WDW Daily News

Guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, may be able to spot a new addition on the Kilimanjaro Safaris savanna. A 2-month-old male Masai giraffe named Jabari has officially joined the giraffe herd. Jabari, which means “brave one” in Swahili, is a bold, curious and courageous calf and his name celebrates his spirit. Standing seven feet tall, Jabari has spent the past two months bonding with his mom, Mara, in a backstage habitat. True to his name, Jabari has quickly reached all his key developmental milestones, so on March 12, 2019, he was reintroduced to the savanna and his tower – otherwise known as a group of giraffe. Jabari has several special distinctions; he is the first giraffe calf to be born on the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and he has a special heart-shaped spot on his neck. (David Roark, photographer)

From its distant view of the Eiffel Tower to a waterfront reminiscent of the banks of the Seine, the France Pavilion at Epcot® has long possessed a certain je ne sais quoi, inviting Guests to linger in a setting inspired by the sidewalks of Paris. And soon, that invitation will be extended in a gastronomic experience as French as Renoir and Monet: the crêpe.

Scheduled to be built in an all-new location near the previously announced Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction, the new crêperie will feature the cuisine of celebrity chef Jérôme Bocuse, the mastermind behind the pavilion’s Chefs de France brasserie and its celebration of gourmet cuisine, Monsieur Paul. With a menu inspired by the Brittany region of France, the new location will offer table service dining as well as a quick-service stop for Guests craving savory crepes called galettes and sweet crepes.

The restaurant is part of the multi-year transformation of Epcot and an enrichment of the France pavilion that includes—in addition to the classic “Impressions de France”—a “Beauty and the Beast” Sing-Along experience and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction,  in which your Clients will virtually shrink to the size of French cuisine’s most famous rat and scurry to safety across the kitchen of Gusteau’s legendary Parisian restaurant. All are coming to the pavilion in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World® Resort.

Elsewhere in the park, new and enhanced films are underway, and construction continues on the new “Guardians of the Galaxy”-themed attraction and a first-of-its-kind area devoted to playful fun that’ll come to life under the dome of the pavilion previously known as Wonders of Life.

Look for more news soon on the transformation of Epcot, including the crêperie’s name and opening season. We’re looking forward to wishing your Clients, “Bon appétit!” 

In the meantime, there’s still time for your Clients to witness “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” planned to run through end of summer 2019, and the seasonal splendor of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. There has never been a better time to visit Epcot.

A TRIP TO DISNEY WORLD HAS BEEN A RITE OF PASSAGE FOR GENERATIONS OF KIDS. BUT THESE DAYS, THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH IS PLEASING LEGIONS OF ADULTS WITH BOOZE-ORIENTED CULTURAL EXPERIENCES.

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James Gunn has been rehired by Disney’sMarvel Studios to helm “Guardians of the Galaxy 3” after being pulled from the project last summer, a person familiar with the matter told CNBC.

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There is so much to see and do at Walt Disney World® Resort, from exhilarating rides and attractions to spectacular shows and parades and more. But have you ever wondered what goes on behind-the-scenes to bring all that magic to life?

During the Adventures by Disney® Backstage Magic Tour, Disney fans can get an up-close look at the artistry, technology and wizardry behind Disney’s world-famous theme park entertainment. And beginning in June, Adventures by Disney will offer a brand-new experience as part of this tour: behind-the-scenes access at Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s nighttime spectacular, “Rivers of Light“! 

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There has been much anticipation around the opening of Jaleo by Chef José Andrés, which celebrates traditional Spanish cuisine in a festive atmosphere. Today, we’re happy to announce the wait is over – Jaleo at Disney Springs® West Side is slated to open for dinner on March 17, 2019.

This will be the fifth Jaleo location in the U.S., the first in Florida and the largest location to date. With a menu showcasing the rich regional diversity of traditional and contemporary Spanish cuisine, Jaleo popularized tapas dining in the U.S. starting with its first Washington D.C. location which opened in 1993.

Jaleo at Disney Springs will feature an extensive menu of tapas, the traditional small plates of Spain, as well as savory paellas, sangrias, and a selection of Spanish wines and sherries. The celebration of these flavors in an inviting, vibrant atmosphere is a hallmark of all Jaleo restaurants. 

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The one and only Captain Marvel makes a triumphant arrival in Disney California Adventure® Park! As her jet fighter is being readied for a special mission at Hangar 12 in the northeast corner of Hollywood Land, Captain Marvel lines up a gathering of recruits for a Heroic Encounter and inspires them to go Higher, Further, Faster. Check out the video below!

Now in theaters, Marvel Studios’ “Captain Marvel” is an all-new adventure that follows the journey of ace Air Force pilot Carol Danvers as she becomes one of the most powerful heroes in the universe. When Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races, Danvers finds herself and a small cadre of allies at the center of the maelstrom.

Cast Members and the project teams responsible for bringing the new TRON attraction to life at Magic Kingdom® Park celebrated a major milestone this week — signing their names on one of the first steel support columns for the new attraction.

Magic Kingdom Park’s TRON attraction, which is currently being constructed in Tomorrowland, is based on the Guest-favorite attraction TRON Lightcycle Power Run at Shanghai Disneyland. This coaster-style attraction will allow riders to board a train of two-wheeled Lightcycles for a thrilling race through the digital frontier.

The TRON attraction is set to open at Magic Kingdom Park in time for Walt Disney’s World’s 50th anniversary in 2021.

Ever since they were first announced in 2015, the upcoming Star Wars-themed lands coming to Disney’s Florida and California theme parks have been shrouded in a Jedi-like cloak of mystery. We knew the company was planning something big that would push the limits of what its vaunted Imagineers could… well… imagine, but actual details had been thinner than your odds of escaping an asteroid field in a smuggling ship.

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Dedication: “To all who come to this happy place: Welcome! Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams and the hard facts that have created America … with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.”  – Dedication read by Walt Disney – July 17, 1955

Location: Disneyland, “The Happiest Place on Earth,” is located approximately 27 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Its hometown is Anaheim, California.

Size: The magic lands and public areas of Disneyland occupy approximately 85 acres. Guest parking for approximately 10,000 vehicles is available in the Mickey & Friends parking structure, which opened June 27, 2000. At that time, it was the largest parking structure in North America.

Lands: The magic of Disneyland comes to life in eight themed lands, with a ninth land, Star Wars:Galaxy’s Edge opening in summer 2019.

MAIN STREET, U.S.A.
Here contemporary life gives way to the quaint and reassuring charms of turn-of-the-century America. It is the essence of hometown life that greeted the dawn of the 20th century.

ADVENTURELAND
This realm of exploration is a collage of the world’s far-off places and uncharted regions. Would-be explorers can discover the tropical magic of Polynesia (Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room), the wilds of Africa (Tarzan’s Treehouse), the exotic rivers of the world (Jungle Cruise) and the steamy jungles of India (Indiana Jones Adventure).

FRONTIERLAND
A robust panorama of America’s pioneer past, from the bustling riverfronts of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers of the late 1700s (Columbia Sailing Ship, Mark Twain Riverboat, Tom Sawyer Island) to the dusty southwest deserts of the 1880s (Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Golden Horseshoe Stage).

NEW ORLEANS SQUARE
The Paris of the American frontier, the Crescent City as it was more than 150 years ago. Within its winding streets and quaint shops, elegance and charm mingle comfortably with Dixieland jazz, restless spirits (Haunted Mansion) and marauding buccaneers (Pirates of the Caribbean).

CRITTER COUNTRY
Things are “mighty satisfactual” in this shady glen, nestled in a lazy corner of the backwoods. Guests visiting this bend of the river can find their very own “Laughing Place” (Splash Mountain) as they witness the “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” antics of Brer Fox and Brer Bear as they try to outwit wily Brer Rabbit. Also residing in this land are Pooh and his many friends in the Hundred Acre Wood (The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh).

FANTASYLAND
Enchanted tales of childhood adapted from classic Disney animated films come to life in this timeless realm of imagination. Within this magical Old World setting, guests can fly to Never Land (Peter Pan’s Flight), see an elephant fly (Dumbo the Flying Elephant), navigate an out-of-control motorcar (Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride) or attend a mad tea party (Alice in Wonderland).

MICKEY’S TOONTOWN
Bursting with color and frenetic energy, this “town” is a 1930s Disney cartoon come to wacky life. From the bustle of downtown (Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin) to the charm of its residential neighborhood (Mickey’s House, Donald’s Boat, Chip ‘n Dale Treehouse), this civic hub is a slice of “reel” life.

TOMORROWLAND
This intriguing realm of imagination, discovery and wonder features a landscape of whirling spaceships (Astro Orbiter), zooming rocket vehicles (Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, Space Mountain), racing roadsters (Autopia) and Star Wars experiences (Star WarsLaunch Bay).

Hours: Disneyland is open 365 days a year and offers extended operating hours during holiday periods and summer months. To verify hours, please call (714) 781-4565. The most current information for hours and vacation offers is available at www.Disneyland.com.

Attractions: Disneyland Park opened July 17, 1955, with 18 major attractions. Today, there are more than 60 adventures and attractions.

• The Matterhorn Bobsleds was the first tubular steel roller coaster in the world when it opened in 1959. It set the standard for modern-day roller-coaster design.
• Disneyland Park created the first daily operating monorail in the Western Hemisphere. It opened June 14, 1959.
• Disneyland began celebrating seasonal holidays in 1997 with the re-theming of “it’s a small world” as “it’s a small world” Holiday. This was followed by Haunted Mansion Holiday for the Halloween and Christmas seasons beginning in 2001 and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy starting in the 2009 Halloween season.

Area Lodging: When Disneyland opened, Anaheim had five hotels and two motels with a total of 87 rooms. Today, Anaheim boasts approximately 150 hotels and motels with more than 18,000 rooms.

Guests: More than 750 million guests have passed through the gates of Disneyland since Opening Day, July 17, 1955. During the past 63 years, Disneyland has hosted some of the 20th and 21st century’s most prominent dignitaries, including heads of state, U.S. presidents, sports figures and celebrities.

Work force: The Disneyland Resort work force includes approximately 30,000 cast members.