With Pandora now open, the next themed land opening at Walt Disney World will be Toy Story Land. With the opening date to be announced at the D23 Expo in July, major progress on the land’s headlining attraction was made this week…
As you can see, a fair amount of the roller coaster track for the Slinky Dog Dash attraction has already been installed. Photos were taken by @bioreconstruct on twitter.
DisneyStore.com is now featuring a Space Mountain 40th Anniversary Limited Release T-Shirt commemorating the opening of Disneyland’s version of the attraction on May 27, 1977. This shirt, available in adult sizes for $29.99 and kids sizes for $22.99, features Space Mountain imagery on the front and also has printing on the back with the May 1977 opening date. These are only available through Sunday, June 4.
Both the Space Mountain and Guardians tees are part of the Buy One, Get One 40% Off promotion, along with the previously-released Pandora – The World of Avatar shirts (which are available through Wednesday, June 7).
Disney has released some new info about Wine Bar George at Disney Springs. Today we have some concept art that depicts what the interior and exterior will look like:
Wine Bar George is a new bar coming to Disney Springs late this year. It was created by master Sommelier George Miliotes and will feature over 100+ selections of feature wines from famed growing regions in the United States and abroad. The design for the 6,000-square-foot space will feature wood ceilings, concrete floors, warm lighting and a welcoming atmosphere.
Guests will experience a feel reminiscent of the ‘Old World’, as if they are on the bottom floor of a gravity-flow winery surrounded by their best friends. The space includes a center bar on the first floor, seating for groups of all sizes and chalkboards displaying menu details. Lastly, shareable plates will be served including cheese and charcuterie that complement the wines, with local, seasonal features.
Wine Bar George will open sometime in late 2017 at Disney Springs.
Disney today announced two new restaurants for Disney Springs as work ramps up on the West Side, essentially phase 2 of the project.
Opening in 2018 on the West Side is Jaleo, a concept by world-renowned Chef José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup. Bringing the spirit and flavors of Spain, the Disney Springs restaurant will feature an extensive menu of tapas that reflect the rich regional diversity of traditional and contemporary Spanish cuisine, such as paella cooked over a wood fire, hand-carved Jamon Iberico de Bellota and wood-grilled Iberico pork. With five locations in the United States and Mexico City, this will be the first location in Florida. The first floor of the multi-level restaurant will feature a “grab-n-go” storefront with Spanish-style sandwiches. Designed by noted Spanish designer Juli Capella, the multi-level space will feature vibrant, theatrical décor representing the colorful culture of Spain.
Also in 2018, a new Wolfgang Puck concept will open in a new location in Town Center. Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, will modernize the traditional “bar and grill” concept in a setting inspired by traditional farmhouses with a touch of elegance. The restaurant, designed by tonychi, will capture the essence of laid-back California dining made popular by Puck at Spago, his flagship restaurant in Los Angeles. The menu will highlight the best of Puck’s signature dishes with Mediterranean influences, innovative takes on comfort food classics and handcrafted specialty cocktails, beer and wine.
On a hot day in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, nothing was much better than grabbing a Jungle Juice Slushy from the Mahindi stand in Africa. Well, guests no longer have that option…
Despite signage remaining for the purchase of the drink with a souvenir cup, the drink is removed from the main menu and is no longer available. Mahindi now only sells fountain beverages for drink options.
The Jungle Juice Slushy was a frozen version of the popular beverage served at many locations, most famously at Boma and Tusker House. The drink contains orange juice, passion fruit juice, and guava juice.
With the opening of Pandora: The World of AVATAR over the weekend, the world was finally introduced to the beauty and splendor of the nighttime bioluminescence that fills the newest land at Animal Kingdom when the sun goes down.
Nighttime bioluminescent lighting in Pandora: The World of AVATAR, Walt Disney World
Nighttime bioluminescent lighting in Pandora: The World of AVATAR, Walt Disney World
While there is no grand lighting ceremony, watching the plants and walkways slowly come to life as the sun goes down is pretty neat. It’s not the greatest nighttime lighting package I’ve ever seen, but it’s still awesome to see. While I still think Cars Land at Disney California Adventure is far more grandiose (in the mountain range alone, never mind all of that fantastic neon), this is a solid runner up.
Nighttime bioluminescent lighting in Pandora: The World of AVATAR, Walt Disney World
Nighttime bioluminescent lighting in Pandora: The World of AVATAR, Walt Disney World
Nighttime bioluminescent lighting in Pandora: The World of AVATAR, Walt Disney World
Nighttime bioluminescent lighting in Pandora: The World of AVATAR, Walt Disney World
Nighttime bioluminescent lighting in Pandora: The World of AVATAR, Walt Disney World
Nighttime bioluminescent lighting in Pandora: The World of AVATAR, Walt Disney World
Nighttime bioluminescent lighting in Pandora: The World of AVATAR, Walt Disney World
Nighttime on Pandora is a hard thing to capture in pictures or video, so you will need to see it for yourself before you judge, but here is a look at some highlights:
Last night, we actually got caught in the land during a thunderstorm which offered some really beautiful shots.
Nighttime bioluminescent lighting in Pandora: The World of AVATAR, Walt Disney World
Nighttime bioluminescent lighting in Pandora: The World of AVATAR, Walt Disney World
Nighttime bioluminescent lighting in Pandora: The World of AVATAR, Walt Disney World
Nighttime bioluminescent lighting in Pandora: The World of AVATAR, Walt Disney World
We also have video of that experience to share:
If you haven’t seen it yet, a nighttime trip to Animal Kingdom is certainly in order to experience Pandora: The World of AVATAR at night.
Tonight on WDW News Tonight, the infamous news monologue returns, we discuss what to do when the sun goes down at Walt Disney World, we play WDWNT: The Price is Right for prizes straight from the moon of Pandora!
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 In-Depth Discussion of things you should do and see after the sun goes down at Walt Disney World
The Wonderful World of Psychotic Comments
“WDWNT: The Pandoran Price is Right” for prizes from Pandora: The World of AVATAR, provided by WDWNT: The App
Who Hates Tom Now?
And more!
We hope that you will tune in tonight at 9PM ET for a very special episode of WDW News Tonight!
If you missed last week’s show, be sure to watch it:
Editor’s Note: Radio Free Disneyland is the latest original program from WDWNT.com. An eclectic mix of music comes together in a rather unique presentation to tell the story of the Disney theme parks in this faux radio broadcast you MUST hear to believe.
WDW News Today’s most unique podcast is back! Episode 3 of Radio Free Disneyland is now on the air for your listening pleasure online and through iTunes. We recommend you review the extensive show notes as you are listening for the best experience.
Radio Free Disneyland is a curated music podcast that reveals the secrets of Disneyland. Find out the truth today!
Editor’s Note: Radio Free Disneyland is the latest original program from WDWNT.com. An eclectic mix of music comes together in a rather unique presentation to tell the story of the Disney theme parks in this faux radio broadcast you MUST hear to believe.
WDW News Today’s most unique podcast is back! Episode 3 of Radio Free Disneyland is now on the air for your listening pleasure online and through iTunes. We recommend you review the extensive show notes as you are listening for the best experience.
Radio Free Disneyland is a curated music podcast that reveals the secrets of Disneyland. Find out the truth today!
Yesterday we shared with you a rumor that Disney-owned restaurants might be available for reservations on OpenTable. Well, today a number of different Disney-owned restaurants at Walt Disney World are now on OpenTable.
It should be noted that OpenTable does not require a credit card guarantee, so this is a big change from the current Disney system which requires a credit card on file to make a reservation.
Here is the current list of Disney-owned restaurants currently on OpenTable:
Flying Fish at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
Grand Floridian Cafe at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Boatwright’s at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
The Wave at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Olivia’s at Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Kona Cafe at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Jiko at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
The addition of Disney’s restaurants to OpenTable should allow for them to better compete with the plethora of third-party restaurants that have been opening up on property, especially at Disney Springs.
More restaurants may be added soon, so check back soon for any updates on this story.
