The New Year will bring a whole new slate of fun and unforgettable experiences to Disney Parks around the world. Here’s what’s coming to The Happiest Place on Earth and beyond in 2015:
Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration — The dazzling yearlong celebration will launch Spring 2015, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store to salute 60 years of magic.
Frozen Fun at Disney California Adventure — The new experience featuring magical adventures with characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ blockbuster film is now open at Disney California Adventure. You can meet Anna and Elsa at “Anna and Elsa’s Royal Welcome” inside the Disney Animation building, join Frozen friends and the royal historians of Arendelle during For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, play in the snow and meet Olaf the snowman at “Olaf’s Snow Fest!” and chill out at “Freeze the Night! A Family Dance Party.”
New Name, New Additions to Disney’s Polynesian at Walt Disney World Resort — As part of a sweeping re-imagining, Disney’s Polynesian Resort has returned to its original, 1971 opening day name: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. But that’s not the only thing we’re excited about in 2015. Changes include a new food and beverage experience opening for guests in 2015: Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto—opening in the spring and based on the popular themed lounge at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. Trader Sam’s will welcome explorers to a mystical and tropical oasis featuring a lounge area with handcrafted tiki cocktails served in souvenir mugs, paired with Polynesia-inspired small plates. You can now also find the Pineapple Lanai kiosk, which serves the world-famous Dole Whip soft serve and floats, along with a menu makeover at Capt. Cook’s quick-service restaurant. In addition, Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows will feature 20 Disney Vacation Club (DVC) bungalows on Seven Seas Lagoon and 360 Deluxe Studios. The DVC Bungalows will be the first of this type of accommodation at Disney, sleep up to eight guests, and feature a plunge pool where guests can enjoy views of fireworks over Magic Kingdom and Seven Seas Lagoon.
New Africa Marketplace Coming Spring 2015 to Disney’s Animal Kingdom — Imagine the colors, scents, savory tastes, and boundless activity of a village marketplace in Africa. That sensory scene is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom with a spring 2015 opening planned for Africa Marketplace—a new shopping and dining option for park-goers in Harambe, the village anchoring the Africa section of the park. One highlight of the new space will be Harambe Marketplace, a new quick-service food and beverage location offering street-inspired dishes from walk-up windows. The new space also will open up a new pathway from Africa to Bradley Falls and the Asia section of the park. Together with the new Harambe Theatre housing The Festival of the Lion King, the addition of Africa Marketplace will double the size of the original Harambe Village. Paired with previously announced projects throughout the park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is undergoing the largest expansion in its history.
Star Wars Weekends Returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios — The Force returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 15, 2015 as Star Wars Weekends combines the fun and adventure of the Star Wars film franchise with the magic of Disney Parks. The 2015 event will feature Star Wars characters roaming the theme park for meet-and-greet opportunities, star conversations with Star Wars celebrities, a Star Wars motorcade through the park, interactive activities, exclusive merchandise, and more. Star Wars Weekends will be held every weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) from May 15–June 14. For more information visit DisneyWorld.com/StarWars.
Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Fantasy Comes to Tokyo Disney Resort — Now through March 20, 2015, guests at Tokyo Disney Resort will find opportunities to experience the beautiful world of Frozen at Tokyo Disneyland Park at Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Fantasy. Guests can enjoy the winter season in a lovely world of ice and snow created by Elsa’s magical power, and the nighttime entertainment Once Upon a Time will be presented in a special version that features new scenes based on Disney’s Frozen. During the day, Anna and Elsa will also make an appearance and greet guests along the parade route to the music of “Let It Go.” Around the Park, guests will find special menus and nearly 25 different types of special merchandise, as well as decorations of snow and ice crystals that are reminiscent of the film’s atmosphere.
Go to Norway with Disney Cruise Line — In summer 2015, Disney Cruise Line is charting a magical new course for northern Europe—exploring for the first time the Norwegian fjords and Iceland. Plus, Disney Cruise Line is returning to the Baltic for all-new itineraries, including sailings from Copenhagen, Denmark to St. Petersburg, Russia. Cruises to the Mediterranean, Alaska, Caribbean, and Bahamas also are included in the summer lineup. More details on 2015 itineraries can be found on the Itineraries and Ports for 2015 section of DisneyCruise.com.
Expanded Collection of Premium Culinary Offerings at Remy — Adult guests aboard the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy can enjoy new premium culinary experiences and menus in Remy, one of Disney Cruise Line’s fine dining specialty restaurants. The expanded collection of offerings in the French-inspired Remy includes a unique tasting opportunity, a decadent dessert experience, a seasonal truffle menu, and special caviar selections.
Travel to Tuscany and Spain with Adventures by Disney — In 2015, travelers can explore iconic landscapes and exquisite Italian culture on a mouth-watering Tuscan culinary adventure, and to add even more excitement, guests can journey through the hidden treasures of Barcelona, Seville, and Marbella with the new Spain itinerary.
Disney Cruise Line Will Be Home to Land of Frozen This Summer — Disney Cruise Line announced some very cool experiences that will be coming to their ships this summer. Select Disney Magic and Disney Wonder sailings to Europe and Alaska will feature a day of frozen fun that includes a deck party, “Freezing the Night Away with Anna, Elsa, and Friends.” On board the Disney Magic, guests can enjoy an original production, Disney Dreams… An Enchanted Classic, featuring Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and a lineup of beloved Disney characters and popular songs that will include, of course, “Let It Go.” Olaf will meet guests on board all four Disney ships, and the Disney Magic will be venturing to the land that inspired Arendelle, Norway. All of these experiences will kick off at one of Olaf’s favorite times of year, “In Summer.”
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Dates Announced — Mark your calendars! The beloved, annual culinary event launches September 25 and runs through November 16 this year, 53 days of sweet and savory tapas-sized dishes and beverages, plus tasting seminars, culinary demos, signature dining experiences, live entertainment, and more.
Garden Rocks Concert Series at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival — Eleven pop bands with hits spanning several decades will play the Garden Rocks Concert Series at the 22nd Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 4 to May 17. The Garden Rocks Concert Series debuts in 2015 to span a broader range of decades and popular artists. Several acts will join the festival lineup this year, including En Vogue, Little River Band, Jon Secada, Pablo Cruise, and Taylor Dayne.
New Dining Options at Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort — STK Orlando, a modern steakhouse mixed with the ambiance of a sleek lounge, is the latest in a string of restaurants that have announced new locations planned for Disney Springs. This will be one of the largest STK locations in the world, occupying 14,000 square feet in a two-story building. Morimoto Asia and THE BOATHOUSE will also open their doors in 2015.
