Stitch's Great Escape to Close Forever (Finally); New Details on Terralina Crafted Italian

Stitch's Great Escape to Close Forever (Finally):

It appears as the end is finally coming for Stitch's Great Escape. According to WDW News Today, the attraction will close forever once its season run ends on January 6, 2018. A new attraction, rumored to be Wreck-it-Ralph themed, will take its place.

Disney has not yet made the official announcement but it is expected in the next few days. Stitch's Great Escape will have its final seasonal operation run from December 23 through January 6 then close for good.

It has been one of the worst rated attractions and has been running on seasonal operation since October 2016.

Source: WDW News Today

New Details on Terralina Crafted Italian Coming to Disney Springs:

Terralina Crafted Italian will be opening in Disney Springs in 2018 and today on the 12 Days of Disney Parks Christmas we got more details on the restaurant. Coming from the Levy Restaurant group, which brought us Paddlefish earlier this year, Terralina Crafted Italian will transport guests to "la dolce vita" (the sweet life), essence of the spectacular Lake District of Northern Italy.

Alison Weber, Chief Creative Officer for Levy, had this to share on details of the restaurant:

"The story here is of a first-generation Italian family, from the Lake District, who built a home in Disney Springs, expanding it over the years to welcome more friends and neighbors to enjoy their hospitality, and, of course, food! At Terralina Crafted Italian, every detail supports the philosophy that ‘life is meant to be savored through the simplest of pleasures.’ The table is even set that way … ready for good conversations, storytelling and moments to be enjoyed.”

Featuring an open rotunda that welcomes guests with a rustic stone fireplace, a new outdoor patio with a veranda bar that spills out into the Disney Springs promenade, and a two-story glass conservatory that showcases stunning views of Lake Buena Vista, every element of the décor feels fresh and new. The herb garden outside the front doors, will give a nod to the medley of flavors that are waiting to be discovered inside and the curated collection of family photos and vintage heirlooms that are scattered throughout the space.

James Beard-Award Winning Chef Tony Mantuano will lead menu development and he’ll have some serious culinary delights planned for the wood-burning oven and open kitchen on display in the location. Terralina Crafted Italian is expected to open sometime in early 2018 and details on the menu are expected soon. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for those delicious details.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Flights of Wonder to be Replaced by "Up" Themed Bird Show in 2018

As has been rumored for the last few weeks, Flights of Wonder will end at year's end for a new show in honor of Disney's Animal Kingdom's 20th Anniversary. It was confirmed yesterday during yesterday's post on the Disney Parks Blog for its 12 Days of Disney Parks Christmas. 

Flights of Wonder will have its last show on December 31, 2017 and a new show featuring Russell and Dug from "Up" will debut in Spring 2018.

Beginning just in time for the 20th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom next year, this new experience will offer guests the chance to see Senior Wilderness Explorer Russell and his furry friend Dug as they discover species of birds from around the world in their newest adventure at the Caravan Theater in Anandapur village. There will be “UP” close encounters each day with amazing winged creatures!

Stay tuned on for more information on the new "Up" themed bird show coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom next year. Are you excited for the new show featuring Russell and Dug?

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Shanghai Disneyland's Toy Story Land to Open April 26; DCA Food & Wine Expands to Six Weeks

Shanghai Disneyland's Toy Story Land to Open April 26:

Last week, we got our first look at concept art for Shanghai Disneyland's first expansion for its 7th themed land in Toy Story Land. Yesterday, during Day 3 of the 12 Days of Disney Parks Christmas on the Disney Parks Blog an opening date was revealed for the land.

Toy Story Land will open on April 26, 2018. The expansion includes three brand new attractions in Slinky Dog Spin, Rex's Racer, and Woody's Roundup, a restaurant called the Toy Box Cafe, and a meet and greet area in Old West where you can meet your favorite Toy Story characters. You can read our story about the expansion here. 

The new land will bring unparalleled storytelling and creativity, making this international destination bigger and better than ever. Stay tuned for updates on this Toy Story Land opening in Shanghai and our own Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios right here on It All Started With a Mouse. 

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Expands to 6 Weeks in 2018:

The first story in yesterday's Day 3 of the 12 Days of Disney Parks Christmas was that the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival will expand to 6 weeks in 2018. It will run from March 2 through April 12, 2018 bringing delicious cuisine, specialty beverages, and exciting entertainment as it makes it return for the third straight year. 

More than a dozen Festival Marketplaces will feature California-inspired tastes and sips. Guests will experience presentations and demonstrations with celebrity chefs such as Robert Irvine and Alex Guarnaschelli; food and beverage tastings; winemaker dinners; beer, wine and spirit seminars – all in addition to live music, entertainment and special activities throughout the festival.
The festival’s signature events will include new experiences such as the Disney Family of Wines Dinner, as well as returning favorites like Sweet Sundays and the Winemaker or Brewmaster Dinners. Another guest-favorite returning to the festival is the Junior Chef experience, with hands-on fun led by Chef Goofy, for children ages 3 to 11.

Stay tuned for more details on the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival as they are revealed in the future.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

First Look at New Floats for Pixar Play Parade; Disney on Broadway Concert Lineup Announced

First Look at New Floats for Pixar Play Parade to Debut April 13:

Starting yesterday the Disney Parks Blog began their 12 Days of Disney Parks Christmas in which over the next 12 days they will reveal some new and exciting things coming to Disney Parks in 2018. The first day yesterday revealed the three new floats that will debut as part of the Pixar Play Parade which will return to Disneyland on April 13 as part of Pixar Fest.

The parade will begin as all Pixar films have, with an appearance by the iconic and adorable Pixar Lamp. Rolling ahead of the famous lamp will be the familiar yellow Pixar Ball, making a cameo in Pixar Play Parade, as it has in many Pixar films.

Next up to be joining the parade are characters from the beloved film, “Up.” Wilderness Explorer Russell will appear astride the colorful flightless bird, Kevin, with Carl Fredricksen and Dug following behind amid green foliage and snipe chicks, with Carl’s tethered house floating above.

Finally, one more Pixar story coming to Pixar Play Parade is “Inside Out.” Perched atop colorful memory orbs, Joy and Sadness take flight aboard Bing Bong’s rocket wagon, with Bing Bong himself cheering them on! This will be the first time that guests will see Bing Bong in the parks.

Stay tuned over the next 12 days as more exciting things are revealed about Disney Parks in 2018.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Disney on Broadway Concert Lineup Announced for Festival of the Arts:

Believe it or not the Epcot International Festival of the Arts is just over a month away and now we have just who will be performing for the Disney on Broadway Concert Series. Over the six weeks of the festival guests can enjoy musical pairings of Broadway talent singing Disney on Broadway tunes at the American Gardens Theatre. Here is the lineup:

January 12-15, 19-22: Kara Lindsay and Kevin Massay – Tarzan, Aladdin, Newsies, Frozen

January 26-29, February 2-5: Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White – Tarzan, The Lion King, Aida, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid

February 9-12, 16-19: Ashley Brown and Josh Strickland – Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, Mary Poppins, Newsies, Frozen

The 2nd Annual Epcot International Festival of the Arts runs January 12 through February 19, 2018. 

Source: WDW News Today