PHOTOS: First Look at New Dishes from the 2017 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

WDWNT on May 8, 2017

Only 3 months remain until the 2017 Food and Wine Festival at Epcot. This year’s festival will have 35 unique different food kiosks and vendors in honor of Epcot’s 35th anniversary on October 1st. Also this year, the event will run a total of 75 day, which is the longest it has ever been!

Here are some pics of a few of the bites that will be there to to satisy your taste buds…

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Pictured above is the charcuterie in a cone from the Spain Marketplace, which is perfect for strolling and tasting.

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There’s also the spicy Korma Chicken with cucumber-tomato salad, almonds, cashews and warm naan bread from the India Marketplace.

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These 2 items are just a sample of the offerings you can expect to find at this year’s festival and includes much, much more such as crispy chicken with griddled cornbread and red-eye gravy, and the pistachio cardamom cake with a dollop of chocolate coconut mousse pictured above.

The 22nd Annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival starts Aug. 31st and will be running until November 13th, 2017.

D23 Summer Issue Goes Behind-the-Scenes of Pandora – The World of Avatar & More

WDWNT on May 8, 2017

Disney’s summer issue of the D23 magazine will show an in-depth look behind-the-scenes of the upcoming Animal Kingdom land Pandora – The World of Avatar.

Readers will find exclusive commentary by Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde, Avatar director James Cameron, and movie producer Jon Landau on how Pandora was conceived and crafted. Here is a sneak peak at what Cameron has to say in the latest issue:

We didn’t build sets of all this stuff when we made the movie. It was all in a computer, so, to be able to walk around it in full-scale? It’s unfathomable. We’re literally on Pandora! I’m on Pandora! It was a pinch-me moment to ensure I was really awake and actually in the world we had created.

D23 Gold Members will receive a Na’vi translator card featuring the Shaman of Songs, the new animatronic character that will be featured in Pandora’s boat ride attraction Na’vi River Journey. When used with the Na’vi language translator device (which will be available for purchase in Pandora) it will teach guests how to say certain words in the Na’vi language.

Also available for D23 Gold Members, there will be an alternative cover variant for the summer issue that features the upcoming movie Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. Newcomers to the series Javier Bardem and Kaya Scodelario discuss what it’s like joining the crew of the popular film franchise.

Aside from Avatar and Pirates, here’s what else readers can expect to see in this next D23 magazine:

  • Cristela Alonzo talks about her role in Cars 3 
  • Chris Hemsworth talks about Hulk’s appearance in Thor: Ragnarok
  • Disney Imagineering’s Steven Davison and Kim Irvine give first look at the return of Fantasmic! and Disneyland’s Rivers of America
  • Tour Duckburg with the team behind the upcoming DuckTales for Disney XD
  • Art of Bambi by Disney Legend Tyrus Wong in honor of film’s 75th anniversary
  • And more

VIDEO: Disney Releases Official Video Of Johnny Depp As Captain Jack Sparrow On The “Pirates Of The Caribbean” Attraction At Disneyland

WDWNT on May 8, 2017

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Disney has released an official video of Johnny Depp surprising fans at Disneyland on the “Pirates Of The Caribbean” attraction.  This video also shows Captain Jack greeting his fans from on top of the balcony by the entrance of the “Pirates Of The Caribbean” attraction!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwauqxGbgQ0&feature=youtu.be

Source: Disney Movie Trailers

Disney Has No Plans To Change The Jungle Cruise Attraction, Regardless Of What The Rock Says

WDWNT on May 8, 2017

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Yesterday we reported that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson said he was working with Disney Imagineers in order to update the classic Disney Parks attraction, Jungle Cruise. Well, according to Disney, it turns out that is not case. Although Disney did confirm that The Rock did meet with Disney Imagineers recently, Disney said there are no plans to revamp the ride at this time. Good news for fans of the original attraction.

WDWNT: The 10th Anniversary Schedule & Event Tickets Now Available

WDWNT on May 8, 2017

Join us Saturday, September 23 – Tuesday September 26 as we mark the 10th Anniversary of WDW News Today with a four-day celebration at the Walt Disney World Resort!

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Highlights of the event include a private catered breakfast in the Living Seas Lounge, an interactive game spanning all four theme parks, private parties at a Treehouse Villa, and a Dole Whip meet where we can all try the Tajin chili-lime seasoning that is a big hit at Disneyland!

The full schedule is below. Note that this schedule will be periodically tweaked and updated as we get closer to the event. To register for the event, visit events.wdwnt.com. To purchase tickets for the private breakfast at the Living Seas Lounge or the group breakfast at The Wave, go to events.wdwnt.com/tickets.

 

Friday September 22

Pre-event dinner at Kona Cafe for WIGS members and WDWNT Staff only, 6:30 PM
Pre-event mixer at Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace, 8:30 PM (including viewing of Happy Hallowishes)

Saturday September 23

Breakfast at The Wave, 8:30 AM – Tickets required (tickets required, purchase here)
WDWNT: The Order of the Seven Interactive Game, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (spanning all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks)
Spaceship Earth Group Ride, 7:30 PM
IllumiNations, 9:00 PM
Prize Presentation, 9:30 PM

Sunday September 24

WDWNT: The Breakfast, Vol. 2 Private Catered Breakfast at the Living Seas Lounge, 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM – Tickets required (tickets required, purchase here)
-including live podcast recording, live game shows, surprises, and more!
Count the Malfunctions: Group Ride on Journey Into Imagination with Figment
Time to Enjoy the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Private Party (Family Night) at the Corless Family Treehouse, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort (tickets required, details TBA)

Monday September 25

Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Group Rides: Dinosaur, Primeval Whirl
Little Quesadilla Bird Memorial Meetup, Nomad Lounge (including Cheeseburger Flatbread Challenge)
Group Expedition to Pandora: The World of Avatar
Group Dinner at Satuli Canteen
Private Party (Adults Only) at the Corless Family Treehouse, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort (tickets required, details TBA)

Tuesday September 26

Magic Kingdom
Group Rides: Carousel of Progress, TTA PeopleMover
Tomorrowland of Confusion Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe Sonny Eclipse Kosmic Karaoke Lunch
Group Rides: it’s a small world, Country Bear Jamboree
Enchanted Tiki Room Sacrilegious Tajin Dole Whip Meet
Possible Additional Group Rides
What’s Left of Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Group Rides: Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Star Tours, Great Movie Ride, Muppet*Vision 3D
Group Dinner at ABC Commissary (without the Dysentery)
Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular
Farewell

Register Now!

PHOTOS: Awesome 3-D Haunted Mansion Phone Case Now Available at Walt Disney World

WDWNT on May 8, 2017

We have seen some cool iPhone cases at Disney Parks before, but this might be the coolest…

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Retailing for $29.99, this case is only for the iPhone 7 and 6S models as of right now and was found at the Darkroom inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The case is modeled after Madame Leota’s tombstone at the Haunted Mansion attraction in the Magic Kingdom. While it may be a little wonky, the head is fully sculpted, making for a pretty cool replica.

What do you think? Will you be buying this?

RUMOR: Disneyland Paris to Introduce Paid ‘Fastpass Premium’ Service

WDWNT on May 8, 2017

Starting in May, Disneyland Paris are said to be introducing a paid FastPass service.

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It will reportedly be at a cost of €90 per day for unlimited Fastpasses and €15 for a single Fastpass. Thankfully, the current Fastpass system isn’t going anywhere, but this seems to be going hand in hand with the recent changes to the annual pass structure.

Shanghai Disney Resort is currently the only other Disney property that offers such a service, with Disneyland offering a paid service called MaxPass in the coming months that allows for digital FastPasses, but not for unlimited.

What do you think of the new changes? Let me know in the comments!

The Rock Working with Disney Imagineering to Update The Jungle Cruise Attraction for Upcoming Film

WDWNT on May 8, 2017

“The Rock” Dwayne Johnson was already announced to be a part of Disney’s upcoming film based on The Jungle Cruise, but it seems he will also have a role in changing the attraction at Disney Parks…

Grateful SOB to have Walt and Mickey watching over my shoulder as @danygarciaco and I embark on this amazing project. For our big #JungleCruise creative meeting at DISNEY’s highly secure R&D facilities, me and @danygarciaco were escorted into THE VAULT. A legitimate vault where all of Disney’s biggest secrets and plans are kept. Curtains were pulled back for us to reveal the actual drawn up plans that Walt Disney had his brother, Roy Disney take to New York to present to the bankers in 1950 for the potential loan to build what’s now known as Disney Land. Cant imagine what that meeting with bankers was like. Roy: Alright gentlemen, so me and my brother Walt, want to build the greatest multiple theme park attraction in the world. Banker: Oh that seems fun, Mr. Disney. Roy: *smiles in a playful mischievous manner, Oh yes my good man, it will have a few things that are in fact, fun. Well, clearly I don’t know how the hell men were actually talking in the 50’s, but what I do know is being able to star in and produce #JungleCruise is a dream come true. BUT what takes this to the next level, is that we’ll partner with Disney’s brilliant Imagineers to help re-engineer and re-design the #JungleCruise ride in all the Disney theme parks around the world. A very special opportunity for us and our @sevenbucksprod to create an unforgettable and fun EXPERIENCE for families around the world. And as Walt Disney himself would say… it’s magical. Next step is finding our visionary director. Exciting times. #JungleCruise #TheExperience #DisneyStudios #Imagineers #SevenBucksProds #WaltAndRockWouldveBeenBesties #AndWorkoutBuddies #WaltWouldveLovedMyJackedUpPickUpTruck ????????????

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It is assumed any changes would be tied into the film, but it is interesting that these changes will be made at some point ahead of the film’s release and at every Disney Resort that has the attraction apparently.

We’ll keep you in the loop as more information on this story becomes available.