Disney News

Walt Disney World® Resort has given us plenty of reasons to want to visit central Florida late this summer.

As if Free Dining and Resort Room Savings were not enough, this September brings another lure, as Magic Kingdom® Park welcomes some of the biggest names in Christian music to the park for Disney’s Night of Joy music festival on September 6^th and 7^th. For two spirited nights, you can experience the music and the message that these powerful acts will be bringing to the stage!

As a special ticketed event, you’ll have access to a musical line-up like no other! Featuring the top acts of CCM, rarely can you see all of your favorite artists coming together for an epic music festival of these proportions! In fact, you will even get to experience two legends taking the stage together, as Michael W. Smith and Steve Curtis Chapman perform together following their solo sets!

Taking the Stage on September 6^th will be:

• Skillet
• MercyMe
• Michael W. Smith
• Steven Curtis Chapman
• Audio Adrenaline
• Mandisa
• for KING & COUNTRY
• Moriah Peters
• We As Human
• City Harbor

Taking the Stage on September 7^th will be:

• Newsboys
• TobyMac
• Francesca Battistelli
• Building 429
• Group 1 Crew
• Matthew West
• PLUMB
• Jamie Grace

Contact your Magic Maker® today about ‘praising’ the night away in Magic Kingdom® Park during Disney’s Night of Joy this September! With the extraordinary savings already in place, there is no reason not to make the trip!

The schedule of events for the final week of Star Wars™ Weekends has been announced (Jun. 7-9, 2013).

• “Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome – Motorcade begins near Main Entrance at 11:00a; Celebrity Welcome at Main Stage at 11:15a
• Padawan Mind Challenge (registration at park opening near ABC Sound Studio) – 1:30p, 4:30p at Main Stage
• Hyperspace Hoopla – 8:00p at Main Stage
• Jedi Training Academy (sign-up in front of Indiana Jones™ Epic Stunt Spectacular) – 8:45a, 9:20a, 10:05a, 10:35a, Noon, 12:30p, 1:00p, 1:30p, 2:00p, 2:30p, 3:00p, 3:30p, 4:00p, 4:30p, 5:00p, 5:30p, 6:30p, 7:00p, 7:30p beside Star Tours® – The Adventure Continues
• Star Wars™ Character Encounters – 8:00a-7:30p
  Characters you may encounter at varied schedules during that time include:

Mickey Avenue

• Darth Vader
• Darth Maul
• Boba Fett
• Jango Fett
• Zam Wesell
• Aurra Sing
• Stormtroopers
• Tusken Raiders
• Gamorrean Guard

Streets of America

• Anakin Skywalker
• Commander Cody
• Captain Rex
• Ahsoka Tano
• Asajj Ventress
• Shaak Ti
• Kit Fisto
• Jawas
• Clone Troopers

Star Tours® Area

• Queen Amidala
• Chewbacca
• Ewoks
• Cantina Band

Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster® Area

• Leia
• Luke
• C-3PO
• R2-D2

Hollywood Boulevard

• Jedi Mickey
• Leia Minnie
• Stormtrooper Donald
• Vader Goofy

Character appearances are not guaranteed and may be cancelled at any time

• Behind the Force: Star Wars™ Voices – Noon, 1:45p at Premiere Theater
• Stars of the Saga – 3:30p at Premiere Theater
• Obi-Wan and Beyond starring James Arnold Taylor– 6:00p
• Celebrity Host Meet and Greet at Echo Lake – will use Disney’s FASTPASS® Service*
  • James Arnold Taylor (Voice behind Obi-Wan Kenobi and Plo Hoon in Star Wars™: The Clone Wars) – 9:45a
  • Ashley Eckstein (Voice behind Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars™: The Clone Wars) – 4:30p (at Darth’s Mall), 5:45p (at Echo Lake)
    Ashley will also be signing Her Universe™ Star Wars™ merchandise at Darth’s Mall – 3:00p-4:00p
• Additional Celebrity Meet and Greets at Echo Lake – will use Disney’s FASTPASS® Service*
  • Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian from Staw Wars™: Episodes V & VI) – 9:45a, 1:30p, 4:30p
  • Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca from Star Wars™: Episode III, IV, V, & VI) – Noon, 2:00p, 4:30p
  • Tom Kane (Voice of Yoda from Star Wars™: The Clone Wars) – 9:45a, 3:00p, 4:30p

Miss this year’s Star Wars™ Weekends? Contact your Magic Maker® to discuss options for next year!

*Note on using Disney’s FASTPASS® Service for Autographs: A FASTPASS® ticket will be required to receive an autograph. An extremely limited number will be distributed outside of Disney’s Hollywood Studios® at a first-come first-served basis (distribution may begin prior to scheduled park opening). Guests who receive a FASTPASS® will also receive a wristband. Guests must have both FASTPASS® and the wristband at the time of the scheduled meet and greet. Only one autograph FASTPASS® ticket per guest. You may not save a place in line or receive additional FASTPASS® tickets for other members of your party. Standby tickets may be available, but do not guarantee an autograph.

For a limited time, you can save on the popular Wild Africa Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park.

This thrilling three-hour adventure takes you off the beaten path giving you an up-close look at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park’s African wildlife. The immersive, add-on experience is led by knowledgeable guides who give you additional information on the animals and park operations. Your venture through the savanna is by foot, rope bridge, and customized vehicle.

Now through Oct. 26, 2013, you can save $50 off the regular price of the trek. Savings are available on the 11:45a, 12:30p, 1:15p, 2:30p, and 3:15p tours. For more information or to book the Wild Africa Trek during your upcoming vacation, contact your Magic Maker®.

To participate, guests must meet certain physical requirements. Offer subject to change.

Disney Parks has announced some new “Limited Time Magic” events for next week that you won’t want to miss!

Walt Disney World® Resort

• Summer Trolley Show– Starting June 2nd, join the citizens of Main Street, U.S.A.® in a summer trolley show filled with red, white, and blue spirit. See your Times Guide for more information on this special show of old-fashioned summertime fun! Valid theme park admission is required.

Disneyland® Resort

• Mickey’s Compass Quest – To celebrate the opening of Mickey and the Magical Map at Disneyland® Park, you can participate in Mickey’s Compass Quest from Jun. 3-9, 2013. After the show, extend your experience by picking up a map and using the clues to lead you to secret locations around the park. A special reward will be available for those that complete each challenge. Valid theme park admission is required.

Off to Neverland Travel® will continue to bring you details on future ”Limited Time Magic” events as they become available, so be sure to keep checking back with us!

All events and characters are subject to change. Theme park admission may be required for some events.

The Be Our Guest Restaurant inside the New Fantasyland® area of the Magic Kingdom® Park has earned national recognition from the National Restaurant Association. The honor, the Operator Innovation Award, recognizes the use of technology at Magic Kingdom® Park’s newest restaurant, which has only been open for 6 months.

During lunch, Be Our Guest Restaurant uses state-of-the-art touch screen terminals to allow you to order your French-inspired meals to your liking. After ordering, simply choose a table and place the special “rose” you were given at the beginning of your order on your table. When ready, the food will magically be delivered to your table. These innovations have allowed Walt Disney World® Resort’s Food and Beverage team to serve over 3,000 meals at lunch each day!

The new “flex dining” prototype that Be Our Guest Restaurant has proved to be a popular dining experience for Walt Disney World® Resort guests. The restaurant transforms from a quick service dining location during lunch to a table service experience each evening. Because of guest demand for the restaurant since opening, Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs) have been necessary for dinner and waits are common during the lunch service. Contact your Magic Maker® for more details on this enchanted dining experience.

Daily helpings of innovative food, wine, beer, cocktails, music and entertainment will be served this year at the 18th Annual Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival taking place Sep. 27 – Nov. 11, 2013 at the Walt Disney World® Resort. While the festival planners are still busy finishing up some of the details, information on some new experiences has been released.

More than 25 ethnic and specialty marketplaces surround the World Showcase Lagoon with delectable offerings from their respective regions. New this year will be the Scotland Marketplace. Inspired by the success of Disney-Pixar’s Brave, the marketplace will offer dishes with traditional Scottish flavors as well as their signature cocktail, a Rusty Nail – a scotch whisky martini. After a one-year hiatus, the Brazil marketplace will return with an all new menu.

Nineteen bands are booked to rock the stage at the American Gardens Theatre during the nightly Eat to the Beat Concert Series. New to this year’s lineup is the Go-Go’s, Edwin McCain, Manhattan Transfer, Wilson Phillips, Spin Doctors, and Christopher Cross. Click here for a full lineup of performers.

The Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival also provides many great opportunities to experience Celebrity chef seminars and special culinary programs – some at an additional fee. For additional information, please contact your Magic Maker®.

The transformation at Disneyland® Park of Princess Fantasy Faire back to the Fantasyland® Theatre is complete, and tomorrow the curtains will rise on the newest live stage show at the Disneyland® Resort – Mickey and the Magical Map.

During the show, curiosity gets the best of Apprentice Mickey as he stumbles upon a map with magical powers. The result takes you on a fantastic journey of imagination. The 22-minute show, which is exclusive to the Fantasyland® Theatre in Disneyland® Park, features music and beloved characters from several classic Disney films.

To celebrate the debut of Mickey and the Magical Map, we have a video showing how the production has come from concept to reality. But first, enjoy a couple fun facts about the show:

• The adventure includes scenes with King Louie from The Jungle Book, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider from Tangled, Sebastian from The Little Mermaid, Tiana from The Princess and the Frog, Pocahontas, Mulan and an on-screen visit with Stitch from Lilo and Stitch.
• The cast for Mickey and the Magical Map has spent more than 40 days rehearsing and training for the show.
• Out of more than 900 hopefuls auditioned for the show, the final cast includes about 50 dancers and singers.
• The innovative Map contains more than 35,000 square inches of LED screen surface.
• Tiana’s showboat in the finale reaches 18 feet tall, stretches 11 feet wide and weighs nearly 1,200 pounds.

Mickey and the Magical Map is scheduled to run five times per day, seven days a week, during the summer with an adjusted schedule expected to start in the fall. Please see your Times Guide for more details.

By Magic Maker® Courtney Harris

Millions of people visit Walt Disney World® Resort each summer, but the Florida heat and humidity can be brutal on those not use to it.  The key to not letting it ruin your vacation is being prepared. A little planning can go a long way in keeping you and your family happy, despite the heat.

1. Stay hydrated. Dehydration is the number one cause of daytime fatigue, yet most people don’t even realize they are dehydrated. You should constantly be drinking. If you wait until you are thirsty, you are already on the road to dehydration. Water is your best option, and the most cost-effective. Bring a water bottle with you, and refill it at water fountains. You can also request a complimentary cup of ice water at most quick service locations.
2. Get inside! Rotate outdoor rides and attractions with rides that have indoor queues or shows that allow you to take a break inside the air-conditioning. Sit-down meals are also a great way to cool down while you refuel. Be sure to ask your Magic Maker® for help in booking all of your dining reservations in advance so you don’t find yourself standing outside in the heat waiting on a table. They can also create touring plans for you that rotate indoor and outdoor attractions.
3. Remember the sunscreen. Before you ever even enter the park, liberally apply sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30. Remember to cover often over-looked spots such as behind the ears and the back of your neck. Be sure to reapply continuously throughout the day, especially after excessive sweating or water rides.
4. Take an afternoon break from the park. Hit the parks first thing in the morning at rope drop, and then head back to your resort in the afternoon during the hottest part of the day. While beating the heat, you will also beat the crowds! Afternoon breaks are a great opportunity for little ones to get in a nap or just for your family to enjoy the pool at your resort. After everyone is rested and re-energized, you can head back out the parks for dinner and night-time festivities. If you purchase  Magic Your Way® tickets with Park Hopper® Option, you can even visit a different park from the one you toured that morning!
5. Play in the water! Water features such as pop jets and misters can be found in several locations throughout the parks. Most locations have benches or places for adults to sit while the kids run shrieking through the water. This is a great way to take a break and cool off at the same time. Check your park map or ask your Magic Maker® for locations.
6. Enjoy a cool treat. Beating the heat is a great excuse for enjoying that dole whip or Mickey ice cream bar. As if you needed an excuse! Ice cream and other cool treats can be found at most counter service locations and even many beverage carts around the parks. And if you are using a dining plan, most treats are only one snack credit!
7. Visit a waterpark. Walt Disney World® Resort boasts two of the country’s best water parks- Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon.   Be sure to ask your Magic Maker® about adding the Water Park Fun & More option to your Magic Your Way® tickets.

Don’t let the heat scare you away this summer. By planning ahead and working together with your Magic Maker®, you can beat the heat at Walt Disney World® Resort!

Adventures by Disney® has announced new and enhanced itineraries for 2014! These changes expand their already large portfolio of travel options giving you more opportunities to explore the World.

“Austria, Germany, and Czech Republic”

In this new 9-day, 8-night vacation to Central Europe, you will travel off the beaten path as you explore Prague, Salzburg, Vienna, and the majestic Alps.

Highlights include:

• Ice-cave and salt-mine adventures in the Bavarian Alps
• Day trip to Salzburg – the birthplace of Mozart and location of Hellbrunn Castle
• Learn how to make strudel and pretzels from the locals and enjoy schnapps tasting
• Private dinner inside the Emperor’s Pavilion at the Vienna Zoo
• Private tour of the Spanish Riding School inside Vienna’s Hofburg Castle
• Marionette Workshop in Prague and Waltzing lessons in Vienna

Enhanced Itinerary: “Viva Italia”

Also new for 2014, Adventures by Disney® has enhanced their current Italy itinerary by adding new VIP experiences. This 9-day, 8-night journey takes you on an exploration of the awe-inspiring parts of Italy – including Rome, Florence, Venice and Tuscany. New features of this itinerary through one of Europe’s most iconic destinations include:

• Feel like a Roman Gladiator when you step on the floor of the Colosseum, an area that is off-limits to the general public
• After hours visit to the Sistine Chapel and Vatican City Museum
• Prepare a traditional Italian dish with the help of locals inside a kitchen of a working olive farm

Special Teen-Focused Departures

Adventures by Disney® will feature three unique departures with activities created with teens in mind. There is only one departure for each of these locations, so availability is likely to disappear quickly.

• Peru (6/22/14) – Special teen experiences include salsa dancing lessons, horseback riding, and bonfire/stargazing
• Costa Rica (7/12/14) – Teen-focused activities include a photography class and a beach party on the sands of Guanacastle
• Arizona and Utah (8/6/14) – New experiences for teens include a bike ride through Boyton Canyon, various outdoor activities at Red Cliffs Lodge, and a sunset hike through the Grand Canyon

With over 20 different itineraries to choose from, Adventures by Disney® can take you across six continents on a vacation you never dreamed possible. Contact your Magic Maker® today to find out how you can see the World while experiencing the Disney Difference!