What You Need to Know About the Effects Hurricane Matthew is Having on Disney

I would like to open with my thoughts and prayers are with all of the Southeast and the Caribbean as Hurricane Matthew barrels its way up the coast. If you are visiting Disney currently or even on a Disney Cruise some changes may have been made to prepare for Matthew's landfall tomorrow, October 6. Here is what you need to know:

Update 10:51 p.m. ET on 10/5:

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has been canceled for tomorrow, October 6 due to Hurricane Matthew. No word on Friday's party. For booking, refunds and other options guests may call (407)566-4985, option 5, between 9 AM and 11 PM (EST).

Disney is waving fees for most trips that are taking place from today 10/5/2016 through 10/9/2016. While it is not guaranteed, Disney is working with guests and full refunds are being given without penalization once the guest contacts Disney.

In preparation for tomorrow's landfall Disney has begun evacuating guests from Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground. Guests staying at the campground began receiving letters from the resort stating that Disney will be accommodating them at a new resort for the remainder of their stay. Disney's Fort Wilderness will be closing tomorrow at 11 a.m and is issuing a mandatory evacuation. Here is the letter guests received (Tweet by @ParksByDoom):

Disneys Working to relocate Guests at Ft Wilderness Campsites for the next few nights due to #HurricaneMatthew pic.twitter.com/YdIRIS10bV

— Mr. Doom PhD (@ParksByDoom) October 5, 2016

Also guests staying at Disney Vacation Club resorts in Vero Beach, FL and Hilton Head, SC will also be closed.  Disney has also cancelled the 2016 Cross Country Classic that was being held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex this weekend.

Update 8:55 p.m. ET on 10/5:
As of right now the only park changes for tomorrow October 6 are that Disney's Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon will be closed. They will be closed as well on Friday, October 7th. The Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show and Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue are cancelled for 10/6 and 10/7. Characters in Flight will be closed through October 9.

As for Disney Cruise Line, the following adjustments have been made to itineraries:

On the Disney Dream:

The October 3rd sailing is being extended a day, as Port Canaveral will not be available for the ship's original intended arrival this Friday, October 7. Instead the plan is to disembark guests on Saturday, October 8, once the Coast Guard has determined the port is safe for cruise ship operations. DCL is working with guests to assist them on travel operations.

The October 7 sailing of the Disney Dream from Port Canaveral is being cancelled. Refunds will automatically be processed back to the original form of payment used for cruise bookings. Guests are invited to call us at 1-866-325-3905 or 407-566-7032 beginning Monday, Oct. 10, to book a future cruise at a discount.

The Disney Magic:

The October 7 sailing of the Disney Magic from New York is being changed to a Canadian itinerary, with plans to visit Sydney, Nova Scotia; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Saint John, New Brunswick. Guests who remain on this revised itinerary will receive an onboard credit. Guests who would like to rebook a future sailing at a discount OR cancel their sailing for a full refund are invited to call us at 1-866-325-3905 or 407-566-7032.

Guests planning to sail on the October 8 sailing aboard the Disney Fantasy from Port Canaveral to the  eastern Caribbean is expected to sail as scheduled. They will continue to monitor the weather and make any necessary adjustments.

Stay tuned for more updates on the effects of Hurricane Matthew on Disney.

Lucasfilm Announces Global Promotion for "Rogue One"; Wheelchairs No Longer Free at Disney Water Parks

Lucas film Announces Global Promotion for "Rogue One":

With the success of the global promotion of "The Force Awakens," Lucasfilm announced today the global promotion plan of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." For "Rogue One" Lucasfilm is teaming up with five well-known brands in Duracell, General Mills, Gillette, Nissan, and Verizon. Together they will launch an extensive global promotional plan for the film that soars into theaters December 16. 

Lynwen Brennan, General Manager of Lucasfilm said, "We are extremely pleased to be working such a remarkable group of promotional partners for Rogue One. This first in a series of Star Wars standalone films represents an exciting new era for both Star Wars and Lucasfilm, and for the partners joining us on this exciting journey have each designed a stellar campaign capturing the spirit and camaraderie of Rogue One."

Here is a rundown about each brand that is joining the promotional campaign:

Duracell:

Founded in the 1920s, the Duracell brand has grown to be the leader in the single-use battery market in North America.  Its iconic brand is known the world over. Its products are trusted in the devices that keep people connected, protect their families, entertain them, and simplify their increasingly mobile lifestyles.  The Duracell Company is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, a $210B holding company owning subsidiaries that engage in diverse business activities. Visit www.duracell.com for more information.

General Mills:
General Mills is a leading global food company that serves the world by making food people love. Its brands include Cheerios, Annie’s, Yoplait, Nature Valley, Fiber One, Haagen-Dazs, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Old El Paso, Wanchai Ferry, Yoki and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, General Mills had fiscal 2016 worldwide sales of US $17.6 billion, including the company’s US $1.0 billion proportionate share of joint-venture net sales.

Gillette:

For over 110 years, Gillette has delivered precision technology and unrivalled product performance – improving the lives of over 750 million men around the world. From shaving and body grooming, to skin care and sweat protection, Gillette offers a wide variety of products including razors, shave gel (gels, foams and creams), skin care, after shaves, antiperspirants, deodorants and body wash. For more information and the latest news on Gillette, visit http://www.gillette.com/.

Nissan Motor Co.:

Employing more than 37,000 team members in U.S., Canada and Mexico, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan leads the world in zero-emission mobility, dominated by sales of the LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle. It is the best-selling EV in history. More information on the complete line of Nissan vehicles, our services and commitment to sustainable mobility can be found online at NissanNews.com.

Verizon:

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York City, has a diverse workforce of nearly 162,700 and generated nearly $132 billion in 2015 revenues. Verizon operates America’s most reliable wireless network, with 113.2 million retail connections nationwide. The company also provides communications and entertainment services over mobile broadband and the nation’s premiere all-fiber network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers worldwide.

Wheelchairs No Longer Free at Disney Water Parks:

Beginning today, August 22, wheelchair at both Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach will no longer be complimentary. Instead guests will be able to rent the wheelchairs for $12 plus a full refundable deposit of $100. They will also be transferable to both water parks as well as all 4 theme parks with a receipt (upon availability). 

ECV rentals will continue to be available for $50 with a $100 refundable deposit. The $100 deposit is required to ensure return of the wheelchairs and ECV's. The deposit is fully refundable upon return of the rental. 

Walt Disney World said the reason for the discontinuation of complimentary wheelchairs is due to "better align the Guest services and operations at Disney's Water Parks with those at Disney Parks, Disney Springs, and the ESPN Wide World of Sports."

Details on Disneyland's FastPass+ System, Disney Park Pack is Expanding, and More

Details on Disneyland's FastPass+ System:

We already know that Disneyland will not be getting Magic Bands when their FastPass+ system is rolled out in the parks out west. Last night it appears as WDW News Today found out just how the system will work and it looks like it won't change too much from their regular FastPass system they currently have.

With the FastPass+ system at Disneyland guests will only be able to make the reservations for the FastPasses the day of and none will be available in advance like in Disney World. Guests will make the reservations via the mobile app, website, or in-park kiosks. Concerning the kiosks, guests won't have to go to each individual attraction kiosk, there will be a few kiosks around the park for guests to make reservations.

Guests will make reservations for one attraction at a time just like the old paper FastPass system. Essentially, Disneyland's FastPass+ system will just be the paperless version of the old version. There is no word on when Disneyland will switch over to the new system.

Disney Park Pack is Expanding:

If you love the Disney Park Pack - Pin Trading Edition, get ready because Disney is expanding the service. The Park Pack which is essentially a mystery-box that no one knows what's inside until it is opened. On May 9, they will be releasing a one-time only box with collector's memorabilia that will take the collector back to opening day at Disneyland, July 17, 1995. 

The special one-time only box will have an edition size of only 1,200. Guests may purchase this item with a limit of 2 per household. That's not all as Disney will releasing a new special Disney Park Pack this July.

As you can tell by the sneak peak of the packaging above will give collector's that Christmas feeling. This was specially designed for a new collection of specially designed ear hat ornaments. Disney gave a hint that fans of birds that are orange, ghosts, attractions, and more will go wild over this new Disney Park Pack. I can't wait for this Disney Park Pack.

'Frozen' Games Begin May 27 at Blizzard Beach:

The Summer is about to get a lot cooler at Blizzard Beach beginning May 27. Kristoff and Olaf are set to host the inaugural 'Frozen' Summer Games that will run through August 21 at the water park. Kristoff and Olaf are inviting guests to join Team Kristoff or Team Olaf each day  to participate in a variety of winter-themed activities. They include:

• Ice Pail Relays where teams line up and pass pails of water to one another, trying to be the first to fill a container at the end.
• A “Snowball” Toss where pairs compete in a snow-themed water balloon toss.
• Ski Pole Limbo, a snowy twist on traditional limbo—using a ski pole as the limbo bar!
• Slide Races that allow teams to race down one of the signature water slides at Blizzard Beach

Olaf and Kristoff will be on hand every day appearing on the observation deck of Summit Plummet as they will take part in the opening and closing ceremonies each day, and giving updates on their team's progress throughout the day. The games will be an all-day event. Guests can sign up for the events when they arrive at the park's entrance. All activities will be included with park admission. 

Will you be visiting Blizzard Beach this summer for the 'Frozen' Summer Games?

Disney World News: Rivers of Light to Debut April 22, Kristoff & Olaf to Host Frozen Games at Blizzard Beach, and More

Today, tons of news came out of Disney World so I will try to break it down in two blogs. I will begin with news on Rivers of Light at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Rivers of Light to Debut April 22 at Disney's Animal Kingdom:

Today, it was announced that Rivers of Light will debut at Disney's Animal Kingdom on April 22. The show is set on Discovery River in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom. It will depict an ancient lantern festival that will be guided by two storytellers. The storytellers will call forth four animal Spirit Guides: an Asian Tiger, Tropical Turtle, African Elephant, and Great Horned Owl. The Spirit Guides will each return at certain points during the show to lead to lead the audience through their journey through the Rivers of Light. 

We also got a first look of a video that shows some of the illuminated lanterns, water screens, moving fountains, light projections and other amazing elements that will featured in Rivers of Light. The Disney Parks Blog will also be hosting a live chat on March 8th at 1:15 p.m. EST with two of the show's creative team members, Michael Jung and Mark Renfrow. They'll be ready to answer questions on the show's theming, storyline, technology, staging, music, and much more. Here is the first look at Rivers of Light:

Kristoff and Olaf to Host Frozen Games at Blizzard Beach:

More news announced today from Disney World with Kristoff and Olaf set to host the first annual Frozen Games at Disney's Blizzard Beach this summer. Here is the description from the announcement on the Disney Parks Blog:

"The Winter Games Committee has taken advantage of the freak snowstorm over Central Florida and will host an impromptu sporting event known as The Frozen Games. They’ve even invited Kristoff and Olaf to lead teams of guests in a day full of fun “Frozen” activities, before the warm sun melts the snow away. 

Guests visiting the waterpark can to join “Team Kristoff” or “Team Olaf” and participate in a variety of activities, including Ice Pail Relays, a Snowball Toss to Ski Pole Limbo and Slide Races.

Olaf and Kristoff will join the Winter Games Committee members in the games’ Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and will give updates throughout the games to report on their team’s achievements."

No official date has been set for the Frozen Games to begin at Blizzard Beach, so stay tuned for details.

Dory & Friends will join Turtle Talk with Crush this Summer, New "Finding Dory" Trailer:

Dory and her friends from "Finding Dory" will be joining Crush in "Turtle Talk with Crush" at both Epcot and Disney California Adventure this summer. Here you'll be able to meet Destiny the whale shark, Bailey the Beluga whale, and Hank the "septopus" (the seven-legged octopus). Squirt will also be swimming for the first time with Crush and the gang. Plus, you might even catch a glimpse of Nemo and Marlin. 

That wasn't all the news as another trailer was released for "Finding Dory." The film will be released in theaters on June 17 and is directed by Andrew Stanton and produced by Lindsey Collins. The film stars the voices of Ellen Degeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O'Neill, Kaitlin Olson, Ty Burrell, Eugene Levy, and Diane Keaton. Here is the trailer: