WDW Daily News

Look for art here, there and everywhere at the 2019 Epcot® International Festival of the Arts as it returns for a third year of creative family fun, now through Feb. 25, 2019.

This year for the first time, the popular Disney on Broadway Concert Series is presented daily during the festival, with performances at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. at the America Gardens Theatre stage. That’s 117 shows, featuring pairs of Broadway stars who’ll sing favorite songs from award-winning Disney on Broadwayproductions like “The Lion King,” “Mary Poppins” and “Frozen.” The lineup rotates weekly:

• Kerry Butler (“Beauty and the Beast”) and Kevin Massey (“Tarzan”)
• Meredith Inglesby (“The Little Mermaid”) and Steve Blanchard (“Beauty and the Beast”) NEW
• Arielle Jacobs and Adam Jacobs (“Aladdin”) NEW
• Heidi Blickenstaff (“Freaky Friday”) and Gavin Lee (“Mary Poppins”) NEW
• Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins”) and Josh Strickland (“Tarzan”)
• Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White (“The Lion King”)

Guarantee seats for your Clients by booking a Disney on Broadway Concert Series Dining Package for breakfast, lunch or dinner at a participating Epcotrestaurant. Visit Disneyworld.com or call 407-939-3463.

Plus, your Clients can taste, and taste some more, around the World Showcase Promenade where 13 Food Studios feature bites and sips of culinary magic that take food art to a whole new level. Guests can enjoy smoked salmon and cream gateau with egg yolk cream, micro herbs and – wait for it – paddlefish caviar at The Painter’s Palate. Or they can devour delectable diversions at Decadent Delights: the lemon and blood orange tart and the white chocolate and purple sweet potato mousse with caramel, coconut and maple meringue. 

Also during the festival, your Clients can step inside an Artful Photo Op iconic painting. They can make their artistic mark as they pick up a paintbrush and add to the paint-by-number mural along World Showcase Plaza. Guests can also experience the astonishing talent of performing artists who showcase gravity-defying feats, acrobatics and other skills. They can join Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt; maps can be purchased at select merchandise locations. They can visit tastefully curated gallery exhibitions, and meet over 100 artists who will be appearing throughout the Festival in over 30 locations around Epcot. And they can take in a high-energy performance by watching visual artists paint favorite Disney characters live onstage.

Your Clients can also join a complimentary seminar led by a true pro with specialties ranging from photography and cosmetology to watermelon carving and even the art of Disney topiary. Or, for a small fee,they can sign up for an interactive workshop with one of many artists booked Fridays through Mondays to give them a creative hands-on experience and walk away with their own memento. Call 407-WDW-TOUR to book your Clients in advance. They can also visit the Odyssey Festival Showplace to sign up.

Since Disney’s Riviera Resort was first announced in July 2017, Members have continually asked to be kept informed about the newest Resort. With that in mind, we wanted you to be among the first to hear some exciting updates. Construction is progressing extremely well on our new proposed Disney Vacation ClubResort, and it’s currently on schedule to open in Fall 2019.  

When it opens its doors, Disney’s Riviera Resort will offer all the grandeur of Europe combined with the magic of Disney. The new Resort will be conveniently located in the heart of Walt Disney World_® Resort, and feature unique access to Epcot_®and Disney’s Hollywood Studios_®, via the new Disney Skyliner. 

Important information for Disney Vacation Club Members:

• This Spring, Members can begin booking stays at Disney’s Riviera Resort with Vacation Points, accessing exclusive, protected inventory which is being held just for our Members. Exact timing will be shared once the official opening date is confirmed.

In the interim, Disney’s Riviera Resort will begin taking rental reservations from the general public this month. To learn more about the new Resort, watch the Disney Parks Blog and follow Disney Vacation Club on Facebook and Instagram for updates. 

By: Disney DestinationsJanuary 17, 2019

Today we’re excited to share that Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy will speed into Disney’s Hollywood Studios® on March 31, 2019!

This new show experience will welcome you inside the world of Pixar’s Cars films, bringing them face to face with racing legend Lightning McQueen. Guests will be part of the next generation of rookie racers, and they’ll learn the rules of the road from Lightning’s years of experience. This will be the untold story of Lightning McQueen – as told by Lightning McQueen!

We’ll be sharing more details about Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy in the weeks to come.

• Behind the Scenes at “Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party” – Disney Parks Live Entertainment Choreographer Cindy Wilson shares a special look at this 2019 experience that she says is a throwback to the Mickey Mouse Club. Also, technical director Lindsay Vrab gives us an update on what guests can expect to see this year. 
• Top 5 Reasons to Visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios® in 2019 – Disney’s Hollywood Studios turns 30 this year and we’re sharing the top five experiences guests can enjoy.
• First Look: The Epcot® International Festival of the Arts – Dave Kesting, general manager of Festivals and Food and Beverage, gives us a preview of the 39-day celebration of visual, culinary and performing arts from around the world. Beginning Jan. 18, 2019 and running through Feb. 25, 2019, the festival offers artful activities for the entire family.

• Behind the Scenes at The Tropical Hideaway at Disneyland® Resort – Walt Disney Imagineering Art Director Michael Dobrzycki gives us a tour of The Tropical Hideaway at Disneyland Resort.
• Unboxed D-Lish – We’re unveiling “must-have” items from the Disney Parks D-Lish collection. Disney Parks merchandise locations and ShopDisney.com will be serving up the D-Lish collection this year!

Categories: General

If guests love professional football and can’t wait for the 2019 Pro Bowl, they can head to Disney Springs® on Jan. 26, 2019 for the 2019 Pro Bowl Pep Rally. This event will take place at the Marketplace Stage and includes a lively mix of fun that includes NFL Team Mascots and Cheerleaders, NFL and Disney Trivia, a DJ Dance Party and more. With shows taking place at 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., guests have plenty of chances to celebrate the sport and maybe even score a photo or autograph.

In addition to the Pep Rally, Guests can keep an eye out for the NFL Shop, a pop-up location featuring a wide array of offerings including team jerseys and T-shirts, lanyards, keychains, mini helmets and footballs and tumblers. They’ll also be able to purchase tickets to the 2019 Pro Bowl, taking place on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019 at Camping World Stadium in nearby downtown Orlando. New this year,  game tickets also get Guests access to the Player Red Carpet, KidZone, fireworks, and more.

There is no charge to enjoy the NFL Pro Bowl Pep Rally and self-parking is complimentary.

Stay tuned for more information about what’s planned for 2019 Pro Bowl Week at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Guests can please their palate with the colorful flavors of the 2019 Epcot® International Festival of the Arts! Highlighting the visual, performing, and culinary arts, the festival runs from Jan. 18-Feb. 25, 2019, and features 13 Food Studios along with other festival-exclusive dishes served at various locations throughout the park.

From sweet and savory to spicy and scrumptious, this year’s menus are decorated with a whole gallery of items including returning favorites as well as new items that will dazzle your taste buds. This colorful fare paints a yummy picture of culinary perfection presented throughout Future World and World Showcase.

In addition, Guests can savor show-stopping cuisine with a side of sizzling Disney Broadway hits with the Disney on Broadway Concert Series Dining Packages. They can feast on the finest fare from around the world at participating restaurants before enjoying guaranteed seating at one of three concerts held the same day. To book a dining package for guests, visit the Walt Disney World® Resort website or call 407 WDW-DINE (407 939-3463). Bookings are available for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

As for the menus for the wonderful Food Studios sprinkled throughout the park, here’s the official Disney Parks Foodie Guide (brought to us by our partners at the Disney Parks Blog) with all the info a budding, hungry artist could ever want!

GF – Gluten-Friendly
V – Vegetarian

Disneyland® Resort is getting ready to kick off the party for the legendary duo that started it all during Get Your Ears On – A Mickey and Minnie Celebration! Everyone is encouraged to “Get Your Ears On” and celebrate 90 years of magic—even the Disneyland Monorail has received a special enhancement!

Get Your Ears On will present exciting new ways to celebrate the beloved Mickey and Minnie, with entertainment plus limited-time décor, specialty foods and merchandise. Starting on Friday, “Mickey’s Mix Magic” will light up Disneyland Park with a new high-energy projection show, creating a family-fun dance party atmosphere. The fan-favorite, “Mickey’s Soundsational Parade,” returns on Jan. 25, 2019 with a rockin’ new opening to kick off the party.

As we’ve previously shared, the Gran Destino Tower will be part of the reimagining of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. This transformation is inspired by the adventurous spirit of great Spanish explorers and historic innovative Spanish artists, writers and architects.  

You can look forward to new dining experiences as part of the reimagining. Three Bridges Bar & Grill will be located on an island in the middle of the resort’s 14-acre lake, Lago Dorado. Courtyards adjacent to the restaurant offer private-event options, and the entire area is accessible via convenient walkways stretching across the lake. Additionally, a unique rooftop table service restaurant, Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood, will open as part of Gran Destino Tower. The new dining establishment – featuring beautiful views of Walt Disney World Resort – will offer indoor dining and a lounge with indoor and outdoor seating. Stay tuned to Disney Travel News for more details soon!

The new tower, once completed, will be the main entrance for Disney’s Coronado Springs and will add 545 new guest rooms (including 50 suites!) as well as a gorgeous two-story lobby. The 1,800-plus existing rooms at the resort are already fully updated with new fixtures, furnishings and lighting.

Check out this video for a sneak peek!

Categories: Resort Hotels

The summer’s hottest water park party will be back in 2019! Disney H2O Glow Nights, which made a huge splash in its debut at Walt Disney World® Resort this past summer, is coming back to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon® Water Park just in time for your 2019 summer vacation.

Everyone’s favorite Toy Story pals – Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Jessie – are once again throwing the ultimate nighttime beach party at Typhoon Lagoon, inspired by their friend, “Partysaurus Rex.”

And this time, Guests can get ready for more nights and more glow!

Starting May 30, 2019, H2O Glow Nights splashes down on Thursday and Saturday nights, through Aug. 24, 2019. The party officially runs 8 p.m.-11 p.m., but Guests can experience Typhoon Lagoon as early as 6 p.m. on event nights.

Through special lighting effects, Typhoon Lagoon transforms into a different experience at night, including a DJ dance party, specialty food and drinks, an adults-only oasis, all your favorite Typhoon Lagoon attractions and even more summer fun.

Disney’s H2O Glow Nights tickets start at $59 for adults (plus tax) and $54 for children ages 3-9 (plus tax) in advance. On event days, tickets are $69 for adults (plus tax) and $64 for children (plus tax) at the gate, if available.

It’s never too early to plan for your fall vacation – especially when it comes to Halloween!

We’re excited to announce that tickets are now available for one of our favorite fall events: Mickey’s Not–So–Scary Halloween Party.

This year, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will transform Magic Kingdom® Park into a spook-tacular celebration for a total of 36 nights! That’s right, we added two additional nights to the event, extending it to Nov. 1, 2019.

Here are the dates for 2019:

• Aug. 16, 20, 23, 27, 30
• Sept. 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29
• Oct. 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31
• Nov. 1

Returning to the event will be spooky fun for everyone, including devilish Halloween décor, special entertainment such as fireworks, a parade and character greetings, as well as trick-or-treating throughout the park! In addition, you have access to dozens of popular attractions and may even encounter some bewitching surprises along the way.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets start at $79 in advance or $89 at the gate, if available. 

We will share more details of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – as well as on sale dates to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

*Entertainment subject to change.