Disney News

For more than a decade, guests visiting the Walt Disney World® Speedway have been able to experience an ultimate thrill ride at the Richard Petty Driving Experience (RPDE). Now, junior guests will be able to take on the mile-long, tri-oval racetrack at speeds up to 140MPH!

RPDE has announced the addition of Junior Ride-Alongs to their lineup of choices at the Speedway. This program allows children (under the age of 14 & at least 48″ high) to ride shotgun with a professional driving instructor for three thrilling laps in a specially equipped two-seat NASCAR race car.

“We’re thrilled to be able to make RPDE even more family friendly and can’t wait to see the ear-to-ear smiles on these kid’s faces after experiencing the excitement of NASCAR first-hand.” says Bill Scott, General Manager of Richard Petty Driving Experience at Walt Disney World® Speedway.

Junior Ride-Alongs with RPDE at Walt Disney World® Speedway are $59. Please contact your Magic Maker® for more details on how you can get your next vacation roaring.

Earlier today, the Walt Disney World® Resort gave us a “taste” of what we can expect when the Be Our Guest Restaurant opens up later this year. Inspired by the Disney Movie Beauty and the Beast, the Be Our Guest Restaurant 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 Niçoise salad and a Croque Monsieur sandwich (carved ham, Gruyere cheese, béchamel)
• 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

We may only be a few days into the summer season, but Disneyland® Resort in Southern California has already announced details for Halloween Time taking place Sep. 14 through Oct. 31, 2012.

During Halloween Time, the entire Disneyland® Resort area is decorated for the most be-witching time of the year. Also, two popular Disneyland® Park attractions, Space Mountain® and The Haunted Mansion®, feature special Holiday overlays.

Another part of Halloween Time at Disneyland® Resort is Mickey’s Halloween Party. This special-ticketed event allows guests young and old to don a costume and trick-or-treat in Anaheim’s ultimate neighborhood, the Disneyland® Park! Purchase of tickets to Mickey’s Halloween Party include:

• An exclusive Halloween Screams fireworks spectacular show
• Admission to the Disneyland® Park up to 3 hours prior to the event’s start time
• Meet-and-greet opportunities with Disney and Pixar pals and Villains
• Trick-or-treat stations offering both yummy candy and healthy goodies
• Mickey’s Costume Party Cavalcade
• Special dance parties
• Access to nearly all Disneyland® Park attractions, including the Halloween-themed attractions such as Space Mountain® Ghost Galaxy and Haunted Mansion® Holiday
• Complimentary parking for (1) vehicle (larger vehicles may require an additional fee)

Dates and times for Mickey’s Halloween Party are:

• Fri., Sep. 28 – 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Tue., Oct. 2 – 6 to 11 p.m.
• Fri., Oct. 5 – 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Tue., Oct. 9 – 6 to 11 p.m.
• Fri., Oct. 12 – 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Mon., Oct. 15 – 6 to 11 p.m.
• Fri., Oct. 19 – 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Tue., Oct. 23 – 6 to 11 p.m.
• Fri., Oct. 26 – 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Mon., Oct. 29 – 6 to 11 p.m.
• Wed., Oct. 31 – 6 to 11 p.m.

Tickets go on sale Jul. 9 for Disneyland® Resort Annual Passholders and Jul. 16 for general public. Ticket prices range from $54-$69 depending on party dates with some discounts available for Annual Passholders on select dates. Due to popularity, some of the parties do sell out, so contact your Magic Maker® now for more details on this spooktacular event!

All Aboard!

This week, Disney Cruise Line® announced and opened bookings for the remainder of their 2013 itineraries.

Announced earlier this year, the Disney Dream™ and Disney Fantasy™ will continue to sail a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries in 2013, both departing from Port Canaveral.

The Disney Magic® is currently sailing from Manhattan and will reposition to Galveston in September to sail a Western Carribbean itinerary through May 2013. Then she will sail transatlantic to Barcelona and run various Mediterranean sailings through the end of August 2013. After, the Disney Magic® will call the Port of Miami home as it offers Western Caribbean and Bahamian cruises from mid-October through the end of 2013.

The Disney Wonder® will finish its current Alaskan cruises from Seattle before returning to Los Angeles in September. From Los Angeles, the Disney Wonder® will sail Hawaii, Mexican Riviera, and California Coast cruises before it sails the Panama Canal in route to Miami in December 2012. Caribbean cruises from Miami will will available late December 2012-May 2013 when the Disney Wonder® once again heads to the West Coast for Alaskan cruises departing from Vancouver late May – September 2013. After finishing on the Alaskan itinerary, Galveston, TX will be the home port for the Disney Wonder® for Western Caribbean sailings departing late September through the end of 2013.

All itineraries on all four of Disney Cruise Line’s® ships are now available to book through the end of 2013. Book early for the best rates and availability! Contact one of our Magic Makers® today for your quote!

Reservations for the 2012 Candlelight Dining Packages at Epcot® went on sale this morning. This popular package combines lunch or dinner at many favorite Epcot® 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 at Walt Disney World® 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 following Epcot® 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 $32.99–$55.99 for Guests 10+, and $12.50–$17.99 for Guests 3–9 while Dinner Packages range from $49.99–$66.99 for Guests 10+, and $14.50–$26.99 for Guests 3–9. Meal includes an appetizer, entrée, 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 — Isabella Rossellini
• Nov. 26 to Nov. 29, 2012 — Neil Patrick Harris
• Nov. 30 to Dec. 1, 2012 — Whoopi Goldberg
• Dec. 2 to Dec. 4, 2012 — TBA
• Dec. 5 to Dec. 7, 2012 — TBA
• Dec. 8 to Dec. 10, 2012 — TBA
• Dec. 11 to Dec. 13, 2012 — Jodi Benson
• Dec. 14 to Dec. 16, 2012 — Olivia Newton John
• Dec. 17 to Dec. 19, 2012 — TBA
• Dec. 20 to Dec. 22, 2012 — Trace Adkins
• Dec. 23 to Dec. 25, 2012 — Gary Sinise
• Dec. 26 to Dec. 28, 2012 — TBA
• Dec. 29 to Dec. 30, 2012 — 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 Maker® regarding availability during your upcoming holiday visit to Walt Disney World® Resort.