Month: May 2015

Looks Like End of Game for Tron 3

Tron-3

Tron 3 won’t be coming to a theater near you.

Disney has chosen not to move forward with a third installment in the sci-fi series, sources say. While sources say the project was never officially greenlit, earlier this year it seemed that things were moving ahead with Tron:Legacy helmer Joseph Kosinski returning to direct and stars Olivia Wilde and Garrett Hedlund reprising their roles.

Prep had been started on the third film, and production was looking to shoot this fall, likely in Vancouver, British Columbia. Disney had been interested in adding Jared Leto to the cast, but an offer and negotiations had never commenced.

Disney has been developing a sequel to Tron:Legacy since the movie, made for $170 million, grossed $400 million worldwide. Legacy was the sequel to the 1982 sci-fi film that took place inside a computer world known as the Grid and starred Jeff Bridges and Bruce Boxleitner. The film drew a big cult following and became a notable influence on filmmakers and pop culture.

Decades later, Disney revisited the world with Legacy. The story revealed that the computer-programmer character played by Bridges had a son (Hedlund) who jumped into the Grid to find his father. Wilde was Quorra, an algorithm-made-flesh who also happened to kick butt.

Disney has had strong success with its live-action properties recently, including Maleficent and this year’s Cinderella, which earned $527.4 million worldwide. But it recently had a stumble with the $180 million live-action film Tomorrowland, which underperformed at the box office this past weekend with a $33 million U.S. debut.

Disney’s live-action tentpole calendar is pretty full for the next few years, with live-action versions of many of its animated classics in the works including The Jungle Book, Alice: Through the Looking Glass and Beauty and the Beast.

From The Hollywood Reporter

Blizzard Beach Closes Two Main Water Slides due to Water Leak

Blizzard Beach

Blizzard Beach has closed two of the water park’s main attractions because of a water main leak.

The water slides Summit Plummet and Slush Gusher on Mount Gushmore are now closed until further notice as repairs are made. The rest of the park is currently operating as normal.

Disney will be providing transportation to Typhoon Lagoon for those guests who wish to use that park’s water slides.

Full Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule Announced

Epcot International Food & Wine

Have you been waiting to see the Eat to the Beat concert series line-up before you plan your trip to this year’s Epcot International Food and Wine Festival? Then today is the day you’ve been waiting for.

Disney has just released the Eat to the Beat performer line-up. Appearing for the first time at the Food and Wine Festival is Tiffany, Chaka Kahn, The S.O.S. Band, Everclear and Maxi Priest.

Here’s the full list. Hope your favorite is on there!

  • David Cook – September 25-27, 2015
  • Wilson Phillips – September 28-29, 2015
  • Christopher Cross – September 30-October 1, 2015
  • Starship – October 2-4, 2015
  • Smash Mouth – October 5-7, 2015
  • The Pointer Sisters – October 8-9, 2015
  • 38 Special – October 10-11, 2015
  • Rick Springfield – October 12-13, 2015
  • Sugar Ray – October 14-16, 2015
  • The S.O.S. Band – October 17-18, 2015
  • Air Supply – October 19-21, 2015
  • Fuel – October 22-23, 2015
  • Tiffany (NEW!) – October 24-25, 2015
  • Dennis DeYoung – October 26-28, 2015
  • Jo Dee Messina – October 29-30, 2015
  • Everclear (NEW!) – October 31-November 1, 2015
  • Boyz II Men – November 2-4, 2015
  • Sister Hazel – November 5-6, 2015
  • Big Bad Voodoo Daddy – November 7-9, 2015
  • Hanson – November 10-12, 2015
  • Maxi Priest (NEW!) – November 13-14, 2015
  • Chaka Khan (NEW!) – November 15-16, 2015

Please note: Daily show times take place at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. Entertainment and appearances are subject to change without notice.  These concerts are free with Epcot admission!

New ‘Finding Nemo’ Themed Attraction Coming to Tokyo DisneySea

Finding Nemo - Tokyo Disney Sea

Oriental Land Company has announced that a new attraction themed to the world of the Disney•Pixar film “Finding Nemo” and its upcoming sequel “Finding Dory” (to be released in 2016) will open in Port Discovery at Tokyo DisneySea Park in spring 2017.

Guests will board a submarine that “shrinks” to the size of a fish and uses a ride system that seamlessly blends visuals from the films with a motion system. In this immersive underwater experience, guests will be able to explore the vast ocean from the same point of view as Nemo and Dory and meet different characters and make new discoveries each time they ride.

The development of this attraction is only possible because of the collaboration between Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Oriental Land Company. The teams have worked together to create new, popular attractions and entertainment at Tokyo Disney Resort and make the resort one of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations. We are also pleased that the teams will continue this collaboration as they work with the production staff of “Finding Dory” who will help create the visual images for this attraction.

Orange Bird Returns to the Sunshine Tree Terrace on May 29th

Orange Bird

Walt Disney World has announced that the Orange Bird is returning to the Sunshine Tree Terrace in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom starting May 29.

You may recall that Aloha Isle Refreshments and Sunshine Tree Terrace swapped menus and locations. Starting Friday, guests will again find the Orange Bird figurine that was reintroduced to Adventureland in 2012. He is also being added to the marquee for the location. Finally, Orange Bird will be prominently featured in a new attraction poster found at Magic Kingdom Park.

To celebrate, we are offering the poster as an adult and youth T-shirt on our Disney Parks online store from May 29 to June 4. An Art on Demand canvas wrap and print will also be available online. Please allow 3-5 weeks for delivery.

You can order these items by visiting DisneyStore.com/ParkEvents.

Reedy Creek Improvement District and Duke Energy Sign Agreement to Build Solar Facility to Provide Power to Walt Disney World

Solar Panels

Duke Energy Florida signed an agreement with Disney to operate a 5-megawatt solar facility that will serve the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which provides the Walt Disney World Resort area with much of its power.

The Reedy Creek Improvement District board of supervisors voted to accept a 15-year power-purchase agreement with Duke Energy Florida Solar Solutions LLC, a subsidiary of Duke Energy Florida, to purchase solar energy from the facility.

Once constructed, all of the energy from the facility will be sold to the district to meet its energy needs.

“Our new solar facility agreement is another example of how we’re always looking at innovative ways to conserve our natural resources,” said Bill Warren, administrator for Reedy Creek Improvement District, which provides governmental services, including utility systems. “The use of solar energy builds on our commitment to protect the environment and is another step toward realizing our long-term sustainability goals.”

The facility will occupy about 20 acres near World Drive and Epcot Center Drive at Walt Disney World Resort.

Construction is expected to begin mid-summer, with the facility to be in service by year end.

The facility’s 48,000 solar panels will be arranged in the shape of a Disney-inspired design.

20th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Celebrates Two Delicious Decades

Epcot International Food & Wine

A global culinary journey celebrating 20 delicious years of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will tantalize taste buds from Sept. 25-Nov. 16, at Walt Disney World Resort. The 2015 festival, presented by Chase, will welcome celebrity chefs, debut new marketplace tastes from around the world and celebrate guests’ favorite dining traditions.

Disney chefs and festival programmers are whipping up a feast of surprises to celebrate the 20th annual event in style. New wine tastings, rockin’ parties and culinary experiences built around the 20-year milestone will bring together loyal festival fans and first-timers. As part of the celebration, Chef Remy of the Disney animated film “Ratatouille” will invite guests to join a culinary scavenger hunt.

Growing in scope each year since 1996 and lauded by the Travel Channel as one of America’s top food festivals, the 53-day Epcot event features inspired bites and sips from around the world at more than 25 outdoor marketplaces, nightly Eat to the Beat concerts of many musical genres, signature dinners and featured tasting events.

This fall, the 20th festival will debut dishes like Pepper Bacon Mac ‘n Cheese at the Farm Fresh Marketplace and refreshing sips like the Scottish Citrus Thistle at the Scotland Marketplace. Culinary icons like Cat Cora, Jamie Deen and John Ash will entertain foodies and inspire their palates at new and returning premium events that include weekly Party for the Senses grand tastings in October.

Festival guests can pair wines and beers with savory and sweet dishes as they stroll the World Showcase Promenade and earn stamps on their complimentary festival passports. Champagne, cocktails and “mocktails” also will bubble up on festival menus. In Future World, the popular Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog returns for a fourth year so that families can discover the cranberry’s rich agricultural heritage and learn fun facts about the tart fruits.

Whether guests’ taste buds prefer savory, spicy, sweet (or all of the above), there are plenty of delectable surprises at every stop along the way. Here’s a sneak peek:

New marketplace menus debut and chefs celebrate festival favorites – Among many dishes set to debut are Seared Venison Loin with Wild Mushroom Ragout and Kumara Dumpling at the New Zealand Marketplace and Grilled Sweet and Spicy Bush Berry Shrimp with Pineapple, Peppers, Onions and Snap Peas at the Australia Marketplace. For many, there’s nothing like a yearly dip into classic favorites like the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup.

Four new Eat to the Beat concert acts debut; fan favorites return to festival stage –Rock singer-songwriter David Cook opens the Eat to the Beat concert series Sept. 25-27. Four new acts in the concert series lineup — Tiffany, Everclear, Maxi Priest and Chaka Khan – will belt out chart-topping tunes. Other popular acts, including Wilson Phillips, Smash Mouth, The Pointer Sisters, Jo Dee Messina, Boyz II Men and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, will return to rock the America Gardens Theatre stage this fall.

Celebrity chefs dazzle – Renowned chef and cookbook author John Ash, who participated in the inaugural Epcot International Food & Wine Festival in 1996, will return to celebrate the 20th milestone year. Other notable chefs including Cat Cora, Robert Irvine, Jamie Deen, Rock Harper, Kenny Gilbert and Buddy Valastro will cook for Epcot guests and share their culinary know-how during demos and premium events.

Ratatouille rocks — Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak invites kids of all ages to join a World Showcase scavenger hunt for little Remy statuettes hidden around the park’s World Showcase. Maps, stickers and prizes are involved.

Festival Center gets cookin’ – Guests can join culinary demonstrations, beverage seminars and mixology seminars daily for a nominal fee. More festival fun will include the complimentary Back to Basics weekend series featuring epicurean tips and tricks from the pros.

Chase Lounge offers perks – Anyone who owns or wants to own a Chase debit or credit card will find complimentary refreshments and interactive fun at the Chase Lounge at American Adventure.

Get ready for . . .

  • More than 270 chefs including Disney chefs and culinary stars from across the country.
  • Party for the Senses grand tasting events every Saturday in October showcasing tempting bites from eminent chefs, more than 50 wines and beers and live entertainment.
  • Premium events including the new “French Family Meal Traditions” lunch on Fridays and Sundays; new “Rockin’ Burger Block Party” on select dates; and new beverage events to include “Exploring Wines from 1996 to Now” that salutes the festival’s 20th year.

Included with Epcot Admission:

Back to Basics series, Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog, World Showcase Scavenger Hunt, special book signings, Eat to the Beat concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Discovery Passport and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.

Special Programming by Reservation:

The Party for the Senses grand tasting events, signature dinners and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. When a reservation booking date is announced this summer, guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) and get details at EpcotFoodFestival.com.

– See more at: http://wdwnews.com/releases/2015/05/27/20th-epcot-international-food-wine-festival-celebrates-two-delicious-decades-sept-25-nov-16-2015/#sthash.X0gXLYoP.dpuf

Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration Truffles Debut at Signature Restaurants

Diamond Celebration Truffles

Are you looking for a dazzling way to complete your meal? Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration Truffles will be offered at select signature restaurants throughout Disneyland Resort (Blue Bayou Restaurant, Carthay Circle Restaurant and Steakhouse 55).

Each beautifully themed box contains four truffles with flavors inspired by the location:

Blue Bayou Restaurant Truffle Flavors

  • Crème Brule – crème, brown sugar and vanilla
  • Bananas Foster – banana, vanilla ice cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, dark rum and banana liqueur
  • King Cake – confectioner’s sugar and lemon juice
  • Mint Julep – sugar, lime juice, lemon juice and crème de menthe

Carthay Circle Restaurant Truffle Flavors

  • Carthay Manhattan – American whiskey, sweet vermouth, Angostura bitters and Luxardo maraschino cherries
  • Brown Derby – bourbon, fresh grapefruit juice and honey
  • B52 Coffee – Grand Marnier, Kahlua, Irish cream, coffee and whipped cream
  • Hazelnut Tiramisu – classic tiramisu with hazelnut

Steakhouse 55 Truffle Flavors

  • Cosmopolitan – vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime
  • Kahlua – coffee, brown sugar, vanilla
  • 24-Layer Chocolate Cake – milk chocolate, hazelnut and a hint of vanilla
  • Primitivo – raspberry, blackberry, cherry, plums and raisin

For Carthay Circle Restaurant and Steakhouse 55, guests must be 21 years of age to purchase due to the alcohol content by volume.

Disney Dining Plan At Walt Disney World Rumored to be Getting Big Changes

Disney Dining - Donald

The Disney Dining Plan is popular with many guests visiting Walt Disney World, and there are different levels that are right for them.  Now, there are rumored changes coming to the Disney Dining Plan, and it could happen very soon.

Details for the 2015 Disney Dining Plan (DDP) were already revealed by Disney many months ago, but as many fans know, changes are always possible. Disney is rumored to be looking to improve the DDP and will be putting in these changes in as soon as May 31, 2015.

With these changes, guests would have more flexibility and choices in using their dining credits (entitlements) in numerous food & beverage locations along with merchandise locations.

The following are rumored to be included as of May 31, 2015, as eligible Snack entitlements for Guests with DDP:

  • All single-serve non-alcoholic beverages that are not in a souvenir container (single serve is equal to or less than one liter and excluding beverages sold at recreation counters);
  • All ice cream novelties;
  • All hand-scooped ice cream offerings, including sundaes that do not exceed two (2) scoops or are not served in souvenir container;
  • Additional items considered single-serve previously excluded are now included, such as Caramel or Candy Apple (with or without peanuts, excludes character-inspired apples),
  • large Mickey Cookie,
  • Tin Mints (1.5 oz), fresh-popped, scooped popcorn (only applies to Big Top Souvenir and Karamell-Kuchelocations).
  • Note: Pre-bagged popcorn of any kind is no longer included in the Dining Plan.

MEAL ENTITLEMENT CONVERSION

Effective May 31 at quick service restaurants and select merchandise locations (listed below), Guests may substitute one Meal entitlement for up to three (3) eligible Snack plan items within the same transaction.

Example 1: Guest chooses to substitute one (1) QSR Meal entitlement for an apple, bottle of soda, and bag of potato chips (within the same transaction).

Example 2: Guest chooses to substitute one (1) DDP Table-service Meal entitlement for three candy bars (within the same transaction).

Resort locations where the meal entitlement conversion will be available starting May 31, 2015:

  • Artist’s Palette
  • BayView Gifts
  • Beach Club Market Place
  • Calypso Trading Co.
  • Conch Flat
  • Donald’s Double Feature
  • Dundy’s Sundries
  • Everything Pop
  • Fittings and Fairings
  • Fulton’s General Store
  • Ink and Paint
  • Jackson Square
  • Johari Treasures
  • M. Mouse Mercantile
  • Maestro Mickey
  • Moana Mercantile
  • On the Boardwalk
  • Panchito’s Gifts and Sundries
  • Sandy Cove
  • Seashore Sweets
  • Settlement Trading Post
  • Sport Goofy Gifts and sundries
  • Wilderness Mercantile
  • Zawadi Marketplace

Park locations where the meal entitlement conversion will be available starting May 31, 2015:

  • Big Top Souvenir (Magic Kingdom)
  • Confectionary (Magic Kingdom)
  • Prairie Outpost (Magic Kingdom)
  • Karamell-Küche (Epcot)
  • Beverly Sunset(Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
  • Writer’s Stop (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
  • Mombasa Marketplace (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
  • Candy Cauldron (Downtown Disney)
  • Goofy’s Candy Co. (Downtown Disney)

There are a number of these changes that would make many long-known things about the Disney Dining Plan altered.

  1. Snacks are no longer looked at as merely being most things under $5. If it has a “DDP” icon next to it, then it will be a snack under the new rumored guidelines.
  2. Exchanging of meal (Quick-Service or Table) credits may be done for considered Snacks on the DDP all in one transaction.
  3. Pre-bagged Kettle Korn is no longer considered a Snack option on the DDP.
  4. Trading Snack credits for Meal credits is still not allowed.

Of course, until Disney officially announces anything, rumors are simply that.

 

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party to Cast a Spell on You with New Show

Hocus Pocus MNSSHP

Summer may just be getting started, but I’m already looking forward to fall and the return of my favorite event at Magic Kingdom Park, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. And this year’s party will be extra fun with the introduction of an all-new show on the Castle Forecourt Stage.

In “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular,” the mischievous Sanderson Sisters from Disney’s “Hocus Pocus” return to the mortal world for one night during the Halloween season. With only a few hours to run amuck, the three sisters decide to use their magic to throw the best, evil Halloween party this side of the graveyard!

With the help of the Disney villains, Winifred, Mary and Sarah gather together sinister shadows, nefarious nightmares and the power of their frightful friends to conjure the ultimate Hocus Pocus Party Potion and cast a spell on everyone in the Magic Kingdom Park. “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” features appearances by Dr. Facilier, Oogie Boogie, Maleficent and other great Disney villains, along with dancers, projections and special effects that combine to make this new show a not-to-be-missed Halloween treat.

“Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” will be presented exclusively during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, held select nights at Magic Kingdom Park from September 15 – November 1, 2015.