Month: August 2017

Slinky Dog Dash Ride Vehicle Arrives At Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The Slinky Dog Dash attraction, currently under construction in Toy Story Land, celebrated a major milestone today – National Slinky Day – with the reveal of the coaster’s first Slinky Dog ride vehicle.

Slinky Dog Dash is one of two major attractions coming to Toy Story Land, a 11-acre expansion that’s set to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Summer 2018. In Toy Story Land, guests will shrink to the size of a toy and explore the world of Andy’s backyard on two fun family attractions – Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers.

Slinky Dog Dash is a family coaster themed as if Andy built it in his backyard using his Mega Coaster Play Kit and some of his other favorite toys. The attraction’s ride vehicles, inspired by the character of Slinky in the film, will send riders dipping, dodging and dashing around turns and drops Andy has created to stretch Slinky’s coils to the max.

The second attraction, Alien Swirling Saucers, is designed as a toy play set that Andy got from Pizza Planet, inspired by the first “Toy Story” film. Aliens are flying around in their toy flying saucers and trying to capture your rocket toy vehicle using “The Claw.”

Check out the video of the welcome Slinky Dog’s arrival received.

Chef Mickey’s Temporary Relocation is Back On for the End of the Year

The temporary relocation of Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort to the Convention Center is apparently back on to occur in late November through December.

The work was originally planned to take place from July 28th through August 13th but was subsequently cancelled.

During the kitchen refurbishment, the character dining buffet will relocate to the convention center at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Guests with reservations are being contacted to advice of the relocation.

Epcot Makes Changes to Music Line-Up

Walt Disney World has announced some new and returning musical acts that will be coming to Epcot’s World Showcase in the near future.

Suroît – New to Epcot, this renowned band hails from Canada’s Magdalen Islands in eastern Quebec. For four decades, their infectious sound has embraced influences from Cajun, Celtic, bluegrass and rock music. Performing on the Mill Stage at the Canada pavilion, August 31 – October 1 2017.

Margret Almer & The Bavarian Band – World-famous yodeler Margret Almer makes an encore appearance at Epcot this fall. She’ll be performing with The Bavarian Band at the Germany pavilion, beginning August 31 and continuing through the holiday season.

Musique Aramenco – Another returning favorite takes the stage at the Morocco pavilion September 1 – December 30 2017. Musique Aramenco presents a fusion of traditional and modern Moroccan music.

Bodh’aktan – Back by popular demand, Bodh’aktan mixes Quebecois, folk and polka to make fantastic rock and dance music. The popular kilted band is returning for an Epcot encore at the Canada pavilion October 2 – 22.

Raffy – This musical quartet makes their Epcot debut October 23 – November 26 2017 on the Mill Stage. Raffy’s infectious energy has been embraced across Canada through a live tour, appearances on television and radio airplay of their first hit single.

Harambe Market at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Joins Mobile Order

Mobile Order continues to expand with the addition of Harambe Market to the mobile ordering system.

Mobile Order allows guests to pay for meals on-the-go within the My Disney Experience app, bypassing the queue to order at the restaurant. Using the app, you can select menu items, customize an order and pre-pay for a meal.

Arriving at the restaurant guests will tap an “I’m here” button in the app, which will notify the kitchen to prepare the meal. When ready guests will be alerted through the app to pick up the meal at a designated window. Only credit card payments will initially be accepted via Mobile Order, Disney Dining Plan guests and those wishing to use a discount will have to use the regular line.

Mobile Order is currently available at Harambe Market, Backlot Express, ABC Commissary, PizzeRizzo, Liberty Inn, Electric Umbrella, Columbia Harbour House, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café, Pinocchio Village Haus, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, Tomorrowland Terrace, Flame Tree Barbecue, Pizzafari, Restaurantosaurus, Satu’li Canteen and D-Luxe Burger.

Disney Makes $1 Million Commitment to Red Cross for Hurricane Harvey Relief Effort

The Walt Disney Company and Houston ABC affiliate KTRK jointly announced that they have pledged $1 million to the Red Cross to go toward Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

In addition, Disney is matching, dollar for dollar, employee donations to the American Red Cross and other organizations involved in Harvey relief efforts.

“Our hearts go out to everyone in the devastating path of this historic storm,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement. “It’s hard to fully appreciate the impact, in part because it isn’t over yet. But we know thousands of people have lost everything and now face the daunting challenge of putting their lives and communities back together, and we’re using our unique resources and reach to help those in need.”

Disney ABC Television Group will also host a Day of Giving on Aug. 31 to raise money for hurricane relief. Starting in the morning with local affiliates and ABC’s Good Morning America, and continuing throughout the day on ABC, Freeform, Radio Disney and DATG social platforms, there will be a call-to-action to donate to the Red Cross.

Disney joins a number of organizations and public figures who’ve pledged sizeable donations to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

The Houston Rockets have donated $4 million to Mayor Sylvester Turner’s relief fund, the Astros have pledged $4 million to relief efforts and the Texans have pledged $1 million to the United Way of Greater Houston Flood Relief Fund, which the NFL Foundation agreed to match. Texans star JJ Watt launched his own fund, which has raised nearly $1.5 million as of Tuesday morning, thanks in part to a $50,000 donation from newly acquired Rockets player Chris Paul. Outside of Texas, the New England Patriots and owner Bob Kraft will match up to $1 million in Red Cross donations.

Amazon and Whole Foods agreed to match cash donations to the Red Cross made on Amazon.com up to $1 million. Apple made a $2 million donation to the Red Cross over the weekend and will match employee donations two to one. And Microsoft announced a $100,000 grant to the Red Cross.

Meanwhile, Houston native Beyonce is working to implement a plan to help “as many as we can.”Kevin Hart has donated at least $50,000 to relief efforts and called on stars like Jay-Z, The Rock, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Jerry Seinfeld, Steve Harvey and Justin Timberlake to contribute. Kris Jenner said Tuesday that she accepts Hart’s challenge and that she and her daughter will be donating $500,000 to the Red Cross and Salvation Army.

From The Hollywood Reporter

Bill Nye Sues Disney for $9 Million for Unpaid Profits

The famed science enthusiast filed suit against Disney on Thursday, claiming the media giant hoodwinked him out of more than $9 million in earnings from “Bill Nye the Science Guy.”

The beloved television series originally aired between 1992 and 1997, gaining a loyal following among children while winning multiple broadcasting awards for its fun, science-focused programming. It’s still streamed on services like Netflix.

Two decades after production wrapped up, Nye has accused Disney of fraud and breach of contract in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. Disney subsidiaries including Buena Vista Television and ABC are also named as defendants.

Disney and the other defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The lawsuit claims that Nye, who was owed 16.5% of the show’s profits, became suspicious after Disney-owned Buena Vista demanded he repay a large portion of his 2007 “Science Guy” earnings, citing an “accounting error.”

Nye doubted the company’s bookkeeping. But his efforts to engage the firm in negotiations to resolve the matter were “futile,” according to the lawsuit. Nye claims that Buena Vista stopped making royalty payments in 2008 because of the dispute.

The suit says that Nye eventually hired an auditor to review the company’s records, but the inquiry was delayed for years and the defendants allegedly did not provide all the requested documentation.

The “defendants failed to engage in the process in good faith,” says the suit, which accuses the companies of engaging in “an ongoing, deliberate conspiracy to deceive Mr. Nye.”

According to the complaint, the limited documentation provided to auditors showed revenues were skewed and royalties went unreported.

Nye claims that he has suffered damages of at least $9.4 million, while the defendants enriched themselves with “ill-gotten” profits of over $28 million.

More Narrators Added to Candlelight Processional List

New to this year’s lineup include Matt Bomer (“White Collar,” “The Last Tycoon,”) and Star Warsfan favorite Warwick Davis, who played Wicket the Ewok in “Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.”

And returning this year are everyone’s favorite hard-driving Dr. Bailey from “Grey’s Anatomy,” Chandra Wilson – and newly-named Disney Legend Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of ABC’s “The View.”

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 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- 26 – To Be Announced
  • Nov. 27-28 – Matt Bomer
  • Nov. 29 – 30 – To Be Announced
  • Dec. 1-3 – Whoopi Goldberg
  • Dec. 4-5 – Pat Sajak
  • Dec. 6-11 – To Be Announced
  • Dec. 12-14 – Warwick Davis
  • Dec. 15-17 – Trace Adkins
  • Dec. 18-21 – Neil Patrick Harris
  • Dec. 22-24 – CCH Pounder
  • Dec. 25-27 – Jaci Velasquez
  • Dec. 28-30 – Chandra Wilson

The processional is performed three times per night (5:00, 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 Fornoat 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.

Epcot provides 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.

Click here to book Candlelight Processional dining packages or to find out more information, call 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).

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

** (NOTE: Captain’s Grille is currently under refurbishment. Candlelight Packages will be available once it reopens.)

Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission BREAKOUT Gets Halloween Overlay

Rocket needs your help to #SaveGroot at Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark — part of the expansion of Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort to Disney California Adventure!

Your adventure picks up moments after the events of the popular Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! attraction. The Guardians have successfully escaped The Collector’s Fortress, but they have accidentally left Groot behind! Rocket enlists you to distract the creatures that have been released so he can find and rescue his little buddy. While The Collector’s ever-resourceful assistant, Apheta, may try to assure you that it is all just a momentary setback, we advise you to proceed with caution!

Once the sun sets each evening during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! will transform into Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark. Music continues to be at the heart of the experience, and an all-new song, “Monsters After Dark,” was created especially for this attraction by Tyler Bates, composer of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films.

Help #SaveGroot at Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark, only during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, September 15-October 31!

WDW Releases Details and Schedules for 2017 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

The first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party for 2017 will be held this Friday August 25 at the Magic Kingdom and Disney has released the entertainment schedule, dining, attractions, and trick or treat locations.

The event begins at 7 PM and runs until midnight. Party ticket holders can enter the park at 4 PM.

The immensely popular Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular show at Cinderella Castle will be performed three times each night during August and September at 8:15 PM, 10:45 PM and 12:00 AM. For October and November, showtimes will be at 7:40 PM, 8:35 PM, 10:45 PM and 12 AM.

The Mickey’s Boo-To-You Parade will be at 9:15 PM and 11:15 PM with a Zootopia Party Patrol pre-show.  The Happy Hallowishes fireworks show will be at 10:15 PM. The Headless Horseman appears 5 minutes before each parade, stepping off in Frontierland.

The Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball Dance Party on the Tomorrowland Stage is held at 7 PM until midnight. The Cadaver Dans musical group can be seen roaming Frontierland throughout the night.

Over at the Haunted Mansion, guests might run into Carlotta and Rinotta.

Special merchandise and treats are back with a special edition MagicBand, a special edition Trading Pin, and of course the event T-Shirt.

At the Main Street Bakery and Gaston’s Tavern, guests will find a Pumpkin Cheesecake Dome with a graham cracker streusel base, orange white chocolate glaze and a white chocolate Mickey.

The Haunted Mansion Desserts, each with a different flavor and themed chocolate accent – can be tracked down at:

  • Aloha Isle – chocolate tart filled with chocolate ganache and topped with Oreo panna cotta and a white chocolate Haunted Mansion-inspired portrait.
  • Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies – chocolate tart filled with raspberry compote and topped with white chocolate mousse and a Haunted Mansion-inspired white chocolate portrait.
  • Liberty Square Market – chocolate tart filled with chocolate ganache and topped with peanut butter icing and a Haunted Mansion-inspired white chocolate portrait.
  • Storybook Treats – chocolate tart filled with lemon curd, strawberry compote and topped with strawberry mousse and a Haunted Mansion-inspired white chocolate portrait.

Jack Skellington gets his own dessert at Sleepy Hollow in Liberty Square, a vanilla panna cotta, chocolate cake, vanilla buttercream, white chocolate and dark chocolate crisp pearls, dark chocolate curls and a white chocolate Jack Skellington.

A Pumpkin Mickey Waffle with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, sprinkles and caramel sauce will be offered at Sleepy Hollow.

Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café will offer Worms and Dirt, a chocolate gravestone with chocolate cake and chocolate mousse with a chocolate glaze topped with Oreo crumbs, and gummy candy.

Chocolate Crisped Rice Treats and Vampire Mickey Brownies will be available at various outdoor vending and kiosks throughout the Magic Kingdom Park.

Trick or Treat Locations at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

The Trick or Treat location are included with park admission and can be found at:

Adventureland

  • Jungle Cruise
  • Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
  • Pirates of the Caribbean

Liberty Square

  • Liberty Square Riverboat

Fantasyland

  • Pinocchio Village Haus
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic
  • Pete’s Silly Sideshow

Tomorrowland

  • Stitch’s Great Escape!
  • Carousel of Progress
  • Space Mountain
  • Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe Bay 1

Attractions Available –

No FastPass+ will be available during the party.

Main Street U.S.A.

  • Town Square Theater
  • Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

Adventureland

  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Magic Carpets of Aladdin
  • Swiss Family Treehouse

Frontierland

  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Country Bear Jamboree

Liberty Square

  • Haunted Mansion

Fantasyland

  • it’s a Small World
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
  • Princess Fairytale Hall
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • Mad Tea Party
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
  • Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • The Barnstormer

Tomorrowland

  • Tomorrowland Speedway
  • Space Mountain
  • Astro Orbiter
  • Tomorrowland Transit Authority: PeopleMover
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
  • Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor (Final show at 10pm)

Dining –

Main Street U.S.A.

  • Main Street Bakery
  • Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
  • Casey’s Corner
  • Crystal Palace

Adventureland

  • Aloha Isla

Frontierland

  • Pecos Bills Tall Tale Inn
  • Churro Cart

Liberty Square

  • Sleepy Hollow
  • Liberty Square market
  • Columbia Harbor House (until 8pm)

Fantasyland

  • The Friars Nook
  • Storybook Treats
  • Gastons Tavern
  • Be Our Guest Restaurant
  • Cinderella’s Royal table

Tomorrowland

  • Cosmic Rays Starlight Cafe
  • Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies
  • The Lunching Pad

Character Meet and Greets –

Adventureland

  • Aladdin and friends
  • Tarzan and friends, Moana
  • Captain Jack Sparrow

Liberty Square

  • Jack and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas

Fantasyland

  • Anastasia and Frizella, Cinderella, Cruella DeVil, Daisy, Donald, Alice and friends, Belle and friends, Ariel and friends, Pooh and friends, Minnie Mouse, Princess Elena, Princess Tiana, Rapunzel, the Seven Dwarfs.

Tomorrowland

  • Lotso

Main Street U.S.A.

  • Mickey Mouse

My Disney Experience Update Brings New Features

Disney has released a new version of My Disney Experience that brings a very useful features to app.

For Annual Passholders, it will now be possible to renew a pass directly from the My Disney Experience app.

For guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels, you can now view room charges and Disney Dining Plan entitlements/usage directly in the app. This will make it easier to keep track of the remaining Dining Plan meals and snacks throughout your trip.

For the iOS version, the update will also add compatibility for the upcoming update to iOS11.

The updates for iOS and Android are available in the App Store and Google Play.