UPDATE: Major Annual Passholder Discounts Official

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

Yesterday we posted about the return of the 20% merchandise discount given to certain types of annual passes. Today, we’ve received a Passholder email that confirms what we had heard, plus dining discounts!

According to the email, Passholders can get 20% off Disney merchandise and 10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages at table-service restaurants at the theme parks and Disney resort hotels (select are offering 20% off even) during all available meal periods. This offer extends through September 30, 2017.

There are some exclusions, including Victoria & Albert’s, Les Chefs de France, Monsieur Paul and Teppan Edo. You can visit DisneyWorld.com/PassBenefits for select Disney Springs table-service discounts.

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RUMOR: Disney May Be Buying Netflix?

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

netflix

According to an article posted by Forbes Magazine today, there is some “chatter” that Disney may be in talks to buy Netflix.

This doesn’t seem completely unreasonable given the latest push of Disney content to the streaming service.

What do you think? Think we’ll hear or know more come Monday?

Walt Disney World Bringing Back Higher Annual Pass Merchandise Discount

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

According to inside sources, most annual pass types for Walt Disney World be restoring a 20% merchandise discount.

The discount should go back into effect tomorrow, October 1st, 2016.

This discount was offered several years ago, but was reduced to just 10% a few years back. Disneyland Resort provides most annual passholders a 20% merchandise discount already.

Disney has yet to confirm the change, so it is just a rumor as of right now.

Disney Cast Members Will Need to Speak Na’vi to Work in Pandora: The World of AVATAR

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

Disney theme park experiences are all about immersion and bringing guests into a another world, but I’m not sure they have ever gone this far before…

Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

An internal casting call for “proprietors” (basically the leaders of each land in Disney theme parks) has gone out at Walt Disney World for Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

“Pandora: The World of Avatar is committed to becoming the most immersive and engaging land in the history of The Walt Disney Company. Through unparalleled storytelling, place-making and attention to detail, this role will be critical in leading and inspiring our Cast as they set the standard by which all other experiences are measured.”

The more interesting part is the basic job qualifications for the role, which include a proficiency in a new language…

“Ability to understand, articulate and teach Na’vi and Pandora culture and its connection to the Disney’s Animal Kingdom brand”

“Willingness to learn a new language: learnnavi.org”

“Inspire, educate and hold Leaders and Cast accountable to be an active participant in an immersive experience”

“Develop and deliver a plan to premier Pandora: The World of Avatar as the most immersive experience ever accomplished”

Now, I’m not the biggest fan in the world of the AVATAR film, but this even sounds exciting to me. Could you imagine a theme park land that requires every cast member “living” in it to actually know and be a curator of the history and culture of the mythical realm they work in? Seems like the kind of storytelling you always hope for as a guest.

Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Regardless, the fact that this casting call has gone out also means that Pandora: The World of AVATAR can’t be that far way from finally being completed and that we are very likely well under a year away from the grand opening (or maybe even soft openings) for this new theme park land.

VIDEO: 45-41 on 45 Greatest Things at WDW List, Comparing Halloween parties, & More on Latest WDW News Tonight

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

Last night on WDW News Tonight…

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjUykihgNJ8]

 

Hosted by radio veterans and life-long Disney fans Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, WDW News Tonight is a live, weekly, audio and video program presented on AM 1520 WBZW in Orlando, Florida and online at WDWNewsTonight.com every Wednesday from 9-11pm EST. The show covers the Walt Disney World Resort and other Disney news. The show combines the latest headlines, comedy, trending vaction topics, call in games, and in-depth discussions to bring Disney fans a one-of-a-kind 2-hour program covering the Disney Parks. While the show is being live-streamed in both audio and video, listeners and viewers also interact via a live chat online. The show is also available on demand as an audio download, online audio stream and can be watched live or recorded on YouTube.

STK To Undergo Changes Due to Under-Performance at Disney Springs

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

STK Orlando has come to realization that what has worked so well for them in other markets may not work at Disney Springs.

STK Orlando

STK Orlando

While we did enjoy our first dinner at STK Orlando, it is possibly pricey enough to rule out a visit from many Disney World guests. The much cheaper lunch service was also not stellar in our review, probably a problem as that offering would open the establishment up to more families.

Jonathan Segal, CEO of the parent company One Group stated today that many of the more expensive steaks offered have not been popular and STK Orlando will be altering their menu and changing exterior signage in an effort to improve their visitor count and guest satisfaction. They are also considering the addition of an outside hostess stand.

STK Orlando opened in May at Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney Princess Meet and Greet to be Offered at Disney Springs

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

If you’ve ever dreamed of meeting a Disney Princess during a visit to World of Disney at Disney Springs, that wish is about to come true during a one-month, limited-time offering set to debut on Saturday, October 1, 2016.

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With surprise appearances each day, you could meet Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora, Tiana or another visiting princess – there are no set times for specific characters, but you’re always sure to receive a royal reception.

Entertainment Show Director Tom Vazzana shared the background story of the experience:

“Cinderella had a wish for her and her fellow royal princesses to have a place to meet new friends. The Fairy Godmother was able to grant her this wish, and now, tucked away in a magical corner of World of Disney is a location befitting Cinderella’s request. A magical ‘royal hall’ was created complete with tapestries and images inspired by classic fairytales.”

A Disney PhotoPass photographer will be on hand to capture each interaction, so pictures will be available for guests to purchase or download as part of their Memory Maker product purchase.

The experience will be offered from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily from October 1 – November 1, 2016. Once you check in, a cast member will share the approximate wait time and return instructions; when it’s time for you to return to the queue, you’ll be moments away from meeting a Disney Princess.

“Frozen Free Fall: Icy Shot” Takes Puzzle Games in a New Direction

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

A sequel to the hit mobile game Frozen Free Fall just released on mobile devices and it’s free to download. Frozen Free Fall: Icy Shot may carry the name of the first entry, but it’s an all-new puzzle game that adds an interesting twist to the mobile market’s seemingly endless supply of puzzle games.

https://https://youtu.be/WRB4Shhg1S8

Frozen Free Fall: Icy Shot features over 100 levels where players join Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and friends to shoot snowballs in order to shatter icy obstacles. The gameplay is similar to the classic brick game found on older iPods or computers, but Icy Shot spices things up with intricate puzzle design and special power-ups.

The game offers in-app purchases that will provide players with extra lives or coins to help continue their journey. Later on, the game will be updated with new content inspired by Frozen Northern Lights, an upcoming LEGO animated series.

Frozen Free Fall: Icy Shot is available now on the App Store and Google Play Store.