Disney Social Media Celebration – What’s New with Disney Parks #DisneySMC
Note: Thank you to Disney Parks for inviting me to your NYC event and gifting me a goodie bag. All opinions are my own.
It’s always exciting for Social Media Influencers when Disney comes into town. In the past, I’ve attended Disney’s Social Media Moms Celebration conference in Orlando which my family loved. So when they came to New York City and invited me to its Social Media Celebration “On-the-Road” conference then, of course, I had to go!
The one-day event brought together a group of local Influencers at the beautiful Kimpton Ink48 hotel in Manhattan. The birthday-themed decor reflected the excitement around Walt Disney World Resort’s upcoming 50th anniversary in 2021. The conference was a combination of workshops to help improve our craft as well as information on what’s new at Disney Parks.
Continuous Learning With Disney Parks
There’s always so much going on at Disney Parks. To keep abreast of the latest happenings, here are a couple of good resources to bookmark:
- Disney Parks Moms Panel – The Disney Parks Moms Panel is an online forum of everyday people who share helpful tips and vacation planning advice for all things Disney.
- Disney Parks Blogs – The Disney Parks Blog, contributed by over 70 authors, gives readers the latest updates and official news about Disney happenings.
This conference was great with helping Influencers learn how to improve their businesses. Experts at Disney provided tips regarding digital marketing and social media. We also learned how to create great video content and even had a surprise guest appearance from Cheri Srour, an inspirational star from the runDisney Disney Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World Resort.
Kristyn Merkley, Founder of the blog lilluna.com, held a session detailing why SEO was important and how we can improve it on our own blogs. Her expertise was commendable, and I left with many helpful tips to implement.
Special guest and ABC News Correspondent, Gio Benitez, spoke about how his career took off after his iPhone video went viral while working at a news agency in Miami. He emphasized you never know where opportunities may lie so we should be open to all possibilities. He advised us that one of the most important things we could do as Influences is to “Be Authentic.”
What’s New With Disney
Innovation is a central theme at Disney. They’re always building something new or finding ways to improve guests’ experiences. There are so many amazing things coming down the pipeline over the next few years, and here are some highlights.
Disney Cruise Line and Adventures by Disney
Disney Cruise Line is returning to Greece after five long years! The Disney Magic will be sailing in the summer of 2020 with nine- and 12-night Greek Isles voyages.
Marvel and Star Wars fans will be thrilled with themed cruises coming for a limited time in 2020. Back by popular demand, Star Wars Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea will offer five- and seven-night sailings on the Disney Magic and Disney Fantasy, respectively. Fans will experience unique character encounters, live shows, and action-packed entertainment.
Disney has announced plans to build three new cruise ships with the completion of one ship every year for the years of 2021, 2022, and 2023. These yet-to-be-named ships will join Disney Wonder, Disney Magic, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy in the Disney Cruise Line fleet.
Global travelers are loving Adventures by Disney which provides hassle-free, guided group vacations around the world. Coming soon in 2021 is the new 10-day Egypt Vacation tour. Mark your calendars!
Wishables
Kids and adults alike are clamoring for the latest collectibles from Disney Parks – Wishables! These soft and huggable plushies are inspired by iconic Disney characters, films, attractions, and even snacks like the Dole Whip and Mickey-shaped ice cream popsicles.
Launched in April, these cuties are available at select merchandise locations including World of Disney at the Downtown Disney District in California, Disney Springs in Florida, and at shopDisney.com. Check back on Wednesdays for the release of new Disney Parks Wishables. Follow along on social at #DisneyParksWishables and #DisneyParksWishablesWednesday.
Disney Springs
The NBA Experience will officially open August 12, 2019, at Disney Springs. Experience first-hand what it’s like to be a basketball superstar! Explore 13 interactive elements and hands-on activities across 44,000 square feet and two floors.
Disney Parks
On May 1, 2019, mom gorilla Kashata gave birth to Baby Gorilla Grace at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. A few months earlier in January, another wildlife star was born at the park – a baby giraffe named Jabari which means “brave one” in Swahili.
Coming soon to Epcot is the new limited-time fireworks show called “Epcot Forever.” Opening on October 1, 2019, the show takes viewers through the past, present, and future of Epcot.
Also coming to Epcot in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort is a “Guardians of the Galaxy”-themed indoor roller coaster in Epcot’s Future World. This ride, due to open in 2021, will be one of the world’s longest enclosed roller coasters.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios 30th Anniversary recently took place on May 1 where the Park celebrated it’s past and present. On May 31, the Force will be at Disneyland with the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This new attraction will debut on August 29, 2019, at Walt Disney World Resort. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will include dining, shopping, and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will open later this year.
Disney Skyliner
Beginning in the fall of 2019, the Disney Skyliner will be ready to begin transporting guests to two parks and four Disney resorts.
The new state-of-the-art gondola system will connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to the following hotels: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort as well as the proposed 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney’s Riviera Resort.
Disney Parks Jewelry by Rebecca Hook
Find necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and more designed by Rebecca Hook exclusively for Disney Parks. For New Yorkers, her collection will be coming soon to the Disney Store in Times Square via a Trunk Show on June 7 and 8. Thank you to Disney for gifting me a beautiful pair of earrings from the Rebecca Hook Jewelry collection!
That’s a Wrap!
It was great connecting with the Disney Parks team as well as dozens of other local Influences – some whom I’ve known for almost a decade. I loved learning about how to grow professionally as well as discovering all the amazing and exciting things happening at Disney.
What are you most excited about regarding what’s new with Disney? Let us know in the comments!
