Ears the News: August 23, 2019 Edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Ears the News

Brought to you by our friends at WDWMagic.com

Disney has today revealed plans for the new Tri-Circle-D Ranch at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.

Horses from both the Pony Farm and Tri-Circle-D Ranch will have new barns and updated outdoor spaces.

Image courtesy of WDWMagic.com

Starting August 19 2019, the Draft Horse Barn and Pony Farm will temporarily be inaccessible to guests until the new barn debuts in Spring 2020. Guests can still enjoy Pony rides at the Trail Blaze Corral near the campground's entrance, and the resort's trail rides and carriage rides will continue to operate as normal.


Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party debuted its all new firework show - Disney's Not So Spooky Spectacular.

Replacing Happy HalloWishes, the near 14 minute show features perimeter fireworks, castle projection mapping, an all new soundtrack, and an onstage appearance by Jack Skellington.

Mickey's Boo To You Halloween Parade has some updates for 2019, including the spectral bride who glides among the waltzing spirits, and a new Tomorrowland unit starring The Incredibles and Buzz Lightyear.

Video courtesy of WDWMagic.com

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

Video courtesy of WDWMagic.com

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

The Liberty Square Riverboat ride in the Magic Kingdom is now closed for a brief refurbishment.

The planned reopening to guests will be on August 24, 2019.

More dates have just been added to the Disney After Hours events at the Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom, extending the event through to March 2020.

The new dates are listed below for each park, and all go on sale now. No dates have been announced for Disney's Hollywood Studios.

All Disney After Hours event tickets cost $125 + tax for advance purchase and $129 + tax for day-of purchases. Disney Vacation Club members and Annual Passholders do receive a discounted price $95 + tax.

The event gives you access to the park for three hours after regular park hours, which means nearly no wait for attractions, and you can enter the park early – at 7pm on your event night – before Disney After Hours begins. Ice cream, popcorn and non-alcoholic beverages are also included in your Disney After Hours admission, which is a separately priced ticket from daytime park admission.

Magic Kingdom Park

• August 22, 29, 2019
• September 5, 12, 19, 26, 2019
• November 18, 2019
• December 9 2019
• January 6, 13, 17, 20, 2020

Tickets are currently available for Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park at DisneyWorld.com/DisneyAfterHours.

Disney's Animal Kingdom
Includes the Tree of Life Awakenings, the adventures within Pandora – The World of Avatar and more. Select quick-service food & beverage locations will remain open throughout the night for purchases.

• August 26, 2019
• September 3, 9, 16, 23, 2019
• October 5, 9, 19, 26, 30, 2019
• November 5, 13, 19, 2019
• December 7, 14, 18, 2019
• January 9, 16, 22, 30, 2020
• February 6, 13, 19, 27, 2020
• March 5, 12, 19, 26, 2020

Disney has announced a new TV series and coffee book that will take an in-depth look at the role of Cast Members throughout the company.

'One Day At Disney' will debut December 3, 2019 on Disney+ (Disney's new streaming service,) and the 224-page coffee table book will arrive on the same day in book stores.

Executive produced by Michael Antinoro and David Chamberlin for Endeavor Content, the series kicks off with a feature-length documentary highlighting not only GMA’s Roberts, but also the likes of (in alphabetical order):

• Walt Disney Imagineer Eric Baker, who helped bring Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to life 
• WDI’s Ashley Girdich, a Research and Development Project Manager in the world of robotics technology 
• Legendary animator Eric Goldberg (Aladdin, Pocahontas, the Academy Award®-nominated Get a Horse!) 
• Disneyland Railroad cast member Mark Gonzales 
• Disney Worldwide Publishing’s senior illustration manager Grace Lee 
• South African actor Zamavus “Zama” Magudulela, currently portraying Rafiki in the Madrid production of Disney on Broadway’s The Lion King 
• Marvel Studios’ head of visual development Ryan Meinerding (Avengers: Endgame, Guardians of the Galaxy) 
• Walt Disney World resort veterinarian Dr. Natalie Mylniczenko 
• Pixar artist and sculptor Jerome Ranft 

Following the debut of the special, more than 50 One Day at Disney shorts—ranging in length between 4 to 7 minutes will debut each week on Disney+.

Video courtesy of Disney

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

Disney has officially named the upcoming Star Wars hotel the "Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser."

Image courtesy of D23.com

The “Starcruiser” you will be aboard is the Halcyon from the Chandrila Star Line.

Disney describes the new hotel as a "first-of-its-kind vacation experience where guests will check in for a two-night adventure aboard a glamorous starship. Once onboard, guests will interact with characters and become active participants in stories that unfold around them on their galactic journey."


Disney has announced that Journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana.” will be coming to Epcot as part of its redevelopment.

According to Disney, this first-ever attraction based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios hit film, “Moana,” will let guests interact with magical, living water in a beautiful and inspiring setting.

The new area will be located in what is currently Future World in approximately the area currently occupied by the Innoventions West building leading towards the Living Seas. Innoventions West and all the buildings on that side will be demolished as part of the work.

Image courtesy of Disney

Epcot's new preview center will be called the 'Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience' and will open in October 2019.

The new exhibit will showcase the changes coming to Epcot as part of the park's redevelopment. According to Disney "Inside this first-of-its-kind offering within a Disney park, guests will discover engaging and interactive exhibits that allow you to step inside the relentless innovation, energy and excitement and see some never-before-revealed details driving the future of Epcot all throughout this unprecedented period of transformation."

'Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience' will be located in the Odyssey.

Guests at the Disney Parks “Imagining Tomorrow, Today” pavilion at D23 Expo today got a first look at the new Epcot logo.

Part of the redevelopment of the park, the Epcot name remains but with an updated logo.

Image courtesy of WDWMagic.com

Disney has also revealed concept art for the new central spine redevelopment of Epcot - which will see major changes to the center of the park in what is currently Future World.

Future World as we know it will be gone, and will be replaced with three “neighborhoods” - World Nature, World Discovery and World Celebration.

At the center, Innoventions West will be completely removed, and in its place will be a new meet and greet building to replace Character Spot, a large multi-level festival center complete with rooftop bar and lounge, and a walk-through garden area with an elaborate water feature called 'Journey of Water Inspired by Moana.'

On the other side, the existing eastern buildings will remain, but with extensive remodeling, and will become home to a quick service restaurant, an expanded Mouse Gear, the relocated Starbucks and Club Cool, and a couple of smaller Food and Beverage offerings including the much-talked about Beer Garden.


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.