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.

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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.

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‘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.”

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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.

Full Story

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Make sure to Follow Us on Twitter for more Disney News

We know you guys love hearing about the latest in Disney news from our WDW Daily News website and we appreciate you checking in here every day.  But there are many news articles and photos that we “tweet” that do not appear on the website, so we encourage you to “Follow Us” on Twitter to get the most information from WDW Daily News.

Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be featuring our journey to and from the 2017 D23 Expo and will be posting many Twitter exclusive photos of our travels and from the event.

Thanks again for everyone who follows us and we hope you continue to spread the word to your Dis Pals!

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ABC’s ‘The Chew’ to Broadcast From the 22nd Epcot International Food & Wine Festival October 4-6

ABC’s Emmy Award-winning lifestyle series, “The Chew,” returns to Walt Disney World Resort this fall to broadcast five shows from the 22nd Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.  “The Chew” shows, to record October 4-6 against the park’s iconic Spaceship Earth backdrop, will air on the ABC Television Network, October 9-13, 2017, at 1 p.m. EDT, 12 p.m. PDT (check local listings).

The dynamic, Emmy Award-winning co-hosts, who delighted audiences last year with stories of their Disney adventures as they whipped up delectable dishes and drinks, will share tasty new recipes and a bounty of festival surprises with their Epcot audiences.  Throughout the festival’s unprecedented 75-day culinary celebration, which runs August 31-November 13, 2017, “The Chew” also will feature segments highlighting food and beverages from “around the world” of Walt Disney World Resort and its four theme parks and Disney Springs.

Today also kicks off “The Chew’s” Magical Culinary Adventure Sweepstakes presented by Hidden Valley Ranch.  The winner gets a vacation for four to see a “Chew” taping at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. To learn more, visit www.TheChew.com.

“It’s our favorite week of the year,” raved Gordon Elliott, executive producer of “The Chew.”

“The hosts enjoy the excitement of the park along with their fans, and for a few days everyone is on holiday–with amazing food!”

Delicious dishes inspired by “The Chew” also will be featured throughout the festival in the themed global marketplace, “Earth Eats, Hosted by The Chew.” Park guests will be able to savor these menu stars: Grilled Beef Skewer with Romaine, Apricots and Feta Cheese; Ricotta and Zucchini Ravioli with Rustic Tomato Sauce and a sweet finish: Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Mousse with Caramel Drizzle.

Epcot vice president Melissa Valiquette said she and the entire festival team are delighted to welcome back “The Chew” hosts, producers and crew for their third year of on-site production.

“’The Chew’s’ production adds another level of excitement and fun to our iconic fall food and wine festival,” Valiquette said. “It’s magical to see our Epcot stage light up as the show’s celebrated hosts cook, dish and entertain each live audience of festival guests.”

At the Festival Center, guests can watch screenings of “The Chew” show highlights, cooking and entertaining tips. Instructions on how to obtain show taping tickets will be announced at a later date.

“The Chew” celebrates life through food – from cooking and home entertaining to exploring food trends and bringing original ideas to holiday events. The show’s award-winning dream team of culinary and lifestyle experts dish up useful, creative solutions for busy viewers who want to make cooking and home entertaining easy, affordable, and always fun. “The Chew” has spawned five cookbooks, and the sixth, “The Chew Quick & Easy: Stress-Free Recipes for Every Occasion,” will be published September 26, 2017. “The Chew” airs on ABC Monday through Friday at 1 p.m. EDT, noon CDT. For details, visit www.TheChew.com.

Produced by Gordon Elliott’s Chew Productions for the ABC Television Network, “The Chew” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with stereo sound.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival celebrates 22 delicious festival years featuring the returning partnership with “The Chew” plus a lineup of delicious new food and beverage menu items, global marketplaces, premium experiences and entertainment.  For updates about festival events and premium experiences, visit epcotfoodfestival throughout the summer.

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Applications Now Open for Disney Dreamers Academy Class of 2018 at Walt Disney World Resort

High school students nationwide can now apply at DisneyDreamersAcademy.com to be among 100 selected to participate in the 2018 Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE, the innovative, outside-the-classroom, mentoring program that takes place in March at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

For over a decade, Disney Dreamers Academy has helped to inspire young minds from across the country by fueling their dreams and showing them a world of possibilities as they prepare for the future. Each year, students participate in hands-on, immersive career workshops, ranging from animation to zoology. Each participant learns important skills, such as communication techniques, leadership qualities and networking strategies, and are inspired by celebrity speakers and special guests who share their stories and provide insight on how to achieve success and DREAM BIG.

The program has produced many success stories, inspiring students to become authors, nurses, pilots, doctors, journalists and engineers following the three-day all-expenses-paid experience at Walt Disney World Resort where the theme parks become vibrant ‘classrooms’ leading to career discoveries and fun memories to cherish for a lifetime.

“After 10 years and over 1,000 Disney Dreamer alumni, we’re excited to begin the next decade of Disney Dreamers Academy,” said Tracey D. Powell, Walt Disney World vice president of commercial management resorts and Disney Dreamers Academy executive champion. “We are excited about the many success stories, as this program continues to cultivate and inspire the minds of young high school students from across the nation to follow their dreams and accomplish their goals. By applying for Disney Dreamers Academy, future leaders of this country are taking a step toward an experience that can change their lives.”

Program applicants must answer essay questions about their personal journeys and dreams for the future. Students are selected based on a combination of attributes, including strong character, positive attitude and determination to achieve their dreams. Selected applicants, along with a parent or guardian, will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort.

Applications are open to U.S. high school students, ages 13 to 19, through Oct. 31, 2017. A distinguished panel of leaders will evaluate the applications, and selected participants will be announced in early 2018.

For more information regarding applications, interested applicants can visit DisneyDreamersAcademy.com, or learn more about the program on Facebook.com/DisneyDreamersAcademy or Twitter.com/DreamersAcademy.

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Disney’s Descendants 2 on DVD August 15th

In Descendants 2 the villain kids are back and the stakes are even higher in the highly anticipated sequel to the Disney Channel Original Movie “Descendants”! The story deepens in the music-driven sequel to the global smash hit “Descendants,” as the teenage sons and daughters of Disney’s most infamous villains try to find their place in idyllic Auradon. When the pressure to be royally perfect becomes too much for Mal, she returns to her rotten roots on the Isle of the Lost where her archenemy Uma, the daughter of Ursula, has taken her spot as self-proclaimed queen of the run-down town.  Uma, still resentful over not being selected by Ben to go to Auradon Prep with the other Villain Kids, stirs her pirate gang including Captain Hook’s son Harry and Gaston’s son Gil, to break the barrier between the Isle of the Lost and Auradon, and unleash all the villains imprisoned on the Isle, once and for all. Bring home all the mischief on DVD August 15th
Also beginning July 1, visit DisneyMovieRewards.com  and enter to win a Disney Channel 5-movie collection including “Descendants” and “Descendants 2”!
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2017 CANDLELIGHT PROCESSIONAL DINNER PACKAGES ON SALE TODAY

Today we’re excited to share that 2017 Candlelight Processional Dinner Packages at Epcot® are now on sale! As a part of  Holidays Around the World at Epcot, the Candlelight Processional presents the traditional story of Christmas in truly spectacular fashion – with a celebrity narrator, a 50-piece orchestra and a mass choir.

Newcomers to the celebrity narrator spotlight this year include Daytime Television Legend Pat Sajak and TV star CCH Pounder, who was recently at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park for the Grand Opening of Pandora – The World of Avatar.

Returning favorites include television, film and stage superstar Neil Patrick Harris, country megastar Trace Adkins and Contemporary Christian music artist Jaci Velasquez.

Here are the narrators confirmed so far:*

  • Nov. 24- Dec. 3 – To Be Announced
  • Dec. 4-5 – Pat Sajak
  • Dec. 6-14 – To Be Announced
  • Dec. 15-17 – Trace Adkins
  • Dec. 18-21 – Neil Patrick Harris
  • Dec. 22-24 – CCH Pounder
  • Dec. 25-27 – Jaci Velasquez
  • Dec. 28-30 – To Be Announced

The processional is performed three times per night (5, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.) during the holiday season at the America Gardens Theatre. These packages, available on select nights, include a delicious meal and a guaranteed seat for one of the Candlelight Processional performances. Availability is limited.

As with last year, in addition to lunch and dinner packages, breakfast options are available at some favorite restaurants in and near Epcot again this year like Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and The Garden Grill. Breakfast, lunch and dinner options are also available this year at Captain’s Grille at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, with breakfast and dinner options being offered at Trattoria Al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk.

Candlelight Dining Packages for breakfast start at $35 plus tax per person for adults and $21 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9. Candlelight Dining Packages for lunch and dinner start at $44 plus tax per person for adults and $15.50 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9.

Holidays Around the World is an extravaganza of holiday entertainment, merchandise, food, beverages and festivities where guests can celebrate at Epcot throughout the holiday season. Time-honored traditions come alive through the sights and sounds of the countries of World Showcase, and live performances enliven the park throughout the day.

For more information or to book Candlelight Processional dining packages please call 407-WDW-DINE.

Holidays Around the World, including the Candlelight Processional, runs Nov. 24-Dec.30, 2017 at Epcot.

*Narrators and entertainment are subject to change without notice. Epcot admission is required and not included in the dining package price.

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Celebrating the Fourth of July Across the Walt Disney Resort

Are you visiting the Walt Disney World® Resort over the 4th of July? Be sure you don’t miss the special entertainment planned throughout our parks for Independence Day! Here’s a quick look:

  • Magic Kingdom® Park – “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” rockets into the air above – and all around – the park. This special, fireworks spectacular will be presented two nights in a row, at 9 p.m. on both July 3 and 4. Guests can also rock out each night to DJ dance parties in Tomorrowland and Frontierland, each a great location from which to catch the fireworks!
  • Epcot® – On July 4, guests can enjoy special evening concerts of great American songs by Voices of Liberty at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the America Gardens Theater. Throughout the day, they can also meet Mickey and the gang in patriotic attire outside The American Adventure, and at 9 p.m. that night “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” joins the celebration with the addition of a heart-pounding, all-American grand finale!
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios® – Guests can spend the Fourth celebrating some of the great icons of American popular culture at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with “The Music of Pixar LIVE! A Symphony of Characters” at 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m., the all-new “Disney Movie Magic” experience at 9 p.m. and “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” which takes to the skies at 9:30 p.m. with fireworks, lasers, projection effects and more!

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