WDW Daily News

By: Disney DestinationsSeptember 23, 2019

In an event of galactic proportions, the Disney family of television networks (ABC, Freeform, Disney Channel, Disney Junior and ESPN) will offer easter eggs, vacation giveaways and sneak peeks into the newest land to come to both Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort –Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

From morning to night, we will be feeling the Force this week on ABC’s daytime and syndication lineup to ABC News’ “Nightline” with appearances by BB-8, First Order Storm Troopers, and a Sith Trooper. On “Good Morning America” (Thursday, Sept. 26) don’t miss an exclusive sneak peek into the highly-anticipated attraction Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – opening December 5 at Walt Disney World Resort and January 17, 2020 at Disneyland Resort. The following shows will be participating (all times are Eastern):

• TUESDAY, SEPT. 24
  • “Live with Kelly and Ryan” (check your local listings)
• THURSDAY, SEPT. 26
  • “Good Morning America” (7 a.m.)
  • “The View” (11 a.m.)
  • “Tamron Hall” (check your local listings)
  • “Strahan, Sara & Keke” (1 p.m.)
  • “Nightline” (check your local listings)

ABC’s primetime series will pay tribute to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge during fall premiere week and beyond.  Viewers will be treated to easter eggs, on-air mentions and surprises from the Star Wars universe, beginning tomorrow night (Tuesday, Sept. 24) with the award-winning comedy “black-ish,” and ending next Monday (Sept. 30) with “Dancing with the Stars.” The following shows will be participating (all times are Eastern):

• TUESDAY, SEPT. 24
  • “black-ish” (9:30 p.m.)
• WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 25
  • “The Goldbergs” (8 p.m.)
  • “Modern Family” (9 p.m.)
• FRIDAY, SEPT. 27
  • “American Housewife” (8 p.m.)
• SUNDAY, SEPT. 29
  • “America’s Funniest Home Videos” (7 p.m.)
  • “The Rookie,” (10 p.m.)
• MONDAY, SEPT. 30
  • “Dancing with the Stars” (8 p.m.)

Freeform is set to air a two-hour primetime special, “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Adventure Awaits” (Sunday, Sept. 29). Host Neil Patrick Harris will take viewers on an exploration of the epic new lands and how they brought the planet of Batuu to life. With celebrity guests including Kaley Cuoco, Keegan-Michael Key, Jay Leno, Sarah Hyland, Miles Brown and more, Walt Disney Imagineers, Lucasfilm Executives, and Disney Cast Members share how they helped create the largest single-themed land expansion in Disney Parks history, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

• SUNDAY, SEPT. 29
  • “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Adventure Awaits” (8 p.m.)

ESPN’s “SportsCenter” will air a feature showcasing “College GameDay” commentators experiencing the land during a recent visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

• SATURDAY, SEPT. 28
  • “SportsCenter” (10 a.m.)

Disney Channel will air a segment featuring Miranda May (“Bunk’d”) and Sean Giambrone (“Kim Possible”) trying Blue Milk, building their very own droids, and taking control of the fastest ship in the galaxy on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Disney Junior will air a segment featuring a Star Wars fan family meeting Chewbacca, building custom droids, and flying the Millennium Falcon as they experience Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge for the first time.

Fall is a favorite times of year to visit the Walt Disney World® Resort. There’s simply so much fun to be had right now. Here are just a few recommendations to help them make the most of your visit this fall:

Indulge in spooky thrills at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is already delighting Guests with the “treat” of a new fireworks show this year – “Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular.” Other must-sees at the event are the “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” stage show and “Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade,” which features Disney characters in new Halloween costumes – and the spectral bride from the Haunted Mansion.

Indulge the taste buds at the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival – Where else but at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival can you sample mouthwatering international fare at more than 30 Global Marketplaces, watch live culinary demonstrations, and learn tips and tricks from celebrity chefs? Eat to the Beat concerts also keep the fun going in the evening, bringing the sounds of pop, rock, R&B, country, Christian, swing and Latin artists to the America Gardens Theatre, three times nightly. 

Catch “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth” at Epcot one last time – While you are at Epcot for the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, be sure to to stay for “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.” The show will take its final bow on Sept. 30, in order to make way for the park’s new nighttime show, “Epcot Forever.”

Make out-of-this-world memories at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – You can now become part of their own Star Wars story at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, where they can try galactic food and beverages, craft their own lightsabers, build droids and even help fly the “fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy” at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. (Also, now through September 30, Guests can interact with an exclusive Snapchat filter that’ll put them inside a realistic hologram – available in certain U.S. regions only – start theirr transmission from the planet of Batuu today).

Dive into a Disney water park – Now is the perfect time to cool off in the Cross Country Creek lazy river at Disney’s Blizzard Beach® Water Park  or jump the waves in the Surf Pool at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon® Water Park.

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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.”

Full Story & Video

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.

Full Story

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…

Full Story

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!