D23 is inviting members to celebrate the magic of the holiday season at Disney Springs with reserved seating for a Walt Disney World Holiday Services Q&A, shopping discounts and merchandise, delicious treats, and a few holiday surprises!
The event is being held on Tuesday, December 13th, 2016 from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.
Guests in attendance will have the opportunity to pick up a complimentary cup of hot cocoa and an exclusive sweet treat, as well as shop at various locations along the way. All attendees will receive a D23 reusable souvenir mug and some additional surprises.
There is also a separate ticketed event the same evening, a private moonlit meal at STK Orlando. Continuing the seasonal celebration, members have the opportunity to gather under the moonlight for a festive meal at the newly opened STK Orlando at Disney Springs.
D23 attendees will enjoy a three-course meal personally designed in the spirit of holiday gatherings. In addition, guests will receive a specially crafted holiday-inspired cocktail. Throughout the meal on the private outdoor patio, guests will have the opportunity to spend time with fellow Disney fans, as well honorary Disney luminaries and special guests.
In the spirit of the season, all attendees will receive an exclusive, one-of-a-kind set of historic Disney holiday cards, selected from the Walt Disney Archives. This event is only open to Gold and Gold Family Members.
Registration for both events opens to D23 Gold Members on November 14th. Registration to the Holiday Celebration event then opens to all D23 members on November 21st. More details on these events can be found at D23.com.
Recently, the Coca-Cola Polar Bear began appearing at the Coke Store at Disney Springs. You may remember that the store opened back in July with the promise that the meet and greet would come at a later time.
The meet and greet is available daily, intermittently during operating hours. The experience uses Disney’s PhotoPass service.
Welcome to another edition of Tom’s Top 7, a continuing countdown of my favorite (and occasionally, least favorite) things at the Disney Parks around the globe. Why seven? Because seven ate nine. Wait…
With the Christmas season looming, along with the debut of some new holiday offerings at Walt Disney World this year, I though it might be fun to look back at some of the holiday stuff that you can’t see anymore. From extensive light displays to parades and shows from Holidays past, let’s take a spirited trip down memory lane. The best part? We actually have video of each of the offerings so you can relive them all one more time.
While it may seem a bit early to start celebrating, here are my Top 7 Christmas Shows that you can’t see at Walt Disney World anymore.
1. The Lights of Winter & Epcot Tree Lighting Ceremony
While it was never quite the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, people did really love the Lights of Winter as part of the Holidays Around the World at Epcot. I more so miss watching the tree lighting ceremony with characters that they used to do here, illuminating the tree and the Lights of Winter every evening around dusk. There was never any real reason given for the removal of the Lights of Winter, other than Disney claiming it was old technology. Still, it was a nice atmosphere piece.
2. Celebrate the Season
What began as a show at the Top of the World at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in the early 1990’s became the longest running Cinderella Castle stage show in the history of Walt Disney World. Celebrate the Season packed more performers in than any other show to ever perform at the venue and was for the most part enjoyed by everyone who saw it. That being said, it probably was time for it to go. Celebrate the Season will be replaced by Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration on November 9th at the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
3. Cinderella’s Holiday Wish
Since replaced by a Frozen Holiday Wish, the original Cinderella Castle lighting show was Cinderella’s Holiday Wish. When the Cinderella Castle Holiday Dreamlights debuted in 2007, they were an immediate hit with guests. It’s hard to deny the magic of the holiday lights on the castle, but was the Cinderella lighting show better than Frozen? I’m not so sure. I’m not one to jump on the Frozen hype train, but Elsa creating a layer of shimmering ice on the castle makes a lot of sense. Regardless, the old show was still good, maybe just because it was the first time ever that we got to see the Castle decorated for the holidays in some significant fashion.
4. Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade
What seemed to some like a haphazard overlay of a parade to give Animal Kingdom some sort of holiday season offering was actually a pretty clever concept. Costuming and music changes, as well as the addition of a hot chocolate smell coming from Donald’s truck, made Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade a tremendous amount of fun. I still believe that every version of this parade was vastly underrated and I wish they would ring it back. Last I heard, all of thew floats were still in one piece. Glad to hear that they didn’t “SpectroMagic” this one…
5. The Country Bear Jamboree – Christmas Special
A true classic that it is hard to believe has been gone for 10 years now. There were three versions of the Country Bear Jamboree show at the Magic Kingdom, the original (1971-1986, 1991-present), Country Bear Vacation Hoe-Down (1986-1991), and every holiday season starting in 1984, the Country Bear Jamboree Christmas Special. Supposedly, the budget from this went into the Cinderella Castle Dreamlights, which without a doubt more guests see every year than ever saw this show. Regardless, I would still love to see this return someday (a version of it can still be seen at Tokyo Disneyland though).
6. Mickey’s Twas the Night Before Christmas
Perhaps the greatest character stage show ever presented at the Magic Kingdom Mickey’s Twas the Night Before Christmas combined live musicians, dancers, and Disney characters for a fun retelling of a holiday classic. The show ran for many years at the Galaxy Palace Theater before the theater was torn down. In its place, the often despised “A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas” was created.
7. (Yeah, Seven) The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
I know this one still looms heavy in the hearts of many, myself included. The Osborne Lights were a staple of the Studios before they ever danced, but once the display moved to Streets of America and was sychirmnoized to music, it became an indelible piece of Walt Disney World history. It was everything the holidays at the parks should be: larger than life, covered in lights, a display of cutting edge technology, all while still being incredibly heartwarming. Will they ever return to Walt Disney World? With the amount of money being left on the table by not offering this, I can’t imagine a Walt Disney World theme park won’t someday host the lights one more time.
Sadly, the display was a victim of where it was. The only thing that made the display possible was a large, mostly underutilized empty street towards the back of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Not to defend Disney, but there is nowhere that logistically could make this work today. Disney Springs would be overcrowded as the offering would be made free, no resort hotel has the parking area large enough, and no park currently has a space that could handle it. The only hope I see is a custom built area that is an expansion of a park, otherwise the Osborne lights will likely never return to Disney World.
Thanks for joining us on our Jingle Jungle holiday adventure! – Mickey Mouse
While these offering can not be seen anymore at Walt Disney World, it still promises to be an exciting holiday season with a new castle stage show and new fireworks spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Before we get into the new, I was feeling particularly nostalgic, so I wanted to give everyone a refresher course on the older offerings so as we can compare them to the new once they debut. Here’s hoping for a merry and bright holiday season at Walt Disney World, even without the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.
What do you think? Which of these was your favorite? Are there any you missed that you wished you had seen in person? Let me know in the comments below.
DISNEY TWENTY-THREE JOINS THE REBELLION TO CELEBRATE THE ARRIVAL OF ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH STARS FELICITY JONES AND ALAN TUDYK, DIRECTOR GARETH EDWARDS, AND PRODUCER KATHLEEN KENNEDY GIVE FANS A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT THE MAKING OF THE NEW FILM.
PLUS, A PREVIEW OF THE NEW IRON MAN EXPERIENCE AT HONG KONG DISNEYLAND, A TOUR OF THE REIMAGINED DISNEY WONDER, AND A CONVERSATION WITH MOANA STAR AULI‘I CRAVALHO
BURBANK, Calif. – November 2, 2016 – On December 16, Star Wars fans will blast off once again to a galaxy far, far away—only this time, it’s with a new set of characters (save for one Sith Lord) in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The film’s stars Felicity Jones and Alan Tudyk, director Gareth Edwards, and producer Kathleen Kennedy give readers a glimpse into the making of the film, which is centered on a group of rebels determined to steal the plans for the menacing Death Star. Kennedy reveals the origins of this first “stand-alone” film, while Edwards discusses the detailed planning that went into bringing Darth Vader back to the big screen.
The winter issue, exclusively for Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, also includes a look at the 30th anniversary of Disney Parks’ Star Tours, with detailed concept artwork and in-depth interviews. And Tudyk, who gives voice to droid K-2SO in Rogue One, talks about being a “lucky charm” for Walt Disney Animation Studios, having provided his vocal talents for such films as Big Hero 6, Frozen, Wreck-It Ralph, and this month’s Moana.
Plus, Auli‘i Cravalho talks about her star turn as the title character in Moana, and reveals she almost didn’t audition for the dazzling animated film, which opens November 23. The creators of the exhilarating new Iron Man Experience unveil details about the Marvel-themed attraction, which opens at Hong Kong Disneyland next January. And the team behind the enhancements on the Disney Wonder cruise ship gives fans an inside look at the unique experiences and exquisite details guests will enjoy when they next set sail.
There’s much more Disney magic in the winter issue of Disney twenty-three, including:
An exploration of the new book Maps of the Disney Parks, which highlights stunning works of art that have gone into park cartography over the years
The reunion of Newsies original Broadway cast members for a new filmed version of the hit musical
Famous Disney characters from around the world that you (may) have never met
The storytelling and artistry of Marvel’s Enchanted Tiki Room comic books
A celebration of 60 years of the delightful Daisy Duck
Regular features including A Walk with Walt, D Society, and Ask Dave
And starting December 1, D23.com will once again kick off the “D23 Days of Christmas.” Each day will include sweepstakes for incredible Disney prizes, dazzling photography, delicious recipes, original stories and videos, colorful crafts, and much more. D23 will also host several exclusive holiday events for members including: Light Up the Season with D23 on Sunday, December 4, at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank and D23’s Disney Springs Holiday Celebration at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando on Tuesday, December 13. Visit D23.com/D23Days to unwrap the holiday fun.
Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving in mid-November.
About D23
The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.
Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($74.99), Gold Family Membership ($99.99), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23.
Covering menu updates around Walt Disney World frantically sends me off to find many a great new dish around the resort, but it’s just a matter of time until I am harshly slammed back to earth and reality. The All-Star Resorts are not known for their cuisine, arguably the only of the 3 value resorts that have food courts with a bad reputation. While people rave about Art of Animation and Pop Century, you never hear anyone speak well of the 3 food court options between all three All-Star Resorts. There is probably a good reason for that…
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, home to the Intermission Food Court
My Walt Disney World vacations (before I picked up and moved here) typically consisted of the outhouse or the penthouse when it came to hotels. The hotel I stayed at the most was Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. My second most visited? All-Star Sports. In fact, if you add my stays at all three All-Star Resorts, it is easily the resort I have stayed at the most. Sometimes a good hotel discount was all the reason to make a trip to Disney World.
But what is my point? Well, in those 40-50 or so stays at the All-Star Resorts, I think I probably ate at the food courts available there about 8-10 times, and mostly for breakfast. I would often avoid them like the plague for their boring menus and the usual inability for the cooks to prepare anything well enough. A few years ago, I was pleasantly surprised by the remodeling and menu change at the Sports resort, and I recall having a fairly good meal there, so I wasn’t apprehensive to visiting the Intermission Food Court at the Movies Resort when we found out there was a new menu.
A Pub Burger is among the new offerings at the Intermission Food Court
I personally had my sights set on the new Pub Burger, while my partner in crime decided he was going to get the “Red Wine Braised Short Ribs”. Yes, he actually decided he would get short ribs at an All-Star Resort. As Dr. Seeker would say, “What can go wrong?”.
Foot Long Hot Dog from Intermission Food Court
While I waited for my Pub Burger, this was my view. A giant tray of already cooked foot-long hot dogs from an All-Star Food Court. This is when it set in that we had made a horrible mistake. It’s like in an action thriller when you realize you are in the room with the murderer and he’s probably going to kill you when you turn around.
Foot Long Hot Dog from Intermission Food Court
Foot Long Hot Dog from Intermission Food Court
Foot Long Hot Dog from Intermission Food Court
This is going to get ugly fast. Kids, shield your eyes for this one… It’s time to eat.
Pub Burger ($12.99)
Pub Burger ($12.99)
I was so excited for this Pub Burger. Pretzel bun, fried pickles, onion strings, and beer cheese on a burger even makes me hungry again just typing this. So, what went wrong?
Pub Burger ($12.99)
The bun was good and the fried pickle was fantastic, but the burger was cooked terribly. It wasn’t particularly overcooked, it just tasted bad. Now, I know what some of you are saying, “But the counter service hamburgers are bad!” They aren’t. I have had success outside of D-Luxe Burger, it can be done! I don’t know what happened here, but the onion straws and beer cheese flavors died on top of this hamburger. It was flavorless meat in a rather tasty pretzel bun.
Red Wine Braised Short Ribs ($15.99)
Red Wine Braised Short Ribs ($15.99)
Why we expected anything but what we got out of the Wine Braised Short Ribs is beyond me. Yes, it is as bad as it looks.
Red Wine Braised Short Ribs ($15.99)
You do get to pick your sides, and everything Josh picked was pretty awful. The stuffing and the breadstick were near inedible, and the short ribs are what you would expect, flavorless and kind of fatty. I did like the plantains a lot, but one out of three being digestible is a pretty bad stat unless you’re swinging a baseball bat.
Red Wine Braised Short Ribs ($15.99)
OVERALL
I don’t even know what to say about our meal here. I think I would be more distraught if they didn’t take our Tables in Wonderland card for a discount, but this meal was still really awful. I’m not sure that I’ve ever been to a Disney counter service restaurant where we have ordered two completely different entrees and both were equally awful. I think a big part of the problem here is the kitchen. Going to an All-Star food court and then to Art of Animation, you see a huge difference in morale. The same hamburger patty being edible at one counter service, but then tasteless and awful at another just means that they aren’t cooking things correctly at the latter.
The Art of Animation or Pop Century eateries have a lot of upbeat, very happy and helpful cast members, but the Intermission Food Court almost felt like a prison. No one was smiling, no cast member seemed remotely happy, and the care just wasn’t there not to over-or-undercook every dish in the place. It is possible that the food and beverage managers here just aren’t as good at their job as the other resorts managers are, but whatever the problem is, I think the time has come to fix it. Counter service at Walt Disney World these days can be fantastic, so it’s about time that establishments like this stop settling on serving slop just because they are at a value resort.
The newest Disney animated classic to get the live action treatment is the one that started it all, “Snow White”.
According to The Hollywood Reporter:
Disney is ready to take on another of its classic fairytales with a new musical, live-action version of Snow White.
Erin Cressida Wilson, who penned the adaptation of The Girl on the Train, is in negotiations to write the script for the film, which will expand upon the story and music from the beloved animated classic.
The movie will include new songs, with songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who most recently wrote the lyrics for La La Land, attached to pen the new music.
Marc Platt, who also is working with Disney on Mary Poppins Returns, is attached to produce.
After the overwhelming positive response from what we have seen so far with Disney’s live action “Beauty And The Beast”, I would expect Disney to make a more faithful adaption to their own original animated classic. So dont expect another “Mirror Mirror” or “Snow White And The Huntsman”
The Buffalo Chicken Waffle Slider at Trilobites, located in the Dinoland U.S.A. area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park has been a personal favorite of mine since it was introduced a while back. Needless to say, I was a little upset to see the dish removed from the menu at the establishment last week, but I was intrigued to see that a new Buffalo Chicken dish had replaced it.
Trilobites menu, Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park
The menu consists otherwise simply of ice cream treats and some drinks, so it does seem a bit odd to find Buffalo Chicken Chips on the menu. Somehow a waffle sandwich makes more sense here, but let’s see how the new dish stacks up.
Buffalo Chicken Chips ($7.99)
First off, the serving is massive for the price. Sitting next to our more expensive items from Restaurantosaurus, I couldn’t help but notice that the Buffalo Chicken Chips dish just looked much bigger. Other than that, it is the same buffalo chicken that was served in the slider, now placed over house made chips with arugula, bleu cheese, tomato, and celery.
This was surprisingly amazing. If you like buffalo chicken and the chips served at quite a few locations around property, you are going to enjoy this. The chicken was tender with a good, spicy kick from the buffalo sauce and all of the other ingredients tasted fresh and as they should.
This certainly isn’t Victoria and Albert’s, but it is a big, filling meal that hits the spot if you’re going to do counter service dining at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I don’t need to go over why you shouldn’t eat at Flame Tree Barbecue or Pizzafari again, right?
This is for sure a dish I will be ordering again should I feel the need to dine quick at the park. While I do miss the buffalo chicken waffle sandwich, I guess I can always have the sweet and spicy chicken and waffle sandwich when I go to the Magic Kingdom.
The Walt Disney World Resort hotels had no shortage of special Halloween activities presented for resort guests over the weekend, but among the new offerings was a “Water Boat Hay Ride” at Disney’s Old Key West Resort.
Offered on Saturday and Sunday, the 1st annual Disney’s Old Key West Resort Water Boat Hay Ride consisted of some themed decorations being placed on a watercraft, some cast members leading in spooky stories and Halloween songs, and a leisurely trip from the resort down to Disney Springs and back.
Here is a little bit of the experience for you to enjoy:
Right after the boat ride, we were welcome to a special meet and greet experience with Chip and Dale in their Halloween finest as well:
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Have you ever done any of the special holiday activities at the Disney Resort Hotels? Which ones do you enjoy?
Over the weekend, something new popped up in Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Attached to those lampposts we showed you a few weeks back are some rather interesting looking lighting fixtures.
Pandora: The World of AVATAR construction
The lights lie just behind the construction walls keeping guests out of the active construction zone.
Pandora: The World of AVATAR construction
The new lighting fixtures with the floating island looming in the background.
Pandora: The World of AVATAR construction
More of the impressive details on the bridge continue to emerge as well.
Pandora: The World of AVATAR construction
Pandora: The World of AVATAR construction
Pandora: The World of AVATAR construction
Pandora: The World of AVATAR construction
Towards the end of the bridge, some very different lighting fixtures begin to appear.
Pandora: The World of AVATAR construction
We also have a short video of the new details to share with you today:
If you haven’t seen it yet, please check out last week’s video update below to see the overall progress on Pandora: The World of AVATAR:
Pandora: The World of AVATAR is scheduled to open in 2017 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.
