Category: Play

Happy New Year!!! 2016 brought new additions to the theme parks of Central Florida, and 2017 is going to be a year filled with even more new attractions, lands, and restaurants across the board.

I thought a great way to start the year would be to spend the week looking forward to what is coming in 2017 leading up to me sharing my favorite picks this Friday on icFlorida’s Best Bets on WFTV!

So let’s get this new year started by taking a look at what is coming to the Walt Disney World Resort!

While this year will see the long awaited arrival of Pandora: The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the amped up construction of both Star Wars and Toy Story lands at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there are new shows, attractions, restaurants, and events that will be making their debut at the Walt Disney World Resort!

New In 2017: Walt Disney World Resort

Pandora: The World of Avatar – Summer 2017

Pandora: The World of Avatar will open in this summer, and this land full of fantasy and cutting-edge technology has been created in collaboration with filmmaker James Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment.

The land will feature two signature attractions, Avatar Flight of Passage that will send guests flying above the jungles of Pandora on a Mountain Banshee and on the Na’vi River Journey this a family-friendly boat ride will take riders through the dramatic Bioluminescent rainforests.

The Satu’li Canteen will be the land’s main dining location while Pongu Pongu, a drink kiosk with a design as eclectic as its expat owner, will help keep visitors fed while they ride and shop for Na’vi cultural items, toys, science kits and more at Windtraders.

Rivers of Light – 2017

This powerful theatrical production takes Disney’s Animal Kingdom guests on a magnificent emotional journey – a visual mix of water, fire, nature and light choreographed to an original musical score. Continuing the park’s transformation from a day-into-nighttime experience, the amazing after-dark show on the banks of Discovery River celebrates the majesty of nature and the connection between animals and humans in the world. With innovative and never-before-seen technology, Rivers of Light will be unlike any other production ever staged at Walt Disney World Resort.

Star Wars Tour at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Spring 2017

An all-new Star Wars Guided Tour is a seven-hour immersion in all current Star Wars experiences at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Character greetings, themed dining, ride experiences, insider’s tours, dessert party and VIP viewing of Star Wars: a Galactic Spectacular are among highlights. Offered Mondays and Saturdays, it’s part of several new Star Wars additions announced in December 2016 for the park, including a new onstage sequence in the daytime experience “Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away.” Star Wars-themed lands are planned for Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.

Sky Dine-Around – 2017

The new experience gives guests priority boarding on the monorail for a distinctly Disney dining experience with stops for cocktails, appetizers, dinner and dessert. From a welcome cocktail at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, guests call at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (appetizers), Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (entree), and back to the Contemporary for dessert, cordials and coffee. This experience will be offered Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Epcot International Festival of the Arts – Weekends (Friday to Monday) January 13 – February 20

Epcot welcomes an all-new festival playing winter weekends and treating guests to a triple scoop of artful fun. For six colorful weekends visual, culinary, and performing arts will take center stage. Each weekend will feature taste bud-tempting and eye-dazzling creations from the Disney culinary team. Meantime, exciting new art from various media will tempt art lovers. Because the artwork will change out, it’s a new art festival every weekend. In addition, the lagoon-side stage at American Gardens Theatre will pulse with favorite showtunes performed by Broadway talent. In a collaboration with Disney Theatrical, songs from some of Disney on Broadway’s award-winning shows including The Lion King, Newsies and Aladdin will be performed.

Miss Fortune Falls – Spring 2017

Aboard this family-style raft adventure, guests will be immersed in the story of Captain Mary Oceaneer. Legend holds that this treasure hunter roamed the seven seas in search of undersea artifacts – until a rogue storm marooned her at Typhoon Lagoon. Guests gently ascend in treasure rafts, only to plunge into a whitewater adventure where they will encounter some of Mary’s deep sea booty. When it opens, it will be one of the longest attractions (2 minutes) at Disney’s Water Parks.

Disney Springs – Throughout 2017

New dining establishments will help round out the line-up of dining, shopping, and entertainment at Disney Springs!

• Paddlefish – Sleek and modern after a bow-to-stern transformation from the former Fulton’s Crab House, Paddlefish will serve fresh seafood, steaks and chops. Unique menu choices for seafood lovers include a build-your-own boil. A new rooftop lounge will serve up a late-night menu and shipshape views of the water and Disney Springs. Open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch.

• Planet Hollywood Observatory – Longtime Downtown Disney-goers will remember the iconic domed restaurant that drew celebrities and fans of the Hollywood scene. The reborn space will be themed to stars of a different kind: a turn-of-the-20th-Century observatory serving up amazing burgers and sandwiches created by celebrity chef Guy Fieri, and craft cocktails whose names are inspired by the planets and space travel. Movie memorabilia, video screens, contemporary music and themed merchandise complete the scene.

• The Polite Pig – A sister restaurant to the Ravenous Pig, a favorite with Orlando locals, The Polite Pig will bring the same focus on genuine Florida cuisine to a broader global audience at Disney Springs. Lunch and dinner menus will feature a variety of wood-fired smoked and grilled items as well as an innovative beverage program that serves all drinks on tap, including beer, wine and cocktails.

• Wine Bar George – Orlando master sommelier George Miliotes uncorks his first Disney wine bar in a space reminiscent of a winemaker’s estate warmed by oak wood and cozy lighting. Small plates dominate the food menu but it will be the wines with a starring role: more than 100 selections both by the bottle and the glass in a range of varietals and vintages.

New Cabins and Deluxe Villas coming to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – 2017

A proposed new Disney Vacation Club Resort, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort, is scheduled to open, featuring new Resort accommodations that include plans for Deluxe Villas and unique waterfront cabins. Other enhancements coming to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge include a brand-new bar & grill, in addition to a quick-service restaurant. A sweeping re-imagination of the former Hidden Springs Pool, part of Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, is also scheduled to open in summer 2017. Named Boulder Ridge Cove, this area will feature an expanded sun deck and zero-depth-entry pool.

Make sure you follow @onthegoinmco on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to keep up with the latest news and our visits to Walt Disney World!

Rogue One Experiences Coming To Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Last night the Disney Parks Blog hosted local media and 400 readers as they transformed Epcot’s Spaceship Earth into the Death Star and announced new Rogue One: A Star Wars Story experiences coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

First off, can we talk about how cool Spaceship Earth looked as the Death Star! Now the pictures don’t do it justice, but it was a fun temporary backdrop to the announcements.

Michael Roddy, Show Director/Writer with Disney Creative Entertainment, was on hand to talk us through all the new Rogue One: A Star Wars Story that guests can enjoy before the end of the year.

Star Wars Launch Bay – a multi-sensory space celebrating all things Star Wars – is now updated with authentic replicas from “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” joining other Star Wars memorabilia in the preview gallery. Making-of footage from “Rogue One” has been added to the “Meet the Makers” film featured in Star Wars Launch Bay.

In the popular daytime stage show “Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away,” guests will get a first look at AWR Troopers from “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” Outfitted in their specialized Stormtrooper armor with a dark, ominous gleam, these soldiers serve as bodyguards and enforcers for Director Krennic, a highly placed officer within the Advance Weapons Research (AWR) division of the Empire. A new Troopers sequence will join the show Dec. 16. Performances daily.

The fan favorite nighttime show, “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular,” will return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on December 16 and will join “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” as a second nightly fireworks spectacular at the park through Dec. 31. The show will continue to be presented in 2017.

Starting mid-December, randomized tracks will be returning to Star Tours – the Adventures Continue, the popular attraction that uses motion simulator-based technology. Instead of each ride experience launching from the planet of Jakku, the attraction will be randomized to both start and end at different locations for every galactic journey. New scenes from “Star Wars: Episode VIII” will be added to Star Tours in the coming year.

But what’s more intriguing is an all-new Star Wars guided tour is a seven-hour immersion in all the park’s current Star Wars experiences that will begin on January 2, 2017 (offered on Mondays and Sundays throughout the year) that will include:

• A Star Wars “all-in-the-know” tour guide
• Priority boarding for Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
• Encounter two Star Wars characters (Chewbacca and Kylo Ren) at Star Wars Launch Bay
• An in-depth, insider’s tour around Star Wars Launch Bay
• Screening of “Star Wars: Path of the Jedi”
• Enjoy Star Wars-themed menu items during dinner at Backlot Express
• A spot in the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party, which includes themed sweets and specialty beverages, as well as reserved viewing for the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks show
• Younglings ages 4-12 on the guided tour package can also train in the way of The Force in Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple.

The price point for the tour is $129 per person, plus tax, which seems reasonable for all those activities and can be booked ‘soon’.

Also on hand was Mads Mikkelsen, Galen Erso in the film, was on hand to share a never before scene from Rogue One. And while that clip isn’t available yet, you can watch new clips!

Watch as Director Gareth Edwards and Creature Effects Supervisor Neal Scanlan offer a behind-the-scenes peek at the creatures of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

httpv://youtu.be/P2N0Mn4i4Dw

And the new ‘Worth It’ TV Spot…Hope begins with them…

httpv://youtu.be/5MIy1V9HI_4

Don’t forget that Rogue One: A Star Wars Story opens in theaters on December 16th!

This November Walt Disney World is kicking off the holiday season with the debut of new shows, experiences, and a new restaurant! It’s going to be an awesome month to be in Orlando!

Magic Kingdom

At the Magic Kingdom, the Christmas Tree and wreaths are up as they prepare for the influx of holiday visitors.

Returning this year, each night Cinderella Castle turns into a beautiful ice palace thanks to the help from Elsa, Anna, and some of their Frozen friends during ‘A Frozen Holiday Wish’ castle lighting.

The new ‘Once Upon A Time’ debuted on November 4^th, and this new nightly projection show is partially inspired by the Tokyo Disneyland Park uses projection mapping to transform Cinderella Castle with familiar scenes from Disney movies. During the show, Mrs. Potts from Beauty and the Beast shares bedtime stories with young Chip, taking a journey through the most adventurous scenes from Cinderella, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and other favorites along the way.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is under way on select nights until December 22^nd with new holiday treats and shows. This after-hours party gives guests a chance to experience exclusive entertainment, character meet and greets, fireworks, and a parade full of holiday cheer and fun while enjoying holiday drinks & treats under the gentle falling of Florida ‘snow’.

Disney Springs

As Disney Springs continues to grow, so does their holiday offerings!

Beginning November 11^th in the Disney Springs Marketplace, 15 Christmas Trees inspired by Disney characters and movies will create a winter wonderland walk-through experience complete with a gentle snow fall, toy soldiers, singers, and plenty of unique photo opportunities! I can’t wait to see the Disney Villains and Mary Poppins Christmas Trees!

Yesterday the Disney Parks Blog shared a peek at a new nighttime holiday experience coming that looks like it is going to be awesome!!!

httpv://youtu.be/ZjnXWe-cDFo

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a new restaurant and nighttime holiday show join the park’s line-up of fun!

A new projection and fireworks show called ‘Jingle Bell Jingle Bam’ lights up, on, above, and around the Chinese Theater area of the park with state-of-the-art projections, special effects, fireworks and a rousing seasonal musical score starting November 14^th.

Led by elves Wayne and Lanny, the duo from ABC/Walt Disney Animation Studios’ animated special Prep & Landing, the spirited yuletide adventure to the North Pole features memorable holiday moments from Disney films including Mickey’s Christmas Carol, Beauty and the Beast, Pluto’s Christmas Tree, Bambi, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, along with many other holiday favorites with a festive finale that’s “So tinsel”.

Fans of the The Muppets will get a chance to dine with Pizzerizzo set to open on November 18^th! The quick service restaurant will offer a variety of personal-sized pizzas, salads, sandwiches, and desserts surrounded by décor inspired by Rizzo, as well as his extended family and friends who have visited PizzeRizzo over the years. Upstairs you will find Rizzo’s Deluxe Supreme Banquet Hall, where there’s a wedding reception already in progress complete with a disco ball dance party playing the world’s greatest party playlist!

Epcot

And finally at Epcot, beginning November 25^th you can celebrate the ‘Holidays Around the World’.

Photo: Walt Disney World

During the day, you can discover how the 11 countries making up the World Showcase celebrate the holiday season with costumed storytellers, decorations, music, and seasonal food favorites.

Then in the evenings hear a celebrity guest narrator tell the biblical story of Christmas alongside of a 50 piece orchestra and variety of choirs. The story, the music, the twinkling trees and decor fills you with the spirit of this wonderful season. And you can catch the performances at 5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. at the American Gardens Theatre.

The 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is under way now, and I had the chance to try a selection of dishes you can find around the park at a luncheon and I was completely blown away!

I’ve listed the dishes in alphabetical order of where you can find them at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival to help make planning a little easier!

Epcot Food & Wine Festival 2016: What To Eat

Africa

Butter Chicken with Micro Cilantro, Steamed Rice, and Naan Bread (The Chew Favorite)

$5.00 Disney Dining Plan Snack

I have never met a Butter Chicken I didn’t like, and this might be my favorite of all time! The sauce was creamy with just enough spice for taste and the micro cilantro added a nice bite!

Brazil

Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans and Tomato (Gluten Free)

$5.50 Disney Dining Plan Snack

Don’t let this dish’s simple flavors steer you away from choosing it on your food adventure around World Showcase! The flavors are delightful and the black beans are extremely flavorful.

The Chew Collective

Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Mousse with a Caramel Drizzle (Gluten Free)

$3.25 Disney Dining Plan Snack

While this is a smaller dessert, it packs a powerful peanut butter punch! The white chocolate mouse is extremely light making this a perfect choice on a hot afternoon!

Greece – NEW

Vegan Loaded Greek “Nachos”: Pita Chips, Meatless Sausage Crumbles, and Vegan Tzatziki (Vegetarian)

$4.50 Disney Dining Plan Snack

If you aren’t vegan and are curious about giving a vegan dish a try, this is the small plate for you! These ‘nachos’ are fresh and light, and so tasty that you won’t find yourself missing the dairy or meat.

Greenhouse Guru hosted by Village Farms – NEW 

Duck Confit with Creamy Polenta and Fire-Roasted Salsa (Gluten Free)

$5.25 Disney Dining Plan Snack

I am not a fan of duck. I’ve tried it a thousand ways (okay maybe I am being dramatic here), and it just has never been my favorite. I will say that this duck isn’t as gamey as I have had in the past, and the fire-roasted salsa does a great job cutting the fattiness of the meat. I’d definitely eat it again…which is saying a lot!

Hops & Barley – NEW 

Smoked Beef Brisket and Pimento Cheese Served on Griddled Garlic Toast

$5.25 Disney Dining Plan Snack

If there was a ever a dish that screamed ‘Shelley’ it would be this one, as it is everything I love in one place! It is a heavier dish that you might want to save until later in the day.

Islands of the Caribbean – NEW

Quesito – Puff Pastry with Sweetened Cream Cheese and Guava Sauce (Vegetarian)

$3.75 Disney Dining Plan Snack

Dear Quesito, I know we just met…but I think I love you! XOXO Shelley

This is the PERFECT dessert in my opinion! The slightly salty cheese plays against the sweet guava sauce creating amazing layers of flavors. My only complaint is that it is too small and I want to eat like 20 of them!

Wine & Dine Studio – NEW

Seared Scallop, Truffled Celery Root Purée, Brussels Sprouts and Wild Mushrooms featuring Melissa’s Produce

$5.50 Disney Dining Plan Snack

This might be my favorite dish of the luncheon. The scallop and celery root purée are slightly sweet and the brussels sprouts and wild mushrooms are a touch bitter with a bite creating a dance of flavors and textures. It was delicious!

Wine & Dine Studio

Trio of Artisan Cheese (Vegetarian)

La Bonne Vie Goat Cheese served with toasted Craisin Bread

Karst Cave-aged Cheddar Cheese served with Fig Compote

Statesboro Blue Cheese served with Spiced Candied Walnuts

$5.00 Disney Dining Plan Snack

Can you go wrong with a trio of artisan cheeses and accompaniments? I don’t think so! These three offerings are familiar pairings…but if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it!

I’m looking forward to getting out and trying more dishes at this year’s Epcot Food & Wine Festival, and I would love to hear what some of your favorite dishes are to try!