Around the Mouse: Walt Disney World News, March 13, 2017

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Around the Mouse: Walt Disney World News, March 13, 2017

What’s New This Week?

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Walt Disney World Theme Parks

Magic Kingdom Park

New! Tangled PhotoPass Opportunity Available for Limited Time: For a limited time, when you visit Magic Kingdom Park, the PhotoPass photographer stationed near Rapunzel Tower in the evening will have a luminous lantern you can include in your photos. You can get tangled up in this dazzling photo opportunity every evening starting around dusk through March 15, weather permitting.

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Reminder! Joffrey’s Revive Coffee Kiosk Coming Soon: Joffrey’s Revive coffee kiosk will open this March in Magic Kingdom Park. Guests will be able to enjoy coffee, tea, espresso beverages and other delicious treats at the out-of-this world Tomorrowland kiosk. A Magic Kingdom exclusive, the More S’mores Latte will feature artisan-roasted espresso, rich chocolate sauce and sweet marshmallow syrup, topped with whipped cream, graham cracker sprinkles and marshmallows.

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Epcot

New! New Disney Gift Card for Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival: Celebrate the 2017 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival with a limited-edition, orange-scented Disney Gift Card! These oranges not only smell delicious; they also have all the functionality of a regular Disney Gift Card, with the added convenience of wearing it around your wrist. So, immerse yourself in the wonders of the festival and pay with ease at any of the festival’s Outdoor Kitchens. Activate your Disney Gift Card with as little as $15. The festival-themed Disney Gift Card is currently available throughout Epcot as well as at surrounding Walt Disney World Resort hotels including Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels while supplies last.

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New! Sunday Roast at Rose & Crown Dining Room at Epcot: Rose & Crown Dining Room is well known as a family-friendly pub which offers guests British comfort food and stellar views for IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Recently, a traditional British favorite, the Sunday Roast, has been added to the menu. Sunday Roast is a traditional British meal, typically consisting of roasted meat, potatoes, vegetables and Yorkshire pudding. At Rose & Crown Dining Room, the dish will alternate weekly among Roasted Pork, Turkey or Lamb with Mint Sauce. Customary sides such as roasted potatoes, peas and carrots, sage and onion stuffing, Yorkshire pudding and gravy accompany the roast. As the name suggests, Sunday Roast will only be served on Sundays. To make reservations at Rose & Crown Dining Room, visit DisneyWorld.com/dining or call 407-WDW-DINE.

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New! The Epcot International Festival of the Arts Will Return in 2018: The Epcot International Festival of the Arts will return to Epcot in early 2018! After celebrating the best in visual, culinary and performing arts with guests for the first time ever this year – Disney is bringing it back next year. Dates had not yet been announced.

New! New Royal Tea Garden Tours at Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival: Running now through May 29, the new Royal Tea Garden Tour is available at Epcot World Showcase. You check in at 9:30 a.m. in front of the Rose and Crown Dining Room in the United Kingdom Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase, then head to the tea garden for a 45-minute experience that includes scones with Earl Grey butter, clotted cream and jam, and, of course, tea. You’ll hear about the famous Twinings family (selling tea since 1706) and learn all about the diversity of tea. Part of the fun is being in World Showcase before the park opens – you can take your tea and scones to the beautiful garden and enjoy until the park opens at 11 a.m. $15 plus Epcot admission; 9:45 a.m.; 407-WDW-TOUR.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

New! Details on Star Wars Galactic Nights: April 14 is the first-ever Star Wars: Galactic Nights event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. More details were just shared on this new Hollywood-inspired special evening, which will include celebrity chats, behind-the-scenes looks, attractions and much more. First, Vanessa Marshall, the voice of Hera Syndulla from Star Wars Rebels, will serve as host of “Inside the Saga: Celebrity Chat Show” and take you behind the scenes of the latest installment to the Star Wars franchise, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. This event-exclusive offering will take place multiple times throughout the event in the Epic Theater. You also won’t want to miss the Inside the Saga pre-show, featuring Star Wars Show hosts, Andi Gutierrez and Anthony Carboni. Guests of all ages can explore Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the Seize the Saga Interactive Scavenger Hunt, searching for unique Star Wars photo backdrops. Guests will step into immersive and iconic scenes from the films, including a newly created backdrop from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and receive a themed piece representing each of the eight Star Wars films. These pieces will come together to form a one of a kind event keepsake.

Here’s a look at other event offerings:

  • Rebel Base Activities – The Rebel Base will serve as the event hub with multiple events, hosted shows, Star Wars dance parties and more taking place in the center of the park.
  • Can’t miss Star Wars photo ops – Don your Star Wars finest (see costume guidelines here) and enjoy iconic Star Wars backdrops, including the debut appearance of BB-8, Han Solo cast in carbonite, Jabba the Hutt’s Palace, the Hoth Wampa Cave and more.
  • Galactic Nights Stars in Cars Motorcade – This procession will welcome in Star Wars celebrities down Hollywood Blvd.
  • Imperial March & March of the First Order – Get your cameras ready for the arrival of the dark side. Darth Vader will lead a battalion of stormtroopers on a dramatic march down Hollywood Blvd to the Event Stage. Captain Phasma will also lead a unit of First Order stormtroopers through the park, pausing to give a demonstration of power and strength.
  • “Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away” – Watch high-energy clips of the best moments from the film saga juxtaposed with character moments on stage, featuring Chewbacca, Darth Vader, Kylo Ren and more.
  • “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” – The skies will come alive with the power of the Force, as the park’s popular Star Wars-themed nighttime spectacular lights up the night.
  • Show Your Star Wars Spirit – Come dressed as your favorite character and celebrate 40 years of Star Wars milestones.
  • Other popular attractions will be open, including Star Wars Launch Bay. Additional offerings will include the chance to experience Star Tours-The Adventures Continue attraction, AWR Trooper sightings, roaming droids, Star Wars-themed F&B, special merchandise and much more.

The event will be held at the park from 7 p.m.-midnight. The Star Wars: Galactic Nights ticket costs $129 plus tax for adults and $124 plus tax for children ages 9 and under. Tickets to the Star Wars: Disney Vacation Club and Passholder discount available. Tickets are extremely limited, so click here or call 407-827-7036 for more information or to book now.

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom

New! James Cameron Offers New Look Inside Pandora – The World of Avatar: AVATAR Creator/Director James Cameron gave a sneak peek at what guests can expect from this new land and one of its major attractions, Avatar Flight of Passage, which will allow guests to ride a Banshee over the world of Pandora. Check out the video below for more. Pandora is set to open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on May 27, 2017.

Disney Springs

New! La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil Will Host Its Final Disney Springs Performance This December: With over 8,500 performances to date, La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil has been a Disney Springs staple for nearly twenty years. Since its inception in late 1998, the show has welcomed many new acts and over 10 million guests! The show will continue to dazzle audiences with its breathtaking blend of daring acrobatics and dazzling choreography through 2017, with a final performance scheduled to take place on December 31, 2017. With ten months to take in a show, you still have plenty of time to be mesmerized by the artistry of the talented La Nouba team. For additional details, including current offers, or to purchase tickets, click here or call 407-939-7600.

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New! Raglan Road Might St. Patrick’s Festival Returns: The Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival at Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant at Disney Springs March 16-19, 2017. A full line-up of entertainment is on tap, along with a mighty selection of beers, spirits and craft cocktails served alongside exceptional Irish fare. New to the Raglan Road stage this year, the Young Dubliners will bring their hearty rock and Irish-infused tunes to the celebration, as will the Byrne Brothers, featuring brothers Luca, 12, Finn, 10, and Dempsey, 7; expect them to dazzle the audience with fun interactions during their sets. Rounding out the entertainment schedule are HanaLena Band, The Raglan Roots Coalition, Swingin’ On the Gate, Rollickin’ Rua and the Raglan Road Irish Dancers. For the full entertainment listing, visit raglanroad.com. On the food and beverage front, guests can order from popular brunch, lunch, bar and dinner menus, including loin of bacon and cabbage, the authentic Irish dish of St. Patrick’s Day. Irish holiday attire is encouraged, but for those who need an extra dose of shamrock flair, complimentary face painting will be available from noon – 8 p.m. daily during the festival. Please note: On March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, guests will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis with a cover charge of $10 for each guest age 18 and older. To make reservations for other festival days, call 407-938-0300.

The festivities take place from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. March 16-19, 2017.

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Disney World Water Parks

New! ‘Miss Adventure Falls’ Attraction to Open March 12 at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park: Miss Adventure Falls, a new family-style raft attraction, is coming to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. The new attraction will open March 12! From your four-person raft, as you twist and turn on this fun-filled white-water experience, you’ll be able to spot several precious treasures and unique artifacts collected by Captain Mary Oceaneer – a sea-faring treasure hunter whose haul was caught in a rogue typhoon. Here’s a sneak peek at Captain Mary Oceaneer’s dive bell, just one of the many items from her journeys around the world.

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Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

New! Disney Nail Designs Now Available at WDW Spas: Guests can now add a touch of Disney magic to their manicures with new Disney Nail Designs by Jamberry, which are now available at locations across Walt Disney World Resort. There are more than 50 Disney character design to choose from, including Belle, Cinderella and Pocahontas, as well as designs inspired by films like “Frozen” and “The Lion King.” Disney Nail Designs by Jamberry can be added as an enhancement to any nail service at Senses Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, as well as at Walt Disney World salons for $2.50 per nail.

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New! Opening Date Set for Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: Sales for Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, the newest Disney Vacation Club resort, are now open. The resort, which is currently under construction, also has a scheduled opening date: July 17. Once open, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins will be the 14th Disney Vacation Club development and the second at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Offering one of the widest ranges of accommodations found at Walt Disney World Resort, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins will feature 184 modern, nature-inspired vacation homes, including Deluxe Studios, one- and two-bedroom Villas, and even three-bedroom Grand Villas, which sleep up to 12. The new resort will also include 26 all-new luxurious waterfront cabins. Sleeping up to eight and featuring two bedrooms, two baths and large dining and living room spaces, the cabins’ floor-to-ceiling windows, exposed wooden beams and interior-exterior stone-hearth fireplace bring the beauty of the outdoors in, and offer plenty of room for families.

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Walt Disney World Resort – Merchandise

New! Personalized Storybook Available at the Disney PhotoPass Studio in Disney Springs: Disney PhotoPass Service is helping your child’s fairytale come to life long after your visit with our newest product, the Personalized Storybook. The Personalized Storybook features your young princess in a favorite Disney story, told over 24 pages!* Through a customized photo session at the Disney PhotoPass Studio in Disney Springs (and a little post-production pixie dust!) your child will be the star of the story. The following Personalized Storybook themes are currently available: Anna, Ariel, Aurora, Cinderella, Elsa, Mulan, Rapunzel and Snow White. Visit the Disney PhotoPass Studio in Disney Springs today to learn more and to purchase your child’s Personalized Storybook!

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Closures and Refurbishments

Click here to view the latest renovations and closures at Walt Disney World Resort.

Siera is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. She would love to help you plan your next vacation at no cost to you. Call her at 734-771-1290 or email her at siera@destinationsinflorida.com for your free, no obligation quote. 

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