NEWS ROUNDUP: Big Disney Announcements, New Shows, Festival Announcements, Sneak Peeks & More
The past week as an incredibly busy one with all kinds of good news coming out of Disney World. We saw new shows being announced, details released on Flower & Garden Festival and the Food & Wine Festival. Sneak peeks of new attractions. It was hard to keep up with. With this much going on you probably missed something. Here’s a round up of the biggest news stories of the week.
1 – Disney Announces New Magic Kingdom Stage Show
That’s right, the rumors were true. The current stage show, Dream Along with Mickey, will end in April and will be replaced this summer.
2 – Disney Announces New Hollywood Studios Stage Show
Have you been wondering what Disney will do with the space formerly occupied by the giant Sorcerer Mickey hat? Wonder no more. Disney unveiled an all new Star Wars themed stage spectacular.
3 – Dates for the 2016 Food & Wine Festival Released
Want your Food & Wine Festival super-sized? Us too. The Food & Wine Festival has been extended almost two additional weeks in 2016. The enormously popular festival is a celebration of all things food and drink with scores of kiosks serving samples of culinary creations from all over the world. Additionally, there are numerous seminars, parties, a half marathon, music concerts and more. The festival will run from September 14 through November 14, 2016. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and we’ll bring you all the details as they’re released.
4 – Lady Tremaine Meet & Greet Cut
If you want to see Lady Tremaine and her two daughters (evil stepmother from Cinderella) you better get to Magic Kingdom this weekend. Unfortunately, this is one of the character meet and greets recently cut by Disney. It appears Cinderella’s step sisters were unpopular with more than just Prince Charming. February 22 will be the final day to meet this unpleasant trio.
5 – Hours at Several Epcot Attractions and Store Reduced
As part of the current cost cutting efforts at Disney parks around the world, several attractions and Mouse Gear will see reduced operating hours. Mouse Gear will now open one hour after the park opens until park closing. Phineas and Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure will now close at 6:00 pm instead of 8:15 pm. Living with the Land and Journey Into Imagination with both close at 7:00 pm instead of park closing.
6 – Frozen Attraction’s Spring Opening Put on Ice
The opening of the highly anticipated Frozen Ever After ride and Royal Sommerhus in Epcot’s Norway pavilion has been pushed back to Summer of 2016. No official word on why, although on a recent visit we saw a construction site with a long way to go.
7 – Rivers of Life Preview Video Released
Scheduled to open in the Summer of 2016, construction on the nighttime spectacular, Rivers of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, is wrapping up. Borrowing elements of other Disney shows such as Fantasmic and mixing in many new effects, expectations are very high. Disney just released a new sneak peek preview giving fans a taste of what to expect.
The show will take place on Discovery River between Discovery Island and Expedition Everest. In “Rivers of Light,” a pair of mystical hosts come to the river bearing gifts of light. During the show, the hosts set out from the shore on elaborate lantern vessels for a dramatic dance of water and light to summon animal spirits. With the storytellers as your guides, the wonders of “Rivers of Light” builds to a stunning crescendo.
In addition to the show, you’ll also notice the park’s iconic Tree of Life will undergo an amazing awakening as the animal spirits of the tree are brought to “light” by magical fireflies, revealing moments of wonder and enchantment.
To create “Rivers of Light,” Imagineers and Creative Entertainment partnered with the talents of master puppet designer Michael Curry, composer Mark Mancina and the filmmakers at Disneynature. According to Imagineer Joe Rohde, the addition of “Rivers of Light” to the park’s offerings will serve as that huge “wow” moment that ends a guest’s visit to the park.
8 – Big Character News at Hollywood Studios
Get ready for warm hugs! Everyone’s favorite snowman is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.