Frozen Ever After

Recently, Disney shared  first glimpse of the new Frozen themed ride at EPCOT. Called Frozen Ever After, the ride will take visitors through Arendelle during the Winter in Summer Celebration created by Queen Elsa. Guests will be transported in boats past Elsa's Ice Palace and the icy world of the North Mountain before returning to the Bay of Arendelle. The ride will include all of your favorite Frozen characters, including the Snowgies from Frozen Fever. They are also expanding the Norway Pavilion to include a Royal Sommerhus that reflects the cultural arts of Norway and provides a new location to meet Anna and Elsa. Frozen Ever After and the Royal Sommerhus won't open until 2016, but it sounds like there's a lot to look forward to.

In the meantime, be sure to check out all the Frozen Summer Fun at Hollywood Studios. From the Royal Welcome in the morning to special Frozen Fireworks at night, every day promises to be filled with Frozen fun. And now they've added an extra Frozen treat. Every day, starting at 10am, you'll be able to watch Frozen Fever, the animated short that debuted with Cinderella. Played twice each hour at the ABC Sound Studio, the short will also include a sneak peak behind the scenes at the making of the film. Frozen Summer Fun runs from June 17 to September 7, 2015.

Awaken Summer at Disney World

All images: Disney

Disney has finally released the opening dates for all of the attractions you've been waiting for. It looks like it's going to be a very busy June!

First up is Animal Kingdom. The fun begins next Friday, May 27 with the new Tree of Life nighttime awakening.  That same night features the premier of the Harambe Wildlife Parti and Discovery Island Carnival. The new water show "The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" starts the following day, May 28.

Next up is Hollywood Studios. Beginning on May 27, guests can enjoy the third track on Toy Story Mania, which will hopefully shorten the wait times. On June 17, the highly anticipated  new "Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular" fireworks show will turn the sky and buildings into scenes from the films.

Now we've come to the Magic Kingdom.  A new stage show called "Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire" debuts on June 17. The show features Mickey and his Merry Makers as they prepare to host a Princess filled festival. The show will also bring Tiana, Naveen, and Louis (Princess & the Frog), Rapunzel and Flynn Ryder (Tangled), and Anna, Elsa, and Olaf (Frozen) to the Castle Forecourt Stage.

And finally, EPCOT. Again, debuting on June 17, is Soarin' Around the World. Just a few days later, on June 21, we'll finally get the chance to ride Frozen Ever After and see Anna and Elsa at their new Royal Sommerhus.

In all, it sounds like a lot of fun. I can't wait to start booking my FastPasses so I can check it out! FastPasses for most attractions should be available today.

Disney World Announcement Roundup

Disney has released a flood of information about what is coming to the parks over the next several months. From Jungle Book inspired shows at Animal Kingdom to Soarin' Over the World, Frozen Ever After to new Star Wars Fireworks, a lot of exciting things are coming soon. Here's a sneak peek at what you can expect.

Animal Kingdom -
Starting Memorial Day Weekend, Animal Kingdom will stay open late. You'll be able to ride Kali River Rapids and Expedition Everest in the dark, as well as take a special sunset Kilimanjaro Safari. The Tree of Life will Awaken each night when animal spirits are brought to life by magical fireflies. Harambe will be filled with music and dancing during the Harambe Wildlife Parti. Discovery Island will host a Carnivale with music, dancing, stilt walkers, and exotic food. And speaking of food, Tiffins, the new world traveler restaurant, will be open for lunch and dinner. And while you're waiting for Rivers of Light to open, watch The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic Show. The show is full of music and special effects inspired by both the old film and the new, now with an Indian influence.

EPCOT -
Soarin' has undergone a major overhaul. No longer focusing on just California, Soarin' Over the World takes guests along the Great Wall of China, around Syndney Harbor in Australia, over the Matterhorn in Switzerland, and more.

Opening June 17, guests will glide over a dozen breathtaking views of the world, complete with spectacular sounds and scents. The interactive queue has been reimagined and a third screen has been added to cut wait times. Check out this sneak preview.

The Frozen Ever After attraction at the Norway Pavilion is set to open in June. Guests will take a boat tour through Arendelle. You'll see the "Winter in Summer" Celebration where Queen Elsa uses her magic to create a snow day for the kingdom, pass Troll Valley, go up the North Mountain to Elsa's Ice Palace, and return to the Bay of Arendelle. After the ride, meet Anna and Elsa at their new Royal Sommerhus, inspired by a Norwegian countryside cabin.

Hollywood Studios -
It's the summer of Star Wars at Hollywood Studios this year. Starting in June, you can see the new fireworks show "Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular." The new show combines fireworks, pyrotechnics, lighting effects and projections that turn buildings into the trench of the Death Star, the suns of Tatooine, and other familiar locations. A live show called "Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away" celebrates iconic Star Wars moments with BB-8, Kylo Ren, Chewbacca, and Darth Vader. The show begins with a procession of First Order Stormtroopers, led by Captain Phasma, from the Launch Bay to the stage. The Launch Bay features movie props and character encounters, such as Chewbacca and Kylo Ren.