WDW Daily News

While Avengers Campus at the Disneyland Resort will open to aspiring Super Heroes at a future top-secret date, Peter Parker has already begun testing his latest prototype: Spider-Bots!

As revealed at the D23 Expo last year, The Worldwide Engineering Brigade or as the kids call it, WEB, is devoted to empowering the next generation of heroes with cutting edge technologies – like Spider-Bots. While we look forward to inviting you to our WEB open house in the future, for now, you can get your hands on your very own Spider-Bot!

Spider-Bots and the latest WEB apparel from Avengers Campus will be available in the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort, at both World of Disney and Disneyland Resort Backlot Premiere Shop beginning Dec. 4.

Every Super Hero needs a friendly sidekick to help protect their neighborhood. These Spider-Bots put you in control of the action to battle opponents with programmed combat and defensive abilities. They can crawl backward and forward, crouch, spin 360°, stare down with their laser eyes, attack opponent Spider-Bots and even blast off their shields. Check out this video to learn how to swing into action with a Spider-Bot.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/6495WZKDkEIC

From grabbing a quick bite on the go to sitting down to a fun meal with a fairytale view, dining at Walt Disney World Resort has something for everyone. And with three more dining options soon returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom Park, there’s even more choices to fill the day on your next visit. 

Guests planning to shrink down to the size of a toy in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are sure to work up a human-sized appetite exploring Andy’s backyard. Beginning Nov. 25, Woody’s Lunch Box will be the perfect place to lasso that hunger with classic American fare, old-fashioned soda floats and other Toy Story-themed specialties.  

Over in Magic Kingdom Park, and just in time for the holidays, two restaurants will once again offer great food and stunning views of the holiday décor, Cinderella Castle and Main Street, U.S.A. 

On Dec. 13, The Crystal Palace will reopen its doors, and while our friends from the Hundred-Acre Wood will be taking a break from greeting Guests, the restaurant will now be offering a family-style dining experience. There will be new individually plated entrées including crispy fried chicken with honey pot drizzle, fire-roasted prime rib of beef, fried cauliflower and more. Reservations open beginning Dec. 1.

Just a few days later on Dec. 17, a favorite outdoor dining spot, Tomorrowland Terrace, will also reopen. It will feature a refreshed quick-service menu of seafood favorites, including lobster rolls and fried shrimp.

As the phased reopening of Walt Disney World Resort continues, we are nearing another exciting milestone we know many guests have been looking forward to: the return of the Park Hopper® option! Starting Jan. 1, 2021, guests who purchased a ticket, package or annual pass with Park Hopper benefits will be able to visit more than one park per day, with some new modifications as part of our ongoing focus on health and safety.

With the updated Park Hopper® experience, Guests must make a Disney Park Pass reservation for the first park they plan to visit (reservation requirements are subject to change) AND enter that first park prior to visiting another. Additionally, we will set specific Park Hopper® hours during which this option will be available. Park Hopper® hours will start at 2 p.m. each day and end at the park’s scheduled close time. Guests will soon be able to check DisneyWorld.com/ParkHours and the My Disney Experience app for the most up-to-date Park Hopper® hours, as they could start earlier at a later date, depending on the day and park.



These modifications are designed to help us manage attendance responsibly to continue to foster physical distancing. Additionally, other enhanced health and safety measures remain in effect, including face coverings required for all guests ages two and up.

As a reminder, guests with a ticket, package or pass that includes Park Hopper® benefits get the chance to see and do more during their visit, which could mean a morning on the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and an evening stroll by Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park or starting the day living your Star Wars adventure at Disney’s Hollywood Studiosbefore an afternoon traveling around the world at EPCOT. Please note that the ability to visit another park will be subject to the park’s capacity limitations. And, to help us manage attendance, upon the return of the Park Hopper option in January, only guests with a Disney Park Pass reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be able to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – Guests visiting from another theme park will not be able to request to join the virtual queue.

Park-to-park transportation is also planned to resume in 2021, with operations beginning each day shortly prior to the start of Park Hopper® hours.

We look forward to starting the new year with the return of this guest favorite option!

To commemorate Mickey Mouse’s birthday, we are excited to reveal a special surprise at the DisneylandResort. Following a refurbishment, the iconic Partners statue in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland park has been restored to its original grandeur!



The beloved Partners statue, created by famed Disney sculptor Blaine Gibson, features Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse. The photo above left was taken at its original unveiling on Nov. 18, 1993, at the hub in Disneyland park to commemorate Mickey’s 65^th birthday. 

Over time, the bronze had oxidized, and because of the applied patina, acrylic polymer and wax, it required a more intensive process than just a simple cleaning or polishing. Over four days, an artisan utilized a process using crushed walnut shells to gently strip the figure down to the bare bronze. After cleaning, various chemicals were applied and heated with a blowtorch to create a reaction and fuse with the bronze. The figure was coated in a polymer to protect the patina, then coated with a very thin layer of wax. 



Guests visiting the Downtown Disney District’s extension into Buena Vista Street will have an opportunity to see the Storytellers statue, which has also been restored. This statue features a 1920s-era Walt in a fedora and traveling attire­ — just off the train from Missouri and ready to realize his dreams with his pal, Mickey.

Happy birthday to the duo who started it all 92 years ago today — Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse!

The magic of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway has rolled into McDonald’s®! Just in time for their birthday celebration, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse have inspired a brand-new line of Happy Meal® toys at McDonald’s, bringing Mouse Rules to the iconic Golden Arches. This means there’s only one rule you need to remember: Anything can happen! 

This new collection features Mickey and Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Donald and Daisy experiencing some of the iconic attractions from across Walt Disney World Resort. Anchored by Engineer Goofy and Mickey and Minnie celebrating Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, these toys connect together to form a 10-car train. Each one also has a unique function to make the character move as it rolls, so as the attraction’s soundtrack says, nothing can stop us now from having fun!

And plans are on track to open Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in 2021.  Based on Disney and Pixar’s hit film, “Ratatouille,” this family-friendly attraction will invite you to shrink down to the scale of a rat for a culinary adventure with Chef Remy. During each adventure, you’ll race across Gusteau’s kitchen floor aboard special trackless ride vehicles in a thrilling 3D chase. 

In a galaxy far, far away, progress continues at Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, where guests will live aboard a starship for a 2-day, 2-night experience. Unlike any typical cruise, though, you can become the heroes of your own Star Wars story in a new type of immersive experience that only Disney could create.

Guests will cruise the galaxy in style aboard the Halcyon, known for its impeccable service and exotic destinations. Onboard, you’ll stay in well-appointed cabins, experience onboard dining, make a planet-side excursion to Black Spire Outpost on Batuu and much more. 

An exciting line up of Disney Parks presenters will participate in five panels that are a part of the D23 Fantastic Worlds Celebration, a week of virtual events, articles and merchandise releases celebrating all the wonderful worlds of Disney taking place November 16 – 20 on D23.com. 



Premiering at 3 p.m. PT / 6 p.m. ET on Monday, November 16, Brad Schoeneberg, Tracie Alt and Cody Hampton from the Disney Parks Merchandise team explore the rich storytelling that goes into the exotic and authentic imports of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge!



It’s all aboard at 3 p.m. PT / 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 18, for a birthday celebration of everyone’s favorite pals, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse! Host Mark Daniel takes you on an inside a look at the wild and zany world of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with one of the attraction’s lead Imagineers, Kevin Rafferty. Then get a special look at the new Disney+ series “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse” and hear from Bret Iwan, official voice of Mickey Mouse, as he shares a sneak peek of his designer Mickey Ears.



Once you decide you are going to Walt Disney World Resort, the fun really begins. The dreaming, planning and sharing of excitement takes on a magic of its own. At 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 19, join host and Walt Disney World Ambassador Stephen Lim as he talks with fellow planners sharing stories and secrets on creating a memorable vacation to The Most Magical Place on Earth and discover how a great big beautiful tomorrow is just a dream away.



Premiering at 3 p.m. PT / 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 19, host and Walt Disney World Ambassador, Marilyn West, is joined by Zach Riddley, Imagineering Portfolio Executive for Walt Disney World Resort and Melissa Valiquette, Vice President of EPCOT as they share about the Magic of Possibility at EPCOT and how this park is transforming today and building toward the future. You’ll also hear from Pixar’s Roger Gould and Harley Jessup along with Tom Fitzgerald from Walt Disney Imagineering about the making of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and what it takes to bring this animated favorite to life in the France pavilion.

Finally, as a D23 Gold Member Exclusive, Creating Fantastic Worlds: A Journey into Disney Worldbuilding premiers at 3 p.m. PT / 6 p.m. ET. From San Fransokyo and Wakanda to Treasure Cove, Mustafar, and beyond, enjoy the ultimate conclusion to D23 Fantastic Worlds Celebration as we bring together creative wizards from across the realms of Disney to share a collective look behind the magic in creating the worlds that we all love. Hosted by Justina Ireland, this all-star lineup of creative geniuses will include Paul Felix, Production Designer, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Noah Klocek, Production Designer, Pixar Animation Studios, Luc Mayrand, Creative Portfolio Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering, Ryan Meinerding, VP of Visual Development, Creative Director, Marvel Studios, Mark Miller, Executive Creative Producer, ILMxLAB and Andy Park , Director Visual Development, Marvel Studios. Gold Members can register here! Not a Gold Member? Learn more here.

Be sure to join D23: The Official Disney Fan Club for an exciting week of more virtual events, articles, and merchandise releases celebrating all the fantastic worlds of Disney by visiting D23.com, Facebook.com/DisneyD23, or YouTube.com/DisneyD23

The holidays are here and we’re ready to share some jolly foodie cheer! There’s no denying that some of the best food comes out around the holiday season and that’s no exception at Disney Springs. With everything from quick, sweet bites at favorite quick-service locations to delicious and indulgent dishes, desserts, and cocktails at our incredible restaurants, there’s a little bit of something for everyone’s taste buds. We’ve curated all the flavorful details for you and where to find them below: 



Amorette’s Patisserie (All items available through Jan. 2)

• Black Forest Parfait – Chocolate mousse with cherry cream and cherry liquor
• Holiday Mickey Mousse – White chocolate mousse, dark chocolate with chocolate chiffon cake
• Holiday Petit Cake – Almond Chiffon cake, Hazelnut Panna Cotta, Cherry jam, Chocolate pieces, and hazelnut liqueur 
• Mickey Santa Dome Cake – Large Dome Cake (Ask a Cast Member for available flavors.)
• Peppermint Crème Brûlée – Chocolate Peppermint-infused custard with crushed peppermint, meringue and sable cookie 
• Spiced Yule Log – Red Velvet Chiffon with spiced cheesecake filling, Dark Chocolate Crisp Pearls, garnished with chocolate ganache, poinsettia, and a fondant reindeer

 
AristoCrepes

• Cherry Jubilee Bubble Waffle – Cherry fruit filling and ice cream in a waffle (Available Dec. 1-Jan.3)
• Sweet Potato Pie Bubble Waffle – Sweet potato waffle and ice cream topped with marshmallow fluff (Available through Dec. 1)
• Eggnog Crepe – Eggnog custard in a crepe with pralines (Available Dec. 1 through Jan. 3)
• Mickey Snow Globe Sipper Cup – Disney Annual Passholder exclusive novelty (Available while supplies last)

Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ (Available Nov. 13-Dec. 31)

• Pumpkin Bread Pudding – Warm, house-baked pumpkin bread in a rich custard topped with rich vanilla bean ice cream and finished with a golden spun sugar garnish

City Works Eatery & Pour House

• 1871 Chili – Angus steak, milk stout, pork, chipotle peppers, sour cream, red onions, served with a cornbread muffin

The Daily Poutine (Available through Jan. 3)

• Gobbler Poutine – French fries with shredded turkey, gravy, and cheese curds

Earl of Sandwich 

• Holiday Turkey Sandwich – Turkey, cornbread stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, and  mayonnaise

The Ganachery (All items available through Jan. 3)

• Eggnog Ganache Square – Creamy bourbon eggnog covered in dark chocolate
• Gingerbread Ganache Square – Gingerbread spices combined with creamy milk chocolate
• Mickey Santa Piñata – Dark chocolate piñata decorated like Mickey Santa filled with marshmallow treats

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop (All items available through Dec. 25)

• Ghirardelli White Chocolate Caramel Steamer – Steamed milk, rich cocoa butter notes from the white chocolate caramel squares, classic caramel sauce, whipped cream, and a touch of sea salt.
• Ghirardelli Peppermint Hot Cocoa – Peppermint with the decadence of Ghirardelli chocolate

Häagen-Dazs 

• Peppermint Bark Ice Cream – Rich white chocolate ice cream blended with crunchy chocolaty peppermint bark and peppermint pieces. (Available in a cone, cup or any handmade dessert through Jan. 15.)

Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar (All items available through Jan. 3)

• Milk and Cookies by the Fireside – Butter cookies and coquito with rum
• Child Cookies and Milk – Chocolate chip cookie and milk
• C9 Light Deviled Eggs – Colored deviled eggs with shrimp, and caviar
• Grandma’s Favorite Sliders – Venison sausage sliders, cranberry-bacon jam, and watercress on brioche bun
• Papa Noel’s Churrasco – Flank steak with fried sweet plantains and spicy aji amarillo peanut sauce
• Jock’s Holiday Nog – Cinnamon- and vanilla-flavored cream liqueur, vodka, hazelnut-flavored liqueur, and vanilla
• Mistletoe Mule – Vodka, lime, and passion fruit topped  with ginger beer
• Very Berry Margarita – Tequila, coconut rum, cinnamon- and vanilla-flavored cream liqueur, and cranberry juice

Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea

• Celebrate this holiday season and warm up your heart and cup with Joffrey’s new line of blends including Disney’s Riviera Resort Blend and the 2020 Holiday Blend plus Campfire Mug Gift Set

Mac & Cheese (Disney Food Truck)

• Fried Mac and Cheese – Crispy fried cheesy elbow macaroni with tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese (Available through Jan. 3)

Marketplace Snacks

• Jolly Holiday Float – Cranberry orange juice with vanilla ice cream
• Olaf Pilsner Novelty Cup 

Outdoor Vending Carts & Kiosks (Available through Jan. 3)

• Feliz Navidad – Tequila, crème de cassis, apple juice, and lime juice
• Claus-Mo – Vodka and orange-flavored triple sec liqueur mixed with cranberry juice
• Mistletoe – Coconut rum, melon-flavored liqueur, blue curaçao liqueur mixed with Pineapple Juice and Orange Juice
• Florida Yule – Vodka and orange juice topped with ginger beer
• Winter Wonderland – Cinnamon whisky and cinnamon- and vanilla-flavored cream liqueur
• Fireside Cider – Cinnamon whisky, vodka, and white cranberry juice
• Mickey Christmas Tree Novelty Popcorn Bucket (Available while supplies last)
• Peppermint Mickey Novelty Bottle Topper (Available while supplies last)
• Mickey Jingle Bell Novelty Glow Cube (Available while supplies last)

The Polite Pig

• Holiday Feast – Leave your Thanksgiving meal to The Polite Pig and order the Holiday Feast featuring your choice of main course, sides, and dessert. Call (407) 938-7444 to order. (Orders must be placed by Nov. 23 for pickup on Nov. 25 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.)
• Apple Cider Whiskey Sour – Hand-crafted special blend of rye, apple cider, sour mix, and bourbon with a sweet cinnamon sugar rim.

Splitsville (All items available Nov. 13-Dec. 31)

• Grilled Chicken & Apple Flatbread – Maple apple butter, smoked gouda, and goat cheese topped with crisp diced apples, grilled chicken, red onion, bacon, and cilantro
• Spiced Pear Spritzer – Fresh pear nectar, ginger liqueur, vodka, lemon juice and allspice topped with ginger ale and garnished with star anise

Sprinkles 

• Pumpkin Cupcake – Pumpkin cake laced with fragrant ginger, clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon, topped with sweet cinnamon cream cheese frosting rim (Available through Nov. 29)
• Double Stuffed Oreo® Cupcake – Oreo® cookie crust, chocolate cake, vanilla buttercream filling, vanilla buttercream frosting with Oreo® crumble rim (Available through Nov. 22)
• Cannoli Cupcake – Ricotta Pistachio Cake filled and frosted with mascarpone cream, topped with crushed cannoli shells, chopped chocolate chips, and chopped pistachios; finished with truffled chocolate ganache (Available Nov. 23-29)
• Christmas Cookie Cupcake – Vanilla cake studded with red and green sprinkles topped with vanilla buttercream frosting with red and green sprinkles and a homemade sugar cookie coated in sprinkles (Available Nov. 27- Jan. 3)
• Gingerbread Cupcake – Spiced ginger cake topped with cream cheese frosting and dusted with cinnamon sugar (Available Nov. 30-Dec. 27)
• Chocolate Peppermint Cupcake – Belgian dark chocolate cake topped with bittersweet chocolate-peppermint frosting and sprinkled with crushed peppermint candies (Available Nov. 30-Dec. 27)

Vivoli il Gelato

• Tiramisù Push Pop – Tiramisù cream, cocoa powder, and cake soaked in coffee sauce
• Cotton Candy Affogato – Choice of gelato paired with espresso, whipped cream, and cotton candy

Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill (All items available through Dec. 31)

• Roasted Pumpkin Soup – Cardamom cream, spiced pumpkin seeds
• Butternut Tortellini – Delicate Squash, cranberries, pumpkin butter
• Heirloom Apple Salad – Local burrata, baby kale, pear butter, currants, ver jus
• Fall Spiced Sangria – Apples, pears, cinnamon

Wine Bar George 

• Saganaki On Fire – Made with vlahotiri cheese and metaxa (a Greek spirit), this traditional dish from Greece is set on fire tableside and served with crostini
• Hooten Young American Whiskey –  Discovered by Master Sommelier George Miliotes – American whiskey with notes of maple, vanilla, ripe apple. and a long smooth finish. Available in the Hoot Cocktail, Wine Bar George Old Fashioned, or however you like to enjoy your whiskey.

I know we’re all anxiously awaiting the upcoming opening of Gideon’s Bakehouse! As a sneak peek, I’m excited to share two of their limited-time cookies that will be available through Dec. 31 when they open soon at Disney Springs:  

• Santa’s White Christmas Cookie – White Chocolate Chip Cookie filled with notes of Coconut, Sweet Caramel, Vanilla, and Nutty Flavors with freshly ground locally roasted coffee beans throughout. The cookie elves have also added the crunch of coarse sugar, the Gideon’s signature sea salt, and a pinch of Christmas glitter.
• Cookie Vom Krampus Cookie – Deep, dark Triple Chocolate Velvet textured cookie filled with Andes Mint and available in its own special packaging. 

Looking to enjoy a special Thanksgiving meal? A few of our table service restaurants are offering their own unique menus on Thanksgiving Day including: Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, City Works Eatery & Pour House, Paddlefish, Paradiso 27, Taste of the Americas, Planet Hollywood, Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant, Terralina Crafted Italian, The Edison, and Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made at disneysprings.com or opentable.com. 

Remember to allow at least 60 minutes to reach a destination when traveling to Disney Springs.

With major news organizations now calling the 2020 U.S. Presidential election for former Vice President and now President-elect Joe Biden, it’s clear that there will be a change of administration in Washington, DC. And that means a change in the Magic Kingdom’s Hall of Presidents.

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