Just When Will Walt Disney World Get New Monorail Fleet?; Star Wars Resistance Animated Series to Debut This Fall

Just When Will Walt Disney World Get New Monorail Fleet?:

Over the last few years the Walt Disney World monorail fleet has seen its better days. Rumors began early this year when video surfaced that doors on the monorail were having trouble staying closed even one incident where Monorail Red was in movement. Then there was the sudden cancellation of the Magic Kingdom theater that was announced during last summer's D23 Expo which led to rumors that Disney would be using that money to purchase a new fleet of monorails. 

Rumors died down until a few weeks ago when WDW News Today reported that a new fleet had been ordered and were being built by Bombardier in Canada. Those rumors were quickly shut down as sources had said while Disney is in interested in purchasing new monorails for the resort to replace the current fleet that have been in operation since 1989, the fleet had not been ordered from Bombardier yet. They are planning on replacing them in time for Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary in 2021. 

That was until last night when, Disney Legend and former Imagineer Bob Gurr while speaking at an event stated that a new contract has in fact been drawn up with Bombardier and that the fleet is now in production despite not yet being announced. Gurr did say though that the fleet while they are being built are years away from delivery which would confirm what sources are saying that they won't be around until probably the 50th Anniversary. 

Now we wait until Disney officially confirms that a new monorail fleet at Walt Disney World. I expect that to be sometime next year most likely during the 2019 D23 Expo. 

Star Wars Resistance Animated Series to Debut This Fall:

Earlier this week, a brand new Star Wars animated series was announced to debut this Fall on Disney XD and the Disney Channel. The new series called, "Star Wars Resistance", will take us on the adventures of Kazuda Xiono, a young pilot recruited by the Resistance and tasked with a top-secret mission to spy on the growing threat of the First Order.

Featuring the high-flying adventure that audiences of all ages have come to expect from Star Wars, Star Wars Resistance — set in the time prior to Star Wars: The Force Awakens — will feature the beloved droid BB-8 alongside ace pilots, colorful new characters and appearances by fan favorites including Poe Dameron and Captain Phasma, voiced by actors Oscar Isaac and Gwendoline Christie, respectively. 

The series was created by renowned Lucasfilm Animation veteran Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels); executive-produced by Athena Portillo (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels), Justin Ridge (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels) and Brandon Auman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles); and art-directed by Amy Beth Christenson (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels). 

In addition to Isaac and Christie, the voice cast includes actors Christopher Sean (Days of Our Lives), Suzie McGrath (East Enders), Scott Lawrence (Legion), Myrna Velasco (Elena of Avalor), Josh Brener (Silicon Valley), Donald Faison (Scrubs), Bobby Moynihan (DuckTales), Jim Rash (Community), and Rachel Butera (Tammy’s Tiny Tea Time).

No official released date for 'Resistance' has been announced as of yet but as stated previously it will debut this Fall. After the ending to "Star Wars Rebels" this past winter I can't wait to see what Filoni brings to the table for "Star Wars Resistance."

Source: Star Wars

Free Dining is Back and is Now Available

Free dining for Walt Disney World this Fall has officially been released and you better get in touch quick if you want this amazing deal. Like last year, guests must book a minimum 5-day/6-night minimum at a select Walt Disney World Resort Magic Your Way package with a Park Hopper Option. Guests staying at a Value or Moderate Resort will receive a free Quick Service Dining Plan. Guests staying at select Deluxe resorts will get a free Basic Dining plan for their stay. 

Guests can book through July 7, 2018 but this offer does go by fast. It is for the following dates:

• August 20 through September 29
• November 24 through November 27
• December 7 through December 23, 2018

Resorts included are:

Value:

• All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports
• Pop Century
• Art of Animation Suites

Moderate:

• Caribbean Beach 
• Coronado Springs
• Fort Wilderness Cabins

Deluxe:

• Grand Floridian
• Old Key West
• Beach Club Resort & Villas
• Yacht Club
• Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Boardwalk Inn & Villas
• Saratoga Springs

The resorts that are excluded include:

• Campsites
• 3-bedroom villas
• Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation.

Book now before this amazing offer of free dining goes away. Guests can upgrade from a Quick Service to a Basic Dining Plan for a fee. 

New Infinity War Trailer; "Solo" Set to Premiere at Cannes Festival, and More

New 'Infinity War' Trailer Released:

We were greeted with a new mini "Avengers: Infinity War" trailer yesterday. In the trailer called "Chant" we see the Cap reunite with Bucky and we are asked, "Where will you be when it all ends?" Check it out below:

"Solo: A Star Wars Story" Set to Premiere at Cannes:
It was revealed that "Solo: A Star Wars Story" will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2018.

This will be the third Star Wars film to appear at the festival the first two being "Attack of the Clones" in 2002 and "Revenge of the Sith" in 2005. "Solo: A Star Wars Story" is directed by Ron Howard and will premiere in the United States on May 25, 2018.

"Toy Story 4" Will Hit Theaters in 2019:

The toys will be back officially next June. Toy Story 4 will officially be released on June 19, 2019 according to its Facebook page. The film will bring back Woody & Buzz and all the toys as they search for Bo Peep to reunite her with Woody.

The film will be written by Stephanie Folsom and directed by Josh Cooley. 

Sweet Spells to Close Next Week; Meet & Greet Cuts Coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom

Sweet Spells to Close Next Week for Good:

A few months ago it was rumored that Sweet Spells and its sweet and delicious treats at Disney's Hollywood Studios would close and a Toy Story Land merchandise shop would take its place. The major renovation on the site will begin on April 16 which means the last day of operation for Sweet Spells will be April 15. 

Reel Vogue will remain open while the renovation takes place. Once the work is complete on the new store, Beverly Sunset will be the go to location for Toy Story Land merchandise as the land itself will not have a storefront that sells merchandise besides carts that will carry themed-items from the land. 

The good news is select treats from Sweet Spells will be available at other locations within Disney's Hollywood Studios. Beverly Sunset once it opens will also sell some pre-packaged snacks. 

Source: WDW News Today

Meet & Greet Cuts Coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom:

Several fan favorite meet & greets at Disney's Animal Kingdom will be ending within the next few weeks. The first in Baloo and King Louie who meet with guests in the Upcountry Landing in Asia will stop meeting with guests after April 14. 

Over at Discovery Trails West near the Tree of Life, guests will be seeing the end of the meet & greet with Flik from "A Bug's Life." This meet & greet will end after Flik meet with guests for the final time on April 22. 

Source: WDW News Today

Breaking: Interactive Pandora Conservation Utility Suit Coming to Pandora: The World of AVATAR

Yes, the amazing robotic suits we saw in AVATAR are coming to Pandora - The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The Pandora Conservation Initiative Utility Suit will make its debut inside the land on April 22. The Utility Suit was created in partnership between Lightstorm Entertainment, Disney Parks Live Entertainment, Michael Curry Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering.

It will be used to study wildlife, collect plant samples, and survive Pandora's terrain much like we saw in the film. Check out the video of the suit coming to life with the help of Walt Disney Live Entertainment's Tony Giordano, Robert King, and Laura Offerdahl.

Also, here is the video of the suit being tested in the parks:



The PCI Utility Suit will arrive just in time for Disney's Animal Kingdom 20th Anniversary. Be sure to check out the Times Guide for interaction with this amazing suit.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Morimoto Asia's Sakura Festival at Disney Springs; New Art Exhibition at American Adventure

Morimoto Asia's Sakura Festival Now at Disney Springs:

Through April 15, Morimoto Asia will celebrate the arrival of Spring with the Sakura Festival with a focus on the celebration of cherry blossoms. The event which kicked off a few weeks ago on March 15 features ticketed events, menu specials, and Instagram-worthy decor that showcase the pink blooms of the famed Japanese Sakura.

There are still four more events that guests can look forward to through April 15 including a Ramen Tasting. Here are the details on those four remaining events:

• Seas of Japan 101 (March 30, 2018; 4-6 p.m.; $45): Learn more about the seas of Japan and the delicacies that come from their waters. During this two-hour educational seminar, you’ll learn while tasting select menu items paired with sake.
• Morimoto Asia’s Guest Chef Series (April 3, 2018; 7-9 p.m.; $120): Take part in the inaugural event for this new series as the culinary talent from Morimoto Asia welcomes Chef Hitoshi Sugiura from Tokyo, Japan. The chefs will collaborate on a six-course Pan-Asian dinner, paired with wines from across the globe, for guests to enjoy.
• Ramen Seminar and Tasting (April 7, 2018; 12-3 p.m.; $36): Spend an afternoon learning about the many types of Asian noodles, then stick around to taste several varieties of ramen dishes.
• Matsuri Festival (April 15, 2018; 12-4 p.m.; $45 for guests ages 10 and up; children under 9 are free): Perfect for family fun, guests will have the chance to indulge in multiple street food stations, four beer and cocktail stations, and Japanese carnival games and activities suitable for guests of all ages.

There are also some amazing new menu items at Morimoto Asia while the event goes on they includeocally-brewed Crooked Can Sakura Kolsh, Cherry Blossom Martini, Blue Cherry Cocktail, Chilled Panacea Oysters, and a Sakura and Peach Bavarian Dessert. You can get more details on the event here.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

New Art Exhibition to Debut at Epcot's American Adventure:

This Summer, the American Heritage Gallery at The American Adventure will debut a brand new art exhibition called, "Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art." 

"Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art” is made possible through the collaboration of the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (MIAC) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in Washington, D.C.
Among the featured artists with works on display are fashion designer Loren Aragon (Acoma Pueblo), noted doll maker Glenda McKay (Ingalik-Athabascan), and Juanita Growing Thunder (Assiniboine Sioux) from the Growing Thunder family of Montana.

As with past exhibits, artists will share their stories with interactive elements, by sharing the creative process and inspirations behind their works in their own words. An opening date was not announced but stay tuned for future updates.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Marvel Land Coming to Disneyland in 2020; Tickets on Sale Now for Not-So Scary and Very Merry Christmas Parties

Marvel Land Coming to Disneyland in 2020:

Back in July at the D23 Expo, Disney teased a Marvel Land coming to Disneyland. Very little details were revealed and we were just told to stay tuned for updates in the future. Today, just some of those details were revealed as a fully immersed Marvel Land will be coming to the park beginning in 2020. 

At Disneyland Resort, the new Super Hero-themed land will begin recruiting guests in 2020, with even more new experiences to follow. The Guardians of the Galaxy will be joined by Spider-Man and the Avengers in what will become a completely immersive Super Hero universe, furthering the evolution of Disney California Adventure park. This new land will be anchored by the popular Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, in the adjacent space that is currently occupied by “a bug’s land.” “It’s Tough to Be a Bug” closed March 19 to make way for this new heroic experience; the rest of the land will close in late summer.

This goes along with previously announced for Marvel-themed lands in Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Tickets Now on Sale for Not-So-Scary and Very Merry Christmas Parties:

As we begin the spring season today, we were reminded yesterday how quickly the seasons go by. Party dates for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party were officially announced along with tickets going on sale for each of the parties. 

Weeks ago it was rumored that Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party would start earlier than ever in the middle of August and yesterday those rumors were confirmed with the very first party date being announced as August 17. The rest of the dates are as follows:

• August 17, 24, 28 and 31
• September 3, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, and 30
• October 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, and 31

Tickets for the party will be $75 in advance and $85 if tickets are purchased the date of the party. 

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party will delight guests during the most wonderful time of year for 22 nights this year. Parties will begin November 8 and will run through most nights until December 21. Here is the full list of party dates:

• November 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30
• December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21

Tickets for the party will be $95 in advance and $105 if tickets are purchased on same day as the party. Guests can purchase tickets by calling 407-939-1872.

Source: Disney Parks Blog