WDW Daily News

It seems like just yesterday when we began serving up tantalizing news bites about the 24^thEpcot® International Food & Wine Festival, which runs a record 87 days from Aug. 29 to Nov. 23. And now, less than two weeks from opening, here’s more!

Two additional new marketplaces – The Donut Box and Cool Wash – will debut Oct. 1, 2019, with sweet eats and refreshing sips. Disney chefs have harnessed their creative energies for a festival spin on the donut craze, producing irresistible marketplace goodies that include a Black and White Coffee Cocktail garnished with a fresh yeast donut sprinkled with chocolate espresso bean crumbles. And, there’s more – The Donut Box also will feature a Sweet Corn Fritter with Fresno and red pepper jelly, plus Strawberry-dusted Yeast Donut Holes. Also on the menu is a Strawberry Smoothie made with Blue Diamond Breeze Almondmilk® and an exclusive festival beer called Boston Cream Donut Ale (yes, we said “donut ale”!) from Central 28 Beer Company, located in DeBary, Fla.

Cool Wash will be a chill stop where guests can create their own frozen beverages with slushy flavors ranging from Blue Raspberry to Orange Cream. They can go crazy with mix-ins: Swedish Fish, Jelly Drops, Boba Pearls and – wait for it — Pop Rocks! Talk about a taste-bud party!

There’s also big news on the Eat to the Beat Concert front! Central Florida boyband great Joey Fatone hits the America Gardens Theatre stage Nov. 12-14 as Joey Fatone and Friends, featuring Chris Kirkpatrick and Ryan Cabrera. Expect plenty of dance moves and enough personality to delight Guests of all ages. And we’re thrilled to announce another Eat to the Beat update: alternative rock band Smash Mouth – soon to release a brand-new album — will rock the stage Sept. 16-17. Don’t forget, guests can get their gourmet groove on Aug. 29-Nov. 19 with an Eat to the Beat Dining Package. Dining packages are available at select table-service locations and include guaranteed concert seating.

Let the music play on for the nightly Disney du Jour Dance Party! We just learned of some new Radio Disney artist appearances to add to those already announced:

• Sept. 27-28 – Isabella Nicole (“Headphones”) 
• Oct. 4-5 – Avenue Beat (“Delight”) 
• Nov. 1-2 – AJ Mitchell (“All My Friends”)
• Nov. 8-9 – Kylie Cantrall (“That’s What I’m Talkin’ Bout”) 
• Nov. 15-16 – Erin Bowman (“Keep Me Warm”) 
• Nov. 22-23 –Tegan Marie (“Horses”)

Reservations for special programming and premium festival events including Eat to the Beat Dining Packages can be made by calling (407) WDW-FEST.

There’s no doubt that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is filled to the brim with uniquely delicious food and beverage offerings. From the iconic Blue Milk and new favorites like the Ronto Wrap to incredible specialty concoctions at Oga’s Cantina, there’s something for every traveler visiting the Black Spire Outpost. Our partners at the Disney Parks Blog, asked a few travelers what they thought of the planet’s unique offerings. Check out the video below to see what they said!

If you want to try these out for themselves, be sure to head out to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which is officially open at Disneyland® Resort and opens on Aug. 29, 2019 at Walt Disney World® Resort. And don’t forget: mobile ordering is available for Ronto Roasters, Milk Stand, and Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. This allows you to pay in advance and skip the line to get straight to the food!

For full menus and to make reservations for Oga’s Cantina, you can check out the Disneyland app. For more information on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and to book your trip today, visit the Disneyland Resort website.

Most Disney World vacations are marked by Mickey Waffles, princess hugs and colorful parades, but not for long. With molecular gastronomy dinners deep within hotel wine cellars and members-only access to Magic Kingdom’s secretive club, Walt Disney World is rapidly becoming a destination for the kinds of high-end, cuisine-focused vacations you’d often think to take elsewhere. From touring Cinderella Castle to renting a yacht for evening fireworks, all your lofty Disney dreams can come true — if you have the means.

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Disney Cast Members make magic every day for Guests visiting our theme parks. Recently, tens of thousands of Cast Members experienced some magic of their own as they were among the first to preview Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, opening Aug. 29, 2019, at Walt Disney World® Resort. Were they impressed? Find out by taking a look at their reactions to this immersive new land below.

You can live your own Star Wars adventure when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens Aug. 29, 2019 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®.

Today, we’re excited to share exciting news for the horses at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. The equine residents of both the Pony Farm and Tri-Circle-D Ranch are set to receive a beautiful new barn (which you can see pictured above). As you can see, Imagineers have redesigned the Tri-Circle-D Ranch, which will offer a modern stable and updated outdoor spaces and facilities for “The Happiest Horses on Earth.” The new ranch will maintain the history and spirit of the original Tri-Circle-D, welcoming guests to explore exhibits of classic Disney equestrian artifacts, some of which date back to the 1950s!

Starting Aug. 19, 2019,  the Draft Horse Barn and Pony Farm will temporarily be inaccessible to Guests until the new barn debuts in Spring 2020. Guests can still enjoy Pony rides at the Trail Blaze Corral near the campground’s entrance, and the resort’s trail rides and carriage rides will continue to operate as normal.

Stay tuned for future updates on the resort’s new barn and its opening date.

The return of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party to Magic Kingdom® Park has begun and Disney is celebrating with a special new ticket offer that allows Guests to extend the spook-tacular fun all throughout the fall!

Guests  can purchase the new Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Pass to enjoy up to 35 nights in 2019. With this new pass Guests can attend most event nights for just $299 plus tax. There is so much to see and do at this festive celebration and this pass is the perfect way to enjoy trick-or-treat throughout the Magic Kingdom Park, exclusive entertainment including a brand-new fireworks spectacular and attraction offerings and partake in the endless amount of ghoulishly good times!

The Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Pass is only available, in limited quantities, for purchase at Walt Disney World theme park ticket windows.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is special ticketed event runs 36 days on select nights from now until Nov. 1. This year, we are debuting a brand-new fireworks show, “Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular.” In the show, Jack Skellington from “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” serves as host and has come to tell a “not-so-scary” story about how anything can happen on Halloween night. The show will also include state-of-the-art projections and lasers, plus lighting and dazzling fireworks that will fill the sky above Magic Kingdom Park.

The party also includes a new interactive treat trail at Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor and attractions updated with new Halloween twists as well as spooky additions to “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade!” These enhancements include new Halloween costumes for Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, a new Haunted Mansion unit featuring the spectral Bride, who glides among the waltzing spirits all representing Liberty Square. A new Tomorrowland unit brings The Incredibles and designer extraordinaire Edna Mode to “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade,” followed by Buzz Lightyear and some Alien explorers, as they discover crystalline treasures on the surface of a planetary playset float.

Passes are nontransferable and nonrefundable. Passes are limited in quantity, and Passes may no longer be available for purchase at any time. All Passes exclude parking and activities/events separately priced. Entertainment may be cancelled due to inclement weather or otherwise. No refunds even if entertainment is cancelled. All attractions, experiences, entertainment and event elements are subject to restrictions, change or cancellation without notice.

It’s almost that freakishly fun time of the year to celebrate the Halloween season at the Disneyland® Resort! If guests are planning on attending the all-new, separate ticket event, Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party at Disney California Adventure® Park, they’re in for some fun. Whether they are tall or small, dressed as a princess or Super Hero, there is something for everyone to enjoy at this new party, starting Sept. 17 for 20 select nights.

Oogie Boogie has cast his spell and summoned the Disney villains to scare up thrilling surprises for everyone. What treats (or tricks!) will be in Oogie Boogie’s bag this year? Let’s take a look at the exclusive new experiences and unforgettable Halloween fun and that will be offered for party guests this year:

Immersive Treat Trails – Trick-or-treating is for everyone! Guests can experience the new, wonderfully wicked treat trails throughout the park with all their friends and family. While stalking through the trail, they will see iconic characters such as the Mad Hatter from Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland,” and maybe even Oogie Boogie himself! Additional treat trails will feature oversized cauldrons full of treats for party Guests to enjoy.

“Villainous!” – Partygoers of all ages will love watching this new tale about a young girl named Shelley Marie as she journeys along this new “World of Color” nighttime spectacular – exclusive to Oogie Boogie Bash. This Halloween story takes guests  on an unforgettable voyage through devious encounters with The Queen, Ursula, Dr. Facilier, Hades, Jafar, Maleficent and more! All ages will be amazed by the show’s special effects—from the fountains and lights, to lasers and projections. “Villainous!” shows that, deep down, there’s a little villain in all of us!

Villains Grove – Have you ever wanted to peer inside the minds of your favorite villains and walk through their own hauntingly beautiful scenes? This walk-through experience is unlike anything seen before. Redwood Creek Challenge Trail becomes Villains Grove: an interactive, villain-inspired, dreamlike environment perfect for all ages to wander. This experience will entice party guests with a series of scenes, each creating a not-so-scary symphony of sound, light and shadows for Guests to explore on their own or as a pack!

“Frightfully Fun Parade” – The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow kicks things off, arriving on his ghostly black steed just ahead of the parade itself and carrying his flickering jack-o-lantern. A cavalcade of Disney characters and mischievous villains follow, ready to stir up some trouble! This fan-favorite parade will make its way through Disney California Adventure Park for the first time!

“Mickey’s Trick & Treat” – This new, interactive stage production invites guests to join Mickey Mouse and his pals as they throw a one-of-a-kind Halloween party! Perfect for little monsters, enjoy dancing, not-so-frightening scary-tales and candy at the Disney Theater in Hollywood Land.

DescenDANCE Party – For even more fun, guests can head to the Backlot area of Hollywood Land for a pulsing, new interactive dance party inspired by the popular “Descendants” franchise from Disney Channel. A spell is cast, summoning the greatest dance crew from the Isle of the Lost to throw down and lead everyone in moves that are set to the biggest hit songs from all three “Descendants” movies. The original “Villain Kids” might even crash the party through magic mirrors. Stick around after as the Backlot DJ continues to spin tunes, inviting everyone to step onto the dance floor into the night. Like the original VK’s said, “there’s so many ways to be wicked”!

Of course, there will also be plenty of opportunities to mingle with Disney characters – and villains, too! “Ghouls” and “boils” of all ages should come dressed up in their best Halloween costumes.

Oogie Boogie Bash, which takes the place of Mickey’s Halloween Party, is only offered on 20 select nights this fall, starting Sept. 17. For more information, including costume policy guidelines and to purchase tickets, visit Disneyland.com/HalloweenParty.

The historic Aug. 29, 2019,  grand opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® is right around the corner.  And while we’ve been sharing many exciting updates and images from the land, today’s awe-inspiring aerial view may just be the best yet!

This video, which includes new music from Oscar-winning composer John Williams, features a  first look at Star Wars:Galaxy’s Edge as the sun rises.  It also showcases the land’s amazing landscape and rockwork.

When guests visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, they’ll be transported to the planet of Batuu, where they can live their own adventure in and around Black Spire Outpost.  Beginning Aug. 29, 2019,  at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests will be able to take the controls of the most famous ship in the galaxy aboard Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, enjoy innovative food and beverage offerings and several new galactic experiences as they become part of the Star Warsstory.

The new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which opened May 31, 2019, at Disneyland® Park in California, will open August 29, 2019, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida. 

The beloved “Main Street Electrical Parade” has returned to light up Disneyland® Park and delight thousands of Guests each evening. The nighttime spectacle features half-million sparkling lights and “electro-syntho-magnetic musical sounds.” After 47 years since its debut performance at Disneyland, this beloved parade still radiates a sense of wonder, joy and – for some – warm nostalgia. 

See what Guests are saying about this iconic parade’s return:

Beginning today, Aug. 15, 2019, guests can “fall into fun” like never before at Walt Disney World® Resort with a new ticket offer. With the “Mid-Day Magic Ticket,” Guests can enjoy admission after 12 p.m. to one theme park per day. 2-, 3- and 4-day Mid-Day Magic tickets are available for start dates on or before Dec. 15, 2019.

• 2-Day Mid-Day Magic Ticket: Valid for admission after 12 p.m. 2-day Mid-Day Magic Tickets are available from $88 per day plus tax (from $176 total plus tax) and expire four (4) days after the selected start date. 
• 3-Day Mid-Day Magic Ticket: Valid for admission to after 12 p.m. 3-day Mid-Day Magic tickets are available from $84 per day plus tax (from $252 total plus tax) and expire five (5) days after the selected start date.
• 4-Day Mid-Day Magic Ticket: Valid for admission after 12 p.m. 4-day Mid-Day Magic tickets are available from $79 per day plus tax (from $316 total plus tax) and expire seven (7) days after the selected start date.
• This is the first time we’re offering a late-entry ticket with special pricing that allows Guests to enter our theme parks starting at noon and enjoy the day and evening. This option works best for Guests who are looking for an opportunity to start their morning at a leisurely pace, to enjoy other early-morning activities (golf, pool, etc.), or to travel from their accommodations. 
• With these tickets, the magic starts at noon as Guests will receive admission to one theme park per day after 12 p.m. Additionally, Guests can secure afternoon and evening FastPass+ to select attractions, entertainment and Character Greets up to 30 days in advance.  Guests can enjoy new seasonal excitement, including new sips and savors at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and the holiday Hoopla Dance Party in DinoLand U.S.A at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park starting Nov. 8. 
• For our guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels, our date-based ticket product is still the best option, giving them the flexibility and opportunity to experience all the magic that our theme parks have to offer, including the morning Extra Magic Hour benefit