WDW Daily News

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at the Disneyland® Resort, an award-winning hotel that defines grandeur at every turn, is introducing its all-new upscale experience – Tenaya Stone Spa – opening in spring 2020.

Inspired by the spirit of nature and Californian heritage, this full-service spa will be a rejuvenating retreat. Here, you can choose from an array of body treatments, facials, massage and salon services, all performed in a serene setting, sure to relax, revitalize and invigorate the senses.

In some indigenous cultures, Tenaya can mean “to dream.” For modern-day travelers seeking a respite to dream and recharge, it is only when we relax that we can regain balance within ourselves.   

The spa is being designed by Walt Disney Imagineers. Pictured below is a peek at the concept for the relaxation room, featuring Craftsman architecture, comfortable, well-appointed furnishings, a water feature and a stained glass window of the rising sun.

Tenaya Stone Spa will be a wonderful addition to Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, where you can take time to unwind with head-to-toe pampering. The spa will be located near GCH Craftsman Bar and the hotel’s entrance to Disney California Adventure® Park.

Nala, a 2-year-old service dog, has warmed countless hearts thanks to an adorable viral video of her cuddling with Donald Duck at Disney World.

The video shows Nala putting her head on Donald Duck’s lap and closing her eyes in happiness while he gently pets her head. In the background of the video a woman’s voice can be heard saying, “She can stay here for the rest of the day.”

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Disney crashed the Emmys on Sunday, announcing the start to pre-orders for Disney+ and running an ad for the streaming service in the first position of the awards telecast’s first commercial break.

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There’s nothing quite like a stay at Walt Disney World, and though there are more than two dozen Disney-branded hotels for guests to explore across the Lake Buena Vista resort…

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Next week marks the official beginning of the autumn season. And that makes it the perfect time to stop by Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter for pumpkin spice beignets! Best of all, there’s even sweeter reasons to stop by the resort coming this fall. 

Soon, things will be jazzed up even more at the resort’s lounge: Scat Cat’s Club. The club will expand to a larger space to serve up signature beverages and flavorful bar options offering a taste of the “Big Easy” in a lounge inspired by the French Quarter in New Orleans.  

And just like the French Quarter always has music playing, Scat Cat’s Club will continue to fill the room with entertainment authentic to the New Orleans story, featuring live jazz music five nights a week.

With the expansion of Scat Cat’s Club, the famous beignets will soon be available throughout the day at an all-new location near the lobby, Scat Cat’s Club – Café, making it easier to pick up a piping hot batch. The beignets are made in-house daily, available in classic as well as my favorite seasonal flavor, and many are even served in a signature Mickey-shape!

Whether you are staying at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter or craving some sweet beignets and lively music, they’re invited to swing by Scat Cat’s Club to enjoy its timeless charm and new offerings starting this October.

Gasps, shouts, tears of joy – even eyes widened and jaws dropped in awe – have all been common reactions of Guests visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®.

Since the highly anticipated land debuted at the park last month, Guests have made Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu a must-experience vacation destination – the place where their dreams of embarking on a thrilling Star Wars adventure come to life. We asked a few travelers about their experiences inside the groundbreaking new land, and here’s what they told us:

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, they can explore – and control – the Millennium Falcon, build their own droids and lightsabers, enjoy the out-of-this-world atmosphere of Oga’s Cantina, taste Blue Milk, acquire rare artifacts from Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, and choose a companion from the Creature Stall (note: they have Porgs!). The land is also populated by residents of Black Spire Outpost, as well as familiar faces from both the Resistance and the First Order. At Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, unforgettable experiences and encounters seem to happen around every corner! 

Stay tuned as we continue to cover all the happenings in this galaxy far, far away.

Fall begins Monday with the autumnal equinox, and visions of holiday happenings already are dancing in our heads! The Epcot® International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth is gearing up for a glittering music-and-entertainment-filled, treat-forward kickoff Nov. 29, 2019. The annual event, enhanced park-wide with sparkling holiday lights and festive decor, will continue through Dec. 30, 2019.

A few months ago, we announced quite a few celebrity narrators for this year’s beloved “Candlelight Processional,” and now we have two more vibrant stars slated to appear. Film and television actress, director and wildlife conservationist Isabella Rossellini will be the Candlelight storyteller Dec. 8-10; and actress, author, activist and Oscar winner Marlee Matlin will appear Dec. 27-28. They join a stellar cast of narrators that kicks off with Ming-Na Wen, actress and voice of Disney animated heroine Mulan, Nov. 29-Dec. 1. Performed at the America Gardens Theatre, the “Candlelight Processional” is a heartwarming and rousing show featuring a live orchestra, massed choir and celebrity telling of the traditional Christmas story.

From day one of the festival, 13 Holiday Kitchens plus additional food-and-beverage locations (more than 25 in all) across Epcot will serve a delectable array of bites, sips and creative treats.  The holiday tasting journey begins with Slow-Roasted Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and Cranberry Sauce at the American Holiday Table. Between the Morocco and France pavilions, Guests will find the new Smoked Salmon Potato Latkes at the L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen (where the Pastrami on Rye with House-made Pickles and Deli Mustard is a returning favorite). There are new bites to discover including Canadian Wild Rice and Ham Soup with Pretzel Roll at the Yukon Holiday Kitchen, which also brings back its popular Seared Verlasso Salmon with Crown Maple Whisky Glaze, Parsnip Silk, Apple Chutney and Hazelnut Croquant.

The Holiday Cookie Stroll is rewarding fun for the family and gives everyone a chance to explore the festival with baked goodies offered at several Holiday Kitchens. Guests can choose any five cookies featured in your Festival Passport, collect matching stamps and receive a complimentary Santa Mickey Sugar Cookie at the Holiday Sweets & Treats location:

• Bavaria Holiday Kitchen: Linzer Cookie
• American Holiday Table: Gingerbread Cookie
• Yukon Holiday Kitchen: Peppermint Pinwheel Cookie
• Feast of the Three Kings: Chocolate Crinkle Cookie
• L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen: Black and White Cookie

Plus, Guests can purchase a Cookie Stroll Cookie Jar at one of the World Showcase Holiday Markets while supplies last.

The “Candlelight Processional” is performed three times nightly at 5, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. – guaranteed seating is available by booking a Candlelight Processional Dining Package at EpcotHolidays.com or by calling 407-WDW-DINE. 

*Narrators and entertainment are subject to change without notice. Theme park admission is required.

Since opening in 1955, Frontierland has played host to a wide range of variety acts, from heroes on horseback to comedians and can-can dancers. This fall, Disneyland® Park Guests can look forward to some new entertainment on the western front.

A strolling magician arrives in town next week, with astonishing demonstrations of sleight-of-hand and other tricks. During the fall season, this master of magic can be found on the streets of Frontierland, aboard the Mark Twain steamboat or mingling with patrons inside The Golden Horseshoe.

Following later in the fall, The Golden Horseshoe lays out the welcome mat for a pair of piano players, ready to challenge one another in a good ol’ fashioned showdown. They’ll take turns playing iconic tunes of the Old West and even take requests from the audience.  

So mosey on over to Frontierland and The Golden Horseshoe this fall and say, “Hello, everybody!” These new performers will be mighty glad to meet them!

Presented throughout Halloween Time at the Disneyland® Resort, “Halloween Screams” delivers a dreadfully delightful treat! For the first time in nearly a decade, all Guests visiting Disneyland Park during the Halloween season will get to enjoy a version of the supernatural projection and special effects show. On weekend nights, “Halloween Screams” will go sky high as the show is enhanced with fireworks!

Check out what’s in store:

The evening kicks off with the “Master of Scare-omonies” Jack Skellington and his ghostly dog Zero from the Walt Disney Pictures classic “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.” The spook-tacle takes you on a collision of eerie sights and sounds, from soaring flames to projections of classic Disney villains like Maleficent and Ursula—all set to a medley of Halloween-inspired songs.

In addition, there are multiple viewing areas for “Halloween Screams” throughout the park, including Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, Rivers of America and near “it’s a small world.” Each location lends a different feel to the show.

Making its debut in just two weeks, “Epcot Forever” will be an all-new, limited-time spectacle of fireworks, music, lighting, lasers and choreographed special effects kites. The show takes Guests on a journey through the past, present and future of Epcot®, featuring a stirring collection of songs that paint a colorful picture of the park, with a look towards the future and all the magical possibilities still to come.

Disney Parks Live Entertainment is busy getting “Epcot Forever” ready for opening day. At the D23 Expo last month, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Bob Chapek shared a special sneak peek at some of the work taking place behind the scenes. Take a look (and listen)!

Stay tuned  for more on the making of “Epcot Forever,” and be sure to make plans when the show debuts Oct. 1, 2019!