Walt Disney World Introduces 4 New Annual Passes; Full Benefits & Pricing Breakdown np

As we warned you on Saturday, new Walt Disney World annual passes were indeed introduced this weekend. Walt Disney World’s official website offers a breakdown of the four new passes: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Platinum Plus –

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The main differences are really in the block out dates. Silver retains the blockout dates of the former Seasonal Annual Pass, while Gold will not allow access during the Christmas season and the peak of Spring Break season. Silver is the only of the passes above that does not offer PhotoPass downloads, but it does now offer free parking at the Walt Disney World theme parks.

Parking around the resort also saw an increase overnight. Basic parking at theme parks is now $20, while valet at the resort hotels is $10 for the first two hours and $20 for 3 or more.

The bicoastal Premier Passport also saw a large price increase, now $1439.00 plus tax.

VIDEO: Second Trailer Released For Pixar’s “The Good Dinosaur”

Pixar has just released the second official US trailer for “The Good Dinosaur”!

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“The Good Dinosaur” asks the question: What if the asteroid that forever changed life on Earth missed the planet completely and giant dinosaurs never became extinct? Pixar Animation Studios takes you on an epic journey into the world of dinosaurs where an Apatosaurus named Arlo makes an unlikely human friend. While traveling through a harsh and mysterious landscape, Arlo learns the power of confronting his fears and discovers what he is truly capable of.
“The Good Dinosaur” opens in theatres November 25, 2015!

Disney Opening a Chocolate Shop “With Character” in Disney Springs Late 2015

 

Walt Disney World chefs traveled the world to research and create a custom blend chocolate with the finest beans for the all-new concept that will feature freshly made ganache (gəˈnaSH). Ganache is a luxurious mixture of chocolate and cream, and every chef has their own “perfect” formula for the indulgent sweet.

Hand-crafted onstage by a chocolatier, the shop located between Sound Lion and Sanuk in The Landing at Disney Springs will feature fresh batches daily, including dark (65 percent custom blend), hazelnut, chipotle and a custom blend flavored with the world’s finest spices and flavors.

Beautiful custom packaging will make elegant take-home gifts. And you can bet there will also be chocolate bars inspired by Disney characters.

 

The Ganachery is set to open later in 2015.

Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Returns October 30-31, 2015

Favorite seminars and stations return for sixth annual Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic

Menus and seminar lineup set for the 2015 annual culinary event

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. – Oct 1, 2015 – From October 30 – 31, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic will celebrate its sixth year featuring global culinary specialties at the Epcot Resort Area hotel, with more than 40 food and wine stations, 10 food and wine seminars and the opportunities to meet the award-winning chefs behind featured culinary masterpieces.

Guests will delight in numerous opportunities to sip and savor along the hotel’s causeway all weekend while enjoying live entertainment, and even some spooky fun on Halloween night.

Delectable culinary offerings headline the two-night event, featuring cuisine from the hotel’s own award-winning signature restaurants: Il Mulino New York Trattoria, Shula’s Steak House and Todd English’s bluezoo, with wine and spirits samplings from around the globe.

This year’s menu introduces new interesting and unique dishes sure to please the palate including ginger cured Hamachi with nitro lime, mascarpone chestnut ravioli with Italian sausage, celery root and bacon jus and smoked Wagyu short ribs accompanied by a parsnip puree, melba toast and pommery mustard sauce.

Favorite dishes from past years also return, such as the shrimp cocktail steamroller, Thai chicken salad with organic greens, green papaya tamarind and ginger dressing as well as the dragon sushi roll with crispy shrimp, tuna and avocado.

The hotel’s World Champion Pastry Chef, Laurent Branlard, provides a sweeter side to the evening with decadent desserts like chocolate almond crunch cake and éclair with caramelized banana cream and coconut streusel. This year Branlard will also introduce his S’more Sundae Action Station, combining the classic desserts of the s’more and sundae.

New to this year’s event is a food truck area, featuring cuisine from the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel and Cabot Cheese – a favorite from last year – as well as an exclusive beverage truck.

Seminars once again return to offer guests the chance to receive a hands-on and tasty educational experience. Seminars cover topics including wine blending, Italian wines, champagne, beer, mixology, tequila, pasta making, sushi and sake, wine and cheese pairing and the Brazilian cocktail, caipirinha.

All seminars require separate tickets in addition to the causeway tickets, and space is limited.

As an upgraded ticket option, guest can once again experience a beer garden, featuring a variety of local and seasonal brews from around the world, alongside Oktoberfest-inspired cuisine made by the hotel’s culinary experts.

To add to the event’s appeal, guests can enjoy a meet and greet with celebrity chef Todd English, the namesake of the hotel’s Todd English’s bluezoo restaurant. Guests can also meet the world’s only two-time World Champion Pastry Chef and the hotel’s very own executive pastry chef, Laurent Branlard. Barbeque fans shouldn’t miss the Cib’s Smoke House station for signature barbeque dishes from the hotel’s executive chef Robert Ciborowski.

“This event is a way for us to celebrate our love of food, wine and beverage with others who share that same passion,” said the hotel’s Director of Food & Beverage Tony Porcellini. “What continues to bring back people year after year is the one-of-a-kind, fun, street-party atmosphere our guests enjoy.”

With 17 restaurants and lounges, a distinguished culinary and beverage team and unmatched customer service, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel continually receives national recognition for its food and beverage program. The culinary team has had the honor of presenting multiple dinners at the distinguished James Beard House, most recently in June 2015. The hotel boasts more than 70 certified wine sommeliers and 1,400 wine selections, including organic and rare vintages.  The hotel’s restaurants are annual winners of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence including Shula’s Steak House, a four-time recipient of the exclusive Best of Award of Excellence.

Tickets to the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic are available as part of a hotel package or individually. For more information or to book, please visit www.SwanDolphinFoodandWineClassic.com or call 1-800-227-1500.

Purple MagicBands Are Coming!

Since the launch of MyMagic+ some time ago, guests have been asking for a purple MagicBand to be added to the available line-up. It appears it is coming…

 

These two new MagicBands coming out soon have designs printed on a purple MagicBand. The retail MagicBands with designs have only ever been printed on colors actually available, so we expect a plain purple MagicBand to be available to guests in the not-too-distant future. Stay tuned!

8/3/15 Marvel News Mash-Up (New Spider-Man Suit, Iron Man Team-Up, Wasp Suit, ETC.) np

 

Rumor: Is This The New Spider-Man Suit That Will Be Shown In “Captain America: Civil War?”

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The above image havs been floating around on the internet and some sites are saying that this could be what Spider-Man will look like in “Civil War”. I definitely have my doubts as do other sites. So what are we looking at? The rumors for a few months is that in “Civil War” we will see a Spider-Man costume that we have never seen before. Also it will be very classic Spider-Man. Most people believe that we will see a red and black costume as opposed to the familiar red and blue costume. Spider-Man’s first costume was red and black so I could definitely see that.

But there are a bunch of red flags with these images. First people are saying that this image was done by an artist back in 2012 and found on Deviantart. I really cant see an established Spider-Man being introduced with toe-less socks. I dont think that would go over well with the masses.

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A few weeks ago, an account from the Russo Brothers appeared and posted an image (above) apparently giving hints to the new Spider-Man costume. You can see that in the above image that it seems to hint at goggles for Spider-Man, maybe. This kind of looks like it connects to the drawn image that was leaked above. The problem is that the Russo Brothers have not confirmed that this is their actual Twitter account and even director James Gunn has come out and said that this account is fake.

The First Appearance Of Spider-Man In Amazing Fantasy #15

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We will definitely be seeing a new Spider-Man costume in “Civil War” and I would even bet that we will see two. The big question is Spider-Man going to just have a small cameo or be an active participant? I’m really hoping for the later.

Source: Latino Review

Hugh Jackman Seems To Confirm “Wolverine 3″ Will Be “Old Man Logan”

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While at the Fox Panel at the San Diego Comic Con, Hugh Jackman made the following announcement, “I’ve got three words for you guys: Old Man Logan!”  Hugh Jackman also posted the above photo this week on Twitter asking the fans,

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Most of the responses were there words: “Old Man Logan”. The fans want it, seems like Hugh wants it and it since this will be Hugh Jackman’s last film where he will play Wolverine, I’d expect “Old Man Logan” to be officially announced soon. Hopefully this will open the door where Fox and Marvel can agree on a deal that is similar to the Sony and Marvel deal. Old Man Logan really needs the Hulk in this because his character and family are very prominent in the comic book. It would be nice if Marvel could get the Fantastic Four and X-Men for “Infinity War” and Fox get the Marvel characters they need for “Old Man Logan.” Let’s see how “Fantastic Four does at the box office and if that bombs it could open the door for an agreement.

Source: Hugh Jackman on Twitter

A Look At “Wasp’s” Suit From “Ant-Man”

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During the after credit scene that played in “Ant-Man”, we got our first look at Hope Van Dyne’s (Evangeline Lilly) Wasp suit and now we get our first clear look. Rumors have been floating around that she will play a role in future Phase 3 movies. It could be “Captain America: Civil War” but more than likely we will see her in “Avengers: Infinity War”.

The original Wasp/Janet Van Dyne’s costume:

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Source: io9

Who’s Side Will Hawkeye Be On In “Captain America: Civil War”?

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Jeremy Renner was seen wearing a baseball cap that read, “Team Captain America”, so it seems pretty obvious that he will be no fan of Iron Man in “Civil War”. Iron Man is definitely being set up to look like the bad guy in this and it does make me wonder, who will be on Iron Man’s side? Maybe a newcomer dressed in a spider suit?

Source: Comic Book Movie

SideShow Collectible Corner:

“Ant-Man”

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To celebrate the release of this new film, Sideshow Collectibles and Hot Toys are excited to present Ant-Man Sixth Scale Collectible Figure! The movie-accurate Ant-Man Collectible Figure is specially crafted based on the film and features a newly developed helmeted head sculpt with an authentic likeness of Paul Rudd as Scott Lang. When closed, the helmet features LED light-up eyes. The Ant-Man also includes a specially tailored Ant-Man suit, an Ant-Man miniature figure, detailed accessories and a specially designed figure stand.

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“Ant-Man” is available for pre-order exclusively through Sideshow Collectibles at a price of $234.99 and will ship during the first quarter of 2016.

Source: Sideshow Collectibles

That’s it for this time!

Expect To See More “Star Wars” Than Just “The Force Awakens” At D23 Expo np

Post text coming soon.

When Disney released the schedule for this year’s D23 Expo, it stated that we would get a look at several movies, including “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”.

A bevy of special guests will be on hand to offer a look at an unparalleled slate that includes Alice Through the Looking Glass, The Jungle Book, Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War, Star Wars: The Force Awakens—and much, much more.
Now, according to the site, Furious Fanboys:
When that schedule was released, Disney was still not allowed to talk about Star Wars: Rogue One. Due to an agreement with the MPAA, Disney couldn’t talk about that movie until after Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation released, which happened this past weekend.
Furious Fanboys also points out this interesting change that was made to the statement via the D23 Expo App:
Disney just released the official D23 Expo App for this year’s convention, and the Saturday schedule wording has been modified to encompass all of the Star Wars live action projects and not just The Force Awakens:
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It is possible that we may get our first look at “Star Wars Anthology: Rogue One” and maybe even more Star Wars projects like the Han Solo movie and the rumored Netflix series that may be coming.
We’ll just have to wait and see until next week!

Video: “The Muppets” Cover The Hit Song “Jungle Boogie”

Let’s get this jungle jumping! Watch the Muppets cover the hit song “Jungle Boogie,” by Kool & the Gang. Putting their own twist on the tune, Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem create such a fun jam that even Sam Eagle can’t resist booging-down.

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New Disneyland Mobile App Released, First Step in MyMagic+ Coming to Disneyland np

We warned you that FastPass+ tests are coming to California, but now a new mobile app shows that Disneyland is getting ready to follow Walt Disney World into the future of the theme park experience with digital tickets, mobile wait times, and the ability to make advance dining reservations.

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Yes, you can get wait times and attraction and dining information (and much more) pretty easily by scrolling through a map of the resort.

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One of the coolest functions comes with buying or linking tickets. Guests can then have a digital version of their park ticket to open and scan at park entrances, never having to reach for their purse or wallet. Similar functionality should come down the road when FastPass+ is rolled out at the Disneyland Resort. Premier Passports are not yet supported in the system.

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With icons from your MyDisneyExperience account carrying over, it is clear Disneyland is using the same system as Walt Disney World’s system and app.

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The maps are also styled just like those currently distributed at Walt Disney World and on the WDW website and app

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While the app is loading, you’ll even find the familiar Mickey symbol with the light circling it, something any guest who has been to Disney World over the last 2 years is very familiar with.

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And yes, dining reservations can be made through the app as well.

With the launch of this app and rumors of FastPass+ type system test coming soon, it is clear that some version of MyMagic+ is rolling out at the Disneyland Resort in the not-too-distant future. When that might happen, we are not certain, but this new Disneyland app is certainly the first piece of the next-gen puzzle in Anaheim.

Update: Another fun thing to note is that our WDWNT Now! site (located here) has been able to display the same information for months. We also have menus for the restaurants which the new app does not include!

The new Disneyland app can be downloaded for Android devices here and iOS devices at this link.

RUMOR: Mickey’’s Toontown at Disneyland to Close in 2016, Star Wars Land on the Way np

A few months back, we told you that the Disneyland Resort had purchased the Carousel Inn across the street from the resort. Well, it seems Disney has now purchased two plots of land located behind the Carousel Inn, 1515 and 1585 South Manchester Avenue. Disney will reportedly use the land for new “backstage facilities”, replacing facilities currently located behind Disneyland Park, due north of Mickey’s Toontown.

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Mickey’s Toontown would close after 23 years if rumors are true, taking away Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin and Gadget’s-Go-Coaster from the park.

Rumors have circulated that Mickey’s Toontown would be bulldozed to make way for part of the rumored Star Wars themed land at Disneyland Park. If these rumors are true, the new land would have entrances at the northern end of Critter Country/Frontierland (just north of the Rivers of America), and next door to “it’s a small world” (where the Toontown entrance exists today). The land would stretch across the entire north end of the Disneyland Resort property, making it one of the larger areas in the park.

If there is to be an announcement soon, we expect it to be made next week at the D23 Expo. Star Wars Land should also be announced for Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World whenever it is announced for California.