Travel Tuesday: March 21, 2016 — DCA Food & Wine + Night of Joy at ESPN
Welcome to Travel Tuesday — your guide to what's happening around the Disney Parks and beyond! If you're planning a Disney vacation or are about to embark on one, we'll let you know what changes, additions, and experiences you can expect.
This week's includes sneak peeks of Disney's The Jungle Book reaching both coasts, menus for Disney California Adventure's Food & Wine Festival, and details on this year's Night of Joy at ESPN Wide World of Sports.
Disneyland Update | Walt Disney World Update | Other Disney Destination Update
Disney Parks Overall
Jungle Book Sneak Peek
Once again, Disney Parks is hosting a sneak peek of an upcoming Walt Disney Studios film. This time, guests on both coasts can get a glimpse of the upcoming The Jungle Book. Hosted inside the A Bug’s Life Theatre at Disney’s California Adventure and at One Man’s Dream in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the preview gives guests a brief taste of this technologically groundbreaking rendition of the classic tale. Click here for our full report.
Quick Takes
Disney Launches “Ghost Post” Story Experience for Haunted Mansion Fans
App Review: Disney Magic Kingdoms — Help Save the Happiest Place on Earth (with Your Smartphone)
Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Park
With official groundbreaking just weeks away, site prep is underway at Disneyland Park for its version of Star Wars Land. In addition, portions of the Rivers of America have been drained in preparation for its rerouting. You can check out all of Doug's photos in our complete report.
Disney California Adventure
The Disneyland Resort has revealed the offerings available as part of DCA's Food and Wine Festival.
The following is a list of the offerings at the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Marketplaces:
LAstyle
- Chilled Ahi Poke with avocado crème and Wakame salad, topped with sesame tuile
- Pork Belly Bao Taco with pickled vegetables
- Milk Chocolate Caramel Tart with almond brittle and sea salt
The Vineyard
- Cabernet Flight
- Chardonnay Flight
- Pinot Noir Flight
- Wine and Cuvée by the glass
Wine Country
- Zinfandel-Braised Wagyu Beef with creamy polenta and spring pea puree
- Roasted Yellow Beets and Purple Haze Goat cheese with baby greens, green ver jus, sultanas and cashews
- Blackberry Tart with rosemary vanilla bean crème fraîche and a Cabernet wine glaze
¡Viva Fresca!
- Fried Shrimp Soft Taco with pickled red onion-jalapeno, queso fresco and avocado-lime crèma
- Anaheim Chile and Roasted Cauliflower Burrito with Jack cheese and avocado-lime crèma
Gold Rush
- Triple Cheese Mac with Smoked Chicken featuring Fontina, Cheddar and Gouda cheeses Artichoke Chips with Spicy Aioli
- Apple Bacon Whoopie Pie with maple cream cheese icing and bacon brittle
The Brewhouse
- Southern California Beer Flight
- Northern California Beer Flight
- Craft beers by the glass
The Farm
- Grilled Beef Tenderloin Slider with chimichurri sauce
- Golden Thai Vegetable Curry with jasmine rice
- Meyer Lemon Macaron with blackberry marmalade, Meyer lemon cream and dried bluberry dust
By The Bay
- White Cheddar Ale and Bacon Soup, served in a Boudin sourdough mini-boule
- Chilled Shrimp and Snow Crab Cocktail
- Coconut Tapioca layered with fresh mango and lychee boba, topped with green tea micro sponge and mango-couli sesame tuile
Here is a list of special offerings that will be available at the restaurants of Disney California Adventure
Carthay Circle Restaurant
- Specialty menu item and wine pairing every week
Carthay Circle Lounge
- Carthay Cobb Salad
- Caribbean Club Sandwich
Pacific Wharf Café
- Dungeness Crab Corn Chowder served in a Boudin sourdough boule
Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill
- Shredded Pork Tostadas with grilled pineapple slaw and chipotle crèma
Lucky Fortune Cookery
- Chicken and Vegetable Dumplings
Wine Country Trattoria
- Fresh Strawberry and Pistachio Cream Tart, paired with a featured wine
Mendocino Terrace, Sonoma Terrace and Hollywood Backlot Studio Bars
- Sausage and Cheese Plate
- Fruit and Cheese Plate
Hollywood Backlot Studio Bars
- Soft Twisted Pretzel with Cheese Sauce
- Fruit and Cheese Plate
- Sausage and Cheese Plate
The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival will take place weekends in April, beginning April 1, 2016. Select marketplaces will also be open Monday through Thursday as well. To learn more about the festival visit Disneyland.com/foodandwine.
Quick Takes
Google Trekkers Spotted in Disney California Adventure
Side Street Strutters to Perform Before The Jungle Book at The El Capitan Theatre
Refurbishments
| Disneyland Park | |
| Autopia | Jan. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes | Jan. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| Disneyland Railroad | Jan. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| Disneyland Railroad - Mickey's Toontown | Jan. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| Disneyland Railroad - New Orleans Square | Jan. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| Disneyland Railroad - Tomorrowland | Jan. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| Fantasmic! | Jan. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| Jungle Cruise | Jan. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| Mark Twain Riverboat | Jan. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island | Jan. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| Sailing Ship Columbia | Jan. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln | Mar. 7 - Apr. 16, 2016 |
| Big Thunder Mountain Railroad | Apr. 11 - 14, 2016 |
| Disneyland Monorail | Apr. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| Matterhorn Bobsleds | Apr. 18 - 22, 2016 |
| Matterhorn Bobsleds | Apr. 25, 2016 - TBD |
| Disney California Adventure | |
| Grizzly River Run | Apr. 18, 2016 - TBD |
| Silly Symphony Swings | Apr. 11, 2016 - TBD |
| It's Tough to be a Bug! | Apr. 25, 2016 |
Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World has debuted a special package designed for preschool families. Beginning May 30 – Aug. 25, 2016, guests can enjoy a three-night, two-day vacation package with theme park tickets starting at $1,021 for a family of three at one of Disney’s All-Star Resorts. For more details click here.
ESPN Wide World of Sports
As was previously announced, Disney’s Night of Joy is moving from the Magic Kingdom to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Today Disney announced the artist lineup as well as ticketing details.
The current lineup is as follows:
- Friday, September 9 – MercyMe, Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, Francesca Battistelli, Crowder, Matthew West, Stars Go Dim, Zealand Worship
- Saturday, September 10 – newsboys, for King & Country, Young & Free, Switchfoot, Red, Thousand Foot Krutch, Tim Timmons
While it was previously announced that guests of Night of Joy would get a ticket to the Magic Kingdom, it appears that there has been a change in plans. Here are the ticket options announced today:
- A single-night ticket for Friday’s concerts – $39 plus tax (in advance); $45 the day of the show (if available).
- A ticket which would include a day at one of the four Walt Disney World theme parks and the concerts for Saturday night – $99 plus tax (in advance); $114 plus tax the day of the show (if available).
- A 2-Day ticket which includes both nights’ concerts, a day at one of the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks – $119 plus tax (in advance).
Guests who purchase the 2-Day ticket before August 9, 2016 will also receive one (1) admission to their choice of Disney’s Blizzard Beach or Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon from September 6 – September 12, 2016. Group discounts also are available and tickets will go on sale in mid-April.
Epcot
Here is a list of activities happening this weekend as part of Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival
Disney’s Horticulture Heritage 11:00am & 2:00pm, Greenhouse Stage Lewis Brehm Disney Horticulture Cast Member
Green is the New Gold 12:00pm, Fresh Epcot Stage Jim Martin & David Vagasky The Farmer and the Chef
Herbs From Garden to Table 1:00pm & 4:00pm, Spotlight Stage University of Florida IFAS Extension
Tips, Tricks and Turnips: Farm to Table Revealed 3:00pm, Fresh Epcot Stage Jim Martin & David Vagasky The Farmer and the Chef
This week's Garden Rocks musical act is The Village People. They are known for the song “Y.M.C.A.”
Disney's Hollywood Studios
It appears that the area around MuppetVision 3D will be reclassified as "Muppet's Courtyard." Currently the area is part of the Streets of America, but with most of that venue closing on April 2, a new designation was in order. This also leads credence to the rumor that once the current refurbishment of Pizza Planet has been completed, it will reopen as a Muppet themed eatery.
It should be noted that Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano is remaining open and will be part of Muppet's Courtyard as well.
Disney's Animal Kingdom
This is what started the fire today at #festivalofthelionking at #animalkingdom #disneyworld #disneynews pic.twitter.com/oZMtBFHF20— TheDisneyTeen (@thedisneyteenss) March 21, 2016
A fire occurred late on Monday at Festival of the Lion King as it appears that the Elephant float started to smoke. No guests were harmed as the theater was evacuated safely.
We do not know when Festival of the Lion King will return to normal operation, but it may be as soon as today. Disney teams will investigate the cause of the fire and make any adjustments neccasary.
Disney Springs
The Disney TAG store (Travel/Accessories/Gear) opened at the Marketplace Co-Op. In addition to featuring travel gear such as luggage, neck pillows, and sleep masks, the store features Disney Cruise Line merchandise as well as an airline check-in desk.
Events
This week's schedule of Atlanta Braves Spring Training games at ESPN's Wide World of Sports.March 24: Vs Phillies 6:05pm
March 25: Vs Astros 1:05pm
March 26: Vs Mets 1:05pm
March 28: Vs Astros 6:05pm
Merchandise Events
March 25-26: Best-selling author, Ridley Pearson, will celebrate the release of his newest book, Kingdom Keepers: The Return, Book 2: Legacy of Secrets with appearances at Walt Disney World. On March 25 he will appear at Art of Disney at Disney Springs Marketplace from 4-6pm. He will meet guests at Mouse Gear in Epcot from 10-1 on March 26.
Wristbands will be distributed to Guests at store open on the day of the signing with each purchase of a book by Ridley Pearson. A wristband from the appearance location is required to meet Ridley Pearson and allows the Guest to get two books signed. A limited number of wristbands will be available the day of the signing. Once the wristbands have been distributed, the line to meet Ridley Pearson will close.
Quick Takes
Disney’s The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour – Walt Disney World
New Princess Promenade at Disney’s Grand Floridian — An Event as Lovely as Its Name
Wild Photo Update of Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Pirates of Color: Disney’s Diversity Push Extends to Audio-Animatronics
Details on Nighttime Kilimanjaro Safari Operations Revealed
What Disney’s River Country Water Park Looks Like 15 Years After Closing
A Tragic but Beautiful WDW Character Interaction Story Goes Viral
Walt Disney World Refurbishments
| Magic Kingdom | |
| Monorail The Walt Disney World Resort Monorail System is undergoing refurbishment and may be on modified service and/or routes. Guests should check to be sure of the best option available on their day of travel, as alternative transportation options will be available. | Now - April 2016 |
| Epcot | |
| Soarin' | Jan. 4, 2016 - Summer 2016 |
| Circle of Life | Feb. 7 - Apr. 2, 2016 |
| Disney's Hollywood Studios | |
| Pizza Planet | Jan. 19 - Late 2016 |
| Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure - Closing Permanently | Apr. 3, 2016 |
| Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show - Closing Permanently | Apr. 3, 2016 |
| Disney's Animal Kingdom | |
| Flights of Wonder | Jan. 25 - Mar. 31, 2016 |
| Warung Outpost | Jan. 25 - Mar. 17, 2016 |
| Boneyard | Feb. 22 - Mar. 17, 2016 |
| Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge | |
| Concierge Lounge Closed for refurbishment. An alternative lounge location will be available during this time. | May 7 - 22, 2016 |
| Disney's BoardWalk Inn | |
| Flying Fish Restaurant | Through Summer 2016 |
| Disney's BoardWalk Villas | |
| Guest Villa Renovations | Through Spring 2016 |
| Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort | |
| Aruba Pool | Feb. 22 - Apr. 15, 2016 |
| Disney's Polynesian Village Resort | |
| General Construction During this time, Guests will observe construction taking place and certain pathways and buildings may be unavailable. | Through Spring 2016 |
| Disney's Wilderness Lodge & Villas | |
| General Resort Refurbishments Due to multiple resort refurbishment projects, Guests will notice construction work in various areas. Noise may be overheard while this work is being completed, but construction will not begin until after 9 a.m. Certain pathways, including the nature trail, will be unavailable. The Hidden Springs leisure pool area (the leisure pool atThe Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge), resort beach, playground, Marina and Recreation fire pit will be unavailable. | Through 2017 |
| Cub's Den (Children's Activity Center) - unavailable | Through 2017 |
| Sturdy Branches Health Club | July - October 2016 |
| Disney Springs | |
| Roadwork on Buena Vista Drive Due to heavy roadwork, expect delays on Buena Vista Drive. It is recommended that Guests use complimentary Walt Disney World Resort transportation from Parks and Resorts to Disney Springs and plan to arrive early for reserved dining and entertainment experiences. | Through May 2016 |
| Planet Hollywood | Jan. 6 - Summer 2016 |
| Fulton's Crab House | Apr. 4 - Fall 2016 |
Other Disney Destinations
Disney Cruise Line
From the odd file, The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Marco Fidel Castro is suing Disney Cruise Line due to the guest cutting his thumb off in a stateroom door. According to Castro's lawyer, “He was near the hallway door with his thumb on the door frame, and his wife was holding the door open with her foot. She moved and her foot came away, and he didn’t realize the door was closing. The door slammed shut with force.”
Disney Cruise Line did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the suit.
Castro is a resident of Columbia. The report indicates that they traveled out of Port Miami to San Juan, Puerto Rico in April, but we could not find any record of an itinerary that matches this description.
Their lawyer said Castro went for days without seeing another doctor – that the first attempt to see an expert at a port-of-call resulted in Castro being told that an appropriate doctor wasn’t available there. When the ship landed at Puerto Rico two days later, Wagner said that Castro finally saw another doctor who told him it was too late to reattach his thumb.
The suit alleges negligence and breach of duty against Disney Cruise Lines, including failure to maintain cruise cabin doors in a safe manner; failure to warn anyone of the dangers associated with the cabin doors; failure to provide safety devices on the hinges of the cabin doors; failure to provide timely and adequate medical care.
The suit seeks unspecified damages associated with the cost of medical care and other costs.