WDW Daily News

Freeform will spend this September airing 30 Days of Disney, a whole month’s worth of Mouse House programming — from beloved animated classics to an inside look at the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge theme park attraction.

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From droids to porgs, you are guaranteed to come across an intriguing collection of authentic Star Wars creations during their visit to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park.

When you step foot in Black Spire Outpost, they’ll encounter unique merchant shops and stalls waiting to be discovered. Wander the lively marketplace in search of rare and fascinating creatures or stop by the antiquities shop to uncover mysterious galactic artifacts.

Check out the video below, which features a few of the shopping locations at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.



At Droid Depot, your Clients are invited to construct their own astromech droids. Choose from either a BB-series or R-series as droid parts come and go on conveyor belts. Then, Guests place their finished droid in an activation station to bring them to life. Watch as the droid interacts with other astromech droids, as well as certain elements throughout Black Spire Outpost. In addition, Droid Depot offers pre-built droids, droid-inspired toys and apparel, and more. Reservations for Droid Depot now can be made in advance via Disneyland.com or the Disneyland app. A valid credit card number is required at the time of booking. Droid Depot may also accommodate walk-ins each day, subject to availability.

The Black Spire Outpost marketplace features vendors from across the galaxy. The Creature Stall houses some of the galaxy’s most unique (and cuddly) pets, while Black Spire Outfitters showcases the latest in galactically trendy apparel and accessories.* The Toydarian Toymaker stall is full of toys and games crafted by a Toydarian (the flying alien species was first seen in “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace”). And all tourists visiting Batuu will want to make a stop at Jewels of Bith, offering “trinkets to treasure” and other accessories.

Inside Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, find a selection of rare and mysterious items for sale representing different eras of the Star Wars galaxy, including holocrons, ancient Jedi and Sith artifacts, lightsabers and more. Guests will also see Dok-Ondar at his desk checking his inventory and barking the occasional order at his assistants.

Guests can also show where their loyalties lie with the gear and accessories they pick up within the land. Resistance Supply is a “makeshift” location at the Resistance’s hidden command post, selling pins, badges, hats and other accessories. First Order Cargo, meanwhile, is located near the First Order TIE echelon ship, and offers pins, caps, gear, model ships and more.

All merchandise is subject to availability, while supplies last. 

*Costumes may not be worn by guests 14 years of age or older. Appropriate Disney bounding – dressing in outfits inspired by favorite characters – is permitted. 

While you’re strolling around Disney World on a hot day, debating which ride to check out next and munching one of these delicious foods you must try at Disney, chances are you’re not swatting away mosquitoes. 

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Disney will offer a discounted rate for its consumers if they subscribe to all three of its streaming services — Hulu, ESPN+ and the upcoming Disney+ — for $12.99 a month, CEO Bob Iger said during the company’s earnings call on Tuesday. The all-in-one bundle, which consists of the ad-supported version of Hulu, will be available on Nov. 12, the same day that Disney+ launches. 

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The beloved “Main Street Electrical Parade” is returning to Disneyland Park Aug. 2, 2019, to bring guests of multiple generations a sense of wonder, joy and – for some – warm nostalgia. The iconic parade will travel down Main Street, U.S.A., for a limited-time engagement, through Sept. 30.

“Main Street Electrical Parade” made its world debut at Disneyland June 17, 1972, and later appeared at Disney Parks around the world. This spectacular pageant of nighttime magic and imagination entertained guests at Disneyland until it “glowed away” on Nov. 25, 1996. Most recently, the dazzling after-dark parade ran for a limited-time at Disneyland in 2017, and prior to that, it illuminated Disney California Adventure Park from 2001-2010. Here’s a closer look at the legacy of the “Main Street Electrical Parade”, by the numbers.

• 600,000 lights sparkle in the parade’s nighttime journey from Small World Mall in Fantasyland to Town Square on Main Street, U.S.A. (approximate number).
• 22 floats illuminate the parade route at Disneyland, nearly doubling the number of floats from the parade’s debut (12) in 1972.
• 7 films are represented in the parade: “Alice in Wonderland,” “Cinderella,” “Peter Pan,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Pinocchio,” “Dumbo” and “Pete’s Dragon.”
• 27 beloved Disney characters perform throughout the show including Goofy, Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, Captain Hook and Tinker Bell.
• 80 parade performers (estimated number per night) bring the magic to light including 10 To Honor America patriots, 16 royal court dancers and the Seven Dwarfs.
• 35 dazzling, lighted costumes are worn by the parade performers.
• 8 jittering insect floats spin and dance for guests during the “Alice in Wonderland” sequence.
• At 18 1/2 feet high, the Clock Tower in the “Cinderella” sequence of the parade, is the tallest float.
• At 118 feet long, the To Honor America float is the longest float in the parade. It was added in 1979 after the success of the bicentennial tribute parade “America on Parade.”
• At 5,600 pounds, the massive Elliot float, added in 1977 for the release of “Pete’s Dragon,” measures 16 feet tall, 10 feet wide and 38 feet long.
• 2 composers, Jean-Jacques Perrey and Gershon Kingsley, wrote the iconic synthesizer piece known as “Baroque Hoedown” in 1967, and the song was adapted for the “Main Street Electrical Parade” in 1972, interwoven with classic Disney themes to create the now iconic parade soundtrack.
• 6 different colors of light bulbs flash throughout the parade, in amber, blue, green, chartreuse, red and pink.
• 150,000 glowing amber lights are used in the production, the most of any color.
• 80 highly skilled cast members were involved in the creation of “Main Street Electrical Parade”, including 20 designers and 60 craftspeople.
• 5 Disney Parks have presented versions of the “Main Street Electrical Parade” including Disneyland, Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Park, Disney California Adventure Park, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris.

Historical:

• Nearly 3,600 performances entertained guests at Disneyland from June 17, 1972 to Nov. 25, 1996.
• 900 miles is the approximate distance traveled by the “Main Street Electrical Parade” during its original run at Disneyland, nearly the distance from Anaheim, Calif., to Seattle, Wash.
• In 2005, “Main Street Electrical Parade” creator and former director of entertainment Robert Jani was inducted as a Disney Legend.
• June 17, 1972, marked the debut of the “Main Street Electrical Parade”, and it returned for its encore performance at Disneyland 45 years later – Jan. 20-June 18, 2017.
• 500,000 hand-tinted white miniature bulbs twinkled each night in the early versions of the parade.
• 500 miles of wiring were used to light the floats during early years of the parade, enough to travel to the top of the Matterhorn and back nearly 9,000 times.
• Approximately 75 million guests viewed the “Main Street Electrical Parade” during its original run at Disneyland.

A little rain should never put a damper on a full day of magic at Walt Disney World® Resort, where the fun always shines! There are always exciting activities, attractions and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.  Here are just a few favorite picks!

Magic Kingdom® Park  

• When the afternoon parades at Magic Kingdom Park can’t be performed as planned, Disney friends come out to play in the “Rainy Day Cavalcade.”* This cheery procession brings Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their pals down the street in antique vehicles, accompanied by a special musical soundtrack and parade performers in colorful rain slickers and galoshes!
• Guests can hop on a rip-roaring rocket into the furthest reaches of outer space on Space Mountain attraction, set sail on a swashbuckling voyage on Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, and climb aboard a gloomy Doom Buggy on the Haunted Mansion attraction. 

Epcot®

• Guests can take flight on Soarin’ Around the World.  This indoor attraction allows Guests to experience a breezy, airborne adventure as they hang glide above the breathtaking marvels of the world.
• Guests can go under the sea—without getting wet—on The Seas with Nemo & Friends attraction before getting close up with clown fish, sharks and more in a massive 5.7-million-gallon saltwater aquarium.
• They can also catch popular Disney and Pixar short films—in amazing 4D at the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios®

• Guests can check into the infamous Hollywood Tower Hotel on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction.  Inside they’ll be hurtled up and down aboard an elevator-style lift and brought into…the Twilight Zone.    
• They can also make their way over to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith attraction and race along the darkened freeways of Los Angeles in a super-stretch limo to the rockin’ tunes of Aerosmith.
• Guests can sing along with Anna & Elsa in For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Singalong Celebration.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park

• In Africa, Guests can head over to “The Festival of the Lion King,” a high-energy show filled with songs, pageantry and puppetry celebrating the classic movie, “The Lion King.”
• Guests can venture over to Pandora – The World of Avatar area where they can take a mystical journey into Pandora’s glowing bioluminescent rainforest on Na’vi River Journey attraction. This indoor boat ride will take them on a visually stunning adventure!  

Character Dining Character dining is a great way for you to meet some of your favorite Disney characters while avoiding the rain.  Some favorite rainy day restaurants include:  

• The Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom Park where you can relish in an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet with some of your favorite friends from the Hundred-Acre Wood.
• You can dine like royalty at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot. This enchanting experience invites them to feast inside a medieval castle while interacting with some beloved Disney Princesses.

• They can also join Safari Donald Duck and friends at Tusker House Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This Harambe marketplace eatery allows you to enjoy African inspired dishes alongside some of their favorite Disney characters. 
• Guests can also take a step back in time as you dine at Hollywood & Vine in Disney’s Hollywood Studios to meet some Disney Junior Characters during a memorable breakfast buffet or Minnie Mouse and friends at seasonal dining parties!

The weather may not always cooperate, but being prepared can help make your visit at Walt Disney World Resort a success! Our new umbrellas and raincoats are can be found in the World of Disney at Disney Springs®, Once Upon A Time at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Future World kiosk and Mouse Gear at Epcot and the Emporium at Magic Kingdom Park.

What’s your favorite rainy day attraction at Walt Disney World Resort?

*The “Rainy Day Cavalcade” will not occur if there is lightning in the area due to safety concerns.

The small quarters of Main Street U.S.A help to set the tone for Disneyland and Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. For most people, it’s simply the entranceway before finding their way to all the exciting rides, character meet-ups, or the Disney themed restaurants. But to others, Main Street U.S.A a cardinal aspect of Disney.

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Walt Disney World is the known as the happiest place on earth. Families spend months or even years planning a trip to the house of the mouse. Warm weather 12 months of the year makes it easy for someone to travel there whenever it makes the most sense for them. Besides the parks (Epcot is my personal favorite), Shows, Food and hundreds of activities there is no shortage of things to do. One activity that I have always wanted to do is play golf at a Disney property. But with a full schedule and a family of four’s luggage to bring from Chicago to Orlando, I wondered how I could make time for this bucket list experience. Lucky for me, and any golfer who wants to log a round while on their vacation, Disney has this covered.

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What better way to enjoy the Epcot® International Food & Wine festival than with the biggest lineup at this year’s Eat to the Beat Concert Series?

The concert series will take place from Aug. 29-Nov. 19 with 36 musical acts for a total of 249 concerts. You can sing and dance alongto their favorite artists, including first-time performances from INDIA “La Princesa de la Salsa” and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra!

Puerto Rican singer-songwriter INDIA will make her debut at the Eat to the Beat Concert Series on Oct. 5 and 6. Grammy-winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra will bring the rhthym salsa and Latin jazz on Nov. 17 and 18. 

This year’s Eat to the Beat Concert Series is one you will not want to miss! Plus, they can enjoy guaranteed seating and breakfast, lunch or dinner at participating Epcot restaurants by reserving an Eat to the Beat Dining Package.

Eat to the Beat performances take place at the America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase from Sunday to Thursday at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m., and Friday to Saturday at 6:30, 7:45 and 9 p.m. 

For more information or to make reservations, visit TasteEpcot.com.

Today we’re sharing a look at the new NBA Experience at Disney Springs®, which opens Aug. 12, 2019. This one-of-a-kind destination was created by Disney in collaboration with the NBA to let Guests feel what it’s like to walk in the footsteps of NBA and WNBA champions. 

The venue features 13 basketball-related activities. Dribble, for example, works on ball-handling skills, while Dunk! features an adjustable rim so Guests can make a highlight-reel slam. Over in the Arcade, guests can challenge their friends and family to get the high score in the classic Pop-A-Shot game. They can also check out Trivia to see who knows the most about the NBA and WNBA.

Guetss can participate in these activities in any order they choose, and return to them throughout their visit to NBA Experience to improve their scores and skills. 

To get you pumped up for the debut of this new destination, here are a few key features of the NBA Experience: 

All About the Guest – Almost every activity encourages you to be an active participant. We recommend that you complete the optional registration once they’re inside. This allows you to customize and personalize their experience by adding your own nickname and choosing your favorite NBA or WNBA team. Your team’s logo will be associated with them throughout your stay on various leaderboards and signage, and when you try the Shoot! activity, the court magically transforms to make it feel like you’re in your favorite team’s home arena! Plus, guests can choose different basketballs to best fit their hand size (NBA, WNBA or Youth) and set their own skill level.  

Immersive Environment – Walking into NBA Experience feels like stepping onto center court of an arena, complete with huge overhead video monitors, pulsing music and swirling lights. Whether you are huge NBA fans or new to the sport, they’ll get swept up in the energy.  

Authenticity – Walt Disney Imagineering worked closely with the NBA to ensure NBA Experience is authentic. The hoops are regulation size (unless Guests need them adjusted to dunk!), and team and league logos are featured throughout the venue. For those new to the game, this is a great way to learn all about the league, its players and the game as a whole, straight from the source. 

Interactive Technology – NBA Experience is not only a physical experience, it’s also a high-tech environment. The Champions area features massive touchscreens that allow your to dive deep into league history, with notes about each of those legendary teams along with photos and video highlights. The Replay activity challenges you to make the right call in three different scenarios using their own personal interactive replay station; they can view the play from different angles, zoom in on key moments, and move the video forward and backward before deciding to confirm or overturn the call.  

Stay tuned for more details as Disney prepares to open this groundbreaking new destination at Disney Springs.