WDW Daily News

Summer is here, which means it’s time to celebrate that special man: dearest Dad. At Walt Disney World Resort, Dads can be sure to enjoy days filled with magic and adventure. This nearly 40-square mile playground overflows with classic attractions, thrills, lively shows and fun for the entire family. Here’s some options to make dad feel like a king on Father’s Day and any day:

Travel to Pandora – The World of Avatar
Take Dad on a journey through Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s newest expansion: Pandora – The World of Avatar. After experiencing the attractions, Na’vi River Journey and Flight of Passage, head over to Windtraders, a themed retail offering in this mystical new land. There, Dad can create his personal Avatar at the ACE Avatar Maker experience. The guest is photographed and then a unique reveal will present the guest with their personalized avatar figure, which is roughly 12 inches tall. There are male, female and young child options to choose from along with accessory kits to customize their personal figure.

Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party
After a day exploring the parks, treat Dad to an epic show and dessert with Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This galactic party features a selection of specialty drinks and tasty sweets before the grand fireworks display begins. After tasty out-of-this-world desserts, enjoy the show in a special viewing area. Tickets can be purchased at DisneyWorld.com/dining. Park admission is not included.

Ride the Waves at Typhoon Lagoon
Dad can learn how to master the waves at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park with private surfing lessons. Instructors teach participants everything from standing on a surfboard to riding the waves in the park’s large wave pool. The 2.5 hour classes are small, with a maximum of 12 people per session to ensure the best experience. Participants must be age 8 or older to learn to ride the waves. Reservations can only be booked at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Private Surf site.

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If guests are visiting Disney Parks in the coming weeks, they’ll be able to preview scenes from Disney•Pixar’s “Cars 3” in sneak peeks planned for Disneyland® and Walt Disney World® Resorts.

At Disney California Adventure® Park, the preview of “Cars 3” will be presented in 3D with special in-theater effects at the Bug’s Life Theater, starting May 12, 2017. Beginning May 26, Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® will get to see this advance look at a segment from the film as part of the One Man’s Dream attraction, where artwork and maquettes from the production will also be on display.

“The Bachelor” alumni Ben Higgins and Lauren Bushnell take you behind the scenes of some truly fabulous weddings in Freeform’s “Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings” special, airing on SUNDAY, MAY 7, at 8:00 – 9:30 p.m. EDT. To get a sneak-peek look, click here.

Getting married is one of the most special days of your life and one you will never forget. For three exceptional couples, their weddings will include some Disney magic and elegance, as well as a few surprises thrown in, to give them the wedding they always dreamed of and more. And while three couples are entering wedded bliss, one lucky couple is just about to start their wedding journey with a proposal of a lifetime. Hosted by “The Bachelor” alums Ben Higgins and Lauren Bushnell, “Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings” will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the one-of-a-kind weddings, including a surprise performance by the multiplatinum-selling a cappella group Pentatonix and magical engagements that take place at Disney Destinations around the globe.

The four couples featured in the special are:

Ruby and Eric from Oxnard, California
Ruby and Eric quickly got married at the courthouse seven years ago before Eric was deployed overseas. During his two deployments, Eric always vowed to give Ruby the wedding of her dreams and now he is finally able to deliver on this promise. With a breathtaking setting in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Resort in California, an unexpected carriage ride down Main Street U.S.A., and an even bigger surprise wedding serenade by Pentatonix, Ruby and Eric’s wedding is one for the history books.

Carolina and Isaiah from Phoenix, Arizona
Carolina was Isaiah’s “seventh grade girl of his dreams” and will now soon be his wife. This adventurous couple knew a traditional wedding wasn’t their style and decided on a “wedding-moon” in the Bahamas. With family and friends in tow, Carolina and Isaiah sail off on Disney Cruise Line for a romantic and fun Disney’s private island wedding adventure.

Taylor and Tyler from Dallas, Texas
Taylor and Tyler spend their magical day at Epcot in Florida. Taylor’s family has a deep history with The Walt Disney Company, with her father working for the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and her sister as a voice actor on Disney Channel’s “Star Wars Rebels.” With this family legacy, Taylor’s dream wedding has always been a Disney wedding. With a choreographed first dance and Taylor’s goal of making Tyler cry, this is sure to be a wedding viewers will never forget.

Melanie and Greg from Peoria, Illinois
Melanie thinks her boyfriend Greg is taking her on a fun vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida to get away from the stresses of their life. The couple heads out on a sunrise safari ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, but unbeknownst to her, Melanie is in for the surprise of her life as Greg has prepared an unforgettable wedding proposal.

“Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings” is a T Group and Roberts Media production and executive produced by Jenny Daly, Ann Lewis Roberts and Simon Lythgoe.

Love Rapunzel!  Adore Flynn Rider/Eugene Fitzherbert!  Seeing as Disney’s Tangled is my absolute favorite Disney princess movie and that they are the best power couple ever, I couldn’t wait to check out Disney TANGLED:BEFORE EVER AFTER, now on DVD. In this animated adventure, Rapunzel (Mandy Moore) is getting used to the idea of living in the castle and dealing with the responsibilities of being a royal princess. Of course, her true love Eugene/Flynn (Zachary Levi) helps her navigate this new life now that she is “free” from her high tower.  Pascal and Maximus are always nearby for help and advice–well, as much as animal friends can provide.  Rapunzel’s new friend, Cassandra, is a great addition to the group. Disney legend Alan Menken has done it again with his song “Wind in My Hair”, sung beautifully by Mandy Moore. Listen carefully to the lyrics and you will be able to understand Rapunzel’s dreams now that she starting her new life after 18 years in the tower. The storytelling is funny, touching, and even daring at times. Be sure to watch the four bonus shorts. These are really funny. Tangled: The Series premiered on Disney Channel in March. I can’t wait to follow Rapunzel and Eugene on their new adventures and see what awaits them in their future. As I stated before, they are my favorite Disney couple! Disney TANGLED:BEFORE EVER AFTER will have you running through the yard in bare feet and swinging your frying pan around the kitchen. Be sure to pick up the DVD today!

Walt Disney World Resort has offered many sneak peeks and hints about Pandora: The World of Avatar, opening May 27 at Animal Kingdom park. Based on James Cameron’s 2009 sci-fi film, the attraction will break new ground in the kind of immersive experiences that guests will come to expect from The Walt Disney Co. and also may provide a glimpse of what’s to come at another major attraction headed to Orlando.

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Travel Zoom Pro knows that during the summer months one of the most popular family vacation options is a trip to one of Disney’s theme parks. Disneyland and Walt Disney World are both highly popular United States summer getaway spots, especially for those who are traveling with their children and the Disney theme parks across the globe are equally popular.

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Feeling like THE FORCE is strong in your life?  If so, then you will love the Lucasfilm adventure ROGUE ONE-A Star Wars Story, now on Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital HD. This feature film takes place before the original 1977 movie, Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope. (Those of us who can remember seeing this in theaters in 1977 may still refer to this as the first Star Wars movie).  ROGUE ONE follows a group of rebels on a mission to steal the plans for the Death Star, the Empire’s ultimate weapon.  Felicity Jones plays Jyn Erso, a powerful young woman who will do whatever it takes to get the job done.  She isn’t a fragile little flower waiting for the men in the rebellion to save her.  Girl power is in full effect here. She and Rey from Star Wars-The Force Awakens are awesome role models for young fans of the Star Wars films. The movie has all of the action and adventure, and even humor, that we have come to expect from the franchise. We meet some new characters like Cassian the Spy, K-2SO the Droid, and my favorites, Baze and Chirrut the Guardians of the Whills. Can’t wait to see the Cosplay world bring them to life!  ROGUE ONE blends perfectly into the Star Wars world. Be sure to watch the bonus features so see behind the scenes footage, interviews with the cast and crew, and some technical feats that bring original characters to life with new actors. Truly amazing!  Fans will love all of the connections to the other Star Wars movies and the animated series. ROGUE ONE-A Star Wars Story is a mission that you just cannot miss.

Mickey and his pals are revving up their engines in Disney’s Mickey and the Roadster Racers, now on DVD. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy team up in 8 adventures in their roadster race cars. If your children love Mickey and his pals,then they will love them zooming around town and helping their friends in need.  Disney Junior has a hit on its hands for sure!  The bonus features also includes 2 music videos that the little ones will really enjoy.  I for one want to get my hands on Mickey’s hat! (It resembles Dipper’s hat from Gravity Falls)  I also can’t wait to check out all of the Roadster Racers merchandise next time I go to the Disney store or to the parks.  How cool would it be for the Tomorrowland Speedway to be transformed into the Roadster Racers cars!  Their helmets would be awesome to wear too–ears and all!  Disney’s Mickey and the Roadster Racers on DVD is a must have for your family.  Ready. Set. Go out and get your copy now!

If your version of a Disney vacation means chaos, long waits, and too many giant turkey legs, you’re doing it all wrong. Discover how the other half does Disney, from the absolute best lodging and dining to guided tours and even how to host your own private party inside the parks.

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Disney’s Elena and the Secret of Avalor-The Magic Within is now available on DVD. This full-length animated feature will take you back to the beginning of the Elena of Avalor story.  Brave Sophia of Sophia the First has been chosen to free Princess Elena from the enchanted amulet.  Once freed, the two work together to take back the kingdom from the evil Queen Shuriki. I love this story because the two girls didn’t wait around for a prince to save the day.  They knew what needed to be done and took charge of the situation.  With the help of some magical friends, they were able to unite Elena with her sister and grandparents and reclaim her rightful throne.  The DVD comes with the full-length feature and several bonus episodes.  The animation is fantastic and the music is entertaining.  Disney’s Elena and the Secret of Avalor-The Magic Within is sure to inspire the youngsters in your family to never give up no matter what obstacles someone may put in your way.  This is just the beginning for these princesses.  I just know even greater adventures await them.