Ears the News: November 4, 2018 Edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Ears the News

Brought to you by our friends at WDWMagic.com

World of Disney, the world's largest Disney retail store, has reopened in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World.

The store has been reopening in phases over the last few months, but the store saw its grand reveal with all sections of the store now fully open and showing off all of its magical touches on October 27th.

Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com

Several feature spaces throughout the store will change regularly, showcasing the newest and hottest Disney offerings of the season.

Complementing these displays are enchanted flourishes inspired by the history of Walt Disney Animation Studios and the “Nine Old Men,” the legendary animators who created classic films such as “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Peter Pan” and “Fantasia.” For instance, ink jars suddenly swirl with color and animate artwork on the walls. Out of nowhere, blank pages fill with pencil sketches as if drawn by an invisible hand. Magical movie posters twinkle with pixie dust before coming to life. The store’s sales counters are inspired by the desks and furniture used by animators of generations past.

For the first time, World of Disney is now offering reusable bags, part of a company wide initiative to cut back on its use of plastics.

The all-new animated movie "Ralph Breaks the Internet" debuts in theaters November 21, 2018, and at the same time a new meet and greet will open in Epcot's Innoventions West.

Ralph and Vanellope von Schweetz will both be appearing to meet with guests.

Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com

Walt Disney Presents at Disney's Hollywood Studios began showing a sneak peek of the upcoming "Ralph Breaks the Internet" on Friday November 2, 2018.

The preview gives an advance look at a sequence of the new movie, which opens in theaters on November 21, 2018.

The sneak peek will play from November 2 to November 26, 2018.

The Epcot International Festival of the Arts at Walt Disney World Resort will begin January 18, 2019, and will continue for 39 days through February 25, 2019.

Disney on Broadway Concert Series expands to seven days a week during the festival in 2019. Each week, different pairs of Disney on Broadway stars will take the America Gardens Theatre stage to sing favorite songs from award-winning Disney on Broadway productions.

Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com

The lineup will rotate regularly, featuring music from shows such as “The Lion King,” “Frozen” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Performers this year include:

• Kerry Butler (“Beauty and the Beast”) and Kevin Massey (“Tarzan”) 
• Meredith Inglesby (“The Little Mermaid”) and Steve Blanchard (“Beauty and the Beast”) 
• Arielle Jacobs and Adam Jacobs (“Aladdin”) 
• Heidi Blickenstaff (“Freaky Friday”) and Gavin Lee (“Mary Poppins”) 
• Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins”) and Josh Strickland (“Tarzan”) 
• Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White (“The Lion King”) 

The concert series is included with park admission; showtimes are 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. nightly. The Disney on Broadway Concert Series Dining Package is available at participating Epcot restaurants and guarantees show seating; package bookings open Nov. 8, 2018, at Disneyworld.com. Reservations can also be made by calling (407) WDW-DINE. 

Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com

In addition to the concert series, the Epcot International Festival of the Arts will feature 13 Food Studios, plus additional creative food and beverage offerings around Epcot with an expanded selection of delicious new tastes to savor:

• The Artist’s Table will feature beef wellington with mushroom bordelaise, fennel cream and roasted baby vegetables 
• Smoked salmon and cream gâteau with egg yolk cream, paddlefish caviar and micro-herbs at The Painter’s Palate 
• Pop Eats! will serve up almond frangipane cake with raspberry and chocolate 
• Red wine-braised short rib with parsnip purée, broccolini, baby tomatoes and aged balsamic will be available at Cuisine Classique 

Art collectors and Disney enthusiasts alike will find artwork for sale throughout the entire park, from the Art of Disney store to Festival Markets. In addition, special merchandise will be available at Mouse Gear and other Epcot locations featuring the festival’s logo adorning shirts, mugs, totes and other items.

Activities will include:

• Everyone’s invited to grab a paintbrush and help create a wall mural along World Showcase Plaza. 
• Guests of all ages will have the opportunity to literally step inside works of art and take fun photos, such as the “Washington Crossing the Delaware” Artful Photo Opportunity. 
• The Paint with a Disney Artist program invites guests to learn under the tutelage of a professional (offered select Fridays and Sundays, including continental breakfast, for an additional fee). 
• A variety of workshops led by professionals will teach different artistic techniques, such as floral design, ink and paint, mixed-media art and more (offered Friday-Monday for an additional fee). As a memento of what they learned, guests will take their creations home with them. 
• Complimentary 30-minute seminars will give guests helpful instruction for producing their own artwork at home. 
• More than 50 visiting artists participating in the festival will be available to meet with guests and share insights on their work. 
• Disney artists’ work will be exhibited across Epcot. 
• Gravity-defying feats of strength, acrobatics and many performing artists are scheduled throughout the festival. 
• International musical and variety acts will share their talents with guests, including the return of Bodh’aktan to the Canada stage and Delta Q, a new group performing in Germany. 
• Guests can join in the fun of Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt by purchasing a map at select merchandise locations. 

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.