WDW Daily News

The Fourth of July is one week away and the parks at Walt Disney World® Resort are gearing up to celebrate our nation’s birthday with entertainment, scrumptious treats and patriotic pageantry!  If you are joining us, we have some highlights and tips on how to make their Independence Day extra magical.  

Magic Kingdom® Park – “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” will offer booming fireworks orchestrated to patriotic melodies at Magic Kingdom Park on both July 3 and July 4 at 9:15 p.m. Here’s more entertainment planned at Magic Kingdom Park: 

• A fuzzy cast of Muppets – Miss Piggy, Kermit, Fozzie Bear and friends will reenact famous moments in American history in a whimsical way during “The Muppets Present … Great Moments in History.” The live show is performed several times daily near the Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square.
• You can dance the night away with DJs spinning tunes at a Hoedown Throwdown in Frontierland and an out-of-this-world Galactic Gathering in Tomorrowland. 

Epcot® –   “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” will end its nearly 20-year run on Sept. 30, 2019. So this will be the last chance to experience the patriotic Fourth of July grand finale of this beloved nighttime spectacular. “The Heartbeat of Freedom” fireworks extravaganza will begin immediately following the 9 p.m. “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” display.  Here’s more entertainment planned at Epcot: 

• The Voices of Liberty will perform great American tunes during a Fourth of July concert on the America Gardens Theatre stage at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. on July 4. The group also will perform in the rotunda inside The American Adventure pavilion at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Your Clients can meet favorite Disney characters donning their “Spirit of 76” patriotic attire at The American Adventure throughout the day on July 4.
• Guests can also indulge in themed eats and sips honoring Independence Day throughout the park – everything from patriotic cupcakes and special dining packages to red, white, and blue sangria and a Boom Berry Lemonade.

There will also be special Fourth of July decor at Disney Springs® and specialty Food and Beverage items at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® and at select Walt Disney World® Resorts.  

Jason Momoa (Aquaman, Justice League), “Gotham” stars Ben McKenzie, Morena Baccarin and Drew Powell, Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride, “Stranger Things”),Henry Winkler (“Happy Days,” “Barry”), Chris Sarandon (The Princess Bride, Nightmare Before Christmas), Daniel Cudmore (X-Men, The Twilight Saga), George Wendt (“Cheers”), Katrina Law(“Arrow,” “Spartacus: Blood and Sand”) and David Giuntoli (“Grimm,” “A Million Little Things”) are among the early wave of celebrities scheduled to attend the 22nd annual Wizard World Chicago, August 22-25 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. 

Momoa will attend on Sunday, August 25; McKenzie, Baccarin and Wendt are scheduled to attend Friday through Sunday, August 23-25; Elwes, Sarandon, Giuntoli and Law will appear on Saturday and Sunday only; Winkler is set to attend all four days.

Other stars scheduled to appear include Dean Cain (“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” “Smallville”), Kevin Conroy(“Batman: The Animated Series,” “Justice League”), Matt Ryan(“Constantine,” “Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag”), Lou Ferrigno (“The Incredible Hulk,” “The King of Queens”), Melissa Joan Hart(“Sabrina, the Teenage Witch,” “Melissa and Joey”), Teddy Sears (A Single Man, The Flash), Dean Cain(“Lois & Clark”), John Glover(“Smallville”), Thomas Ian Nicholas(Rookie of the Year, American Pie) and Lisa Marie Varon (professional wrestler). Standout voice actors attending who appeared in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and many other series and films are Rob Paulsen (“Donatello”), Cam Clarke (“Leonardo”), Townsend Coleman(“Michelangelo”) and Barry Gordon(“Donatello”). Additional celebrities will be added to the roster closer to the event.

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Are you looking to get a taste of the Walt Disney World® Resort with their littles ones? The My First Disney Getaway Package gives them the perfect opportunity to enjoy the magic with an affordable getaway package price.

You can discover favorite and classic attractions at Magic Kingdom®Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park including the Mad Tea Party Tea Cups, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Kilimanjaro Safaris and TriceraTop Spin. They’ll also have the opportunity to meet Disney Character friends from beloved movies and TV shows, including Disney Princesses, Mickey Mouse and his friends.

Plus, staying at a Disney Resort hotel immerses you in the magic and gives them access to complimentary benefits to maximize their time, including Extra Magic Hours, access to Disney FastPass+, complimentary transportation and more.

The longest-running primetime scripted show in television history, The Simpsons, makes its first appearance at D23 Expo. Get insight on the upcoming all-new season in a lively panel Saturday, August 24 at 10 a.m. in the D23 Expo Arena with Creator Matt Groening, Executive Producer Al Jean, Executive Producer Matt Selman, Supervising Director Mike B. Anderson, and stars Nancy Cartwright and Yeardley Smith. Expect lots of surprises, including an exclusive Simpsons collectible item for everyone in attendance.

The Simpsons exploded into a cultural phenomenon in 1990 and has remained one of the most groundbreaking and innovative entertainment franchises, recognizable throughout the world. Recently finishing its historic 30th season, The Simpsons has won 33 Emmy^® Awards, 34 Annie Awards, 9 Environmental Media Awards, 7 People’s Choice Awards and 12 Writers Guild of America Awards including the 2019 Outstanding Writing in an Animated Program Award.   It was the first animated series to win a Peabody Award and was nominated for an Academy Award^® in 2012 for the theatrical short “The Longest Daycare.” The Simpsons Movie was a hit feature film, the mega-attraction The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios has received historic expansion updates with the addition of “Springfield,” and the show was honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2000. It has been named the “Best Show of the 20th Century” by Time magazine and called the “Best TV Show Ever” by Vulture in 2016.

During the D23 Expo, The Simpsons fans will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with Bart, Lisa, and the rest of The Simpsons family on the convention floor. A few lucky fans will even get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet Matt Groening and the rest of the panelists during a one-hour autograph signing session of an exclusive TheSimpsonsmini-poster following the panel.

AboutThe Simpsons
The Simpsons is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, and Al Jean are the executive producers. The Gracie Films Worldwide Brand Division develops and produces the licensed content for the series. Visit The Simpsons website at SimpsonsWorld.com. “Like” the series on Facebook at facebook.com/TheSimpsons, and follow Homer Simpson @HomerJSimpson and @TheSimpsons on Twitter. Join the conversation using #thesimpsons and follow The Simpsons on Instagram @TheSimpsons.


AboutD23 Expo 2019
D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. For the latest D23 Expo 2019 news, visit D23expo.com. Presentations, talent, and schedule subject to change. To join the D23 Expo conversation, be sure to follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and use the hashtag #D23Expo.

About D23
The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It 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 ($99.99), Gold Family Membership ($129.99), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

By: Disney DestinationsJune 24, 2019

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is now open at Disneyland® Park. With the ability to join a boarding group when needed, it’s the perfect time for your Clients to visit the remote planet of Batuu. Here’s a day-to-night itinerary to help you plan your Client’s trip. Let’s go!

Plan ahead and reserve a spot

Business has been booming at Oga’s Cantina and Savi’s Workshop, so reservations are required for entry to either experience. Reservations can be made as early as 7 a.m., the morning of your Client’s visit at Disneyland.com/Cantina, Disneyland.com/SavisWorkshop or the Disneyland app (subject to change). Be sure to tell your Clients to check the Disneyland app or signage inside Disneyland Park to see if the digital queue is operating and whether they need to request to join a boarding group to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.  

Breakfast bites

Your Client’s first stop in Black Spire Outpost should be Ronto Roasters to fuel up for the day. The large podracing engine hangs overhead, which fires the barbecue pit, while a former smelter droid carefully turns a spit of meats. This marketplace stall offers mouth-watering Ronto Wraps, including the savory Ronto Morning Wrap. It’s a delicious snack with scrambled eggs, grilled pork sausage, shredded cheese, and peppercorn sauce wrapped in pita.

To market, to market

After breakfast, your Clients can stroll the Black Spire Outpost Marketplace to haggle with vendors from across the galaxy. Black Spire Outfitters has all the latest Batuuan styles and the Creature Stall houses some of the galaxy’s most unique (and cuddly) pets. The marketplace is a great place to explore, with something new to see seemingly around every turn.

Tip: Kowakian Monkey-Lizards and Porgs are among the “critters” your Clients will find at the Creature Stall available for purchase.

Take control of the “fastest hunk of junk”

If your Clients have ever wished to step aboard the “fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy,” now is their chance with Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. They can strap into the Falcon cockpit and take the controls as a pilot, defend as a gunner or maintain the ship’s systems as a flight engineer. It’s up to them and their fellow passengers to smuggle goods while avoiding any unnecessary entanglements.

Tip: The chess-type game played on the table in the Millennium Falcon main hold and lounge is called Dejarik. Your Clients can sit at this table and snap a photo with their crew before taking off!

First Order or Resistance?

Your Clients should be on the lookout for agents of the First Order or heroes of the Resistance. Supreme Leader Kylo Ren lands at Black Spire Outpost and gathers Stormtroopers to help him hunt for Resistance fighter Rey. Your Clients may also encounter Millennium Falcon co-pilot Chewbacca or Resistance spy Vi Moradi.

Astromech adventures

Your Clients can build and customize their own indispensable sidekick at Droid Depot. Guests can step into this immersive workshop stocked with stacks of parts, chips and manuals. They can pick pieces and parts off a conveyor belt to construct one of two core models: BB-series or R-series astromech.

Tip: Droid Depot also offers prebuilt droids, housewares and apparel, all inspired by the design, engineering and building of droids.

Blue or green?

What does Blue Milk taste like? Your Clients can head to the Milk Stand to find out! They can sample Blue or Green Milk, which are delicious frozen blends with dashes of fruity accents.

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Do not over pay on eBay friends. DJ R3X Pop! Vinyl Bobble Head by Funko – Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is Now Available on Shop Disney. Head there now to order!! Fastest way is to open the Shop Disney app then type in DJ Rex in the search bar at the top right.

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An all-American red, white and blue fireworks spectacular will bathe the sky this Independence Day at Walt Disney World Resort, joined by live entertainment, scrumptious treats and patriotic pageantry. Here’s what’s in store for Fourth of July 2019:

Magic Kingdom Park – Park Hours: July 3, 8 a.m.-12 a.m.; July 4, 8 a.m.-1 a.m.

• “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” offers booming fireworks orchestrated to patriotic melodies showering the Magic Kingdom sky on both July 3 and July 4 at 9:15 p.m. Guests can also dance the night away with DJs spinning tunes at a Hoedown Throwdown in Frontierland and an out-of-this-world Galactic Gathering in Tomorrowland. Fans at home can join in the Independence Day celebration by viewing a special July 4 live stream of the dazzling fireworks display on the Disney Parks Blog.
• A fuzzy cast of Muppets – Miss Piggy, Kermit, Fozzie Bear and friends – reenact famous moments in American history in a whimsical way during “The Muppets Present … Great Moments in History.” The live show is performed several times daily near the Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square.

Epcot – Park Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

• “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” will end its nearly 20-year run on September 30, 2019. So this will be the last chance to experience the patriotic Fourth of July grand finale of this beloved nighttime spectacular. “The Heartbeat of Freedom” fireworks extravaganza will begin immediately following the 9 p.m. “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” display.
• A cappella vocal group Voices of Liberty will perform great American tunes during a Fourth of July concert on the America Gardens Theatre stage at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. on July 4. The group also will perform in the rotunda inside The American Adventure pavilion at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Guests can meet favorite Disney characters donning their “Spirit of ’76” patriotic attire at The American Adventure throughout the day on July 4.
• Guests can indulge in themed eats and sips honoring Independence Day throughout the park – everything from patriotic cupcakes and special dining packages to red, white, and blue sangria and a Boom Berry Lemonade.

For more information about resort-wide patriotic dining offerings on July 4, visit the Disney Parks Blog.

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