Disney News: Reimagined Grand Californian, Magic Band Update & More

Here’s our latest round-up of news from the various Disney vacation destinations.

Reimagining Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at the Disneyland Resort

Today, we’re excited to share details surrounding the exciting renovation currently underway at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at the Disneyland® Resort! The most extensive refurbishment since its opening, Walt Disney Imagineering has developed an impressive plan that not only elevates the premium hotel experience, but also brings a modern approach to the Arts & Crafts design style. The hotel-wide refresh will include reimagining all guest rooms, pool areas and the concierge-level Craftsman Club as well as new furniture for the lobby. See the photo at the top of this post for a preview of the new rooms.

Recently named a AAA Four Diamond hotel by the Automobile Club of Southern California for the sixteenth year in a row, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa opened in 2001 as a deluxe retreat capturing the romantic spirit of California’s Arts & Crafts movement in the early 20th century.

Guest rooms will be completely redesigned to create a fresh sense of luxury. Every single element will be new—from the floors and walls to the furnishings, beddings and linens as well as upgraded bathrooms. Upon entry, you will notice hardwood flooring transition into soft, bright-toned carpeting. The room decor is a contemporary take on the Arts & Crafts style featuring all-new furniture made of natural oak, specially designed for each room, as well as California-inspired artwork created by artists and Imagineers, including beautiful headboard walls with wood inlay designs featuring orange trees and Chip ‘n Dale! Guests with a sharp eye will catch other uniquely Disney details throughout these newly refreshed rooms.

Refurbishments are well underway at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and you will begin enjoying the first phase of refreshed guest rooms soon. The multi-phase roll-out is expected to be completed by the end of 2017. Stay tuned for more updates!

New Palo and Remy First Night Dinner Option available on Disney Cruise Line

Now you have the opportunity to make an online booking for Palo or Remy Dinner on the first night of your Disney Cruise Line cruise in addition to booking Palo and/or Remy on one other night during the cruise.

The following two new booking options have been added to My Cruise Activities for Palo and Remy on the first night of the cruise only:

• Palo Dinner First Night
• Remy Dinner First Night

With these additions, you are now able to book the following Palo and Remy options during your cruise, subject to availability:

• One Palo Dinner First Night or One Remy Dinner First Night
• One Palo Dinner (any night except the first night)
• One Remy Dinner (any night except the first night)
• One Palo Brunch (if available during their sailing)
• One Remy Brunch (if available during their sailing)

MagicBand 2 & MagicKeepers Now Available at Walt Disney World Resort

Recently, Disney introduced the new MagicBand 2, which offers more versatility and customization as you unlock the magic of your Walt Disney World® Resort vacation.

Over the last few months, MagicBand 2 has been rolled out to Guests who receive them prior to arrival, as well as to Guests who pre-engage with My Disney Experience and receive them at a Disney Resort hotel. Now, Guests who have not had the chance to pre-engage in advance are also receiving MagicBand 2 upon check-in at the front desk in the default color of gray.

We’re also excited to share that solid-color MagicBand 2 are available for purchase in the current eight colors – pink, blue, red, green, orange, gray, yellow and purple – wherever MagicBands are sold throughout Walt Disney World Resort.

With the MagicBand 2 solid-color bands, you have even more options to customize your MagicBand. You can mix and match different-colored bands to create your favorite multi-colored band because with MagicBand 2, the center icon is removable and linked to your My Disney Experience account. MagicBand 2 is also available for purchase in a variety of graphic designs.

You can also customize your solid-color MagicBand 2 with the new MagicKeepers accessories. You can put the center icon into a sliver carabiner to wear on a purse, diaper bag or belt loop; or into a Mickey Mouse or Minnie Mouse lanyard clip to wear around your neck. A mini-screwdriver is included with each MagicKeeper to make changing the icon easy.

What’s Happening at Star Wars: Galactic Nights on April 14

The first-ever Star Wars: Galactic Nights event is coming up at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® on April 14, 2017? Today, we’re excited to share more details on this new Hollywood-inspired special evening, which will include celebrity chats, behind-the-scenes looks, attractions and much more.

First, Vanessa Marshall, the voice of Hera Syndulla from Star Wars Rebels, will serve as host of “Inside the Saga: Celebrity Chat Show” and take your Clients behind the scenes of the latest installment to the Star Wars franchise, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. This event-exclusive offering will take place multiple times throughout the event in the Epic Theater. You won’t want to miss the Inside the Saga pre-show, featuring Star Wars Show hosts, Andi Gutierrez and Anthony Carboni.

Guests of all ages can explore Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the Seize the Saga Interactive Scavenger Hunt, searching for unique Star Wars photo backdrops. You will step into immersive and iconic scenes from the films, including a newly created backdrop from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and receive a themed piece representing each of the eight Star Wars films. These pieces will come together to form a one of a kind event keepsake.

And as previously announced, the event will mark the debut appearance of BB-8 at Star Wars Launch Bay.

Park access and activities will be limited to Star Wars: Galactic Nights event ticket holders only. Here’s a look at other event offerings:

• Rebel Base Activities – The Rebel Base will serve as the event hub with multiple events, hosted shows, Star Wars dance parties and more taking place in the center of the park.
• Can’t miss Star Wars photo ops – You can don your Star Wars finest and enjoy iconic Star Wars backdrops, including the debut appearance of BB-8, Han Solo cast in carbonite, Jabba the Hutt’s Palace, the Hoth Wampa Cave and more.
• Galactic Nights Stars in Cars Motorcade – This procession will welcome in Star Wars celebrities down Hollywood Blvd.
• Imperial March & March of the First Order – Darth Vader will lead a battalion of stormtroopers on a dramatic march down Hollywood Blvd to the Event Stage. Captain Phasma will also lead a unit of First Order stormtroopers through the park, pausing to give a demonstration of power and strength.
• “Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away” – High-energy clips of the best moments from the film saga juxtaposed with character moments on stage, featuring Chewbacca, Darth Vader, Kylo Ren and more.
• “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” – The skies will come alive with the power of the Force, as the park’s popular Star Wars-themed nighttime spectacular lights up the night.

Other popular attractions will be open, including Star Wars Launch Bay. Additional offerings will include the chance to experience Star Tours-The Adventures Continue attraction, AWR Trooper sightings, roaming droids, Star Wars-themed F&B, special merchandise and much more.

The event will be held at the park from 7 p.m.-midnight. The Star Wars: Galactic Nights ticket costs $129 plus tax for adults and $124 plus tax for children ages 9 and under. Tickets to the Star Wars: Galactic Nights event is separate from admission to Star Wars Celebration at the Orange County Convention Center, April 13-16, 2017. Tickets are extremely limited. Call us for more details.

To learn more about the destinations in this blog post, please visit our Walt Disney World, Disneyland and Disney Cruise Line information pages.