WDW Daily News

Goodbye pink, hello purple. Potion Purple, that is.

With the flurry of excitement surrounding the arrival of the must-have Potion Purple headband at Disney World and Disneyland last month, a brand-new new array of purple foods have now followed.

Full Story

Beginning Jan. 19, 2019, you can enjoy a delicious meal and specially-reserved viewing for the farewell season of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” with the new dining package.

The “IllumiNations” Dining Package, allows you to sit back and relax on the patio of the Rose & Crown Dining Room, located in the United Kingdom Pavilion, while dining on classic British fare and enjoying sweeping views of World Showcase Lagoon. The Rose & Crown patio offers a unique view of the nighttime spectacular – while it’s true that there are fantastic views of “IllumiNations” from all around World Showcase Lagoon, this location offers a unique perspective that is perfect for a romantic night out or a delicious end-of-the-day finale with family and friends. The package includes a prix fixe menu that features a selection of Rose & Crown favorites, as well as unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Guests can start their meal off with a Scotch Egg or the United Kingdom Cheese Platter, and follow up with popular entrées such as Rose & Crown’s signature Fish and Chips, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Pan-roasted Scottish Salmon, or Bangers and Mash. And for dessert, your Clients will love the Pudding Platter Trio featuring Sticky Toffee Pudding, English Trifle, and Chocolate Nougat Bar. Kids can enjoy a soup or salad with their choice of Cheese and Turkey Flatbread, Turkey Meatball Pasta, Cheesy Pasta, or Fish and Chips as well as either Fruit Salad or Trifle for dessert.

The “IllumiNations” Dining Package is a great new way to experience “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” before the show takes its final bow at the end of summer 2019. Reservations are available starting Jan. 17, 2019 for reservations starting on Jan. 18, 2019. Pricing is $85 per adult (ages 10 and up) and $35 per child (ages 3 to 9), with tax and gratuity included. The experience, showtimes, and menu items are all subject to change without notice, and alcoholic beverages will only be served to guests 21 and up with valid ID. Book today via 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463) or Disneyworld.com/dine.

Jaleo by José Andrés is expected to debut this winter at Disney Springs®, and when the doors open in the coming weeks, Guests will discover a 22,000 square foot wonder that will house Andrés’ largest restaurant to date.

The venue will bring the spirit and flavors of Spain to Disney Springs visitors via a freestanding, two-story building with a design that was strongly influenced by the artichoke – a vegetable native to Andrés’ homeland. Renowned Spanish design firm Capella Garcia Arquitectura used it as their ultimate inspiration, working closely with José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup to ensure that every detail of the striking design was just right. In this rendition, an artichoke structure opens up with “petals” that form pergolas, seamlessly extending to the outdoors. With no solid walls, the space is completely open to the outside and features large windows that offer picturesque lake views and an impressive central courtyard that visually connects both floors. Juli Capella, principal for the design firm shared, “There are no cubic forms, no opaque walls, no straight lines: here reigns a plant-like organicism with its dynamic forms. An avant-garde, expressionist and welcoming architecture.”

It sounds like a work of art with a color palette showcasing citrus shades like orange and lemon paired with stunning photos and paintings from some of Spain’s most celebrated photographers and artists.

Stay tuned for details on the menu and updates on when the restaurant will open. 

The Walt Disney Company has finalized its release slate for 2019, and as usual, animation will play a significant role in the company’s output.

Among Disney’s ten releases will be two animation sequels — Frozen 2 and Toy Story 4 — and three remakes of animated films — Dumbo, The Lion King, and Aladdin.

Full Story

There’s finally going to be a Mickey Mouse ride in Disney’s parks, as the brand announces an expansion of the partnership with Panasonic’s laser-illuminated projection system at CES 2019.

Full Story

Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort are honoring active-duty and retired members of the U.S. military with special offers on theme park admissions and resort stays for most dates in 2019. 

Tickets are already available at each location. Prices are the same for both children and adults. 

At Walt Disney World Resort, a 5-Day Disney Military Promotional Ticket costs just $257 and the 4-Day Military Promotional Ticket costs $241. The Park Hopper Plus Option is available as an add-on for just $50 per ticket. Eligible service members can also purchase the Memory Maker product for a special price- $98. 

At Disneyland Resort, a 3-Day Disney Military Promotional Tickets are available for $178 and 4-Day Disney Military Promotional Tickets are available for $198. These tickets have select blockout dates in April.  

Also, your Clients who are active-duty and retired U.S. military personnel can take advantage of great rates at select Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort hotels.* The Walt Disney World Resort room offer is valid for stays most nights from Jan. 1, 2019, through April 13, 2019, and April 26, 2019, through Dec. 19, 2019. The Disneyland Resort room offer is valid for stays most nights from Jan. 1, 2019, through Dec. 19, 2019. 

Here are some other important details you should know: 

• Offers are available only for Eligible Service Members. “Eligible Service Members” are active-duty or retired members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, Reservists and the U.S. Coast Guard, the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS), and the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 
• Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased at participating U.S. military sales outlets only by Eligible Service Members or their spouses (but not both), for use by themselves and other family members and friends, as provided herein. Therefore, these tickets are non-commissionable and you may not purchase these tickets on your clients’ behalf.  

• Walt Disney World room rates can be booked by Travel Agents by calling the Disney Reservation Center at (407) 939-5684. Disneyland Resort room rates can be booked by Travel Agents by calling the Disney Reservation Center at (714) 956-6425.  Valid military ID must be shown at check-in. 
• Each day of use constitutes one full day of use. No more than six (6) Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased and (if applicable) activated by any Eligible Service Member or spouse (regardless of the place of purchase and whether purchased by that person or that person’s spouse). In addition, one of the six (6) Tickets purchased must be used by the Eligible Service Member or his/her spouse. 
• Subject to certain exceptions, Disney 4-Day/5-Day Military Promotional Tickets for admission to the Walt Disney World Resort are not valid until activated by the Eligible Service Members (or their spouses) at Walt Disney Worldtheme park ticket windows. 
• Disneyland Resort Military Promotional tickets are valid beginning Jan. 1, 2019, and expire Dec. 21, 2019. Blockout days of April 14, 2019, through April 22, 2019, apply. Tickets are not valid for Magic Morning early-entry admission at Disneyland Park. 
• Subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply. 

*Room offers are subject to availability as the number of rooms allocated for these offers are limited. Eligible Service Members or spouse must present a valid military identification at check-in. If valid military ID is not presented, the non-discounted room price will be charged for the duration of the stay. Offer is non-transferable, and Eligible Service Member/spouse must stay in the room. Not valid on previously booked rooms. Advance reservations required. Not valid in combination with any other hotel discounts or offers. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Separate Theme Park admission required to enjoy the Parks. The Walt Disney World Resort room offer excludes the following room types: 3-bedroom villas, suites in Moderate and Deluxe Resort hotels, campsites, Copper Creek Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. Additional per adult charges may apply at the Walt Disney World Resort if there are more than 2 adults per room. Minimum length of stay requirements may apply. Disneyland Resort room offer excludes select Concierge rooms and suites, except Paradise, Artisan, Junior and Regal suites. Limit two (2) rooms per reservation and occupancy restrictions apply per room. Excludes applicable fees and taxes.

It’s no surprise that Walt Disney World Resort is the most visited theme park in the world. In 2017, nearly 20.5 million people visited the Magic Kingdom. If you add in the three other parks (Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, all four of which get a combined annual attendance of 56 million people), not to mention the waterparks, hotels and entertainment areas like Disney Springs, the numbers are staggering.

Full Story

Satisfy your appetite for fun with an unforgettable stay in the middle of the magic! They can enjoy a FREE dining plan when they purchase a non-discounted 5-night/6-day vacation package that includes a room at a select Disney Resort hotel and a ticket with a Park Hopper Option or Park Hopper Plus Option.

Book through February 10, 2019 for arrivals most nights July 5 through September 30, 2019.

Explore Disney Resort hotels and the eligible Disney dining plan in the chart below. Ask about packages of shorter or longer lengths of stay. A minimum 4-night length of stay and 4-day ticket with a Park Hopper® Option or Park Hopper® Plus Option is required.

The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Everyone in the same room must be on the same package. Advance reservations are required. Theme park tickets valid for admission beginning on date of check-in and must be used within a limited number of days, depending on length of stay and ticket. Visit disneydestinationstickets.com/usage for more details. Some table-service restaurants may have limited or no availability at time of package purchase.

Important Details: 

• Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion.
• Offer excludes the following room types: 3-bedroom villas, campsites, Cabins at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Bungalows at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, Little Mermaid Standard Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
• Gratuities are not included.
• Children ages 3 to 9 must choose from the children’s menu, if available.

Contact Travel Agents, Scott and Becky Donahue, of Wish Upon a Star With Us to plan and book your vacation.

Greetings, Wilderness Explorers! A recent expedition to South America has been tracking the large and exotic bird known as “Kevin” – you might remember her from the Disney•Pixar film “Up!” – and she appears to be migrating north from Paradise Falls, headed in the direction of Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park.

Experts anticipate Kevin will arrive at the park sometime next month. Senior Wilderness Explorer Russell and his furry friend Dug are also at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, greeting Guests and discovering various species of birds from around the world in the show “UP! A Great Bird Adventure.” Guests can visit them daily on Discovery Island and catch their show at the Anandapur Theatre in Asia.

So be on the lookout for Kevin. An update will be shared here as soon as she’s spotted, and remember, adventure is out there!

The Millennium Falcon sits at the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge park now under construction at Disneyland.Courtesy of Disney

Mickey’s Toontown, at the far back of Disneyland, is a relatively low-key affair with a couple of rides for wee ones and a chance for some face time with a certain star mouse at his home. Next to that home is an off-limits, nondescript door that leads behind the park to a vast construction site where something altogether different is taking shape. 

This is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the most ambitious land ever added to a Walt Disney(ticker: DIS) theme park. 

Barron’s recently spent an afternoon touring Galaxy’s Edge—a first for the press this late in construction—with executives from construction, operations, and “imagineering,” or creative design, along with a Star Wars expert in a holiday R2-D2 sweater. 

Full Story