Spice Road Table at the Morocco pavilion in Epcot soft opens

By

-

January 12, 2014

The doors are quietly opening today at Spice Road Table at the Morocco pavilion at Epcot, giving the staff time to get trained and an opportunity to get all the bugs worked out.

The official opening with lively fanfare will be announced soon. Disney will have full details on their blog for the all-new food offerings located along World Showcase Lagoon, featuring Mediterranean small plates, specialty wines, beers and aperitifs from the region.

Inspired by the outdoor cafés along the Mediterranean, the whitewashed façade of Spice Road Table is accented in icy shades of blue from the famous “Blue City” of Chefchaouen in Morocco’s Rif Mountains. With 120 outdoor terrace seats, the inside will seat 60 with cozy booths, Moroccan light fixtures, tilework, tapestries and art representing Morocco’s indigenous Berber tribes is showcased.

Thanks to C&C fan Cheri for some of the pictures below including a look at the new menu.

0110ZW 0516MS 600×400

0110ZW 0344MS 600×400

0110ZW 0205MS 600×400

0110ZW 0016MS 600×399

1521236 10202293168002075 971474728 n

1460150 10202293167642066 1211107060 n

1525085 10202293167322058 1208832534 n

1558556 10202293167042051 1715749925 n

Disney Infinity Toy Boxes: Heroes vs. Villains

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

January 12, 2014

Disney Interactive is releasing the winners of the Disney Infinity “Heroes vs. Villains” Toy Box challenge. Players were tasked with creating innovative Toy Boxes where they size up heroes against villains, bringing both sides to life. Check out the latest episode of the new web series featuring the top global Toy Box of the week.

Winning “Heroes vs. Villains” submissions include:

Ralph vs. Turbo – Turbo wants to beat Wreck-It Ralph in a race for helping Vanellope. Choose your side!

Mirror Mirror – Who is the fairest (and fastest) one of all? Find out in this obstacle course! First one to the apple wins.

Olympus Coliseum – Based on Kingdom Hearts where villains will battle for trophies. For a greater challenge, travel to the Underworld Arena!

King of the Hill – Control the cannons or run the gauntlet with favorite heroes and villains. Designed for two to four players.

Save the City! – Three missions: save 10 citizens, defeat 10 robots or defuse 10 bombs. Finish all three and save the city!

As a refresher, directions on how to download new user-generated Toy Box worlds, as well as how to submit Toy Box creations are below.

When you’re ready to submit your Toy Box for consideration, follow these directions:

Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U

Bring up the Pause Menu and select “Online/Multiplayer.”

Then select “Toy Box Share” > “Disney’s Toy Boxes” > “Submit to Disney.”

Follow the prompts. You’ll be asked to give your Toy Box an original name and description. Choose carefully – they will be shown to everybody if your Toy Box is featured.

iPad

Bring up the Pause Menu and select “Toy Box Share.”

Then select “Disney’s Toy Boxes” > “Submit to Disney.”

Follow the prompts. You’ll be asked to give your Toy Box an original name and description. Choose carefully – they will be shown to everybody if your Toy Box is featured

How to download new Toy Boxes:

Select “Toy Box” from the Disney Infinity Main Menu

Select “Toy Box Share” and “Disney’s Toy Boxes.”

There will be a list of all the featured Toy Boxes for players to download.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

SeaWorld Orlando Animal Rescue Team Returned Loggerhead Sea Turtle to Ocean after Multiple Surgeries to Remove Fishing Hooks

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

January 12, 2014

20140108 Canaveral Sea Shore Turtle Release 10 1

January 8, 2014 (Orlando, Fla.) – A rescued sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle was returned to Florida waters this morning after rehabilitating at SeaWorld Orlando over the last several months following multiple surgeries to remove two fishing hooks.

The turtle was rescued outside of Port Canaveral, Fla., on August 12, 2013 after being found by the Kennedy Space Center’s Ecological Program. With assistance from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Sea Turtle Preservation Society, the turtle was rescued and transported to SeaWorld Orlando for care.

Upon arrival at SeaWorld, the turtle underwent three surgeries to remove two fishing hooks that were lodged in the turtle’s body. One was visibly lodged in the turtle’s mouth, while another hook was lodged in the lower esophagus of the turtle. Both fishing hooks were successfully removed.

After being medically cleared for today’s return, the park’s Animal Rescue Team transported the approximately 150-pound turtle to Canaveral National Seashore on Florida’s east coast where the turtle was successfully returned to the ocean.

In collaboration with the government and other members of accredited stranding networks, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment operates one of the world’s most respected programs to rescue ill and injured marine animals, with the goal to rehabilitate and return to the waters. SeaWorld animal experts have helped more than 22,000 animals in need – ill, injured, orphaned and abandoned – for more than four decades.

So far this year, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued two sea turtles and returned one. Since 1980, SeaWorld has rescued and returned nearly 3,000 sea turtles.

If you see an injured marine animal, you can help by calling the FWC hotline at 1(888) 404-3922 or by dialing *FWC on a cellular device.

Disney’s Advanced Dining Reservation Strategy: Why An Itinerary Is A Must!

By

Catie

-

January 12, 2014

Walt Disney World is a BIG PLACE – with a lot to do, a lot to see, and a lot to EAT! The dining choices are plentiful – and you will want to take advantage of making Advance Dining Reservations before your trip so that you can take advantage of all that the world of Disney Dining has to offer!

You’ll want to be smart about your dining choices – one way you can do this is by creating a trip itinerary – which helps ensure that you are planning meals that are in/near the Parks you’re visiting on any given day (why is this important? Well, it can be a BIG time and headache saver – both things I want while on vacation!). Now I’m not saying you need to plan out every minute of every day, but having a general idea of what you want to do and see each day will help you make the most of your WDW vacation.

Ok, so let’s get started:

Step One: Pick Your Restaurants – Do some research, and find out which places you and your family might want to dine at while at WDW. There are TONS of options – like character meals, buffets, fine dining, casual dining, and everything in between! Make a list of your top picks (with backups, in case you can’t get ADR’s for them!), and then you’re ready for the next step

Step Two: Make Your ADR’s – Once your restaurant list is done, you’re prepared for ADR day – that magical day 180 days before your WDW vacation when you are able to log on to the Disney dining website and make your restaurant picks official! And since you already have backups for all your sit down meals, this should be a fast, easy, and relatively painless process for you (Still not totally sure what an ADR even is? Click here for more info)

Step Three: Match Your Restaurant Picks With Parks – Now that dining reservations have been made, you’ll want to make sure you are close to the restaurant near meal time, so you should plan to visit the Park closest to where you will be dining. Here’s a rundown of which Resort Restaurants are near which Parks:

Animal Kingdom Resort Area – Boma, Jiko, Sanaa, Maya Grill
Epcot/Hollywood Studios Resort area – Cape May Café, Beaches and Cream, Captains Grill, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Big River Grille & Brewing Works, Flying Fish Café, Kouzzina, Shutters at Old Port Royale
Magic Kingdom Resort Area – California Grill, Chef Mickey’s, The Wave, 1900 Park Fare, Citricos, Grand Floridian Café, Narcoossee’s, Kona Café, ‘Ohana, Artist Point, Whispering Canyon Café, Trail’s End

Step Four: Put It Together! – Now that you know where you are going to eat, and what Parks are close by, you can make your itinerary! Create your itinerary around where you have your ADR’s, and you will save yourself a LOT of travel time! I personally like to limit myself to one Park a day, but it’s definitely possible to do two a day if you are utilizing Extra Magic Hours. Here’s an example of how this would look:

Day 1

Extra Magic Hours at Magic Kingdom – AM

ADR 10:00 am – 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian

Downtown Disney – PM

ADR 7:00 pm – Raglan Road Irish Pub in Downtown Disney

Day 2

ADR 9:00 am – Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Animal Kingdom – late morning/early afternoon

Hollywood Studios – PM

ADR 6:00 PM – Hollywood Brown Derby at Hollywood Studios

As for non-table service meals, I don’t generally plan those out in advance – however I do like to do some pre-trip Counter Service/Snack location research so I know what is available at each Park for when that hunger hits

Step Five: Enjoy! You did a lot of planning and preparation for your vacation, but once the time comes to actually go to Disney – make sure you take the time to enjoy it as much as possible! The atmosphere, rides, characters, music, and shows are all amazing, but personally, my favorite part always was, and always will be – the FOOD!

What is your Disney Advanced Dining Reservation Strategy? Let us know in the comment box below.

Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World Coming to Blu-Ray/DVD, 3-D, and HD Soon

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

January 11, 2014

Bring Home The Ultimate Battle for The Cosmos with Exclusive Bonus Features!

It will be available on 3D and HD Digital February 4th, 2014 and on 3D Combo Pack (3D Blu-ray™, 2D Blu-ray, Digital Copy),
Single-Disc Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand February 25th, 2014

A short Synopsis about the film: Marvel’s “Thor: The Dark World” continues the big-screen adventures of Thor, the Mighty Avenger, as he battles to save Earth and all the Nine Realms from a shadowy enemy that predates the universe itself. In the aftermath of Marvel’s “Thor” and “Marvel’s The Avengers,” Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos…but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. To defeat an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor sets upon his most dangerous and personal journey yet, forced into an alliance with the treacherous Loki to save not only his people and those he loves…but our universe itself.

Cast: Chris Hemsworth (Marvel’s Thor, Marvel’s The Avengers, Snow White and the Huntsman) as Thor, Natalie Portman (Marvel’s Thor, Black Swan, Star Wars Episodes I-III) as Jane Foster, Tom Hiddleston (Marvel’s Thor, Marvel’s The Avengers, War Horse) as Loki and Anthony Hopkins (Marvel’s Thor, Silence of the Lambs, Nixon) as Odin.

Director: Alan Taylor (TV’s Game of Thrones, TV’s The Sopranos, TV’s Mad Men)

Screenplay: Christopher L. Yost (TV’s Wolverine and the X-Men, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and
Christopher Markus (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe) &
Stephen McFeely (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe)

Story by: Don Payne and Robert Rodat

Producer: Kevin Feige, p.g.a. (Marvel’s The Avengers, Marvel’s Iron Man Franchise)

Executive Producers: Louis D’Esposito (Basic instinct, Marvel’s Iron Man, Marvel’s The Avengers) Victoria Alonso (Marvel’s Iron Man, Marvel’s The Avengers, Big Fish) Craig Kyle (Marvel’s Thor, X-Men: Evolution, Ultimate Avengers, Iron Man: Armored Adventures) Alan Fine (Marvel’s The Avengers, Marvel’s Iron Man, Marvel’s Thor) Nigel Gostelow (Batman Begins, The Bourne Ultimatum, The Da Vinci Code) Stan Lee (Marvel’s Iron Man, Spider-Man, Marvel’s Thor)

Bonus Features:
(3D Combo Pack, BD, DVD & Select Digital Retailers)

Never-Before-Seen Extended and Deleted Scenes

Gag Reel

Exclusive Look – Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Get an exclusive first look at the latest installment in the Captain America franchise and it’s incredible cast of characters, including Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow, Samuel L. Jackson as Director Nick Fury, Chris Evans, our hero Steve Rogers, his new ally Sam Wilson, aka the Falcon played by Anthony Mackie, and a mysterious enemy from the past…the Winter Soldier played by Sebastian Stan.

A Brothers’ Journey: Thor & Loki. In this 30min featurette go behind the scenes with filmmakers and cast as we explore two of the most iconic characters in the Marvel Universe with stars Chris Hemsworth (Thor) & Tom Hiddleston (Loki), and journey through the key moments that have defined and endeared these characters to audiences around the world.

Scoring Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World with Brian Tyler. Go behind the scenes with the filmmakers and acclaimed composer Brian Tyler for a look at the creation of the movie’s stunning original score.

Audio Commentary with Director Alan Taylor, Producer Kevin Feige, Actor Tom Hiddleston (Loki) and Cinematographer Kramer Morgenthau

And More…

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

The 2014 Disney Dining Plan-Costs, Tips, and Information

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

January 11, 2014

How much is the Disney Dining Plan? Is it worth it? I’m not traveling unless I get Free Dining! These, and many other questions and comments are shared in Disney Facebook groups and come to my inbox on a daily basis. My personal favorite, “Which Disney Dining Plan is right for me?” With the 2014 travel season upon us, and many booking Disney trips for this summer, let’s talk the nitty-gritty of Disney Dining.

There are several tiers of Disney Dining Plans available to guests. The Quick Service Dining Plan is $39.64/night, Basic Dining is $58.66/night, and the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan is $104.94/night.

The Disney Dining Plan allows guests to prepay for their meals and snacks before they visit the Walt Disney World Resort. It can only be added to a room and ticket package. Each plan offers a set number of meal and snack credits that can redeemed in all four of the Disney parks. The credits can be redeemed for counter service {aka fast food}, table service , or signature meals {aka fine dining experiences}. The credits are stored on the MagicBands, and are deducted upon scanning your band when you pay for your meal. You’ll receive a receipt that will tell you how many dining entitlements you have remaining. The Quick Service Plan offers two counter service meals and one snack per person per night of your stay. The Basic Dining offers one counter service, one table service, and one snack per person per night of your stay. They both offer a resort refillable mug.

Since the dining entitlements don’t have a dollar amount, you can order whatever you want off the menu. For example, you can visit an inexpensive restaurant and enjoy a water, sandwich, and ice cream for dessert and this would count as a table service credit. On the flip side, you could visit the same restaurants, and enjoy braised pork, soft drink, and tiramisu using the same one table service credit. It allows a lot of flexibility, and the ability to try new foods without worrying about cost. Some advance planning will get you the biggest bang for your buck.

“Free Dining” is the widely popular Disney Parks promotion that is offered periodically throughout the year. Guests wait very impatiently for Free Dining to come available. It can be a huge money saver, especially if you are planning on purchasing the Disney Dining Plan. The Basic Disney Dining Plan is “free” during this promotion to guests in a Deluxe or Moderate Tier resort. Guests in Value Resorts receive the “Quick Service Dining Plan” for “free”, but can pay to upgrade to the Basic Dining if they choose. The cons to free dining are that you end up paying the rack rate on your resort stay, and full price on a minimum required amount of park tickets.

Deciding on the best Disney Dining Plan for you is a tough one. How does your family eat? Do you enjoy a large meal at breakfast? Or do you prefer to eat granola bars while you are heading out the door and look forward to a larger lunch later? If you want character meals, then you for sure want the Disney Dining Plan. However, if your family prefers to visit as many attractions as possible and don’t want to spend time sitting down for one meal a day, then the Quick Service Dining is the best option. Our family has personally purchased the Quick Service Plan, and then paid out of pocket for one or two character meals. We get to enjoy the experience of the character meals, without having to stop so often at a table service restaurant.

See Pixar’s New Short “Party Central” before Muppet’s Most Wanted

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

January 11, 2014

This a 6 minute short was first seen at last year’s D23 Expo. The Oozma Kappa brothers try to throw a huge monstrous party, but no one shows up. So they get creative and make their own party!

You can now see this short before “Muppets Most Wanted” which hits theaters on March 21, 2014.

This short took about eight months to make. It was made at the end of production of “Monsters University“. “We would do a couple of pickup lines with Billy Crystal and the other actors for the movie and then we’d get the stuff we needed for the short,” Mann says. “It really worked out smoothly.”

Disney was originally going to include Party Central as a bonus feature on the Monsters University DVD but now it’s going to be on the big screen instead, Mann is thrilled. ”It fits,” he says. “Party Central is a big, epic party, so the bigger the screen and the louder the speakers, the better it is.”

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Disney Donations Exceed $36 Million

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

January 11, 2014

Disney has nearly 70,000 Cast Members who live and work in Central Florida, Walt Disney World Resort is committed to investing in the quality of life in the region, with a special interest in helping children and families. As part of that effort, Walt Disney World Resort donated $36.5 million in cash and in-kind support to local nonprofits last year, a $6 million increase from 2012.

“We are honored to help many deserving organizations that are providing basic needs, education and youth development programs in the community,” said Nancy Gidusko, director of community relations for Walt Disney World Resort.

The donations include 560,000 pounds of prepared unserved food, valued at nearly $3 million, donated to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and more than $4 million of in-kind product and merchandise donated to dozens of nonprofits. Products included $750,000 of new clothing to school districts and more than $850,000 of bedspreads, curtains and other items from remodeled hotel rooms and $1.2 million donated through an online request system called ‘Mickey’s Attic’.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

‘Universal” Wants Disney’s Top Spot

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

January 11, 2014

The top suit at Comcast Corp. has said that Universal will “Compete Aggressively” with Disney World. I am sure my fellow Disney Addicts will agree that there is no competition. Disney will always be #1.

“We’re doubling down on theme parks,” Comcast Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian Roberts told analysts during a conference in Las Vegas that was broadcast online. “We think that there is a lot of ‘there’ there in the theme-park business for many years to come and that we have a low market share — and only one way to go.”

Universal operates the third most visited theme parks in the world. However they are still no where near the leader, which is Disney Parks and Resorts.

Universal will soon have an addition to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, known as Diagon Alley, which is expected to open by the summer in Florida. They are also opening their 4th and largest on-site hotel in Orlando. It’s the 1,800-room hotel called the Cabana Bay Beach Resort. With that addition Universal will have around 4,200 hotel rooms. That is no comparison to Disney’s 26,000 rooms.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine

Dapper Day Spring 2014 Schedule Released

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

January 11, 2014

Remember Dapper Day at Walt Disney World? Well, it’s back in full fashion for spring 2014! We’ve got your dates and the official list of “unofficial” events right here at Chip & Co! If you don’t know what Dapper Day is or don’t know what to wear, be sure to read all the way to the bottom for links to more information!

MAGIC KINGDOM, WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT, SUNDAY MARCH 9, 2014

Here is a schedule of suggested activities:

3pm THE LIBERTY BELLE BON VOYAGE Meet at the boat landing in Liberty Square for an elegant trip around The Rivers of America on this original attraction from 1971.

4-5pm ISLAND ESCAPADES Explore jewel filled caverns, frontier forts, and other prime photo-op locations on Tom Sawyer Island. (Board the rafts near Big Thunder Mountain. Island closes at dusk.)

7-9pm THE DAPPER DERBY Meet at Prince Charming’s Regal Carousel for a most elegant group ride!

8pm-Midnight AFTER DAPPER DRINKS at two locations: Mizner’s Lounge at Disney’s Grand Floridian. Enjoy live jazz standards by the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra (performing until 9:40p), and the tiki-themed Tambu Lounge in Disney’s Polynesian Resort (main building, Monorail level).

WDW TICKETS – The Disney parks will be open to the public and all usual forms of admission will be accepted. Discounted print-at-home WDW park tickets starting at $59 (including partial-day, multi-day, hopper options, and FL annual passes) are available for March 2014 dates online HERE.

DAPPER DAY Events celebrate the tradition of stepping out in style. All sophisticated fashions, from vintage-inspired to contemporary chic, are encouraged! For a full introduction and history of Dapper Day, click HERE. Ideas on what to wear and video from last year can be found HERE.

You can follow Dapper Day’s official account on Twitter @DapperDay to be kept up to date on the very latest information.

DAPPER DAY® Events are independently organized social gatherings neither operated by nor associated with The Walt Disney Company.

Two new shows coming to ABC Family in 2014!

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

January 10, 2014

ABC Family builds it’s comedy slate with two new original series!

“Mystery Girls” and “Young & Hungry”

Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth Reunite to Star in and Executive Produce “Mystery Girls”

Emily Osment Stars in “Young & Hungry,” Executive Produced by Ashley Tisdale

ABC Family announced today the pick-up of two half-hour comedy series “Mystery Girls,” starring and executive produced by Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth, and “Young & Hungry,” starring Emily Osment, from executive producer Ashley Tisdale. Production will commence on both series in Los Angeles in early 2014, and both will premiere in 2014.

ABC Family President, Tom Ascheim said, “It’s great to start the new year and my tenure at ABC Family with the pickup of these two funny original series. ABC Family’s comedy lineup continues to resonate with our audience and I’m thrilled to boost that momentum by adding ‘Mystery Girls’ and ‘Young & Hungry,’ which are sure to become fan favorites.

“We are excited to expand our comedy brand with two new series that build on our already solid comedy block of hits, ‘Melissa & Joey’ and ‘Baby Daddy,’” said Kate Juergens, Chief Creative Officer and Executive Vice President of Programming and Development, ABC Family. “Viewers are excited to see Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth back on television together again, and will fall in love with ‘Young & Hungry’ star Emily Osment in these comedies that bring us fun, new characters with which to laugh out loud.”

“Mystery Girls,” starring Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth follows two former detective TV show starlets brought back together by a real-life mystery. Charlie Contour (Garth) is a suburban housewife and mother, while Holly Hamilton (Spelling) longs for her glory days in the 90’s when she was on television. Both of their lives are disrupted when Nick (Pinzon), a witness to a crime and a ‘Mystery Girls’ fanatic, will only speak to the infamous duo, and the former friends must reunite and put their TV crime-solving skills to the test. Tori Spelling (“Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Tori & Dean: Inn Love”), Jennie Garth (“Beverly Hills, 90210,” “What I Like About You”) and newcomer Miguel Pinzon (“A New York Love Story”) star in the series. Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth and Maggie Malina (“Single Ladies”) will serve as executive producers. The story is by Tori Spelling and Shepard Boucher (“Men at Work”). The pilot was written by Shepard Boucher.

In “Young & Hungry,” two worlds collide when Josh (Sadowski), a wealthy young tech entrepreneur, meets Gabi (Osment), a feisty young food blogger, looking to be his personal chef. Gabi is desperate for the job and must prove herself, mostly to Josh’s aide (Lee), who prefers a famous chef for the job. When Josh enlists Gabi to prepare a romantic meal for him and his girlfriend, the dinner goes awry and Gabi finds herself in a very awkward position. With the help of her best friend Sofia (Carrero) and Josh’s housekeeper (Whitley), Gabi turns a difficult situation into an opportunity for employment and maybe even love. “Young & Hungry” stars Emily Osment (“Hannah Montana”), Jonathan Sadowski (“$#*! My Dad Says”), Rex Lee (“Entourage”), Aimee Carrero (“Blue Lagoon: The Awakening”) and Kym Whitley (“Animal Practice”) with Annie Potts (“GCB,” “Designing Women”) as a recurring guest star. The series is executive produced by Eric Tannenbaum and Kim Tannenbaum (“Two and a Half Men”), CBS Television Studios, Relativity Television, Jessica Rhoades (“Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure”) and Ashley Tisdale (“High School Musical”). The pilot was written by David Holden (“Accidentally on Purpose”). Gabi Moskowitz, a San Francisco based food blogger, of BrokeAssGourmet.com, contributed to the development of this project.

Stay tuned for more!

Construction has Begun For AvatarLand at Animal Kingdom

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

January 10, 2014

Earlier this week some leaders from Disney Parks and Resorts and Lightstorm Entertainment were at Animal Kingdom for the groundbreaking of the biggest expansion in Animal Kingdom’s history. Don’t you love the blue shovels?

This area is being designed by Walt Disney Imagineering and James Cameron along with Lightstorm Entertainment. This will be a unique and different experience, unlike anything ever seen at a Disney park. Guests will experience the amazing and unique wonders of Pandora when they fly with banshees and explore a rich natural environment with mountains that float and interactive plants that glow at night.

Check out the video:

“Disney’s Animal Kingdom is already home to some of our guests’ favorite attractions,” said Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “With Avatar, we are adding a spectacular new world and an exciting set of attractions unlike any our guests have experienced. The expansion now under way will make the park a true full-day, must-see experience.”

This week’s groundbreaking is just the beginning for the park. Future plans also include the debut of a new evening show, and a new nighttime version of Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Check out the Disney Parks Blog for updates in the future on this expansion.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Sunshine