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Eat to the Beat concert line-up for 2016

Eat to the Beat Concert SeriesThe 2016 Eat to the Beat concert line-up for the Epcot Food & Wine Festival is out. The Festival runs from September 14 through November 14.

The Eat to the Beat concert series is one of the most popular events during the annual Epcot Food & Wine Festival. Concerts are included in your Epcot admission and are performed three times per evening, in the America Gardens Theatre, and FastPass+ reservations may be available, as well as dining packages. Showtimes are 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:00 PM.

All entertainment and artist appearances are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Wang Chung — September 14-15
Starship — September 16-18
Air Supply – September 19-20
The Bo Deans — September 21-23
Fuel – September 24-25
Sugar Ray — September 26-28
Los Lobos – September 29-30
David Cook — October 1-2
Wilson Phillips — October 3-4
Blues Traveler – October 5-6
Plain White T’s — October 7-9
38 Special — October 10-11
Jeffrey Osbourne — October 12-13
Tiffany — October 14-16
Dennis DeYoung and the Music of Styx — October 17-19
Christopher Cross – October 20-21
Toad the Wet Sprocket — October 22-23
Chaka Chan — October 24-25
Billy Ocean — October 26-27
Living Colour — October 28-29
Hanson — October 30-November 1
Soul Asylum — November 2-3
Delta Rae — November 4-6
Boyz II Men — November 7-9
Sister Hazel — November 10-11
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy — November 12-14

Watch the live stream of Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire July 11th

Tune in to the Disney Parks Blog on Monday July 11th at 4:10 PM Eastern Time to watch a live stream of the all-new stage show at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire. This show is brand new to the Magic Kingdom for 2016 and features Mickey and all his fairytale friends, including Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy, plus a wonderful cast of characters from some of Disney’s newest classics, including “Frozen,” “Tangled” and “The Princess and the Frog”.  Since it can be hard to get a good view of the stage shows — lots of visitors line up in front of the castle — I know I’m excited for the chance to get this up-close view right at home.

Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire

Here’s more from the Disney World web site:

Calling All Fairytale Friends

This summer, skip-a-dee-doo-dah to the Cinderella Castle Forecourt stage for the fairest faire of them all!It takes a whole enchanted kingdom to put on this all-new, live stage show at Magic Kingdom park—and you’re cordially invited! In preparation for this joyous festival, Mickey and friends have ventured far and wide to gather Disney pals from all over to star in a royal friendship faire.

Goofy has invited Tiana and friends from the Land of the Bewitching Bayous to infuse a little spice of New Orleans jazz in the party. Donald Duck brings some new friends he met at the Snuggly Duckling from the Land of Enchanted Woods to shake their tail feathers. Daisy has asked Rapunzel and Flynn to “comb” over and sing along. Mickey even recruited Olaf, Anna and Elsa from the Land of the Mystic Mountains to cast some extra cool touches!

This grand affair culminates in the joining of classic and contemporary Disney Characters in a spectacular show featuring lively dancing, dazzling effects, an original song and memorable music from The Princess and the Frog,Tangled and Frozen.

New teaser poster for Beauty and the Beast

So beautiful! The new teaser poster for Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast, coming March 2017 and starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens, was just shared on Facebook by Emma —

beauty and the beast 2017

From Emma: “Very excited to reveal the first teaser poster for Beauty and the Beast, exclusively for my Facebook fans! Hope you like! Love, Emma x #BeOurGuest”

Check out the gorgeous new teaser poster for Beauty and the Beast, opening March 2017 Share on X

Just in case you missed the trailer:

New Vera Bradley Disney-themed bags coming Summer 2016

If you’re like me you love the Disney-themed Vera Bradley bags. I use a hipster every day, and a mini-hipster when I want something light. (Confession: in the parks, though, I go bagless.) There’s exciting news on the Disney Parks Blog for this summer with two new Vera Bradley designs available at Disney Parks and online.

Coming this July 2016, there’s the Mickey’s Magical Blooms collection, which is a variation on the Midnight With Mickey design introduced in the fall of 2013 — and my personal favorite. This new design comes in a Campus Backpack, Mini Hipster and Front Zip Wallet, as well as a Zip ID Case, Medium Zip Cosmetic Bag, Triple Zip Hipster, Vera Bag and Large Duffel.

Vera Bradley

 

And in August 2016, the new lightweight Lighten Up Collection will be released. Made of durable and water-resistant 560D polyester, Lighten Up styles are the perfect accessories to use when traveling to or from Disney Parks. The collection will include five of Vera Bradley’s best-selling styles including the Lighten Up Lunch Cooler, Travel Organizer, Expandable Tote, Grande Backpack and Expandable Travel Bag.

Vera Bradley Lighten Up
These collections will be available in merchandise locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The Shop Disney Parks mobile app (available on both Apple’s iTunes app store and Google Play for Android) may also offer these new designs as well.

Video: Dick Van Dyke sings song from Mary Poppins at Walt Disney’s boyhood home

Burt and Mary Poppins

For Mary Poppins fans everywhere — over the weekend,  Dick Van Dyke joined a four-person chorus on the lawn of Walt Disney’s childhood home in Chicago. Watch as the Mary Poppins chimney sweep led a participatory rendition of the film standard, “Let’s Go Fly a Kite”. A small crowd joined him in singing the carefree tune.

http://nerdist.com/watch-dick-van-dyke-sing-lets-go-fly-a-kite-in-walt-disneys-backyard/

Wreck-It Ralph 2 Confirmed for 2018

Disney announced in a Facebook livestream today that Wreck-It Ralph 2 will hit theaters on March 9, 2018.

Wreck-It Ralph 2

 

“Wreck-It Ralph” grossed more than $470 million in 2012 and received an Oscar nomination. Moore directed from a screenplay by Johnston and “Frozen” co-director Jennifer Lee based on a story by Moore, Johnston and Jim Reardon.

The movie took place in the game “Fix-It Felix, Jr.” The villain, Wreck-It Ralph, embarks on a journey to break his bad guy rep.

Co-directors Rich Moore, who co-directed Zootopia and helmed the original Wreck-It Ralph, and Phil Johnston, who co-wrote the first film, made the announcement alongside John C. Reilly, who is returning to voice Ralph in the sequel.

“Ralph leaves the arcade and wrecks the internet,” Reilly says of the film’s plot. While few other details are known, Disney also released concept art showing Ralph entering the online world with his friend Vanellope von Schweetz, voiced by Sarah Silverman in the first film. The art features parodies of major online brands like Google, Amazon, and more.

 

 


Candlelight Processional Dining Packages are available

Run don’t walk — Dining Packages or the Candlelight Processional are now available!

Candlelight Processional

Held every year at Epcot in Walt Disney World, the Candlelight Processional is a holiday treat and features a mass choir, joined by a 50-piece live orchestra and a celebrity narrator to tell the story of Christmas in words and music, in a very moving performance. Performances are held at the America Gardens Theatre.

The Candlelight Processional dining packages guarantee you a seat for the show — and sometimes this is the ONLY way to get a seat, especially for the most popular narrators. Those with Dinner Packages are the first to be seated, and anyone waiting in line without the package will be given the very few seats that remain.

2016 dates are from November 25 to December 30. Shows take place 3 times per day at 5:00 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:15 PM, except on December 4, 2016 when shows take place at 6:45 PM and 8:15 PM only. Celebrity narrators, dates and other entertainment are subject to change without notice.

 

The schedule of narrators released so far is as follows:
(will update as more information becomes available)

November 25 – 27, 2016: Steven Curtis Chapman
November 28 – December 1, 2016: Neil Patrick Harris
December 2 – 3, 2016: Whoopi Goldberg
December 4 – 12, 2016: TBA
December 13 – 15, 2016: Meredith Vieira
December 16 – 18, 2016: TBA
December 19 – 21, 2016: Joe Morton
December 22 – 27, 2016: TBA
December 28 – 30, 2016: Cal Ripken, Jr.

 

Dining Package Pricing by Restaurant, 2016:

Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room (United Kingdom Pavilion)
Lunch Adult $59.00
Lunch Child (3-9) $23.00
Dinner Adult $58.00
Dinner Child (3-9) $23.00

Coral Reef Restaurant (The Living Seas)
Lunch Adult $69.00
Lunch Child (3-9) $24.00
Dinner Adult $69.00
Dinner Child (3-9) $24.00

Biergarten Restaurant (Germany Pavilion)
Lunch Adult $39.00
Lunch Child (3-9) $22.00
Dinner Adult $53.00
Dinner Child (3-9) $29.00

The Garden Grill (The Land Pavilion)
Lunch Adult $57.00
Lunch Child (3-9) $34.00
Dinner Adult $57.00
Dinner Child (3-9) $34.00

Nine Dragons Restaurant (China Pavilion)
Lunch Adult $59.00
Lunch Child (3-9) $23.00
Dinner Adult $58.00
Dinner Child (3-9) $23.00
$41.00 $14.00 $51.00 $18.50

Restaurant Marrakesh (Morocco Pavilion)
Lunch Adult $50.00
Lunch Child (3-9) $21.00
Dinner Adult $58.00
Dinner Child (3-9) $21.00

Spice Road Table (Morocco Pavilion)
Lunch Adult $50.00
Lunch Child (3-9) $21.00
Dinner Adult $58.00
Dinner Child (3-9) $21.00

San Angel Inn Restaurante (Mexico Pavilion)
Lunch Adult $57.25
Lunch Child (3-9) $15.50
Dinner Adult $71.50
Dinner Child (3-9) $17.50

Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria (Italy Pavilion)
Lunch Adult $54.00
Lunch Child (3-9) $20.00
Dinner Adult $57.00
Dinner Child (3-9) $24.00

Chefs de France (France Pavilion)
Lunch Adult $65.99
Lunch Child (3-9) $17.99
Dinner Adult $75.99
Dinner Child (3-9) $22.99

Tokyo Dining (Japan Pavilion)
Lunch Adult $62.00
Lunch Child (3-9) $16.99
Dinner Adult $74.00
Dinner Child (3-9) $20.75

Teppan Edo (Japan Pavilion)
Lunch Adult $62.00
Lunch Child (3-9) $16.99
Dinner Adult $74.00
Dinner Child (3-9) $20.75

Tutto Italia Ristorante (Italy Pavilion)
Lunch Adult $64.00
Lunch Child (3-9) $22.00
Dinner Adult $70.00
Dinner Child (3-9) $25.00

La Hacienda de San Angel (Mexico Pavilion)
Lunch Adult Not Available
Lunch Child (3-9) Not Available
Dinner Adult $76.50
Dinner Child (3-9) $17.50

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (Norway Pavilion)
Lunch Adult $69.00
Lunch Child (3-9) $41.00
Dinner Adult $69.00
Dinner Child (3-9) $41.00

Trattoria Al Forno (BoardWalk)
Lunch Adult Not Available
Lunch Child (3-9) Not Available
Dinner Adult $58.00
Dinner Child (3-9) $23.00

Captain’s Grille (Yacht Club)
Lunch Adult $47.00
Lunch Child (3-9) $20.00
Dinner Adult $64.00
Dinner Child (3-9) $23.00

The following restaurants will also serve a Breakfast Dining Package:

  • The Garden Grill Restaurant: $39.00 for adults; $23.00 for children
  • Trattoria Al Forno: $27.00 for adults; $14.00 for children
  • Captain’s Grille: $31.00 for adults; $17.00 for children
  • Akershus Royal Banquet Hall: $54.00 for adults; $32.00 for children

 

To book the Candlelight Processional Dining package go HERE, you can call 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).

 


 

Dessert Party for Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Moving to the Launch Bay July 10

Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks

Officially announced by Disney today: starting July 10th, the popular dessert party for “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” at Hollywood Studios is moving from the Center Stage area to the Star Wars Launch Bay. Note that seating is not available; wheelchairs and ECVs can be accommodated.

After partaking of sweets and treats in the Launch Bay, guests will be escorted to an outdoor VIP section for fireworks viewing, 15 minutes prior to the start of the show.

The price is $69.00 per adult (age 10 and over) and $39.00 for children (ages 3 to 9); tax and gratuity are included. Guests also receive a souvenir Chewbacca stein.

As of this posting, reservations can be made through July 31st by visiting the Disney World web site here.

back again, a cruise, and dizzy

Last year turning into this one has been interesting for me, to say the least. It was sometimes amazingly wonderful, to say the best, and sometimes pretty lousy, to say the worst. I had a re-occurrence of back issues, followed by an amazing Disney cruise, followed by a bizarre (but familiar to me) case of dizzyness I’m still shaking off the dregs of now. So that was ouch, yay, and ugh, for anyone keeping score.

I had back surgery in 2012. It was, well, mostly successful, but not completely so. An oft-repeated mantra I’ve had to accept is that “the purpose of back surgery is not to fix your back, but to make it better than it was”. You rarely fix backs. Sometimes you make them better. Sometimes you don’t even do that. I’ve had a couple of bad back pain incidents since the surgery, and each one scared the bejeezus out of me. This one made it impossible to sit comfortably — that’s not hard on anyone’s life, right? (Anyone else ever have sciatica? Cringe with me now.) Luckily, I found a great new doctor, a physiatrist who helped me get past the pain and back on my feet, with some drugs, some physical therapy, and some patience. I also got a brand-new MRI that at the very least assured me there’s nothing terribly wrong with my back, just the usual bulges and whatnot everyone has — in other words, this time when a doctor looked at my MRI he didn’t say, “Oh dear god this is terrible”, so that was a step in the right direction.

Back pain Public Service Announcement: we were somewhat startled to realize that each time my back has been bad, since the surgery, it’s been the end of November/beginning of December. Like clockwork. My doctor says this is actually quite common — fall, and the change of seasons, is his busiest time. Moral of this story: go south.

As luck would have it, we had plans to go south, to the Caribbean, to be specific, for a wonderful cruise on the Disney Fantasy — back after having a terrific time on our honeymoon. I can’t say enough good things about the Fantasy. The rooms are spacious, the service is impeccable, the fun is everywhere to be had. A short glimpse of our trip:

The warm weather got my back feeling a thousand percent better on just the first day alone. (The jacuzzi helped too.) We had a terrific time.

But… the moment the cruise was over and we got back on land, something I dreaded happened. After the last cruise I found myself stuck with my sea legs. As the days and weeks went by, I still felt like I was on the ship, swaying back and forth, sometimes almost violently. It wasn’t a pleasant rocking. It wasn’t something that went away after a few days. Several different medicines and several different specialist visits later, we learned I had something called Mal de Débarquement syndrome. It’s super rare. It stinks. There’s no treatment. You just have to wait for it to hopefully subside. Luckily, that time, it did, after a miserable month. (Some people have it a lot longer. Like, even for years.)

Why did I cruise again, if this had happened to me before? Eh, I don’t know. I thought I hadn’t taken the right seasickness meds, I thought it was a fluke, I thought it wouldn’t happen again. But I did everything I could, this time, and it didn’t matter. They don’t know what causes this, but it tends to happen to women in their 40s who get migraines (raises hand) more than anyone else, so apparently I’m the poster child for MdDS. And this time it was worse. We came back from the cruise on January 9. This time it took closer to two months for my symptoms to fade, and they were stronger. Two really miserable months, and I didn’t want to talk about it, or the cruise, or anything much else for most of that time.

Today, though, I’m pretty close to being completely better. I feel like I’m just getting off the ship, in more ways than one. My back is in better shape, the world isn’t tilting precariously, and the snow is melting. So, it’s good to be back, finally. Land ho!

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