VIDEO: Behind the Scenes Look at Beauty and The Beast Musical Coming Aboard the Disney Dream

WDWNT on April 6, 2017

Disney is working very hard to incorporate some new entertainment aboard the Disney Cruise Line. One of those very things is a brand new Beauty and The Beast musical, which will be coming aboard the Disney Dream. This new musical will take inspiration from the live-action film to retell this timeless tale in a new way that hasn’t been told before. Here is that video below from  The Disney Parks Blog:

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“Beauty and the Beast” will debut during the Disney Dream voyage departing Nov. 6, 2017

PHOTO: First Look Inside the “Gantry Lift” for Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission Breakout Ride at California Adventure

WDWNT on April 6, 2017

Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission Breakout will be opening in just a few weeks at Disney California Adventure, but today, thanks to an internal leak, we are getting our first look inside the former “maintenance service elevator” of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. The “gantry lift” appears to be just about the same, with the exception of what we assume to be a warning written in an alien language on the back wall of the vehicles:

A look at the ride vehicles for Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission Breakout, with weighted dummies for test rides.

A look at the ride vehicles for Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission Breakout, with weighted dummies for test rides.

We were unable to find the language in any internet search, but maybe someone far better versed in the MARVEL universe can decode it.

Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission Breakout opens May 27th, 2017 at Disney California Adventure.

TONIGHT on WDW News Tonight (4/5/17) – Disney’s Funniest Attractions, The April Fool’s Map Game, WDWNT: The 10th Anniversary, & More!

WDWNT on April 6, 2017

Tonight on WDW News Tonight, we celebrate April Fool’s with the funniest stuff at Walt Disney World, a special edition of the Map Game, and a look at WDWNT: The 10th Anniversary event…

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If you are in the Orlando area, you can tune in to 105.5 FM or AM 1520 WBZW at showtime. For those outside of the Orlando area, the show can be watched via video stream at listen.WDWNT.com on your computer or mobile device. You can also use WDWNT: The App to watch and chat along. The show also utilizes a live chat and the ability to call-in to interact with the show. WDW News Tonight is hosted by Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, but also features appearances by a number of other WDWNT correspondents and announcer Michelle Wargo.

Coming up on this week’s show:

  • A recap of the week’s news (with a WDWNT comedic twist)
  • An overview of WDWNT: The 10th Anniversary, a special event at Walt Disney World this Fall
  • The Wonderful World of Psychotic Comments
  • “WDWNT: The Map Game″, presented by Theme Park Connection
  • What Did We Just Eat?  – a review of the Bon Voyage Breakfast at Trattoria Al Forno
  • The Funniest Things at Walt Disney World – Attractions, Characters, Entertainment, and more
  • Who Hates Tom Now?
  • And more!

We hope that you will tune in tonight at 9PM ET for another episode of WDW News Tonight!

If you missed last week’s show, be sure to watch it:

VIDEO: Disney Animators Bring Classic Characters to Life for “Happily Ever After” at the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on April 6, 2017

Today, Disney has released yet another behind the scenes look into the upcoming nighttime spectacular, Happily Ever After. Today’s video shows Walt Disney Animation Studio artists bringing beloved characters to life for the new show. Hand drawn animation will be utilized, along with innovative projection mapping technology, to paint Cinderella Castle in Disney animated classics, all the way up to Moana. Here is the video below from the Disney Parks Blog:

Happily Ever After begins May 12th at Magic Kingdom. The last day for Wishes! is May 11th.

VIDEO: ‘Cars 3: Driven to Win’ Releasing This Summer

WDWNT on April 6, 2017

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has announced the upcoming Avalanche Software produced game, Cars 3: Driven to Win will release on June 13, the same day that DisneyPixar’s Cars 3 hits theaters.

http://https://youtu.be/FTGbTKGPYB4

The new game takes place immediately after the events of the movie and features an all-new story with both old and new characters. In the game’s story, Lightning McQueen and Cruz Ramirez take on racing rival Jackson Storm throughout locals such as Radiator Springs and the Florida International Speedway. In total, the game will feature 20 different racing tracks and 13 different locations.

Players will be able to play six different modes including Stunt Showcase, Takedown, Best Lap Challenge, Race, Battle Race, and Playground. Additionally, players will be able to learn a variety of abilities like Drifting, Turbo, Two-wheel Driving, Side-Bash, and Driving Backwards. While it is unknown if the game will feature online racing, players will be able to engage in split-screen multiplayer.

Cars 3: Driven to Win will be Avalanche Software’s first game under the ownership of WB Games, and since the cancellation of the Disney Infinity series. While Driven to Win’s art style does not reflect the iconic style of Disney Infinity, the game does run in the Octane engine, which was used to create the Disney Infinity games.

Cars 3: Driven to Win will be available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U, and yes, Nintendo Switch. Driven to Win is available now for pre-order and will cost the industry standard $59.99 on current generation hardware, while the PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii U versions will be sold for $49.99.

RUMOR: TRON Lightcycle Power Run Roller Coaster Close to Green Light for Walt Disney World, Disneyland

WDWNT on April 6, 2017

A few months ago, we told you that it was rumored that the popular TRON Lightcycle Power Run attraction from Shanghai Disneyland would be making its way to Walt Disney World sometime in the next 5 years. Well, it seems the project is close to approval, but it may also be heading to California…

TRON Lightcycle Power Run, Shanghai Disney Resort

TRON Lightcycle Power Run, Shanghai Disney Resort

According to sources, budget and preliminary design teams for Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts have been sent out to Shanghai to make the project into a reality here in the United States. The decision to move forward with a TRON reboot/sequel has likely heavily influenced the decision to go through with the attraction domestically.

Walt Disney World is planning to build the attraction in Tomorrowland ahead of October 1st, 2021, the start of the 50th anniversary celebration for the entire resort. This would ensure major new additions in each of the four parks leading up to what should be a milestone event lasting 18-24 months. The enhancements at Epcot should begin by that time, and Star Wars land, Toy Story Land, and Pandora: The World of AVATAR will all be open and operating, leaving Magic Kingdom needing something big and new. Currently, the attraction would sit on the site of the Tomorrowland Speedway, but the former Galaxy Palace Theater space (now cast member parking) is a possibility.

TRON Lightcycle Power Run, Shanghai Disney Resort

TRON Lightcycle Power Run, Shanghai Disney Resort

At Disneyland, rumors indicate that the former Innoventions building (now home to Star Wars Launch Bay) in Tomorrowland would be the site, allowing the outdoors portion of the coaster to soar beautifully over the Tomorrowland skyline. That being said, some believe the coaster will be repurposed for the MARVEL-themed land at Disney California Adventure, perhaps taking the place of the long-rumored Captain America launch roller coaster. Either way, expect this ride system to show up at the Disneyland Resort around the same time as Walt Disney World unveils theirs.

As always with rumors and attractions in the design phase, things can change, or even be cancelled entirely. Based on how much we are hearing about this already, I would be very surprised to not see this roller coaster “rez” in the U.S. sometime soon.

The Polite Pig Opens at Disney Springs on April 10th

WDWNT on April 6, 2017

As of today, the finishing touches are being added to the newest eatery at Disney Springs; The Polite Pig. Husband and wife chefs James and Julie Petrakis, who have won wide acclaim for their Central Florida restaurants Cask & Larder and The Ravenous Pig, will expand their Swine Family Restaurant Group to Disney Springs with a new fast-casual concept, The Polite Pig, set to open on Monday, April 10. Partnering with the James Beard Foundation-nominated chefs is Brian Petrakis, who owns the popular Orlando eatery Greens & Grille. The partnership unites the Petrakis brothers on a restaurant venture for the first time.

The Polite Pig will feature modern BBQ with Southern sides like a tomato and watermelon salad, mac and cheese and smoked corn with lime butter. There’s even a bar with seven different ways to top your ‘cue, from Layla’s Sweet to Fresno Hot Sauce. Not only that, but you can find a solid selection of craft beers and cocktails, and a bourbon bar with more than 50 selections, from small batch bourbons to a Pappy Van Winkle 23-Year Family Reserve.

The Polite Pig is located in Disney Springs’ Town Center neighborhood. The 5,000-square-foot venue will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with seating for about 200 guests. The restaurant will employ 80 full-time and part-time employees.

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In in interview done by Disney with the Chefs, they answer some questions about their new restaurant:

Why did you decide to open a restaurant at Disney Springs?
Disney approached us with the idea of opening a fast-casual outpost that would represent the atmosphere and quality of our Winter Park location, The Ravenous Pig. We shared their enthusiasm for bringing a true local restaurant to Disney Springs.

Is the menu similar to The Ravenous Pig and Cask & Larder, your other restaurants in Central Florida?
I would say that the menu is similar in its approach to using quality, seasonal ingredients, with our signature touch. We’ll have Cask & Larder Brewery beers, cocktails on tap and also an extensive Bourbon Bar. And this restaurant will focus a bit more on wood-smoked and grilled items.

Anything you’ll offer at The Polite Pig that will be a signature, or exclusive to that restaurant?
Most of the menu will be exclusive to The Polite Pig: modern barbecue with The Ravenous Pig twist. Like the Southern Pig Sandwich with pulled pork off the smoker, apple slaw, mustard sauce and Duke’s mayo; peel-and-eat shrimp with bourbon-cocktail sauce, and crispy Brussels sprouts with whiskey caramel.

Who will be the chef daily in The Polite Pig kitchen?
We have two of our Ravenous Pig/Cask & Larder veterans at the helm, Jared Thate and Allie Weldon, along with Chef James Petrakis’ guidance and inspiration.

Tell us about the craft beer program.
We will feature four of our beloved Cask & Larder Brewery brews on tap, as well as a couple other Florida/domestic craft beers.

Anything special about The Polite Pig cocktails?
We will feature five house cocktails on tap, including some of our crowd favorites from The Ravenous Pig, such as the Gin and Tonic and Old-Fashioned.

How many seats and describe the décor.
We’ll have 190 seats, and the décor pays homage to the beloved swine of The Polite Pig, as well as antiquity. Whimsical pigs on various adventures can be seen throughout the space, and rustic touches are used for custom featured art pieces. Large faded graphics also adorn the main wall of the space adding to the feel of the long-time family run business.

What’s your favorite dish on The Polite Pig menu?
My favorite appetizer is the Hop Salt Pretzel with beer cheese fondue and IPA mustard. Favorite sandwich: the Salmon BLT with bacon jam, marinated tomato, romaine and aioli. I love that with a side of charred broccoli tossed with herb buttermilk dressing and house granola.

What do you think is the secret to good food?
Using quality seasonal ingredients and taking great care of it by enhancing with smoke/cooking, proper seasoning and passion!

The Polite Pig will officially be opening at Disney Springs on April 10th, 2017.

Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Goes Nightly This Weekend

WDWNT on April 6, 2017

Animal Kingdom’s nighttime show, Rivers of Light, will now be operating seven days a week throughout the spring and summer. Now, more guests will be able to experience the show with these additional performances.

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From April 9th-22nd, the show will be performed twice every night and will return to the regular schedule of once a night (at least for now) from April 23rd-September 4th, 2017. FastPass+ reservations, as well as dining packages, are now available for these showtimes.

REVIEW: Nomad Lounge at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Adds Decadent Dessert Churros to the Menu

WDWNT on April 6, 2017

We have reviewed the Nomad Lounge at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park a lot in the last year, so please check those out if you want to know about all of the drinks and other food available here:

Nomad Lounge if of course attached to the Tiffins restaurant in the Discovery Island section of the park, just before what will soon be the bridge leading guests into Pandora: The World of AVATAR. Another change has made its way to the menu as the establishment gets ready for the bigger crowds that Pandora will bring this May: gone is the Taste of Tiffins dessert, replaced with the lounge exclusive churros…

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Churros with Vanilla Crema and Chili Strawberry Dipping Sauces ($9.00)

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Churros, new dessert menu offering at Nomad Lounge, Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park

The order comes with five small churros in a miniature frying basket… because that makes sense in Africa or Asia I guess…

The churros are nothing special. They are much softer than the theme park cart variety, but what makes them at least enjoyable is the dipping sauces provided. Separately, the Vanilla Crema and Strawberry Chili sauces are not remarkable flavors, but mixed together we found much better results. If you think a vanilla-strawberry-chili flavor sounds good, than these are at least worth ordering once.

Is this better than the Taste of Tiffins dessert that is no longer offered? No. My guess is that there sales for the dessert were not very high, so they went with something that more theme-park-goers would understand and maybe be excited to try.

While this is a slight downgrade, I still stand by that Nomad Lounge is one of the very best bars in all of Walt Disney World for their drink menu alone. It’s for sure the absolute best in any of the theme parks. Sure, there are a few good small bites here as well, but the drinks are the main event.