Disney Merchandise

Wishes Come True Blue ShopDisney Collection

22 October 2020 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

This new collection is living up to its name. The ShopDisney Wishes Come True Blue items are giving back to Make-A-Wish: The Disney Parks Wishes Come True Blue Color Collection celebrates 40 years of Disney and Make-A-Wish® working together to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Purchase any item in the Wishes Come True Blue Color Collection now through World Wish Day® 2021 (April 29, 2021) in the US, Canada and across Europe, and Disney will donate 25% of the purchase price (up to US $500,000) to Make-A-Wish®. wish.org/Disney What better way to give back and get some sparkly fun new blue items in the process??

You can see the entire Wishes Come True Blue collection here, but here are some of my favorite items – click any item to see it on ShopDisney.com:

Wishes Come True Blue Loungefly — Loungefly Minnie Backpack $90

Crocs Wishes Come True Blue Crocs — Sorcerer Mickey Crocs $59.99

Disneyland Mask Wishes Come True Blue — Disneyland Mask – preorder $12.99

WDW Mask Wishes Come True Blue — WDW Mask – preorder $12.99

WDW Spirit Jersey Wishes Come True Blue — WDW Sparkly Spirit Jersey $69.99

Disneyland Wishes Come True Blue Spirit Jersey — Disneyland Sparkly Spirit Jersey $69.99

Mickey Sparkly Starbucks Tumbler – $27.99

Disneyland Castle long sleeve shirt Wishes Come True Blue — This looks like a spirit jersey but is just a long sleeve shirt with the print on the front – $54.99

mini backpack Wishes Come True Blue — Mini Loungefly Backpack $45 and Alex & Ani bracelet $49.99

Again, there’s much more to the Wishes Come True Blue Collection, including pins, hats, ears, and more! So check out the whole collection! Let me know what you’ve decided to add to your Disney wardrobe (or tumbler collection like me!) To find more ShopDisney merchandise favorites, check out our Disney merchandise posts!

Haunted Mansion Dooney & Bourke 2020 Designs

21 September 2020 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Just in time for the 2020 Halloween season, another new design has joined the Disney Dooney & Bourke lineup! This pattern is being added to the existing Haunted Mansion designs, but in a new way. Previous Haunted Mansion Dooney & Bourke patterns included the familiar Haunted Mansion wallpaper design. In 2018, there was a pattern with a black background and a fun art style featuring classic faces from the ride.

For the Disney Dooney & Bourke Haunted Mansion 2020 edition, it’s a teal blue background with familiar faces and icons from the classic Disneyland and Walt Disney World Haunted Mansion attraction. The art style for these new designs is similar to that of Shag, without actually being a Shag creation. The allover print pattern features familiar spirits from The Haunted Mansion, including Madame Leota, Hitchhiking Ghosts, Caretaker, The Bride, Hatbox Ghost, Stretching Portraits, Singing Busts and many more

There are currently 4 different styles available on ShopDisney and I’m sure we’ll see them in parks soon as well. Let’s take a closer look:

2020 haunted mansion dooney satchel — Dooney & Bourke Haunted Mansion Satchel – $268

Haunted Mansion 2020 Dooney Crossbody Bag — Haunted Mansion 2020 Dooney & Bourke Crossbody Bag – $198

haunted mansion dooney backpack — 2020 Haunted Mansion Dooney & Bourke Backpack – $248

Dooney & Bourke Haunted Mansion 2020 wallet — Dooney & Bourke 2020 Haunted Mansion Wallet – $178

Which is your favorite style? Will you be adding the Haunted Mansion 2020 designs to your Disney Dooney & Bourke collection? There are some other fun Loungfly Haunted Mansion designs you may enjoy too!

Be sure to check out the Epcot Food & Wine Festival 2020 merchandise while you are there and see the Food & Wine Disney Dooney & Bourke designs for 2020 too!

Select Disney Dooney & Bourke handbags are available at Shop Disney– including an adorable Jungle Book Dooney design which came out in July and we love! There’s also a cool Geometric Mickey design, if you’re looking for a more subtle Disney connection.

If you’re looking for a particular bag and can’t find it on ShopDisney, try the Merchandise Hotline. The number for Walt Disney World Resort is 407-363-6200 or 407-828-1451. They may be able to help you out. Be sure to have as much info about the pattern name and bag style as you can.

Disclosure: *ShopDisney.com links are affiliate links, which means it costs you nothing extra to click or buy, but if you do, the site gets a small commission and you help support zannaland. Thanks for reading!

Chic Minnie Disney Dooney & Bourke Designs

8 September 2020 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Another new Disney Dooney & Bourke design has appeared, this time it’s all about Minnie Mouse and she’s CHIC! The Chic Minnie collection has only two bags available that we can see now, a Tres Chic Crossbody Bag and a Tres Chic Shopper Tote. They are covered in a stylized Minnie Mouse Parisian design, with some Mickey too. French phrases and landmarks adorn the white background with pops of red, black, yellow, and blue. These would make a perfect accessory to a Disney’s Riviera Resort photo shoot! Let’s see the designs below:

Disney Dooney & Bourke chic minnie crossbody front — Tres Chic Minnie Crossbody front – $198

Disney Dooney chic minnie crossbody back — Tres Chic Minnie Crossbody back – $198

Disney Dooney chic minnie shopper tote front — Tres Chic Minnie shopper tote front – $268

Disney Dooney chic minnie shopper tote back — Tres Chic Minnie shopper tote front – $268

Which is your favorite style? Will you be adding the Chic Minnie designs to your Disney Dooney & Bourke collection?

These styles have been spotted around the Disney Parks as well, so if you plan to visit soon, you may pick one up there. Be sure to check out the Epcot Food & Wine Festival 2020 merchandise while you are there and see the Food & Wine Disney Dooney & Bourke designs for 2020 too!

Disclosure: *ShopDisney.com links are affiliate links, which means it costs you nothing extra to click or buy, but if you do, I get a small commission. Thanks for reading!

Shop Disney Friends and Family Event – Save 25%

13 February 2020 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

The Shop Disney Friends & Family Event is here! During this event, February 13-17, 2020, you can get 25% off your entire purchase online at ShopDisney.com! This is a great time to pick up some Disney favorites you’ve been spying or saving in your cart for later! I really love how you’re able to get many of the great items available in Disney Parks online now at ShopDisney, it really gets me through the time when I can’t make it to Disneyland for a while (not that I’m keeping track with a clock counter or anything…).

I know I’m not alone in my love of some of the Disney designer collaborations that have been happening over the past few years (some for a decade – like the Disney + Dooney & Bourke 10th Anniversary that happened recently!). To celebrate our mutual love, I thought I’d put together a list of some of my favorites, to see if some of the same things catch your eye. Of course you can always share some of your favorites that I’ve missed in the comments and I can add them to the list too!

Edited to add: Now that the Friends and Family Sale is live, I have learned some of the designer collaborations are not included in the sale, like Dooney & Bourke. Sorry for any confusion, I didn’t know that when I was sent this info…But I have found some D&B bags that are on sale, so I’ve updated this post to share the ones that are currently on sale, and of course, any of the links will take you to ShopDisney where you can search for your favorites to stock up on during the sale, whether it’s pajamas, plush, Funko Pops or more!

Disney Dooney & Bourke

Well let’s start with the OG collaboration – Disney Dooney & Bourke. They have come out with SO many new designs, there seems to be one for every character or film or even snack at this point! I love that there are still some of the classic original designs available too. Here are some of my newest favorites (I’ve just discovered these bags are not on sale, but they are too pretty to take down, so I’m adding some that ARE on sale at the bottom):

Disney’s Fantasia Dooney & Bourke this new design is gorgeous. I especially love the Fantasia tote design it’s such a classic look!

Disney Dooney and Bourke Pixar hobo bag — Disney Dooney & Bourke Pixar hobo bag

The Disney Dooney & Bourke Pixar collection is brand new and adorable. All your favorites on one bag with some fun pops of color.

Of course, the recently released Disney Park Life design is a new and instant classic. All your favorite Disney park icons on a bright pink bag, it will definitely put a smile on your face. The best part is this design comes in more than just Disney Dooney & Bourke bags so there’s something for the whole family. Here are a couple of Dooneys on sale. (You don’t need a code for these, they are just reduced in price.):

Disney Dooney and Bourke Green Sketch — One of the 10th Anniversary Disney Dooney & Bourke Sketch bags – discounted now!

First on sale is one of the 10th Anniversary bags that came out last Fall – this bright new green color us such a perfect fit for Spring!

Speaking of Spring, the Dooney and Bourke Mickey and Minnie Floral Tote came out with last year’s Epcot Flower and Garden Festival, and now it’s on sale!

Disney Loungefly

The Disney Loungefly designs have been some of my favorite, they really are so creative, sometimes it’s just a pattern of characters or items you know and love, other times, it’s more of a “Disney Bounding” design, where the purse or wallet will look like the character it represents. Kind of like the Loungefly Bo Peep design below. This leads to some really cool items, and lots of conversation starters when you’re in the parks (and out!).

Loungefly Minnie Mouse sequined backpack

Loungfly is mostly known for the classic Minnie Mouse sequined backpack design seen here, but they have many other fun styles too.

The Bo Peep Loungefly mini backpack is such a fun twist on her iconic look – pink and blue with “lace” trim and polka dots.

One of the newest designs is the fun Loungefly Pixar ball, in a crossbody bag. So bright and a perfect addition to a Pixar look with sequins and black accents.

Loungefly Pixar ball crossbody — Loungefly Pixar Ball crossbody

Baby Yoda

Of course it’s not all about purses…it’s also about BABY YODA (ok ok “The Child”) Everything is 25% off, so you can add whatever items you see and want to add to your Disney collection. I mean, who doesn’t need a Baby Yoda hat. I may have to get that one myself.

Hopefully that gives you a little motivation to take advantage of this 25% off sale for the Shop Disney Friends and Family Event.

How do you score 25% off?

Simply use the code “DISNEYPAL” in the promo code area at checkout! You can click any of the links^* on this post to take you to ShopDisney and start saving with the Friends and Family Event! (*links on this page are affiliate links which is no extra cost to you, but zannaland may receive a small commission if you purchase anything, which helps offset our costs to keep bringing you new content.)

What Disney items do you collect? I’d love to hear from you below! And let me know if you’re buying anything during this sale too! I wanna see your shopping scores! 😀

Top 13ish Disney Black Friday Gift Guide Must-Haves

26 November 2019 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

It’s hard to believe there are only 28 days until Christmas, even less shopping days, and even less if you’re shopping for Hanukkah! There are so many fun books and collectibles and accessories this year, I figured it would be a good idea to list some of my favorites as a Disney Gift Guide to help out with making your list and checking it twice!

Personally, my interests are wide and varied, I love a good historical Disney book, but I also love a fun purse or a unique t-shirt. I don’t think I’m alone in that sentiment, so I decided I’d list a few top Disney Gifts so ~~all~~ most of people’s favorites are covered!

Top 5 Disney Books for 2019

For this list, we have some descriptions and recommendations from Scott, who you should know from our Up the Waterfall podcast. While we are both huge fans of Disney park history and those who created the parks, he is much more of an expert than I, and with a vast 1000+ book library of Disney titles, I think a definite expert in the topic!

Marc Davis in His Own Words: Imagineering the Disney Theme Parks by Pete Docter and Christopher Merritt – this book has been on sale off and on since its release, it’s currently almost 50% off its original $150 price tag!

After the 2014 release of the amazing Renaissance Man book about Disney Imagineer and artist Marc Davis, one would be smart to think that all has been said if this creative genius. One would be wrong. Very wrong! This new 11 lb, 2 volume opus from Pixar artist Pete Docter and co-author and Disney Imagineer Christopher Merritt just might be … THE GREATEST DISNEY BOOK OF ALL TIME! This amazing set of books explores every aspect of Marc Davis’ theme park creations and designs and artwork, from Jungle Cruise to Enchanted Tiki Room, from the 4 Disney attractions at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair to Pirates of the Caribbean, from the Haunted Mansion to Country Bear Jamboree and much much more, this book is so incredibly full of detail and hundreds of pictures and Marc Davis drawings. This book is an absolute must have!! Put this one on your Christmas list!!!

The Art of Disney Costuming: Heroes, Villains, and Spaces Between by Jeff Kurtti and the Staff of the Walt Disney Archives – this one is also almost 50% off its original price

This large coffee table book from Jeff Kurtti and the staff at the Walt Disney Archives documents the many beautiful and visually spectacular costumes from most of the recent (and some older) Walt Disney Pictures productions. In conjunction with the incredible Archives display at August’s D23 Expo in Anaheim, this volume has vivid close-up photos of some of the most memorable costumes in Disney cinema, with descriptive explanations of each one.

3.
Travels with Figment On the Road in Search of Disney Dreams by Marty Sklar – also almost 50% off initial price

Having written all of Walt Disney’s speeches and dialogue from the Walt Disney Presents and Disneyland television shows, and having led the creative team Walt Disney Imagineering for several decades and much more, Marty Sklar has seen and done it all. He had such an amazing life and it was very sad when we lost this great man in 2017. But we’re also very blessed that he wrote the three books that he did, and this is the final volume in his trilogy of fun insider stories and ideologies. Marty was such an amazing storyteller and usually each one had an underlying message of leadership or common sense behind it. It’s always great to get an insider look from someone who was there during the creations of Walt Disney World and so many more of Disney’s greatest achievements. Make sure not to miss out on this one!

The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company by Robert Iger – also almost 50% off list price

Starting at ABC Television in 1974, joining the Disney senior management team in 1996, shortly after Disney’s takeover of ABC the year before, and replacing Michael Eisner as Disney’s CEO in 2005, Robert Iger has finally written his story thus far in this incredible autobiography. From his learnings in business to his rise to the top, and the seemingly unending stories being in the front row of the entertainment industry, Iger reveals the intimate tales of his journey, and details the sequence of events that led to the acquisitions of Marvel, Pixar, LucasFilm and Fox. This is a must-have book for any Disney fan’s library.

One Day at Disney: Meet the People Who Make the Magic Across the Globe by Bruce Steele and Bob Iger This is being released December 3, 2019 and is already down to $35 from $50

The very interesting idea for this book was introduced to the adoring Disney fans during a top-secret presentation at this year’s D23 Expo in Anaheim. Thursday, February 21, 2019, an otherwise random day, was selected as the 24-hour snapshot where over 80 Disney Cast Members from across the globe were profiled to showcase the variety and scope of what Disney is all about. Famous Cast Members such as Bob Iger and actress Brie Larson to more seemingly random, but nevertheless interesting, folks, such as Dr. Natalie Mylniczenko, a veterinarian at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, who appears on the book cover, are featured. From Paris to Tokyo, from Anaheim to Orlando, from Shanghai to Hong Kong, from Hawaii to the Bahamas, the sun never sets on the diverse endeavors and Cast Member stories that are featured in this book, along with a full-length documentary and 52 short-form episodes to be shown on the all-new platform Disney+. This book will be a curious look at the various careers and stories that take place around the world every day.

Top 10 13 14 99? ShopDisney Gifts for 2019

Now before we get into specifics, let me just remind you that the Black Friday Sale at ShopDisney has been Extended, and you can SAVE Over 40% Off Sitewide! So check that out if you’re looking for the best deals/sales for your Disney Gift Lists.

Frozen 2 Merchandise!

6. I still have to see this movie, but Christian’s Frozen II Review is making me very excited to see it. Also we recently saw some of the merchandise available at Disney Parks for Frozen 2, so I’m sure there’s something for *almost* everyone on your list, with more coming on 11/30!

7. But that said, I feel like I’m definitely going to want the little blue salamander guy (Bruni I’m told)

8. There are SO many LoungeFly, Dooney & Bourke, Harveys and more designer bags now at Disney Parks and Shop Disney…it’s hard to pick a favorite. But I really liked this new Minnie Mouse Loungefly quilted backpack with a black velvet bow. The color can go from the holidays to New Year’s Eve and beyond and it’s pretty subtle with its classy velvet bow, as subtle as a backpack with mouse ears can be of course. 😉

9. – 12.? I know when I had smaller kiddos, I always stocked up on the Disney Store (now Shop Disney of course) pajama Black Friday sales. There are some great sales, but poke around if you want to get some Christmas PJ’s for the whole family too!

13. Ok, this is pretty cool, I’ve just discovered that you don’t even have to go TO the parks to get the newest Starbucks+Disney coffee tumblers! The holiday style is so cute, but you can also get all the park-specific Starbucks tumblers too! The Disneyland one is pretty adorable, Santa, if you’re reading this, take note. 😉 AND, as of me writing this, some of the Disney Parks styles are Buy One Get One 50% Off!

14-27? If you want all the holiday Shop Disney items in one spot, head here and explore to your hearts content!

28. – 35.? One last Disney Gift Guide suggestion, there are a handful of new-to-ShopDisney Alex + Ani bracelets which I know are very popular so you might find one or two for some folks on your list. How adorable is this Disney “Love” one with the ring? I know lots of people get engaged during the holidays, so this would be a great idea for those loved ones! The Pixar Ball bracelet is pretty cute too!

36. – 99.? (Did I get all these numbers right?) One last note – I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the newest sensation sweeping the nation – BABY YODA!!! Watch this space because right now, there are a handful of Baby Yoda items at ShopDisney, but it looks like they just have a few images pulled from Mandalorian stills, and I don’t think The Child would approve haha. How did they not know this most precious baby would be the hit of the internet?! They are working on coming out with more. I’ll update this if the link changes or there are any must-see jaw-droppingly adorable items that come out. If you could buy a replica of the baby Yoda from the show, there would be only one item on my Disney Gift Guide.

Here’s a link to some Amazon Black Friday Deals for DISNEY items, you may find a stocking stuffer or holiday gift or two there!

Thanks for checking out my Black Friday Gift Guide, as you can see, some were sales, others were just really cute things that I think would be a great addition under anyone’s tree. I don’t know about you, but when I get on a site, I tend to keep finding more and more things to add to my cart, so I cut it off at 99 but you know, it’s up to you. 😉

Do you have a great gift idea that you think I missed? Let me know in the comments below! I may do another list closer in with some great Disney fan gift ideas. Also, if you have any etsy or small shops you love, let me know, I would to share some of those businesses as well!

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission which helps keep my site, videos, and podcast up and running but it won’t cost you a penny more)!

Details from Disney Dooney & Bourke 10th Anniversary

11 October 2019 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

This morning I was invited to cover the Disney Dooney & Bourke 10th Anniversary event, taking place at Ever After Jewelry and Accessories at Disney Springs. This was really a “full circle moment” for me as I mentioned in my previous post announcing this event, I’ve been covering these purses from the start. I couldn’t keep up with allll the new designs and styles and accessories available (if anyone wants to volunteer to be a Dooney correspondent, let me know! haha) but I felt it was important for me to be here for this event. This iconic brand really did kick off the landslide of Disney collaborations with designers, and now there are countless partnerships and collections out there, truly something for everyone and every level of Disney fan.

I covered today’s event on my Zannaland instagram story, so be sure to head over there to experience all the fun as it happened. We were lucky enough to get to see the bags and be inside the store before it opened, so I have some photos here as well. The event was so smooth and very different from the first Dooney events I used to attend, where you’d be waiting in a queue for hours. They now use a virtual queue, where you just check in with a cast member out front when you arrive, and you’ll be given a time to return. You can then roam around Disney Springs as you wait for your turn vs. standing still in a traditional queue.

Here are the different 10th Anniversary styles available as of today, at Ever After, and wherever Dooney & Bourke bags are sold in Disney, as well as Shop Disney, where you can see all the prices and availability. Click on any image to enlarge:

Dooney & Bourke Balloons 10th Anniversary

I may have picked up the MagicBand for myself, because I loved that it was black and a fun pattern, and always said to myself, if I actually bought a MagicBand, it would be a Dooney & Bourke one. Mission accomplished.

Thank you again to Disney for having me out to cover this 10th anniversary event and to Ian Ray for coming out and speaking to us this morning! Were you there? What’s YOUR favorite Disney Dooney & Bourke design or style? Let me know in the comments below!

Select Disney Dooney & Bourke handbags are available at Shop Disney

Merchandise Hotline number for Walt Disney World Resort: 407-363-6200 or 407-828-1451.

Disclosure: Disney invited me out and I was gifted with a bag today, but I purchased the MagicBand on my own, and as always, my thoughts and opinions are my own.
*ShopDisney.com links are affiliate links, which means it costs you nothing extra to click or buy, but if you do, I get a small commission. Thanks for reading!

Disney Dooney & Bourke 10th Anniversary Event

25 September 2019 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

It’s hard to believe that the Disney + Dooney & Bourke collaboration has been going on for TEN YEARS now. I guess it’s not too hard for me, because I started Zannaland.com right before the first purse came out – the original Disney Sketch Design Bag. What a time. I remember driving up from where I lived outside of Tampa at the time, just to see this new bag and yes, buy one myself. I then began breaking news here on Zannaland whenever a new purse would be spotted, and for the various events and trunk sales that would happen at Disney Springs.

It soon became too much for me to keep up with the endless designs and new releases (as well as the Disney Parks Blog starting up, so all of the “scoops” and news was posted there first. In any event, I kept my Disney Dooney page up, in hopes that some day I would be able to properly update it with all the latest releases. However since about 6 years worth of designs have come out, I’m not sure that’ll ever be possible on my schedule. Additionally, there are so many places and personal shopping services to get these bags (along with facebook groups and eBay) that it became kind of silly for me to compete with that. The bags do hold a special place in my heart though, as they represent a “golden age of Disney blogging” haha. Simpler times. I still have a few in my own collection.

In any event, read on for details on a very special 10th anniversary event of the Disney Dooney & Bourke partnership – maybe I’ll be there myself for old times sake:

Disney Dooney & Bourke 10th Anniversary event at Disney Springs

Disney Dooney and Bourke 10th Anniversary Disney Sketch designs

Commemorate the 10th anniversary of the partnership between Disney and Dooney & Bourke with new merchandise and more!

In celebration of this momentous occasion, the “Disney Sketch” and “Mickey Balloons” original prints will be re-released and will now be available in great new color combinations. Plus, you’ll find that some of your favorite silhouettes have been released from the vault.

Bring home a dash of extra magic by receiving a select complimentary Dooney & Bourke small zip pouch with the purchase of any Dooney & Bourke merchandise, while supplies last*.

You’ll also have the opportunity to meet Ian Ray, Creative Director for Dooney & Bourke! He will be available for photos and to sign your newest Dooney & Bourke bag throughout the event.

When
October 11, 2019
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Where
Ever After Jewelry Co. & Accessories – Disney Springs

About Ian Ray
Ian lived and worked in 5 countries on 3 continents, where he specialized in material management and product development, before eventually settling in the United States in the late 1990’s. Ian’s current responsibilities include design and management of co-branded partnerships for Dooney & Bourke. He lives and works in Norwalk, Connecticut and loves sailing, triathlons and travel.

Event Details
Event dates, appearances and information are subject to change without notice and not guaranteed. Merchandise available while supplies last.

Disney Dooney nylon satchel — a previous event held at Tren-D at Disney Springs

VLOG: A Very Chaotic Trip to Food and Wine 2019

18 September 2019 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

We had a very weird day at Food and Wine. We ate things, we hunted a rat, we drove a car, and we did some shopping. This is the descent into madness.

Disclaimer: Disney invited us out to this event, but these opinions are our own!

https://youtu.be/riEW_dItmzM

Lion King Synergy to Protect the Pride in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

24 July 2019 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

While our roving movie reviewer Christian may not have felt The Lion King2019 edition was worth spending your money on, Disney IS putting their money to good use with several initiatives sending money to where real-life lions need it the most and Protect the Pride. And while I will be the first to admit, Disney tends to go overboard with the merchandise and promotion of all of their films, in this case, it is actually doing good along with the usual profits.

Disney recently invited us out to see some of the in-park celebrations and programs they have coordinated with the July 19th release of The Lion King. They hosted us for a day in the park and treated us to lunch as we experienced some of these offerings. As always, my opinions and views are my own, and I am posting about these initiatives because animal conservation is something near and dear to my heart, as is Animal Kingdom in general (and I get a bit defensive when people don’t enjoy the park on its own!).

Protect the Pride

It’s hard to believe, but in the 25 years since The Lion King first came out, half the lion population has been lost, and only 20,000 remain. To counter these facts, Disney launched The Lion King “Protect the Pride” campaign in conjunction with the Wildlife Conservation Network’s Lion Recovery Fund in an effort to double the lion population by 2050.

But this isn’t a new effort for Disney – since 1995, the Disney Conservation Fund has directed up to $75 million ($13M to projects across Africa) to save wildlife and protect the planet. Disney has already donated more than $1.5 million to the Wildlife Conservation Network’s Lion Recovery Fund and its partners. Now to celebrate the newest release of The Lion King, Disney is asking fans to help by taking part in The Lion King Celebration happening at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and The Lion King Protect the Pride campaign.

So How Can You Help?

Disney’s Animal Kingdom – For every guest who rides the Kilimanjaro Safaris Expedition at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in Florida during opening week of The Lion King film (July 19 – 25, 2019), Disney Conservation Fund will donate $2 (up to $350,000) to the Wildlife Conservation Network in support of the Lion Recovery Fund’s efforts to help double the number of lions across Africa by 2050. (Theme park admission is required.)

Disney Stores & U.S Parks – 40,000 Special Edition The Lion King 2019 Simba and Nala plush lions are available for purchase at Disney stores across the globe. Each of the 40,000 plush represents one of the lions for which Disney and the Lion Recovery Fund are working to ensure a future. For each Special Edition lion sold, Disney will donate US $5 to the Wildlife Conservation Network in support of the Lion Recovery Fund and its local partners. Visit Disney.com/LionKingProtectThePride to learn more.

More Lion King Celebrations

The Lion King fun doesn’t end there. In addition to Protect the Pride, there are a lot of new offerings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to help celebrate and really commemorate the spirit of The Lion King. The Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party (which is REALLY fun and I’m not usually a dance party kind of girl), photo opportunities featuring dimensional backgrounds (some you can see in this post), and “Rivers of Light: We Are One,” which is now reimagined with familiar animals from Disneynature films and classic moments from Disney animation. I have not personally seen the new show yet, but did love the original Rivers of Light when it first debuted.

Lion King Merchandise

A new Dooney & Bourke collection will be available at Mombasa Marketplace and Discovery Trading Company. The collection includes a satchel, crossbody and tote with a pattern featuring beloved characters such as Simba, Nala, Timon and Pumbaa. These handbags are available now while supplies last.

And of course, those adorable Simba and Nala collectible plush where $5 goes toward saving lions:

The Lion King Scavenger Hunt

With the great success over in Epcot, there is a new hunt themed to, you guessed it, The Lion King. Characters from The Lion King are hidden around Harambe Village. We saw some on our visit and they are really cool but I won’t spoil their locations! Each time you spot one, add the corresponding sticker to your map. The map is available at the Outpost Shop, Discovery Trading Company, Island Mercantile, and Mombasa Marketplace for $6.99. Return your map to Mombasa Marketplace or The Outpost Shop by 9/28/19 or while supplies last for a “savanna surprise”. (which is actually a really cool hand-painted collectible!). If you just want to get the prize at the end, you can purchase the three for $6.99 a piece.

Lion King Snacks

There are some snack and drink options that will really make you roar. These special drinks and snacks will be available through the end of the summer. All of the images below are ©Disney (except the first one, obviously not up to Disney quality haha). Most all of these snacks are extremely sweet, so go prepared to experience an extreme sugar rush. Not pictured are Simba and Nala waffles from Tusker House for breakfast, and the SImba Cupcake from Pizzafari.

I’m shocked by this Simba Swirl of pineapple Dole Whip with coconut, watermelon, and strawberry syrup!
Shaved ice topped with watermelon and passion fruit-mango syrup.
Vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two chocolate chip cookies and decorated with a chocolate tail and an image of Simba.
Lion King latte art from Joffrey’s Coffee
Chocolate soft-serve ice cream in a green cone with cookies and cream “dirt” crumbles, gummy worms, and a chocolate beetle — at the Anandapur Bus and Trilo-Bites.

Also recently added to Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the return of Animation Academy, which we all miss from Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The “new” Disney’s Animation Experience is over in Rafiki’s Planet Watch, accessible by train from Harambe and a short walk from the station. This is now the only thing in the building, so you must wait for the next session to start before being let in to choose a seat and a clipboard with paper and pencil. The seating is very tight and cramped but if you’re lucky, they’ll let you spread out so you have a little elbow room.

During our session, we drew Simba and it was much “easier” (if that’s possible for a total non-drawer like myself) with some lines and the main face circle already printed on the paper. If you love to draw, and love to pet animals like goats and pigs and llamas, definitely head over to Rafiki’s Planet Watch and stop by the petting zoo while you’re there.

Animation Experience Rafiki's Planet Watch — How’d we do?

All in all, I think this is a great example of Disney synergy used for good. Yes, there are new purses and snacks and even an extra ticketed event. [Circle of Flavors: Harambe at Night – an after-hours progressive dining event where each course is themed to a different African animal, with amazing desserts, and the opportunity to enjoy a Virtual Reality experience with the resident lions from Kilamanjaro Safaris – for $125 per adult on select nights]. Despite all of that, Disney is also highlighting the importance of conservation of lions and all endangered animals. What these new offerings did was allow me to experience Animal Kingdom in a whole new way. This is always great for a jaded local who was there on opening day. If it helps Protect the Pride, all the better.

What about you? Will you experience any of these Lion King Celebration activities? If you can’t make it down for the summer, what’s a favorite memory you have from Animal Kingdom? I’d love to hear it!

Disclosure: As mentioned above, Disney invited us to this event. They provided admission to the park, lunch, and gift cards to purchase snacks. Again, my opinions are my own. I think it’s important to note that I have an annual pass. I have also paid on my own to dine at Tiffins many times. If I didn’t like something, you’d know. But I also have to assume, if you are reading this, you are probably a Disney parks fan too. Thanks for reading!

VIDEO: Toy Story Pop-Up Shop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

5 June 2019 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has just opened a new Toy Story themed Pop-up shop, join us as we check out where it is and what they’ve got in store.

This vlog was filmed on June 5th, 2019, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the opening of the new Toy Story Pop-up shop. Check it out below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luGi1Bvm2o8