MagicBand+ Will Debut in 2022 at Walt Disney World Resort

As part of the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort, Disney will be debuting MagicBand+ is 2022.

MagicBand+

Innovation is essential to The Walt Disney Company story, dating back to its inception nearly a century ago. As Walt Disney once said, “We’ll always be introducing and testing and demonstrating new materials and new systems.” Well, that promise will come true once again next year when Walt Disney World Resort releases our next-generation wearable technology, MagicBand+.

The original MagicBand was introduced in 2013 at Walt Disney World, making the guest experience in our theme parks and resorts more convenient and hands-free for things like park and guest room entry, retail and dining, Disney PhotoPass and more. MagicBand+ will retain those popular features and add functionality that unlocks new moments of magic for you.

After Guests enter a theme park, MagicBand+ will come alive at various times with color-changing lights, haptic vibrations and gesture recognition. The wearable will allow Guests to engage with favorite Disney moments in new ways, including:

  • Play like a bounty hunter in a galaxy far, far away and find virtual bounties throughout Black Spire Outpost in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
  • Interact with the “Disney Fab 50 Character Collection,” the golden sculptures spread throughout the Walt Disney World theme parks.
  • Experience nighttime spectaculars in a new way as you see the band light up and complement the magic in the skies, including the new “Harmonious” at EPCOT and “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park

MagicBand+ will be available for purchase beginning next year, including a discounted, pre-arrival price for Disney Resort hotel guests as well as new and renewing Walt Disney World Annual Passholders. Current MagicBands will continue to be available, too, along with the complimentary Disney MagicMobile service that extends MagicBand features, such as park entry, to smart devices.

MagicBand+ will help immerse Guests in Disney stories and connect with characters you love like never before. 

‘Hey, Disney’, A Magical Voice Assistant at Home and at Walt Disney World

Today, Amazon and Disney announced ‘Hey, Disney!’, an entirely new kind of voice assistant that will work alongside Alexa at home and across Walt Disney World Resort hotel rooms. Expected next year, ‘Hey, Disney!’ will let fans and Guests interact with some of their most beloved Disney characters, simply by saying ‘Hey, Disney!’ on supported Echo devices at home and at Disney Resort hotels.

Hey Disney

‘Hey, Disney!’ and Alexa will begin rolling out in 2022 at Walt Disney World Resort hotel rooms as part of the 50th anniversary celebration. ‘Hey, Disney!’ and Alexa will work side-by-side to simplify Guests’ stay and make it a bit more delightful by answering questions, fulfilling special requests and more. Guests can ask ‘Hey, Disney!’ for more blankets and towels, the fastest way to get to the park in the morning and where to get their favorite food. With Alexa, Guests can hear the news, ask for sports scores, play music and more.

With ‘Hey, Disney!’, fans and Guests will get access to interactive Disney storytelling experiences and entertainment, as well as fun and delightful content like jokes, fun facts and special surprises featuring Disney characters. Go on interactive adventures with Mickey, Dory and Olaf, or sit back and listen to your favorite Disney stories. Transport yourself to the worlds of your favorite characters with unique Soundscapes or test your Disney knowledge with trivia. ‘Hey, Disney!’ will even make everyday tasks more magical, such as setting timers and alarms, and checking the weather or time of day.

To bring a little more magic to your in-home Alexa experience, Disney announces the availability of a new Mickey-inspired stand for Echo Show 5. This OtterBox Den Series case brings the fun of Disney to your home with a playfully designed stand.

Hey Disney

The ‘Hey, Disney!’ voice assistant was developed from the ground up by Disney, featuring original character voice recordings and audio, with over 1,000 magical interactions to discover, as well as a brand-new character created as a guide — the Disney Magical Companion. ‘Hey, Disney!’ will mark the first time an Alexa Custom Assistant will be available on Echo devices.

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Walt Disney Travel Company Launches New Podcast Series “Journey to the Magic” With Giovanna Fletcher

Walt Disney Travel Company is excited to announce the launch of its brand-new, star-studded podcast Journey to the Magic hosted by Giovanna Fletcher set to launch on 8 September 2021. Each week, Queen of the Castle, author and long-time Disney fan, Giovanna Fletcher, will be inviting one of her celebrity guests to talk all things Disney holidays. They’ll be sharing magical memories, funny stories and family traditions from their holidays to Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris and Disney Cruise Line. Listeners can expect lots of insider tips, Disney hacks from the celebrity guests, plenty of holiday inspiration and even a chance to win a dream holiday to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

During the six-part series, Giovanna and her guests relive their experiences at the Disney Parks’ iconic attractions, recall special moments with their favourite Disney characters and reveal fun facts about theirtimeattheresortsandontheDisneycruiseships. ResidentDisneyexpert,Elkie,willalsofeature in each episode to reveal her top tips and valuable insider knowledge as well as exclusive updates on the Disney Parks and the special celebrations in store for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary which begins 1 October 2021.

In episode one, Giovanna will be joined by husband and Glitterball contender Tom Fletcher, whilst best friend TV presenter Emma Willis is her guest for episode two, alongside a host of famous guests yet to be revealed for the rest of the series. Each guest will take the listener on a journey, detailing their perfect, fun-filled “Disney Day” from their must do attraction as soon as they step intoa Disney Park,toafternoonsexploring agalaxy far, far away and eveningsenjoying a magnifique romantic meal at a restaurant run by a rat.

Author and presenter, Giovanna Fletcher, said: “I’ve been a fan of the Disney Parks for a long time and we’ve experienced some of our most magical moments as a family there – including our honeymoon, so I couldn’t be more excited to partner with Walt Disney Travel Company on this podcast. Expect happy tears and lots of laughter as each of my celebrity guests’ take us on a journey reliving their magical trips and talking us through their Dream Disney Day. It brought back so many of my own wonderful memories so I hope Disney fans have as much fun listening to ‘Journey to the Magic’ as I did making it. More than that, I hope that it provides some much needed Disney magic during these times.”

Justin Kliger, Director of Walt Disney Travel Company, said: “Our goal was to make this podcast a joyous destination in itself, for anyone missing that Disney magic over the past year. With our friend

ideas for their next Disney adventure with us.”

Walt Disney Travel Company Presents, Journey to the Magic podcast will be available from Wednesday, 8 September 2021 at www.disneyholidays.co.uk/podcast One lucky winner will also have the chance of winning a magical holiday to Walt Disney World in Florida where they could celebrate the resort’s 50th Anniversary.

Iron Gwazi to Open March 2022 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Today, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay announced that Iron Gwazi will open as North America’s tallest hybrid coaster and the fastest and steepest hybrid coaster in the world in March 2022, in time for Spring Break. 

The new ride will take thrills to new heights, plunging riders from a 206-foot-tall peak into a 91-degree drop and reaching top speeds of 76 miles per hour. The journey will include a dozen airtime moments, including three inversions, as it races along more than 4,075 feet of purple steel track. With a 48” height requirement, Iron Gwazi will be an exciting attraction that thrill-seeking families can take on together.

“Iron Gwazi has been highly anticipated by roller coaster enthusiasts around the world since we first announced this new legend.  Due to the unprecedented challenges over the last two years, Iron Gwazi was delayed, and we recognize the delay has disappointed our fans.  We appreciate the patience our guests have shown.” said Neal Thurman, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Park President. “We’re finally able to confirm that we will be delivering on the next-level thrills that our coaster fans crave and expect from Busch Gardens, when we open this incredible coaster this spring.”

Iron Gwazi will be the 10th roller coaster to join Busch Gardens’ lineup of highly rated roller coasters and thrill rides, including Tigris, Florida’s tallest inversion, SheiKra, a 200-foot, 90-degree drop coaster, and Montu, recognized as one of the top 10 coasters in the country.

 

Say Goodbye to Free Fastpass at Walt Disney World and Disneyland

FASTPASS, FastPass+ and Disney MaxPass services will be retired at Walt Disney World and Disneyland California as Disney introduce their Disney Genie+ service with a daily charge per ticket.

disneygenie

Coming this fall to Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, Disney Genie is a complimentary and convenient new digital service designed to create the best Disney day for our Guests. We’ve been listening to Guest feedback – they want planning to be easier, they want more flexibility and they want better tools to help you make the most of your visit – and that’s exactly what Disney Genie is here to do. Disney have made significant investments in this cool new technology, which guides Guests through Disney theme parks with tips that can help them reduce time in lines, discover magic around every corner and take the guesswork out of “what’s next.”

Built right into the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps, Disney Genie service will maximize your park time for Guests, so they can have more fun. It includes a personalized itinerary feature that will quickly and seamlessly map out an entire day. From specific attractions, foodie experiences and entertainment, to general interests like Disney princesses, villains, Pixar, Star Wars, thrill rides and more – Guests just tell Disney Genie what they want to do and it will do the planning for them.

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