Ears the News with Richard

This week we have some news from Pandora, or more to the point, news regarding the Avatar expansion at Animal Kingdom. According to the New York Times, this expansion will include an attraction that “simulates flight”. This is the first public report of anything that could be considered a firm detail on this expansion. The same article reports that construction should start by next year and be completed sometime in 2015.

For the first time, the 2012 Food and Wine Festival in Epcot will have a vegan only pavilion called the “TERRA Marketplace”

Photo from the Disney Parks Blog

Disney is currently in talks with the British government to redevelop the port and environs of Road Town, Tortola, over the next three years.

High performance Karting from the Richard Petty Driving Experience has been added to the Masters Weekend lineup happening on June 2-3. This will be set up in parking lot K at Downtown Disney. The cost will be $20, plus tax, per person and is available to licensed drivers age 16 and older. Each additional ride will be $10. All participants must sign a waiver and closed-toed shoes are required. The goal will be to have the best time in your group.

The Disney Premier Passport has increased in price by $100 to $849.00 plus tax. Disneyland ticket prices went up across the board. The price change became effective 5/20/2012.

Walt Disney World guests can now meet and play with Merida from Pixar’s new movie Brave. The play and greets run daily in the newly themed Fairytale Garden at the Magic Kingdom from 9:15 AM to 5:00 PM. As always, times can change so check your times guide when you get to the Magic Kingdom. Here's a youtube video of the experience.

The new princess meet and greet that will be replacing Snow White’s Scary Adventures will be opening in late 2013. Disney was also kind enough to describe what the new experience will be like.

"Located in the Castle Courtyard in the center of Fantasyland, Princess Fairytale Hall will be the new home for visiting royalty in the Magic Kingdom. The castle-like entrance will feature walls of stone and stained glass windows. The entrance will open into a large gallery – an airy space with a high ceiling and portraits of Disney Princesses. When it’s time for their audience with a princess, guests will proceed to an elegantly finished room to meet her."

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