Parks & Resorts – Page 181

BREAKING: Full Tiffins and Nomad Lounge Menu Revealed; Jungle Book Dining Package Announced

WDWNT on June 7, 2016

Disney today announced the full menu for Tiffins and Nomad Lounge at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, opening May 27th, 2016.

Open for both lunch and dinner, Tiffins is situated near Pizzafari on Discovery Island, near what will be the entrance to Pandora – The World of AVATAR, when it opens in 2017. Adjacent to Tiffins, Nomad Lounge features waterfront views in addition to hand-crafted cocktails with African, Asian and South American flavors; beers, and sustainable wines from those regions, plus specialty non-alcoholic beverages and small bites.

Here’s a look at the menu for both Tiffins and Nomad Lounge:

The park’s culinary team is working on special dining packages which will begin May 28 at Tiffins and Tusker House Restaurant for the new limited-engagement nighttime show, The Jungle Book: Alive With Magic.

Similar to the Fantasmic! Dining Packages at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Dining Package includes reserved seating for the nighttime show. At all-you-care-to-eat Tusker House Restaurant, you can choose the breakfast, lunch or dinner buffet on the day of the show (but you have to dine at least 2 ½ hours before the show). Breakfast is $37, $23 ages 3 to 9, plus tax and gratuity; lunch and dinner, $49, $30 ages 3 to 9, plus tax and gratuity. Tusker House Restaurant is on the Disney Dining Plan and counts as one table-service meal.

At Tiffins, the package includes your choice of appetizer, entrée, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage at either lunch or dinner. The Dining Package is $67 for adults, $32 ages 3 to 9, plus tax and gratuity. Tiffins is on the Disney Dining Plan and counts as two table-service meal credits.

Reservations will open tomorrow, May 21 for Tiffins restaurant as well as Dining Packages for The Jungle Book: Alive With Magic nighttime show, and can be made by visiting DisneyWorld.com/dine or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

FULL BREAKDOWN: Opening Dates Announced for Jungle Book, Frozen Attractions, Star Wars Fireworks, and More

WDWNT on June 7, 2016

Disney today announced opening dates for all of their “Awaken Summer” offerings, so here is a full breakdown –

MAY 27TH – Kilimanjaro Safaris nighttime safaris, Tree of Life Awakenings, Tiffins Restaurant & Nomad Lounge

Beginning May 27, the park will awaken at night with new rich experiences under the stars. There’s an exciting lineup of new experiences coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom after the sun sets, including nightly awakenings of the park’s iconic Tree of Life. Beginning May 27, animal spirits will be brought to life each night by magical fireflies that reveal colorful stories of wonder and enchantment along with other amazing sights at the tree.

After the sun sets, you’ll also be able to explore Kilimanjaro Safaris and see the nighttime behavior of the wildlife and better tune into the unique vocalization of the animals like never before. Among the new experiences, the village of Harambe in Africa will become the place to enjoy “Wildlife Parti” and the spirited community of Discovery Island will come together to celebrate their love of the natural world with the Discovery Island Carnivale.

FastPass+ and dining packages for Disney’s Animal Kingdom night experiences will become available beginning tomorrow, May 21.

MAY 28th – The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic

And the park’s Discovery River will awaken at night and become a stunning stage for performances of the limited-engagement show The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic, inspired by the hit live-action film Disney’s The Jungle Book. Shows will feature memorable moments from the film, including the iconic Shere Khan, and will be filled with music and special effects that celebrate the movie and classic songs, infused with an Indian influence.

JUNE 21ST – Frozen Ever After, Royal Sommerhus

Two new “Frozen” experiences – the Frozen Ever After attraction and the adjacent Royal Sommerhus – will officially open their doors this June 21.

Located in the Norway pavilion at the park, Frozen Ever After offers guests an adventurous boat tour through the kingdom of Arendelle. Guests are first transported to the “Summer Snow Day” Celebration where Queen Elsa embraces her magical powers to create a beautiful “winter-in-summer” day for the entire kingdom. Next, guests will pass Troll Valley on their way up the icy North Mountain to Queen Elsa’s Ice Palace before their return trip to the Bay of Arendelle.

Fastpass+ will be available for Frozen Ever After. Guests can begin booking FastPass+ for this experience on Saturday, May 21.

The nearby Royal Sommerhus, Anna and Elsa’s summer home, will open its doors to guests and the royal sisters themselves will be there for greeting opportunities.

The Norway Pavilion will open at 9 a.m., along with the Future World area of Epcot.

JUNE 17TH – Soarin’ Around the World

The new film, Soarin’ Around the World, debuts June 17 at Disney California Adventure park at Disneyland Resort and Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort the day after its world premiere at Shanghai Disneyland and highlights landmarks from across the globe.

JUNE 17TH – Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular

This new nighttime show, which will be the most elaborate fireworks display in this park’s history, will begin nightly performances on June 17. This elaborate show will combine fireworks, pyrotechnics, special effects and video projections that will turn the park’s Chinese Theater and other buildings into the twin suns of Tatooine, a field of battle droids, the trench of the Death Star, Starkiller Base and other Star Wars destinations. And the show, which will feature music from throughout the film franchise, will be punctuated with a tower of fire and spotlight beams, creating a massive lightsaber in the sky.

JUNE 17TH – Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire

“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, delightful costumes and special effects magic. Mickey and his troupe of Merry Makers have invited friends from other lands to join them in a grand celebration. So in addition to favorites like Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Goofy, the show also brings together a wonderful cast of characters from some of Disney’s newest classics: “Frozen,” “Tangled” and “The Princess and the Frog.”

“Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” celebrates the unique stories of the citizens who make up this magical kingdom and the wonderful things that can happen when we try new things, go to new places and get to know new friends.

RUMOR: Disney California Adventure to Offer $450 FROZEN Show Premium Package

WDWNT on June 7, 2016

Premium packages are becoming a pretty common thing at the Disney Parks these days, but now it sounds as if a $450 premium package is coming to California Adventure to celebrate the arrival of Frozen- Live at the Hyperion on May 27th.

According to sources, the package would include a 5-course meal at Carthay Circle Restaurant, reserved seating for Frozen – Live at the Hyperion, a meet and greet with the cast of the show, and some experience in what was described as an “interactive room” backstage at the show (where guests can touch screens to interact with characters and pose with various photo-ops). The rumored price point for all of this: $450 a person.

I’m hoping the price point is actually less or includes more than one person, otherwise this seems a bit pricey, even with 5-courses at Carthay Circle.

Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

More Details on Animal Kingdom’s 1st Nighttime Show: Jungle Book – Alive with Magic

WDWNT on June 7, 2016

With reservations opening today for the dining package that offers viewing, Disney has dropped many more details on the Jungle Book: Alive with Magic nighttime spectacular:

Enter a wild world of wonder, one inspired by sights and sounds from The Jungle Book and timeless Indian celebrations!

Beginning May 28, 2016, gather your friends and family as evening falls over Disney’s Animal Kingdom park, and make your way to Discovery River. There, by the water’s edge, an Indian celebration of survival, courage and friendship is about to unfold.

The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic is the tale of a human boy, Mowgli, and all his animal friends and foes. But while you may be familiar with the tale, you’ve never experienced it quite like this!

Come along as impressions of the film’s iconic characters take you on a journey following Mowgli’s exciting, perilous and sometimes hilarious jungle encounters. Watch as barges teeming with jubilant singers, Indian musicians and colorful performers take to the waters and enhance the tale with music and song—while fellow players join in from nearby river banks. And thrill to the breathtaking sight of light displays and massive water screens projecting imagery from the blockbuster film!

Don’t miss your chance to feel the spirit of The Jungle Book surround you in a lively celebration of music and visual artistry. Featuring rousing Indian-inspired pop-style arrangements of the movie’s hit songs “Trust in Me,” “Bare Necessities” and “I Wanna Be Like You,” this uplifting musical presentation builds to a show-stopping finale.

So “forget about your worries and your strife” and swing on by for this musical, magical, madcap sensation that’s hooting, screeching, howling good fun for the whole family!

The show is 20 minutes long and will be pretend twice nightly through July 2nd at 9:00 & 10:30PM.

Disneyland Celebrating 50 Years of “it’s a small world” on 5/26

WDWNT on June 7, 2016

Join Disneyland in celebrating 50 magical years of “it’s a small world” at Disneyland Park! On May 26, 2016 be sure to find special ”it’s a small world” Limited Edition pins at Pin Traders in the Downtown Disney District and Store Command in Tomorrowland inside Disneyland Park. Disney has not announced if they will be celebrating in any ways beyond this merchandise release.

CONFIRMED: The Muppets Are Getting Their Own Restaurant at Hollywood Studios – “Pizza Rizzo”

WDWNT on June 7, 2016

When Pizza Planet’s nearly year-long closure at Disney’s Hollywood Studios was announced, we speculated that the Muppets might be taking over the long-standing fast food pizza joint. Well, it’s officially happening now…

Opening in late-2016, guests can experience “Pizza Rizzo” in the Muppets Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The restaurant will continue to operate as a counter service pizza restaurant, but guests will find an entirely new theme and better-quality food when it reopens this holiday season. The new name was confirmed by internal documents and permits filed in relation to the ongoing project.

Pizza Rizzo, currently under construction

While the exact theme of the restaurant is unknown, it does make sense as Rizzo and his rat family are from New York (and work in food service) in the classic movie “The Muppets Take Manhattan”.

Stay tuned for more details on this breaking story as they become available.

REVIEW: Not Your Average Crepes, The AristoCrepes Opens at Disney Springs

WDWNT on June 7, 2016

Somewhat themed to the Disney animated film The Aristocats, the Aristocrepes is a food stand located on the Village Causeway at Disney Springs, just steps away from the Rainforest Cafe and Goofy’s Candy Company.

The menu here offers an assortment of savory and sweet crepes, which I can best equate to food wrapped in a pancake of sorts.

I just couldn’t stomach a “savory” crepe on Friday, so we went with three of the sweet crepes instead.

I started with the S’mores since that seemed to be the one most of our readers were excited about. It’s good, it’s really good, but also kind of a disaster to eat. The handling box is nice, but I really think a knife and fork are the best option here, so just add some plates and maybe I would have enjoyed this more. Again, a themed box is a wonderful thing, and I don’t want to knock it because it’s a beautiful thing, but these are just too messy.

It’s essentially S’mores in a pancake, which is as good as it sounds… filled with big chunks of marshmallow, chocolate, and graham crackers.

The Key Lime Cheesecake was good as well, if you like key lime cheesecake. I don’t like key lime cheesecake so I did not like this one, but the other two in my party loved it.

Last, but not least was the Strawberry Romanoff, which I was surprised to find out was not based on the Avengers… but all joking aside, this was everyone’s favorite. The strawberry flavor seems more natural inside of a crepe than all of the S’mores ingredients do.

The whipped cream and sour cream mixing with the strawberry inside here was just perfect. I would get this again if I was made to stop at AristoCrepes (if not holding out for a milkshake from D-Luxe Burger or something from Sprinkles).

AristoCrepes continues the new Disney Springs tradition of making me sound like a broken record. At this point I’m actually hoping something will be bad just so I don’t look like I’ve gone over to the “dark side” and am just trying to make Disney more money. Regardless, there isn’t much I can say bad about anything I’ve tried here so far, it was all really good. That being said, Disney doesn’t seem to know what is actually in any of this stuff. Apparently everything in these crepes is made at an outside facility, so they couldn’t even provide us with an allergy menu upon our last visit. I’m not sure it is always good for a food service venue to not know what is in what it is serving, but I’m sure this will be rectified after a few complaints from those with food allergies.

AristoCrepes is another solid dessert option at Disney Springs, but would be a 3rd or 4th choice for me given some of the amazing options already here.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Complete Walk-through NEW 3rd Track at Toy Story Midway Mania at Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on June 7, 2016

The world has anxiously been awaiting the addition of another track to Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for years now, not wanting to wait in the often incredibly long line that the attraction would boast most days of the year. Well, this afternoon the 3rd track finally opened (a few days early) to guests:

The new track enters from the merge area for both standby and FastPass, where cast members can then direct you to either the two pre-existing existing tracks or down a series of hallways to the new additional 3rd track of the ride.

Down to the left guests enter the series of hallways.

Guests then pop out in a very different iteration of Andy’s Room.

Much like in the Tokyo version, the vehicles travel under Andy’s bed.

The ride itself is pretty much the same, the only big difference is really that there is no staircase over the load and unload area, which let’s this side flow a lot better than the existing side.

The load and unload area here is much smaller and does not include the handicap access like the other side.

Guests then exit down a tent style hallway towards the area behind PIXAR Place, which will eventually be Toy Story Land.

Here is a video of the experience:

As of 11:00AM, Toy Story Midway Mania had pretty much no wait for stand-by, a byproduct of the additional track. I’m not sure this will remain the case, but clearly there has been an impact…

This is the wait time for the attraction as of 11:12AM ET. Clearly, this is much lower than it usually is at this time, and the wait is actually shorter than what is posted.

The new 3rd track at Toy Story Mania was scheduled to open on Friday, but should remain open from here on out.

VIDEO: New Toy Story “Green Army Men Boot Camp” Show Debuts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on June 7, 2016

With the opening of the 3rd track for Toy Story Midway Mania today, Disney also introduced a new Toy Story “Green Army Men” Boot Camp show in PIXAR Place, right near where the new track of the ride exits (and where guests can preview the fun to come in Toy Story Land). The new show has one speaking Green Army Man along with a troop of others recruiting younger guests to join the ranks. Take a look for yourself:

PHOTO REPORT: Epcot 5/25/16 (New Norway Restrooms, ImageWorks Lounge, ETC.)

WDWNT on June 7, 2016

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen (and our good friends Chris and Elizabeth Chatron) recently visited Epcot and have some newsworthy photos to share with us from their journeys, so let’s take a look at what’s new and exciting:

Soarin’ will reopen for a limited run on Friday leading into Soarin’ Around the World

Work is wrapping up on the new DVC lounge in the old, upstairs ImageWorks at Imagination as it will open June 6th

Work continues on the Royal Sommerhus and Frozen Ever After, both officially opening June 21st

In the meantime, the new Norway restrooms have opened, largely expanded and remodeled

The restrooms are big, just like the newer ones offered by the American Adventure

Category: Parks & Resorts

BREAKING: Full Tiffins and Nomad Lounge Menu Revealed; Jungle Book Dining Package Announced

FULL BREAKDOWN: Opening Dates Announced for Jungle Book, Frozen Attractions, Star Wars Fireworks, and More

RUMOR: Disney California Adventure to Offer $450 FROZEN Show Premium Package

More Details on Animal Kingdom’s 1st Nighttime Show: Jungle Book – Alive with Magic

Disneyland Celebrating 50 Years of “it’s a small world” on 5/26

CONFIRMED: The Muppets Are Getting Their Own Restaurant at Hollywood Studios – “Pizza Rizzo”

REVIEW: Not Your Average Crepes, The AristoCrepes Opens at Disney Springs

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Complete Walk-through NEW 3rd Track at Toy Story Midway Mania at Hollywood Studios

VIDEO: New Toy Story “Green Army Men Boot Camp” Show Debuts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

PHOTO REPORT: Epcot 5/25/16 (New Norway Restrooms, ImageWorks Lounge, ETC.)

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