Still trying to decide what to do on New Year’s Eve? Universal’s Aventura Hotel may have the party you have been looking for! With rooftop views, unlimited eats, a DJ, and party favors, the New Year’s Eve celebration at the Adventura Hotel is shaping up to be the hottest property in town!
The Adventure Hotel is located within Universal Orlando Resort within walking distance of Volcano Bay. The New Year’s Eve celebrations at Aventura are being offered in two packages:
$175* Standing Room Enjoy the celebration beginning at 8 pm. Includes food, beer, wine, and featured specialty cocktails until 10 pm (cash bar from 10 pm – 1 am), along with a DJ, party favors, midnight prosecco toast, and self-parking.
$1,350* VIP Package Includes all the benefits of a Standing Room ticket for up to six people in your party, PLUS couch seating and two bottles of champagne.
*Gratuity included. Tax and ticketing fees will apply. Complimentary parking not valid for overnight hotel guests. Parking validation will be provided when checking in for the event.
Disney Fined for Copyright Infringement Over Stolen VFX Tech in Live-Action ‘Beauty and the Beast’
A jury in Oakland ruled in favor of Rearden, a VFX company, concluding that Disney violated the company’s intellectual property by utilizing copyrighted technology in the animation of CG characters in Beauty and the Beast. The jury awarded Rearden approximately $600,000, recognizing that Disney knowingly engaged in potential copyright infringement by using VFX software known as MOVA Contour. This technology has been employed in various major Hollywood productions. The verdict, including nearly $350,000, aims to recover profits linked to the use of the technology.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the awarded figure represents only a fraction of the potential damages Disney faced in the case, which posed a threat to Beauty and the Beast’s profits. Rearden initially sought over $100 million, contending that the film’s box office success was significantly influenced by the VFX work executed by MOVA.
The legal dispute arose five months after Beauty and the Beast premiered, leading to a lawsuit by Rearden against Disney for the improper use of its technology in three movies, including Guardians of the Galaxy and multiple Avengers installments. The core issue revolved around whether DD3, the company Disney collaborated with on the project, possessed the technology attributed to the film’s success. The intricate chain of title, involving bankruptcy and a fraudulent sale, created confusion regarding the ownership and licensing of MOVA.
The trial focused on whether Disney should be held vicariously liable for DD3’s alleged infringement of MOVA, indicating that the company was aware of potential licensing issues but continued to use and benefit from the technology.
The jury’s decision implies that a significant portion of Beauty and the Beast’s box office earnings may not be directly credited to the VFX work performed by MOVA. Of Disney’s $255 million in profits from the film, the jury attributed approximately $345,000 to the use of the contested technology.
Do you have a love for Disney and a passion for baking? We may have a lead on the perfect job for you! The Cake Bake Shop Bakery, opening at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort soon, is currently hiring culinary leaders!
The Cake Bake Shop Bakery by Gwendolyn Rogers will offer up an array of delectable treats upon opening, including cakes, cookies, pies, macarons, coffee, and croissants. The shop is being built in the area that formally housed the ESPN Zone. The shop is attached to the Cake Bake Shop Restaurant which will offer breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, desserts, and cocktails when open.
Gwendolyn Rogers posted the culinary leader’s position on Linked In, with postings for both Executive Chef and Sous Chef included. Qualifications for the position, as well as application instructions, can be found on the job posting.
2023 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Merchandise Available to Day Guests at Magic Kingdom
The curtain has fallen on the last Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party for the 2023 season, and now the exclusive merchandise from the festivities is open for all Magic Kingdom day guests to enjoy.
Head over to the Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A., where you’ll find a treasure trove of this year’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party merchandise, including the coveted Spirit Jersey and the Passholder-exclusive shirt.
For the next few days, day guests exploring the Magic Kingdom will have the special opportunity to witness a rare daytime performance of “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” at both 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Don’t miss the chance to extend the holiday magic with this festive parade, adding an extra dash of cheer to your daytime visit at the park.
Where can You watch the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Parade 2023?
Tune in for the enchanting Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade airing on ABC this Monday, Dec. 25 at 10 a.m. E.T. ABC has unveiled a dazzling lineup of musical performances for the parade, featuring the following:
Julianne Hough and Derek Hough – “Good Morning” and “Deck the Halls” Medley
Meg Donnelly – “Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)”
Chrissy Metz – “Silver Bells”
The Smashing Pumpkins – “Evergreen”
Iam Tongi – “Mele Kalikimaka”
The Broadway and North American Tour Cast of Disney’s “Aladdin” – “Friend Like Me”
40TH ANNIVERSARY DISNEY PARKS MAGICAL CHRISTMAS DAY PARADE – Disney’s annual Christmas celebration returns Christmas morning with endearing stories and magical celebrity performances, plus the Christmas Day Parade celebrates its 40th year. The holiday special is executive produced by Disney Parks Programming along with Film 45 Live. MONDAY, DEC. 25 (10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. EST/9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. PST), on ABC. (ABC/Disney Parks)
40TH ANNIVERSARY DISNEY PARKS MAGICAL CHRISTMAS DAY PARADE
In addition to these magical performances, the special will take a nostalgic look back at some of the most iconic moments from past years.
For those eager to catch the Disney Christmas Parade but without access to basic cable, fear not! You can live stream the parade on Christmas morning through FuboTV or DirecTV Stream. Both streaming services offer the ABC channel with a subscription, and new subscribers can enjoy a free trial to watch the Disney parade without any cost commitment.
40TH ANNIVERSARY DISNEY PARKS MAGICAL CHRISTMAS DAY PARADE – Disney’s annual Christmas celebration returns Christmas morning with endearing stories and magical celebrity performances, plus the Christmas Day Parade celebrates its 40th year. The holiday special is executive produced by Disney Parks Programming along with Film 45 Live. MONDAY, DEC. 25 (10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. EST/9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. PST), on ABC. (ABC/Disney Parks)
MICHAEL JAMES SCOTT, CASEY NICHOLAW, ADI ROY
If you miss the live broadcast, fret not! The special will be available for on-demand streaming the day after Christmas on Disney+ or Hulu. So, whether you prefer to catch the festive magic live or at your leisure, there’s a viewing option for everyone to enjoy the holiday spirit with the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade.
David Oyelowo Gives Update On Upcoming “The Rocketeer” Disney+ Sequel
In a recent conversation with David Oyelowo about his upcoming Paramount+ streaming series “Lawmen: Bass Reeves,” TheWrap couldn’t resist delving into another exciting project on the actor’s horizon—the sequel to Disney’s cult classic, “The Rocketeer.”
The good news? Oyelowo shares, “We have forward momentum.”
Initially announced in 2021, the sequel to the 1991 beloved film is not only being produced by Oyelowo and his wife, Jessica Oyelowo, but David may also take on a starring role in the film. The original “Rocketeer” was set in pre-World War II Hollywood, and the sequel is poised to unfold its narrative after the war. It will follow a former Tuskegee airman—a distinguished unit of Black army air force pilots from World War II—who finds himself in possession of the iconic Rocketeer suit.
“We have forward momentum. I know you guys hear this stuff all the time, but we are in the script development stage, and if you’re going to reinvigorate that beloved franchise, you better come with the goods,” Oyelowo shared. “Eugene Ashe is currently writing away, and we were talking about it only this week. We’re all very committed to that. But it’s going to have to be great, and we will not rest until it is.
This ambitious project led by Oyelowo aims to be a worthy follow-up to the 1991 live-action feature released by Disney, which was based on the more mature-themed comic book property created by Dave Stevens. While J.D. Dillard was initially attached to direct the sequel, he is no longer part of the project. However, TheWrap exclusively reported earlier this year that Eugene Ashe had been brought on board to pen the script.
As the script development stage progresses, Oyelowo and the team are dedicated to delivering an exceptional continuation of “The Rocketeer” legacy. Fans of the original and newcomers alike can anticipate an exciting chapter that pays homage to the beloved franchise while introducing fresh and compelling elements. Stay tuned for more updates as this thrilling project takes flight into the world of cinematic adventure.
DoD Warrior Games coming to ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World in June 2024
Mark your calendars! The DoD Warrior Games are coming to the ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World in 2024! The Department of Defense (DoD) Warrior Games, hosted by U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) will return to Disney World in June of next year.
“Adaptive sports play such a powerful role in the mental and physical recovery of wounded, ill and injured military members, and we are excited to once again be back at ESPN Wide World of Sports,” said Gen. Gary Brito, commanding general of TRADOC. “These men and women deserve our support as they overcome these obstacles, and it’s an honor to host the Warrior Games on behalf of the U.S. Army and DoD, and to provide another way for these athletes to leverage the power of adaptive sports.”
First held in 2010, this annual event will feature hundreds of elite-athletes, including those from international allied nations, who will compete in adaptive sporting events such as wheelchair basketball, cycling, indoor rowing and sitting volleyball, among others.
The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which will serve as the Warrior Games venue for the second time, is a 220-acre facility that features multiple indoor and outdoor competition sites. This award-winning complex, which combines the spirit of sports with Disney magic, previously hosted the 2016 Invictus Games and the 2022 DoD Warrior Games.
“We are humbled to again welcome these heroic service members and veterans, their families and supporters to ESPN Wide World of Sports next summer,” said Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World Resort. “Their sacrifice has allowed us the freedoms we enjoy daily, and we are honored to be able to witness their spirit of determination, boldness and loyalty come alive during the games!”
The Warrior Games serve to enhance the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded warriors by providing them exposure to adaptive sports. Military paralympic adaptive sports programs help wounded service members and veterans build strength and endurance and draw inspiration from their teammates. Participation in the Warrior Games represents the culmination of a service member’s involvement in an adaptive sports program and demonstrates the incredible potential of wounded warriors through competitive sports.
The 2024 Warrior Games, which are open to the public, will welcome the community and the world to be part of the excitement by supporting these heroes. Details about the sports schedule, viewing opportunities, corporate sponsorships and more will be available closer to the event.
Ready to plan your 2024 visit to Walt Disney World? Contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are free, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation.
Disney Characters Come Alive at Zootopia Land in Shanghai Disney
The new Zootopia-themed land is open in Shanghai Disneyland and guests can enjoy new food, attractions, and characters! Some of the characters in the land come alive in a unique live show experience.
“Disney Zootopia Comes Alive” is a groundbreaking new show presented at the Zootopia Park Apartments along the land’s Mane Street. Here, characters including the Hopps family, Fru Fru and her father Mr. Big, Koslov the polar bear, Flash the sloth, Yax the yak, Duke Weaselton, and more pop up on balconies or lean out the windows of their homes or workplaces, chatting with each other and the guests passing by.
“We’ve never done anything quite like this before. This is a brand-new, first-of-its-kind experience,” said Jeff Conover, Creative Director with Disney Live Entertainment, who has been on the project for more than four years. “The idea is that as we walk into the land, we come across the characters living their daily lives. Our guests will be able to see the characters, and each time they show up, it may be a bit of a different story.”
Compared to more traditional productions with defined showtimes that may only be presented during certain periods, this ambitious project weaves together multiple storylines to create an immersive atmosphere in which things appear to happen spontaneously throughout the day.
Disney Live Entertainment Production Manager Michelle Tritt worked closely with her Imagineering colleagues to develop the space in the land where the show takes place. “What’s unique about this show is that it isn’t necessarily a show, it’s a living embodiment of the land,” said Michelle. “We’ve brought together various disciplines, from audio designers and lighting designers to creative specialists and production people, to work on the project, integrating the show into the land and creating a highly natural feel for the characters there.”
The team has taken great care to ensure “Disney Zootopia Comes Alive” will resonate with guests and fans in China while embracing the spirit of Disney Animation’s original film. “We want to give guests that firsthand emotional experience of being in Zootopia in the middle of this vibrant community,” shared Jeff. “There are so many little surprises. You could probably spend four hours in that land just walking around and looking at all the little details.”
Michelle added, “We don’t have anything like this anywhere around the world in any of our parks. I think the guests are going to love this show. They’re going to laugh, they’re going to cry, because we’ve made these characters really come to life in the land.“
If you’re ready to plan your next Disney vacation, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are free, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation.
Planning a trip to Universal Orlando Resort often includes dreams of epic roller coasters, thrilling adventures, and a journey into the Wizarding World. One area that should not be skipped is the incredible lineup of epic snacks. From savory bites to sweet delights, Universal Orlando offers a world of flavors waiting to be explored.
The Banana Cream Swiss Roll from Bake My Day in Minions Land is as fun to eat as it is to look at. The fun Minion themed appearance makes the roll eye catching. The sponge cake is firm but moist, the cream filling is delicious, and the banana flavor is amazing. The theming in the cafe is great as well!
Pretty Much Any Crepe from Central Park Crepes
Central Park Crepes is an absolutely AMAZING crepe stand located just outside of the Hollywood area of Universal Studios Florida. The stand sells an array of crepes filled with both sweet and savory options, such as Smoked Brisket and Street Corn on the savory side and Vegan Berry and Strawberry Hazelnut on the sweet side. At a price point if under $12 per crepe, this is a snack that eats like a meal!
Butterbeer-The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
No trip to the Universal Orlando Resort is complete without a refreshing Butterbeer. This amazing snack comes in a variety of styles, such as the classic cold Butterbeer, Frozen Butterbeer, Butterbeer Ice Cream, and hot Butterbeer. This nonalcoholic concoctions has flavors of both butterscotch and cream soda, and typically comes topped with a sweet cream foam topping. Fans of the Harry Potter films and books will recognize the name, but you do not need to be a Harry Potter fan to enjoy this treat!
An ice cold frozen pop is the perfect way to cool off during a long, hot day at the parks. Freeze Ray Pops in Minion Land serves up frozen treats that are both delicious and fun to eat! Specialty frozen pops come in Minion (Blue Banana), Gru (with NUTELLA®), and Vector (Orange Cream flavors), and the lineup of drinks includes an array of non-specialty pops are also available in the following varieties:
Mango
Strawberry
Coconut
Blueberry Lemonade
Cotton Candy
Cheesecake
Lemon Mint
Cookies & Cream
What are your favorite Universal Orlando snacks? Leave us a comment to let us know!
Ready to book your next epic vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Universal Orlando vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Universal destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Universal vacation package through me!
Here is a look at everything coming to Disney+ in January 2024.
Wednesday, January 3
– Alice’s Wonderland Bakery (S2, 6 episodes)
– Ax Men (S10, 10 episodes) – Forged in Fire (S7, 37 episodes and S8, 45 episodes) – History’s Greatest Mysteries (S3, 13 episodes) – Modern Marvels (S20, 2 episodes and S21, 12 episodes) – Storage Wars (S12, 16 episodes and S13, 36 episodes)
BTS Monuments: Beyond the Star– Episodes 5 and 6 21st century pop icons BTS are returning to the home of award-winning Korean content with “BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star” – a new eight-part docuseries coming December 20, exclusively to Disney+. Featuring never-before-seen interviews, performances and behind-the-scenes moments with RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook, “BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star” will take audiences on an in-depth journey across the band’s 10-year career, highlighting their highs and lows for the first time ever in a captivating docuseries format.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Episode 4 – “I Plunge to My Death” Our heroes search for a refuge in St Louis, and come face to face with the mother of all monsters.
Friday, January 5
– X-Men (2000)
Sunday, January 7
– The Incredible Pol Farm (S1, 14 episodes)
Tuesday, January 9
Marvel Studios’ “Echo” – Premiere at 6:00pm PT – All Episodes Streaming Marvel Studios presents “Echo,” spotlighting Maya Lopez as she is pursued by Wilson Fisk’s criminal empire. When the journey brings her home, she must confront her own family and legacy. Also available on Hulu until April 9.
Wednesday, January 10 – Hamster & Gretel (S1, 3 episodes) – Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes (S1, 12 episodes)
Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Episode 5 – “A God Buys Us Cheeseburgers” The quest deepens as Percy, Annabeth, and Grover are tasked with a favor from a fearsome opponent.
BTS Monuments: Beyond the Star– Episodes 7 and 8 21st-century pop icons BTS are returning to the home of award-winning Korean content with “BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star” – a new eight-part docuseries coming December 20, exclusively to Disney+. Featuring never-before-seen interviews, performances and behind-the-scenes moments with RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook, “BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star” will take audiences on an in-depth journey across the band’s 10-year career, highlighting their highs and lows for the first time ever in a captivating docuseries format.
Friday, January 12
Bluey (Season 3) – New Episodes In these ten new Disney+ episodes, “Bluey” showcases the joyful simplicity that can be found in families turning everyday events of family life — like making a cubby house (blanket fort) or a trip to the beach — into unique adventures that bring to life how children learn and grow through play.
Wednesday, January 17
-America’s Funniest Home Videos: Global (S24 22 episodes, S25 23 episodes and S26 22 episodes) – The Ghost and Molly McGee (S2, 2 episodes) – Minnie’s Bow-Toons: Camp Minnie (S1, 5 episodes)
Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Episode 6 – “We Take a Zebra to Vegas“ Percy, Annabeth, and Grover must resist the alluring draw of a casino that feels outside of time.
Siempre Fui Yo (Season 2) – Premiere – All Episodes Streaming The second season of “It Was Always Me” (“Siempre Fui Yo”) begins three years after the TV contest Lucas Martin Presenta: El Camino de El Faraón, when its participants meet again on Pipe’s – now one of Colombia’s most famous rockstars – private island to record a reunion album. Everything has changed dramatically: while Lupe is settled in Mexico working as a journalist, Noah spends his days in a bar he inherited from his family in Colombia. It seems that the reunion album is the perfect opportunity for everyone to reconnect after so long, but everything gets complicated when on the first night a valuable necklace that El Faraón gave Lupe disappears. In a mysterious and indecipherable way, everyone’s secrets begin to come to light, creating tension between the old friends and threatening to destroy the lives they built.
Tuesday, January 23
– The Last Repair Shop
Wednesday, January 24
Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Episode 7 – “We Find Out the Truth, Sort Of” Our heroes journey across the Underworld, and bargain for their safety with the god of the dead.
A Real Bug’s Life– Premiere – All Episodes Streaming Inspired by the World of Disney and Pixar’s “A Bug’s Life,” the new Disney+ Original series from National Geographic, “A Real Bug’s Life,” is an incredible adventure into nine different micro bug worlds around the globe, where the forces of nature play out on a miniature scale and where tiny creatures rely on amazing powers and extraordinary alliances to make it through each day. The stakes are high … even if the critters are extraordinarily small. With new developments in filming technology and narrated by fun and witty guide Awkwafina, follow the incredible stories of the tiny heroes living in worlds beyond the imagination — from a jumping spider looking for a home on the streets of New York to a Costa Rican orchid bee’s first day on the job making perfume! Full of mind-blowing new behaviors and larger-than-life characters, this family-friendly series shows that “A Real Bug’s Life” can be every bit as fantastical as any animated film. “A Real Bug’s Life,” narrated by Awkwafina, premieres January 24 on Disney+.
Choir –Premiere – All Episodes Streaming “Choir” is a 6-part documentary series following the Detroit Youth Choir as they prepare for the performance of a lifetime. Through their eyes, we experience the highs and lows of life growing up in Detroit, navigating the challenges of balancing family, school, and athletics, all while pursuing dreams of taking their talents to the next level and performing on one of the world’s biggest stages. Assembled: The Making of Echo – Premiere Born in the heartland. Raised in the concrete jungle. Maya Lopez didn’t ask to be bad; she never had a choice. Join us as “Assembled” goes behind-the-scenes of Maya’s own groundbreaking series: “Echo.” Discover how members of the production’s cast and crew learned American Sign Language to create a more inclusive and accessible on-set environment. Witness the filmmakers taking unprecedented steps to portray Native American culture truthfully, and without artifice. Spend time with powerhouse actor Vincent D’Onofrio as he brings the Kingpin to monstrous life once more. The unboxing of this series’ creation culminates with viewers getting a front-row seat to Marvel Studios’ and Choctaw Nation’s first collaboration on a powwow.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Finale (Episode 8) – “The Prophecy Comes True” Mount Olympus beckons… and Percy must face his greatest battle yet.
Attention young explorers and LEGO lovers! Get ready for an awesome week-long New Year’s Eve celebration at LEGOLAND Florida Resort! From December 26th to 31st, the park will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and it’s filled with holiday-themed fun just for YOU!
LEGOLAND is turning up the fun with a whole week dedicated to holiday cheers and New Year’s excitement. Each night, as the clock strikes 8 p.m., get ready for an amazing fireworks display that will light up the sky with colors and shapes. It’s like watching a LEGO set explode in the sky!
The week-long celebration culminates on December 31st with Central Florida’s ONLY Kids’ New Year’s Eve party! The celebration begins at 8 p.m. with the Annual Giant Brick Drop. Feel the excitement as we countdown to the New Year with a very special bedtime-friendly event. And the best part? Right after the Brick Drop, a Fireworks Extravaganza will fill the sky, making it the most memorable night ever!
Pack your bags, grab your LEGO bricks, and head over to LEGOLAND® Florida Resort for a holiday adventure you won’t forget.
If you are planning on visiting the Walt Disney World resort in January 2024, you may need to make a few adjustments to your itinerary. Disney is updating the Parade Schedule at Magic Kingdom, which will impact how you plan your day at the park.
Currently, the Festival of Fantasy parade runs twice per day, once at noon and a second time at 3 p.m. As the crowds begin to lighten following the holidays, the parades will be scaled back to one parade per day, which will be at 3 p.m.
The Festival of Fantasy parade is a fan-favorite parade at Magic Kingdom that features an array of characters, floats, motion, and original music. The parade aims to bring the stories of Fantasyland to life, featuring all of the inhabitants that call Fantasyland home.
