NEWS: Disney’s Hollywood Studios 30th Anniversary, New Park Offerings Inspire Guests To Visit Now More Than Ever

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will mark a thrilling park milestone on May 1, 2019 – 30 years of bringing magical entertainment to life for Walt Disney World Resort guests!

Wonderful World of Animation Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios

The park will celebrate its 30th anniversary on May 1 with an anniversary ceremony and the debut of the new nighttime projection show, “Wonderful World of Animation” after the sun goes down. The new show will use state-of-the-art projection technology to take guests on a magical journey through more than 90 years of Disney animation, all beginning with Mickey himself. (Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog in the coming weeks for full details on the park’s exciting anniversary day plans).

Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy at Disney's Hollywood Studios

And the fun of this park’s milestone is only the beginning of what’s in store for guests visiting Walt Disney World Resort this spring. Also plussing up the fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this spring is Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy – a high-octane, first-of-its-kind show that puts guests in the middle of the “Cars” universe – which will open its doors to guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on March 31.

At Magic Kingdom Park, guests can continue to enjoy Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration offerings through September 30, including the new “Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It!” Street Party, special merchandise and celebration-inspired food & beverage offerings.

Festival of the Lion King at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Guests can celebrate the 25th anniversary of “The Lion King” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom through September 30, at the “Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party” or by snapping photos at special “Lion King”-themed photo ops throughout the park. Guests can also top off their Lion King fun by taking in a performance of the show’s long-running “Festival of the Lion King” show. Starting this summer, the Tree of Life will awaken in the evenings with a new story, depicting moments from Simba’s journey in a beautiful artistic style, set to evocative music inspired by the score of “The Lion King”.

Guests can enjoy everything the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival has to offer – now through June 3! New festival offerings for this year’s event include four new Outdoor Kitchens that dish up amazing food, a must-see Bo Peep topiary, and a new Play Full Garden (presented by Advent Health). The Garden Rocks concert series has also been expanded to offer performances seven nights a week from both returning favorites and new acts like TobyMac, Steven Curtis Chapman and Colin Hay of Men at Work.

Then Guardians of the Galaxy – Awesome Mix Live! shows will return to the America Gardens Theatre at Epcot from June 14-August 18. Here, guests can join Star-Lord, Gamora and their alien band for an intergalactic concert sure to send guests into the cosmos.

Will you visit Walt Disney World Resort this spring or summer? What are you looking forward to the most? Tell us in the comments section below!

About the Author: DBTN - FOUNDER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF DBTN

My enthusiasm for all things Disney all started when my parents took our family to WDW for a vacation. My first trip was at age 13. Since that first time, I have made a trip to WDW almost every year from age 13. As far as I knew there was only one place to vacation! My fascination with WDW began on that first trip. I wanted to know how things at WDW operated and what made it so magical. I wanted to know details like how many people worked there and the length of the monorail track. It is that fascination that fueled my interest in WDW. Each year that my family vacationed at WDW, I learned more about WDW as they built more parks and added more attractions. I am not the average fan; I want to know all the details and I love researching the facts of WDW. I research facts through the Internet, books and DVDs. To me, the best part is to conduct research trip at WDW. After college, my father was transferred to Orlando and I moved with my parents. Seeking employment, I applied for a job at WDW. I passed the first rounds of interviews and was proud to join the Disney family as a security cast member! The job was great. It included Disney-specific training and security training before assuming four duties: driving a security vehicle, standing a post, working in a resort or walking a park or other area. Sometimes I even had special duties like working the Epcot Christmas Processional. I would escort the celebrity guests from backstage to onstage. Interestingly, every cast member is given a WDW fact book monthly to aid in answering guest questions. The pocket book contained great Disney facts that added more fuel for my thirst of Disney facts. Well, all-good things must come to end so we moved back to NJ. In the summer of 2010 I moved back to Florida I am now living in Orlando less then 15 minutes from WDW and living the dream and have fun along the way. Favorite Park – Magic Kingdom Favorite Character – Mickey Mouse Favorite restaurant – California Grill Favorite attraction – Toy Story Mania Favorite resort – Bay Lake Tower / Contempoary First time at a disney park – 1976 & have been every year since Who was on your first disney trip – My entire family Favorite disney memory – My first trip and my first trip with my kids How far do you live from disney now – 15 minutes When is your next Disney trip? – every weekend Favorite Disney Movie – Jungle Book & Toy Story

NEWS: Disney’s Hollywood Studios 30th Anniversary, New Park Offerings Inspire Guests To Visit Now More Than Ever