TOUR ON THE WILD SIDE WITH THE NEWEST ENCHANTING EXTRAS ADDITION AT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT

We’re excited to announce the newest addition to the Enchanting Extras Collection — the Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park!

Guests can prepare for an adventure like no other as this tour gives them the opportunity — as the park transitions from day to night — to experience the magic of nature in a totally unique way. Tour guides share detailed knowledge while guests explore the Disney’s Animal Kingdom lands to observe the critters, creatures and other denizens of the park. Plus, your Clients get to enjoy certain attractions with expedited FastPass+ access. The Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour is a great way for guests to make the most of their time in Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

The tour takes approximately four hours, and there is a discount available for Disney Visa cardholders and Annual Passholders.

The Enchanting Extras Collection lets guests enjoy extra, unparalleled access to what Walt Disney World® Resort has to offer.   From behind-the-scenes tours and culinary adventures to special events and encounters with nature and more, there is a wide range of enchantment that awaits guests beyond the theme park fun.

Other experiences in the collection include limited-time events throughout the year that make each season special, like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Disney Night of Joy, the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival and more. Guests can view wild animals of nearly every color, shape and size in their natural habitat with Wild Africa Trek. Plus dessert parties that cater to everyone’s sweet tooth, each set to the backdrop of a popular special event — including Celebration at the Top – Sip, Savor, Sparkle; Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party; Tiana’s Riverboat Party; and the new Frozen Ever After Dessert Party.

Separate park admission is required. For more information about the Enchanting Extras Collection or to make reservations, call 407-WDW-PLAY (939-7529).

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Details – Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark at Disney’s California Adventure

Fans were thrilled when Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! opened in May at Disney California Adventure Park, and now they’re in for a scary Halloween treat as the attraction is transformed nightly into Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark. During the day, guests continue to experience the excitement, fun and six different ride experiences on Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! However, each evening the attraction transforms from Mission: BREAKOUT! to Monsters After Dark. The Collector’s Fortress goes dark, alarms sound and all-new lighting on the exterior of the Fortress alerts guests that something inside has gone awry.

As guests enter the Lobby of the Fortress, they will be startled by flashing alarms and creepy sounds – warning signs that creatures have escaped their vitrines (glass cages) and all kinds of chaos is erupting. The Collector’s ever-resourceful assistant, Apheta, tries to keep calm by reassuring guests that all is in order, and this is just a momentary setback.

In keeping with the dark humor of the experience, an all-new 1970s-style punk rock song, “Monsters After Dark,” enhances the thrill of the experience. The song was written especially for this attraction by Tyler Bates, composer for the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films.

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Minnie’s Halloween Dine Begins September 4 at Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

From Sept. 4-Nov. 5, 2017 Minnie Mouse is inviting all of her friends to Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, where she’s hosting a Halloween celebration. This character dining experience features Minnie Mouse and friends dressed in their most festive Halloween attire.

The Halloween-inspired buffet features spiced pumpkin patch soup, Kraken squid ink pasta and vampire-repelling garlic mashed potatoes. Guests can also enjoy spider-web coconut macaroons, worms and dirt Oreo cups and pumpkin cheese cake for dessert.

Also beginning Sept. 4, 2017, Minnie Mouse will gather all of her friends to celebrate the seasons with Minnie’s Seasonal Dine at Hollywood & Vine for both lunch and dinner. Breakfast at Hollywood and Vine will continue to feature Disney Junior Play ‘n’ Dine, including fun interactive moments with favorite Disney Junior pals Jake, Sofia, Doc McStuffins and Handy Manny.

Book by visiting DisneyWorld.com/dine or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

 

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Video – “It’s a Great Time for….Disney’s Hollywood Studios

It’s a great time for guests to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. Here, they can take center stage in the worlds of movies, television, music and theater. They can blast off on an outer space adventure, hang tight in a “haunted” elevator,” ride a rockin’ roller coaster and much more. Plus, they can watch as movie magic comes to life during sturring stage shows, blazing stunt spectaculars and Disney Character experiences. Check out this video to see more!

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HALLOWEEN TIME AT THE DISNEYLAND RESORT EXPANDS TO DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE PARK

Halloween Time at the Disneyland® Resort is almost here! This year, the spooky fun extends throughout the Disneyland Resort, with returning favorites at Disneyland Park and new ghostly delights at Disney California Adventure® Park.

In Cars Land, the residents of Radiator Springs are transforming their little road town into a Haul-O-Ween celebration. Each establishment will be decorated for the season, with Fillmore showing off his Jack-Oil-Lanterns and ghostly folk art, a Spider-Car spinning webs all over Flo’s V8 Café and more.

Two Cars Land attractions will also transform for the first time ever this Halloween season. Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters will become Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween, an all-new spooktacular dance celebration where Luigi and Guido will entertain the cugini (cousins) with Halloween twists on traditional Italian festival songs like the “Terror-antella,” “The Chop Top of Carsoli” and more. Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree will become Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree, where guests will whirl around the graveyard to the tune of creepy new songs and fun haunted twists on favorites such as “Monster Truck Smash” and “Welcome to Radiator Screams.”

At Buena Vista Street, a new 10-foot-tall statue of the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow, holding his jack-o’-lantern head up to the sky, will haunt Carthay Circle. Mickey Mouse and his friends bring more Halloween fun to this stylish avenue, donning new costumes, with Mickey Mouse as a bat, Goofy as a ghost, Daisy Duck as a witch and more!

Guests can discover these new experiences along with returning favorites during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, Sept. 15-Oct. 31!

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3 Reasons Disney Investors Should Toast Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival opens today at Walt Disney‘s Florida resort, kicking off a 75-day festival that will feature kiosks selling foodie-approved edibles and drinks, as well as stages offering culinary workshops and nightly concerts. It’s a big deal for Epcot, Disney World’s second-most-popular park.

Full Story

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Fans “Find the Force” and Reveal New Star Wars: The Last Jedi Character BB-9E as Force Friday II Gets Underway

Over 1300 U.S. retail locations will host midnight openings tonight celebrating array of new Star Wars: The Last Jedi products with tech toys front and center

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 31: Sydney, Australia – Sept. 1 – Dennis Wong holding the Sphero BB-9E. He was among the very first fans to meet the new Star Wars: The Last Jedi character BB-9E at midnight retail events in Sydney, Australia as Force Friday II gets underway around the world in celebration of the launch of the new product line for Star Wars: The Last Jedi. BB-9E is one of the dark, gleaming BB astromech units of the First Order featured in the upcoming theatrical release, as well as through the range of new products launching globally today. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 31: Sydney, Australia – Sept. 1 – Dennis Wong holding the Sphero BB-9E. He was among the very first fans to meet the new Star Wars: The Last Jedi character BB-9E at midnight retail events in Sydney, Australia as Force Friday II gets underway around the world in celebration of the launch of the new product line for Star Wars: The Last Jedi. BB-9E is one of the dark, gleaming BB astromech units of the First Order featured in the upcoming theatrical release, as well as through the range of new products launching globally today. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media)

As the global Force Friday II celebration kicks off around the world, fans in Australia were the first to officially unveil a new dark side character from the upcoming Star Wars: The Last Jedi film, named BB-9E.

Stores across Australia opened their doors at midnight to welcome fans seeking new Star Wars: The Last Jedi products, and attendees got to meet BB-9E in both AR and toy form to share with other fans via social media.

 

This new droid, part of the astromech unit of the First Order that keep their starships and machinery operational, is featured across the Star Wars: The Last Jedi product lines, and can also be viewed in life-size AR form at participating retail locations hosting the Find the Force pop-up AR treasure hunt. Using the Find the Force feature in the Star Wars App, fans will be able to unlock an AR version of BB-9E on day one of the three-day initiative (Sept. 1-3), while getting a first look at the new Star Wars: The Last Jedi toys, collectibles, books, comics, apparel, home décor and more.

“Since Star Wars became a cultural phenomenon 40 years ago, consumer products have been a critical part of the fan experience, helping to introduce new audiences to the franchise’s rich stories and characters. Technology-powered storytelling is at the core of the Star Wars: The Last Jedi product line, and will immerse fans in the Star Wars universe like never before,” comments Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media.

Fans will get their first chance to take home products inspired by Star Wars: The Last Jedi over the Force Friday II weekend. The new line is Star Wars’ most innovative yet, infusing technology to allow fans to experience the franchise in whole new ways. Key technology-led products include:

Force Link Starter Set + Figures, Vehicles & Playset by Hasbro: Hasbro’s new Force Link technology combines wearable tech with the beloved characters and vehicles from the Star Wars saga to deliver a play experience that brings Star Wars stories to life like never before. The Force Link technology unlocks an extensive collection of sounds, phrases and lights with over 30 compatible figures, vehicles, and playsets at launch. Starter Set Price: $24.99 USD

R2-D2 and BB-9E App-Enabled Droids by Sphero: Controlled with a smart device, you can drive these droids, watch Star Wars films together, explore holographic simulations and more. Price: $179.99 (R2-D2), $149.99 (BB-9E) USD

Droid Inventor Kit by littleBits: Kids can create their own droid and bring it to life using littleBits electronic Bits and a smart device. With the droid Inventor app, they’ll give their droid new abilities and take it on 16+ missions. Then they’ll level-up their inventor skills, reconfiguring parts to design any droid they can dream up. The kit comes with everything kids need to create and customize a droid straight out of the box. Initial configuration is easy with step-by-step video instructions to create their droid, then control it in Drive mode, Self Navigation Mode, Force Mode, and more. After mastering these skills, kids continue on to challenges that spark creativity and get them inventing brand-new droids. Price: $99.95 USD

Star Wars Jedi Challenges: A new augmented reality Star Wars product that allows fans to experience Star Wars in ways never before possible. Jedi Challenges features a smartphone-powered Lenovo Mirage AR headset, Lightsaber Controller, and hours of Star Wars gameplay. With this product, players train to perfect their lightsaber skills by taking on some of the most menacing villains the dark side has to offer, command armies in combat missions to defeat the Empire, and outwit their opponents in Holochess, all in augmented reality. Jedi Challenges is compatible with both Android phones and iPhoneswill be available this holiday season and is available for pre-order now for $199.99 at Best Buy and Lenovo online.

Star Wars Battle Drones by Propel: This year, Propel revolutionizes its Collector’s edition Star Wars Drones with its new Flight Training app. Players will learn how to fly a drone virtually in the Star Wars universe via Bluetooth. As beginner pilots use Propel’s Flight Training app, they will begin their journey in flight simulator mode: this experience uses 34 training missions to teach beginner pilots to fly like pros. An additional feature of the app is its Live Battle mode, where pilots are able to connect and battle with other Star Warsdrone pilots in multiplayer battles, inspired by missions and battles from the Star Wars movies. Price: $179 USD

New Star Wars products as well as the Find the Force AR experience can be found around the world at mass and specialty retailers, such as Amazon.com, Kohl’s, Target, Toys “R” Us and Walmart, as well as Disney Store and disneystore.com.

More Star Wars: The Last Jedi product information and photos can be found here. To access video and photo highlights from midnight retail events as they happen around the world, please visit: https://www.epk.tv/view/#/campaign/star-wars-force-friday/

Star Wars fans have already begun posting photos and videos of their Force Friday II experiences, including revealing the new BB-9E droid. Fans in select global markets who use the hashtags #FindtheForce and #Sweepstakes when they post photos or videos featuring Find the Force AR characters on Twitter or Instagram through the Force Friday II weekend can participate in a sweepstakes for the chance to win the ultimate fan experience: tickets to the Star Wars: The Last Jedi premiere in December.*

More information, participating retailers and instructional materials are available at www.starwars.com/findtheforce.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in U.S. theaters on December 15, 2017.

* NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter sweepstakes between August 31, 2017 at 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time (“PT”)/3:00 p.m. British Summer Time (“BST”) and September 4, 2017 at 2:59 a.m. PT/10:59 a.m. BST. Open to legal residents in 50 U.S. + D.C., Canada (excluding Quebec), Australia, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, France, South Korea and Chile who are 18+ or the age of majority in their place of residence, whichever is older. Limit 15 entries per person. There is 1 Grand Prize available to be won (ARV: $5754 (AUD)) and 50 Second Prizes to be won. GRAND PRIZE WINNER MUST TRAVEL TO LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 12, 2017. Visit http://au.starwars.com/findtheforce for Official Rules including details on how to enter, additional eligibility requirements, prize descriptions and limitations. Void where prohibited. Sponsor is The Walt Disney Company (Australia) Pty. Limited, Level 5, Chapel Street, South Yarra, Victoria 3141, Australia; Second Prize is a Star Wars prize pack valued at $422 (AUD); draw held on September 6, 2017 at the offices of Thomson Geer, Level 25, 1 O’Connell Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000 Australia; winners notified by September 8, 2017 and winners details published in The Australian newspaper by September 13, 2017; authorized under NSW Permit No. LTPS/17/17058, ACT Permit No. ACT TP 17/01653 and SA Permit No. T17/1556.

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First Look: Slinky Dog Dash Ride Vehicle Arrives at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The Slinky Dog Dash attraction, currently under construction in Toy Story Land, celebrated a major milestone today – National Slinky Day – with the reveal of the coaster’s first Slinky Dog ride vehicle.

Slinky Dog Dash is one of two major attractions coming to Toy Story Land, a 12-acre expansion that’s set to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® in Summer 2018. In Toy Story Land, guests will shrink to the size of a toy and explore the world of Andy’s backyard on two fun family attractions – Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers.

Slinky Dog Dash is a family coaster themed as if Andy built it in his backyard using his Mega Coaster Play Kit and some of his other favorite toys. The attraction’s ride vehicles, inspired by the character of Slinky in the film, will send riders dipping, dodging and dashing around turns and drops Andy has created to stretch Slinky’s coils to the max.

The second attraction, Alien Swirling Saucers, is designed as a toy play set that Andy got from Pizza Planet, inspired by the first “Toy Story” film. Aliens are flying around in their toy flying saucers and trying to capture your rocket toy vehicle using “The Claw.”

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FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, WALT DISNEY WORLD RESTAURANTS ARE ON THE MENU FOR VISIT ORLANDO’S MAGICAL DINING MONTH

As part of the one of the most-anticipated dining events in Central Florida, for the first time, select Walt Disney World® Resort restaurants are part of Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month that runs now through Oct. 1, 2017.

Magical Dining Month celebrates Orlando’s amazing culinary scene and gives us a chance to showcase the talent of Disney chefs with special prix fixe dinners. Participating Walt Disney World Resort hotel restaurants include:

  • Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort
  • Grand Floridian Cafe at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Jiko—The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Olivia’s Cafe at Disney’s Old Key West Resort
  • The Turf Club Bar and Grill at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
  • The Wave … of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Magical Dining Month menus feature three courses for $35 per person, including appetizer, entrée and dessert and cannot be combined with other offers, packages or discounts. One dollar from each meal supports Freedom Ride and BASE Camp Children’s Cancer Foundation.

To make a reservation at the Disney restaurants, visit www.disneyworld.com/dine or call 407-WDW-DINE. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged.

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Six Don’t Miss Experiences Opening Weekend at 22nd Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Kicking off Aug. 31, 2017 and celebrating 35 years of Epcot® with 35 delectable marketplaces, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is bigger and better than ever, with sips and tastes throughout the park, celebrity chefs, culinary workshops, live music and special tasting experiences. And it’s 75 days, so guests have until Nov. 13, 2017 to experience it all.

To get started, encourage guests to make the Festival Center their first stop to pick up a schedule and a complimentary festival passport and check out options for navigating the festival. Here are some don’t-miss experiences starting opening weekend:

  • The global marketplaces. There are 35 this year for guests to sip and taste their way through Future World and World Showcase, and while some favorites are back, they can check out the five new additions: Active Eats (sweet avocado crema with strawberries, cake and tortilla streusel); The Almond Orchard (cauliflower risotto with pulled chicken, artichokes, spinach and Parmesan cheese); Coastal Eats (lump crab cake with slaw and avocado lemongrass cream); Flavors From Fire (smoked corned beef with crispy potatoes, pickled onions and Blonde Ale Beer fondue); the Light Lab with all sorts of spirited concoctions. They might consider a Tasting Sampler voucher ($65) for eight food or beverage items (some exclusions may apply). Plus they’ll get a limited-release Epcot Food & Wine Festival trading pin.
  • Celebrity sightings. Guests can start their day Sunday, Sept. 3, with Chef Shaun O’Neale (winner of FOX TV’s “MasterChef”) first up for “What’s Cookin’ With . . .” held on select Friday and Sunday mornings in the Festival Center ($129). A cooking demo, breakfast and time for Q&A is all part of the fun. They can also catch returning favorites such as Alex Guarnaschelli, Buddy Valastro, Geoffrey Zakarian, Jamie Deen, Robert Irvine and more (schedule at epcotfoodfestival.com; reservations 407-939-3378).
  • Live music every single night. There’s impromptu entertainment all around World Showcase Promenade, but each evening rocks out with the fantastic Eat to the Beat Concert Series on the outdoor stage at America Gardens Theatre three times nightly. First up: Delta Rae, a folk rock band from North Carolina, Aug. 31-Sept. 1 (“Bottom of the River”).
  • Culinary demos. Every day in the Festival Center (2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 12:15 and 2:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday) guests can meet a chef and hear stories and tips while they create a dish that everyone gets to taste ($17). On a sunny afternoon, it’s a great respite from the Florida heat. Reservations recommended at epcotfoodfestival.com or by calling 407-939-3378.
  • Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It! If guests like hands-on experiences, this is for them — chefs, bakers, mixologists and other pros show guests the ropes ($49). Opening day, it’s Chef Emily Ellyn mixing up fun with Cask & Crew Whiskey, and guests get to play bartender and mix their own cocktail. (Mondays through Thursdays, additional hosts and topics are at epcotfoodfestival.com.)
  • Kids part of the equation? Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak returns, a fun way to play together in this culinary scavenger hunt that takes guests all over World Showcase. And many of the global marketplaces are featuring dishes geared toward kids’ palates.

Looking ahead, some of our favorite celeb chefs are coming up: Sept. 15, Stuart O’Keeffe; Sept. 17, Jet Tila; Sept. 29, Graham Elliott. And there are five Party for the Senses grand tasting events this year (Sept. 23, Oct. 7, Oct. 14, Oct. 21 and Nov. 11), an extravaganza of food, beverages and themed live entertainment.

The festival runs through Nov. 13 – 75 days in all. Back to Basics series, Eat to the Beat concerts, cultural adventures, Festival Passport and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission. Party for the Senses grand tasting events, signature dinners and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. Guests can book some events at epcotfoodfestival.com and call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378) for all others.

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