Check out this action pack mid-season trailer for “Star Wars Rebels: Season Three as we see for the first time ever the Obi-Wan Kenobi from “A New Hope” make his animated debut! He looks and sounds even better! Stephen Stanton is providing the voice of Obi-Wan and he sounds spot on like Sir Alec Guinness!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upN-7ALj2OU
Source: Star Wars
We now have our first look at one of Disney Infinity‘s canceled Rogue One figures.
This 3D model of a Baze Malbus figure was just posted on artstation.com, by ex-Disney Infinity senior character artist, B Allen. The model looks highly detailed, and was probably in the final stages of development before heading off for production.
Although art designs for other Rogue One characters have yet to surface, we will be sure to keep you posted if they do. Here’s hoping for a look at a Jyn Erso figure.
When Disney and Lucasfilm negotiated to have Carrie Fisher reprise her role as Princess Leia in the newest Star Wars Trilogy, Disney took out an insurance policy with Lloyds Of London in the event that Fisher was not able to fulfill the three picture commitment. With Fisher passing on December 27th, Disney could receive a $50 million or higher payout from insurer Lloyds Of London.
From The Insurance Insider:
Insurers at Lloyd’s of London look set to pay out a significant contingency claim following the tragic death of Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher, The Insurance Insider can reveal.
Sources said that Disney had taken out $50mn of so-called contract protection cover as insurance for the event that Fisher was unable to fulfil her obligations to act in the new Star Wars films, with the policy now likely to trigger.
Fisher died on Tuesday (27 December), four days after she suffered a heart attack on a flight between London and Los Angeles.
Filming for Star Wars Episode VIII, which will be released next year, was completed ahead of Fisher’s death.
Princess Leia was again slated to have a major role in Episode IX and it is not clear how Disney, which owns the Star Wars franchise, will choose to respond.
According to its website, Exceptional Risk Advisors is a specialist in high-limit specialty life, accident, and disability products, with underwriting authorities from Lloyd’s insurers that exceed $50mn per individual risk.
Source: The Insurance Insider
The Florida Resident Discover Disney 3-Day and 4-Day tickets will be returning to Walt Disney World and are on sale now, but the most interesting thing about them is a series of blackout dates only for the Animal Kingdom park.
The tickets themselves are good for 3 or 4-days of visits to Walt Disney World theme parks between January 4th until June 9th, 2017. The 3-day ticket is $139.00 for ages 3 and up and the 4-day ticket is $159.00 for ages 3 and up. Guests can also add then Water Parks Fun and More Option at a discounted price.
Pandora: The World of AVATAR is scheduled to open Summer 2017 at Disney’sAnimal Kingdom. Does that mean May 27th, 2017?
The most interesting facet of this is the blockout dates exclusive to Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park that begin on May 27th, 2017 and run through the end of the tickets on June 9th. Based on when these dates are, it seems likely that this is currently penciled in as the official opening of Pandora: The World of AVATAR at the park. As we learned from Rivers of Light, these things are always subject to change, but it seems likely that Pandora will kick off the Summer season with a grand opening during Memorial Day weekend 2017.
Disney has stated that Pandora: The World of AVATAR will open Summer 2017. Memorial Day weekend is often considered the beginning of the U.S. summer season.
The 2017 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend returns this week from January 4-8. Here is a preview of all the new merchandise you can expect to see at the event.
First off, guest attending the event will be able to get their hands on a variety of new shirts, jackets, hats, and car magnets. There will be various apparel for each race that will take place throughout the event.
Next, to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Half Marathon, there will be a new line of merchandise with the “I Did It!” logo featuring various characters.
Not running in the event this year but still want to buy stuff? There’s a new lineup of casual outwear being released during the event week. Articles include new sweat pants and t-shirts that are perfect for working out or lounging.
Aside from wearables, there will also be some new home décor pieces available like water bottles, a wine glass, and some runDisney shoe ornaments because, you know, Christmas is only 12 months away.
Lastly, there will be some neat knick-knacks including sweat bands, car magnets, and of course pins.
All items will be available at the runDisney Health and & Fitness Expo at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. According to the Disney Parks Blog, the expo will be open during the following dates and times:
Wednesday, January 4 – Noon – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 5 – 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, January 6 – 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 7 – 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
I have had a bit of a love/hate relationship with Tony’s Town Square Restaurant at the Magic Kingdom over the years. As a kid, I loved our winter-time meals that would overlap with SpectroMagic, allowing us to hear the music and see the sparkling lights of the parade while we dined either on the patio or in the glass “solarium” room of the restaurant. Also, with Lady and the Tramp being one of my favorite Disney animated films, I fell in love with the charming interior that evoked scenes from the movie while mixing in the feel of Main Street. Thematically, the restaurant blends seamlessly with the world around it, but the menu has always been another story.
I have fond memories of the flatbreads and seasonal desserts, but in recent years, a noticeable decline in quality has been evident. Now, I’m not saying Tony’s was ever a fine-dining establishment, but I could concoct a really enjoyable meal here. On a visit in early 2016, even the chicken caesar salad was inedible. After that experience, I did not return to Tony’s for several months. With family visiting me in December, I was “forced” to return to Tony’s as that is where they had booked a dining reservation. I begrudgingly went along, with the vivid memories of a warm salad filled with tough grilled chicken bites dancing in my head. Upon arrival, I was greeted with a menu (which serves both lunch and dinner services) with several noticeable changes…
New to me on the menu was an Italian cheese dip appetizer, a grilled pork chop, and baked rigatoni. Based on my previous experience, none of these seemed like a good idea… but then my “blogger senses” kicked in, realizing my duty to our readers to inform them of menu changes and new items. I decided I would take one for the team…
The allergy friendly menus for those who wish to check them out…
Below is the regular kid’s menu.
Alright, let’s start with the appetizers…
Creamy Ricotta with Roasted Garlic topped with Tomato Jam served with Crostini.
This description almost sounds like an entirely different dish. The ricotta was passable, but the “tomato jam” was basically a thicker version of the “red sauce of death” typically served at Tony’s. Stick with the complimentary bread…
This was surprisingly good, which is probably what I would say whenever I enjoy any sort of dish at Tony’s. It’s a giant portion, it is fairly unique for a in-park Disney restaurant, and the flavor is good. I loved the mix of the salami and peppers in here, taking it from ordinary house salad to something a little more interesting (albeit normal to me growing up in an Italian household). You could easily share this among a few people before a meal as a nice, light starter.
I legitimately loved the bread. It was cooked nicely and was soft and fresh, and it perfectly soaked up the olive oil “dipping sauce”. Skip the Italian Cheese Dip and just enjoy this before your meal.
Alright, now on to the entrees…
with Ricotta and Bolognese filling topped with Melted Mozzarella
This sounded like a mistake… but it really wasn’t. Tony’s red sauce is still not the best, but they bake a pretty good ricotta cheese and the pasta & meat were pretty decent. I would take this over the spaghetti and meatballs for sure… just maybe don’t stare directly into it. That would be dangerous, very dangerous.
Seasonal Vegetables and Pasta tossed in Garlic and Olive Oil topped with Balsamic Glaze and Feta
If you are looking for pasta, but need to avoid the Tony’s red sauce, this is the route to go. The vegan in our group ordered this without the chicken or shrimp (and sans feta) and was quite pleased with it.
with a Mushroom-Bean-Pancetta Ragù and Marsala Reduction
At the time, we still did not know that alcohol was coming to Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, so I thought the presence of a grilled pork chop was insanely out of character for this eatery. It seems they added the pork chop to pair with some of the beverages, which now makes sense, but at the time simply did not. This dish peaked my interest as it was unlike anything I had ever had here and I immediately felt there was no way that Tony’s was going to pull this dish off. So of course, being a theme park restaurant – smart***, I ordered it.
I have to honestly say, this was the best dish I have ever had at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant. Maybe the constraints of trying to be a semi-Italian Restaurant in the world’s most visited theme park stifles them a bit, but stepping outside of their comfort zone, they have created a dish that is far and away their absolute best.
The Mushroom-Bean-Pancetta Ragu and Marsala Reduction pair absolutely perfectly with the nicely grilled pork chop for a unique taste that is more akin to a pork stew. The dish is of the perfect size and it isn’t insanely heavy like many of the pasta dishes served here. It might be the only meal at Tony’s that won’t make you feel bloated and gross, if I may be frank. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t the best pork dish I’ve ever had, but it’s the best table service entree I’ve had outside of Cinderella’s Royal Table and Skipper Canteen in this park.
Tony’s is still not in the top 3 restaurants I would send people to at the Magic Kingdom, but if the kids only want pasta or you just have to eat here, it is probably good to know that you still have some options that won’t ruin your day. I love Tony’s out of pure childhood nostalgia, but the current menu makes it possible to stomach it and feel good about it. I recommend the grilled pork chop highly (if you couldn’t tell), but I would recommend the garden salad and pasta primavera as well. If you happen to run into the “Italian Wedding Soup” as a seasonal soup, you should order it. The dessert menu is solid too, with the seasonal cheesecake always being a highlight.
Now, the alcoholic drink menu was added since my last visit, so I am including it below:
We have seen some amazing Disney Parks ads through the years, but this is without a doubt the absolute best if you are fan of Disneyland’s rich history:
Your eyes aren’t deceiving you, this woman passes pieces of just about every iconic, extinct attraction in the park’s 60 year history in roughly 20 seconds as she return the final light to illuminate Elliot in the Main Street Electrical Parade. Here’s what I spotted…
There are also random items from current attractions scattered around. Did I miss any? Can you find even more?
Regardless, the time and effort that went into this ad is astonishing and I would LOVE to see a behind the scenes feature on the making of it. Playing on nostalgia is smart, and this has got to be the most nostalgia-heavy Disney ad I have ever seen. I think I may even be excited for the return of the Electrical Parade now…
A new TV spot for “Beauty And The Beast” has been released with some brand new footage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxSSH6IFVRc
Source: ComicBook.com
Our first photo report of 2017 brings us to the Magic Kingdom to see the latest adjustments and merchandise additions around the park. Let’s jump right in, shall we?
Good morning Magic Kingdom!
They have slowly been repaving the area outside of Mickey’s Philharmagic over the last few weeks.
Some new Villains shirts available at Sir Mickey’s.
A new Belle shirt for sale as well.
Christmas stickers were being given out all around the park.
Liberty Square Market has started selling Muppets plush since the show is nearby. They can’t sell baked potatoes anymore, BUT LETS STOCK SOME PLUSH!
There has been a pretty vile garbage mound growing in the Rivers of America as of late…
Including some dead fish…
PADDLEFISH ANYONE?
If I haven’t mentioned it before, Pecos Bill’s has recently become my favorite counter service stop at the Magic Kingdom. The fajita dish is pretty good and offers more than enough food.
The bowl is pretty good as well, considering you can load it up at the toppings bar.
Christmas Party exclusive pins were being sold to the general public before the last party even happened. As I have complained before, they should at least wait until the final party is over…
We found some baby ducks hanging out by Tomorrowland. I’ve never seen them this late in the year.
“No, don’t eat the cigarette!!!”
Stitch’s Great Escape reopened for a bit every day to combat the crowds in the park. It actually was getting quite the line.
The walls that have been up since the rock painting began have now finally come down.
The decal over the entrance has been falling off for months, but I suppose there’s no reason to invest in something you are closing.
We pretty much just went in to say hello to Skippy who stayed over from the Alien Encounter attraction.
When seats are broken, you will sometimes still see these XS Tech “Temporarily Seized” seat covers.
The new customizable Star Wars name tags are also available at the Merchant of Venus, not just at Hollywood Studios.
They are now regularly handing out Zootopia stickers in Tomorrowland for some reason.
There its some heavy construction taking place near the Kingdom Cabanas adjacent to Space Mountain, not sure what for as of yet.
One of the first MagicBand 2’s available to guests is this “it’s a small world” 45th anniversary band currently available.
In another classic WDWNT “we told you so” moment, Disney today announced the addition of Choza Tequila to Epcot’s Mexico pavilion.
Choza Tequila will be an authentic outdoor tequileria, just outside of the Mexico pavilion. Here, you’ll find refreshing hand-crafted margaritas and classic Mexican cuisine like tacos, empanadas, chips and fresh guacamole. This is basically the long-waited replacement to the frozen margarita stand that was removed last year, but should also help alleviate the lines at La Cava Del Tequila inside of the pavilion.
No opening date has been given as of yet, but it should open in early 2017.
