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Ears the News: August 17, 2018 Edition


Welcome to the latest edition of Ears the News

Brought to you by our friends at WDWMagic.com.





Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com

Disney has announced that a both the Walt Disney World Railroad and The Tomorrowland Speedway will be interrupted during the construction of the new TRON coaster at the Magic Kingdom.
The Walt Disney World Railroad will temporarily take up residence at the Main Street Station starting in December 2018, pausing its grand-circle tours of Magic Kingdom Park. During this time, you will be able to get an up-close look at the railroad and take advantage of one-of-a-kind photo opportunities.

The Tomorrowland Speedway will close for a portion of 2019, as the attraction’s track is adjusted. It will reopen as the same attraction in the summer of 2019.

An enhanced Wi-Fi service is being rolled-out across the Walt Disney World Resort hotels, with Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter the first to be updated.

The new service is live now, and can be accessed via the "WDW Resorts Guest" SSID name. Enhanced Wi-Fi is available in both public spaces around the resort and in guest rooms.


Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com 

Smash Mouth and Anderson East have been added to complete the line-up for the 2018 Eat to the Beat concert series at this year's Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.

Here is the completed 2018 Eat to the Beat performer schedule:
August 30 to 31: Blue October
September 1 to 3: Tiffany
September 4 to 5: NEW! MercyMe
September 6 to 7: NEW! Glass Tiger
September 8 to 9: NEW! Tauren Wells
September 10 to 11: Postmodern Jukebox
September 12 to 13: NEW! Vertical Horizon
September 14 to 16: Baha Men
September 17 to 19: Plain White T’s
September 20 to 21: Living Colour
September 22 to 23: NEW! Sheila E
September 24 to 26: Sugar Ray
September 27 to 28: David Cook
September 29 to 30: Jeffrey Osborne
October 1 to 2: NEW! Jim Belushi & The Sacred Hearts
October 3 to 4: Everclear
October 5 to 7: Mark Wills
October 8 to 10: Air Supply
October 11 to 12: NEW! Anderson East
October 13 to 14: Smash Mouth
October 15 to 16: NEW! 98 Degrees
October 17 to 18: 38 Special
October 19 to 21: The Devon Allman Project
October 22 to 23: Kenny G
October 24 to 25: Billy Ocean
October 26 to 28: Starship featuring Mickey Thomas
October 29 to 31: Hanson
November 1 to 2: NEW! High Valley
November 3 to 4: Taylor Dayne
November 5 to 7: Boyz II Men
November 8 to 9: The Hooters
November 10 to 12: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy


Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com 

The Edison at Disney Springs is hosting "A Gatsby Evening" on September 2 2018, priced at $75 per person plus tax and gratuity.

Celebrate Labor Day at Disney Springs by getting all dolled up in your best flapper attire, jazzed up in your 1920s style suits, and get ready to dance the night away in style. From the moment you step on the red carpet and enter the opulent party setting, be prepared to be entertained. From flair-tenders serving swanky spirits, flying aerial champagne performers, burlesque dancers, cigar rollers, a live band, stilt-walkers and more, you will be dazzled till the end. Sip complimentary bubbles of Moet Champagne and enjoy The Edison's full food & beverage menu for purchase.

Doors Open at 7:30 p.m. Purchase your tickets here: https://bit.ly/2OSK9SF


Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com 


The original bus loop at Disney's Hollywood Studios has now closed, and all bus traffic is now using the recently opened charter bus stop area.

Once the new Resort Bus Stop area is completed, Walt Disney World Resort busses will move to that new load area.


Disney has updated its 'My Disney Experience' app to also include the 'Shop Disney Parks' app functionality.

'Shop Disney Parks' launched in August 2015, making it easier to locate merchandise at the parks, and also to order products when not at Walt Disney World.

In an August 2018 update, the main Walt Disney World vacation planning app 'My Disney Experience,' now also features the same 'Shop Disney Parks' capabilities. You can find it on the home screen on 'My Disney Experience,' under the 'Buy Merchandise' heading.

Even though you can use 'My Disney Experience' for your shopping needs, it appears that the 'Shop Disney Parks' app will continue to be offered as a stand-alone app.

Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com

Drivers heading to the monorail resorts will notice a few changes as the first of two World Dr. overpasses has now opened.

Drivers heading toward north on World Drive towards the Contemporary will now use the left lane to access the new northbound overpass.

If you are heading towards Fort Wilderness Resort, you will continue to exit World Drive from the right lane onto Vista Blvd.

Guests heading towards the magic Kingdom will continue straight and use the auto plaza as normal.

The new southbound overpass is expected to open soon.


Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com 

When the reimagining of Old Port Royale is complete later this year at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, a new table service and quick service restaurant will open in a new location on the waterfront.
Sebastian's Bistro will offer a menu that blends Latin and Caribbean flavors, the interior will reflect a tropical beachfront home, from coral patterns and kelp filigree, to lure-inspired art and nautical designs.

Sebastian's Bistro will replace the former Shutters restaurant as the resort's table service offering.

Centertown Market is the name of the new quick service dining offering at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort.

Opening alongside the resort's renovations later this year, Centertown Market will continue the indoor street market vibe of its predecessor.


Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com 

Reservations are now open for the 2018 Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Holiday Dessert Party at Disney's Hollywood Studios. 

Like last year, a ticket will get you access to a dessert party along with reserved viewing for both Disney Movie Magic and the holiday firework and projection show - Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!

According to Disney's announcement, you’ll enter the space under a large palapa-like structure, accented with glowing, colored light pendants made from glass bottles. The market will feature open shutters, wooden light posts, awnings, ornamentation and unique seating areas. You will also have access to the Grab n’ Go market for specialty coffee and quick bites.

Holiday-inspired snacks will include, desserts, wine, beer, and specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Menu favorites include the classic Yule log, cheese fondue with pretzel bread, and Gingerbread martinis.

From November 6 – December 22 and January 2-6, the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Holiday Dessert Party is $79 for adults and $45 for children, with tax and gratuity included. From December 23 – January 1, the dessert party is $89 for adults and $49 for children with tax and gratuity included.

Reservations are now open, and can be made by calling 407-WDW-DINE or online. Admission to Disney's Hollywood is required.

Disney is embarking on a program to enhance the arrival experience at all four of its Walt Disney World theme parks over the coming years.

The goal is to make the arrival experience at the parks a more pleasant experience, and will cover every aspect, from the roadways, to parking lots, security checkpoints and walkways.

Disney's Hollywood Studios will be the first park to receive the enhanced experience, with a new parking lot main entrance currently under construction from Osceola Parkway planned to open later this year.

The Studios will also have new resort bus stops, a new Disney Skyliner station, and plans also include updated parking tram areas and covered bag checks and walkways.

As the guest count at Walt Disney World continues to rise, Disney has also been upgrading many of the roadways around the resort. The area around Disney Springs has seen considerable change, which has greatly reduced congestion in that area. This month has also seen the opening of a new flyover on World Drive, bypassing the Magic Kingdom auto-plaza.

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