Disney Pulling All Movies From Netflix; Disney Introducing Own Streaming Service in 2019

WDWNT on August 20, 2017

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During Disney’s latest earnings report, Disney announced that it will pulling all of their movies from Netflix eventually in order to start its own direct to consumer streaming service.

From CNBC:

The company announced during its latest earnings report on Tuesday it intends to pull all its movies from Netflix.

Instead, Disney plans to launch a branded direct-to-consumer streaming service in 2019.

The company will also launch its own ESPN video streaming service in early 2018. The platform, which will feature about 10,000 sporting events each year, will have content from the MLB, NHL, MLS, collegiate sports and tennis’ Grand Slam events.

To power the services, Disney is buying a majority ownership of BAM Tech for $1.58 billion. Disney bought a 33 percent stake in the company, which was spun off from digital media company MLB Advanced Media, in August 2016.

“This represents a big strategic shift for the company,” CEO Bob Iger told CNBC’s Julia Boorstin. “We felt that having control of a platform we’ve been very impressed with after buying 33 percent of it a year ago would give us control of our destiny.”

Netflix stock dropped more than 5 percent upon announcement of the news.

Source: CNBC

Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters Closing in Hong Kong Disneyland This Month for MARVEL Shooter Ride

WDWNT on August 20, 2017

Hong Kong Disneyland has announced that Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters in Tomorrowland will close on August 31st, 2017 to make way for a MARVEL attraction.

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The MARVEL attraction (which will feature Ant-Man) was announced along with a massive expansion of the park. The announcement stated:

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters will be reimagined into a brand new experience for guests to fight alongside the icons of the Marvel Universe.

Buzz Lightyear will be meeting guests at the attraction August 8th-31st and complimentary stickers are being given out to guests. A line of “last call” merchandise has also been released at the park.

No opening date for the new MARVEL attractions in Tomorrowland has been given as of yet.

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Full Character and Photo-Op Lineup Announced for Disney World’s PhotoPass Day 2017

WDWNT on August 20, 2017

August 19 marks World Photo Day, and Disney will celebrate the occasion with the return of Disney PhotoPass Day at Walt Disney World Resort! During this event, Disney PhotoPass Service will offer a number of exclusive photo opportunities that will let you take home even more picture-perfect memories of your visit.

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In honor of Disney’s “Dream Big, Princess” campaign, you’ll find photo opportunities focused on some Disney Princesses as well.

Check out all of the special opportunities that are planned in each of the four theme parks and Disney Springs on August 19 (Entertainment and photo opportunities are subject to change; some locations could be affected by inclement weather):

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Character Experiences:

  • Meeko joins Pocahontas at Character Landing on Discovery Island
  • Timon joins Rafiki at Rafiki’s Planet Watch
  • Princess Atta joins Flik at Discovery Island near Creature Comforts

Photo opportunities:

  • Dream Big Princess photo backdrop before the park entrance (daylight hours only)
  • Jungle Book Magic Shot near Yak & Yeti Restaurant
  • Visit the PhotoPass photographer in DinoLand U.S.A. from 9-10 p.m. to have magical Mickey light effects added to your photo

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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Character Experiences:

  • The Queen from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” Maleficent, and Cruella de Vil will meet with guests at Sunset Showcase. This opportunity will be available from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Photo opportunities:

  • Dream Big Princess photo backdrop outside the Theater of the Stars (daylight hours only)
  • Poison Apple Magic Shot on Sunset Boulevard
  • Fisheye lens in the Chinese Theatre Courtyard area

Epcot

Character Experiences:

  • Genie will join Princess Jasmine in the Morocco Pavilion
  • Mushu will join Mulan in the China Pavilion

Photo opportunities:

  • Dream Big Princess photo backdrop near Epcot Character Spot (daylight hours only)
  • Baymax Animated Magic Shot with the PhotoPass photographer located near Mouse Gear and the Fountain of Nations
  • Fisheye lens near the fountain close to the entrance to Spaceship Earth

Magic Kingdom Park

Character Experiences:

  • Dopey joins Snow White at Town Square Courtyard
  • Captain Hook joins Peter Pan in Fantasyland

Photo opportunities:

  • Dream Big Princess photo backdrop in Fantasyland (daylight hours only)
  • Cinderella’s Coach in Fantasyland
  • “Tangled” light painting photo opportunity near Ariel’s Grotto (available after dark)
  • Mickey Mouse Magic Shot on the bridge near Fairytale Garden
  • Main Street Vehicle near the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor (available in the morning and early afternoon)

Disney Springs

Photo opportunities:

  • Dream Big Princess photo backdrop next to the Marketplace Stage
  • Fairy Wings Magic Shot from the PhotoPass photographer roaming around the Marketplace near Tren-D (available from 1-10:30 p.m.)
  • You can also visit the Disney PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs to enjoy special $99.95 plus shipping pricing on a Personalized Storybook now through August 20!

Don’t forget to share your photos using #DisneyPhotoPassDay and #DreamBigPrincess, and if you want access to all of your PhotoPass photos from Disney PhotoPass Day, purchase Memory Maker One Day for $59 in the My Disney Experience mobile app during or after your visit.

Select Disney World Restaurants Offering Free Appetizers and Valet Parking for Florida Residents

WDWNT on August 20, 2017

Select Walt Disney World Resort signature dining restaurants are trying to bring in more Florida residents with a new special offer.

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Disney is now offering Florida residents a free appetizer with each adult entree purchased and free valet parking when they enjoy dinner at Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Flying Fish at the Boardwalk, Citricos at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, or Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. This special offer is only valid August 9th-September 30th, 2017 during dinner.

VIDEO: WDW’s Biggest Mistakes, Yunker, The Map Game and More on WDW News Tonight

WDWNT on August 20, 2017

Last night on WDW News Tonight…

    • Great Movie Ride and Universe of Energy are closing
    • The Minnie Van launches
    • Weird World Showcase Food of the Week: Yunker
    • We discuss Walt Disney World’s Biggest Mistakes
    • “The Wonderful World of Psychotic Comments presented by The WDWNT Inner Globe Society
    • Who’s Mad at Tom Now!?
    • We play WDWNT: The Map Game for great Disney themed prizes

[sc name=”YouTube Embed 825w” id=”s1HJztY6qhk” ]

Subscribe on iTunes

Hosted by radio veterans and life-long Disney fans Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, WDW News Tonight is a live, weekly, audio and video program presented on 105.5 FM, 660 AM, and AM 1520 WBZW in Orlando, Florida, as well as online at WDWNewsTonight.com every Wednesday from 9-11pm EST. The show covers the Walt Disney World Resort and other Disney news. The show combines the latest headlines, comedy, trending vacation topics, call in games, and in-depth discussions to bring Disney fans a one-of-a-kind 2-hour program covering the Disney Parks. While the show is being live-streamed in both audio and video, listeners and viewers also interact via a live chat online. The show is also available on demand as an audio download, online audio stream and can be watched live or recorded on YouTube.

Mobile Ordering Expands to Three Disney’s Hollywood Studios Restaurants Over the Next Week

WDWNT on August 20, 2017

Following the success of the other establishments already running the program, three restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are joining Mobile Order through the MyDisney Experience app.

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The service will begin to be offered at Backlot Express on August 8th, ABC Commissary on August 14th, and PizzeRizzo on August 15th.

The service is already offered at Tomorrowland Terrace, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, Pinocchio Village Haus, Pecos Bill’s, and Columbia Harbour House at the Magic Kingdom, Electric Umbrella and Liberty Inn at Epcot, Flame Tree Barbecue, Pizzafari, Restaurtantosaurus, and Satuli Canteen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as well as D-Luxe Burger at Disney Springs.

The mobile ordering program allows guests to order at Disney counter service restaurants from their mobile devices and then pick-up the order when they are ready to eat. Check out our comprehensive review of the service to see how it works.

Sadly, Disney has confirmed that locations offering discounts will not be able to honor them through Mobile Order during the “launch period”, so guests will have to go to the counter and order the old way if they wish to get Annual Passholer, Tables in Wonderland, or any other discounts still.

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar at Disney Springs Introduces Late Night Happy Hour

WDWNT on August 20, 2017

Guests visiting Disney Springs can now quench their thirst for adventure during an expanded happy hour at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar!

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Visitors can enjoy special prices on cocktails, wine, and draft beer, or fuel up for their next adventure with happy hour appetizers including Jock’s Loaded Nachos, Belloq’s Bacon Fries and Double Agent Sliders. These happy hour savings are available Monday through Thursday from 3-6:30PM and 9-11PM, and Fridays, 3-6:30PM.

WDWNT: Nerd Alert – Season Three – Episode 11 Is Now Available For Download

WDWNT on August 20, 2017

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In this week’s episode, the gang talk about:

  • Do we know who Snoke is now?
  • Is Ben Affleck stepping down as Batman?
  • We discuss the latest reveals from the San Diego Comic Con.
    • We discuss the leaked “Avengers: Infinity War” trailer!
    • Why we should be worried about “Thor Ragnarok”!
    • Captain Marvel is going back in time!
    • “Ant-Man And The Wasp” adds a Catwoman!
    • “Justice League” trailer 2. Snyder vs Whedon!
    • “The Flash: Flashpoint” movie. Is it too early?

Join hosts Joe Hogarty, Jack McCarthy, Taylor Katcher, Matthew Diaz and Michael Battista!

WDWNT: Nerd Alert – Season Three Episode 11 is now available for download through WDW News Today: Original Programing  and iTunes!

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