Additional Disney After Hours Dates Announced

Additional dates are now available for Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with tickets on sale beginning May 30:

•Magic Kingdom Park: Aug. 22 and 29; and Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26

•Disney’s Animal Kingdom: July 2, 8, 15, 22, 29; Aug. 5, 12, 19, 26; Sept. 3, 9, 16, 23

•Disney’s Hollywood Studios: July 5, 12, 19, 26

Disney After Hours events enable guests to experience Disney theme parks after the park closes, which means less wait time for popular attractions and character greetings. These popular, ticketed events provide Guests with three hours of unforgettable adventures after the park closes

Event attendees can enter the park as early as 7 p.m. on event night.

Ice cream, popcorn and bottled beverages are also included with event admission, which is a separately priced ticket from daytime park admission.

Splash Pack Test to Begin March 26

Beginning on March 26 as part of a 6-week test, guests visiting Disney’s water parks will be able to receive all of their water park essentials in an easy, efficient way. The Splash Pack Bundle includes a food and beverage entrée, dessert, collectible refillable mug, and Disney-themed souvenir towel for a conveniently bundled price.

Available at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Parks, guests can speak with a Cast Member at Singapore Sal’s or Beach Haus to purchase their Splash Pack Bundle through May 4.

Cabanas Coming to Yacht & Beach Club

Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club has begun construction on new Pool Side Cabanas.

The new amenity will reportedly be priced at $199 for a full day or $129 tax for a half day (excluding tax) and include soda, water, and a fruit basket.

The new offering is scheduled to open Mid-March 2019 and can be booked via Walt Disney World activities (407-WDW-PLAY).

Festival Center to Host Monday Night Tailgate Parties

Guests visiting Epcot’s Festival Center through October 15 will be be able to enjoy the new “Monday Night Football Tailgate Party.” This special event is open to Guests of all ages (booked on a first come first serve basis) and will be held on Monday nights from 4:30 p.m. until 5:15 p.m.

Guests can sign up for this event at the Festival Center Information Desk. Guests will sample 3 food and beverage pairings based on the teams playing in the game that evening, and non-alcoholic beverages will be offered to children who attend the event.

Epcot Festival of the Arts Disney on Broadway Lineup Announced

The Walt Disney World Resort officially unveiled the lineup for the Disney on Broadway Series, which will return to Epcot during the International Festival of the Arts! During the festival (taking place January 12-February 19, 2018), guests can enjoy the Disney on Broadway Series Fridays through Mondays at America Gardens Theatre, with shows at 5:30, 6:45, and 8:00 p.m. Guests are invited to sing along with favorite tunes from award-winning shows, featuring many Broadway performers.

Here’s the schedule for the 2018 Disney on Broadway Series (subject to change without notice):

• January 12-15 and 19-22: New this year, Kara Lindsay will join returning performer Kevin Massey, performing songs from Tarzan, Aladdin, Newsies, and Frozen.
• January 26-29 and February 2-5: Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White, performing songs from Tarzan, The Lion King, Aida, Aladdin, and The Little Mermaid.
• February 9-12 and 16-19: Ashley Brown and Josh Strickland, performing songs from Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, Mary Poppins, Newsies, and Frozen.

Want to enjoy a meal and a show? Disney on Broadway Dining Packages are available for breakfast, lunch or dinner at an Epcot restaurant and include priority seating at one of the Disney on Broadway shows on the same day. These packages are now available to book on DisneyWorld.com or by calling 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).

Festival of the Arts Workshops Announced

As previously announced, the Epcot International Festival of the Arts will return in 2018 to celebrate all things art – performing, visual and culinary.

This week, the Walt Disney World Resort released additional information about some of the experiences available for guests.  As part of the festival, Epcot guests will be able to enjoy multiple seminars and workshops from top Disney, local, and nationally-renowned artists.

•Watermelon Carving – You need to see this to believe it. A watermelon will be artfully carved while you receive great tips and tricks to use at your next party. This seminar is hosted by the National Watermelon Promotion Board and will be something to talk about!

•Inspiring Floral – This workshop will share floral design principles along with Disney-inspired creations to help you bring the magic of Disney home at any time of the year.

•Handwritten Typography – Nothing is more personal than typography created by hand and at this workshop, a Walt Disney World Resort creative service manager will teach you how to draw your own hand drawn typography to create personalized gifts and cards.

•Art of Topiaries – Disney’s horticulture team will be showing you how we create some of the amazing signature topiaries you see around the Walt Disney World Resort. After this seminar, you’ll be inspired to create Disney sculptures at home to amaze your neighbors.

•Handcrafted Calligraphy – It’ll be difficult not to have fun learning the basics of pointed pen calligraphy. This workshop will cover topics such as mastering faux calligraphy, how to hold your oblique pen, letter formation, common issues you may run into, and which paths you can take with your new skill.

•Storytelling Drawings – A single drawing can tell a story – and this workshop will show you how to do it. A Disney animator will share the art of quick sketching from life. Gesture drawing of people covered in this session is a foundational practice for animators, storyboard artists, and directors.

•Magic with Water – The same Disney Photo Imaging team you read about here on the Disney Parks Blog will discuss tips and tricks for taking great photos around water; including swimming pools, play fountains, waterfalls, and even in the rain. You’ll also learn about using camera settings, lenses, and locations to get the best results.

•Phone Cam Photography – This photography session from Disney Photo Imaging is for everyone! You will learn how to maximize the capabilities of your phone’s camera to improve your photos. Lighting adjustment, color adjustment, taking High Dynamic Range photos, time lapse, and how to edit your photos are just a few of the topics on the agenda.

•Inspiring Floral – This workshop will share floral design principles along with Disney-inspired creations to help you bring the magic of Disney home at any time of the year.

•Handcrafted Calligraphy  – It’ll be difficult not to have fun learning the basics of pointed pen calligraphy. This workshop will cover topics such as mastering faux calligraphy, how to hold your oblique pen, letter formation, common issues you may run into, and which paths you can take with your new skill.

To book these experiences, be sure to call 407-WDW-TOUR or 407-939-8687.

Star Wars Galactic Nights Coming December 16th

Disney has released more details about this special ticketed event.

First up, Warwick Davis, who has long been part of the Lucasfilm family and beloved by Star Wars fans since his career-starting performance as Wicket the Ewok in “Return of the Jedi.” An established film and television actor, Davis is known for other Lucasfilm roles in “Ewoks: Battle for Endor” and “Caravan of Courage,” and for portraying the title character in “Willow.” He returned to the galaxy far, far away for the prequels as well, with several roles in “The Phantom Menace.” He recently played Wollivan in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and will appear in this year’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” and 2018’s “Solo: A Star Wars Story.”

Actor David Collins will also appear at the event to host a special “Inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” panel discussion with members of the Walt Disney Imagineering and Lucasfilm team. The panel, which will include Scott Trowbridge, Portfolio Creative Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering; Robin Reardon, Executive Creative Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering; Chris Beatty, Executive Creative Director at Walt Disney Imagineering and Doug Chiang, VP/Creative Director at Lucasfilm, will give guests an inside look at the making of the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge lands currently under construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland park. Attendees will also get an exclusive peek into the progress being made and learn what it’s like to bring the epic saga to life in the theme parks.

Using the projectors from the new Sunset Seasons Greetings show, the facade of the Hollywood Tower Hotel will transform to showcase stunning locations from across the galaxy. Favorite film moments, special effects, lighting, and of course the stellar Star Wars cinematic score supports each galactic location moment all evening long.

Along with character encounters, entertainment includes enhanced versions of ‘Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular’ and ‘Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Awayo.o.’

There will also be an opportunity to add premium add-ons to the night, including a Galactic Tasting Sampler for $30 and Jedi Recruitment package for $149.95.

The Galactic Tasting Sampler gives Guests a credential with 5 pull-off tabs to exchange for Star Wars-inspired treats including: Lightsaber churros, Root Leaf Stew, Character cupcakes—like Darth Vader chocolate peanut butter cupcakes, Charcuterie plates featuring C3PO crackers and specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

The Jedi Recruitment package includes a reserved spot in the Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple, a Jedi robe, a lightsaber, name badge, a limited-edition Star Wars t-shirt and a photo with Jedi Master.

Event hours on December 16, 2017 are 7 pm – midnight. Tickets are priced at $129 adults, $124 ages 3-9 (discounts available for Annual Passholders & DVC Members).  Purchase Star Wars: Galactic Nights tickets here or call 407-W-DISNEY (407 934-7639).

 

 

FerryTale Wishes Dessert Cruise Returns in December

 

Prepare to set sail on the Seven Seas Lagoon for the return of a fireworks dessert cruise like no other aboard the iconic double stack ferryboat, the General Joe Potter, magically transformed into a ‘ferrytale’ vessel! On select nights in December and January, guests will enjoy specialty desserts and beverages and conclude the evening with viewing of the spectacular fireworks show that lights up the sky over Magic Kingdom.

The cruise officially returns to the Walt Disney World Resort on Fridays and Sundays, from December 1, 2017 through January 28, 2018. Reservations are now open and can be made online or by calling 407-WDW-DINE. This is a pre-paid experience, available for $99, $69 ages 3-9, per person, including tax and gratuity. A 10% discount for Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Members, and Cast Members will apply.

Time Change for Dine With An Animal Specialist

Beginning Wednesday, November 22, the Dine with an Animal Care Specialist program at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will move from a noon start time to an 11 a.m. start time.
This offering, which gives participants the opportunity to interact with an animal expert while enjoying a 4-course lunch at the popular Sanaa restaurant in Kidani Village, is available to Walt Disney World guests twice a week (Wednesdays and Saturdays). Guests must be at least 8 years old to be able to participate.

Here’s the details of the Dine with an Animal Care Specialist program:

Wildly Delightful
Learn about the over 200 animals roaming just outside the windows of Sanaa as you savor an African-inspired feast.
Zebras, giraffes, gazelles, crowned cranes and more—roam the 4 savannas of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge & Villas. At a private table facing the Sunset Savanna, discover fun facts about their care, current field research and Disney’s role in conservation when you dine with an Animal Specialist!

The Feast
Enjoy Indian-style bread service, salads, slow-cooked meats, and desserts. Options abound for meat lovers, vegans, and vegetarians alike, while little ones can choose from child-size portions of the adult fare or familiar favorites on the kids menu. In order to provide a more intimate experience, this lunch is limited to 12 Guests.

Important Details:
Advance reservations are highly recommended and can be made up to 180 days prior to your visit. To book a reservation, please call (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult 18 years of age or older.

Aulani Introduces Moana Experiences

Since Moana made her official arrival at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, she has inspired many new and exciting experiences for Guests to enjoy at the resort.

Guests now have the opportunity to meet the brave wayfinder and learn of her breathtaking adventures at Mo’olelo Fireside Stories with Moana, enjoy Uncle’s Kahakai Canoe Race, and even get a “Moana makeover” in the resort’s Painted Sky Teen Spa.

Mo’olelo Fireside Stories with Moana:

As the audience gathers around the oceanside fire pit, Moana and “Uncle,” Aulani’s very own storyteller, bring the legends of Oceania to life. Moana also recounts her own stories of way finding.

Uncle’s Kahakai Canoe Race:

Guests join Moana and Uncle as they tell seagoing stories and explain the importance of wa’a – or canoe. Then, Guests build a wa’a model and enjoy a friendly canoe race at the lagoon.

Moana Makeover:

In the Painted Sky Teen Spa, young adventurers can experience a Moana-inspired makeover, which includes styled hair, manicure, pedicure, makeup, and costume.

Disney’s latest animated film “Moana” is currently playing in theaters around the United States in 3D.