Disney Parks Blog Weekly Recap

This week, we shared exciting news that the Disneyland Railroad and Rivers of America will reopen summer 2017 at Disneyland park. This includes all attractions along the Rivers of America:

• "Fantasmic!"
• Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia
• Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
• Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes

As Erin shared, history will be made next year on the Rivers of America with a new riverbank and an elevated trestle over which the iconic Disneyland Railroad will travel. Visit our original story for more details.

And Disney Parks Blog readers were among the first to learn that the Muppets will be visiting Magic Kingdom Park, where they'll take part in an all-new live show, "The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History."

Featuring an original song and plenty of wacky Muppets humor, "The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History" will make its debut in October 2016. Visit Shawn's original story for more information on the show.

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

• Walt Disney Records Teams Up with runDisney to Create Training Playlists – I'm excited to introduce a new way to get prepared for your next runDisney race – themed running playlists! We've teamed up with Walt Disney Records to compile songs for Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend, Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend and Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend.
• Enter The Disney Family Movies Land & Sea Sweepstakes Now Through August 1 – Are you dreaming of a family getaway? Then you don't want to miss this opportunity – The Disney Family Movies Land & Sea Sweepstakes. You can enter now through August 1, 2016, for your chance to win a four-night cruise aboard Disney Cruise Line and a three-night stay at the Walt Disney World Resort.
• Inaugural Disneyland Paris – Val d'Europe Half Marathon Weekend Medal Reveal – Bonjour from runDisney! We're less than 80 days from the inaugural Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend and couldn't be more excited! This fairytale event will take place September 23-25, and we have four brand new medal designs to share.
• A Fabulous 45th: The Walt Disney World Railroad – As Magic Kingdom Park's 45th anniversary approaches this fall, this new weekly series will take a look at one of the park's opening day attractions that can still be enjoyed today. This week, we'll focus on the Walt Disney World Railroad.
• August 2016 Walt Disney World Resort Merchandise Event Snapshot – Guests visiting Walt Disney World Resort in August will find several merchandise events. These special activities will be held in select locations throughout Disney Springs Marketplace and Epcot.
• Disney Pin Scavenger Hunt Starts at Disneyland Park on August 4, 2016 – Get ready for fun, adventure and a little bit of magic at Disneyland park with the release of a pin scavenger hunt called "Disney PinQuest." You may recall a few weeks ago that we introduced a similar Disney PinQuest at Magic Kingdom Park in Florida. Guests at the Happiest Place on Earth can enjoy this new Disney pin adventure beginning August 4, 2016.

This Week in Disney Parks Photos: A ‘Muppetational’ Announcement

This week, one of the most exciting images we shared on the Disney Parks Blog was of the Muppets – specifically this shot of Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy.

It was all part of the announcement that an all-new live show, "The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History," will soon make it's way to Magic Kingdom Park here at Walt Disney World Resort.

Aside from Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, the show will star favorite Muppet friends, including Sam Eagle, Fozzie Bear, The Great Gonzo and James Jefferson the town crier of Liberty Square.

Keep your eye on the Disney Parks Blog for more updates on this fun show!

Disney Pin Scavenger Hunt Starts at Disneyland Park on August 4, 2016

Get ready for fun, adventure and a little bit of magic at Disneyland park with the release of a pin scavenger hunt called "Disney PinQuest." You may recall a few weeks ago that we introduced a similar Disney PinQuest at Magic Kingdom Park in Florida. Guests at the Happiest Place on Earth can enjoy this new Disney pin adventure beginning August 4, 2016. Below are details how to get started on this fun activity for the whole family.

Guests should first purchase an adventure kit. This item contains a lanyard to showcase pins; a decoder medal for use with PinQuest pins; and a lanyard pouch to hold the Disneyland park map included in the adventure kit. The lanyard pouch also holds PinQuest clue cards, which are sold separately.

There are six different PinQuest clue cards. Each clue card has a question that needs answered and shared with a NavigatEAR cast member in a particular location. Once solved, you can redeem the clue card for a PinQuest pin using the perforated ticket on the bottom of the clue card.
Continue the hunt by using the decoder medal from the adventure kit. Line up the arrows for each pin to determine your next destination within Disneyland park.

After purchasing all six clue cards and receiving stamps and pins from each participating location, guests can return to any designated PinQuest location for the final step. The participating locations include:

• Frontierland – Westward Ho Trading Co.
• Main Street, U.S.A. – 20th Century Music Company
• Fantasyland – "it's a small world" Toy Shop
• Critter Country – Pooh Corner
• Tomorrowland – Little Green Men Store Command
• New Orleans Square – The Pieces of Eight Shop

At those locations, guests who have completed the entire Disneyland PinQuest are eligible to purchase a QuestEAR pin completer pin (shown above).

All items for this PinQuest are available while supplies last. These items will not be sold via the Disney Parks online store or Shop Disney Parks app. You'll need separate admission to Disneyland park in order to participate.

Good luck and happy trading, QuestEARs!

First-Ever European River Cruises Delight Adventures by Disney Guests

This month, Adventures by Disney kicked off its first-ever European river cruises, sailing the Danube. These river cruises take guests off the beaten path in search of the culture, art and unique stories intrinsic to each city and town visited.

There's something for every member of the family, from watching the Budapest skyline come alive at night in Hungary and exploring a castle in Bratislava to taking a traditional Austrian folk dancing lesson and walking along the treetops in Germany.

Check out this video to see what travelers on the very first Adventures by Disney Danube River Cruise had to say about this unforgettable experience!

Live Music Returns to the Tomorrowland Terrace Stage at Disneyland Park

Hey, Disneylanders! Who's up for spending an evening in Tomorrowland, taking in a lively performance by a great band? If that sounds like music to your ears, then I've got exciting news for you!

Live music is returning to the stage at Tomorrowland Terrace. Guest favorites such as 80z All Stars, Scot Bruce, Suburban Legends and more will be performing on weekends, Friday through Sunday, beginning August 6 for a limited time. Different bands will appear from day to day. Be sure to check the entertainment schedule before your visit.

So grab a bite and take a seat – or better yet, hit the dance floor – and enjoy some cool music under the moonlight at Disneyland park.

#DisneyGrandMoments – A Surprisingly Grand Adventure

There's nothing like being outdoors. One of the happiest memories of my childhood with my grandparents and family was when we were out in nature. Life seems to have a different pace, specially if you are on vacation, right? And incredibly enough right here at Walt Disney World Resort you can experience a magical grand adventure at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Check out the beautiful surroundings and fun family day on this video, and please share your happiest outdoors childhood memories with us!

Disney Parks After Dark: ‘Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular’ Lights Up Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Have you seen the new "Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular" fireworks at Disney's Hollywood Studios yet?

This amazing show uses the latest projection effects, lighting, lasers and pyrotechnics to light up the sky, Star Wars style. The nightly show puts guests in the middle of the action as they gaze upon Tatooine's famous twin suns, fight through an army of Trade Federation battle droids, navigate a swirling asteroid field, rocket down the Death Star's narrow trench and deliver a heroic final blow to Starkiller Base.

Cruising the Mediterranean: Adventures in Palma, Spain

Over the last few weeks, I've shown you some of the ways your family can soak up the Mediterranean sun, culture and cuisine on our cruises this summer. Today, in my last post of this series, I'll give you recommendations for Port Adventures in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, the capital city of the Balearic Islands.

Bike Ride Through Palma de Mallorca – An intimate way to explore the city, this bicycle tour through the streets of Palma de Mallorca is a blast for adults and families with older children. Hop on a bike and use pedal power to navigate the city, starting with a ride along the seafront until you reach Park de la Mar. Next, pedal alongside the ancient city walls, enjoy free time at a magnificent cathedral and stop at the city's main attractions where your guide will explain their highlights and history.

Valldemossa, Deià and Sóller – This full day tour is your opportunity to visit three charming villages in the scenic Serra de Tramuntana mountain range on Mallorca's northwest coast. Your first stop is in the village of Valldemossa for a walking tour, a delicious lunch to savor the area's culinary flavors and free time to explore the fairy-tale surroundings. Next up is Na Foradada for a visit to Son Marroig, a historic seaside mansion that once belonged to the Archduke Luis Salvador of Austria, followed by time to explore the village of Sóller. A departure just for adults is also available.

Macià Batle Wine Cellar – On this adult-only excursion, you'll travel to Santa Maria for wine tasting at the award-winning Macià Batle, a winery that specializes in the native grapes of Mallorca. This prestigious bodega has been producing wine for more than 150 years. Along the way to the winery, enjoy magnificent views of the coastline when you stop at Bellver Castle, a striking circular fortress built in the 14th century and one of only a few of its kind in Europe.

I hope you've enjoyed this glimpse at Port Adventures Disney cruisers can join on our Mediterranean cruises, which kick off next week. For a look at all of the destinations on these voyages, check out my past posts below. And remember, when the ship's in port, venture ashore!

• Cruising the Mediterranean: Adventures in Cannes and Villefranche, France
• Cruising the Mediterranean: Adventures in Livorno, Italy
• Cruising the Mediterranean: Adventures in Rome
• Cruising the Mediterranean: Adventures in Naples and Salerno, Italy
• Cruising the Mediterranean: Adventures in Olbia, Italy
• Cruising the Mediterranean: Adventures in Palermo, Italy

August 2016 Disneyland Resort Merchandise Events

If you are visiting the Disneyland Resort in August, here are several events taking place in select merchandise locations at Downtown Disney District, Disneyland park, and Disney California Adventure park.

Downtown Disney District

July 29 – A new Vinylmation series featuring characters from Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be released in select locations including D-Street at Downtown Disney District as well as The Star Trader and Star Wars Launch Bay in Disneyland park. Guests may also find this limited release mystery series on the Disney Parks online store.

August 5-7 – Guests can meet Matt Spangler, the Artist in Residence at WonderGround Gallery. He will be meeting with guests from 6-10 p.m. each day. He'll also make appearances on August 12-14, 19, 21, and 26-28. Learn more here.

August 6-7 – Artist Nan Hockin will be appearing at WonderGround Gallery from 2-5 p.m. each day. She'll return to the location on August 27-28. Learn more here.

August 13 – Guests are invited to a special Artist Showcase event at WonderGround Gallery featuring Michelle Bickford, Joey Chou and Francisco Herrera. This event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Michelle created artwork inspired by two classic Disneyland attractions – Rocket to the Moon and Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room. Joey designed the out-of-this-world Space Mountain artwork. The "Lonesome Ghosts" artwork was created by Francisco.

Disneyland Park

August 20 – A special Artist Showcase will be held in Disneyana on Main Street, U.S.A., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Guests will have an opportunity to meet John Coulter ("Captain Hook"), Paul Lopez ("Jiminy Cricket"), and Kenny Yamada ("Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs").

Disney California Adventure Park

August 27-28 – Guests can meet Noah during an Artist Showcase held at Off the Page in Hollywood Land from noon to 4 p.m. each day.

For additional details about select events at the Disneyland Resort, please visit DisneyParksMerchandise.com.

Disneyland Railroad and Rivers of America Attractions to Reopen Summer 2017 at Disneyland Park

Over the past few weeks, we've been sharing stories about the original Disneyland park attractions that our guests have loved for more than 60 years. With all of the great memories we've been recalling, it seems the perfect time to reveal some exciting news about some of these classic attractions. Today, I'm pleased to tell you that the Disneyland Railroad and Rivers of America will reopen summer 2017 at Disneyland park.

This includes all attractions along the Rivers of America:

• "Fantasmic!"
• Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia
• Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
• Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes

The new northern bank of the Rivers of America is the latest in a 60-year evolution of this classic waterway. This Disneyland original has been taking guests on a journey along four iconic American rivers since it opened on July 17, 1955. On opening day, there was just one way to travel the rivers … on board the Mark Twain Riverboat.

One year later, in 1956, traffic on the Rivers of America picked up significantly with the addition of Indian War Canoes (now known as Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes) and Tom Sawyer Island Rafts (which took guests to the newly opened Tom Sawyer Island).

Then in 1958, another large watercraft joined Mark Twain Riverboat on trips around the Rivers of America. Sailing Ship Columbia is an exact replica of the 18th century merchant vessel, Columbia Rediviva, the first American ship to circumnavigate the globe, and the namesake of Oregon's Columbia River.

The next significant change to the Rivers of America came in 1966 with the addition of New Orleans Square. Now guests could take a genteel stroll along the banks of the Mississippi River (one of four sections on the waterway), enjoying live music along with a lovely view.

In 1992, the quiet New Orleans Square nights were replaced by a fantastical journey into Mickey Mouse's imagination with the debut of "Fantasmic!" Quickly a guest favorite, the show went on to also delight guests at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort.

And next year, history will be made on the Rivers of America once again with a gorgeous new riverbank and an elevated trestle over which the iconic Disneyland Railroad will travel. For now, be sure to stop by the Main Street and New Orleans Square stations now to get an up-close look at the steam engines of the Disneyland Railroad, and we'll be back with a look at how the railroad has changed through the years while remaining a Disneyland icon.

Get ready to hit the rails and the water again when Disneyland Railroad and Rivers of America attractions reopen, summer 2017!

New runDisney Enhancements Coming this Race Season

Our team at runDisney has been working hard to put together magical enhancements on our races based on runner's feedback. Today I get to share some upcoming enhancements to look forward to!

Starting with the 2016 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend all event guides will be digital. They will be easily accessible from any device – computer, tablet and a smartphone. Our event guides will be able to provide the most up to date race weekend information. Our first digital event guide will be live soon on runDisney.com.

We have an exciting announcement for everyone participating in an upcoming runDisney 5K – you will now earn a "metal" medal for upcoming domestic races starting at Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend! To celebrate this announcement I'll be revealing three of the upcoming 5K race medals.

I'm excited to reveal the Disneyland 5K medal – a Disney classic duo: The Country Bears to celebrate the "Disney Duo" theme of the weekend.

Participants in Mickey's Holiday 5K will earn Mickey and Minnie kicking off the holiday season:

And lastly, my favorite upcoming 5K medal is the Captain America 5K shield for Super Heroes Half Marathon at Disneyland:

Which #runDisney 5K medals will you add to your collection? Follow our social media accounts for the medal collection reveal in the upcoming weeks!

Twitter: @runDisney
Instagram: @runDisney
Facebook: @RunDisney
YouTube: @runDisney

The Muppets Are Coming to Walt Disney World Resort This Fall in an All-New Show

Beginning this fall, the Muppets will be visiting Magic Kingdom Park, where they'll take part in an all-new live show, "The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History."

Sam Eagle, the fiercely patriotic American eagle who is forever trying to set a high moral standard for the Muppets, will join Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, The Great Gonzo and James Jefferson, town crier of Liberty Square, as they gather outside The Hall of Presidents to present historical tales in hysterical fashion as only they can. From the midnight ride of Paul Revere to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Muppets appear throughout the day to share with Guests, their own unique take on the founding fathers and the birth of the United States of America.

Featuring an original song and plenty of wacky Muppets humor, "The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History" will make its debut in October 2016.

Reservations Open July 29 for Re-Imagined Flying Fish on Disney’s BoardWalk at Walt Disney World Resort

After a major re-imagining, reservations open July 29 for dates beginning August 3 and beyond at Flying Fish on Disney's BoardWalk. The entire interior, including the on-stage kitchen, has been beautifully redesigned, along with an all-new menu crafted by Chef Tim Majoras, a veteran of the Flying Fish kitchen.

The seafood-centric menu features entirely sustainable fish and shellfish, and includes Chef Majoras' creations such as corn-crusted wild Gulf shrimp, wild Alaskan king salmon and plancha-seared Hokkaido scallops. For carnivores, there's Wagyu filet mignon, Kurobuta pork belly and bison striploin. General manager and sommelier Stig Jacobsen has crafted a new wine list with nearly 80 selections by the glass.

Here's a look at some of the dishes and the new menu. For reservations, visit DisneyWorld.com/dine or call 407-WDW-DINE.

Disney Doodle: Bolt Finds Thrills at Epcot

Disney Doodle is a series devoted to artists imagining what Disney characters would do if they had the chance to experience a Disney theme park – and this week we're focusing on the heroic canine, Bolt.

In the 2008 film "Bolt," this pup was the faithful sidekick to Penny in a high-action television series – only, he didn't know their adventures were made for TV and assumed his "superbark" superpower was real. In this week's Disney Doodle, artist Ashley Taylor imagines what Bolt would do first if he visited a Disney Park. No doubt he'd be up for an adventurous thrill, so why not head to Test Track at Epcot?

LaShawn Merritt Trains at Walt Disney World Resort Ahead Of Rio Olympic Games

At this point, LaShawn Merritt can almost feel the vibe of Copacabana Beach and hear the sounds of samba floating in the warm breeze. Rio is that close for Merritt, who will be leaving his training home at Walt Disney World Resort and headed to Brazil next week for the Rio Olympic Games, which begin August 5.

Merritt, who won two gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is one of several world-class sprinters training under former US Olympic track coach Brooks Johnson here at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Merritt will compete for Team USA in Rio in the 200-meter, 400-meter and 4×400-meter relay.

We recently caught up with Merritt to talk about his experience training at the Disney sports complex, as well as his goals for Rio. Already he holds the fastest 400-meter time in the world this year, so he's eyeing a gold medal and the 400-meter world record (43.18 seconds) set by Michael Johnson in 1999. And he could also become the first male sprinter since Johnson to win gold in the 400-meter and 200-meter in the same Olympics.

All the Disneyland Resort is a Stage: Live Music

Concluding our series on live performances at the Disneyland Resort, today we're featuring the talented musicians who bring the parks to life through their tunes. Parade routes and theatrical venues aren't the only places where Disneyland Resort guests encounter live entertainment – the parks are filled with many energetic and talented performers!

At Disneyland park, the Disneyland Band, the Dapper Dans and the Refreshment Corner Piano Player all perform on Main Street, U.S.A. The gifted musicians of the All American College Band appear on Main Street, U.S.A. during the summer. Throughout the day in New Orleans Square, toe-tapping shows star the rowdy Bootstrappers, the lively Jambalaya Jazz Band and the mellow Royal Street Bachelors. And don't miss the Pearly Band in Fantasyland and in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle!

At Disney California Adventure park, Buena Vista Street comes alive with the Red Car Trolley News Boys and the swinging jazz combo Five & Dime. Green Army Men from "Toy Story" patrol the park with "Operation: Playtime!" and draw in new recruits with their upbeat percussion. And "DJ's Dance 'n' Drive" is a spontaneous street party in Cars Land, designed to get everyone dancing with the vehicular music maker DJ.

Which is your favorite live musical group at the Disneyland Resort? Tell us in the comments!

HGTV’s ‘Property Brothers’ Visit Walt Disney World Resort

HGTV's "Property Brothers," Drew and Jonathan Scott enjoyed a little brotherly love time at Walt Disney World Resort this week. The brother's first stop was at Magic Kingdom Park to try Seven Dwarfs Mine Train for a non-stop laughing, fun-filled good time!

A World Showcase of Unforgettable Shopping at Epcot – Italy Pavilion

My shopping adventure around World Showcase at Epcot is now past the halfway point. You may recall I've been highlighting the unique shops and products found throughout each pavilion. This month, I fell in love with the graceful beauty of Italy Pavilion.

At the entrance to Italy Pavilion stands a replica of St. Mark's campanile (or bell tower) and a recreation of Doge's Palace. It's an iconic sight from across World Showcase lagoon that immediately transports you to Venice. The back of the pavilion is home to several delicious dining options, including Via Napoli and Tutto Italia Ristorante, among others. The statue of Neptune is a popular spot for group photos (I have many from my visits to the pavilion). I also love the Carretto Siciliano that was previously discussed on the Disney Parks Blog in 2011.

The shops of Italy Pavilion include Il Bel Cristallo that's home to exquisite Italian wares including Murano glass, jewelry, chic handbags, clothing and accessories. This shop also carries fragrances by Fendi, Prada, Acqua di Parma, Bvlgari and Valentino.

In La Bottega Italiana, guests will find cookware, decorative items, Italian foodstuffs and apparel. The wine shop – Enoteca Castello – located next door offers an incredible select of Italian wines and spirits.

In addition to other World Showcase Pavilions, these shops have a variety of Italian products. There are some items created especially for Italy Pavilion including apparel (the "That's Amore" shirt with Mickey and Minnie Mouse is adorable) and drinkware. There was also a recent line of products inspired by Walt Disney's "Pinocchio."

I love getting chocolate from this pavilion that's sold either individually or as gift sets. My other favorite items are found in La Gemma Elegante. This shop is adjacent to Il Bel Cristallo and carries dazzling, handmade Venetian masks.

You may be able to order select items from this pavilion using the free Shop Disney Parks mobile app. To download, please visit DisneyWorld.com/Shop.

Take a look at several other products I found during my visit. Ciao!