Magic Kingdom Introducing “Festival of Fantasy Parade Liberty Belle Ice Cream Social” Add-On Event

WDWNT on November 29, 2016

As Disney continues to try and pad their bottom line with add-on events and experiences in their theme parks, there is a relatively weird one coming our way fairly soon…

The Festival of Fantasy Parade Liberty Belle Ice Cream Social is coming to the Magic Kingdom

The Festival of Fantasy Parade Liberty Belle Ice Cream Social is coming to the Magic Kingdom

According to internal documents, The Festival of Fantasy Parade Liberty Belle Ice Cream Social will allow guests to watch the Disney Festival of Fantasy afternoon parade from on-board the Liberty Belle Riverboat at the Magic Kingdom. The boat will have ice cream and various other drinks and snacks available on board for guests to enjoy during this event.

After the first lap around the Rivers of America, including the viewing of the parade, thew boat will return to the dock and pick upon two additional passengers: Princes Tiana and Prince Naveen from the animated film The Princess and the Frog.

No further details, pricing, or dates of availability are floating around just yet, but we expect an announcement from Disney shortly.

VIDEO: First Look at Amazing AVATAR Animatronic Figure for Disney World

WDWNT on November 29, 2016

As posted today on the Disney Parks Blog:

Alpha Centauri Expeditions Offers the First Look At The Na’vi River Journey Shaman

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Earlier today Alpha Centauri Expeditions (A.C.E.) Founder Marshall Lamm joined filmmaker James Cameron and Imagineer Joe Rohde to share details on upcoming travel to Pandora – The World of Avatar, the amazing world that is located 4.4 light years away from Planet Earth.

Marshall closed his presentation with a remarkable video. The reclusive Shaman of Songs, a revered member of the Na’vi people of Pandora, shared just for fans at D23’s Destination D: Amazing Adventures. Take a look here:

PHOTOS: New Parking Tram Arrives at Walt Disney World

WDWNT on November 29, 2016

Walt Disney World has been running the same parking trams for quite some time now, but today we happened to spot something of interest…

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While the seating cars are the same, this is an entirely new tram car pulling them. The new vehicle is much more akin to a truck or car than the current tram designs.

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It is unclear if the entire fleet will be replaced or if just one or a few of these newer models will be added.

Bob Chapek Confirms Disney Will Overhaul Epcot

WDWNT on November 29, 2016

While no details were provided as of yet, Bob Chapek alluded to an overhaul of Epcot at Walt Disney World today at the Destination D event.

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Chapek stated that he was telling Imagineers to “dream big” in fixing the park. Bob also stated that changes and additions will be “Disney, timeless, relevant, and family friendly”. He also stated that Epcot would remain true to its original vision.

More details will be shared at a later time, Disney was not ready to talk about the project just yet.

New Concept Art, Stores and Dining for Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Animal Kingdom

WDWNT on November 29, 2016

It was announced today that Pandora – The World of Avatar is set to open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in summer 2017. Now, Disney is sharing a first look at what you can expect to see in the land.

Opening in summer 2017 at Disney's Animal Kingdom, Pandora-The World of Avatar will bring a variety of new experiences to the park, including a family-friendly attraction called Na’vi River Journey and new food & beverage and merchandise locations. Satu’li Canteen, (pictured here) will be the main restaurant in Pandora – The World of Avatar and will feature Na’vi art and cultural items. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (David Roark, photographer)

Opening in summer 2017 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Pandora-The World of Avatar will bring a variety of new experiences to the park, including a family-friendly attraction called Na’vi River Journey and new food & beverage and merchandise locations. Satu’li Canteen, (pictured here) will be the main restaurant in Pandora – The World of Avatar and will feature Na’vi art and cultural items. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (David Roark, photographer)

Satu’li Canteen will be the main restaurant in Pandora – The World of Avatar and will feature Na’vi art and cultural items.

Opening in summer 2017 at Disney's Animal Kingdom, Pandora-The World of Avatar will bring a variety of new experiences to the park, including a family-friendly attraction called Na’vi River Journey and new food & beverage and merchandise locations. Windtraders, (pictured here) travelers can find Na’vi cultural items, toys, science kits, and more.Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (David Roark, photographer)

Opening in summer 2017 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Pandora-The World of Avatar will bring a variety of new experiences to the park, including a family-friendly attraction called Na’vi River Journey and new food & beverage and merchandise locations. Windtraders, (pictured here) travelers can find Na’vi cultural items, toys, science kits, and more.Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (David Roark, photographer)

At Windtraders, travelers can find Na’vi cultural items, toys, science kits, and more.

Opening in summer 2017 at Disney's Animal Kingdom, Pandora-The World of Avatar will bring a variety of new experiences to the park, including a family-friendly attraction called Na’vi River Journey and new food & beverage and merchandise locations. Pongu Pongu (pictured here) will be a special drink location with a design that is as eclectic as its Expat owner. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Disney Parks)

Opening in summer 2017 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Pandora-The World of Avatar will bring a variety of new experiences to the park, including a family-friendly attraction called Na’vi River Journey and new food & beverage and merchandise locations. Pongu Pongu (pictured here) will be a special drink location with a design that is as eclectic as its Expat owner. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Disney Parks)

And Pongu Pongu (pictured at the top of the story) will be a special drink location with a design that is as eclectic as its Expat owner.

All of today’s new images were shared by Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek during a D23’s Destination D: Amazing Adventures presentation at the Walt Disney World Resort.

D23 Announces 2017 Events including Epcot 35th

WDWNT on November 29, 2016

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From exclusive tours to cinematic surprises, Disney’s official fan club serves up something for fans both young and young-at-heart.

In 2017, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club brings a new roster of events for fans around the country to enjoy.

SCREENINGS ON THE DISNEY STUDIO LOT AND AT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT: Throughout the year, D23 will once again offer special screenings on both coasts of classic Disney favorites, including Tangled, Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, and more. D23 will also screen The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh exclusively for members in Orlando. Just in time for back-to-school, D23 will celebrate Disney Afternoon favorites such as DuckTales, Gummi Bears, and Chip ’n Dale Rescue Rangers, holding a screening event on the Studio lot with special guests, picture spots, and more surprises. And D23 Members will be invited to the lot for a spook-tacular Halloween screening event that will include a special exhibit from the Walt Disney Archives.

THE OFFICIAL WALT DISNEY STUDIOS TOUR—PRESENTED BY D23: D23 Gold Member-exclusive tours of the historic Studio lot return, including a look inside the Walt Disney Archives and a tour of Walt Disney’s office suite. The 2.5-hour tours offer fans a unique perspective on historic moments from Disney films, television shows, and theme parks.

D23 BEHIND-THE-SCENES EXPERIENCES: In January, D23 will host the first of several behind-the-scenes events at unique Disney locations, featuring special guests and gifts tailored to each experience. Following a year where members explored the Ink & Paint Department on The Walt Disney Studios lot and took an after-hours tour of the Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror at Walt Disney World Resort, there will be more surprises in store for members in 2017.

D23’S LUNCH WITH A DISNEY LEGEND: Beginning in February, D23 brings back these exclusive luncheons with Disney luminaries, where members will meet Disney Legends and hear their fascinating stories. The events return to both Walt Disney World Resort and The Walt Disney Studios, where members have already dined with Legends such as animator Glen Keane, Imagineering Ambassador Marty Sklar, and voice talent Kathryn Beaumont.

ADVANCE SCREENINGS: Members can expect a host of exclusive, advance screenings of what are sure to be some of 2017’s most popular releases from The Walt Disney Studios. This year, D23 Members saw previews of Zootopia, The Jungle Book, and Finding Dory in cities across the county, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Portland, and Seattle. Plus, D23 Members in Los Angeles attended the red carpet premieres of Moana and Pete’s Dragon. For those guests who don’t live in the cities where movies are screened, D23 Gold Members across the country will be selected at random to receive complimentary movie passes, which will be included in issues of Disney twenty-three, D23’s quarterly publication.

D23 DISNEY FANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION—EPCOT 35: D23 heads to the parks in honor of Epcot’s 35th anniversary. Epcot, originally announced as the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow by Walt Disney in 1966, has continued to grow and evolve over the years. D23 Members can look forward to a treasure trove of video, illustrations, and photographs to complement a host of stories, both new and old, in honor of this landmark. Plus, D23 will hold a special member event at Walt Disney World Resort in honor of the anniversary. 

SIGNATURE EVENTS: D23 will bring back foodie favorite Sip & Stroll during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, and members on the West Coast will get to join the fun, as D23 debuts a new event in conjunction with Disneyland Resort’s culinary festivities. And after giving members a look inside the Walt Disney Birthplace in Chicago in 2016, D23 will return to the Windy City next year to see the tremendous progress made on the home’s restoration. Expect special holiday events on both the East and West Coasts to make the season bright.

MEMBER MIXERS AROUND THE COUNTRY: After mixing and mingling at complimentary gatherings in Seattle, Chicago, Bridgewater, N.J., and even at San Diego Comic-Con, D23 will bring more mixers to cities around the country in 2017. 

D23 EXPO 2017: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event returns. It’s D23’s biggest event of the year, as all of Disney’s wonderful worlds come together once again July 14–16, 2017, at the Anaheim Convention Center for three magical days of once-in-a-lifetime live performances, star-studded presentations, exclusive collectibles, and more.

Dates, ticketing information, and more D23 events will be announced throughout the year. Full details on D23’s lineup of 2017 special events can be found on the Fan Club’s website at www.D23.com/events. All events and dates are subject to change.

Current event calendar:

  • January 14: The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour — Presented by D23, Burbank, Calif.
  • January: D23 Behind-the-Scenes Experience, TBA
  • February 4: Tangled, Burbank, Calif.
  • February 11: Tangled, Walt Disney World Resort
  • February: Lunch with a Disney Legend: TBA, Walt Disney World Resort
  • April 8: The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour — Presented by D23, Burbank, Calif.
  • April: Lunch with a Disney Legend: TBA, Burbank, Calif.
  • April: D23 Behind-the-Scenes Experience, TBA
  • May 13: Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, Burbank, Calif.
  • May 13: Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, Walt Disney World Resort
  • May: Lunch with a Disney Legend: TBA, Walt Disney World Resort
  • Spring: Behind-the-Scenes Experience, Walt Disney Birthplace, Chicago
  • July 14–16: D23 Expo 2017, Anaheim, Calif.
  • August 19: “Disney Afternoon” on the Lot, Burbank, Calif.
  • August: Lunch with a Disney Legend: TBA, Burbank, Calif.
  • September 9: The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour — Presented by D23, Burbank, Calif.
  • September: D23 Behind-the-Scenes Experience, TBA
  • Fall: D23’s Disney Fanniversary: Celebrating 35 Years of Epcot (more info coming in 2017)
  • Fall: Sip & Stroll, Walt Disney World Resort
  • October 29: Halloween on the Disney Lot, Burbank, Calif.
  • November 18: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Walt Disney World Resort
  • November: Lunch with a Disney Legend: TBA, Burbank, Calif.
  • December: Light Up the Season with D23, Burbank, Calif.
  • December: D23 Holiday Event at Walt Disney World Resort

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; 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. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.

UPDATE: Launch Date & More Info on the MagicBand 2

WDWNT on November 29, 2016

We are beginning to get more details on the MagicBand 2, just announced and released this morning at D23’s Destination D event.

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The MagicBand 2 will be mailed to Walt Disney World annual pass holders starting in December 2016. In January 2017, resort guests will start to receive the new MagicBands as well. Around the same time, the retail versions of MagicBand 2 will be released, along with the new accessories such as the keychains.

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As for the MagicBand 2 itself, the puck inside is removalble only via a small screwdriver. The band distributed today does not include it, but the accessories, such as the keychains, will include a small screwdriver for guests to remove the puck from the band and move it into the alternate holder.

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Now having the MagicBand 2 in my hand, I will say it is not uncomfortable or too bulky as I had worried. It is more akin to wearing a watch now, but not a huge adjustment.

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The new MagicBand 2 works the same as the original band and light-up effects at touch points with specialty versions of the band will continue to be made.

BREAKING: MagicBand Is Now A Puck, New Style Debuts at Destination D

WDWNT on November 29, 2016

Guests at D23’s Destination D event are going to be the very first to sport the new style of MagicBand for Walt Disney World.

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The new MagicBand is indeed the puck style that was rumored a few months back. As you can see, it can be worn in bands, keychains, and possibly other holders.

No further details are available at this time, but we expect to have more info later today.

Our thanks to @ParksNStuff on twitter for the pics!

VIDEO: New Behind The Scenes Featurette Released For “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”

WDWNT on November 29, 2016

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Lucasfilm has released a brand new featurette for “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” which includes some new footage and some impressive throwbacks to “A New Hope”. Check it out!

From Lucasfilm comes the first of the Star Wars standalone films, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” an all-new epic adventure. In a time of conflict, a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire’s ultimate weapon of destruction. This key event in the Star Wars timeline brings together ordinary people who choose to do extraordinary things, and in doing so, become part of something greater than themselves.

“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” is directed by Gareth Edwards and stars Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, Riz Ahmed, with Jiang Wen and Forest Whitaker. Kathleen Kennedy, Allison Shearmur and Simon Emanuel are producing, with John Knoll and Jason McGatlin serving as executive producers.

“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” opens in U.S. theaters on December 16, 2016.        

Source: Star Wars