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Ears the News: September 21, 2018 Edition


Welcome to the latest edition of Ears the News

Brought to you by our friends at WDWMagic.com


The Star Lord and Groot meet and greet at Disney's Hollywood Studios will be ending this month and will be replaced with a Monsters, Inc.  meet and greet. 
Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com


Located in the "Walt Disney presents' attraction, the meet and greet is set to have its final day of operation on September 29, 2018.

Mike and Sulley from Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. will be returning to Disney's Hollywood Studios in a new meet and greet at Walt Disney Presents in 2019. Mike and Sulley will start meeting guests from January 18, 2019.


The current version of the Move It! Shake It! Dance and Play It! Street Party is likely to have its final show later this year.

Disney has announced that its replacement “Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party” will debut in the Magic Kingdom on January 18, 2019.
Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com
In the new “Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party,” Mickey and Minnie Mouse will invite guests to dance with Mickey, Minnie and their pals in front of Cinderella Castle. Shake it along with live singers belting out new arrangements of classic “Mickey Mouse Club” songs.

Joining Mickey and Minnie in all the fun will be a bevy of beloved Disney characters, including Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Max, Chip ’n Dale and others.

Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial is coming to a close at the end of the month.

The show will have its final performance on September 29, 2018.

Disney has announced a timeline for the replacement of Epcot's nightly firework spectacular IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.

Reflections of Earth will play through to the end of summer 2019, with the new show to debut immediately following the conclusion of "IllumiNations."

'Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away' at Disney's Hollywood Studios is planned to close for several weeks later this month to allow for concrete work in the area.

The stage show which began in April 2016 as part of Disney's Hollywood Studios big Star Wars push, is planned to end daily operations on September 30, 2018, but will resume later in November.

Ziploc plastic bag distribution will soon begin at Splash Mountain as part of the new sponsorship deal with S.C. Johnson & Son.

As part of the long-term sponsorship deal, guests will have access to Ziploc bags at Splash Mountain, which are already widely used by guests to keep possessions protected on water rides.

Recycling options will be available at the ride's exit for those guests who do not wish to use the Ziploc bag.

The bags were expected to begin distribution back in August, but the timing clashed with Disney's announcement of its plans to reduce plastic consumption. That effort has led to the withdrawal of plastic straws and hotel in-room plastics.

Disney's Animal Kingdom is offering a new backstage tour this fall, giving guests a look at how the animal team cares for white rhinos.

Starting November 1, the 60-minute guided adventure will give guests a behind-the-scenes look at how our dedicated animal team cares for the white rhinos on Kilimanjaro Safaris and how Disney is helping save endangered rhinos in the wild. As part of this intimate experience, guests may even get a chance to touch a rhino.
Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com.
One tour of “Up Close with Rhinos” will be offered each day. The booking window for the one-hour experience opens Sept. 22, which is World Rhino Day. Guests must be at least 4 years old to participate, and the cost is $40 (plus tax). Discounts are available to select passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members. To make a reservation, call 407-WDW-PLAY.

The Incredibles are coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as Pixar Place will transform into a Metroville city block in 2019. 
Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com


Beginning Jan. 18, 2019, guests will meet super suit designer Edna Mode and see some of her greatest creations. They will look for clues to the whereabouts of the youngest Incredible, the mischievous and multi-powered Jack-Jack.

And at the end of the block, guests will celebrate the heroic deeds of Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible and Frozone, who will make appearances throughout the day during a party featuring lively music, dancing, interactive games and lots more Super fun.

Dates are now set for the 2019 Epcot International Festival of the Arts. The festival at Epcot will run from January 18 to February 25, 2019, and takes place daily.

The Disney on Broadway Concert Series will be expanding to seven days a week during the Festival of the Arts.

Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com

The 2019 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival will take place March 6 to June 3, 2019 at Walt Disney World.

The outdoor kitchens will be back, along with Disney themed topiaries and the garden Rocks Concert Series.

New for 2019, the Garden Rocks Concert Series expands to seven days a week during the Flower & Garden Festival, which means a total of 270 concerts over the course of the 90-day event.

Disney's Animal Kingdom will celebrate 25 years of The Lion King movie with a new dance party in 2019. 
Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com


Guests will be able to dance along with Timon and Rafiki in the “Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party” on Discovery Island.

The party gets started January 18, and runs through to September 30, 2019.

The Plaza Restaurant on Main Street U.S.A. at the Magic kingdom will soon begin serving breakfast for a limited time.

Menu items will include a Classic All-American Breakfast featuring scrambled eggs with breakfast potatoes, sausage, bacon, a biscuit, and Mickey Waffle. There’s also the Lobster Benedict with crispy fried green tomatoes, buttery lobster, two poached eggs, and hollandaise - served with house-made breakfast potatoes. In addition, you can create your own omelet with fresh ingredients including sausage, bacon, ham, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and cheese.

The limited time offering begins November 4, 2018 through to January 5, 2019, and is available daily from 8am to 10:30am.


Looking to plan your next trip to Walt Disney World? Contact the agents at Kingdom Konsultant Travel to help you plan your dream vacation. Email vacations@kingdomkonsultant.com for a free quote today.

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