Celebrate Dads On Father’s Day with 10 Fun Disney Faves for Fathers

Summer is here, which means it’s time to celebrate that special man: dearest Dad. At Walt Disney World Resort, Dads can be sure to enjoy days filled with magic and adventure. This nearly 40-square mile playground overflows with classic attractions, thrills, lively shows and fun for the entire family. Here’s some options to make dad feel like a king on Father’s Day and any day:

Travel to Pandora – The World of Avatar
Take Dad on a journey through Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s newest expansion: Pandora – The World of Avatar. After experiencing the attractions, Na’vi River Journey and Flight of Passage, head over to Windtraders, a themed retail offering in this mystical new land. There, Dad can create his personal Avatar at the ACE Avatar Maker experience. The guest is photographed and then a unique reveal will present the guest with their personalized avatar figure, which is roughly 12 inches tall. There are male, female and young child options to choose from along with accessory kits to customize their personal figure.

Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party
After a day exploring the parks, treat Dad to an epic show and dessert with Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This galactic party features a selection of specialty drinks and tasty sweets before the grand fireworks display begins. After tasty out-of-this-world desserts, enjoy the show in a special viewing area. Tickets can be purchased at DisneyWorld.com/dining. Park admission is not included.

Ride the Waves at Typhoon Lagoon
Dad can learn how to master the waves at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park with private surfing lessons. Instructors teach participants everything from standing on a surfboard to riding the waves in the park’s large wave pool. The 2.5 hour classes are small, with a maximum of 12 people per session to ensure the best experience. Participants must be age 8 or older to learn to ride the waves. Reservations can only be booked at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Private Surf site.

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MORE NEW DINING SPOTS FOR DISNEY SPRINGS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT

Five new dining concepts debut as early as Fall 2017, joining the stellar line-up of awarding-winning restaurants at Disney Springs® at Walt Disney World® Resort:

Opening in 2018 on the West Side is Jaleo, a concept by world-renowned Chef José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup. Bringing the spirit and flavors of Spain, Jaleo will feature an extensive menu of tapas that reflect the rich regional diversity of traditional and contemporary Spanish cuisine. Think paella cooked over a wood fire, hand-carved Jamon Iberico de Bellota and wood-grilled Iberico pork. With five locations in the United States and Mexico City, this will be the first location in Florida. The first floor of the multi-level restaurant will feature a “grab-n-go” storefront with Spanish-style sandwiches.

Also in 2018, a new Wolfgang Puck concept will open in a new location in Town Center. Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, will modernize the traditional “bar and grill” concept in a setting inspired by traditional farmhouses with a touch of elegance. The restaurant, designed by tonychi, will capture the essence of laid-back California dining made popular by Puck at Spago, his flagship restaurant in Los Angeles. The menu will highlight the best of Puck’s signature dishes with Mediterranean influences, innovative takes on comfort food classics and handcrafted specialty cocktails, beer and wine.

This fall, Chicago-based Levy Restaurants is introducing a new Italian concept at Disney Springs with James Beard award winner and “Top Chef Master” Chef Tony Mantuano leading development. The new restaurant will replace Levy’s Portobello Country Italian Trattoria and will feature dishes inspired by Mantuano’s adventures in Italy.

And pening later this year, The Edison, a lavish “Industrial Gothic” restaurant, bar and nighttime destination will debut. A collaboration of Patina Restaurant Group and Kinetescape’s Andrew Meieran, The Edison is noted for classic American food, craft cocktails and live entertainment including cabaret. (The Disney Springs location is inspired by its sister location in Los Angeles.) With Old World sophistication and romance, The Edison will be themed to a 1920s-era electric company, recalling an exuberant era of invention and imagination with entertainment that includes contortionists, aerialists, DJs and more.

Also opening in late 2017 is Wine Bar George, with Master Sommelier George Miliotes bringing his expertise to Disney Springs with an unparalleled wine list including more than 100 selections by the bottle and glass in a range of varietals, vintages and prices. Shareable plates, cheese and charcuterie will complement the wine list, featuring local artisans and seasonally relevant dishes. Wine education will be served up in an approachable and fun manner, including special events and visits from renowned winemakers. Miliotes is widely regarded as one of the industry’s foremost wine experts, and is one of only 236 professionals certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers.

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7 reasons you’ll want to see a fireworks show at Disney World at least once

Disney World isn’t all rides and never-ending lines (get a FastPass+, people!). The park is also known around the world for its fireworks and animatronics shows.

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Lines Snaked Through Entire Park for Disney’s Guardians of the Galaxy Ride Debut

Looks like the hype was real. Disney’s ride for Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy—Mission: Breakout! opened at Disney’s California Adventure on Saturday… and the effects could literally be felt everywhere in the park.

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Walt Disney Parks and Resorts to Give up to $1 Million to Protect and Restore Wildlife Habitats

To celebrate the grand opening of Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and the Disney Conservation Fund today announced Connect to Protect, a commitment of up to $1 million to help protect and restore habitats critical to 10 at-risk animals. The contribution will be unlocked by guests who participate in conservation ‘missions’ while exploring the immersive land of Pandora and for the first time ever, guests will get to choose which animal that donation will support.

“Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is thrilled to open Pandora – the World of Avatar, and to celebrate this milestone, we’re asking our Guests to help us protect the environment,” said Bob Chapek, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.  “Their participation will unlock up to $1 million in contributions to protect and restore the habitats of 10 at-risk animals.” 

Walt Disney World Resort President George A. Kalogridis made the announcement Thursday morning during a press event to officially launch Pandora and preview other offerings throughout the Resort.

“Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Pandora – the World of Avatar both demonstrate that every animal, endangered or otherwise, requires a healthy habitat to thrive,” said Kalogridis. “Through Connect to Protect, our guests will join us in helping protect the habitats critical to 10 animals here on Earth and share in our commitment to nature.”

Visitors to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Pandora will be invited to take part in numerous conservation-themed ‘missions’ via Facebook Messenger, facilitated by one of the moon’s digital ecological specialists, Fitsimti “Fits” Buckley.

By completing one or more missions, each guest will unlock a $10 contribution to be made through the Disney Conservation Fund, or a $5 contribution just for discussing conservation with Fitsimti. Those guests will then get to choose how the contribution (of up to $100,000 per animal) will help protect or restore habitats important to one of 10 threatened categories of animals: apes, elephants, butterflies, coral reefs, cranes, monkeys, rhinos, sea turtles, sharks/rays, and tigers.

Guests will also be able to learn more about each animal the Disney Conservation Fund supports, the habitat conservation programs the contributions will support, and the nonprofit organizations they are working with to reverse the decline of the 10 animals.

In 2016, the Disney Conservation Fund announced a new initiative called “Reverse the Decline, Increase the Time,” aimed at reversing the decline of at-risk wildlife through scientific research, community collaboration, and increasing the time kids spend in nature to inspire them to care for the planet.  The Fund is supporting leading nonprofit organizations that are working to protect threatened wildlife and inspire a lifelong love for nature in young people. In addition to funding, the initiative is also providing opportunities for Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment team to apply the expertise and talents of its cast members and employees to help threatened animals.

The Reverse the Decline organizations supported by the Disney Conservation Fund that will receive the contributions from the Connect to Protect program are:

  • International Crane Foundation (Cranes)
  • International Rhino Foundation (Rhinos)
  • Save the Golden Lion Tamarin and Wildlife Conservation Network/Proyecto Tití (Monkeys)
  • Perry Institute for Marine Science (Coral Reefs)
  • The Jane Goodall Institute (Apes)
  • University of Florida Foundation (Sea Turtles and Butterflies)
  • Wildlife Conservation Society (Elephants, Sharks/Rays, and Tigers)

“The Disney Conservation Fund has been core to the history and values of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and we are excited to continue to engage our guests in our shared commitment to wildlife, people and the planet with Connect to Protect,” said Kevin Callahan, vice president, Corporate Citizenship, The Walt Disney Company. “The experiences our guests will have in Pandora, will not only continue to inspire families to connect with nature, but also give all those who visit the opportunity to protect some special habitats and species here on Earth.”

Pandora – The World of Avatar opens this week at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. Based on Oscar-winning filmmaker James Cameron’s record-breaking box-office hit, AVATAR, the new land immerses guests in a mystical world of massive floating mountains, bioluminescent rainforests and breathtaking new experiences. The largest addition in the history of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Pandora carries on the park’s tradition of celebrating the intrinsic value of nature, transformation through adventure and a personal call to action.

 

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Disney World’s New Pandora Park Has All the Booze and It Is Out of This World

Party on Pandora!

This week Walt Disney World opened its new theme park expansion, Pandora – The World of Avatar, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. And among the eye-popping surprises and gravity-defying floating mountains is a truly unexpected treat: custom beer, wine and cocktail creations for adult visitors seeking an interstellar kick. (Parents of the universe, take note.)

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Disney’s World of Avatar: What It’s Like to Spend a Day on Pandora

f you’ve passed through the gates of Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Park, you’re familiar with the signposts pointing toward exotic locales like Africa and Asia. Enter the Florida park now, though, and you’ll notice those signs have added a new directional arrow, one leading to the fictional land of Pandora.

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Quote Sheet: Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! and Summer of Heroes

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

Bob Chapek, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts:

  • “Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! brings an all-new epic adventure to the Disneyland Resort, and it’s the only Disney park in the universe where guests can step into a Guardians of the Galaxy story.  Like the smash-hit films that inspired it, this new attraction is action-packed, full of irreverent humor, and features an ‘awesome mix tape.’ It’s a fantastic way for guests to experience the Super Hero universe like never before.”

Disneyland Resort

Michael Colglazier, President,  Disneyland Resort:

  • “The Disneyland Resort continues to bring favorite stories to life in incredible way.  Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! captures all of excitement, humor and adventure that our guests have come to expect from this heroic and irreverent franchise.”

Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!

Joe Rohde, Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering:

  • “What I love about Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is that it’s just so funny.  The whole Super Hero thing can become so serious with action and conflict, and this is lively, fun, joyful and irreverently funny, which I think will really surprise people. And once guests take a seat and we close the doors, it blasts off like a rocket ship. It’s zooming up and down, the music is rockin’, the doors keep opening and all this stuff is loose – all kinds of chaos — until Rocket gets the power back on. You’re in for some real, high-energy fun.”

Estefania Harbuck, Creative Producer, Walt Disney Imagineering:

  • “Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! has six different shows, each one set to a different pop song and each one with a different mix of media scenes.  These shows will play randomly so guests won’t know what they’re going to get until they get on the ride and hear the song start.”
  • “Even if you have never read a comic book or seen a ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ film, you are going to have a really good time on Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! It was very important to us that every guest could walk in the door and enjoy the story of the attraction, and the awesome soundtrack, even if they are not familiar with these  characters.”
  • “The cast of the film has been a huge, huge help with bringing this attraction to life. We were able to let them ride and we made changes based on their feedback. That made the attraction even better, more authentic and just more awesome.”  (Film cast Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana and Dave Bautista provided notes.)

Danny Handke, Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering:

  • “You’re immediately going to be awed when you see the Fortress of Collector.  The It’s weird, it’s bold, grandiose and it’s arrogant, just like the character.”
  • “Bringing The Collector’s Fortress to the edge of Disney California Adventure was a way to welcome Terrans [people of Earth], inviting them to take his VIP tour and see the Guardians of the Galaxy on display.  You might notice an alien language throughout the facility, and there are mysterious elements to decipher that give you clues of other reasons why The Collector has landed here.”

John Dennis, Executive Creative Director of Music, Walt Disney Imagineering:

  • “Music is an integral part of the films and it gave us a strong framework for Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, so we wanted it to be an integral part of this attraction.  As you get off the ride, you’re going to hear some of those greatest hits moments from the film soundtracks, but you’re also going to hear some of the creatures that have been set loose and are running through the building.”

Kevin Feige, President, Marvel Studios:

  • “It’s exciting to partner with Walt Disney Imagineering and bring the Guardians of the Galaxy characters to this new, immersive form of storytelling.  We are giving guests at Disney California Adventure a whole new way to experience the offbeat personalities of these characters, and that has been a lot of fun for us.”

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VIDEO: PANDORA – THE WORLD OF AVATAR DEDICATION HIGHLIGHTS

On May 27, 2017, guests can visit Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park and explore a new world of rainforests pulsing light and experience breathtaking flights soaring above an alien moon on the backs of winged banshees.

Yesterday Walt Disney World® Resort hosted a special dedication ceremony for Pandora – The World of Avatar to celebrate this new spectacular world.

At the ceremony, held under the magnificent floating mountains of Pandora – The World of Avatar, drummers performed traditional Pandoran rhythms and colorfully-dressed performers led a procession full of pageantry and artful banners to celebrate the occasion. Take a look!

 

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NEW MAGICBAND 2 DESIGNS EXCLUSIVELY FOR PANDORA – THE WORLD OF AVATAR

Today we have a first peek at the new graphic MagicBands coming exclusively to this spectacular world at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. These MagicBands unite out-of-this-world Avatar designs with the innovation of MagicBand 2.

The purple limited-edition graphic band with scenes from nighttime in Pandora features the artwork of Dylan Cole, co-production designer for the upcoming “Avatar” motion picture sequels. The band retails for $32.99 and will debut at the official opening of the new land.

And for Avatar fans looking to coordinate their MagicBand with other cool Na’vi merchandise, check out the blue graphic band representing the Na’vi pattern. This band retails for $22.99 and will make any Avatar feel like a Na’vi.

For Annual Passholders, we are also thrilled to feature the first-ever Passholder exclusive limited edition teal graphic band featuring the phrase “I traveled to Pandora on May 27, 2017.” This band, available opening day, retails at $32.99.

The MagicBand continues to delight Guests as it unlocks the magic of a Disney vacation – from effortless theme-park entry, FastPass+ redemption and Disney PhotoPass association, to skipping the front desk and going directly to your resort room.

These new bands will be sold in Windtraders on Pandora – The World of Avatar.

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