Shannen Michaelsen

Shannen has been a Disney Parks fan and lover of dogs since childhood, despite Pluto's attempt to eat Shannen's Minnie Mouse doll the first time they met. They've made up now. You can email Shannen at shannen@wdwnt.com.

More Changes Come to Disneyland as Rise of the Resistance Pre-Shows Fully Resume, Disneyland Band Prepares to Return, and More

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With physical distancing being removed throughout Disneyland Resort, many experiences are returning this week. The Disneyland Band will be performing again starting this Friday, June 18. Disneyland President Ken Potrock shared the news on his Instagram, along with photos of the band rehearsing. Starting today, June 15, Indiana Jones Adventure is no longer using a … Read more

Walt Disney World Park Hours Extended Through July 31, “Happily Ever After” and “Epcot Forever” Showtimes Released

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Operating hours have been extended at three of the Walt Disney World theme parks throughout July. Magic Kingdom Magic Kingdom will now be opening at 8:00 AM instead of 9:00 AM from June 27 through June 30. It will still close at 9:00 PM. In July, Magic Kingdom will open at 9:00 AM every day. … Read more

Attractions in All Four Walt Disney World Parks Currently Unavailable Due to Power Outages

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Guests at Walt Disney World today are experiencing intermittent rain from thunderstorms. We noticed the power flicker while we were at EPCOT, and now several attractions at all four theme parks are down, likely due to outages caused by the weather. This is after Disney’s Animal Kingdom experienced multiple power outages earlier this month. Magic … Read more

PHOTOS: Physical Distancing and Dividers Removed Throughout EPCOT, More Mission: SPACE Training Labs Reopen

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As of today, masks are no longer required for fully vaccinated guests at Walt Disney World and physical distancing is being removed. Queue markers and Plexiglass dividers are now gone from most areas in EPCOT. In The Land Pavilion, there are still some distancing markers left leading inside and from the Soarin’ extended queue. Awesome … Read more

REVIEW: Bend the Bao Opens With Several Delicious Options at Universal Orlando CityWalk

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Bend the Bao has opened at CityWalk in Universal Orlando Resort. The bao kiosk replaces the Fusion Bistro sushi kiosk that closed earlier this year. We got a look at the menu yesterday and were excited to get a bite of the new fusion bao. Two bao are $11.99, and an additional bao is $4.49. … Read more

BREAKING: Fireworks Returning to Disneyland Resort on July 4

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Fireworks will be returning to Disneyland Park this summer beginning July 4. Starting on Independence Day, Mickey’s Mix Magic will be presented nightly throughout the summer. This nighttime spectacular first debuted in January 2019 and incorporates projections, show lighting, and lasers on Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, and the façade of “it’s a small … Read more

BREAKING: Fireworks Returning to Walt Disney World July 1st

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Fireworks are finally returning to Walt Disney World on July 1st. At Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, July 1 marks the start of nightly fireworks performances at Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT. “Happily Ever After” will transform Cinderella Castle with lights, projections and pyrotechnics, as moments from favorite Disney stories encourage you to grab … Read more

PHOTOS: Splash Mountain Now Loading Every Row at Magic Kingdom

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Physical distancing is disappearing at Walt Disney World. At Magic Kingdom, we noticed that every seat and row of Splash Mountain logs are now being filled again, increasing capacity for the ride. Unlike other attractions, Splash Mountain never had dividers on the seats, so rows were being left empty instead. One row of a Splash … Read more

Plexiglass Dividers Removed from Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Ride Vehicles at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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As physical distancing is removed and masks are no longer required at Walt Disney World, dividers are also being removed from attraction ride vehicles. Thanks to Tyler Drewitz on Twitter, we now know that this includes Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Plexiglass dividers previously attached to the seats, separating … Read more

PHOTOS, VIDEO: See Cars-Tastrophe Canyon, The I-Fuel Tower, and More on the NEW Cars Road Trip Attraction at Walt Disney Studios Paris

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Disneyland Paris reopened for Annual Passholders today, and guests got to ride the brand new Cars Road Trip attraction in Walt Disney Studios Park. Cars Road Trip replaces Studio Tram Tour: Behind the Magic—the Paris version of the Studio Backlot Tour from Disney’s Hollywood Studios—and fans may recognize some familiar elements. Signage is posted in … Read more

Disney After Hours Boo Bash Tickets Now on Sale For All Guests, Many October Dates Sold Out

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Tickets for Disney After Hours Boo Bash are now available for all guests, after going on sale for just resort guests a few days ago and subsequently selling out on Halloween. Even more dates in October are now sold out. The October 5, 8, 12, 29, and 31 events are currently sold out. Other October … Read more

PHOTOS: Ramp Construction Continues on World Drive Near Magic Kingdom

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The construction of new ramps around the Magic Kingdom entrance is well underway as phase two of a project to clear up the park’s traffic continues. Since our last update, there has been some significant progress, with the new overpass ramps starting to take shape. Permits were filed in September 2020 for this portion of roadwork, … Read more

PHOTOS: “Gear” Pavement Replacement Moves Toward Bridge in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom

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Work on replacing the gear-themed pavement in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland is moving closer and closer to the land’s main bridge. A strip of dark pavement now runs down the main thoroughfare. The pavement to either side is lighter. Near the bridge, a large gear still remains on the ground, but it is mostly covered in … Read more

PHOTOS: Physical Distancing Markers Removed From Gran Fiesta Tour, Frozen Ever After Queues at EPCOT

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Physical distancing markers have been removed from the queues for both Gran Fiesta Tour in the Mexico Pavilion and Frozen Ever After in the Norway Pavilion at EPCOT. Physical distancing is being reduced throughout Walt Disney World. Many other attractions in EPCOT had distancing markers removed this weekend. Dividers remain in the claustrophobic queue, and … Read more

New Creativity-Driven Disney Imagination Campus Program Launches

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Disney Parks is launching a new “imagination-powered” program for creative thinkers called Disney Imagination Campus. It will be the new home to the youth education program, expanding on the previous offerings. According to the Disney Imagination Campus website, it is their “mission to provide students with the tools they need to express themselves creatively and … Read more

Toy Story Parking Lot Reopening June 18 at Disneyland Resort

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Disneyland Resort’s Toy Story parking lot will be reopening on June 18. This is in the wake of several changes to COVID-19 health and safety measures beginning tomorrow, June 15. Physical distancing and temperature checks are ending tomorrow. Fully vaccinated guests will no longer be required to wear masks, however all guests must still wear … Read more

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