A lot of news in the world of Disney has hit the headlines in the last couple of weeks, and we’re catching you up.
The holidays are almost upon us and for fans of one of Walt Disney World’s most beloved yuletide displays, they may want to take one last trip to see the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. The holiday attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will celebrate its 20th and final year this season. According to ABC News, the synchronized lights display is ending in order to use the space for new areas themed to Toy Story and Star Wars.
Speaking of the new Star Wars Land, the company is announcing that ground will be broken on the area in 2016, the LA Times reports, at both Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. An opening date, however, is still unknown.
For more fun from a galaxy far, far away, the Orlando Sentinel is reporting that the popular Star Wars Half Marathon that made its debut at the Disneyland Resort in 2015 will make its way to Walt Disney World Resort, April 14-17, 2016. Moving forward, the Florida event will be known as the “Dark Side,” while the weekend in California is to be called the “Light Side.” The half marathon will have runners racing through Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios before wrapping up at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. A 5k, 10k, and kids races make up the rest of the festivities. Those spry enough to do the Star Wars Dark Side Challenge – running the 10k and half marathon – will get a Death Star-themed medal. Want to compete on both coasts? The Kessel Run Challenge features a medal inspired by the Millennium Falcon.
Lastly, Frozen is proving that it’s not going anywhere anytime soon, especially at the Disney parks. The company is announcing that a Frozen stage show will come to Disney California Adventure next summer, replacing “Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular” at the Hyperion Theater. The current production will put on its final performance on Jan. 10, 2016 after 14,000 shows.
