RUMOR: Rivers of Light at Animal Kingdom May Be Nearing Completion

WDWNT on August 5, 2016

We may not want to get our hopes up again, but there have been rumblings among sources inside the Disney Company that the Rivers of Light nighttime show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom might be nearing completion.

"Rivers of Light,"the majestic nighttime jewel, coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom creates an illuminating musical experience for guests. Currently in development with a premiere date to be announced soon, "Rivers of Light" will celebrate the magic of animals, humans and the natural world with a blend of performers, floating lanterns and theatrical animal imagery. (David Roark, photographer)

The show, originally slated to debut April 22nd, 2016, was indefinitely delayed due to problems with the automated show barges/floats. Rumors indicate the time down has also been used to rewrite large portions of the show that management may have deemed “too boring”.

The show already has missed most of the Summer 2016 season at Walt Disney World, but Disney did create a filler show to placate guests over the last 2 months. Unfortunately it was the poorly received The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic.

If the rumors are true, a September debut for the show seems likely as that would be the conclusion of the already announced run for Alive with Magic. At the latest, we expect to the show to begin performing in late November/early December, but just as they did before, things can always change.

PHOTO REPORT: Disney’s Hollywood Studios 7/27/16 (Star Wars Land, Guardians Tower, PizzeRizzo, ETC.)

WDWNT on August 5, 2016

Let’s see what’s new and exiting around Disney’s Hollywood Studios in our latest photo report:

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A Jawa was untying everyone’s shoes using a garbage picker in Launch Bay…

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A ton of new limited release phone case and MagicBand designs are available exclusively inside Launch Bay

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Path of the Jedi received very permanent looking signage at some point

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More and more of these automated pressed penny machines keep showing up, this one by the Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

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The ever-changing menu at Min and Bill’s

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While Voyage of the Little Mermaid is closed for a few days, all of the connected shops are as well

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Trivia, rubber ducks, and hula hoops are out to entertain guests…

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More permanent directional signage is being put in place since it will be at least a few years until construction is completed

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The signs were filled-in with some additional offerings as not to look like there isn’t much to do here

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Loving this new art on the gates at Sunset Ranch Market

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More new Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster merchandise was rolled out over the last few weeks

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While the bar didn’t happen at the exit of Tower of Terror, they used the empty spaced cleared out for a Engraved ID Tag machine

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The Pete’s Dragon preview currently occupies the One Man’s Dream theater

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Early box office projections aren’t strong for the movie, and there isn’t much merchandise either

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Some new character shirts

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It has been hard to find, but there is a Great Movie Ride plate available

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Ooga chaka, ooga chaka, ooga chaka…

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The newly named Sunshine Day Cafe has signage with the sun character from Who Framed Roger Rabbit

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You can find a lot of Guardians of the Galaxy merchandise at Hollywood Studios…

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In fact, there’s a whole tower of it!

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New mug

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Latest progress on PizzeRizzo

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Meanwhile, deomiliton continues in the backlot with the Cars meet and greet finally leveled

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You can see straight through to the World Drive entrance

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New posts in place for signage at PizzeRizzo

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How official…

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Goofy is now greeting guests by the Writer’s Stop

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Here’s his line

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Chip and Dale are behind the DVC kiosk

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REVIEW: Beaches & Cream Introduces 3 Varieties of Loaded Fries

WDWNT on August 5, 2016

On a trip to the beloved Beaches & Cream at Disney’s Beach Club Resort over the weekend, I discovered that they are serving loaded fries now, similar in style to the Daily Poutine at Disney Springs.

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For $6 each, you can get a rather healthy serving of one of three styles, or you can substitute them as a side with your entree for just $1.50 more.

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Brown gravy isn’t my thing, but there were pretty good. The steak fries now gone from Plaza Restaurant live on here and any variety of these will be a better option than the Plaza Loaded Fries. SCORE: 4.5 out of 7.

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There’s nothing crazy about the Chili and Cheese Fries but they are pretty good. SCORE: 4.5 out of 7.

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The cheese and bacon fries were far and away our favorite, I would get these again in a heartbeat. I love the steak fries to begin with and they were just enhanced with some quality toppings in this case. SCORE: 6.5 out of 7.

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So, on your next trip to Beaches and Cream, why not grab an alcoholic milkshake and some loaded fries?

CONFIRMED: “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History” Coming to Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on August 5, 2016

We told you about it first a few weeks back, but today Disney confirmed that the Muppets are coming to Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom:

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Beginning this fall, the Muppets will be visiting Magic Kingdom Park, where they’ll take part in an all-new live show, “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History.”

Sam Eagle, the fiercely patriotic American eagle who is forever trying to set a high moral standard for the Muppets, will join Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, The Great Gonzo and James Jefferson, town crier of Liberty Square, as they gather outside The Hall of Presidents to present historical tales in hysterical fashion as only they can. From the midnight ride of Paul Revere to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Muppets appear throughout the day to share with Guests, their own unique take on the founding fathers and the birth of the United States of America.

Featuring an original song and plenty of wacky Muppets humor, “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History” will make its debut in October 2016.

“Flying Fish” Opens August 3rd, Reservations Open Tomorrow, New Menu Revealed

WDWNT on August 5, 2016

After a major re-imagining, reservations open July 29 for dates beginning August 3 and beyond at Flying Fish on Disney’s BoardWalk. The entire interior, including the on-stage kitchen, has been beautifully redesigned, along with an all-new menu crafted by Chef Tim Majoras, a veteran of the Flying Fish kitchen.

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The seafood-centric menu features entirely sustainable fish and shellfish, and includes Chef Majoras’ creations such as corn-crusted wild Gulf shrimp, wild Alaskan king salmon and plancha-seared Hokkaido scallops. For carnivores, there’s Wagyu filet mignon, Kurobuta pork belly and bison striploin. General manager and sommelier Stig Jacobsen has crafted a new wine list with nearly 80 selections by the glass.

Kurobuta Pork Belly from Flying Fish at Disney’s BoardWalkPlancha-Seared Hokkaido Scallops from Flying Fish at Disney’s BoardWalkS’more Time At The Beach from Flying Fish at Disney’s BoardWalk.

Here’s a look at the new menu:

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For reservations, visit DisneyWorld.com/dine or call 407-WDW-DINE.

Orlando Magical Dining Month To Feature Disney Restaurants Deals

WDWNT on August 5, 2016

Every year Visit Orlando features what they have dubbed Magical Dining Month. During this month long celebration you can eat a prix fixe menu at participating restaurants for just $33! The collection of participating restaurants usually includes high end restaurants that would often cost double the price to eat at and this year is no exception. Disney Springs has jumped in on the celebration with two restaurants that are participating in Magical Dining this year, STK Orlando and Morimoto Asia.

While they haven’t release exactly what the prix fixe menu will be for these restaurants you can be sure you are getting a good deal with the lowest price dinner entree coming in at $28.00 (Free Range Chicken) for STK and $16 (Duck Ramen) at Morimoto Asia. Add an appetizer and desert on top of that and there is no way you are getting out of either restaurant for $33 a person.

You will be able to take advantage of these special prices starting on August 29th, the special pricing ends on October 2nd. In order to get the special pricing you just need to mention you want to take advantage of the Magical Dining special when you check into the restaurant. Reservations are highly recommend but they are not required in order to take advantage of this special dining offering.

For a look back at our reviews of each restaurant be sure to check out the following posts.

Morimoto Asia

Morimoto Asia Interior Shoot

Morimoto Asia Bar

Special Offer: Get a Free $20 Gift Card with a $100 Gift Card

STK

STK Orlando

STK Orlando

Review: STK Orlando at Disney Springs Begins Lunch but is it Worth your Time

Review: STK Orlando Opens in Disney Springs is Pleasure Island Now a Steakhouse?

If you would like a look at the complete list of restaurants participating in Magical Dining Month this year head on over here.

STK & Morimoto Asia added to Orlando Magical Dining Month Offerings

STK & Morimoto Asia added to Orlando Magical Dining Month Offerings

PHOTOS: Polynesian & Grand Floridian Beach Shorelines Replaced with Rocks

WDWNT on August 5, 2016

A few days ago we showed you the start of work to replace the Grand Floridian beach shoreline with rocks. Well, the work has progressed down to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort where the beaches are also closed off from the water by a fence and now a rocky shoreline as well.

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The area by the bungalows is already completed.

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The beach area is closed while the work is going on.

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The shoreline between the Polynesian and the Wedding Pavilion is covered as well.

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Work was completed at the Grand Floridian.

The rocky shoreline is an attempt to keep guests out of the water at the resorts following the alligator attack earlier this summer. The beaches will be open to guests up to the fences once work is completed.

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WDWNT on August 5, 2016

Royal Sommerhus in Norway Pavilion at Epcot

Meet and Greet with Anna and Elsa at the Royal Sommerhus in Norway Pavilion at Epcot.

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