PHOTOS: Land Preparations Underway For TRON Lightcycle Power Run at Magic Kingdom

While the attraction was confirmed back in July, we have seen little in the way of preparations for the TRON Lightcycle Power Run attraction at the Magic Kingdom. This week, it appears that early site work has begun.

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A set of construction walls has appeared behind the Tomorrowland Light & Power Company. Nearby, some flags have been placed in the ground to mark wiring or other utilities in the ground.

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No exact opening date for the attraction has been stated, but it will open before the 50th anniversary of the Magic Kingdom in 2021.

PHOTOS: Cinderella Replaces Frozen in Contemporary Resort Gingerbread Display for 2017

In an unexpected turn of events, Cinderella and her Prince have replaced Anna and Elsa in the annual gingerbread display at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

PHOTOS: Cinderella Replaces Frozen in Contemporary Resort Gingerbread Display for 2017

The display features the pair in front of Cinderella Castle, with Mary Blair-style accents from “it’s a small world” filling in the background.

PHOTOS: Cinderella Replaces Frozen in Contemporary Resort Gingerbread Display for 2017

As always, a selection of specialty treats are available at the display.

PHOTOS: Cinderella Replaces Frozen in Contemporary Resort Gingerbread Display for 2017

 

Disney Provides Update On 2018 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

Today, Disney provided an update on plans for the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.

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Richly-hued floral beds and floating gardens adorn the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. The festival, which runs a record 90 days March 2-May 30, 2016 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., also features dozens of character topiaries, stunning floral displays, gardening seminars and the Garden Rocks concert series – all included in regular Epcot admission. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

Held each day from February 28 – May 28, 2018, the Festival’s 25th anniversary event will feature fan favorites like exhibits, events and tastings including:

  • Disney Character Topiaries
    15 Outdoor Kitchens serving creative, flavor-rich cuisine that highlights spring garden offerings
  • Garden Rocks music series – with its classic rock ‘n’ roll stars from the ‘60s, ‘70s ‘80s and ‘90s. Garden Rocks Dining packages will be available for certain Epcot restaurants – pairing a fabulous meal with reserved seating for your favorite concert
  • Garden Tours – Including Gardens of the World Tour (spring edition); the English Tea Garden Tour; and Royal Tea Garden Tour (extra fee required)
  • New interactive kids play areas
  • And – of course – the millions of extra plants, trees, shrubs, flowers and themed gardens that decorate Epcot in spring.
  • Also returning will be the Egg-Stravaganza scavenger hunt and hand-crafted and Festival merchandise to extend an already-packed day of adventure at Epcot.

For more information on the Festival, check out EpcotinSpring.com.

REVIEW: Warm Salted Caramel Pretzel with Chocolate Sauce, Lunching Pad at Magic Kingdom

The Lunching Pad in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom is now serving a sweet alternative to their other stuffed pretzels, a warm salted caramel pretzel.

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Warm Salted Caramel Pretzel ($4.79)

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Rather than stuffed with any sort of cheese, this pretzel is stuffed with a warm caramel sauce, with the salted portion coming from the exterior of the pretzel. The pretzel includes a nice-sized cup of chocolate sauce as well. Without the sauce, the pretzel is solid, with a nice flavor the caramel and doughy pretzel, but the sauce is what makes this something truly special.

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It is pretty rich and decadent, and I’m not sure any one person should or could eat a full pretzel because of this, but the combination of salt, caramel, and chocolate is perfection.

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This is a serious new contender for best snack in the park, easily the best of the chocolate or caramel varieties. It’s plenty big to share and won’t disappoint in flavor.

PHOTOS: New Reversible Portfolio Haunted Mansion Wallpaper Phone Case at Disney Parks

New at Disney Parks is a Haunted Mansion wallpaper reversible portfolio phone case for the iPhone 7/6/6S Plus devices.

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We have seen many different styles of phone case from D Tech at this point, but this marks the very first of this style. It is fully reversible, allowing you to switch between the grey or purple background for the trademark Haunted Mansion wallpaper design.

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It can also be set in a kickstand position.

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It retails for $39.99, not surprisingly more than the average phone case for sale at the parks. It is available now at multiple locations at the Walt Disney World Resort.

PHOTOS: New Intergalactic Treats Available at Star Wars Galactic Nights

Star Wars fans heading to Hollywood Studios for Star Wars: Galactic Nights on Dec. 16 will find some stellar new and returning food offerings intended to appeal to both foodies and Star Wars fans alike. The chefs at Hollywood Studios have crafted gourmet treats inspired by characters, locations and scenes from the beloved franchise.

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There are three new dishes debuting at the event. The Shrimp and Chorizo Skewer, generously loaded with Chorizo sausage, potato hash and shrimp, is intended as a tribute to the hearty appetite of the Wookiees (and the apparent prevalence of shellfish on Kashyyyk).

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Also new this year, Tatooine Bisque is a blend of rutabaga, turnips, carrots, and parsnips inspired by the sandstorms and moisture farms of Tatooine.

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And if you found the garbage chute scene in Episode IV: A New Hope appetizing, you’ll want to check out the Sweet and Crunchy Popcorn, loaded with cookies, caramel, chocolate and pecans.

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Returning favorites include the popular Lightsaber Churros. Blue and red sugar coat the Light Side and Dark Side options, both offered with a Lightsaber Hilt.

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Or try both in the Lightsaber Churro Sundae, with pieces of both red and blue churro served on a base of vanilla ice cream and topped with chocolate sauce.

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Quench your galactic thirst with the classic Jettison Juice (non-alcoholic watermelon lemonade) served with a Death Star Glow Cube. Adults can try the Skywalker Wine Flight, featuring four wine selections – Sommità, Chardonnay, Pinor Noir Rosé, and Sommità Pinot Noir – from Skywalker Vineyards in Marin County, California.

A full list of all of the food and beverage items to be offered at the event is available on the Star Wars: Galactic Nights website. And if you just can’t decide which galactic goodies you want to try, you can choose the Galactic Tasting Sampler for $30. Select five items from up to 25 food and beverage options (including alcohol). You can also use the sampler for any Disney Dining Plan Snack-eligible items through Hollywood Studios.

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Work Set to Begin Next Week on New Broadway-Style Theater at the Magic Kingdom

Starting Saturday, October 28th, 2017, the backstage parking lot located between Main Street U.S.A. and Tomorrowland will be closed to Cast Members as Disney prepares to begin construction on the new live entertainment venue for the park.

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AT D23 EXPO 2017, DISNEY PARKS CHAIRMAN BOB CHAPEK SHARES PLANS FOR A NEW ENTERTAINMENT VENUE COMING TO MAGIC KINGDOM PARK — Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek unveiled plans to build a new entertainment venue, inspired by the iconic Willis Theater as it looked in 1920s Kansas City, at Magic Kingdom Park. The theater is set to bring world-class entertainment to the Walt Disney World Resort.

The theater, inspired by the Willis Theater as it looked in 1920’s Kansas City, was announced at the D23 Expo 2017. The theater is expected to host broadway-style shows. No opening date has been set for the venue, nor has it been announced what show(s) the theater will hold.