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Ears the News with Richard

Ears the News is brought to you courtesy of our friends at WDWMagic.com
Disney has released  the full schedule for this year's Night of Joy, complete with the full performer line-up and locations.

Night of Joy 2015 takes place this year at the Magic Kingdom on September 11 and 12 2015, 7:30 PM to 1:00 AM each evening. Tickets are $65 plus tax in advance for one night and $115 plus tax in advance for two nights. Get full details on pricing and how to order.

Friday, September 11th, 2015
CASTLE FORECOURT STAGE
7:40 PM. – Jeremy Camp
9:45 PM. – MercyMe
11:55 PM. – TobyMac

GALAXY STAGE
7:30 PM. – Francesca Battistelli
8:50 PM – Francesca Battistelli
10:25 PM – Colton Dixon
12:05 AM. – Big Daddy Weave

ROCKETTOWER PLAZA STAGE
8:10 PM. – Josh Wilson
9:40 PM. – I Am They
11:15 PM – Rend Collective

Saturday, September 12th, 2015
CASTLE FORECOURT STAGE
7:40 PM. – for King & Country
9:40 PM – LeCrae
11:50 PM – Skillet

GALAXY STAGE
7:30 PM – Jamie Grace
8:50 PM – Jamie Grace
10:25 PM. – Matt Maher
12 am – Mandisa

ROCKETTOWER PLAZA STAGE
8:10 PM – Veridia
9:40 PM – 7eventh Time Down
11:15 PM – 7eventh Time Down

If you want to start out your day at Animal Kingdom by getting soaking wet you are in luck. Kali River Rapids will be joining the list of attractions open during morning Extra Magic Hours beginning August 23 2015.

The annual refurbishment of the Blizzard Beach water park has been extended by a couple of weeks.
Originally scheduled to begin on October 25, the refurbishment now begins on October 4 2015, lasting through to January 2.

Disney has this week released an update to its 'My Disney Experience' app to include previews of PhotoPass images.

The service doesn't currently allow you to purchase individual images, instead it prompts you to visit the PhotoPass website to do so. When selecting an image from the preview, the app offers the Memory Maker product for $199, which covers all of your PhotoPass photography during a current trip.

Besides the ability to preview your PhotoPass images, the app also includes a map to locate PhotoPass photographers across all the parks.

The new version of My Disney Experience is now available in the Apple App Store, and should also be available for Android devices soon.

runDisney has announced a new series of races taking place at Walt Disney World inspired by the Star Wars universe.

Following the debut of the popular Star Wars-themed race at Disneyland Resort, the Walt Disney World event turns to the dark side of the force, and will be titled 'Star Wars Half Marathon – the Dark Side,' and will feature kids races, a 5K and a 10K, in addition to the half marathon.

Image courtesy Disney Parks Blog
The half marathon course takes place in Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and finishes at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

It wouldn't be a runDisney event without multiple race challenges, and there are two to choose from:

Star Wars Dark Side Challenge — running the 10K and the half marathon on consecutive days – that offers each finisher a Death Star-themed medal.

Kessel Run Challenge — completing the Star Wars half marathon missions on both coasts. Kessel Run Challenge runners can earn a commemorative “Coast to Coast” medal inspired by the Millennium Falcon starship.

“Ever since we launched the Star Wars race at Disneyland Resort, runners have been clamoring for more, so we’re thrilled to bring the Star Wars franchise together with the runDisney brand to Walt Disney World Resort,’’ said Maribeth Bisienere, senior vice president of Disney Sports Enterprises. “If the inaugural Star Wars race at Disneyland Resort is any indication, this new running adventure to the dark side is sure to be the out-of-this-world experience that runners have come to expect at runDisney events.’’

The Star Wars-themed race at Disneyland Resort, will return in January 2016 as the 'Star Wars Half Marathon – the Light Side'.

The race weekend will be April 14 - 17 2016, with Race registration opening on  September 22 2015 at www.runDisney.com. Pricing has not yet been announced.

Disney has started ticket sales for next month's Star Wars 'Force Friday Merchandise Event' at Downtown Disney's Once Upon a Toy.

For $50, the ticket buys you:
  • The opportunity to be among the first to purchase new Star Wars and Star Wars: The Force Awakens themed merchandise, including Disney Theme Park Merchandise exclusives and licensed products. Purchase limits will apply.
  • Amenity gift – Force Friday Logo Messenger Bag


The event begins at 12:01am on September 4 2015, with tickets available at http://www.disneyparksmerchandise.com/

The 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival's 'Eat to the Beat Concert Series' has been added to the FastPass+ line-up for Epcot.

Eat to the Beat FastPass- now available in My Disney Experience
'Eat to the Beat' joins the Tier 1 FastPass+ grouping, along with IllumiNations, Living with the Land, Soarin' and Test Track. One selection can be made from this group using My Disney Experience, or via the in-park kiosks.

A separate FastPass+ queue will be made available at the American Garden's Theatre, with entry allowed 20 minutes before show time.

Following a successful trial in late 2014, Disney has now completed the roll-out of its new allergy-friendly menu program at Walt Disney World.

Nearly all Disney operated quick service and table service restaurants now offer allergy-friendly menus, meaning that in some cases it will no longer be necessary for a chef to visit the table, and instead, selections can be made directly from the special menu.

For any allergies that are not covered by the menu, or if you prefer to speak to a chef, that option remains available.

The allergy-friendly menus cover the most common allergies, including gluten/wheat, milk, peanut, nut and fish.

WDWMagic has updated their restaurant information guide

to include locations that offer allergy friendly menus. Just choose the restaurant you are interested in, and the overview information will indicate if allergy-friendly menus are available and for which dining period.



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