WDW Daily News

Make sure to follow us on Twitter this week as we will be posting photos from around Walt Disney World.

Upon entering a Disney park, every visitor has their own personal to-do list: ride this attraction, meet that character, eat thattreat. On top of everybody’s list, however, is having fun!

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An all-star line-up of Broadway performers united to honor legendary composer, Stephen Sondheim. The evening celebrated the journey of Woods and Sondheim from stage to screen. Film talent in attendance included actors Billy Magnussen, Lilla Crawford and MacKenzie Mauzy. Performances included music from Into the Woods as well as other Sondheim classics sung by feature film and Broadway talent including but not limited to Lilla Crawford, Tituss Burgess, Lance Horne, Norm Lewis, Michael McElroy & Broadway Inspirational Voices, Abby Mueller, Andrew Nielson, Kristin Olness, Molly Pope, Christopher Sieber, Brian Sills, Catherine Walker, Trevor Vaughn, Michael-Leon Wooley, Karen Ziemba, Chip Zien and more.

The event took place at 42West in New York City on Sunday, March 22, 2015. show was presented by Jacob Langerfeld and music was directed by Michael J. Moritz Jr.

INTO THE WOODS is now available on Blu-ray Combo Pack, Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere!

Sizzle Reel

Abby Mueller sings “Children Will Listen”

Catherine Walker sings “Steps of the Palace”

Chip Zien sings “No More”

LIlla Crawford sings “I Know Things Now”

MacKenzie Mauzy and Trevor Vaughn sings “No One Is Alone”

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club announced additional special member events in the Orlando area, adding even more exclusive experiences for fans in Central Florida. On the heels of a D23 Member-exclusive screening of Walt Disney Studios’ live-action Cinderella, the fan club is slated to bring more magic to the Walt Disney World Resort area throughout the rest of the year, including—for the first time—intimate events celebrating classic Disney films similar to what members enjoy at The Walt Disney Studios lot with guest speakers, screenings, and other surprises.

WAKING UP WITH SLEEPING BEAUTY: On the morning of Saturday, April 18, D23 Gold and Silver Members will be able to enjoy this animated classic on the big screen. Special guest, animator and Walt Disney World Creative Designer Lon Smart, will explore the film’s numerous landmark achievements including its unique artistic style and groundbreaking visual effects. Plus, all members will receive a special journal designed to look like the ornate storybook at the beginning of the film.

MICKEY’S OF GLENDALE ORLANDO SHOPPING EVENTS: The Walt Disney Imagineering store is opening up a pop-up shop for D23 Gold and Silver Members. On Saturday, June 6, guests will be able to peruse and purchase signature items from the store’s unique collection. And on Saturday, November 14, members will be able to pick up some key holiday gift items for the Disney fans in their lives—and for themselves.

LET’S GET TOGETHER WITH THE PARENT TRAP: Celebrate this beloved film—starring Hayley Mills in dual roles—with D23 as we present the 1961 hit on the big screen Saturday, June 6. D23’s Steven Vagnini will present a look at the making of the movie with rarely seen photographs and imagery. All attendees will receive a special gift. Plus, guests who attend the screening will receive priority admission on that day to D23’s shopping event with Mickey’s of Glendale.

SIP AND STROLL: D23 brings a new twist to a fan favorite, as members gather in celebration of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival on Saturday, October 3. Attendees will enjoy a continental breakfast, guest speakers, and an insider look at this annual event, now in its 20th year, before sipping and strolling around World Showcase—with some delectable surprises.

Calendar (all events and dates are subject to change):
April 18: Waking Up with Sleeping Beauty—AMC Downtown Disney 24, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
June 6: Let’s Get Together With The Parent Trap—AMC Downtown Disney 24, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
June 6: Mickey’s of Glendale Orlando Shopping Event—Location TBA, Walt Disney World Resort
October 3: Sip and Stroll—Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort, Fla.
November 14: Mickey’s of Glendale Orlando Shopping Event—Location TBA, Walt Disney World Resort

About D23
The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($74.99) and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.

Which rides or attractions that exist at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World are markedly better in one version or the other?

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SMS Audio, LLC (www.SMSAudio.com), a premier audio headphone brand, and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts have entered into a multi-year strategic alliance naming SMS Audio the official headphones of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California.

SMS Audio products, including Star Wars First Edition SMS Audio headphones are available for purchase now at select locations throughout Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. In the spring, the Second Edition Star Wars SMS Audio headphone collection will be available depicting fan favorite themes such as Tie Fighter, Chewbacca, R2-D2 and Darth Vader.

“Establishing an alliance with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is consistent with our strategic goal to build SMS Audio into a premiere global audio brand,” said Brian M. Nohe, president of SMS Audio. “We look forward to building upon this alliance even further.”

As part of this agreement, SMS Audio will be a sponsor of Star Tours – The Adventures Continue attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida and will feature their products at the park’s annual Star Wars Weekends. SMS Audio will also be a sponsor of the Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend and Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend, both at Disneyland Resort in California.

In addition, SMS Audio has been named the Official Headphones of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club. Along with product opportunities for D23 Members, SMS Audio will be a part of this year’s D23 EXPO 2015: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, taking place at the Anaheim Convention Center August 14–16, 2015.

“This alliance brings together two companies who share a commitment to providing high-quality entertainment experiences,” said Tiffany Rende, senior vice president of Disney Corporate Alliances and Operating Participants. “We’re thrilled to have SMS Audio join us as we continue to enhance our guest offerings.”

To learn more about SMS Audio and its products, visit www.smsaudio.com.

Disneyland Resort (DLR) and Walt Disney World (WDW) are aimed at two very different vacation experiences.

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Let me start by saying that my expectations weren’t very high when it came to Into the Woods.  My only experience with the musical was my daughter’s 5th grade middle school production a few years back.  She was fabulous dwarf!  Now that I have watched Disney’s Into the Woods on Blu-Ray, I realized that she was, in fact, a write-in part for the junior edition.  I also realized that the story does, indeed, make sense!  Things were a little vague in the middle school show.   The feature film version was amazing.  The story was one of adventure and humor and suspense with a little romance thrown in for good measure.  First off, I knew Johnny Depp had a part as the Big Bad Wolf so, being that I am a groupie, I was fully committed.  Next, Meryl Streep cannot do anything wrong in the acting world so I knew her part as the witch would be outstanding.  She did not disappoint.  Anna Kendrick, Emily Blunt, James Corden and the kids, Daniel Huttlestone and Lilla Crawford, rounded out the cast as Cinderella, the baker’s wife, the baker, Jack (of beanstalk fame) and Little Red Riding Hood.  Into the Woods is a fairy tale mash up that takes the classic stories to a new level.  Usually we find these stories ending with “happily ever after.”  Not to be a spoiler, but Into the Woods sticks fairly close to the cautionary tales that were originally written for children.  Yikes!  The music flows seamlessly from one tale to another as the characters interact with one another.  Be sure to watch the bonus features to get behind the scenes access to the actors and production team as well as the talented composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim.   The Cast as Good as Gold and Deeper into the Woods are packed with gems about the actors, the set design, costumes, and of course, the music.  Disney’s Into the Woods, now available on Blu-ray is a must have for your Disney collection.  Even if you think you aren’t into musicals, you will be singing “Into the Woods” for the rest of the day.  You may even find yourself skipping along to grandma’s house or searching for some magic beans.

Our clients can save up to 30% on rooms at select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels for stays most nights June 16-Aug. 27, 2015 when they book March 23-June 12, 2015.

With special benefits and legendary service, Disney Resort hotels are filled with wonder and excitement. Plus, our clients can add Theme Park tickets to make the most of the magic!

From “Frozen” Summer Fun LIVE and Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® to new restaurants and shopping at Downtown Disney® and thrills and chills at four theme parks and two water parks, our clients can get their cool on all summer long during “Coolest Summer Ever” at Walt Disney World Resort.

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

With the successful launch of the fast casual lunch experience at Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom® Park at Walt Disney World® Resort, we are now excited to announce the testing of a fast casual breakfast offering scheduled to take place March 20 – June 18, 2015. During this test period, a prix fixe breakfast will be offered from 8 a.m-10 a.m. daily.

The French-inspired breakfast menu includes pastries, cured meats and cheeses, eggs Florentine, vegetable quiche, and more. Plus, guests can indulge in the Croissant Doughnut, a fried doughnut topped with banana caramel sauce, chocolate ganache and whipped cream. Younger Guests can enjoy brioche French toast, scrambled eggs, fruit crepes, as well as cereal and oatmeal.

Reservations begin March 17, 2015 for dates March 20-June 18, 2015 via My Disney Experience, or by calling 407-WDW-DINE. Advance reservations are encouraged. The Disney Dining Plan will be accepted.