Disney Reveals New Look at Castle Transformation Coming to Hong Kong Disneyland

WDWNT on December 11, 2017

Disney has shared a new photo of the soon-to-be reimagined castle at Hong Kong Disneyland.

The castle features designs from an array of Disney princess stories, similar to Shanghai’s castle, but in Hong Kong the changes seem to be more… apparent.

Specially designed decorations on the castle spires include Snow White’s apple, Cinderella’s coach and Belle’s rose. Unique artwork and sculptures will add to the variety in design that the castle will prominently feature.

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Inside the castle, guests will be able to receive princess transformations of their own at the new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and they’ll even get to meet and interact with their favorite Disney princesses. During the day, a new show will take place in front of the castle, and at night an all-new nighttime spectacular will be presented with the castle as the backdrop.

Work on the castle will begin after January 1, although Disney has not specified at what point in the 2018 through 2023 window the castle’s transformation will be complete.

This is all part of Hong Kong Disneyland’s previously announced massive transformation that will take place beginning in 2018 and go through 2023. New additions to the park include the transformed castle and hub area, new attractions themed to Marvel properties, and a Frozen themed land.

Disney-Fox Deal Closer Than Ever As Both Sides Talk With Their Bankers

WDWNT on December 11, 2017

Variety is reporting that the Disney – Fox deal is heating up, and is now closer than it has ever been, as both sides are in number-crunching mode to come to an agreement on valuation in the deal.

width=Disney’s bankers include JP Morgan and Guggenheim Partners, both of which have worked with Disney previously. Goldman Sachs and Centerview Partners are working with 21st Century Fox.

A source has indicated that the deal could be finalized in the next couple of weeks.

Bernstein Research analyst Todd Juenger has calculated the value of the Fox assets at $57.4 billion, give or take a few million. Deals usually command a premium to the value of anywhere between 20-30%, so Disney could be looking at a price tag of $69-74 billion.

The assets in play are:

  • 20th Century Fox film and TV studio
  • All of the FX Networks
  • National Geographic Channels group
  • 22 regional sports networks
  • Fox’s collection of international channels, including Star India
  • Fox’s 39% stake in Sky

Fox would then be left with:

  • Fox Broadcasting Company
  • 28 Fox-owned-and-operated TV stations
  • The national Fox Sports network
  • The Fox News operations

It is also speculated that Fox’s current CEO, James Murdoch, would take a position with Disney, while Fox executive chairman Lachlan Murdoch would stay behind and manage the remaining Fox assets.

As reported previously, Disney CEO Bob Iger will likely stay on past his planned July 2019 retirement if the deal does happen.

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Magic Kingdom Counter Service Restaurants Roll-Out Special Holiday Menus for December 2017

WDWNT on December 11, 2017

For the busy holiday season, guests at the Magic Kingdom will find a number of specialty offerings at all counter service restaurants that offer mobile order through the MyDisneyExperience app. These items are available upon request otherwise, but many are not posted on menu boards or anywhere at all at the actual counter service restaurant.

Casey’s Corner:

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Aloha Isle:

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Aloha Isle does have the Dole Whip in a souvenir cup on a board at the counter.

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Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe:

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Pinocchio Village Haus:

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Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe:

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You can get a full item description by clicking on it during the mobile order process…

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The Lunching Pad:

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Columbia Harbour House:

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The items are expected to be available through the end of 2017 at least.

“Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” May Be Out Of Theaters Now, But Will Be On TV Next Week

WDWNT on December 11, 2017

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That didn’t take long! Looks like “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure’ has found a new home. “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” will make it’s television debut this Thursday at 8PM on ABC.

Just yesterday, “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” was removed as the animated short before all theatrical showings of “Coco”. There had been rumors of complaints that the 22 minute length of the short was just too long for some that were there to just see the main feature, “Coco”. Disney’s official response was “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” always meant to be a limited engagement in theaters and that there was no issue.

But there is some good news for Olaf fans.

From ABC Action News:

“Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” is coming straight to your living room. The featurette is making its broadcast television debut Thursday, December 14 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

The special is a part of ABC’s “25 Days of Christmas” festivities.

“Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” just completed a limited theatrical run in front of Disney Pixar’s hit feature “Coco.”

Following the special, you can catch Disney Animation’s Emmy Award-winning holiday special “Prep & Landing” from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on ABC.

So what do you think? Did disgruntle audiences cause the demise of “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” in theaters or did Disney always have plans to premier the animated short on the small screen as part of “ABC’s 25 Days Of Christmas”?

Source: ABC Action News

REVIEW: Cinnamon Cream Cheese Mousse Dessert from Satuli Canteen, Flame Tree Barbecue, & Pizzafari at Animal Kingdom

WDWNT on December 11, 2017

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is now offering a special cinnamon cream cheese mousse at a few counter service restaurants, just for the holiday season. This bright red dessert is coated in a red glaze, has chocolate cream cookie crumbles and apple-compote at its base and is topped with a green meringue kiss. You’ll find this mousse at Satu’li Canteen, Flame Tree Barbecue and Pizzafari.

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Cinnamon Cream Cheese Mousse ($5.29)

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It makes for a pretty picture.

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Merry Christmas from Pandora, where I guess it’s always a blue Christmas…

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So, how is it? It tastes like Christmas (kids, don’t try to eat decorations at home). There’s a subtle sweetness brought on from the glaze, which ends with a subdued cinnamon flavor that doesn’t linger, but is prominent enough to be the focal point of the dessert. Mixing the cookie and apple with each bite yields a fantastic mix, perfect for the holidays. Personally, we still enjoy the regular offering from Satuli more, but this is a nice diversion for the season (and better than any other dessert you’ll have at Flame Tree or Pizzafari).

The American Adventure State Collection T-Shirts Now Available Online

WDWNT on December 11, 2017

A few weeks back, you may remember that we showcased the new American Adventure state collection at Epcot, as well as the available United States phone cases at Disney Springs. Well, guests can now acquire all 50 state logos on apparel through ShopDisney.com…

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Guests shopping at the American Adventure at Epcot may be given this card to remind them to shop for items representing other states online at ShopDisney.com/StateFair.

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All 50 state shirts are available online now and can arrive for Christmas if you hurry!

SHOP NOW: Get $14 Disney Fan Tees in Last TeePublic Sale of the Year

WDWNT on December 11, 2017

I can’t believe we are already in the last few weeks of 2017, where did the year go? If you had been on the fence about picking up a tee shirt this is the last chance to catch a sale before the end of the year. All tees in the store are just $14 so hurry over and pick out your favorites. The following are some of the biggest shirts from throughout the year!

Confirmed! T-Shirt

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Save Figment

Save Figment!

Save Figment!

Make the Movie Ride Great Again

Make the Movie Ride Great again

Make the Movie Ride Great Again Tee $14

Seven?!?

Seven?!?

Seven?!?

Tom Corless Mean Tweets

Tom Corless Mean Tweets

Tom Corless Mean Tweets

Captain Corless’ Clickbait Tours

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