Around the Mouse: Walt Disney World News, February 24, 2016

What’s New This Week?

Walt Disney World Theme Parks

Magic Kingdom Park

Reminder! Temporary Changes to Parades and Shows: Due to construction work, some Magic Kingdom entertainment offerings will be impacted certain dates throughout February and March. The Main Street Trolley Show and Move it! Shake it! Dance and Play it! will be adjusted March 9, 11 and 15. On these dates, the Trolley Show will use the Main Street fire truck and Move it! Shake it! Dance and Play it! will be presented at 12:30 and 15:40.

Epcot

New! Dates Announced for 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival: The 21st Epcot International Food & Wine Festival kicks off September 14 and runs through November 14 this fall. That means almost two additional weeks – from 53 days to 62 – of deliciousness, foodie fun, culinary events, celebrity chefs, seminars, music concerts and more.

New! New Pieces at the Kinsey Exhibit: “Re-Discovering America: Family Treasures from the Kinsey Collection” is a world renowned collection of rare art, unique artifacts, and documents on display at the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot. Some intriguing new pieces have been added to the exhibit that takes you on a stroll through the pages of America’s history and showcases the influence of African-American culture. Touch screens and guest-activated lanterns with narration by Whoopi Goldberg, Diane Sawyer and a host of other celebrities also help bring the history to life.

New! 2016 Garden Rocks Concert Series: Celebrating its 23rd year, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World Resort begins March 2 and will run for over 90 days this year. This special spring event is filled with Disney character topiaries, colorful flowers, exceptional food and live music at the America Gardens Theatre. Thirteen bands will hit the stage at the Garden Rocks concert series during the 2016 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. The full lineup (subject to change) is listed below:

• March 4 – 6 – The Orchestra starring former members of ELO – “Evil Woman”
• March 11 – 13 – Starship featuring Mickey Thomas – “We Built This City”
• March 18 – 20 – Little River Band – “Reminiscing”
• March 25 – 27 – Village People – “Y.M.C.A.”
• April 1 – 3 – Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone – “I’m Henry the VIII, I Am”
• April 8 – 10 – The Guess Who – “American Woman”
• April 15 – 17 – Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice – “Spinning Wheel”
• April 22 – 24 – Bad Company, former lead singer Brian Howe – “Can’t Get Enough”
• April 29 – May 1 – George Satellites – “Keep Your Hands to Yourself”
• March 11 – 13 – Starship featuring Mickey Thomas – “We Built This City”
• March 18 – 20 – Little River Band – “Reminiscing”
• March 25 – 27 – Village People – “Y.M.C.A.”
• April 1 – 3 – Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone – “I’m Henry the VIII, I Am”
• April 8 – 10 – The Guess Who – “American Woman”
• April 15 – 17 – Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice – “Spinning Wheel”
• April 22 – 24 – Bad Company, former lead singer Brian Howe – “Can’t Get Enough”
• April 29 – May 1 – George Satellites – “Keep Your Hands to Yourself”
• May 6 – 8 – Gin Blossoms – “Hey Jealousy”
• May 13 – 15 – Darlene Love – “Wait ‘Til My Bobby Gets Home”
• May 20 – 22 – Night Ranger – “Sister Christian”
• May 27 – 30 – The Spinners – “Working My Way Back to You”

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

New! New Star Wars Entertainment Coming in Spring and Summer: Disney’s Hollywood Studios is unveiling even more Star Wars-themed entertainment, starting this spring – including one of the most elaborate fireworks and projection shows in the park’s history. April 4 will bring the arrival of the new Star Warslive entertainment experience Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away (a stage show) and a menacing First Order stormtrooper procession lead by Captain Phasma. To kick off summer, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is launching a new nightly fireworks and projection show called Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular that will light up the sky with Star Wars-themed fireworks, lasers, light projections and other special effects combined withStar Wars-themed music and iconic characters and scenes from throughout the saga. The show will be punctuated with a tower of fire and spotlight beams, creating massive lightsabers in the sky. This new show will be the most elaborate fireworks display to take place in the history of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

New! Additional Details Announced for Star Wars-Themed Lands: During the “Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60” special that aired on ABC-TV on Feb 21, Disney shared some exciting details about the Star Wars-themed lands planned for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. Guests will be able to step aboard The Millennium Falcon and actually pilot the fastest ship in the galaxy, steering the vessel through space, firing the laser cannons, in complete control of the experience. And with the arrival of the First Order to the planet, visitors will find themselves in the middle of a tense battle between stormtroopers and Resistance fighters.

New! Toy Story Mania Closed March 15: Due to work related to the additional track at Toy Story Mania coming this summer, the attraction will not be available on March 15. Guests who had made a FastPass+ selection for Toy Story Mania on that day will be provided with a FastPass+ selection for another experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

New! Baby Wallaby at the Oasis: There’s a new tammar wallaby joey at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! You can find the joey and wallaby family in the Oasis area of the park. This joey, the name for a young wallaby, is only about five months old, so it hasn’t left mom’s pouch yet. Last week, the keepers saw the joey peeking out of mom’s pouch. At about seven months, the joey should completely emerge from the pouch with a full body of fur.

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

Reminder! Princess Promenade at Disney’s Grand Floridian: Cinderella host the Princess Promenade that starts in M. Mouse Mercantile shop at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Guests ages 3–12 are invited to stroll down the grand staircase with Cinderella and participate in a waltz in the main lobby.

Walt Disney World Resort – General

New! Blizzard Beach Closed Due to Cold Weather: Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park will be closed February 25-27, 2016 due to forecasted low temperatures.

New! Typhoon Lagoon Refurbishment Extended: The Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park refurbishment has been extended and the park will reopen on March 20.

New! Atlanta Brave Spring Training Starting Soon: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is home to the 2016 Atlanta Braves Spring Training Season for the 19th consecutive year. In true Disney fashion, there are entertainment opportunities for everyone in the family while at the ballpark. For the younger fans, at each game one child is selected at random to live out their broadcasting dream. The “junior announcer” has the opportunity to announce player introductions to the entire stadium for a full inning! You can savor some tasty ballpark food concoctions created especially for Spring Training. Adults can even enjoy craft beer from the out-of-market club. Take a look at some of the brews fans can look forward to.

New! New Act at La Nouba: Ekaterina and Alexander Abramova are real-life partners who dazzle Disney Springs audiences with their daring aerial bamboo performance. Practically a lost art, aerial bamboo, a skillful mix of acrobatics and storytelling that takes place high above the stage, is rarely seen on modern stages.

Merchandise Events

February 4 – 29: Representatives from Precious Moments dolls will be on hand for the release of their new Valentine inspired collection, among other fan favorites, throughout the day, each day, at Marketplace Fun Finds in Disney Springs Marketplace. Tip: Doll Designer Linda Rick will make a special appearance February 19 – 21.

February 24 – 28: Check out the latest releases from artist Greg McCullough appearing at Art of Disney from 1 – 8 p.m., each day.

Closures and Refurbishments

Click here to view the latest renovations and closures at Walt Disney World Resort.

Dawn Caitano 917-494-5771

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