Character – WDWNT Archive

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Interactive Roaming Droid Character for Star Wars – Galaxy’s Edge Unleashed on Disneyland, and Children Unleashed Onto It

WDWNT on October 13, 2017

We have seen two separate tests to date of “Jake” the droid by Disney, inside Star Wars Launch Bay at Disneyland and at the Parks and Resort pavilion at the D23 Expo 2017, but now the roaming character developed for the upcoming “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” is going through some outdoor testing in Tomorrowland at Disneyland.

Guests will also encounter some signs pertaining to Jake as they roam around Tomorrowland. The test is occurring on most days, and Jake is being attended to by a undercover Imagineer who is watching over him.

This is good, because by the looks of the video below, Jake is going to need some protection…

The droid takes quite a beating during the short period where we watched him, getting kicked and pushed around by some children who he meets. Luckily, Jake was designed to handle such events, but one has to wonder just how much such a complicated piece of machinery can take. Well, this is why he is being tested years before his debut in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2019.

Disney has stated that multiple droids and alien creatures will be roaming Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge when it opens at both Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Reservations & Full Menu Now Available for Rapunzel and Little Mermaid Character Breakfast at Boardwalk

WDWNT on February 23, 2017

Recently, we told you about an all-new character dining experience coming to Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk. Today, Disney is sharing more details on the “Bon Voyage Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno”, which will have the opportunity to meet beloved Disney characters including Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, Ariel and Prince Eric.

Breakfast will begin with your choice of a mixed berry parfait or fresh fruit salad and a frying pan of pastries featuring braided breakfast bread and clam shell pastries.

“Shipwreck al Forno”
Calzone with scrambled Eggs, Soppressata, Bacon, Sausage,
Blend of Cheeses and Sunday Gravy

“Golden Frittata”
Prosciutto di Parma, Piquillo Peppers, Green Onion,
Pecorino Romano and Roasted Potatoes

“Tangled Eggs”
Tomato & Basil Scrambled Eggs,
Fresh Mozzarella, Sunday Gravy and Roasted Potatoes

“Two Eggs Poached Under Water”
House-made Fennel sausage, Parmesan, and Sunday Gravy
over Golden Polenta and Toasted Ciabatta

“Tower of Pancakes”
Seasonal Buttermilk Pancakes with Bacon or Sausage

“Royal Breakfast”
Oak-Grilled Steak, Cheesy Egg Torte, Asparagus,
Crispy Onions and Roasted Potatoes

“Swimmers di ‘light’”
Smoked Salmon Egg White Omelet with Spinach, Mushrooms,
Tomatoes, Goat Cheese and Roasted potatoes

Kids will enjoy their choice of a Mickey Pancake, Mickey Waffle or a “Little Royal Breakfast,” which will feature an egg, bacon and toast. Breakfast will also include your choice of non-alcoholic beverage such as coffee, tea juice, milk and soft drinks. Mimosas, a Peach Bellini, cappuccino, press pot coffee and more will be available as an additional charge.

The character dining experience will cost $34 for adults, $20 for children. Please note: Disney Characters join guests for breakfast only. Character appearances are subject to change.

Reservations are now open for dates beginning April 2, and can be made by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Elena of Avalor Disney Junior Character Meet and Greet, Now Soft-Open at the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on November 8, 2016

While it isn’t supposed to debut until November 24th, 2016, guests can already find Elena of Avalor from the new Disney Junior series at the Magic Kingdom ahead of schedule.

The Elena of Avalor meet and greet is currently testing at Princess Fairytale Hall at the Magic Kingdom

Now, meeting Elena is not a guarantee until 11/24, but if you see the Cinderella sign next to a crown on the board outside of Princess Fairytale Hall in Fantasyland, there’s a good chance you could be meeting the star from the Disney Junior series.

Elena of Avalor meeting with some of her “subjects” inside Princess Fairytale Hall

On a hunch, we grabbed a FastPass+ for the experience and Elena just happened to be meeting just next door to Cinderella.

Princess Elena of Avalor meet and greet at the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

I’m not one for face character interactions in my old age, but Elena was pretty charming and very talkative with all guests (even the awkward ones filming her for a blog post). I have a feeling this will be quite the popular offering once it officially starts and if her interaction with your little one (who likely loves the show) is half as good as ours was, I’m sure it will be worth your wait.

Again, the meet and greet experience with Elena of Avalor officially opens at Princess Fairytale Hall on November 24th, but is testing there currently. There is no guarantee that she will be there when you visit during this test period, but you can certainly take a shot and hope for the best. Just don’t send me nasty messages if you get Aurora…

Disney Princess Meet and Greet to be Offered at Disney Springs

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

If you’ve ever dreamed of meeting a Disney Princess during a visit to World of Disney at Disney Springs, that wish is about to come true during a one-month, limited-time offering set to debut on Saturday, October 1, 2016.

With surprise appearances each day, you could meet Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora, Tiana or another visiting princess – there are no set times for specific characters, but you’re always sure to receive a royal reception.

Entertainment Show Director Tom Vazzana shared the background story of the experience:

“Cinderella had a wish for her and her fellow royal princesses to have a place to meet new friends. The Fairy Godmother was able to grant her this wish, and now, tucked away in a magical corner of World of Disney is a location befitting Cinderella’s request. A magical ‘royal hall’ was created complete with tapestries and images inspired by classic fairytales.”

A Disney PhotoPass photographer will be on hand to capture each interaction, so pictures will be available for guests to purchase or download as part of their Memory Maker product purchase.

The experience will be offered from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily from October 1 – November 1, 2016. Once you check in, a cast member will share the approximate wait time and return instructions; when it’s time for you to return to the queue, you’ll be moments away from meeting a Disney Princess.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: The Highly-Acclaimed Muppets Mobile Lab Returns to Epcot

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

It’s hard to believe that it was only done as a short test over 9 years ago with how much people talk about loving the Muppets Mobile Lab that once appeared at Epcot. You would think it had appeared at the park for years based on the legacy it has developed amongst fans. Well, starting today, guests can see the “living character” show at Epcot daily through the next 4 weeks.

The Muppets Mobile Lab returns to Epcot in 2016 for another test run

The show is critically acclaimed for its technology, including fully interactive characters who are a free-roaming audio-animatronics unit on wheels. The show also features that trademark Muppets humor that doesn’t miss even though the characters aren’t manned directly by human beings, much like The Muppets present Great Moments in American History over at the Magic Kingdom (which debuted yesterday).

Here is a video of one of today’s performances:

Now that is it back, I implore Walt Disney World to keep this offering. Please move this to Hollywood Studios and make this a regular offering. I have never met anyone who wasn’t wowed by the technology or who wasn’t amused by the humor of the program. Muppet Mobile Labs deserve a permanent home at the Disney Parks after this second testy run at Epcot.

Choose What Characters You Get To Meet During “Character Fan Days”

WDWNT on January 7, 2011

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Do you have a favorite Disney character you have never met?

For the first time ever, we’re giving you a chance to decide which rarely seen Disney characters you want to see in Disneyland park. Starting today, you can cast your vote in polls that can be found only on the Disneyland Facebook page, and those votes will determine which characters appear during our new Character Fan Days Jan. 28 through 30. The Characters Fan Days weekend is one of five, family-fun events coming to Disneyland park Jan. 14 through March 6 as part of “Family Fun Weekends.”

To vote, look for three polls on Facebook spanning three days, Jan. 7 through Jan. 9. Each poll will appear at 2 p.m. PT and will feature different characters – some you see often and some you don’t. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the characters included in the poll: the Seven Dwarfs, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, Clarabelle Cow and the Country Bears.

The top two vote-getters from each day’s poll will appear in the Festival Arena in Disneyland park Jan. 28 through 30 during the all-new Character Fan Days (sorry – no write-ins accepted).

On a personal note, there’s a “character” you won’t be seeing around the Disneyland Resort as often – me. Today marks my last day leading social media at the Disneyland Resort and my last post as the primary Disneyland author on the Disney Parks Blog. On Monday, I begin a new role. I’m not going too far, and I’ll still be in touch with you. I’ll be joining the social media team at the main offices of The Walt Disney Company, in Burbank, Ca., and I hope to share all kinds of interesting stories with you from there!

I’ve really enjoyed the five years I’ve spent on the Disneyland Resort Public Relations team, and I’ve had a lot of fun with all of you since we launched the Blog in September, 2009. I know I’ve said this at just about every Disneyland meet-up we’ve held, but my favorite part of the job is reading your comments and meeting you in person. Thank you for your comments, questions, interest and enthusiasm. I even appreciate the corrections when they’re warranted.

On Jan. 14, Michele Himmelberg will join the Disney Parks Blog to write about Disneyland Resort. She will share the poll results and details about how to see the winning characters during Character Fan Days.

What are you waiting for? Go cast your vote in our Disney character poll on the Disneyland Facebook page.

Tag: Character