Reservations Open Now for DCA Food & Wine Premium Events; #DisneyParksLIVE from the Disney Wonder

Reservations Now Open for Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Premium Events:

The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival returns next month running from March 10 through April 16. Today, reservations opened for the premium events that will be held during this year's festival. Here is what the Disney Parks Blog released on 4 of the events:

The popular “In the Kitchen with…” series debuts for the 2017 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. See your favorite celebrity chefs Guy Fieri, Robert Irvine, Cat Cora, G. Garvin, Graham Elliot and Jet Tila demonstrate their skills in the kitchen, try a tasting menu created by the chef and even get an autograph! Cost is $99 per person, plus tax and gratuity. 

The popular Sweet Sundays events are back! Join celebrity pastry chefs Duff Goldman, Emily Ellyn and Keegan Gerhard as they show how to make some of their delectable desserts. Cost is $79 per person, plus tax and gratuity. 

Winemaker Dinners highlight wines from California vintners Duckhorn Vineyards and Flora Springs Winery, with a four-course meal carefully selected to enhance the flavor of the wine. While you dine, enjoy insights and inspiration behind the pairings by a knowledgeable winemaker. Cost is $150 per person, plus tax and gratuity. 

A special Winemaker Dinner featuring Disney Family of Wines includes Fess Parker Winery, GoGi Wines, Lasseter Family Winery and Silverado Vineyards. The wineries at this event each have a special connection to the Disney legacy. Cost is $200 per person, plus tax and gratuity. 

Beer lovers, rejoice! New to this year’s festival, Brewmaster Beer Dinners feature prix fixe dinners where hand-selected beers from California-based breweries will be paired and served with a four-course specialty menu prepared by Disney chefs. Knowledgeable brewmasters present each beer and describe the chef’s inspiration for the pairing. Cost is $150 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

There will be plenty more to do during the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival such as learning cooking techniques and sample taste testings from visiting local chefs as well as Disneyland chefs in Culinary Demonstrations. Experience Beverage Seminars featuring guided tastings of wine, beer, or spirits. Let's not forget the kids as kids ages 3-11 will partake in a returning event called Jr. Chef, that is complimentary and will occur daily during the festival.

Events taking place March 10 through April 1 are now available to book, and reservations will continue to become available 60 days prior to each event’s date. To view a full listing of Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival events or to make reservations visit Disneyland.com/FoodAndWine.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

#DisneyParksLIVE Stream of "Frozen, A Musical Spectacular" Aboard Disney Wonder:

Tune in tomorrow morning, February 2, on the Disney Parks Blog for special sneak peak of "Frozen, A Musical Spectacular" aboard the Disney Wonder in a special #DisneyParksLIVE stream. The stream will begin at 10:50 a.m. EST with a fresh blog post on the blog.

"Frozen, A Musical Spectacular" is the latest Broadway-style musical by Disney Cruise Line. The new show features an innovative combination of traditional theatrical techniques, modern technology, and classic Disney whimsy. 

They are encouraging fans to follow along on social media using the hashtags #DisneyParksLIVE and #DisneyCruise. This will be the first time #DisneyParksLIVE will be streamed aboard Disney Cruise Line. 

More Rumors on Rivers of Light Opening Date; Behind the Scenes Look at New Spaces Aboard Disney Wonder

More Rumors on Rivers of Light Opening Date:

Just last week we discussed how guests attending Destination D: Amazing Adventures could be one of the first to see Rivers of Light at Animal Kingdom. The discussion has been gaining strength on when the show will debut to the public. Today, WDW News Today put more fuel on that fire according their sources at least. 

While the rumor to attendees of Destination D seem to be getting a preview on November 20 at the end of the event, according WDWNT now Disney is eying a Rivers of Light debut on November 18 just two days before the special viewing for Destination D attendees. Of course none of this is set in stone. As we all know it is now almost 6 months as to when this new nighttime spectacular was set to originally debut.

Is the light finally being lit at the end of the tunnel? Could we finally be seeing this new nighttime spectacular that is expected to be one of the best if not the best nighttime show Disney has ever created. If the rumors are true we should be hearing from Disney very, very soon.

Behind the Scenes Look at New Spaces Aboard the Disney Wonder:

The Disney Wonder is on its way back from its 6-week transformation in Cadiz, Spain. The Disney Parks Blog got a sneak peak look at all the new venues and experiences aboard the ship. The unveiling of theses new experiences will debut on the November 10 sailing from Galveston, Texas. Here is the video below:

More Celebrity Narrators Announced for Candlelight Processional; Disney Cruise Line Announces Early 2018 Ports & Itineraries

More Celebrity Narrators Announced for Candlelight Processional:

Three more celebrity narrators have been announced for this year's Candlelight Processional at Epcot. Added to the list which is almost complete are some well-known voices that you may have seen in some Disney animated classics. Ming-Na Wen (Mulan), Jodi Benson (Ariel), and Robby Benson (the Beast in "Beauty and the Beast") have all been added to the list of narrators for this year's processional. 

The only available dates now for the show with nobody announced is the 3-day gap from December 7-10. Here is the list of current narrators and when they will narrate the 2016 Epcot Candlelight Processional:

• Steven Curtis Chapman
  November 25 to 27, 2016
• Neil Patrick Harris
  November 28 to December 1, 2016
• Whoopi Goldberg
  December 2 to 3, 2016
• Edward James Olmos
  December 4 to 6, 2016
• Robby Benson
  December 10 to 12, 2016
• Meredith Vieira
  December 13 to 15, 2016
• Jim Caviezel
  December 16 to 18, 2016
• Joe Morton
  December 19 to 21, 2016
• Ming-Na Wen
  December 22 to 24, 2016
• Jodi Benson
  December 25 to 27, 2016
• Cal Ripken, Jr.
  December 28 to 30, 2016

The Epcot Candlelight Processional will take place November 25 through December 30, 2016. Show times are 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. in the American Gardens Theater. 

Disney Cruise Line Announces Early 2018 Ports and Itineraries:

Today, we learned where Disney Cruise Line will be leaving from and going to from January through May 2018. This will include visiting Bonaire, a popular Caribbean destination located just north of the South American coast, for the first time ever. The Dutch Caribbean island is favored because of its arid climate and sunny weather. It is also known for its beautiful waters, reef-lined coast that lures water-sport enthusiast for scuba-diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, and kiteboarding.

Here is what early 2018 looks like aboard Disney Cruise Line:

San Juan to Southern Caribbean, including Bonaire
From San Juan, Puerto Rico, the Disney Wonder sets sail on three seven-night cruises to the Southern Caribbean. Departing Jan. 14, 21 and 28, each voyage offers a unique itinerary with four destinations and two days at sea. This limited-time engagement includes a combination of calls on Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba, St. Lucia, Martinique, Antigua and St. Kitts.

San Diego
Our return to San Diego in April and May includes seven Disney Wonder cruises to Baja and the Mexican Riviera, where you can enjoy world-famous beaches and snorkeling. Five-night sailings visit Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico, while two- and three-night cruises call on Ensenada. Friday departures for the two-night cruises offer the ultimate weekend getaway from San Diego.

Port Canaveral
With three ships in port and cruise lengths spanning three, four and seven nights, you have a full menu of options from Port Canaveral, Florida. Plus, every sailing includes a day at Castaway Cay. The Disney Fantasy continues to sail seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages, while the Disney Dream embarks on three- and four-night cruises to Nassau and Castaway Cay. From Feb. 8 through April 8, the Disney Wonder will alternate similar three-, four- and seven-night itineraries.

Miami
To kick off 2018, the Disney Magic continues sailing from Miami with four- and five-night voyages to the Bahamas, plus five-night Western Caribbean cruises. You’ll also visit Castaway Cay during every one of these sailings. Other Bahamian ports of call include Nassau and Key West, while a stop in Grand Cayman or Cozumel headlines the Western Caribbean itineraries.

Guests can begin booking these trips this Thursday October 27, 2016. More details on 2018 itineraries can be found here on the Disney Cruise Line website.

Princess Elena of Avalor's Royal Welcome Live Stream; Frozen Musical Coming to Disney Cruise Line

Prince Elena of Avalor's Royal Welcome Live Stream:

We just came off a month of amazing live streams on the Disney Parks Blog. Today, the next one was announced as Disney Parks Live will be live from the Magic Kingdom next Thursday, August 11 for Princess Elena of Avalor's Royal Welcome. The live stream will begin at 10:45 a.m. ET. 

The "Royal Welcome of Princess Elena of Avalor" is a new stage show on the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage that will be presented several times daily beginning August 12. Here is a description of what will happen during the stage show for Disney's newest princess:

Cinderella and Prince Charming appear on the stage of the castle, dándole la bienvenida (giving a welcome) to everyone to this magical kingdom and introducing their special guest from Avalor. Princess Elena arrives accompanied by a troupe of regal banner carriers and musicians and when asked to share her historia, Elena picks up a guitarra and joins her musicians in a performance of the song “My Time,” recounting her magical adventures and triumphant return to Avalor.

You can also catch Princess Elena on her new Disney Channel original series, "Elena of Avalor," that airs Friday's at 7:30 p.m.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Frozen Musical Coming to Disney Cruise Line:

"Let it go, Let it Go," if you haven't figured it out more "Frozen" is on the way this time on the Disney Cruise Line aboard the Disney Wonder. This time in the form of a musical called, "Frozen, A Musical Spectacular." The new show will debut beginning November 10, 2016 along with other new enhancements on the ship sailing from Galveston, Texas. 

Here is what the Disney Parks Blog had to say in its announcement today:

"The story of royal sisters Anna and Elsa will be presented like never before, with an innovative combination of traditional theatrical techniques, modern technology and classic Disney whimsy, completely unique to the Disney Wonder production. The show features dynamic costumes and sets, remarkable special effects, and spectacular production numbers that expand upon the most imaginative elements of the film.
To adapt this blockbuster animated feature into a quintessential stage production, Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Executive Kevin Eld assembled a team of distinguished creative talent with Broadway credits and theatrical accolades. The production is led by Tony Award-nominated director Sheryl Kaller (“Next Fall,” “Mothers and Sons”). Joining the creative team are Tony Award-winning costume designer Paloma Young (“Peter and the Starcatcher”), choreographer Josh Prince (“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”), scenic designer Jason Sherwood (“Paint Your Wagon”), and writer Sara Wordsworth (“In Transit”).
“Frozen, a Musical Spectacular” will feature music direction by Marco Paguia, projection design by Aaron Rhyne and lighting design by Rui Rita. Dynamic puppetry by Michael Curry, whose designs are featured in Disney’s Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “The Lion King,” will bring exciting physicality to characters like Sven and Olaf."

Stay tuned though because in coming months the Disney Parks Blog promises to give us an inside look at the production of the new musical coming to the Disney Wonder.

Brand New Experiences Coming to Disney Wonder this Fall, Disney Parks Blog Unboxed - Dooney & Bourke

Brand New Experiences Coming to Disney Wonder this Fall:

The Disney Wonder will be getting some new entertainment and experiences this fall. This will include the Marvel Super Hero Academy, a new jazzy restaurant called Tiana's Place Restaurant, an English Pub exclusive for the adults, and many stern to hull enhancements. Along with the Marvel Super Hero Academy more imaginative and fun experiences for the children themed to Frozen, Disney Junior, and Toy Story. The Disney Wonder will hit dry dock in Candiz, Spain for the work from September 9 through October 23.

Inside the new Marvel Super Hero Academy inside the Oceaneer Club, kids will enjoy extraordinary adventures as they play an integral role along with mentorship of Marvel's greatest super heroes. The young trainees will learn the value of teamwork, bravery and problem solving through hands-on play and programs.

Spider-Man will appear to help the children hone their spider senses by perfecting their skills of reflex, speed, and sharp minds. Other Marvel favorites will be available to interact through the digital world. One program will allow children to control the movement of the characters on screen to practice their super hero skills like repulsor blasting (Iron-Man).

Here is a description of the remaining new experiences coming to Disney's Oceaneer Club aboard the Disney Wonder:

• Frozen Adventures is where fun takes the form of imaginative play and hands-on activities. On the digital screen, Olaf leads summery games with a wintery twist and a sing-a-long of “In Summer.”
• In another festive activity, young guests prepare for a coronation and receive a truly royal and in-person visit by Anna and Elsa.
• Club Disney Junior features favorite Disney Junior characters, storytelling and games. During one activity, Doc McStuffins pays a visit to the club to help children diagnose and treat the stuffed animals.
• Andy’s Room where kids feel toy-sized in the multi-level play space themed to the Disney•Pixar “Toy Story” trilogy. As a special treat, Woody appears in person to join youngsters in a hoedown and Jessie stops by to join in a scavenger hunt.

Tiana's Place Restaurant will be inspired by one of our favorite princesses in Princess Tiana from "Princess and the Frog." The restaurant will transport you to an era of southern charm, spirited jazz, and street party celebrations. Guests will be treated to New Orleans dining and entertainment with music that will create a French Quarter supper club atmosphere.

The menu will be inspired by Tiana's favorite recipes that bring flavors and ingredients of the Louisiana bayou. Her personal touch will be evident in the menu, the entertainment, and throughout the entire restaurant. 

In the adult district of the ship a brand new pub that will invite guests to jaunt to an authentic English tavern. The space will be adorned with dark woods, plush leather furniture, brass accents, and will have subtle nods to Disney films set in London with artwork and props. British and specialty beers will create the perfect atmosphere where the adults can sip a pint or just sample a brew especially made for the pub.

Here is what else will be enhanced on the Disney Wonder from stem to stern:

• After Hours – a new adult district featuring the English pub, an all-new night club and a shiny new model of the popular Cadillac Lounge
• A reimagined and relaxing Senses Spa & Salon and a new Chill Teen Spa
• Animator’s Palate main dining restaurant updated to introduce the popular “Drawn to Magic” and “Animation Magic” dinner shows
• Cabanas casual dining location
• Palo specialty restaurant makeover with Venetian-inspired décor
• D Lounge for family games and entertainment
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique providing magical makeovers for children
• Edge club for tweens
• “it’s a small world” Nursery for the youngest cruisers

The ship’s upper decks also will be redesigned for waterful fun:

• Twist ‘n’ Spout water slide provides splashtacular fun
• Dory’s Reef is a splash zone that offers fanciful water play for toddlers
• AquaLab is a pool and interactive water play area for kids and families

The new enhancements and experiences will be available to the public on the sailings from Galveston, Texas starting November 10 with sailings to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. The ship will then sail to San Juan, Puerto Rico to January 20, 2017. On January 26, 2017, a three-night cruise will take guests from San Juan to Port Canaveral, Florida where the ship will homeport for the spring. 

Disney Parks Blog Unboxed - Dooney & Bourke:

Today, Steven Miller unboxed some brand new Dooney & Bourke products that will feature patterns of "it's a small world" handbags and retail Magic Bands that will be released in July and "Beauty and the Beast" and "Dumbo" handbags that will be released in August.

More details will released in a future article on the Disney Parks Blog including news on a release event on July 23 at the Marketplace Co-op in the Disney Springs Marketplace.

"Frozen" Fun Returning to Disney Cruise Ships; Ride Testing Begins on Iron Man Experience

"Frozen" Fun Returning to Disney Cruise Ships:

"Frozen" Fun will be returning on select sailings on the Disney Magic on its sailings through Europe and the Disney Wonder on sailings to Alaska. The ships will be transformed into a winter wonderland as you are transported to the Kingdom of Arendelle.  Here is what the Disney Parks Blog said guests will experience aboard the ships for some "Frozen" fun this summer:

"On one special morning, you’ll awake to discover a magical freeze has overtaken the atrium lobby with sparkling icicles adorning the grand staircase, resembling the majestic mountain-top ice palace of Queen Elsa. Throughout the day there will be Scandinavian-inspired family activities, a themed dining experience with a menu of traditional Nordic fare and meet and greets with Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf.

This “cool” day of frozen fun culminates with an extravagant celebration, “Freezing the Night Away with Anna, Elsa and Friends.” This family-friendly interactive deck party features the famous royal sisters of Arendelle and their fun-loving Nordic companions. By now, the freeze has spread to the upper decks of the ship, with giant snowflakes, icicles and snow-covered rocks.

The celebration begins with a high-energy line dance, set to the movie’s ice cutting scene, featuring the arrival of Kristoff, impressively twirling his ice picks, and Princess Anna. Kristoff and Anna’s beloved companions, Sven, the trolls and Olaf, make virtual appearances at the party. Sven engages the crowd in reindeer games like “Sven Says” and the “Troll Stroll,” and Olaf leads a sing along to his signature song, “In Summer.”

Elsa arrives with a snowy gust of wind, calling on guests to sing “Let it Go” with her as she conjures up a wintry spectacle to cool things down for Olaf. In true Disney fashion, Elsa unleashes her magic, sending a chill through everyone as the powerful Academy Award-winning song echoes from the ship. The evening concludes with more family dancing on the pool deck. Then the fun continues just for adults in the dance club featuring performances and frozen specialty drinks."

They are encouraging guests to posts photos if you are sailing on any of these cruise sailings on Instagram and Twitter with the #DisneyCruise. Are you ready for the "Frozen" Fun to return to the Disney Magic and Wonder?

Ride Testing Begins on Iron Man Experience at Hong Kong Disneyland:

Ride testing has begun for the new Iron Man Experience attraction opening soon at Hong Kong Disneyland by an expert team of Walt Disney Imagineers. Once the ride opens it will be the first Marvel-based ride-through attraction inside a Disney Park. It will open in Stark Expo in the Tomorrowland section of Hong Kong Disneyland. The theme and story of the attraction goes like this:

The story begins when Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) decides to bring the Stark Expo to the park. Guests can visit the Expo and explore the latest and greatest innovations from Stark Industries. They’ll go aboard an Iron Wing vehicle, the latest flying transport invented by Stark Industries, and journey through Hong Kong streets and the iconic city harbor as they battle against the evil forces of Hydra alongside Iron Man.

Guests will also be able to meet Iron Man himself, tryout the interactive experience, "Become Iron Man," and purchase exclusive themed merchandise. 

Reservations Now Open for Merry & Bright Dessert Party/Merry & Bright Dinner Reception; Disney Cruise Line Summer 2016 Destinations

Merry & Bright Dessert Party
Guests will be able to treat themselves to decadent desserts and drinks as they enjoy the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights for one last time this year with reservations for the Merry & Bright Dessert Party. The reservations can be made for select nights between November 6 to December 24, excluding November 17, December 9, and December 18, from 7 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. The party will also be available from December 25 - December 30 from 8:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Tickets are $69 for adults and $39 for children ages 3-9, Tax and gratuity will be included. Guests will also receive a heart-warming keepsake in a custom roll-up stadium blanket. Reservations can be made now online or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

Merry & Bright Dinner Reception
The fun doesn't stop there as guests can ring in the new year as they enjoy the Osborne Lights with the Merry & Bright Dinner Reception. This will be available for 3 nights only from January 1-3, 2016. Guest will be treated to a holiday-theme fare of shrimp, beef, and turkey served with wine, beer, and other specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. To top it off, guests will receive a custom shadow box keepsake featuring their own Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.

Disney is expecting this special 3-night event to sell out, so make your reservations early. Tickets will be $99 per adult and $54 for children (ages 3-9), tax an gratuity included. Reservations can be made online or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

Disney Cruise Line Announces Summer 2016 Destinations:

The Disney Cruise Line announced some of the destinations its cruise ships would be touring in Summer 2016 for its cruise ships. Here they are:

Disney Magic

• Iceland and Norway - Explore the Norwegian Fjords, Iceland, and Scotland
• British Isles - England and Scotland
• Mediterranean - Visit Naples, Rome, and Monte Carlo

Disney Wonder

• Alaska - Cruise from mountainous shores to fjords fed by glaciers en route to discovering the fabulous frontiers of Alaska

Disney Dream

• Bahamas - A Bahamian voyage for an enchanting trip to the tropics

Disney Fantasy

• Eastern Caribbean - Experience enchantment with a stop at the British Virgin Island of Tortola