TouringPlans Travel Beat 5-18-2024

At Travel Beat we have all the “other” news from the last week or so—the stuff that wasn’t big enough to stop the presses for. What did the newsroom bring us this week? Bullets are just ahead if you’re in a hurry, and more details follow below. Don’t forget to check out the Headline News Recap, in case there was something you missed!

• Limited-Time Offerings for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Opening
• Additional Fantasmic! Dining Package Locations At Disneyland
• Disney Springs Drone Show Sneak Peek
• Cruise Ships Returning to Baltimore Port
• Pixar Place Concierge Lounge Opens May 24
• Upcoming Speaker Series for Pixar Place Guests
• Headline News Recap

Can you guess which story inspired this week’s cover image? Leave your guesses in the comments!

Limited-Time Offerings for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Opening

Along with the important news about how to ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, previews, and the opening date (if you missed it, see the headline news recap), Disney announced some smaller limited-time items and operational notes. First up: merch.

Starting June 28 (opening day), you’ll be able to find merchandise collections for the ride and Princess and the Frog-inspired merchandise in the Emporium on Main Street U.S.A. When Critter Co-Op opens in Frontierland, these merchandise collections will move to a new, permanent home in this shop.

Next up: beignets. (You probably guessed from the picture, right?) Beginning on the ride’s opening day, Golden Oak Outpost and The Friar’s Nook will be offering Tiana’s Famous Beignets on the menu for a limited time. Get ’em while they’re hot!

Additional Fantasmic! Dining Package Locations At Disneyland

ICYMI: Disney first announced the return of Fantasmic! Dining Packages for Blue Bayou last week. This week two additional Dining Package locations were announced: River Belle Terrace and Rancho del Zocalo. The show itself reopens on Friday, May 24.

Disney Springs Drone Show Sneak Peek

“Disney Dreams that Soar” presented by AT&T, the all-new drone show that will run over the summer at Disney Springs, debuts next week on May 24. Disney’s official first look announcement came with some info about the show and a peek at some of the displays. Tap into the gallery below to see the art!

The show will focus on Disney characters who have had a dream of flying – either literally or spiritually, by “taking their lives to the next level”. The show will include 800 drones that will form, transform, and disappear to create some of your favorite Disney characters, supported by well-known soundtracks and an original song created just for the show.

Disney Dreams that Soar will run twice nightly from May 24 through September 2, 2024, and the showtimes are currently listed as 9:00 and 10:45 pm. According to Disney, the best viewing will be along the waterway in Disney Springs West Side, and the showtime is about 9 minutes.

Cruise Ships Returning to Baltimore Port

After the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge at the end of March, cruise lines with ships that were homeporting in Baltimore had to make other arrangements. Those ships are now beginning to return to using Baltimore as their home port, with Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas making its first new Baltimore sailing on May 25. Carnival Pride will also depart from Baltimore just a day later on May 26.

Pixar Place Concierge Lounge Opens May 24

Pixar Place continues to put on the finishing touches after its Grand Opening at the end of January. On Friday, May 24, the Concierge Lounge for all guests staying in Club Level rooms will open for business. As is typical for Disney concierge lounges, the Creators Club will offer continental breakfast, wine and cheese receptions, beer, sparkling wine, hot bites, and desserts in the evening. And of course, there will be a dedicated concierge.

Upcoming Speaker Series for Disneyland Resort Guests

Disneyland Resort is also rolling out a Pixar-Fest speaker series for hotel guests, to be hosted at the Pixar Place Hotel. Guests at official Disneyland Resort Hotels can book this offering for free at their hotel Front Desk; seats are limited and registration is subject to availability. Dates and times;

• Peter Sohn, director of “Elemental” (Saturday, May 25)
• Maurissa Horwitz, lead editor for “Inside Out 2” (Thursday, June 20)
• Roger Gould, creative director, Theme Parks, for Pixar Animation Studios (Saturday, July 13)

Headline News Recap

There was only one piece of headline news this week, but it was a doozy – the opening date for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disney World. Some details are still to come, but everything we know is here: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Opening Date Announced for Disney World – UPDATED!

That’s it for this week’s Travel Beat. What news are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!