Disney Broadway Stars Announced for Festival of the Arts; New Disney ALEX AND ANI in 2017

Disney Broadway Stars Announced for Festival of the Arts:

The very first Epcot International Festival of the Arts begins in just a few weeks on January 13. Today, the Disney Broadway stars were announced for the weekend performances during the festival. In collaboration with Disney Theatrical Productions, each weekend guests will be treated to different pairings Broadway artists during each of the six weekends of the festival. Performances will be at the American Gardens Theatre where guests will enjoy favorite songs from Disney on Broadway's award winning shows. Here is the list of performers coming to Epcot:

Jan. 13-16 and 20-23: Ashley Brown and Josh Strickland performing songs from: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, Mary Poppins and The Little Mermaid.

Jan. 27-30 and Feb. 3-6: Kerry Butler and Kevin Massey performing songs from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, Newsies and Aladdin.

Feb. 10-13 and 17-20: Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White performing songs from Disney’s The Lion King, Aida, Aladdin and The Little Mermaid.

Performances will be at 5:30 pm, 6:45 pm, and 8 pm, Friday through Monday of each festival weekend. Future World Plaza will also be filled with a variety of other visual and live performances including Epcot Living Statues, performances by Central Florida high schools and acclaimed university and college talent appearing through a partnership with Disney Performing Arts. Plus, Epcot’s American Music Machine will also perform on the Future World Fountain Stage.

The festival runs Fridays through Mondays from Jan. 13 – Feb. 20.

New Disney ALEX AND ANI Designs for 2017:

A few weeks ago the Disney Parks Blog ran a poll about which new designs fans of the ALEX AND ANI would like to see in Disney in 2017. Today, the top 3 phrases for the "Words are Powerful" collection, which features Disney sayings and the attributes of favorite characters, on the very popular bracelets. The top 3 vote getters were:

• Make Your Own Path – Pocahontas
• Be Forever Brave – Merida
• Unlock the Magic – Jasmine

The fan-selected bangles will join the "Words are Powerful" collection at Disney Parks in 2017. The “Words Are Powerful” Color Infusion bangles will have a retail of $44.95 plus tax and will be available in both Shiny Gold and Shiny Silver Finishes. You will be able to purchase them on the SHOP Disney Parks App as well as the Disney Store online and these Disneyland and Walt Disney World locations:

Disneyland Resort

• Disney California Adventure park – Elias & Co.
• Disneyland park – Fortuosity Shop
• Downtown Disney District – Disney Vault 28 and World of Disney Store

Walt Disney World Resort

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Discovery Trading Company
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Bayview Gifts
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Keystone Clothiers
• Disney Springs – Tren-D, World of Disney Store, and ALEX AND ANI
• Epcot – Mouse Gear
• Magic Kingdom Park – Emporium

Animal Kingdom to Test New Access to The Oasis, Disney Legend Mary Blair Gets Animated Tribute, and New Pocahontas Meet & Greet

Animal Kingdom to Test New Access to The Oasis:

WDWMagic is reporting that Disney's Animal Kingdom will be testing a new access to The Oasis before park opening beginning next week. The test will allow guests on non-Extra Magic Hour days to enter The Oasis area of the park 30 minutes before the park opens. 

The early entry will allow guests to plan their day with Cast Member assistance, and make any last minute Fastpass + reservations. No attractions will be open at the time as guests will be limited to the entrance and The Oasis area of the park. This will allow less congestion as their have been frequent long lines to enter the park. The test will run through the end of July.

Disney Legend Mary Blair Gets French Animated Tribute:

The Annecy Animation Festival debuted a new animation short from French animation studio, Gobelins, about Disney legendary artist, Mary Blair. The short is just 86 seconds long and conveys the work of Blair so well. Here is the synopsis from the studio on the short called, "Mary":

"Mary Blair is hired to work in Walt Disney's gigantic and rigorously maintained garden. As he welcomes her and invites her to get to work, she starts producing plants magically. Although he is amazed, Walt cannot refrain from correcting and toning down Mary's work behind her back."

Mary Blair was a real pioneer in animation, illustration, and imagineering at a time when the field was dominated by men. Most known for her works in the "Alice in Wonderland" animated feature, the monorail lobby in Disney's Contemporary Resort, and her work on the It's A Small World attraction. Here is the short:

New Pocahontas Meet & Greet at Disney's Animal Kingdom:

Today marks the 20th anniversary of Disney's "Pocahontas" and the Disney Parks Blog shared with its readers a new meet & greet with the Powhatan princess in a spot thats 'just around the riverbend.' The new location is in the Discover Island Character Landing at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Pocahontas can only be found at Disney's Animal Kingdom, and she is not the only rare character that can be only seen at Animal Kingdom. Tarzan, Rafiki from "The Lion King," Russell and Dug from "Up," and Baloo and Louie from "The Jungle Book" are all exclusive to the park.