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You are here: Home / Disney World / Disney news, rumors, and round up – December 2016

Disney news, rumors, and round up – December 2016

December 2, 2016 by Becky 8 Comments

disney-news

There’s usually a pretty good amount of Disney news every month, but in November it’s like Disney went crazy sharing things!  They had a small event in Disney World where they announced a couple of things, but then it just kept coming.  It means I have a lot of news to share with you this month – I’m curious to hear what you think about some of these things!

Exclusive to the Disney Wonder, Tiana’s Place restaurant is inspired by Princess Tiana from the Disney animated feature, “The Princess and the Frog.” The new restaurant will transport guests to an era of southern charm, spirited jazz and street party celebrations. Influenced by southern-style cuisine, chefs will cook up Tiana’s recipes, drawing inspiration from the flavors and ingredients of the Louisiana bayou. (Photo illustration, Disney)

Exclusive to the Disney Wonder, Tiana’s Place restaurant is inspired by Princess Tiana from the Disney animated feature, “The Princess and the Frog.”  (Photo illustration, Disney)

Disney News

  • Good news for California peeps!  Disneyland is hosting a Holiday food festival for the first time ever this year with lots of tasty seasonal treats.
  • Universal is going to be giving Disney a run for their money so it’s important to keep up with what they’re doing too – like this wristband similar to the Magic Band they’ll be introducing at their new water park.
  • Despite announcing that it would close two years ago, Disney Quest will be sticking around in Disney Springs for 2017.
  • Disney released a new ticket type called the 4 park 4 day Magic Ticket.  It gets you into each one of the Disney theme parks for one day.  So if you know you’re only going to be spending 4 days in the park and one will be at Magic Kingdom, one at Epcot, one at Hollywood Studios, and one in Animal Kingdom, then you can save some money with this deal.
  • Magic Bands 2.0 are coming!  They are supposed to be more versatile – the middle part can be removed and Disney will be selling inserts to use them as keychains and things like that instead of bracelets.
  • Pandora: The World of Avatar finally has an ending in sight!  Disney announced this new section of Animal Kingdom would be opening in summer 2017.  New concept art images were released as well, including a new restaurant.
  • Star Tours will see an update soon with an addition from the 8th movie, coming out in a year.
  • Magic Kingdom now has cabanas to rent, for the price of $650 per day.  This one has stirred up some controversy among Disney fans!
  • Epcot is introducing a new festival – the Festival of the Arts, featuring arts of all sorts with a focus on Broadway this year.  It’s running from mid-January to mid-February and I’m so bummed I’ll be just missing it!
  • Moana is coming to Disney World!  She is now available for meet and greets in Hollywood Studios.
  • Rivers of Light has finally begun cast previews – does that mean the public will see it soon?
  • More competition from Universal – they’ve announced a Nintendo expansion will be coming to their Orlando theme parks.
  • We’ve gotten some sneak peeks of Tiana’s Place on the Disney Wonder and it looks amazing… and now I need to cruise on that ship.

Disney Rumors

Movies  //  Lin Manuel Miranda, composer of the Broadway smash Hamilton and the new Disney film Moana, is working on a “secret project.”  One can only guess what it might be!

Hollywood Studios  // Projected start dates are being tossed around for both Toy Story land and Star Wars land.  We’re hearing summer 2018 for toy story and late 2019 for Star Wars.

Epcot  //  A “major transformation” may be coming to Epcot over the next 8 or so years.  Word has it that it will be “more Disney” but still stay true to the original vision of Epcot.  We’ll see how that goes.

moana

Other Disney Blogs

The Disney Food Blog reviews the new Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory, the quick service restaurant at Port Orleans French Quarter.  It might not be as interesting a space visually anymore, but the food sure looks good!

Disney has introduced a new event on the river boat to have an ice cream social with Tiana and Naveen – but according to Josh at EasyWDW, one of the major advertisements of the event (special parade viewing) turns out to be a huge let down and probably not worth the $50 price tag.

Theme Park Tourist shares an awesome history of one of my favorites, the orange bird.  Learn all about him and what he’s been through over the years!

I thought this review of Moana, from Bethany at Dandelion Pie, was really well written and had an interesting perspective from her husband (who is Polynesian).

Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Movies and TV, Disney Springs, Disney World, Disneyland, Epcot, Food and Drink, Holidays, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, Monthly Roundup Tagged With: Animal Kingdom, Avatar, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Quest, Disney Springs, Disney Wonder, Disney World, Disneyland, Epcot, Festival of the Arts, Food, Holidays, Hollywood Studios, magic bands, Magic Kingdom, Moana, Movie, Nintendo, orange bird, Port Orleans French Quarter, Rivers of Light, Star Tours, The Princess and the Frog, Universal

Comments

  1. The Animation Commendation says

    December 2, 2016 at 11:24 am

    I really wonder what the secret Disney project is that Lin-Manuel Miranda is working on! It must be a musical, so I’m quite excited!

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      December 2, 2016 at 4:31 pm

      Me too – I’m sure whatever it is will be excellent! Hopefully we find out more details soon.

      Reply
  2. Adriana Renee says

    December 2, 2016 at 4:08 pm

    I’m so sad because everyone has been looking forward to the festival here at DCA, but the prices are so high! Higher than the prices of Food and Wine we had earlier this year. Booths have been empty and there were things i wanted to try but the price didn’t justify it!

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      December 2, 2016 at 4:31 pm

      They did food booths at Epcot for the holidays this year too, and it’s the same issue – the prices are much higher than Food and Wine. When they do other festivals and people are used to the lower prices they’re not going to want to pay more. Especially since I think the point if a festival is to try a little of everything, so you don’t want to buy a full sized portion anyway!

      Reply
  3. Shann Eva says

    December 3, 2016 at 5:39 am

    Wow! So many cool things happening, and such interesting rumors. Toy Story Land and Star Wars land sounds awesome.
    ps. I got your book, and will put a little review up soon…as soon as the sickness is gone and things are back to normal.

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      December 5, 2016 at 2:31 pm

      I hope you are feeling better soon! it’s such a tough time of year to be sick.

      Reply
  4. Shani Ogden says

    December 3, 2016 at 8:43 pm

    It’s been so long since I went to Disney World! I’ve never been to Epcot or Animal Kingdom so that 4 day pass would be awesome next time we decide to go.

    Reply
    • Becky @Disney in your Day says

      December 5, 2016 at 2:31 pm

      Oh yes, that will be great for you! Animal Kingdom is probably my favorite, it is so cool to see all of the animals!

      Reply

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About Me

Hi, I'm Becky!

I'm a huge Disney fan in my early 30's and always trying to find a way to put a little bit of Disney into everyday life. I live in Pennsylvania but travel to the theme parks several times a year - I'm an annual passholder at Disney World! In addition to Disney I love traveling, running, and theater.

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