Mobile Ordering Now Available for Disney Dining Plan Users

Last year, Walt Disney World introduced us to Mobile Ordering through the My Disney Experience App but only credit card users could use it up until now. Today, a new update was introduced to the app with Disney Dining Plan users now able to use Mobile Ordering. You can now redeem meals and snacks all through your phone. 

All three Disney dining plans are available with Mobile Order: the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, the Disney Dining Plan and the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan. To access Mobile Order, tap the “Order Food” button under “My Plans” in the app. Watch the video below to see the convenience of using Mobile Order with a Disney dining plan – whether you’re redeeming a snack credit for a Dole Whip at Aloha Isle or a quick-service credit for a Pandoran feast at Satu’li Canteen.

Other updates introduced to the My Disney Experience app this time include room charge viewing, Online Check-in Service and wayfinding that are sure to help prove the overall experience for Walt Disney World guests. Are you excited for Mobile Ordering now accepting the Disney Dining Plan?

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Star Wars: Galactic Nights Returning in May; Happily Ever After Moving to Earlier Start Time

Star Wars: Galactic Nights Returning in May:

Star Wars: Galactic Nights will return to Disney's Hollywood Studios this May 27, two days after the premiere of "Solo: A Star Wars Story." The after park hours event will be held from 7 p.m. until midnight. It celebrates the entire Star Wars saga with out-of-this-world entertainment, special photo opportunities, event-exclusive merchandise and food and beverage, and encounters with rarely seen characters that guests can only experience during Star Wars: Galactic Nights. Here is some of the stuff you can expect:

Star Wars: Galactic Destinations Projections Transform The Hollywood Tower Hotel – Visible on the Sunset Boulevard area of the park the facade of the Hollywood Tower Hotel will transform via stunning projection technology to showcase familiar locations from across the galaxy. Favorite film moments, special effects, lighting, and of course the stellar Star Wars cinematic score supports each galactic location moment all night long. Star Wars Galactic Destinations is currently an event exclusive.

Existing Star Wars Entertainment Will Debut New Enhancements – The park’s existing Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks and the Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away stage show will both debut new saga elements for the first time during Star Wars: Galactic Nights.

Special Photo Ops – Throughout the park, guests can step into immersive and iconic scenes from their favorite Star Wars films in a series of incredibly detailed photo locations. These special photo ops will only be available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during Star Wars: Galactic Nights

Character Encounters – Expect to encounter Star Wars characters from throughout the galaxy. Guests will also be able to view an Imperial Stormtrooper March with Darth Vader.

Exclusive Food & Beverage offerings – Taste your way around the galaxy with specialty food and beverage offerings created for Galactic Nights. Inspired by the stories and iconic characters of Star Wars, these tasting-sized sips and bites bring a delectable addition to this event.

Enjoy park attractions – Select attractions will be open to all guests – and some may even offer a special Star Wars twist on May 27 only.

Stay tuned in the coming months for more information on Star Wars: Galactic Nights at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Happily Ever After Moving to Earlier Start Time:

Happily Ever After has officially moved to an earlier start time at least for the winter months. The fireworks spectacular from now until March 10, 2018 will move to be presented at 7:55 p.m. nightly. Originally, the show was presented at 8 p.m. nightly. No reason has been given as to why the spectacular was moved to 5 minutes earlier nightly.

Egg-stravaganza Hunt Returns Plus New Scavenger Hunt Coming; Some Applications for Club 33 at Walt Disney World Sent Out

Egg-stravaganza Hunt Returns Plus New Scavenger Hunt Coming for Flower & Garden:

Beginning March 16 through April 1, the Egg-stravaganza scavenger hunt will return to the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Guests can hunt high and low in World Showcase for 'eggs' that portray their favorite Disney characters. 

As you find the hidden Disney Character-themed “eggs” in the park, you record your discoveries by placing a corresponding sticker on a specially themed Egg-stravaganza map. Maps and stickers can be purchased for $5.99, plus tax at the following parks and locations Disney Trader, Pin Central, and World Traveler. When guests find all of the “eggs” and complete their scavenger hunt map, they can then return it to Disney Traders for a sp-egg-tacular surprise.

That's not all as a new scavenger hunt will be hitting this year's Flower & Garden Festival called Spike's Pollen Nation Exploration. During this hunt, guests will follow along with Disney's favorite honey bee, Spike, who has been pollinating around the festival, giving gardeners of any age the chance to follow his pollination trail around World Showcase. 

Just pick up a garden map and stickers at Port of Entry. Then, it’s time to look for Spike!

As guests explore the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, be on the lookout for Spike as he pollinates Epcot’s gardens. In each garden, they'll have to search for the plant Spike has pollinated, identifiable by Spike himself and a Spike’s Pollen Nation Exploration plant stake. Once they find him, add the corresponding sticker to your map.

After they find everything they can return their completed map for a springtime surprise. Maps and stickers for Spike’s Pollen Nation Exploration can be purchased for $5.99, plus tax at Port of Entry. This year's Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival runs February 28 through May 28, 2018. 

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Some Applications for Club 33 at Walt Disney World Sent Out:

It appears some applications for Walt Disney World's Club 33 have been sent out to select individuals at Golden Oak, the upscale community near the theme park. Registration costs and annual dues have also been released which are $25,000 for registration and annual dues will be in the neighborhood of $15,000 per year. 

Although not officially announced, Walt Disney World's Club 33 will have an exclusive club in each of the four parks. Construction has already begun for location like Magic Kingdom's Club 33 in the Adventureland Veranda. There have been no official locations announced however or any opening dates. 

Source: WDW Info

Minnie Van Service Now Expanding to Airport Transportation Service

Announced this summer during the D23 Expo and over the past few months has expanded to several Walt Disney World resorts, the Minnie Van Service has been a point-to-point transportation system around the Walt Disney World Resort. Today, Walt Disney World is expanding that service to outside the resort to include service to the Orlando International Airport.

The Minnie Van Service will run to the airport daily from 9 a.m. until 12 a.m. Right now the service though is only available to concierge guests at Disney's Boardwalk. Guests are also advised to use the Resort Airline Check-In service for participating airlines if they are using the Minnie Vans. Guests may visit the Resort Club Level Concierge to book the trip, which will cost $150 per trip. Provided that this test at Disney's Boardwalk is successful it will be then expanded to other resorts and guests. 

Concierge guests are being invited to use the new service via a printed advertisement at Disney's Boardwalk.

Source: WDW News Today

Ballast Point Brewery and More Changes Coming to Downtown Disney District in Disneyland

Here's an update for our West Coast friends as San Diego-based Ballast Point Brewery will be coming to the Downtown Disney District in Disneyland among other changes coming to the district in 2018. 

Ballast Point pairs its high-quality, award-winning beers with an extensive menu of Southern California cuisine—salads, small plates, flatbreads and entrees featuring local, sustainable and seasonal ingredients. The space will house the first-ever on-site brewery, tasting room, kitchen and outdoor beer garden at Downtown Disney District. Construction is scheduled to begin soon, across from Catal Restaurant and Uva Bar.

This is on top of the already announced changes to coming to World of Disney in 2018 which you can read about here. Here are more exciting experiences coming to the Downtown Disney District in 2018:

• Splitsville Luxury Lanes will offer a unique combination of dining, drinks, bowling and entertainment. Opening on January 29.
• Disney Home will offer fans a variety of Disney-themed home goods. Opening in February 2018.
• Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria will undergo renovations to expand its outside patio with a new outside bar. Inside, three wood burning ovens will be installed to better meet guests’ demands for authentic Napoletana-style pizza pies. The restaurant will remain open throughout construction, which is slated to be completed in fall 2018.
• Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer will serve its award-winning burgers and signature CrazyShake™ milkshakes in a casual atmosphere. Opening later this year.

There are even more exciting updates coming in 2018 yet to be announced so stay tuned right here on It All Started With a Mouse for future updates. 

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Coco, The Last Jedi and More Nominated for 10 Academy Awards

The nominations are in and the Walt Disney Company and its films have been nominated for 10 Academy Awards for this year's awards show. Here are the nominees:

"Beauty an the Beast" secured 2 nominations for:

• Production Design - Production Design: Sarah Greenwood Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
• Costume Design - Jacqueline Durran

"Star Wars: The Last Jedi" secured 4 nominations for the 90th Academy Awards, they are:

• Sound Editing - Matthew Wood and Ren Klyce
• Sound Mixing - David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce, and Stuart Wilson
• Original Score - John Williams
• Visual Effects - Ben Morris, Mike Mulholland, Neal Scanlon, and Chris Corbould

"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" brought in one nomination for Visual Effects for Christopher Townsend, Guy Williams, Jonathan Fawkner, and Dan Sudick.

Pixar's "Lou" along with Dave Mullins and Dana Murray were nominated for Best Animated Short.

"Coco" was nominated for 2 Academy Awards, they are:

• Original Song - "Remember Me" - Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
• Animated Film - Lee Unkrich and Darla K. Anderson

The 90th Academy Awards airs SundayMarch 4, 2018 at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT on ABC and will once again be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. 

Pro Bowl Fever at Walt Disney World; Chef Paul Bocuse of Chefs de France & Monsieur Paul Passes Away

Pro Bowl Fever at Walt Disney World:

The Pro Bowl is back in Orlando this year taking place this Sunday, January 28. Of course, there will be many events leading up to the game taking place at Walt Disney World at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The AFC and NFC teams are training Wednesday starting at 10:30 and Thursday-Saturday starting at 11:30 am. Fans can also cheer on their favorite players from the AFC and NFC as they go against each other in unique competitions at the 2018 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown. Tickets for this event are sold out.

In addition to watching the players practice, fans can test their own football skills the NFL Pro Bowl Experience – a free, interactive fan zone with fun activities for the whole family. Open daily at 10 a.m. starting Wednesday, the NFL Pro Bowl Experience gives fans the opportunity to get even closer to the action with new football-related activities, immersive exhibits and sponsor activations.

After watching the pros, fans can get a look at the future at one of the NFL’s premier youth football events – the NFL FLAG Championships on Friday and Saturday. Fans interested in exclusive access to NFL-themed games and activities, youth football clinics and more, must register for the NFL Fan Mobile Pass.

NFL Pro Bowl Fun Run Series:

The Pro Bowl fun extends beyond the field, too. There’s a Pro Bowl Fun Run Series at the Track & Field Complex at ESPN Wide World of Sports on Saturday at 1 pm. The event features distances for runners of all ages and abilities, and participants will receive a finisher medallion, a race bib and a commemorative item, plus post-race refreshments. Runners can also expect to see some of their favorite Disney characters, Pro Bowl cheerleaders and mascots along the way. Spots are still available here.

There will be complimentary parking at ESPN Wide World of Sports, so fans cans participate in the fun all week long. Fans can also head over to Disney Springs for the NFL All-Star Pro Bowl Pep Rally on Saturday, January 27 at 4 p.m. The pep rally will feature special entertainment, games, NFL cheerleaders, Mascot appearances, and more!

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Chef Paul Bocuse of Chefs de France & Monsieur Paul Passes Away:

Over the weekend, Chef Paul Bocuse the chef and restauranteur behind both Chefs de France and Monsieur Paul in the France Pavilion at Epcot passed away at the age of 91. He opened Chefs de France in the pavilion when the park opened in 1982 and later opened Monsieur Paul in 2013. 

He was born in Collognes, France in 1926 and shared that "he had the luck" to among the first to be trained in the kitchens of La Mere Brazier and Fernand Point, which are considered to be the father of modern French cooking. 

Rest in Peace Monsieur Paul, you will be missed.