“Disney & PIXAR Short Film Festival” Set to Replace Captain EO in the Magic Eye Theater

WDWNT on November 13, 2015

We already know that Captain EO will close forever on December 6th, 2015, but now we know what is replacing it:

Coming in December, Epcot guests can experience Disney and Pixar animated shorts in a new 4D experience located in Magic Eye Theater in the Imagination Pavilion. “Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival” will include a look into the visionary minds behind some of the world’s most iconic animated films today.

Then inside the theater, guests can put on their 3D glasses and enter the imaginative worlds of three animated shorts, which will burst to life on the big screen (and in the theater) like never before.

While this is the permanent replacement for Captain EO, we can’t help but feel this is just a placeholder until a full overhaul of the pavilion can be planned and carried out.

Stay tuned for more details on this breaking story as it develops.

CONFIRMED: Captain EO at Epcot Will Finally Close Forever on December 6th, 2015

WDWNT on October 7, 2015

While we are still waiting for official confirmation from Disney, rumors are circulating that Captain EO starring Michael Jackson may finally close forever on December 6th, 2015.

 

The attraction returned in 2010 to celebrate the life of Jackson after his passing the year prior. The attraction also returned at 3 other Disney resorts around the world, but has since been closed at all other locations. Captain EO at Epcot closed temporarily earlier this year to accommodate previews of Tomorrowland and Inside Out, but surprisingly returned later in the summer.

It is unknown why the attraction might be closing, but speculation has it that Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald has been tasked with being the leader of a team to overhaul Epcot over the next few years and this could just be one of the early steps in the process. The rumor does not seem to include Journey Into Imagination with Figment, possibly debunking rumors of a makeover for the entire pavilion, but only time will tell.

Stay tuned as we try to get confirmation on this breaking story.

UPDATE:

Disney has updated the Epcot poster to confirm the attraction is indeed closing December 6th:

Captain EO Farewell Mission December 6

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)

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.

Rivers of Light Ditches Disney Characters for an Artistic Answer to the Animal Kingdom Nighttime Show Vacancy

WDWNT on October 7, 2015

Thanks to the DisneyAuditions.com website, we have some new details to share on the Rivers of Light nighttime spectacular debuting at Animal Kingdom Spring 2016:

Disney Creative Entertainment is seeking CONTEMPORARY and BOLLYWOOD-STYLE dancers for featured roles in a new offering at the Walt Disney World® Resort, near Orlando, FL. These silent narrators orchestrate all the action to convey the spirit of an ancient and timeless celebration.  Choreographed by Ulka Simone Mohanty.

“Rivers of Light,” the new immersive nighttime experience coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in spring 2016, will combine live performances with beautiful floating lanterns, water screens and grand theatrical imagery, in a celebration of animals and nature.  The event begins with the arrival of a pair of Shamans, two complimentary forces who come to the river bearing gifts of light.  Along with their Acolytes, or assistants, the Shamans set out from the shore on elaborate lantern vessels, engaging in a dramatic dance of water and light to summon the animal spirits.

Based on early rumblings about the show, it seems the performance will have little to do with Disney or the Disney characters and will be something using mostly original material, much like IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. That being said, I wouldn’t be surprised if some clips and music from The Lion King or the Disney Nature films came into play.

In addition to the lantern vessels mentioned above, there will also be a large number of tiny autonomous lantern floats that will travel along choreographed, pre-programmed patterns through the waterways around Expeditions Everest during the show. Other vessels will carry water fountains, lighting, and fire effects while water screens and the new lighting installation on the Tree of Life paint a colorful backdrop for the show.

It sounds like it will be quite the spectacle when it opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom next year. What do you think?