D23's Epcot Fanniversary for 35th, A Look at Specialty Beverages for Pandora, & More

D23 Holding Epcot Fanniversary for 35th Anniversary:

D23 will be holding a special event in honor of Epcot's 35th Anniversary on October 1 called "D23's Disney FaNNIVERSARY". Here are the details on the event that will cost $135/person plus a $5 per person processing fee. Tickets for the event will go on sale on May 2 at 1 p.m. ET/ 10 a.m. PT. 

OVERVIEW

D23’s Fanniversary kicks off a month-long celebration with a one-of-a-kind event on the 35th anniversary of the fan-favorite theme park. The event will include a series of presentations celebrating the magic of Epcot over the past 35 years.

DETAILS:

Check-in location and timing details to come. Lunch will be provided to all attendees during the event.

Available to Gold and Gold Family Members

You will be required to show a photo ID. Members will be required to show their D23 Membership Card.

Join The Official Disney Fan Club as we celebrate the 35th anniversary of Epcot during D23’s annual Fanniversary celebration throughout the month of October! Inspired by Walt Disney’s vision for an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, EPCOT Center opened on October 1, 1982, as the second theme park at Walt Disney World Resort.

Gold and Gold Family Members have the chance to kick off Fanniversary with a visit to Epcot on October 1 for a D23-exclusive celebration event!

The event will take place at the World Showplace Events Pavilion and includes three presentations that celebrate the magic of this fan-favorite theme park over the past 35 years.  The presentations will include rare content and stories from Disney luminaries who played an influential role in the development of Epcot!

All attendees will also have the chance to enjoy a lunchtime look back at Epcot over the years while snacking on a boxed lunch at your table.  No event would be complete without a one-of-a-kind gift created exclusively for this celebration.

Learn more about our D23 progressive dinner, celebrating 35 years—which takes place later that evening—here! This separate ticketed event has very limited seating.

NOTE:

D23 Gold and Gold Family Members may reserve a ticket for themselves and one (1) guest.

Due to the nature of this experience, all attendees must be at least 12 years of age or older to partake in this D23 event.

This event does not include admission to Epcot. Guests will need to have or purchase admission to Epcot to attend. If planning to use a Walt Disney World Annual Passport to attend, each guest should check blockout dates to verify that the pass is valid for admission on Sunday, October 1, 2017.

Admission includes a prix fixe boxed lunch. Food allergy and restrictions must be communicated to our Guest Services team prior to the event.

There is a limited number of tickets available. D23 Members will be required to provide their membership number when reserving tickets. Tickets may be picked up only with a valid photo ID AND D23 MEMBERSHIP CARD. D23 Members who do not bring their membership cards may not be admitted to the event. Ticketed Members who do not attend the event forfeit their place as well as all experiences, benefits, and gifts associated with the event.

All D23 Special Events are subject to change without notice. There are no cancellations or refunds, and tickets are not transferable.

PLEASE BE ADVISED: Filming, photography, and other recording will take place at Walt Disney World Resort during the event you will be attending. By entering the premises, you irrevocably consent to and authorize The Walt Disney Company, its affiliates, successors, and assigns (collectively “Producer”), to photograph you, make sound recordings of you, and use such photographs and recordings throughout the world, for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity, including, but not limited to, television broadcasts and home entertainment products, including, but not limited to, home video and DVD. All such photographs and sound recordings will be the sole property of Producer.

Also, D23 will be holding a Behind the Scenes dinner that will be celebrating 35 years of Epcot on the same day. Details for that event can be found here.

Source: D23

A Look at Specialty Beverages that will be Exclusive to Pandora:

Today, the Disney Parks Blog featured some of the specialty drinks that will be exclusive to Pandora: The World of Avatar when it opens at Disney's Animal Kingdom next month. To start off with the Satu'li Canteen with the Pandoran Sunrise which is a non-alcoholic beverage a mix of tropical juices blended with Powerade Melon and you can get it in a souvenir Satu'li Canteen Flute Flask. 

Wine by the glass is Banshee, a small Napa Valley winery with a serendipitous name (guests fly on the back of a mountain banshee on the exciting Avatar Flight of Passage experience). A Banshee Chardonnay and Banshee Pinot Noir are on the menu by the glass. And there’s a refreshing Dreamwalker Sangria with a splash Blue Curaçao.

Two ales round out the beverage menu: Hawkes’ Grog Ale with a fruity hop character (a taste of apricot and peach, a hint of wheat on the finish), and Mo’ara High Country Ale, a malty amber ale with the aroma of herbal spice hops and tastes of caramel, toffee, and nuts.

At the Pongu Pongu try a Night Blossom which a frozen non-alcoholic mixture of limeade with apple and pear dessert flavors topped with passion fruit boba balls, this will also be served in a souvenir mug. Also the Mo'ara Frozen Margarita, a frozen drink with Sauza Conmemorativo Añejo Tequila with strawberry and blood orange flavor topped with strawberry boba balls (also available in a souvenir mug).

Both the Satu'li Canteen and Pongu Pongu open May 27 when Pandora: The World of Avatar debuts at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Splash Mountain to Close for Lengthy Refurbishment:

Splash Mountain will close for a long 3 month refurbishment at the end of the summer. It is quite unusual for the refurbishment to be happening this early as it usually takes place during the winter months. Splash Mountain will close August 28 and be closed through November 16. 

The attraction will reopen to guests on November 17. No details have been announced as to what will happen during the refurbishment.

"Today's Special Moments, Are Tomorrow's Memories." Trip Report Part 2

Magic Kingdom:

We woke up early, so we could meet my sister, brother-in-law, and their kids at Magic Kingdom to celebrate my nephew's 13th birthday. After we all got done eating breakfast and getting ready we were off to the park arriving shortly after 9:30. I really couldn't complain about the weather just look how beautiful the sky looked entering into the park.

We headed straight to First Aid to drop off my insulin and my sister stopped at the bakery for some coffee for her and my mom. While waiting for my sister to get the coffee I captured some of the best photos I've ever taken. Check some of them out:

Once my sister came back with the coffee, it was time to head over to Adventureland to meet up with my nephew on his birthday along with the rest of my family. Walking through the park you just get this magical feeling inside of you that makes you so happy. I guess that's why they call it the most happiest place on Earth. So we headed over to the Jungle Cruise to meet up with everyone. 

After my sister's family got off the Magic Carpets, we headed over to Jungle Cruise to ride one of my favorite rides in the Magic Kingdom. It's also a classic ride that I believe is a must-do anytime you go to Disney World. 

After an amazing ride on the Jungle Cruise, we headed over to Pirates of the Caribbean, a ride I hadn't been on since two trips before that. It was down when I went in May. You still get wet if you're in the first row and the water is still collecting in the bottom of the boat. So even though they fixed the animatronics in the ride the boat issue still there. We then tried to get on the Haunted Mansion before lunch but the line was too long. We headed over to Tony's for our lunch with the birthday boy. 

I hadn't been to Tony's in years as I was disappointed the last time we went there. This time though it was quite good. I had the pepperoni pizza, my father had the sausage pizza, and my sister and mother both had the margarita pizza. My sister and brother-in-law had the chicken parmesan with a white sauce. The kids had spaghetti and chicken tenders and noodles. Everything was quite delicious. We even got a cake for Zachary, my nephew. The service was just wonderful.

After the wonderful lunch we rushed over to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train for our FastPass. I know after riding this for the first time in May I said it was one of the best rides in Magic Kingdom, I stand by that statement. This was truly special as my youngest nephew Ben is now able to ride it. He loved it as he was sitting in the first row with my sister and had his hands up in the air the whole time. 

Once we got off the Mine Train it was time to go our separate ways for a little bit as we had different FastPasses. My Mom, Dad, sister and I headed over to Tomorrowland for our FastPass on Buzz. My Mom and I always have a little competition on this ride as its my most favorite ride at Magic Kingdom. I won this round as I do most other times. We then went to visit Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, another one of my favorite shows in the park. This show makes me laugh every time. Like Roz says in her raspy voice, "I'm watching, always watching Wazowski." 

It was then time to meet back up with my sister, her husband and the kids to go on some of nephew's favorite attractions. First up was my nephew's favorite show in Carousel of Progress. Now this isn't my favorite attraction but it is one of those classics I believe can't be passed up. My nephew if he could would ride this for hours upon hours. Next, was a FastPass for Splash Mountain. My sister, Zack, my niece Abby, and I went on. With how hot it was it was the perfect time for riding Splash Mountain. Plus with the heat, we dried off rather quickly.

We headed back to Tomorrowland to meet up with the rest of my family. It was then that I finally got my picture taken with Buzz Lightyear. Buzz is really my favorite Disney character of all time. This was my first time ever I got my picture taken with him as every time we go the line is usually crazy long. 

It was getting late as we had to be out of the park by 7 because we didn't have tickets to the final Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. My sister did however have tickets so we decided to get a family picture to remember the amazing time we had.

We then went our separate ways, my family is seriously the best. We may be imperfect at times but I wouldn't replace them in the whole world. My sister's family went to enjoy the party and we started to head out of the park. Before we left however we stopped in the emporium to buy some things. We then decided to head over to the Polynesian for dinner at Captain Cook's since we didn't have any reservations. 

Now the Polynesian is probably my family's resort to stay at so it wouldn't be a trip without at least visiting there. We headed over to take the monorail over. Once we arrived we headed downstairs to Captain Cook's. For dinner I had the Grilled Chicken Sandwich minus the pineapple salsa, it was delicious. I somehow failed to take any pictures at the Poly, major fail by me since its my favorite resort and the most beautiful. 

It was then time to head back to Port Orleans to rest up before we left the next day. It was a successful trip. I was sad that I was going home the next day and was thinking of when my next trip back to the World would be. The next day as I wrote in my resort review we just walked and toured around Port Orleans Riverside. By midday it was time to be picked up and head back to the airport to begin our trip back home to Pennsylvania. 

I finish this trip report with the title and what it means, "Today's special moments, are tomorrow's memories." This was said by the Genie in Aladdin and it holds so much meaning in this trip. The special moments with celebrating my nephew Zack's birthday in Disney World were truly special. The memories that were made I will cherish forever. 

My Top 5 Favorite Attractions at Magic Kingdom

This is the first in a series of my top 5 attractions at each park. This is no way in saying these are the best attractions, but these are my favorite that I need to do every time I am in Walt Disney World. The first Top 5 is at the Magic Kingdom. This list will not include the "Seven Dwarfs Mine Train," as I have not had the chance to ride it yet. So without further ado here are My Top 5 Favorite Attractions at Magic Kingdom:

5.) Peter Pan's Flight in Fantasyland:

This ride is literally a classic and every time I go to Magic Kingdom it is a must that me and my family go and ride Peter Pan's Flight. It is one of Disney's classic dark rides taking you right into magic of this classic Disney film. It is my suggestion that you get a fastpass for this ride as the lines are always long. Although now that the queue has been updated you may just want to wait in line just once. The ride itself takes you right into the film starting in the children's bedroom waiting for the arrival of Peter Pan. The ride takes you through Old Town London, to the scene flying over Big Ben, right into Never Land, overseeing the Mermaid Lagoon and Skull Rock. You will also see the notorious Captain Hook and Mr. Smee and of course the ever present crocodile. As you ride through the ride you will hear songs from the classic movie making you actually feel like you're in the movie. The ride lasts 2 minutes and 45 seconds. I love this ride and I put it at number 5 in my top 5 attractions at the Magic Kingdom.

4.) The Jungle Cruise in Adventureland:

The Jungle Cruise in number 4 on my top 5 favorite attractions at the Magic Kingdom. Another classic Disney ride the takes you through the four dangerous rivers: the Amazon, the Congo, the Nile, and the Mekong. I just love this ride from the witty and not so funny tour guides to all the animatronic animals you see along the way. There is nothing like seeing the other side of a waterfall. This ride is a 9-minute excursion through the rivers and to me the magic is always different. The ride is a Walt Disney World original opening in 1971 when the park opened. Another favorite part of the ride is near the end with the shrunken head salesman. There is nothing like the deal three heads for one deal. This ride is another must ride for me and my family when we are at the Magic Kingdom. These are the reasons why number 4 on my top 5 favorite attractions at the Magic Kingdom is the Jungle Cruise.

3.) Splash Mountain in Frontierland:

"It's the truth, it's actual, and everything is satisfactual." In at number 3 everybody's favorite water ride, Splash Mountain in Frontierland. I must admit when I was younger I didn't like this ride but as I grew older it has become one of my favorites. There is nothing like going on Splash Mountain to cool off from the hot Florida sun. It certainly helps that everyone loves this ride so getting a fastpass is a must. The ride itself is based on the adventure of Brer Rabbit who gets into trouble with two enemies in Brer Fox and Brer Bear. The ride takes you through Brer Rabbit's home Chickapin Hill through the Laughing Place and ending after a 50 foot drop into the Briar Patch. The 50 ft drop is where you will most likely get soaked, especially if your in the front row. Splash Mountain is a fun and family friendly ride that assures that everyone will get wet. Plan your fastpass so you can dry off in enough time that if you have other plans you will be dry. Splash Mountain is number 3 on my top 5 favorite attractions at Magic Kingdom.

2.) Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square:

999 happy haunts, but in at no. 2 is the Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square. Hop in a doom buggy for this Disney World original and enjoy one of the best rides in Disney World but it's not my number 1. The Haunted Mansion is another dark ride is home to Madame Leota and her 998 other happy haunts, of course there is always room for one more. You are on the ride which is hosted by your "ghost host" which is voiced by Paul Frees. The 7 and a half minute ride takes you through this mansion as the dead come alive in this classic attraction. Another ride that is always a must do at the Magic Kingdom. This ride is one of the magical things Disney does and everyone in my family loves this ride. Then at the end of ride you have Madame Leota saying, "Hurry Back, Hurrryy Baaack!!!!" Of course who doesn't want to hurry back on this great ride. I love it and I'm sure you do to. The Haunted Mansion is no. 2 in my top 5 favorite attractions at the Magic Kingdom.

1.) Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland:

Who's up for some good old family friendly competition? Number 1 and my favorite attraction in the Magic Kingdom is Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin located in Tomorrowland. How could I go for a simple ride instead of a thrill ride like Space Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain. Easy, Buzz Lightyear is my favorite character in Disney/Pixar history. That is not the only reason although it is a big part of it. This ride where you are here to help Buzz defeat Emperor Zurg by shooting at targets to  get a certain amount of points added to your score while your aboard your XP-38 Space Cruiser. Not only are you facing Zurg but robots and aliens as well. The ride lasts about 4 1/2 minutes and its a competition with your family members on who can become a Galactic Hero. The maximum score is 999,999. My love for this is my family members are always in competition in who can get the highest score. It's lots of fun and there isn't a trip where we don't ride it multiple times over. Number one and my all time favorite ride in the Magic Kingdom is Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin.

This Day in Disney History:

On this day February 7, 1938 the very first Donald Duck daily strip in the USA, drawn by Al Taliaferro, is published.

On this day 75 years ago in 1940, Disney's animated film, Pinocchio, premieres at the Central Theater in New York City.

Daily Disney Quote:

"Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world."

Walt Disney

Well that's all for today, except for tomorrow blog's will probably going up around this time during the week as I return to work on Monday. As always in the words of Mickey Mouse, "See Ya Real Soon."