New Lunch Bento Boxes Debut at Morimoto Asia Disney Springs
Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs is now offering special weekday lunch Bento Boxes! This new way to enjoy the pan-Asian cuisine is perfect for locals and travelers alike.
Each option for the lunch Bento boxes comes with a choice of miso or hot & sour soup and steamed white or brown rice:
Orange Chicken with mixed green salad, crispy chicken dumpling (2) and kanikama sushi roll (2) for $27
Kung Pao Cauliflower with mixed green salad, crispy vegetable dumpling (2) and vegetable sushi roll (2) for $24
Miso-Glazed Chilean Sea Bass with mixed green salad, crispy chicken dumpling (2) and kanikama sushi roll (2) for $29
These boxes are served Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. till 3:30 p.m.
Are these new boxes something you’d like to try?
If you’d like to plan your next 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.
Pirates of the Caribbean at Walt Disney World Turns 50
Guest-favorite ride Pirates of the Caribbean at Walt Disney World has turned 50! Yesterday was the iconic attraction’s 50th anniversary and to celebrate, Disney shared some pictures from when the ride was being constructed.
As many of you know, Pirates of the Caribbean debuted at Florida’s Magic Kingdom Park in 1973 and was one of the park’s first major additions after its 1971 opening. Look closely at the first rare photo from Disney’s archives and you’ll see what future Disney World adventurers saw – the chance to sail the high seas with pirates “Opening Christmas 1973.”
Behind the walls in the image above, history was in the making at the spot where riders would board a weathered barge for a treacherous voyage to the 17th century when rowdy rogues and rapscallions ransacked Caribbean seaport towns.
Once the attraction opened, Disney World guests would find themselves sailing past Dead Man’s Cove, navigating cannon fire between a Caribbean fort, singing along with pirates to their anthem, “Yo Ho, Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)” and enjoying other unforgettable pirate experiences.
The first Pirates of the Caribbean attraction opened at Disneyland park in 1967. It was one of the last attractions Walt personally oversaw the creation of back in the 1960s. It remains one of the most immersive attractions ever created for a theme park!
Of course, we’re just touching on some of the attraction’s history today but if you’re as big a fan of Pirates of the Caribbean as we are, then you’ll want to check out the Pirates of the Caribbean episode of the Original series “Behind the Attraction,” now streaming on Disney+.
The Disney+ episode explores how Walt loved adventure stories, especially those that featured swashbuckling pirates. It features interesting stories like a look at how the attraction was initially conceived as a wax museum but technological advances convinced Walt that a more sophisticated attraction could be created using state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics figures.
Also, there’s more to come at Disney World with a first-of-its-kind experience that’ll extend the story of Pirates of the Caribbean. At Destination D23, Disney shared the exciting update that a special Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge is coming to Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park.
Where does Pirates of the Caribbean rank on your list of favorite Disney rides?
Ready to head to Disney World to experience Pirates of the Caribbean? Contact me to start planning your trip! 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 Cast Members Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Pop Century Resort
Walt Disney World Cast Members recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of Pop Century Resort! This iconic value resort opened on December 14, 2003. Pop Century salutes the fashions, catchphrases, toys and more from the 1950s to the 1990s.
When Pop Century first opened its doors, cast members welcomed guests with totally rad dance moves – and 20 of those very cast members still work there today!
These 20 cast members spent the past two decades celebrating, well, the decades! Every day, they create special moments with guests while sharing their love for the resort, the history it commemorates and, seriously, did we mention the dance moves?
“I have lots of energy and passion for Disney’s Pop Century Resort,” Claudia, a cast member in Guest Services, said. “I love being part of guests’ vacations … the past 20 years working here has been an incredibly rewarding experience.”
To recognize their 20 years at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, the 20 cast members spent time together swapping stories and reflecting on their careers. “Pop Century helped me grow as a person and a cast member,” Terri, a Concierge cast member, said. “I learn from my fellow cast members every day; they are a second family to me.”
At Disney, cast members can grow tremendously by trying new things or taking their talents to another job type without ever leaving the company. One cast member, Roselie, really took this idea to heart. “On the opening day of Pop Century, I was trained in three different roles – merchandise, the arcade, and food and beverage, and now I am in food and beverage full time,” she said. “My leaders helped me reach my goals and build my skills so I could learn a variety of different roles and grow my career at Disney.”
Cast members are the heart of Walt Disney World and thrive on making magic for guests every day. These opening-day cast members say they get to have so much fun with guests at Pop Century.
“Have you seen our resort?” Bob, a Front Desk cast member, said proudly. “Look at the atmosphere, all of the fun theming and special Disney character touches everywhere. Oh, and the Disney Skyliner is here, my favorite! There’s a reason why families keep coming back to stay with us.”
Guests born in any decade can make the most of their Disney vacation at Disney’s Pop Century Resort. It’s a perfect choice if you’re looking for a great value hotel right in the middle of the magic. The resort also features iconic themed art and a themed pool, complimentary transportation like the super convenient Disney Skyliner, surprise appearances from favorite Disney characters and more!
20 unforgettable cast members for 20 years of Pop Century – that’s pretty cool if you ask us! Thank you to all cast at Disney’s Pop Century Resort for their legendary service and passion for creating unforgettable memories for guests.
Ready to book your next stay at Disney’s Pop Century Resort? 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.
We Are Going Mad Over This Disney100 Platinum Cheshire Cat Loungefly Collection!
This Disney100 Platinum Cheshire Cat Loungefly Collection will bring a touch of wonder and madness (in a good way) to your style! There’s a trick though, if you want this backpack, you need to act fast because there are only 4,000 pieces available.
This backpack features the Cheshire Cat’s face coming to life with embroidered details on the front and metallic vegan leather, in pink and silver stripes that extend to the straps, very characteristic of the Cheshire Cat! On the back, print lettering reads, “Disney 100: 100 Years of Wonder.”
But that’s not all, this backpack also comes with a Diamond Glitter vinyl figure Pop! Wherever you wander with this accessory, you’re sure to bring the wonder and excitement of a memorable character.
A matching wallet is also available with the Cheshire Cat on the front and Disney100 Years of Wonder text on the back. Inside, it features four slots for holding cards and one clear slot for displaying your ID.
New Play In The Park Loungefly Collection Now At shopDisney!
Take a day to go play in your favorite Disney Park in Disney Style with the new Play In The Park Loungefly Collection available now at shopDisney! You can get a backpack, matching wallet and Minnie ears with a design filled with nostalgia and magic, definitely a must have for any Disney fan.
This fun backpack features an all over pattern with characters like Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Daisy, Chip, Dale and park icons like Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, Mad Tea Party, The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean and The Hollywood Tower Hotel. A perfect bag to carry all your essentials for a fun day at the parks!
Get ready to play in the park in style with this ear headband featuring an all over pattern of Mickey and Minnie taking a spin in a Tea Cup, Goofy and Donald meeting a Hitchhiking Ghost, Donald having a blast on Space Mountain and the whole gang going on an adventure at Pirates of the Caribbean! It also features a sequin padded bow with a Mickey ear hat charm, a very stylish accessory that captures the special wonder and joy of the Disney Parks.
New Disney BaubleBar Earrings For A Magical Disney Style!
New Disney BaubleBar Earrings just arrived in time for the holidays! The outline design is filled with sparkles and magic that will make every look extra stunning. There are four different designs inspired in beloved Disney characters, take a look:
These Daisy Duck earrings are fun and original! Is not every day we get to see Daisy accessories so if you love this sassy duck, you better treat yourself to this pair.
Toyko DisneySea will host its first-ever Food & Wine Festival
Calling all Disney foodies: Tokyo Disney Resort is bringing a brand new experience to its magical world, the first-ever Tokyo DisneySea Food and Wine Festival! This culinary extravaganza is set to start soon, and here’s what you need to know.
Tokyo DisneySea, famous for its thrilling rides and enchanting attractions, is now ready to take you on a new kind of adventure – a journey of flavors. The festival will feature unique and delicious food and drinks from around the globe, showcasing a variety of cultures right within the park.
The festival’s food will draw inspiration from the various lands around the park. Guests will have the opportunity to experience special food and drink offerings, including creatively designed special courses, set meals, and snacks. Beverages that pair with the offerings will also be served, and the event will be able to be enjoyed by guests of all ages.
Whether you’re a food lover, a Disney enthusiast, or just looking for a fun day out with family and friends, the Food and Wine Festival at Tokyo DisneySea promises to be an unforgettable experience. It’s a perfect blend of the magic of Disney and the joy of exploring new tastes. The Food and Wine Festival is slated to run from April 1, 2024, through June 30, 2024.
Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World 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 Disney 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 Disney vacation package through me!
Disney Cruise Line Updates Age Ranges for Youth Clubs Beginning Dec. 21st
Based on Guest feedback, and to enhance the youth activities experience for our youngest and tween guests, we are updating the age range for Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab. The revised age range will begin on sailings that depart on or after December 21, 2023:
Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab
The age range in Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab will change from 3 to 12 years of age to 3 to 10 years of age, with specially guided activities for children ages 3-4 years old.
Edge
Children 11 and 12 years of age may visit Edge. Edge will continue to be available to tweens 11 to 14 years of age.
Vibe
Vibe will continue to provide Guests ages 14 to 17 with their own special place where they can connect with other teens.
The following Disney Cruise Line SeaMail is being sent to Guests traveling with children ages 3-12 on or after December 21, 2023:
Dear [Guest Name],
We look forward to welcoming you aboard the Disney [Ship Name] and are writing with important information about our onboard youth activities spaces.
Based on Guest feedback, and to enhance the youth activities experience for our youngest and tween guests, we are updating the age range for Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab. The revised age range will begin on sailings that depart on or after December 21, 2023.
Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab
The age range in Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab will change from 3 to 12 years of age to 3 to 10 years of age. Kids of all ages can continue to experience these spaces during Open House hours. During all other times, kids 3 to 10 years of age will have Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab reserved just for them, with specially guided activities for children ages 3-4 years old.
Edge
Children 11 and 12 years of age may visit Edge. Edge will continue to be available to tweens 11 to 14 years of age.
Vibe
Vibe will continue to provide Guests ages 14 to 17 with their own special place where they can connect with other teens.
During our youth activities Open House times, Guests of all ages are permitted in youth activity spaces, including Disney’s Oceaneer Club, Disney’s Oceaneer Lab, Edge and Vibe.
Guests with children 11 and 12 years old no longer need to complete youth activities registration as part of Online Check-in for these children. If you have a child within this age range and have already completed online registration for Disney’s Oceaneer Club or Disney’s Oceaneer Lab, know that your child will attend Edge. Guests with children 3 to 10 years of age may continue to utilize the online youth activities registration process as part of Online Check-in.
We appreciate you sailing with us and look forward to creating magical memories at sea for your family.
New Marvel Black Panther Animated Series Coming to Disney+ in 2024
Marvel Studios has just unveiled its forthcoming animated series lineup, featuring the surprise announcement of a new Black Panther series titled Eyes of Wakanda.
The unveiling of the project took place during a screening of the second season of MCU’s What If…? on the Walt Disney Studios lot. Brad Winderbaum, the head of streaming, television, and animation at Marvel Studios, surprised attendees with a special sizzle reel showcasing the studio’s upcoming animated series.
The reveal of Eyes of Wakanda, the Black Panther series, was accompanied by a concise description: “Throughout Wakandan history, courageous warriors have been assigned the mission of journeying across the world to recover perilous vibranium artifacts. This is their narrative.”
Marvel Studios unveiled Eyes of Wakanda and reaffirmed the arrival of the X-Men ’97 and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (formerly titled Spider-Man: Freshman Year) animated series on Disney+. Despite being announced more than two years ago, both series are set to debut in 2024. The current relationship between Eyes of Wakanda and Ryan Coogler’s ongoing Black Panther projects within the MCU remains shrouded in mystery.
Are you excited about this new animated project and other offerings from the MCU? Let us know your thoughts on all that Marvel has to offer in a comment.
Disney is cracking down on third-party tour guides at Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World is reportedly cracking down on so-called third-party tour guides. These private companies, which are not affiliated with Disney, offer tour-guide services at the theme parks, often promising items such as customized itineraries and line-skipping. According to reporting by The Washington Post, the latest crackdown is a bit of a surprise to the tour guides as well as the guests who book their services.
Disney parks are famous for their magical experiences, with their immense popularity resulting in high crowd levels. The large crowds tend to lead to long waits for attractions, and the increase in complexity of visiting Walt Disney World has resulted in many guests looking for help. Guests looking for a more streamlined day can utilize one of the official Disney VIP Tour Guides, who can offer a range of services, including:
Pre-arrival planning
A flexible start time
Visits to multiple theme parks
Utilizing Lightning Lane entrances for attractions
Insight from a highly knowledgeable VIP Tour Guide
The official Disney tour guides are pricey, with costs ranging from $450 to $900 per hour. Guests looking for similar services at a lower price point may turn to one of the private tour companies, which promote similar services at a much lower cost (according to the Washington Post, the private tour guides generally charge between $150 and $300 per hour).
These private guides often attract customers by promising similar benefits to the official VIP tour guides. Disney has noted many of these third-party tour guides attempt to offer these services by manipulating Disney’s services or even violating park rules, a practice that Disney views as unfair and disruptive to other guests.
Disney’s new policy aims to curb these practices by identifying and banning third-party guides who misrepresent their services and/or break park rules. The guides often learn about the crackdown upon attempting to enter the parks, when they discover their annual pass has been marked as void and they receive a trespass notice. The trespass orders, issued by the Sheriff’s department, ban them from entering any area of the Walt Disney World property, including the theme parks, resort hotels, or Disney Springs. The Washington Post article noted one tour guide was advised they would be able to appeal their trespass notice one year following its issuance.
The decision also impacts the livelihood of these third-party guides, many of whom depend on this income. They argue that their services help manage park congestion and provide a beneficial experience for visitors. Many of the third-party tour guides have had to either pivot their business to other parks/areas or find a whole new industry to work in.
As Disney enforces these new guidelines, the landscape of guided tours in their parks is set to change. While Disney ensures quality and fairness through its official tours, the debate around access, cost, and guest experience in the world of theme park entertainment continues.
Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World 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 Disney 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 Disney vacation package through me!
Get ready for the upcoming New Bluey episodes set to premiere globally on Disney+ on January 12, 2024. The Heelers return with ten charming and thrilling episodes, showcasing a serene family beach trip, a quest for a dragon, and a delightful neighborhood cricket game. You can watch the new trailer here.
At the chemist, Bluey and Bingo and their friends have fun playing with the CCTV screens.
SLIDE
Bingo and Lila are excited to play on their new waterslide.
Cricket
During a friendly game of neighbourhood Cricket, the dads struggle to bowl Rusty out.
After premiering on Disney+ in January, the latest episodes will be broadcast on Disney Channel and Disney Junior in various regions worldwide.
As revealed earlier, fans can anticipate additional Bluey content in 2024. The special 28-minute episode, ‘The Sign,’ will be broadcast globally on ABC in Australia and Disney+ internationally. Are you excited about the new episodes of Bluey? Share your favorite episode in a comment and tune in this January 12 when Bluey makes a return on Disney+.
Brendan Fraser has been a big hit at EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional
Brendan Fraser, the famous and popular actor known for movies like “The Mummy” and “The Whale,” recently captivated audiences as the guest narrator at the Candlelight Processional, a hallmark event of the holiday season at EPCOT in Walt Disney World.
For those not in the know, The Candlelight Processional at EPCOT is an annual event that combines the storytelling of the Christmas narrative with live musical performances. The event features a large choir, an orchestra, and a celebrity narrator, creating a festive and immersive experience for attendees.
Fraser, stepping into the role of narrator, brought his signature charm and warmth to the event. Known for his dynamic acting skills, Fraser delivered the Christmas story with a compelling blend of emotion and relatability. His performance was met with enthusiastic responses from a diverse audience, spanning various age groups and backgrounds.
The positive reception to Fraser’s narration underscored his appeal and versatility as an entertainer. Attendees reported feeling a heightened sense of engagement and enjoyment, attributing this to Fraser’s authentic and personable narration style. Fraser has proven to be a perfect fit for the event, and we all hope he returns next year!
Fraser’s contribution to this cherished holiday event not only delighted attendees but also added a memorable chapter to the Candlelight Processional’s history. The actor’s narration this holiday season at Walt Disney World has left an indelible mark, both on the event and on the hearts of those who experienced it.
Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World 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 Disney 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 Disney vacation package through me!
