Walt Disney World News

New Meet-and-Greet Location for Rapunzel

Rapunzel is now meeting guests at a new location inside theย Magic Kingdomยฎ Park.

Guests will now find her inside theย Town Square Theater in the park’sย Main Street, U.S.A.ยฎ Area. There, guests will be able to meet her and a few of the other Disney Princesses. Due to Rapunzel’s popularity and the adoration for all her Princess friends, we suggest guests utilize Disney’sย FASTPASSยฎ Service early in the morning to secure a meet-and-greet time.

Toย accommodateย this switch, Princess Aurora has moved to the location in theย Town Square Courtyard by City Hall where Rapunzel last visited her guests.

Availability, location, and times of character meet-and-greets are subject to change. Please refer to your Times Guide for updated details.

A Taste of the Upcoming “Be Our Guest Restaurant”

Be Our Guest RestaurantEarlier today, theย Walt Disney Worldยฎ Resort gave us a “taste” of what we can expect when theย Be Our Guestย Restaurantย opens up later this year. Inspired by the Disney Movieย Beauty and the Beast,ย theย Be Our Guest Restaurantย will seat over 500 guests and will feature foods with a French twist.

Lunch will be quick-service, but a little different than what guests currently find at most counter service locations on property. Guests will order from either a touchscreen terminal or cashier and then have a seat inside the dining room. When your food is ready, it will be delivered to you at your table.

Some of the options on the lunch menu will include:

  • Braised Pork
  • Tuna Niรงoise salad and a Croque Monsieur sandwich (carved ham, Gruyere cheese, bรฉchamel)
  • Carved Turkey on a Warm Baguette with Dijon mayonnaise
  • Grilled Steak Sandwich with Garlic Butter Spread
  • Loaded Vegetable Quiche
  • Quinoa, Shallot and Chive salad
  • Kid’s Options
    • Mickey Meatloaf
    • Carved Turkey Sandwich
    • Roasted Pulled Pork
    • Whole-Grain Macaroni topped with Marinara and Mozzarella
    • Seared Mahi Mahi
For dinner, the restaurant will transform into a table service location.ย Dinner menu options will include:
  • Appetizers
    • A Charcuterie plate with cured meats and sausages
    • Mussels steamed in white wine
    • Potato Leek soup
    • French onion soup
    • Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette
  • Entrรฉes
    • Grilled Strip Steak with Pommes Frites
    • Thyme-Scented Pork Rack Chop with Au Gratin Pasta
    • Rotisserie Rock Hen with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
    • Pan-Seared Salmon in Leek Fondue
    • Oven-Baked Ratatouille
    • Sautรฉed Shrimp and Scallops with Veggies in Puff Pastry with Creamy Lobster Sauce
  • Dessert
    • Cupcakes (Strawberry Cream Cheese or Triple Chocolate)
    • Chocolate Cream Puff
    • Passion Fruit Cream Puff
  • Kid’s Options
    • Grilled Steak
    • Whole-Grain Macaroni
    • Grilled Chicken Breast
    • Grilled Fish of the Day

Advance Dining Reservations for Be Our Guestย Restaurantย will open up some time in late August. The restaurant is scheduled to be open for the holidays. Theย Be Our Guest Restaurant is part of the Newย Fantasylandยฎ Expansion which is taking place atย Magic Kingdomยฎ Park.

2012 Candlelight Dining Package Now Available

Neil Patrick Harris at Candlelight ProcessionalReservations for the 2012 Candlelight Dining Packages atย Epcotยฎ went on sale this morning. This popular package combines lunch or dinner at many favoriteย Epcotยฎ restaurants with reserved seating for one of that night’s Candlelight Processional performance and VIP view of Illuminations: Reflections of Earth.

The Candlelight Processional is one of the most beloved holiday traditions atย Walt Disney Worldยฎ Resort. The joyous retelling of the Christmas story is performed by a celebrity narrator, a 50-piece orchestra, and a mass choir.

Dinner packages are available for the followingย Epcotยฎย restaurants:

  • Biergarten Restaurant
  • Coral Reef Restaurant
  • The Garden Grill Restaurant (dinner only)
  • La Hacienda de San Angel (dinner only)
  • Les Chefs de France
  • Le Cellier Steakhouse (lunch only)
  • Nine Dragons Restaurant
  • Restaurant Marrakesh
  • Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room
  • San Angel Inn
  • Teppan Edo
  • Tokyo Dining
  • Tutto Italia Ristorante
  • Via Napoli

Lunch Packages range from $32.99โ€“$55.99 for Guests 10+, and $12.50โ€“$17.99 for Guests 3โ€“9 whileย Dinner Packages range from $49.99โ€“$66.99 for Guests 10+, and $14.50โ€“$26.99 for Guests 3โ€“9.ย Meal includes an appetizer, entrรฉe, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage (or one full buffet, where applicable).

While the full listing of Celebrity narrators hasn’t been released, here is a listing of those confirmed:

  • Nov. 23 to Nov. 25, 2012 โ€” Isabella Rossellini
  • Nov. 26 to Nov. 29, 2012 โ€” Neil Patrick Harris
  • Nov. 30 to Dec. 1, 2012 โ€” Whoopi Goldberg
  • Dec. 2 to Dec. 4, 2012 โ€” TBA
  • Dec. 5 to Dec. 7, 2012 โ€” TBA
  • Dec. 8 to Dec. 10, 2012 โ€” TBA
  • Dec. 11 to Dec. 13, 2012 โ€” Jodi Benson
  • Dec. 14 to Dec. 16, 2012 โ€” Olivia Newton John
  • Dec. 17 to Dec. 19, 2012 โ€” TBA
  • Dec. 20 to Dec. 22, 2012 โ€” Trace Adkins
  • Dec. 23 to Dec. 25, 2012 โ€” Gary Sinise
  • Dec. 26 to Dec. 28, 2012 โ€” TBA
  • Dec. 29 to Dec. 30, 2012 โ€” Marlee Matlin / Jack Jason

While Candlelight Dining Packages are not required to see the Candlelight Processional, they are recommended as the performances do fill up quickly. Park admission is required for both the Candlelight Processional and the Candlelight Dining Packages.

Contact your Magic Makerยฎ regarding availability during your upcoming holiday visit toย Walt Disney Worldยฎ Resort.

New Casey Jr. Splash โ€˜Nโ€™ Soak Station Now Open at Magic Kingdomยฎ Park

After several days of heavy rain in theย Walt Disney Worldยฎ Resort area, a wet play area is probably the last thing on the minds of guests right now. But as soon as the Florida sun and heat returns, the new Casey Jr. Splash ‘n’ Soak Station will be a popular hangout And as you can see in the photo gallery below, Disney Imagineers weren’t kidding when they included the word “Soak” in the name!

Casey Jr., the famous locomotive fromย Dumbo, and his train of circus animals fitsย perfectlyย into its surroundings at Storybook Circus. It joins theย Dumbo the Flying Elephantยฎ andย The Barnstormerยฎ attractions which had previously opened to guests earlier this spring.

The Storybook Circus area is just one part of the Newย Fantasylandยฎ Area expansion that is happening atย Magic Kingdomยฎ Park.

Park Favorite Adds FASTPASSยฎ Service at Magic Kingdomยฎ Park

New Dumbo

Beginning today, theย Dumbo the Flying Elephantยฎย Attraction atย Magic Kingdomยฎ Park will begin utilizing Disney’s FASTPASSยฎ Service. This, in addition to the added second carousel and new interactive Big Top Tent “queue-less queue,” should make waiting for one of the park’s most popular rides a little easier on the little ones.

Guests can collect aย FASTPASSยฎ for theย Dumbo the Flying Elephantยฎย Attraction outside ofย Mickeyโ€™s PhilharMagicยฎย Attraction in Fantasylandยฎ. Both the second carousel and the interactive Big Top Tent have been in “soft opening” testing and have been open sporadically throughout the day but are expected to open permanently in July.

Photos of Cars Family Suites – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Just in time for the summer vacation season to start, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort opened their second phase of its new family suites at Walt Disney Worldยฎ Resort yesterday.

In the newย Cars themed section which features 480 family suites, guests venture down a freshly paved road into Radiator Springs. Guests will find popular landmarks likeย Luigiโ€™s Casa Della Tires, Tow Mater Towing, Cozy Cone Motel and the Wheel Well Motel. The Cozy Cone Pool and orange cone-shaped cabanas are present for guests to cool off from the Florida heat.

The high-octane theming doesn’t stop outside! Inside the family suites, orange cones are imprinted in the carpeting and adorning the light fixtures plus animation-inspired artwork is displayed. Pull-out beds extend from the living room sofa (disguised as the back seat of an old hot rod), the tool chest is actually a dresser and the bathroom design is inspired by a car wash!

One of our Magic Makersยฎ, Danny Cox, was on location for the opening of Phase 2 and has provided us with this photo album.

Opening dates for the remaining two sections of the resort are:

  • The Lion Kingย โ€“ Aug. 10
  • The Little Mermaidย โ€“ Sep. 15

Contact your Magic Makerยฎ to check on availability for accommodations at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort for your upcoming stay!

 

View our other photo albums of Disney Art of Animation Resort:

Disneyโ€™s Art of Animation Resort Amazes Guests โ€“ Animation Hall Photos

Big Blue World โ€“ Photo Tour of the Grounds at Disneyโ€™s Art of Animation Resort

Photos of Finding Nemo Family Suites โ€“ Disneyโ€™s Art of Animation Resort

Tee Time For Dad at Walt Disney Worldยฎ Resort

With Father’s Day just a week away, it is a perfect time to talk about an activity that most dads enjoy – golf! While mom and kids enjoy theย Wonderland Tea Party at 1900 Park Fareย Restaurant at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, dad can enjoy a tee time of his own on one of theย Walt Disney Worldยฎย Resort 5 golf courses.

All 4 of the Walt Disney Worldยฎย Resort championship golf courses and a family-friendly 9-hole walking course are conveniently located on Resort property. Receiving many awards and accolades like Silver andย Gold Medal Golf Resort as awarded by GOLF Magazine, 2 of the coursesย host the PGA Tour each year.ย 

Now, guests booking selectย Walt Disney Worldยฎย Resortย Packages may purchase as many rounds of golf as they intend to play during their stay. Available options include:

Resort Guest Golf Round:

  • For Guests staying at a Disney Resort, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel or Downtown Disneyยฎ Resort Area Hotels
  • Play at any time of day
  • Tee times may be booked up to 120 days in advance and are subject to availability
  • Includes greens fees, electric cart and pre-round practice balls
  • For guests purchasing more than one round,ย they are not intended for same day replay

Resort Guest Twilight Golf Round:

  • For Guests staying at a Disney Resort, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel or Downtown Disneyยฎย Resort Area Hotels
  • Twilight rate available for play after 2:00 p.m.
  • Tee times may be booked up to 120 days in advance and are subject to availability
  • Includes greens fees and electric cart

Similar packages are available for Day Guests who are staying at aย Walt Disney World Good Neighborยฎ Hotel. For these guests, tee times may be booked only up to 60 days in advance and are also subject to availability.ย Rental equipment available for an additional charge.

As an extra bonus,ย guests booked on select Walt Disney Worldยฎ Resortย Packages with a golf add-on will receive $10 (USD) off the total purchase price when purchasing $50 (USD) or more (after tax) in merchandise in a single retail sales transaction at Disney’s PGA Tour Event merchandise locations or at the Pro Shop at Disney’s Osprey Ridge Golf Course, Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course, Disney’s Palm Golf Course or Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course.

Contact your Magic Makerยฎ today for more information on adding the Golf option to your upcoming stay.

Limited to one single retail sales transaction per day during their package stay. To redeem, guests must present their voucher and a current photo ID at the check-out counter at the time of purchase.ย Pro Shop discount offer not available on certain services and merchandise including, but not limited to, special orders, Disney ticket media, Disney Dollars, Disney Gift Cards, tobacco products, alcohol, golf lessons, greens fees, range balls, golf equipment rentals, disposable cameras, consumer electronics, personalization, on sale-clearance items, specialty discounts, Pro Shop drinks and food items, clubhouse restaurants, snack bar and on-course beverage carts. Credit applies only to merchandise in stock. Voucher is required for redemption and is non-transferable. Lost or stolen vouchers will not be replaced. Not valid with any other vouchers, certificates, coupons or offers and may not be redeemed for cash, in whole or in part. Not valid for admission to any theme park. No photocopies or reproductions will be accepted. Voucher expires at midnight on the day of checkout and IS VOID IF SOLD.ย 

Video of New Dumbo the Flying Elephantยฎ Big Top Tent

Earlier this week, we shared with you some details on theย new โ€œqueue-less queueโ€ that is coming soon to the Dumbo the Flying Elephantยฎ Attraction atย Magic Kingdomยฎ Park. Today, we have a video to share with you of this really fun play area!

Enjoy as Anne, Show Producer for Walt Disney Imagineering shows you some of the features of the big top tent!

‘My Yard Goes Disney’ Returns for Second Season

It happens to all of us. You go on a family vacation to Disney Parks or onย Disney Cruise Lineยฎ and dread the thought of leaving the magic and returning home.ย In this season of HGTV’s My Yard Goes Disney, eleven families will bring that magic home with them!

Tonight’s episode will give the Krantz family an adventure-themed backyard inspired byย Disney’s Animal Kingdomยฎ Theme Park at theย Walt Disney Worldยฎย Resort in Florida. See how Disney’s Imagineers and construction team will transform their unfinished treehouse into a backyard beyond any kid’s dreams!

My Yard Goes Disneyย airs Friday evenings on HGTV at 8:00pm e/p. This summer’s upcoming episodes will draw inspiration fromย Walt Disney Worldยฎย Resort,ย Disneylandยฎย Resort, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawai’i, and theย Disney Dreamโ„ข andย Disney Fantasyโ„ข Cruise Ships.

If you were chosen to have a My Yard Goes Disneyย makeover, what Disney theme would you choose for your backyard?

 

Restaurants with โ€œCharacterโ€

by Magic Makerยฎ Courtney Harris

For my family, our vacation canโ€™t officially begin until we have had a character breakfast with Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore at The Crystal Palace Restaurant in Magic Kingdomยฎ Park.ย  In fact, we love character meals so much that we try to plan one for each day of our trip. This saves us so much time that we would normally use standing in line in the parks to meet the characters and get autographs. We can then use that saved time to squeeze in even more rides!

Character meals are so convenient because the characters actually come to your table while you are enjoying your meal. Once they are at your table, they will sign autograph books and pose for pictures with your family. The interaction is amazing!ย  It isnโ€™t rushed and the characters are even sensitive to your childโ€™s comfort level with them.ย  Some of my favorite vacation memories are of my children interacting with the characters at these meals. One night at dinner, my husband was up getting his plate from the buffet, and Tigger came and sat down in his seat next to my three year old son.ย  He stayed there for probably five minutes or more just playing and goofing off with my son. The smile on his face was priceless! He still talks about it to this day.

Many of the character meals are buffets, where you have lots of different items to sample and enjoy at your own pace.ย  Others are served family-style, where the server actually brings platters of food to you at your table, and you donโ€™t have to do a thing!ย  Several of the restaurants even take your familyโ€™s photo before the meal, and then bring the photos around for you to preview and purchase while you are dining. Also, if you are a vegetarian or have dietary concerns, just tell your server and they will be sure to work with the chef to make those accommodations for you.

If you have a Magic Your Wayยฎย Packageย Plusย Dining, all character meals, with the exclusion of Cinderellaโ€™s Royal Table, are only one table service credit.ย  Even if you are not on a dining plan, it is still worth every penny to be able to meet all of your favorite characters in an air-conditioned building while you eat, instead of standing in long lines out in the hot Florida sun. So whether itโ€™s Pooh and Friends youโ€™re looking for, or Jake from The Neverland Pirates, they can most likely be found at one of the numerous character meal experiences throughout the Walt Disney Worldยฎย Resort! Just check with your Magic Makerยฎ to find out which characters are featured at each location.

Character meals can be booked 180 days out and do tend to fill up quickly due to popularity, so be sure to ask your Magic Makerยฎ for help in planning all of your dining reservations as soon as you book your trip!

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