Exciting Updates from Walt Disney World for March and April

This Spring brings some new exciting experiences to Disney World: 

• Rivers of Light Night Show at Animal Kingdom 
• New Table Service Restaurant at Magic Kingdom 
• New Star Wars Projection and Fireworks Show 
• Zootopia characters join the Street Party at Magic Kingdom 
• New Character Meet and Greets at Disney's Hollywood Studios 
• Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival debuts some new musical guests 
• Afternoon Tea at Disney's Beach Club 
• Same Day Dining Reservation at Jungle Skipper Canteen
• Catch a sneak peek of "The Jungle Book" 
• Egg-stravangza at Epcot 
• Minnie's Springtime Dine at Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood Studios 
• Joy and Sadness are coming to Epcot for character meet and greets 

Rivers of Light Night Show at Animal Kingdom 

The new Rivers of Light night time show premieres at Disney's Animal Kingdom on April 22nd. The show, set on Discovery River in the Asia section of the park, will depict an ancient lantern festival guided by two storytellers who call forth four animal Spirit Guides: an Asian Tiger, Tropical Turtle, African Elephant and Great Horned Owl. These Spirit Guides return at different points during the show to lead the audience through their journey through the Rivers of Light.

For a sneak peak:




New Table Service Dining Option to open at Magic Kingdom 

The Diamond Horseshoe in Frontierland, will begin serving lunch and dinner daily beginning March 13, 2016. You can enjoy an all-you-care-to-enjoy saloon feast with salad and cornbread. For main entree, you can choose from BBQ pulled turkey served over cornbread, spit-roasted ham served with country beans or stewed beef served with mashed potatoes. Each entrée is served with a side of seasonal veggies. Dessert is an apple tart or campfire brownie. 

Cost is $33 plus tax for adults, $19 for children ages 3-9. Meals are one table-service entitlement on the Disney Dining Plan.

Reservations are now available for dates from March 13- May 30, 2016 and can be made by calling 407-WDW-DINE. Online reservations will be available soon.

New Star Wars fireworks and projection show coming to Hollywood Studios in April. 
Just in time for spring, that “galaxy far, far away’’ will be closer than ever with the April 4, 2016 arrival of the new Star Wars live entertainment experience Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away. This new stage show celebrates iconic moments from the Star Wars saga with live vignettes featuring popular Star Wars characters, such as Kylo Ren, Chewbacca, Darth Vader and Darth Maul. The show will take place multiple times each day at the Center Stage area near The Great Movie Ride.

Also starting April 4th, Captain Phasma will lead a squad of First Order stormtroopers as they march in formation from Star Wars Launch Bay to the Center Stage area in an intimidating demonstration of the First Order’s indomitable strength.

Zootopia characters join the Street Party at Magic Kingdom 

The new movie Zootopia opens today at movie theaters. Main characters Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde will join the “Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It!” Street Party at Magic Kingdom® Park this spring. 

New Character Meet and Greets at Hollywood Studio

Coming in spring 2016 to the Echo Lake district at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the all-new Celebrity Spotlight. The first "celebrity" will be Olaf from Frozen. Olaf will be living his dream “In Summer,” chilling on the beach and ready with warm hugs for all his friends.

Also opening this spring is “Mickey and Minnie Starring in Red Carpet Dreams,” located just off Commissary Lane near the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, where Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will live out their dreams of being A-list Hollywood stars. Guests will walk the red carpet and step into a scene with Minnie, where she appears as a Tinsel Town starlet in a ritzy setting straight out of a lush and colorful musical extravaganza. And, nearby Mickey portrays his iconic role of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice from “Fantasia.”

Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival debuts some new musical guests 

• March 4-6 – The Orchestra starring former members of ELO “Evil Woman”
• March 11-13 – Starship starring 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 – NEW! Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice “Spinning Wheel”
• April 22-24 – NEW! BRIAN HOWE, former lead singer of Bad Company “Can’t Get Enough”
• April 29-May 1 – NEW! Georgia Satellites “Keep Your Hands to Yourself”
• May 6-8 – Gin Blossoms “Hey Jealousy”
• May 13-15 – NEW! Darlene Love “Wait ‘Til My Bobby Gets Home”
• May 20-22 – Night Ranger “Sister Christian”
• May 27-30 (Monday) – The Spinners “Working My Way Back to You”

Performances are at America Gardens Theatre at 5:30, 6:45, and 8 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Festival.

Afternoon Tea at Disney's Beach Club 

Served in the comfortably elegant Crescent Solarium, overlooking Crescent Gardens, your Clients will enjoy classic afternoon tea savories and sweets, including house-made scones, petite sandwiches and pastries.

Afternoon tea at Disney’s Beach Club Resort will be served seasonally during the following dates:  March 24-29, May 5-8, June 16-19 and Sept. 1-5, 2016. Book reservations now via DisneyWorld.com/dine or call 407-WDW-DINE

Same Day Dining Reservations at Jungle Skipper Canteen 

At the Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen in Magic Kingdom® Park, youcan discover bold and flavorful tastes inspired by the exotic flavors of the rivers traveled on the Jungle Cruise attraction.

Same Day reservations can be made by calling 407-993-1933 or online via jungleskippercanteen.com. As with all dining reservations, a credit card guarantee is required at the time of reservation and the standard cancellation policy applies.

Catch a sneak peek of "The Jungle Book" 

Beginning March 18, 2016, you can catch a preview of scenes from Disney’s all-new live-action adventure “The Jungle Book”. Find a sneak peek in Hollywood Studios as part of the Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream attraction on Mickey Avenue. 

Egg-stravangza at Epcot 

From March 2–27, 2016 (or while supplies last), search for special hidden “eggs” themed to Disney characters and record your discoveries by placing the corresponding sticker on the specially themed Egg-stravaganza map to represent that location. Maps and stickers can be purchased for $5.95, plus tax at Pin Central, Port of Entry (Showcase Plaza), Heritage Manor (The American Adventure) and World Traveler (International Gateway

Minnie's Springtime Dine at Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood Studios 

The Spring theme for Minnie's special character meal at Hollywood and Vine is a classic picnic!  On the menu, you will find classic picnic food with a twist, like refreshing coconut-lavender lemonade and springtime salads like watercress or basil-lime fruit salad. Hearty entrees include barbecue meatballs, buffalo baked chicken, lobster and shrimp mac ‘n cheese, herb-roasted pork and more. For dessert, you can indulge in passion fruit cheesecake, key lime tarts and banana cream puffs.

Minnie’s Springtime Dine costs $46.99 per adult and $27.99 per child, plus tax and gratuity. Some dining plans accepted.

Joy and Sadness are coming to Epcot for character meet and greets 

Beginning in April, Epcot Character Spot will provide direct access to Headquarters, where you can meet Joy and Sadness, two of the Emotions who help guide Riley through life in the Disney•Pixar film “Inside Out.” 

Also at Epcot Character Spot, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy are on hand in their cartoon clubhouse of the future, happy to take a break from creating their latest innovation to make new friends or welcome back old pals. And, across the way, your Clients can step into a makeshift robotics workshop and spend time with Baymax, everyone’s favorite personal healthcare companion from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Big Hero 6.”

As always if you need any help planning your Disney vacation, email me or schedule a time to chat.