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. 

Big Expansion Announced for Tokyo Disneyland; Details on Disney Pin Celebration 2016 Pixar Party

Big Expansion Announced for Tokyo Disneyland:

Today, a huge expansion was announced by Tokyo Disneyland and the expansion is expected to be completed by 2020. What are the details you may ask of this amazing expansion? A new Beauty and the Beast-themed area that will expand Fantasyland is possibly the biggest part of the expansion. A new attraction in Tomorrowland based off "Big Hero 6." A new character greeting facility will be built at the entrance to Toontown. Finally, across the way at Tokyo DisneySea a new version of Soarin' will be built. Here are the full details:

The major attraction being built in the new Beauty and the Beast-themed area will have the newest technology and last for a genuinely incredible 8 minutes. According to the press release, guests will board enchanted serving dishes that will dance in rhythm to the film's well-known music. It will follow Belle on a romantic musical journey inside the Enchanted Castle where she dances into the heart of Beast, just in time to break the fateful spell. Also included in the new themed land will be a new shop and restaurant, details on both were not announced. 

The new land isn't all that's coming to Fantasyland as a new 1,500-seat live Fantasyland Theaters will be built. It will be the first full-scale indoor theater for live entertainment at Tokyo Disneyland. According to the press release, the theater will be, "Signature Disney entertainment unique to Tokyo Disneyland and featuring the Disney Friends will be presented in this storybook theater environment." 

The theater will be built near the Beauty and the Beast-themed area, towards Space Mountain and behind the new Tomorrowland attraction. That new Tomorrowland attraction will be based off of Disney's Academy-Award winning film "Big Hero 6." The first attraction based off the film inside a Disney Park.

The attraction will be much like Mater's Junkyard Jamboree at Disney California Adventure. It will be an exciting musical 'whip ride' that will swing guests unpredictably round and round. The ride should last for about a minute and a half. The attraction will tentatively open in Spring 2020. 

Besides the "Big Hero 6" attraction a new outer space-themed shop will open, a first for Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, will be selling multiple flavors of popcorn. The story behind the popcorn at Tokyo Disneyland is that throughout the park that sells popcorn with crazy flavors that are supposedly amazing.

Guests will be able to meet Minnie in the new character greeting facility being built at the entrance to Toontown. Announced in the press release, "After walking through Minnie’s design studio and her work area with interactive elements, guests can meet Minnie in person, take pictures with her, and generally spend a memorable time together." Again it is set to tentatively be completed by Spring 2020. 

Soarin' will make its debut across the way inside the Mediterranean Harbor section of the park and will open by fiscal year 2019. The attraction will premiere with original scenes and the newest visual images. If you notice though in the concept art the ride vehicle is much different that previous Soarin' attractions that use a hang glider. It almost looks like the flying machine developed by Leonardo Da Vinci. The attraction will be located across from Mysterious Island that is home to the iconic attraction, Journey to the Center of the Earth. 

Elsewhere inside Tokyo DisneySea, "newer versions of current attractions and entertainment programs" are also being developed. Who's ready to book a trip to Tokyo Disneyland in 2020?

Details on Disney Pin Celebration 2016 Pixar Party at Disney World:

Let's celebrate 30 years of Pixar magic with a party. The Disney Parks Blog today released details on this year's Disney Pin Celebration 2016 Pixar Party. The event will take place August 26-27, 2016 at World Showplace in Epcot. Here are the details from the Disney Parks Blog:

This “totally wicked” event is slated to take place August 26 (from 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.) and August 27, 2016 (from 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.) at World ShowPlace in Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort. Join us as we celebrate 30 colorful years of Pixar Animation Studios! This award-winning studio has produced a myriad of full length feature films, shorts, (Car) Toons, and television specials full of colorful characters that we love and cherish. The pins for the Pixar Party will feature characters from “Cars” to “Brave” to “infinity and beyond.” The event team shared as many details as they could with me, so here’s the scoop!

Admission to Pixar Party is $140 per guest and includes the following:

• Trading Board Games (four (4) vouchers per day)
• Pixar Party Scavenger Hunt
• Auction Opportunity (includes pre-production pins, artist proof pins and more)
• Meet Disney Pin Merchandisers
• Artist Signings with Disney Design Group Artists
• One (1) $30 Disney Gift Card

Other event offerings include:

• First opportunity to pre-purchase select themed Pixar Party merchandise via the Random Selection Process 
• Limited Edition Commemorative Gifts 
• Welcome Pin
• Pixar Party Scavenger Hunt Six (6) Pin Gift Set (previously found on trading boards)
• Goodbye Pin Set

Here’s a look at the Pixar Party event merchandise catalog. Some of these designs are absolutely “incredible!”

Hungry for more? There’s even a “Little Chef” Breakfast you can sign up for, which includes a breakfast buffet, trading time inside the Pixar Party venue (from 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.) and a limited-edition commemorative gift pin – available only to breakfast attendees. Keep in mind this package sells out fast.

Sign up for the Pixar Party beginning Thursday, April 28, 2016. Ticket Sales begin at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on DisneyParksMerchandise.com. Reminder: Event admission does not include theme park admission to Epcot but theme park admission is required to attend the event. Package limited to availability. No discounts will be offered in conjunction with this package.

So “just keep swimming” towards the Pixar Party date and in no time, you will be saying … “mine, mine, mine.”

More Details on "Frozen Ever After", Clip from Soarin' Over the World Released, and More

More Details on "Frozen Ever After" Announced:

Disney World has been holding their annual summer media event over the last two days. Although not much has been announced as in opening dates including "Frozen Ever After." Everything has been announced as debuting "In Summer" but they did release some new details on the popular attraction. The info included:

• Song writers Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez created new lyrics for the attraction to the "Frozen" film songs.
• All of the original voice talent from the returned to voice their respective characters in the new attraction.
• Walt Disney Imagineering traveled to Norway to research architecture, decor, and artifacts all to be seen in the Royal Sommerhus.
• The design and the Royal Sommerhus and the surrounding area is modeled after a traditional Norwegian cabin in Trondheim.

"Frozen Ever After" and the Royal Sommerhus will both open this summer in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot.

Clips from Soarin' Around the World Released:

That wasn't all the Epcot news announced at the media preview as the media got a sneak peak of what's to come in the new Soarin' Around the World set to open you guessed it this summer. No opening date has been announced yet. The clip shows a preview of how guests will be flying over China and Australia. Here is the clip:

Soarin' closed back in January and will be reopening as Soarin' Over the World. Stay tuned for an opening date which will be announced soon you would think.

"Alice Through the Looking Glass" Preview Coming to Disney Parks:

Guests will soon to be able preview "Alice Through the Looking Glass" at both Disney's Hollywood Studios and at Disney California Adventure. The preview at both parks will begin May 6 for a limited time.

At DCA, guests will preview the sequel to "Alice in Wonderland" will be presented in 3D with special in-theater effects at the Sunset Showcase Theater (formerly where MuppetVision 3D was located). At Hollywood Studios, One Man's Dream will be housing the preview and seeing advance clips of the film. 

The preview will go on through June 12, so if you're visiting Disney Parks catch the 10-minute preview before time runs out. "Alice Through the Looking Glass" hits theaters May 27, 2016.

Afternoon Tea at Steakhouse 55 Beginning 1/22, Reservations Open for Minnie's Silver Screen Dine, and More

Notes:

• The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights has been extended until Wednesday, January 6. To accommodate the extension Disney's Hollywood Studios has extended its hours until 10 p.m. tonight through Wednesday.
• Soarin' Over California performed its final flight last night and is now closed for refurbishment until sometime this summer. It will re-open as Soarin' Around the World along with the new theater opening.

Afternoon Tea at Steakhouse 55 Beginning on January 22:

Beginning later this month on January 22, Steakhouse 55 will begin hosting 3 different afternoon tea parties from noon to 3 p.m. The parties will bring the rich tradition of a royal afternoon respite to the Disneyland Resort guests where they can enjoy sweets, savories, and a grand selection of a dozen specialty teas.

The Disney Parks Blog gave this say about the teas and what you will be able to pair them with:

"The amazing selection of teas, including Twinings, features a variety of caffeine-free, loose-leaf varieties or herbal infused creations. Pair your favorite sip with traditional scones, an assortment of tea sandwiches, desserts and more. Apertifs, wines by the glass and cordials are available for an additional cost."

The three different parties you will be able to choose from are:

The Classic Tea Party with traditional scones, tea sandwiches, desserts, teas, and herbal infusions. Cost will be $50.

The Premium Tea Party with sparkling wine, Mickey-shaped scones, salads, tea sandwiches, desserts, teas, herbal infusions, and a farewell truffle. Cost will be $55.

A Kid's Tea Party with scones, tea sandwiches, desserts, herbal infused teas, milk, or hot chocolate. Cost will be $35.

Gluten-free and vegan options are available. Reservations can be made by visiting Disneyland.com/dine or by calling 714-781-DINE.

Reservations Now Open for Minnie's Silver Screen Dine at Hollywood & Vine:

The holiday season is over at Hollywood & Vine at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Now, its time for awards season as Minnie invites her friends for the glitz and glamour of a fabulous dinner party for Minnie's Silver Screen Dine from January 4 through March 20. 

Here you'll celebrate the magic of the movies at Hollywood & Vine, which is the hottest spot for awards season. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy will be dressed in their designer best. It's the perfect Hollywood party filled with dazzling decor and a musical score. 

Some of the stellar eats, guests will be able to choose from are: scene-stealing soups including the famous creamy popcorn soup garnished with caramelized popcorn, best supporting appetizers, best leading entrees including (bacon-wrapped loin, lobster and shrimp macaroni & cheese, and honey-bourbon glazed turkey), and themed desserts.

Reservations are now open and can be made by calling DisneyWorld.com/dine or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Slated to Become Highest-Grossing Domestic Film:

It's the #1 film for the third straight week after earning another $88.3 million over the weekend. "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" has already made $740.3 million to date domestically, it now ranks second all-time. It needs just another $20 million to pass Avatar which holds the top spot at $760.5 million to become the #1 highest-grossing film in U.S. box office history. 

'The Force Awakens' has already made $1.51 billion both domestically and globally since it opened just 2 and half weeks ago on December 18. The film will be opening on Tuesday in China. The question is what will stop this film from becoming the highest growing film ever. Stay tuned as the records keep on breaking for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

Soarin' to Close January 4, 2016; Sony Reveals Star Wars Battlefront Holiday Commercial; and More

Soarin' to Close January 4 to Become Soarin' Around the World in Summer 2016:

Soarin' will close down January 4th to begin transitioning over its new show to become Soarin' Around the World, Walt Disney World has confirmed. The construction will last until sometime in Summer 2016 where Soarin' will open up as Soarin' Around the World and open its third theater that construction began last year on.

The new attraction will take guests over historic landmarks and places around the world such as the Great Wall in China, the Painted Desert, and so much more. This will be all seen in a more clearer picture that is crystal-clear and in high definition. It has been rumored that it will open around May 1, 2016 when the new Frozen Ever After attraction is expected to open in the Norway pavilion in Epcot. Stay tuned for details.

Sony Releases Star Wars Battlefront Holiday Commercial:

We are less than a month away from one of the biggest releases in video game history, when Star Wars Battlefront is released on November 17 for Xbox One, Playstation 4, and PC. Today, Sony released its holiday commercial with Star Wars Battlefront being front and center for the commercial.

The story behind the commercial is two friends who grew up loving Star Wars who eventually end up playing Battlefront in the commercial. Check out the trailer below:



Note: Tune in later on It All Started With a Mouse for the final trailer for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

"The Jungle Book" Teaser Trailer Released, Narcoossee's to Begin Offering Waterfront Brunch, and More

"The Jungle Book" Teaser Trailer Released:

Just a few days we were all excited as Disney teased us with just a six second clip of their upcoming live-action film of their animated classic, "The Jungle Book." Today, we finally got to see the full teaser trailer and it did not disappoint. "The Jungle Book" is directed by Jon Favreau and is due out in theaters, April 15, 2016. The film stars newcomer Neel Sethi as Mowgli, Idris Elba as the voice of Shere Khan, Ben Kingsley voices Bagheera, Bill Murray as the voice of Baloo, Scarlett Johansson as the voice of Kaa, and Christopher Walken will voice King Louie. Also joining the all-star cast will be Lupita Nyong'o as the voice of Mowgli's fiercely protective mother wolf Raksha, and Giancarlo Esposito as the voice of the wolf pack's alpha male, Akela. The film seamlessly blends live-action with photorealistic CGI animals and environments, using up-to-the-minute technology and storytelling techniques to immerse audiences in an enchanting and lush world. Here is the trailer:

Watch the new teaser trailer for Disney’s The #JungleBook now! See the film in theatres April 15, 2016. https://t.co/XGuV31PajG

— The Jungle Book (@TheJungleBook) September 15, 2015

Narcoossee's to Begin Offering Waterfront Brunch:

Today the Disney Parks Blog announced that Narcoossee's at Disney's Grand Floridian will begin offering a brunch on Sunday mornings beginning November 22. Reservations are now open for the brunch. 

For a menu: to start things off with a specialty beverage such as Champagne, Mimosa, or the signature Bloody Mary for adults, and a smoothie for children. There will be a shared pastry basket for the table filled with house-made chocolate and traditional croissants, muffins, Danish, pecan sticky buns, Vermont cultured butter, and seasonal jams.

Guests will enjoy choices of an appetizer:

• Onion Soup Graitnee
• Shrimp and Grits
• Seafood Charcuterie
• Artisanal Cheese Selection
• Romaine Salad

Entrees to choose from will be tradition brunch favorites with a "refined" twist:

• Brioche French Toast
• Lobster Eggs Benedict
• Chicken and Waffles
• Freshly Caught Seasonal Fish
• Steak and Eggs
• Much More

Guests will be able to complete their meal with a trio of desserts. Cost will be $61 for adults and $41 for children (ages 3-9). Reservations can be made beginning today by visiting DisneyWorld.com/DINE or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

Miscellaneous Disney Parks News:

Pop Secret is now the official popcorn at Disney parks and the official sponsor of Fantasmic! at Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios.

Soarin' in Epcot will close in January for 4-6 months as it prepares for its layover to Soarin' Around the World. 

Its Finally Announced: Star Wars Land in Disneyland and Hollywood Studios, Toy Story Land, and More Updates From Parks & Resorts Panel

You could say we've been waiting two long years since Disney bought Lucasfilm for this announcement. Fans today it became a reality as Disney CEO Bob Iger shocked the Disney fan community at the D23 EXPO at the end of the Walt Disney Studios Panel. Star Wars Land is officially confirmed for both Disneyland and Hollywood Studios in what Iger is calling the "largest single themed-land expansion in the history of Disney Parks & Resorts." That was just the beginning of the rock-star day as even more announcements were made during the Parks & Resort Panel that just ended a little while ago.

The largest expansion ever will be the 14-acres each on both coasts as Disney Imagineering lets you dive immersively into the world of Star Wars. It will transport guests into a never-before-seen planet, a remote trading port, and one of the last stops before wild space where Star Wars characters and their stories come to life. 

Iger said he was thrilled to announce the next chapter in the long history between Disney Parks and Star Wars.  He continued with this, "We are creating a jaw-dropping new world that represents our largest single themed land expansion ever. These new lands at Disneyland and Walt Disney World will transport guests to a whole new Star Wars planet, including an epic Star Wars adventure that puts you in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance."

That is not the only attraction coming however as fans will get to fly on one of most recognizable ships from the movies in the Millennium Falcom into an epic Star Wars adventure on a customized secret mission. Also coming is a Mos Eisley Cantina themed restaurant that will surely put guests right into the world of Star Wars. 

That wasn't all of the Star Wars news as even more details were give by head of Disney Parks and Resorts Bob Chapek and Imagineer Scott Trowbridge took the stage during the Disney Parks & Resorts Panel. This was all announced but as it appears now nobody knows when this large expansion will be completed. As Trowbridge said they are still at the very beginning stages of the project. Chapek and Trowbridge said not to worry as more Star Wars experiences will be coming to both parks as fans await the project to be completed. 

These experiences will begin popping up in the parks on both coasts beginning later this year and early next year. One of the many experiences will be another update to Star Tours - The Adventure Continues as new destinations and characters will be added to both attractions from the upcoming new movie "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." The Jedi Training Academy will also be receiving an update with new characters from the Disney XD series "Star Wars Rebels," including a new villain battle.

Also opening later this year will be a Star Wars Launch Bay much like the one that was announced for Shanghai Disneyland when it opens next year. Star Wars Launch Bay will take guests into "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" with props  from the upcoming film and past films. Guests will be able to meet their favorite Star Wars characters both old and new as well as taste food offerings authentic from the films. Also on the docket for the Launch Bay will be a chance for guests to try out Star Wars themed games such as soon to be released Disney Infinity 3.0 and Star Wars Battlefront which is due out later this year. 

Star Wars Launch Bay will most likely be located in the old Magic of Disney Animation building in Hollywood Studios and in Tomorrowland at Disneyland. 

New opening early next year will be an experience much like Star Wars Weekends except on both coasts in Star Wars Season of the Force. In the seasonal event, Tomorrowland in Disneyland , guests will explore the Star Wars galaxy with special entertainment, food offerings and Hyperspace Mountain (Space Mountain reimagined) in which guests will be taken into an X-wing Starfighter battle. At Hollywood Studios a new fireworks spectacular set to the iconic Star Wars score will dazzle guests on weekend nights. 

Toy Story Land: 

The expansion news for what was already big with Star Wars Land but it got even bigger as the lead creator of Disney World, Kathy Mangum took the stage after Chapek announced Toy Story Land as the second half of the expansion of Hollywood Studios. The 11-acre land will shrink guests into the size of Andy's toys and immerse them into Andy's backyard with two new attractions and the expansion of Toy Story Midway Mania. 

The main attraction will be a new family-friendly roller coaster as its zips and zooms guests on a thrilling and joy-filled adventure throughout the land on the back of Slinky Dog. 

The other new attraction will let guests join their favorite Green Aliens on a spin in their very own flying saucers.  Not to mention the third track being added to one of many guests' favorite attractions in Toy Story Midway Mania.

Frozen Ever After and Soarin' Over the World:

Mangum stayed on stage to give a small update on Frozen in Norway which is scheduled to open May 1, 2016. While no major details were given, Mangum promised imagineers were working on our favorite characters from Frozen including showing off the Sven animatronic that will be part of the Frozen Ever After attraction. 

Frozen wasn't the only thing announced for Epcot as Soarin' Over the World that was announced for Shanghai Disneyland just last month has been confirmed not only for Epcot but also California Adventure will debut it next year. The new update to the attraction will allow guests to fly over far-flung lands, natural landscapes of the world, and some of the most famous man-made wonders around the world. 

Pandora - The World of Avatar:

Joe Rohde, James Cameron, and Jon Landau took the stage to elaborate how extensive this amazing land truly is. One thing it isn't just Avatar Land, its going to be called Pandora - The World of Avatar. Cameron and Landau reiterated this won't be like anything you saw in the movie as this will be the guests adventure into Pandora.

The centerpiece of the land will be AVATAR Flight of Passage as it brings guests into one of the most thrilling scenes as they soar across mountains on a banshee. "Rivers of Light" will open next year as it will be a night show like no other in any Disney Park. Guests will be treated to live music, floating lanterns, water screens, and creative animal imagery for a breathtaking affair. 

Kilimanjaro Safaris will also be expanded with new species of animals (African wild dogs and hyenas) being added as the attraction becomes a new nighttime adventure. Guests will travel across the African savanna along with the orange glow of the sunset in the park beginning next spring. The glow however won't just be on the safari, the whole park at night will be a glow with the bioluminescent lights lighting up the whole park. 

Iron Man Experience at Hong Kong Disneyland:

One of the last updates at panel was given on Marvel's very first attraction in Disney Parks in the Iron Man Experience that is set to open next year in 2016. The Iron Man Experience will be an epic battle between Hydra and Iron Man. The experience will begin at Stark Industries as guests board the Iron Wing and fly through Hong Kong Star Tower where they end with a fight with Hydra. If you want a comparison the clip of the attraction looked very much like the Transformers ride at Universal Studios. 

That's it for the major updates and expansions throughout Disney Parks & Resorts. A surprise was definitely that we didn't get the name change for Hollywood Studios like many including myself predicted. It is however a step in the right direction for Hollywood Studios with this major re-imagination of the whole park. I was disappointed that we didn't get any set completion date for Star Wars Land or even Toy Story Land and although it can be assumed where both lands will be placed that wasn't announced either. Nor were any additional closings inside both parks in Disneyland and Hollywood Studios.

Are you satisfied with the announcements made at the Parks & Resorts Panel and D23 EXPO as a whole? What are your thoughts?

Your Daily News from Around Disney 3/9/15

It's Monday again and I only have 76 more days until my trip to Disney World. The countdown is withering away and it will be here before I know it. Disney as always is in the news and I am here to bring it to you. So without much else to blabber on about I bring you your daily news from around Disney.

Smokejumpers Grill, Part of Grizzly Peak Expansion at DCA to Open March 20:

The Disney Parks Blog today announced that on March 20, the first phase of the Grizzly Peak Expansion at Disney's California Adventure will open with the Grizzly Peak Airfield and new a new quick-service restaurant in Smokejumpers Grill. Smokejumpers Grill will be themed to honor the brave men and women that fight wildfires in California forests. With a new look and an updated menu with featured tasty items such as a bacon cheddar burger, a grilled chicken and jack sandwich, as well as a chili cheeseburger.

This is just the beginning of the expansion of Grizzly Peak as their will be new building exteriors, landscape features, and much more to the former Condor Flats area of the park. The rest of the area is set to open later this spring with Soarin' Over California set to reopen as well. Soarin' will reopen with new screens and projector system a preview of what will be done for the same attraction at Walt Disney World set to be done next year in 2016. 

Disney Seeks to Create 'Super App" to Help Families Get Fit:

Disney has launched a campaign competition worth 95,000 euros in Europe to find developers to come up with new apps to use its characters, such as Marvel superheroes, to encourage healthy living. Disney has teamed up with the non-profit organization, Creative England, to target software specialists outside London's highly competitive development scene. Matt Carroll of Disney said the competition was seeking submissions that take advantage of the latest health technology trends, such as wearable fitness sensors. He said, "We hope developers will be inspired to come up with fun and engaging digital solutions using Disney's stories and characters-for families to use, which will positively effect a healthier way of life." Disney and Creative England's competition will award 5,000 euros to three regional developers in the first round to prepare a 'proof of concept'. One team will win 80,000 euros in funding to develop the final product.

New Trailer for Disney's Tomorrowland Released:

A new trailer for Disney's Tomorrowland was released today to the public. It gives a few hints of what to expect of the movie that hits theaters May 22, 2015. Also in the trailer Disney World's Epcot and Space Mountain are seen in the background in parts of the trailer. Here is the trailer that was released today:

This Day in Disney History:

On this day (March 9) in 1984, Roy E. Disney resigns from the central board of the Walt Disney Company, setting in motion takeover bids and maneuvering that by August will leave him in control of the company.

Also on this day one year ago in 2014, Disney World's Festival of Fantasy parade debuts at the Magic Kingdom.

Daily Disney Quote:

"We allow no geniuses around our Studio."

Walt Disney

Well that's it for today's news. I hope everyone got through this Monday and look forward to the new week. I certainly enjoyed the warmer weather that has finally arrived here in Northeastern Pennsylvania. As always in the words of Mickey Mouse, "See Ya Real Soon."

Soarin' and Toy Story Mania to be Expanded at Walt Disney World

Today the Disney Parks Blog announced that Soarin' in EPCOT and Toy Story Mania in Hollywood Studios would be receiving expansions to their attractions. Soarin' will be adding another theater along with updating the screens and the projection system to bring a better visually enhanced experience. Toy Story Mania will be expanding with more midway track. The expansion for Toy Story Midway Mania will be placed in the Stage 1 building which right next to the attraction anyway.  Both expansions are to be completed by late 2016.

Quoting from the blog today, "Here at Disney Parks & Resorts we're always making investments to exceed your expectations, whether it's creating new attractions and entertainment or making experiences even better." They are expanding these beloved attractions to lower guest wait times. Toy Story Mania and Soarin' almost always have that longest wait times in each of their respected parks.

The expansion of these rides could only mean a better experience and even a better opportunity to enjoy these attractions when visiting Walt Disney World. I for sure can't wait to see these rides be expanded and other future enhancements that are coming to the parks. What is everyone's opinion on these rides finally being expanded? What other enhancements to the parks are you hoping for? The future of Walt Disney World is certainly bright in my opinion.

My Top 5 Favorite Attractions at Epcot

Well here we are back again with part 2 of my favorite attractions. Today we are going to Epcot and I will be sharing my top 5 favorite attractions. I will repeat from yesterday, I am in no way saying these are the best in the park. This is all my opinion so without much more to say, let's get on with it. Here are My Top 5 Favorite Attractions at Epcot:

5.) The Seas with Nemo & Friends in The Living Seas Pavilion:

Here starting at no.5 is The Seas with Nemo & Friends is one of my favorite attractions in Epcot. In this wonderful ride in the Living Seas pavilion jump on a clam-mobile and re-live the Disney/Pixar film, Finding Nemo. I thoroughly enjoy this ride and at 25 it makes me feel like a kid swimming with the fish along with hearing the story of Nemo. You get to meet all the Nemo characters plus real fish are swimming in the aquarium behind the projections. I enjoy this ride because not only is it a fun ride it is quite a learning experience for my niece and nephews, when they are on trips to the World with us. This ride opened in 2006 so it is still a relatively new ride. I enjoy this ride so much and that is why it is no. 5 on my favorite attractions at Epcot.

4.) Journey into Imagination with Figment in The Imagination Pavilion:

Use your senses and imagine what you can do. In at no. 4 is Journey into Imagination with Figment. Figment one of my all time favorite characters makes this ride one of my favorites in Epcot. Do I miss the Dreamfinder? Yes, I do but I will ride this ride without a doubt in my mind every time I'm at Walt Disney World. It is such a fun ride and Figment is funny. Join Dr. Channing as he guides you through the Imagination Institute open house as he takes you through labs to learn about our 5 senses (sight, sound, smell, taste and touch). Although, you only get through sight, sound, and smell before the eccentric Figment has other ideas for you. The ride goes along with music of "One Little Spark," a catchy little tune that may just get stuck in your head after the ride is over. This is a fastpass ride, but generally there is no wait to get on. Journey into Imagination with Figment is no.4 on my favorite attractions at Epcot.

3.) Ellen's Energy Adventure in The Universe of Energy Pavilion:

Go back in time and join the dinosaurs as we join Ellen DeGeneres in number 3 in my favorite attractions at Epcot in Ellen's Energy Adventure. This long dark ride, almost 45 minutes long, to be exact is amazing. I love how Ellen and my favorite scientist Bill Nye the Science Guy take us on a journey to learn where energy began. We start out learning that Ellen is dreaming about winning Jeopardy but needs the help of Bill to win. So he takes Ellen back to when the Universe began with the Big Bang Theory. We then enter my favorite part where you ride through a world of animatronic dinosaurs. I mean even as a kid I loved this ride and the big part of it was the dinosaurs. Once through the dinosaurs your taken to watch 3 giant screens that take you through learning about different uses of energy past, present, and future. The ride ends with Ellen winning Jeopardy after coming back from her trip with Bill Nye. This ride is another way to get out of the heat and rest your feet for a little bit. That is why Ellen's Energy Adventure is in at number 3 of my top 5 attractions at Epcot.

2.) Test Track Presented by Chevrolet:

I loved the first version and I love version 2.0 of this attraction even more. In at number 2 in my favorite attractions at Epcot is Test Track. This ride really gives you the thrill like you are driving your own car. In this updated version you now get to create the car you're going to be testing. Even when you go back on the ride you can use the same car you created before or create a new one. Definitely one of my favorite rides in Epcot. I love how the ride is so realistic as it takes it through different performance tests as well as how safe the car. The ride which originally took you through almost like a very loud lab to test the car, now take you through a much quieter tests that make you feel like you're in Disney's Tron. Once done with the ride a car created by one of the guests in the vehicle is chosen a winner for best car created. It certainly creates some competition among family members of who's car is the best. This ride is a fastpass ride and usually has a long wait no matter what time of day, so plan in advance. The ability to create your own car, the thrill of feeling like driving your own car, and the competition the ride bring out in family members is why it's number 2 on my list of favorite attractions at Epcot.

1.) Soarin' in The Land Pavilion:

There is nothing like hang gliding over California in my favorite attraction at Epcot. Number 1 in my top 5 favorite attractions at Epcot is Soarin'. This ride takes you on a tour of the Golden State in a hang gliding simulated attraction that makes you feel that you are actually hang gliding. You get to see the sights and even the smells of this beautiful smell. You get to tour the Golden Gate Bridge, the Redwood forests, Napa Valley, Yosemite and more as you end your trip in the most magical and the original starting point in Disney theme parks in Disneyland. My favorite is how Disney makes it so magical that you can smell the oranges and the pine trees soaring over the great tour of California. It really is an amazing ride. It is experience that everyone should enjoy on their trip to Epcot. I know my family and I ride this multiple times on our trips to Disney World. This ride always is busy and fastpasses are a must no matter what time of day. I can't tell you enough how great this ride is and that is why Soarin' is number 1 in my top 5 favorite attractions at Epcot.

This Day in Disney History:

On this day, February 8th, 14 years ago Disney open's it second Anaheim theme park in Disney's California Adventure along with it's new hotel the Grand Californian.

Also in 2012, Disney announces on the 11th anniversary of Disney's California Adventure, an expansion of the park that is now Buena Vista Street and Cars Land today.

Daily Disney Quote:

"Animation offers a medium of story telling and visual entertainment which can bring pleasure and information to people of all ages everywhere in the world."

Walt Disney

This ends Part 2 of my series of my favorite attractions in each of the theme parks. Tune in next week  for the final two parts. Tomorrow is another day and I end like I always do in the words of Mickey Mouse, "See Ya Real Soon."