February 2018 - On the Go in MCO

Disney’s Animal Kingdom 20th Anniversary Celebration Details

This year Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be celebrating its 20th anniversary on Earth Day, April 22, with more wild adventures than ever before as they prepare for an incredible summer filled with all-new events and experiences at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Commemorating the milestone year, the 500-acre adventure park will offer animal encounters, family-friendly activities, specialty desserts and more during an expanded Party for the Planet celebration from April 22-May 5, 2018.

Over the two-week “Party for the Planet celebration, guests can attend conservation talks by animal-care experts and participate in enhanced interactions with some of the more than 2,000 animals that make their home at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited park.

Disney's Animal Kingdom 20th Anniversary Celebration Details — Walt Disney World

Rafiki’s Planet Watch will take center stage for the year-long 20th anniversary. It’s home to fun educational exhibits and activities that help create awareness of animal issues. During the 20th anniversary, Rafiki’s Planet Watch will offer backstage experiences with experts where guests can learn about animal nutrition, visit the veterinary hospital and hear how Disney promotes global wildlife conservation.

Guests can also commemorate their visits to the theme park with special photo opportunities. They can step into an oversized picture frame celebrating the park’s 20th anniversary. Other photo frames support Disney’s “Reverse the Decline,” an initiative created to help protect 10 threatened animal species. One recent success of the program was the birth of two critically endangered Sumatran Tiger Cubs at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Just for kids is the chance to earn a limited-edition badge as part of the Wilderness Explorer program. The badge is one of many that youngsters can earn by completing fun activities throughout the park.

Party for the Planet will also include six different Tiffins Talks – themed dinners hosted by animal experts at Tiffins, the theme park’s signature, full-service restaurant. Watch the Disney Parks Blog for more information.

The 20th anniversary fun also includes a commemorative adventure guide, limited-edition merchandise, and a special-edition print created by renowned Walt Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde.

He will be available on April 22 from 1-4 p.m. to sign prints at Discovery Trading Company. Quantities are limited. For more information on Party for the Planet, visit disneyworld.com/PartyforthePlanet.

Here are other experiences and adventures rolling out in 2018 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

April 22 will mark the debut of a brand-new show, UP! A Great Bird Adventure featuring Russell and Dug from the Disney•Pixar animated comedy-adventure film “UP.” The show will give guests the chance to see Senior Wilderness Explorer Russell and his fuzzy friend Dug in a new adventure that includes encounters with exotic birds from around the world. This free-flying show will be performed multiple times daily.
A “dino-tastic” celebration with Donald and his friends will also premiere Memorial Day weekend in DinoLand, U.S.A. This dinosaur-themed party celebrates Donald Duck’s discovery that his bird ancestors were actually dinosaurs. DinoLand U.S.A. will feature colorful new décor and playful character greetings with rarely seen pals like Scrooge McDuck, Launchpad McQuack and more. A DJ-powered dance party will mix tunes from the truck-o-saurus stage, capping the nighttime festivities.
Memorial Day 2018 commemorates the one-year anniversary of Pandora – The World of Avatar. Here, travelers are transported to a mystical world of floating mountains, bioluminescent rainforests and breathtaking new experiences. Inspired by the blockbuster film, AVATAR, the epic land invites guests to explore a glowing landscape, encounter a larger-than-life Na’vi Shaman of Songs and soar on the back of a banshee.

For more information about the 20th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, visit DisneyWorld.com/AnimalKingdom.

Waitress Is Coming To Orlando And Holding Auditions

Waitress the Musical Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Orlando — photo: Joan Marcus

Local auditions for “LULU” in WAITRESS will take place Wednesday, February 28 at Dr. Phillips Center Florida Hospital School of the Arts

Two little girls are about to get their big break as the critically acclaimed Broadway musical WAITRESS rolls into town next month. Casting directors are looking for two aspiring actresses under age 5 (and three months) to play a “sweet, carefree” young girl in the finale scene of the Tony-nominated show.

Here are the WAITRESS audition details:

WHAT: Live audition for the role of “Lulu” in WAITRESS, part of the Fairwinds Broadway in Orlando series.

WHO: Dr. Phillips Center Director of Education Dana Brazil and a creative team member from the New York production of WAITRESS will interview up to 36 young actresses.

WHEN: Wednesday, February 28, 2018 – 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.; Actresses must be registered to receive a scheduled appointment time.

WHERE: Dr. Phillips Center Florida Hospital School of the Arts – Second floor of the Dr. Phillips Center – Anderson Street Entrance

AUDITION INFO: Registration is open NOW at drphillipscenter.org/lulu. Applicants must be under the age of 5 and three months and shorter than 4’2”. Individual applicants are welcome, as are sets of twins or siblings. Once registered, qualified applicants will receive an email with their appointment time or notification of being waitlisted. The audition will consist of the child reading two lines from the show. Prior acting experience is not required. If headshots and resumes are available, parents should bring them but they are not required. Two girls will be selected to share the role; each will perform in four performances during the six-day engagement.

WAITRESS debuts in the Walt Disney Theater Tuesday, March 20 and runs through Sunday, March 25. Inspired by Adrienne Shelley’s beloved film, WAITRESS tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie baker working at a local diner and stuck in a loveless marriage. Her salvation comes in the form of her daughter, “Lulu.” Brought to life by a groundbreaking all-female creative team, the irresistible new hit features original music and lyrics by six-time Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles (“Brave,” “Love Song”), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (“I Am Sam”) and direction by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus (Finding Neverland, Pippin, Hair).

Tickets are now available for WAITRESS and may be purchased online at drphillipscenter.org, by calling 844.513.2014 or by visiting the Dr. Phillips Center Box Office at 445 S. Magnolia Avenue between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday. Online and phone ticket purchases are subject to handling fees.

Get Caught Up In The Mayhem of March

Aloma Bowl, Boardwalk Bowl offer prizes, deals for Mayhem of March

Grab your jerseys and foam fingers – it’s time for college basketball to dominate your TV!

Boardwalk Bowl in Orlando and Aloma Bowl in Winter Park will make it easy for you to monitor every game of your bracket while enjoying prizes and a mug madness offering with the Mayhem of March event.

Brooklyn South Bar inside Boardwalk Bowl and Aloma Bowl will be the headquarters for the popular promotion.

While the NCAA tournament starts on March 13, the venues will turn the heat up early so you can get in the zone. Mayhem of March will last from March 1 to April 2. During this time, not only will the games be going strong, but the offers will be, too.

Prize drawings will take place throughout game day, when every guest in the venue can win…they don’t even have to be watching the game. Prizes get larger every week, ranging from items such as a $10 game card or a pitcher of beer to $50 gift certificates. All entries at each venue will be pooled for a grand prize drawing at the end of the tournament, with the winner receiving an Ap’Pintizer Party for 20, worth more than $500.

Brooklyn South Bar will also have drink specials with Mug Madness. Anyone who purchases a commemorative mug filled with domestic beer for $9 will receive $3 domestic refills all tournament long.

Each venue features HDTVs throughout, as well as several big screens or giant projection screens, so you can keep your head in the game while doing some winning and celebrating yourself.

For more information, visit www.AlomaBowlingCenters.com.

Steve Harvey Bringing His Daytime Talk Show To Walt Disney World

On the heels of the show’s second season pick up, Steve Harvey daytime series “STEVE” is traveling to Walt Disney World Resort for an all-new week of exciting shows set to air March 19 – 23, 2018.

Steve Harvey Tickets Walt Disney World 2018

The week will feature celebrity families and couples including The Bella Twins, Eric Christian Olsen and Sarah Wright Olsen, Tracey Edmonds and Deion Sanders, Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker as well as celebrities Josh Henderson, Terry Crews and more.

True to “STEVE” form, these special episodes will be filled with exciting games, prizes and giveaways. Viewers will learn about an incredible summer in store for Walt Disney World guests, which includes the opening of Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

One deserving couple will even get the wedding of a lifetime after their hometown wedding landed the bride in the hospital. Throughout the week, the couple’s family and friends will help celebrate with all things Disney to make the couple’s dreams come true.

Steve will also proudly honor students from the 2018 Class of Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine. Disney Dreamers Academy is an annual empowerment program featuring 100 select high school students from across the country who are looking to dream big and learn how to put dreams into action. The academy aims to prepare students for the future by developing networking and interviewing skills and showcasing a variety of career opportunities.

“STEVE” will tape March 9 -11 before a live studio audience from Epcot at Walt Disney World. This is the first time the show has visited Walt Disney World and the first time the show has taped from a remote location since its premiere this past fall.

To attend a “STEVE” taping at Walt Disney World, visit www.getstevetix.com.

Toy Story Land Opening Date Announced!

If you missed it, earlier today on Good Morning America the Walt Disney World Resort Announced that the much awaited Toy Story Land will open on June 30, 2018 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

In preparation for the opening, let’s look at what we know about the expansion!

Toy Story Land Disney's Hollywood Studios Walt Disney World 2018

The Story

When guests enter Toy Story Land they will ‘shrink’ down to the size of a toy so they can step into the whimsical and beloved world of PIXAR Animation Studios’ blockbuster franchise set in Andy’s backyard.

Looking around the highly intricate and themed land, guests will notice that all of the buildings are built from other toys and boxes with familiar faces from the Toy Story Franchise.

The Attractions

Once inside of Toy Story Land, guests will find that there are two new attractions that have been developed just for this new area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios as well as a fan-favorite that has a few new touches.

Slinky Dog Dash

Slinky Dog Dash is a family coaster themed as if Andy built it in his backyard using his Mega Coaster Play Kit and some of his other favorite toys.

The attraction’s ride vehicles, inspired by the character of Slinky in the film, will send riders dipping, dodging and dashing around turns and drops Andy has created to stretch Slinky’s coils to the max.

Alien Swirling Saucers

Alien Swirling Saucers, is designed as a toy play set that Andy got from Pizza Planet, inspired by the first “Toy Story” film.

In the attraction guests will step into a flying saucer that will rotate around the toy planets and satellites as part of the game while swirling to the beat of fun “Space Jazz” music and lighting developed just for this experience while “The Claw” looms ominously overhead.

Toy Story Mania

Toy Story Mania is an absolute fan-favorite at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and if you haven’t been lucky enough to score a FastPass+ it is worth the wait!

On the attraction guests step inside of Andy’s room which is littered with classic toys and fun details to board an early-20th-century-inspired Carnival Ride Tram donning 3D glasses & armed with a spring-action shooter to take on five unique carnival games.

The Restaurant

Toy Story Land will ‘shrink’ guests to the size of a toy so they can step into the whimsical and beloved world of Pixar Animation Studios’ blockbuster franchise set in Andy’s backyard, and in keeping with the Land’s theming Woody’s Lunch Box has been created by Andy using his lunch box and thermos.

If you look closely at the rendering, you can see some of Andy’s favorite toys, items from his lunch, and maybe even a few green army man on a nearby lookout tower watching for Andy’s return.

“We can’t wait for our guests to experience Toy Story Land, and the new quick-service window located within the land will surely delight hungry toys and people alike,” said Carlos Castro, vice president of Disney Corporate Alliances.

While we don’t have a complete menu for the location yet, we know that it will serve “tasty meals and old-fashioned soda floats” and is the first in a multi-year strategic alliance with Mini Babybel, which has also been named the Official Snack Cheese of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, the Disneyland Resort in California, and Disney Cruise Line.

“At Bel Brands USA, we are all about sharing smiles and we are delighted to bring that to life through our alliance with Disney,” said Francis Perrin, chief marketing officer of Bel Brands USA, makers of Mini Babybel cheese. “We believe Mini Babybel makes snack time an adventure in deliciousness for the whole family every day and now we can share that fun and great taste with even more families as they enjoy adventures of their own at Disney Parks.”

Take A Peek Inside This Month’s Disney Twenty-Three Magazine

Spring 2018 D23 Disney TwentyThree Cover

The Spring issue of Disney Twenty-Three magazine, offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership, is set to be arrive mid-February, and it is chocked full of amazing content.

Inside of the issue there’s a closer look at Black Panther that hits theaters on February 16th, and director Ryan Coogler and executive producer Nate Moore whisk readers off to Wakanda to get the inside story behind the making of the thrilling Marvel film.

Disney twenty-three also visited the set of A Wrinkle in Time, speaking with director Ava DuVernay about her dazzling adaptation of the exhilarating adventure which opens this March.

Plus, in honor of Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s 20th anniversary, legendary Imagineer Joe Rohde shares 20 ways this innovative theme park—which he has worked on since its inception—broke the mold.

Also included in the spring issue of Disney twenty-three:

• A look inside D23’s 2018 Gold Member Gift, Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse

• The imagination and origination of Tokyo Disney Resort

• The inside-the-nursery story of Disney Junior’s all-new Muppet Babies

• Spectacular artwork that inspired Peter Pan, which celebrates its 65th anniversary this year

• A visit to the office of Disney’s Animal Kingdom vice president Djuan Rivers

• Regular features including Character Analysis, D Society, and Ask Dave

D23 disney twenty-three Fanniversary D23 Destination D Disney D23 Expo

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($74.99), Gold Family Membership ($99.99), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com and at shopDisney.com/D23.