WDW Daily News

Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd Headline a “Back to the Future” Reunion; Sam Raimi, Giancarlo Esposito, Christina Ricci Among Highlights August 10 – 13

Chicago, Illinois (May 11, 2023) – Chicago’s longest-running comic and pop culture convention, FAN EXPO Chicago today announced highlights of this year’s event running August 10 – 13, 2023 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. The four-day expo will see celebrity superstars, comic and graphic novel artists, gamers, and epic cosplayers gather for an unforgettable celebration of all things pop culture and fandom. 

FAN EXPO Chicago will see a time-tripping “Back to the Future” cast reunion featuring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, and Tom Wilson; and joining in the celebration of all things pop culture are superstar celebrities including legendary director Sam Raimi (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, The Evil Dead); Giancarlo Esposito (The Mandalorian, Breaking Bad); Christina Ricci (Wednesday, The Addams Family); Henry Winkler (Arrested Development, Scream, Happy Days); and Katee Sackhoff (The Mandalorian, Battlestar Galactica). 

Continuing its 51-year tradition of supporting the work of some of the most talented comic artists in the industry, FAN EXPO Chicago welcomes legendary comic artist and FAN EXPO exclusive Frank Miller (Sin City, Batman: Year One, subject of the film Frank Miller: An American Genius); Jae Lee (Seven Sons); Alan Quah (Gears of War); and Björn Barends (Spawn); along with more than 30 more artists at the cutting edge of their industry in the show’s hallmark Artist Alley. 

“For 51 years running, Chicago fans have built an incredible community,” said Andrew Moyes, Vice President of FAN EXPO HQ. “Everyone is a fan of something, and FAN EXPO Chicago is a fantastic opportunity to discover and celebrate fandoms, cultivating a sense of belonging which is especially important today.”

FAN EXPO Chicago runs August 10 – 13, 2023 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. Show hours are Thursday 4 – 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tickets start at $22 during the advanced pricing window until July 26, 2023, and begin at $27 from July 27 through the end of the show; 4-day passes and VIP packages also available at https://fanexpohq.com/fanexpochicago/buy-tickets/. More information and updates can be found at https://fanexpohq.com/fanexpochicago/. 

There’s no better way to spend quality time with family and friends than a trip to Walt Disney World Resort!

This summer, Guests won’t want to miss our special new seasonal ticket offers, which will help make their next Walt Disney World vacation extra magical. From experiencing the rush of the new TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise at Magic Kingdom Park and delighting in the spectacle of Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, to setting out on a thrilling whitewater adventure on Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and putting their very own concept car through its paces on Test Track presented by Chevrolet, it’s the perfect time take advantage of special offers.

4-Park Magic Ticket

Beginning May 23, 2023, Guests can purchase the 4-day, 4-Park Magic Ticket for $99 per day plus tax ($396 total plus tax), which includes one day of admission to each of the four theme parks (for a total of 4 admissions, on 4 separate days)*. No theme park reservations are needed.

Florida Resident Disney Summer Magic Ticket

Beginning May 16, 2023, Florida residents can purchase the Disney Summer Magic Ticket, which offers value and flexibility for their next adventure to Walt Disney World theme parks. Choose from a 4-day ticket for $58 per day plus tax ($229 total plus tax) or a 3-day ticket for $70 per day plus tax ($209 total plus tax)**.  With this ticket, advance theme park reservations are required and are subject to availability.

Incredible thrills await this summer at Walt Disney World!

*Ticket is valid for admission June 1, 2023 through September 29, 2023 (subject to blockout dates from July 1 to July 4 and September 1 to September 4, 2023). Ticket must be used within 7 days of first use or by September 29, 2023, whichever comes first. Ticket excludes activities/events separately priced.

If you are interested in purchasing tickets or in a resort stay please feel free to contact any agent at Wish Upon a Star With Us and they can help you plan your next magical Disney vacation.

The Eat to the Beat Concert Series presented by Florida Blue Medicare is bringing the heat to the 2023 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE starting July 27. Here is a first look at the lineup of artists bringing sizzling sounds to the America Gardens Theatre!

Fan-favorites like Sheila E. and Hanson are ready to serve up hits once again while festival newcomers Orianthi, Phillip Phillips, The Bacon Brothers, We The Kings and more bring new flavor to this year’s menu of talent. Speaking of talent, local bands will take the stage Tuesday-Thursday so guests can enjoy delicious eats and fun beats all week long! View the full list of announced artists below and keep checking back at TasteEPCOT.com as more acts are revealed!

• July 28-29 – Orianthi (NEW)
• July 30-31 – For King & Country (NEW)
• 4-5 – Southern Avenue
• 6-7 – Tiffany
• 11-12 – Ruben Studdard with Haley Reinhart
• 13-14 – The Bacon Brothers (NEW)
• 18-21 – Joey Fatone & Friends
• 25-26 – Ayron Jones (NEW)
• 27-28 – Phillip Phillips (NEW)
• 1-2 – Baha Men
• 3-4 – MercyMe
• 8-9 – Ray Parker Jr.
• 10-11 – Tobymac
• 15 – Celebrity Latin Talent
• 16 – Celebrity Latin Talent
• 17-18 – Raul Acosta and Oro Solido (NEW)
• 22-23 – Los Amigos Invisibles
• 24-25 – 98 °
• 29 – Oct. 2 – Boyz II Men
• 6-7 – Mark Wills
• 8-9 – Sugar Ray
• 13-14 – Hoobastank
• 15-16 – Air Supply
• 20-21 – Taylor Dayne
• 22-23 – Billy Ocean
• 27-30 – Hanson
• 3-4 – We The Kings (NEW)
• 5-6 – Sheila E.
• 10-11 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
• 12-13 – 38 Special

Beginning July 6, guests can secure their spot for these performances with an Eat to the Beat Dining Package. guests can find out more by visiting TasteEPCOT.com. 

To experience the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, guests must have both valid admission and a park reservation for EPCOT on the same date.

For those planning to stay at a Disney Resort hotel, they will continue to offer the popular early theme park entry for visits through 2024. This great benefit gives Guests a jump start on their day. For those staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villas, they’ll also be continuing to offer extended evening hours on select dates at select parks through 2024. Early theme park entry and extended evening hours require valid theme park admission and a Resort ID.

Time to eat! Disney dining plans will be coming back as an option for those staying at Disney Resort hotels who purchase a vacation package starting with stays beginning Jan. 9, 2024, which will also open for bookings on May 31. Guests – and families in particular – have missed dining plans, which are pre-paid and offer added convenience and peace of mind. Guests will be able to choose from two popular options: Packages that include either the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan or the Disney Dining Plan – both will be a great value for families with young children with access to many spectacular food and beverage offerings across Walt Disney World. 

From Disney:

Today we’re thrilled to share some more exciting news just in time for the launch of 2024 bookings for theme park tickets, Disney Resort hotel stays and packages at Walt Disney World on May 31. These updates will make planning a Walt Disney World visit easier, so guests can simply enjoy all we have to offer and make more memories:

Removing theme park reservation requirements for date-based tickets

Starting with park visits on Jan. 9, 2024, theme park reservations will no longer be required for date-based tickets. You heard that right! When getting a ticket, simply select a start date for Jan. 9, 2024 or later, complete the purchase and you will be all set! For reference, date-based tickets are the standard ticket option we offer to guests. For other admission types, including non-dated tickets, theme park reservations may be required to help us continue managing attendance and delivering a great experience for everyone. Guests can check which admission types require park reservations by visiting DisneyWorld.com/ThemeParkReservations.    

Introducing ‘good-to-go days’ for Annual Passholders

In 2024, we plan to offer select days on which our Annual Passholders* may visit Walt Disney World theme parks without needing a park reservation. Once introduced, we will roll out these “good-to-go” days on an ongoing basis. This will be in addition to the recent update which offers Passholders the opportunity to visit the theme parks after 2 p.m. without needing a park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom Park. “Good-to-go” days may vary by park, and pass block out dates and capacity limitations continue to apply like they do today. Please stay tuned for more details on “good-to-go” days

Happy (almost) Mother’s Day foodies! We are strong believers that the best way to celebrate the ones we love is with food, and this year, the Disney chefs and mixologists have put together ample ways to honor our loved ones on May 14.

Whether guests are enjoying their time with their mothers, aunts, grandmothers, caregivers, mother figures, or any special person in their life, Disney Parks has something for them to indulge in. From new delights like the refreshingly delicious Mother’s Day Flowers DOLE Whip Float at Pineapple Lanai or the adorable Mother’s Day Donut at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe, to returning favorites like the Mother’s Day Cupcake at Roaring Fork, guests tastebuds’ will be as excited as they are this holiday.

In addition to the tasty treats coming, over at Disneyland Resort there are several brunch options and dining packages for guests to feast on until their heart’s desire, like the Mother’s Day Brunch at both Storyteller’s Café and Goofy’s Kitchen.

Gather the special ones in your life and let’s get to the mouthwatering Mother’s Day bites in this year’s Foodie Guide!

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Saber the moment: It’s almost May the 4^th!

And just in time, Disney PhotoPass Service is launching numerous photo opportunities in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! We know some guests are off world and can’t travel at lightspeed to Batuu by tomorrow, so these experiences will continue to be available after the celebration ends. Check them out below.

New Holopuck Magic Shots

Located deep in the Outer Rim near Wild Space, the remote planet of Batuu has become a thriving destination for scoundrels and smugglers, luring bounty hunters from across the galaxy. If guests have come to track down their next bounty, select Image Scanners (known on our planet as Disney PhotoPass photographers) can offer a holopuck that will reveal the details of their next target.

BB-8 Magic Shot

This is the droid you’re looking for. Given the whispers about sightings of individuals associated with the Resistance around Black Spire Outpost, it’s no surprise that guests can spot this loveable and loyal astromech in their image.

Darksaber

Created more than a thousand years ago by Tarre Vizsla (the first Mandalorian to become a Jedi Knight), the Darksaber is an ancient weapon with a long and legendary history. It has been wielded by many beings over the years. Starting tomorrow, this blade can be found across from Oga’s Cantina after dark. Just remember the wise words Kanan Jarrus once shared about this lightsaber: “That sword is old, heavy, but powerful. Respect its strength.”

BD-1 Magic Shot

Never underestimate droids, especially those that beep in the face of danger. Be sure guests capture a scan with this droid companion before setting out on their next adventure.

While on planet, guests may never know what other adventures they might document with the help of Disney PhotoPass Service. A great way for guests to capture a variety of content is to ask each Image Scanner they encounter what special scans they can offer.

May the 4^th be with you, always.

*With the purchase of Disney Genie+ service, Walt Disney World guests can access many Disney PhotoPass Lenses in the My Disney Experience app as soon as they enter the park. Annual Passholders can access many Disney PhotoPass Lenses in the My Disney Experience app starting on the later of March 20, 2023, or the first use of their Annual Pass. Select Disney PhotoPass Lenses are accessible only within designated areas of Walt Disney World Resort. Other Disney PhotoPass Lenses will remain accessible in the My Disney Experience app until 5:59 a.m. on the 45th day after the day on which the Disney Genie+ service was used or, for Annual Passholders, until the expiration or cancellation of the Annual Pass. Certain states and localities are excluded. Annual Passholder offerings are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Many Disney PhotoPass Lenses use technology that detects the coordinates of key points on a guest’s face and/or hands and may be used only by guests 18 years of age and older who have consented to use of this technology. Therefore, guests unable to provide such consent, as well as guests under 18 years of age, will have fewer lenses available to use. To access Disney PhotoPass Lenses, an eligible mobile device with the My Disney Experience app with access to the device’s camera and location is required. Use of Disney PhotoPass Lenses is subject to the Terms and Conditions. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.

Guests may now complete their online check-in according to their Castaway Club membership level. The following are the new online check-in windows:

• Pearl and Concierge – 40 Days prior to sailing
• Platinum – 38 Days prior to sailing
• Gold – 35 Days prior to sailing
• Silver – 33 Days prior to sailing
• All Guests – 30 Days prior to sailing

Exciting eats are coming from a galaxy far, far away! As May the 4^th draws near, the best treats in the galaxy are landing at Disney Parks with Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort joining in on adventures guests will have to taste to believe.

With can’t-miss novelties like the Acid Spitter Orb Sipper at Disneyland Resort, Star Wars staples like the Lightsaber Churro at Walt Disney World Resort, guests will be ready to conquer all of their out-of-this-world missions!

Beyond May the 4^th, Disneyland Resort also celebrates Black Spire Day in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! The space celebrations are truly endless.

It’s time we jump to lightspeed and explore the May the 4^th Foodie Guide. Let’s go!

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