The “Na’vi River Journey” Formally Announced for Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Animal Kingdom

WDWNT on October 7, 2015

Pandora – The World of AVATAR’s boat ride has been mostly a mystery up until this point, but Disney is finally spilling the beans on this family-friendly Animal Kingdom attraction which will be called “Na’vi River Journey”.

The adventure begins as guests set out in canoes and venture down a mysterious, sacred river hidden within the bioluminescent rainforest. The full beauty of Pandora reveals itself as the canoes pass by exotic glowing plants and amazing creatures. The journey culminates in an encounter with a Na’vi shaman, who has a deep connection to the life force of Pandora and sends positive energy out into the forest through her music.

Na’vi River Journey will open along with the Flight of Passage attraction in Pandora – The World of AVATAR in 2017.

Live Coverage of D23 Expo Japan 2015

WDWNT on October 7, 2015

Join TDRExplorer as they bring live coverage from D23 Japan Expo 2015!

Follow their live blog starting at 8:00am JST on Saturday, November 7. Starting at 1pm JST, bringing you the latest from the Tokyo Disney Resort Special Program! Expect tons of announcements regarding everything happening at the Resort! (For other time zones, please scroll down to see the start time for your region.)

Some areas and programs do not allow photo or video. But, we will do our best to bring you the latest information! You can also follow them along on Twitter.

Live Blog Coverage

Begins Saturday, November 7 at 8:00am JST
(UK readers – Friday at 11:00pm GMT / North American Readers – Friday at 6:00pm EST and 3:00pm PST)

Tokyo Disney Resort Special Program Live Blog Coverage

Begins Saturday, November 7 at 1:00pm JST
(UK readers – Saturday at 4:00am GMT / North American Readers – Friday at 11:00pm EST and 8:00pm PST)

VIDEO: First Teaser Trailer For Disney’s “Alice Through The Looking Glass”

WDWNT on October 7, 2015

See Alice return to the whimsical world of Underland  and travel back in time to save the Mad Hatter in the new “Alice Through The Looking Glass” teaser trailer.

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“Alice Through the Looking Glass” reunites the all-star cast from the worldwide blockbuster phenomenon, including: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska and Helena Bonham Carter along with the voices of Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen and Timothy Spall. We are also introduced to several new characters: Zanik Hightopp (Rhys Ifans), the Mad Hatter’s father and Time himself (Sacha Baron Cohen), a peculiar creature who is part human, part clock.

Presented in Digital 3D, Real D 3D and IMAX 3D, Disney’s “Alice Through the Looking Glass” opens in U.S. theaters on May 27, 2016.

2015 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party “Sorcerers” Card Features Olaf and the Snowgies

WDWNT on October 7, 2015

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returns to Magic Kingdom Park November 8, and this year Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom fans can pick up a special event-exclusive game card on party nights. This year’s event-exclusive card features Olaf and his “snowgies.”

 

The “Olaf’s Snowgies” card will be distributed in addition to the regular Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card packs. Guests can pick it up at either the Magic Kingdom Firehouse or the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom location behind Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe. Guests must register to play with their party ticket and event wristband in order to get one.

Annual Passholders Receive Special Glasses to View Final Osborne Lights on Mondays and Wednesdays

WDWNT on October 7, 2015

 

The Walt Disney World Passholders Facebook group announced the following today:

Add a dash more dazzle to your holiday cheer with special specs! Amidst a flurry of “fa-la-la-la-las,” Passholders can celebrate the last year of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights with a yuletide souvenir—exclusive spectacles that brighten the shine and create sparkling snowflake effects!

To pick up your complimentary pair, simply stop by Sid Cahuenga’s One-of-a-Kind at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (directly to your left upon entering the park, just beyond Guest Relations). Offer valid after 5:30 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays during the final season of Spectacle of Dancing Lights, which runs from November 6, 2015 to January 3, 2016. One per Passholder while supplies last—Passholder card and photo ID required.

While they have done this promotion before, it is nice to see it return one more time, even if it is on select evenings.

RUMOR: Opening Date Set for Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on October 7, 2015

The new star Wars Launch Bay attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will soft-open to guests on November 27th, 2015 if all goes according to plan.

 

This interactive experience will take guests into the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, with special exhibits and peeks behind-the-scenes, including opportunities to visit with new and favorite Star Wars characters, special merchandise and food offerings.  Star Wars Launch Bay will be located in the Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, replacing the Magic of Disney Animation.

REVIEW: Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Breakfast An Out-Of-This-World Alternative to Other Studios Offerings np

WDWNT on October 7, 2015

On Sunday, November 1st, the Sci-Fi Dine-In at Disney’s Hollywood Studios began testing a breakfast offering. Similar to the Star Wars version offered seasonally in May & June, the breakfast offers pastries, choice of a fruit cup or yogurt parfait, and an entree. The usual video loop of classic sci-fi films and drive-in theater promos play above as guests dine in vintage-style car facsimile tables.

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The pastry tray to share between every pair of guests

 

The fruit cup and the yogurt parfait

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A look at the breakfast menu

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I had the steak and eggs which was really good. The steak was a nice size, the eggs cooked with cheese and bacon were excellent, and the potatoes and tomato were also delicious.

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The brioche french toast was spectacular as well, very filling.

Breakfast at the Sci-Fi Dine-In is $23.99 for adults, $12.99 for children (Disney Dining Plan and Tables in Wonderland both accepted). The price point t is pretty good for a sit down restaurant that can get you in the park pre-opening, and I think the value is really there as far as the amount of food you get for that price. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a park fairly short on breakfast offerings, so I think this is a great addition that will prove popular enough to remain year-round. If you’re aren’t a fan of Hollywood and Vine, I strongly suggest you give breakfast at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater a try on your next trip.

D23 Offers Exclusive “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Content To Members

WDWNT on October 7, 2015

JOURNEY TO A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY AS DISNEY TWENTY-THREE GIVES FANS UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS TO STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

FEATURING EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH J.J. ABRAMS, MARK HAMILL, HARRISON FORD, CARRIE FISHER, DAISY RIDLEY, LAWRENCE KASDAN, AND KATHLEEN KENNEDY, DISNEY’S OFFICIAL FAN CLUB CELEBRATES THE EPIC SAGA.

To celebrate the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Disney twenty-three unlocks the power of the force to give fans a look behind the making of the newest installment in the Star Wars saga. The issue opens with “guest editor” C-3PO admitting he is unfamiliar with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club (“…although I am very familiar with the R2 series of droid, I am less familiar with the D23 line. Would it be R2-D23?”) and continues with candid interviews with the original Star Wars leads—Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford—looking back (and ahead) at the ongoing strength of these out-of-this-world films.

Director J.J. Abrams—whose long-standing history with Disney goes back to the TV show Felicity—sits down for a revealing Q&A, and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy talks about inheriting one of the most beloved franchises of all time. Plus, Imagineer Scott Trowbridge gives fans a peek at what’s in store for guests at the parks, following Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger’s announcement at D23 EXPO 2015 of Star Wars-themed lands coming to Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

And the Star Wars adventures continue. Also included in the publication, available exclusively to D23 Gold Members:

  • Stories behind the movie poster artwork for all seven films
  • An exclusive interview with Star Wars Rebels executive producer Dave Filoni, who talks about his first, nerve-wracking meeting with George Lucas
  • The incredible collectibles—past and future—that allow guests to bring the movies into their homes, including the story of the groundbreaking BB-8 toy
  • A salute to George Lucas by Star Wars authority Steve Sansweet

Plus, there’s plenty of Disney magic in the winter issue of Disney twenty-three including:

  • The story of how the new Disney•Pixar film The Good Dinosaur came to rule the Earth
  • A look back at the creation of Fantasia, as it celebrates its 75th anniversary
  • How The Finest Hours went from an unbelievable true story to a gripping new film
  • Regular features including A Walk with Walt, D Society, and Ask Dave

Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving in mid-November.