WDW Daily News

In just a few weeks, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park will host its annual Earth Day celebration, Party for the Planet, April 20-22, 2019. During this special three-day event, you are invited to explore, engage and connect with the magic of nature through family-friendly experiences and specialty offerings.

Party for the Planet kicks off the moment you enter the park, as no Guest will be able to miss a larger-than-life marine debris sculpture celebrating Disneynature Penguins on display in the Oasis. The fun continues throughout the park with unique character appearances, special entertainment, and commemorative photo opportunities available with Disney PhotoPass photographers.

Throughout this special weekend event you can meet some of our amazing animal care experts, animal educators and conservation experts to see first-hand how Disney cares for animals and works to save endangered species worldwide. Guests can watch animal feedings and training experiences, specially planned for Party for the Planet, to learn how our keepers care for the animals.

If you are looking for a unique experience during Party for the Planet, they can take a journey through tales of adventure and cuisine during Tiffins Talks, a special dining experience April 20-22 from 1-3 p.m., featuring the beloved creative force behind the concept, design and buildout of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney Imagineer and Portfolio Executive Joe Rohde. Your Clients can join Joe for a unique conversation as he regales the group with stories from his travels through a delectable 4-course lunch featuring global dishes, desserts and specialty beverages. Space is limited. Pricing for this dining package is $199 plus tax and gratuity and requires separate park admission. Reservations can be made beginning today by calling 407 WDW-DINE (407 939-3463).

Guests are also invited to meet Joe Rohde at Mombasa Marketplace, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. April 20 and 22, where he’ll be on hand to sign his own unique artwork, a commemorative lion print that will be on sale throughout the event while supplies last. A wristband is required to meet Joe Rohde. A limited number of wristbands will be distributed with purchase of the commemorative lion art at the signing location.

As if all the fun activities happening for Party for the Planet weren’t enough, on Earth Day, April 22, 2019 there will be a full assortment of “The Lion King” merchandise available at Mombasa Marketplace!  Your Clients can feel the love and take home so many fun souvenirs including an adorable Simba mug, Hakuna Matata Spirit Jersey, this “roaringly” cute Simba youth baseball hat or one of the many new items recently added to this collection.  

There are so many incredible ways to celebrate nature and the place we all call home at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

What do the Will Smith-led Aladdin remake, opening May 24, the Jon Favreau-directed Lion King redo, starring the voices of Donald Glover and Beyoncé (and due out July 19) and Tim Burton’s floundering Dumbo remake, starring Colin Farrell and Michael Keaton, have in common? They all have to live up to iconic Disney classics.

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For a limited time beginning April 19, 2019,  you will get a special preview of scenes from “Aladdin” in sneak peeks planned for Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line. At Disneyland® Park, the preview of “Aladdin” will be presented at the Main Street Opera House in Town Square, while Disney’s Hollywood Studios® will include this advance look at a portion of the film as part of the Walt Disney Presents attraction.

A thrilling and vibrant live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic, “Aladdin” is the exciting tale of the charming street rat Aladdin, the courageous and self-determined Princess Jasmine and the Genie who may be the key to their future. Directed by Guy Ritchie (“Sherlock Holmes,” “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”), who brings his singular flair for fast-paced, visceral action to the fictitious port city of Agrabah, “Aladdin” is written by John August (“Dark Shadows,” “Big Fish”) and Ritchie based on Disney’s “Aladdin.” The film stars Will Smith (“Ali,” “Men in Black”) as the larger-than-life Genie; Mena Massoud (“Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan”) as the charming scoundrel Aladdin; Naomi Scott (“Power Rangers”) as Jasmine, the beautiful, self- determined princess; Marwan Kenzari (“Murder on the Orient Express”) as Jafar, the powerful sorcerer; Navid Negahban (“Legion”) as the Sultan concerned with his daughter’s future; Nasim Pedrad (“Saturday Night Live”) as Dalia, Princess Jasmine’s free-spirited best friend and confidante; Billy Magnussen (“Into the Woods”) as the handsome and arrogant suitor Prince Anders; and Numan Acar (“The Great Wall”) as Hakim, Jafar’s right-hand man and captain of the palace guards.

Are you ready to take a tasty adventure through Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park? If so, be sure to tell them about the Disney’s Animal Kingdom Tasting Sampler. With this digital value card, Guests will be able to enjoy a delectable day of flavorful food and beverage as they taste their way around the park’s carts, kiosks, and after 5 p.m. at quick-service restaurants with a bonus digital value card. 

The sampler costs $50 and includes two digital value cards: one $50 card that can be used at over 40 outdoor food and beverage locations throughout the park (and does not expire), and a bonus $10 card that can be used at the following quick-service restaurants after 5 p.m. from April 12-22, 2019: Restaurantosaurus (DinoLand U.S.A), Pizzafari and Pizzafari Family-Style Dining (Discovery Island), Flame Tree Barbecue (Discovery Island), and Satu’li Canteen (Pandora – The World of Avatar). 

At each of the outdoor food and beverage locations, your Clients can use the $50 card to purchase anything on the menus. Among these dishes are some favorites from last year’s Tasting Sampler as well as a whole host of delicious new bites. Here’s a list of all the new and returning eats and treats that you won’t want to miss.

Growing and expanding since 2008, Marvel Studios has managed to create the most successful franchises of all time. Year after year they manage to release hit after hit, and it doesn’t look like they will be slowing down any time soon. With the release of Captain Marvel, there are now 21 films in canon — but that begs the question: how do they rank against each other?

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Disneyland is just one month away from the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This new area is going to be the biggest expansion coming to the Disney Parks. Recently, the official Disneyland and Walt Disney World websites updated with concept art of a stall at the market. They provided a little bit more information about it, too.

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They say dreams come true at Disney — and if yours involve cute collectibles and mocha lattes, you’re in luck!

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You can mosey on over to Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure park and take a spin on Jessie’s Critter Carousel, now open! This giant toy carousel stars Jessie, the yodeling cowgirl and a friendly bunch of desert critters inspired by the “Toy Story” films. Hop on and yell “giddyup!” from the saddle of a whimsical snake, armadillo, turtle, bunny or other critters from the world of Woody’s Roundup.

Jessie’s Critter Carousel can be found in Toy Story Boardwalk of Pixar Pier, which celebrates the stories and characters at Disney•Pixar films with exciting attractions, themed neighborhoods and fun eateries.

Disney announced Avengers Universe Unites, an epic charity event that supports The Walt Disney Company’s signature philanthropic commitment, Disney Team of Heroes, which delivers comfort and inspiration to seriously ill children around the world. Actors Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Paul Rudd and Brie Larson—stars of Avengers: Endgame—visited the Disneyland Resort to celebrate the donation of more than $5 million to nonprofits supporting children with critical illnesses.

Summer is almost here, and if your clients are planning on visiting Walt Disney World Resort over the 4th of July holiday, this event is one they certainly won’t want to miss! Taking place July 4 – 6, Woody’s Roundup is a fun-filled barbecue buffet complete with great food, familiar friends, and fun times, all from the comfort of Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

This exciting event lets your clients step inside Andy’s favorite playset to join in on a summertime hootenanny with Woody’s Roundup. Hangout with Sheriff Woody, Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl, and more! When you arrive at the resort, Sarge will be there to greet them and make sure they’re in tip top toy shape and ready for playtime. Once inside, they’ll be greeted by a host, decked out in western gear and ready to entertain in true cowpoke style. The room has been filled with rustic camp time playsets offering the perfect setting for this summertime bash. Buzz Lightyear will even be on hand in his own playtime zone. Theatrical backdrops, toys, and other fun props will help bring the room to life!

A delicious barbecue buffet will feature some of the best barbecue outside of the Wild West. Your clients can feast on mouthwatering barbecue beef brisket, low and slow-smoked pork ribs, and grilled boneless chicken with roasted peach coulis, or take a bite out of a fire-roasted vegetable cake served with chipotle succotash. Create the perfect plate with sides including fresh cornbread (served with honey butter – YUM!), sweet cream cole slaw, southern-style potato salad, and grilled vegetables with smoked olive oil. They can also chow down on some warm vegetarian campfire chili or mixed greens with balsamic vinaigrette and roasted pepper ranch dressing. In addition, kids can enjoy their own special buffet featuring items like Creamy Mickey Roni Cheese, chicken fingers, and potato barrels.

And for dessert? Try some yummy salted caramel cookie bars, cherry pie shots, or assorted sliced fresh melon. And in celebration of the 4th of July holiday, grab a patriotic Red, White, and Blue Cake Push Pop!

A rootin’ tootin’ DJ will spin Woody’s favorite tunes from a rustic toy set right in the heart of it all. Kids can go have some fun with activities like the Trick Ropin’ Toy, Make-Your-Own Toy Station, camp-style carnival games, and a larger-than-life balloon artist who can recreate their favorite Toy Story characters. And finally, at the end of the night, they’ll be invited out to the Porte Cochére to end the evening with a viewing of the famous Magic Kingdom Park nighttime spectacular.

This limited-time event is happening for three nights only, July 4-6, from 6:15-9:15pm each night at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot before it’s too late! Tickets are $149 for adults and $99 for children ages 3-9, tax and gratuity included. To make reservations, call 407 WDW-DINE (407 939-3463).

All menu item and event experiences are subject to change without notice.