documentaries during their stay at the hospital.

To celebrate the grand opening, Zootopia characters Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde made special visits to hospital wards, delivering Zootopia-themed plushes and hand-made crafts. Disney VoluntEARS also joined young patients to put their “paws” up with dancing and drawing.

“It’s an honor to be here for the opening of the 50th Disney Fun House,” Mia Gao, Disney VoluntEAR, said. “I’m also happy to be here on this special day, International Children’s Day, to accompany the children as a happy VoluntEAR!”

Shanghai Disney Resort and The Walt Disney Company China also distributed around 5,000 Disney-themed gifts to all 50 of the Disney Fun Houses, spreading magic to children across China.

Earlier in May, two more Disney Fun Houses opened at the Shunyi Branch of Beijing Children’s Hospital and Fujian Branch of Shanghai Children’s Medical Center (Fujian Children’s Hospital) respectively.

Representatives from Disney China, China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and the hospitals attended the ceremonies, along with Mickey and Minnie who made surprise appearances to celebrate the occasions.

The Walt Disney Company China and Shanghai Disney Resort have collaborated with China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and Shanghai Charity Foundation, respectively, to build 50 Disney Fun Houses in hospitals across 41 cities of 24 provincial and municipal regions in Mainland China, bringing Disney magic and happiness to those undergoing treatment and recovery.

Since Walt Disney first brought animators and characters to visit hospitalized children, Disney stories have inspired a world of hope for seriously ill children. Today, that support includes millions of dollars in in-kind donations that provide engaging play spaces, theme park tickets, complimentary first-run movies, toy deliveries, and hospital visits from beloved Disney characters.

These efforts are part of Disney’s commitment to help reimagine the patient experience in children’s hospitals globally and support meaningful causes in the local community.

The post Disney Opens 50th Children’s Hospital Fun House in China appeared first on Disney Experiences.

During a TV special on ABC titled Kodak Presents Disneyland ’59, Walt showed off six new and updated attractions as part of the first ever major expansion of Disneyland.

“Disneyland formally introduced the iconic E-Ticket attractions Submarine Voyage, Matterhorn Bobsleds, and the Disneyland-Alweg Monorail System,” Mike Buckhoff of the Walt Disney Archives, said. There was also “an all-new Skyway experience — which flew guests through the caverns of the Matterhorn’s Glacier Grotto — the reopening of the Motor Boat Cruise, and the Fantasyland Autopia.”

Never Finished

Walt Disney once remarked that “Disneyland will never be completed, as long as there is imagination left in the world.”

Seeking to ensure that all areas of the park were as robust as others, and that guests would regularly have something new to enjoy with each visit, Disneyland — and later all other Disney parks and resorts — would thrive on innovation.

However, innovation isn’t so simple, and ideas can push beyond the limits of what’s possible at the time.

Buckhoff states that Walt would “regularly envision changes and expansions for his new theme park, even as the turnstiles began revolving with the entry of the first guests to Disneyland in 1955.”

Forward Thinking Innovation

“Since the very beginning, Disneyland attractions and experiences have been at the forefront of innovation,” Buckhoff noted.

While traveling across the globe, Walt would often find new ideas to implement at his park.

“Ever the forward thinker, Walt drew inspiration from the innovative monorail systems of Europe which he adapted to fit his Tomorrowland ideals,” Buckhoff said. “And the Matterhorn mountain was based on the towering peak in Switzerland which he visited during the filming of 1959’s Third Man on the Mountain.”

But to translate his inspiration into attractions, Walt needed time to allow his engineers at WED Enterprises (later Walt Disney Imagineering) to create what he had envisioned.

By 1959, “advancements in technology and available storytelling methods were providing some of the necessary tools for the creative evolution that Walt intended and actively sought out,” according to Buckhoff.

Buckhoff added that Matterhorn Bobsleds “was no exception, as it was the first roller-coaster style thrill ride at Disneyland and was also the first to use tubular steel tracks and an electronic dispatch system which allowed more than one car to be on the track at one time.”

Of those new additions introduced in 1959, Buckhoff explained that the most influential may have been the Monorail.

It “would go on to serve as not only an enjoyable voyage,” ­­­­Buckhoff said, “but also an efficient means of transportation at other Disney sites, such as the Walt Disney World Resort and Tokyo Disney Resort.

For the Nation to See

“Well Walt… how do you feel?” Disney Legend Art Linkletter asked.

“Like an expectant father: nervous, but wonderful,” Walt Disney replied from in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Those were the words that greeted viewers when they tuned in to ABC on June 15, 1959 to view the broadcast of Kodak Presents Disneyland ’59, “an event chock-full of lively entertainment, including an extravagant parade down Main Street, U.S.A.,” Buckhoff stated.

 “Walt Disney understood the rising importance of television in the 1950s,” Buckhoff added. He “quickly realized the medium could be an important asset to his theme park venture.”

Just as he had done with Dateline Disneyland, which showcased the opening of Disneyland on national television, “Disneyland ’59 afforded Walt Disney priceless publicity for the new adventures that awaited guests at the park,” Buckhoff declared.

The broadcast wouldn’t only live on television. “The Disney studio later released a 25-minute Technicolor featurette of the festivities in theatres entitled Gala Day at Disneyland.” Buckhoff explained.

Still Innovating

Six and a half decades later, Disneyland Resort is getting ready to welcome in yet another new era of growth.

The company is investing $1.9 billion in the resort over the next 10 years through DisneylandForward.

“Now, it’s time for the next chapter in the legacy of Disneyland,” said Ken Potrock, President of the Disneyland Resort. “We’re ready to build on decades of innovation, creativity, and storytelling to bring new, exciting experiences for our guests.”

And the growth doesn’t stop in Anaheim.

Disney Experiences has opened a bevy of new lands and attractions all over the world, and has announced plans to turbocharge growth in its Experiences segment with even more new and exciting developments in the years to come.

Much like Walt did with Disneyland ’59, the company continues to regularly imagine and implement new innovations at its parks and experiences across the globe.

The post 65 Years Later, ‘Disneyland ‘59’ Shows Company at ‘the Forefront of Innovation’ appeared first on Disney Experiences.

“Sometimes I have to pinch myself because it feels unreal,” Sarah said. “I get to work on the same attractions I experienced as a child.” 

Growing up in South Florida, Sarah was no stranger to Disney theme parks. She was a frequent visitor and created lifelong memories at Disney World with her mother, father and sister.

Those visits as a young child helped her discover a passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and made her want to “make the rides go around.”

In 2018, Sarah enrolled at the University of Central Florida (UCF) to pursue a degree in Computer Science. A year into her studies she discovered a program that would change the course of her career: Disney Aspire.

Disney Aspire is an investment program that helps cast members achieve their occupational dreams through tuition assistance and academic support.

She always knew she wanted to work for The Walt Disney Company one day, but after learning the company could pay for her degree at UCF, she was more inspired than ever to apply right away.

Sarah first joined Disney as an Attractions cast member at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, working at Walt Disney Presents. A year later, she transferred to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and cross-trained at Fantasmic!

During that time, she had the best of both worlds — working toward her degree on weekdays and creating magic as a cast member on weekends.

“The most rewarding part of my role was when someone would get off a ride smiling and clapping,” she explained. “My work made someone happy. You can’t do that anywhere else but Disney.”

Disney is known for its unique ability to make dreams a reality for both guests and cast members. After developing a love for the Disney Cast Life, Sarah wanted nothing more than to further her career with the company.

Thanks to Disney Aspire, she was able to do just that while also graduating debt free.

Upon completion of the Undergraduate Computer Science Program at UCF, Sarah began her Professional Internship with the Walt Disney World modeling, simulation and training tools team. Since then, her career has soared to new heights as a full-time cast member with that team.

“If it wasn’t for Aspire, I wouldn’t have even known about this role,” Sarah said, “It helped shine a light on what I was capable of and a career path.”

Sarah’s journey is a testament to the endless possibilities that the Disney Cast Life provides. Disney Aspire helped Sarah achieve her dreams, and it continues to provide opportunities for her fellow cast members.

Today, Sarah works on some of the very same attractions she created lifelong memories on as a child, helping to improve efficiency and ensure a positive Guest experience… and maybe even inspiring future Disney cast members.

To this day, she attributes her success to her early career days at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  She continues to leverage that in-park experience to form a greater understanding of the mechanics behind her work on some of Disney’s most popular attractions.

Sarah explained that “everything I’m doing someone once said was not possible.” Yet, she proclaimed, “here we are, doing it today.”

For those looking to break into the field of STEM, embrace “blue sky” ideas and dream big, the possibilities at The Walt Disney Company are endless.

The post Disney Cast Member’s Journey from Intern to Full-Time Engineer appeared first on Disney Experiences.

“I am so proud of the richly immersive experiences we’ve created together, and I look forward to the bright future ahead of us here at Tokyo Disney Resort,” Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, said. “We’ve worked alongside Oriental Land Company for more than 40 years, and this new land exemplifies our companies’ shared commitment to excellence in everything we do.”

The new themed experience is expansive in terms of its scope and storytelling, so to help find the most magical details within the treasure trove of information, here’s what you need to know about Fantasy Springs:

Where is Fantasy Springs?

Fantasy Springs is the eighth themed port at Tokyo DisneySea Park.

When does Fantasy Springs open?

Fantasy Springs officially opens on June 6.

What is Fantasy Springs?

Fantasy Springs is an entryway for guests into the magical worlds of Disney Animation such as Rapunzel’s Forest from Tangled, Peter Pan’s Never Land from Peter Pan, and Frozen Kingdom from the blockbuster film, Frozen. The new port finds itself nestled between the park’s Lost River Delta and the Arabian Coast areas.

Fresh off the heels of Zootopia at Shanghai Disney Resort and World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort openings, this is the latest example of how only Disney can take these beloved stories and transform them into immersive experiences.

What attractions are in Fantasy Springs?

For starters, there’s Rapunzel’s Forest, which takes guests into the world of Tangled. That includes Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival, a romantic gondola tour that tells the story of Rapunzel exploring the kingdom of Corona and falling for thief Flynn Rider (a.k.a. Eugene Fitzherbert).

There is also a restaurant based on the famed watering hole The Snuggly Duckling, where many ruffians from Tangled continue to live out their dreams. This counter-service restaurant is tucked away beneath an overgrown tree and offers delectable food choices such as the Duckling’s Dream Cheeseburger.

Then second star to the right and straight on ‘til morning is Peter Pan’s Never Land.

Guests can come aboard Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure, which allows them to soar alongside Peter Pan, Tinker Bell and the Lost Kids as they attempt to save John from the clutches of Captain Hook.

If you’re looking for a snack to go with your swashbuckling, head over to Lookout Cookout — a counter-service restaurant — which offers food and drink options including the Lost Kids’ Snack Box.

The Box comes with chicken tenders, seaweed fritters, banana and shrimp chips, and a Pixie Dust Soda (Kiwi) that comes with a star-shaped topping that dissolves into the drink, creating a silver sparkling effect inspired by Tinker Bell’s magical pixie dust. Also, there’s Popcorn Wagon’s roast beef flavored popcorn — available for the first time at Tokyo Disney Resort.

And finally: Frozen Kingdom.

The experience invites guests to enjoy the sights, tastes, and fun of Arendelle—the kingdom and home of Queens Anna and Elsa and other beloved characters from the hit film, Frozen.

Set out on a voyage via Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey, which takes guests into the heartwarming tale of the two sisters. The boat adventure includes popular songs from the original film, as well as memories of the excitement and love that Anna and Elsa share.

After the adventure, guests can dine at the Royal Banquet of Arendelle. At this counter-service restaurant, guests can eat delicious meals inspired by the film, including Arendelle’s Royal Set — a meal served to guests in a basket that has a variety of mouthwatering dishes from appetizers to dessert.

What is the Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs Hotel?

If guests need a place to rest after immersing themselves in the worlds of those beloved Disney Animation films, they don’t have to go far to stay at Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs Hotel.

The park-integrated Disney hotel is situated near Fantasy Springs, which allows guests to be surrounded by the world during their stay.

The hotel is made up of two buildings: Fantasy Chateau, a deluxe type, and Grand Chateau, a luxury type. Grand Chateau rooms offer the finest accommodation experience at Tokyo Disney Resort and are adorned with flora and fauna motifs of the themed port, and more.

The expansive Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea is just another example of The Walt Disney Company’s commitment to turbocharging its parks, resorts, and experiences using its incredible library of stories such as Tangled, Peter Pan and Frozen.

Massive lands such as Zootopia at Shanghai Disney Resort and World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland resort — which opened last year — as well as the upcoming Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California and Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida are all state of the art investments in the future of Disney Experiences.

The post Fantasy Springs’ Magical Opening: What You Need to Know appeared first on Disney Experiences.