RUMOR: Destination D Attendees Will Be The First to See Rivers of Light Next Month?

WDWNT on October 24, 2016

Since April 22nd, 2016, we have been on a rollercoaster ride of rumors of when Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom might debut. Once the show was officially delayed, we reported first that the show would not make its debut in the Summer of 2016. We then heard rumblings that the show was close to being completed, and then were even told that the show is now finished and completed with rehearsals at this point. Just last week, a rumored to be mistaken posting on the Walt Disney World website made it seem the show may not debut until next May. Now, something fishy on the Destination D schedule has many a guest speculating that event attendees may be the very first to see Rivers of Light this November.

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The event wraps up on Sunday, November 20th at Disney’s Contemporary Resort with a presentation by Joe Rohde about Disney’s Animal Kingdom. After that, there is an optional in-park gathering at a Disney theme park, with no further details being shared as of yet. That being said, it does require park admission and Disney’s Animal Kingdom is scheduled to close at 7:30PM that evening. However, one could argue that it would make more sense to end the event with the much anticipated AVATAR presentation, unless you wanted that final presentation to lead into something that tied into it. Rivers of Light would certainly tie into a presentation by Rohde about the future of Disney’s Animal Kingdom…

I will say this particular rumor comes with no inside information on my part. It is purely speculation based on rumblings throughout the internet since the Destination D: Amazing Adventures schedule was announced yesterday. Tickets for the event are still available if you are interested, and regardless of the Rivers of Light event happening or not, should be a wonderful time for any Disney fan who attends.

UPDATE: The schedule for the event on D23.com was updated to state that guests will not need theme park admission to attend the in-park meet up. This now makes it more likely that guests at Destination D will be the first to see the show.

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Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Card for 2016 Christmas Party Revealed

WDWNT on October 24, 2016

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will return to Magic Kingdom Park November 9, and this year Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom fans can pick up a special Goofy-themed game card on party nights.

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This year’s party-exclusive card is “Goofy’s Festive Fiasco” and, according to Imagineer Jonathan Ackley, “celebrates the glorious holiday chaos created by Goofy as he attempts to decorate for the season!”

REVIEW: Liberty Inn at Epcot Revamps Menu; Changes to “The Safety Restaurant”

WDWNT on October 24, 2016

Epcot is Walt Disney World’s dining park. From the bounty of fantastic worldly table service restaurants, to the annual festivals filled with food and drink, there is always a plethora of exciting and unique dining options in the park. Lost in the shuffle is often counter service, and more so counter service eateries that serve American-style cuisine. I often refer to the Liberty Inn at the American Adventure as “The Safety Restaurant”. If there is a picky eater in the bunch, perhaps afraid of the international cuisine found elsewhere, this or the Electric Umbrella are probably where you are going to end up.

Liberty Inn, located inside The American Adventure at Epcot

Liberty Inn, located inside The American Adventure at Epcot

Recently, the menu at the Liberty Inn was altered, so we decided to head over one evening and try out the new entrees.

Liberty Inn Menu (October 2016)

Liberty Inn Menu (October 2016)

Liberty Inn Menu (October 2016)

Among the new options on the menu are a “Surf and Turf” meal and the Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Bacon.

Liberty Inn Menu (October 2016)

Liberty Inn Menu (October 2016)

While they don’t get pics on the main menu, there is a classic cheeseburger and the ubiquitous chicken breast nuggets.

Surf and Turf ($14.99)

 

Surf and Turf ($14.99)

Surf and Turf ($14.99)

Counter service steak is scary. To me, it’s scarier than the Exorcist house at Halloween Horror Nights this year, and that’s probably the one that freaks me out the most. In fact, the only thing scarier than counter service steak is counter service seafood. This dish combines both for what I would likely consider my most avoidable dish at Walt Disney World. That being said, I didn’t think it was terrible. The steak was fine, although a little tough and the shrimp was pretty much what you would expect if you have ever been to Columbia Harbour House. It’s a lot of food for $14.99, but probably not my number one choice.

Surf and Turf ($14.99)

Surf and Turf ($14.99)

Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Bacon ($11.49)

Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Bacon ($11.49)

Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Bacon ($11.49)

I love anything and everything buffalo chicken, so I was excited to try this. The buffalo flavor comes from the sauce, which is accompanied by a rather strange carrot apple slaw. The bun was pretty perfect, reminding me of the bun we had last week at Min and Bill’s. The chicken was a sizable piece and cooked nicely. I expected the apple and carrot slaw to ruin it, but it didn’t detract from what I feel is a really solid option if you are going to dine here. Oh, and there’s bacon too.

Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Bacon ($11.49)

Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Bacon ($11.49)

Overall

For me personally, this isn’t a place I typically dine at Epcot, but if someone asked me to go here, I would have no problem getting the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich again. The burgers here are fine as well, as is the chicken salad, and it is nice that there is a vegetarian “chicken” dish too. If you have a picky eater in the group, Liberty Inn is a counter service meal that at least won’t ruin your vacation.

Kitchen Closed at Walt Disney World Swan for Failing Health Inspection; Bugs Found

WDWNT on October 24, 2016

An employee cafeteria at the Walt Disney World Swan was closed down by health inspectors last week because of live roaches and fruit flies in the kitchen.

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During a visit on Oct. 12, an inspector noted live and dead roaches. “Observed 14 live roaches crawling on the kick plate near hot boxes,” the report read. There were also fruit flies in the prep room, among six basic and two high-priority violations.

The kitchen reopened the next day with a clean inspection. Other eateries in the hotel passed recent health inspections.

The Swan Resort is on Disney World property but is managed by Starwood Hotels.

TONIGHT on WDW News Tonight (10/19/16) – Disney Parks Pursuit, Worst of WDW, Dining Reviews, ETC.

WDWNT on October 24, 2016

Tonight on WDW News Tonight, the Disney Parks Pursuit returns, we countdown the absolute most hated things in the history of Walt Disney World, and the usual amount of hijinks ensue…

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If you are in the Orlando area, you can tune in to AM 1520 WBZW at showtime. For those outside the Orlando area, the show can be heard (and now watched via video stream) at Listen.WDWNT.com on your computer or mobile device. The show also utilizes new interactive avenues for our audience, including a live chat, the ability to call-in to the show, and live polling. WDW News Tonight is hosted by Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, but also features appearances by a number of other WDWNT correspondents.

Coming up on this week’s show:

  • A recap of the week’s news (with a WDWNT comedic twist)
  • Tom and Nick are Angry About Things
  • The Wonderful World of Psychotic Comments
  • “The Disney Parks Pursuit”, presented by Theme Park Connection
  • Who’s Hates Tom Now?
  • What Did We Just Eat? – Jock Lindsey’s Happy Hour and Turkey Flatbread Thing, Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner, Liberty Inn, etc.
  • And more!

We hope that you will tune in tonight at 9PM ET for another episode of WDW News Tonight!

If you missed last week’s show, be sure to watch it:

EA Releasing Star Wars Battlefront Ultimate Edition in November for Rogue One

WDWNT on October 24, 2016

Although there won’t be a new AAA Star Wars games releasing this Fall, but EA still has something coming to store shelves  just in time for Rogue One.

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To celebrate Battlefront‘s one-year anniversary, EA will release Star Wars Battlefront Ultimate Edition this November. The package will include the base game and all of the content that has released post-launch through the Season Pass. This means the Outer Rim, Bespin, Death Star, and the upcoming Rogue One: Scarif (which will release in December) expansions will all be included in one release. That adds up to over 30 maps, 14 heroes, and 14 game modes.

According to a listing on Amazon, the game will retail for $39.99 and release on November 18, however, the Microsoft Store has the digital version listed for $69.99.While EA has not yet announced a solid release date or price point, it is unclear which, if either, listing is correct. That said, it seems like the November 18 release is probably accurate. It is not uncommon for Amazon to completely and accurately leak a product ahead of release. It happens all the time.

The Ultimate Edition is nothing too exciting, especially if you already own Star Wars Battlefront, but hey, at least that Rogue One: Scarif expansion is something to look forward to.

Disney Confirms Removal of AOTAS Hall of Fame at Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on October 24, 2016

As we have been speculating for several days, Disney has now confirmed the removal of the Academy of Television Art and Sciences Hall of Fame today.

The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame Being Removed

The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame Being Removed

The area, a part of the theme park since 1993, has been behind construction walls for a few days now. It will be replaced with a food and beverage offering.

VIDEO: First Look at “Old Man Wolverine” Film, Logan

WDWNT on October 24, 2016

Today MARVEL and 20th Century Fox released the first trailer for Hugh Jackman’s final movie as Wolverine. WARNING: The trailer and film are R-rated.

https://https://youtu.be/Div0iP65aZo

The trailer holds a really somber tone throughout, which sets an appropriate stage for the final Wolverine film. Based on the comic series titled Old Man Logan, the film is set in 2024, where an old Logan needs the help of an even older Professor Xavier and a young female Wolverine clone to try and defeat Nathaniel Essex, a man who’s corporation has defeated the X-Men.

20th Century Fox is going for a darker tone after seeing the success of R-rated superhero films such as Batman v Superman and Deadpool.

Logan will hit theaters on March 3, 2017.