Special Experiences for Disney PhotoPass Day; Mobile Ordering Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios

Special Experiences Coming for Walt Disney World's PhotoPass Day:

Next week, Walt Disney World will be hosting its second annual Disney PhotoPass Day on August 19. During the event, guests will be offered an exclusive photo opportunities with rare characters plus they can also celebrate their favorite Disney princesses in honor of Disney's "Dream Big, Princess" campaign.

Here are the details for each park:

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Character Experiences:

• Meeko joins Pocahontas at Character Landing on Discovery Island
• Timon joins Rafiki at Rafiki’s Planet Watch
• Princess Atta joins Flik at Discovery Island near Creature Comforts

Photo opportunities:

• Dream Big Princess photo backdrop before the park entrance (daylight hours only)
• Jungle Book Magic Shot near Yak & Yeti Restaurant
• Visit the PhotoPass photographer in DinoLand U.S.A. from 9-10 p.m. to have magical Mickey light effects added to your photo

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Character Experiences:

The Queen from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” Maleficent, and Cruella de Vil will meet with guests at Sunset Showcase. This opportunity will be available from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Photo opportunities:

• Dream Big Princess photo backdrop outside the Theater of the Stars (daylight hours only)
• Poison Apple Magic Shot on Sunset Boulevard
• Fisheye lens in the Chinese Theatre Courtyard area

Epcot

Character Experiences:

• Genie will join Princess Jasmine in the Morocco Pavilion
• Mushu will join Mulan in the China Pavilion

Photo opportunities:

• Dream Big Princess photo backdrop near Epcot Character Spot (daylight hours only)
• Baymax Animated Magic Shot with the PhotoPass photographer located near Mouse Gear and the Fountain of Nations
• Fisheye lens near the fountain close to the entrance to Spaceship Earth

Magic Kingdom Park

Character Experiences:

• Dopey joins Snow White at Town Square Courtyard
• Captain Hook joins Peter Pan in Fantasyland

Photo opportunities:

• Dream Big Princess photo backdrop in Fantasyland (daylight hours only)
• Cinderella’s Coach in Fantasyland
• “Tangled” light painting photo opportunity near Ariel’s Grotto (available after dark)
• Mickey Mouse Magic Shot on the bridge near Fairytale Garden
• Main Street Vehicle near the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor (available in the morning and early afternoon)

Disney Springs 

Photo opportunities:

• Dream Big Princess photo backdrop next to the Marketplace Stage
• Fairy Wings Magic Shot from the PhotoPass photographer roaming around the Marketplace near Tren-D (available from 1-10:30 p.m.)
• You can also visit the Disney PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs to enjoy special $99.95 plus shipping pricing on a Personalized Storybook now through August 20

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Mobile Ordering is Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios:

Mobile Ordering is expanding to three quick service restaurants at Disney's Hollywood Studios within the next week. It will begin with Backlot Express tomorrow August 8, ABC Commissary on August 14, and PizzeRizzo on August 15. 

The service has already successfully launched at Tomorrowland Terrace, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, Pinocchio Village Haus, and Columbia Harbour House at the Magic Kingdom. Electric Umbrella and Liberty Inn at Epcot. Flame Tree Barbecue, Pizzafari, Restaurtantosaurus, and Satuli Canteen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and D-Luxe Burger at Disney Springs.

During the launch period however no discounts will be available through Mobile Ordering. Guests who have Annual Passholder, Tables in Wonderland, or any other discounts must go to the counter if they wish to use the discount.

Source: WDW News Today

Reservations Now Open for Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Dessert Party, Disney Springs' Christmas Tree Trail, & More

Reservations Now Open for Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Dessert Party:

Today, reservations are now open for the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Dessert Party as well as details about what guests can expect at the event. The Disney Parks Blog revealed:

"In the courtyard of The Great Movie Ride, guests will enjoy multiple food stations, which will feature holiday-inspired savory delights, sweet tidings such as the delicious Santa Mickey chocolate cupcake with peppermint bark, and more—including a nitrogen dessert station. Beer, wine and specialty cocktails will be available for guests over 21. Specialty non-alcoholic beverages will also be available, and of course, there will be hot cocoa!"

Guests will also enjoy a very special character meet & greet before they are escorted to the reserved viewing area. As mentioned last week with the announcement for "Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!" guests will receive a pair of 3D Holospex glasses, which will turn any bright lights into holiday holographic illusions such as gingerbread men and candy canes.

Check in for the Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam! Holiday Dessert Party will begin an hour and fifteen minutes before the show time. Cost will be $69 for adults and $39 for children ages 3-9, tax and gratuity included.

Disney Springs' Christmas Tree Trail Debuts this Holiday Season:

A brand new holiday experience is coming to the Disney Springs Marketplace when the Christmas Tree Trail debuts this holiday season beginning November 11. Through this walkthrough trail guests will be able view 15 trees that are each inspired by a different Disney character or story. During the experience guests will wind through a winter wonderland complete with a gentle snow fall, toy soldiers, singers, and of course plenty opportunities for photos. 

Here is the list of themed trees coming to the Disney Springs' Christmas Tree Trail:

• Mickey and Minnie Mouse
• Disney Villains
• “Moana“
• “Beauty and the Beast“
• “The Little Mermaid“
• “Cinderella“
• “The Princess and the Frog“
• “Alice in Wonderland“
• “Frozen“
• “The Jungle Book“
• “Mulan“
• “101 Dalmatians“
• “Tangled“
• “Mary Poppins“
• The Muppets

The Disney Springs' Christmas Tree Trail will run from November 11, 2016 through January 8, 2017.

PizzeRizzo to Open November 18:

We finally have an official opening date for PizzeRizzo, the Muppets-themed pizza eatery owned by Rizzo the Rat will open on November 18 at Hollywood Studios. The two-story eatery will find decor inspired by Rizzo himself, as well as his extended family and friends who have visited PizzeRizzo over the years. Head up to the second floor to Rizzo's Deluxe Supreme Banquet Hall, where there's a wedding reception already in progress. You can join the party and show off your best dance moves under the disco ball to the world's greatest party playlist.

The menu will include four different personal-sized pizzas to choose from (vegetable, pepperoni, meat lover's, and cheese) and will be served with a side Caesar salad. Also available will be a meatball sub and a lighter option in a Antipasto Salad that will feature a bed of Romaine lettuce piled high with tomatoes, Mozzarella, Kalamata olives, ham, pepperoni, salami, and Balsamic Vinaigrette. For dessert, enjoy traditional Italian sweets like Cannoli and Tiramisu. Specialty drinks will also be available, including a non-alcoholic Peach Bellini, and a Wildberry-Basil Lemonade Limoncello in addition to beer and wine for adults. 

Rogue One's New Poster and Celebration Reel Released at Celebration; PizzeRizzo is Now Official

Rogue One's New Poster and Celebration Reel Released at Star Wars Celebration:

Star Wars Celebration Europe kicked off with a bang today with the 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' panel. We have a new poster that shows the Death Star hovering over the sunny skies of the new beach world called Scarif. The poster which was given to each guest at the end of the panel. The new poster reads, "A Rebellion Built on Hope."

While a new trailer wasn't released we did get a behind-the-scenes look with a celebration reel. It is much like the "Force Awaken" reel we received at Celebration last year. It is amazing so check it out below:

For a complete recap on the "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" Panel from Star Wars Celebration check out StarWars.com. "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" hits theaters December 16, 2016.

PizzeRizzo is Now Official for Hollywood Studios:

While this has been known for weeks, PizzeRizzo has been officially announced by Disney today. It will open this Fall in the new Muppets Courtyard section of Hollywood Studios (formerly Pizza Planet). Here are the details released on the Disney Parks Blog:

Rizzo The Rat owns and operates the pizzeria, where guests can grab a pizza pie and a cold drink. Enjoy a casual Italian-American dining experience in a whole new way, through the eyes of the lovable, wisecracking Muppet. 

Walt Disney Imagineering hid hints of Rizzo, his extended family and friends who have visited PizzeRizzo over the years throughout the two-story quick-service location. In addition to the expansive indoor and outdoor seating area, guests will be able to dine in a “cheesy” banquet room, or take five in a special booth designated just for Rizzo’s celebrity friends.

Stay tuned for an official opening date of PizzeRizzo. I am hoping it will be completed in time for when I visit in 65 days.

Happy Weekend Everyone,
John