Tag Archives: Hollywood Studios

Sep 19 2017

Star Wars: Galactic Nights Returns To Disney’s Hollywood Studios In 2017

Star Wars Fireworks 4

If you are a Star Wars fan, you are probably already thrilled by the newest additions and upcoming changes to Disney’s Hollywood Studios including Star Wars Launch Bay, the stage show Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away, the march of the stormtroopers, the high hopes of the currently under construction Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and of course, the jaw-dropping fireworks show Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular. Now just is time for the release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi this December, Disney is hosting an out-of-this-world event…Star Wars: Galactic Nights. Here’s everything you need to know, courtesy of Disney:

Star Wars fans across the galaxy, get ready for a special Disney party you won’t want to miss.

Following a sold-out event last April, Star Wars: Galactic Nights is returning December 16 to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This gala evening will be filled with out-of-this-world entertainment celebrating the entire Star Wars saga.

Among many thrills in store, guests will be treated Hollywood-style to a red carpet arrival, iconic attractions with little to no wait time, amazing fireworks and projections, and experts sharing details about the Star Wars expansion coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Throughout the event (entertainment subject to change):

  • The Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks and Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away stage show will both be enhanced with special elements from the entire saga. In between, a DJ will keep things spinning at Center Stage for a Star Wars dance party.
  • The Epic Theater plays host to a special one-night-only panel discussion about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, sharing some of the excitement coming to the 14-acre Star Wars-inspired expansion opening in 2019 at Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
  • Park-wide, guests can step into immersive and iconic scenes from their favorite Star Wars films in a series of incredibly detailed photo locations, including a new backdrop inspired by Star Wars Rebels.
  • Star Wars WeekendsStar Wars: Galactic Nights features encounters with Star Wars characters like Ewoks, AWR Troopers and roaming droids; Jedi Knights teaching younglings in Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple; rocketing to the stars aboard Star Tours – The Adventures Continue; and stunning projection effects on park icons such as the Chinese Theatre. At Star Wars Launch Bay, home base for Star Wars fandom in the park, you never know what denizens from the light or dark side of The Force will appear.
  • Don’t miss Darth Vader and a battalion of Imperial Stormtroopers march menacingly down Hollywood Boulevard.
  • Even more specialty Star Wars-themed food and beverage and merchandise will be available.
  • Star ToursSelect park attractions will be open to all guests. At embarkation points to Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, guests may come face-to-face with Stormtroopers on the lookout for a Rebel spy.
  • Come dressed in your finest Star Wars Arriving park guests will walk a red carpet that runs the length of Hollywood Boulevard. The street itself will be dressed in all the trappings of a Tinseltown premiere.

Callers to 407-WDW-PLAY will be able to sign on for premium offerings such as a Galactic Tasting Sampler (food and beverage items including lightsaber churros and a charcuterie with C3PO crackers).

Park access and activities will be exclusive to Star Wars: Galactic Nights ticket holders. Event hours on December 16 are 7pm to midnight. Tickets are priced at $129 adults, $124 ages 3-9 (discounts available for Annual Passholders & DVC Members). To purchase tickets click here or call 407-W-DISNEY.

April’s event sold out; guests are encouraged to book early for December 16 — a date not far, far away.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

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Star Wars: Galactic Nights? Please leave a comment!

Sep 18 2017

Fall Fun At Walt Disney World

If you are looking for some place to take a fantastic fall vacation, look no further than Walt Disney World. With so much for the entire family to enjoy, there’s no better time to go than now! Here’s everything you need to know to experience a fun-filled time with your friends and family at Walt Disney World this fall courtesy of Disney:

As the summer season winds down, festive fall happenings ramp up at Walt Disney World Resort with standout events, new eateries, and an out-of-this-world land where banshees fly and mountains float. The Vacation Kingdom is the place to celebrate the golden days of the harvest season.

Here’s a look at the fantastical experiences in store this fall throughout Walt Disney World Resort: 

First Fall for Pandora – The World of Avatar

The exotic new land of Pandora – the World of Avatar is a don’t-miss adventure this fall.  It’s where you can soar on a banshee, sail down a sacred river and discover a mystical world of glowing rainforests and floating mountains. Inspired by the epic film AVATAR from director James Cameron, the wondrous new land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is big fun for guests of all ages.

Exotic eats are on the menu at Satu’li Canteen including healthful create-your-own bowls and bao bun pods stuffed with meat or spicy vegetables. Out-of-this world beverages and refreshing treats await at the Pongu Pongu specialty-drink location.

The day isn’t complete without a stop in Windtraders. This fun and immersive retail location offers more than 200 unique merchandise items, so guests can take a little piece of Pandora back home with them. There’s a banshee rookery where you can select your very own banshee. With a digital scan of your face, ACE Avatar Maker lets you create a personalized Avatar action figure. There’s even a handy translator unit that will help you learn how to speak Na’vi. At the shop’s bead bar, you can craft Na’vi-inspired necklaces using feathers and beads, 

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Offers Early Start

Halloween PartyNot-so-spooky ghosts and goblins return earlier than ever with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party that delights fun-seekers of all ages in the Magic Kingdom. On select nights, the Magic Kingdom will host this guest-favorite event from 7pm to midnight (not included with regular park admission).  Highlights include Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade; Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular; Happy HalloWishes Fireworks Spectacular; Disney characters donning favorite Halloween costumes; and treat trails throughout the Magic Kingdom. Plus, partygoers can enjoy dozens of iconic attractions.

The remaining 2017 Party dates: September 17, 19, 22, 24, 26 and 29; October 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29 and 31; and November 1, 2017. Advance tickets are $74 for adults and $69 for ages 3-9. Click here for party dates and prices, or call 407-934-7639.

Disney Springs Welcomes Terralina Crafted Italian

The foodie scene continues to grow at the ever-evolving Disney Springs with the fall opening of Terralina Crafted Italian, a new dining experience curated by James Beard Award-winning Chef Tony Mantuano. Operated by Levy Restaurants, this new dining location will feature dishes inspired by Mantuano’s adventures in Italy’s Lake District. This entirely new restaurant is being built in the location formerly occupied by Portobello Country Italian Trattoria

Terralina’s menu will present authentic Italian cuisine cooked in Chef Tony’s signature olive oil imported directly from Italy. The restaurant’s wood-burning oven will fire up a selection of artisanal, hand-tossed pizzas and fresh vegetable dishes. Fan favorites from Portobello Country Italian Trattoria such as the antipasti platter and signature pasta dishes will remain on the menu alongside new additions such as mussels and pork chops. For more information or to make reservations call, 407-WDW-DINE.

22nd Annual Epcot international Food & Wine Festival Expands

A record 75-day festival overflows with culinary events, celebrity chefs, seminars, musical acts and workshops, during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival now through November 13, 2017.

Celebrated for its creative tapas-sized dishes and inspired sips, high-energy entertainment and premium signature dinners and tastings, the festival will sizzle with a more than 35 specialized marketplace – celebrating 35 years of Epcot. Guests can pair wines, beers and ciders with delicious tastings as they stroll World Showcase Promenade and Future World.

Celebrity and Disney chefs will present culinary demonstrations, and beverage experts will host daily wine tastings and seminars (additional charges apply), ABC’s “The Chew” returns to Epcot to tape a week’s worth of shows October 4 – 6.

This year’s festival will also spotlight inspired dishes geared towards kids and offer scavenger hunts and culinary demos designed for the whole family.

Some 32 musical acts are set to perform during the popular Eat to the Beat concerts with returning fan favorites Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Air Supply and 38 Special, plus newcomers The Hooters, 10,000 Maniacs and Kenny G. Guests can call 407-WDW-FEST or click here for more information.

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:

Will you be visiting Walt Disney World during the fall?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Aug 22 2017

2017 Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Holiday Dessert Party Reservations Now Available

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is getting into the holiday spirit again this year with the return of the nighttime spectacular Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! from November 9 through December 31, 2017. And of course, no evening extravaganza would be complete without a dessert party to go along with it. This year Disney is offering a Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Holiday Dessert Party as part of the fun. Here’s everything you need to know about the premium event courtesy of Disney:

Experience dazzling new heights of festive joy at this yummy, yuletide celebration.

Relish holiday-inspired snacks like warm cheese fondue with pretzel bread and flatbread, delicious desserts like warm pumpkin pie, spiced-bread pudding with hand-dipped vanilla ice cream, and chocolate mousse with choice of toppings, wine, beer, specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages—and mingle with a VIP Disney Character.

Then, wrap up your merry evening in a reserved viewing area for 2 shows—the all-new Disney Movie Magic and Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!, a holiday spectacular hosted by elves Wayne and Lanny from ABC’s animated special Prep & Landing. This larger-than-life extravaganza features iconic music, fireworks, special effects and state-of-the-art projections that display heartwarming moments from some of your favorite Disney films including “Mickey’s Christmas Carol”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Pluto’s Christmas Tree”, “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” and more. It all builds to a festive finale that must be seen—and heard—to be believed.

Pricing

November 9 to December 15, 2017: $79 per adult; $45 per child ages 3 to 9 (tax and gratuity included)
December 17 to December 31, 2017: $89 per adult; $49 per child ages 3 to 9 (tax and gratuity included)

Reservations

A separate ticket for admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is required and is not included in the dessert party price. Book online by clicking here or by calling 407-WDW-DINE. 

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:

Excited for the holidays at Walt Disney World? Will you be booking
the dessert party? Please leave a comment!

Jul 22 2017

Summer Fun At Walt Disney World

If you are looking for some place to take an end-of-summer vacation, look no further than Walt Disney World. With so much for the entire family to enjoy, there’s no better time to go than now! Here’s everything you need to know to experience a fun-filled time with your friends and family at Walt Disney World this summer courtesy of Disney:

This summer season, guests can discover a magical mix of new and unforgettable experiences throughout Walt Disney World Resort, with an all-new land and evening show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a dazzling new show at Magic Kingdom Park, epic entertainment at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and world-class dining at Disney Springs.

Here are the exciting new ways guests can explore Walt Disney World Resort this summer:

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Guests can travel to an otherworldly destination this summer: Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This new land gives guests the chance to explore a mystical world of bioluminescent rainforests, floating mountains and soaring Banshees. In collaboration with filmmaker James Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment, Disney is bringing to life the fantasy world of Pandora, inspired by Cameron’s epic film AVATAR.

Guests can discover two main adventures. Avatar Flight of Passage sends guests flying above the jungles of Pandora on a Mountain Banshee, and Na’vi River Journey, is a family-friendly boat ride that sails down a sacred river hidden within a glowing rainforest for an unforgettable encounter with a Na’vi Shaman.

Hungry adventurers can recharge at Satu’li Canteen, the main dining location in Pandora, or Pongu Pongu, a drink kiosk with a design as eclectic as its expat owner. Shoppers can stock up on Na’vi cultural items, toys, science kits and more at Windtraders.

And after the sun sets, Disney’s Animal Kingdom guests can discover rich new experiences throughout the park, starting with the new nighttime show, Rivers of Light. This visually stunning after-dark experience celebrates the majesty of nature and the connection between animals and humans. It’s a dramatic visual blend of water, fire, light and imagery all choreographed to an original musical score.

Magic Kingdom Park

 Guests are being treated to one of the most elaborate fireworks displays ever created – a brand-new show called “Happily Ever After.” It features the latest in fireworks, pyrotechnics and projection technology, plus fresh animation, and a new musical score and theme song.

“Happily Ever After” takes guests on an inspiring journey filled with heart and humor, as Cinderella Castle itself becomes part of the story. Dazzling projections bring heartfelt Disney stories to life on and around the iconic castle. The 18-minute spectacle features moments from beloved Disney films such as “The Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin,” as well as modern blockbusters “Moana” and “Zootopia.”

“Happily Ever After” is presented nightly, with show times varying based on park hours.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

A new limited-time concert event debuted this summer. “The Music of Pixar LIVE! A Symphony of Characters” showcases memorable music from Pixar Animation Studios films, with appearances by beloved Disney•Pixar characters. A live orchestra provides the soundtrack for this 40-minute concert that is presented three times nightly at Theater of the Stars (following regular daily performances of “Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage”). The show also includes appearances by Woody, Jessie, Mike and Sulley, the Incredibles and more.

Day or night, new Star Wars experiences are immersing guests in the world of this iconic saga. Guests can now interact with BB-8, the loyal droid from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” as well as other Star Wars characters inside Star Wars Launch Bay. New authentic props from “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” are also featured in Star Wars Launch Bay, and the new AWR Troopers from “Rogue One” now appear in the daytime stage show “Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away.”

Disney’s Water Parks

Guests can cool off on a whitewater adventure aboard Miss Adventure Falls, a brand new family-style raft attraction at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. Guests are immersed in the story of Captain Mary Oceaneer, a treasure hunter who roamed the seven seas in search of undersea artifacts – until a rogue storm marooned her ship and treasures at Typhoon Lagoon.

At Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, the “Frozen” Summer Games return until August 13, 2017. Kristoff and Olaf are available for a special character greeting and photo opportunity, making Blizzard Beach the only place where guests can meet Kristoff at Walt Disney World Resort. During the friendly competition, guests are able to participate in ice-pail relays, a snowball toss and much more snowy fun.

Disney Springs

The culinary scene at Disney Springs continues to evolve with more exciting food and beverage locales, including The Polite Pig and Paddlefish, both open now.

Featuring modern barbecue cuisine prepared in an open kitchen, The Polite Pig serves up Southern sides like mac-and-cheese and smoked corn and a hearty selection of craft beers and cocktails. There’s also a bourbon bar offering more than 50 selections. The Polite Pig is the newest concept from award-winning Orlando Chefs James and Julie Petrakis who own local favorite restaurants The Ravenous Pig and Swine & Sons.

Guests can also step aboard Paddlefish, Disney Springs’ iconic 1800’s paddleboat that’s been reimagined into a modern yacht experience. Paddlefish offers guests a delectable menu of fresh seafood, steaks and chops for lunch and dinner, as well as a delectable Sunday brunch. A new rooftop lounge serves up a late-night menu as well as fantastic views of the water and Disney Springs.

Disney Resort Hotels

Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort is now open as the newest Disney Vacation Club Resort. Inspired by the legendary mining and railroad history of the Pacific Northwest, guests can come “home” to rustic elegance with these new studios, villas and waterfront cabins.

At Disney’s BoardWalk, there’s an enchanting new dining experience at Trattoria al Forno, the Bon Voyage Breakfast, featuring beloved Disney characters including Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, Ariel and Prince Eric. Guests can make reservations by clicking here or by calling 407-WDW-DINE. Cost is $34 for adults and $20 for children.

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:

Will you be visiting Walt Disney World before summer is over?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Jul 19 2017

The Music Of Pixar Live! A Symphony Of Characters At Disney’s Hollywood Studios

If you’ve visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios lately, you know that with so many attractions closed and all of the construction going on, Disney is looking for ways to keep guests happy and entertained while in the park. Just for the summer, Disney is offering a brand new show that Pixar fans are sure to enjoy – “The Music of Pixar Live! A Symphony of Characters.” This 40 minute concert is presented three times nightly at Theater of the Stars, following the regular daily performances of “Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage.” Here’s everything you need to know courtesy of Disney:

Beloved characters and soundtracks from Pixar Animation Studios’ films take center stage all summer long with “The Music of Pixar Live! A Symphony of Characters” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

From now through August 27, 2017, “The Music of Pixar Live! A Symphony of Characters,” inside Theater of the Stars, treats families to a celebration of the music, animation and characters of Pixar films. Featuring fun character moments and brilliant animated scenes on large video screens, a full orchestra performs selections of the stirring soundtracks from films such as “Toy Story,” “Up,” “Finding Nemo,” “Finding Dory,” “The Incredibles” and “Cars.”

From the moment arriving guests are greeted by Green Army Men until the closing finale of You’ve Got a Friend in Me, in which the audience is encouraged to sing along, it’s a Pixar celebration like no other.

Throughout the show, beloved Pixar characters add moments of comedy and fun before their featured segment. As an example, Mike and Sulley take the stage to collect laughs as Mike tries stand-up before the “Monsters, Inc.” segment comes on-screen. Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear unwrap the “Toy Story” segment and “Up” is fronted by a special appearance of Carl Fredricksen and Dug. Can’t forget Dory (though she might!) – appearing before the “Finding Nemo” and “Finding Dory” segment.

Showtimes vary for “The Music of Pixar Live! – A Symphony of Characters” so be sure to pick up a Times Guide when entering the park!

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:

Will you be checking out “The Music Of Pixar Live” this summer?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!