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Ears the News: September 14, 2018 Edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Ears the News

Brought to you by our friends at WDWMagic.com


Photo courtesy of www.WDWMagic.com 

The high-tech greeting card company Lovepop is coming to Disney Springs this fall

Located in the Marketplace Co-Op, Lovepop will offer its intricate 3D paper sculpture greeting cards.

Lovepop founders Wombi Rose and John Wise became best friends at Webb Institute training to become naval architects. After school, the duo traveled to Vietnam where they discovered incredible hand-crafted paper cards.

Rose and Wise launched Lovepop out of the Harvard Innovation Lab in late 2014. Since then, they were named to the 2015 Techstars class, nominated for 50 on Fire by BostInno, and appeared on season 7 of "Shark Tank," where Kevin "Mr. Wonderful" O'Leary became an investor.

Photo courtesy of www.WDWMagic.com 

Maria & Enzo's and Enzo's Hideaway at Disney Springs are now offering 40% off to Disney Annual Passholders during lunch. 

This offer is valid now through December 31st. Not valid with any other offer or during brunch.

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort has confirmed plans to build a new tower. 

The tower will come in at 14 storys and will have 349 guest rooms, meeting space, a swimming pool and a restaurant with bar and lounge.

The third tower at the Swan and Dolphin Resort will be built on space currently occupied the resorts tennis courts. The projected opening date 2020.

Photo courtesy of www.WDWMagic.com 

Disney's Minnie Van Service is set to move to a new distance-based pricing model in the coming days.

Currently, guests can use the Lyft app to request a Minnie Van to travel to and from any location at Walt Disney World for $25 per trip per vehicle. Distance-based pricing will continue to use the Lyft app.

The private Disney ride service will also soon expand to hotels outside of the Disney operated locations, and will include Bonnet Creek, Flamingo Crossing and Hotel Plaza Blvd hotels.

These changes come onto of the recent expansion to Orlando International Airport, where you can schedule drop-off and pick-up by calling 407-WDW-PLAY.
                                                Photo courtesy of www.WDWMagic.com 

Beginning September 17 2018, Disney will begin offering Early Morning Magic at Disney's Hollywood Studios for access to Toy Story Land.

Similar to the experience that was added to the Magic Kingdom in 2016 for access to the busy Fantasyland, the Studios edition is based around Toy Story Land and includes a breakfast at the ABC Commissary.

Menu items include:
Mexican Corn Chilaquiles and Eggs Bowl
Shrimp and Southern Grits Bowl
Fried Chicken and Cinnamon Sugar French Donut Bowl
Smashed Avocado Toast Egg Plate
Breakfast Charcuterie Platter

The buffet will also feature yogurt, cereal, fruit, assorted pastries. For the little toys, they can enjoy everything on the buffet as well as a kid’s portion of the Fried Chicken and Cinnamon Sugar French Donut or Scrambled Eggs, and both come with Sweet Potato barrels.

Available on select mornings before the park opens, Disney Early Morning Magic offers exclusive, limited-time access to Toy Story Land, including Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers, Toy Story Mania!, plus character greetings with Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear.

The experience also includes a continental buffet, featuring yogurt, fruit, pastries, and assorted cereal as well as your choice of a main dish like avocado toast or fried chicken and cronut with maple glaze.

Disney Early Morning Magic will take place on select Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:30am to 8:45am. Breakfast will be available until 10am. The experience costs $79 plus tax for adult (age 10+) and $69 plus tax for children ages 3-9, and valid theme park admission is required.

Photo courtesy of www.WDWMagic.com 

Disney has today announced Ralph Breaks VR, its next hyper-reality experience in collaboration with ILMxLAB and The VOID.

Ralph Breaks VR will debut at Disney Springs in the fall of 2018, a one-of-a-kind, original adventure based on the upcoming Walt Disney Animation Studios film “Ralph Breaks the Internet” in theaters November 21. 

According to Disney, the experience will put you inside a new multi-sensory Disney adventure where you’ll be immersed in the worlds of the internet and online gaming with Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope.

“Our filmmakers and the terrific people at ILMxLAB have collaborated to bring an incredible hyper-real experience, for all ages, to The VOID,” said Oscar-winning “Ralph Breaks the Internet” producer, Clark Spencer. “We can’t wait for people to be immersed in the worlds of the internet and online gaming with Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope.”

“At ILMxLAB, we are truly excited for fans to ‘Step Inside Our Stories’ by extending our award-winning creative collaboration with The VOID across The Walt Disney Company. Together, we will soon invite guests into other beloved Disney franchises where they can explore rich worlds, engage with compelling characters, embark upon heart-pounding adventures, and indulge the senses — experiencing the magic as never before,” said Vicki Dobbs Beck, ILMxLAB Executive in Charge.

At Walt Disney World, the existing VOID experience based on Star Wars universe is located in Disney Springs. Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire will remain available at Disney Springs once the new 'Ralph Breaks VR' opens.

The Launch date for 'Ralph Breaks VR', location and ticket availability has yet to be announced.

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