Disney Parks Blog Recap

As many of you know, "The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" nighttime show just started its limited engagement at Disney's Animal Kingdom. And this week, Disney Parks Blog readers were among the first to see it during a special episode of our new newscast – "Inside Disney Parks."

"The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" brings India to Disney's Animal Kingdom in a spectacular celebration of the epic tale from Disney's blockbuster live-action film "The Jungle Book." "The show is now being performed nightly at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Also this week, we continued our exclusive series "All in the Details" with a special look at the artwork being shown in the Trek Gallery in Tiffins at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The interior design of this new signature restaurant is much like a gallery you can dine in, with artwork that is a direct result of travels to Africa, Asia and South America and influenced the design of the park. Check out our original story for more details.

Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week.

Disney Cruise Line Returning to New York, California and Texas in Fall 2017 – in the fall of 2017, Disney cruisers will once again be able to sail from New York, California and Texas. These special seasons – homeporting from New York City, San Diego and Galveston – are in addition to cruises from Florida (Port Canaveral and Miami).

Lilly Pulitzer and TROPHY ROOM are the Latest Retailers to Open at Town Center – The opening of Town Center was less than ten days ago, but already two new additions have opened their doors. The stores, Lilly Pulitzer and TROPHY ROOM, are as different as can be, but I'm betting they'll both be hugely popular!

'Speak Like A Whale Day' This June 11 at Disney Parks – On Saturday, June 11, 2016 Disney Parks will celebrate Speak Like a Whale Day. Taking a cue from everyone's favorite forgetful blue tang, Dory, and her new friends Bailey, a beluga whale who is convinced his biological sonar skills are on the fritz, and Destiny, a nearsighted whale shark, guests can learn to speak the language while taking part in some whale-sized fun.

Behind the Scenes of "The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic," Opening May 28 at Disney's Animal Kingdom – From vibrant costumes and props to the unmistakable sound of the sitar and tabla drums, "The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" brings India to Disney's Animal Kingdom in a spectacular celebration of the epic tale from Disney's blockbuster live-action film "The Jungle Book."

This Week in Disney History: 'it's a small world' Opens 50 Years Ago at Disneyland Park – Saturday was the 50th anniversary of the opening of "it's a small world" at Disneyland park. Following its run as one of the four Walt Disney-developed attractions at the 1964-65 World's Fair in New York, "it's a small world" was shipped piece by piece to Disneyland, where it debuted in Fantasyland on May 28, 1966.