WDW Daily News

There will be several locations in the land to satisfy the appetites of most rogue adventurers:

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo – Chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs has traveled throughout the galaxy following his longtime gig as the chef at Maz Kanata’s castle on Takodana and brings exotic flavors and unusual dishes to his traveling diner “Tuggs’ Grub.”

Ronto Roasters – A recycled podracing engine fires up a spit of exotic meats, meticulously turned by a former smelter droid, 8D-J8. Guests can even sample some of the tasty Ronto fare. 

Milk Stand – The place to go to get your farm-fresh blue milk or green milk, direct from Bubo Wamba Family Farms.

Kat Saka’s Kettle – One of the many street market stalls, this grain vendor sells the ever-popular Outpost Mix (blend of sweet, savory and spicy popcorn).

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be the largest single-themed land expansion at both Disneyland park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios when they open this summer and fall, respectively. While the land is epic in size, every detail in the land has been designed to have an authentic Star Wars feel. We have previously shared teasers of our two anchor attractions – Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, where you will find themselves in the middle of an epic battle between the Resistance and the First Order, and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, which allows your clients and their flight crew to take the controls of the fastest ship in the galaxy on a special mission. We’ve also previously announced that Oga’s Cantina will be a great place for your clients to grab a beverage, catch up on the latest gossip while R-3X, formerly the Starspeeder pilot on the original Star Tours, DJ’s a collection of new music.

Today we’d like to introduce a new series called “Building Batuu.” Batuu is the home of Black Spire Outpost, the location you will visit when they arrive at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which has become a haven for the galaxy’s most colorful — and notorious — characters. Over the next several months, we will be sharing more details about this entire new land, the offerings and attractions and how guests can live their own Star Wars adventure in a galaxy far, far away.

You can dive deeper into Star Wars storytelling by engaging with the land through the Play Disney Parks app, if they desire a deeper level of immersion. But there is also plenty to see and do (and taste!) throughout Black Spire Outpost that we haven’t previously shared.

For a limited time this spring, guests at Disney California Adventure® Park will have the opportunity to encounter the one and only Captain Marvel.

Beginning in March, Captain Marvel makes a triumphant arrival on an armored S.H.I.E.L.D. vehicle, escorted by a team of agents on her way to Hangar 12 in the northeast corner of Hollywood Land. As her jet fighter is being readied for a special mission, Captain Marvel lines up a gathering of recruits for a Heroic Encounter and inspires them to go Higher, Further, Faster.

Opening in theaters on March 8, 2019, Marvel Studios’ “Captain Marvel” is an all-new adventure that follows the journey of ace Air Force pilot Carol Danvers as she becomes one of the most powerful heroes in the universe. When Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races, Danvers finds herself and a small cadre of allies at the center of the maelstrom.

Stay tuned for more information about this Heroic Encounter and more!

Exciting plans are underway to bring the dealer in whimsy, Sugarboo & Co., to the Downtown Disney® District at the Disneyland® Resort this spring! Simply darling and delightful, this family-owned unique boutique is cozy like home and Guests won’t want to leave without a few thoughtful, treasured gifts and must-haves for themselves. From uplifting art prints and charming home goods, to whimsical paper products, handmade ceramics, candles, bath apothecary and stamped jewelry, many items have inspiring sayings sure to make everyone smile!

Sugarboo & Co. is another terrific addition to the Downtown Disney District, where this vibrant entertainment, dining and shopping promenade has introduced many new specialty experiences, from The Disney Dress Shop, Disney Home and reimagined World of Disney, to Splitsville Luxury Lanes, Ballast Point Brewing Co. and Salt & Straw scoop shop. The Sugarboo & Co. shop will be located on the west end of the Downtown Disney District and will be Sugarboo’s first location in California.

Stay tuned for more details on the newest hot-spot to shop!

Walt Disney World is full of classic theme park treats like corn dog nuggets, churros, and turkey legs. But on hot days in Florida — which honestly is most days — nothing beats a cold and refreshing Dole Whip as a float or in a cup.

Full Story & Photo

We have exciting news to share today with fans of Disney royalty!

A new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique location is set to open at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa this summer in order to provide more royal transformations than ever before. The new boutique – the third of its kind at Walt Disney World® Resort – will be located inside what’s currently the Ivy Trellis Salon, which will relocate into Senses – A Disney Spa.

Also based on the popularity of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Magic Kingdom® Park, work will begin this spring to expand the location, adding more chairs, a very special magic mirror, and a transformation experience that will help Guests choose the perfect outfits and accessories. The Magic Kingdom Park location will remain open during these enhancements and existing reservations will not be affected.

In case you aren’t familiar, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique locations currently exist at Magic Kingdom Park and Disney Springs®, and pair up young guests age 3-12 with Fairy Godmothers-in-Training, who give them magical makeovers beyond their wildest Disney dreams, turning them into princesses or gallant knights. A variety of royal transformations are available and may include hairstyling, nail polish, accessories, gowns and more, depending on the package guests choose.

You can book reservations at the two existing locations for you by calling (407) WDW-STYLE, and stay tuned for future updates on the new location’s opening.

The end of February and beginning of March marks the time to get together with friends and celebrate Mardi Gras. While famously celebrated on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Disney Springs® is offering up its own spin on this favorite holiday complete with food and entertainment that will have you “jazzed” to celebrate!

No celebration is complete without a pair of ears and Mardi Gras-inspired Minnie Mouse ears make for the perfect party accessory! They feature all the fun colors and patterns of Mardi Gras. You can find these ears in the newly renovated World of Disney store at Disney Springs Marketplace.

And for foodies, there’s no shortage of specialty and limited-time eats on the menu at favorite restaurants. Look no further than House of Blues Restaurant & Bar for classic New Orleans favorites such as Steak Po’Boy (made special for this event!), Jambalaya, Gumbo and Bourbon Bread Pudding. You can grab all of these dishes at the Smokehouse grab and go window now through March 5, 2019. In addition to delicious bites, there will be live music, drink specials and prizes March 1-5 in the House of Blues Courtyard. With no cover or reservations required, this is a celebration Guests won’t want to miss.

Over in The Landing, Carnevale is back at Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante! This annual festival began in Venice, Italy and commemorates the joyous gathering of family and friends to eat, drink, dance and celebrate life together. Book by March 5, 2019, and you’ll get a front-row seat to live entertainment including singers, stilt walkers, jugglers, mimes, face painters, folk dancers and more all while indulging in signature Italian cuisine. During this limited-time engagement, you can enjoy the prix fixe “Feast of Carnevale” selections or order a la carte from the regular menu. Reservations are recommended and can be made online or by calling (407) 560-8466.

Spring is upon us and that means the 2019 Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival is about to begin! Starting March 6, 2019, you can join us for fun, flowers, and food! This year’s festival features 17 Outdoor Kitchens and several other locations through the park that will be offering delectable festival bites and libations.

Special dining packages are also available for the Garden Rocks Concert Series. This concert series runs for 90 nights and features over 270 performances by tons of popular artists. This dining package allows you to have either breakfast, lunch, or dinner at nearly any table-service restaurant in the park and grants them guaranteed seating at one of three concert performances that day. Be sure to reserve these early so your Clients can savor every single minute! 

This year’s menus are incredible and you won’t want to miss out on any of these delicious bites! In addition to the returning Outdoor Kitchens like The Honey Bee-stro, the festival has four new Outdoor Kitchens this year: Arbor, The Citrus Blossom, Trowel & Trellis, and Flavor Full Kitchen! Fried green tomatoes, tuna tataki, blood orange aqua fresca, and grilled street corn on the cob are just a few of the new mouthwatering items featured on the menus. Check out these and all of the offerings for the 2019 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival detailed below. The festival runs March 6–June 3, 2019.

The Walt Disney Company has taken the No. 4 spot on Fast Company’s list of “The World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies” for 2019, which spotlights the businesses that are making the most profound impact on both industry and culture and thriving in a rapidly changing world. Fast Company, one of the world’s leading business media brands, singled out Disney’s new and upcoming streaming services, and the Company’s commitment to deliver its unparalleled portfolio directly to consumers.

In addition to highlighting the early success of the ESPN+ streaming service, Fast Company looked ahead to the upcoming launch of the family-friendly Disney+, which will feature new content set in the worlds of Star Wars, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Monsters, Inc.and more; as well as how the pending acquisition of 21st Century Fox will expand the Company’s incredible lineup of content assets, along with doubling Disney’s interests in Hulu. “We’ll do a better job than others,” Kevin Mayer, chairman of Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer & International business, told Fast Company, adding, “We know [our] brands viscerally.”

The 50 companies named by Fast Company have been selected across 35 industries and are based across every region of the globe. Fast Company sought to identify the businesses that aren’t just leaders in their fields, but those that are transforming the world.  The complete list can be viewed at FastCompany.com, as well as in the March/April 2019 issue of Fast Company magazine.

Jackie Pirtle-Hall nearly won a runDisney race last year. Sunday, she got it done, writing her own fairytale ending in winning the Disney Princess Half Marathon.

For Pirtle-Hall, who finished second in the Walt Disney World Marathon in 2018, the Princess-themed race Sunday was her first runDisney victory and added another highlight to her list of accomplishments, which includes qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Trials.

If Sunday was any indication, Pirtle-Hall of St. Charles, Mo., is already close to Olympic form. Leading virtually the entire 13.1-mile race through Epcot and Magic Kingdom, she crossed the finish line in 1:18:30 – two minutes faster than last year’s winner and more than four minutes ahead of the rest of the field of 25,000 runners. Bianca Toledo of Bergenfield, N.J., was second with a time of 1:22:53 followed by Elizabeth Conlon of Montgomery, Md., in 1:24:26.

“When you go through the Magic Kingdom with the castle, it really is just a whole visceral feeling where you just feel overwhelmed with emotion,’’ Pirtle-Hall said. “This is one of those races where you literally just feel grateful to be experiencing such joy (because) everybody is just so happy for each other and supportive, and that’s what you feel from the crowd. It’s really incredible.’’

Amid the enchanting atmosphere of pixie dust, princesses and princes, there were several inspiring stories of courage, triumph and hope. For instance, there was Cheri Srour of Brooklyn, N.Y., who is battling paralysis from an autoimmune neurological disease. After being pushed in her wheelchair for most of the race by her brother-in-law, she amazed the crowd by getting out of the wheelchair and walking unassisted the final 100 yards.

Additionally, 2019 Miss America Nia Franklin involved Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend, running the 5K race on Friday and participating in the finish line activities during the half marathon on Sunday.

The Disney Princess Half Marathon was the finishing touch on a weekend of running events at Walt Disney World Resort. The race weekend included a 10K, 5K and several Kids Races in addition to the half marathon. There was also a health and fitness expo.

The race weekend is the third of four runDisney running events at Walt Disney World Resort during the 2018-2019 race season. The final race of this season is the Star Wars Rival Run, April 4-7, and registration is still available at www.rundisney.com.