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5 Disney Things

5 Disney Things You Should Know This Week – July 8, 2016

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Each Friday, I provide 5 Disney things all Disney fans should know from this past week, just in case you missed them. This week, we feature news from Disneyland, where we finally get a discount, new popcorn flavors abound in the Disney parks and a new home for Anna and Elsa in Epcot.

Late Summer Disneyland Discount

2016 disneyland discount

It has been a little while, but Disneyland has released a new discount. Disney VISA cardholders can save up to 25% at Disneyland between August 14 – September 29, 2016. This is a great way to stay in one of the three Disneyland Resort Hotels and save a little money. While currently for Disney VISA cardholders only, this same discount will be released to everyone on July 19, 2016.

For more information: 2016 Disneyland Late Summer Savings – Disney VISA

Main Street Popcorn

disney popcorn

Who loves Disney popcorn? Me! Now, the Main Street Popcorn company is filling Disney parks with new flavored popcorn. Flavors include caramel, kettle corn, cheddar, confetti, Sriracha kettle corn, parmesan garlic, kettle corn with red alaea salt, truffle, churro and maple bacon. Churro popcorn? I am on my way Mickey, don’t eat it all without me!

Anna and Elsa Find a Home

Anna and Elsa, currently Disney’s two most popular princesses, have finally found a home in Epcot. The Royal Sommerhus in the Norway Pavilion is now the only place to find Anna and Elsa. Check out this awesome video that shows just how cool their new home is. Oh, they also have their very own ride next door, if you didn’t know.

Watch Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire Live

Mickey freindship faire

The Magic Kingdom has a brand new stage show, Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire. While it debuted a few weeks ago in the parks, you can now catch it live on July 11. The show will start at 4:10 PM EST on July 11, 2016. While a link has not been provided yet, check back with the Disney Parks Blog on July 11 for a link. BTW, I have seen it, it is wonderful!

For live link on July 11: Disney Parks Blog

‘Inside Disney Parks’ Newscast #4

There is a lot going on this Summer at Disney Parks around the world, and this new Inside Disney Parks Newscast features a look at all the new attractions at Disney Parks. The video looks at the new Shanghai Disneyland attractions (please bring the Tron Coaster to Disney World!), Frozen Ever After and the new Soarin’.

Did I miss any Disney news this week that should have been included?

art of animation resort

5 Reasons to stay at Disney’s Art of Animation

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Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is Walt Disney World’s newest Value Resort, having opened in 2012. It is a first at Walt Disney World, a Value Resort that offered family suites, rooms that slept 6 rather. All the other Value Resort rooms only sleep 4, with the exception of a few test family suites located at All-Star Music. Originally intended to be the second half of Pop Century, Art of Animation was redesigned years after it was originally scheduled to open with the majority of rooms as family suites. But why should you stay at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort?

5 Reasons to stay at Disney’s Art of Animation

art of animation

  1. Little Mermaid Rooms – Everyone loves Ariel, and the Art of Animation Resort is the only place you can find Little Mermaid themed rooms. These rooms are just standard value resort rooms with 2 double beds and a bathroom. Nothing too special, but the Little Mermaid theming makes them magical. If you have a little girl that loves Ariel, you have to stay here. Ok, blame it on your daughter, it is ok if you love Ariel too.
  2. Family Suites – This is the reason why most people choose to stay at Art of Animation. The family suites feature a “master” bedroom with its own bathroom, as well as a front room with 2 pull-down beds, and another full bathroom. So, these suites are perfect for families that want to stay together but need their space. You can choose between several themes for your family suite, either Cars, Lion King or Finding Nemo. Personally, I love the Cars rooms, they are really fun and well done. These rooms sleep 6, but please be aware of the cost, you can often find some rooms at deluxe hotels for about the same cost, so compare options for your family, you may be better off staying elsewhere.
  3. Big Blue Pool – This is THE value resort pool, none are bigger or better. Surrounded by Finding Nemo characters (or Finding Dory if you prefer), this pool is downright fun and plenty big for everyone at the resort. There is also the Schoolyard Sprayground, a fun water play area as well as Squirt’s Righteous Reef, a playground next to the pool. Don’t want all the people at the Big Blue Pool? Consider the Cozy Cone Pool near the Cars rooms or the Flippin Fins Pool near the Little Mermaid rooms. Both are smaller pools but have great theming and are just as fun as the Big Blue Pool.
  4. Landscape of Flavors – Art of Animation’s food court, Landscape of Flavors, is the envy of just about every other food court on property and runs circles around every other Value Resort food court. Grab a quick breakfast, lunch or dinner or refill your drink mug, Landscape of Flavors has options for everyone in your party.
  5. Art of Animation Resort Recreation – While I typically don’t hang out at the resort while at Disney, there are times you have a few hours at your resort, and Art of Animation has some great recreation options to fill your needs. Each night they offer a movie under the stars, usually featuring relatively recent Disney movies. This is my kid’s favorite thing to do outside of the parks. Art of Animation also rents Surrey Bikes that you can ride around the resort and Pop Century. Personally, I prefer to rent the bikes on the Boardwalk, if you have half an hour to spare at the resort, these bikes sure are fun. Art of Animation also features an awesome jogging trail, arcade and other entertainment options for you and your family.
  6. Bonus! Disney Skyliner! Walt Dinsey World has added the Disney Skyliner, a gondola system that will connect Art of Animation (and a few other Dinsey Resorts) with both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. That means staying at Art of Animation means fewer buses than other resorts and more really cool transportation with spectacular views.

Why do you stay at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort?

5 disney things July 1

5 Disney Things You Should Know This Week – July 1, 2016

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Each Friday, I provide 5 Disney things all Disney fans should know from this past week, just in case you missed them. This week, we feature news from Walt Disney World including information on the Candlelight Procesional packages, the Epcot Food & Wine Festival and other additional to Walt Disney World.

2016 Candlelight Processional Packages Now Available

If you are interested in booking a Candlelight Processional package at Epcot this year, bookings are now open for all restaurants. As a part of Holidays Around the World at Epcot, this favorite Walt Disney World Resort holiday tradition presents the story of Christmas in truly spectacular fashion – with a celebrity narrator, a 50-piece orchestra and a mass choir.

Celebrity narrators this year include some returning favorites like contemporary Christian music singer Steven Curtis Chapman, actors Whoopi Goldberg and Neil Patrick Harris and newcomers like legendary baseball player Cal Ripken, Jr. Here’s the list of confirmations we have so far:

  • 11/25-27 – Steven Curtis Chapman
  • 11/28-12/1 – Neil Patrick Harris
  • 12/2-12/3 – Whoopi Goldberg
  • 12/4-12/12 – TBA
  • 12/13-12/15 – Meredith Vieira
  • 12/16-12/18 – TBA
  • 12/19-12/21 – Joe Morton
  • 12/22-12/27 – TBA
  • 12/28-12/30 – Cal Ripken, Jr.

The processional is performed three times per night (5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.) during the holiday season at the American Gardens Theatre. These packages, available on select nights, include a delicious meal and a guaranteed seat for one of the Candlelight Processional performances. Availability is limited.

Magic Kingdom PinQuest

pinquest

Check it out, Walt Disney World has announced a new Disney pin trading scavenger hunt is coming to Magic Kingdom Park on June 30. 2016. The first step for this PinQuest is to purchase an adventure kit which contains a lanyard to showcase your pins; a decoder medal for use with PinQuest pins; and a lanyard pouch to hold the map included in the adventure kit. The lanyard pouch also holds PinQuest clue cards which are sold separately.

There are six different PinQuest clue cards. Each clue card has a question that needs answered and shared with a NavigatEAR Cast Member in a particular location. Once solved, you can redeem the clue card for a PinQuest pin using the perforated ticket on the bottom of the clue card.

For more information: New Disney PinQuest Coming to Magic Kingdom

2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival

epcot food wine festival

Information and dates have finally been released for the 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival. This year includes additonal food booths, more classes and celebrity chefs and of course teh Eat to the Beat concert series. Did I mention it is the longest Food & Wine Festival in the history of Epcot? 62 days!

For more information: 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival

Frontera Cocina now open at Disney Springs

frontera cocina

More Disney World restaurants are always welcome. This week, Frontera Cocina, the newest dining experience to join the lineup at Disney Springs, is now open! Located in Town Center, Frontera Cocina features exciting flavors and a contemporary Mexican experience developed by renowned Chef Rick Bayless.

Chef Bayless offers his award-winning taste of dishes such as Oaxacan Red Chile Chicken, Salsa Verde Shrimp Enchiladas Suizas and freshly made salsas and guacamole. There’s also a quick-service taco counter.

Chef Bayless created his Frontera franchise in Chicago in 1981. His other notable restaurants include Xoco, Frontera Grill, Toplobampo, Leña Brava and Cruz Blanca. He may be best known for winning the title of Bravo TV’s “Top Chef Masters,” but his national Public Television Series, “Mexico–One Plate at a Time,” is in its 10th season. He’s won multiple awards from the James Beard Foundation, including the foundation’s highest award, Outstanding Restaurant, for Frontera Grill in 2007. He also won two for his cookbooks, Midwest Chef of the Year, National Chef of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year and Who’s Who of Food and Beverage in America.

‘Inside Disney Parks’ Newscast #4

Episode 4 of the Inside Disney Parks newscast is now available, and includes all the information you need to enjoy the 4th of July at Walt Disney World. Enjoy!

Did I miss any Disney news this week that should have been included?