Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2023 Edition

[Moliphino]

Bring ANY of the shows from DLP over to this side of the pond. Or even the quality of them.

Mickey and the Magician is so good.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Extended Evenings Hours may be coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World

Disney's Animal Kingdom looks like it may be about to offer its first Extended Evening Hours event on November 8, 2023.

Regular hours for November 8, 2023 are 9am to 7pm, with Extended Evening Hours then scheduled from 7pm to 9pm. Extended Evening Hours is a benefit for guests staying at Walt Disney World deluxe hotels, and offers 2 hours of additional park time after regular close.

 

[HokieRaven5]

NEW: Disney has shared a first look at Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana. The attraction opens this year at EPCOT.

Scott Gustin *Video in Twitter Link

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Mickey and the Magician is so good.

And the Lion King show as well

 

[Leigh L]

NEW: Disney has shared a first look at Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana. The attraction opens this year at EPCOT.

Scott Gustin *Video in Twitter Link

I'm looking forward to this, I think it'll be a nice addition to that side of the park.

 

[HokieRaven5]

I'm looking forward to this, I think it'll be a nice addition to that side of the park.

My youngest is absolutely going to have a field day in there and get soaked as fast as possible.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Guests Staying at Fort Wilderness Asked to Stow Items by 6pm, Alternate Accommodations Possible Due to Hurricane Idalia

As we continue to monitor the weather, we are asking that all Fort Wilderness Guests remove and stow all outside items, including tents and décor, and take in camper awnings by 6 PM on Tuesday, August 29. If you’d like to depart early or discuss alternate options for your vacation, please contact us at (407) 939-2744.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Rumor: Extended Evenings Hours may be coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World

Disney's Animal Kingdom looks like it may be about to offer its first Extended Evening Hours event on November 8, 2023.

Regular hours for November 8, 2023 are 9am to 7pm, with Extended Evening Hours then scheduled from 7pm to 9pm. Extended Evening Hours is a benefit for guests staying at Walt Disney World deluxe hotels, and offers 2 hours of additional park time after regular close.

Would love to get the chance to finally see Pandora lit up at night. Last time I was there, it was too bright outside even at 8 pm

 

[Suger Mag]

I'm looking forward to this, I think it'll be a nice addition to that side of the park.

My youngest is absolutely going to have a field day in there and get soaked as fast as possible.

I am also looking forward to it. Really enjoyed Moana and this looks so cool, been waiting to get a full look in person at Te Fiti. I will be there end of October and I am hopeful

 

[Naomeri]

My youngest is absolutely going to have a field day in there and get soaked as fast as possible.

It’s so hot at Epcot, this is going to be very refreshing

 

[HokieRaven5]

NEW: Florida residents evacuating from #Idalia and first responders assisting in storm-related recovery efforts can receive 50% off Disney Resort hotel stays on the evenings of August 29-31.



Scott Gustin

 

[HokieRaven5]

NEW: The reveal of the #DisneyTreasure, which was set for tomorrow, has been moved to September 5 due to #Idalia.

 

[Eeyore daily]

Aw man I was so looking forward to this distracting me from this hurricane.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Disney Eats: Foodie Guide to Early Halloween Treats at Walt Disney World Resort

Get pump(kin)ed because Halloween is nearly here at Walt Disney World Resort. As fall arrives, so do the treats. In the coming weeks, delights will be landing at various locations at Disney Springs and select Disney Resort hotels, with even more goodies coming in October – so keep your eyes peeled on Disney Eats and the Disney Parks Blog for those!

Starting as early as Sept. 1, the chefs will be dusting off their cauldrons and making some potions of their own with eats and sips that will put a spell on you with each and every bite. From the adorably delicious Donald Candy Corn-Chocolate Piñata at The Ganachery to the Plant-based Monster Cupcake available at multiple Disney Resort hotels, this year is sure to be filled with plenty of treats, and maybe even some tricks.

As an avid Halloween enthusiast, I am very excited to sink my teeth into these goodies. And trust me, once you see this Foodie Guide, you will too.

“Bone” appétit!

Disney Springs​

Amorette’s Patisserie (Available Sept. 6 through Oct. 31)​

• Jack Skellington Éclair: Pumpkin cream éclair (New)
• Sally Éclair: Caramel-chocolate éclair (New)
• Oogie Boogie Cream Puff: Cream puff filled with cookies ‘n cream mousse and topped with whipped cream (New)
• Maleficent Petit Cake: Layers of vanilla chiffon, caramel, shortbread crumble, and milk chocolate mousse (New)
• Mummy Mickey Mouse Dome Cake: Layers of peanut butter-milk chocolate mousse, chewy caramel, peanut crunch, and dark chocolate glaçage (New)

Dockside Margaritas (Available Sept. 6 through Nov. 4)​

• Frozen Black Cherry and Apple-Lime Margarita: Patrón Silver Tequila, Grand Marnier Liqueur, sweet-and-sour, lime juice, black cherry purée, and Granny Smith apple garnished with an orange wedge and a cherry

The Ganachery​

• Donald Candy Corn-Chocolate Piñata: White chocolate piñata filled with pumpkin-spiced marshmallows and crisp pearls (New) (Available Sept. 6 through Oct. 31)
• Pirate Mickey Chocolate Piñata: Milk chocolate piñata with crisp pearls, chocolate treasure coins, and marshmallow treats (Available Oct. 15 through 31)
• Jack Skellington Dark Ganache: Grand Cru medium-roasted, custom blend (New) (Available Sept. 6 through Oct. 31)
• Poison Apple Ganache Square: Sour apple ganache enrobed in 65% dark chocolate (Available Sept. 6 through Oct. 31)
• Pumpkin Chai Ganache Square (Available Sept. 6 through Oct. 31)
• Minnie Trick-or-Treat Chocolate Pop: Caramel ganache pop enrobed in 65% dark chocolate (Available Sept. 6 through Oct. 31)
• Caramel Ganache Chocolate Skulls: 65% dark chocolate skulls filled with caramel ganache (Available Oct. 1 through Oct. 31)
• Haunted Mansion Portrait Bars: Ganache bars with flavors of raspberry, salted caramel, chipotle, and passion fruit (Available through Oct. 31)
• Hitchhiking Ghosts Chocolate Chiller: A chilling blend of three chocolates, malted milk, and cream (Non-alcoholic) (Available Sept. 15 through Oct. 31)

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar ​

• Witch’s Potion: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, St. Augustine Gin, Bols Blue Curaçao Liqueur, sweet-and-sour, splash of grenadine, and a splash of soda water garnished with a lemon wheel and hibiscus flower (New) (Available Sept. 6 through Nov. 4)
• Cinnamon-Pear Cocktail: Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, pear nectar, lemon juice, and cinnamon simple syrup garnished with a cinnamon stick (Available Sept. 6 through Nov. 30)

Marketplace Snacks (Available Sept. 1 through Oct. 31)​

• Halloween Minnie Waffle Sundae: Bubble waffle filled with chocolate soft-serve, orange sauce, chocolate cream cookies, candy corn, and chocolate sticks (New)

Swirls on the Water (Available Sept. 1 through Oct. 31) ​

• Haunted Mansion Cone: Pistachio and purple cheesecake soft-serve swirled in a black vanilla cone with a Hitchhiking Ghosts chocolate medallion (New)
• DOLE Whip Sampler: DOLE Whip and vanilla soft-serve with pineapple wedge, pumpkin and salted caramel soft-serve with caramel sauce and caramel crisp pearls, and pistachio soft-serve and purple cheesecake soft-serve with roasted salted pistachios (New)
• Apple Cider Slush with Pumpkin Soft Serve: Apple cider, pumpkin soft-serve, and an apple slice (Non-alcoholic) (Alcoholic version available with Fireball Cinnamon Whisky) (New)

Vivoli il Gelato (Currently available) ​

• Pumpkin Cheesecake Bomboloni: An Italian doughnut stuffed with pumpkin cheesecake filling (New)
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Bombashake: A milkshake made with pumpkin and cheesecake gelato, caramel sauce, and a Pumpkin Cheesecake Bomboloni on top (New)
• Jack-O-Lantern Float: Vanilla gelato, Fanta Orange, and whipped cream (Non-alcoholic)
• Monster Shake: Mint Chocolate Chip gelato, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and chocolate chips (Non-alcoholic)
• Vampire Float: Vanilla gelato, Sprite, strawberry sauce, and whipped cream (Non-alcoholic)

Outdoor Bars (Available Sept. 6 through Nov. 4) ​

• Apple Cider Cocktail: Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey, Stoli Vanil Vodka, apple cider juice, red cranberry juice, and grenadine (New)
• Halloween Rum Punch: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, Bols Blue Curaçao Liqueur, sweet-and-sour, cranberry juice, and grenadine
• Sour Apple Margarita: Patrón Silver Tequila, Cointreau Liqueur, DeKuyper Pucker Sour Apple Liqueur, sweet-and-sour, lime juice, and Granny Smith Apple garnished with a lime

Disney Resort Hotels​

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, and Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort​

World Premiere Food Court, Intermission Food Court and End Zone Food Court (Mobile order available) ​

• Chicken Adobo Nachos: Blue corn tortilla chips with grilled chicken adobo, toasted pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, roasted corn pico, and a zesty pumpkin cheese sauce finished with a cilantro-lime crema and yellow corn tortilla strips (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly) (Available Sept. 1 through Oct. 31; not available at World Premiere Food Court)
• Mickey Pumpkin Cheesecake: Pumpkin cheesecake-chocolate-ginger torte with almond crumble (Available Sept. 1 through Nov. 30)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge​

Boma – Flavors of Africa, Sanaa, Sanaa Lounge, and Victoria Falls Lounge (Available Sept. 15 through Oct. 31) ​

• Doom-ela South African Margarita: Margarita featuring Patrón Silver Tequila with a South African Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon floater

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort​

Landscape of Flavors and Everything POP Shopping & Dining (Mobile order available) ​

• Chicken Adobo Nachos: Blue corn tortilla chips with grilled chicken adobo, toasted pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, roasted corn pico, and a zesty pumpkin cheese sauce finished with a cilantro-lime crema and yellow corn tortilla strips (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly) (Available Sept. 1 through Oct. 31)
• The Whoopie Monster: Apple and caramel whoopie pie with marshmallow buttercream (Available Sept. 1 through Oct. 31)

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort​

Centertown Market (Available Sept. 1 through Nov. 30; mobile order available)​

• Pumpkin-Hazelnut Tart: Chocolate tart shell filled with hazelnut ganache and spiced pumpkin cheesecake garnished with chocolate décor and candied pumpkin seeds (New)

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter​

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory (Available Sept. 1 through Oct. 31; mobile order available)​

• Tombstone Sweet: Chocolate cake, chocolate-coffee mousse, caramel-milk chocolate mousse, and ganache

Scat Cat’s Club – Café (Available through Oct. 31)​

• Ghoulish Delight Beignets: Three Mickey-shaped beignets dusted with cookies and cream powdered sugar and a ghoulish marshmallow crème drizzle

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside​

Riverside Mill Food Court and Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory (Available Sept. 1 through Oct. 31; mobile order available)​

• Tombstone Sweet: Chocolate cake, chocolate-coffee mousse, caramel-milk chocolate mousse, and ganache

Disney’s Riviera Resort​

Le Petit Café (Available Sept. 3 through Nov. 25) ​

• Pumpkin Napoleon: Pumpkin diplomat cream, spiced diplomat cream, and dark chocolate (New)

Primo Piatto (Available Sept. 1 through Nov. 24; mobile order available) ​

• Pumpkin-Hazelnut-Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake: Pumpkin cheesecake with hazelnut-chocolate swirl, vanilla whipped panna cotta, and a milk chocolate pumpkin coin

Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera (Available Sept. 3 through Nov. 25) ​

• Apple Tarte Tatin: Praline noisette, apricot jelly, and Chantilly cream (New)

Disney’s Old Key West Resort and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa​

Good’s Food to Go and The Artist’s Palette (Available Sept. 3 through Nov. 30; mobile order available at The Artist’s Palette only) ​

• Mini Pumpkin: Pumpkin mousse, caramel, dulce crunch, and chocolate décor (New)

Available at Various Disney Resort Hotel Food Courts (Available Sept. 1 through Oct. 31; mobile order available) ​

• Plant-based Monster Cupcake: Allergy-friendly chocolate cupcake with a ghoulish swirl of vanilla buttercream (New) (Plant-based) (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly); Available at the following locations:
  • World Premiere Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
  • Intermission Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
  • End Zone Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
  • Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
  • Centertown Market at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
  • Everything POP Shopping & Dining at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
  • Riverside Mill Food Court at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
  • Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

 

[HokieRaven5]

New Haunted Mansion Grounds Expansion, Retail Shop Coming to Disneyland Resort in 2024

The stately grounds of the Haunted Mansion will expand with a spirited metamorphosis at Disneyland Resort next year. In 2024, the additions will build on the story and lore of the Haunted Mansion and include an expanded outdoor queue to immerse guests in enhanced theming, as well as a new retail shop adjacent to the attraction’s exit.

Local legend suggests the manor known today as the Haunted Mansion was first built by a prosperous sea captain. To this day, the mansion’s staff faithfully maintains the happy haunting grounds. The expanded queue will tie into these stories and more, including new gardens inspired by Master Gracey, Madame Leota and the one-eyed cat.

Each of the gardens will feature unique elements ranging from a water fountain and gazebo to themed statuary and landscaping. In fact, guests will be able to see a new greenhouse where the groundskeepers for the Haunted Mansion grow their plants. The pet cemetery and horse-drawn funeral hearse will continue to reside on the attraction’s grounds.

And speaking of Madame Leota, we felt it was time to continue her presence beyond the walls of the Haunted Mansion with an all-new retail shop. This carriage house of the mansion, belonging to Leota, will be a standalone shop that we are just “dying” to tell you more about in the future.

We also will make enhancements to the plaza adjacent to Tiana’s Palace. This area is one that holds a lot of memories and history, and a new, elegant park-like setting will be a place to relax and enjoy the ambiance and live entertainment under the shade of new and historic trees.

Construction on these additions will begin in January 2024. We will take the opportunity to help improve the accessibility of these areas which includes a new elevator exit from the Haunted Mansion for guests with disabilities.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Disney World Water Park & Mini Golf Closing Due to Hurricane Idalia

Due to forecasted weather, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park and miniature golf courses will be closed on Wednesday, Aug. 30. The remainder of Walt Disney World Resort continues to operate under normal conditions. We are closely monitoring the path of the projected weather as we continue to prioritize the safety of our Guests and Cast Members.

 

[LSUmiss]

Anyone know if Mears buses operate for late flights? I know sunshine flyers has like a 10pm cutoff.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Reasons to Join Raglan Road’s Biggest Irish Party at Disney Springs Sept 1-4

Get ready to kick up your Hooley heels, because the Great Irish Hooley is returning to Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant at Disney Springs for its 11th year, from September 1-4. Now you may be wondering, what exactly does “Hooley” mean? Well, it’s a Gaelic term for a lively party with music, entertainment and fun for the whole family. Now, a Raglan Road Hooley? You know you’re in for a rollicking good time! I rounded up five reasons this weekend’s Hooley is a can’t-miss event.

1. Entertainment from the Emerald Isle​

Multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and winner of several Irish music awards, Sina Theil, is one of the headliners at this year’s Hooley. She was named “Rising Star of 2022” at the American Celtic Listener Supported Music Awards, so you won’t want to miss her performance kicking off the festival! In addition you’ll also hear from Strings & Things, a fan-favorite Irish folk/trad four-piece band; The Connemara Ramblers, a duo with fresh Irish sounds; One for the Foxes, a transatlantic trio merging backgrounds in Irish and American folk music; and Oliver Havlin, hailing from County Down, Ireland, who rocks tunes on guitar, fiddle and vocals. Brunch-goers can also enjoy the musical stylings of the Byrne Brothers during the Rollicking Raglan Brunch this weekend.

2. Lovely New Libations​

Raglan Road will debut its new “Stars & Hearts” Keeper’s Heart Whiskey flight, an Irish-American collaboration aged in stout barrels. The bartenders also are whipping up new cocktails for the festival including “Heart of the Hooley,” made with Keeper’s Heart Irish Bourbon and blackberry and mint shrub.

3. Authentic Irish Fare​

I would be remiss to write a post about Raglan Road and not give a shout out to their incredible culinary team! Guests will be able to enjoy classics like Fish & Chips and Shepherd’s to Die for Pie, or sample all-new bites from the kitchen like the Crispy Cream Goats Cheese Salad. Some of the dishes debuting at the Hooley include Guinness & Onion soup and the Sea Board – a sharing board for two featuring a variety of savory seafood bites. These dishes will remain on the menu after the Hooley, through the fall. Looking to grab a quick bite? Don’t forget about Cookes of Dublin, also adding some new menu items during the festival including a Combo Box with Battered Cod & Shrimp, a new recipe for their Hog in a Box (Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder), Bang Bang’s Loaded: Buttermilk fried chicken with a spicy mayo sauce and loaded chips, and Cookes’ Cheesecake.

4. Complimentary Face Painting​

For the young (and young at heart) party-goes, there will also be complimentary face painting. Get in the spirit of the Hooley with Celtic artistry!

5. Raglan Road Irish Dancers​

And of course, Raglan Road’s very own award-winning troupe will lead guests through a lively ceili. The ceili step dances date back to the Celts and Druids who inhabited Ireland in the 1500s and are a main event of local Irish and Celtic celebrations.

There is no cover charge, and reservations are recommended. Reservations can be made through the My Disney Experience app or by calling 407-938-0300. The high-energy fun begins Friday afternoon on September 1 and continues into the night on Monday, September 4. Bring your dancing shoes, and we look forward to seeing you there!

 

[Gary Stocker]

Anyone know if Mears buses operate for late flights? I know sunshine flyers has like a 10pm cutoff.

I'm almost certain that service is 24 hours.

 

[LSUmiss]

I'm almost certain that service is 24 hours.

That’s kinda what I thought too! Thanks!