A new series inspired by Disney’s Alice in Wonderland is coming to Disney Junior in February. You’ll also be able to see it on Disney Channel and on the Disney+ streaming platform.
The series, called Alice’s Wonderland Bakery, will be another component of the original programming on the Disney Junior Channel and will feature the talents of 13-year-old Libby Rue as the voice of Alice, as well as Craig Ferguson, Eden Espinosa, Jon Secada, Saturday Night Live‘s Bobby Moynihan, Vanessa Bayer, and Ana Gasteyer, Donald Faison (Dr. Turk in NBC’s Scrubs), Yvette Nicole Brown (NBC’s Community, Disney+’s Lady and the Tramp and Big Shots.
The original new series follows the adventures of Alice, but she’s not Disney’s Alice from the 1950s. She’s that Alice’s great-granddaughter, and the series definitely has nods to the original 1951 Disney animated feature, Alice in Wonderland.
Other stars lending their voices to the new Disney Junior series include Abigail Estrella as the Princess of Hearts, C.J. Uy as Hattie, Jack Stanton as Fergie the White Rabbit, Secunda Wood as Cookie the Cookbook, and Audrey Wasilewski as Dinah the cat. Musician and singer Jon Secada plays the King of Hearts, and Vanessa Bayer and Bobby Moynihan play as Tweedle Do and Tweedle Don’t. Captian Dodo is voiced by Rich Sommer, and Yvette Nicole Brown voices Mama Rabbit. Ana Gasteyer voices Kiki, Lesley Nicol plays Iris, Lamorne Morris plays Dandy, and Matthew Moy plays a character cleverly named David of Spades (not that any preschooler will pick up on the name).
No word yet on whether the March Hare will make an appearance in the new series.
The series was created with preschool-aged children in mind and will include musical numbers as well. Alice’s Wonderland Bakery will debut on Disney Junior on February 9 at 10:30 a.m. and will also air at the same time on Disney Channel. The first few episodes of the Alice-themed series will also be streamable on Disney+.
The next Epcot festival is just one week away. The 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Arts kicks off next Friday, January 14! The menus for the Food Studios have been released!
From a Disney Cast Member;
Hello Disney foodies! I’m Nicole, and as a newly appointed member of the team, I will be one of your new guides to all things Disney food. If you’re a treats connoisseur like me, once you set your eyes upon these eats and sips from this year’s EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, your taste buds are going to be begging to try them all.
Running from Jan. 14 through Feb. 21, 2022 – right in the midst of the 18-month-long Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary Celebration – the Festival will showcase visual, culinary and performing arts from across the globe. This year, the chefs and mixologists have crafted items that aren’t just delicious, but truly works of art.
Get a glimpse of the 15 Food Studios featuring some returning favorites and soon-to-be hits taking the foodie stage for the first time, like the brand-new The Craftsman’s Courtyard. For some added fun, be sure to pick up a Festival Passport to try out the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine, a returning food stroll featuring some true culinary masterpieces. As you travel throughout the Festival, collect stamps by purchasing five of these decadent dishes to redeem a special prize from Deco Delights to enjoy.
And now for the pièce de résistance – I present to you the Foodie Guide to the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts!
Pop Eats! (Near Port of Entry)
Food Items:
Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese
Tomato Soup with Bacon, Apple, and Brie Grilled Cheese (New)
Almond Frangipane Cake layered with raspberry jam and Belgian chocolate
Pop’t Art: Modern-designed sugar cookie with chocolate-hazelnut filling
Figment Premium Popcorn Bucket with Rainbow Popcorn (Limit 2 per guest)(New)
Beverages:
Hazy IPA
Tomato Soup Can Bloody Mary
The Deconstructed Dish (Near Port of Entry)
Food Items:
Deconstructed BLT: Crispy pork belly, soft-poached egg, brioche, watercress espuma, and tomato jam
Deconstructed French Onion Soup: Beef broth ravioli, Gruyère espuma, onion bread pudding, and onion textures (New)
Deconstructed Key Lime Pie: Flexible Key lime curd, “Key lime” mousse, graham cracker cake, and meringues (Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine – Green)(New)
Beverages:
Deconstructed Apple Pie à la Mode: Apple-cinnamon gelato, cinnamon apple cider, apple pie filling, and streusel (non-alcoholic) (New)
Brown Ale
Deco Delights (Near Port of Entry)
Food Items:
Dulce Chocolate Mousse with chocolate crémeux and dark chocolate truffle (New)
Decadent Valrhona Chocolate with dark chocolate mousse, chocolate brownie, and cassis mousse (New)
Orange Mousse with lemon cake and raspberry meringues (New)
Beverages:
Strawberry Blonde Nitro
Vanilla Porter
Milk Stout
Neapolitan Beer Flight
The Craftsman’s Courtyard (near Disney Traders) (New)
Food Items:
Cast Iron-roasted P.E.I. Mussels with Sautéed Tomatoes, Garlic, and Fresh Herbs (New)
Cast Iron-seared Steelhead Trout with parsley salad, grape tomatoes, Kalamata olives, capers, and lemon aïoli (New)
Beverages:
Wheat Beer
Chardonnay
Rosé
Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Flight
Refreshment Outpost
Food Items:
Plant-based Bratwurst with spicy turmeric aïoli, coffee barbecue jackfruit, and slaw (Plant-based)
Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie
Beverages:
Blue Raspberry Blonde Ale
Nairobi Coffee Dark Beer
Brown Ale
Pastoral Palate (Germany)
Food Items:
Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib with parsnip purée, broccolini, baby tomatoes, and aged balsamic
Wild Boar Cassoulet with duck confit, ham hock, and wild boar sausage (New)
Opera Cake: Almond joconde, coffee buttercream, and chocolate ganache
Beverages:
Rosé Hard Cider
Rosé Blonde Ale
Frozen Rosé
A Play on Rosé Flight
Old Vine Rosé
The Artist’s Table (America)
Food Items:
Beef Wellington: Mushroom duxelle, prosciutto, and puff pastry with red wine demi-glace and baby vegetables
Pan-seared Scallops with vanilla-butternut squash purée, brown butter cauliflower purée, and lime foam (Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine – Orange)
Pistachio Cake with cherry mousse and morello cherries
Beverages:
Sipping Chocolate Flight: White, milk, and dark chocolate (non-alcoholic)
White Ale
Amber Ale
Brown Ale
Pinot Noir
Symphony in Chocolate Flight: Cream liqueurs paired with Sipping Chocolates
Beer Flight
Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina (Morocco)
Food Items:
Carrots Three Ways: Berbere-spiced grilled carrots, pickled carrots, and carrot ginger purée (Plant-based)(New)
House-made Crispy Almond Phyllo Pockets with white chocolate pomegranate and milk chocolate orange (New)
Beverages:
Chai Tea Mint Mimosa: Twinings of London Chai Tea with Key lime sparkling wine and mint
House-made Chorizo and Potato Empanada with turmeric aïoli and annatto aïoli(Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine – Yellow)(New)
Spicy Ajiaco Soup with guajillo and árbol chili-spiced chicken, potato, avocado, corn, and crème fraîche (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) (New)
Passion Fruit Mousse with Dragon Fruit Jam (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
Beverages:
Coconut and Passion Fruit Smoothie (non-alcoholic)
Frozen Piña Colada
Passion Fruit Daiquiri
Refreshment Port (Near Canada)
Food Items:
Gnocchi Poutine with red wine-braised beef, cheese curds, basil, and burrata (New)
Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie
Beverages:
Blood Orange Cosmo: Vodka with blood orange, cranberry, and lime (New)
Hard Cider
Gourmet Landscapes (Canada)
Food Items:
Blood Orange-braised Beet Carpaccio with mustard vinaigrette, pickled clamshell mushrooms, golden beets, and crostini (Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine – Red) (Planted-based)(New)
Roasted Bone Marrow with onion marmalade, pickled mushrooms, mache lettuce, and bone marrow snow (New)
Wild Mushroom Risotto, Aged Parmesan, Truffle Shavings, and Zinfandel Reduction
Beverages:
German Lager
Cuvée Sparkling Wine
Merlot
Frozen Rusty Nail Cocktail
The Donut Box
Food Items:
Vanilla Donut with strawberry sugar, strawberry ice cream, fresh strawberries, and strawberry gele (Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine – Pink)(New)
Inside Out Donut: Vanilla donut with Bavarian cream (New)
Chocolate-dipped Donut with black and gold sugar sprinkles and chocolate buttercream ((New)
Beverages:
Rosé
Cold Fashion Coffee Cocktail
L’Art de la Cuisine Française (France)
Food Items:
Crème de Brie en Petit Pain: Warm creamy brie in a house-made bread bowl
Croissant à la Truffe Noire d’Hiver: Black winter truffle croissant served warm
Mousseline de Bisque de Homard Froide, Brioche Feuilletée à l’Aneth: Chilled lobster bisque mousse served with dill brioche (New)
Moelleux aux Noisettes et Chocolats Valrhona: Molten chocolate and hazelnut cake with pure origin Valrhona chocolates
Beverages:
Frozen French Martini: Vodka, black raspberry liqueur, pineapple, orange, and grape juice with lemon-lime foam
French Rosé Sparkling Wine
Cabernet Sauvignon
Sparkling Chardonnay
El Artista Hambriento (Mexico)
Food Items:
Huarache Verde: Cilantro huarache with cochinita pibil, fresh pineapple, and pickled onion (New)
Chicken Kushiage: Breaded and fried chicken with yum yum sauce and vegetables (New)
Sushi Donut: Donut-shaped sushi featuring salmon, tuna, shrimp, cucumber, and sesame seed over a decorated plate of wasabi aïoli, sriracha, and eel sauce
Beverages:
Winter Ale
Sake in a traditional personalized wooden cup
Niseko Flurry: Sake, rum, white cranberry juice, blue curaçao, and lime juice (New)
The Painted Panda (China)
Food Items:
General Tso’s Chicken Shumai
Char Siu Pork Bun
Beverages:
“Panda” Bubble Tea: Classic milk tea with black and white boba (non-alcoholic)
Jasmine Draft Beer
Eastern Dynasty: Vodka, light rum, strawberry syrup, piña colada mix, soda water, and magic boba pearls
Kung Fu Punch: Vodka, triple sec, mango syrup, orange juice, and soda water
Sea Butterfly: Butterfly pea flower-infused cocktail with vodka, light rum, lychee syrup, magic boba pearls
L’Arte di Mangiare (Italy)
Food Items:
Arancini: Fried risotto balls stuffed with braised-beef and served with pomodoro sauce (New)
Ravioli alla Boscaiola: Sweet sausage ravioli, mushrooms, caramelized onions, and creamy Parmesan sauce (New)
Bomboloni: Chocolate-hazelnut Italian doughnut with powdered sugar (New)
Beverages:
Peroni Pilsner
Pinot Grigio
Chianti
Prosecco
Red Sparkling Wine
Moscato
Italian White Sangria with Prosecco
Italian Red Sangria with Cabernet Sauvignon
Italian Margarita with Tequila and Limoncello
Amaretto Bellini: Amaretto, White Peach Purée, and Prosecco
Bergamotto: Rosolio Liqueur, Prosecco, and Olive
Funnel Cake
Cherry Blossom Funnel Cake: Chocolate chip funnel cake topped with cherry ice cream, rainbow whipped cream, chocolate chips, and a maraschino cherry (New)
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
World Discovery (Near Mission: SPACE) – Mocha Masterpiece Cold Brew: A sweet creamy cold brew topped with whipped cream and chocolate puffs
Canada – Colorful Canvas Cold Brew: A sweet creamy cold brew topped with whipped cream and fruity cereal
World Showcase (Near Disney Traders) – Cinnamon Swirl Cold Brew: A sweet creamy cold brew topped with whipped cream and cinnamon squares
The American Adventure – Rainbow Dreams Cold Brew: A sweet creamy cold crew topped with whipped cream and colorful marshmallow crunch
We hope to see you at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts this year. Happy eating and bon appétit!
On December 12, a woman had a heart attack at Bay Lake Tower, which is located next to Magic Kingdom Park and a part of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The heart attack was reportedly caused by an anaphylactic reaction she was having. Unfortunately, the only emergency vehicle available on Disney property was out on another call, and epinephrine was not administered until about 20 minutes after the initial emergency call was made. Sadly, the heart attack proved fatal, and the woman passed away.
After that Guest’s death, Reedy Creek firefighters spoke out, saying that their worst fears were coming true — the short-staffing the department has been dealing with for years is now resulting in death. Jon Shirey, President of the Reedy Creek Fire Department, said that people in cardiac arrest have an average of 4-6 minutes before life-saving measures need to be implemented. Shirey said that had the department had the staff that it needed, they would have most likely been able to respond faster, and the epinephrine would have been administered sooner.
After the firefighters made their safety claims, a Disney spokesperson said that the claims were not true and that Disney makes the safety of its Guests a top priority while they are visiting the Disney hotels and theme parks.
Well, now it appears that things have not gotten any better for the brave firefighters who service Walt Disney World Resort — in fact, they may have gotten worse. Reedy Creek Firefighters are now telling the Orlando Sentinel that their Honor Guard members are being retaliated against because they spoke out about the safety issues they were having concerns about.
The president of the Reedy Creek Firefighters Association, which represents Walt Disney World’s first responders, says members of its Honor Guard will have to perform without pay at an international convention in a retaliatory move for union members publicly speaking about their safety and staffing concerns at the Disney resort.
Jon Shirey said department and district officials initially told him the Honor Guard would not be allowed to appear at the upcoming International Association of Fire Fighters’ Affiliate Leadership Training Summit, which will be held at Disney’s Dolphin Resort Jan. 9-12.
After speaking with the Sentinel, Shirey followed up and said that he was told by a union representative that the Honor Guard could show up at the convention if they wanted to, but they would be off-duty and would not be paid. In the past, Honor Guard members would actually be paid overtime for representing the Honor Guard at special events like the Leadership Training Summit.
In response to the firefighters claims that they are being retaliated against, Disney told the following to the Sentinel:
Spokeswoman Eryka Washington said the Reedy Creek Improvement District “fully supports the appearance” of the Honor Guard at the summit and it is not current district practice “to pay employees for non-district related events.”
“We recognize the importance of what the Honor Guard represents to the community,” she said in a statement. She did not respond to further questions about the allegations.
The Reedy Creek Fire Department is currently negotiating to add more staff to their strained department.
Since its opening in October 2021, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure has utilized a Virtual Queue. Any guests wishing to ride the attraction needed to join the virtual queue or purchase access to the Lightning Lane. Beginning soon, the traditional standby line will open for guests.
The newest attraction at EPCOT, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, had its delicious debut just in time for The World’s Most Magical Celebration honoring the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort! Since the attraction opened on Oct. 1, 2021, scores of EPCOT guests have joined Remy in a visit to Gusteau’s bustling kitchen using the virtual queue, which we introduced as part of the exciting launch.
Now, guests may experience this incredible attraction using a standby queue instead of a virtual queue beginning Jan. 10, 2022. With this change, we will end the use of virtual queue for now for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Guests also have the opportunity to purchase access to a Lightning Lane queue at this attraction.
Virtual queues continue to be helpful with the launch of popular attractions and the debut of new experiences and offerings, so we may use it again from time to time for select attractions in the future.
Be sure to take advantage of the complimentary Disney Genie service, helping guests create their best Disney day. Built right into the My Disney Experience app, Disney Genie does the planning for our guests—with a personalized itinerary feature and all of their favorites displayed instantly with real-time tips and predictions. Guests may also purchase next available Lightning Lane entry at select attractions with Disney Genie + service or by purchasing access to Lightning Lane entry at select individual attractions for added flexibility. *
Whether you’ve visited Gusteau’s kitchen before or not, I can’t wait to see you at EPCOT — “bienvenue” to you!
*Attractions with Lightning Lane entrances that are Disney Genie+ and individual purchases are limited in availability, subject to change or closure, may vary by date, are not guaranteed and may not be available at all on the date of visit or at the time you make a selection.
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort has announced today that it will be closing its doors to all Guests beginning 7 January 2022. The move comes amid a rise in COVID-19 infections across the area with the Disney Park temporarily closing for at least two weeks.
Located near Penney’s Bay, Lantau Island, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort — home to Hong Kong Disneyland Park and hotels like Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Hollywood Hotel, and Disney Explorers Lodge — the Disney Park was the second expansion into Asia after Tokyo Disney Resort opened many years earlier. Hong Kong Disneyland Park was built after Walt Disney’s first theme park location, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, and features Disney characters, popular rides, and fireworks celebrations. Now, the popular theme park destination will shut down operations for an extended period.
Per Yahoo!:HONG KONG, Jan 5 (Reuters) – Walt Disney Co will shut down its Hong Kong Disneyland park from Jan. 7 to Jan. 20 as coronavirus cases rise in the city, the company said on Wednesday.
Hong Kong’s government announced tightened restrictions on Wednesday including a ban on some incoming flights as authorities feared a fifth wave of infections.
The closure announcement was also shared by DLP Report (@DLPReport) on Twitter. They said:Due to a resurgence in Covid-19 cases, Hong Kong Disneyland will be closing temporarily on January 7, 2022 for 14 days.
Due to a resurgence in Covid-19 cases, Hong Kong Disneyland will be closing temporarily on January 7, 2022 for 14 days. pic.twitter.com/nvbbr8L0Lm
While the news currently states the Disney Resort will be closed for 14 days, the current Hong Kong Disneyland Park calendar has blacked out all forthcoming dates, suggesting that the Disney vacation spot will only reopen as and when it is deemed safe to do so.
This extended closure comes just weeks after the Disney Park saw an abrupt shutdown when government officials ordered those visiting, or working at the Park as Cast Members, to take an antigen test upon exit leaving Guests backed up in lines for hours. This one-day closure stretched into multiple days but Hong Kong Disneyland Resort was able to reopen shortly after.
