Disney After Hours Returning to Magic Kingdom in 2018

Disney After Hours will return to the Magic Kingdom on select nights from January through March 2018. Those dates are January 19, 26, and 30, and February 8 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., February 15, March 1 and 8 from 9 p.m. until midnight. 

The 3-hour after hours event allows a limited number of guests to experience Magic Kingdom and many of its attractions and character meet & greets. Also available will be ice cream novelties and select beverages that are included in admission of the event. There will be even more available as guests can purchase select items from the Main Street Bakery and other locations throughout the park. 

Admission to Disney After Hours can be purchased in advance for $119 per adult or child, plus tax or tickets can be purchased on the day of the event for $124 per adult or child, plus tax. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can take advantage of specially priced tickets for just $89 per adult or child, plus tax.

You can purchase tickets online here or by calling the Disney Reservation Center at (407) 827-7185.

Disney Files Patent for Animatronics to Tell Where You're Looking; Disney After Hours Returns at Lower Price

Disney Files Patent for Audio-Animatronics to Tell Where Guests Are Looking:

Disney could be taking their audio animatronics to the next level and may just be a bit creepy. Disney has filed a patent for their audio-animatronics to begin tracking guests eyes and knowing where they are looking according to the Orlando Business Journal.

"By tracking the gaze of a participant, a computing system may direct various animatronics, automated objects or the like to interact with the participant. For example, a computing system within a theme park may direct an animatronic character from a movie to make a noise if a participant is looking at the animatronic character," said the patent.

Also the patent stated, "The participant gazes at an object, which may be any type of object that draws the gaze of participant such as an animatronic, robot, actor, puppet, product on a shelf, information display and the like. Upon detection of the gaze of the participant at the object, an interaction may be initiated between the object and the participant by the object. For example, the object may provide a greeting to the participant, sing a song, make a noise, make a movement, or the like."

Disney files patents all the time so essentially we may never even see this new technology in the animatronics. Do you feel this is too creepy or would you like to see this technology added to the audio-animatronics. 

Disney After Hours Returning at Lower Price:

Disney After Hours will be returning in 2017 for select dates in January, February and March at a lower price. The after hours event that debuted early in 2016 will now cost $119 instead of the original cost of $149.

The event will take place on January 20 and 27, February 2, 9 and 16, and March 2 and 9. The event allows guests extra time in the Magic Kingdom with an extra 3 hours in the park after it closes. The event also includes complimentary ice cream novelties and beverages. Guests can enter into the park beginning at 7 p.m. 

Extra Magic Hours for guests will not be effected as Disney After Hours will take place on non-EMH nights. Guests can call 407-827-7185 to book. 

Disney Offering Half-Price Tickets for Disney After Hours, Disney Posts Casting for New Jungle Book Show, & More

Disney Offering Half-Price Tickets for "Disney After Hours":

"Disney After Hours" just started two weeks ago at the Magic Kingdom and already Disney has begun offering half-price tickets to its Vacation Club Members and its Annual Passholders. Members and AP holders can purchase tickets to the after hours event at the Magic Kingdom for just $75 by calling 407-560-PASS or 407-560-7277 or by simply just visiting any Walt Disney World ticket window.

"Disney After Hours" regularly costs $149. The discount comes after Disney offered members of DVC to enter the first 'After Hours' event for free after not enough tickets sold.

Remaining nights for the event are April 28, May 5, May 8, May 12, and May 19, 2016. "Disney After Hours" allows guests to remain in Magic Kingdom after it closes for a three extra hours to a limited number of guests. Included in the event are complimentary beverage and ice cream novelties. 

Disney Posts Casting for "Jungle Book: Alive with Magic":

"Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" was announced last week during Disney's 'Awaken Summer' event. The night show will be a placeholder on Discover River until Rivers of Light is ready to debut at Animal Kingdom. Today, Disney posted a casting call for a group of four performers. The show will open May 27, 2016. 

The casting call is looking for musicians proficient on Indian style instruments that will perform live with the vocalists and dancers of the show. Musicians must be able to play instruments such as the Tabla, Sitar, Bansuri, Dilruba, and the Ravanahatha. 

"Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" - Discovery River will become the stage for a limited-time engagement show that is inspired by Disney's hit film in "The Jungle Book." The show is filled with music and special effects that celebrates the new film and the classic songs, and now will be infused with an Indian influence.

Disney Announces Live-Action Films In Development for Walt Disney Studios:

Yesterday, I didn't get to add this into the blog but Disney announced titles of its live-action films that are in development for Walt Disney Studios. After, what seems could be its biggest hit yet in live action filming with "The Jungle Book" and three more live-actions due out by March of 2017. Disney is planning on recreating many of its other classic films into live-action films for the modern audience. This includes the announcement of yes, "The Jungle Book 2." Disney announced that some of the films will be dated for release in the coming weeks and months. Here they are:

• Cruella with Emma Stone set for the title role and Kelly Marcel writing.
• A Wrinkle in Time with Ava DuVernay attached to direct and Jennifer Lee writing.
• Jungle Cruise with Dwayne Johnson set to star and John Requa and Glenn Ficarra writing.
• Dumbo with director Tim Burton and writer Ehren Kruger.
• A sequel to Mary Poppins with director Rob Marshall, starring Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
• Maleficent 2 with Angelia Jolie set to return in the title role and Linda Wolverton writing.
• The Nutcracker and the Four Realms with director Lasse Hallstrom and writer Ashleigh Powell.
• The Jungle Book 2 with both director Jon Favreau and writer Justin Marks returning.
• A Tinker Bell project with Reese Witherspoon set to star and Victoria Strouse writing.

Disney also announced their updated release schedule for their upcoming films:

• UNTITLED DISNEY FAIRY TALE (Live Action) previously dated on 12/22/17 moves up to 7/28/17
• UNTITLED DISNEY FAIRY TALE (Live Action) now dated on 4/6/18
• UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION now dated on 8/3/18
• UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION now dated on 12/25/18
• UNTITLED DISNEY FAIRY TALE (Live Action) now dated on 12/20/19

Which of these live-action films are you most excited about? I know after how great "The Jungle Book" was I am looking forward to the live-action Dumbo as well as the sequel to "The Jungle Book" and the new Jungle Cruise movie.

Official Details on Disney After Hours; D-Luxe Burger Opening at Disney Springs in May

Official Details on Disney After Hours:

Yesterday, we learned of Disney After Hours in an unofficial manner as Disney hadn't made the official announcement. Today, it is officially on the Disney World website. Here are the details:

More Magic Less Time:

Treat yourself to a classic Magic Kingdom experience—complete with select attractions, ice cream novelties and more.

By purchasing a ticket to Disney After Hours, you can make the most of a truly magical occasion when Magic Kingdom park lets you in for the last few hours of the day… and then stays open for 3 extra hours at night, just for Guests of the event!

This is your chance to fit in even more theme park fun, all while enjoying many of the most popular attractions and Character Greetings around—such as: 

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Disney Princess Greetings at Princess Fairytale Hall
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Space Mountain
• And much, much more!

Ice Cream Novelties & Select Beverages Included!
In the midst of the laughs and thrills, be sure to chill out with ice cream novelties and select bottled beverages—included with the cost of admission—available at carts stationed through the park. In addition, you can also purchase select menu items at Casey’s Corner and STARBUCKS® Coffee and specialty beverages from Main Street Bakery.

And remember: admission is limited to only a select number of Guests. Be sure to purchase your tickets today! 

You can purchase tickets today and here are the official dates and times:

• April 28 and May 5 from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m.
• April 14 and 21 and May 8, 12, and 19 from 11 p.m. until 2 a.m.

Tickets are $149 and you can call the Disney Reservation Center by calling 407-827-7185. Here are more details on what you should know about Disney After Hours:

• Official check-in for the event will take place at the Main Entrance to the theme park beginning at 7:00 PM.
• Please note that Magic Kingdom park will officially close to Guests who haven’t purchased Disney After Hours tickets at 10:00 PM on April 28 and May 5, 2016; and at 11:00 PM on April 14 and 21, and May 8, 12 and 19, 2016.
• Walt Disney World Resort hotel Guests—including those staying at Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel and Walt Disney World Swan Hotel—may use Walt Disney World Transportation after the event for up to 2 hours.
• Please note that the number of tickets available is limited. In addition, all tickets are non-refundable, non-transferrable and are only valid for admission during the special event date and hours.
• All attractions, entertainment and experiences are subject to change without notice.

D-Luxe Burger Opening at Disney Springs in May:

A few weeks ago we learned that 30 new tenants will be opening in Disney Springs beginning in May. One of those tenants will be D-Luxe Burger, a specialty burger restaurant owned by Disney, will open in the Town Center area. Today, we learned a few more details on the restaurant including the burgers on the menu with unique toppings, freshly baked buns, and a signature blend of beef. Here are the gourmet burgers that will be on the menu:

• Classic Cheeseburger – Beef patty topped with cheddar, lettuce, tomato and pickle
• Barbeque Classic Burger – Beef patty topped with a fried onion ring, smoked Gouda, bacon, barbeque sauce and lettuce
• El Diablo Burger – Chorizo-and-signature-blend patty, fried banana peppers, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato and chipotle mayonnaise
• Southern Classic Burger – Beef patty, topped with fried-green tomato, pimento cheese, lettuce and bacon
• Cluck Burger – Ground chicken patty, garlic herb sauce, avocado, lettuce and tomato
• Veggie Burger – house-made patty topped with Tzatziki, green bean salad, lettuce and tomato

Fresh cut fries and your choice of dipping sauces will complement each of the burgers. Artisanal Gelato shakes will be available daily with rotating flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, raspberry, strawberry, salted caramel, s'mores, and cake. Root beer, Cherry Coke and orange soda floats are also featured, as well as hard sodas, draft beer, and cider. For the adults, shakes with spirits including Smoked Bourbon, Beer, and Godiva Raspberry. 

That's not all how about this dessert? A delicious Red Velvet Burger Macaron that is loving handcrafted to look just like a burger right down to the raspberry ketchup. The Disney Parks Blog announced they will be releasing more details on another new restaurant opening in Disney Springs in Amorette's Patisserie. 

Disney World Introducing "Disney After Hours" Event; Jungle Book Cast Photoshoot

Disney World Introducing "Disney After Hours" Event for Magic Kingdom:

Disney World announced today they will be introducing a new ticketed event at the Magic Kingdom called, "Disney After Hours." The event which will cost $149 plus tax for both children and adults, will give guests an extra 3 hours inside Magic Kingdom after the park closes including select attractions and meet and greets. No word yet though if that price will be additional to regular park admission or be the total price. 

At that price however, one would be expected to be limited in space, making lines most likely nonexistent. Tickets will go on sale beginning April 6th. The event will take place on certain dates during both April and May. Here are the dates as follows: April 14, 21, and 28th and May 5th, 8th, 12th, and 19th.  

Would you pay an extravagant charge just to stay in Magic Kingdom for a few extra hours?

Jungle Book Cast Poses with their Animal Counterparts in Photoshoot:

Today, we got a pretty neat look at "The Jungle Book" cast and their animal counterparts in a special photoshoot. The gallery features Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong'o, Scarlett Johansson, Christopher Walken, Sir Ben Kingsley, and Giancarlo Esposito. Check it out below:

Idris Elba as Shere Khan

Lupita Nyong'o as Raksha

Scarlett Johansson as Kaa

Christopher Walken as King Louie

Sir Ben Kingsley as Bagherra

Giancarlo Esposito as Akela

"The Jungle Book" hits theaters on April 15, 2016.