Pro Bowl Fever at Walt Disney World; Chef Paul Bocuse of Chefs de France & Monsieur Paul Passes Away

Pro Bowl Fever at Walt Disney World:

The Pro Bowl is back in Orlando this year taking place this Sunday, January 28. Of course, there will be many events leading up to the game taking place at Walt Disney World at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The AFC and NFC teams are training Wednesday starting at 10:30 and Thursday-Saturday starting at 11:30 am. Fans can also cheer on their favorite players from the AFC and NFC as they go against each other in unique competitions at the 2018 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown. Tickets for this event are sold out.

In addition to watching the players practice, fans can test their own football skills the NFL Pro Bowl Experience – a free, interactive fan zone with fun activities for the whole family. Open daily at 10 a.m. starting Wednesday, the NFL Pro Bowl Experience gives fans the opportunity to get even closer to the action with new football-related activities, immersive exhibits and sponsor activations.

After watching the pros, fans can get a look at the future at one of the NFL’s premier youth football events – the NFL FLAG Championships on Friday and Saturday. Fans interested in exclusive access to NFL-themed games and activities, youth football clinics and more, must register for the NFL Fan Mobile Pass.

NFL Pro Bowl Fun Run Series:

The Pro Bowl fun extends beyond the field, too. There’s a Pro Bowl Fun Run Series at the Track & Field Complex at ESPN Wide World of Sports on Saturday at 1 pm. The event features distances for runners of all ages and abilities, and participants will receive a finisher medallion, a race bib and a commemorative item, plus post-race refreshments. Runners can also expect to see some of their favorite Disney characters, Pro Bowl cheerleaders and mascots along the way. Spots are still available here.

There will be complimentary parking at ESPN Wide World of Sports, so fans cans participate in the fun all week long. Fans can also head over to Disney Springs for the NFL All-Star Pro Bowl Pep Rally on Saturday, January 27 at 4 p.m. The pep rally will feature special entertainment, games, NFL cheerleaders, Mascot appearances, and more!

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Chef Paul Bocuse of Chefs de France & Monsieur Paul Passes Away:

Over the weekend, Chef Paul Bocuse the chef and restauranteur behind both Chefs de France and Monsieur Paul in the France Pavilion at Epcot passed away at the age of 91. He opened Chefs de France in the pavilion when the park opened in 1982 and later opened Monsieur Paul in 2013. 

He was born in Collognes, France in 1926 and shared that "he had the luck" to among the first to be trained in the kitchens of La Mere Brazier and Fernand Point, which are considered to be the father of modern French cooking. 

Rest in Peace Monsieur Paul, you will be missed. 

Guardians of the Galaxy, Ratatouille, New Space Restaurant, & More Coming to Epcot

We all knew since November that changes were coming to Epcot, we just weren't sure what. Over the last months rumors have been swirling and some were confirmed tonight some seem like they will be announced at a later date. Here is what they announced:

Ratatouille Attraction is Coming to France Pavilion, New Film Coming to China Pavilion:

A new Ratatouille-inspired attraction will be coming to the France Pavilion in World Showcase. It will be similar to the 4-D attraction Ratatouille: The Adventure that opened at the Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris in 2014. Guests will be able to shrink to Remy’s size and scurry to safety in a dazzling chase across a kitchen with the sights, sounds and smells of Gusteau’s legendary Parisian restaurant.

The attraction will expand the pavilion and the good news for many fans is that Impressions de France will remain at the pavilion. The new attraction is expected to be completed in 2021.

Also of note a new film is coming to the China Pavilion almost like a Soarin' type exploration that will take you around the country. No other details were released.

Guardians of the Galaxy Attraction Replacing Universe of Energy Plus Updates to Future World:

We all knew it was coming it was just when. A Guardians of the Galaxy-inspired attraction is coming to Epcot and replacing Ellen's Energy Adventure and the Universe of Energy. The pavilion and Ellen's Energy Adventure will have its final day of operation on August 13, 2017. 

Epcot’s brand new E-ticket attraction will be based on the rockin’ and action-packed world of “Guardians of the Galaxy” and is the next step in how guests can encounter these characters at the Walt Disney World Resort. Epcot just may be the perfect place for a “Guardians”-inspired attraction as you can see in the photo above – Peter Quill (aka Star Lord) actually visited Epcot as a kid! The attraction is also expected to be completed by 2021.

That's not all as Future World will see a major overhaul to the whole are as seen in this concept art.

Mission: Space which saw its refurbishment extended recently will have two new missions when it opens back up. This led to talk about the other breaking news.

New Space Restaurant to Placed Right Next to Mission: Space:

A brand new restaurant experience is coming to Epcot with a space theme. The restaurant will be built adjacent to Mission: Space and will invite guests to travel into space for an amazing dining experience in the stars.

Disney Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald had this to say, "We know our guests love dining at Epcot – and the restaurants really are out of this world. Now we're about to create one that takes that literally."

The new space restaurant will be operated by the Patina Restaurant Group. Patina Restaurant Group operates several other restaurants at Walt Disney World including Tutto Italia and Via Napoli at Epcot and Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs. More details on the new space-themed restaurant will be shared in the future, so stay tuned.

Source: Disney Parks Blog