Ears the News: April 27, 2018 Edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Ears the News

Brought to you by our friends at WDWMagic.com.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrated their 20th Anniversary on Sunday, April 22. 

In attendance for the celebration were Animal Kingdom’s Vice President Djuan Rivers and Imagineer Joe Rhode.

Video courtesy of WDWMagic.com.

Having trouble viewing the video? Click here to watch on YouTube.

In celebration for Animal Kingdom’s 20th Anniversary, Disney announced a once in a lifetime Adventures by Disney experience. This new one time only, adult only tour is a Safari in South Africa with Imagineer Joe Rhode and Dr. Mark Penning.

Pricing is around $11,500 excluding flights.

Video courtesy of Disney Parks.

Having trouble viewing the video? Click here to watch on YouTube.

The annual refurbishment of Disney's Blizzard Beach water park is currently scheduled for fall 2018. 

It will begin on October 28 2018 and the park is scheduled to reopen to guest on January 6 2019.

The line-up for the 2018 Eat to the Beat concert series has been announced.

New to this year’s concert series will be percussionist and singer Sheila E, '80s Canadian rockers Glass Tiger and 98 Degrees.

Here is the 2018 Eat to the Beat performer schedule:

• 8/30-31 – Blue October – “Into the Ocean”
• 9/1-3 – Tiffany – “I Think We’re Alone Now”
• 9/4-5 – MercyMe – “I Can Only Imagine” NEW
• 9/6-7 – Glass Tiger – “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone) NEW
• 9/8-9 – Tauren Wells – “Hills and Valleys” NEW
• 9/10-11 – Postmodern Jukebox
• 9/12-13 – TBD
• 9/14-16 – Baha Men – “Who Let The Dogs Out”
• 9/17-19 – TBD
• 9/20-21 – Living Color – “Cult of Personality”
• 9/22-23 – Sheila E – “The Glamorous Life” NEW
• 9/24-26 – Sugar Ray – “Every Morning”
• 9/17-28 – David Cook – “Light On”
• 9/29-30 – Jeffrey Osbourne – “On The Wings of Love”
• 10/1-2 – Jim Belushi & The Sacred Hearts – Various Hits
• 10/3-4 – Everclear – “Santa Monica”
• 10/5-7 – Mark Wills – “19 Somethin’”
• 10/8-10 – Air Supply – “All Out Of Love”
• 10/11-12 – TBD
• 10/13-14 – TBD
• 10/15-16 – 98 Degrees – “Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)” NEW
• 10/17-18 – 38 Special – “Hold On Loosely”
• 10/19-21 – Devon Allman Project – “Ragged and Dirty”
• 10/22-23 – TBD
• 10/24-25 – Billy Ocean – “Get Outta My Dreams”
• 10/26-28 – Starship featuring Mickey Thomas – “We Built This City”
• 10/29-31 – Hanson – “MMMBop”
• 11/1-2 – TBD
• 11/3-4 – Taylor Dayne – “Prove Your Love”
• 11/5-7 – Boyz II Men – “End Of The Road”
• 11/8-9 – The Hooters – “And We Danced”
• 11/10-12 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy – “Go Daddy-O

The operating hours at Disney's Animal Kingdom have been updated and the number of days with Extra Magic Hours has been significantly increased.

From April 29 to June 30, 2018, there are morning Extra Magic Hours on a near daily basis, typically from 8am to 9am.

At Disney's Animal Kingdom, the EMH lineup includes Avatar - Flight of Passage, Na'vi River Journey, Expedition Everest, DINOSAUR, and Triceratops Spin, with Kilimanjaro Safaris also available on some days.

The Friendship Boat service that runs from the Epcot area resort hotels to Disney's Hollywood Studios will be unavailable from early May 2018.

Work on the Swan and Dolphin bridge will close the boat service beginning May 7, 2018. During the work, the walkway across the bridge will remain open, and bus service to the Studios will remain operational as normal.

Impacted resorts include Disney's Yacht and Beach Club, Disney's BoardWalk Resort, and the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels.

Looking to plan your next trip to Walt Disney World? Contact the agents at Kingdom Konsultant Travel to help you plan your dream vacation. Email vacations@kingdomkonsultant.com for a free quote today.