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Ears the News with Richard

Disney has announced the full line-up for this year's Star Wars Weekends visiting celebrities.
New for this year will be appearances by Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine) and Frank Oz (voice of Yoda). Returning favorites include Warwick Davis, Ray Park, Peter Mayhew and Jeremy Bulloch.
Also confirmed is a new show called 'Star Wars: Rebels,' presented by host James Arnold Taylor and guests. And for the first time, the celebrity autograph sessions will be held at an indoor location.
In addition to Ashley Eckstein’s Weekend IV guest spot, she will also be attending each day of the event as host of "Padawan Mind Challenge – Family Edition."

Star Wars Weekends will be hosted once again by James Arnold Taylor.

Weekend I (May 15 – 17)

     Ian McDiarmid: Senator/Emperor Palpatine (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace; Star Wars: Attack of the Clones; Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi)
     Amy Allen: Aayla Secura (Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith)
     Tiya Sircar: Sabine Wren (Star Wars Rebels)

Weekend II (May 22 – 24)

     Warwick Davis: Wald, Wicket W. Warrick (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace; Star Wars: Return of the Jedi)
     Silas Carson: Ki-Adi-Mundi, Nute Gunray (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace; Star Wars: Attack of the Clones; Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith)
     Vanessa Marshall: Hera Syndulla (Star Wars Rebels)

Weekend III (May 29 – 31)

     Warwick Davis: Wald, Wicket W. Warrick (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace; Star Wars: Return of the Jedi)
     Daniel Logan: Boba Fett (Star Wars: Attack of the Clones)
     Steve Blum: Zeb Orrelios (Star Wars Rebels)

Weekend IV (June 5 – 7)

     Ray Park: Darth Maul (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace)
     Jeremy Bulloch: Boba Fett (Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back; Star Wars: Return of the Jedi)
     Ashley Eckstein: Ahsoka Tano (Star Wars: The Clone Wars; Star Wars Rebels)

Weekend V (June 12 – 14)

     Frank Oz: Yoda (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace; Star Wars: Attack of the Clones; Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi; Star Wars Rebels)
     Ray Park: Darth Maul (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace)
     Peter Mayhew: Chewbacca (Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith; Star Wars: A New Hope; Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back; Star Wars: Return of the Jedi)
     Taylor Gray: Ezra Bridger (Star Wars Rebels)

The Ultimate Day at Star War Weekends VIP tour returns for 2015 but this year offers more and lowers the price from last year's $499 to $399 +tax per guest.
Added to the tour is a character meet and greet experience, early no-wait access to Darth's Mall, and post-tour access to the Jedi Training Academy.
Also new for 2015 is a 15% discount for DVC Members, Annual Passholders and Disney Rewards Visa Cardholders. As before, park admission is required and not included in the price.
Here is the full line-up of what is included
     Premium seating for Star Wars Weekends shows at Theater of the Stars, such as Stars of the Saga—a Star Wars-themed talk show that’s as entertaining as it is surprising
     Expedited access to attractions like Star Tours - The Adventures Continue, Toy Story Midway Mania! and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
     Reserved viewing location during the Legends of the Force Motorcade
     One (1) opportunity to meet a Character from the Dark Side
     Early access to Darth’s Mall—no waiting required
     Private deluxe continental breakfast at The Hollywood Brown Derby
     Table-service lunch at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
     Post-tour access to the Jedi Training Academy for your Padawans
     Plus, after your guided experience comes to a close, you’ll have time to enjoy the park on your own before ending your day the Ultimate way with VIP viewing of the Summon the Force finale show and the Symphony in the Stars fireworks spectacular!

The Ultimate Day at Star War Weekends VIP tour is available Friday, Saturday and Sunday—May 15 to June 14, 2015. Reservations can be made by calling (407) WDW-TOUR or (407) 939-8687.
  
The Star Wars Weekends 'Feel the Force Premium Package' is also back for 2015 following its introduction last year. New for this year is an option to make it a deluxe.

The 'Feel the Force Premium Package' sees a price rise from last year's $54 to $69+tax, $39+tax for ages 3-9. Reservations can be made now online. Included is:
     A reserved viewing area with soft drinks and water for the Legends of the Force: Star Wars Celebrity Motorcade.
     Reserved seating for one of the Celebrity Talk Shows in Theater of the Stars at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Show time will be selected at check-in. There are a limited amount of seats per show and times are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
     A reserved viewing location for the nightly Symphony in the Stars fireworks show, paired with…
     A Star Wars-themed dessert party with specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Guest check-in for Feel the Force Premium Package ticket holders starts at 10:00 AM at Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner, located on Echo Lake in Disney's Hollywood Studios.

If you want more Star Wars VIP exclusivity, you can upgrade to the 'Feel the Force Deluxe Premium Package' - which is $99 for adults, and $64 for ages 3-9. These cannot be booked online, only via 407 939 3463.
The Deluxe package includes all the benefits of the standard package, and more:
     A reserved viewing area with soft drinks and water for Legends of the Force: Star Wars Celebrity Motorcade at the front of the park at the parade start, with the opportunity to follow the motorcade down Hollywood Boulevard!
     Reserved seating for ALL of the Celebrity Talk Shows in Theater of the Stars on the day of the package!
     A reserved viewing location for the Symphony in the Stars fireworks and Star Wars-themed dessert party with specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
     Priority access to Darth’s Mall, the Star Wars merchandise mecca (in a new location across from Studio Catering Co.) throughout the day of the package, plus…
     Your own commemorative lanyard and credential to honor the special day.

Guest check-in for Deluxe ticket holders is next to the MyMagic+ service center located at the front of the park, starting at 10:00 AM. For the Deluxe Premium Package, the viewing location for the motorcade is at the front of the park at the parade start with the opportunity to follow the motorcade down Hollywood Blvd.
Guest check-in for the fireworks and for the dessert party is located across from the Brown Derby entrance on Hollywood Boulevard in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The fireworks viewing location and dessert party is at the hub of Disney’s Hollywood Studios—on the right side approaching the Great Movie ride.


Tickets are now on sale for the both 2015 Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party as well as Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom.

 Prices have increased from last year for both parties.

 Also recently announced is a new castle show coming to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, which will presumably replace the Villains Dance Mix and Mingle. No specific details have been given et.

The pricing and the dates for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party are as follows:

September 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27; October 1

Advance: $68 (plus tax) for adults; $63 (plus tax) for children (ages 3-9)
Day of the Event: $74 (plus tax) for adults; $69 (plus tax) for children (ages 3-9)

October 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, November 1

Advance: $74 (plus tax) for adults; $69 (plus tax) for children (ages 3-9)
Day of the Event: $79 (plus tax) for adults; $74 (plus tax) for children (ages 3-9)

Halloween night

$87 (plus tax) for adults; $82 (plus tax) for children (ages 3-9)

Passholder and DVC Discounts

Specially priced advance sale tickets are available to Disney Vacation Club Members and Passholders with the following Annual Passes: Premier Annual Passport, Premium Annual Pass, Annual Pass, Seasonal Pass, Weekday Select Pass, and Epcot® After 4pm Annual Pass for the following event days:
Sep 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27, Oct 1
Ages 10 + - $63 + tax
Ages 3 to 9 - $58 + tax
Oct 4, 6, 8, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, Nov 1
Ages 10 + - $70 + tax
Ages 3 to 9 - $65 + tax

Pricing and dates for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party are as follows.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Dates

November 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 29 2015
December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18 2015

Mickey's Very Merry Party Pricing

Advanced Purchase

Advance Sales Pricing is available for all events except 11/20, 11/29, 12/4, 12/11, 12/17, 12/18. For events on these dates, only Same-Day Sales Pricing applies.

Ages 10+ - $74 + tax
Ages 3 to 9 - $69 + tax

Same Day Purchase

Ages 10+ - $79 + tax
Ages 3 to 9 - $74 + tax

Premium Night

December 18 2015
Ages 10+ - $82 + tax
Ages 3 to 9 - $77 + tax

Passholder and DVC Discounts

Specially priced tickets are available to Disney Vacation Club Members and Passholders with the following Annual Passes: Premier Annual Passport, Premium Annual Pass, Annual Pass, Seasonal Pass, Weekday Select Pass, and Epcot® After 4pm Annual Pass for the following event days: 11/8, 11/10, 11/12, 11/13, 11/15, 11/17, 11/19, 12/1, 12/3, 12/8. Specially priced tickets MUST be purchased in ADVANCE.

Advance Purchase

Ages 10 + - $70 + tax
Ages 3 to 9 - $65 + tax


Tickets are  also now on sale for this year's Night of Joy ticketed event at the Magic Kingdom - taking place on September 11 and 12 2015.

2015 Night of Joy tickets are available in advance which provides a substantially discounted price over the day of event price. Combined tickets for both nights are only available in advance.

Advance Purchase

Sep 11, 12 2015 - $65+tax for ages 3+.
Combined ticket for both nights $115+tax for ages 3+.

Day of Event Purchase

Sep 11, 12 2015 $80+tax for ages 3+.

Performers

Friday, September 11 - ­ TobyMac, MercyMe, Jeremy Camp, Colton Dixon, Big Daddy Weave, Francesca Battistelli, Rend Collective, and I Am They
Saturday, September 12 -­ Skillet, Lecrae, For King & Country, Mandisa, Matt Maher, Jamie Grace, Seventh Time Down, and Veridia.

It looks as though Disney will be cracking down on the use of selfie sticks in the parks.
Selfie sticks are typically telescoping rods with a phone mount on one end, allowing guests to take photos of themselves or a group, with the camera positioned a couple of feet away from them on the end of the rod.

Disney is advising its Cast Members to ask guests not to use the sticks on attractions or any moving vehicle, but they are welcome to use them in other areas of the park at this time.

This apparently is not a new policy, as guests have always been asked to stow personal items when board attractions as a matter of safety.

Pre-ordering of breakfast menu selections has begun Be Our Guest Restaurant.

  
Just like at lunch, guests will be able to pre-order menu items from 30 days out, up to 5 minutes before the reservation time. The ordering is done through the My Disney Experience website or app under My Reservations. An email will be also sent out at the time of placing the reservation with more information on the pre-order process.

As with lunch, you do not have to use the pre-order system, as selection can be made at kiosks inside the restaurant upon arrival. If you do make selections, they can also be modified once inside the restaurant.



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