Depending on what you choose to believe, reports of reshoots on Rogue One: A Star Wars Story either reflect a natural part of the tonal-shifting filmmaking process or signs that the production is in trouble and trying to navigate a mid-course correction. When it comes to Star Wars: Episode VIII, the next installment of the series proper, however, there seems to be no such drama.
Curtain Call! A New After-Dark Experience Treats Epcot Guests to One More Bite of Fun
The magic doesn’t end once the sun sets during the 21st Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. A new after-dark experience gives guests one more taste of World Showcase excitement like never before.
After a day of blooms and bulbs, the IllumiNations Sparkling Dessert Party bursts with color in the sky, and bubbles in the glass. Guests can sample decadent desserts from around the world, paired with the perfect international sparkling wines in an intimate and exclusive environment – all while watching Epcot’s nightly fireworks spectacular, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Reservations begin March 12. The first IllumiNations Sparkling Dessert Party is March 15.
Here are details:
IllumiNations Sparkling Dessert Party
Dates: Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Time: 7:45 p.m. to 9:20 p.m.
Location: Showcase Plaza
Prices (including tax and gratuity): Adults $49, Children $29
Menu (subject to change):
• Italy: Tiramisu
• France: Vanilla Pot de Crème
• United Kingdom: Shortbread Cookies
• Morocco: Traditional Baklava
• American Adventure: Sugar Dusted Cronis with Strawberry Sauce and Whipped Cream
• Disney Parks ice cream novelties
• Lemonade, coffee, teas
• Sparkling wine from Washington State and Prosecco from Italy
How to Book: Guests can call 407-WDW-PLAY
For more information: Disneyworld.com/spring
SOUNDS LIKE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES RETURNS TO EPCOT
This summer at Walt Disney World® Resort, your Clients can rock out to sizzling tunes as the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series returns to Epcot®
Here’s a look at this year’s lineup (entertainment and times are subject to change):
- June 5-11, 2016: Don’t Look Back – A Tribute to Boston
- June 12-18: Hotel California – A Salute to the Eagles
- June 19-24: Rumours – A Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band
- June 25-July 1: Simply Tina – A Tribute to Tina Turner
- July 2-9: Stayin’ Alive – A Tribute to the Bee Gees
- July 10-16: Bruce in the USA – A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen
- July 17-23: DSB – A Tribute to Journey
Showtimes are at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. and concerts are included with regular Epcot admission.
Nikon, Walt Disney World Resort Collaborate To Help Guests Create Picture-Perfect Memories
Recognizing the millions of magical memories made and captured at Walt Disney World Resort every year, Nikon Inc. and Disney have collaborated to offer park guests a guide to capturing precious moments in amazing quality. Located in the “Learn & Explore” area of NikonUSA.com, Nikon’s new “Unforgettable Memories” page is a resource for guests and their loved ones to document their adventures at Walt Disney World Resort and preserve their memories for generations to come.
On the “Unforgettable Memories” page, Nikon, the Official Walt Disney World Camera and the Official Disneyland Camera, lends its expertise in the world of imaging to offer highlights of “must-have” shots at a variety of locations throughout the resort, alongside practical photography tips that will allow guests to capture the people and things they love with confidence. Also included are real-world how-to videos curated by Nikon Ambassadors, an elite group of influential visual artists and leaders in modern photography, that will help even novice photographers get the most out of their vacation photos.
“A Walt Disney World vacation is a magical experience for visitors from around the world and Nikon remains as committed as ever to giving them the tools to capture and share the love and happiness of the vacation in the quality they deserve,” saidMasahiro Horie, Director of Marketing and Planning, Nikon Inc. “Building upon our alliance with Walt Disney World Resort, the ‘Unforgettable Memories’ page serves as a one-stop destination for helping families preserve precious moments that can last a lifetime.”
The site showcases the most iconic locations to document one’s journey throughout Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Visitors can also access a complimentary photography checklist, curated by Nikon, to take with them on their next Walt Disney World Resort vacation.
In 2013, Nikon Inc., Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort announced a multi-year strategic alliance, bringing together a global leader in imaging and the world’s leading family vacation destinations. Through the relationship, Nikon was named the “Official Walt Disney World Camera” and the “Official Disneyland Camera” and the brand has become fully integrated in the parks through Nikon-branded Picture Spots and Disney PhotoPass Service, where Disney PhotoPass Photographers are exclusively equipped with Nikon cameras and accessories. Disney Fine Art Photographers at Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons, as well as Adventure Guides with Adventures by Disney, are also exclusively outfitted with Nikon cameras.
For full details on how to help capture “Unforgettable Memories” at Walt Disney World Resort, please visit:www.nikonusa.com/disneyparks
More Than 27,000 Athletes Set to Compete in World’s Largest Volleyball Event in Central Florida This Month
More than 27,000 athletes from across the country, including thousands of Orlando-area athletes, are expected to bump, set and spike during the 43rd annual AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships in Central Florida beginning June 18.
The eight-day event has held the title of largest volleyball event in the world since 2012 when the 16U Club division set the current Guinness Book of World Records mark. It attracts approximately 40,000 spectators, 9,000 coaches and 400 college coaches and takes place on 177 courts between ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort and Orange County Convention Center.
“The AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships is the pinnacle event for AAU Volleyball athletes,” said Dr. Roger J. Goudy, President/CEO of the AAU. “The relationships we have built throughout Central Florida help make this a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all our athletes and their families.”
The marquee annual event for the fastest-growing sport in the AAU, the AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships features 31 divisions of competition, including an international division with teams from Brazil, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Slovenia.
The AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championship has more than doubled in the last five years, increasing from approximately 1,000 teams in 2011 to more than 2,300 teams in this year’s event. Still growing, the economic impact to Central Florida is expected to be over $52 million per year with participants and their families visiting local hotels, shops, restaurants and other Central Florida businesses.
“We are excited to welcome the AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships to Orlando,” said Visit Orlando President and CEO George Aguel. “More than 75,000 athletes, spectators and coaches will experience our wide variety of hotels, local attractions and award-winning dining that make us a top host city for sporting events.”
Select championship games will air live on WatchESPN and the WatchESPN application from ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which has become the worldwide leader in ESPN3 content production. Additional games will be streamed live on Sports Network Live.
For scores and info during the AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships, visit www.aauvolleyball.org. You can also follow the event on Twitter at @AAUVolleyball, #AAUVBNatls and on www.facebook.com/realaauvolleyball.
Media interested in covering this event should contact Cody Norman, AAU Public Relations Manager at cnorman@aausports.org.
FIRST LOOK: Disney Pixar’s super cute new short Piper
DISNEY Pixar has released the first stills from its new short Piper, which will screen in cinemas before Finding Dory this summer.
RESERVATIONS NOW OPEN FOR NEW DINING PACKAGE AT TONY’S TOWN SQUARE RESTAURANT AT MAGIC KINGDOM PARK
When guests visit Walt Disney World® Resort, they can enjoy the Main Street Electrical Parade at Magic Kingdom® Park in a whole new way.
Reservations are now available for the new Main Street Electrical Dining Package at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, which includes reserved viewing for the popular nighttime parade.
During the meal, they’ll receive a voucher for their reserved viewing of the Main Street Electrical Parade.
The cost is $45 for adults, $17 for children plus tax and gratuity. It is one table-service entitlement on the Disney Dining Plan. Book by calling 407-WDW-DINE or visiting Disneyworld.com/dine.
Disney plans to add luxury hotel at Disneyland Resort
To take advantage of the city’s new policy giving tax incentives to build luxury hotels, Disneyland officials submitted plans Tuesday to add a fourth Disney-themed hotel at the resort.
GOLF GETAWAY PACKAGES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT
With summer in full swing, it’s the perfect time for our Clients to take advantage of Golf Getaway Packages at Walt Disney World® Resort.
As with other Walt Disney Travel Company packages, these golf packages are eligible for commission (excluding any pro shop credits). In addition, add-on options are available (air, transfers, car rental, insurance, in-room gifting, etc). Extra rounds of golf, alternate resort selections, and longer lengths of stay may be accommodated (pending availability).
Contact Travel Agents, Scott and Becky Donahue, of Wish Upon a Star With Us to plan and book your vacation. or this package.
10 Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Your Disney Vacation
You packed your day-bag and you’re ready to head out to the park, but have you forgotten anything? Did you check the transportation schedule? Did you bring enough money? Did you make your dining reservations?
