Rivers of Light may not be ready to debut anytime soon, but Disney previewed what they could of the new nighttime spectacular for Animal Kingdom at last night’s media preview. Take a look:
What we have seen of the show so far looks visually stunning, and personally, I’m a big fan of the soundtrack so far. Whenever it does debut, this should be a real crowd-pleaser for the park. Hopefully it is soon…
Starting in early May, guests visiting Epcot will be able to spot Dory and some of her friends from the new film “Finding Dory” at the park’s “Turtle Talk With Crush” attraction.
Some of her new pals you can expect to spot within the attraction include Destiny the whale shark, Bailey the beluga whale and Hank the “septopus” (that’s a seven-legged octopus). Crush’s son and best pal Squirt will also be swimming by for the first time, as well you may spot Nemo and his dad Marlin.
“Finding Dory” swims into theaters on June 17, 2016.
Just minutes ago, Disney shared a sneak peek of what’s coming to Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including new details on the land’s attractions set to bring the world of Toy Story to life for guests.
In Toy Story Land, you’ll find yourself shrunk to the size of a toy to explore the world of Andy’s backyard with your favorite Toy Story characters, including Woody and Buzz. There are two new themed attractions being developed for Toy Story Land.
The first – Slinky Dog Dash – will be a family coaster attraction. The attraction features a coaster track that Andy has built all over his backyard using his Mega Coaster Play Kit, but as you know, he has a pretty amazing imagination, so he’s combined it with some of his other toys, according to Imagineer Kathy Mangum. Take a look at a concept video of Slinky Dog Dash that Kathy shared earlier:
On Slinky Dog Dash, you will zip, dodge and dash around many turns and drops that Andy has created to really make Slinky and his coils stretch to his limits.
The second all-new attraction in Toy Story Land will be Alien Swirling Saucers. This attraction is designed as a toy play set that Andy got from Pizza Planet, inspired by the first Toy Story film. Aliens are flying around in their toy flying saucers and trying to capture your rocket toy vehicle with “The Claw.”
As you rotate around the toy planets and satellites as part of the game, you’ll swirl to the beat of fun “Space Jazz” music developed just for this experience, Mangum said. The music, the lighting, and the sound effects will add to the flurry of your adventure while “The Claw” looms ominously over you.
Also today, Mangum shared an update that beginning Memorial Day weekend, even more guests will be able to experience Toy Story Mania with the addition of a third track.
Rivers of Light won’t be looking to debut this Summer as we reported, but that won’t be stopping Disney from bringing Disney’s Animal Kingdom to life in the evenings. Starting Memorial Day weekend, a number of offerings will debut, including a Rivers of Light placeholder:
The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic
For the summer, Discovery River becomes the stage for music and pageantry in a limited-engagement show inspired by Disney’s hit live-action film The Jungle Book. Jungle Book: Alive with Magic is a live show filled with music and special effects that celebrates the new film and the classic songs, now infused with an Indian influence.
The rest of the lineup is coming as originally envisioned:
The Tree of Life Awakens
The theme park’s iconic Tree of Life will undergo extraordinary “awakenings” throughout the evening as the animal spirits are brought to life by magical fireflies that reveal colorful stories of wonder and enchantment. High-tech projections of nature scenes take on a magical quality as they appear to dramatically emanate from within the Tree of Life.
Kilimanjaro Safaris after Dark
Each evening, the popular Kilimanjaro Safaris daytime experience is artfully bathed in the glow of sunset with special lighting allowing guests to explore this attraction well into the night. During the expedition, guests can now encounter the nighttime behavior of the wildlife and better tune in to the unique vocalization of the animals. Plus, there are two new species to discover: African wild dogs and hyenas.
Harambe Wildlife Parti
When the sun sets, the popular Village of Harambe will become a hot spot with the new Harambe Wildlife Parti. Here, “party animals” can dance alongside a variety of entertainers and local street musicians, and enjoy the lively rhythms of African music. Guests can also partake in exotic foods and libations, and explore the diverse wares of village artisans and merchants in the vibrant marketplace.
Discovery Island Carnivale
The spirited community of Discovery Island has come together to celebrate their love of the natural world with the Discovery Island Carnivale. This nightly experience will captivate guests with lively music, jubilant dance, vibrant costumes, stilt walkers and tasty culinary creations — winding from one end of the island to the other.
Tiffins Signature Restaurant
In addition to the diverse new entertainment offerings, guests will enjoy Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s new signature eatery, Tiffins. Open for both lunch and dinner, this new signature dining experience will celebrate the art of traveling and include waterfront views from both indoor and outdoor seating areas. “Tiffin” is an Indian English word meaning midday meal or type of container used to carry food while traveling.
New Adventures with Favorite Attractions
Most attractions remain open at nightfall, and will shine like never before. At sundown, Kali River Rapids will reveal mysterious twists and turns throughout the rainforest with dramatic and drenching fun. Expedition Everest thrills adventurers as it lurches forward and backward through the icy peaks of the Himalayas. At night, the majestic mountain challenges trekkers to an evening ride revealing breathtaking views of the Animal Kingdom canopied by starlight. Amidst the colorful midway games at Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama in DinoLand U.S.A., the thrills turn up aboard the zany Triceratop Spin or Primeval Whirl under the lights.
Tonight on WDW News Tonight, we play Disney Parks Pursuit (with a Wild twist), Tom makes a big and highly anticiapted announcement, we cover all of the exciting news about this summer at Walt Disney World, and we celebrate 18 years of Disney’s Animal Kingdom…
WDW News Tonight is hosted by Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, former hosts of WDW News Today: The Radio Show, but also features appearances by a number of other WDWNT correspondents.
If you are in the Orlando area, you can tune in to AM 1520 WBZW at showtime. For those outside the Orlando area, the show can be heard (and now watched via video stream) at Listen.WDWNT.com on your computer or mobile device. The show also utilizes new interactive avenues for our audience, including a live chat, the ability to call-in to the show, and live polling.
The show will also be available for streaming and download the very next day at WDWNewsTonight.com. While this won’t offer the interactive features and excitement of listening live, it offers those who can’t catch the show on Wednesday night a chance be a part of the fun.
Coming up on this week’s show:
We hope that you will tune in this Wednesday at 9PM ET for another episode of WDW News Tonight!
If you missed last week’s show, you can watch it here:
Disney today previewed the Soarin’ Around the World attraction, which will of course open this summer at both Disney California Adventure and Epcot. The following video showcases short clips of the China and Australia segments of the attraction that guests may be flying over:
At Epcot, the attraction will be presented in a digital film format with crystal clear imagery for the very first time, and the addition of a third theater for the attraction should shorten wait times for guests. The attraction will open to guests June 17th at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts, the same day it opens at Shanghai Disney Resort.
Prince William And Prince Harry paid a visit to Pinewood Studios to meet Rey, Finn, Luke, Chewbacca and BB-8 and get a special behind the scenes tour of “Star Wars: Episode VIII.”
Prince Harry reveals to us that they are bringing back A-Wings to “Episode VIII” as Mark Hamill looks on.
Prince William gets a big Wookiee hug from Chewbacca as John Boyega and BB-8 have a laugh.
Prince Harry also receives a big hug from everyone’s favorite Wookiee.
Prince Harry and John Boyega converse with Chewbacca.
Prince Harry and Prince William battle it out with some familiar lightsabers. Why does Harry have Kylo Ren’s lightsaber?
Mark Hamill, Rian Johnson, Prince Harry, Prince Willian, John Boyega, Chewbacca and Daisy Ridley. (Don’t know who that guy is next to Chewie. LOL)
Kathleen Kennedy and BB-8 join the gang for the group shot.
Daisy Riddle shows Prince William and Prince Harry a familiar likeness.
Prince William and Prince Harry get a closeup look at Rey and Maz Kanata’s costumes.
Source: The Mirror, ABC News, Making Star Wars
Today, Oscar Isaac, alongside BB-8, announced details for this week’s campaign sponsored by CrowdRise in support of Star Wars: Force for Change. Since April 5th, Star Wars: Force for Change, an initiative that inspires people to make a positive impact on the world, has been matching the donations of Star Wars fans to four select charities up to $1,000,000!
This week, the first four people to donate or raise at least $500 will have the chance to win a Star Wars prize pack including a BB-8 powered by Sphero, signed by J.J. Abrams and Kathleen Kennedy. Additionally, the top fundraiser this week has the chance to win a tour of Lucasfilm in San Francisco, with a screening of any Star Wars movie of their choice while there.
This month-long campaign will lead up to “Star Wars Day” on May the 4th. The four select charities include the U.S. Fund for UNICEF in support of UNICEF Kid Power, American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Make-A-Wish®.
Over the course of the four-week period, which culminates at 11:59pm (PST) on May 4th, fans will be able to donate through CrowdRise.com/ForceForChange to these four charities and have their donations matched dollar for dollar up to $1,000,000. All participants who enter will also have a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to Ireland, including Skellig Michael along the Wild Atlantic Way, the location of the dramatic final scene from The Force Awakens.
Show your Force and visit CrowdRise.com/ForceForChange now for more details.
We’ve been waiting seemingly forever to see behind the work walls at Epcot’s Norway pavilion, well, “For the First Time in Forever” we’re getting a look today.
Starting this Summer, Anna and Elsa will greet guests in the new Royal Sommerhus next door to the existing Norway pavilion, modeled after a traditional Norwegian cabin. Disney today released a video looking behind the walls at the new meet and greet experience, which definitely has more of a World Showcase look to it than that of an animated film:
Of course, Anna, Elsa and their latest-generation Audio-Animatronics co-stars will also welcome guests aboard the new Frozen Ever After boat ride replacing Maelstrom in the Norway pavilion. Passengers on their way to Arendelle’s Winter in Summer Celebration for Queen Elsa will visit the ice palace and hear beloved film tunes plus new lyrics by Oscar-winning “Let It Go” songwriters Bobby Lopez and Kristen Anderson. Bobby and Kristen were recently interviewed about the attraction during a visit to Epcot:
Frozen Ever After and the Royal Sommerhus will open at Epcot this Summer, but no exact date has been given yet.
Recently, we showed you how guest’s names were being showcased at both “it’s a small world” and Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith using MagicBand technology. Well now, the Hitchhiking Ghosts of the Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom are getting into the act:
Along with a series of new animated sequences, the Hitchhiking Ghosts at the end of the attraction may now leave a tombstone with a guest’s name on it lying behind or even remark that they are following the guest home to the home-state (like in the photo above).
A bit blurry, but you get the idea…
A tombstone left behind after Gus hits guests with a portrait that captures their faces
Photos courtesy @Schmoofy on Twitter.
