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Ears the News with Richard

Image courtesy Disney Parks Blog
The Big Hero 6 character meet and greet is now open at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Inside the park's 'The Magic of Disney Animation,' you can find Hiro Hamada and Baymax in Hiro's garage workshop.
The meet and greet replaces the Wreck It Ralph meet and greet, although both Vanellope and Ralph continue to appear in Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade at the Magic Kingdom.

Disney's PhotoPass service has introduced a new type of photo available now with the purchase of the Memory Maker package.
Building on the existing Magic Shots, which feature character overlays on your pictures, Magic Shots now expand to include animation, in the form of a video clip.
There are currently four locations setup to produce Magic Shots - Epcot (behind Spaceship Earth), Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Hollywood Boulevard, Epcot at Norway Pavilion, Disney’s Animal Kingdom on the bridge near Expedition Everest.
Guests who have purchased the $199 (or $149 in advance) Memory Maker package will be able to download the videos of the animated Magic Shots.

The videos below have two examples of animated Magic Shots.


All three pools at Disney's Art of Animation Resort will be closing for refurbishments later this month.
The main feature pool, The Big Blue pool will be closed from November 17 through to November 19, Flipping' Fins pool will be closed November 20 through to November 21 and The Cozy Cone pool will close on November 24 through to November 26.

Disney is currently testing a new feature of My Disney Experience that should make waiting for buses at the Walt Disney World Resort a lot less frustrating. Currently in very early stages of in-house testing and not available for guests, the app gives an indication of when the next bus will be arriving at the current location.

No word yet on when or if the feature may be released for guest use.

Disney has been experimenting with wait times for transportation over the past few years, most recently with screens installed at a few of the bus stops. Providing the data to the app would appear to be a much more realistic solution, saving the need to install hundreds of screens around property at each stop.

The Intermission Food Court at Disney's All Star Music Resort is expected to open earlier than previously scheduled.

According to the latest refurbishment calendar, the Intermission Food Court is now expected to be under refurbishment until December 2, reopening to guests on December 3 2014. The refurbishment was previously expected to run through to December 20 2014, following its closure on August 1 2014.


Citricos at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort will be offering a Disney Princess breakfast and brunch during the refurbishment of Cinderella's Royal Table at the Magic Kingdom.

Image courtesy Disney Parks Blog
Available from January 8 2015, through to March 3 2015, the experience will be available to book for Walt Disney World Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members beginning December 3, with reservations open to all guests on December 4 2014.

According to the announcement on the Disney Parks Blog, Cinderella will be there to greet guests as they arrive, and the Disney princesses will visit each table for photos and autographs during the dining experience. Diners also can participate in an interactive “Magical Wishing Ceremony” with Cinderella and the Disney Princesses, with “wishing wands” and “wishing swords” for little ones.

Breakfast and brunch hours are 8am to 2:20pm, and cost is $49.99 for adults and $31.99 ages 3-9. The experience is on the Disney Dining Plan (2 entitlements). For reservations call 407-WDW-DINE. Online reservations and information will be available at a later date.
Cinderella's Royal Table at the Magic Kingdom will be closed for refurbishment from January 5 2015 to March 6 2015.
Cinderella’s Dining at Cítricos
Breakfast and Brunch with the Disney Princesses
Adult Menu
APPETIZERS OF THE COURT

Bakery Basket
Choice of One:

Garden Salad–Artisanal Greens, Endive, Roasted Carrots, Sugar Snap Peas, and
Marcona Almonds with Riesling Vinaigrette
Assorted Fresh Fruits

ENTRÉES ROYALE

Choice of One:

Traditional Breakfast–Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Bacon, and Twice-cooked Breakfast Potatoes

Scrambled Egg Whites, Hot Ten-Grain Cereal, Greek Yogurt topped with Granola,

Whole-Grain Bread, and Fresh Fruit

Steak and Slow-Poached Eggs with Twice-cooked Breakfast Potatoes and Wilted Spinach

Grilled Ham and Biscuit, Slow Poached Eggs topped with Sausage Gravy

Market-inspired Fish with Angel Hair Pasta, and Aromatic Tomato Sauce

Florida Shrimp with Creamy Cheddar Cheese and Smoked Bacon Grits

DESSERT TRIO

Beverages included:
Unlimited Coffee (regular/decaf), Iced Tea (regular/decaf),
Fountain Beverages, and Juices (Apple/Orange/Tomato)
One Specialty Beverage

Children’s Menu

APPETIZERS

Choice of One

Bite-size Cheddar Cheese and Grapes
Garden Salad
Fat-free Ranch Dressing

ENTRÉES

Choice of One

Turkey Pot Pie
Turkey Pot Pie topped with a Cheese Biscuit
Roasted Chicken Leg
Roasted Chicken Leg with Brown Rice Pilaf and Broccolini
Children’s Scrambled Eggs
Mickey-shaped Waffles
Steak
served with Mashed Potatoes and Sweet Corn

DESSERT TRIO

Beverages included:
Milk and Skim Milk
Fountain Beverages
Juices: Orange/Apple/Tomato
One Specialty Beverage

Specialty Beverage Selections

Adult Specialty Beverage Selection

Choice of One

Mimosa
Champagne
Seasoned & Spiced Tomato Juice with Vodka
Cappuccino
Latte
Espresso
Glass of Wine

Children’s Specialty Beverage Selection

Choice of One served in a Specialty Cup

Tink Drink
Lemonade, Orange Juice and Sprite
Strawberry Smoothie


The Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom operating hours for the extremely busy Thanksgiving week have been extended with early park opening.

From November 22 to November 29 2014, Magic Kingdom will now be opening at 8:00 AM instead of the previously scheduled 9:00 AM. The change also means that Morning Extra Magic Hours move to beginning at 7:00 AM rather than 8:00 AM.

Festival of the Seasons begins on November 14 at Downtown Disney, and this year will see a new wait system used for the very popular Santa meet and greet.

Located in the Santa Chalet between World of Disney and Basin, guests can meet Santa 5pm - 9:30pm, from November 14 - 20, and 12:00 PM - 9:30 PM, from November 21 to December 24.

From December 25 - 29, guests can meet Santa Goofy from 3:00 PM to 9:30PM.

If the queue is longer than 30 minutes, Cast Members will be handing out pagers, or a guests can opt to receive a text message. When Santa become available, the guest will be contacted to return to the chalet for an approximate 20 minute wait.
Holidays Around the World at Epcot begins November 28, and Disney has today announced details of some new experiences that will be joining returning favorites.

According to the post on the official Disney Parks Blog there will be new acts in Mexico, Morocco and China.

"In Mexico, guests will enjoy the songs and traditions of “Fiesta de Navidad,” featuring colorful dancers and mariachis, who celebrate the holiday customs of Mexico in an interactive, musical performance. A Moroccan storyteller invites guests to join her on a journey to experience the gaiety of festivals, holiday traditions, and celebrations that are like the “spice of life” across Morocco. And the China pavilion bursts to life with the vibrant Chinese Lion Dance, bringing good fortune and happiness to all in honor of major holidays such as the Lunar New Year and Lantern Festival."

Holidays Around the World at Epcot takes place from November 28 through to December 29, and is included with park admission.

The taping of the ABC Christmas Day Parade will be held on December 8 and 9 2014 at the Magic Kingdom.

Guests in the park during the filming days will be able to take part, although special tickets will not be made available to guests.


This year's parade marks a departure from previous years, and is expected to be heavily based around the 'Frozen' movie. The title for this year's parade is "Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration."

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