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

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!

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

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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.

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

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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

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

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

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

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.

Special Mother’s Day Promotions at Disney Springs

Each May, we take the time to honor and showcase the love we have for our moms; that day this year is May 14th, Mother’s Day.

Mother’s Day is when we celebrate all that our moms have done for us and what better way then to spend it at Walt Disney World?

This Mother’s Day, Disney Springs has put together some special offerings and promotions to ‘pamper’ your mom with. Take a look at the flyer below:

As always, you can click the images above to make them larger. Some of the offerings you can expect to find are 10% off all purchases over $40 at Basin, 3 macaroons in a chocolate jewelry box for only $20 at Amorette’s, and much more!

Each offer is different and has a different ending and starting date, so pay attention to those. We hope you can use these promotional offers to get your mother something nice!

RUMOR: Walt Disney World Looking to Build Volcano-Themed Resort Hotel at the Magic Kingdom

Over the last week, I have seen a number of rumors circling the internet about a volcano-themed roller coaster possibly being constructed in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom. I find the rumor strange for a number of reasons, first because it seems likely that a TRON roller coaster is being constructed in the park in the next 4 years (why build 2 roller coasters simultaneously?), but secondly, because we have been hearing for over a year now about Walt Disney World’s plans for a new resort hotel themed around a volcano.

Another Disney Parks Volcano - Mount Prometheus, Tokyo DisneySea

Another Disney Parks Volcano – Mount Prometheus, Tokyo DisneySea

About a year ago, a reliable source informed us that Disney was looking to build a new luxury resort in the Magic Kingdom area, one that would have a large volcano at the very center of it. Around the volcano would be all manners of recreational activities, including pools, slides, a lazy river, live entertainment, dining areas, and more.

Original (and still possible) proposed site for volcano-themed hotel

Original (and still possible) proposed site for volcano-themed hotel

Last I had heard, the project was slated for the land between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Disney’s Contemporary Resort, but the project may have actually moved closer to the Magic Kingdom now. In fact, it might be inside of it, located behind Pirates of the Caribbean and the Jungle Cruise.

The space in the Magic Kingdom rumored for a volcano roller coaster is more likely going to be home to a luxury resort themed around a volcano.

The space in the Magic Kingdom rumored for a volcano roller coaster is more likely going to be home to a luxury resort themed around a volcano.

Now, it is possible that this somehow has morphed into a roller coaster or that is a competing idea for the space, but this resort has been on the table for a while and seems likely to happen one way or another. The project is still in the development phase, so it could be quite a while until we hear anything official from Disney on the fate of the parcels, but the rumor seemed relevant with all the talk of Magic Kingdom volcanoes going on at the moment.

Stay tuned as we will update you on the story as more becomes available on it.

REVIEW: “Guardians of the Galaxy” Baby Groot Cookies and Cream Cupcake at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

New for May 2017, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a specialty cupcake themed to the Guardians of the Galaxy, since the much anticipated Vol. 2 hits theaters this week (and Groot and Star Lord should be arriving at the park soon).

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Baby Groot Cookies ‘N’ Cream Cupcake, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The cupcake is available at the Trolley Car Cafe, ABC Commissary, and at the Sunset Ranch Market eateries and costs $5.99.

Baby Groot Cupcake ($5.99)

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Baby Groot Cookies ‘N’ Cream Cupcake, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The cupcake is cookie flavored and has a cookies ‘n’ cream icing on top (flavoring akin to an Oreo), along with a white chocolate Baby Groot and a chocolate cup filled with green icing.

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Baby Groot Cookies ‘N’ Cream Cupcake, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

As far as Disney cupcakes go, this was one of the more unique ones considering the cookie-floated cupcake portion, which I really enjoyed. I wasn’t crazy about the icing as there was just way too much of it, but that’s kind of the reoccurring theme with the in-park treats. I hope they will make these cookie cupcakes again, but maybe it just needs different icing next time. It wasn’t bad, just kind of disappointing based on the description since I enjoy Cookies ‘N’ Cream snacks typically.

I’ll stick with my Darth Vader cupcake, thank you very much…

 

Maker Studios, Oh My Disney, Star Wars and More Merge to Create Disney Digital Network

The Walt Disney Company has announced Disney Digital Network, an umbrella network containing all of Disney’s digital-first platforms to deliver more focused and carefully curated content to an audience of over one billion.

The network is made up of over 300 social media channels that bring The Walt Disney Company’s characters and stories to more creators/influencers and vice versa.

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Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media Chairman Jimmy Pitaro expounded on the new network with:

With an audience of over one billion highly-engaged followers, the Disney Digital Network is one of the most impactful publishers in digital media. This network extends our stories to the platforms Gen Z and Millennial audiences are on every day, with diverse editorial voices that integrate top creators and influencers.

Under the Disney Digital Network, Disney owned multi-channel networks like Maker Studios will join with other Disney editorial branches to form one unified channel of voices. Disney Digital Network includes the following brands:

● Oh My Disney, the ultimate digital destination for a daily dose of Disney, capturing the zeitgeist of what is happening in the moment through a Disney lens.
● Disney Style, which explores the intersection of beloved Disney stories and characters with what’s trending in fashion, nail art, hairstyles, cosmetics, and more.
● Disney Family brings parents and children together through the wonderful world of Disney crafts, DIYs, recipes, and activities featuring their favorite characters and stories.
● Babble, which has assembled some of the most vital and vibrant voices in the parenting community to share their experiences and give readers a forum to bond and learn.
● Polaris, which features original content from a community of gaming personalities, including a mix of talk shows, animation, and games-to-life content, in a tone that reflects gaming culture’s broad influence over popular culture.
● Star Wars.com and Star Wars app, the digital destinations for all things Star Wars. The network programs content for Star Wars fans of all ages through Star Wars social and digital platforms.

With everything under the same brand, Disney plans to use their lineup of platforms and content creators to bring unique ways of sharing content with a variety of audiences. Not all content will be Disney focused, though now Disney has a means of leveraging their personalities to help push their brands.

Disney’s in-house branded content service, Disney Co/Op will also join in on Disney Digital Network, allowing advertisers to partner with Disney to create new “custom campaigns” that better tailor to the needs of advertisers and sponsors. Through Facebook Anthology, advertisers will be able to gain insight to leverage partnerships with social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Disney is also actively pairing their digital content programming with their broadcast and cable assets at ABC, Disney Channel, and more (presumably even ESPN). This way advertisers can use specific marketing campaigns to reach audiences across all platforms, not just ones specific to the internet.

Throughout 2017 Disney will rollout a variety of video programs that will be available across Disney Digital Network, including:

● Science and Star Wars: An episodic series that explores, explains, and demonstrates the parallels between the science fantasy of Star Wars and the real-world scientific breakthroughs the saga has inspired. Join show host Anthony Carboni and his rotating roster of IBM Researchers, scientific experts, guest stars, and Watson, to explore and experiment with technology that isn’t so far, far away anymore. Presented by IBM; Facebook exclusive through Facebook Anthology.
● Oh My Disney Show, Season 2: Comedy, news, trends, and sketches combine in this always-on show built for every Disney fan’s feed.
● Club Mickey Mouse: Club Mickey Mouse is a digital-first variety show that celebrates the original show of yesteryear but brings it into the present-day with a diverse cast of talented young creators, and, of course, everyone’s favorite mouse. Presented by HP Inc.; Facebook exclusive through Facebook Anthology.
● Disney IRL: Oh My Disney brings iconic animated Disney characters and moments to real life, surprising people on location and our viewers at home.
● COIN: COIN is an animated action-comedy on Polaris with a distinct, game-inspired aesthetic that follows a team of misfits tasked to save their world. Brought together by time traveling robot Crohnobot, Donovan (a gruff plumber quick to anger), Kid Victory (a master of weaponry), and the Sisters Vicious (twin masters of illusion who hate each other) must defeat super-villain Gamovah and retrieve the coin of Chorder before it’s too late.
● Disney Design Challenge: The best and brightest young designers are invited to push the boundaries of their art form to create beautiful, innovative, and memorable works inspired by Disney films. In the first season, we challenge students in the fashion design program at Otis College of Art and Design to create an eight-look clothing line inspired by Disney’s “Frozen.”
● Disney Magical Starts: This show is for the parents who want to spend more time creating experiences with their kids, but don’t know where to start. Our host parents and their kids help you tackle every day, and every new season, from holidays to back-to-school, with meal ideas, activities, crafts, tips, and more. And with a little help from our beloved Disney characters, family time is even more magical.

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The overall consolidation of the various networks that will form Disney Digital Network will result in bringing the once 60,000 YouTube channels that made up Maker Studios to a more focused roster of 1,000 creators.

VIDEO: Mark Hamill Surprises Star Wars Fans In Support For “Star Wars: Force For Change”

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Imagine having some fun, reciting some classic Star Wars lines…and the legendary Mark Hamill is your surprise co-star. Well, that happened to a few lucky fans, as seen in the video below — and it’s all in support of Star Wars: Force For Change‘s latest fundraising campaign.

You can now enter for the chance to win the grand prize in Star Wars: Force for Change and Omaze’s epic Star Wars “Past, Present, and Future” campaign benefitting UNICEF and Starlight Children’s Foundation. Plus, if you enter this week, you’ll be in the running to win a special bonus prize: lunch in Los Angeles with Hamill, along with two tickets to a pre-screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Fans who enter today at Omaze.com/StarWars will have the chance to win the grand prize, encompassing all three prizes in the campaign: Stay at Skywalker Inn, tour of the archives and the Ranch, and a screening of Star Wars: A New Hope; join the cast and attend the Star Wars: The Last Jedi premiere and exclusive after party; and visit the set, meet the directors, and have the chance to appear in the untitled Han Solo movie.

Since 2014, Star Wars: Force for Change and UNICEF have joined together to help improve the lives of children around the world. With the support of Star Wars fans, the collaboration has raised more than $9 million to help the world’s most vulnerable children. To date, Star Wars: Force For Change has helped UNICEF save the lives of over 30,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition through the distribution of over 4 million packets of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food Packets (RUTF) around the world.

Starlight Children’s Foundation is joining Star Wars: Force for Change as the initiative’s newest charity beneficiary in 2017. Through a $1 million grant, Star Wars: Force for Change supports the foundation’s core programs which are designed to bring comfort and joy to hospitalized kids through Starlight’s network of more than 700 children’s hospitals, clinics, camps and other partners across the US. Star Wars: Force for Change and fan donations through this campaign will also provide new Starlight programs, like fun, comfortable Star Wars-themed Starlight Brave Gowns, to tens of thousands of hospitalized children across the country.

The Star Wars “Past, Present, and Future” campaign runs until May 11; a different prize has been awarded each week, all themed to honor all eras of the saga:

  • Past – Stay at Skywalker Inn, tour of the archives and the Ranch, and a screening of Star Wars: A New Hope
  • Present – Join the cast and attend the Star Wars: The Last Jedipremiere and exclusive after party
  • Future – Visit the set, meet the directors, and have the chance to appear in the untitled Han Solo movie
  • Grand Prize – One winner will receive the Past, Present, AND Future prizes!
  • Bonus – Lunch with Mark Hamill and a pre-screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Fans are encouraged to follow the campaign at Omaze.com/StarWars for exclusive updates.

So enter now. We’ve got a pretty good feeling about this.

StarWars.com. All Star Wars, all the time.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Void where prohibited. Promotion begins 12:01 AM Pacific Time (PT) on April 11, 2017 and ends at 11:59 PM PT on May 11, 2017. Must be at least eighteen (18) years old and a resident of an eligible domicile to enter and win prizes. Residents of of Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Malta, North Korea, Singapore, Sudan, Syria, or Thailand are not eligible to enter. Sweepstakes consists of four (4) prize drawings; odds of winning a prize depend on number of entries received for each drawing. For free entry: (i) send postcard to Sponsor at P.O. Box 866, 9942 Culver Blvd, Culver City, California 90232 and write the following statement: “I have read and agree to the Star Wars: Force For Change Official Rules” and send by applicable mail date; or (ii) visit www.omaze.com/starwars. Prizes that include being filmed in a movie scene do not guarantee that such footage will be included in the final movie. Travel and accommodations are at Sponsor’s discretion and subject to availability and change. Winner and guest may be required to pass a background screening or security check to receive a prize and/or reward. Visa conditions may apply. All taxes are winner’s responsibility.

Rewards are separate from sweepstakes prizes. Some rewards are limited in quantity. Not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook®. Residents of certain territories may be required to successfully complete a trivia question to qualify. For full sweepstakes entry requirements, methods & entry periods, prize details, list of rewards and all limitations & restrictions, see Official rules at www.omaze.com/starwars. Sole Sponsor: Omaze, Inc., P.O. Box 866, 9942 Culver Blvd, Culver City, California 90232.