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

WDWNT on October 24, 2016

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.

More Details on Planet Hollywood’s Stargazers Lounge Offerings

WDWNT on October 24, 2016

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.

Filming Schedule Released for 2016 Disney Parks Christmas Special, No Parade at Disney World This Year

WDWNT on October 24, 2016

What began as the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade on ABC won’t even feature a parade at Walt Disney World in 2016.

The parade portion of the 2014 special, which wasn't even called a parade...

The parade portion of the 2014 special, which wasn’t even called a parade…

Filming for the annual TV tradition will take place at Walt Disney World on November 9 -13 in all four Walt Disney World theme parks. Multiple specials will be filmed that will air on the Disney Channel and ABC in November and December, respectively.

The filming at Walt Disney World will be limited to stage performances and musical acts. All of the parade portions of the show will be filmed at the Disneyland Resort this year. Taping dates for the Disneyland portions have yet to be revealed at this time.

VIDEO: Bodh’aktan Brings Celtic Rock Back to Epcot’s Canada Pavilion

WDWNT on October 24, 2016

After presenting concerts in Quebec and Europe all summer, Celtic rock band Bodh’aktan is performing for two periods of 20 days at Epcot in October and January. Bodh’aktan performs for 20 minutes every hour or so, five days a week, as part of this contract.

Bodh'aktan at Epcot's Canada pavilion stage

Bodh’aktan at Epcot’s Canada pavilion stage

I went to check out the band yesterday, now reaching the end of their October run at the park. As many of you know, I was a HUGE fan of Off Kilter and was fairly devastated when the group was made to leave Epcot back in 2014. I have not been a fan of any of the replacement acts at the Mills Stage since then, and not just because they just weren’t my beloved Off Kilter, but mostly because they just weren’t good. This honestly is the best act that has played the stage since then. See for yourself:

While not a permanent replacement for the revolving Canada stage, it is a more-than-enjoyable temporary offering. If they sang in English more often, I think they would connect to a bigger audience of guests, but they made it this far with what they do, so why change it I guess. I’m not saying I am closed-minded enough to only enjoy English lyrics, but I feel like the intermittent playing of songs that might be recognizable to guests works well in a theme park setting. Regardless, the talent of the group breaks through the language barrier and delivers a really fantastic 20-minute musical act.

Alberta Bound will be returning to the Mills Stage until the holiday season kicks off. The Holiday Voyageurs will perform during Holidays Around the World in-between these two 20-day stands for Bodh’aktan.

Disney wanted the band to sign a 6 month contract, but they declined as they did not want to be that far from their families for that long of a period. This is a real shame because this is a good group of musicians that I think could find a great permanent home at Epcot.

Disney Parks To Celebrate Mickey Mouse’s Birthday with Special Offerings On November 18th

WDWNT on October 24, 2016

MICKEY MOUSE TO CELEBRATE HIS BIRTHDAY WITH A TRIP AROUND THE WORLD

DISNEY’S BRIGHTEST STAR INVITES THE YOUNG AND YOUNG-AT-HEART TO JOIN THE PARTY.

BURBANK, Calif., October 21, 2016 — To celebrate his upcoming birthday, Mickey Mouse is embarking on a trip around the world, where he will make surprise appearances in iconic, real-world locations to delight his fans and friends. These magical moments chronicling Mickey’s global adventures will be captured and shared on Disney’s Mickey Mouse Facebook page, culminating with the debut of a video highlighting Mickey’s travels featuring an upbeat new song, “What We Got.” The video will debut on the big day: November 18. Mickey fans are encouraged to join the celebration on social media using #HappyBirthdayMickey.

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In advance of Mickey’s birthday, Disney has launched the Mickey Mouse Instagram account (@MickeyMouse). Following on the popularity of the Mickey Mouse Facebook page, which has more than 13 million followers, Mickey’s Instagram page will showcase videos and images including Mickey’s global travels, as well as his appearances in Disney films, television shows, and theme parks.

On Mickey’s birthday, select locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, as well as Disney Stores in the United States, will be distributing commemorative “Happy Birthday, Mickey!” buttons. Disneyland Park in Anaheim will host a special pre-parade birthday celebration for Mickey, and at Magic Kingdom Park in Orlando, characters and performers will dance in a special birthday-themed edition of the Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It! Street Party.

Also on November 18, Disney Channel will air the Emmy®-winning new Mickey Mouse shorts throughout the day and premiere two new cartoon series featuring Mickey Mouse. On Mickey Meows Club, the feline hosts of a web-based talk show provide their own “cat”-mentary on Mickey’s incredible performances in their favorite shorts. Mickey’s How Not To will provide viewers with a humorous series of informative tips on how not to do things, using Mickey’s funniest fails and moments from the latest cartoons. Plus, that day Disney Junior will debut the teaser for the upcoming series Mickey and the Roadster Racers.

In addition, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, Oh My Disney, Babble, and other Disney sites will be posting Mickey-related videos, galleries, stories, crafts, recipes, and shareables leading up to and on his birthday.

Mickey’s birthday is celebrated in honor of the release of his first theatrical film, Steamboat Willie, on November 18, 1928 at the Colony Theatre in New York City. Since then, he has starred in more than 100 cartoons and can currently be seen on Disney Channel in the Mickey Mouse cartoon series.

Disney Store Introduces Theme Park Attraction Coin “Park Pack” Subscription Box

WDWNT on October 24, 2016

The Park Pack Disney subscription boxes have been among the most popular items sold by DisneyStore.com. So far, the subscription boxes have been limited to Disney Pins, Ear Hat Ornaments, and a one-time Disneyland 60th anniversary box. Now, the latest Park Pack celebrates Disney theme park attractions with a monthly limited edition coin release.

Disney Park Pack - Coin Edition

Disney Park Pack – Coin Edition

The collection has begun with a coin for the Haunted Mansion, celebrating the attraction on both coasts.

The Haunted Mansion Park Pack Coin

The Haunted Mansion Park Pack Coin

The Haunted Mansion Park Pack Coin

The Haunted Mansion Park Pack Coin

The coins are available through either a $29.99 monthly subscription or a $300.00 annual subscription that will basically make two of the coins free with purchase.

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All 12 coins in the collection will be inspired by classic Disney attractions, but you won’t find out what they are until that month.

So, will you be subscribing?

UPDATE: Evacuation of Fort Wilderness at Disney World Ordered Ahead of Hurricane

WDWNT on October 14, 2016

Disney’s Firt Wilderness Resort and Campground will close at 2:00pm on Thursday as a precautionary measure ahead of Hurricane Matthew. Guests are now being ordered to leave the resort by then, rather than it being simply suggested.

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All RVs are being accommodated in the Cruella Lot of the Magic Kingdom parking area.

Campground guests are being moved to alternate accommodations as previously reported. Disney is providing transportation for all guests to their alternate accommodations if need be.

UPDATE: Disney World Staffing “Ride It Out” Cast for Hurricane Matthew

WDWNT on October 14, 2016

Walt Disney World is currently inviting cast members to join the “Ride It Out” crew, a team that would be staffed through the storm to help accommodate guests with anything they might need. These cast members are staffed round-the-clock during storms of this nature.

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This is the first time since the historic 2004 hurricane season that they have staffed this crew. These cast members will help guests stranded at the resort, offering food, drink, entertainment and more to guests.

UPDATE: Latest Information on Cancelled Events & More at Disney World Due to Hurricane Matthew

WDWNT on October 14, 2016

The news is rolling in fast, so here is the very latest on how Hurricane Matthew will be affecting Walt Disney World:

  • Blizzard Beach will be closed on both 10/6 and 10/7, Typhoon Lagoon is closed on just the 7th
  • The Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show and Hoop De Doo Musical Revue are cancelled on 10/6 and 10/7
  • UPDATE: The 10/6 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has been officially cancelled
  • Characters in Flight at Disney Springs is now closed through 10/9
  • Majority of events at ESPN Wide World of Sports over the weekend were cancelled

Park operating hours have not yet been affected, but should they be, the decision will likely not be made until tomorrow.