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

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

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”

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

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.

Disney Confirms Removal of AOTAS Hall of Fame at Hollywood Studios

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.

PHOTOS: Le Cellier Steakhouse Merchandise Released at Epcot

In the spirit of the Rose and Crown Pub and Biergarten having their own merchandise, now the famous Le Cellier steakhouse in Canada at Epcot has its own line of merchandise.

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The merchandise can be found only at the Canada pavilion Trading Post, fittingly.

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The sweatshirt retails for $59.99.

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The baseball cap is $24.99.

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A magnet! Sadly there was no price on it.

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The Le Cellier t-shirt, $29.99.

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Will you be buying any Le Cellier merchandise?

PHOTOS, VIDEO: New Disney VISA Card Meet and Greet Opens at Epcot with Lots of Future World Aesthetic Goodness

I don’t often freak out about tiny new meet and greet experiences at the park, but the new Disney VISA Cardholder exclusive spot at Epcot is pretty sweet.

The new location under wraps a few weeks ago.

The new location under wraps a few weeks ago.

The space once occupied by “Figment’s Place” some years ago is now the home for the spot, with the Innoventions location closing forever last Thursday. With the closure, guests can no longer enter what was Innoventions West, other than the Baymax and Inside Out meet and greet experiences that are considered part of the Epcot Character Spot.

The former Disney VISA meet and greet location, now shuttered.

The former Disney VISA meet and greet location, now shuttered.

The new locations is nestled on the patio of the Imagination pavilion, just behind the waterfall and jumping fountains, right next door to the entrance of the Disney & PIXAR Short Film Festival.

Some helpful planning information: don’t visit this early. The meet and greet is open only to Disney VISA card members from 1PM to 7PM daily. When we first went at 2pm, there was a 30 minute wait to meet Mickey and Goofy. When we returned at 5:30PM, we were the only people other than the cast members and characters in the building.

The interior is gorgeous. If you have time, please check out the video walkthrough below (featuring a pretty cute interaction with Mickey and Goofy):

While the space isn’t very big, the queue utilizes what little space it has quite well. It may be a character experience, but it is one of the things that in the park that most embodies what Future World is (as far as design goes).

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These colorful Spaceship Earth panels will play music when you hold your hand to them. It’s very subtle, but similarly to the Stepping Tones inside of the ImageWorks, another instrument will kick-in as you touch them.

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These mirror effects are simple, but very effective and fit the theme nicely.

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Icons of Future World decorate the flat walls in the experience.

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Guests then wait here until they are taken to meet Mickey and Goofy.

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The new Disney VISA card member meet at greet at Epcot is a vast improvement over the original space and is sure to bring a smile to average guests and hardcore EPCOT Center fans alike.

Disney Cruise Line to Offer MARVEL Super Hero Day at Sea in 2017

Disney Cruise Line is celebrating the adventures of the legendary Super Heroes and Super Villains from the Marvel Universe during a brand-new, day-long celebration: Marvel Day at Sea. Seven special voyages on the Disney Magic will depart from New York City in the fall of 2017.

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Occurring on one action-packed day during each of the seven Disney Magic sailings, you’ll be transported to a new realm of possibilities when the Marvel Universe assembles on the ship. The event features all-day entertainment including exclusive interactions with some of the mightiest Marvel Super Heroes and the menacing foes that oppose them, an extraordinary deck party, Marvel-themed youth activities, special merchandise and unique food and beverage offerings.

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Also featured are exclusive at-sea screenings of fan-favorite films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe including the newest theatrical releases, as well as viewings of the Disney XD shows: “Marvel’s Avengers Assemble,” “Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man” and “Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy.”

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Marvel Day at Sea hosts an awesome mix of immersive entertainment that is sure to empower guests to unlock their hidden superhuman abilities as they assemble their own Super Hero community onboard the Disney Magic on this very special day. Highlights include:

  • Spider-Man, Captain America, Thor and other Marvel Universe Super Heroes are onboard for scheduled meet-and-greets and photos.
  • A brand-new spectacular party fills the upper deck with music, dancing and games.
  • The deck party culminates in a stunning display of themed pyrotechnics, lighting, sound effects and the largest collection of Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains ever assembled on a cruise ship.
  • Kids and families summon their Marvel knowledge and enjoy friendly competition during trivia games, covering courageous heroes and fun facts from the Marvel Universe.
  • For young heroes-in-training, Marvel-themed games, activities and arts and crafts will be offered throughout the day in Marvel’s Avengers Academy in the Oceaneer Club.

Marvel Day at Sea will be on seven- and eight-night Disney Magic Bahamian cruises departing from New York on Oct. 6, 14, 28; Nov. 4, 11 and 18, 2017. All will include a stop at Castaway Cay and Port Canaveral, with a day at Walt Disney World Resort. Marvel Day at Sea will be on one seven-night Canadian Coast cruise departing from New York on Oct. 21, 2017, with stops at Charlottetown, Sydney and Halifax.

BREAKING: Disneyland Resort Will Launch Digital FastPass Service in November

Disneyland Resort has been testing a new FastPass system for their theme parks in a very limited capacity over the last year or so. While the tests were never very widespread and it seems that the actual rollout of the new system has been continually delayed, it appears that Disney is finally ready to unleash a digital version of FastPass on the West Coast.

Barcodes in the Disneyland app and on tickets will be the key to a new Disneyland Resort FastPass service

Barcodes in the Disneyland app and on tickets will be the key to a new Disneyland Resort FastPass service

While it may not be a full rollout, we can confirm that Disneyland Resort is looking to launch their new digital FastPass service at Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney California Adventure park starting on November 20th, 2016. Some recent queue modifications were made at the attraction in preparation for this. New FastPass signage and such will be installed by Walt Disney Imagineering at the attraction in Mid-November. Toy Story Midway Mania did not open with or add any FastPass service despite being quite popular at California Adventure, but there is a queue that was constructed that can be used for it.

Toy Story Midway Mania will be the first attraction in California to test a digital FastPass service

Toy Story Midway Mania will be the first attraction in California to test a digital FastPass service

It is unknown how exactly the FastPass bookings will work through the app, but it is assumed that this is a permanent installation of the system in the park. There are reports that other attractions around the park are already installing the infrastructure to join the digital FastPass system in the following weeks and months.

As previously reported, the new system will use the official Disneyland app to allow guests to book FastPass reservations digitally. The new system will utilize a barcode within the app or on a guest’s Disneyland Resort park ticket to redeem the FastPass. The app will be the only way to book the FastPass reservations during the early stages. In-park kiosks for booking may eventually be introduced.

The Disneyland Resort has continued to use the old paper FastPass system, even though Walt Disney World’s FastPass+ system using digital FastPass booking and RFID ticket media has been in place for almost 4 years now.

More Details on Planet Hollywood’s Stargazers Lounge Offerings

The theme of the re-imagined Planet Hollywood Observatory at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World® Resort will still feature stars from the big screen but much of the new focus will be on stars in the sky, as the restaurant completes its transformation into a turn-of-the-20th-century observatory.

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Food and drink menus are soon to be revealed, but Guests can expect more famous movie memorabilia, video screens, cutting edge music and a store featuring themed merchandise.

Opening later this year in Town Center at Disney Springs, the restaurant will feature Stargazer Lounge where guests will find signature craft cocktails with names that reflect the planets and space travel – including The Observatory and the Sparkling Sputnik.

The Observatory is a sweet sip with with Stoli vodka, tangy Limoncino Bottega, Monin Peach Tea and an infusion of bubbles from Maschio Prosecco. The effervescent Sputnik combines prosecco, sparkling water, fresh lime juice and fragrant mint leaves.