On Aug. 28, 2018, Aella, a 2-month-old Masai giraffe calf, walked out onto the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for the first time. Accompanied by her mother, Lily, the calf is approximately six feet tall and is viewable by guests aboard Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (David Roark, photographer)
Are you planning a visit to Walt Disney World® Resort this fall? Then Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom® Park is an absolute must-do event. This in-park party celebrates Halloween with spooky decor, Disney characters in Halloween costumes, complimentary trick-or-treating, and entertainment you will have to see to believe!
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, which requires a special ticket to attend, will be held on the following nights: Aug. 28, 31; Sept. 3, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28 and 30; and Oct. 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30 and 31. Party fun takes place from 7 p.m.-midnight, although party ticket holders may enter the park as early as 4 p.m. to enjoy regular park offerings.
Guests of all ages are welcome to dress in costume on party nights (check out the park guidelines here). As you arrive, you can grab a treat bag for trick-or-treating and party event map, which displays all the locations of trick-or-treat stations, special entertainment and more. Sometime during the night, you can head to the Main Street Fire Station and pick up an event-exclusive Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom spell card. This year’s design features Orange Bird.
You won’t want to miss the “Boo To You” parade, which steps off twice on party nights. The Headless Horseman leads off the hair-raising procession, which includes classic Disney characters (in not-so-scary Halloween costumes), an entire portion devoted to the Haunted Mansion, a celebration of treats and more.
“The Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” stage show delights Guests by bringing the Sanderson Sisters back to run “amuck” for the evening, calling on Disney villains to help them conjure the ultimate Hocus Pocus Party Potion.
Disney Villains light up the night during “Happy HalloWishes Fireworks.” This spectacular features a villainous soundtrack with songs like “Grim Grinning Ghosts,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” “Never Smile at a Crocodile” and more.
Guests with a sweet tooth can take treats to the next level by perusing the tasty selection of limited-time goodies created specifically for the event.
Advance tickets start at $75 for adults and $70 for children ages 3-9 (plus tax). Day-of tickets start at $85 for adults and $80 for children ages 3-9 (plus tax).
Once again, WIZARD WORLD COMIC CON Chicago-2018 was amazing! The moment you drive into the area you just know you are going to a special event. Where else can you see superheroes, anime characters, and pop culture icons walking down the street together? Seeing a dad and 5 year old son in Ghostbuster uniforms is beyond cute. No matter what you are a fan of, you will find it at WIZARD WORLD COMIC CON. I have to admit my favorites were the two guys dressed as Parks and Recreation character Andy Dwyer dressed as Bert Macklin-FBI and Johnny Karate. Chris Pratt would have been so proud! I I also love that this is a great family event. Parents sharing their memories and new experiences is just what kids need today. I literally did not see one child on an electronic device while we were there. I can’t say that very often these days. The generation cross over is what makes WIZARD WORLD COMIC CON so popular. Families and friends can come together in one space. My 21 year old daughter has found “her people” at WIZARD WORLD COMIC CON over the years. A shy introvert puts on a wig and her cosplay costume and transforms into an outgoing extrovert. In fact, she has even hosted panels at smaller Cons in the Midwest. Talk about coming out of her shell. Even if you aren’t quite brave enough to wear a costume, there is so much to look at and explore. There are thousands of comics to peruse. If collectibles are your thing, you will spend hours shopping and sharing your finds with other like-minded individuals. I can’t leave out the incredible artwork. I am always mesmerized by the artists who are creating masterpieces on site. So much creativity in one building! If celebrity sightings peak your interest, then WIZARD WORLD COMIC CON Chicago-2018 was the place to be for sure. From movies and television to animation and wrestling, you could probably find someone who made you starstruck. Ian Somerhalder, James Marsters, and Michael Rooker were very popular. We lucked out and saw Michael Rooker talking to some friends on the show floor. The Walking Dead and Guardians of the Galaxy fan in me was freaking out…low key of course. My daughter is a huge fan of voice actors so Rob Paulson and Maurice LaMarche were on the top of our list. How can anyone not like Pinky and the Brain? WIZARD WORLD COMIC CON is something everyone should experience at least once. I guarantee that you will be hooked after that first visit. It is just so much fun! If you missed out on Chicago, don’t worry because you still have a chance to attend in Tulsa, Austin, Sacramento, Springfield, Montgomery and Madison. Go to WIZARDWORLD.COM for more information and follow WIZARD WORLD on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
For Disney fanatics, Disney isn’t just a brand or a vacation destination – it’s a way of life.
Although there are Disney inspired furniture collections from popular big name brands like Ethan Allen and Wayfair , there are a lot of more subtle ways to add a little Disney magic to your home.
The 2018 Wizard World Comic Con in Chicago has come to an end but check out some highlights from the event. Make sure to see when Wizard World Comic Con is coming to a city near you at https://wizardworld.com.
Let’s boo this! Magic Kingdom Park celebrates fall with the family-friendly Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on select nights Aug. 17-Oct. 31, 2018. Here are 13 fun facts about this year’s event:
It all adds up to zero tricks and countless treats that make Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party a memorable evening for all! Visit DisneyWorld.com/Halloween for more information.
Disney’s direct-to-consumer streaming service will be named “Disney Play,” according to a new report by Variety. CEO Bob Iger called the launch of the streaming service “the biggest priority of the company during calendar [year] 2019.”
Toy Story Land continues to be a big hit with Guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios® at Walt Disney World®Resort. Now you can shrink down to the size of a toy and Play Big at Toy Story Land on your next visit.
It’s that time of year – the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival is almost here! With delicious dishes and unique beverages influenced by cultures from around the world, this year we have more offerings than ever. The festival starts on Aug. 30, 2018 and runs through Nov. 12, 2018. Here’s a look at the menus for each of the Global Marketplaces located throughout the park.
In addition to the marketplaces, there are a variety of special culinary experiences available, including pairing seminars, culinary demonstrations, and more!
Here’s a look at the Foodie Guide to the 2018 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – brought to you by the Disney Parks Blog!
V indicates Vegetarian items
GF indicates “Gluten/Wheat Friendly” items
KA indicates Kid-Approved
Calling all vacationers who know a thing or two about the power of magic: The Disney Parks Moms Panel is looking for you! Entering its 12th year, the search for the Disney Parks Moms Panel (www.DisneyParksMomsPanel.com) will be open Sept. 5-12, 2018, inviting park-savvy Disney buffs to apply for a coveted spot to serve on the popular online forum. Disney welcomes dads, moms, in-the-know family members and anyone who feels they’ve spent as much time at a Disney park as Mickey Mouse himself to apply at www.momspanelsearch.com for a chance to be a part of the magic.
The Disney Parks Moms Panel is an online resource comprised of everyday parents, grandparents and even adults without kids who share first-hand advice with those planning a Disney vacation, while offering personal guidance on any and all topics surrounding Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club and beyond. The panel offers recommendations on vacation “musts” and information on a variety of Disney experiences and activities, such as identifying the most incredible experiences for toddlers at Disneyland Resort’s new Pixar Pier, reccomendations on what to order at Woody’s Lunch Box in the newly opened Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World Resort, or how to uncover the best snorkeling spots on Disney Cruise Line’s private island, Castaway Cay. New this year, the Disney Parks Moms Panel will be more accessible than ever with answers optimized for search engines and home assistant devices – a first for Disney Parks and Resorts – allowing the panelists to reach even more Disney guests around the world.
“My passion for creating epic Disney getaways led me to the Disney Parks Moms Panel,” said Jerry M., one of the Disney dads on the panel. “The magic of the Disney Parks Moms Panel is our collective experience and our diverse backgrounds coming together that make this panel so informative. Our mission is to be everyone’s trusted guides when it comes to planning a Disney vacation, offering heartfelt advice from our own experiences. Together, as a panel, we’ve just about done it all!”
“It is truly rewarding to see Disney guests come together and share their personal stories and experiences in an effort to help others plan a memorable Disney vacation,” said Leanne O’Regan, Director of Public Relations for Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products. “For 12 years, the Disney Parks Moms Panel has helped millions of people around the world plan outstanding Disney vacations with over 250,000 questions and answers available at any given time, all thanks to the impressive group of panelists who are chosen each year. We encourage those who have a passion for sharing their knowledge on all things Disney Parks to be our guest and apply to the 2019 Disney Parks Moms Panel!”
How to Apply
Applications for the 2019 Disney Parks Moms Panel will be accepted from noon EDT on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, through noon EDT on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018. To apply, visit www.momspanelsearch.com. The application process includes a series of short-answer questions, a brief video submission and a phone interview over three rounds. The 2019 Disney Parks Moms Panelists will be announced in January. Applicants selected must be available to attend a training session at Walt Disney World Resort from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1, 2018. Panelists are selected based on their wealth of Disney knowledge, as well as their ability to communicate authentic answers to those seeking assistance for their upcoming trips.
