BREAKING: New Castle Stage Show Announced with Characters from FROZEN, Princess and the Frog, and Tangled

After 10 years, Dream Along with Mickey will come to an end, holding the longest reign of any show ever performed on the Cinderella Castle forecourt stage. What’s replacing it? “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire”…

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Against the majestic backdrop of Cinderella Castle, Mickey Mouse and his friends will welcome favorite characters from some of Disney’s newest classics: “The Princess and the Frog,” “Tangled” and “Frozen.”

In “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire,” Mickey and his troupe of Merry Makers have been preparing to host a joyous festival and have ventured far and wide to invite friends from other lands to join their celebration. From the Land of the Bewitching Bayous, Goofy has invited Tiana, Naveen and Louis to add a little spice of New Orleans jazz to the party. From the Land of the Enchanted Woods, Donald Duck brings some new friends he met at the Snuggly Duckling, and Daisy introduces us to her special guests, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. Finally, Mickey shares a surprise with Minnie, as he has traveled to the Land of the Mystic Mountains to invite Olaf, Anna and Elsa, who contributes a blast of her icy magic. It all culminates in a grand dance, as the Merry Makers invite all their special guests to join in the fun on this special day in Magic Kingdom Park!

Marking the first appearances by Tiana and Rapunzel in a show on the castle stage, “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” brings to life beloved Disney stories both classic and contemporary in a spectacular performance featuring an original song, memorable music, lively dancing and special effects magic.

Look for “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” to make its debut in summer 2016!

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Mad T Party at California Adventure Ending Despite New Alice Film

Alice Through the Looking Glass is hitting theaters soon, but for some reason the Mad T Party at Disney California Adventure is ending 2 months before the release of the new film.

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The Mad T Party replaced ElecTRONica in 2011 in the Hollywood Land section of the park and has run intermittently over the last 5 years. The event is shutting down to make way for the month-long Food and Wine Festival announced earlier today, which will likely use some of the empty soundstage buildings and other venues in that section of the park.

No new party-type-event is expected to replace Mad T Party this Summer and this will be the first time such an event has not been held in the park since Glow Fest premiered in the summer of 2010.

The Mad T Party will come to a close at Disney California Adventure park on March 30, 2016. The Rabbit Hole will be open on weekends through March 13 and nightly March 18-30.

New Olaf, Mickey, and Minnie Meet & Greet Experiences Coming To Hollywood Studios

As rumored, there is a new meet and greet space coming to Hollywood Studios, and it seems the location will be split into 2 different experiences.

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Entering on the Echo Lake side, guests can head to Celebrity Spotlight to meet Olaf from Frozen. The new experience features the lovable snow man with a fun summer backdrop. According to Disney, the character meeting in this location will rotate every few months.

The second experience is called “Mickey and Minnie starring in Red Carpet Dreams”. Entering from the Commissary Lane gateway (former American Idol Experience audition entrance), guests can walk the red carpet and step into a scene with Minnie Mouse, and then find Sorcerer Mickey Mouse in his Sorcerer’s Apprentice costume nearby.

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The current Sorcerer Mickey meet and greet should close when this opens in the spring. Minnie Mouse lost her indoor meet and greet experience when the Magic of Disney Animation closed.

This Week on WDW News Tonight (2/17/16): The Dating Game, Political Correctness at Disney Parks, & Boring Things at WDW

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This week on WDW News Tonight, we continue to push the envelope by making a possible Disney love connection, talking political correctness, and discussing the absolute most boring things to do at Walt Disney World.

WDW News Tonight is hosted by Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, former hosts of WDW News Today: The Radio Show, but also features appearances by a number of other WDWNT correspondents.

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.

Coming up on this week’s show:

  • A recap of the week’s news (with a WDWNT comedic twist)
  • Tom takes a moment to write out some thank you notes
  • We ask patriotic trivia questions for prizes from Theme Park Connection
  • “Tom and Nick are Angry About Things”, but mostly hot girls at Star Wars Launch Bay…
  • WDWNT: The Dating Game – we’re going to try to make a real-life Disney love connection and then send two lovebirds on a (recorded) date at WDW
  • “WDWNT Now!” Tip of the Week
  • An in-depth discussion on the most boring things to do at Walt Disney World
  • Flash Back to the Future – “It Never Happened!”, a look at Disney’s America theme park
  • And much more!

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

Oh, and despite technical difficulties, last week’s show is available to watch:

Pirates of the Caribbean Tsum Tsum “Take Sail” on February 26th

Disney Tsum Tsum inspired by the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction will make landfall at Disney Parks on February 26, 2016.

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This new collection of seven, 3-inch plush was created especially for Disney Parks. Characters include fan favorites such as the dog with keys, a skeleton, and the Captain.

With this release, I’m excited to announce that additional Disney merchandise locations will begin carrying Disney Tsum Tsum. Look for them at the following locations starting February 26.

  • Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawai‘i – Kalepa’s Store

Disneyland Resort

  • Downtown Disney District – World of Disney
  • Paradise Pier in Disney California Adventure park – Tees, Hats & Tattoos
  • Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland park – Gag Factory

Walt Disney World Resort

  • Disney Springs Marketplace – Once Upon a Toy
  • Shops at Orlando International Airport
  • Magic Kingdom Park – Curtain Call Collectibles
  • Epcot – ImageWorks
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Beverly Sunset
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures

Guests may also order select Disney Tsum Tsum from the free Shop Disney Parks mobile app or via the Disney Parks online store.

Production For “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2” Has Begun; New Cast Members Announced

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 Start of Production Image L to R: Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Drax (Dave Bautista), Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), Peter Quill/Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) and Gamora (Zoe Saldana) ©Marvel 2017

Marvel Studios has begun principal photography at Pinewood Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, on Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” which is slated to hit U.S. theaters on May 5, 2017. The production will shoot at Atlanta’s Pinewood Studios.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is written and directed by James Gunn (“Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Slither”). The film marks the return of the original Guardians, including Chris Pratt (“Jurassic World,” “Guardians of the Galaxy”) as Peter Quill/Star-Lord;  Zoe Saldana (“Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Star Trek Into Darkness”) as Gamora; Dave Bautista (“Spectre,”  “Guardians of the Galaxy”) as Drax; Vin Diesel (“Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Furious 7”) as the voice of Groot; Bradley Cooper (“Joy,” “American Sniper”) as the voice of Rocket;  Michael Rooker (“Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Jumper”) as Yondu; Karen Gillan (“Guardians of the Galaxy,” “The Big Short”) as Nebula; and Sean Gunn (“Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Gilmore Girls”) as Kraglin. New cast members include Pom Klementieff (“Oldboy”), Elizabeth Debicki (“The Great Gatsby,” “Everest”), Chris Sullivan (“The Knick,” “The Drop”) and Kurt Russell (“The Hateful Eight,” “Furious 7”).

Set to the all-new sonic backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” continues the team’s adventures as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill’s true parentage.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is produced by Marvel Studios’ president, Kevin Feige, with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Jonathan Schwartz, Nik Korda and Stan Lee serving as executive producers.

Director James Gunn’s creative team also includes director of photography Henry Braham (“The Legend of Tarzan,” “The Golden Compass”); production designer Scott Chambliss (“Star Trek,” “Tomorrowland”); editors Fred Raskin (“The Hateful Eight,” “Guardians of the Galaxy”) and Craig Wood (“Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End”); composer Tyler Bates (“Guardians of the Galaxy,” “John Wick”); three time Oscar®-nominated costume designer Judianna Makovsky (“Captain America: Civil War,” “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”); Oscar®-nominated visual effects supervisor Chris Townsend (“Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Iron Man 3”); stunt coordinator Tommy Harper (“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” ); co-producer / first assistant director Lars Winther (“Captain America: Civil War,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”); and six-time Oscar® nominee, special effects supervisor Dan Sudick (“Captain America: Civil War,”  “The Avengers”).

The original “Guardians of the Galaxy” was a hit with critics and audiences alike, earning over $770 million at the worldwide box-office, and holds the record as the most successful debut film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In addition, the film’s soundtrack went platinum and was nominated for a Grammy®.

Based on the Marvel comic characters first published in 1969, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 ” continues the lineage of epic big-screen adventures chronicled in “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “Iron Man 2,” “Thor,” “Captain America: The First Avenger,” “The Avengers,” “Iron Man 3,” “Thor: The Dark World,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Ant-Man,” and the upcoming release schedule, which includes  “Captain America: Civil War” on May 6, 2016; “Doctor Strange,” November 4, 2016; “Spider-Man,” July 7, 2017; and “Thor: Ragnarok” on November 3, 2017.

Marvel Studios continued its unprecedented success in 2015 with the release of “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” At the time of release, the film recorded the second biggest opening weekend of all time with a $191.3 million box office. It has also been the #1 release in every country where it has opened and has grossed over $1.4 billion in global box office. The studio also successfully launched another franchise with “Ant-Man,” starring Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas and Evangeline Lilly. The film opened #1 at the box office on July 17 and went on to gross more than $519 million at the worldwide box office. The film propelled the Marvel brands’ #1 domestic box-office opening streak to a record-breaking 12 consecutive films.

PHOTO: Lighting Test for Rivers of Light, Debuting Soon at Animal Kingdom

As we await Disney’s announcement of an opening date for the Rivers of Light show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the following photo is making the rounds on twitter today:

In the photo you can see some of the vessels that will be in the show out on the water, as well as a lighting test taking place. We can’t be too far from the debut of this show now.

PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 2/18/16 (Star Wars, Meet and Greet Construction, New Merch, ETC.)

I visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios over the weekend to see what was new and exciting, so let’s take a look at some photos from my trip, shall we?

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Welcome to Hollywood!

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New 5 pin booster set

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For Valentine’s Day, there’s a special Lady and the Tramp cupcake at the park

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It was cute and delicious…

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I hadn’t eaten at Studio Catering Co. in years, but this sandwich was really, really good

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Pulled beef brisket with horseradish sauce, surprisingly good

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I got carried away with the cupcake

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It was good…

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Finding Dory billboard up in the Backlot

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A green army man was hiding in a FastPass machine…

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Stormtroopers on patrol

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The wait times for Kylo Ren at Launch Bay haven’t been awful

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Pretty much the same as Chewbacca all of the time

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A Rey costume and BB-8 now on display in Launch Bay

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Work continues on the new awnings and covered seating areas at Sunset Ranch Market

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Signage remains up for Sunset Showcase, even though it’s closed right now (except for the hard-ticket Villains event)

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New open edition Studios pins

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The Moonliner ceramic figure is now in stock at most locations that carry such pieces

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This display is in Celebrity 5 & 10

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Dinosaur Gertie was actually open and had quite the line…

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Work continues on the new meet and greet locations for Olaf, Mickey, and Minnie which were announced this week

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PAvement work by Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple continues

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No visible progress on the former meet and greets in the Backlot

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REVIEW: River Belle Terrace Turns Table Service BBQ Joint at Disneyland

BY CONNER PURZYCKI

It was a rainy evening at the Disneyland Resort, so only the indoor seating area was being used. The space formerly held the ordering and pick-up area and some seating for the River Belle Terrace counter service restaurant that is now a thing of the past (but should come back in a few years).

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I was able to get a reservation about an hour before and we were seated fairly quickly. The restaurant’s interior was barely even touched for the conversion to table service. All the stanchions were still in place forming the lines to the counters and display cases for bottled drinks and sides were still in place. The condiment stations just had covers over them.

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None of the appetizers seemed appealing to us, so we just ordered our entrees. I got the ‘Fried Chicken Sandwich’ which was very good. It had a lot of different flavors mixed nicely, and gave a good kick thanks to the jalapenos. The sandwich was of a good size, so much so that I couldn’t finish it.

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For a side you automatically get a small portion of baked beans (which were good), and you get to choose your second side. I went with the “seasoned” tater bites, which weren’t really seasoned and honestly were just ordinary baked tater tots. It seemed really odd to be served tater tots at a table service restaurant (or at Disney in general). We also tried the ‘Pulled Pork Sandwich’ which was very good. The meat was very tender and had a nice smoky flavor to it.

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For desert we ordered the ‘Fried Cheesecake’, which I’m still deciding if I liked or not. It tasted like warm cheesecake, interesting nonetheless and should get points for being something you can’t order otherwise at the resort. We also had the ‘Butterscotch Pudding’ which was our personal favorite. For fans of Butterbeer in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, this pudding edges really close to the ‘Butterbeer Clotted Cream’ which is served at the Three Broomsticks, so obviously, it is highly recommended.

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The service was good. There were an abundance of wait staff for the small seating area, and we were checked on constantly. The restaurant still was very clearly set-up to be a counter service location and will likely return to that someday, but for now it’s a pretty good little BBQ joint.