Party for the Planet Returns to Animal Kingdom

To celebrate the beauty of our planet and all its creatures this Earth Day weekend, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will host the “Party for the Planet” on April 20-22, 2019.

Here is more about some of the activities that will be available to guests during the event:

•Animal encounters and educational excitement:

Guests will be able to discover living magic with special ambassador animals or watch animal keepers train and feed some of the creatures that live at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Is animal-themed artwork more your style? Check out the giant penguin sculpture made from reclaimed marine debris near the main entrance. The 11 ft. artwork celebrates Disneynature’s upcoming film “Penguins,” and ASE Educators are on hand to share how you can help keep our oceans clean.

 

•Memorable photo props and rare character opportunities

It wouldn’t be a wild party without picture-proof, would it? Say “cheese” inside themed photo props and critter masks at several spots on Discovery Island daily.

Rare character friends have also been invited to pose and play with visitors, including Jiminy Cricket, Thumper, and Miss Bunny!

•Eco-eats, sweets and events

The popular Tiffins Talks hosted by the world-famous Imagineer Joe Rohde return for another year. Enjoy a feast and hear from the man himself about his adventures, designing Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and more in this event.  Advance reservations are strongly recommended.

•Earth-conscious merchandise

Treat yourself while treating the environment with several special merchandise offerings! Stop by Discovery island to check out whimsical fairy houses, jewelry made from recycled materials, and natural bath and body products.

For another opportunity to meet Joe Rohde, he’ll be signing a limited number of special prints in Mombasa Marketplace on Saturday and Monday.

Woody’s Roundup BBQ Coming in July

Sheriff Woody and his Toy Story pals are heading to Disney’s Contemporary Resort to put on a shindig that will feature games, crafts, and barbeque goodness.

The holiday weekend celebration will be offered nightly July 4 through 6 from 6:15 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. and the scene will be set as a “larger-than-life recreation playset of Woody’s Roundup—a rustic, wild western town.”

Woody, Jessie, Bullseye, and Buzz Lightyear will be on-hand and guests can sing and dance as Mr. Microphone plays some of Woody’s favorite tunes.

Playtime activities will include:

•Trick Roping Demonstration

•Camp-style Carnival Games

•Toy Story Craft Station

A balloon artist will be roaming around and creating favorite Toy Story toys.

Guests will experience the following fireworks shows from the Porte Cochere which provides a spectacular view. Each show begins at approximately 9:15 PM:

•July 4: Disney’s Celebrate America!—A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky

•July 5 and 6: Happily Ever After

Below is the menu for each evening of the party:

*Entrees

•Grilled Boneless Chicken Breasts and Thighs with Roasted Peach Coulis

•Fire-roasted Vegetable Cake served with a Chipotle Succotash

•Low and Slow Smoked Pork Ribs

•Barbecue Beef Brisket Carved

*Sides

•Fresh Cornbread and Honey Butter

•Mixed Greens with Balsamic Vinaigrette and Roasted Pepper Ranch Dressing

•Sweet Cream Cole Slaw

•Southern-style Potato Salad

•Grilled Seasonal Vegetables with a splash of Smoked Olive Oil

•Vegetarian Campfire Chili

*Dessert

•Salted Caramel Cookie Bars

•Assorted Sliced Fresh Melon

•Red, White and Blue Push Pops

•Cherry-Pie Shots

*Kid’s Options

•Garden Salad with Ranch Dressing

•Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches

•Butter Corn Kernels

•Steamed Hot Dogs

•Creamy Mickey Roni & Cheese

•Chicken Fingers with BBQ Sauce & Honey Mustard

•Potato Barrels

•Assorted Cookies and Brownies

*Beverages

•Juices, milk and an assortment of libations—including premium adult beverage options for guests 21 years of age and older.

The event will be held in the Fantasia Ballroom at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The price is $149 for ages 10 and up; $99 for ages 3-9 – tax and gratuity are included.

Disney Dining Plan entitlements may not be redeemed for this event. Discounts and promotions are not available. Reservations can be made now on Disney’s site.

Tables for this event will be assigned and multiple parties will be seated together.

 

 

 

DJ’s Ready, Set, Party Time Dance Party Coming to Hollywood Studios

When Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy speeds into Disney’s Hollywood Studios on March 31, the world of Disney•Pixar’s “Cars” will unfold all around you, and the fun and excitement extend beyond the show into the courtyard outside Sunset Showcase, with special entertainment, photo ops, and more.

Piston Cup Champion Cruz Ramirez is stopping by to meet and take photos with all her fans, and DJ, the ultimate party on wheels, has hit the open road and made his way east, bringing his own incredible music mix to liven things up.

Several times daily, things kick into gear for “DJ’s Ready! Set! Party Time!” as Lightning McQueen’s Pit Crew arrives on the scene, getting everyone around DJ engaged in entertaining “Cars”-inspired dances and games. It all makes for some high-octane fun, starting March 31 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

 

SHOWTIMES (subject to change without notice):

10:00 a.m., 10:40 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 12:40 p.m., 1:05 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 3:40 p.m., 4:20 p.m., 5:00 p.m.

Golden Oak Celebrates It’s A Small World

 

On Tuesday, February 26th, the residents of Golden Oak celebrated the 55th anniversary of the classic Disney attraction, It’s A Small World.

Each place setting had a placemat with a map featuring Mary Blair artwork and Rolly Crump’s Tower of the Four Winds.  The thirteen course dinner followed the progression of the attraction , with each course representing a specific locale in sequential order according to the ride.

When It’s A Small World moved to Disneyland from the World’s Fair in 1966, Walt Disney dedicated the attraction by having children from around the world pour water from their home countries into the ride flume.  The dinner commemorated that moment by including a water tasting from around the world.

 

Disney After Hours is Expanding

Disney After Hours is expanding to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Here are the details:

Hollywood Studios

Announced attractions to be open during the event are:

• Slinky Dog Dash
• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Toy Story Mania!
• Rockin’ Roller Coaster
• Tower of Terror
• and more

Event nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be:

• Dec. 8, 15 and 22, 2018
• Jan. 5, 12 and 19, 2019
• Feb. 2, 9 and 16, 2019
• March 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2019
• April 6 and 13, 2019

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Announced offerings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are the Tree of Life Awakenings, Pandora – The World of Avatar, and select quick-service food & beverage locations.

Dates at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are:

• Dec. 4, 12 and 18, 2018
• Jan. 8, 16, 22 and 31, 2019
• Feb. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 26, 2019
• March 5, 20 and 27, 2019
• April 3, 2019

Tickets for Disney After Hours events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be on-sale November 15 through the Disney Reservation Center by calling 407-939-7795.

All Disney After Hours event tickets cost $125 + tax for advance purchase and $129 + tax for day-of purchases. Disney Vacation Club members and Annual Passholders do receive a discounted price $95 + tax.

 

2018 Wine & Dine Half Marathon Times Guide

Magic Kingdom to Close Early November 5th

Guests visiting the Walt Disney World Resort in the coming weeks should be aware that, due to a special event, the Magic Kingdom Park will close at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, November 5.

A fireworks show is scheduled to take place at 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 5, but it will be exclusive to event attendees.

This after-hours event (known as the “Service Celebration”) takes place every year and is open to select Walt Disney World Cast Members celebrating a milestone service anniversary (10 or more years).

2018 WINE & DINE HALF MARATHON ROAD & PARK INFORMATION

•EPCOT:

Event schedule:

Friday, Nov. 2: Fall Feast 5K

Saturday, Nov. 3: Wine & Dine 10K

Sunday, Nov. 4: Wine & Dine Half Marathon

Guest impacts at EPCOT for the Wine & Dine Half Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 4:

Friendship Boat Transportation to and from Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be delayed until 9 a.m. Guests can utilize bus transportation from the Epcot Resorts and Epcot.

From approximately 6:15 – 10 a.m., all Guests must utilize the crosswalks to safely cross the race course at the following three locations:

Pin Central East towards Test Track/Mission: SPACE

Future World Bridge near Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure

At the United Kingdom pavilion

Post-race party at Epcot on Sunday, Nov. 4- 10 p.m.-1 a.m.

A ticket is required to attend the post-race party. Tickets are included for Half Marathon and Challenge runners only. Spectators, 5K and 10K runners can purchase tickets on the night of at Guest Relations. Event Guests will begin to mix in with day Guests at 8 p.m.

Available attractions:

Spaceship Earth

Test Track presented by Chevrolet

Soarin’ Around the World

Frozen Ever After

Food & Beverage:

Fountain View

All Food & Wine Festival Global Marketplaces (excluding the Festival Center)

Les Vins des Chefs de France

Refreshment Cool Post

La Cantina de San Angel

Choza de Margarita

Gelati

Kabuki Café

Canada Popcorn Cart

Norway Beer Cart

Germany Beer Cart

Germany Pretzel Cart

Sommerfest

Fife & Drum Tavern

Morocco Juice Bar

Yorkshire County Fish Shop

Rose & Crown Pub

UK Beer Cart

Merchandise:

Bridge kiosk

World Traveler

After Market Shop

The Gift Stop (including Package Pickup)

Strollers & Lockers at the Main Entrance and International Gateway

Entertainment:

Fountain View Stage- DJ Dance Party

Morocco- Members of the Adventrue’s Club (10:15, 11::15 p.m., 12:15 a.m.)

Germany- Groovin’ Alps (10, 11 p.m., 12 a.m.)

Mexico- Mariachi Trio (10:30, 11:30 p.m., 12:30 a.m.)

Character greetings throughout World Showcase

•ANIMAL KINGDOM:

The following roads surrounding Disney’s Animal kingdom will be temporarily closed during the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon on Sunday, November 4:

Osceola Parkway Eastbound from Buena Vista Dr. to World Dr. closed for race course from 4:30-9 a.m.

Western Way closed in both directions from 5-8 a.m.

Additionally, Runners will be in the park from approximately 5:45-8 a.m., and a crosswalk will be added near the Main Entrance to assist Guests in crossing the course.

•DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Operational impacts for Sunday, Nov. 4:

Runners are expected to enter Disney’s Hollywood Studios at approximately 6:10 a.m. and should be clear of the park by 9:15 a.m. Due to the race course, Guests entering the park during the race will be directed behind Keystone Clothiers to access all park areas.

The right side of Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard will only be accessible via the race course crosswalk, located at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard.

The smoking location by Tower of Terror will be unavailable until 9:30 a.m.

Friendship boat transportation to and from Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be delayed until 9 a.m. Bus transportation will be available for applicable Guests.

As a reminder, morning Extra Magic Hours has been adjusted to evening Extra Magic Hours on Monday, Nov. 5.

Road Closures on Saturday, Nov. 4, and Sunday, Nov. 5

To accommodate the weekend’s multiple events, major roads, including World Drive, Osceola Parkway, and Epcot Center Drive will be closed or operating under traffic restrictions starting at 3 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3 and 2:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 4. Drivers should closely follow roadway signs and allow for extra travel time.

Donald’s Dino Bash Coming to Animal Kingdom

Beginning May 25, Donald Duck will take over Dinoland, U.S.A. to celebrate his recent discovery that ducks are descendants of dinosaurs as part of Donald’s Dino-Bash!

Feathered friends Scrooge McDuck, Launchpad McQuack and other friends of Donald will be on hand to meet Animal Kingdom guests. In addition to bringing his own decorating touch to the land, Donald will throw a nightly dance party where everyone is welcome to “shake their tail feathers.”

Expanded Party for the Planet coming to Animal Kingdom

Every year, Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates Earth Day and the park’s anniversary with Party for the Planet, a celebration where guests can find extra opportunities to explore the natural wonders of Disney’s Animal Kingdom park, thanks to a variety of enhanced park offerings, including interactive activities, entertainment, enhanced animal encounters, commemorative photo options and merchandise.

In 2018, Disney will greatly expand this event in both number of days it is offered and in the overall number of experiences for guests.

Events getting added to the lineup this year include:

•New menu items at festival booths all over the park
•Character dance parties
•New backstage tours of Rafiki’s Planet Watch and animal care facilities
•“Tiffins Talks” – meals at Tiffins offering a chance to learn about the park and its animals

The event will begin on April 22nd, 2018.