Are you heading to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival this year? If so, make sure to check out the Light Lab area for some cool drinks and an even cooler looking environment.
Disney Unifies Kids’ Cable Channels in ‘DisneyNow’ App
Disney’s cable networks group has brought together shows, movies, games, and other content from its three networks — Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior — into a single app: DisneyNow.
Young Stars of the Avatar Sequels Get Inspiration During Visit to Pandora – The World of Avatar
The next generation cast of the upcoming Avatar sequels was immersed into the breathtaking world of Pandora during a recent visit to Walt Disney World Resort.
The visit was organized by AVATAR filmmaker James Cameron and film producer Jon Landau to acquaint the seven young actors with the world their film characters will inhabit and to inspire their performances. The visit did all that and more, with the actors coming away awestruck by the mystical world of massive floating mountains, bioluminescent rainforests and breakthrough experiences. Pandora – The World of Avatar opened in May to rave reviews as the newest land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
“It was important to bring the newest members of the cast to Pandora to help them prepare for their roles in the film,” said Landau. “Typically, actors are introduced to a film through digital imagery and virtual sets. Our walk-through delivered on-the-ground sights, sounds and experiences that brought to life for the cast this wondrous world.”
Chosen from around the globe, the young cast is the cornerstone of upcoming sequels to be released by Twentieth Century Fox. The visit Pandora – The World of Avatar exceeded their wildest dreams.
The seven newcomers range in age from 7 to 17 years old and include: Britain Dalton (Lo’ak of the Sully Family), Filip Geljo (Aonung of the Metkayina Clan), Jamie Flatters (Neteyam of the Sully Family), Bailey Bass (Tsireya of the Metkayina Clan), Trinity Bliss (Tuktirey of the Sully Family), Jack Champion (Javier “Spider” Socorro), and Duane Evans Jr (Rotxo of the Metkayina Clan).
Bass, who will play Tsireya, the young Neytiri of the ocean, reflected on the visit to Pandora.
“I am touching everything because I need to remember how it feels on my hands, how everything smells, how everything looks,” she said. “I took a bunch of photos just so I can look back and see what I went through. I am going to bring that back so I can portray my character and understand how she witnesses her world.”
Throughout the two-day visit, the cast was transported to a majestic and alien world. They sailed through a bioluminescent rainforest on Na’vi River Journey, where they were awed by the Na’vi Shaman of Songs. The cast also flew on the back of banshees in the Avatar Flight of Passage attraction that took them over the stunning world of Pandora.
Cameron’s original AVATAR film was a blockbuster hit that left millions of moviegoers longing to visit the Pandora he created digitally for the big screen. That’s now possible at Pandora – The World of Avatar. And although the physical world of Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom doesn’t recreate specific scenes from the film (it’s set a generation after the events of the films) it represents the film’s core messages of exploration, preservation, and conservation.
Pandora – The World of Avatar is a unique partnership between Walt Disney Imagineering, James Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment that brings to life the extremely vivid, authentic experience of an alien world.
“This is really the collaboration of two master storytellers, Disney and LEI,” Landau said. “Story is at the heart of Pandora the land and Pandora from the movie franchise.”
The four AVATAR sequels will be filmed concurrently. Twentieth Century Fox will release the first sequel in theaters nationwide on Dec. 18, 2020.
Appetizing Occasions at Walt Disney World Resort
Are guests looking for an unforgettable event to add to their Disney vacation? Suggest one of these upcoming culinary experiences from around Walt Disney World® Resort. And be sure to book these events for guests in advance so they can get in on the fun!
Highway in the Sky Dine Around – Additional Dates Now Available
Additional dates through December have now been released for the popular Highway in the Sky Dine Around.
This culinary journey on the Walt Disney World Monorail takes guests to three Disney resort hotels, where each destination offers a distinctively delicious experience. The journey starts with appetizers and cocktails at The Wave…of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Next, guests will travel to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to partake in dishes inspired by the South Pacific. And then, it’s off to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa where guests invited to sit back, sip champagne and enjoy an artisanal selection of cheeses or charcuterie before enjoying the main course of their trip at Cítricos. The final stop on this magical journey drops you back off at Disney’s Contemporary Resort where you’ll retire to a private patio to enjoy a delectable array of desserts, cordials and coffee. Here, guests will be able watch in wonder as fireworks light up the night sky over Cinderella Castle for the grand finale of your adventure.
Spots are filling up fast, so visit Disneyworld.com/dine or call 407-WDW-DINE to reserve.
Mickey’s New Year’s Eve BBQ at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground!
Guests can join Mickey, Minnie and friends for a family-friendly barbecue at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground as they celebrate the new year at Mickey’s New Year’s Eve BBQ. During this special finger-licking, foot-stomping barbeque event, your Clients will feast on mouth-watering items such as Bacon Jam Burger Sliders grilled on site, Wagon Wheel Mac’n’Cheese for the kiddos, and Mini S’mores served in Mason Jars!
In addition to this all-you-care-to-enjoy BBQ spread, guests will get to enjoy the sounds of a live bluegrass band and a DJ. After dinner, cowpokes can mosey on over to the dance floor for line dancing led by Disney Friends! Then it’s time to count down to midnight and watch the world-famous Magic Kingdom fireworks from a special viewing area.
Visit Disneyworld.com/dine or call 407-WDW-DINE to book.
Down in New Orleans: A Disney New Year’s Eve Experience
Are guests ready to pamper their palate at an event they’ll remember for years to come! They can ring in the new year in style with Down in New Orleans: A Disney New Year’s Dining Experience inspired by the New Orleans French Quarter and Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog.”
When guests arrive at the Sorcerer’s Apprentice Ballroom of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, they’ll be surrounded by beautiful French Quarter-inspired décor and an array of stations that will immerse their senses in unique and extraordinary flavors, such as smoked salmon mousse cones and oyster beignets fried right before their eyes. Then, when dinner time finally approaches, they’ll be guided to a premier dining destination for the main course of the night where they’ll be welcomed by art-adorned walls with visions of New Orleans. They’ll take in the rich scents and vibrant flavors as they enjoy herb-crusted Louisiana redfish, crayfish étouffé, Black Angus beef, braised short ribs and roast filet of beef with truffled celery root silk, all while enjoying the authentic sounds of a live jazz band. At the evening’s end, a spirited vocalist will join the band and bring the classic sounds of Disney’s “Princess and the Frod” by legendary composer Randy Newman to life. Soon after, guests will be ushered to a private viewing area near the Porte Cochére, for champagne and the unforgettable sights of the world-famous fireworks at Magic Kingdom® Park to ring in the new year!
From beginning to end, it’s a beautiful way to welcome 2018 and it’s sure to be a night you’ll remember. Reserve seats for your this once-in-a-lifetime event today by visiting Disneyworld.com/dine or calling 407-WDW-DINE. Down in New Orleans – A Disney New Year’s Eve Experience will take place on Dec. 31, 2017, from 7 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and will feature restaurant-style reserved seating.
Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend Celebrates 2nd Annual Event with Over 20,000 Runners
Disneyland Paris Resort welcomed more than 20,000 runners for the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend on September 21-24. The event marked the second annual race weekend to take place at Disneyland Paris Resort bringing out a crowd of dedicated participants that spanned ages one to 82.
The weekend kicked off with the Disneyland Paris 5K which took place this year under the Parisian night sky for the first time. Also new this year was the Disneyland Paris 10K that took runners through the Disneyland Paris Resort and was filled with plenty of Disney entertainment. With the addition of this 6.2-mile course, the bravest runners conquered the Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo Challenge, combining the 10K and half marathon races.
The race weekend concluded on Sunday when runners from across the globe raced through the enchanting lands of Disneyland Paris Resort and the picturesque French countryside during the Disneyland Paris – Val d’Europe Half Marathon
After the great success of this year’s event, the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend will return in 2018 on September 20 – 23! For more information, please visit:http://run.disneylandparis.com/bookings.
Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend is the only international race in runDisney’s nine-race series that encompasses Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and Disneyland Paris. Next up is Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend presented by MISFIT™(Nov. 2 – 5) at Walt Disney World Resort and Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend (Nov. 9 -12) at Disneyland Resort. For more information about runDisney, visit www.runDisney.com.
Garmin® and Disney bring motivation and imagination to the playground
Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), today announced the vívofit jr. 2 activity tracker1 for kids with Disney, Star Wars and Marvel-themed bands and mobile app adventures. Featuring designs of kids’ favorite characters including Minnie Mouse, BB-8TM and Marvel’s Captain America, each band theme offers a corresponding mobile app adventure where children can complete missions to advance in the journey and unlock new character step icons, with the help of their parents, by achieving 60 minutes of activity every day. This exciting collaboration leverages kids’ favorite characters, encouraging children to be active, and ultimately shaping habits for lifelong health and fitness.
Disney Cruise Line Itinerary Update
In order to enable the British and U.S. Virgin Islands the appropriate time to recover from the effects of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, Disney has altered the itinerary for the Oct. 21 and Nov. 4, 2017 Disney Fantasy sailings to include ports in the Western Caribbean. The revised itineraries are below.
Oct. 21, 2017
- Saturday – Port Canaveral
- Sunday – Day at Sea
- Monday – Cozumel, Mexico
- Tuesday – George Town, Grand Cayman (tender port)
- Wednesday – Falmouth, Jamaica
- Thursday – Day at Sea
- Friday – Castaway Cay, Bahamas
- Saturday – Port Canaveral
Nov. 4, 2017
- Saturday – Port Canaveral
- Sunday – Day at Sea
- Monday – Cozumel, Mexico
- Tuesday – Costa Maya, Mexico
- Wednesday – George Town, Grand Cayman (tender port)
- Thursday – Day at Sea
- Friday – Castaway Cay, Bahamas
- Saturday – Port Canaveral
Port Adventures that guests pre-reserved in Tortola and St. Thomas will automatically be removed from your cruise activities, while those for Castaway Cay will remain as scheduled. Likewise, pre-reserved onboard activities like Palo Brunch, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and beverage tastings are being adjusted to fit this revised itinerary. Should guests wish to explore Port Adventure opportunities featured on this revised itinerary, please visit the My Cruise Activities section of our website at www.disneycruise.com this Friday, when all of the shore excursions and onboard activities are expected to be available on the site. Modifications to your pre-arranged Cruise Activities and Port Adventures can be made online up to three days prior to your sailing.
Photos – Disney-Pixar Character & Movie Sculptures Made Out of Chocolate for the Epcot Food & Wine Festival
Take a look at these amazing Character & Movie Sculptures created by Disney pastry chefs all made out of chocolate for the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
These can be found inside the Festival Center. Let us know on Twitter which one is your favorite!
Walt Disney Studios: Take a tour of the working lot
Pausing at the intersection of Mickey Ave. and Dopey Drive – which doubles as Pluto’s Corner – it’s evident that The Walt Disney Studios isn’t merely a place where movies are made.
The Walt Disney Company Donates $500,000 In Humanitarian Aid To Support Mexican Communities Impacted By Recent Earthquakes
The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) has committed $500,000 to aid in humanitarian relief efforts across Central Mexico in response to the recent earthquakes impacting the region. The donation will support the disaster response and recovery efforts of the Mexican Red Cross, Save the Children, and UNICEF. Disney will make additional donations of in-kind goods as needs are identified.
“As our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Mexico, we are once again overwhelmed by the resiliency and unity shown in response to a natural disaster,” said Claudio Chiaromonte, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, The Walt Disney Company Latin America. “Disney has a long tradition of supporting communities all over the world, and we are proud to join with the people of Mexico as they begin to recover and rebuild from these terrible tragedies.”
The Walt Disney Company and its affiliates employ more than 250 people in Mexico, between its Disney offices and the ESPN Deportes network, and Disney has a long-standing history in the region dating back to the 1940s.
Disney works on an ongoing basis with numerous nonprofit organizations on emergency preparedness efforts, including sharing lifesaving information with families before and during emergencies, having supplies prepositioned and at-the-ready to respond to natural disasters, and providing resources to activate large-scale responses in the event of a disaster.
