Walt Disney World tends to be known for its magic, so naturally, it makes sense that its kitchen would have a sprinkle of fairy dust up its sleeve, too. Turns out there’s now a place where the best-of-the-best new dining offerings are being dreamt up, well beyond what Ratatouille himself could have created.
Archive for Disney News
AMPLE HILLS CREAMERY OPENING AT DISNEY’S BOARDWALK INN & VILLAS THIS SPRING
A re-imagined take on the turn-of-the-century ice cream parlor is set to open this spring at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas atWalt Disney World® Resort. Ample Hills Creamery, a Brooklyn-based company known for their creative approach to all things ice cream, will open its first location outside of New York City.
Inside,guests can sample as many flavors as they’d like, including signature creations like Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, Coffee Toffee Coffee, Malty Salty Pretzel Punch, Cotton Candy, and more. They’re even working on a special one-of-a-kind flavor developed exclusively for Walt Disney World Resort.
THE DISNEY COLLEGE PROGRAM: A DIFFERENT KIND OF STUDY ABROAD
Everyone has heard of The Walt Disney Company in some capacity; it owns ESPN, ABC, Pixar, and Star Wars. Disney owns the Star Wars franchise, which now includes the highest grossing film of all time.
Spring Break Blockout Dates Lifted for Florida Resident Disney Select Ticket
Florida residents can enjoy a Walt Disney World Resort vacation during Spring Break now that blockout dates in March have been lifted for those with Florida Resident Disney Select tickets. While other blockout dates still apply, March 19 – April 1 are now available for those ticketholders.
During Spring Break, guests can savor the tastes of outdoor kitchens during the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Or, their dark and light sides with encounters with Kylo Ren and Chewbacca at Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And, with the Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen now accepting same-day reservations, guests can sample exotic flavors while visiting Magic Kingdom.
The Florida Resident Disney Select ticket pricing is $68 per day for a 3-day ticket (total price: $202), and $56 per day for 4-day ticket (total price: $223). It provides access to one theme park per day, includes FastPass+ and expires six months after first use or by December 17, 2017. Summer blockout dates apply. For terms and conditions, and more information about the Florida Resident Disney Select Ticket, visit Disneyworld.com/resident.
New Disney-themed Boeing 767 is unveiled
Apparently the magic of Disney really does have wings. Walt Disney World, in collaboration with Brazilian airline TAM, has unveiled a colourful character-themed plane that took 10 eight-hour days to create.
High School Students Nationwide Chosen for 2016 Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort
Approximately 100 students from across America will soon pack their bags for a fabulous, fun-filled and educational trip to Walt Disney World Resort as part of this year’s Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE, March 3-6, 2016.
The teens, along with a parent or guardian, will take off on an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, where they will experience once-in-a-lifetime educational and mentoring program designed to inspire them to dream big and discover a world of possibilities that will help them prepare for their future.
The students, known as “Dreamers,” are taken on stage and behind the scenes, where Disney theme parks become vibrant ‘classrooms’ and students discover new careers and pursue their dreams while also creating fun memories that last a lifetime.
During Disney Dreamers Academy, students participate in hands-on, immersive career-oriented workshops, ranging from animation to zoology. Each student is given important tools such as effective communication techniques, leadership skills, and networking strategies.
Additionally, Dreamers are exposed to acclaimed motivational speakers and popular celebrities who share their stories and insight on achieving success and DREAMING BIG. Dreamers have the opportunity to cultivate relationships with other students from across the nation while gaining first-hand knowledge from Disney experts and renowned entrepreneurs and executives.
“Disney Dreamers Academy is a one-of-a-kind program that, since its inception, is helping more than 800 students achieve their dreams,” said Tracey D. Powell, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts vice president of deluxe resorts. Powell serves as Disney Dreamers Academy executive champion. “As we prepare for our ninth annual event, the greatest reward has been seeing so many of our previous Dreamers use their experience at Disney Dreamers Academy to expand their dreams and move even closer to making them a reality. After all, that is what the program is all about,” said Powell.
Walt Disney World Resort, along with syndicated television and radio personality Steve Harvey and ESSENCE Communications, will host the selected Dreamers during their magical four-day career and educational exploration.
“Disney Dreamers Academy provides an excellent learning environment to help young students with their aspirations and to dream even bigger,” said Harvey. “I can’t wait to meet this year’s new students and kick off the 2016 Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort in March.”
Michelle Ebanks, president of ESSENCE Communications, added: “We are excited to once again join with Disney Parks and Steve Harvey to encourage our youth to dream big. Our expectation is that this group of remarkable teens will be the leaders of tomorrow and positively impact the world for years to come. It is our honor and commitment at ESSENCE to be part of that process.”
This year’s students were selected from thousands of applicants who answered a series of essay questions about their personal stories and dreams for the future. The students were chosen by a judging panel that included: gospel music legend Yolanda Adams; ESSENCE magazine editor-at-large Mikki Taylor; education advocate Dr. Steve Perry; The Sister Accord founder and author Sonia Jackson Myles; award-winning motivational speaker Jonathan Sprinkles; Simply Ellis Custom Clothier CEO Dr. Alex O. Ellis; Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation executive director Brandi Harvey; Steve Harvey Products creative director Karli Harvey; and professional speaker and Disney Dreamers Academy alumnus Princeton Parker.
For more information, visit DisneyDreamersAcademy.com. Regular updates about Disney Dreamers Academy are also available on social media at Facebook/DisneyDreamersAcademy or Twitter/DreamersAcademy.
For a list of 2016 Dreamers and Bios, please visit DisneyDreamersAcademy.com/dreamers/2016/
3 charged in suspected Disney ticket scheme
Undercover detectives with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office have filed charges against three people for reselling park hopper passes to Walt Disney World.
Disney and ABC Raise Awareness of the Importance of Reading with Nonprofit First Book
Disney announced that it will donate its 50 millionth book to First Book, a nonprofit that provides new books to educators and organizations serving children from low-income families. To celebrate this milestone, Disney and ABC are inviting consumers to join the fourth annual Magic of Storytelling campaign through a number of activities between now and March 31, 2016, including the first annual Disney Reads Day on February 6, 2016.
The Magic of Storytelling campaign is a collaboration between Disney Publishing Worldwide and Disney|ABC Television Group to help First Book put brand new books into the hands of children in communities nationwide. The campaign features a public service announcement, special events, an extensive media campaign, social media activations and a 50-State online challenge.
The inaugural Disney Reads Day on February 6 will kick off four weeks of events and special promotions at participating retailers and other organizations, including story time events at Disney Store’s 180 U.S. locations, to raise awareness of the importance of reading.
“The Magic of Storytelling campaign celebrates all the ways that a love for reading benefits a child’s life. We’re tremendously grateful to have a partner in Disney that shares these same beliefs,” said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book. “This year is especially thrilling as Disney donates its 50 millionth book through First Book. We hope communities nationwide join us in our efforts to raise awareness of the importance of reading.”
The Magic of Storytelling campaign will feature a public service announcement (PSA) voiced by Steven Spielberg, Director of The Walt Disney Studios upcoming film adaptation of “The BFG,” based on the beloved book by Roald Dahl, coming to theaters on July 1, 2016. Created to celebrate storytelling and underscore the importance of reading, the PSA will be shared with audiences across Disney including ABC affiliate stations, ABC Network, ABC Family (soon to be renamed Freeform on January 12, 2016), Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior, Disney Store, Disney Cruise Line and Disney Resorts’ TVs, the ABC Watch app, and more. Additionally, each local ABC-owned station will donate 5,000 books to their local communities through schools and organizations in their respective markets.
“Storytelling is at the heart of everything we do,” said Leslie Ferraro, co-chair, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media and president, Disney Consumer Products. “Great stories change lives, unleash imaginations and foster creativity. We are incredibly proud of our ongoing, long-standing partnership with First Book and the work they have done to bring books to kids in need, and we look forward to sharing the Magic of Storytelling and Disney Reads Day with families and fans.”
Consumers are encouraged to participate and share the magic of storytelling through a number of ways:
- In-Store Events: Consumers are invited to celebrate Disney Reads Day at participating retailers and Disney Store locations, which will feature family-friendly events and activities including story time. A full list of all Disney Store locations and participating retailers is available at firstbook.org/BeInspired.
- Book Donation: For each eligible book consumers purchase at a Disney Store or other participating locations on February 6, 2016, a book will be donated to an organization in the region where the purchase was made, up to 250,000 books. A full list of all Disney Store locations and participating retailers is available at firstbook.org/BeInspired.
- Social Media: Consumers can also participate by posting a “shelfie” – a selfie with a favorite book or in front of a bookshelf. For each shelfie posted to Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #MagicOfStorytelling, First Book will direct a book donated by Disney to an organization in need, up to 500,000 books.
- Digital Activation: Through March 31, 2016, consumers can visit FirstBook.org/BeInspired to vote online to win a donation of books for kids in need in their state.
To learn more about the Magic of Storytelling campaign and Disney Reads Day, please visit Firstbook.org/BeInspired.
Fan Turns ‘Hamilton’ Into Disney Cartoons, And It’s Magical
The hit Broadway musical “Hamilton” is pretty revolutionary. The hip-hop-heavy play tells the story of the founding fathers with a diverse cast.
There’s Now a Dating Site Just For Disney Fans
If you’re having trouble finding your Prince or Princess Charming, this new dating website exclusively for Disney lovers might do the trick.
