Ears the News: November 18, 2018 Edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Ears the News

Brought to you by our friends at WDWMagic.com

Disney has revealed that its gondola transportation system - Disney Skyliner, will open to guests in fall 2019.

In addition , Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Chairman Bob Chapek unveiled the Disney Skyliner gondola to Disney fans during D23’s Destination D event today at Walt Disney World.

Video from the Disney Parks Blog.

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

The system will connect Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century and Caribbean Beach resorts and other locations with Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot.

Disney has revealed the name of a number of new resorts and attractions coming to Walt Disney World.

The new 15 story tower under construction at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort will be called “Gran Destino Tower”.

The tower, which will be completed in July 2019, will serve as the new main entrance point for guests visiting the resort, and will add a total of 545 new guest rooms (including 50 suites) to the resort, as well as feature a two-story lobby. A themed table-service restaurant is also planned for the top of Gran Destino Tower, offering views of the Walt Disney World Resort.

The new ride currently under construction at Epcot's France Pavilion will be named "Remy's Ratatouille Adventure."

The ride, based on the popular attraction found at Disneyland Paris is still some way off from its Walt Disney World debut, with current estimates of a Spring 2020 opening.

The new Disney Vacation Club property to be built on Bay Lake between Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resort that was announced last month now has a name -"Reflections - A Disney Lakeside Lodge."

The deluxe resort, which will be themed to complement its natural surroundings, will include more than 900 hotel rooms and proposed Disney Vacation Club villas spread across a variety of unique accommodation types.

The names of the two signature attractions set for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge when it opens at the Disneyland Resort next summer and at the Walt Disney World Resort in fall 2019 will be “Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run” and “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance”.

In addition to the name, Disney has also released new footage of both attractions as well as some of the new music composed by John Williams.

Videos from the Disney Parks Blog.

Video from the Disney Parks Blog.

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

Video from the Disney Parks Blog.

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

Video from the Disney Parks Blog.

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

Disney has also revealed some new shows coming to the parks.

Epcot Forever to debut as interim show before full Reflections of Earth replacement in 2020.

The unnamed new nighttime spectacular will celebrate how Disney music inspires people around the world, and will feature massive floating set pieces, custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics and lasers.

Concept art courtesy of Disney

Before that new show begins, there will be a limited-time experience, called "Epcot Forever," which will debut in fall 2019 and will feature classic Epcot tunes.

"Epcot Forever" will begin with a spark of imagination that swells into an epic spectacle of fireworks, music, lighting, lasers, and special effects kites.

An all-new cinematic nighttime experience, “Wonderful World of Animation,” which will debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in May 2019, as part of the park’s 30th anniversary celebration.

The show will use state-of-the-art projection technology to take guests on a magical journey through more than 90 years of Disney animation, all beginning with Mickey himself.

Concept art courtesy of Disney

A new beauty and the Beast sing-along attraction is coming to Epcot's France pavilion.

Using the existing theater, and playing in addition to “Impressions de France,” the brand new “Beauty and the Beast” sing-along is being created by Don Hahn, producer of the animated and live-action “Beauty and the Beast” films.

The Magic Kingdom's Town Square Theater will begin using an automated PhotoPass system, the first in a planned roll-out to nine locations.

Expected to begin soon with the Tinker Bell meet and greet, the new system will use an automated camera system instead of the traditional PhotoPass photographers.

A kiosk at the meet and greet will show the guest the captured image, with a touch point to scan with a MagicBand to associate the image. Much like those found at on-ride photo locations.

Moments from the experience will be captured from start to finish, giving the guest a variety of images to choose from.

The Gingerbread House at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort is now open in a new location for 2018.

This year, the Gingerbread House is located central in the lobby, directly beneath the bandstand area.

Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com

The Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland Terrace will be return to service this week with a Thanksgiving line-up.

Dishes include a Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner $15.99 (Oven-roasted Turkey, Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, Turkey Gravy, Stuffing, Green Beans and Cranberry Sauce); Oven-roasted Turkey BLT $12.99 (Roasted Turkey, Applewood-smoked Bacon, Smoked Gouda, Chipotle Garlic Aïoli, Lettuce and Tomato on a Roll served with French Fries or Apple Slices); Flavors of Fall Salad with Roasted Turkey $10.99 (Mixed Greens topped with Roasted Turkey and tossed with Granny Smith Apples, Cranberries, Sharp Cheddar, Pumpkin Seeds and a Maple-Shallot Vinaigrette); Chicken Strips and Burgers.

Operating hours are 11am to 3pm daily from November 17 - 24, 2018.


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.