A Travel Advisor's Guide to Disney Parks in 2019

The Disney parks in California and Florida aren’t taking a break after the holidays. In fact, they’ve got more magic than ever planned for guests who visit in 2019.

“No matter what month your clients visit, they’ll discover new entertainment, parties, character interactions and more at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort,” said Joann Delgin, director of travel agency sales for Disney Resorts.

Disneyland Resort
Throughout the year, Disneyland Resort will provide opportunities for guests to enjoy festivals, shows and food. The fun begins this month with Get Your Ears On – A Mickey and Minnie Celebration, which showcases 90 years of the iconic couple. The “mouse party” will also introduce “Mickey’s Mix Magic,” a new nighttime projection show, as well as bring back Mickey’s Soundsational Parade.

From March 1 to April 23, the annual Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival will feature more than a dozen Festival Marketplaces serving delicious California-inspired small plates (including plant-based options), specialty wines and craft beers. There will also be celebrity chef appearances and family-friendly cooking demonstrations; kids age 3 to 11 can even become “Junior Chefs” in a hands-on cooking experience.

“The Food & Wine Festival gets better every year,” said Gary Maggetti, general manager of Disney California Adventure Park West. “California has incredible, unique ingredients, and we celebrate them at the festival.” 

Chef John State, culinary director for Disneyland Resort, agrees. 

“It really is an honor to put on the Food & Wine Festival, because we get to celebrate California and cook with the great ingredients from our state,” he said.

Two additions to Disney California Adventure’s Pixar Pier are also coming to Disneyland Resort in 2019: Jessie’s Critter Carousel and Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind. Plus, the much-anticipated Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park will open this summer.

“‘Star Wars’ is an exciting world filled with amazing stories and characters, and for decades, many of us have imagined visiting a galaxy far, far away,” said Bob Chapek, chairman of Disney parks, experiences and consumer products. “But this year, we won’t have to imagine anymore.”

The largest single-land expansion ever at Disneyland Resort, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will bring the “Star Wars” universe to life with two exciting adventures. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run allows guests to take the controls of the iconic ship, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance provides clients the opportunity to be recruited to battle the First Order (including a face-off with the notorious Kylo Ren). These two immersive experiences — along with the land’s many interactive components — will allow guests to live their own “Star Wars” adventures. 

disneyland.disney.go.com 

Walt Disney World
In Orlando, the new year is bringing new parties, shows and character experiences to all four Walt Disney World theme parks.

From now until Sept. 30, Magic Kingdom Park will host Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration, which features new entertainment and specialty food and beverage items that honor the famous pair. The Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party will introduce “It’s a Good Time,” a brand-new song, and parkgoers will be invited to dance along with Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy and other Disney pals. Guests will also have the chance to meet Mickey and Minnie inside Town Square Theater, as well as Pluto under the big top in Storybook Circus.

On May 1, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is celebrating its 30th anniversary. But a big milestone deserves a big celebration, so the party started this month with the reveal of a new anniversary logo and a party with Pixar Pals such as Mike and Sully from “Monsters, Inc.”; the toys in Toy Story Land; and Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible, Frozone and Edna Mode from “The Incredibles” on Pixar Avenue.

From now until Feb. 25, the Epcot International Festival of the Arts celebrates world-class culinary, visual and performance arts, featuring the Disney on Broadway Concert Series, with music from movies such as “The Lion King,” “Frozen” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Delgin notes that this popular event will expand to seven days per week in 2019, with a different pair of Disney on Broadway stars performing songs from the award-winning Disney on Broadway productions each week. The festival will also feature food studios, artwork for sale, performance artists, hands-on activities and Figment’s Brush with the Masters scavenger hunt. 

In addition to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opening in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, this fall will also mark the grand opening of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, the first-ever ride-through attraction themed to Mickey Mouse. This journey inside the world of Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts uses breakthrough technology to turn a 2D cartoon into a real-world experience. Additionally, Disney Skyliner, a new transportation system, will give guests a bird’s-eye view of Walt Disney World via gondola.

“2019 is going to be an amazing time at Walt Disney World Resort, with so many new and exciting things happening all year long,” said Jeremy Schoolfield, managing editor for Walt Disney World Resort Public Relations. “You’ll travel to a galaxy far, far away, experience zany fun onboard a runaway railway and take in beautiful views while gliding across the sky in a gondola.” 

disneyworld.disney.go.com