Disney News

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  • Disney Confirms The Seas and The Land Pavilions Will Not Be Removed at Epcot

    Disney Confirms The Seas and The Land Pavilions Will Not Be Removed at Epcot

    With the massive overhaul going on at Epcot, recent online reports have have raised questions about the future of The Seas and The Land pavilions, but Disney has confirmed that these park staples are not going anywhere.

    Rumors have been circulating about the possiblity of Epcot demolishing both The Seas and The Land pavilions, but this week, Disney confirmed those rumors are indeed false.

    As you can see below in an offical response from Disney on Twitter, there are no plans to remove them and they stated, “The Land and The Seas with Nemo & Friends are planned to be with us into the future.”

    There is indeed a massive transformation taking place at Epcot for the park’s 50th anniversary however, which includes a newly redesigned park entrance, a new Guardians of the Galaxy Roller Coaster, a Space-Themed Restaurant, the new Play Pavilion and much more.

    The D23 Expo 2019 in Anaheim is just under three months away and Disney will be unveiling more of their transformative plans for Epcot, so stay tuned to Disney Dorks for the latest news and updates.

  • Blue Milk Now at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland is Strong With the Force

    Blue Milk Now at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland is Strong With the Force

    This is the drink you’re for! Blue Milk — one of the many spacebound delights now available in the newly opened Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland — is out of this galaxy.

    Ever since Luke Skywalker sat down for a family meal in Star Wars: A New Hope, Star Wars fans have had this burning question: What does Blue Milk taste like? Now at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, you finally have your answer.

    The Milk Stand in the Black Spire Outpost marketplace offers both Blue and Green Milk, delicious frozen blends with dashes of fruity accents. Galaxy’s Edge visitors will be able to purchase Blue Milk for $7.99

    Black Spire Outpost in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is home to a bustling marketplace, full of vendors showcasing wares from across the galaxy. The marketplace’s twisting pathway is just waiting to be explored, with something new to see seemingly around every turn.

    You can quench your thirst with a cup of Batuu’s legendary blue or green treat, served frozen—now at Disneyland or at Disney World when it opens August 29, 2019.

  • First Look: Bo Peep Meet & Greet Coming to Disney Parks This Summer

    First Look: Bo Peep Meet & Greet Coming to Disney Parks This Summer

    As we previously reported, Bo Peep, from Pixar Animation Studios’ “Toy Story” films, is making special appearances at Disney Parks this summer and now we have a first look at what she will look like at her Meet & Greet in the parks.

    You’ll be able to meet Bo when she finds her way to Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure park, Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Paris. She’ll also be traveling across the Pacific to visit Disney Parks in Asia.

    In “Toy Story 4,” when Bonnie takes the toys on her family’s road trip, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost friend Bo Peep, whose adventurous spirit and life on the road belie her delicate porcelain exterior. Woody and Bo are worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy, and they soon realize that’s the least of their worries.

    Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” ventures to theaters on June 21, 2019.

  • ‘Teacher Appreciation’ Rates Offered This Summer at Disney World Resort

    ‘Teacher Appreciation’ Rates Offered This Summer at Disney World Resort

    Teachers have made it through another year and Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels are now offering “Teacher Appreciation” rates through September 3 that will allow teachers to take advantage of Disney-area hotels for a big discount.

    All teachers and school support staff are eligible to receive the discounts starting at $75/night at Disney Springs hotels over the summer.

    Teachers who stay at Disney Springs hotels receive access to the resort’s Extra Magic Hours, 60-day Fastpass+ service and free transportation to the parks. Take a look at the list of “Teacher Appreciation” hotel rates below:

    • Wyndham Garden – $75/night
    • B Resort & Spa – $89/night
    • Holiday Inn – $95/night
    • Best Western – $95.99/night
    • Hilton Lake Buena Vista – $116/night
    • Hilton Buena Vista Palace – $122/night
    • Doubletree Suites – $129/night

    If you need help booking your magical vacation, contact Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Vikki for help. My services are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!

  • Preview of Epcot Updates Coming to D23 Expo 2019

    Preview of Epcot Updates Coming to D23 Expo 2019

    The D23 Expo 2019 in Anaheim is just under three months away and Disney plans on unveiling more of their massive transformative plans for Epcot at the event. To whet your appetite, here are three things to look forward to.

    • The park’s core reimagined: You’ve already heard about the transformation taking place just inside the park’s entrance, where they will be enhancing the area with lush green spaces and classic touches. At the Expo, Disney will share more about what’s coming to the core of the park on the opposite side of Spaceship Earth. New areas will be flanking the iconic attraction and you can look forward to details on those.
    • A new – but classic – look to match Epcot offerings: Longtime fans of Epcot are familiar with the pavilion icons, like the ones you see here for Imagination!, The Land and The Seas with Nemo & Friends. With new experiences like the previously announced play-themed pavilion joining these Epcot staples will be new icons to match.
    • More about what makes Epcot, Epcot – Epcot is special for a lot of reasons – as one of Walt’s final projects, as an exclusive part of the Walt Disney World Resort, and as home to millions of memories from generations of guests. As Disney charges ahead with the park’s evolution, the architects of Epcot’s future are working to preserve all the elements that make this park so special while also evolving it to be more Disney, more family, more relevant and more timeless. At the Expo, you’ll hear more about experiences that are uniquely Epcot – for example, the updated films coming to Future World and World Showcase, as well as new dining experiences being added to the menu of ‘the foodie park.’

    Well, there you go – three things to tide you over in the three months leading up to the D23 Expo. Let us know what you think about the changes in the comments. And be sure to keep it locked here on Disney Dorks where we’ll have all the news from the Expo.

  • Merchandise Extends Storytelling in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

    Merchandise Extends Storytelling in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

    Merchandise available in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge plays a vital role in the overall storytelling within the land. The Disney Parks product development team was integrated with the overall project team throughout the creation of the land to ensure the retail program delivers an immersive, authentic and connected Star Wars experience.

    Unique merchandise expands the fun of playing in this land, allowing guests to live their own Star Wars adventures through new story-driven retail experiences, role-play products and environments. Retail comes to life for guests as they construct a lightsaber or build a droid in authentic environments. The products deliver a level of authenticity, realism and storytelling that can only be achieved at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

    Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens May 31, 2019, at Disneyland Park in California and Aug. 29, 2019, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida.* Merchandise available in this groundbreaking new land includes:

    Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers

    • Guests can customize their own legendary lightsabers as they choose their paths in this immersive retail experience.
    • A group known as the Gatherers ushers guests into a covert workshop packed with unusual parts and whimsical pieces collected from the far reaches of the galaxy. Under the Gatherers’ guidance, guests construct one-of-a-kind lightsabers and bring them to life through the power of kyber crystals.
    • Guests select from the following lightsaber themes:
      • Peace and Justice – Utilize salvaged scraps of fallen Jedi temples and crashed starships in Republic-era lightsaber designs that honor the galaxy’s former guardians.
      • Power and Control – Originally forged by warriors from the dark side, objects used in this lightsaber style are rumored remnants from the Sith home world and abandoned temples.
      • Elemental Nature – Craft a lightsaber from special components born from the Force, such as Brylark trees, Cartusion whale bones or Rancor teeth.
      • Protection and Defense – Incorporate hilt materials bearing mysterious motifs and inscriptions that reconnect a lightsaber’s wielder with the ancient wellspring of the Force.

    Droid Depot**

    • Building their very own droid is a guest experience offered at the Droid Depot. For this custom astromech adventure, guests enter a workshop stocked with stacks of parts, chips and manuals to construct their own droid, one of the galaxy’s most indispensable sidekicks.
    • In this immersive retail experience, guests construct either the BB-series or R-series astromech.
    • Droid parts come and go on conveyor belts as guests make choices to construct their own units.
    • Once built, guests place their droids in an activation station to bring them to life, allowing the droids to be operated via remote control.***
    • Droids can be further customized with personality-affiliation chips, color panels and other accessories.
    • Once activated, droids may interact with other astromech droids and with certain other Bluetooth-enabled elements and devices throughout Black Spire Outpost.***
    • In addition, Droid Depot offers prebuilt droids, housewares and apparel, all inspired by the design, engineering and building of droids:
      • Premium Droid Action Figures – Featuring R2-D2, BB-8, DJ R-3X and C-3PO, these hero-scale droids are loaded with interactive functionality. DJ R-3X is both a fully functional remote-control droid and Bluetooth-enabled speaker, with classic DJ sound effects.
      • Color Changing Droids Figure Packs and Play Set – Built to classic 3 ¾ scale, these droids are ready for an undercover mission in Black Spire Outpost.
      • Droid Light-Up R2-D2 or BB-8 Headbands – No droid part goes unused, as these motion-activated dome headbands inspired by favorite Star Warscharacters respond with lights and sound.
      • Droid Depot Work Shirts and Apparel – Available for droid fans of all ages.

    Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities

    • Guests will shop for mysterious and unique galactic artifacts collected by Dok-Ondar, a legendary antiquities dealer who is as mysterious as many of the objects he collects. The Ithorian’s den is packed with racks and crates of items with their own stories to tell:
      • Legacy Lightsabers – This elegant weapon from a more civilized age is most commonly associated with the Jedi and Sith. Dok-Ondar has collected replicas of some of the most famous – or infamous – warriors in the galaxy’s history, including Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Maul.
      • Lightsaber Accessories – Lightsaber clips, carrier bags and display stands are used to carry or display a lightsaber when not in use.
      • Kyber Crystals – At the heart of every lightsaber is a kyber crystal. This crystal is attuned to the Force. Colors include blue, green, purple, red, yellow and white.
      • Holocrons – The Jedi and Sith have curated enormous amounts of information about the galaxy and the Force. Holocrons store this valuable data, which when paired with kyber crystals can be unlocked and accessed by the owner of these rare artifacts.

    Creature Stall

    • At this exotic market stall, guests will discover creatures and critters from across the galaxy. While Bina, the stall’s proprietor, is out traversing for more exotic creatures to bring into her stall, her assistants keep this storefront stocked with unique companions for her customers, who may want to take one home, including:
      • Kowakian Monkey-Lizard – This cackling, rambunctious creature comes in multiple colors and can sit on the shoulder.
      • Porg – This small, flat-muzzled, naturally inquisitive avian creature hails from the cliffs of secluded Ahch-To. Watch as it chirps and flaps its wings.
      • Loth-cat – A member of the tooka family and native to Lothal, this feline is a small, temperamental creature. While at times friendly, it is still a capable hunter with sharp teeth.

    Black Spire Outfitters

    • At this colorful apparel shop, guests can find outfits for a galactic adventure, selecting from stylish, functional clothing suitable for many occasions and worlds:
      • Robes – Inspired by those worn by Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, these are available in both brown and black, and are sized for all.
      • Tunics – Often worn under robes, these are available in both neutral and black, and are sized for all.
      • Belts – Available in a variety of styles and colors and sized from youth through adult, these are the perfect accessories for wearing a lightsaber hilt.

    Toydarian Toymaker

    • No traveler to Black Spire Outpost will want to return home empty-handed. In this whimsical shop, guests may browse for handcrafted toys and collectibles from the busy toymaker, Zabaka the Toydarian:
      • Artisan Plush Characters – Famous icons of the galaxy are brought to life through stylized plush, including Yoda, Chewbacca, Ewoks and many more.
      • Games – With fun for all ages, shoppers can choose from Cards of Sabacc, Dejarik, Chance Cubes and more.
      • Vehicles – Famous vessels of the galaxy are crafted in materials such as wood and metal.

    Jewels of Bith

    • A must-stop destination for local goods and tiny treasures, this shop offers a wide variety of souvenirs and gifts for tourists wishing to commemorate a visit to Batuu:
      • Batuuan Cooling Fan – Stay cool on hot days with this hand-held fan inspired by the moisture vaporators of Tatooine.
      • Gifts of Batuu and Black Spire Outpost – Apparel and drinkware featuring the sights and graphics of this remote planet and its most heavily populated village.

    First Order Cargo

    • The First Order recently arrived in Black Spire Outpost and established a post to win the hearts and minds of locals and tourists alike. Guests can show their support by purchasing clothing, gear and other accessories:
      • Accessories – First Order-branded caps, pins, patches and other gear.
      • Toys and Vehicles – Models and metal replicas of the First Order.

    Resistance Supply

    • Members of the Resistance set up a secret makeshift post where guests can join the cause to defeat the First Order by stocking up on essential gear and supplies to prepare for their next mission:
      • Accessories – Resistance-branded caps, pins, patches and other gear.
      • Toys and Vehicles – Models and metal replicas of the Resistance fleet.
      • Resistance MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) – On-the-go snacks for Resistance fighters.
  • Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Guide to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

    Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Guide to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

    Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is an anchor attraction inside the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, opening May 31, 2019, at Disneyland Park in California and Aug. 29, 2019, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida.

    The attraction combines immersive storytelling with interactive gameplay to make guests the protagonists of their own Star Wars adventures in a way never before undertaken by Disney Parks.

    Lovingly described at various times as a “piece of junk” or “bucket of bolts,” the Millennium Falcon is the most famous of all Star Wars starships. On Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, guests 38 inches or taller climb aboard the Falcon in all her ramshackle glory and settle into the cockpit to operate “the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy.” They could just discover the ship has a few surprises left in her, because the Millennium Falcon may not look like much, but she’s got it where it counts.

    Following the events of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” Chewbacca brought the Falcon to Black Spire Outpost for repairs at this spaceport on the edge of the galaxy. In exchange for some much-needed replacement parts, Chewie is loaning the Falconto Hondo Ohnaka, a smuggler who is now making good use of the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs. It is at this point guests enter the story of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.

    Who Is Hondo Ohnaka and What Does He Want?

    • A fan-favorite miscreant from the “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars Rebels” animated television series, Hondo is a Weequay pirate always looking for the next big score.
    • Hondo is running a “legitimate business” out of the spaceport, called Ohnaka Transport Solutions. When guests meet Hondo in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, he tells them he has more cargo than he can handle and needs extra flight crews to make some runs for him – especially crews that won’t ask too many questions about the cargo or how Hondo acquired it!

    Step Aboard the Falcon

    • When guests accept Hondo’s offer, they enter the Falcon via an access hatch on the ship’s starboard airlock. Once aboard, they spend some time in the ship’s main hold and lounge, where they can sit at the famous Dejarik (chess) table or poke around at other equipment in the room.

    Three Roles to Play – One Goal

    • When it’s time for the mission to begin, guests strap themselves into the Falcon cockpit in groups of six. Each person is assigned one of three critical roles to complete their mission, and guests know it’s their turn to act when buttons light up in the cockpit:
      • Pilots (2) – Work together to steer the ship – the left pilot controls horizontal motion, the right pilot controls vertical motion – avoiding obstacles that could cause damage
      • Gunners (2) – Use blasters and missiles to defend the Falcon and its precious cargo (switching to manual targeting creates an even greater challenge!)
      • Flight Engineers (2) – Keep the Falcon from falling apart on its mission by managing the ship’s systems, repairing any damage the ship encounters and take control of the “special modifications” Hondo installed for these unusual missions

    Interactive Gameplay

    • Industrial Light & Magic (the visual effects division of Lucasfilm) collaborated with Walt Disney Imagineering to create the gaming platform and interactive media for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
    • Guests begin their adventure by powering up the Falcon and making the jump to lightspeed. From there, Hondo Ohnaka (with occasional input from Chewbacca) helps guide guests along their mission.
    • If the Falcon sustains damage – such as smashing into obstacles or taking enemy fire – and is not properly repaired, the ship’s handling is affected.
    • At the end of the mission, Hondo informs guests how well they accomplished their objectives.

    Authenticity in the Details

    • Walt Disney Imagineers worked with Lucasfilm to ensure authenticity in every detail of the Millennium Falcon – down to the hoses, pipes, switches and even the stickers on the exterior hull. Imagineers visited Pinewood Studios in the United Kingdom to study Falcon film sets and pored over archival Lucasfilm photographs of the ship.
    • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run marks the first time Hondo Ohnaka has been seen in any form other than an animated on-screen character. Walt Disney Imagineering consulted Hondo’s creator, Dave Filoni, in designing the smuggler’s physical look, ensuring the essence of his character was authentically captured in his Audio-Animatronics figure inside the attraction.
    • Over time, the Millennium Falcon has undergone many modifications. For this mission, Hondo altered the control sticks for the pilot and co-pilot and supplemented the Falcon’s arsenal with a harpoon, among other tweaks.
    • If guests’ mission aboard the Falcon doesn’t go quite as well as planned, the ship’s hallways will show damage as they leave the attraction.
  • First Look: Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Preview

    First Look: Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Preview

    Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is opening May 31st in Disneyland and August 29th in Disney World.

    We were lucky enough to be invited to a special preview and I have to say my mind is blown! Black Spire is everything I hoped for, and more.

    This new 14 acre addition to Disneyland is more than you could ever imagine. They have really outdone themselves in making each sure each guest feels completely immersed and has a personal and unique experience. From the rides, to the food, to the merchandise, everything is tailored to the land.

    The cast are also a big part of Black Spire. Each cast member is allowed to pick and personalize their uniform each day. They are encouraged to build a character, or persona, and they stay in character as you talk to them.

    In Oga’s Cantina there are space creatures in containers that move and interact when a certain drink is poured. When the hyperdrive breaks down you get to watch the cast members “fix” it. There were alcoholic and non-alcoholic libations for you to enjoy. Two of the drinks even come in souvenir ceramic Tiki mugs.

    You won’t any Star Wars branded merchandise here either. To continue the feeling of actually visiting a planet where people live and work, the merchandise doesn’t need to have the Star Wars name on it. Just like Rey and Finn live in the Star Wars universe, you’ll feel like a visitor to a far-flung outpost.

    Another way Disney pulls you into the world of Black Spire is expanding their Play Parks App. When you enter Black Spire and sign in you’ll be able to scan containers to see what’s inside them, hack into droids, and intercept transmissions from antennas. Doing all this will gain you credits and advance your character. You can play alone, or with a group.

    On Melliniun Falcon: Smugglers run you get to ride the iconic ship as you join Chewie and Hondo Ohnaka on a mission to ‘procure’ some precious cargo? You get to talk a stroll thru the cockpit after you’re randomly assigned a Pilot, Gunner, or Mechanic position. The right side pilot controls up and down movement, and the left side pilot controls left and right. Gunners protect the ship, and engineers repair damage. When you come back Rondo will critique your performance. Be careful, because you might end up owing him if you don’t bring back enough cargo or damage the Millennium Falcon.

    The cast members on this ride are fellow crew members, and they joke around with you and can be very funny and sarcastic. This is one ride you will want to do over and over, trying for a better score.

    There’s also plenty of amazing Star Wars gifts to take home. You can build your droid at The Droid Depot where there are almost 280,000 possible combinations. You can also build your Lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop, with over 120,000 possible combinations. These 2 experiences may require a reservation depending on demand. With 9 retail locations and nearly 700 unique items, there is something for everyone.

    Every detail of this new land is meant to transport you to a Galaxy Far, Far Away.

    Stay tuned for more articles where we’ll delve deeper into each aspect of this amazing land.

  • Disney Cruise Line’s Navigator App Adds New Features

    Disney Cruise Line’s Navigator App Adds New Features

    Planning your next Disney cruise vacation just got a lot easier! With a plethora of new features, the enhanced Disney Cruise Line Navigator app makes it easier than ever to prepare for the trip of a lifetime.

    The new features that are available as soon as you book a reservation include everything you need to start planning your cruise, from accessing online check-in, making payments or viewing ship details.

    Once your cruise countdown hits 130 days, the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app will also soon allow your family to explore and book activities. Reserve Port Adventures for your family, book dinner at Palo and Remy or even make a reservation for a spa treatment – all from your smartphone.

    Along with planning your vacation, the app can also be a tool to share your excitement about your upcoming Disney cruise with friends and family. Let everyone know how many days you have left until your next sailing with a screenshot of the cruise countdown clock!

    Once onboard, the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app continues to be your go-to tool to help plan your days and keep in touch with friends and family during your cruise. Quickly access an hour-by-hour schedule of activities, entertainment and character meet-and-greets onboard, review your dining options, plan your meals by viewing the nightly menus, and send and receive chat messages with fellow guests. Best of all, it remains complimentary for your family to use both before and during your vacation!

    Get ready for your Disney cruise at home – and enjoy even more magic on the ship – by downloading the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app today!

    If you need help booking your magical vacation, contact Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Vikki for help. My services are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!

  • VIDEO: Cast Member Bus Catches Fire at Walt Disney World

    VIDEO: Cast Member Bus Catches Fire at Walt Disney World

    Smoking and burning as it rolled to a stop, a bus transporting Disney College Program Cast Members caught on fire this weekend.

    The bus was approaching Magic Kingdom’s tollbooth area when it caught on fire. After exiting the bus, cast members stood on the side of the road while firefighters battled the blaze.

    The video was posted to Twitter after it happened. Take a look at the incident below:

    In the video, you can see the white and grey smoke rising as the bus nearly hits the ambulance truck in front of it. Firefighters are yelling “Get out of the way!” to the costumed cast members as they run from the bus onto the grass median. 

    So far, there is no word on what caused the fire or if anyone who was on board was hurt from the fire.