WDW Daily News

The exciting transformation of Epcot® has begun, with groundbreaking attractions and other unforgettable experiences debuting in the coming months and years. Among them will be new places to meet and interact with some of your favorite Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse himself! 

Mickey will soon be making appearances in a new location at the Imagination! pavilion, as part of the Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival. Just inside the entrance, you will discover Mickey greeting his fans and celebrating his on-screen stardom.

Mickey’s imagination has led to a career in the movies for 90 years and counting, featuring roles in dozens of short films such as “Get A Horse” which your Clients can enjoy as part of the festival. You can look for Mickey to arrive at the Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival in early 2020! 

Guests can get ready to chow down on some good ol’ classic American barbecue with Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue, coming to Epcot® this winter! This new fast-casual barbecue experience at The American Adventure will offer up classic American backyard barbecue from around the United States as well as a variety of home-style craft brews. 

On the menu are a variety of sandwiches and platters as well as a plant-based option. Guests can enjoy a sliced Texas beef brisket sandwich with house-made spicy mop sauce on garlic toast or the South Carolina smoked sausage sandwich with tangy mustard sauce and caramelized onions.

They can also feast on Kansas City smoked chicken, Memphis dry-rub pork ribs, North Carolina chopped smoked pork butt, all available by themselves or as part of a delicious hearty platter. For a lighter option, you can grab the Power Greens Salad with chilled pulled chicken, fresh citrus, and a citrus vinaigrette. And if they’re looking for an all-American burger, they can try the grilled burger topped with BBQ pork and a fried onion ring or take a bite out of the plant-based BBQ burger featuring a plant-based patty topped with BBQ jackfruit served on vegan garlic toast. 

Guests can also choose to slather their entrée in a delicious barbecue sauce. Sauces include a spicy mop sauce, sweet BBQ, tangy mustard, and a vinegar-based sauce. The side items include classic barbecue complements like french fries, beer-battered onion rings, mac and cheese, baked beans with burnt ends, house-made pickles, and creamy slaw. 

Kids can enjoy their own fun-sized bites including a burger, BBQ chicken salad, BBQ chicken leg or chicken salad, and even a BBQ rib platter, all served with their choice of two sides.

And finally, Guests can satisfy their sweet tooth with a delectable dessert like banana pudding or a s’mores brownie as well as a cup of fresh watermelon garnished with torn mint – YUM. 

All-American beverage offerings will include a selection of beer and cider from around the country, wines from the west coast, and specialty regional cocktails with and without alcohol. Coca-Cola® fountain beverages will also be available. Guests will also get to enjoy an outdoor bar pouring their favorite craft brews on draft, and the outdoor seating area will be a great place to sit back and sip on a Tennessee Lemonade Cocktail or a non-alcoholic Berry Sparkler!

Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue will open this winter at The American Adventure at Epcot. Stay tuned for more details to be released soon. 

When Disney PhotoPass Service launched the first Super Zoom Magic Shot at Magic Kingdom® Park as a limited-time experience a few months ago, we were thrilled to offer Guests the chance to capture yourself in front of Cinderella Castle like never before with photos taken from a unique angle above the park, all combined into a one-of-a-kind video. It’s been so well received that it’s now a permanent offering!      

Disney PhotoPass photographers are roaming Batuu and ready to offer even more creative ways to capture your Star Wars adventure at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, including two more Super Zoom Magic Shots. Guests can visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge near First Order Cargo, where a Disney PhotoPass photographer can capture a Super Zoom Magic Shot of them surrounded by the beauty of Batuu, as well as next to Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, where Guests will be in frame with the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon.

We’re always looking for even more ways to capture creative memories during your visit, so you can expect more Super Zoom Magic Shots to roll out across Walt Disney World Resort in the future. 

To those with Memory Maker or Memory Maker One Day, I bring even better news: These photos and videos are included with your entitlement!* So all you have to do is smile then share. 

While the videos are available to download and share exclusively by those with Memory Maker or Memory Maker One Day, if guests don’t have one of these entitlements, they can still view the videos in their Disney account until they expire and purchase downloads of the photos for $16.95 each at Disneyworld.com/PhotoPass.   

Guests can capture their vacation and share it with family and friends like never before with Super Zoom Magic Shots! 

Parks, attractions, entertainment or character experiences may change operating hours; close due to refurbishing, capacity, weather, special events, character availability or other reasons; and otherwise change or be discontinued without notice and without liability to the owners of the Walt Disney World Resort.

*Disney PhotoPass Service and Memory Maker are subject to the applicable terms and policies. Includes photos taken during the applicable Memory Maker Window as defined in such terms (generally, photos taken (i) within one day for Memory Maker One Day or (ii) within 30 days from the date of first activation for standard Memory Maker). If Memory Maker is purchased at the advance purchase price, any photos taken within 3 days of the date Memory Maker is purchased are not included and must be purchased separately. A MagicBand is required to receive certain attraction photos and other digital content. Online registration required. Disney PhotoPass Photos in your account will expire pursuant to the expiration policy. Downloads are restricted to personal use only. Not responsible for missing, lost or damaged photos. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Valid theme park admission required for certain photo locations.  

Where else in the world do you get the chance to build your very own custom Astromech Unit that you can take home with you? That’s right, Droid Depot at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! While exploring Black Spire Outpost, you can swing by the Droid Depot for a chance to create one of the galaxy’s most indispensable sidekicks.

Guests can select their choice of a BB-series or an R-series, then choose from a colorful variety of components to customize the droid, activate it, then they’re in business! Whether heading to the far corners of Wild Space or wandering around Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, guests can bring their personal droid — the ultimate travel companion for all their Outer Rim adventures. 

Make sure to swing by and build their own droid during your next visit to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland® Resort or Walt Disney World® Resort!

You may have heard by now that the Disney Wonder recently debuted a collection of brand-new enhancements for Guests. From the French Quarter Lounge, where the wonderful world of Princess Tiana comes to life, to spaces exclusively built for adults and teens in the Cove Café and Vibe, several areas on the ship were reimagined and are delighting families as we speak! 

In this video, our Director of Entertainment Operations Christiaan Abbott gives us a closer look at what you can expect the next time they step foot on the Disney Wonder.

Whether guests have plans to visit Alaska, the Mexican Riviera, Caribbean or Bahamas,  you can help them start planning their Disney Cruise Line vacation now so they can experience these recent enhancements on the Disney Wonder firsthand! 

The clock may be ticking for the 2019 Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival, but there’s still time to sip, taste and eat to the beat of some NEW jammin’ bands plus enjoy culinary experiences!  

You can sip along with the experts at a Beverage Seminar or enjoy Sunday Brunch with the Chef. They can dig in for a Culinary Demo or learn how to Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It! at one of several events still available for booking during this year’s longest-ever foodie extravaganza. And remember – there are four NEW Eat to the Beat acts set to rock the America Gardens Theatre stage during the concert series’ final week – we know your Clients won’t want to miss them!

• Nov. 15-16 – BBMak “Back Here”
• Nov. 17-18 – Spanish Harlem Orchestra “Un Gran Dia en el Barrio”
• Nov. 19 – The concert series will wrap on a high note with DCappella, Disney Music Group’s a cappella singing sensation. Your Clients will definitely want to sing along!

If you want to guarantee your seats ahead of a concert, book an Eat to the Beat Dining Package(breakfast, lunch or dinner) at a participating Epcot restaurant. Don’t forget you can take the music home with you from the Eat to the Beat Concert Series available on the Epcot Festivals playlist on Apple Music^*.  

In addition to the Eat to the Beat Concert Series, there are a handful of Festival culinary events still available to book and experience:

• Oct. 31 – No need for tricks to get a Halloween treat at the “Venison & Wine” Food & Beverage Pairing! This event features Nick Martin from our own Epcot Garden Grill Restaurant and David Crane from Jarvis Estates, Napa, Calif.
• Nov. 17 – Sunday Brunch with the Chef with Food Network cooking star Aarti Sequeira will help you start your day in the most delicious way. You can enjoy a sparkling wine toast and her gourmet approach to a flavor-filled breakfast buffet.
• Nov. 21 – Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It! A lively interactive culinary workshop called “Kawaii Kyaraben: Cute Enough to Eat,” will feature a step-by-step walk-through with bento artist OMGiri as guests create their own edible featuring a Japanese-inspired onigiri (rice ball) shaped like a Disney-inspired character!
• Nov. 21 – Guests can get their sparkle on at a Beverage Seminar with Brenton Blanchard of Chapel Down Winery, England, who will showcase tastings of sparkling wines.
• Nov. 22 – Guests can join a Culinary Demonstration with cookbook author and festival host Pam Smith, who will present a fish dish they  won’t want to miss!
• Nov. 22 – You can enjoy the Golden State’s finest at a Beverage Seminar with California presenter Butch Hoth of St. Francis Winery, Santa Rosa, featuring wines from the Sonoma County region.

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival runs through Nov. 23, 2019. Reservations for special programming and premium festival events including Eat to the Beat Dining Packages can be made by calling (407) WDW-FEST.  

*Trial or Subscription Required.

Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone and Apple Music are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Guests loved Disney Villains After Hours so much that next year it is coming back to Magic Kingdom® Park with more nights and more wicked fun for all!

In 2020, the event will take place on 24 select nights Feb. 7 through July 10! Yes, that’s 14 additional nights!  

Disney Villains After Hours is bringing back the villain-themed elements Guests loved:  

• “Villains Unite the Night” stage show. Hades and Meg from “Hercules” will set the castle stage ablaze in this exciting and villainous show which also features appearances by Jafar, The Queen, Dr. Facilier and Maleficent.
• Maleficent the Dragon, with her Steampunk style and signature wicked grin, will be let loose at night – breathing fire as she creeps through the park as a one-of-a-kind experience for party Guests.
• Dance party at Cinderella Castle Forecourt stage, where a party DJ will be spinning some sick beats, transforming the entire Central Plaza of the park into a killer club scene.
• Surprising, villain-inspired additions to Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain.
• A variety of wickedly good specialty food & beverage offerings will be available for purchase, including tasty desserts, drinks and dishes inspired by favorite villainous friends.
• Event attendees can purchase exclusive merchandise, as well as items from a curated collection of the best Disney Villains merchandise available.
• Low wait times at more than 25 attractions and experiences after the park closes to day Guests.

Tickets for Disney Villains After Hours go on sale today! You can purchase tickets in advance for $145 plus tax or $155 plus tax on the event night.

Event tickets allow entry as early as 7 p.m., which gives you time to enjoy fireworks before heading off to the attractions. Select complimentary snacks and beverages are also included in the cost of admission. 

And don’t forget, guests can show off their sinister side by dressing in attire inspired by their favorite baddie and sharing your experience using #VillainsAfterHours.

As a reminder, this event does not include character greetings with the Villains.

Two highly anticipated events are once again returning to the Disneyland® Resort in early 2020: Lunar New Year and Disney California Adventure® Food & Wine Festival! And today we’re excited to share a few details!

Lunar New Year

You can welcome another year of good fortune with 24 days of Lunar New Year celebrations at Disney California Adventure Park, Jan. 17 to Feb. 9. This year we are celebrating the Year of the Mouse with multicultural performances, fun-filled activities, beautiful décor, delicious cuisine and specialty merchandise.

Lunar New Year is a joyous celebration for all ages to commemorate traditions of Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures, along with favorite Disney characters. One of the highlights is “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession,” a bright and bold performance hosted by Mulan and her faithful dragon, Mushu. 

Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival

You can taste their way through California-inspired bites, wine and beer at Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, Feb. 28 to April. 21, 2020. They will also have the opportunity to enjoy live entertainment, culinary seminars and demonstrations with a distinctly Disney twist perfectly crafted for foodies. 

The popular culinary festival will feature more than a dozen mouthwatering Festival Marketplaces, featuring small plates, specialty wines and craft beers. Foodies will also appreciate the Sip and Savor Pass, which will be available for all Guests looking to try a variety of dishes. In addition, a new line of event merchandise will be offered—from festival-themed headwear and apparel, to kitchen gadgets and decor. Kids can even join in on the fun with hands-on “cooking” experiences with Chef Goofy!

Hundreds of new plant-based dishes have landed on menus at Walt Disney World® Resort! 

Just last month, we shared that all of our major quick and table service restaurants would be dishing up delectable new options at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland® Resort – accompanied by a new plant-based menu icon, a green leaf. Now, we’re excited to introduce more of these tasty offerings, including some delicious new choices.

Each one is made from plant-based ingredients like vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, seeds and legumes – and without animal meat, dairy, eggs or honey. From sweet treats to three-course meals, and everything in between, there are more than 400 craveable creations to choose from.

Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World® Resort? Be sure to check out the brand-new Guide to Plant-Based Dining on the resort’s website to learn where these dishes – and many more! – can be found during their visit.

Guests don’t have to journey to an enchanted forest to try these new treats celebrating the premiere of Disney’s highly-anticipated animated film, “Frozen 2.” All they have to do is visit Walt Disney World® Resort, where they’ll find a variety of yummy sweets across property.  While some items are coming soon, others are available now. Guests won’t want to miss these. And don’t forget,  “Frozen 2” hits theaters Nov. 22, 2019. 

Magic Kingdom® Park (available starting Nov. 8)

• Olaf’s Frozen Hot Chocolate Cake (Main Street Bakery, available all day) – gluten-friendly chocolate cake layered with chocolate crispy pearls, chocolate panna cotta, and marshmallow fluff
• Sven’s Carrot Cake (Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café, Exclusive to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party) – carrot cake topped with cream cheese frosting, sugar carrots, and a chocolate piece

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon® Water Park, Leaning Palms

• Elsa’s Frozen Wave – cotton candy vanilla milkshake with whipped cream, fall and winter sprinkles, and a white chocolate coin