AUTHOR: Tom Bell

Tom is the former host/producer of the Disneyland Edition podcast and is currently the co-host of the Connecting With Walt podcast, plus is also providing Disneyland content from the parks. He enjoys traveling with friends and spending time with family, including his son and grandson. In his spare time he volunteers with Scouts BSA and Cub Scouts, and helped found his son's former Cub Scout Pack. His favorite Disneyland attraction is Space Mountain.



Disney Junior’s Elena of Avalor coming to the Magic Kingdom

Beginning in August, Walt Disney World guests will be able to meet Elena, from the upcoming Disney Junior series “Elena of Avalor“, in Magic Kingdom Park. Elena is Disney’s first Latina princess and is described by Nancy Katner, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Disney Junior Worldwide, as “a confident and compassionate teenager in Disney Junior’s Elena of Avalor coming to the Magic Kingdom

Soarin’ Around the World opens June 17 at Epcot and California Adventure

Guests on both coasts will soon have a chance to “soar” over the Great Wall of China and the Sydney Harbor in Australia when Soarin’ Over the World debuts at Epcot and Disney California Adventure on June 17, 2016. The updated attraction will premier first at Shanghai Disneyland, but then open the next day in Soarin’ Around the World opens June 17 at Epcot and California Adventure

Anaheim House of Blues closing May 31 to begin move from Downtown Disney

The House of Blues restaurant and entertainment venue at the Disneyland Resort will close on May 31 to begin its move to a larger location at the Anaheim GardenWalk. Live Nation Entertainment, the parent company of House of Blues, confirmed the closing date when it filed a notice with the California Employment Department recently stating Anaheim House of Blues closing May 31 to begin move from Downtown Disney

Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise is closed, but the fun continues

The Jungle Cruise at Disneyland is set to reopen May 6th after being closed for several months. Though the classic attraction has been closed, the skippers have still stayed busy. Not only have they been hosting Skipper School, where guests can get a crash-course in bad puns, but they’ve also been presenting a “virtual” Jungle Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise is closed, but the fun continues

First Magic Kingdom band director retiring after long career at Disneyland

Stan Freese, currently the Disneyland Resort Casting and Booking Director, is preparing to retire after a 43-year career in Disney Parks. Freese began his career at Walt Disney World as the first director of the Magic Kingdom Park band after being spotted by Disney playing a tuba concert at the White House for President Richard First Magic Kingdom band director retiring after long career at Disneyland