Disney News

A new wine cellar will soon be add to the long list of available food and beverage options in Epcot’s® World Showcase.

Tutto Gusto, set to open in early May, will be located adjacent to Tutto Italia Ristorante in the Italy Pavilion. The décor of Gusto will be  inspired by an Italian wine cellar with stone walls and floors, vaulted ceilings, and a fireplace in the dining room.

A small-plate menu that takes guests on a fabulous culinary tour of Italy will be available. Options include: Affettati (cured, sliced meats); Formaggi (Italian cheeses); Panini(sandwiches); Piccoli Piatti (small plates); Cavatappi (a type of pasta), and Dolci (sweets). More than 200 Italian wines, including sparkling, reds and whites, grappas (a distilled drink made from what remains of grapes after they have been pressed for winemaking) and beers such as La Rossa, Moretti and Menabrea will be offered at Gusto.

Tutto Gusto will be a small, intimate location seating only 96-guests. Normal operating hour will be 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. This location will accept the Disney Dining Plan.

Guests may remember back in March of 2010 when the Walt Disney World® Resort debuted the Tron monorail as a promotion for the upcoming movie.

Now, guests will be able to spot The Avengers monorail making its “rounds” on the Magic Kingdom® Park loop throughout the summer. The Avengers monorail celebrates the May 4th opening of Marvel’s film on the big screen.

Here is a video of The Avengers monorail in action:

Tuesday we told you that Ashley Eckstein (voice of Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars™: The Clone Wars) and James Arnold Taylor (voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars™: The Clone Wars) will host Star Wars™ Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™.  Today, we have more celebrities to add to the list making appearances each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 18-June 10, 2012.

Here’s the scheduled celebrity lineup for Star Wars™ Weekends 2012 (subject to change):

Weekend #1 (May 18 – 20)

• Ray Park – (Darth Maul – Star Wars™: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
• Jerome Blake (Rune Haako/Mas Amedda – Star Wars™: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
• Dee Bradley Baker (voice of Clone Captain Rex and Clone Commander Cody – Star Wars™: The Clone Wars)

Weekend #2 (May 25- 27)

• Andy Secombe (Watto – Star Wars™: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
• Ray Park (Darth Maul – Star Wars™: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
• Tom Kane (voice of Yoda – Star Wars™: The Clone Wars)

Weekend #3 (June 1 -3)

• Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker – Star Wars™: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
• Silas Carson (Nute Gunray/Ki-Adi-Mundi – Star Wars™: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
• TBA (Star Wars™: The Clone Wars voice talent)

Weekend #4 (June 8- 10)

• Michonne Bourriague (Aurra Sing – Star Wars™: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
• Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett – Star Wars™: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VIReturn of the Jedi)
• Daniel Logan (Boba Fett – Star Wars™: Episode II Attack of the Clones)
• Nika Futterman (voice of Asajj Ventress – Star Wars™: The Clone Wars)

As we get closer to the opening of Star Wars™ Weekends, we will share more information about the different events planned each day of the event.

It is no secret that memories are an important part of every Walt Disney World® Resort vacation. In fact, it is estimated that more than 600 million pictures are taken every year at the Walt Disney World® Resort!

Since the debut of Disney’s PhotoPass® service in 2004, guest have taken advantage of this convenient way to capture these treasured moments with their entire party in the picture. Disney’s PhotoPass® photographers use the latest equipment in digital photography to photograph guests in various places within the entire Walt Disney World® Resort. Guests receive a special Disney’s PhotoPass® card that links all of their high-quality vacation photos together into one online account that they can access at their leisure to view, share and order photos.

For some time, guests have been able to pre-order their Disney’s PhotoPass® CD online at a discount which included all of their images as well as a copyright release for future prints. Effective April 4, 2012, guest will be able to upgrade to the new Disney’s PhotoPass® + option. With Disney’s PhotoPass®+, you can have all your Disney’s PhotoPass® Photographer photos PLUS select Attraction photos AND Dining Print Packages – All for one price.

Disney’s PhotoPass® + Product Details:

• PhotoPass®+ will be sold at PhotoPass® view stations located throughout the Walt Disney World® Resort.
• With PhotoPass®+ you will have digital files of all your PhotoPass® photos, Attraction photos, and Dining photos taken within a 14 day visit to the Walt Disney World® Resort as well as Print Packages at select Dining locations.
• Once you arrive home from your vacation, you can view your photos and order a PhotoCD with all the high resolution photos plus a limited license agreement, which allows you to print photos at any local photo processing center.

Participating Attractions:

• Space Mountain®
• Splash Mountain®
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin®
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Rock ‘n Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith
• Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain®
• Dinosaur

Participating Character Dining Locations:

• 1900 Park Fare
• Ohana (Breakfast only)
• Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show
• Chef Mickey’s
• Cinderella’s Royal Table
• Tusker House Restaurant (Breakfast only)
• Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue
• Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

Disney’s PhotoPass®+ Includes:

• Disney’s PhotoPass®+ Card and Lanyard
• A gallery CD with over 400 stock photos
• A unique code to create and order a PhotoCD with all your photos online at DisneyPhotoPass.com
• Print Packages at select Dining locations
• Digital Downloads of select Attractions

For more information about Disney’s PhotoPass® services and their various packages, contact your Magic Maker®

by Magic Maker™ Courtney Harris

Walt Disney World® Resort is often dismissed as a “family vacation” destination.  While it is definitely family-centered, its potential as a romantic getaway is often overlooked.  Walt Disney World® Resort boasts many activities geared toward adults and couples, whether you are celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, birthday, or just wanting to spend some quality time with your significant other.

At both Disney’s Port Orleans Resort- Riverside and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, couples can enjoy a 25 minute horse-drawn carriage ride around the property.  During the month of December, the carriages at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground are transformed into “sleighs” that travel around the campgrounds viewing the stunning light displays set up by campers.

For couples wishing to splurge, fireworks cruises can be booked that provide them with their own private pontoon boat and driver, from which they can view either IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot® or Wishes fireworks show at Magic Kingdom® Park.  For an extra fee, the audio from the show can even be piped into the boat.  While water, soda, and snacks are provided as part of the package, those wishing to enjoy a romantic meal or dessert may preorder private dining to be delivered to the boat before it departs. Wine and specialty cakes can also be ordered to enjoy while on the cruise.

Couples wishing to enjoy a romantic meal can make dinner reservations at one of the signature dining restaurants on property, such as the California Grill or Jiko: The Cooking Place.  The dim lighting and quiet setting of these locations combine to create a romantic atmosphere perfect for couples seeking a nice meal together.  Specialty cakes can also be ordered at these locations, along with romantic desserts such as chocolate covered strawberries.  For couples wishing to enjoy a night-in, private dining will bring the romance to them by delivering directly to the room.

There are many other activities on property for couples to enjoy such as getting a massage together, renting a private pool cabana, parasailing, bicycling, or booking a behind-the-scenes tour. The list is endless!  While all of these activities require advance booking and have an associated fee, there are many romantic activities that couples can enjoy for free!  Just one example is watching Wishes from a hammock on the beach of Disney’s Polynesian Resort.  Audio is piped onto the beach so you can enjoy the beauty of the fireworks without fighting the crowds on Main Street, U.S.A.® Area.  Some other free activities include searching for hidden Mickeys, taking a stroll around the Disney’s Boardwalk, or just walking hand in hand around your resort hotel.  Most of the hotels have very elaborate theming in order to immerse you in a particular time period or setting.

If you have been craving some alone time with your significant other, but always thought the Walt Disney World® Resort was “just for kids”, contact your Off to Neverland® Magic Maker™ today to learn more about these activities, along with countless other tips for making your vacation the romantic getaway of your dreams!