DuckTales, Descendants 2, & More at D23 Expo, 'Delicious Disney' Chef Series, and More

DuckTales, Descendants 2, and Tangled: The Series Panels at D23 Expo 2017:

Disney Channel, Disney XD, and Disney Junior will all be featured at this year's D23 Expo. Exciting panels, appearances, and experiences will be taking place throughout the three-day weekend. Here is what D23 announced today:

All weekend long, you can take a dive in Scrooge McDuck’s Money Bin on the Expo show floor. While you’re there, visit McStuffins Toy Hospital, where younglings can give toy babies a checkup and play with the brand-new Doc McStuffins Baby app, set to launch this summer. Read on to see what sorts of Disney magic you can expect from Disney Channel and Disney XD on each day of D23 Expo.

Friday, July 14:

Catch a special appearance from Descendants 2 stars Dove Cameron, Cameron Boyce, Sofia Carson, and Booboo Stewart, and Emmy® Award-winning director, executive producer, and choreographer Kenny Ortega.

Saturday, July 15:

DuckTales Q & A panel (4:15 – 5:15 p.m., Stage 28)––Excited for the new DuckTales series on Disney XD? Want to learn more? Stars Ben Schwartz (Dewey), Kate Micucci (Webby Vanderquack), Beck Bennett (Launchpad McQuack), and Toks Olagundoye (Mrs. Beakley) will join executive producer Matt Youngberg and co-producer/story editor Francisco Angones for a Q&A panel on the highly anticipated new show.

Sunday, July 16:

Tangled: The Series Q & A panel (10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Stage 28)––Mandy Moore (Rapunzel) and Zachary Levi (Eugene) will be joined by executive producer Chris Sonnenburg, co-executive producer Ben Balistreri, and Broadway stars Eden Espinosa (Cassandra) and Jeremy Jordan (Varian) for this hair-raising panel on the new Disney Channel show.

Source: D23.com

'Delicious Disney' Chef Series Coming to Walt Disney World:

The 'Delicious Disney' Chef Series is coming to Walt Disney World with its first event being held later this month. The event will feature world-renowned culinarians that will present unique culinary creations with delectable wine pairings. Bookings to the events are now open to Tables in Wonderland guests as well.

The events will begin on May 31 and one day in each month running through December. Each event will have different and unique culinary offerings. All of the events are $249 per person except for the final event on December 6 which is $199 per person. Here is the rundown on the events:

Tickets to the 'Delicious Disney' Chef Series are now available while supplies last. Guests can purchase tickets by calling 407-939-5773 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET if you are a Tables in Wonderland member.

Source: WDW News Today

Mobile Ordering Will Be Expanded to Several Restaurants at Disney's Animal Kingdom:

Mobile Ordering was officially added the other day on the My Disney Experience app ahead of its official debut on May 27 at Santu'li Canteen when it opens in Pandora: The World of Avatar. Mobile Ordering will be expanded to several other Disney's Animal Kingdom quick service restaurants this summer. It will expand to Pizzafari, Flame Tree Barbecue, and Restaurantosaurus sometime this summer. 

Even more restaurants at other Walt Disney World parks will have access to Mobile Ordering in the very near future as well. Here is the rundown as well as a video of just how Mobile Ordering works:

Mobile Order, which can be found in the My Disney Experience app, offers the added convenience of being able to place orders and purchase meals on-the-go. You select menu items, customize orders and pre-pay for meals during park visits – all within the app.
It’s easy to do. After you’ve placed your order and pre-pay in the app, and arrive at Satu’li Canteen, you’ll just tap the “I’m here” button. That will notify the kitchen to prepare your meal. When ready, you will be alerted through the app to pick up your meal at the designated window with the Mobile Order pick up sign.

Reminder: Right now credit card is the only accepted form of payment for Mobile Ordering. Anyone with special dietary restrictions, or those who want to use discounts or redeem dining plan entitlements must place their order with a cashier.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Inside Look at Disney Channel's "Descendants 2," Sneak Peak of "Doctor Strange" at Disney Parks, and More

Inside Look at Disney Channel's "Descendants 2":

Today, we got our first look at the sequel to Disney's very successful franchise in, "Descendants 2." The film while it won't be out until 2017 will build on what "Descendants" has become a big hit. Mal, Evie, Carlos, and Jay the sons and daughters of Disney's most infamous villains find their way in Auradon. Joining them in the sequel will be Uma (Ursula's daughter), Harry (Captain Hook's son), and Gil (Gaston's son) making their debut. 

The first film was a smash hit as it was the No. 1 cable television movie of 2015. It was also the fifth highest-rated original movie ever on U.S. cable TV in total viewers. Consumer interest remains strong as the books the films are based off are hits on the New York Times Best Sellers List. The first book, The Isle of the Lost, was No.1 on the Best Sellers List for 14 weeks and has spent 45 weeks on the Best Sellers list. The sequel in, Return to the Isle of the Lost, entered the New York Times Best Sellers List at No.2 when it was released. It has since reached No.1 and has spent 15 weeks on the Best Sellers list. 

Sneak Peak of "Doctor Strange" Coming to Disney Parks:

The very strange and mysterious world of Marvel's "Doctor Strange" is coming to Disney Parks. The film which hits theaters November 4, 2016 will have a sneak peak at Disney Parks beginning October 7. Here is some info on the sneak peak from the Disney Parks Blog:

At Disney California Adventure park, the preview of “Doctor Strange” will be presented in 3D with special in-theater effects at the Sunset Showcase Theater in Hollywood Land, while guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will get to see this advance look at clips from the film as part of the One Man’s Dream attraction. 

“Doctor Strange” follows the story of world-famous neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange who, in his quest for healing after a horrific car accident, discovers powerful magic in a mysterious place known as Kamar-Taj – the front line of a battle against unseen dark forces bent on destroying our reality.

Here is the trailer for "Doctor Strange":



#DisneyParksLive to Feature the "WonderFALL" Experiences at Disney World This Sunday:

The next Disney Parks Live stream will happen this Sunday September 18, and will feature the "WonderFall" World of Disney experiences at Disney World. Inside this live stream fans will get a chance to see a portion of the "Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular," the thrilling stage show that takes place during Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. 

The live broadcast will begin at 8 p.m. on the Disney Parks Blog. During the live stream we will get a peak at the "Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular" and have a behind-the-scenes look at the show during a live interview with one of the show's directors. Also they will take us to Epcot for updates on the International Food & Wine Festival and an update on Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. They will also be give us a sneak peak at what else is in store this Fall at Walt Disney World.

Could we finally be getting an update on Rivers of Light? Tune in this Sunday at 8 p.m. EST. 

Watch Elena of Avalor Premiere for Exclusive Previews of Pete's Dragon, Beauty & the Beast, and More

The premiere of Disney's newest and first Latina Princess in "Elena of Avalor" is just days away from its premiere this Friday, July 22. First however, Disney will air one of its animated classics in "Frozen" at 5:15 p.m. During "Frozen" we will get a first look of the new animated short-series, LEGO Frozen Northern Lights, which premieres this fall in November on Disney Channel.

That's not all as we will get an exclusive first look at a scene from the upcoming release of the Disney's live action film in Disney's "Pete's Dragon" hitting theaters on August 12. There's more as we will get a look at a new trailer from Disney's live action remake of its animated classic, Beauty and the Beast, with narration from its star Emma Watson (Belle). "Beauty and the Beast" opens in theaters on March 17, 2017. 

Just last week we got our first teaser for the sequel to "Descendants" in "Descendants 2." We will be getting our first trailer for the Disney Channel Original Movie sequel that is set to premiere next year in Summer 2017. 

"Elena of Avalor" will premiere this Friday on Disney Channel at 7 p.m EST. The first episode will be available on the Disney Channel and Disney Junior app, Disney VOD platforms, and the Disney YouTube channel tomorrow, July 20th. Following the US debut of the new show, it will roll out in 163 countries on the Disney Channel and Disney Junior. 

Star Wars Rebels News from Celebration; First Teaser Released for "Descendants 2"

Star Wars Rebels News from Celebration:

If you aren't excited for Season 3 of Star Wars Rebels after yesterday's panel at Star Wars Celebration, than I'm not sure we could be friends..... just kidding. Anyways Season 3 won't begin until the fall, even though visitors to the panel yesterday saw the first two episodes, we learned so much. First, take a look at the trailer if you haven't seen it yet:



There have been so many questions left unanswered since the Season 2 finale including, "Does Ahsoka survive her battle with Vader?" The beloved character by many Star Wars fans was last seen stumbling into a cave after her fight, which many thought it was to her impending doom. Executive Producer Dave Filoni while not saying it was the last we'd see of Ahsoka, he did say this, "I'm not going to say exactly, though, but you might not have seen the end of Ahsoka Tano." (Big sigh of relief.)

So what else is in store for Season 3 of Rebels, well many of the characters have new looks and Kanan looks like a much wiser now, that he is blind. How about get ready for more Mandalorians as it was revealed that we will go deeper into Sabine's story, who is seen in a clip finally getting her jet pack and in the trailer seen wielding the legendary darksaber. Speaking of the darksaber, the last time we saw it was in the hands of Darth Maul.

Oh yes Maul, after his return in the Season 2 finale, the Old Master looks to continue his battle with Kanan on who will be the master of Ezra, who by the way looks like his training has advanced with whatever he's learned from them both the Jedi and Sith holocrons. He's definitely changed and seems to be darker than the first two seasons.

No, I'm not babbling on for the best part of the trailer. That part is the debut of Grand Admiral Thrawn, the Star Wars Legends character, will be brought in to take care of the Ghost Crew. When I saw Thrawn in the trailer I almost jumped through the roof in excitement. Not to mention seeing a young Wedge Antilles as he defects the Empire and joins the Rebellion. Season 3 certainly has my excitement and I can't wait until the fall for the premiere. Here is the poster for Season 3:

First Teaser Released for "Descendants 2":

Get ready to visit under the sea in "Descendants 2." We got our first teaser for the sequel and it looks like a new Descendant kid from a Disney villain, and that evil villain is Ursula. Check out the first teaser for "Descendants 2" below:

"Descendants 2" is coming to a tv near you on Disney Channel.

Happy 61st Disneyland:

Photo Credit: The Walt Disney Archives

No I didn't forget. Happy 61st Birthday Disneyland!!!! It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating the 60th. How could we forget Walt's words on opening day at Disneyland 61 years ago today: 

“To all who come to this happy place; welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past...and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams and the hard facts that have created America...with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.” - Walt Disney

We must not forget after all these years, that Walt brought these parks to exactly what he said in his dedication of Disneyland that it would be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world. To this day that stands true. Of course we can't forget that it was "All Started by a Mouse."

Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone.

John

Disney Channel Announces "Descendants 2" for 2017; Plaza Restaurant to Begin Accepting Walk-Ups Instead of ADR's

Disney Channel Announces "Descendants 2" for 2017:

The Disney Channel today announced that the sequel to last year's hit Disney Channel Original Movie, Descendants, in "Descendants 2" will hit televisions in 2017. The film will begin filming this summer with Kenny Ortega (High School Musical) returning to direct the film. 

Dove Cameron, Cameron Boyce, Sofia Carson, BooBoo Stewart, and Mitchell Hope will all return and reprise their roles in the sequel. China Anne McClain (A.N.T. Farm) will join the cast as Ursula's daughter, Uma. Also yet to be cast are the roles of Gaston and Captain Hook's children. 

Disney Channel President and Chief Creative Officer Gary Marsh had this to say on the return to Auradon: "Just when you thought 'Happily Ever After' had come to the land of Auradon, Descendants 2 turns the page to reveal a whole new level of mystery and surprise."

Plaza Restaurant to Begin Accepting Walk-Ups Instead of ADR's:

Are you sad that Skipper Canteen has begun accepting advance dining reservations (ADR's)? Well, the testing will continue at another Magic Kingdom restaurant. The Plaza Restaurant on Main Street, USA, will now be getting rid of advance dining reservations (with the exception of guests being able to reserve a table from 11:00 a.m. until Noon). 

Guests who already have advance dining reservations for the Plaza Restaurant will still be able to honor their reservations until those reservations run out. From then on the restaurant will only be accepting walk-ups. This is to appease those few guests who don't like the idea of pre-planning their vacations or guests who are literally visiting on the fly and can dine at a restaurant without having to make a reservation.