BB-8 Meet & Greet Coming to Star Wars Launch Bay

Yes, I am writing a blog just to announce this news because my obsession and a dream is finally coming true. A BB-8 meet and greet is coming to Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney's Hollywood Studios this Spring. 

BB-8 will appear in addition to Kylo Ren and Chewbacca, two characters from the Star Wars galaxy who guests regularly encounter at Star Wars Launch Bay. In addition to character greetings, the location also offers guests the chance to explore galleries full of treasured memorabilia and authentic replicas of large-scale Star Wars artifacts, including some from the latest film in the franchise, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

I couldn't be more excited to finally be able to meet BB-8 although I am also heartbroken as I won't see him until next year as no visit is planned this year. Stay tuned as BB-8 will be making his debut in the coming weeks.

Possible Free Disney Dining Announced, Disneyland & Hollywood Studios Break Ground on Star Wars Land, & More

Possible Free Disney Dining Announced:

We have been waiting for months now about when Disney World would announce it's annual free Disney Dining deal. Through a glitch in the system on the Disney travel agent website the dates appeared, although they were quickly removed, we now may know when free dining will be offered. Here are the presumed dates:

8/23/16 - 10/1/16

11/15/16 - 11/21/16

11/26/16 - 11/28/16

12/10/16 - 12/21/16

While this hasn't been announced yet, I would imagine that the information on the promotion will be released really soon. Stay tuned for the official details.

Disneyland & Hollywood Studios Break Ground on Star Wars Land:

Over the last week and a half the Disney Parks Blog has somewhat left fans guessing with previews of Star Wars Land with special sneak peaks from both BB-8 in Disneyland and R2-D2 at Hollywood Studios. Today, the DPB revealed just what our favorite droids were looking at as they announced ground has officially broken on the 14-acre land on both coasts. 

We are certainly excited especially for the groundbreaking in Hollywood Studios. Although we didn't get a look at Florida's construction. They did release a 360 degree photo view of just what Disneyland  is looking like now a days as construction on Star Wars Land has begun. You can view the 360 degree photo and the special inhabitants of the photo here courtesy of Littlstar.

Two New "Captain America: Civil War" Clips Released:

We are less than a month away from the release of Marvel's next hit in "Captain America: Civil War." Over the last few days, two new clips have been released. The two clips focus on Team Captain America. In the first clip we see Cap join forces with Falcon and the Scarlet Witch as they prepare for battle. The clip is entitled: "Just Like We Practiced" -

The next clip show's Ant-Man joining forces with Team Cap as he fawns over meeting Captain America. Check out "New Recruit" below:



"Captain America: Civl War" hits theaters May 6, 2016.

BB-8 Previews Star Wars Land, New FastPass+ Changes go Into Effect Sunday, and More

BB-8 Previews Star Wars Land Possibly:

BB-8 seems to be previewing Star Wars Land at Disneyland in a photo released by the Disney Parks Blog. Erin Glover said more details on what our favorite droid from "The Force Awakens" is looking at will be released soon. 

Speculation is that we will soon hear details on when ground will be officially be broken in Disneyland and Disney World. Maybe we will finally get a date for when the lands will open. Who knows but stay tuned for more info.

New FastPass+ Changes to go Into Effect Sunday, April 10:

Rumors have long been coming that major changes were coming to FastPass+, we now know when those dates will go into effect. Changes to the FastPass+ system will go into effect this Sunday, April 10. These changes include:

• No more having to choose between 3 tiered ride choices at a time and take the "best option" where they choose the times for you
• Instead, you can now select 1 ride at a time and select a specific time for that ride
• Ability to remove individual guests from FastPass+ reservation
• Ability to cancel single reservation instead of all three

Are you excited for the new FastPass+ changes coming to Walt Disney World?

Disney Vacation Club Announces New Benefit Restrictions for Resales Buyers:

Today, in a letter from Ken Potrock, SVP & GM of Disney Vacation Club and Adventures by Disney, announced new restrictions to benefits available to resale purchasers effective today, April 4. This includes discounts on dining, shopping, annual passes, and access to member-exclusive events. Here is the letter:

Dear Disney Vacation Club Member,

Our goal at Disney Vacation Club has always been to create magical experiences for you and your families – experiences you simply can’t find anywhere else but Disney.

As our Member community continues to grow, we want to make sure we can continue to deliver the Membership Extras that add value to your overall experience – offerings that are provided as a premium advantage to our Members who purchase directly from Disney Vacation Club.

With that in mind, please be aware of a policy change regarding the availability of Membership Extras to our membership. As previously communicated (effective March 21, 2011), Getaways included within the Disney Collection (e.g., Disney Cruise Line and Adventures by Disney) and the Concierge Collection, which are now part of Membership Extras, have not been available for ownership interests not purchased directly from Disney Vacation Club. Now, effective April 4, 2016, Members who do not purchase their ownership interest directly from Disney Vacation Club will not have access to other Membership Extras, such as exclusive Member experiences and discounts. Please know that as a current Disney Vacation Club Member (regardless of when or where you bought your membership), your access to Disney Differences and these additional Membership Extras will not be affected by this policy change. For more details about our Membership Extras program, please refer to our Membership Extras Acknowledgment and Disclosure Statement available online at disneyvacationclub.com.

We see this policy change as a very positive step to ensure that, going forward, our Members who purchase directly from Disney Vacation Club receive a premium advantage – in addition to all the magic that Disney has to offer.

Speaking of membership advantages, you’ve probably heard about the exciting Membership Extras introduced as part of the Disney Vacation Club 25th Anniversary. With this celebration, we’ve created unprecedented and exclusive Disney experiences for you and your family. In fact, just weeks ago, nearly 16,000 of you were able to enjoy the Disney Vacation Club 25 and Beyond Bash at Magic Kingdom Park. Meanwhile, more than 10,000 Members have entered our Disney Vacation Club Silver Anniversary Sweepstakes, and thousands of you have booked the Member Cruise sailing from New York later this year.

In the coming months we’ll be bringing you even more spectacular Membership Extras as part of the anniversary, from exclusive merchandise and one-of-a-kind events (including exciting plans for the West Coast) to an all-new Member Lounge opening later this spring in the Imagination! Pavilion at Epcot. And there’s so much more Disney Vacation Club fun on the horizon!

Thank you, as always, for being part of the Disney Vacation Club family – a family we are proud to serve. We look forward to welcoming you home again soon!

Sincerely,

Ken Potrock
Senior Vice President & General Manager Disney Vacation Club & Adventures by Disney

Changes are effective immediately. 

Awaken Summer with New Disney World Travel Deal; Disney Magic Kingdoms to Release on Thursday, March 17

Awaken Summer with New Disney World Travel Deal:

We now know what the theme for Disney World will be this summer with a new travel deal being released this morning. Disney World says, "Awaken Summer with New Magic in all Four Parks!" Guests booking from now until June 10, 2016 you can save 30% off select rooms at Walt Disney World Resorts for stays June 12 - August 25, 2016. Guests may also select a special "Awaken Summer" Magic Band on their My Disney Experience account after booking.

To receive the special "Awaken Summer" Magic Band guests must book at least a 2-day Magic Your Way ticket. The special Magic Band will activate a special sound or lighting feature at several points through out Disney World. 

Offer restrictions include: 3-bedroom villas, campsites, The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms at Disney's Art of Animation, and the Bungalows at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.

Disney Magic Kingdoms to Release This Thursday, March 17:

The next Disney mobile game, Disney Magic Kingdoms, will be released on this Thursday, March 17. The game which Disney created with Gameloft will allow users to build their favorite attractions like Mickey's Fun Wheel, Astro Orbiters, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, and be able to share spectacular Disney moments with characters from Disney Pixar's Wall-E and Toy Story, Disney's Tangled, and so much more.

The storyline of the game will bring gamers to the magical world as Maleficent as she casts an evil spell as she rids the Parks of all its powerful magic. Players will need the help of their favorite characters such as Mickey Mouse, Buzz Lightyear, and more as they try to defeat the villains and create the park of their dreams. 

A new trailer was also released today with the announcement: 

The game will be available on the Apple App Store, Google Play, and the Window App Store this Thursday. The game was announced at last summer's D23 EXPO.

New Star Wars: The Force Awakens Teaser and so Much More from Star Wars Celebration

Let's just start off with what everyone is talking about as Star Wars Celebration began today. Today at the celebration a new teaser trailer has been released. It is jaw-dropping and every Star Wars fan will be in shock once they see it. So without further explanation here it is:

It begin with Luke's voiceover about how the force is strong in his family. His father which shows an incredible picture of Vader's mask. The trailer continues with more clips of our favorite characters and TIE-fighters, X-wings, and the newly evolved stormtroopers. The favorite however is the ending with Han Solo and Chewbacca with Han saying, "Chewie, We're Home." The internet and the Anaheim Convention Center is in a buzz with Star Wars Celebration.

This morning the original cast members of the trilogy gathered on stage for a panel on the new movie. Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Peter Mayhew, and Anthony Daniels gathered on the stage being backed by the newly evolved Stormtroopers for the film. Harrison Ford was absent as he is still recovering from injuries suffered in a plane crash just months ago. 

That wasn't all that was shown off in the Anaheim Convention Center for Star Wars Celebration, as the new droid form "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" was on hand, BB-8. The spherical droid rolled on stage today as director, J.J. Abrams and producer Kathleen Kennedy talked about the film. 

Abrams explained that originally he thought of creating BB-8 through CG but instead he found it much easier for the actors to interact with the real-life robot. BB-8 even had a arguing match with R2-D2 on stage. Here is the video of what went on:

"Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens" opens in theaters on December 18, 2015. Tune in for more info about Star Wars Celebration as the celebration continues until Sunday.