New Details Announced for Disney’s New Island Destination Lookout Cay

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is Disney Cruise Line’s newest island destination that will welcome guests in the summer of 2024. Disney Cruise Line has released more details about the island!

I’m excited to share new details on some of the exciting places you’ll find at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point when it debuts in summer 2024!

Disney Lookout Cay is Disney Cruise Line’s newest, one-of-a-kind retreat on the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas. As soon as guests step foot on this breathtaking island destination, they will discover a celebration of Bahamian storytelling, artistry and culture.

Let’s start with a first look at the arrival point, Mabrika Cove.

“Mabrika” means “welcome” in Taino, the language of the Lucayans, who are considered the indigenous people of The Bahamas. While the language is no longer used, a few words remain – one of them being “Mabrika.” At this colorful arrival point, guests will immediately experience the warmth of Bahamian culture.

This next space is guaranteed to be the most festive on the island! The Goombay Cultural Center will embody the essence of “Junkanoo,” a Bahamian festival filled with joyous music and vibrant parades that will come to life in many ways across Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Goombay is one of the traditional music styles of The Bahamas, involving singing, dancing and drumming. The brilliantly colored cultural pavilion and its Junkanoo-inspired arch will invite guests to embrace the traditions of The Bahamas, along with the sights, sounds and spirit of the country’s signature festival.

There will be plenty of family entertainment in store at Triton’s Trumpet Stage. And fun fact: The gazebo’s name is inspired by one of the stunning natural wonders found among the Bahamian beaches – a large, spiraled seashell commonly called “Triton’s Trumpet.” And for you Disney fans, if Triton sounds familiar, you might recognize it as the name of the mighty king from the beloved Disney animated classic “The Little Mermaid.”

Of course, we must mention the shopping opportunities! Treasures of Eleuthera will be the retail shop featuring locally made gifts and artisan crafts. What I really love is how the shop will spotlight Bahamian artists through an array of unique items that families will be able to bring home with them as a special keepsake.

And now, the question you might have been asking … is there going to be an adults-only space on the island? The answer is yes! I’m delighted to share that Serenity Bay will be a relaxing retreat exclusively for adults 18 years of age and older. For those of you who have sailed with Disney Cruise Line before, you might recognize Serenity Bay as a must-visit location on Disney Castaway Cay! At Disney Lookout Cay, Serenity Bay will feature a tranquil beach experience with a dining area and private cabanas available for reservation.

Relaxation, breathtaking nature, cultural celebrations, and Disney entertainment for all? I’m packing my bags now for when this island destination debuts in summer 2024! In case you missed it, here’s a look at some of the first sailings that will visit Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.

Disney Reveals First Look at ‘Luminous The Symphony of Us’ Coming Soon to EPCOT

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

A new nighttime spectacular, “Luminous The Symphony of Us,” is debuting at EPCOT on December 5! Disney has shared more details about what to expect with the new show!

We’re just over a month away from the launch of the latest nighttime spectacular from Disney Live Entertainment, “Luminous The Symphony of Us,” debuting Dec. 5 at EPCOT. Featuring dazzling fireworks, fountains, lights and music to connect us all through commonalities of the heart, this all-new show shines a light on how each of our unique melodies comes together to form a great symphony – the symphony of us.

Much like a beautiful piece of music, “Luminous The Symphony of Us” is made up of a series of movements, each representing life experiences that we have in common, showing us that we’re more alike than we are different. Punctuating these movements are two original songs written just for the spectacular, as well as new arrangements of carefully selected Disney songs we all know and love.

At the start of the show, World Showcase comes to life as we hear voices from each pavilion welcoming us to this great gathering. With the tap of a conductor’s baton, our first movement begins with the original song, “Heartbeat Symphony.” For me, nothing says EPCOT nighttime spectacular like a sweeping ballad, and this one comes for you right out of the gate.

Check out this behind-the-scenes look at some of the music recording sessions for “Luminous The Symphony of Us,” including a sneak preview of “Heartbeat Symphony.”

With the stage set, our symphony takes us to the tender love of parenthood, highlighting childhood moments where each of our journeys began and featuring a stirring, multilingual arrangement of “You’ll Be in My Heart.” The symphony then transitions to “Proud Corazón” as we find our voice in a movement dedicated to the bonds of family. Friendship follows, with classic songs like “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” and “Friend Like Me” taking us back to the days of recess and friendship bracelets.

Set to a sweeping arrangement of “So Close,” a personal favorite hidden gem from Disney’s “Enchanted,” the romance movement celebrates the moments when we find someone with whom our melody blends.

Inevitably in life, we experience the quiet loneliness of loss, but as “When She Loved Me” and “Remember Me” bring us “Into the Unknown,” the echoes of those around us remind us that we’re never truly alone. As we come out of the darkness, the music crescendos to “I See the Light” from “Tangled,” launching us into our finale – and our second original song, entitled “Beating of our Hearts” – where we all come together as one and find our place in the great symphony of life.

As you can probably tell, music plays a critical role in telling this tale. That’s why the team at Disney Live Entertainment is so excited to work with Pinar Toprak once again on the show’s incredible score. You may know Pinar from her work on film soundtracks or heard her EPCOT anthem at night by Spaceship Earth. Among the choir of voices lending their vocal talents to the score are singer/songwriter Sheléa and the multi-talented Katharine McPhee.

As someone whose Disney career began in World Showcase, it’s hard to express how much the EPCOT nighttime spectaculars mean to me. I hope this first look makes you as excited as I am to share this new symphony together when it debuts Dec. 5– part of the grand finale as we near the completion of the multi-year transformation of EPCOT.

Unsupervised Child TRAMPLED After Putting Disney World Character in Danger

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

The number one rule at any Disney theme park (or any public place) is always to watch your children. Kids are known to be accident-prone, and this problem can cause chaos for unsuspecting Disney character performers. One unsupervised child recently put himself and Toy Story‘s Woody in danger at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Excitement turned to chaos as the unaware Woody character performer waved to the crowd. Toy Story‘s famous sheriff soon found himself desperately trying not to trip as a child clung to his waist, ending with a near miss and a kid on the ground, eyes filled with tears.

Toy Story Popcorn Bucket

Let’s set the scene a little bit. Toy Story Land, located within Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, is a popular themed area that transports visitors into the world of Pixar’s Toy Story film franchise.

As you step into this land, you’ll immediately feel like you’ve been shrunken down to the size of toys, surrounded by oversized toys and scenery. It’s also a place where the beloved characters from the movies come to life.

Standout attractions in Toy Story Land include Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers, and the endearing Toy Story Mania. This 4D shooting game ride allows you to test your skills at various carnival games, making it a hit with competitive guests.

While the experiences in Toy Story Land are nothing short of magical, it’s worth noting that the popularity of these attractions can lead to crowded walkways, especially during peak visiting hours. The compact space can become quite narrow when large crowds gather.

Iconic characters like Woody, Jessie, and Buzz sometimes appear on these popular walking paths as they move to greet guests at their specific locations. While the drumming green army men cavalcade can easily navigate these crowded areas, it is another story for characters like Woody.

Recently, Woody narrowly avoided a fall when an unattended child suddenly rushed him on his route through Toy Story Land. Let’s be blunt. Sheriff Woody does not have the best peripheral vision, and a small child can easily elude his eyes if he isn’t expecting them.

With no parents in sight, the kid raced into Woody’s path and latched shockingly onto the performer. Shocked by the sudden situation, Woody did his best to maintain his balance, but the child took the fall in the chaos.

Impressively, Woody avoided directly injuring or stepping on the child while evading a dangerous fall. However, the boy was shaken up and beginning to cry by the end of the video.

@all__thingsdisney

#duet with @rebecalavourasPARENTS!!!!! HAVE YOU LEARNED NOTHING????? #disney #disney100 #disneyfail

♬ som original – rebecalavouras

Furthermore, a random bystander and character attendant seem to be the only ones who respond quickly to the situation. By the end of the footage shared by user All Things Disney on TikTok, no parent or guardian ever entered the chaos. The caption of the video questions whether parents have learned to watch their children at Disney World.

woody, jessie, and buzz face characters

Disney character performers go through training to handle many situations, but they are still at the mercy of attendants and responsible guests for a lot of interactions. This is why it is important to always watch your kids around them. Accidents do happen. However, incidents such as this can be avoided if people are mindful and respectful.

Here’s hoping the unsupervised child wasn’t injured or traumatized by the incident. Furthermore, we have confidence that the boy’s parents will be more aware in the future to avoid another Disney World character accident. Thankfully, this one seems to have ended relatively fine, all things considered.

All views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect Disney Dining’s personal views on Disney Parks operations.

Disney Cruise Line Sets Sail in Australia for the First Time

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

The Disney Wonder is officially down under!

Disney Cruise Line marked another incredible milestone on Oct. 27 when the Disney Wonder set sail from the shores of Australia for the first time ever, embarking on the inaugural ‘Disney Magic at Sea’ cruise for families in Australia and New Zealand. These two- to six-night special sailings continue through February 2024 and allow guests to experience the magic of Disney right in their backyard, with cruises departing from four different home ports: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand.

Guests will be immersed in their favorite Disney stories during the ‘Disney Magic at Sea’ cruises, with activities and spaces for everyone in the family to enjoy, including the imaginative dining and world-class entertainment that Disney Cruise Line is known for. New versions of the “Heroes Unite” deck party and “Crush’s Totally Awesome Pool Party,” as well as special character encounters including Moana’s first appearance on the high seas will allow guests to experience Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars stories and characters in new ways.

We’re so excited, too, that Disney Cruise Line will return to Australia and New Zealand in fall of 2024 for a second season of vacations, with departures running from October to February! On its way back to Australia, the Disney Wonder will first embark on a set of bucket-list itineraries, sailing from Vancouver, Canada, to Honolulu, Hawaii, in late September 2024 with stops on the islands of Kauai, Maui, Hawaii and Oahu. From Hawaii, families will set sail on a transpacific voyage to Sydney, Australia, that will visit once-in-a-lifetime destinations such as Fiji, American Samoa and New Caledonia.

The arrival into Australia is another part of Disney Cruise Line’s unprecedented expansion. With three new ships planned through 2025 and exciting new itineraries around the world, we are thrilled to bring Disney magic at sea to families across the globe for the first time.

Disney Reveals Special Food & Drink Offerings for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom, Uncategorized

The most wonderful time of the year is nearly here at Walt Disney World. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party kicks off on November 9 and runs through December 22 on select nights. Guests visiting the party can expect a great selection of exclusive food and beverage items for purchase! 

Have yourself a (very) merry Christmas because the holiday extravaganza is on its way back to Magic Kingdom Park! That’s right, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is bringing the festive fun from Nov. 9, 2023 through Dec. 22, 2023. This beloved party is filled with holiday excitement sure to put you in the spirit of the season.

Back this year is the dazzling nighttime extravaganza – Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show and the beloved Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, not to mention all the exciting character greetings to be had throughout the park. And what evening at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party would be complete without all the cookies and cocoa you can handle.

But the treats don’t stop there. This year is filled with nearly an all-new lineup of goodies to put you in a winter wonderland. With sweet treats like the Peppermint Snowman or savory delights like the Holiday Turkey Burger, you’ll be getting all the flavors on your wish list this year, and then some!

What do you say? Are you ready to get into the holiday spirit? It’s time to unwrap this year’s Foodie Guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!

Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies

  • Reindeer Chow Sundae: Chocolate soft-serve, pretzels, cereal, M&M’S chocolate candies, and hot fudge (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and regular park hours) 
  • Lump of Coal in your Stocking: Cookies ‘n cream milk shake topped with whipped cream, cookies ‘n cream crumbles, and a chocolate doughnut hole (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

Casey’s Corner

  • Candy Cane Tart: Chocolate tart filled with peppermint ganache and topped with festive meringue (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

Cool Ship

  • Magic Holiday Tree: Coconut, pecans, and M&M’S chocolate candies on a graham cracker crust (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe

  • Holiday Pot Roast Melt: Slow-cooked beef on thick toast with cheddar and provolone cheese and beef gravy (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
  • Holiday Turkey Burger: Turkey burger topped with traditional stuffing, provolone cheese, and cranberry chutney on a brioche bun (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
  • Christmas Cookie Cake: Christmas cookie cake roll with buttercream and topped with holiday sprinkles (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

The Friar’s Nook

  • Holiday Ham Fried Pie: Flaky pastry filled with baked ham, candied sweet potatoes, and spiced pecans served with pineapple glaze (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
  • Italian Beef Tots: Tots covered in slow-cooked beef, cheese curds, zesty giardiniera, and pot roast gravy (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
  • Peppermint Snowman: Chocolate brownie topped with cookies ‘n cream peppermint mousse (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
  • Winter Milk Shake: Creamy coconut milk shake topped with whipped cream, toasted coconut, cinnamon, and crisp pearls (Non-alcoholic beverage) (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

Golden Oak Outpost

  • Orange Gingerbread Shake: Orange cream slushy layered with gingerbread cookie crumbles and topped with whipped cream, gingerbread spice (Non-alcoholic beverage) (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
  • Gingerbread Cake layered with cream cheese frosting and dulce de leche ganache topped with a gingerbread man chocolate piece (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

Main Street Bakery 

  • Minnie-shaped Cinnamon Roll: Cinnamon roll topped with red icing, holiday sprinkles, and a chocolate bow (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and regular park hours) 
  • Letter To Santa: Flourless chocolate cake, hot cocoa mousse, and marshmallows topped with chocolate pieces (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe

  • Chicken Tamale served “Christmas-style” with mild red chile and green chile-pumpkin seed sauces, cilantro rice, pinto beans, and queso fresco (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
  • Chocolate Eggnog Reindeer: Chocolate tart topped with eggnog mousse and chocolate antlers (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
  • Orange-Cranberry Pineapple Punch with a hint of “smoke” from the fireplace (Non-alcoholic beverage) (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

Plaza Ice Cream Parlor

  • Peppermint Brownie Sundae: Peppermint ice cream, hot fudge, and candy cane sprinkles served on a brownie (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and regular park hours) 

Sleepy Hollow Refreshments

  • Holiday Waffle Sundae: House-made red velvet waffle topped with M&M’S chocolate candies, peppermint ice cream, and hot fudge (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
  • Milk and Cookies for Santa: Brown sugar cookie cake topped with chocolate chip cookie dough mousse, milk mousse, and chocolate chip cookies (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

Storybook Treats

  • Sugar Plum Sundae: Sugar plum soft-serve atop sugar cookie crumbs and topped with whipped cream, crisp pearls, and cotton candy (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

Sunshine Tree Terrace

  • Santa’s Belt Buckle: Pistachio mousse with a dark chocolate truffle center and a chocolate buckle (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
  • Cranberry Citrus Float with Orange-Vanilla Soft-serve Twist: Orange-vanilla soft-serve twist with Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry and fruity boba pearls (Non-alcoholic beverage) (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and regular park hours)

Outdoor Vending Locations Near Cinderella Castle 

  • Red Velvet Wreath: Doughnut topped with buttercream and holiday sprinkles (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and regular park hours)
  • Hot Cocoa Churro: Churro rolled in hot cocoa powder and topped with marshmallows and peppermint candy pieces (New) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and regular park hours) 

Don’t miss out on the festive Disney PhotoPass fun during the party with event-exclusive photo ops all around Magic Kingdom Park, including many holly-jolly Magic Shots worthy of a Christmas card! If you want to download all your photos and videos from the party and the rest of your vacation, be sure to check out Memory Maker.

What an exciting (and tasty) holiday season we have ahead of us. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)