"Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" and More Awaken Animal Kingdom at Night Beginning Memorial Weekend

Tonight, during their Awaken Summer media preview, Disney World announced that "Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" show will open on the Discovery River beginning Memorial Day as the show and other nighttime experiences will begin as they awaken Animal Kingdom at night. "Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" will take place of Rivers of Light until it is ready. The media did get a small preview of Rivers of Light but it wasn't the full show. Here is the announcement from the Disney Parks Blog:

“Jungle Book: Alive with Magic” Show – For the summer, Discovery River will become the stage for a limited-engagement show inspired by Disney’s hit live-action film “The Jungle Book.” “Jungle Book: Alive with Magic” is filled with music and special effects that celebrates the new film and the classic songs, now infused with an Indian influence.

The Tree of Life Awakens – Disney Parks Blog author Thomas Smith previously shared the first look at this amazing sight, in which the park’s iconic Tree of Life undergoes an extraordinary “awakening.” You can expect to see animal spirits come to life throughout the evening by magical fireflies. Each scene appears to emanate from within the tree itself and reveals stories of wonder.

Kilimanjaro Safaris After Dark – Guests can enjoy Kilimanjaro Safaris in the evening hours, thanks to special lighting that will allow guests to explore the savanna – and its inhabitants – well into the night.

Harambe Wildlife Parti – Guests can turn into “party animals” at the Harambe Wildlife Parti and enjoy lively African music, exotic foods and drinks, and explore the local marketplace.

Discovery Island Carnivale – On Discovery Island, guests can join the local community in their celebration of their love for nature in this party that features music, dancers, stilt walkers, food and more.

Tiffins – Guests can enjoy the park’s newest eatery, Tiffins, for both lunch and dinner. Check out this previous post for a peek at what to expect from the menu.

Nighttime Attractions – The park’s attractions, now operating in the nighttime hours, will take on a whole new life. For the first time, guests will be able to experience the thrill of attractions like Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids – surrounded by darkness. They’ll also be able to enjoy colorful midway games and attractions in DinoLand, U.S.A.

Rivers of Light clearly won't be ready now until the fall at least but what the media saw tonight looks truly amazing and I can't wait to see it once it is completed. In the meantime these other new nighttime experiences at Animal Kingdom will surely keep us occupied while we wait for this amazing new nighttime spectacular. Animal Kingdom will truly be awakened with the new nighttime experiences.

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.

What's Wrong with Rivers of Light?

Two weeks ago, Disney announced that Animal Kingdom's new nighttime spectacular, Rivers of Light, would be delayed until further notice. Now, as Disney begins their annual summer media preview Rivers of Light which was supposed to begin on Friday, isn't even on the press release anymore. 

They did announce however that the other new nighttime experiences that are expected to begin this summer as well. Here is what the press release had to say on the new experiences minus Rivers of Light:

Disney’s Animal KingdomFor the first time in its 18-year history, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will debut new day-into-nighttime experiences that celebrate the magic of nature.

• The park’s iconic Tree of Life will awaken each night amid a lively celebration of Discovery Island music and dance. Through stunning visuals, animal spirits appear and enchanted fireflies reveal stories of wonder as the tree morphs to showcase the magic of nature.

• Kilimanjaro Safaris transitions to a new nighttime adventure in the extended orange glow of a setting sun. For the first time, hyenas and African wild dogs join the safari trail creature feature.

• Hungry adventurers can have lunch or dinner at the new Tiffins signature restaurant on Discovery Island this summer. Guests seated in the restaurant’s travel-themed dining rooms or on the waterfront patio can sip libations and savor dishes featuring African, Asian and South American flavors. 

• Across the park, guests can experience wondrous new nighttime experiences and entertainment celebrating marvels in nature and enjoy long-time favorites such as Expedition Everest, DINOSAUR, Kali River Rapids and more – in a whole new light.

The question is however what is the issue that is keeping Rivers of Light from debuting? Rivers of Light might possibly be the biggest nighttime spectacular ever at a Disney Park. Rumors are arising that the wireless control system for the show's nighttime floats are simply just not working. But that's not all as the biggest issue might be that one of larger flower barges may have sunk into the Discover River as reported by WDW News Today.

Now what was thought to be debuting by the end of this week, now it is unknown when maybe the newest nighttime spectacular will debut by the summer or the fall. I'm sure when it does debut though it will still be amazing so stay tuned.

Movie Review: Disney's "The Jungle Book" (Spoiler Free)

After seeing "The Jungle Book" last night, I couldn't help but feel as I had watched the Disney classic film that came out so many years ago. Jon Favreau did a tremendous job of recreating one of Walt Disney's classic animated films. Two thumbs up to him for the fantastic job. The cast was A+ to begin with, we knew that ahead before anyone saw the film, they brought the true characters out from the animated film.

Idris Elba, Christopher Walken, and Bill Murray were fantastic in their roles respectively. Elba who takes on the role of Shere Khan sent shrills down my back every time he appeared on screen. Walken as King Louie another stellar pick for the role, although would of liked to see him more during the film, was a perfect pick for the giant orangutan. Murray literally took on the the role of Baloo, the light-hearted and lovable bear brought another mentor role to Mowgli.

Lupita Nyong'o and Sir Ben Kingsley also were amazing in there roles as Raksha and Bagheera, especially Kingsley. The star of the film is Neel Sethhi as Mowgli who's character grew throughout the film. That's what made this film so great, the character development throughout the whole film was just amazing. Although I was disappointed how little screen time Scarlet Johansson as Kaa had.

The film was simply amazing and quite simply only excites me more to see Disney's next take on their remakes of their animated classics. The film which was earlier announced that it made an estimated $103.56 million during its opening weekend earning the top spot for films this weekend. Deservedly so, the film was tremendous and kudos to the cast and director Jon Favreau on a job well done.

Yes, I recommend going to see "The Jungle Book" because I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

New Images Released for "Pete's Dragon"

Tonight, new images have been released for the upcoming remake of one Disney's classic films in "Pete's Dragon" including our first look at Elliot the Dragon. The film stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Oakes Fegley, Wes Bentley, and Robert Redford. We got our first look at the film just a few months ago with a teaser trailer. Now today we finally get a look at Elliot, in all his glory, as he looks down at his best friend Pete.

Two more images were also released featuring the likes of Bryce Dallas Howard, Oakes Fegley, and Robert Redford. The next image shows Redford who plays Mr. Meacham, the old wood carver who delights in telling the local children tales of the legendary dragon, Elliot, who lives in the deep woods nearby.

The third image released shows Bryce Dallas Howard who plays Grace, talking to Pete (Oakes Fegley). 

We don't have many details on the film just that is being reimagined from Disney's animated film. The details have been shrouded in mystery as the film is set to hit theaters this Summer on August 12, 2016. 

Details on Amorette's Patisserie Opening May 15; Behind-the-Scenes Look at 'Frozen - Live at the Hyperion'

Details on Amorette's Patisserie Opening May 15 at Disney Springs:

Amorette's Patisserie will be opening up in Disney Springs on May 15 and today we got a few details today on the Disney Parks Blog including the story behind it. Here is the story as told on the blog:

"Established as one of the first shops in Town Center (circa 1900s) and passed down through the generations, the patisserie is currently owned by artistic sisters Kara and Sara, where they pour great care into designing and creating the most unique and artistic pastries. In fact, “Amorette” means “little love” in French."

Classic and contemporary cakes and pastries will be the stars of the high-end pastry shop. Guests will be able to watch the pastry chefs as they decorate signature cakes in the on-stage finishing kitchen. The cakes will even be boxed in unique fashion in boutique-style packaging, inspired by old-fashioned hat boxes.

Other desserts and pastries to look forward to macaron, light and crisp pavlova, several different cookies, New York-style cheesecake, opera cake, and sacher torte. Specialty sweets have names like "Reflection in Memphis" which is peanut blondie with bacon, banana, and chocolate or "Strawberry Fields of OC' which is strawberry mousse with basil sugar and lemon curd. 

Amorette's will also feature some delicious beverages as well. Why not sip on a glass of champagne or sparkling wine, or Amorette's Hot Chocolate Ganache (a cupful of chocolate with Chantilly with shaved dark chocolate on top) or why not a glass of milk, coffee, and tea. 

Of course Amorette's will open with the rest of Disney Springs' Town Center on May 15. Also of not beginning May 22, you will be able to pre-order Amorette's cakes by calling 407-934-3500 with at least 72 business hours advance notice.

Behind-the-Scenes Look at 'Frozen - Live at the Hyperion':

"Frozen - Live at the Hyperion" won't debut until May 27 at Disney California Adventure but that doesn't mean we have to wait that long until we see it. Today, the Disney Parks Blog gave us a behind the scenes look at just how the set came together for the all-new musical. Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Entertainment team along with Tony Award-nominated scenic designer Robert Brill (Guys and Dolls, Cabaret) to produce set pieces that will bring out the story of "Frozen" to life in a unique way.

A video was released showing Technical Director Mitch Atkins giving us just a glimpse at some of the thrilling work in progress, check it out:

With the combination of the set pieces, lighting and sound design, special effects, and the remarkable cast that will be performing, the complete production will transport you to Arendelle for a completely unforgettable hour experience for the guest. "Frozen - Live at the Hyperion" hits the stage beginning May 27, 2016.

Possible Free Disney Dining Announced, Disneyland & Hollywood Studios Break Ground on Star Wars Land, & More

Possible Free Disney Dining Announced:

We have been waiting for months now about when Disney World would announce it's annual free Disney Dining deal. Through a glitch in the system on the Disney travel agent website the dates appeared, although they were quickly removed, we now may know when free dining will be offered. Here are the presumed dates:

8/23/16 - 10/1/16

11/15/16 - 11/21/16

11/26/16 - 11/28/16

12/10/16 - 12/21/16

While this hasn't been announced yet, I would imagine that the information on the promotion will be released really soon. Stay tuned for the official details.

Disneyland & Hollywood Studios Break Ground on Star Wars Land:

Over the last week and a half the Disney Parks Blog has somewhat left fans guessing with previews of Star Wars Land with special sneak peaks from both BB-8 in Disneyland and R2-D2 at Hollywood Studios. Today, the DPB revealed just what our favorite droids were looking at as they announced ground has officially broken on the 14-acre land on both coasts. 

We are certainly excited especially for the groundbreaking in Hollywood Studios. Although we didn't get a look at Florida's construction. They did release a 360 degree photo view of just what Disneyland  is looking like now a days as construction on Star Wars Land has begun. You can view the 360 degree photo and the special inhabitants of the photo here courtesy of Littlstar.

Two New "Captain America: Civil War" Clips Released:

We are less than a month away from the release of Marvel's next hit in "Captain America: Civil War." Over the last few days, two new clips have been released. The two clips focus on Team Captain America. In the first clip we see Cap join forces with Falcon and the Scarlet Witch as they prepare for battle. The clip is entitled: "Just Like We Practiced" -

The next clip show's Ant-Man joining forces with Team Cap as he fawns over meeting Captain America. Check out "New Recruit" below:



"Captain America: Civl War" hits theaters May 6, 2016.