“Celebrate a Stitch Come True”

Courtesy of the fantastic new WDWNTube video site, we have two Magic Kingdom entertainment videos to share. The first video is of the updated Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade that debuted on May 3rd:

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The second video comes to us by Robert Ashburn of Figmentsmedia.net and is of the new Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration show in Tomorrowland:

Celebrate with Dancing, Music, and a Khaki-Clad Cast?

In usual fashion, Walt Disney World put out a number of new press releases all at once, giving us a lot to talk about after what has been a rather quiet period. The first piece gives us an official time frame and some already announced details about the Stich’s Supersonic Celebration show coming to the Magic Kingdom:

Interactive wizardry that combines comedy, real-time animation and live musical madness will dazzle guests during Stitch’s SuperSonic Celebration in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom.

Beginning in May, Stitch will host a zany interactive experience at the new Rockettower Plaza Stage. Guests are invited to participate in a Galaxy Day celebration when the new outdoor stage comes to life with music and a giant LED screen displays real-time, interactive animation.

The new show incorporates the same interactive technology used in “Turtle Talk With Crush” and “Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor.” Shows will take place six times daily.

Looking for some sweet fun at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa?

There’s a lot “s’more” new fun in store at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa each evening when guests staying at the resort can roast marshmallows around a Mickey-shaped campfire, sing favorite camp tunes on the shore of Seven Seas Lagoon and see the “stars” – both on the silver screen and in the sky – as they watch a family-friendly Disney film on the moonlit beach. S’mores kits and marshmallows are available for purchase during the campfire and movie. For more information about recreational activities at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, visit Disneyworld.com or call 407/824-4321.

The line-up for this year’s Sounds Like Summer Concert Series at Epcot has been released and includes WDWNT’s favorite group, Bjorn Again:

The whole family will be rockin’ and rollin’ to legendary music this summer at Epcot when popular tribute bands take the stage at America Gardens Theatre.

Seven tribute bands will recreate classic hits from musical icons under the stars as part of the Sounds Like Summer concert series. Concerts, which are included in regular Epcot admission, are nightly at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m. (except July 4, when show times will be 5:15, 6:30, 7:45 and 9 p.m.).

Here is the lineup (subject to change):
June. 15-21 – Stayin’ Alive – A Tribute to the Bee Gees
June 22-28 – Hotel California – A Tribute to the Eagles
June 29-July 8 – Slippery When Wet – A Tribute to Bon Jovi
July 9-19 – Bjorn Again – A Tribute to ABBA
July 20-26 – The Sounds of the Supremes – A Tribute to the Supremes
July 27-Aug. 2 – 2U – A Tribute to U2
Aug. 3-9 – Petty Theft – A Tribute to Tom Petty.

Even though it has been runnign for a few week’s now, Disney is finally publicizing the new farwell show at Animal Kingdom:

Disney’s Animal Kingdom guests get so involved in adventures with birds and beasts of many kinds that they tend to put off one of their priorities all day long: a little quality time with Disney characters.

“So when guests come out of the park, they are absolutely determined to see our characters,” said Chris Ambrose, general manager of entertainment at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

In a classic example of giving guests what they want, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has launched Adventurers’ Celebration Gathering, an interactive experience near the theme park entrance each evening during park closing.

Khaki-clad cast – including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy – gather to bid farewell to guests with a music-filled celebration. Cast members shake their pom-poms and urge guests to join in the street-party fun by dancing to the music and forming a conga line procession while Mickey, Minnie and Goofy keep the beat from atop their safari vehicle.

“We’ve created a way for our guests to experience our characters … and it’s a way for us to have a fun, exciting way to end the day at Animal Kingdom,” Ambrose said.

Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today for more information on all of these items as it becomes available.

Who Doesn’t Like Picnics or Parties?

The good people over at LaughingPlace.com have reported two interesting news bits from around the Walt Disney World Resort that I feel are of interest. The first piece concerns a new dining option at Animal Kingdom:

Animal Kingdom has introduced a new program – Picnic in the Park. The following is from the brochure:

Turn your meal at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park into an adventure with Picnic in the Park!

Tier 1 – Sandwiches
Select from Turkey Focaccia, Chicken Wrap, Ham Grinder or Tuna Pita

Meal for Three – $24.99 + tax
3 Sandwiches, 1 side, 3 desserts, 3 bottles of Dasani water

Meal for Four – $32.99 + tax
4 Sandwiches, 1 side, 4 desserts, 4 bottles of Dasani water

Meal for Five – $40.99 + tax
5 Sandwiches, 1 side, 5 desserts, 5 bottles of Dasani water

Meal for Six – $48.99 + tax
6 Sandwiches, 1 side, 6 desserts, 6 bottles of Dasani water

Sides: Chips, coleslaw, corn medley, green beans, macaroni & cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, orza pasta, oven-roasted potato wedges, seasonal fruit salad, tomato & cucumber salad

Desserts: Apple, brownie, cookie, cornbread, crisped rice treat, orange

Tier 2 – Rotisserie Chicken or Ham

Meal for Three – $29.99 + tax
8 Pieces of Rotisserie Chicken or 1 lb of Ham, 2 sides, 3 desserts, 3 bottles of Dasani water

Meal for Four – $38.99 + tax
8 Pieces of Rotisserie Chicken or 1 1/4 lb of Ham, 3 sides, 4 desserts, 4 bottles of Dassani water

Meal for Five – $47.99 + tax
10 Pieces of Rotisserie Chicken or 1 1/2 lb of Ham, 4 sides, 5 desserts, 5 bottles of Dassani water

Meal for Six – $56.99 + tax
12 Pieces of Rotisserie Chicken or 1 3/4 lb of Ham, 5 sides, 6 desserts, 6 bottles of Dassani water

Sides: Chips, coleslaw, corn medley, green beans, macaroni & cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, orza pasta, oven-roasted potato wedges, seasonal fruit salad, tomato & cucumber salad

Desserts: Apple, brownie, cookie, cornbread, crisped rice treat, orange

Note: No substitutions allowed

Details

  • Stop by the Picnic in the Park podium, located in front of Guest Relations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park to place your order, or visit the Tusker House Restaurant podium in Africa. Orders must be placed between the hours of Park Opening and 1:30pm.
  • Select which tier of entrées you would like and your choice of sides and desserts.
  • Each order comes in a reusable bag packed with plates and utensils, plus a map to help guide you to picnic spots throughout the Park.
  • When placing your order, you’ll also be able to select a pick-up time at least two hours after the time the order is placed.
  • You may pick up your order at Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery, adjacent to Tusker House Restaurant in Africa (indicated by H on the map on the reverse side). Payment is due upon pick-up.
  • If you are on a Disney dining plan, Picnic in the Park may be used as a Quick Service Meal. Requires one
    Adult entitlement per meal ordered. For example, a Meal for Three will require three Adult entitlements.

There are 14 picnic locations spread throughout the park

The picnic prices seem very reasonable and it sounds like a great dining option for Animal Kingdom, which only offers a short list of eateries. The second piece of news leads us to believe Pleasure Island is coming back to life (sort of):

Downtown Disney has introduced “Celebrate Tonight!”, a high-energy street party focusing on guest celebrations. Guests are invited to join in with the DJs (spinning party hits), stilt walkers and party crew for group dances and sing-alongs to celebrate anything and everything. Celebrate Tonight! is now running 5pm-11pm Sunday through Thursday and 6pm-Midnight Fridays and Saturdays.

From the sounds of this, the Pleasure Island clubs will remain closed as guests party in the streets rather than indoors. A strange decision, but it will certainly be interesting to see how many guests actually attend these nightly parties. Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as we get more information on both of these breaking stories.

Jose Eber’s 3/23/09 Magic Kingdom Video Report

WDWNT Reporter Jose Eber has provided us with two excellent videos (both available in High Definition by hitting the “HD” button at the bottom of each window) from his latest trip to the Magic Kingdom on Monday. The first video features a look at construction of Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration in Tomorrowland and the second features a look inside Space Mountain from the Tomorrowland Transit Authority while the interior lights are on (a view that may no longer be possible come November). Enjoy: