ABC Commissary Offers New Fast Casual Dinner Menu!

The ABC Commissary at Disney's Hollywood Studios has been a long-time Guest favorite.  You can always take a break and grab something to eat while viewing ABC television show props.  Now, the Commissary will be offering a more upscale dinner menu, with elevated items and delivery to your table!

Appetizers will include jalapeno poppers and pita chips with hummus; fast-casual entrees will include Chimichurri Steak with fire-roasted corn medley, hearty BBQ chicken and ribs with coleslaw, and a Southwest burger with Pepper Jack cheese, bacon, guacamole, and jalapeno poppers.

Lighter options will include Lemon Pepper Salmon and a Mediterranean Salad.  Kids can enjoy entrees such as BBQ chicken, salmon, or burgers.

You will now place your order at the counter as usual and then receive a pager.  A Cast Member will then deliver your order to your table!  (I like this!)

Check it out the next time you visit Hollywood Studios!  It sounds delicious!

New Star Wars-Themed Additions Come to Hollywood Studios!

Beginning this month, Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® will have even more to celebrate as favorite Star Wars experiences are updated and new experiences begin in 2017:

• Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away:  AWR (Advanced Weapons Research) Troopers from the film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story will debut during a new scene in the existing Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away daytime show.  AWR Troopers are encased in specialized Stormtrooper armor with a dark, ominous gleam.
  
  
• Star Wars Launch Bay:  This location will feature new props from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Making-of footage can be seen in the attraction’s behind-the-scenes film, “Meet the Makers.”  Similar updates can also be found at Star Wars Launch Bay in Disneyland® Park in California.
  
  
• Star Tours - The Adventures Continue:  Voyage changes are coming starting in mid-December, switching back to randomized beginnings (instead of starting each journey on the planet of Jakku) and final destinations.
  
  
• Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular:  This spectacular show will return nightly beginning December 16, 2016 in celebration of the theatrical release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, joining “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” as a second nightly fireworks spectacular at the park through Dec. 31, 2016.
  
  
• Star Wars Guided Tour:  Beginning in 2017, this seven-hour guided tour will be led by a Star Wars “all-in-the-know” tour guide. You will blast off on Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, get an in-depth, insider’s tour around Launch Bay, and enjoy Star Wars-themed menu items at Backlot Express.  Plus, Guests age 4-12 will have an opportunity to participate in Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple.  And, the finale of this unforgettable day includes themed sweets and specialty beverages at Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party, which also includes reserved viewing for the show.
  
  

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story opens in U.S. theaters on Dec. 16, 2016.

Disney Reveals New MagicBand Packaging This Week

At Walt Disney World® Resort, they are always looking for ways to improve your experience while ensuring their products continue to support The Walt Disney Company’s environmental initiatives.

Beginning Nov. 11, 2016, Guests who receive MagicBands at home before their resort stay will have their MagicBands fulfilled in new packaging.  The new packaging is fully recyclable and printed on recycled paper, in response to Guests' requests.

This packaging will include the same grey MagicBand holder that’s provided to Guests and at the resort front desk.  It will also contain the same collateral information on how to wear the MagicBand, how to use it in the parks and resorts, and RFID technology.

The new packaging includes a sleeve on its left side, which is where the Walt Disney Travel Company luggage tags will now be located.  The luggage tag straps can be found inside the gray MagicBand holder.

I always love seeing the new changes that Disney comes up with.  I can't wait to get our next MagicBands in this packaging!

Disney Unveils New Money-Saving Ticket Option!

Discover Endless Magic at All Four
Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks with a New Special Ticket

With so many new attractions and experiences to discover at each of the Walt Disney World® Resort Theme Parks, now is the perfect time to start planning your stay – and Disney has a new special ticket offer to experience the distinctive magic in each Walt Disney World Theme Park.

The new 4 Park Magic Ticket is only $70 per day for a limited time and gives you one admission to each of the four theme parks on four separate days starting tomorrow, Nov. 15, 2016 through May 26, 2017.  (That is a savings of over $60 when compared to a four-day base Magic Your Way ticket!)

The 4 Park Magic Ticket is valid for a total of four admissions to the Walt Disney World Theme Parks and can be used to enter each Theme Park only once.

Tickets are valid for one day of admission to Magic Kingdom® Park, one day of admission to Epcot®, one day of admission to Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, and one day of admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios® on four separate days and may not be used to enter the same Park more than once.

This special ticket is the perfect way for you to stay at nearby at Walt Disney World Resort area hotels and experience all of this magic and more at each of the theme parks, but it won’t be available for long.

You can only purchase the 4 Park Magic Ticket between Nov. 15, 2016 and March 5, 2017*.  Tickets must be used within 14 days of first use or by May 26, 2017, and the following block-out dates apply:  Dec. 17, 2016 through Jan. 2, 2017 and April 10-21, 2017.

*Tickets are nonrefundable, nontransferable, and exclude activities/events separately priced.  Admission is subject to capacity closures and other restrictions.

All New Disney Nighttime SPECTACULAR at Disney's Hollywood Studios!

The all-new  “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” holiday spectacular comes to Disney’s Hollywood Studios® at Walt Disney World® Resort on Nov. 14, 2016.

Santa Claus is missing, and the search-and-rescue mission to get The Big Guy back to the North Pole in time for Christmas Eve is all part of the fun.  The show comes to life on, above, and around the Chinese Theater with state-of-the-art projections, special effects, fireworks, and a rousing seasonal musical score.

Led by elves Wayne and Lanny, the duo from ABC/Walt Disney Animation Studios’ animated special “Prep & Landing,” the spirited yuletide adventure to the North Pole features memorable holiday moments from Disney films including “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Pluto’s Christmas Tree,” “Bambi,” Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” and more all building to a festive finale that’s “So tinsel!”

If you are thinking about heading to Walt Disney World this holiday season, Dreams by Design Travel can help you get there flawlessly with help making dining reservations, ride reservations, and more.  Contact them today (via the logo on our home page) for your free holiday travel quote.

Cinderella's New Golden Coach Heads to Disney's Hollywood Studios

*Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog.

Isn't she beautiful?

According to the Disney Parks Blog, the Coach has made its way to Orlando and has already made one surprise appearance.  It is on its way next to Hollywood Studios.

Visit the Disney Parks Blog to see what surprises laid in store for Guests on New Years Eve!

The ABCs of Disney Character Hunting

The Examiner takes a look at finding your favorite characters at Walt Disney World A through Z.  How do you find your favorite characters, and do you have a tricks or tips?

"One of the most magical things to do at the Walt Disney World Resorts and Theme Parks is to go hunting for your favorite Disney character and get that autograph book filled.  Almost everyone who visit’s the Disney theme parks has a blast seeking out their favorite character.  Let’s be honest.  With a show of hands, how many of you have taken a selfie with Mickey Mouse or posed in a princess costume with Cinderella?  Yeah, I raised my hand too.

Some of the Disney characters only make rare appearances, coming out to visit with guests during peak seasons and special events.  Here is a list of Disney Characters in alphabetical order that can be found at the theme parks:
A

• Aladdin - Magic Kingdom: Magic Carpets of Aladdin; Epcot: Morocco
• Alice - Magic Kingdom: The Mad Tea Party; Epcot: United Kingdom; Epcot: The American Adventure
• Anastasia - Magic Kingdom: Behind Cinderella’s Castle
• Anna - Magic Kingdom: Princess Fairytale Hall
• Ariel - Magic Kingdom: Ariel’s Grotto; Epcot: Restaurant Akeshu (character dining only)
• Aurora - Magic Kingdom: Princess Fairytale Hall; Epcot: France, Restaurant Akeshu (character dining only)

B

• Baloo - Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Upcountry Landing
• Beast - Epcot: France
• Belle: Magic Kingdom - Cinderella’s Royal Table (character dining only), Enchanted Tales with Belle; Epcot: France, Restaurant Akeshu (character dining only)
• Buzz Lightyear: Magic Kingdom - Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin/Carousel of Progress; Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Toy Story Friends Building

C

• Chip ‘n’ Dale - Magic Kingdom: Golden Horseshoe; Epcot: Near the Land Pavilion, Garden Grill (character dining only); Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Sorcerer’s Hat; Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Outside Rafiki’s Planet Watch
• Cinderella - Magic Kingdom: Cinderella’s Royal Table (character dining only), Princess Fairytale Hall
• Country Bears - Epcot: The American Adventure

D

• Daisy Duck - Magic Kingdom: Pete’s Silly Sideshow in Storybook Circus; Epcot: Legacy Fountain; Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Discovery Island Character Landing, Tusker House Restaurant (character dining only)
• Doc - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Hollywood and Vine (character dining only)
• Donald Duck - Magic Kingdom: Pete’s Silly Sideshow in Storybook Circus; Epcot: The American Adventure, Mexico; Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Sorcerer’s Hat; Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Cretaceous Trail, Tusker House Restaurant (character dining only)
• Drizella - Magic Kingdom: Behind Cinderella’s Castle
• Dug - Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Tough to be a Bug

E

• Eeyore - Magic Kingdom: Crystal Palace (character dining only); Epcot: United Kingdom
• Elsa - Magic Kingdom: Princess Fairytale Hall

F

• Fairy Godmother - Magic Kingdom: Cinderella’s Fountain
• Ferb - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Exit to MuppetVision
• Frozone - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Magic of Disney Animation

G

• Gaston - Magic Kingdom: Gaston’s Tavern
• Genie - Epcot: Morocco
• Goofy - Magic Kingdom: Pete’s Silly Sideshow in Storybook Circus; Epcot: The American Adventure, Legacy Fountain; Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Sorcerer’s Hat; Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Chester and Hester’s Dinorama, Tusker House Restaurant (character dining only)
• Green Army Men - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Toy Story Friends Building

H

• Handy Manny - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Hollywood and Vine (character dining only)

J

• Jasmine - Magic Kingdom: Cinderella’s Royal Table (character dining only), Princess Fairytale Hall, Magic Carpets of Aladdin; Epcot: Morocco, Restaurant Akeshu (character dining only)
• Jake - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Hollywood and Vine (character dining only), Disney Junior LIVE
• Jessie - Magic Kingdom: Splash Mountain

L

• Lady Tremaine - Magic Kingdom: Behind Cinderella’s Castle
• Lightning McQueen - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Luigi’s Garage
• Louis - Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Upcountry Landing

M

• Mad Hatter - Epcot: The American Adventure
• Marie - Magic Kingdom: Area by City Hall
• Mary Poppins - Magic Kingdom: Near Le Chapeau; Epcot: United Kingdom
• Mater - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Luigi’s Garage
• Merida - Magic Kingdom: Fairytale Garden
• Mickey Mouse - Magic Kingdom: Town Square Theater; Epcot: The American Adventure, Garden Grill (character dining only), Future World Character Spot; Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Magic of Disney Animation; Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Adventurer’s Outpost, Tusker House Restaurant (character dining only)
• Mike - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Exit of Backlot Tour
• Minnie Mouse - Magic Kingdom: Area by City Hall, Pete’s Silly Sideshow in Storybook Circus; Epcot: The American Adventure, Future World Character Spot; Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Sorcerer’s Hat, Magic of Disney Animation; Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Adventurer’s Outpost
• Mr. Incredible - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Magic of Disney Animation
• Mulan - Magic Kingdom: Princess Fairytale Hall; Epcot: China, Restaurant Akeshu (character dining only)

P

• Peter Pan - Magic Kingdom: Peter Pan’s Flight
• Piglet - Magic Kingdom: Crystal Palace (character dining only)
• Phineas - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Exit to MuppetVision
• Pluto - Magic Kingdom: Area by City Hall; Epcot: The American Adventure, Garden Grill (character dining only), Future World Character Spot; Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Sorcerer’s Hat; Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Chester and Hester’s Dinorama
• Pocahontas - Epcot: The American Adventure; Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Discovery Island Trails

R

• Rafiki - Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Inside Rafiki’s Planet Watch
• Ralph - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Magic of Disney Animation
• Rapunzel - Magic Kingdom: Princess Fairytale Hall
• Russel - Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Tough to be a Bug

S

• Snow White - Magic Kingdom: Town Square Theater Porch, Cinderella’s Royal Table (character dining only); Epcot: Germany
• Sofia the First - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Hollywood and Vine (character dining only); Disney Junior LIVE
• Stitch - Magic Kingdom: Throughout Tomorrowland; Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Sorcerer’s Hat
• Sulley - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Exit of Backlot Tour

T

• Tiana - Magic Kingdom: Princess Fairytale Hall, The Glade
• Tigger - Magic Kingdom: Crystal Palace (character dining only), The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh; Epcot: United Kingdom
• Tinker Bell - Magic Kingdom: Town Square Theater

V

• Venellope - Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Magic of Disney Animation

W

• White Rabbit - Magic Kingdom: The Mad Tea Party
• Winnie the Pooh - Magic Kingdom: Crystal Palace (character dining only), The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh; Epcot: United Kingdom
• Woody - Magic Kingdom: Splash Mountain; Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Toy Story Friends Building

Hopefully this will help you find all of your favorite characters throughout the parks at Disney World.  Remember that character appearances are intermittent during the times listed on the park guide so check with guest relations at the park for more details about times and locations for character meet and greets.  Happy vacationing!"

Billy Dee Williams Set to Appear at Star Wars Weekends 2013 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

*Courtesy Disney Parks Blog

Everyone’s favorite galactic smuggler, gambler, and scoundrel will temporarily leave Cloud City and board the Millennium Falcon with a course set for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as actor Billy Dee Williams returns to Star Wars Weekends for the 2013 edition.

Williams, a fan favorite for his portrayal of Lando Calrissian in the film saga, will attend Weekend IV, June 7-9, 2013.

Lando, who is described on his official StarWars.com bio as having two weapons of choice — a blaster pistol and “a devastating smile” — betrayed the Rebellion when he made a deal with Darth Vader to capture his old friend, Han Solo. However, there was a storybook ending to the tale when he redeemed himself by later helping to free Captain Solo and assisting in the destruction of the second Death Star.

If you make plans to attend Weekend IV, I definitely suggest attending one of the “Stars of the Saga” talk shows that features Williams.  But be sure to get there early; his appearances will most likely be a popular gathering place for members of both the Empire and the Rebellion.

Join the conversation online by using the hash tag #StarWarsWeekends on Twitter.

DISNEY PARKS BLOG - ‘Star Wars’ Droid Factory Expands to New Locations at Disney Parks

*Courtesy Disney Parks Blog

From the Disney Parks Blog yesterday:

In May 2012, we opened the first Star Wars Droid Factory experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I’m delighted to announce that we’ve expanded the build-your-own droid experience to new locations at Disneyland park in California and Downtown Disney Marketplace in Florida. I spoke with toy merchandiser Cody Hampton at Disney Theme Park Merchandise about what’s in store for fans.

“The Droid Factory has been an incredibly popular experience with our fans,” explained Cody. “After the initial launch, we heard our fans loud and clear that they also wanted this interactive experience in California. I’m beyond happy that guests are able to exit Star Tours – The Adventures Continue at Disneyland park and be able to build their own droids.”

A Droid Factory build station opened at Once Upon a Toy in the Downtown Disney Marketplace earlier this month. For California, the new build station can be found in The Star Trader in Tomorrowland at Disneyland park starting April 13.

Guests are able to build “astromech” droids from the Star Wars galaxy. (Here’s a closer look at this series of droids from the official Star Wars website)

The new experiences will feature more build stations for guests to make their own droid action figures. They were designed as a square, which can accommodate up to four guests at one time (that’s two more build stations than the current version at Tatooine Traders in Disney’s Hollywood Studios).

May the Force be with you … and your droids!