VIDEO: Disney Imagineers Show How They Made Pandora – The World of AVATAR Feel Like a Real Place

When Pandora – The World of Avatar opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom this May, guests will be able to explore a brand-new world unlike they’ve ever experienced before.

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In the film AVATAR, the planet of Pandora featured an ecosystem all its own, with lush bioluminescent flora, precious fauna, and a culture of people who saw and respected the value of their precious planet. In order to create this new land for Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the project team approached bringing Pandora to life as if they were building a real world – unlike one anyone had experienced before – based on the world in the film.

Walt Disney Imagineering just shared this video, in which we learn how Imagineers and Animal Programs worked together to create a uniquely interactive ecosystem exclusively for Pandora – The World of Avatar. The park’s Animal Programs department, which includes conservation biologists and scientists, lent their expertise in order to help the land seem as authentically real as possible

“We’ve had this group sit down and try to understand what would Pandora really look like? How would it feel? What sounds would you hear if you were taking a nature trail along Pandora,” said Dr. Mark Penning Vice President, Animals, Science and Environment, Disney Parks.

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D23 Expo Japan Announced for 2018

The D23 Expo Japan 2018 returns to Tokyo Disney Resort starting February 10-12, 2018. Not many details are known at this time, but more information will be made available in Summer 2017 (also that’s when the tickets will go on sale). You can check the official website (Japanese only) and the D23 website.

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This fan event is held at various locations and hotels at Tokyo Disney Resort (including the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel, Disney Ambassador Hotel, Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta, and the Maihama Amphitheater).

The event was held back in November 2015 and was a huge success.

For more on Tokyo Disney Resort (also Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland), make sure to visit TDRExplorer.com.

Egg Hunt Returning to Disneyland Resort April 1st

Springtime will be hopping its way to the Disneyland Resort in just 2 weeks. Beginning April 1st, the Eggstravaganza will be returning to the Disneyland Resort for its 5th year.

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To participate, pick up a map and stickers for $5.99 (plus tax) at select merchandise locations throughout Disneyland Resort. The Eggstravaganza is a scavenger hunt where you will search for special hidden “eggs” themed to Disney and Pixar characters. You will then record your discoveries by placing the corresponding sticker on the themed Egg-stravaganza map to represent that location.

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Once finished you can redeem the map for a special prize. Redemption locations include the following merchandise shops: Elias & Co. at Disney California Adventure park; Disney Showcase in Disneyland park; World of Disney Store in the Downtown Disney District.

Purchasing limits will apply, while supplies last. Please note that no discounts apply and separate admission is required to enter Disney theme parks. The experience is subject to restrictions and may change without notice. The Eggstravaganza at the Disneyland Resort will last from April 1st-April 16th.

REVIEW: Classic Dole Whip Adds Chili-Lime Seasoning for Spicy Kick at Disneyland Park

The roof of the Dole Whip stand at Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, Disneyland Park

The roof of the Dole Whip stand at Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Disneyland Park

Messing around with the legendary Dole Whip at Disneyland Park may sound a little sacrilegious, but sometimes it’s good to update the classics. Just look at many of the wonderful updates made to Disney attractions over the years, enhancing the ride or show while keeping the original flavor. While you may want to stick to the standard treat (or maybe even get some Dole Whip flavored Cotton Candy over at Disney California Adventure), those who are a little more adventurous might seek to enhance the Dole Whip with a new seasoning that is being offered…

The seasoning packets now offered with Dole Whip, Disneyland Park

The seasoning packets now offered with Dole Whip, Disneyland Park

Disneyland already offered this Tajin seasoning at locations with fruit dishes, but it is now also behind the counter at the Dole Whip stand outside of the Enchanted Tiki Room.

The seasoning packets now offered with Dole Whip, Disneyland Park

The seasoning packets now offered with Dole Whip, Disneyland Park

The classic Tajin seasoning is not listed on the menu, but an individual packet is available upon request when you purchase a Dole Whip (at top added charge). Typically used as a fruit and veggie booster, the seasoning may seem to be a little strange for a frozen treat, but there’s a good reason it is being offered. The official description of the seasoning:

An Authentic Mexican condiment with a angy lime and chile pepper kick, offering a mild heat. Ideal for seasoning fresh Citrus fruit snacks.

So, I took my snack and my seasoning packet into Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room and did the deed…

The Dole Whip with the seasoning packet, Disneyland Park

The Dole Whip with the seasoning packet, Disneyland Park

The Dole Whip with the seasoning packet, Disneyland Park

The Dole Whip with the seasoning packet, Disneyland Park

Would my pictures have turned out better in the sunlight? Sure. But c’mon, it’s the Tiki Room at Disneyland!

If you read the dining reviews on this site regularly, you know just how much I love spicy items, and that I can take or leave a Dole Whip. Don’t get me wrong, I like the Dole Whip, I just probably only get it like once or twice a year despite visiting Disney Parks 5-6 times a week. That being said, this combination was awesome. I enjoyed the Dole Whip with Tajin much more than without, and I think you should give it a try the next time you procure one if you are a fan of the Disneyland delicacy. Don’t worry, it isn’t overly spicy. As the description implies, it is a mild heat. The lime flavoring is also a nice touch to the existing pineapple flavor, in addition to the spice it offers.

Tajin does also offer spicier seasonings on the market, and I’d love to see a variety at the parks so I can have a really spicy Dole Whip, but this will suffice for now. I told you, I really like spicy food.

If you are one of those people who makes Dole Whip at home, you can also easily find the seasoning in your local supermarket, or even online on Amazon. The large bottle is more economical for home use, but if you want to try Tajin at Walt Disney World (which has not started offering the seasoning yet, and may never), buying the box of packets will be more convenient.

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Cars 3 Tour Makes Pit Stop at Disney Springs This Weekend

The third installment of the popular “Cars” film franchise is set to arrive in theatres on June 16th in 3D, but fans can get an early glimpse of the story, which stars longtime favorite Lightning McQueen alongside new characters Cruz Ramirez and Jackson Storm, when the “Road to the Races” nationwide tour kicks off March 23-26, 2017 at Disney Springs Marketplace.

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Expect fun activities for the whole family, plus an extended “sneak peek” of the film when the tour rolls into town. Photo opportunities with three life-size character cars will also be a part of the event.

Alamo Rent A Car will sponsor a giant color mural; Coppertone will encourage guests to take part in a racer pit crew tire-changing activity and a fun photo opportunity; Crest and Oral-B will pass out prizes from the Piston Cup prize wheel and will offer fans the chance to create a digital postcard with Lightning McQueen; at the Dole Refueling Station, you can sample high-octane smoothies; Mattel plans to present an interactive play area; and last, but not least, NASCAR will be on hand to share the history and science behind their iconic brand.

During your visit, keep an eye out for “Cars” merchandise and special menu items at select food and beverage locations, plus a DJ dance party with tracks that will make you want to rev up your engine.

The tour, located at Disney Springs in the former Marketplace Bus Loop near Disney’s Days of Christmas store, opens to the public on Thursday, March 23 at 12:00 p.m. and will run until 7:00 p.m. that evening. On Friday, March 24, and Saturday, March 25, join the fun from 11 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. And on the final day, Sunday, March 26, guests can enjoy the experience from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Disney Executives Show Off New Technologies in Audio-Animatronics

Disney executives from a variety of fields held a panel at the 2017 South by Southwest Conference (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, and discussed how emerging technologies will help the company to innovate and break new ground in storytelling.

Disney Imagineering R&D executive Jon Snoddy, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media senior vice president Mike White, and Disney Interactive vice president of Engineering Kathy de Paolo led the panel in talks about how both artificial intelligence and machine learning are changing the way future Audio-Animatronics are being implemented.

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During the panel, attendees got to see Audio-Animatronic versions of Jake (a droid once featured at Star Wars Launch Bay in Disneyland) and a pocket-sized Pascal (the chameleon sidekick from Tangled). Both were used to show how Disney is looking for new ways to bring characters to life in more natural ways. As White put it, “We are constantly evaluating emerging technologies, and we use the ones that make our products and experiences better.” He went on to stress the importance of emerging technologies, “Disney is committed to technology that enhances our stories. It’s not merely a science project.”

Snoddy reinforced Disney’s desire to inspire and move guests by always daring to delve deeper into the world’s most advanced technologies:

“Every new technology that has come along for the past 60 years has been adopted into a storytelling medium. It won’t be different now. [Guests] really come to be moved emotionally, and that will not change.”

Source: TheWaltDisneyCompany.com

RUMOR: Magic Kingdom Security to be Restructured, Screening for Most Moving to TTC and Resort Hotels

It seems as though Disney may be trying to create a better guest flow at the entrance of the Magic Kingdom by moving the security perimeter of the park further out.

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If all goes according to rumored plans, guests parking at the Transportation and Ticket Center will go through security bag check and metal detectors after they exit the parking lot trams, but before the board any monorails or a ferryboat to the park. These guests will then be able to walk directly to the Magic Kingdom turnstiles (or touch points as the kids call them these days) once disembarking at the park’s monorail station or ferryboat dock.

Supposedly, this would lead to security screening areas being added at the various monorail platforms at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Guests taking a bus or resort launch to the Magic Kingdom would still be screened just outside of the park at new checkpoints. Guests walking over from Disney’s Contemporary Resort on the small walkway between the hotel and the Magic Kingdom will also have their own checkpoint (which is already being done at select times of the day).

Disney has not yet made any comment about the changes, so they are simply in the realm of rumor for now. However, recent construction work being conducted at the Transportation and Ticket Center and at the Magic Kingdom park entrance are pointing towards the change. It is unknown when the changes would take place, if they ever do materialize.

What do you think? Would this be a positive change in your opinion?

Casting Parking Lot Closing Soon as Construction Begins on Another Disney Springs Parking Garage

The parking lot of the Walt Disney World Casting building on Buena Vista Drive will close April 1st, 2017 to accommodate the construction of a new Disney Springs parking garage and pedestrian bridge, as we reported several months ago.

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Located next door to the Casting building at Disney Springs, the new structure will contain 3000 additional parking spaces, not just for Disney Springs guests, but also for the Casting building and the nearby Partners (formerly Suntrust) building. In the meantime, those visiting the Casting or Partners building may utilize the 2 and 4 hour parking spaces in the Partners parking lot. Those who work there will be parking in the Cast Services lot by the Team Disney building.

Work on the garage and bridge is slated to be completed in 2019.

“Beauty And The Beast” Breaks Box Office Records; $350 Million Global Opening

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“Beauty And The Beast” reigned supreme at the box office this weekend with an estimated $170 million domestically and $180 million internationally resulting in a worldwide gross of $350 million.

“Beauty And The Beast” achieved the following accomplishments:

  • The highest March opening weekend record.
  • The largest opening for a PG rated film.
  • The largest Spring opening weekend.
  • The 7th largest opening weekend ever.
  • The 4th largest Saturday gross of all time.
  • The 6th largest Sunday gross of all time.
  • The largest IMAX opening for a PG rated film in both domestic and global markets.

Here are the top ten highest grossing domestic movies for 2017:

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Source: Box Office Mojo

Satuli Canteen in Pandora: The World of AVATAR to be First Disney Quick Service Restaurant with Mobile Ordering

Disney will finally be rolling out mobile advance ordering for counter service restaurants, and they will be doing it May 27th at their very newest.

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Satuli Canteen inside Pandora: The World of AVATAR will be the very first restaurant at Walt Disney World to open with the feature.

Mobile ordering allows you to pay for meals on-the-go with the My Disney Experience app, bypassing the queue to order in the restaurant. Using the app, you can select any of the menu items, customize them as you wish, and pre-pay for the meal. Arriving at the restaurant, guests will simply tap “I’m Here”, which will notify cast members to prepare the meal. When it’s ready, you will be alerted in the app to pick up the food at a designated service window. Only credit card payments will be accepted for this service, with Dining Plan guests still having to use the normal queue, at least as of right now.

Disney of course tested this service in one form or another over the last few years, including the most notable test at the Backlot Express and Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

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Disney has also released ore details on the menu:

Look for familiar dishes with a twist in the fast-casual restaurant, with bowls that allow diners to customize their lunch or dinner. Diners start with a base of quinoa and vegetable salad; red and sweet potato hash; mixed whole-grain and rice or romaine and kale salad. Next is either with wood-grilled chicken, slow-roasted beef, sustainable fish or chili-spiced fried tofu. And the bowl is finished with charred onion chimichurri, black bean vinaigrette or creamy herb dressing.

The menu also offers steamed “pods” – bao buns with either cheeseburger or vegetable curry and served with root vegetable chips and crunchy vegetable slaw.

For little ones, there’s an option of grilled chicken or beef, fish or tofu with greens or rice; a hot dog wrapped in Parker House dough; cheese quesadilla, or a steamed “pod” (cheeseburger bao bun).

To read more about the food at the Satuli Canteen, click here.

Pandora: The World of AVATAR opens May 27th, 2017 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.