Category: News

  • Mouse Gear Closing This Winter at Epcot for Park Transformation

    Mouse Gear Closing This Winter at Epcot for Park Transformation

    As we previously reported, a multi-year transformation of Epcot is underway and Disney has confirmed that Mouse Gear Souvenir Shop is on the list of closures coming to the park this fall and winter.

    According to Disney’s website, “As part of the ongoing transformation of Epcot, Mouse Gear will move to a temporary home this winter while its current location is reimagined.”

    Mouse Gear, located in Future World, is currently Epcot’s go to shopping destination for “gifts with real character,” including souvenirs, apparel, plush toys, candy and pins.

    More details on Future World closings and the plans for Epcot’s transformation will be revealed at D23 Expo 2019 next month in Anaheim.

  • BREAKING: Epcot Character Spot and More Set to Close this Fall

    BREAKING: Epcot Character Spot and More Set to Close this Fall

    As we previously reported, a multi-year transformation of Epcot is underway and today, Disney announced that Meet Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot and other locations will temporarily close as part of the massive multi-year overhaul.

    On September 8, 2019, refurbishment will begin on the core of Future World, including the area between Spaceship Earth and World Showcase Promenade. While this work is underway, offerings at and around the Fountain of Nations will be temporarily relocated or closed. 

    New Locations for Character Experiences – Coming Soon
    Take a look below to find out where you can meet some of your favorite Disney Characters during the refurbishment period.

    • Minnie Mouse will move into the World Showcase Gazebo.
    • Daisy Duck will move to The American Adventure.
    • While new locations are being developed for Mickey Mouse and Goofy, they will temporarily appear in Innoventions West.
    • In the near future, Mickey Mouse will move to an all-new location in the Imagination! Pavilion. 
    • Goofy will venture out into the park—and soon will find a new home.
    • Joy will move soon too—to a joyous new home.
    • And a silly old bear will return to the United Kingdom pavilion—welcome back Winnie the Pooh, who will greet Guests at Christopher Robin’s bedroom beginning in September 2019!

    Other locations closing as to make way for the transformation include: Club Cool, Fountain View Starbucks, Colortopia, and Camera Center.

  • New Dining Experience Coming to Animal Kingdom

    New Dining Experience Coming to Animal Kingdom

    Beginning July 24th, 2019, select nights at Animal Kingdom Theme Park guests will be able to experience a special Dining Experience celebrating the animals of Africa!

    Circle of Flavors: Harambe at Night will be a family-friendly progressive dining experience drawing inspiration from the many facets of African cultures.

    This event will be perfect for all the animal lovers in your family, because it will feature an appreciation for animal conservation along with delicious flavors, fun activities, and live music.

    After enjoying a welcome reception at the train station in Harambe, you will hop on the train and journey to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. While there you’ll have the opportunity to try out a virtual reality 360-degree safari experience like they’ve never seen before! This will be available exclusively during Circle of Flavors: Harambe at Night! During the VR portion you’ll to be invited to “Join our Pride” and get up close and personal with the sights and sounds of Pride Rock, coming face-to-face with our amazing African lions. There will also be character meet and greets with Lion King favorites Timon and Rafiki.

    In between all this fun there will plenty of snacks and refreshments! The welcome reception will featuring meat pies, Durban chips and dip, and a hand-selected array of meats and cheeses. Lion cubs will have cheese, fruit, and Tofaa (chocolate caramel-dipped green apples) to nibble on.

    Once you arrive at Rafiki’s Planet Watch there will be spiced crisp plantains, South African oat and coconut bars, and Sundowner Safari Mix with spiced nuts and dried fruit. Cubs can enjoy seasonal fruit and Trail Mix Bites with granola, chocolate chips, raisins, and honey.

    This event also includes Adult Beverages!
    The welcome reception will feature Harambellini, a specialty beverage featuring sparkling South African wine blended with a bright burst of passion fruit, orange, and guava juices.
    At Rafiki’s there will be two specialty beverages: the Chief’s Shandy (Tusker beer blended with lemonade), and Wanjohi’s Dawa, a refreshing blend of tequila, pineapple, mango, and Ancho chile. 

    After all this fun it will be time to hop back on the train and ride to your final stop of the evening – Harambe Market.
    You’ll partake in a delicious dinner while enjoying upbeat music from African musicians, a dance party, and captivating storytelling. On the menu is an array of hearty dishes and yummy desserts inspired by the five featured African animals. All these options looks delicious and there are plenty of vegetarian options!

    During dinner children will also be encouraged to pick their favorite “Big Five” animal which they can then learn more about at each stations and collect pieces to make a bracelet or necklace to take home!

    The African Lion Station:
    – Char-Grilled Steak with Herb-Infused Mealie, Chakalaka, and a Red Wine Sauce
    – Chicken with Fingerling Potatoes, Kool Slaai, and Mango Sambal
    – Chicken Tenders (Kid’s Option)
    – Assorted African-inspired Non-Alcoholic Beverages (Also available at the Welcome Reception and Rafiki’s Planet Watch Train Station)

    The Cape Buffalo Station:
    – Shrimp Curry with Sustainable Shrimp, Cape Malay Green Coconut Curry, and Fragrant Basmati Rice
    – Grilled Sweet Corn with Farmer’s Cheese, Chili-Lime Spice, and Citrus Aioli
    – Barbecued Ribs (Kid’s Option)
    – Macaroni and Cheese (Kid’s Option)

    The Rhinoceros Station:
    – Vegetable Curry with Roasted Seasonal Vegetables served over Basmati Rice
    – Vegetarian Potato and Pea Samosa, Pickled Vegetables, and Tamarind Dipping Sauce

    The African Elephant Station:
    – Smoked Honey-glazed Pork Belly with White Bean Purée, Caramelized Apple-Bacon Chutney, and Curry-Apple Gastrique

    The Leopard Station:
    – Sustainable Fish with Coriander-Fennel Slaw and Dhania Chutney
    – Grilled Lamb with Goat Cheese Polenta and Roasted Garlic Sauce
    – Mini Corn Dog (Kid’s Option)

    Harambe Market Courtyard Station:
    – Petite Greens, Local Tomatoes, Cucumber, Sweety Drop Peppers, Citrus, and Citrus Vinaigrette
    – Boerie Roll with South African Farmers’ Style Sausage, Peppadews, and Pickled Vegetables
    – African Spiced Popcorn

    Dessert Station:
    – Honey-Caramel Candy Bar with Crispy Pearls
    – Animal-inspired Cupcakes
    – Lions S’mores Pop with Chocolate and Graham Cracker Crumbs

    Dinner will also feature another great selection of Adult Specialty Cocktails:
    – Talking Monkey – Coffee Liqueur, Banana Liqueur, and Espresso-infused Snow Leopard Vodka
    – Marketplace Sangria – Blend of African Wine and Rooibos Tea finished with a Citrus and Mint Infusion
    – Safari Sunset – Passion Fruit, Strawberry, Orange, and Guava Juices blended with Rum
    – Assorted African Beer and Wine (Also available at the Welcome Reception and Rafiki’s Planet Watch Train Station)

    Pricing Details:
    Circle of Flavors: Harambe at Night begins on July 24, 2019 on select nights from 6-9 p.m. for a limited time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Pricing is $125 plus tax for adults and $99 plus tax for children ages 3-9 and separate park admission is required.

    Contact Kimberly to book this amazing dining experience!

  • New Alex & Ani Minnie Ears Coming to Disney Parks are Golden & Gorgeous

    New Alex & Ani Minnie Ears Coming to Disney Parks are Golden & Gorgeous

    As part of the Disney Parks Designer Collection, Disney is releasing new Alex & Ani’s Minnie ears this month and they are golden and gorgeous.

    The new Alex & Ani Disney ears features the classic Minnie Mouse bow and ears in a headband style with a comb to keep it in place. The ears feature an intricate damask-like pattern that’s gold and in the center of the design is Minnie’s iconic bow complete with a golden heart.

    The new Alex & Ani golden Minnie ear headband will set you back $178 and will be available beginning this Friday, July 5, online on shopDisney and at select merchandise locations throughout Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

    If you aren’t familiar with the Disney Parks Designer Collection, the classic animation studio had teamed up with celebrities, designers, artists, and brands to create limited edition Mickey and Minnie Mouse ears for the Disney theme parks.

    The Disney Parks Designer Collection launched on May 24 with the first collaboration with Harvey’s. Disney is launching a new set of ears designed by a new collaborator from now until Summer 2020. Now it’s Alex and Ani’s turn to lend its designing skills to the famous Disney head gear.

    Alex and Ani is known for its for creating jewelry with meaning to it. From self-care reminders to spiritually-centered pieces and even character driven styles, Alex & Ani creates jewelry that speaks to who its customers are. Now, the brand is working with Disney to create a pair of limited edition Mickey ears that are are golden, gorgeous, and have a special message.

  • New Wine Pops Now Avalaible in Disney World Are All the Buzz

    New Wine Pops Now Avalaible in Disney World Are All the Buzz

    Adult frozen treats have been all the buzz lately at Disney World and now Disney is bringing back the nostalgia and whimsy of summer vacation with the addition of Pop Fusion Fruit and Wine Pops.

    The newest alcoholic dessert on the block at Disney invites guests to cool down this summer and enjoy your wine one bite at a time with a refreshing collection of gourmet cocktail and ice pops.

    These hand-crafted and colorful goodies are made with fresh and locally-sourced fruit. Unique choices range from zero-proof fruit-flavored pops like Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry and Florida Orange to buzz-worthy White Sangria and Mango Mimosa wine pops. Take a look at all the flavors below:

    Alcoholic Flavors: $9

    • White Sangria
    • Berry Sangria
    • Mango Mimosa
    • Back Porch Peach
    • Sparkling Strawberry

    Non-Alcoholic Flavors: $5

    • Strawberry Lemonade
    • Pineapple Mango
    • Florida Orange
    • Strawberry
    • Chocolate Dipped Strawberry
    • Watermelon

    All of the Instagram-worthy pops are made with 100% real fruit, and are gluten, dairy, nut, and soy free. Adult beverage meets childhood frozen snack in this marriage of fruity sensations that can be eaten straight up or dipped in a guest’s favorite glass of wine. These delightful handheld treats are available at Pizza Ponte in Disney Springs and the Italy Pavilion in Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort.

  • BREAKING: Main Street Electrical Parade Returning to Disneyland in August

    BREAKING: Main Street Electrical Parade Returning to Disneyland in August

    Disney has announced, that Disneyland is bringing back the beloved Main Street Electrical Parade this August.

    That’s right! The all-time fan favorite, “spectacular festival pageant of nighttime magic and imagination,” is coming back to Disneyland park for a limited-time encore engagement along with its half-million sparkling lights and “electro-syntho-magnetic musical sounds”.

    The dazzling nighttime parade premiered at Disneyland in 1972 and ended its run there in November 1996, but also appeared at California Adventure, Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and at other and at other parks around the world. The parade returned again to Anaheim in January 2017 for a limited time.

    This limited-time encore engagement is set to begin on Aug. 2 with nightly performances through Sept. 30

  • Melissa McCarthy in Talks to Play Ursula in Live-Action ‘Little Mermaid’

    Melissa McCarthy in Talks to Play Ursula in Live-Action ‘Little Mermaid’

    Melissa McCarthy is in early talks to play the villain Ursula in Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid.”

    The deal is not yet complete, according to multiple reports, but would mark the first official casting for the remake, which follows such similar live-action adaptations as “Beauty and the Beast” and this year’s “Aladdin” and “Lion King.”

    The story centers on the mermaid Ariel who yearns to live among humans and finds her wish granted when she trades her voice for legs from the sea witch, Ursula.

    “Mary Poppins Returns” director Rob Marshall is helming. The film will incorporate the original songs from the 1989 animated hit as well as new tunes from Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Miranda is also producing the film along with Marshall, Marc Platt and John DeLuca. David Magee wrote the script.

    David Magee wrote the latest script for the reboot after Jane Goldman. Marc Platt, Marshall, Miranda and John DeLuca are producers. No release date has been set yet.

  • Liberty Inn Closing at Disney World to be Replaced By BBQ And Craft Beer Restuarant

    Liberty Inn Closing at Disney World to be Replaced By BBQ And Craft Beer Restuarant

    Disney has announced that next month it is closing the Liberty Inn restaurant at Epcot’s America pavilion.

    Liberty Inn is a staple of the American Adventure pavilion in the theme park’s World Showcase, but it will be replaced with a new eatery that serves barbecue and craft beers.

    Prepare your taste buds for something special, because a new fast-casual barbecue restaurant featuring craft brews on tap will debut at The American Adventure pavilion in Epcot later this year.

    Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue will take the place of Liberty Inn, which will close July 8 to make way for this mouth-watering experience in World Showcase.

    The new location will be a modern barbecue smokehouse, with all the accompanying sights, sounds, smells and flavors you love – including a large smoker preparing fine food every day right on the pavilion’s promenade. There will also be a redesigned patio for you to enjoy, so get ready to grab a brew, some barbecue, and relax inside Epcot.

    Many more details to come, so keep checking Disney Dorks for updates on what is sure to be a new favorite spot to find some tasty and tangy bites at Epcot!

  • Disney World Celebrates 626 Day with Stitch Inspired Ice Cream Cone

    Disney World Celebrates 626 Day with Stitch Inspired Ice Cream Cone

    Today only, the Pineapple Lanai at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort in Disney World is offering a special ice cream cone in honor of Stitch called the Experiment 626 cone!

    Before Lilo named him Stitch, everyone’s favorite mischievous alien had another name, Experiment 626. That laboratory moniker happens to provide a perfect calendar date, 6/26 or June 26, which Lilo & Stitch fans have embraced as an opportunity to celebrate the film.

    Although it is blue in color, it is made with vanilla soft serve. It comes in a blue cone and is topped with white chocolate Stitch ears.

    There’s no better way to celebrate 626 Day than with a cool tastey treat on a summer day in Disney World.

  • The Simpsons are Coming to D23 Expo 2019

    The Simpsons are Coming to D23 Expo 2019

    Disney just announced, Springfield’s number one family will be making their way to Anaheim this August when The Simpsons comes to D23 Expo for the first time ever.

    Now that the Disney/Fox merger is complete, the longest-running primetime scripted show in television history, The Simpsons, is now part of the family and will be headed to D23 Expo this year. They’ll be talking all about the upcoming season in a panel on Saturday, August 24, at 10 a.m. in the D23 Expo Arena.

    Creator Matt Groening, Executive Producer Al Jean, Executive Producer Matt Selman, Supervising Director Mike B. Anderson, and stars Nancy Cartwright and Yeardley Smith will all be in attendance, and you can expect lots of surprises, including an exclusive Simpsons collectible item for everyone in attendance.

    If you head over to the convention floor during D23 Expo 2019, you’ll have the opportunity to get close and personal with Bart, Lisa, and the rest of The Simpsons family. And, if you’re lucky, you’ll even get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet Matt Groening and the rest of the panelists during a one-hour autograph signing session of an exclusive The Simpsons mini-poster right after the panel.

    For fans of the long running series this is news that’ll make you say, “Ay caramba!,” and run all the way from Moe’s to D23 Expo 2019!