Ears the News: July 27, 2018 Edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Ears the News

Brought to you by our friends at WDWMagic.com.

The Liberty Square Riverboat refurbishment at the Magic Kingdom has been extended.

The original time line had the refurbishment ending on July 19. It will now be closed through to the fall of 2018.

Walt Disney World will once again be celebrating Disney PhotoPass Day in 2018. 

Photo courtesy of Disney Parks

The one-day celebration set to take place on August 19, 2018 will bring special character meet and greets to all four theme parks, exclusive Animated Magic Shots and more.

Full details will be released at a later date.

Walt Disney World will soon begin hosting all-new V.I.PASSHOLDER Nights, an after-hours event at Epcot and the Magic Kingdom.

V.I.PASSHOLDER Nights will be available to Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus and Premier Passholders, taking place on:

• August 5, 2018 at Magic Kingdom from 10:00pm to 12:00am 
• September 6, 2018 at Epcot from 9:00pm to 11:00pm 
• October 25, 2018 at Epcot from 9:00pm to 11:00pm 

Advance Registration will be required and is currently open.

Terralina Crafted Italian and Paddlefish at Disney Springs are now offering special happy hour deals throughout the summer season.

At Terralina, a late-night happy hour will take place from 9 -11pm Sunday – Thursday on the patio. Specials include $5 Beers and half-price wines by the glass.

Next door at Paddlefish, specials include:

• Bar Only (2 - 4pm) - $5 draft beers and $20 bottles of rosé 
• Rooftop Deck Only (9 - 11pm) - $5 draft beers and $20 bottles of rosé 

Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com.

Splash Mountain at the Magic Kingdom will have a new sponsor beginning in early August 2018.

Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com.

Ziploc, a brand of re-seable zipper storage bags produced ed by S.C. Johnson & Son., will become the ride's sponsor.

As part of the long-term sponsorship deal, guests will have access to Ziploc bags at Splash Mountain, which are already widely used by guests to keep possessions protected on water rides.



Chef Guy Fieri and Robert Earl are joining forces to open a new fast-casual concept at Disney Springs - Chicken Guy!

Located alongside the Planet Hollywood Observatory, Chicken Guy! will feature one-of-a-kind all-natural fresh chicken tenders, hand-pounded to maximize crunch and paired with a wide selection of sauces. The tenders are brined in fresh lemon juice, pickle brine and buttermilk, and infused with fresh herbs.

The menu features the tenders—grilled or fried—in sandwiches, straight up on skewers, or in meal-sized salad bowls, and a wide array of sauces to enjoy with the chicken as well as sides like Guy Fieri’s fries, mac ‘n cheese, fried pickles and fresh slaw.

Chicken Guy! also has two Flavortown Frozen Treats, and for dessert a Triple Double Ice Cream Treat or the Cinnamon Apple.

Photo courtesy of Disney Parks

“I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Guy—first with the launch of his sandwich and burger menu at Planet Hollywood. Since then, we have kept in touch, determined to work on more projects together,” said Planet Hollywood Founder and Chairman Robert Earl. “We have found the perfect venture with Chicken Guy!, certain to be a crowd-pleaser. I have personally tasted all the menu items and can’t wait to open at Disney Springs and across the country, because I know our guests will love what Guy has put on the menu.”

“I’m stoked to be building Chicken Guy! with my friend, Robert Earl,” said Fieri. “It’s all about the real deal, all-natural chicken but lemme tell you, our sauce game is on point."

The restaurant will include both indoor and outdoor seating, and specially developed packaging that will make carrying out and enjoying food on the go fun and easy.

The Walt Disney Company plans to eliminate single-use plastic straws and plastic stirrers at all owned and operated locations across the globe, amounting to a reduction of more than 175 million straws and 13 million stirrers annually.

Also announced are plans to transition to refillable in-room amenities in hotels and cruise ships, reducing plastics in guest rooms by 80 percent.

Plans also call for Disney to reduce the number of plastic shopping bags in owned and operated parks and on Disney cruise line, offering guests the option to purchase reusable bags at a nominal price.

Finally, the company will eliminate polystyrene cups across its globally owned and operated business

The company plans to implement most changes by mid-2019.

“Eliminating plastic straws and other plastic items are meaningful steps in our long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Bob Chapek, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences, and Consumer Products. “These new global efforts help reduce our environmental footprint, and advance our long-term sustainability goals.”

“Disney has always been inspired by nature – and it is a uniquely powerful brand that inspires, educates, and entertains, all at the same time,” said Dr. M. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International. “Today’s announcement is more than about reducing single-use plastic waste, it’s also about showing millions of kids and adults from around the world the many ways we can change our daily habits to care for the oceans and protect nature that sustains us all. It also builds on Disney’s longstanding commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship, a legacy that stretches from the highlands of Peru to the islands of the South Pacific.”

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.