Wednesday, July 5, 2017

[Video] Photo Finds - Dolphin Nursery at Sea World

Here is another great video from Photo Finds featuring the brand new Dolphin Nursery that just opened at SeaWorld Orlando. Once again, I did not make these videos and am not affiliated with Attractions Magazine in any way. I just love this guys work and these videos. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/9WHNrLaJ5MI

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

[Video] Top 10 Free things to do in Walt Disney World

Here is a great video featuring the top 10 free things to do in Walt Disney World! As a Florida resident I do all of them a lot and highly recommend them! If you have kids +1 to the camp fire sing along. A great time for the kids and completely free!

https://youtu.be/J79RAyxGjZg

Live Stream of the 2017 “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky”! Starts at 8:55!

Happy 4th of July Quack Attackers! Get ready because at 8:55 pm, the video below will be come active and we will experience the 2017 “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky”! We will first get greeted by a special featurette about the different firework shows around property. The real show will begin at 9 pm. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/wKA6xvaQ_Dg

After the live stream is over, the above video should become a recorded video of the display.

Monday, July 3, 2017

[Video] Top 5 worst guests at Walt Disney World

Here is another video from the same guys as the last once that I posted. Just like the last one, these are not my opinions. I do think it is a very interesting topic though because I think most theme park fans will definitely agree with at least a few of them. Let me know what you think!

https://youtu.be/_B-WulBJxF0

[Video] The top 5 worst restaurants at Walt Disney World

First a disclaimer: I did not create this video and these are not based on my opinions at all. With that said hear is an interesting video that I found about the worst 5 restaurants in Walt Disney World. It is an interesting watch however I think that it is also very opinionative. Somebody can have different experiences at a restaurant then someone else. Anyway, I am curious to here what you think. Let me know!

https://youtu.be/w0LB6TJHFKo

Mobile ordering expanded again!

As I figured last week when I posted about the Mobile ordering coming to Flame Tree BBQ, it has expanded once again. To everywhere in Animal Kingdom! That's right, it was just announced that mobile ordering has now expanded to Pizzafari and Restaurantosaurus. This makes it available to every Disney owned quick service restaurant in Animal Kingdom. Just as a reference, Rainforest Cafe and Yak and Yeti (including the attached local foods café) are not owned by Disney and therefore will not have it.

The rumor is that next we may see it slowly expand throughout Disney Springs. I am not to sure how that would work exactly as nearly all Disney Springs is 3rd party companies though. Eventually this will overcome all of Walt Disney World.

Mobile ordering is the new quick service reservation system that Disney is introducing to make ordering at the restaurants a snap. Essentially you can simply use the My Disney Experience app on your smart phone to order your items. When you start heading towards the restaurant you just click the "I'm Here" button in the app and the kitchen will start preparing the food. When you arrive at the restaurant you can then simply show the screen at the counter and pick up your food with no waiting and no fuss.

It really does make it super quick and easy to order your lunch and is a great idea by Disney to start this. What do you think?

New summer fun just announced at Blizzard Beach and Disney Springs

Well if you thought that Disney's summer was in full swing, think again! Disney has just announced some more new things that will be added to the parks for the summer season!

Club Penguin Island


Club penguin will be returning to Disney's Blizzard Beach water park starting on July 29th. Here is the direct quote from Disney...




On July 29, your favorite mobile game is bringing some special fun to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park. And just like in the game, this event lets you make friends and embark on adventures together.

Guests visiting Disney’s Blizzard Beach on July 29 will have the chance to participate in lots of Club Penguin Island-themed activities such as a penguin splash competition in the Ski Patrol area, coloring contests, a ‘snowball’ toss with water balloons, and much more.

And if you aren’t already playing Club Penguin Island, you can get started by clicking here to download on a mobile device. Club Penguin Island is available for a $4.99 monthly membership subscription on the App Store or on Google Play.



That doesn't seem to give away to many details but I will update you if I find more.

Beat the Heat DJ Dance Party


A new fun DJ party will also be coming to the Marketplace at Disney Springs. Here is that release...
“Beat the Heat DJ Dance Party” is a summer-inspired dance party featuring family friendly music and the iconic Marketplace Fun Fountains. The party takes place daily 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in between Earl of Sandwich and Once Upon a Toy. And then, once the sun begins to set, the fountains are turned off for the ultimate nighttime dance party – 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Disney Springs deals and fun


Disney Springs will be holding a plethora of special events in many stores throughout the complex...
Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic “Summer of Love” in San Francisco, California and offering the Haight Ash’berry’ sundae (hot fudge sundae with seasonal berries, topped with whipped cream and a dark chocolate blueberry square) for a limited time only. If you purchase this sundae, you’ll receive a flower crown and heart shaped sunglasses.

Amorette’s Patisserie is now offering Sparkling Hibiscus Lemonade for summertime guests. This refreshing drink can also receive a splash of liquor for those looking to enjoy a spirited beverage.

#ThrowbackThursday at Dockside Margaritas in the Marketplace is already underway at Disney Springs. Every Thursday through September 28, 2017, four drinks will be featured, all at a special “throwback” price. Look for your favorite blast from the past cocktail, such as the Kungaloosh from Adventurer’s Club and the Bell Bottom from 8Trax. The non-alcoholic Emil’s Strawberry Colada from Adventurer’s Club will also be offered every Thursday for kids (of all ages) to enjoy.

Coca-Cola Store Rooftop Beverage Bar is offering a wide variety of Coca-Cola flavors this summer, in addition to an array of cocktails, mocktails, smoothies and ice cream floats. Here, you can sip on the ‘Coca-Cola Tastes of the World’ and enjoy a selection of Coca-Cola beverages from Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Paddlefish, located on the iconic Lake Buena Vista paddleboat, is open and has a rooftop bar and lounge that allows you to unwind and enjoy the spectacular views of the summertime sunset and evening activities at Disney Springs. You can enjoy live entertainment on the rooftop deck every Friday and Saturday night, 9:00 p.m. to midnight.

And if you’re looking to bring some items back home to help cool-down this summer, check out D-Living located in Town Center. This seasonally themed boutique features all the Disney merchandise necessary to prepare you for the summer. D-Living is your one-stop-shop for picking up that brand-new Walt Disney World Resort beach towels, straw hats, and that apron you need for your next summer barbeque.

Also this week, UGG is offering up to 50% off select styles of footwear, apparel and accessories through July 5, 2017.

Now through July 31, 2017 shoppers can enjoy 50% off select styles at Unode50.

British label Superdry is also offering up to 50% off select styles, including their men’s denim and women’s summer dresses now through July 31, 2017.

And with any purchase over $50 at the beachy boutique Shore from today to July 4, 2017 will get you a complimentary frisbee.

Some of these offerings are for a limited time, so head to Disney Springs this week and enjoy this cool celebration of summer.

 

[Video] Overview of the new buildings coming to Hollywood Studios and Epcot!

Here is a great video that shows where all the already announced or rumored buildings will be that are coming to the Hollywood Studios and Epcot Area. The incredible video shows the building over imposed onto Google Earth. Enjoy!

Goodbye Disney Quest! (A tribute and the closing)

In what I am sure everyone has now heard, the once popular 5 story arcade of the former Downtown Disney area has now officially closed it's doors last night, permanently. For many die-hard Disney fans, this was a very sad day. The attraction was so beloved that at one time it was considered Disney's 5th theme park, this is an honor that most people still seem to think to this day. In this post I am going to show some videos of last nights closure and give some information and look back on some of the attractions past.

What was Disney Quest?


Disney Quest was a 5 story arcade type "theme park" that was located in the Disney Springs (formerly Downtown Disney) area of Walt Disney World. It existed of a combination of rides and arcade games that would use the latest advancements in technology at the time that it was built.

Here is a great video from Attractions Magazine that lets us sit back and take one last trip through the big blue building..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR96Ffcn84A

So what happened?


When Disney Quest was first built it was intended to be the first of many that would open up around the country. The idea was for them to build in mall type areas, similar to the Disney Store. Sadly this never panned out after the Downtown Disney attraction was built. Ever since then the popularity of the attraction had wavered off and the ticket sales were stumbling. This eventually led to Disney not wanting to fund any updates or enhancements for the attraction. That would eventually cause the technology to become extremely outdated. Slowly Disney started to chip away some elements from the attraction. Once the massive Disney Springs update was announced, a lot of Disney fans thought that Disney Quests days were numbered.

The end to a once great piece of Walt Disney World


And sadly last night it shut the doors, for the last time. The area is slated to be renovated to become the NBA experience. There where fans out in droves last night to witness the end of the era. Here is a video of the lobby area as guests departed Disney Quest for the last time...

https://twitter.com/WDWNT/status/881684001190285312

And here are the doors closing for the last time...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR2NmFUsTHM

And here is a pretty emotional video of a guest leaving the building for the last time including the picture that was handed out to guests last night..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vy6aGq47n8

And that about does it, Disney Quest is now a piece of Disney history. The only thing that I think Disney Springs is missing at its current state is some different kind of attractions that would attract people. In other words, something different from shopping and dining which is where I felt that Disney Quest had fitted in. Hopefully they have more plans in the future to add some different types of entertainment to the complex. But we will see what the future brings, from now on we still have a countdown to NBA experience, Winebar Gorge and The Edison which will all be opening soon. Are you going to miss Disney Quest?

 

 

Logo and new booths announced for Food and Wine Festival

With this years food and wine festival quickly approaching we now have some details of what to expect! First definitely new thing this year is the logo. It is different from years past and features that loveable mouse Ratatouille as a mascot. Check it out...

Food and wine logo

The other details that we received are the names of some of the new booths that will be featured at this years festival. Here are the names..

  • Avocados of Mexico

  • Cheese – Hosted by Boursin

  • Beer

  • Flavored by Fire

  • Active Eats

  • Spain


Of course as previously announced this years festival will expand to a whopping 75 days! At this rate it, should just be a year-round thing! There will also be a record 35 booths throughout the park. It is definitely going to be bigger and better than earlier years. Other already announced additions will be the return of the Eat To The Beat concert series with some great names and the live filming of ABC's The Chew returning. Disney is definitely trying to expand on the festival and cannot wait to see how it comes out. What do you think, will you be going!

Sunday, July 2, 2017

[Video] Photo Finds - StarWars & Toy Story lands updates!

I just wanted to share this incredible video that takes a look at some of Disney's Hollywood Studios many construction projects and how far they are coming along. I just wanted to note as well that I am simply sharing this video because I love this guys videos, I am in no way sponsoring, promoting or affiliated with him or Attractions Magazine in any way. Enjoy!

Check Mickey's to temporarily relocate to convention center

This is a little big of some strange news. Disney has announced that the popular Chef Mickey's restaurant in the Contemporary Resort will temporarily move to the convention center during an unplanned maintenance. They did not go into any details about what the maintenance is though. The closure is expected to last from July 31st to August 13th.

Honestly, this is the first time that I have ever heard of them relocated a restaurant like this. In my opinion it sounds like possibly a safety issue arose or something that would need an immediate lengthy closure. I am sure that we will get a look at what they are working on when they close to see what it is. Anybody has any ideas!

If you are not familiar with Chef Mickey's it offers character dining with all your favorite Disney pals. It is located on the Grand Canyon Concourse level of the Contemporary Resort.

 

Saturday, July 1, 2017