WDW Daily News

At Disneyland® Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, guests can watch as younglings test their skills against the dark side during Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple. In this theme park offering, which takes place multiple times each day, Jedi Knights identify Force-sensitive children from throughout the galaxy and bring them to an ancient Jedi Temple to train in the ways of the Force. Under the guidance of a Jedi, these eager younglings learn how to use the Force and wield lightsabers, and are soon put to the test, coming face-to-face with Darth Vader or the Seventh Sister Inquisitor from the Disney XD series Star Wars Rebels!

If guests have a youngling of their own participating, this is an experience they’ll want to remember for a long time. That’s why a Disney PhotoPass Photographer is present at every show to capture the experience. Photos from the experience can be included in the purchase of a Memory Maker package at Walt Disney World® Resort or a Disney PhotoPass+ One Day package at the Disneyland® Resort.

Disney PhotoPass Service and Disney PhotoPass+ are subject to the Disney PhotoPass and Disney PhotoPass+ terms.Memory Maker is subject to the Memory Maker Terms and Conditions. Memory Maker includes photos taken during the applicable Memory Maker window. A MagicBand is required to receive certain attraction photos and other digital content at Walt Disney World. If Memory Maker purchased at the advance purchase price, any photos taken within 3 days from the date Memory Maker is purchased will not be included and must be purchased separately. Online registration required. Disney PhotoPass Photos in your account will expire pursuant to the Disneyland PhotoPass expiration policy and the Walt Disney World PhotoPass expiration policy, as applicable. Downloads are restricted to personal use only. Not responsible for missing, lost or damaged photos. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Valid theme park admission and sign-up process required to experience Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple.

If your spring or summer plans include a stay at Disney World, you’re likely aware that there are a ton of tips and tricks for making the most of your stay. But beyond “hidden Mickeys” and trading pins with characters, here are a few smart insider hacks from the former Disney “cast members” (a.k.a. employees) themselves.

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Our Clients can get a FREE Dining Plan when they buy a non-discounted 5-night/6-day package that includes a room at a select Walt Disney World® Resort hotel and ticket with the Park Hopper® or Water Park Fun & More Option for arrivals most nights Aug. 23-Oct. 1, 2016, Nov. 15-21, Nov. 26-28 and Dec. 10-Dec. 21, 2016 when they book by July 8, 2016.

Contact Travel Agents, Scott and Becky Donahue, of Wish Upon a Star With Us to plan and book your vacation.

The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Tickets and options must be used within 14 days of first use. Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Advance reservations required. Offer excludes campsites, 3-bedroom villas, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort—The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms and the Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. Dining plan excludes gratuities and alcoholic beverages. Children ages 3–9 must order from children’s menu, if available. Some Table-Service restaurants may have limited or no availability at time of package purchase.

Contact Travel Agents, Scott and Becky Donahue, of Wish Upon a Star With Us to plan and book your vacation.

After finishing second at the runDisney Star Wars half marathon at Disneyland Resort last year, Jason Ryf summoned even more of The Force on Sunday to win the inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side at Walt Disney World Resort.

Ryf, 45, from Oshkosh, Wisconsin won the 13.1-mile race through Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 1:13:39. Marc Burget of Jacksonville, Florida was second (1:14:38) and Chris Trebilcock of Tampa, Florida was third (1:15:27).

Katie McGrath was the first female runner to cross the finish line, covering the course in 1:24:05. Elizabeth Meadows-Harland of Nashville, Tennessee was second (1:26:36) and Kim Hunger of Antelope, California, was third (1:28:36).

For Ryf, conquering the race from a galaxy far, far away held a lot of sentimental value. Ryf said he grew up watching the Star Wars saga and is a real fan of the franchise. He finished second at the inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon at Disneyland Resort in 2015 with a time of 1:10:56. His time Sunday was a tad slower, yet he managed to land in the winner’s circle.

“I love Star Wars. I saw the original movies in the theaters. Ever since I was a kid, Star Wars has just been awesome,’’ Ryf said. “So coming here and winning is pretty good. Being able to celebrate Disney and Star Wars and the race all together is a pretty nice time.’’

The race was the newest addition to the runDisney series which involves nine races at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and, for the first time later this year, Disneyland Paris. The next runDisney race weekend is the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend presented by PANDORA Jewelry (May 5-8) at Disneyland Resort.

The Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side involved several family-friendly events, including a Health and Fitness Expo with the latest in fitness apparel, running gear and high tech gadgets, the Star Wars 5K, the Star Wars 10K and the Dark Side Challenge, which involved running the 10K and the half marathon on consecutive days. There were also Star Wars characters along the course and opportunities for runners to pose with them before and after the races.

Disney lovers know all about Dapper Day. The event, for which guests are encouraged to get all dressed up in their vintage-y, old time-y best, happens twice a year at Disney parks in Orlando, Los Angeles, and Paris…

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If you are a fan of Grumpy you have been able to get all kinds of merchandise featuring the disgruntled dwarf.  But now Disney has released t-shirts for Grumpy’s fellow dwarfs.

Check these out and let us know which is your favorite.

New deleted scenes sneak peek from the Digital HD and Blu-ray Combo Pack of Star Wars: The Force Awakens is now available.

See the Star Wars: The Force Awakens deleted scenes, “Finn and the Villager”, “Jakku Message”, “X-Wings Prepare for Lightspeed”, “Kylo Searches The Falcon”, “Snow Speeder Chase,” and “Finn Will Be Fine” on Digital HD and Blu-ray Combo Pack,
plus a special bonus deleted scene, “Tunnel Standoff” only on Digital HD or by redeeming the digital copy included in your Blu-ray Combo Pack.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is coming home on Digital HD April 1 and Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on April 5.

In front of a crowd of wish granters, volunteers, and wish families, Disneyland Resort and Make-A-Wish^® celebrated the success of the global “Share Your Ears” campaign and announced that Disney Parks will double its original donation from $1 million to $2 million in recognition of the overwhelming support from fans around the globe.

To honor the 100,000th Disney wish granted globally, and in celebration of Disneyland Resort’s 60th Anniversary, fans were invited to share images of people wearing Mickey Mouse Ears or creative interpretations of ears. Photos uploaded with the hashtag #ShareYourEars unlocked a $5 donation from Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, up to $1 million.

“We were overwhelmed by the response to Share Your Ears,” said David Williams, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “The campaign not only raised valuable funds for wish granting, it allowed us to engage with both current Make-A-Wish supporters and those who learned about us for the very first time. We now have a worldwide community who is more enthusiastic about our unique relationship with Disney than ever before.”

Today Disney Parks announced that it would donate $2 million to Make-A-Wish, double the original pledge, to recognize the outpouring of public support for the campaign. An exclusive dazzled Ear Hat and two exclusive Disney experiences are part of a Make-A-Wish sweepstakes to raise additional funds. Proceeds from the sale of collectible 60th Anniversary Ear Hats sold at Disneyland also will go to Make-A-Wish.

“We’re thrilled that so many of our guests, fans, and cast members supported Make-A-Wish by sharing their ears and joining Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in making even more children’s wishes come true,” said Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

For more than 35 years, Disney and Make-A-Wish have granted the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, touching millions of people around the world. Nearly 8,000 Disney-related wishes are granted worldwide every year – including experiences at Disney theme parks, voyages on Disney Cruise Line, meetings with Disney characters, and visits to TV and movie sets – making Disney the most popular request by Make-A-Wish children.

Jon Stettner, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish International said: “We are grateful to Disney and the hundreds of thousands of fans around the world who shared their simple, artistic and sometimes even wacky ears. It’s because of you that wish kids and families experience the life-changing power of a wish-come-true.”

For more information, visit www.ShareYourEars.org.

Early in the first issue of Marvel Comics’ “Haunted Mansion,” a new one-off, five-issue series inspired by the Disneyland staple, readers encounter a ghost. This is expected. After all, as Haunted Mansion lore tells us…

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Purple is now available as one of the eight colors that Guests with an upcoming Walt Disney World® Resort reservation can choose when placing their complimentary MagicBand order via StartYourDisneyExperience.com/My Disney Experience.

If guests have already personalized their MagicBands on My Disney Experience, but have not yet submitted their order, they can log in to their account and edit their MagicBand color selection.

In addition, if guests are traveling on a Walt Disney Travel Company package, they will receive a purple luggage tag when they opt for a purple MagicBand.