Disney Announces Ways you can Celebrate Disney 100 at Walt Disney World

 With Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary officially over, Disney has officially begun celebrating its 100th anniversary in Orlando. This week they shared just some ways we can celebrate The Walt Disney Company's 100th Anniversary. First off would be meeting Mickey and Minnie in their platinum best.

EPCOT will be the center of Disney's 100th celebration at Walt Disney World later this year. As the parks transformation continues and is expected to be completed later this year. As Mickey and Minnie have been meeting guests in their brand new platinum best on the west coast at Disneyland, they will be dressed in their platinum bests at EPCOT later this year. More details on where guests will be able to meet them will be coming soon. 

There's more to celebrate at EPCOT later this year as we know that Journey of Water: Inspired by Water will open later this year as well as a new nighttime spectacular is expected to light the skies. Disney also shared a sneak peak of a new special Spaceship Earth lighting that will debut later this year as well. 

“The Show Lighting Team at Walt Disney Imagineering has been amazed at our guests’ reaction to the nightly shows on Spaceship Earth,” said Jason Read, show lighting designer principal for Walt Disney Imagineering. “We’ve helped celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, EPCOT’s 40th and the park’s signature festivals. Now, we’re excited to have Spaceship Earth ring in the biggest celebration yet, the 100th Anniversary of the Walt Disney Company.”

Appearing over the last few weeks at each of the four parks plus Disney Springs, are the new Disney100 backdrops.

This photo op is perfect for the entire family and is a perfect start to your day at the parks. Guests should also be prepared for special and unique character meet & greets. As the celebration ramps up at Walt Disney World, guests may run into some of their favorite characters dressed in their platinum best as they pop up at various Walt Disney World resorts.

A celebration at Walt Disney World wouldn't be a celebration without new food, drinks, and of course merchandise. Beginning on May 1, at Amorette's Patisserie in Disney Springs, a new limited Disney100 petite cake will be available for a limited time. The dessert will feature layers of vanilla chiffon, berry mousse and berry compote, all topped with a celebratory Disney100 medallion macaron.

Disney100 merchandise has already showed up at the Walt Disney World Resort, soon a new Disney100 Cinderella premium popcorn bucket will be released exclusively at Magic Kingdom.

Stay tuned for when it will make its grand debut. For now guests can enjoy drinks and popcorn in the new Disney100 refillable cups available now at Walt Disney World hotels and popcorn buckets available at all four parks and Disney Springs. 

Limited release merchandise is available across Walt Disney World where you can cherish nostalgic memories with the Decades collection, most recently the 40s-themed Disney100 decades collection which features "Fantasia," "The Three Caballeros," "Pinocchio," and "Dumbo."

This is just the beginning as there will be more ways to celebrate Disney100 in the months to come.

Siemens and Disney to End Partnership; 2017 Candlelight Processional Dining Packages

Siemens and Disney to End Partnership:

Yesterday, it was reported that Siemens was pulling away its sponsorship away from Walt Disney World after a 12-year relationship. Today, it was made official with a statement release from Siemens. Siemens has sponsorships to two well-known attractions and shows in Epcot in Spaceship Earth and Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. Here is the statement:

“For the last 12 years, Siemens and The Walt Disney Company have enjoyed an exciting marketing and technology alliance that has brought tremendous visibility to the Siemens’ brand and joy to its employees,” said Siemens spokesperson Darren Sparks. “The Siemens/Disney sponsorship has evolved with the company’s changing portfolio since 2005 and has exceeded expectations. The sponsorship will reach its mutually-agreed upon end date October 2017. This successful relationship has truly been a fusion of creativity and innovation between the two organizations.”

It doesn't appear as a new sponsor will be named for either as Disney is trying to pull away from sponsorships from its attractions. This also makes sense since rumors have been swirling that a new nighttime spectacular will be replacing Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. We expect big announcements for Epcot in the coming weeks at the D23 Expo which occurs July 14-16 in Anaheim.

2017 Candlelight Processional Dining Packages Now Available:

Today, the 2017 Candlelight Processional Dining Packages were released and a tentative schedule for celebrity narrators were also released. Newcomers include Pat Sajak and CCH Pounder. Returning as one of the fan favorites include Neil Patrick Harris. This year's Candlelight Processional will run November 24 through December 30.

• Nov. 24- Dec. 3 – To Be Announced
• Dec. 4-5 – Pat Sajak
• Dec. 6-14 – To Be Announced
• Dec. 15-17 – Trace Adkins
• Dec. 18-21 – Neil Patrick Harris
• Dec. 22-24 – CCH Pounder
• Dec. 25-27 – Jaci Velasquez
• Dec. 28-30 – To Be Announced

The processional is performed three times per night (5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.) during the holiday season at the America Gardens Theatre. Here is the information on the Processional Dining Packages:

As with last year, in addition to lunch and dinner packages, breakfast options are available at some favorite restaurants in and near Epcot again this year like Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and The Garden Grill. Breakfast, lunch and dinner options are also available this year at Captain’s Grille at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort,** with breakfast and dinner options being offered at Trattoria Al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk. 

Candlelight Dining Packages for breakfast start at $35 plus tax per person for adults and $21 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9. Candlelight Dining Packages for lunch and dinner start at $44 plus tax per person for adults and $15.50 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9.

To book Candlelight Processional Dining Packages visit here or by calling 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).

Source: Disney Parks Blog

New "Rogue One" Inspired Experiences Coming to Hollywood Studios

Spaceship Earth was transformed into the Death Star tonight during the special "Rogue One" Disney Parks Blog meet-up that was live streamed. During the live stream, several new "Rogue One"- inspired experiences were announced for Disney's Hollywood Studios. They were announced by Michael Roddy of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Entertainment & Merchandise. 

First, up Advanced Weapons Research Troopers, the Imperial Death Troopers, from "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" will be added along with scenes from the film to the stage show Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away. The show will return December 16.

Also at Star Wars Launch Bay, new props from "Rogue One" have already been added. These items include: A Shoretrooper Blaster, Director Krennic's Imperial Shuttle, a Death Star model, a U-Wing gunship, and so much more. Also scenes will be added to the Launch Bay Theater with making-of footage and a behind-the-scenes look at "Rogue One."

Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular will return beginning December 16 and will run along with "Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!" as a second nighttime fireworks spectacular that will run through December 31. Over at Star Tours, guests will go back to randomized beginnings (instead of starting each journey on the planet of Jakku from "The Force Awakens") also beginning December 16.

A new seven-hour Star Wars guided tour is coming soon to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Here are some of the details that were released although final details will be released soon:

This seven-hour guided tour will be led by a Star Wars “all-in-the-know” tour guide that will include: a journey on Star Tours – The Adventures Continue; an opportunity to participate in Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple (for guests age 4-12); a guided exploration of Star Wars Launch Bay, dinner at a quick-service restaurant featuring Star Wars-themed items; the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party; fireworks viewing and more. - Disney Parks Blog

Also appearing during the meet-up was Mads Mikkelsen, who plays Galen Erso in "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." During the meet-up Mikkelson helped release a never before seen clip from the film between his character and the formidable Director Krennic.

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" soars into theaters in just 11 days on December 16.

Spaceship Earth to be Transformed into Death Star for After Hours 'Rogue One' Event

The Disney Parks Blog will be holding a special out of this world meet-up this Monday, December 5 at Epcot. The after hours celebrating the upcoming release of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" that will feature guests, who will be there by invitation only, seeing the parks icon be transformed into the Death Star. 

During the event which will also feature local media, the classic attraction will be transformed through digital projections. The time of the event wasn't shared publicly, it was shared via an email to those guests who got an invitation. Prior to the Death Star transformation, guests will be treated to updates on current and future Star Wars experiences at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Guests who were able to get the invite, here are some details they will need to know:

• If confirmed, it will be necessary for the registrant and guest to check in at the front of Epcot for access to the event. The confirmation will include those details.
• Valid photo I.D. will be required at check-in.
• Meet-up confirmations are non-transferrable and have no cash value.
• Confirmation will be for the accepted registered person and guest.
• If you do not receive an email from us confirming your reservation, then your RSVP was not accepted.
• The meet-up is subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Have no fear if you didn't get an invite, the event will be live streamed on the Disney Parks Blog as part of their #DisneyParksLive events. The live stream will begin at 10:25 p.m. ET where a fresh blog will appear on Monday evening. 

Stay tuned Monday night for any breaking news on Star Wars Land and "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" at the parks. Guests using Twitter are encouraged to use the hashtags #DisneyParksLIVE and #RogueOne during the event.