Downtown Disney

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July Merchandise Events Announced for the Walt Disney World Resort

The Walt Disney World Resort recently announced the merchandise events for July including a release of new Precious Moments dolls, artist showcases, and a jewelry trunk show.

Disney Quest Celebrates 15 Years at Downtown Disney

Disney Quest Indoor Interactive Theme Park in Downtown Disney is celebrating its 15th anniversary.

The building houses five stories of interactive fun and high tech adventure including Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer Gold, Virtual Jungle Cruise, CyberSpace Mountain, Buzz Lightyear's Astroblasters, Animation Academy, Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam, Ride the Comix, and Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride.

New Ads Released by Disney as Construction Begins on Disney Springs

Earlier this spring Disney announced the complete overhaul of Downtown Disney into Disney Springs - recreating the current site into four distinct neighborhoods with more than 150 establishments.

Celebrate Father’s Day with Car Masters Weekend at Downtown Disney

If you're looking for a "revved up" way to celebrate Father's Day this year, start your engines and head over to Downtown Disney West Side for Car Masters Weekend.

This classic car show "with a modern twist" is planned for June 14-16, and will feature more than 150 classic, muscle, and exotic cars. The event is also showcasing Disney-Pixar's Cars movies " giving guests the chance to meet raceway stars Lightning McQueen, Mater, and Finn McMissle from Cars 2.

New Locations for Star Wars Droid Factories

Star Wars fans now have two more places to build their very own droid. During last year's Star Wars Weekends, guests were introduced to the "build your own droid" experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Tatooine Traders (where droids are still being built today). And now that experience is also available at the Downtown Disney Marketplace and in Disneyland.

New Characters in Flight Balloon Delivered to Downtown Disney

Back in July, we brought you a post about the Characters in Flight balloon experience being grounded after an accident with a similar balloon overseas. It now looks like the wait for the balloon ride to be back up and running could be about over.

A new yellow-and-red striped balloon was recently delivered to Downtown Disney. It features such characters as Tinker Bell and Peter Pan, Aladdin and Jasmine, Buzz Lightyear, and Dumbo.

New Phineas & Ferb Experience Coming to Downtown Disney

Calling all Phineas and Ferb fans: Downtown Disney will be the site of a new, all-ages experience featuring the braniac duo starting next month. "Phineas & Ferb & YOU: A Brand New Reality" is set to start September 1 in DD.

This new experience will let guests step in and interact virtually with Phineas, Ferb, Dr. Doofenshmirtz and Agent P. To do so, guests will step onto a platform and then be able to see themselves ineracting with the characters on a screen. There will be twenty different interactions, including "The Platypus Walk" and experiencing Dr. Doofenshmirtz's Freeze-inator.

Never Land Pirate Band Coming to Downtown Disney Next Week

I know "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" is technically a kids show . . . but there could be some grownup fans lurking out there. If you're one of them, this bit o' news is for you.

The Never Land Pirate Band (a.k.a. the two humans in the otherwise animated show) will be playing at Downtown Disney starting August 3. Folks heading out to catch the band will probably hear songs from the show, including "Roll Up the Map" and "Talk Like a Pirate." Fans can catch Sharkey and Bones on the Downtown Disney Waterside Stage at 2 PM, 3 PM and 5 PM.

Characters in Flight To Remain Closed

We reported earlier this week about the iconic Characters in Flight balloon experience in Downtown Disney being grounded after a mishap with a similar balloon in Hong Kong. It now looks like there could be a significant wait before the experience is back up and running.

Downtown Disney Balloon Grounded After Hong Kong Accident

A familiar sight is missing from the skies above Downtown Disney. The Characters in Flight balloon currently is not operating after an incident with a similar balloon in another park across the ocean.

Late last week, a balloon in a park based in Hong Kong plummeted 60 yards to the ground due to a leak. It's reported five people sustained injuries, though none were serious.

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Articles

The Margarita Bar in Downtown Disney

Though we've shown that there are a plethora of bars and lounges to relax in all around the Walt Disney World Property, sometimes you just want to grab a drink and keep on moving. At Downtown Disney you'll find a little Margarita Bar which opens at Noon and that lets you do just that.

Cirque du Soleil La Nouba is Not Your Typical Circus

La Nouba at Downtown Disney is not your typical circus experience. Instead of watching an elephant do tricks you are treated to a truly out of this world, incredible experience by extremely talented performers.

A part of the world famous Cirque du Soleil family, La Nouba leaves you wanting more and will quiet even the most hesitant attendee (in other words my 16 year old brother).

Departure Day Activities to Get the Most Out of Your Disney Vacation

Walt Disney World is packed full of exciting entertainment possibilities around the resort. But what do you do with those last couple of hours before you head back home to reality? What's the best way to squeeze in a little more fun? I talked to Disney fans across the Internet to find out their favorite ways to optimize departure day.

Treasured Souvenirs: Pick-A-Pearl at Walt Disney World

There are many creative and off the beaten path experiences that you partake in at the Walt Disney World Resort. One of my favorites is the "Pick-A-Pearl" spots that can be found in a variety of locations around the property. For princesses both young and old Pick-A-Pearl can be an exciting and memorable souvenirs that will last through the ages.

Downtown Disney's AMC MacGuffins Bar & Lounge

Movie Night on Vacation just got a little nicer with last year's complete overhaul that turned the Downtown Disney AMC Theater into a dine in movie experience. The AMC Fork & Screen is open to guests 18 years of age and older with "with upgraded seats, an extensive menu, full cocktail bar and service at the push of a button." It can still be a family experience as well, but those under age 18 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.

Package Pick Up at Walt Disney World Theme Parks

You don't have to worry about schlepping your bags and packages along with you while shopping your way through Walt Disney World. Disney offers several options to make your touring run smoothly without having to worry about your precious gifts and mementos.

Favorite Activites for Your Arrival Night

We asked our Facebook Fans what their favorite arrival day activities were and the overwhelming response was that they head right to the parks! Starting off at the Magic Kingdom or grabbing at drink around Epcot's World Showcase seem to be the most popular ways to go. However, if you're flight is scheduled to get in later at night or you experience some travel delays there are still fantastic ways to kick off your magical journey.

Earl of Sandwich

Today we are visiting my absolute favorite place to eat in all of Disney World, the Earl of Sandwich. I know you would think it would be somewhere like Victoria and Albert's, California Grill, or something in that ballpark but no just take me to Earl of Sandwich and I will be a happy camper.

DisneyQuest an Interactive Gaming Adventure

Looking for a fun experience at Disney outside of the parks? Do you have any gamers in your party? Consider spending an afternoon at DisneyQuest.

DisneyQuest is an indoor interactive theme park located on Downtown Disney's West Side with a one-of-a-kind gaming experience for all ages.

I'll admit when some friends wanted to spend a day at DisneyQuest instead of the parks I was doubtful. I am not a video game person and assumed I would be bored the entire time. Wrong! I ended up finding my inner gamer and having a great time.

The Perfect Disney Date Night [Facebook Fans]

I was thinking the other day about having date night at Walt Disney World so I posed the question to our Facebook fans, "What's your perfect Disney World Date Night?" The responses were great so I thought that I would share them with you!