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Walt Disney World News
- The performers were announced for the Epcot Festival of the Arts Disney on Broadway Concert Series. Artists include Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White, Kara Lindsay and Kevin Massey, and Ashley Brown and Josh Strickland. Take a look at the full schedule here.
- The new Disney Skyliner transportation system will soon give Walt Disney World Guests a picturesque view of the resort as they travel from select Disney hotels to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As was announced, select gondola cabins will have iconic Disney characters included in the exterior design to give the appearance that a Disney character is riding from the Fab Five, figures from Disney rides, fan favorites from movies, and more. The design of the Disney Skyliner station at the International Gateway at Epcot will be inspired by the park’s nearby European Pavilions, and will be covered with metal and glass canopies, hand-painted murals and ornamental steel structures that harken back to the early 18th century Art Nouveau style. Guests traveling to Epcot will be welcomed to the park with a rare birds-eye view of World Showcase. The design of the station at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will fit with that of the park’s main entrance. Passengers traveling here can expect a new aerial perspective of the park’s iconic attractions, like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. The Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort station will be the hub of activity for Disney Skyliner. This station is inspired by the open air village marketplaces of the Caribbean and will showcase the nearby resort’s architectural detailing and color schemes. At this station, passengers will be able to transfer gondola routes to reach their destination, or are invited to sit and admire the waterfront resort setting. The Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort shared station will feel whimsical and contextual with both resorts. Upon departing the gondola station, Skyliner passengers will ascend over Hourglass Lake and enjoy a panoramic view of these two resorts.
- Earlier this year, the Walt Disney World Resort confirmed that Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort would undergo some transformations and now we have more information. First of all, Old Port Royale will be reimagined as the port of entry where guests will check in before embarking on their island vacation. This centralized location will offer Guests more convenient access to services, amenities and dining, including new dining locations. Centertown Market will be expanded and enclosed, creating a quick-service restaurant with an indoor street market vibe. Guests will enter the space under a large palapa-like structure, accented with glowing colored light pendants made from glass bottles. The market will feature open shutters, wooden light posts, awnings, ornamentation and unique seating areas. Guests will also have access to the Grab n’ Go market for a specialty coffee and quick bites. In addition, Shutters, a Caribbean-inspired table-service restaurant, will be located on the waterfront of Old Port Royale. Large open shutters will allow the sun to cast a warm light into the space adorned with handmade items that appear as they’ve been found on the islands. Leaves and floral design motifs will fill the space, celebrating the natural beauty of the Caribbean. A poolside bar, Banana Cabana will be a great place to gather for food and drinks, immersing guests into the fun and relaxation of island life. Cabana-style drapes will flank seating areas and re-purposed steel drums will illuminate a central communal table made from a wooden boat. In addition, Calypso Trading Post will offer shoppers Disney merchandise and other vacation essentials.
- Beginning Sunday, December 17, Bon Voyage Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk will offer dining one hour longer, operating from 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.