Live Chat with Pandora Experts Launches on VisitPandora.com, AVATAR Land Website

The VisitPandora.com website takes itself pretty seriously, delving into the backstory of the ACE organization that will be guiding you through Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Well, they now even have a live chat feature, where you can talk to one of their experts…

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Down in the lower right corner of the site, you’ll find the opportunity to chat with Kam Demarco, Lead ACE Field Expert.

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Kam’s bio can be found on the about us page, along with several of his imaginary colleagues.

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The live chat is completely automated, so sometimes responses generate something genuine and cool, and other times… well, you’ll see…

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Let the jokes about “alien wraps” begin…

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You can talk to this thing for hours, and it will continue to spew facts. Every once in awhile, you may ever spur a good response to a question. You’ll just have to keep trying to uncover all of the amazing facts and tips this live chat can offer!

This post is brought to you by…

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I’m joking, but how awesome is this logo from the VisitPandora.com website? Anyway, Pandora: The World of AVATAR opens May 27th at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.

This Week in Disney History: March 12th-March 18th

In this week’s edition of ‘This Week in Disney History’ we will explore historical events within the Walt Disney company that helped shape and form the company as it exists today. We will explore the week of March 12th – March 18th. I hope you enjoy this week’s edition as much as I love and enjoy writing about Disney history. I also hope you can have a passion for Disney history just as much as I have a passion for Disney history. I would also like to write other unique articles for the readers. If you have any suggestions or ideas on topics you would like to read, especially Disney history, please comment your ideas and I will happily consider them for future articles. After all, this is for you, not me.

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Billy Crystal- Voice actor for Mike Wazowski in Monsters Inc.

This Week in Disney History: March 12th-March 18th.


  • On March 12th, 1938, Disney’s first full-length animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, is released in the United Kingdom.
  • On March 13th, 1928, Walt Disney travels by train from New York to California. This train ride is significant because while in New York, Walt Disney lost the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. After losing the rights to Charles Mintz and Universal Pictures, he hopped on a train and decided to head home. Then while on his ride he got a crazy idea, and telegraphed a message to his brother Roy which read: “LEAVING TONITE STOPPING OVER KC ARRIVE HOME SUNDAY MORNING SEVEN THIRTY DON’T WORRY EVERYTHING OK WILL GIVE DETAILS WHEN ARRIVE.” Walt told Roy not to worry because of an idea he had, and he would explain when he got home. What was that crazy idea you ask? By losing Oswald, Disney developed on that train ride one of the most famous, beloved, and well know Disney characters of all time; Mickey Mouse.
  • On March 14th, 1948, famous comedian, and voice-over actor, Billy Crystal was born in Long Beach, New York. Crystal is the voice of Mike Wazowski from Monsters Inc., as well as the Mike Car from Cars.
  • On March 15th, 2001, the 450-millionth guest was welcomed into the Disneyland Park in California. The lucky guest was Mark Ramirez of Texas, a civilian production management specialist for the U.S. Air Force. It was his first visit to Disneyland. Ramirez, his wife, and 3 daughters were all honored during a ceremony where he was presented a lifetime pass to the Disneyland Resort (Disneyland and Disney California Adventure), a stay at the new Disney’s Grand Californian Resort and Spa Hotel and a gift pack. He was also given the honor of changing the official attendance sign at Disneyland’s Train Station from 400 million to 450 million.
  • On March 16th, 2002, The Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris, held its grand opening. During the grand opening, the 2nd Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster debuts. The Walt Disney Studios Park is Disney’s 10th theme park worldwide.
  • On March 17th, 1999, Test Track officially opened at Epcot. The ride was presented by General Motors, and was the fastest ride Disney Imagineers have created.

  • Finally, on March 18th, 1967, the well-beloved and famous Disneyland attraction, Pirates of the Caribbean, opened to the public. The debut kicked off with great excitement, as a group of marauding sea-dogs, led by Wally Boag, first sailed the ship Columbia before bursting through the new attraction’s doors with a battering ram! This was the last attraction Walt Disney worked on extensively before his death. March 18th, 2017, marks the 50th anniversary of the attraction. For more history of this amazing attraction, tune in to Back to the Future LIVE! – The Complete history of Pirates of the Caribbean.

“Why worry? If you’ve done the very best you can, worrying won’t make it any better. I worry about many things, but not about water over the dam.” – Walt Disney

This Week in Disney History: March 5th – March 11th

This week in Disney history we will take a look at some of the milestones that happened in the history of the Walt Disney Company during the  week of March 5th-March 11th. All of the factoids are here to inform you and broaden your knowledge so that you too can “be in the know” of Disney History. History and Disney are 2 of my greatest passions and I hope you all enjoy reading and learning about the history of Disney each and every week. This article is designed to share some of the things that help shape and mold the beautiful company we know and love today.

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Original photo of Journey into Imagination at Epcot (I thank imagineeringdisney.com for allowing me to use their photo)

This Week In Disney History March 5th-March 11th. 


  • On March 5th, 1983, the attraction Journey Into Imagination debuted to the public at Epcot. The attraction was about the Dreamfinder teaching Figment and guests to use their imaginations. In 1999, the attraction was updated and reimagined with a change in name to Journey into YOUR Imagination. In 2002, it was reimagined again as guests were unhappy with the changes, becoming Journey Into Imagintion with Figment.
  • On March 6th, 2013, the 20th Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival began.
  • On March 7th, 1942, former Walt Disney Company CEO, Michael Eisner, was born in Mount Kisco, New York. His reign as CEO of the Walt Disney Company began in 1984 and ended in 2005.
  • On March 8th, 1983, former President Ronald Reagan visited EPCOT Center and made a speech about what the promises of Epcot would bring and why it was so important to Walt Disney.
  • On March 9th, 2014, the new daytime parade Festival of Fantasy debuted at Magic Kingdom.  The parade still runs daily at 3:00 PM.

  • On March 10th, 2009, D23: the first official Disney Fanclub, was founded. The “D” stands for Disney, and “23” pays homage to when the Walt Disney Company was created in 1923.
  • Finally, On March 11th, 2007, the Disney Broadway show ‘Tarzan‘ celebrated its 350th show performance.

Happiness is a state of mind. It’s just according to the way you look at things.”-Walt Disney

REVIEW: Amazing New Fort Wilderness RV Food Truck Isn’t Quite As Good As It Looks

Food trucks are all the rage at Walt Disney World these days, but I’m not sure there has ever been a cooler looking food truck than the vintage-style RV that’s now rolling around Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground…

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The truck has a classic style, but also has some wonderful nods to the Walt Disney World of the 1970’s. It is located (currently) out by The Meadows and the recreation area. When we visited, it opened for business starting at 5PM.

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The “earlobe” was the original logo icon of Walt Disney World, then referred to as the Vacation Kingdom of the World.

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The level of detail is amazing, right down to the map sitting up in the driver’s area. Kids, ask your parents about a world before smart phones and GPS.

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The classic Walt Disney World logo adorns the side, but there is also a map of the United States with decals for states visited. I’d love to know how they got to some states without visiting the ones in-between…

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Many of the decals on the back are reproductions of the older bumper stickers sold at the resort. There are also references to Copper Creek and other places within Wilderness Lodge…

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Let’s take a look at the menu…

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There is also a selection of moonshine concoctions. Let’s try a few of the items out…

Fort Wilderness Smoked Pork Belly Tillamook Cheeseburger ($13.49)

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This sounded amazing. It wasn’t. The ingredients were great, but it is the lower-quality Disney hamburger patties, not of a quality like D-Luxe Burger at Disney Springs. The Chipotle barbecue sauce, the onion ring, and the onion kaiser roll were great, but you can’t have a good burger without a good beef patty. The french fries are of the usual quality as well, which I feel hurts the dish.

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Pumpkin Spiced Tea ($10.75)

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This was terrible. It tasted like moonshine with a sugar-free pumpkin flavor syrup, which is what I assume goes into making this thing. In fairness, the other options have been good whenever I have had them at Trail’s End or Crokett’s Tavern at this resort, so maybe stick to the others, or just go to either of those locations.

OVERALL

I’d be happy to give the Fort Wilderness Fresh Fixin’s food truck another try, but they did not leave a good first impression. Design-wise, it is top notch and super cool. The level of detail and how well it fits its surroundings is exactly what you expect from Disney, but perhaps that sets an unobtainable expectation for the food and drink. Either way, the menu can always be fixed, and at least we got something really cool-looking out of it.

Ubisoft Announces Untitled Avatar Video Game

Video game publisher Ubisoft has announced that a game set in the world of James Cameron’s Avatar is now in production at Massive Entertainment, the same studio that made last year’s The Division.

James Cameron’s studio Lightstorm Entertainment is working closely with Massive Entertainment and Fox Interactive to create a world that captures the unique and immersive world of Pandora. The game is being developed in the Snowdrop engine, the same engine that was used to make The Division. Although no official name or release window has been announced, Ubisoft says the game will be available for PC and consoles, though we don’t know which consoles.

http://https://youtu.be/mVphA9IP3Uc

In the official reveal trailer above, James Cameron, as well as various developers at Massive talk about the excitement around the undertaking of such a project.

“With the power of Massive’s Snowdrop engine and the team’s passion and obsessive focus on detail, we know they’re the right group to bring the beauty and danger of Pandora to life,” says Cameron in the reveal trailer.

This is one of the first signs of life we’ve seen from the Avatar franchise outside of the upcoming themed land, Pandora – The World of Avatar opening at Disney’s Animal Kingdom may 27. Perhaps the franchise will continue and grow throughout different mediums like it already has begun to do with video games and theme parks. A smart move, seeing as the movie released in 2009, and the franchise has since been dormant.

Disney Cruise Line to ‘Freeze in Frozen Fractal Fun’ This Summer

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Returning again this summer, get ready to build a snowman, because a major winter storm is heading across the fjords all the way to Disney Cruise Line! That’s right folks, Elsa, Anna and the whole gang are taking a little vacation from the small country of Arendelle and heading off to explore the world aboard Disney Cruise Line.

On select sailings aboard the Disney Wonder and Magic throughout May, June, and July 2017, Elsa and the whole gang will be vacationing and bringing back guests a ‘Winter in Summer Celebration’ that include new experiences, a deck party, a stage show and much more! Here are some things to look forward to this coming celebration:

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Memorable Moments With Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf

Guests can finally “For the First time in Forever” meet Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf aboard the DCL and take pictures with them, as well as have them sign autographs. Not only that, but you can find the royal visitors year round! Younger guests who take part in the Oceaneer club can also find ‘Frozen’ adventures year-round as well as kids receiving special surprise visits from the Royal Sisters themselves!

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Frozen Inspired Dining Experiences sure to make you worth melting for!

For those wanting a little ‘chill’ to help beat the summer heat, there are some unique dining experiences just for that. Inspired by the film, you can feast on a menu that features traditional Nordic Fare. For adults ages 21 and older, you can visit the nightclubs aboard and order a specialty frozen drink as pictured above. On Castaway Cay, you can find an Olaf inspired Winterey watering hole which feautures a hand-selected offering of frozen drink such as “Olafs Flurry Freeze” and “Svens Carrot Delight.”

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Frozen Activities

On a surprise morning, the whole atrium lobby will be spiraling into frozen fractals all around when the lobby itself will be decorated with sparkling icicles adorned all along the grand staircase. Then at night take to the deck for a frozen-fied nighttime celebration, “Freezing the Night Away with Elsa and Friends.” Little adventurers can go explore and do a scavenger hunt with Anna where you can go on a chocolate chase and then those wanting to make flurries in frozen fractals, they can make ice and snow in “Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?” To prepare for the deck party, you will be able to learn some Scandinavian dance moves with “Oakens Maypole Swirl and Twirl.”

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In a Port Adventure like only Disney can do, Anna and Elsa join a traditional Norwegian summer celebration for their first appearance in the land that inspired their story. As part of the Disney Cruise Line Northern European summer season, the Disney Magic sails to Ålesund, Norway. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

Adventures Ashore

On the select sailings of the Disney Magic to Norway, you can see the land that inspired Arendelle from Frozen in Ålesund, Norway. There you can immerse yourself into the sport of Norway with the help of Anna and Elsa in this storybook village.

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Exclusively aboard the Disney Wonder in the Walt Disney Theatre, Frozen, A Musical Spectacular tells the classic story from the animated feature Frozen and is presented like never before with an innovative combination of traditional theatrical techniques, modern technology and classic Disney whimsy. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

Spectacular Shows 

Only on the Disney Wonder can you experience the magic and Frozen fun of “Frozen the Musical Spectacular.” Also year-round aboard the Disney Magic, join Anna, Elsa and Olaf in teaching a young girl the power of her dreams in the Disney Cruise Line original production, “Disney Dreams… An Enchanted Classic.”

How will you choose to “let it go” this summer? Will you “for the first time in forever” have the “coldest” vacation of a lifetime?

Disneyland Paris Announces Annual Pass Restructuring and Price Hike

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In the wake of the announcement that The Walt Disney Company are planning on buying out the Disneyland Paris Resort, they are planning to raise the price of Annual Passes across the board from March 29th.

This has been rumoured for a long time, with the most expensive Annual Pass costing just €223 ($236) for a full year, making it a very inexpensive place to visit compared to the US parks.

The new price breakdown is as follows:

  • Discovery: 150 days for €139 (US$147)
  • Magic Flex: 300 days for €189 (US$200)
  • Magic Plus: 350 days for €249 (US$264)
  • Infinity: 365 days for €399 (US$422)

This is a departure from the affordability of the old pricing tiers, as below:

  • Classic: 200 days for €135 (US$143)
  • Fantasy: 320 days for €179 (US$189)
  • Dream: 365 days for €223 (US$236)

To offset the insane price rise, they will be including parking and Photopass in the Infinity pass, not unlike Disneyland California Signature & Signature Plus passes.

As an added bonus to the Infinity pass, guests will now get a discount on Disney hotels of 50%, with 40% off with Magic Flex and Magic Plus passes.

What do you think of the price increase? Let me know in the comments.

PHOTO REPORT: Epcot 2/28/17 (Goodbye Art Fest, Hello Topiaries, Bonjour Belle, Figment is Back, Etc.)

Our latest photo report brings us to Epcot between events, as the Festival of the Arts moves out for the topiaries and food booths of the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival 2017…

Welcome to Epcot

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The rumored gondola station site sits and waits at the International Gateway entrance to Epcot.

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The security procedures here were improved, adding a second metal detector, so now there is one for each line.

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A monorail ride in shows the departure of the Festival of the Arts and the arrival of the Flower and Garden Festival.

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A moral stand just above the flower beds, marking the quick transition between the two seasonal events.

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It also isn’t often that you see one hour lines for the attraction…

MouseGear

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A lot of merchandise in MouseGear has moved around again. Candy and snacks have mostly moved to the Innoventions side of the store.

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Some new summer housewares.

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Some new mugs for sale inside MouseGear.

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These gian Winnie the Pooh character mugs retail at $19.99 each.

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Candy Peal Pinwheels can now be found for sale at most locations. Several different versions are available including Toy Story, Dumbo, Cars, and Mickey Mouse.

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VIDEO: Watch The “Gaston” Clip From “Beauty And The Beast”

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Disney has released a sneak peak of Josh Gad as LeFou and Luke Evans as Gaston performing “Gaston” from “Beauty And The Beast”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JG6f5_37tg&feature=youtu.be

Source: Disney Movie Trailers

Cast Of “Beauty And The Beast” Attends Shanghai Disneyland Premiere

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Beauty and the Beast

Earlier this week in Shanghai, the cast and filmmakers from Disney’s live-action “Beauty And The Beast” including Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Josh Gad and director Bill Condon continued their world tour with a premiere and photo call in Shanghai.

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Dan Stevens

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Josh Gad

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Emma Watson

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Luke Evans

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Emma Watson

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Director Bill Condon, Dan Stevens, Emma Watson, Luke Evans, Josh Gad, attended the China Premiere of Beauty and the Beast in Shanghai.

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Josh Gad, Luke Evans, Emma Waston, Dan Stevens and Bill Condon attended the China Premiere in Shanghai

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Josh Gad, Luke Evans, Emma Waston, Dan Stevens and Bill Condon attended the China Premiere in Shanghai

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Josh Gad, Luke Evans, Emma Waston, Dan Stevens and Bill Condon attended the China Premiere in Shanghai

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Emma Waston

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Dan Stevens

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Luke Evans

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Dan Stevens

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Bill Condon, Dan Stevens, Emma Watson, Luke Evans and Josh Gad at the Shanghai Disney Resort for Beauty and the Beast.

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Dan Stevens and Emma Watson at the Shanghai Disney Resort for Beauty and the Beast.