The magic is back: Disney reopens in Orlando post-Irma

The magic is back: Disney reopens in Orlando post-Irma 
ORLANDO — There was magic in the air again Tuesday in storm-squeezed central Florida. Walt Disney World, the mega-entertainment complex and cherished theme park billed as "the most magical place on Earth," reopened its doors in Lake Buena Vista — two days after Hurricane Irma began its historic assault on the state. The Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center were running their normal business hours.
Also up and running: Disney's Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs. The complex's water parks remained shut, but Disney said it hoped to reopen later this week. On Tuesday, Disney lovers were eager to ride the dizzying Tea Cups, travel under the sea with The Little Mermaid and brave Thunder Mountain. At Space Mountain, one of the park's most popular rides, guests only waited 10 minutes. Usually, the wait is around an hour. Paola Pedroso, 28, traveled from Brazil to visit Disney with her bridal party.
They flew into Miami on Sunday and stayed at a hotel near Universal Studios during the worst of the storm. "But it wasn't scary. We thought it would be," said Pedroso, a white Mickey Mouse house hat and veil atop her head. "Our family and friends (back home) were scared more than us because everybody was talking about it. I thought it was going to be a huge thing, but it wasn't."
Even cooped up in a hotel before hitting the Magic Kingdom — where they took time to stop for foot-long hot dogs and gooey cheese dip — they still managed to have a good time. "We had a lot of fun in the hotel," Pedroso said. "The hurricane didn't stop us." Pedroso was among tourists from foreign countries and the U.S. who flocked to the park in a bid for a return to normalcy after the shifting and ferocious Irma caused havoc in the central corridor of the state with potent winds and torrential rain. Irma made its first landfall in the lower Florida Keys early Sunday morning as a Category 4 hurricane before striking land a second time at Marco Island in the west later in the day. The storm then shifted east, passing west of Orlando early Monday as a Category 1, with winds of 85 mph. Disney never lost power but was slammed with winds and rain that caused trees to topple and water to seep into some buildings.
Disney resort hotels remained open during Irma, but the parks were closed Sunday and Monday. But strolling down Main Street to Cinderella's Castle on Tuesday, you'd never know a villainous hurricane had just ripped through the state. There's no debris on the pristine roads, no flooding near the ferry boat docks and not even a chip in Cinderella's glass slipper or the Beast's beloved encased rose — housed inside Disney's crystal figure shop. Almost all of the rides and attractions were open when the theme park began greeting guests, with the exception of the railroad. Workers were still busy clearing debris from the storm off the tracks. The railroad was expected to reopen Wednesday.

Sound the Alarm, Because There's a Disney Rose Gold Holiday Bracelet

First, Rose Gold Minnie Ears. Now, Rose Gold Alex & Ani bracelet?! Disney, you’ve outdone yourself. Obsessed with the newest addition to my collection! 💖❄️✨

Disney's rose gold Minnie Ears were a big hit over the summer, and now the company's continuing to feed the millennial pink obsession by adding this rose gold bracelet to its holiday collection.

Designed by the jewelry label Alex and Ani, the Mickey Mouse Snowflake Icon Bangle features a rose gold bangle and a Mickey Mouse charm, etched with tiny snowflakes on the face and ears, alongside three smaller trinkets.

The best part? It’s on sale for $38.21, marked down from $44.95.

Walt Disney World Offering Multiple Options for New Year’s Eve Celebrations

Walt Disney World is an amazing place to spend holidays, celebrations and special occasions.  It looks like this is especially true this year for New Year’s Eve as Walt Disney World is offering a variety of different celebration options to give you a unique way to ring in 2018 with your loved ones.  You can always celebrate within the theme parks and enjoy the attractions, fireworks and other events that the theme parks have to offer, but you can also enjoy themed dining and/or dance party experiences at other venues around Walt Disney World.  We have the details on various options below!

Down in New Orleans: A Disney New Year’s Eve Experience

This is the event for all of you out there that like fine dining experiences.  The theme is completely New Orleans and Disney’s “Princess and the Frog” inspired, including New Orleans flavors.  It is scheduled to take place at the Sorcerer’s Apprentice Ballroom within Disney’s Contemporary Resort and will be decorated with themed decorations.  You will get to dine on items like smoked salmon mousse cones, oyster beignets, herb-crusted Louisiana redfish, crayfish étouffé, Black Angus beef, braised short ribs and roast filet of beef.  There will be a jazz band performing lively music, including songs from “Princess and the Frog” by Randy Newman.  Toward the end of the evening, guests will have a private viewing area to enjoy champagne and watch the fireworks show at Magic Kingdom Park. The event will take place from 7 PM to 12:15 AM and will offer reserved seating.

New Year’s Eve Bash at Atlantic Dance Hall 

Atlantic Dance Hall, located at Disney’s BoardWalk, will host a New Year’s Eve Bash where guests will be able to enjoy delicious drinks and treats, music and fun to ring in the new year.  Guests that join the event will also receive complimentary party hats and horns for the celebration plus a champagne toast while viewing Epcot’s firework show.  The event will begin at 9 PM and all guests must be 21 years or older and present valid ID in order to enter.

Dinner and Dancing Under the Sea

Flying Fish at Disney’s BoardWalk will offer Dinner and Dancing Under the Sea.  The event will include cocktails, hor d’Oeurves and seafood to start and then a family-style dinner with various seafood offerings included.  There will be entertainment at the event and a champagne toast.  Guests will also be able to go to the Atlantic Dance Hall for a view of the Epcot fireworks.  The event will begin at 7PM and all guests must be 21 years or older and present valid ID in order to enter.

Mickey’s New Year’s Eve BBQ 

If you are looking for a more family-friendly New Year’s Eve event, then Mickey’s New Year’s Eve BBQ at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will definitely give you that.  You will be able to enjoy a delicious barbecue with Mickey, Minnie and a few of their friends! There will be a variety of different barbecue-themed food items available and it will be all-you-care-to-enjoy.  There will be a bluegrass band that performs, plus a DJ where guests can dance with favorite Disney characters.  There will be a special area to view the fireworks at Magic Kingdom Park and count down to 2018.

All of these events require reservations and are expected to be extremely popular.  For any one of these events, guests can book online or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

Which of these events would you most like to attend to ring in 2018?