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Ears the News: January 12, 2019 Edition


Welcome to the latest edition of Ears the News

Brought to you by our friends at WDWMagic.com


Walt Disney records has released the soundtrack for Pandora - The World of Avatar, which is now available on iTunes and subscribers to Apple Music.

The soundtrack includes music from Flight of Passage, Na'vi River Journey and Satu-li Canteen. Also included is the area music that plays around Pongu Pongu.

On iTunes, the soundtrack can be purchased for $9.99 and includes all 12 tracks, or $1.29 per track. The full soundtrack is also on Apple Music for subscribers.

Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com
Walt Disney World is continuing the V.I.PASSHOLDER program for Annual Passholders in 2019 with dining discounts and early access to merchandise.

From January 6-31, 2019, Passholders will receive a limited-time 20% discount at the following restaurants across Walt Disney World Resort for lunch and dinner:
  • Biergarten Restaurant at Epcot 
  • Coral Reef Restaurant at Epcot 
  • The Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios 
  • Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studio 
  • Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen at Magic Kingdom Park 
  • Tiffins Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom 
  • Tony’s Town Square Restaurant at Magic Kingdom Park 
  • Ale & Compass Restaurant at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort 
  • Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside (Dinner Only) 
  • Citricos at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (Dinner Only) 
  • Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort 
  • Flying Fish at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort (Dinner Only) 
  • Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort (8:30 p.m. show only) 
  • Jiko – The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort (Dinner Only) 
  • Sebastian’s Bistro at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort (Dinner Only) 
  • The Wave… of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort 
  • Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort 
Discount applies to the regular price of food and non-alcoholic beverages (excluding applicable tax and gratuity) during available lunch and dinner meal periods. Valid for the Passholder and up to three (3) guests. Not valid for breakfast, special events and may not be combined with any other discount or offer.

The AMC Disney Springs 24 will begin a series of renovations next
Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com
week, bringing a number of upgrades to the theatres.

Along with increasing the number of dine-in screens, recliners will be coming to the existing dine-in theatres. The bar areas will also see a refurbishment.

Work will take place without closing the venue.

Disney has announced that Kevin from Disney•Pixar’s “Up!” will be appearing at Disney's Animal Kingdom in February 2019.

"UP!" has a growing presence at the park, with Senior Wilderness Explorer Russell and Dug greeting guests on Discovery Island, and appearing in the recently reworked bird show “UP! A Great Bird Adventure.”
Photo courtesy of The Walt Disney Company
The Backlot Express at Disney's Hollywood Studios is returning to a more on-theme menu line-up this month, with the removal of the Star Wars themed items.

The Royal Guard Burger is now named the Backlot Burger, and the Galactic Salad with Chicken becomes the Southwest Salad with Chicken.

In recent years, Backlot Express became home to Star Wars food due to its location next to Star Tours, but with the arrival of Star Wars Galaxy's Edge later this year, Disney appears to be returning the restaurant back to sorting closer to its original story.

Disney Vacation Club is offering a Disney on Broadway Dessert Party for Members and their guests at this year's Epcot International Festival of the Arts on February 25, 2019.

Disney is continuing to offer extras for its passholders, including a free Figment magnet and special event merchandise.

The complimentary Passholder magnet that features Figment is available to Passholders at Mouse Gear or Port of Entry with valid annual pass card and photo ID.

Passholder-exclusive festival merchandise will include a t-shirt and coaster set featuring Mickey Mouse, a pin featuring Pluto – and an exclusive Figment cookie available for purchase at Taste Track from January 18 through January 26.

Passholders also receive a 10% discount for dining packages for the Disney on Broadway Concert Series throughout the festival, and a special 20% discount on dining packages at Biergarten Restaurant and Coral Reef Restaurant for lunch and dinner through Jan. 31.
Photo courtesy of The Walt Disney Company


Attendees will enjoy guaranteed seating at one of the evening’s Disney on Broadway concerts at the America Gardens Theatre and an 8:30-9:30 pm fireworks dessert party in the United Kingdom Pavilion before mingling with the Disney on Broadway stars during a casual cocktail hour (9:30-10:30pm) in the Member Lounge atop the Imagination! Pavilion.

Performers will include Ashley Brown (Broadway’s original Mary Poppins), Josh Strickland (Broadway’s original Tarzan), Alton Fitzgerald White (Broadway’s record-breaking Lion King, with 4,308 performances as Mufasa) and Kissy Simmons (Nala in “The Lion King.”)

The cost per person is $77 (plus tax and gratuity) for adults and $52 (plus tax and gratuity) for children. Please note that paid Epcot admission also is required. Call Member Services beginning January 8 at (800) 800-9800 for details and reservations.

The third Disney Springs parking garage will be named 'Grapefruit Garage.'

Scheduled to open in February 2019, the Grapefruit Garage will join the Orange and Lime parking garages, providing additional parking for Disney Springs guests and Cast Members. It had been previously thought that the garage would be named Lemon, but this is no longer the case.

The existing Grapefruit surface lot will be renamed when the new garage opens.

A new IllumiNations Dining Package is coming to Epcot as the Reflections of Earth show enters its final year.

Reservations open January 17 for seating from January 18, 2019 at the United Kingdom's Rose & Crown. Priced at $85 for adults (including tax and gratuity), and $35 for children, package includes seating on the lagoon-side patio from 8pm, a three-course prix fixe menu and a view of IllumiNations.

The menu features a selection of Rose & Crown favorites—as well as a selection of unlimited non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages for Guests ages 21 and older. Scotch Eggs, Fish and Chips, and a Pudding Platter trio featuring Sticky Toffee Pudding, English Trifle, and Chocolate Nougat Bar for dessert will all be on offer.

Reservations can be made online or via 407-WDW-DINE. Separate Epcot admission is also required.

Disney has not yet announced a closing date for the current Reflections of Earth show beyond "the end of summer 2019." The show will be replaced with Epcot Forever.

Two additions are coming to Disney Springs Town Center in the first half of 2019.

First, a Disney Ticket sales center will be moving into the unoccupied space between Blaze Pizza and Zara, just behind D-Luxe Burger.

Nextdoor to the ticket sales center will be an Orange County Sheriff office.

Mickey and Minnie's Surprise Celebration arrives at the Magic Kingdom on January 18, 2019, bringing an all new street party and limited-time experiences.

Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party
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 Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Max, Chip ’n Dale and others.

Musical Experiences
The Dapper Dans, the Casey’s Corner piano player and others will honor Mickey and Minnie with special musical moments throughout the day.
Photo courtesy of The Walt Disney Company


Character Meet and Greet Updates
Mickey and Minnie will be showing off their new celebration outfits in Town Square Theater, and Pluto will be appearing at Pete's Silly Sideshow.

In Town Square, there will be surprise character meet and greets, with different characters appearing throughout the celebration.

Celebration Central
Inside Town Square Theater, you will be able to sign a guestbook for Mickey and Minnie.

Food and Merchandise
A variety of specially themed food and drink will be available at the park's quick service restaurants. And special celebration merchandise throughout the park.



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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