17 Reasons to Visit Walt Disney World Resort in 2017

With an amazing land set to debut at Disney's Animal Kingdom in 2017, plus new a festival and multitude of dining locations, the year 2017 is shaping up to be truly exciting for our guests.

If you're considering planning a Disney vacation in 2017, be sure to check out our 17 reasons why the new year should be the year for your visit!

1. "Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular" Fireworks at Disney's Hollywood Studios – This "out of this world" fireworks spectacular just returned two weeks ago to Disney's Hollywood Studios. 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.

1. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story– Inspired Additions to Star Wars Launch Bay – New items have recently been added to Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney's Hollywood Studios, including a Shoretrooper Blaster, Director Krennic's Imperial Shuttle, a Death Star model, a U-wing gunship and more.

1. MagicBand 2 Rolls Out – MagicBand 2, the next iteration of bands that offer the same helpful functions as the original bands, have just made their way to select Disney Parks merchandise locations and the Shop Disney Parks app. Keep your eye on the Disney Parks Blog for future designs and updates.

1. Exclusive New Star Wars Tour Starts January 2 – This seven-hour experience is led by a Star Wars "all-in-the-know" tour guide. Guests can experience Star Tours – the Adventures Continue; get an insider's tour and meet characters at Star Wars Launch Bay; screen "Star Wars: Path of the Jedi" and enjoy Star Wars-themed menu items at Backlot Express. The tour wraps at the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party, which also includes reserved viewing for the show. Younglings ages 4-12 on the Guided Tour package can also train in the way of The Force in Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple. Find booking information here.

1. Disney After Hours Events Return January-March – Disney After Hours event nights will return to Magic Kingdom Park on January 20 and 27; February 2, 9 and 16; and March 2 and 9, 2017. Experience an event that takes place three hours after the park closes and is only open to a limited number of guests (which means much shorter lines) at 25 attractions, character greetings and more. Find booking information here.

1. More Yummy Eateries To Debut at Disney Springs – Literally dozens of shopping and dining locations made their debut at Disney Springs in 2016 – and even more are set to open in 2017! Be on the lookout for news and opening dates for Planet Hollywood Observatory, Paddlefish, The Polite Pig, The Edison and Wine Bar George in the new year.

1. Milestone Races for runDisney – This year's Walt Disney World Half Marathon will mark the 20th year for the race weekend's 10K, and to celebrate, they've made Donald Duck their mascot. Also in anticipation for the release of "Beauty & The Beast" this spring, runDisney has themed this year's Princess Half Marathon after the film. (Take a sneak peek at the medals here).

1. First-Ever Epcot International Festival of the Arts Starts January 13 – Epcot will start off the year with a bang, offering a brand new art festival for guests to experience. This new offering will run weekends between January 13-February 20, and will showcase visual, culinary and performing arts.

1. Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Begins March 1 – This year's spring festival will begin March 1 and run through May 29. Festival "firsts" this year will include brand-new topiaries of Belle and Figment, two new outdoor kitchens (bringing the total to 15) offering up tasty snacks, a "Cars" interactive play garden for kids in honor of the upcoming film June 2017 release of the Disney•Pixar sequel, "Cars 3."

1. New Garden Rocks Dining Packages Will Debut At Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival – Dining packages will be available on select days at a number of Epcot restaurants, combining dinner and reserved seating for a performance. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more information.

1. New Family Raft Ride at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park – Guests at Typhoon Lagoon can enjoy a new family-style raft attraction this spring. Planned to be one of the longest Disney water park attractions (2 minutes), guests will be immersed in the story of Captain Mary Oceaneer. Legend holds that this treasure hunter roamed the seven seas in search of undersea artifacts, until she was marooned at Typhoon Lagoon. Guests will gently ascend in treasure rafts, only to plunge into a whitewater adventure where they just may encounter some of Mary's legendary treasure.

1. Boulder Ridge Cove, Geyser Point Bar & Grill Opening in Summer 2017 – Scheduled to open at Disney's Wilderness Lodge in summer 2017, Boulder Ridge Cove pool will feature an expanded sun deck and zero-depth-entry pool in what appears to have been an abandoned rock quarry. Geyser Point Bar & Grill, a new quick-service eatery, will be located in the heart of the feature pool area of Disney's Wilderness Lodge.

1. Pandora – The World of AVATAR Will Open in Summer 2017 – This new land will open its doors at Disney's Animal Kingdom in summer 2017, and will include attractions AVATAR Flight of Passage and the Na'vi River Journey, the Satu'li Canteen restaurant, Pongu Pongu drink location and Windtraders merchandise shop. Keep your eye on the Disney Parks Blog for coverage of future milestones.

1. Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Returns for A Record 75 Days – This year's festival will kick off on August 31 and run through November 13, for a record 75 days.

1. Epcot's 35th Anniversary – The second theme park to be built at the Walt Disney World Resort, Epcot, will mark its 35th anniversary on October 1, 2017. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for historical features, photos, merchandise and more.

1. More Updates on Star Wars-Inspired Land – Disney's Animal Kingdom isn't the only theme park enjoying an expansion. Disney's Hollywood Studios is also adding a Star Wars-inspired land, which is currently under construction at the park. Measuring 14-acres, the new land will transport guests to a never-before-seen planet, a remote trading port and one of the last stops before wild space where Star Wars characters and their stories come to life. Look for more updates on this expansion and its offerings later this year.
2. Return of Holiday Favorites – Keep your eye on the Disney Parks Blog in 2017 for vacation planning information useful during the holidays, with updates on next year's Candlelight Processional narrators, the return of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party to Magic Kingdom Park and "Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!" at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and more.

New Year’s Eve Wallpaper

They say as you get older time goes much faster. I agree with that statement. Not that I'll admit to being "older," let's just say I'm "wiser" than last year.

Our designer, Jeff Maurer, reached into the far corners of his imagination and, inspired by the holiday's festivities, he designed unique firework art … out of the words "Happy New Year!"

As you tip your hat at 2016 and turn to give 2017 a big welcome we hope you enjoy these typographic fireworks built just for you!

Be sure to check out the terms of use about using the wallpaper before you download it. Want to check out other designs? Visit our complete gallery of wallpapers here.

#DisneyParksLIVE: Watch Magic Kingdom Park Fireworks Tonight at 11:45 p.m. EST

We're just a few hours away from ringing in the New Year. Celebrate with us by joining our live stream of "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks live from Magic Kingdom Park tonight at 11:45 p.m. EST.

The live stream will begin promptly at 11:45 p.m. in the box above. Last year we had viewers tune in from around the world – tell us in the comments section, where are you watching from?

Disney Parks Best Bites: December 2016

Ladies and gentlemen boys and girls, if you're looking for the best way to enjoy our spectacular pageant of nighttime magic and imagination in thousands of sparkling lights and electrosynthomagnetic musical sounds, be sure to check out the Main Street Electrical Parade Dining Packages!

Enjoy a 3-course meal at Blue Bayou Restaurant or opt for a convenient On-The-Go dining package at Aladdin's Oasis. These packages include reserved viewing for the Main Street Electrical Parade as it continues its run at Disneyland Resort Jan. 20 through June 18, 2017. Reservations are available by visiting http://ift.tt/1KQisDT or by calling 714-781-DINE.

Back by popular demand – a classic Disney Parks Snack has returned to Disney's Animal Kingdom Park! Churros are now available at Dino-Bite Snacks in DinoLand U.S.A., served with chocolate sauce for dipping. Additionally, three holiday cocktails will be available at Disney's Animal Kingdom – an Irish Coffee, Amarula Coffee, and Schnappy Chocolate (Hot Cocoa with Peppermint Schnapps), available at Dino-Bite Snacks, Dino Diner and Trilo Bites.

Also at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park, Restarauntasorus will be serving breakfast through the New Year! Look for a selection of Kelloggs' cereals, a fruit plate, yogurt parfait and of course, Mickey Waffles. Their famous toppings bar will feature tasty waffle toppings, including warm caramel, hot fudge, a Bananas Foster sauce, cherries, strawberries, whipped cream, sprinkles, chocolate chips and more. Be sure to check out this offering before it goes extinct!

It's not too late to celebrate the holidays at Sunshine Seasons at Epcot! Look for a Santa Mickey cupcake (complete with chocolate-hazelnut mousse filling), a snowman cupcake, a snowflake tres leches-Raspberry cupcake, a melted snowman sugar cookie sandwich, a hot Cocoa cupcake with whipped cream-chocolate chip filling, a chocolate caramel apple and for New Year's Eve, a decadant cherry, chocolate and caramel cupcake. YUM!

Still looking for the perfect place to celebrate New Year's Eve? Ring in the New Year with live music and Irish dancing at Raglan Road at Disney Springs! Raglan Road will also be offering two complimentary champagne toasts – one for the Irish New Year (at 7 p.m.) and one at midnight!

A new hot dog is set to debut at Casey's Corner at Magic Kingdom Park! Look for a new foot-long hotdog topped with creamy mac and cheese and bacon. It's part of a new rotating specialty menu – with new hot dogs every month! If you're looking for a sweet treat, croissant donuts have also been added to Casey's lineup. Be sure to try these specialty items before they disappear!

Disney Dining 2016: A Year of Debuts, Expansions, New Ideas

As 2016 comes to close, here's a look back at a very busy year for the culinary teams at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort:

• The biggest news was the proliferation of new places to eat at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort, from grab-and-go food trucks and kiosks to restaurants by award-winning chefs. Fast-casual spots included Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza and D-Luxe Burger. Three James Beard Foundation winners joined the line-up: Chef Art Smith's Homecoming, Chef Rick Bayless at Frontera Cocina, and Masaharu Morimoto at Morimoto Asia (which opened in late 2015). Superstar steakhouse STK also opened an outpost at Disney Springs. And Amorette's Patisserie added confections (and savories). Coming in 2017: Paddlefish, Wine Bar George, Planet Hollywood Observatory, the Polite Pig and more.

• 

• January: Afternoon Tea debuted at Steakhouse 55 in the Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland Resort. This lovely oasis of elegance features white linens and historic black-and-white photos of Hollywood greats, making it a perfect spot for the rich tradition of afternoon tea.

• 

• March: The Diamond Horseshoe at Magic Kingdom Park reopened with table service dining. Each all-you-care-to-enjoy saloon feast starts with a generous salad and cornbread, then features platters of pork, sausage, turkey and braised beef.
• March: Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival expanded its Outdoor Kitchens to 13, making food a bigger part of the annual festival. And each of the kiosks features an edible garden to showcase some of the foods being served. Look for new tastes at the 2017 festival from March 1-May 29.
• April: Victoria & Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa took home the AAA Five Diamond award for the 16th consecutive year. It also was voted the No. 2 restaurant in the United States in TripAdvisor's 2016 Travelers' Choice awards. The restaurant wows guests every night of the year with three dining experiences: the dining room, the elegant Queen Victoria's Room and the Chef's Table in the Kitchen.
• April: Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival returned, celebrating some of the best of delicious California cuisine. New Festival Marketplaces were added, along with culinary demonstrations, appearances by celebrity chefs and seminars.

• 

• May: Ample Hills Creamery opened at Disney's BoardWalk. In keeping with the timeless charm of the 1930's Atlantic coastal atmosphere on the boardwalk, the ice cream shop features whimsical, turn-of-the-century décor and is located next to ESPN Club, overlooking Crescent Lake.

• 

• May: Tiffins and Nomad Lounge opened at Disney's Animal Kingdom. This beautiful new restaurant and lounge are in the park's Discovery Island area, with menus inspired by the world travels of the park's creators (Tiffin is the Indian word for a lunchbox used by travelers and also the word for a mid-day meal). Walt Disney Imagineering describes the interior as "a gallery you can dine in with artwork that is a direct result of travels to Africa, Asia and South America." The menu features global tastes and the beverage program focuses on sustainable, organic wines and bio-dynamic viticulture, as well as handcrafted cocktails and beers.

• 

• August: The reimagined Flying Fish reopened at Disney's BoardWalk with a sophisticated interior that still pays homage to the golden era of seaside boardwalks. The interior features an all-new kitchen and dining room (with expanded space for private dining events), sparkling architectural accents, like golden-winged room panels and an impressive chandelier that mimics a school of flying fish swimming overhead. The menu focuses on the freshest seafood.

• 

• August: AbracadaBar, the "curious cocktail lounge" that combines the Golden Age of Magic with the magic of Disney storytelling opened next door to Flying Fish on Disney's BoardWalk. According to the storytelling of Walt Disney Imagineering, the lounge was once a secret stomping ground for famous touring magicians, local boardwalk illusionists and the loveliest magician's assistants of the day.
• September: Epcot International Food & Wine Festival expanded by almost two additional weeks – from 53 days to 62 – of deliciousness, foodie fun, culinary events, celebrity chefs, seminars, music concerts and more. For 2017, mark your calendar: August 31 through November 13 will be a record 75 days of global culinary creations, celebrity chefs, premium events, Eat to the Beat concerts, and more.
• November: Festival of Holidays debuted at Disney California Adventure park, bringing with it 14 themed festival marketplaces, serving dishes inspired by the five holidays celebrated during the Festival of Holidays: Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Navidad and Three Kings' Day.
• November: PizzeRizzo opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Muppets Courtyard. Rizzo owns and operates the pizzeria, where guests can grab a pizza pie and a cold drink. Hints of the wisecracking Muppet Rizzo and his extended family and friends who have visited PizzeRizzo over the years are hidden throughout the two-story quick-service location.
• November: Highway in the Sky Dine-Around debuted at Walt Disney World Resort – a moveable feast on the monorail with stops for cocktails, appetizers, dinner and dessert on the along the way. The dine-around gives guests priority boarding on the monorail for an unparalleled dining journey around the circuit among Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and Disney's Contemporary Resort.
• December: The new Epcot International Festival of the Arts is announced, a brand new event at Epcot. Dates are Jan. 13 – Feb. 20, and it's a trifecta of global masterpieces that combines visual, culinary and performing arts for six colorful weekends. While the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival strives for seasonal flavors, and the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is all about global cuisine, the Epcot International Festival of the Arts is all about works of art on a plate. At many of the Food Studios, guests will be able to watch the chefs plating and see the creative process as the dish comes to life.
  
  
  

Disney Parks Blog Unboxed – New Products Coming to Disney Parks in 2017

With the New Year just around the corner, I visited California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort to get an early start on celebrating 2017. Before I could enjoy a delicious meal, I was surprised by the Disney Delivery Guy. He gave me several boxes filled with new products created by Disney Parks Merchandise.

The products shown in the video will be released in select merchandise locations at Disney Parks during 2017. Look for stories next year on Disney Parks Blog with additional details about the items shown.

As an extra bonus, here is a look at two products that caught my eye but did not make it into the video.

The first is new artwork by Jerrod Maruyama celebrating the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade to Disneyland park. Look for the artwork to be released in early spring.

I also love the gallery figurine featuring enchanted objects from Disney's animated classic, "Beauty and The Beast."

I paired these items with the fabric used for a whimsical Orange Bird dress and an Epcot 35th Anniversary mug because both things make me happy!

Which item is your favorite? Please share in the comments below.

I hope you have a wonderful and magical New Year!

Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando Receives ‘Playful’ Donation from Disney Vacation Club VoluntEARS

Playtime just got a lot more fun for our furry friends at the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando thanks to our Disney Vacation Club cast members! Over the holidays, a group of cast members came together for a Disney VoluntEARS event to hand make enrichment toys for the shelter's animals.

The Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando is a non-profit animal welfare agency that runs two pet adoption shelters and low-cost veterinary clinics. And for more than two decades, Walt Disney World Resort and its cast members have supported the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando through charitable cash giving and Disney VoluntEARS efforts.

"With limited staff, we're always grateful to receive a ready-to-go gift from volunteers," said Diane Anderson, behavior and outreach manager for the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando. "We could not remain open if it was not for our amazing community support."

For this special holiday project, Disney Vacation Club VoluntEARS carefully braided together strips of recycled t-shirts to form the perfect chew toy and then delivered more than 150 chew toys to the organization. Everyone's favorite Disney dog, Pluto, helped deliver the toys and gave some extra TLC to some very lovable dogs – Star, Coco and Bella.

Cheryl Nathan-Weiner, a Disney Vacation Club VoluntEAR who helped with the project, shared that her family rescued a golden retriever named Hannah — or as she explains it, Hannah rescued them. "I was so happy to make the dog toys," Cheryl said. "It was my way of giving back all the love our girl gave to us over the years."

If you're interested in creating a toy for your furry friends at home or a nearby animal shelter, just follow these three easy steps:

1. Grab an old t-shirt and cut it into several strips.
2. Take the strips and knot them together at one end.
3. Braid the strips. Be sure to leave enough space from the end to tie a second knot. Then give it to your pet to enjoy!

Learn more about adopting a pet at PetAllianceOrlando.org.

Five Reasons to Celebrate Return of Main Street Electrical Parade During After-Hours Premiere Event at Disneyland Park on Jan. 19

The Main Street Electrical Parade returns to the place it began for a limited engagement beginning Jan. 20, and you can be among the very first in decades to see this iconic parade light up Disneyland park during a special after-hours premiere event on Jan. 19! There are many reasons to attend this exciting event – and here just five of them!

1. Exclusive access to Disneyland park – Tickets for this event are extremely limited, so you will be among an exclusive group of guests to enjoy most Disneyland park attractions and select restaurants. See the parade and then spend the rest of the night riding some of your favorites over and over!
2. Take photos with the floats – Ever wished you could walk right up and take your photo next to one of the parade floats? At this premiere event, you can!
3. Dance the night away – Party like it's 1972 during a special 70s dance party at Tomorrowland Terrace!
4. Complimentary parking – Premiere event ticket holders will enjoy complimentary parking at Mickey & Friends parking structure after 6 p.m.
5. First! – Did I mention you will be among the first guests to see the Main Street Electrical Parade return home to Disneyland park? Well, you will.

Tickets are on sale now, so get yours today! Click here for event information.

Budapest Shines Brightly on an Adventures by Disney Danube River Cruise

I'm back from an amazing experience sailing on the first-ever Adventures by Disney Holiday Danube River Cruise (no, those aren't tears in my eyes). All I can say is – wow! This was an ultimate travel fantasy fulfilled. While the entire trip was nothing short of perfect, there was one experience that (literally) shone the brightest: Sailing through Budapest, Hungary all lit up at night.

Budapest has been on my "must visit" list for years, and it didn't disappoint. It's a city that combines nature and art in a beautiful way, and to see it all aglow was truly breathtaking. It's an experience I'll never forget. Check out this short video to see what all the fuss is about!

The nighttime illuminations cruise, while extra festive during the wintertime, actually takes place year round, meaning you can see it for yourself on any Adventures by Disney Danube River Cruise sailing. Put this one on your own "must see" list today!

If you're thinking, "But Amanda, you promised to share LOTS of details about sailing on the very first Adventures by Disney Holiday Danube River Cruise. Spill the beans already!" Never fear, I do have a more substantial recap coming soon to the Disney Parks Blog. Stay tuned!

Celebrate 20 Years of runDisney Walt Disney World Half Marathon with Donald Duck and Daisy Duck-Inspired Looks

We're less than a week away from the 2017 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna! This year, we're honoring the 20th Anniversary of the Half Marathon distance by creating these Disney style looks inspired by the celebratory host Donald Duck and his sophisticated girlfriend, Daisy! Runners participating in this race will receive a 20th Anniversary Half Marathon participant T-shirt and finisher medal to commemorate their accomplishment.

Our Donald Duck look features some of his famous characteristics such as a handmade red bow tie and the classic blue, yellow and red ensemble. Stay warm before your race with this blue sweatshirt from Champion. Protect your eyes from the Florida sun with these stylish sunglasses from APEX.

Our Daisy-inspired look wouldn't be complete without some yellow tights and a pink bow! The New Balance pink shoes match her accessories perfectly. The MISFIT tracker is a great accent just like the classic bracelets she wears. Learn about how MISFIT can enhance your health on our runDisney blog!

Will you be joining us for the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend? Which events are you participating in? Share your Disney-inspired looks with us using the hashtag #WDWMarathon! Follow runDisney on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

NFL Stars Announced for Pro Bowl Week at Walt Disney World Resort

Pro Bowl Week is only about a month away from arriving at Walt Disney World Resort and now we know many of the NFL superstars who will be coming to Orlando for the big game.

Among the Pro Bowl players recently announced are New England quarterback Tom Brady, Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and Dallas rookie sensations Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. They will be among the approximately 88 players who will comprise the AFC and NFC team rosters.

Pro Bowl Week starts Wednesday Jan. 25 and the first stop for these marquee players will be ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney, which will host most of the Pro Bowl Week activities, including the team practices, youth football events, a Pro Bowl Skills Showdown and a dodgeball game pitting the AFC stars against the NFC's best players. There are also activities planned for Disney Springs as well as Epcot, which will be the site of the Pro Bowl 5K run.

Perhaps the most magical event will happen on Friday, Jan. 27 at Magic Kingdom Park where Pro Bowl players, NFL cheerleaders and various community groups will take part in a celebratory parade down Main Street, U.S.A.

If you're visiting Walt Disney World Resort January 25-28, Pro Bowl Week is an experience you will not want to miss! Tickets for the game are still available at www.nfl.com/probowl where you will also the star-studded rosters of the AFC and NFC teams. For more information on Pro Bowl Week, visit espnwwos.com.

Disney Parks After Dark: Let the Fireworks Begin!

New Year's Eve is just a few more days away, which means fireworks spectaculars at Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. Tonight's "After Dark" image was snapped of one, the "Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular," which will light up the night at Disney's Hollywood Studios for guests ringing in 2017.

For a full listing of what's on for New Year's Eve at Walt Disney World Resort, click here.

Disneyland Resort was Beyond Magical with Burkely Duffield from Freeform’s ‘Beyond’ and Katherine McNamara from ‘Shadowhunters’

Recently, Burkely Duffield from Freeform's all-new series Beyond and Katherine McNamara from Shadowhunters visited the Disneyland Resort! A little rain couldn't dampen the fun they had around both parks!

In the midst of the holiday season, the pair had so much fun at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks.

Burkely and Kat found classic Mickey Mouse ears to wear around the park.

Thrill seekers at heart, they visited Hyperspace Mountain in Tomorrowland.

They even met and Mickey Mouse!

After all this fun, it's back to work on the set of their Freeform series.

Shadowhunters returns on Monday, Jan. 2, at 8pm/7c followed by the 2-hour series premiere of Beyond at 9pm/8c! Then, binge the entire Beyond series on the Freeform app!

Take a Behind-The-Scenes Look at Pandora – The World of Avatar

If you caught the "Disney Parks Magical Christmas Celebration" on ABC earlier this week, you may have seen this amazing sneak peek into one of Walt Disney World's most exciting expansions: the construction of Pandora – The World of Avatar, which will open at Disney's Animal Kingdom this summer.

As you can see, Pandora – The World of Avatar will transport guests to a visually stunning world complete with floating mountains and bioluminescent plants. Here, guests will be able to experience two expeditions that will truly push adventure to the next level. The family friendly Na'vi River Journey will send guests down a sacred river hidden within a bioluminescent rainforest. Their journey will end in an unforgettable encounter with a Na'vi shaman, a figure who has a deep connection to the life force of Pandora. And second, the Avatar Flight of Passage excursion will offer the jaw-dropping experience of riding on a Banshee over the world of Pandora.

Check out the video above, in which the project team shares how this new land has already exceeded even their own imaginations.

What do you think? Tell us in the comments section below!

Spend New Year’s Eve With Us

I've spent many a New Year's Eve at Walt Disney World Resort, watching the calendar turn from one year to the next under the shadow of Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, the Chinese Theater and even at Disney Springs (back then being Downtown Disney)!

Some of the best memories I have of New Year's Eves past have been at Walt Disney World Resort.

We at the Disney Parks Blog – along with some of our famous friends – wanted to take a quick second to give you the lowdown on what's happening this Dec. 31.

As you can see, we have a ton of special events, entertainment – and, of course, fireworks – planned for Saturday evening.

And if you just can't make it out to the parks, we invite you to join us online right here at the Blog for our Live Stream of the "Fantasy in The Sky" Fireworks from Magic Kingdom Park, starting at 11:45 p.m. EST on Dec. 31.

Happy New Year!

Seven Most Memorable Moments for Disney Cruise Line in 2016

It's hard to believe 2016 is about to come to an end! It's been a fantastic year for Disney Cruise Line, and there are so many fun moments to reflect back on. Here are just seven highlights from a year jam-packed with exciting announcements, stellar awards and brand-new experiences…

1. We unleashed the Force. For the first time in 2016, Disney cruisers were transported to a galaxy far, far away during Star Wars Day at Sea. On 15 special sailings aboard the Disney Fantasy, we combined the power of the Force, the magic of Disney and the excitement of cruising for an out-of-this-galaxy experience unlike any other.

2. We announced we are expecting. The Walt Disney Company unveiled plans to build two additional cruise ships, scheduled to be completed in 2021 and 2023. Each new ship will be approximately 135,000 gross tons, slightly larger than the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.

3. We visited the land of Merida. Our summer in Europe featured destinations in more than 15 European countries, including a 12-night cruise through the British Isles. This special voyage took Disney cruisers to brand-new ports of call in Scotland, England, Ireland and France.

4. We assembled The Avengers. In the fall of 2017, Disney Magic cruisers will celebrate the legendary Super Heroes and Super Villains from the Marvel Universe during a brand-new, day-long celebration – Marvel Day at Sea – on select cruises from New York City.

5. We added wonder-ful new experiences to the Disney Wonder. The ship was transformed from bow to stern, giving guests of all ages new ways to enjoy stories from across The Walt Disney Company with spaces like Tiana's Place restaurant and Marvel Super Hero Academy.

6. We made it snow on a cruise ship. "Frozen, A Musical Spectacular" debuted aboard the Disney Wonder, bringing the story of "Frozen" to life like never before. An innovative combination of traditional theatrical techniques, modern technology and classic Disney whimsy make this new stage show a completely unique production.

7. We sailed our way to the top once again. For the 4th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report awarded Disney Cruise Line the coveted Gold Badge in both the Best Cruise Line for Families and Best Cruise Line in the Caribbean categories. This honor joins the list of more than 250 distinguished awards given to us since first setting sail in 1998.

Best wishes to you and your family as we close out 2016 and look forward to what's in store for 2017!