Disney, Fox, and Comcast On Short List of Potential Buyers of WWE

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January 8, 2023

Disney, Fox, and Comcast On Short List of Potential Buyers of WWE. Vince McMahon rejoined the WWE board Friday and he has been brought back to oversee the sale of WWE to potential buyers. Disney is on a short list to purchase the company that features hundreds of live events each year, along with PPV Events, and the headliner of the year Wrestlemania.

According to CNBC JP Morgan has been hired to advise the sale, some of the names being reported on the Shortlist are Amazon, Netflix, Disney, Comcast/NBCUniversal, Fox, and the Saudi Arabian Public Interest Fund.

“My return will allow WWE, as well as any transaction counterparties, to engage in these processes knowing they will have the support of the controlling shareholder,” McMahon said in a statement Thursday.

Disney, Fox, and Comcast On Short List of Potential Buyers of WWE

From CNBC “Returning CEO Bob Iger may want to make a splashy acquisition as he retakes the throne at Disney. WWE fits Disney in the same ways that it fits Comcast. It would bolster Disney’s streaming ambitions (perhaps ESPN+), it would support the linear network business, and it would add some heft to merchandizing and theme park businesses.

Comcast didn’t want Disney to walk away with Fox in 2019 and drove up the price by tens of billions by topping Iger’s initial bid. Could Iger see WWE as the next IP battle between Disney and his rival Comcast?”

No word from The Walt Disney Company as of this writing, but do not expect Disney to be very open to buying the WWE right now with the company on a hiring freeze and Bob Iger recently said the company is looking internally to tighten the ship and is not a buyer at the moment.

But deep in the back of my mind, how cool would it be to see Mickey Mouse with a Sami Zane T-Shirt on? Or Donald with “Tribal Chief”? Is Merida doing a meet and greet as “The Man” Becky Lynch? Could we see Daisy as “The Queen” Charlotte Flair? WoooOOOo I digress, you get the point. Chip and Dale along with Goofy could be The New Day? ok, I am done.

SNEAK PEEK: Marvel’s ‘Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur’

By

Greg Gately

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January 8, 2023

SNEAK PEEK: ‘Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur’ On Disney Channel, the highly anticipated animated series Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur chronicles the adventures of 13-year-old super-genius Lunella Lafayette and her 10-ton T-Rex; look for it to debut on February 10.

Marvel has shared a brand new sneak peek which you can watch below. Get ready because ‘Marvel’s ‘Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur‘ is coming soon! And now you can get a sneak peek at the action, as Lunella and Devil Dinosaur bring a new level of style to Super Heroes.

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur

‘Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur’ is based on the hit comic books from Marvel and is all about Lunella, Marvel’s first African American teenage girl Super Hero and her pal, Devil Dinosaur. The series stars Diamond White as Lunella Lafayette (aka Moon Girl), Fred Tatasciore as Devil Dinosaur, Libe Barer as Casey, Alfre Woodard as Mimi, Sasheer Zamata as Adria, Jermaine Fowler as James Jr., Gary Anthony Williams as Pops and executive producer Laurence Fishburne as The Beyonder.

Behind the scenes, Grammy Award-winning Raphael Saadiq serves as the series’ executive music producer and the series is executive-produced by Laurence Fishburne and Helen Sugland’s Cinema Gypsy Productions and Emmy Award-winner Steve Loter.

Originally slated to open in the summer of 2022, you can now watch the premier on Disney + February 10th, 2023.

Source – SNEAK PEEK: ‘Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur’

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Preparations Underway for the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts 2023

By

Greg Gately

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January 8, 2023

Preparations Underway for the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts 2023. Art and foodie lovers, mark your calendars! The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts returns on Jan. 13 and runs through Feb. 20, 2023, at the Walt Disney World Resort. The festival is a global celebration of visual, culinary, and performing arts where guests can find inspiration and discover their own creativity in fun ways across the park.

We will be on hand with a sneak peek on Thursday afternoon with a look at Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey: Art, Food, and Little Sparks of Magic at 3:00 PM, where we will get a look and meet some of the chefs, artists, and people behind making Arts 2023 happen.

Prior to that, we got around World Showcase today and saw all the preparations and tents being installed around the Epcot. Some of our favorites are returning this year. DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series, Figment Popcorn Buckets, Thomas Kinkade, and so much food and artistry.

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Topping the “must-do” list: 16 delectable Food Studios will serve up art-inspired menus appealing to a variety of palates. The creations are not just delicious, but true works of art.

And this just in! The EPCOT Festival culinary team is putting the finishing touches on two new Food Studios. Moderne, located near Test Track presented by Chevrolet, will feature new mouthwatering avant-garde menu items. The other new Food Studio, Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey: Art, Food, and Little Sparks of Magic, promises to deliver treats and beverages bursting with vibrant colors and flavors. We’ll share more details about these delicious new concepts in early 2023!

Are you excited about the Festival of the Arts 2023?

EPCOT International Festival of the Arts 2023

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Iconic Parks Posters Revealed from Disney Artist Eric Tan for 2023 International Festival of the Arts

By

Greg Gately

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January 8, 2023

Iconic Parks Posters Revealed from Disney Artist Eric Tan for 2023 International Festival of the Arts. with 3 out of 4 Disney Park Icon artworks now known, Disney Artist who works in Consumer Products Eric Tan will be at Epcot’s Festival of the Arts Presented by AT&T 2023. Check out the 3 we know about below, and does anyone have a guess on the 4th?

Check out Eric Tan’s Schedule below, He will be at the Odyssey Events pavilion in late January.

“Super-excited to be a part of the Epcot International Festival of the Arts for the 1st time! I’ll be there along with 4 all-new pieces featuring 4 iconic Disney Parks. See if you can guess which ones?!? More info to come on signing times. I hope to see y’all there!!”

With the EPCOT Festival of the Arts right around the corner, here’s a look at the 1st of 4 new prints debuting at the event. I chose to go a different route on the series rather than focusing on particular films, characters, or attractions and celebrating the actual Florida Parks. Each Park has such a unique architectural aesthetic created by the geniuses at Imagineering.

Each one features its own series of iconic landmarks that tell as much of a story as classic Disney films. From the shapes to the colors, to the music – you truly feel as if you’re transported into a different world each time. I love walking around each one and observing everything that defines each Park (and stuffing my face while doing so!). Anyhoo, Here’s my tribute to EPCOT!

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Here’s the 2nd print of 4 making its debut at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. Continuing the theme of focusing on architecture and landmarks that define each Park, for Disney’s Animal Kingdom I focused on the Tree of Life. It’s such an iconic visual and has a wealth of storytelling the closer you look at all of the intricate carvings within. In order to not get too busy with the composition, I came up with a different approach to rendering the tree using multiple layers of transparent colors to ‘build’ the trunk.

The tree has such a strong and unique silhouette at the Park and I wanted that to be the main road. With the color palette, I wanted to capture nature itself with greens, browns, blues, and yellows. In the distance, you can see the other major landmark of the Park, Expedition Everest. I have yet to ride it and am very much excited to finally do so & scream my head off in a few weeks!

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Here’s the 3rd of 4 original prints debuting at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. I was most excited about tackling Hollywood Studios with all of the amazing Art Deco architecture and the organic contrast that the spires of Galaxies Edge would bring.

The Tower of Terror looms large above everything at the Park so that became the focal point, similar to the Tree of Life and Spaceship Earth in the previous posts. Each of the 4 prints captures a specific time of day as well. While it’s impossible to represent every attraction at the Park, I had to give love to Toy Story Land with the tiny Buzz flying around. I had so much fun working on this series and I hope to see some of you at the Festival!!

Disney Artist Eric Tan

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Man Goes into Drunken Rampage at T-Rex Cafe in Disney Springs and Attempts to Bite Arresting Officer

By

Chip

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January 8, 2023

Man Goes into Drunken Rampage at T-Rex Cafe in Disney Springs and Attempts to Bite Arresting Officer

Arnett Gregory Jr., 50, of Kent, Ohio decided to go on a Dinosaur-Like Rampage throughout T-Rex Cafe in Disney Springs when he was cut him off after being intoxicated back on November 26th, 2022 according to his arrest report.

According to the report Arnett was cut off at the child-friendly establishment due to being drunk, when he fell asleep at the bar he was asked by Management to leave the restaurant. He then decided to lunge at the Manager and acted aggressively toward the other Cast Members, causing a scene in front of parents and children.

He did end up leaving the restaurant only to return a few minutes later looking for the manager that kicked him out who was back in the kitchen. He got into a bit of an altercation with the manager and pushed the manager over into some children.

Orange County Sherriffs arrived on the scene around 3:20 pm and took Greggory out of the main area of the restaurant out of the view of all the families and kids eating.

He then started yelling profanities at the Police Officers and attempted to impede them from getting him in handcuffs. He then lowered his head towards the officer’s left arm and attempted to bite him after being warned not to bite the officer.

Finally secured in handcuffs the arresting officer and deputy escorted him out of the T-Rex Cafe through Disney Springs. Arnett began to yell loudly and cursed causing several people to stop what they were doing and stare at them.

While walking through the crowds of people he then decided to headbutt the lead Deputy while yelling more profanities at both officers.

The Officers noted the strong smell of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and needing assistance walking from Arnett.

Arnett Gregory was arrested and charged with a third-degree felony count of battery on a law enforcement officer and two misdemeanors for battery and resisting an officer without violence. He has pleaded not guilty. His arraignment hearing is scheduled for Jan. 26, Orange Circuit Court records show.

Jon Favreau Working on a New Mandalorian Spinoff Series

By

Greg Gately

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January 8, 2023

Jon Favreau working on a Mandalorian Spinoff Series. The “Mandoverse” looks to be expanding again. With mixed reactions to the Boba Fett series, which was saved by having The Mandalorian 2.5 episodes shown in the middle, it is surprising that we may now see another spinoff.

According to entertainment insider Daniel Richtman via Patreon, The Mandalorian producers Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni are in the early stages of developing yet another series based on the Mandalorian. “Ghost Track 17” is the early working title.

It now looks like this new spinoff will join, Boba Fett, the Ashoka series, and Skeleton Crew where all of them should eventually cross paths. There are so many could questions, that speculation now would just lead down the rabbit hole of could lead to Rebels, could this series be a Grand Finale of sorts?

New Mandalorian Spinoff Series

The Mandolorian season 3 is due to premiere on Disney + on March 1st, 2023.

After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe. “The Mandalorian” is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. We follow the travails of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy, far from the authority of the New Republic.

Source – New Mandalorian Spin-off Show In Development With Jon Favreau (Rumor)

Jon Favreau Working on a New Mandalorian Spinoff Series

Disney Files Patent for Flying Robots at the Theme Parks

By

Greg Gately

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January 8, 2023

Disney Files Patent for Flying Robots at the Theme Parks. In 2022, Kevin Feige joined Josh D’Amaro on stage at D23 Expo to announce an exciting new expansion coming to Avengers Campus in Disneyland California. King Thanos and the Multiverse will come to a new attraction where guests can ride the Quinjet. Could this further expansion also have flying robots? Could Iron Man fly over Avengers Campus?

In a newly filed patent by Disney Enterprise Inc. for a flying robot that “can be designed, built, and operated/controlled to maintain convincing character movement and appearance”.

Disney Files Patent for Flying Robots

“A robot including a hybrid fan-based and fluid-based propulsion system to provide thrust, such as deceleration during fall to create a smooth landing or to provide a quick reduction in velocity, and to provide actuation/controlled motion, such as to hover after quick deceleration and to control orientation or pose. The hybrid propulsion system uses discharging of pressurized fluid and exhausted gas (or fluid in some cases) from ducted fans (or propellers, impellers, and the like) to provide controlled thrust and/or lift forces.

The hybrid propulsion system uses pressurized fluid for generating larger or primary thrust and quick changes in velocity. The hybrid propulsion system includes a fan-based propulsion assembly with ducted fans that use environmental air (or fluids) to provide lower or secondary thrust. Both types of propulsion can be integrated into a robot or robotic figure to move the robot during flight (e.g., during falling or hovering).”

This technology is still years away from actuality, but so is the expansion to Avengers Campus. We already know there will be a flying Baymax over Sleeping Beauty Castle for the upcoming Disney100 fireworks in Disneyland, but could we see more coming to Disney California or other Disney Parks across the globe?

Grand Floridian Loungefly and Wallet available now at M. Mouse Merchantile

By

Greg Gately

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January 8, 2023

Grand Floridian Loungefly and Wallet available now at M. Mouse Merchantile. We have been seeing some great Disney merchandise showing up at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. We wrote about the Loungefly mini-backpack a few weeks ago and now we have a purse and wallet to join the collection.

The new matching wallet and purse feature the Grand Floridian “GF” logo impressed all over. Gold Logo and gold plated Loungefly plate. White faux leather with streaks of blue and gold lines. The purse has a gold mickey latch. Purse $75.00 Wallet $70.00

Enter the house of the mouse for all things Mickey: apparel, toys, jewelry, and more—plus princess wear and pin trading!

Grand Floridian Loungefly and Wallet

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Disney News Round-Up: Gov. DeSantis wants more Government Control of WDW, Evil Na’vi in Avatar 3, Menus for Festival of the Arts Released, Florida Resident Ticket Offer

By

Greg Gately

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January 8, 2023

Disney News Round-Up: Gov. DeSantis wants more Government Control of WDW, Evil Na’vi in Avatar 3, Menus for Festival of the Arts Released, Florida Resident Ticket Offer, and a lot of new merchandise has been released in Walt Disney World Resorts.

Walt Disney World

Shopping and Food

Disney News Round-Up

The Walt Disney Company

Disney World Refurbishment & Closure Schedule for January 2023

By

Sara

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January 7, 2023

Disney World Refurbishment & Closure Schedule for January 2023

Closures happen often at Walt Disney World. Rides need to be maintained and taken care of. Here is the refurbishment and closure schedule for January 2023.

Magic Kingdom

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Thunder Mountain is closing from January 9 to 13 for a brief refurbishment.
Splash Mountain: This iconic ride will close on January 22 to start its re-theme. It will open again in late 2024 as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Tomorrowland Light & Power Co: The store has been closed for refurbishment for a few months now. There’s no set reopening date yet.

Epcot

Tokyo Dining: This restaurant in the Japan Pavilion is currently closed for a lengthy refurbishment and won’t reopen until this summer.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Kali River Rapids: The water raft ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be closed for its annual refurbishment from January 9 to March 17.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

From January 9, 2023 through early April 2023, the feature pool and whirlpool spas will be closed for refurbishment

Disney Skyliner

From January 22, 2023, through January 29, 2023, the Disney Skyliner will be closed for refurbishment.

Disney’s Beach Club & Villas

From January 7, 2023 through early April 2023, Disney’s Beach Club Villas will undergo refurbishment.

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

From January 9, 2023 through early April 2023, Meadow Swimmin’ Pool and whirlpool spa will be closed for refurbishment.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

From January 3, 2023 through early February 2023, the water slide at the Lava Pool will be closed for refurbishment.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

From early January 2023 through late March 2023, High Rock Spring Pool, On the Rocks Pool Bar and the leisure pool at Treehouse Villas will be closed for refurbishment.

Will any of these closures impact your visit?

If you’d like to plan your next visit to Disney World, contact me today! I am the preferred travel partner with Chip & Co and my services are complimentary. I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation!

Get a First Look at the Disney100 Cast Member Name Tags coming to Disneyland

By

Sara

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January 7, 2023

Get a First Look at the Disney100 Cast Member Name Tags coming to Disneyland

The Disney100 celebration begins later this month at the Disneyland Resort. As part of the celebration, there will be new Disney100 Cast Member name tags! Take a look.

The 100 Years of Wonder Celebration will begin at the Disneyland Resort on January 27, 2023. Cast Members will get new Disney100 name tags. Back in August, Cast Members also got to choose a Disney character name to be featured on these new name tags. Hundreds of character names were available to choose from but not all Disney characters were included.

Cast Members who work in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge won’t get these new nametags, however. The Cast Members who do get the new name tags will be able to wear them throughout 2023.

What do you think of the new name tags?

If you’d like to visit Disneyland during the 100 Years of Wonder Celebration, contact me today! I am the preferred travel partner with Chip & Co and my services are complimentary. I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation!

50 New Menu Items Coming to 2023 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

By

Sara

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January 7, 2023

50 New Menu Items Coming to 2023 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

The 2023 Epcot International Festival of the Arts returns to Walt Disney World on Friday. 50 new menu items will be coming to the Festival and we can’t wait to try them! Take a look and let us know what you think.

Pop Eats (Near Port of Entry)

Tomato Soup with pimento cheese, bacon, and fried green tomato grilled cheese

Deco Delights (Near Port of Entry)

Espresso Martini featuring Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka

The Craftsman’s Courtyard (Near Creations Shop)

BrewDog Jet Black Heart Nitro Oatmeal Stout

Refreshment Outpost

Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co. Berries & Cream Sour Berliner
Left Hand Brewing Co. Wook Bait IPA

Pastoral Palate (Germany)

Black Forest Cake: Chocolate Mousse with morello cherries and chantilly cream

The Artist’s Table (The American Adventure)

Three-Meat Meatloaf with “Peas and Carrots”: Green pea pudding, carrot ketchup, shaved carrot salad, and snap peas
Duck and Dumplings: Smoked duck breast, ricotta dumplings, petite vegetables, and duck jus
Hummingbird Cake: Banana cake with pineapple, coconut, pecans, and cream cheese frosting with banana sorbet
Boulevard Brewing Co. Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale
Parish Brewing Co. South Coast Session Amber Ale
Brewery Ommegang Three Philosophers Belgian Quad

Refreshment Port (Near Canada)

Boulevard Brewing Co. Quirk Blueberry Lemon & Lavender Hard Seltzer

Moderne (Near Test Track) – NEW IN 2023!

Compressed Watermelon Tataki with pickled watermelon rind, yuzu Pearls, watermelon foam, and wasabi (✓ – Plant Based Item)
Angry Crab: Whole crispy soft-shell crab with green papaya salad, mango-sriracha fluid gel, and coconut-lime foam with pomegranate and mango crush pearls
The Tropics: Lilikoi mousse, guava cake, coconut crémeux, compressed pineapple, and mango gel
Watermelon Mary featuring Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka
J. Lohr Riesling

**Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey: Art, Food, and Little Sparks of Magic – NEW IN 2023!**

Fruit Pizza: Watermelon, compressed cantaloupe, berries, and berry balsamic (✓ – Plant Based Item and Gluten/Wheat Friendly Item)
Grape Smoothie with freeze dried SKITTLES bite sized candies (non-alcoholic)
3 Daughters Brewing Black Cherry Hard Cider
3 Daughters Brewing Blood Orange Hard Cider
3 Daughters Brewing Passion Fruit Hard Cider
Rainbow Cider Flight
81Bay Brewing Co. Green with Envy Blonde Ale
81Bay Brewing Co. Blue Butterfly Lager
Urban Artifact The Gadget Raspberry & Blackberry Midwest Fruit Tart
Rainbow Beer Flight

Connections Café

Figment Liege Waffle

L’Art de la Cuisine Française (France)

Mille-Feuille de Betteraves aux Herbes et Noix de Cajoux: Plant-based Napoleon with beets, cashew-herb filling, pepper-pine nut sauce, and balsamic vinegar caviar (✓ – Plant Based Item)
Domaine Raphaël Sallet, Mâcon-Uchizy Les Maranches 2020, Chardonnay, Mâconnais, Burgundy
Cîroc Sunset Citrus Vodka Spritz

El Artista Hambriento (Mexico)

Carne Asada: Chipotle-marinated beef sirloin, sweet potato purée, and crispy-fried onions
Huarache de Champiñones: Guajillo chile and corn masa huarache with pinto beans, oyster mushrooms, nopales, queso fresco, and pea tendrils
Flan de Coco: Coconut flan, guava sauce, and whipped cream (✓ – Gluten/Wheat Friendly Item)
Bombon Margarita “Marshmallow”: Ilegal Mezcal Reposado, marshmallow cordial, lime juice, agave nectar and a hint of coffee and elderflower served with a toasted marshmallow
Las Californias: Tromba Blanco Tequila, strawberry-lime purée, and Las Californias Citrus Mexican Gin

Goshiki (Japan)

Rainbow Katsu Sando: Pork cutlet sandwich with tangy tonkatsu sauce and cabbage in rainbow sweet bread
Ichigo Daifuku: Mixed berry mochi, sweet azuki bean paste, and mascarpone
Sui Sui Watercolor Lager
Purple Yuzu Sake Lemonade: Sake cocktail infused with butterfly pea flower and yuzu lemonade

The Painted Panda (China)

Silk Road Hard Lemonade with Smirnoff Vodka, lavender-coconut syrup, and lemonade

L’Arte di Mangiare (Italy)

Mozzarella Fritta: Flash-fried Breaded Fresh Mozzarella with Artist Palette Condiments
Ravioli ai Funghi, Perle Tartufate: Wild Mushroom-stuffed Pasta with Truffle Butter and Truffle Pearls
Budino al Cioccolato: Chocolate Pudding with Colorful Chocolate Décor

Funnel Cake

Mocha Funnel Cake: Mini funnel cake with cappuccino ice cream topped with chocolate whipped cream and M&M’S chocolate candies

Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company

World Discovery (Near Mission: SPACE)

Amber Frost: An artistic blend of frozen lemon ice, a splash of Minute Maid Premium Lemonade, blood orange, and orange popping boba pearls (Alcoholic version available with Grey Goose Vodka)

Near Canada

Magenta Frost: An artistic blend of frozen lemon ice, a splash of Minute Maid Premium Lemonade, dragon fruit, and dragon fruit popping boba pearls (Alcoholic version available with Grey Goose Vodka)

Showcase Plaza (Near Disney Traders)

Jade Frost: An artistic blend of frozen lemon ice, a splash of Minute Maid Premium Lemonade, green apple, and green apple popping boba pearls (Alcoholic version available with Grey Goose Vodka)

The American Adventure

Cerulean Frost: An artistic blend of frozen lemon ice, a splash of Minute Maid Premium Lemonade, blue raspberry, and blueberry popping boba pearls (Alcoholic version available with Grey Goose Vodka)

Which menu items are you looking forward to trying?

If you’d like to experience the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, contact me today! I am the preferred travel partner with Chip & Co and my services are free. I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation!