NOINDEX – Page 15 – WDWNT Archive

Concept Art & Details Released for Shanghai Disneyland’s Toy Story Land, Opening Summer 2018

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

Shanghai, November 30, 2017 – One of The Walt Disney Company’s most popular franchises will have an even bigger presence at Shanghai Disney Resort’s theme park, Shanghai Disneyland, when the park expands to include its 7th themed land. Shanghai Disney Resort today revealed details of the highly anticipated Disney Toy Story Land, the first post-opening expansion of the resort. The new land will feature attractions and entertainment celebrating fun and imagination for guests of all ages, and provide yet another reason for them to be immersed in the unparalleled storytelling and creativity of Shanghai Disneyland for multiple-day visits. Disney Toy Story Land is a sign of the early success of Shanghai Disney Resort, and demonstrates the confidence the joint venture shareholders have in the growing consumer demand for themed entertainment in China.

Based on the Disney•Pixar motion picture series, Disney Toy Story Land will be a high-spirited, colorful world where guests will feel as if they’ve been shrunk down to the size of their favorite Toy Story toys for laughter and fun with family and friends in the backyard of Andy, the boy from the movies. Woody, Buzz and their Toy Story friends come to life and play in this fully immersive land, which features three new attractions and a uniquely themed character greeting area.

Slinky Dog Spin: Slinky Dog has been amusing the toys all day long by chasing his own tail round-and-round a giant dog dish filled with toy bones – and soon Shanghai Disneyland guests will be invited to become the “honorary toys” in Disney Toy Story Land, where they will be able to take a seat inside Slinky Dog’s springy spirals and race around a wavy roundabout.

Rex’s Racer: Rex, Andy’s insecure Tyrannosaurus Rex toy enjoys playing with RC Racer almost as much as he likes playing video games. With help from his Triceratops friend Trixie, Rex will invite guests to climb into RC for a thrilling ride on the U-shaped track. With Rex at the controls, RC Racer, with guests aboard, zips forward and backward at ever increasing heights and exhilarating speed.

Woody’s Round-Up: Sheriff Woody has rounded up a herd of ponies, each one pulling a cart, in a ranch set up by Andy. Guests can climb aboard the carts as the ponies start a little square dance swinging their carts to and fro in time to the lively music.

Meeting Post: Next to Woody’s Round-Up is Old West, a town made up of a hitching post and façades for various enterprises, such as the sheriff’s office, the saloon and the bank. Here, guests can meet and pose for photos with some of their favorite Toy Story characters, including Woody, Jessie and Bullseye.

Guests can extend their Disney Toy Story Land experience with the fun, immersive shopping and dining opportunities in Al’s Toy Barn, the merchandise shop where some of Andy’s toys have been purchased, just like in the movie, and Toy Box Café, a restaurant themed to Andy’s packing boxes for Buzz Lightyear, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head and Lotso Hugging Bear.

Characters and stories from the Toy Story franchise have strongly resonated with Chinese guests. Shanghai Disney Resort has the only Toy Story-themed hotel in the world, while Shanghai Disneyland is home to the popular Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue attraction, a guest favorite which features the most advanced Buzz Lightyear targeting system at any Disney park in the world.

With unique experiences guests can only enjoy at Shanghai Disneyland, the new Disney Toy Story Land is set to open by summer 2018.

REVIEW: Cookie Nook Inside The Festive Center, Odyssey at Epcot International Festival of the Holidays 2017

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

We begin our series of reviews of the marketplaces at the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays with the Cookie Nook, located inside what is being called The Festive Center, which is the Odyssey building perched between Future World and World Showcase.

Here’s the menu:

Warm Apple Fritter – with Cinnamon Ice Cream and Warm Caramel Sauce – $4.75
Snowflake Sugar Cookie – $4.00
Snickerdoodle Cookie – Sugar Cookie rolled in Cinnamon Sugar – $3.50
Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookie – $3.50
Gingersnap Cookie – with Cream Cheese Icing and Cranberry Jam – $4.50
Sachertorte – Chocolate Cake with Apricot Jam and Dark Chocolate Glaze – $4.75
Decorated Gingerbread Cookie – $4.00
Holiday Tree Sugar Cookie – $4.00
Chocolate Chunk Cookie – $3.00
Brew Hub Pumpkin Spice Dunkelweiss, Lakeland, Florida – $4.25
Playalinda Brewing Company Sparkling Christmas Coffee Blonde, Titusville, Florida – $4.25
Central 28 Beer Company Joy From the World Holiday Dubble, DeBary, Florida – $4.25
Cranberry Sprite Punch with Pear Vodka – $9.00
Holiday Beer Flight – $9.00
Specialty Red Wine – $6.00
Specialty White Wine – $6.00
Florida Orange Groves Sparkling Cranberry Wine – $6.00
Nestlé Chocolate Delights Hot Cocoa with Crème de Menthe – $8.00
Nestlé Chocolate Delights Hot Cocoa (non-alcoholic) – $3.00

The Cookie Nook is a rather pleasant place to enjoy a snack while watching classic cartoons, including Mickey’s Christmas Carol in its entirety.

OK, let’s go item by item…

Warm Apple Fritter – with Cinnamon Ice Cream and Warm Caramel Sauce – $4.75

This was fantastic. The warm apple fritter went perfectly with the cinnamon ice cream and caramel sauce. I’ll look to have this again before the festival is over.

Snowflake Sugar Cookie – $4.00

These are nothing special, but I love sugar cookies, so personally I would order this again. No one else in the party was impressed with this, and I get it, but I still think it is enjoyable.

Snickerdoodle Cookie – Sugar Cookie rolled in Cinnamon Sugar – $3.50

The snickerdoodle was fairly flavorless and is not worth a buy. I don’t even know what else to say about it, that’s how bland it was.

Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookie – $3.50

If you like peppermint, then get this. If you don’t, then do not. It was pretty good, offering a rich chocolate flavor offset nicely by the peppermint twist.

Gingersnap Cookie – with Cream Cheese Icing and Cranberry Jam – $4.50

A nice departure from the other cookies, this has a nice-sized dollop of sweet cream cheese icing which really elevated the ginger flavor of the cookie. This is worth a try if you are interested.

Sachertorte – Chocolate Cake with Apricot Jam and Dark Chocolate Glaze – $4.75

If you really love chocolate cake, then this dessert is all you. It’s really fantastic for what it is, but it is probably no different from something you can make at home or even buy at the store.

Decorated Gingerbread Cookie – $4.00

I appreciate that this is decorated after you order it and it is very good for a gingerbread cookie. If you are really craving a gingerbread man, this will do the trick.

Holiday Tree Sugar Cookie – $4.00

Again, no one but me seemed excited about this, but I love these kind of cookie at this time of year. I enjoyed this one so much that I took the remaining half home and enjoyed it there. It’s nothing special, but sometimes you just want a sugar cookie, right?

Chocolate Chunk Cookie – $3.00

Speaking of unremarkable, this is the usual Disney counter service chocolate chip cookie, so unless your kids are screaming that they want one, I would stay away from this.

Holiday Beer Flight – $9.00, Brew Hub Pumpkin Spice Dunkelweiss – $4.25, Playalinda Brewing Company Sparkling Christmas Coffee Blonde, – $4.25, Central 28 Beer Company Joy From the World Holiday Dubble – $4.25

An enjoyable beer flight with three unique enough flavors that it is worth a try if you enjoy such things. We really liked two out of the three, which is usually the case with these Festival beer flights.

Cranberry Sprite Punch with Pear Vodka – $9.00

There’s noting particularly special about this, but Cranberry Sprite mixes really well with alcohol. This is probably something you could make at home, but it hits the spot and feels pretty festive. It looks like it would be super sweet, but it really wasn’t, which is probably why I enjoyed it so much.

Florida Orange Groves Sparkling Cranberry Wine – $6.00

If you want to pair a wine with your cookies, this is probably what you want. According to Josh of EasyWDW.com, it is light, sweet, and tart with every sip, and I would agree.

SHOP NOW: Limited Release YesterEars Holiday Shirts Now Available at ShopDisney

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

ShopDisney has released four new YesterEars holiday-themed shirts including a Country Bear Jamboree Christmas hoodie!

In addition to the Country Bear Jamboree Christmas hoodie, there is a vintage Mickey WDW shirt, and two Season’s Greetings Donald shirts, one with the Walt Disney World logo and one with the Disneyland logo.

All four are priced at $27.99 and all are eligible for the Buy One Get One 40% Off ongoing promotion.

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VIDEO: Get Your First-Look at WDWNT VR, Virtual Theme Park and Resort Coming in 2018

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

While we announced WDWNT VR back in September 2017, much of the project has been shrouded in mystery. This past weekend, we lifted the curtain and provided a look inside of the project at the work in progress during our 50-hour marathon to benefit Toys for Tots. In case you missed it, here is the full presentation:

WDWNT VR will launch sometime in 2018. WDWNT Inner Globe Society Members will get early previews of the park, as well as special access to member-only content once WDWNT VR opens to the public.

FastPass Reservations for Frozen Ever After at Epcot Now Available Beginning at 9AM Daily

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

Previously beginning at 11:00AM every day, guests can now find FastPass reservations for Frozen Ever After at Epcot beginning at 9AM daily through the Walt Disney World website and the MyDisneyExperience app.

Frozen Ever After takes guests through the kingdom of Arendelle from the Disney animated hit, “Frozen.” Located in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot, Frozen Ever After celebrates a “Summer Snow Day” on a journey through a frozen willow forest, past Troll Valley and up to Queen Elsa’s palace high up on the north mountain. Epcot is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

Up until this point, only standby was available for the first two hours of the day at the attraction, but now there will be FastPass reservations covering the entire operating day for the Epcot ride.

If guests aren’t interested in hunting for a FastPass or braving the standby line, the Frozen Ever After Sparkling Dessert Party is also still available.

REVIEW: American Holiday Table at Epcot International Festival of the Holidays 2017

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

Our next review of the marketplaces at the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays is the American Holiday table, located just outside of The American Adventure pavilion in World Showcase.

Here’s the menu:

Slow-Roasted Turkey with Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and Cranberry Sauce – $5.25, DDP Snack Eligible
Seared Pork Tenderloin with Holiday Accompaniments: Green Bean Casserole, Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges and a Champagne Demi-Glace – $5.50, DDP Snack Eligible
Chocolate Pecan Tart with Whipped Cream and Caramel Sauce – $4.50, DDP Snack Eligible
Orange Blossom Brewing Cranberry Kringle Pilsner, Orlando, FL – $4.25
Shipyard® Eggnog White Porter, Clearwater, FL – $4.25
JDub’s Season’s Greetings Peppermint Milk Stout, Sarasota, FL – $4.25
Holiday Beer Flight – $9.00
Kurt Russell’s GoGi Wines Chardonnay “Goldie,” California – $10.00
Kurt Russell’s GoGi Wines Pinot Noir, California – $15.00
Chocolate Apple Shake featuring Twinings® Winter Spice Tea and Butterscotch Schnapps – $8.50
Cocoa Candy Cane: Nestlé® Chocolate Delights Hot Cocoa with Peppermint Schnapps – $8.00
Firenog: TG Lee® Eggnog with Fireball® Cinnamon Whisky – $9.50
Chocolate Apple Shake featuring Twinings Winter Spice Tea (non-alcoholic) – $4.25, DDP Snack Eligible
Nestlé Chocolate Delights Hot Cocoa (non-alcoholic) – $3.00, DDP Snack Eligible
TG Lee® Eggnog (non-alcoholic) – $3.00, DDP Snack Eligible

OK let’s try some of these items…

Slow-Roasted Turkey with Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and Cranberry Sauce – $5.25

This was really, really good. The turkey was cooked very nicely, the stuffing tasted good, and the mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce blended perfectly with it. The unadvertised strignbeans were a nice touch too, marking the only time I think I have ever enjoyed this side.

Seared Pork Tenderloin with Holiday Accompaniments: Green Bean Casserole, Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges and a Champagne Demi-Glace – $5.50

I really enjoyed the pork as it was quite well cooked and really tender. I’m not sure that the sides qualify as a casserole, but they are good nonetheless. Highly recommend this if you want something familiar and good.

Chocolate Pecan Tart with Whipped Cream and Caramel Sauce – $4.50

I also enjoyed the pecan tart quite a bit, but you’re really going to need to love nutty desserts to have this one. The crust was nice and crispy and everything was well accented by the heavy dose of caramel sauce and whipped cream.

Holiday Beer Flight – $9.00, Orange Blossom Brewing Cranberry Kringle Pilsner – $4.25, Shipyard® Eggnog White Porter – $4.25, JDub’s Season’s Greetings Peppermint Milk Stout – $4.25

I was in the minority on this one, but I enjoyed Eggnog White Porter and the Peppermint Milk Stout, but they are both likely “acquired tastes”. As usual with a beer flight, you are using this as an opportunity to try and these are not beers you can get all year long, so it’s at least worth a shot in my opinion.

Chocolate Apple Shake featuring Twinings® Winter Spice Tea and Butterscotch Schnapps – $8.50

This was kind of a disappointment, a definite downgrade from the version that was sold last year. I would describe the flavor in depth, but it was honestly very forgettable and I can’t remember a single thing about it.

Cocoa Candy Cane: Nestlé® Chocolate Delights Hot Cocoa with Peppermint Schnapps – $8.00

It is what is says it is, but I like it. Yes, it is more expensive than if you made it yourself at home, but you’re not at home are you? If you’re in the mood for such a thing, this will do the trick, but it is just hot cocoa and Peppermint Schnapps…

Firenog: TG Lee® Eggnog with Fireball® Cinnamon Whisky – $9.50

A holdover from last year, the firenog was good (the small drink on the left), albeit a little small for $9.50. We would have liked a little more fireball whiskey in here, but maybe it just depends who pours you the drink.

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REVIEW: Feast of the Three Kings, Epcot International Festival of the Holidays 2017

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

We continue our series of reviews of the booths for the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays this year by visiting the Feast of the Three Kings today. This marketplace can be found next door to the Refreshment Port, just behind the Imagination pavilion on the way to World Showcase.

Here’s the menu:

Shredded Beef Tamale with Avocado Crema and Cilantro Rice – $5.75, DDP Snack Eligible
Roasted Pork with Mashed Yucca and Pickled Green Bananas (Gluten-Free) – $5.25, DDP Snack Eligible
Three Kings Bread – $4.00, DDP Snack Eligible
Coquito with a Bacardi Rum Floater – $9.00
Coquito – $4.00, DDP Snack Eligible
Presidente Pilsner – $4.00

Shredded Beef Tamale with Avocado Crema and Cilantro Rice – $5.75

The shredded beef tamale is good, but the ratio of breading to beef was poor. The Avacado Crema sauce had a really nice flavor paired with both the rice and the tamale. If there was more beef in this, I would highly recommend it, but it’s hard to compete with the pork dish.

Roasted Pork with Mashed Yucca and Pickled Green Bananas (Gluten-Free) – $5.25

This roasted pork dish is one not to be missed. The pork was cooked perfectly and the yucca as well with a nice, buttery flavor. I have eaten a lot of yucca in the last year or so, this was the best portion of the side dish I have ever had. I could do without the pickled green bananas, but they were fine on their own.

Three Kings Bread – $4.00, DDP Snack Eligible

Traditional dessert with a rich, white, sugary icing on top over a flaky, soft bread. This was really wonderful in its simplicity and was similar to many Italian baked good I have enjoyed over the holiday seasons in New York, so I may be a little biased in my nostalgic feelings for this dish. I still think you will enjoy it though.

Coquito with a Bacardi Rum Floater – $9.00

I enjoy a sweet alcoholic beverage so this was right up my alley. Coconut and cinnamon flavoring mixed with rum is pretty delicious, but the portion size is pretty small as you would expect. It’s really delicious, but just not enough of it is in this serving for $9. A non-alcoholic version is also offered.

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REVIEW: Yukon Holiday Kitchen, Epcot International Festival of the Holidays 2017

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

We continue our series of reviews of the booths for the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays this year by visiting the Yukon Holiday Kitchen today. This marketplace can be found next door to the Refreshment Port, just steps away from the Canada pavilion.

Here’s the menu:

Seared Salmon with Crown Royal® Whisky Glaze, Parsnip Silk, Apple Chutney and Hazelnut Croquant – $5.50, DDP Snack Eligible
Traditional French Canadian Tourtiere with Canadian Ketchup – $5.00, DDP Snack Eligible
Maple Bûche de Noël: Maple Mousse rolled in Gingerbread Chiffon Cake with Cranberry Sauce and Pecan Crumble – $4.50, DDP Snack Eligible
Chateau de Charmes Riesling Icewine – $6.00
Neige Apple Ice Wine – $5.50
Red Stone Cabernet Franc Ice Wine – $8.75
Icewine Flight – $6.50
Fielding Estate Pinot Grigio – $4.75
Fielding Estate Red Conception – $7.00
Frozen Coffee with Tap 357 Whisky – $10.00
Unibroue Éphémère Elderberry – $4.25

Seared Salmon with Crown Royal® Whisky Glaze, Parsnip Silk, Apple Chutney and Hazelnut Croquant – $5.50

One of the items I would deem a “must buy” at this event, the salmon was cooked to perfection and had this flavorful maple glaze that really pushed it over the edge. I could have done without the apple chutney, but the Hazelnut Croquant went very well with the fish.

Traditional French Canadian Tourtiere with Canadian Ketchup – $5.00

Another one of my absolute favorites from the entire Festival, this is brilliant in its simplicity. It’s pretty sizable, the crust is flaky and delicious, and the pork is wonderfully prepared, but what makes the dish is the ketchup. This isn’t Heinz from a bottle, and it may very well be from a bottle, but it tastes more like it was made from scratch. I need to find this ketchup to use at home. I’m joking, I don’t cook at home, I have to eat at Epcot festivals most days of the year.

Maple Bûche de Noël: Maple Mousse rolled in Gingerbread Chiffon Cake with Cranberry Sauce and Pecan Crumble – $4.50

This was rather enjoyable, but I find myself wanting a dessert like this to be chocolate. That being said, maple mousse and gingerbread cake is a nice diversion, paired well with the cranberry sauce and the pecans. If you want a more traditional yule log, I suggest a walk over to Les Halles (the France bakery).

Icewine Flight – $6.50; Chateau de Charmes Riesling Icewine – $6.00, Neige Apple Ice Wine – $5.50, Red Stone Cabernet Franc Ice Wine – $8.75

I’m not a big ice wine fan as they are just too sweet for me, but I was assured by several others in our party that this was a good flight. The Red Stone Cabernet Franc Ice Wine was my favorite of the three as I’m partial to strawberry, but not something I would personally order again. If you like ice wine, this is a good opportunity to try three though, so don’t listen to me.

Frozen Coffee with Tap 357 Whisky – $10.00

I really loved this, but I do have a soft spot for coffee and alcohol when they’re mixed together. There was plenty of alcohol in this and a nice maple flavor to it. I highly recommend it.

Unibroue Éphémère Elderberry – $4.25

This beer is light, fruity, low in carbonation, easy to drink, and much less medicinal in flavor than one might expect. It’s worth a try if you are so inclined.

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Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Returns December 15th, The Last Jedi Scenes Being Added

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular will return to the skies above Disney’s Hollywood Studios just in time for the release fo Star Wars: The Last Jedi on December 15th, 2017.

During this period through December 31st, “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM” will be performed first every evening, followed a few hours later by Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular. Just Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular will be performed nightly beginning 1/1/18.

Additions to the show based on The Last Jedi are expected, but may not debut until the December 17th public showing, as they are slated to debut first at Star Wars Galactic Nights on the 16th.

Similarly, a Rogue One scene was added to the show earlier this year:

VIDEO: On-Ride POV of Mater’s Jingle Jamboree and Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure

WDWNT on November 20, 2017

Cars Land is once again touting some seasonal attraction overlays at Disney California Adventure. Watch the full on-ride POV videos of Mater’s Jingle Jamboree and Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl, new for the Christmas season at the Disneyland Resort, running through January 7th, 2018.