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Ears the News: May 24, 2019 Edition


Welcome to the latest edition of Ears the News

Brought to you by our friends at WDWMagic.com


The Tomorrowland Speedway at the Magic Kingdom has reopened following a closure for the re-routing of track to make way for the addition of the Tron coaster.

Changes to the ride are minor, with new paint and refreshed landscaping, along with a slight re-routing of the track.

Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com
Disney has given us a few more details on how your smart phone will become your Star Wars Datapad when you are in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

From Scott Trowbridge:

Use the “hacking” feature to interact with certain door panels or droids to see their memories, or open your “scanning” tool to peek inside of cargo crates you may spot while walking around. The handy “translation” tool will help you understand Aurebesh (the written language of the Star Wars galaxy) signs throughout Black Spire Outpost, and you can even tap into and decrypt signals from antennas or communications devices and listen to secret messages with the “tuning” feature.

Throughout Black Spire Outpost, the First Order is trying to install surveillance devices in door panels to spy on the Resistance. Use your Datapad to join in “Outpost Control,” a landwide game, and choose to support either side as they vie for a hold on the land. Winners may even find themselves rewarded with galactic credits for their efforts. 
Photo courtesy of Disney


Your Star Wars adventure continues when you make your way to get in line at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. While getting ready to board the most famous ship in the galaxy, you can even take on a job for Hondo Ohnaka, the pirate turned “legitimate” businessman operating Ohnaka Transport Solutions out of Black Spire Outpost. Reroute misplaced cargo, learn how to keep your cover under pressure and prep the Falcon for your flight in this in-queue game!

The new Disney resort hotel guest MagicBand upgrade options are now live.

Disney Resort hotel guests and new and renewing Annual Passholders now have the option to upgrade from the regular free-of-charge solid MagicBand to a special design MagicBand at a reduced price.
Photo courtesy of Disney


More than 30 new MagicBand options are available for pre-arrival purchase at a special price of $14.99 off retail cost through the My Disney Experience website. Most of the bands will cost around $10 after the discount.

The regular solid bands are still be available at no cost, and these new design options can also be shipped to homes (U.S. addresses only) if ordered 11 or more days ahead of arrival and can be personalized if done so at least 6 or more days ahead of arrival.


The holiday season at Disney's Animal Kingdom looks set to be a whole lot bigger this year as holiday decor and entertainment expands to every land in the park.

Here is the full news release from Disney about what you can expect to see.

It all begins when you cross the bridge to Discovery Island, finding yourself in the midst of a celebration of winter, hand-crafted by the eclectic community of artists who make the island their home. The village is filled with sparkling white holiday decorations. Colorful, animal-inspired luminaries line the rooftops, and wireframe lanterns in the shape of beautiful birds can be found perched throughout the area. And during the day, Discovery Island springs to life with a holiday gathering of winter animals, realized in the form of life-size, artisan-sculpted puppets. Reindeer, foxes, polar bears, penguins and more interact with guests, accompanied by serenading musicians as they create a playful atmosphere of festive fun.

As day becomes night, the rooftop luminaries and bird lanterns all around Discovery Island bring a warm and festive glow to the entire village. At the center of everything, the Tree of Life awakens with a series of wintry tales, complemented by a familiar and heartwarming holiday-inspired musical score. Between awakening moments, the Tree of Life continues to shimmer and sparkle throughout the night, alive with the magic of nature and the spirit of the holidays. 
Photo courtesy of Disney


Over in Dinoland, U.S.A., all the Disney character friends gathered for Donald’s Dino-Bash! get into the spirit with colorful holiday decorations in the style of Donald Duck and each of his pals, and at night, you’re invited to gather ‘round Truck-O-Saurus for the Holiday Hoopla Dance Party with Chip ‘n Dale and plenty of interactive fun and games.

In Asia, the residents of Anandapur have decorated the theatre district in celebration of Diwali, the holiday festival of lights in India. Glowing flowers, lanterns and more illuminate the square between Anandapur Theater and the waterfront stage, home to authentic cultural performances.

The village of Harambe in Africa welcomes visitors with a unique holiday presentation, blending the inspiration and style of western traditions with the colors and textiles of authentic African celebrations. The various groups appearing throughout Harambe introduce holiday-inspired enhancements, including costume additions and new music, to their performances. The holiday fun continues inside Tusker House for dining with Disney friends, where Mickey and his pals spread holiday cheer throughout the meal.

The holiday spirit even reaches Pandora РThe World of Avatar, where the ex-pats living and working on the moon of Pandora bring a little Christmastime fun to their alien home, with a display at Pongu Pongu of kitschy holiday d̩cor, combining vintage pieces from Earth with items handcrafted from materials indigenous to Pandora.

It’s going to be an extra magical holiday season at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and across Walt Disney World Resort, filled with wonder and delight in all four parks! Make plans to join us, starting November 8, 2019.

The app-based restaurant ordering system, Mobile Order, is expanding to include Walt Disney World Resort hotel restaurants.

Mobile Order will be available soon at Everything POP Shopping & Dining at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, The Mara at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Contempo Café at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

These new locations will be in addition to more than 20 other quick service restaurants located in the theme parks and Disney Springs.

Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com
Mobile Order allows you to pay for meals on-the-go within the My Disney Experience app, bypassing the queue to order at the restaurant. Using the app, you can select menu items, customize an order and pre-pay for a meal.

Arriving at the restaurant, you tap an “I’m here” button in the app, which will notify the kitchen to prepare the meal. When ready, you'll be alerted through the app to pick up the meal at a designated window. Credit card payments are accepted via Mobile Order along with the Disney Dining Plan.

Walt Disney World will soon being selling a new Summer One World Ticket, with six admissions for $74 per admission (plus tax) – a total price of $444 (plus tax).

Starting June 4, you will be able to purchase the Summer One World Ticket at Disneyworld.com, through the Disney Reservation Center or travel agents, and ticket sellers. For a total price of $444 (plus tax), this ticket includes one admission to each of the Walt Disney World theme parks and water parks. Ticket details:
  • Summer One World Tickets must be purchased between Jun 4, 2019, and Aug. 23, 2019. 
  • Each Summer One World Ticket includes six admissions – one admission to each of the four Walt Disney World theme parks and each of the two water parks. 
  • Guests have flexibility in how they use these tickets, including visiting more than one park per day. 
  • Tickets must be used June 4, 2019 – Aug. 28, 2019. 
Ticket valid 6/4/19 – 8/28/19 for one admission to Magic Kingdom Park, one admission to Epcot, one admission to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, one admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, one admission to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, and one admission to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park. Each park may be visited only once. Tickets are nonrefundable, nontransferable and exclude activities/events separately priced. Admission is subject to capacity closures and other restrictions. Water parks are subject to rehabilitation, seasonal and weather closures. After expiration date, the price paid for a wholly unused ticket can be applied to the purchase of a new ticket with an equal or higher price.

Walt Disney presents at Disney's Hollywood Studios is now showing a sneak peek of Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story 4”.

When Bonnie adds a reluctant new toy called “Forky” to her room, a road trip adventure alongside old and new friends will show Woody how big the world can be for a toy. Directed by Josh Cooley (“Riley’s First Date?”) and produced by Jonas Rivera (“Inside Out,” “Up”) and Mark Nielsen (associate producer “Inside Out”), Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” arrives in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2019.

More dates have just been added to the Disney After Hours events at all three participating theme parks, extending the event through to September 2019.

The new dates are listed below for each park, and all go on sale May 30 2019.

All Disney After Hours event tickets cost $125 + tax for advance purchase and $129 + tax for day-of purchases. Disney Vacation Club members and Annual Passholders do receive a discounted price $95 + tax.

The event gives you access to the park for three hours after regular park hours, which means nearly no wait for attractions, and you can enter the park early – at 7pm on your event night – before Disney After Hours begins. Ice cream, popcorn and non-alcoholic beverages are also included in your Disney After Hours admission, which is a separately priced ticket from daytime park admission.

Magic Kingdom Park
  • Thursday, May 2, 2019
    Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com
  • Thursday, May 9, 2019
  • Thursday, May 16, 2019
  • Thursday, May 23, 2019
  • Thursday, May 30, 2019
On sale from May 30:
  • Thursday, August 22, 2019
  • Thursday, August 29, 2019
  • Thursday, September 5, 2019
  • Thursday, September 12, 2019
  • Thursday, September 19, 2019
  • Thursday, September 26, 2019
Tickets are currently available for Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park at DisneyWorld.com/DisneyAfterHours.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Attractions available include Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers and Toy Story Mania! Rockin’ Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror . Select quick-service food & beverage locations will also stay open for purchases throughout the night.
Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com

  • Friday, May 24, 2019
  • Friday, May 31, 2019
  • Friday, June 14, 2019
  • Friday, June 21, 2019
  • Friday, June 28, 2019
On sale May 30:
  • Friday, July 5, 2019
  • Friday, July 12, 2019
  • Friday, July 19, 2019
  • Friday, July 26, 2019

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Includes the Tree of Life Awakenings, the adventures within Pandora – The World of Avatar and more. Select quick-service food & beverage locations will remain open throughout the night for purchases.

9pm to midnight
  • Tuesday, June 4, 2019
  • Tuesday, June 11, 2019
  • Tuesday, June 18, 2019
On sale May 30:
Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com

  • Tuesday, July 2, 2019
  • Monday, July 8, 2019
  • Monday, July 15, 2019
  • Monday, July 22, 2019
  • Monday, July 29, 2019
  • Monday, August 5, 2019
  • Monday, August 12, 2019
  • Monday, August 19, 2019
  • Monday, August 26, 2019
  • Tuesday, September 3, 2019
  • Monday, September 9, 2019
  • Monday, September 16, 2019
  • Monday, September 23, 2019


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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