Skip to main content

Ears the News: July 13, 2018 Edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Ears the News

Brought to you by our friends at WDWMagic.com 

Disney has announced the first of its narrators for the 2018 Candlelight Processional, part of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays.

Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com 

Also confirmed today is that Candlelight Processional Dining Packages go on sale Wednesday July 11 2018.

The Candlelight Processional presents the traditional story of Christmas with a 50-piece orchestra, a massed choir and a celebrity narrator. The processional is performed three times per night (5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.) during the holiday season at the America Gardens Theatre. Candlelight Processional Dining Packages which include a meal at a restaurant and a guaranteed seat for one of the Candlelight Processional performances.

Here is the line-up so far:

11/22 – 11/23 – Chita Rivera
11/24 – 12/2 – TBD
12/3 – 12/6 – Neil Patrick Harris
12/7 – 12/9 – Whoopi Goldberg
12/10 – 12/12 – TBD
12/13 – 12/14 – Blair Underwood
12/15 – 12/17 – Gary Sinise
12/18 – 12/20 – Pat Sajak
12/21 – 12/23 – TBD
12/24 – 12/25 – Edward James Olmos
12/26 – 12/27 – Jodi Benson
12/28 – 12/30 – TBD

Lunch and dinner packages are available at some favorite Epcot restaurants like Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (Norway pavilion); Biergarten Restaurant (Germany pavilion); Chefs de France (France pavilion); Coral Reef Restaurant (The Seas pavilion); The Garden Grill Restaurant (The Land pavilion); La Hacienda de San Angel and San Angel Inn Restaurante (Mexico pavilion); Nine Dragons Restaurant (China pavilion); Restaurant Marrakesh and Spice Road Table (Morocco pavilion); Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room (United Kingdom pavilion); Teppan Edo and Tokyo Dining (Japan pavilion); and Tutto Italia Ristorante and Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria (Italy pavilion).

Breakfast, lunch and dinner options are also available this year at Epcot-area resort restaurants at Ale & Compass at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, with breakfast and dinner options being offered at Trattoria Al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk.

Candlelight Processional Dining Packages start at:

For Breakfast: $38 plus tax per person for adults and $22 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9.
For Lunch: $50 plus tax per person for adults and $16.99 plus tax per person for children, ages 3.
For Dinner: $55 plus tax per person for adults and $16.99 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9.

Candlelight Processional Dining Packages go on sale Wednesday July 11.

Disney is introducing a new Annual Pass on July 9, aimed at offering more flexibility for guests visiting Walt Disney World.
Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com 

The Florida Resident Theme Park Select Pass is another option for Florida residents who are looking for access to at least one theme park during most times of the year. Each park's availability will be accessible online through a 13-month blockout calendar.

It includes at least 325 days of access at select theme parks and at least 175 days of access to all four theme parks throughout the year, and is priced at $439.

In addition to the new pass, Disney is also introducing add-ons for Florida Resident Disney Weekday Select, Florida Resident Theme Park Select and Florida Resident Disney Silver Passholders.

Priced at $89, that gives access to Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney’s Animal Kingdom through August 9 2018, which is a period currently blocked out to those passes.

Both the new Florida Resident Theme Park Select Pass and the add-on will be available for purchase on July 9 2018.

Disney has unwrapped details on its 2018 Christmas Holiday Season entertainment, and with it comes a few new enhancements to some existing offerings.
Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com 

At Disney's Hollywood Studios from November 8 2018 to January 6 2019, Sunset Seasons Greetings will return accompanied by new laser effects.

Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Continues for its third year, and guests can meet Santa at the Once Upon a Time shop November 10 to December 24, and Santa Goofy after he steps in December 25.

Toy Story Land will feature holiday songs on Alien Swirling Saucers.

At the Magic Kingdom, things remain largely unchanged, with Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party being the main holiday draw, beginning November 8 2018.

Epcot's International Festival of the Holidays begins November 18 and will see a return of the Holiday Kitchens kiosks around World Showcase, and Chip and Dale's Christmas Tree Spree scavenger hunt will be on sale for $6.99.

Reflections of Earth will see the addition of the holiday finale, and the Candlelight Processional runs from November 22 to December 30 2018.

At Disney's Animal Kingdom, Diwali, the holiday Festival of Lights in India, will be part of the new live show UP! A Great Bird Adventure from November 8 2018.

Disney Springs will continue its Christmas Tree Trail in the Marketplace from November 8 2018 to January 5 2019, and Santa's Chalet will be available from November 8 to December 31.

Stitch's Holiday Gift hunt also returns this year.

The Magic Kingdom's Prince Charming Regal Carrousel is now closed for refurbishment. It will reopen to guests on July 31 2018.
Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com

With the opening of Toy Story Land, Pixar Place at Disney's Hollywood Studios is now closed-off to guests.
Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com

During the opening week of Toy Story Land, Pixar Place was being used as overflow queue space, but with crowds in Toy Story Land now stabilized, the construction walls have moved in. Only the restrooms on the corner of Pixar Place remain accessible to guests.

2018 New Year’s Eve celebrations are now available to book at Disney’s Contemporary Resort - Pixar Party: A New Year’s Eve Celebration and Disney Countdown to Midnight, including an option to purchase VIP access to the Ink and Paint Club.
Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com 

Pixar Party: A New Year’s Eve Celebration (8pm - 12:15am)

This New Year’s Eve, welcome in 2019 with a festive, family-friendly frolic through some childhood joys during Pixar Party: A New Year’s Eve Celebration at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Sarge from Pixar Animation Studios’ Toy Story films will welcome you as you arrive at the second floor of the resort. Once inside, you will discover spaces that have been transformed with scenes from beloved Pixar movies.

Highlights of the evening include:

Being enveloped in the worlds of various Disney•Pixar films, like “Inside Out,” “The Incredibles,” “Finding Nemo” and “Up,” including meeting some of your favorite characters.

Kids’ activities, including Boot Camp with Sarge, Pixar Face Painting and a balloon artist creating favorite Pixar characters.

An interactive DJ spinning Radio Disney hits from his Cars-inspired DJ Rig, complete with tires and road signs right out of Radiator Springs.

A delicious buffet dinner, including Woody’s Favorite Lemon Thyme Chicken Breast, Wall-E’s Pan Seared Mahi-Mahi, Rex’s Manhattan Filet, Sulley’s Beast White Cheddar Baked Mac & Cheese, build-your-own salad options, desserts, kids’ favorites like chicken fingers and more.

A viewing of the famous Magic Kingdom New Year’s Eve fireworks.

Tickets are $190 per person, including tax and gratuity. To purchase tickets, call (407) WDW-DINE.

Disney Countdown to Midnight (8pm - 12:15am)
This New Year’s Eve, dress up and party during Disney Countdown to Midnight – an evening of dining, dancing and enchantment in the Fantasia Ballroom at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Come discover a world sparkling with magic – everything from a Mickey Mouse mirror ball to Disney Character topiaries – as you move and groove to the high-energy New Year’s Bash Band and a live DJ providing music all night long.

Other highlights of the evening include:

A “cheftainment” station featuring a seasonal menu inspired by some Disney Signature Dining restaurants – with a touch of Disney magic.

A special appearance by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.

At the end of the night, guests will be invited out to the porte cochère, where they will receive a Champagne flute and welcome 2019 with a viewing of the famous Magic Kingdom New Year’s Eve fireworks.

Tickets are $275, including tax and gratuity. To purchase tickets, call (407) WDW-DINE.

Ink and Paint Club experience (7pm - 12:15am)

Offered only as a VIP enhancement to the Disney Countdown to Midnight party and located adjacent to the Fantasia Ballroom at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, this special reception begins prior to the opening of the main event. At the Ink and Paint Club, guests will step back in time into a vintage Disney Animation-inspired room with silver Chiavari chairs, metallic tables and references to classic Disney Animation filling the room. Ticketed guests can visit the lounge throughout the evening, starting with a featured reception from 7-8 p.m.

Highlights of this special reception include:

Photo opportunities with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse with a unique Disney Animation backdrop.

A pianist providing live entertainment.

Chef stations featuring king crab, tuna tartare, sheep’s milk ricotta gnocchi, cocktails, Champagne, cordials and more – all included with admission.

Reserved seating in the Disney Countdown to Midnight Party when it opens at 8 p.m.

Disney Ink & Paint Club is only available as a part of an enhanced ticket that includes access to both the Disney Countdown to Midnight and the Ink & Paint Club for $450 total per guest. Access to Ink & Paint Club must be purchased concurrently with the Disney Countdown to Midnight ticket and cannot be added on at a later date. To purchase tickets, call (407) WDW-DINE.

Registration for the Toy Story Land Annual Passholder event is now open.
Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com 

The opportunity is available to Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus and Premier Passholders, and attendees will get exclusive access to Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers and Toy Story Mania!

Dates are available during September 2018 from 7am to 8am. You can register on the Passholder website.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Chronos Club Review at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

I recently stayed at the Chronos Club at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. I've been a fan of Disney's Coronado Springs Resort since my first visit as it reminds me of my hometown, San Antonio. I've stayed in rooms ranging from preferred, Casita Suite, Tower King, and now Club Level access. The Chronos Club is located on the 15th floor of the Gran Destino Tower and can only be accessed with a key card or MagicBand to a corresponding Club Level reservation. I've previously stayed Club Level at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort, Disney's BoardWalk Inn, and Disney's Grand Californian Resort. These are all considered Deluxe Resorts. Something that makes the Chronos Club stand out is that it is located in what Disney considers a Moderate Resort. I was really excited to check out the difference in experience, since there can be a notable difference in price tag for Moderate vs. Deluxe Res

Universal's Volcano Bay Private Cabana Review

On a recent training in Universal Orlando Resort, agents Maci, Ashley, Aubrey and Yaritza and I rented a private cabana for the day at Universal's Volcano Bay. There are multiple locations around the park along with the option to have an upper or lower level, all of which reflect in various pricing. Agent Ashley received an email the day before informing her of where to check-in the next morning. While we were personally escorted to the cabana shortly after check in, the line at the check in location is the same as those getting towels, meaning it was not short. As expressed by an additional guest checking into a different cabana, we would have greatly appreciated a separate line, since this caused our group about a half hour wait. We're all adults and made great use of our time getting some fun pictures before the park was filled with guests, but this is important to be aware of if you are traveling with children.  We had an upper level Cabana which came with a splendid view!

Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes

Black Tap Burgers & Shakes is located at the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort.  It is a fast-casual restaurant, meaning you order your items at the counter, but then they bring it to the table for you.  They have a selection of burgers, wings, salads and chicken and a fun milkshake menu.  If you just want a shake, there's also a walkup window outside, but some special creations can only be ordered for dine-in. We placed our order at the counter and noticed all the tables inside were full. We found a table outside and hung out while we waited for our food to come. They have a full bar and craft beers on tap, but I was surprised to get wine in a can. Strawberry Shortcake Shake We had hoped to have this Crazy Shake for dessert, but it actually came before any of our food. The Strawberry Shortcake is described as a vanilla frosted rim with crumbled cake topped with a strawberry shortcake ice cream bar, pink & white twisty pop, whipped cream, strawberry drizzle