Disney has a few new offerings, from expansions to its “Frozen” programming to a new hotel that will transport your clients to Bora Bora, and a new look to its MagicBands.
Polynesian Village Resort’s Villas & Bungalows
Disney has a new resort—Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows—scheduled to open its phase one on April 1. The first phase will feature Disney accommodations, including Bora Bora Bungalows and connecting Deluxe Studios, general sales for the resort begin Feb. 9.
The new resort is located in the Polynesian Village Resort and can be accessed via a monorail ride from Magic Kingdom Park. “At Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, both the young and young at heart will enjoy a truly unique, enhanced and memorable vacation getaway, one that combines completely new Disney elements with the iconic and beloved experiences found only at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort,” says Ken Potrock, senior v.p. and general manager of Disney Vacation Club.
The resort will encompass 20 Bora Bora Bungalows on the Seven Seas Lagoon, which will sleep up to eight guests each in a 2-bedroom, home-like setting. The bungalows also feature two full bathrooms, a kitchen, and a washer and dryer, plus a large dining and living room. The bungalows will be decorated in a modern style while combining the tropical look of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Private decks feature a plunge pool, offering views of the fireworks that take place over the Magic Kingdom. Guests in the bungalows will also have front row seats to the Electrical Water Pageant, a nighttime water parade in the Seven Seas Lagoon.
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows will also include 360 Deluxe Studio Villas, which sleep up to five guests each and feature a kitchenette, two bathrooms, and a pull-down armoire bed featuring painted artwork from the Disney film, “Lilo & Stitch.”
The Polynesian Village Resort began a multi-year refurbishment project in 2014. This year, the resort will debut enhanced pools, a new children’s water play area, and Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto serving cocktails and Polynesian-themed small plates. For more information, visit disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/polynesian-resort.
Disney Princesses + Frozen
Disney’s latest addition to the Magic Kingdom is the new Princess Fairytale Hall located in the Castle Courtyard, where guests can meet the Disney princesses in a setting complete with purple and gold trimmings, stone walls, chandeliers, and framed portraits of the Disney princesses. Guests can meet “Frozen” characters Anna and Elsa, Cinderella, Rapunzel, ad well as Aurora, Snow White, Tiana, Jasmine, or Mulan.
Anna and Elsa also appear in the Disney Festival of Fantasy parade at the Magic Kingdom, and the Celebrate the Magic nighttime projection show, which transforms Cinderella’s Castle with visuals from “Frozen.”
Guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios can check out a “Frozen” sing-along show, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, featuring Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff. The 30-minute show takes place multiple times throughout the day at the Premiere Theatre.
Disneyland
For Disney and “Frozen” fans on the west coast, Frozen Fun began in Disneyland on Jan. 7. The Frozen Fun experience includes an opportunity to meet Anna and Elsa inside the Animation Academy at the Royal Welcome; a chance to learn how to sketch characters such as Olaf and Marshmallow inside the Animation Academy; a sing-along show, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, at the newly remained Crown Jewel Theatre; an opportunity to play in the snow and meet Olaf at Olaf’s Snow Fest; and join in a family dance party during the Freeze the Night! A Family Dance Party, featuring music, games and ice carvers. Disneyland Park will also feature a new “Frozen”-themed show at Fantasy Faire; and Anna, Elsa and Olaf make an appearance on their own float in a pre-parade appearance to Mickey’s Soundsational Parade.
Disneyland also announced its 60th Anniversary Celebration taking place later this year—stay tuned for more info.
Also, Downtown Disney offers skating on Olaf’s Frozen Ice Rink through Feb. 22, 2015; and Anna & Elsa’s Boutique, a salon in Downtown Disney, invites guests to shop and get a transformation fit to become a princess or snowman.
MagicBands Revamp
Walt Disney World Resort has given its MagicBands a new look for 2015, offering more accessories and choices this month. The new MagicBands feature Ariel, the Cinderella Castle, Belle, Tinker Bell, and Sheriff Woody and Buzz Lightyear.
For more information, visit disney.com.
