Take a look at some banners all around the D23 Expo 2017:
TERRALINA CRAFTED ITALIAN OPENS THIS FALL AT DISNEY SPRINGS
The much-anticipated Terralina Crafted Italian is anticipated to open this fall at Disney Springs® in the space of the former Portobello Country Italian Trattoria at Walt Disney World® Resort. Good news, James Beard Award-winning Chef Tony Mantuano returns from Portobello to curate the new menu, and Chef Justin Plank will be back to run the kitchen.
A multi-million- dollar makeover is transforming the space in The Landing on the shores of Lake Buena Vista. Inspired by the design and lifestyle of Italy’s Lake District, the new restaurant will be reminiscent of an Italian home, with an open kitchen, dining rooms with eclectic décor and a new veranda bar outside the main entrance.
Chef Mantuano’s authentic Italian cuisine (much of it infused with his signature olive oil imported directly from Italy) will include artisanal pizzas and fresh vegetable dishes fired up in a wood-burning oven. Two new signatures – mussels and a grilled pork chop – will be on the menu, along with favorites from Portobello such as the antipasti platter and signature pastas.
Terralina Crafted Italian will be open for lunch and dinner.
Big Changes to Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Dining Options at Walt Disney World Resort
The Market at Ale & Compass is the first step in a major re-imagining of dining at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort at Walt Disney World® Resort, including a re-imagined lobby lounge and new concept for the former Captain’s Grille.
A grab ‘n go selection offers sandwiches, salads and other eats, including kid-friendly items. For sips, there’s a Coca-Cola® Freestyle, beer and wine, and a specialty drinking station that offers both specialty coffees and smoothies.
A whole new Ale & Compass concept debuts at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort in October, when the lobby lounge is transformed with a new interior and expands to 58 seats, offering a new menu of classic cocktails and light bites. But the biggest change is the adjacent Captain’s Grille, which becomes Ale & Compass Restaurant.
The Ale & Compass Restaurant menu is still in the works, but the re-imagined restaurant will have a gastropub ambience with New England-inspired comfort food, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. An on-stage hearth oven is the focal point. Décor is inspired by the cozy warmth of a lighthouse, as a comforting respite from the outside world. The casual, table-service restaurant is on the Disney Dining Plan.
Three New Year’s Eve Celebrations at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
This year there are three ways for guests to ring in the New Year at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. These “can’t miss” experiences, which are part of the Enchanting Extras Collection, enhance the Walt Disney World® Resort experience.
For an evening of dining and dancing, “Disney Countdown to Midnight” includes delightful dining, live music, libations and more. An interactive band and DJ will fill the dance floor (and we hear that Mickey and Minnie may make a special appearance). Plus, guests can welcome in 2018 with a flute of bubbly and a viewing of those legendary New Year’s Eve fireworks at the Magic Kingdom® Park. The party takes place from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. in the Fantasia Ballroom and is designed for Guests 18 years and older.
If guests are looking for a family-friendly way to ring in the New Year, they can enjoy “Pixar Party: A New Year’s Eve Celebration.” From Andy’s Room in “Toy Story” to Metro City with The Incredibles, this immersive celebration will include theatrical backdrops, dramatic set pieces and fun props that re-create the fantastic worlds of the Pixar films. And, of course, favorite characters will be on hand from “Toy Story,” “The Incredibles,” “Cars,” and “Up.” Kids can have fun with Pixar face painting, a balloon artist and a boot camp with Sarge, while an interactive DJ will spin hits from Radio Disney. Dinner is buffet style. At midnight, guests can head outdoors to ring in the New Year with a viewing of the Magic Kingdom fireworks. This event takes place from 8 p.m.-12:15 a.m in the Ballroom of the Americas.
Fine dining is the theme of the third party, “Down in New Orleans: A Disney New Year’s Eve Dining Experience” in the Grand Republic Ballroom. Inspired by the Disney animated film “The Princess and the Frog,” the room is beautifully decorated French Quarter style to transport you to the Big Easy. Signature dishes will include herb-crusted Louisiana redfish, crayfish etouffee, Black Angus beef cooked two ways, braised short ribs and filet of beef with truffled celery root silk. A N’awlins jazz band will entertain during dinner, joined later in the evening by a vocalist who will bring to life the Academy-Award-winning classics from the film. Guests can slip outside with a glass of bubbly just before midnight to ring in 2018 with a private viewing area for theMagic Kingdom fireworks. This party takes place from 7 p.m.-12:15 a.m.
Book beginning July 11, 2017 by calling 407-WDW-DINE.
DISNEY TWENTY-THREE CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF DISNEY LEGENDS
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Disney Legends award, created to honor those who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy. To mark the occasion, Disney twenty-three has created a unique stand-alone issue featuring all 267 current honorees, as well as the 10 new Legends, who will be inducted next week at D23 Expo 2017. Since 1987, the award has been given to individuals who have worked with and for Disney in front of the camera and behind the scenes, from the shining stars of the silver and small screen to the creative minds behind its films, attractions, music, and entertainment.
For the issue, exclusively for Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, Disney twenty-three Photo Editor Ty Popko photographed 40 Legends in Disney settings: from Walt Disney’s Office Suite and the Walt Disney Archives to Walt Disney World Resort and the Good Morning America studios. Featured Legends include Tim Allen, Hayley Mills, Paige O’Hara, Regis Philbin, Anika Noni Rose, Lea Salonga, Richard Sherman, and Dick Van Dyke. Kurt Russell, also photographed for this issue, gives a first-person account of his time working for Walt himself and the many Disney adventures he has had over the years.
Plus, Disney animator Eric Goldberg crafted a piece of artwork exclusively for this issue featuring more than 30 Disney Legends, including Julie Andrews, Steve Martin, Angela Lansbury, and Robin Williams, at a fabulous “Legend-ary” party. As a bonus, D23 Gold Members attending D23 Expo 2017 will be able to receive a complimentary print of the artwork at the event.
Also included in the fall issue of Disney twenty-three:
- A Disney Legends-themed Ask Dave with Disney Legend Dave Smith
- Photographs from Disney Legends Awards ceremonies through the years
- A tribute to Annette Funicello by Richard Sherman
Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The new issue will begin arriving in late July.
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 ($74.99), Gold Family Membership ($99.99), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.comand at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.
Extra Magic, Extra Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
As a Guest of a select Disney Resort hotel, you get extra time in a Disney theme park each day to enjoy select attractions with the Extra Magic Hours benefit. And now through August 19, 2017, you can also take advantage of “Extra” Extra Magic Hours only in Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom®. These nightly Extra Magic Hours offer extra time to fly on the back of a banshee, navigate a mystical river and walk under floating mountains. Valid Theme Park admission and Resort ID required.
‘DISNEY MOVIE MAGIC’ NIGHTTIME EXPERIENCE DAZZLES AT DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS THIS SUMMER
Disney’s newest “must-see” show at the Walt Disney World® Resort – “Disney Movie Magic” – has debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® and we’re excited to share more details about this one-of-a-kind cinematic experience.
Each night this summer, “Disney Movie Magic” is transforming the iconic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with special lighting and state-of-the-art projection mapping technology to put guests right in the middle of a celebration of Disney films.
Guests will be able to recognize many of the movie moments during “Disney Movie Magic.” The show features dozens of them, from Disney classics like “Mary Poppins” to contemporary blockbusters such as “Pirates of the Caribbean,” the Indiana Jones adventures and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.” Also, each high-energy show spans a variety of different genres including musicals, romance, comedy, classics, fantasy, sci-fi and adventure.
Guests can experience “Disney Movie Magic” nightly at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this summer, in addition to regular performances of “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular.”
How Disney Does Fireworks
Disney World’s Magic Kingdom has debuted its first new fireworks show in 14 years. The show is packed with state-of-the-art projection mapping, lasers, pyrotechnics, and of course, fireworks.
