Disney is expanding Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café in the Magic Kingdom

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January 31, 2017

Disney is working on expanding the popular Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café in the Magic Kingdom.

Work has started on the guest bathrooms to expand and remodel them, guest are being redirected to Mickey’s Star Traders to use the restrooms. Also Disney plans on adding more covered seating outside to accommodate large groups.

The restaurant will remain open during the expansion and will take place in phases between now and the completion date of this summer.

Is Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café a must do when visiting Disney? I for one love the food here and especially love the 1/2 chicken and pulled pork combo!

Planet Hollywood Observatory in Disney Springs Grand Opening Review

By

Lisette R

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January 31, 2017

Planet Hollywood Observatory Disney Springs has opened after many unforseen delays, cancelled reservations, a forgotten media event, and a whole lot of hype about the newly imagined menu and interior refurbishment. The restaurant opened its doors for business late in the afternoon on Friday, January 27th. Since reservations were unavailable, we showed up as a walk-in and only waited about 20 minutes to be seated. Here is our review of an interesting meal experience at Planet Hollywood Observatory Disney Springs.

As you enter Planet Hollywood Observatory, you will notice the staircase that used to be outside the building and is now housed within the enclosed entrance on the ground floor. You will be greeted by one, or more, team members asking if you have a reservation. We spoke with a young lady and told her we did not have reservations but would like to be seated as a walk-in. She directed us to head up the stairs to a young lady standing at the top of the staircase. As we headed towards the stairs we were asked by another young lady if she could help us. We told her we had been directed up the stairs. After going up a couple of stairs, another young lady asked if we had reservations. Told her no but that we had been directed to the young lady at the top of the staircase. I have to admit, this was not a good first impression for my party of three. They will need to get their act together on how they approach guests as they enter the building.

As we arrived at the top of stairs, the young lady handed us a red ticket and instructed us to take it to the podium to check in. We asked what the “V.I.P. Photo Experience” is. She told us it is a photo-op at the bottom of the stairs where you have your picture taken and then they will bring them to your table for you to decide if you wish to purchase them. The bottom of the stairs? All we could do was laugh as we headed back down to face the fiasco again. There was no line for photos so we waited a couple of minutes as the young man was speaking with another team member. We finally asked if we could get our picture taken. He took our photo and we headed back upstairs to finish checking in. We gave a phone number to the young lady at the podium so they could text us when our table was ready in about 40 minutes.

I decided to meander around the first floor area. There is a bar and seating area just to the left with a feature wall of Planet Hollywood souvenir glasses and bottles of alcohol. The main dining area is situated to the right. There is also a large outside patio seating area towards the back. It was too cold to eat outdoors so there was no-one seated out there.

The many carpets of Planet Hollywood Observatory Disney Springs will boggle the mind. We are not sure the actual intent of the variety of carpeting we saw throughout the restaurant, but it does not have any kind of flow to it. We feel pretty strongly that they should have just stuck with the tile we saw in the bar areas.

We were escorted up to the second floor after only 20 minutes of waiting. Our table was along the round central point of the dining area where the large observatory telescope is situated. Things were looking up now! We asked about why our red ticket stated we would be seated on Floor 3, but we were actually seated on Floor 2. The young lady told us that Floor 3 was still undergoing construction and was not open yet although they had just served a large tour group of 250 young ladies from Argentina and had to utilize the third floor for part of that group. Our table offered excellent views of the first floor, the nearly 5,000 square foot projection video wall, the memorabilia along the walls, and some of the third floor as well.

We really liked the smaller, more intimate bar located on the second floor. The entire restaurant is quite dark and the music videos playing on the projection screen are too loud. This bar area is tucked away from all that just a bit and we really liked this spot.

After we were seated Kat arrived to show us our pictures from the photo-op downstairs. You can purchase one print for $20 or the package for $30. Kat was very sweet even though we did not choose to purchase any of the pictures.

The menu is broken down into sections. You will find Appetizers, Salads, Pastas, Sides, Big Bite Burgers, Knuckle Sandwiches, Specialties, Beverages, Signature Cocktails, Big Dipper Shakes, SuperNova Shakes, and Non-Alchoholic Specialty Drinks. Pricing is a bit steep so keep that in mind. The Disney Dining Plan is accepted although you will have to ask what items are covered as the menu does not have the standard Disney Dining Plan symbols most of us are familiar with when ordering at Walt Disney World Restaurants. Kids Meals run $9.99 each and cover the standards of Cheese Pizza, Chicken Fingers, Macaroni and Cheese, Salad, or Spaghetti and Meatballs.

Now on to the food! First we ordered the High Roller Sampler. The presentation of this appetizer was amazing, although it really would have put it over the top if the ferris wheel it is presented on actually rotated, which it does not. The High Roller Sampler includes Five Cheese Dip with chips and pita bread, Buffalo Wings, Peri-Peri Shrimp, Texas Tostados, and Chicken Crunch. We all liked the Texas Tostados. The Peri-Peri Shrimp was very good and our favorite was the Chicken Crunch with Creole Mustard Dipping Sauce. There was four of each item and the menu stated it served four which was appropriate for an appetizer. That being said, the items did not quite justify the price of $34.99.

For our entrees we ordered the Bacon Mac-N-Cheese Burger and the Turkey Pic-A-Nic Knuckle Sandwich. The burger itself was done medium-well and was quite flavorful. The Mac-N-Cheese, on the other hand, was very bland. We were expecting a sharper cheese flavor but honestly it tasted like pasta without the cheese and that was a bit disappointing. If you are not a fan of shredded lettuce, you might want to ask for it to be served on the side as there is a lot of it! The Crispy Onion Straws were quite lost in the lettuce as a result. This burger is impossible to eat without a fork and a knife. Unless they do something about the Mac-N-Cheese, we will not order this again. The Turkey Pic-A-Nic was quite good with the exception of the pretzel bun. While an interesting concept, the pretzel bun was not warm or even toasted and it is quite dry as you would expect from pretzel bread. The turkey, cranberry relish, and donkey sauce are a good combination of flavors and when you throw the BBQ Kettle Chips you get a crunch of added flavor. The seasoned fries were just okay and nothing to write home about.

The dessert menu had some interesting options. After seeing the SuperNova Shakes we knew that was what we would like to try on our first visit. The Ice Cream and Gelato Challenge is not yet available as they were unsure of whether or not they would be open this weekend. The three Star Jars that are available on the dessert menu are your options for dessert under the Disney Dining Plan.

We have seen the pictures for some time now of these SuperNova Shakes that would be available on the Planet Hollywood Observatory Disney Springs Menu. The Chocolate Comet option features a brownie, a Kit-Kat Bar, Whipped Cream, and Chocolate Sauce on top of a frozen mason jar coated with chocolate, M&M’s, Whoppers, and Peanut Butter Cups. We realized afterwards that our Chocolate Comet was missing the Large Straw and the Cookie Straw so we had to ask for spoons and straws. Our Server was not happy that this was brought to us without being complete. The chocolate milkshake itself was pretty good, but not the best we have had. The Strawberry Big Bang features an entire piece of Vanilla Cake with a Swirled Lollipop on top of whipped cream. This is all served over a vanilla frosting and sprinkles coated mason jar. We are big on Milkshakes and while these are good, at $14 each they are not great.

Our favorite part of the Planet Hollywood Observatory Disney Springs experience was this guy right here. Joshua Lozada was our Server and he was absolutely amazing. Joshua answered all of our questions and he was very knowledgable of all the food offerings. He has an excellent sense of humor, he is quite patient, and we enjoyed speaking and laughing with him. If you do plan a visit to this restaurant be sure to ask for Joshua. You will not be disappointed as he really made the experience special for us.

As you exit the dining room, you can step into the first floor of the Planet Hollywood Observatory Store. If you miss it, never fear because they will have you exit to your left mid-way down the staircase so you can exit through the ground level section of the store.

Our first experience at the Planet Hollywood Observatory Disney Springs was very interesting. A day later and we are still reeling from the mish-mash of flooring and overall theming of this newly re-imagined restaurant. The third floor is still undergoing construction of sorts and the Celestial Projection that is supposed to be projected inside the dome is also not ready. We strongly recommend seating on the second floor as the first floor is louder with an over-abundance of sound and confusion.

If we do decide to try another meal at Planet Hollywood Observatory Disney Springs we will be doing so during warmer weather with a table on the outdoor patio overlooking the Disney Springs. The music videos being displayed on the large video projection screen were fun for the ten-year-old in our party but are simply too loud to enjoy a conversation through your meal. The space is also quite dark, which one should expect when dining in a dome.

Based on our taste preferences, and our overall experience with this new restaurant, we highly recommend the High Roller Sampler and Desserts or Milkshakes. If you are traveling with school-aged children, they will enjoy the menu choices and the massive video projection screen. There are a few items we would still like to try from the menu, however we are not going to make a special trip to Planet Hollywood Observatory. Rather, we will stop by on a future Disney Springs visit to try and enjoy the outdoor patio seating, overlooking Disney Springs, for appetizers, desserts, and another quality service experience by Joshua. We will be sure to check out the Stargazers Bar area, located on the lower outdoor level overlooking the Disney Springs at that time as well. Planet Hollywood Observatory Disney Springs is open from 11:00am-1:00am.

You can see our Live Video tour of Planet Hollywood Observatory Disney Springs here:

What would you like to try on your visit to Planet Hollywood Observatory Disney Springs? Please leave your comments in the box below.

When Should I Go To Walt Disney World???

By

Catie

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January 31, 2017

The decision to take a trip to Walt Disney World is one of the best ones you will ever make – it’s a magical place full of fun and something for everyone! It will be magical and amazing no matter when you go – but if you ask me, there are definitely some times of year that are better than others to take a WDW vacation. So if you’re not sure when to go, then read on for my tips on how to decide what time of year is best for your WDW trip:

Crowds: This is one of the biggest considerations (at least for me!) when it comes to picking a time of year to visit WDW – and it probably is high on your list, too! No one wants to stand around waiting 2+ hours for every ride, or have to literally push through a crowd to get anywhere – that is no fun for anyone! That being said – these are the busiest (and normally the ones I try to avoid the most) times at the WDW Parks: The week before and the week of Christmas through New Year’s, from Memorial Day weekend through mid-August, and the weeks of President’s Day (in the later part of February) and the week of Easter (usually falls in early April). Those are the times where you will see the biggest crowds at Disney, and should you decide to go during one of these times, you will want to be prepared with my Tips for battling the crowds at WDW.

Special Events: Disney has tons of special events they host annually – from a food & wine festival, to a flower & garden festival, running events like 5k’s and half and full marathons, Christmas parties, Halloween parties, and special events for just about any and every holiday you can think of! There’s always something special going on somewhere at WDW – check out the official special events page to learn more, and to see if you might want to head to Disney and partake in one (or more!) of these events. Some of them require advance ticket purchase – so it’s best to do this well in advance of your trip so you have everything you need ahead of time

Weather: Ah, Orlando and your weather. Such an interesting place – and for those who have never been, I can sum it up in just a few words: RAIN, and HUMIDITY. It gets HOT in Orlando, which wouldn’t be so bad in it’s own – if it wasn’t for the cripplingly thick humidity that accompanies it – that’s the worst part, for sure. The hottest/most humid months at Disney are June through October – where the temperatures will easily hit or surpass 90 daily. And most of those days at peak humidity time (usually early afternoon), there will be rain showers too – luckily they are normally brief, so as long as you bring along some ponchos you won’t miss out on any of the fun! August through November bring the added issue of Hurricane season into the mix – and while Orlando doesn’t often have actual hurricanes hit it, the rain will be more intense and long lasting during these times (again – PONCHOS – seriously). November – March tend to be the coolest months – with highs averaging in the 70’s, and April and May will start to creep up into the 80’s with plenty of sun, too (sunscreen is a must too!). Taking the weather into consideration is always a smart thing to do when planning a trip – if for no other reason than it helps you pack and be prepared for the elements

School: For those of you with school age children, you will want to take the school calendar into consideration as well. Knowing that many schools get the same weeks/long weekends off, you may be wondering if taking them out of school for a few days or a week would be worth it. And I wish I could answer that with a straight YES or NO for you – but the truth is it really depends on the school. Many will work with the parents if they have enough advance notice and get together homework/reading the child will miss so it can be done on the plane/car ride to Disney, and then some schools don’t condone pulling a child out for vacation and doing so is greatly frowned upon. Personally I think it’s worth a shot to at least ask the school, see what their policies are, and go from there

So then, you may be wondering…
What is the absolute BEST time of year to go to Walt Disney World? For me it has to be early September (after Labor Day) – the weather is still warm (but not as unbearably hot as it might be in July or August, the crowds are light as the majority of schools have just begun the school year and parents won’t generally be comfortable pulling them out for vacation yet, and best of all – the FALL decorations will be up for your viewing pleasure (Mickey pumpkins and wreaths as far as the eye can see!). Alternately, anytime in September will be pretty light crowd wise, as would the month of May (before Memorial Day Weekend) – I would recommend any of those times to someone who is looking to avoid the crowds. But – everyone is different – so hopefully these tips can help you pick the best time to visit with your family!

Final Trailer For “Beauty And The Beast” Released

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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January 30, 2017

The new trailer for Disney’s live-action adaptation of “Beauty and the Beast” debuted tonight on ABC’s broadcast of “The Bachelor” featuring new footage and Ariana Grande and John Legend’s duet of the iconic song Beauty and the Beast. Directed by Bill Condon, the film brings the story and characters audiences know and love to life in a stunning, cinematic event. Be sure to check it out, and don’t forget to see “Beauty and the Beast” on March 17 when the film hits theaters nationwide.

Check it out

See you in the theaters March 17th!

“Welcome Home!” With a Burlap Disney Garden Flag

By

Danielle

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January 30, 2017

To me, Disney will always be “H°o°ME”, but when I can’t be there, there’s no reason I can’t have a little bit of Disney magic at home. What better way to welcome guests to your home than with a sparkling burlap Disney Garden Flag by DaintyDivaBows!

This is a perfect welcome home sign for any Disney Addict! This Burlap Garden Flag measures 12 inches wide by approximately 18 inches long. It fits perfectly on most standard size garden flag holders. The flag features a one-side design using sparkling glitter material that loves to pick up the sunlight. The design features a silhouette of the famous Disney World castle and also the word HOME with Mickey Ears replacing the letter “O”.

Will you welcome home your guests with a shimmering burlap Disney Garden Flag?

Production Officially Begins On Han Solo Movie

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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January 30, 2017

An official title hasn’t been announced but production has begun on the upcoming Han Solo movie. The shooting name is Red Cup (a play on the lead character’s name).

The screenplay for the Han Solo movie is penned from father-son duo Lawrence Kasdan and Jon Kasdan and will focus on how young Han Solo became the smuggler, thief, and scoundrel whom Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi first encountered in the cantina at Mos Eisley. It has been confirmed that Chewbacca will also be a featured character in the film and, while unconfirmed, it is likely that “The Force Awakens” Joonas Suotamo will reprise the role.

The film includes Alden Ehrenreich (“Hail Caesar!”) as the title scoundrel, with Woody Harrelson (“War For the Planet of the Apes”) as Solo’s mentor, Donald Glover (“Atlanta”) as Lando Calrissian, and an undisclosed role for “Games Of Thrones” Emilia Clarke.

Slated for a May 25, 2018 release, the Han Solo movie will be executive produced by Lawrence Kasdan and Jason McGatlin and co-produced by Will Allegra. Phil Lord and Chris Miller (“21 Jump Street”, “The LEGO Movie”) direct

DisneyQuest at Disney Springs to Close July 3 to make way for NBA Experience

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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January 30, 2017

Disney Parks Blog has just confirmed rumors that have been going around for quite some time that DisneyQuest will be closing. In a post published today they announcement was made that the DisneyQuest will officially close on July 3, 2017 to make way for the new The NBA Experience which which is part of an ongoing West Side Neighborhood re-development at Disney Springs.

The NBA- Experience is described as a one-of-a-kind basketball themed experience with hands-on activities that put families right in the middle of NBA game action This includes immersive NBA video productions, numerous interactive displays, a restaurant and a retail store.

Those heading to Walt Disney World before July 3rd will still be able to enjoy all that DisneyQuest indoor theme park has to offer including immersive virtual words, arcade games and more.

Readers are encouraged to watch this space for further updates regarding DisneyQuest and the NBA Experience.

Planning a trip to Disney? Fill out our form to receive your FREE quote.

Find articles like this helpful? They why not consider booking with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? As an agent with MickeyTravels, I can help you with everything from finding your perfect package to planning out your days at the parks and am always full of tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your time at the parks. Best of all my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.800.801.4025 via email at [email protected] or follow along on Facebook.

Disney Art Therapy Coloring Book Round Up

By

Danielle

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January 30, 2017

The Art Therapy coloring books for adults have been all the rage, and there’s quite the variety of Disney themed ones too! With so many to choose from, it’s time to do an official Disney Art Therapy Coloring Book round up!

Disney Art of Coloring Moana Coloring Book

Relax, and let the creativity flow through you. Whether a skilled artist or an everyday dabbler of drawings and doodles, fans of all ages will enjoy these stunning pen-and-ink illustrations of beautiful landscapes, elaborate patterns, and memorable characters from Disney’s new animated feature Moana.

Art of Coloring: Tsum Tsum

Tsum Tsum are everywhere-in plush toys, games, apps, accessories, apparel, and now in their very own coloring book! Whether a skilled artist or an everyday dabbler of drawings and doodles, fans of all ages will be inspired by these irresistible pen-and-ink illustrations of Tsum Tsum characters and patterns!

Art of Coloring Beauty and the Beast Coloring Book

Fans of all ages will enjoy these stunning pen-and-ink illustrations of beautiful landscapes, elaborate patterns, and memorable characters from Disney’s new live-action feature Beauty and the Beast.

Art of Coloring Disney Princess: 100 Images to Inspire Creativity and Relaxation

Relax, and let the creativity flow through you. Whether a skilled artist or an everyday dabbler of drawings and doodles, fans of all ages will enjoy this book. Featuring stunning pen-and-ink illustrations of beautiful designs inspired by Disney’s hit films featuring the Disney Princesses. The lovely packaging includes a board cover with double metallic foil stamping.

Art of Coloring Disney Frozen: 100 Images to Inspire Creativity and Relaxation

Relax, and enjoy the glistening art of a winder wonderland. Let it go, and dive into the world of Disney’s hit animated feature film Frozen. The lovely packaging includes a board cover with double metallic foil stamping.

Art of Coloring Disney Animals: 100 Images to Inspire Creativity and Relaxation

Relive the lovable and fuzzy moments of your favorite Disney animal friends with beautiful landscapes, elaborate patterns, and memorable characters from Disney’s hit animated feature films themed to cute and cuddly animals. The lovely packaging includes a board cover with double metallic foil stamping.

Disney Villains: 100 Images to Inspire Creativity and Relaxation

Be prepared to try on your best evil laugh when you relax with 100 stunning pen-and-ink illustrations of beautiful landscapes, elaborate patterns. This Disney Art Therapy Coloring Book highlights villains from Disney films.

Art of Coloring Star Wars: Rogue One Coloring Book

This is a coloring book for young adults and adults that includes scenes and characters from the highly anticipated Rogue One. This coloring book will launched just after the Movie Premiered, which was great for keeping us spoiler free.

Art of Coloring Star Wars: 100 Images to Inspire Creativity and Relaxation

Let the Force be with you! Featuring galactic landscapes, elaborate patterns, and memorable characters from the Star Wars universe. The lovely packaging includes a board cover with metallic foil stamping.

Star Wars Art Therapy Coloring Book (Paperback)

This unique Star Wars coloring adventure will take you away from your daily stresses and transport you to a galaxy far, far away. Discover more than 100 beautiful and intricate illustrations and mandalas inspired by the Star Wars universe. These illustrations have an Art Noveau style. Color in Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Yoda, and all your favorite characters. You can also bring your favorite scenes to life. Creativity has no age limit. Like great Jedi masters, explore with creativity, so that the Force will be with you always!

There is also a The Nightmare Before Christmas coloring book coming July 18, 2017!

If you love these, there’s also many more Art Therapy coloring books from other franchises available too! Harry Potter Art Therapy coloring books, and Doctor Who Art Therapy coloring books are also a lot of fun!

Which Disney Art Therapy Coloring Book is your favorite?

Disney files patent to read riders emotions and customize ride experience for guests

By

Chip

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January 30, 2017

According to the Orlando Business Journal Disney has filed a patent that could read guests facial expressions and depending on if the rider is bored or excited the ride/attraction would customize the experience by going faster or spinning more to improve the experience for the guest.

It is called “Sensing and Managing Vehicle Behavior Based on Occupant Awareness” according the the patent that was recently filed and will use an on vehicle camera or possibly with the Magic Band system.

“The technology would allow rides to adjust show content appropriate for pre-teens, teenagers or adults; or for thrill-seeking and non thrill-seeking passengers. The control system may also operate the vehicle to address motion sickness issues for passengers such as by adjusting speed or movement patterns of a vehicle. [Through RFID or some other identifying system] access one or more ride experience goals (or expectations) for the occupant. For example, the occupant may simply desire transportation while in the automated trackless vehicle and, hence, will not be wanting to interact with to be entertained by external display systems. In other cases, though, the occupant may have provided goals/expectations (e.g. by completing a questionnaire on a website or the like) that indicate they want to be educated during the ride, be entertained in a particular manner during the ride, be informed of sales on services or merchandise during the ride, and so on. In the same or other cases, the goals/expectations may indicate whether the ride experience” should be thrilling, as smooth as possible, or something in between, according to the patent.

This could be a gamer changer for Disney, not only do they want to address your excitement level they are also interested in adjusting your comfort levels such as temperature and alter the air-conditioning of the ride to make it more pleasant.

How cool is that?

To read more about the new patent just check out the the article from the Orlando Business Journal.

What do you think about this new experience? I for one would love to have a customized experience when riding the rides at the Disney Theme Parks.

Tell us what you think in the comment box below.

Exclusive D23 Beauty and the Beast Advanced Screening and Luncheon

By

Chip

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January 30, 2017

On the afternoon of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders at the Bellco Theatre at the Colorado Convention Center, all D23 Members are invited to see an exclusive screening of Beauty and the Beast before it is released on March 17! Before the screening, a limited number of D23 Gold and Gold Family Members will have the opportunity to join us for a complimentary “Be Our Guest” luncheon.

The “Be Our Guest” luncheon will begin for Gold and Gold Family Members at 12:30 p.m., following the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Check-in will begin at 12:15 p.m.; please do not arrive before 12:15 p.m. RSVP is required.

The screening will begin at 2 p.m. at the Bellco Theatre at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado. Check-in will begin at 1:45 p.m.; please do not arrive before 1:45 p.m.

Join us for a special preview of Walt Disney Studios’ upcoming live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic Beauty and the Beast, a stunning, cinematic event celebrating one of the most beloved tales ever told. On the afternoon of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders at the Bellco Theatre at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado, all D23 Members are invited to see the film before its release on March 17!

Beauty and the Beast is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a Beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart of the true Prince within.

Before the screening, a limited number of D23 Gold and Gold Family Members will have the opportunity to put our service to the test and join us for a complimentary “Be Our Guest” luncheon. This opportunity is a great time to mix and mingle with fellow D23 Gold Members!

Beauty and the Beast opens across the country March 17, 2017.

For more information about The Walt Disney Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders, click here.

Source D23

Swan and Dolphin Resort Celebrates the Super Bowl with Awesome Discount for Georgia and New England Residents

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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January 30, 2017

What better way to celebrate a the Super Bowl than with then with this fantastic “I’m off to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort!” special offer.

Here’s how it works! Residents of the home states of both teams Georgia and New England will receive a free night at the Epcot Resort-area resort when booking two nights at the standard price before February 28, 2017 for stays through Jan. 31, 2018. The offer is not valid December 22 – 31st, 2017.

For those lucky enough to be supporting the winning team, there is even more in store. Residents of that team’s state will celebrate in style with a complimentary room upgrade.

Fans also can enjoy a championship-caliber meal at any of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort’s 17 restaurants and lounges, including Shula’s Steak House, the restaurant of the NFL’s winningest coach, Don Shula.

There’s no better place to celebrate a team’s victory than the place known for championship celebrations.

For further details on this fantastic offer visit:www.swandolphin.com/offers/biggame.html or call 1-800-227-1500 and mention their home state.

Planning a trip to Disney? Fill out our form below to receive your FREE quote.

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Image copyright Disney.

Planet Hollywood Observatory at Disney Springs is Open!

By

Chip

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January 30, 2017

Planet Hollywood, America’s preeminent restaurant destination dedicated to celebrating the entertainment industry, will open its Orlando flagship location, Planet Hollywood Observatory, today, January 30^th, 2017. Centrally located to all the nearby attractions, the restaurant overlooks the heart of Disney Springs, the dining, retail and entertainment district located at Walt Disney World Resort. Multi-million dollar renovations have transformed Planet Hollywood’s iconic globe into a four-story stargazing observatory with new spaces including an outdoor terrace and lounge, a new menu and an exciting new look and feel. The 36,000-square-foot restaurant invites patrons of all ages to “Dine Amongst the Stars” with an immersive theatrical dining experience unlike anything before.

Designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects, each floor was created to provide a different experience so guests can return again and again, discovering a new adventure each time. Walls and glass displays throughout the restaurant are adorned with imagery as well as a curated collection of memorabilia that pays homage to a long tradition of filmmaking and Planet Hollywood Observatory’s continued commitment to the new, rising stars of the entertainment industry. Along with a state-of-the-art 4,500-square-foot video wall, Planet Hollywood Observatory guests will be mesmerized by three-dimensional interiors that come to life through Trompe L’oeil 3D technology, an art technique that uses realistic imagery to create the optical illusion that the depicted objects exist not on the screen but in the space itself.

“We wanted Planet Hollywood Observatory to re-invent what is expected from themed dining. What we’ve created here is a stand-alone destination that evokes the feeling of early 20^th century Florida and fits into the greater story of Disney Springs,” said Planet Hollywood International Founder and Chairman Robert Earl. “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome guests, and our wonderful staff, into this newly reimagined space.”

An enhanced, yet timeless menu highlights Planet Hollywood’s classic dishes, introducing a savory selection of “Big Bite Burgers” and over the top Signature Sandwiches from dynamic chef, restaurateur and television personality Guy Fieri and new decadent sweets that include hand-dipped milkshakes and indulgent shareable desserts. A curated beverage program features a variety of wines, bottled and draft beers, as well as cocktails served in specialty glassware to cater to the needs of all guests, from groups with small children to young adults and seniors.

The Stargazers lounge, a 5,000-square-foot outdoor expansion overlooking Disney Springs, allows guests to relax under the stars while enjoying cocktails and live entertainment al fresco. A dedicated beverage menu, focused on Florida craft beers, touts 20 different taps as well as 10 signature cocktails infused with classic Floridian ingredients, such as the Stargazer with Stoli Blueberi vodka, lemonade, fresh blueberries and basil, and The Observatory with Stoli vodka, Limoncino Bottega, Monin Peach Tea and Candoni Prosecco.

Planet Hollywood Observatory is now officially open to the public and is open daily from 11am until 1am.

Stay tuned to our official review.