Walt Disney World is currently testing their new FastPass system, and now we’ve heard that Disney World employees have been given iPads in carry around the theme park as part of the testing phase.
Guests who have been selected as part of the testing will be given a card that acts as their “ticket” to the FastPass line. When a guest shows up for the ride, they wave their card in front of a special RFID sensor and their information will be sent to a nearby Cast Member’s iPad. Once the …

A few weeks ago, we let you know that Princess Merida from the upcoming Pixar film Brave will soon be getting her own meet-and-greet in both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. This week, however, the character made her first Disney Parks appearance in Epcot, coming out to greet Walt Disney World guests for the first time.
Although this does not appear to be a regular meet-and-greet, guests may be able to find Merida here in Epcot sporadically before her permanent location in the Magic Kingdom opens in a …

Yesterday, we brought you the news that the membership list for Club 33 has opened up once again and members will be able to enjoy the added benefit of access to the new and exclusive “1901″ lounge. Now, we have a special first look at this brand new lounge, thanks to the Disney Parks Blog.
1901 will be a new lounge located within the Carthay Circle Theater, which is being built as the centerpiece of Disney California Adventure’s new Buena Vista Street. The intimate lounge, which is only open to Club …

Ever wanted to know what lies behind that mysterious door marked “33″ in Disneyland’s New Orleans Square? This week, Disneyland announced that more guests may now have a chance to find out. In honor of the exclusive restaurant’s 45th anniversary, Club 33 will be accepting new members and allowing guests to place their names on the waitlist for the club, which has previously not been allowed for the past ten years.
Club 33 was originally envisioned by Walt Disney himself, and the restaurant was inspired by the executive lounges at the …

Our good friends at Disney Food Blog clued us in to some restaurant closures happening at Disney Parks this year and next. While a couple of these are merely rumors, there are several restaurants on Disney property that will be closing for renovations.
In Epcot’s France pavilion, the signature restaurant Bistro de Paris will be closing for renovations July 1 and opening again towards the end of September. All Advance Dining Reservations during this time period will be moved to Chefs de France. At Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Cape May Cafe …

Despite the fact summer hasn’t even hit yet, Disney is busy planning the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival this fall. In fact, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series lineup during the annual festival has already been announced! Some big names will be headlining this popular concert series this fall, including:

9/28-9/30: Night Ranger
10/1-10/3: Sugar Ray
10/4- 10/7: STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas
10/8-10/10: Boyz II Men
10/11-10/12: Smash Mouth
10/13-10/14: Javier Colon, winner of “The Voice”
10/15-10/17: Air Supply
10/18-10/19: Gin Blossoms
10/20-10/21: Survivor
10/22-10/23: Hanson
10/24-10/25: The Pointer Sisters
10/26-10/28: Sister Hazel
10/29-10/31: Billy Ocean
11/1-11/2: 38 Special
11/3-11/4: Howard Jones LIVE
11/5-11/6: …

Tickets are now on sale for the 30th annual Magic Kingdom event “Night of Joy.”
This two-night Christian music event at Walt Disney World Resort proves to be popular every year. As it is an after-hours event, you must purchase a separate ticket to Night of Joy in addition to your Walt Disney World admission ticket. The events run from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., and select attractions will remain open for event-goers.
“Night of Joy” will be held September 7 and 8th and feature a variety of Christian music acts, including:
9/7 …

The dates for two of Walt Disney World’s most popular after-hours events have been announced for this fall and tickets are now on sale.  Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, both held at Magic Kingdom, are events that celebrate fun fall and winter holidays, and are suitable for the entire family.
If you are planning a visit to Walt Disney World during the September-December timeframe, and plan to attend either Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you’ll have the …

We mentioned the new Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar coming to the Italy pavilion in Epcot earlier this year, as well as the renovation of the popular Tutto Italia Restaurant. Now that the official grand opening has occurred, our friends at Disney Food Blog have shared a look inside both establishments – and we have photos and details to share with you.
For the ribbon cutting ceremony, Mickey and Minnie donned their Italian costumes and joined executives in celebrating the grand opening.
At the new Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar, which was designed to …

A new pirate-themed attraction will be coming to Walt Disney World Resort’s Hollywood Studios this year!
While full details have yet to be revealed, we do know that “The Legend of Jack Sparrow” will fully immerse guests in the world of the Pirates of the Caribbean films.
Says Jason Roberts, show producer for Walt Disney Imagineering:
This is going to be an immersive experience. We’ll really delve into the story of Captain Jack Sparrow and put our guests in the middle of it all in new and exciting ways. In this …