Behind the Scenes Look at "The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic"; 'Speak Like a Whale Day at Disney Parks on June 11

Behind the Scenes Look at "The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic":

"The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" premieres at Disney's Animal Kingdom in just a few days when it debuts this Saturday, May 28. Today, the Disney Parks Blog just gave us a behind the scenes look of the new nighttime show. 

"The show springs to life on the Discovery River, with dozens of performers filling five immense floating stages and spilling out into the audience with colorful production numbers that combine the most memorable story moments and songs from the film with an incredibly authentic Indian cultural influence."

Here is a video where the Creative Entertainment Team give us a look at how hard they have been working as "The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" is set to debut.



"The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" is set to debut in just 3 days. Is anybody else as excited as I am for the new nighttime experiences at Animal Kingdom!

'Speak Like a Whale Day' at Disney Parks on June 11:

In honor of "Finding Dory" being released to theaters on June 17, Disney Parks will be celebrating one of Dory's favorite past times on June 11. Disney Parks will be celebrating 'Speak Like a Whale Day' on Saturday, June 11 with the help of her new friends, Bailey the beluga whale and Destiny the whale shark. Guests can learn how to speak whale while taking part in the fun. Here are the details:

• Guests at Disneyland Resort in California, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disney Cruise Line ships will receive a complimentary button to celebrate the day on June 11 (while supplies last).
• At the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort and Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort, families can dive into “undersea” themed activities, including a live DJ, games and giveaways. Young guests can attend “Whale Speak University” and give speaking the language a try.
• At The Seas with Nemo & Friends in Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort, guests can learn about the real-life counterparts of the characters from the film and see them in their massive 5.7-million-gallon saltwater aquarium home. Experts from Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment Team will be on hand throughout the day to help guests find Dory and her friends and get a closer look at their world.
• Dory and some of her new friends from Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory” have joined Crush at the Turtle Talk with Crush attraction at Epcot and Disney California Adventure park. Guests can meet Destiny the whale shark, Bailey the beluga whale and Hank the “septopus.”

Here is the announcement from two of the films star in Ty Burrell and Kaitlin Olson as they practice their best whale voices:

Join in the fun at Disney Parks on June 11 and on June 17 when "Finding Dory" hits theaters nationwide.

Pizza Planet Will be Re-themed to The Muppets, "Beauty and the Beast" Trailer Released, and More

Pizza Planet Will be Re-Themed to The Muppets:

According to WDW News Today, it has been confirmed to them that when Pizza Planet re-opens later this year it will re-open as "Pizza Rizzo." Yes, that's right our favorite rat and his family from The Muppets will have the new theme of the quick service restaurant. 

The quick service pizza restaurant will have an entirely new theme and an entirely new menu with better quality food. It was confirmed through internal documents and permits filed in relation to the on-going refurbishment of the restaurant.

While the new theme has yet to be officially announce by Disney, it does make sense that Rizzo play a big part in the new theme. If you recall, Rizzo and his family had their own restaurant in the film, "Muppets Take Manhattan." There still remains no word on if Pizza Planet will return to Hollywood Studios. There has been much speculation that it would return to Toy Story Land when it eventually opens. There has been no details released on what kind of restaurants will be in the new land.

Stay tuned for when it is officially announced for more details on "Pizza Rizzo."

"Beauty and the Beast" Trailer Released:

This morning we got our first glimpse of the live-action retelling of "Beauty and the Beast" will be like when the trailer was released live on Good Morning America. While Belle is the only true character we see, (we hear Lumiere's and Cogsworth's voices), Beast's castle looks amazing at first glance. Check out the amazing first look of "Beauty and the Beast" below:

Here’s your first look at the live-action retelling of Beauty and the Beast🌹Coming to theatres 3.17.17. #BeOurGuesthttps://t.co/v4F6xaSxzr

— Beauty and the Beast (@beourguest) May 23, 2016

"Beauty and the Beast" hits theaters in just 10 months on March 17, 2017.

More Details on "The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" Released:

We are just days away from the debut of "The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The first nighttime show at the park is set to debut this Saturday, May 28. Today, the Disney Parks Blog shared even more details about the show that will run through the summer. Here is what we learned:

"In “The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic,” the excitement and fun of Disney’s hit live-action adventure “The Jungle Book” roars to life with live music and performance, dazzling special effects and production numbers inspired by Indian cultural traditions. As night falls, we’ll gather on the shores of the Discovery River for a vibrant Indian celebration, as dozens of colorful performers take to the water and surround the audience in song and visual artistry.
In addition, massive curtains of water glow to life above the river’s surface, illuminated with imagery from the blockbuster film as Bagheera and other favorite characters from “The Jungle Book” take us on a journey through the jungle, following Mowgli’s exciting, perilous and sometimes hilarious wild encounters.
“We’re so thrilled at how much ‘The Jungle Book’ film has been embraced by audiences around the world,” said Michael Jung, Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Entertainment. “And we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate ‘The Jungle Book’ with this new live show. It’s going to be a perfect fit for Disney’s Animal Kingdom.”
“The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic” features rousing, Indian-inspired arrangements of the movie’s popular songs “Trust in Me,” “The Bare Necessities” and “I Wan’na Be Like You,” all building to an uplifting, boisterous finale."

The Disney Parks Blog promised to share even more details on the new nighttime spectacular throughout the week leading up to its grand debut this weekend. So stay tuned.

Final "Finding Dory" Trailer to be Released Tomorrow:

The final trailer for Disney Pixar's "Finding Dory" will be released tomorrow live on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The film hits theaters in less than a month on June 17. The film which is the sequel to the hit film, "Finding Nemo," stars DeGeneres as Dory, Ed O'Neill, Ty Burell, and Diane Keaton among many others in the all-star cast.

They released a teaser for the trailer tomorrow, titled "Just Keep Swimming," in which the film's cast sing the famous words from the first film. Check it out below:

A new #FindingDory trailer is debuting TOMORROW on @TheEllenShow. #JustKeepSwimming ...we are almost there!https://t.co/jzTjdQzyun

— Finding Dory (@findingdory) May 23, 2016

"Beauty and the Beast" Trailer Out Tomorrow; Show & Seating Info for Jungle Book: Alive with Magic

"Beauty and the Beast" Trailer Out Tomorrow:

"Be Our Guest" tomorrow when we will get our first look at what the live action "Beauty and the Beast" trailer is released. The trailer will be released tomorrow morning live on Good Morning America. 

Today, Disney released a simple teaser for the trailer that will be released. The teaser simply says, "Be Our Guest" with a single red rose petal falling. Here is the teaser if you haven't seen it yet:

Tomorrow.https://t.co/eIbkwON1NZ

— Disney (@Disney) May 22, 2016

Who's excited for the "Beauty and the Beast" trailer?

Show & Seating Info for Jungle Book: Alive with Magic:

The "Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" will have two showings per night beginning next Saturday, May 28. The shows will be at 9:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. "Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" is 20 minutes long. 

For guests with FastPass+ reservations seating will be on the Asia side of the Discovery River theater.  Standby guests and dining package reservation guests will be seated on the Dino Land side of the theater. 

For guests with strollers, parking for strollers will be near the gibbon exhibit on the Asia side of the theater and parking will be in the Finding Nemo stroller parking area for the Dino Land side of the theater. 

Animal Kingdom will now close at 11:00 p.m. with the new nighttime experiences occurring at the park that will officially begin Friday. 

Menus Released for Tiffins Restaurant & Nomad Lounge Opening Next Week; Echo Lake Eats Opened Today

Menus Released for Tiffins Restaurant & Nomad Lounge Opening Next Week:

The new nighttime experiences at Animal Kingdom aren't the only things debuting next week. The new Tiffin's Restaurant and adjoining Nomad Lounge will open near Pizzafari and what will soon be the entrance to Pandora - The World of Avatar. Today, the Disney Parks Blog showed off the menus for both Tiffins and the Nomad Lounge take a look:

New Dining Packages will also be available beginning May 28 for both Tiffins and the Tusker House Restaurant and allow you reserved seating for the new limited nighttime engagement in Jungle Book: Alive with Magic. At the Tusker House the dining package will be available for the all-you-care-to-eat meals at breakfast, lunch, and dinner same day (you have to dine at least 2 1/2 hours before the show). At breakfast it will cost $37 for adults and $23 for ages 3 to 9, plus tax and gratuity. For lunch and dinner, it will cost $49 for adults and $30 for ages 3 to 9, plus tax and gratuity. Tusker House is on the Dining Plan and costs 1 meal credit.

At Tiffins, the package will include a choice of appetizer, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage for either lunch or dinner. The package here will cost $67 for adults and $32 for children ages 3 to 9, plus tax and gratuity. Tiffins will cost 2 dining plan credits on the Disney Dining Plan. 

Reservations open tomorrow, May 21,  for both Tiffins and the new Dining Packages. Reservations can be made by visiting DisneyWorld.com/DINE or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

Echo Lake Eats Opened Today at Disney's Hollywood Studios:

Last week, it was announced that the new Echo Lake Eats would open around Echo Lake at Disney's Hollywood Studios with three new quick-service kiosks. Today, the three kiosks opened with some summertime eats. Here are the menu's for Bocados del Lago Nachos y Empanadas, Sliders to the Stars, and Hollywood Waffles of Fame:

Bocados del Lago Nachos y Empanadas

• Loaded Chili Cheese Nachos with Guacamole 
• Beef Empanadas, roasted corn and black bean salsa, Queso Fresco with cilantro sour cream
• Dulce de Leche Cookie

Sliders to the Stars

• Pulled Beef Brisket Sliders with arugula, pickled onions and horseradish aioli on sesame bun served with chips
• Pulled Barbecued Chicken Sliders with coleslaw and chipotle aioli on a brioche bun served with chips
• Mickey Brownie

Hollywood Waffles of Fame

• Shaved Turkey and Gouda Waffle Sandwich with mixed greens, bacon, tomato and herb-cheese pesto served with chips
• Shaved Ham and Cheddar Focaccia with water cress and spicy mustard served with chips
• Freshly-baked Chocolate Chip Cookie

Try these new amazing summertime eats for a limited time at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Animal Kingdom Nighttime Experiences Begin Next Week, Disney Announces Several Opening Dates for Awaken Summer

Animal Kingdom Nighttime Experiences Begin Next Week, Disney Announces Several Opening Dates for Awaken Summer:

Summer will officially awaken at Walt Disney World just one week from today when the new nighttime experiences begin at Animal Kingdom. Beginning May 27, the Tree of Life will awaken at night as the animal spirits come to life through magical fireflies that will tell the stories of wonder and enchantment along with other amazing sights at the tree. 

Then as the sun sets take a ride on Kilimanjaro Safari for the first time and see the nighttime behavior and sounds of the amazing wildlife like you never seen before. Then head over to the Harambe Village in Africa to enjoy the "Wildlife Parti" as the community of Discovery Island celebrates their love of the natural world in the Discovery Island Carnivale.

That's not all as the park will truly awaken on the Discovery River with the new nighttime spectacular as we wait for Rivers of Light to be completed in, Jungle Book: Alive with Magic. The show which is inspired by the hit live-action film will show memorable moments from the film, including the iconic Shere Khan (shown above), and will be filled with music and entertainment from the film infused with Indian influence. 

FastPass+ and dining package reservations for all the new nighttime experiences will be available beginning tomorrow, May 21. 

Now we already know that Soarin' Around the World will debut at Epcot on June 17. However guests will get to relive Soarin' Over California just one last time beginning next week on May 27. FastPass+ reservations for these last farewell flights will be available beginning tomorrow, May 21.

The farewell flights will last through June 16 before the new attraction opens the next day at  The Land in Epcot and on June 15 for the attraction over in Disney California Adventure. The new show of course will debut on June 17 the day after its world premiere when Shanghai Disneyland has its grand park opening on June 16.

The next big day for Disney World will be June 17 as several of their new attractions will be set open on that day. Let's head to the Magic Kingdom where its new stage show in "Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire" will debut.

“Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” brings to life beloved Disney stories both classic and contemporary in a spectacular performance featuring an original song, memorable music, lively dancing, delightful costumes and special effects magic. Mickey and his troupe of Merry Makers have invited friends from other lands to join them in a grand celebration. So in addition to favorites like Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Goofy, the show also brings together a wonderful cast of characters from some of Disney’s newest classics: “Frozen,” “Tangled” and “The Princess and the Frog.”

The new show will celebrate the unique stories of the citizens who make up this magical kingdom and the wonderful things that can happen when we try new things, see new places, and make new friends.

Head over to Hollywood Studios to enjoy the force of Star Wars as several new experiences have opened in the past year. On June 17, however head to the Studios at night to enjoy the new nighttime fireworks spectacular in "Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular."

The new nighttime fireworks spectacular will be the most elaborate in the parks history. It will combine fireworks, pyrotechnics, special effects, and video projections that will turn the Chinese Theater and other buildings into the twin suns of Tatooine, a field of battle droids, the trench of the Death Star, StarKiller Base, and many other Star Wars destinations. That's not all as the nighttime sky is lit up with amazing fireworks, our favorite music from the films will be played throughout show. The show will be punctuated with a tower of fire and spotlight beams as they come together to form a giant lightsaber in the sky.

Last, but not least on June 21, head over to World Showcase at Epcot and visit the Norway pavilion as the new Frozen Ever After attraction and the adjacent Royal Sommerhus will open their doors. Frozen Ever After will take guests on a boat tour through the kingdom of Arendelle. 

First, guests will be transported to the "Summer Snow Day" Celebration where Queen Elsa will embrace her magical powers to create a beautiful 'winter-in-summer' day. They will then travel through Troll Valley on their way up to the North Mountain to visit Elsa's Ice Palace. The journey ends with the return trip to the Bay of Arendelle.  FastPass+ will be available for Frozen Ever After, once again beginning tomorrow May 21.

After traveling through Arendelle, guests can visit Queen Elsa and Princess Anna in their summer home, The Royal Sommerhus. It does not appear as the new meet & greet will be available for FastPass+. The Norway pavilion will open too guests along with Future World at 9 a.m. while World Showcase will open to guests 11 a.m.

The fun begins at Disney World next week as #AwakenSummer begins at Disney Parks. 

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.

"Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" and More Awaken Animal Kingdom at Night Beginning Memorial Weekend

Tonight, during their Awaken Summer media preview, Disney World announced that "Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" show will open on the Discovery River beginning Memorial Day as the show and other nighttime experiences will begin as they awaken Animal Kingdom at night. "Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" will take place of Rivers of Light until it is ready. The media did get a small preview of Rivers of Light but it wasn't the full show. Here is the announcement from the Disney Parks Blog:

“Jungle Book: Alive with Magic” Show – For the summer, Discovery River will become the stage for a limited-engagement show inspired by Disney’s hit live-action film “The Jungle Book.” “Jungle Book: Alive with Magic” is filled with music and special effects that celebrates the new film and the classic songs, now infused with an Indian influence.

The Tree of Life Awakens – Disney Parks Blog author Thomas Smith previously shared the first look at this amazing sight, in which the park’s iconic Tree of Life undergoes an extraordinary “awakening.” You can expect to see animal spirits come to life throughout the evening by magical fireflies. Each scene appears to emanate from within the tree itself and reveals stories of wonder.

Kilimanjaro Safaris After Dark – Guests can enjoy Kilimanjaro Safaris in the evening hours, thanks to special lighting that will allow guests to explore the savanna – and its inhabitants – well into the night.

Harambe Wildlife Parti – Guests can turn into “party animals” at the Harambe Wildlife Parti and enjoy lively African music, exotic foods and drinks, and explore the local marketplace.

Discovery Island Carnivale – On Discovery Island, guests can join the local community in their celebration of their love for nature in this party that features music, dancers, stilt walkers, food and more.

Tiffins – Guests can enjoy the park’s newest eatery, Tiffins, for both lunch and dinner. Check out this previous post for a peek at what to expect from the menu.

Nighttime Attractions – The park’s attractions, now operating in the nighttime hours, will take on a whole new life. For the first time, guests will be able to experience the thrill of attractions like Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids – surrounded by darkness. They’ll also be able to enjoy colorful midway games and attractions in DinoLand, U.S.A.

Rivers of Light clearly won't be ready now until the fall at least but what the media saw tonight looks truly amazing and I can't wait to see it once it is completed. In the meantime these other new nighttime experiences at Animal Kingdom will surely keep us occupied while we wait for this amazing new nighttime spectacular. Animal Kingdom will truly be awakened with the new nighttime experiences.