Category News

Nov 12 2015

New Star Wars Experiences In Hollywood Studios

Star Tours Force Awakens

If you are a Star Wars fan, Disney has some good news and some bad news for you. First, the bad news…Due to the upcoming construction beginning next year of Star Wars Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, they will not be offering the wildly popular Star Wars Weekends in 2016. My guess is that once construction at the park is complete, I would not be surprised to see this huge moneymaker return in some form. Star Wars Weekends is one of Disney World fans most beloved events, and I cannot imagine the company not wanting to cash in on that!

Now for the good news…Beginning in December 2015 to coincide with the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, several new Star Wars’ experiences will be available for guests of Hollywood Studios to enjoy every day! Here’s what’s coming our way…

Star Wars Launch BayStar Wars Launch Bay – This interactive experience will take guests into the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, with special exhibits and peeks behind-the-scenes, including opportunities to visit with new and favorite Star Wars characters like Chewbacca and Darth Vader, special merchandise and food offerings.

Star Tours – The Adventures Continue – Star Tours will include a new adventure featuring locations and characters from the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, giving guests a new experience in the Star Wars galaxy. During the opening months, all guests who ride Star Tours will experience the new adventure. After that, it will be up to the will of the Force when guests will travel to the new destination. Here’s a sneak peek:

Star Wars Jedi Training AcademyJedi Training: Trials of the Temple — A favorite of younger fans is reimagined with a new experience that takes participants to the secret site of an ancient Jedi temple and includes new characters and a new villain to battle from the popular Disney X D series “Star Wars Rebels.”

And there is even more to come in 2016 and beyond…

Season of the Force – This new seasonal event, beginning early 2016, brings new  Star Wars experiences to guests. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests will close out weekend nights with a new fireworks spectacular set to the iconic score of the Star Wars movies.

Star Wars Land – Construction that begins in early 2016 will bring Star Wars to life include creating Disney’s largest single themed land expansion ever at 14 acres, transporting guests to a never-before-seen planet, a remote trading port and one of the last stops before wild space where Star Wars characters and their stories come to life.

Along with retail and dining, this land will include two signature attractions. The first will be an epic Star Wars adventure that puts you in the middle of a climatic battle between the First Order and the Resistance. The second attraction will put guests behind the controls of one of the most recognizable ships in the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon, as they take on a customized secret mission.

No timeline has been released yet for the new Star Wars Land, but it is probably safe to expect about 3 to 5 years of construction before it is complete. In the meantime, it looks like Disney will be giving us a few things along the way to keep the excitement growing!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Do you love Star Wars? What new addition are you most excited about?
Please leave a comment!

Nov 11 2015

Jungle Cruise Is Now Jingle Cruise For The Holidays

Jingle Cruise

If you are a fan of the Disneyland Resort, you are probably already familiar with the special overlays like Jingle Cruise, The Haunted Mansion Holiday, and “it’s a small world” Holiday that the Disneyland Park receives during the holiday season every year. Taking a page out of Disneyland’s book, two years ago Disney World finally joined in on the fun by transforming their version of the legendary Jungle Cruise into the “Jingle Cruise” as well. Due to its popularity, the Jungle Cruise has made the switch once again this year. The Skippers are missing home this holiday season and have decorated the queue and boathouse with festive decorations, the boats have been renamed to receive holiday names, the Skippers are getting guests laughing with additional seasonal jokes, and there is even a holiday radio-show playing in the queue. In addition to being open during daily park hours, Jingle Cruise will also be in operation during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World for the holidays?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Have you been on the Jingle Cruise?
What did you think? Please leave a comment!

Nov 10 2015

More About Thanksgiving In Disney World

Liberty Tree Tavern

Will you be spending the Thanksgiving holiday in Walt Disney World? If so, you have lots of delicious choices for your Thanksgiving Day feast. Here’s the scoop courtesy of Disney:

Walt Disney World Resort guests can indulge in a fresh take on an American tradition by enjoying their Thanksgiving feast November 26, 2015 with a bounty of Disney tastes. With more than 30 different dining choices at Disney theme parks and resorts, families and friends can come together for a variety of Thanksgiving lunch and dinner offerings.

Special holiday menus include roasted turkey breast with all the trimmings plus traditional Norwegian meatballs and pan-seared salmon at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, poppy seed lavash, house-made naan, and apple-cranberry achar at Sanaa, roasted heirloom beets with candied walnuts and mulled apple cider at Artist Point, and other unique dishes to enjoy with the holiday classics.

Disney World ThanksgivingAt Epcot, guests can dine on Thanksgiving menus during lunch and dinner seatings at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Biergarten Restaurant, Coral Reef Restaurant, Le Cellier Steakhouse, Restaurant Marrakesh, and Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room, as well as quick service at Sunshine Seasons.

Holiday menus also are offered at 50’s Prime Time Cafe, Hollywood & Vine and The Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Tusker House Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Within the Walt Disney World Resort hotels, special Thanksgiving dining options are available at:

  • Artist Point and Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Port Orleans Resort Riverside
  • California Grill, Chef Mickey’s and The Wave… of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
  • Captain’s Grille and Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
  • Citricos, Grand Floridian Café, Narcoossee’s and Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • End Zone Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
  • Flying Fish Café and Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort
  • Mickey’s Backyard Thanksgiving Feast and Trail’s End Restaurant at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
  • Jiko – The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas-Disney’s Kidani Village
  • Kona Café at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
  • Olivia’s Café at Disney’s Old Key West Resort
  • Sanaa at Disney’s Kidani Village Resort
  • Shutters at Old Port Royale at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
  • The Turf Club Bar and Grill at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Be sure to make your dining reservations as soon as possible, because availability is limited and dining events are subject to change. For more information or to make reservations, please click here or call 407-WDW-DINE.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World for Thanksgiving?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World for the holiday, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Have you celebrated Thanksgiving in Disney World before?
What was it like? Please leave a comment!

Nov 9 2015

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Has Begun

Christmas

The holidays are here!

It’s official…the holidays are here in Disney World! Last night was the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party for the season. If you are lucky enough to be attending one of the festive parties this year, you have so much to look forward to! Each one begins with “A Frozen Holiday Wish” featuring Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf in which Elsa transforms Cinderella Castle into a sparkling palace of icicles. During the evening guests can enjoy meeting Santa in Town Square, holiday concerts at the Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland, Club Tinsel with Phineas and Ferb, complimentary hot chocolate and cookies, holiday character greetings, Mickey’s “Once Upon A Christmastime Parade”, and the incredibly magical snow on Main Street, U.S.A. And to wrap up your perfect evening, be sure to see “Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season” light up the sky above Cinderella Castle with spectacular fireworks and cherished music.

Dates for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party include:

  • November 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19; December 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15 – Advance: $74 (plus tax) for adults; $69 (plus tax) for children (ages 3-9); Day of the Event: $79 (plus tax) for adults; $74 (plus tax) for children (ages 3-9)
  • November 20, 29; December 4, 11, 17 – $79 (plus tax) for adults; $74 (plus tax) for children (ages 3-9)
  • December 18 – $82 (plus tax) for adults; $77 (plus tax) for children (ages 3-9)

The party is held select nights at Magic Kingdom from 7pm to 12am. You’ll want to purchase your tickets as soon as possible if you plan to attend, because they do sell out. Please click here to purchase now!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World for the holidays?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Have you been to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?
What did you think? Please leave a comment!

Nov 8 2015

Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up November 8, 2015

Here’s the Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up for November 8, 2015!

Latest Disney World Enthusiast Articles

Spaceship Earth at NightTip Of The Week

Remember when booking your advance dining reservations that most table service restaurants inside the Disney Parks seat guests until park closing. By booking the latest possible reservation time, you will be able to maximize the amount of time you have to enjoy attractions and you will have the added bonus and unique opportunity of exiting through an almost empty park. You can snap some incredible night shots.

Looking for more tips like this? Click here!

Disney Turkey LegDisney Did You Know

Despite the persistent rumors that Disney World’s turkey legs are emu legs, the drumsticks do in fact come from male turkeys that generally weigh 50 pounds or more. Each drumstick itself weighs about 1.5 pounds.

 

Walt DisneyWalt’s Words 

“She believed in dreams, all right, but she also believed in doing something about them. When Prince Charming didn’t come along, she went over to the palace and got him.” 

CoastersDisney World Enthusiast Giveaway

From now through Friday, November 13, 2015 at midnight, please enter daily to win a set of six Color Fusion Mickey Coasters. Just click here and follow the instructions to be entered into the giveaway. Be sure to take advantage of the bonus entries, and please tell your friends and family to enter as well!

Icon S3Behind The Magic Podcast

Be sure to catch up on this week’s episodes when Zeek, Rachel, Tim, Richard, Sarah and I discuss Disney news, rumors, and so much more. For more information about this week’s podcasts or to listen, please click here.

Featured Advertiser

BitbeltHave you heard of this incredible gadget – Bitbelt? If you aren’t familiar, this handy creation secures your MagicBand so that it doesn’t accidentally become lost. Anyone that carries a child, a backpack, or wears a jacket at Disney World knows how easily a MagicBand can become unclasped. That’s where this little beauty comes in! Simply place a Bitbelt on your MagicBand and save yourself the trouble of having to search for a lost band or take the time to get a replacement. Bitbelts come in a dozen different colors and in two sizes – adult and junior. They are only $4.99 each plus they offer discounted pricing when you purchase multiple Bitbelts in one order. And if you think Bitbelts are great for MagicBands, they are also available for your fitness trackers. Never lose a pricey Fitbit again! For more information about Bitbelt, please click here!

501 WaysFeatured Book

The difference between an average and an outstanding Walt Disney World trip is in the details. Kristi Fredericks helps make your dream vacation a reality with her numerous tips and tricks to save money, time, and sanity while at the happiest place on earth in her new book “501 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Walt Disney World Vacation”. For more information, to read an excerpt, or to purchase, please click here.

Considering A Disney World Vacation

Book Your Disney VacationJennifer Hardy, a Disney Vacation Planner with Destinations in Florida, is the official travel partner of Disney World Enthusiast. She can help you book your next Disney vacation whether it is to Disney World, Disneyland, or aboard the Disney Cruise Line. Currently Jennifer has some incredible deals for discounted travel to Disney World. For more information about Jennifer’s amazing and absolutely free services or to get a free no-obligation quote, please click here!

You’re Invited

Next Disney VacationJennifer Hardy, from Destinations in Florida, and I have teamed up to create a brand new Facebook Group called Next Disney Vacation! It is the perfect place to talk about your next Disney vacation, voice your opinions, ask your questions, get them answered, and share the magic. Whether it’s Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, or the Disney Cruise Line, Jennifer and I are ready to help. Everyday you’ll find posts, photos, trivia, tips, and more that we find all throughout the Disney Universe. If you’re counting the days until your next Disney vacation or just dreaming of one, we would love to have you join in the fun and conversation! Please click here to be a part of our group!

dwe logo small size white bkgdComing Up Next Week

Next week I’ll have more holiday information plus all of the latest Disney World news!

Have a wonderful week!