TRON Spotted Doing Test Runs WITH People!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

It’s been over 5 years since Disney announced that TRON Lightcycle/Run — a roller coaster at Disney’s Shanghai Park — would be coming to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. Construction on the new coaster began in 2018 and the hope was to have the attraction open in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Resort celebration, which began on October 1, 2021. Unfortunately, no one predicted a global pandemic would shut Disney Parks down and put TRON construction way behind schedule.

Construction on the new TRON attraction, which will be called TRON Lightcycle/Run, is now well underway and many are hoping that an opening date is right around the corner. Disney Dining previously reported that the ride was seen doing test runs — which means that the track is complete — but now we have another MAJOR announcement to make. Guests visiting Magic Kingdom Park recently saw the ride doing a test run with actual people on it! That’s right, the ride is now close enough to completion to have people on it!

TRON Disney World

A picture of TRON Lightcycle/Run with people in the ride vehicles was shared on Twitter by Megg (@megg9911), who loved that one of the riders didn’t look very interested in being on the Disney Park coaster.

The man was probably a part of the ride testing team working on TRON Lightcycle/Run, so he has most likely ridden the attraction more than once. Walt Disney Imagineers ride new attractions more times than we know about in order to make sure that everything is working properly and that the ride is safe enough to allow Guests on in the near future. Even though he’s probably ridden it more than once, we would bet that it’s probably still an exciting experience!

Here’s what we know about TRON Lightcycle/Run thanks to Disney Parks Blog:

When this attraction is complete, you’ll climb aboard your very own Lightcycle and launch into the Grid for a race through a dark, computerized world.

Our story picks up following the events of “TRON: Legacy,” whose main character, Sam Flynn, is now opening new gateways into this digital realm at specific locations around the world. The first portal he created is at Shanghai Disneyland with the original TRON Lightcycle PowerRun, and now Magic Kingdom guests will get their turn through this second gateway.

When you enter the attraction’s queue, you’ll feel as if you’re digitized and entering the Grid for a special Lightcycle race alongside your family and friends. You’ll all join Team Blue (hence the color of the wheels in the photo above) for a high-speed launch into a competition against Team Orange. As you swoop and swerve your way around the course, your goal is to be the first to race through eight Energy Gates and secure your victory. Will your team have what it takes?

Again, we do not have an opening date for TRON Lightcycle/Run at this time, but since riders are testing out the nearly completed project, it is possible that we may hear something in the coming weeks! Disney Dining will keep readers updated as we learn more.

EPCOT Festival Recipe – Rocky Road Cake

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Chocolate lovers rejoice! Disney has once again shared a recipe for an item available at the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival!

From a Disney Cast Member;

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE is in full gear! There are so many amazing foods to try. This year’s festival menus were filled with recipes I wanted to test and share with the home cook. One dessert that really stood out was the Rocky Road Cake at the Flavors from Fire Global Marketplace. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to test this recipe!

When I came home from the store with marshmallows and chocolate, the taste testers in my house were excited. After having a chance to taste the final product, they were not disappointed. One of the taste testers revealed that reheated leftover cake made an excellent breakfast the next morning.

Some of my favorite desserts to bake are ones that look time-consuming and difficult but are secretly easy to make. This Rocky Road Cake is a perfect example of that. The cake is delicious and does not take much more time than a standard chocolate cake. The individual cakes topped with marshmallows, almonds, and ganache really set this apart from an everyday chocolate cake. Rocky Road Cake is going on my list of desserts to make again.

Now that I’ve talked it up- it’s time to share the recipe!

ROCKY ROAD CAKE – EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Serves 8

SPICY SUGARED ALMONDS

    • 1/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided
    • 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne
    • 3 tablespoons water
    • 3/4 cup unsalted almonds

CHOCOLATE GANACHE

    • 6 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
    • 2/3 cup heavy cream

CHOCOLATE-BUTTERMILK CAKE

    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1 egg
    • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
    • 1/2 cup buttermilk
    • 1/2 cup hot water

TOPPINGS

    • 1 cup mini marshmallows
    • Sea salt
    • Reserved chocolate ganache

FOR SPICY SUGARED ALMONDS:

    1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
    2. Combine 1 teaspoon sugar with the cinnamon and cayenne in a small bowl; set aside.
    3. Stir remaining 1/3 cup sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until boiling. Carefully add almonds and stir frequently for 8-10 minutes, until water evaporates. Continue stirring for 2-3 minutes, until sugar begins to caramelize. Sprinkle cinnamon reserved mixture over almonds and stir to mix.
    4. Carefully pour almonds onto prepared baking sheet, separating with spatula.
    5. Cool completely, then coarsely chop. Store in airtight container up to 3 days.

FOR CHOCOLATE GANACHE:

    1. Spray eight 6-ounce ramekins with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.
    2. Place chopped chocolate in a medium glass bowl.
    3. Bring heavy cream to simmer in small saucepan over medium heat. Pour over chocolate. Let chocolate sit for 5 minutes, then stir until smooth.
    4. Place 1 1/2 tablespoons of ganache in each ramekin and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
    5. Keep remaining ganache at room temperature until ready to serve.

FOR CHOCOLATE-BUTTERMILK CAKE:

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
    2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add egg, oil, and buttermilk. Whisk to combine. Carefully add boiling water and whisk until batter is smooth.
    3. Remove ramekins filled with ganache from refrigerator and fill each with 1/3 cup cake batter. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
    4. Cool 5-10 minutes before serving.

TO SERVE:

Carefully remove cakes from ramekins. Top each rock road cake with 2 tablespoons of mini marshmallows and 1 tablespoon of spicy-sweet almonds. Warm chocolate ganache in the microwave for 30 seconds on 50% power. Drizzle ganache over each cake and sprinkle with sea salt.

Note: Always use caution when handling sharp objects and hot contents. Please supervise children who are helping or nearby. This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version. 

Click here for a print-at-home version of this recipe!

Disney Announces Disney+ Day and Park Celebrations

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Disney+, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Last November, Disney Parks celebrated the first Disney+ Day. Disney is once again celebrating and subscribers can take advantage of some pretty cool offerings at Disney Parks around the world.

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Thomas Smith:

We’re making it blue once again at Disney Parks as we celebrate Disney+ Day on Sept. 8! You’re invited to “plus” up your day with special offerings and fan-favorite fun.

Mornings at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California will be “plussed” up with early entry pixie dust! Disney+ subscribers and their travel party with valid admission and reservations are once again invited to enter the theme parks at Disneyland Resort* and Walt Disney World Resort 30 minutes before regular park opening.

To capture the memories of this special day, subscribers can also enjoy complimentary Disney PhotoPass photo downloads at select locations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Disneyland Resort theme parks that day.

We’re also excited to share that in celebration of Disney+ Day, on September 8 only, guests staying in select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels and Hotels of the Disneyland Resort (with valid admission and a reservation) will have the opportunity to enter 60 minutes before regular park open at any Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort theme parks.

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort, celebrate Disney+ Day with Disney+ character meet-and-greets and cavalcades, “plus” more surprises throughout the day (valid theme park admission and Disney’s Hollywood Studios park reservation required). The fun doesn’t end there! Guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels can wind down with a special Disney+ screening at Movie Under the Stars.

It’s too good to be blue at Disneyland Resort! Be on the lookout for commemorative chalk art at the Downtown Disney District and at the Disneyland Hotel, ways to “plus” your pics as well as fun and festive food and beverage throughout the Disneyland Resort. Strike a starry pose at Hollywood Land with a photo op featuring Mater and Lightning McQueen before vrooming over to Cars Land – inspired by the Disney and Pixar movie “Cars” – to meet the four-wheeled stars themselves! Wishing for more? Guests staying at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort are invited to stop by Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa for a special movie screening.

While we celebrate all things blue, we’re eating them too! Satisfy your sweet tooth with blue dusted churros – only available at Disneyland Resort theme parks this Disney+ Day on Buena Vista Street and Grizzly Peak at Disney California Adventure park, near Sleeping Beauty Castle and Astro Blasters in Tomorrowland at Disneyland park. At the Downtown Disney District, choose from three true-blue cocktails: an Ocean Breeze at Naples Ristorante E Bar, Blue Hawaiian at Uva Bar & Cafe, and a Tropical Margarita at Tortilla Jo’s.

Fans are also invited to join the celebrations digitally by stepping up their selfie game with Disney PhotoPass Lenses for Disney+ Day. Don festive Mickey ears or invite Groot to make a cameo through these limited-time lenses – available to those celebrating in the parks or at home in the U.S. through Snapchat and the My Disney Experience app.

On Sept. 8, Disneyland Paris will delight guests with a dedicated entertainment program specially developed for this occasion, in addition to photo opportunities with Disney PhotoPass and a blue-themed chocolate hazelnut donut. For more fanfare, Disney+ subscribers and their party with theme park tickets and reservations are invited for the first time to enter Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris at 9:00 a.m. (30 minutes before regular park opening) only on Sept. 8, 2022. Hong Kong Disneyland will celebrate with guests visiting the park on Sept. 10.

Guests will be seeing blue on this cruise! During the Aug. 29-Sept. 5 Disney Vacation Club Member Cruise, members aboard the Disney Wonder will be treated to special gifts from Disney+ and 9 exclusive shows and experiences supporting current and upcoming Disney+ programming.

Around the world, Consumer Products, Games and Publishing will also be celebrating Disney+ Day. More in the coming weeks on how to join in on the fun.

Stay tuned for more as we continue to share how we’re making it blue for Disney+ Day!

Guests may be required to verify that they are a Disney+ subscriber by displaying their logged-in home screen on the Disney+ app via their phone to enter early and to receive special benefits at the parks. Please be sure to download the Disney+ app and sign in prior to arrival. Entertainment is subject to change.

* Only Disneyland Resort hotel guests will have access to the direct theme park entrances at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel walkway and Downtown Disney District Monorail.

Disney Bringing ‘Encanto’ Back to the Big Screen

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney+, Uncategorized

The “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” might have simmered for now, but Encanto (2021) still remains one of the most exciting Disney properties released in recent years.

Encanto‘s traditional theatrical outing was short-lived, hindered by the pandemic crisis and subsequent protocols. However, a flashy Disney+ release on Christmas Eve proved to be the perfect formula for the House of Mouse, and the rest is history. Even with continued strong viewership on Disney’s growing streaming service, Encanto will once more return to the theater with an exclusive new opening act.

From its lukewarm beginnings in November 2021, when it netted just over $200 million worldwide, the Walt Disney Animation Studios classic made a triumphant comeback when it was released on Disney+ the following month. Since then, Encanto has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. The sleeper hit has been decorated with multiple awards such as the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 94th Academy Awards and hit numerous accolades in the music industry.

“We Don’t Talk About Bruno” made Disney history after reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100, overtaking Frozen‘s (2013) “Let It Go”, and beating the previous record holder, “A Whole New World” from Aladdin (1992). Further commercial success came with the Original Soundtrack hitting the coveted number one spot on the U.S. Billboard 200 and U.K. Album Charts, thanks, in part, to popular songs like “Bruno”, “The Family Madrigal”, “Waiting On A Miracle”, “Surface Pressure”, and “What Else Can I Do?”.

encanto madrigal family mirabel gift

Many Disney fans likely discovered Encanto through Disney+, as well as its popularity on social media in spaces like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, meaning the opportunity to see it in theaters had already been and gone. However, Disney has announced Encanto‘s return to the company’s own movie theater — the El Capitan Theatre in the heart of Los Angeles.

Luisa, Mirabel, and Isabela in 'Encanto'

In addition to Encanto, Disney and Pixar Animation Studios’ Coco (2017) will also have showings at the El Capitan; both are being released on the big screen to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. Per a press release:

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – August 26, 2022 – Tickets are on sale now to watch Disney and Pixar’s “Coco” September 9-12 and Disney’s “Encanto” September 16-22 presented by Disney+ at the El Capitan Theatre this September.

Before each showing of “Coco,” guests can see the Mariachi Divas, Ballet Folkórico De Los Ángeles and a Fiesta of Lights featuring music from the movie as they enter the theatre. Guests can also take photos at a “Coco”-themed photo op featuring a replica of Ernesto de la Cruz’s guitar.

While Coco audiences will get the exclusive themed experience detailed above, those seeing Encanto will be treated to a new opening act from Mirabel Madrigal herself. That’s right, Disney says “Moviegoers can watch Mirabel live on stage before each showing of Encanto.” Mirabel joined the Disney Parks team in Disneyland Resort last year and finally made her debut at the Walt Disney World Resort over the summer, her appearance at the El Capitan is sure to make these showings of Encanto even more memorable.

Buzz Lightyear’s Wardrobe Malfunction

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Although the Disney Parks are advertised as perfect and magical places, unfortunately, Disney characters experience wardrobe malfunctions or mishaps from time to time.

In the past, we have seen this happen with Ariel’s fin getting stuck during a performance of Voyage of The Little Mermaid show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as well as Mike Wazowski losing an arm during a show in Tomorrowland at Walt Disney World.

A video shared on Twitter went semi-viral earlier today, showing a very peculiar wardrobe malfunction taking place during a Disney parade. You can see the full video linked below:

Twitter user @mo_dona21 shared the video, which shows Buzz atop a parade’s “Toy Story” float. His chest plate somehow fell off earlier in the parade, but the Cast Member continued on and acted as if nothing had happened.

The specific parade shown in the video is the Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade: DreamLights, a fun spin on the classic Main Street Electrical Parade at the American Disney Resorts. All of the Disney stars are literally sparkling in this nighttime parade of lights and music.

Tokyo Disneyland electrical parade

If “Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights” is canceled due to rain, the mini parade “Nightfall Glow” will be presented instead. Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, and their Disney Friends want to have a lovely time, especially when it rains! They appear in this shimmering interlude of lights aboard floats that glow in a rainbow of colors to light up the Park on a rainy night.

The parade starts in Toontown, proceeds around the Plaza and through Westernland, and exits through Fantasyland. The parade features Mickey and his pals, including characters from Aladdin, Toy Story, and other Disney films, appearing on colorful floats, nighttime in the Park is even more fantasy-filled.