PHOTOS: Orange Bird Dress, AVATAR Pins, & Epcot 35th Items Coming in 2017

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

Disney today is previewing a number of items that will be released at the parks in 2017.

A little Orange Bird dress with the pattern above will be released soon.

Frontierlamd will be the next Disney Parks exclusive Tsum Tsum series, featuring some of the Country Bears and the Goat from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

In addition to the exclusive preview we gave you of some Epcot 35th Anniversary merchandise a few weeks ago, Disney is now previewing the mug and the license plate which will be available.

Two tea sets based on Pirates of the Caribbean and Cinderella Castle are coming to Disney Parks in 2017.

There is also a series of limited edition Pandora: The World of AVATAR pins based on the construction walls located outside of the area currently.

Further previews of these and other items can be found here.

Heartwarming Photo of Carrie Fisher And Mark Hamill On The set Of “Star Wars: Episode VIII”

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

Oscar Issac posted a photo on his Facebook page of Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill taking some time out from filming on the set of “Star Wars: Episode VIII”. Hamill and Fisher became very close friends while filming the Star Wars Original Trilogy and I am sure it must be very difficult for Mark Hamill, Oscar Issac and those that worked closely with her.

Here is what Oscar Issac had to say:

Source: Oscar Issac; MakingStarWars.Net

REVIEW: Bacon and Blue Burger Joins the Ranks at Disney Springs’ D-Luxe Burger

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

Disney Springs undoubtedly won the dining war of 2016, introducing the Disney World to Blaze Pizza, Frontera Cocina, Homecoming, B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co., and of course, D-Luxe Burger (We’re going to pretend that the Daily Poutine doesn’t exist, ok?).

When D-Luxe Burger opened back in May, the chef there informed us that they would occasionally be adding burgers and seasonal milkshakes to the menu. While we have had a few different milkshakes to try out, we finally have a new burger on the menu. Thankfully, nothing from the original menu was removed to add this one, so our original review of the restaurant (which includes every dish, so you should read it if you haven’t) is still good.

So let’s talk about what is new…

Bacon and Blue Burger ($11.99)

This new burger is a “Signature Blend topped with Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Bacon, Onion Jam and Bleu Cheese”. I’m not a fan of onion jam or bleu cheese, but they blend well on this and this burger works. I suspect anyone who enjoys bleu cheese will want this and I think they would be quite happy with it. Personally, I would still take the El Diablo, Barbecue Classic, Southern Classic, and Cluck Burger over this one though.

They already have a solid line-up at D-Luxe, and adding this kind of burger certainly only strengthens the existing array. If you haven’t been yet, be sure to make D-Luxe a must for counter service dining in 2017.

Disney Releasing Album for Rivers of Light & Tree of Life Awakenings

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

 

While we we still do not know when Rivers of Light will finally debut at Animal Kingdom, when it does, Disney is planning to release a new album featuring music from the much-maligned show, as well as the beloved Tree of Life Awakenings nightly projection shows.

The album should be released at Walt Disney World in early-2017.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: December 2016 Flyover of Disney’s Hollywood Studios Construction (Star Wars & Toy Story Lands)

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

 

We take to the skies again today, this time to look at the latest progress on the Star Wars and Toy Story themed lands at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As you’ll see below, a little progress has been made since our last flyover.

The Toy Story Land is starting to take shape, but there still just isn’t much to look at over on the Star Wars side.

With probably 2-2.5 years to go, there is certainly time to build this land, but I would hope to see some progress soon.

We also have a quick video of our flyover to share with you today:

Magic Kingdom Retiring Train Station Welcome Show, Castle Show to Replace

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

The way Disney opens Magic Kingdom Park will never be the same again starting on January 9.

If you’ve experienced the park’s “opening moment” during previous vacations, you may recall waiting at the front of the Main Street Railroad Station to kick off the day.

Beginning January 9, guests will be allowed to enter the Main Street, U.S.A. area of the park even earlier than the park’s scheduled opening time. This will allow guests time to savor the charm of Main Street, U.S.A., enjoy breakfast or a warm drink at the Main Street Bakery featuring Starbucks. Then promptly at opening, a new welcome show will officially open the park for the day on the Castle Forecourt Stage. A Royal Herald will appear to deliver a proclamation and welcome a few familiar characters to the stage, officially opening the park so “the magic can begin!”

Walt Disney World Unveils New 2017 Offers with Free Tickets and Meals

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

Walt Disney World began two new special offers today…

You can save up to 25% on rooms at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels for stays most nights Feb. 20-June 10, 2017. Book by Feb. 26, 2017 for stays most nights Feb. 20-June 10, 2017. Book by March 30, 2017 for stays most nights April 9-June 10, 2017.

Plus, you can get one more day added to your ticket when you upgrade to a Magic Your Way room and ticket package with a minimum 4-day Ticket.

OR

Savor Quick-Service Meals this Summer with a 5-Night/6-Day Disney Value Resort Hotel Package where can enjoy a FREE one meal per person, per night at select Walt Disney World Resort quick-service dining locations when you buy a non-discounted 5-night/6-day Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package at a select Disney Value Resort hotel for arrivals most nights May 30-Aug. 24, 2017 when you book by Feb. 12, 2017.

Be sure to go to Magical Travel to book these offers and many others today.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: December 2016 Aerial Flyover of Pandora: The World of AVATAR As It Nears Completion

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

 

After the exciting inside look at Pandora: The World of AVATAR that we got to see on the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Celebration special, we decided it might be a good time to take to the skies and take a look at Animal Kingdom’s newest land from above and see how it is coming along.

The below video is the longest of the sort that we have filmed to date, as we fly around the entire perimeter of the land, giving you a 360 degree view of Pandora just months ahead of its Summer 2017 opening.

The video, as well as the photos below, show a project rapidly approaching completion (finally). Hopefully the land will be open to guests by Memorial Day 2017, or at the very least by the 4th of July.

It appears that the full fleet of boats for the Navi River Journey are being loaded in this week. This indicates that the ride is likely finished and now they will begin cycling a full fleet of boats inside of the attraction.

Very little scaffolding remains on the mountain range, meanwhile, Pongu Pongu Refreshments, Windtraders, and Satuli Canteen appear to be just about finished from the exterior

Pongu Pongu Refreshments is the small building on the right side of the above photo, just north of the hangar-looking building, which is home to Satuli Canteen. We believe that Windtraders is the small building to the right of the Canteen, but we have been unable to confirm that as of yet.

Even from this angle, never intended to be seen by a guest, the mountains appear to be floating.

Pavement has been laid finally, no longer leaving dirt trails between the sights of Pandora.

The large cranes were moved off-site in the last two weeks, leaving the skyline of the park closer to its finished product.

So, what do you think of Pandora: The World of AVATAR? Are you excited yet?

Over 50 Disney Classics Heading to Hulu Streaming Service

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

Disney and Hulu just hit a multi-year deal that grants over 50 classic Disney movies to the popular streaming service.

A handful of movies are available for streaming starting now and titles include: The Nightmare Before Christmas, Mulan, Hercules, Pocahontas, and Sister Act. More movies will start to roll out overtime, including hits like The Mighty Ducks, Con Air, The Princess and the Frog, Lilo & Stitch, Tarzan, The Emperor’s New Groove, Pearl Harbor, Step Up, and many more.

What’s really interesting about this deal is the way it splits Disney movies between the two most popular streaming services. Netflix has a deal with Disney that grants them Disney movies released in 2016 and beyond, while Hulu is getting classic Disney films.

Looks like you’ll be needing two subscriptions if you want to get the largest library of Disney movies available for streaming. Or you could just, you know, buy the movies.