The Walt Disney World Resort in Florida released new deals for summertime visits to the property and limited-time experiences designed for young children.
And it provided details on two stage shows that are opening in late May.
The summertime deals will be available for booking March 27. Children's tickets are being offered at half price for visits from May 27 through Sept. 20, if the purchaser buys a standard kid ticket (for those aged 3 to 9) for three days or more.
In another deal, Disney is offering three-day, three-park tickets for $89 per day ($267 total, plus tax) for visits from April 6 through Sept. 22. These tickets are valid for admission to Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom -- not the Magic Kingdom -- and guests can visit one park each day.
Guests who stay at certain Disney Resorts and purchase tickets with the Park Hopper option can qualify for a free Disney Dining Plan on select dates from June 29 through Dec. 22. The package must be for four days or longer. Hotel rooms are also being offered at a discount for visits from Aug. 1 through Oct. 11. Depending on the resort, Disney said, guests can save up to 30%.
Guests this summer will also find special, limited-time experiences designed for Disney's youngest visitors. Inside the theme parks, for instance, Disney will create zones with activities and ways to interact with characters. Other pop-up entertainment will include games, music and dancing.
Characters will also be out in the parks earlier than usual for early entry for Disney Resort hotel guests.
New shows open in Hollywood Studios
On the entertainment front, two new stage shows will open at Disney's Hollywood Studios on May 27: "Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After" and "The Little Mermaid -- A Musical Adventure."
Located on Sunset Boulevard inside Sunset Showcase, "Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After" will feature a variety of Disney villains. The show was announced at the end of last year.
Guests will step into the world of the Magic Mirror to help determine which villains have been treated the most unfairly. Dozens of villains will appear throughout the musical, including bold-faced names like Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook and Maleficent, who will make their pleas to the audience. During the finale, the audience will decide: "Who has been treated the unfairest of them all?
Meanwhile, "The Little Mermaid -- A Musical Adventure," which was revealed at the end of 2023, will be in Animation Courtyard. The show will combine live action, physical sets, puppetry and "digital enhancements," Disney said. Classic songs to be performed include "Part of Your World," "Poor Unfortunate Souls" and "Kiss the Girl."
An update for Space Ranger Spin
Classic shooting-gallery attraction Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin at the Magic Kingdom is getting some updates, including handheld blasters.
Disney on Wednesday said the attraction will close in August and reopen next year with a new scene, updated vehicles and enhanced gameplay.
When it reopens, guests will be greeted by a new character, a friendly robot named Buddy created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios. Buddy, a "support bot," will prepare guests for their mission as Space Rangers.
The attraction's ride vehicles will get a new color scheme, inspired by Buzz himself and Star Command. They will also have video monitors for real-time scoring and other features. The vehicles will also have a first for the attraction: handheld blasters, as opposed to the current blasters, which are mounted to the front of the vehicle. Disney said the handheld versions will make it easier for children to participate in the attraction. The blasters will also help guests aim with always-on lasers (each vehicle will have two different colors), as well as lighting, sound and vibration effects.
Targets are also getting an upgrade. Today, the targets are static, but when the attraction reopens, they will be able to react and light up when hit.
"It also opens the door for a few other ideas Imagineers have in mind," Disney hinted.