Written by Sue Nowicki

February 28 – Disney’s Egg-Stravagana Easter egg hunt returns to Disney California Adventure, Disneyland Park and Epcot at Walt Disney World. (Link)

March 1 – The outdoor kitchen menus for Epcot Flower & Garden has been released. In addition to the established pavilions there will be other destination options including Botanas Botanico (Venezuelan), Urban Farm Eats, Pineapple Promenade, Florida Fresh and Intermission Café. Some perennial favorites such as the Pineapple Soft Service (Dole Whip) with a shot of rum and the “Piggylicious” Bacon Maple Cupcake are back on the menu again this year. (Link)

March 1 –Backstage Safari tour at Disney’s Animal Kingdom was retired on February 27. It is being replaced by Backstage Tales which began on March 1. As part of this new backstage tour guests will get to view the Veterinary Hospital, animal housing and the Animal Nutrition Center. Backstage Tales costs $90/pp and lasts approximately 4 hours. It is restricted to ages 12 and above. (Link)

March 2 – A small fire occurred at Disneyland near the It’s A Small World attraction. Authorities suspect the cause was fireworks related. (Link)

March 2 – The Food Network will be airing a primetime special where the network goes behind the scenes of the Disney Dream cruise ship. The special airs on March 27 at 8:00pm ET/PT. (Link)

March 4 – Walt Disney World announced a multi-year agreement to be the founding sponsor for the Orlando City Soccer Club who made their Major League Soccer (MLS) debut last weekend. This isn’t the first partnership between Walt Disney World and Orlando City. In 2014, Orlando City played all their home games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex while their stadium was being completed. (Link)

March 4 – Disney parking is going high-tech. The parking garage at Downtown Disney will feature new technology where an electronic sign at the end of each row with show drivers how many spots are left in that row. (Link)

March 4 – ESPN’s “Mike & Mike” celebrated their 15th anniversary at Walt Disney World by filming shows at ESPN Wide World of Sports and Downtown Disney. (Link)

March 5 – The newest must-have Disney app has hit the Apple App Store. The “Show Your Disney Side” app will transform you into your favorite Disney character. You can then add special effects, costumes and it can even create a video. (Link)

March 5 – Soarin’ & Toy Story Mania, arguably two of the most popular rides at Walt Disney World, will be adding ride capacity by the end of 2016. Soarin’ will be adding a new theatre and Toy Story Mania will be adding more midway track and screen. (Link)

March 5 – The new live-action version of “Beauty & The Beast” is starting to round out its cast. Last month it was announced that Emma Watson has been cast as Belle. Last week it was leaked that Dan Stevens, formerly of “Downton Abbey”, will play Beast/Prince Adam and Luke Evans, of “The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies”, will play Gaston. (Prince Adam: Link/Gaston: Link)

March 5 – ‘Wheel of Fortune’ held their Disney Week last week where they included several Disney-themed puzzles. Watch this epic fail as a contestant attempts to answer this clearly obvious puzzle… at least to us Disney enthusiasts.

March 6 – The eagerly awaited “Toy Story 4” can’t get here soon enough. However, in interesting news, Pixar President Jim Morris told Disney Latino’s Blog that the movie will not be a sequel. Instead it will be a romantic comedy. June 16, 2017 is the expected release day. (Link)

March 6 – Are you planning on spending St. Patrick’s Day at Disneyland? The Disney Parks Blog announced some great dining options to celebrate the holiday. (Link)

March 9 – In sad news for Guests traveling to Walt Disney World this summer, Pirates of the Caribbean will be closed for a major overhaul beginning on May 11 and reopen on September 25. (Link)

March 9 – Innoventions exhibit hall in Disneyland will be closing at the end of March. (Link)

March 11 – Disney merchandising is going outside of the box with their merchandise offering related to the new live-action feature, “Cinderella”. Not only are they offering merchandise fit for little princesses everywhere such as dresses and dolls, they are also offering items geared toward adults such as a $599.95 crystal necklace, a $75 pair of “Cinderella and Prince Charming” champagne flutes and an amazing pair of Jimmy Choo ‘glass slippers’ for the low, low, low bargain price of $4,595. I’ll take three please. (Link)

March 11 – In the trend of bringing classic Disney animated films to life, a live-action version of “Dumbo” is expected. Rumors are abound on the internet this week that famed filmmaker Tim Burton (Alice in Wonderland & Sleepy Hollow) has been pegged as the director. (Link)

March 11 – The five sable antelopes I mentioned in my last news update are now on the Harambe Wildlife Reserve where they can be seen on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Everyone together with me now… AWWWWWW! (Link)

March 11 – Walt Disney World announced they will be having the ‘Coolest Summer Ever’ which will include the return of “Frozen” Summer Fun LIVE at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. (Link)

March 11 – Disneyland and Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom will be hosting their 24-Hour parties on May 22-23. In Disneyland, this will kick off the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration (blog) and in the Magic Kingdom it will kick off the ‘Coolest Summer Ever’. (Disneyland: Link/WDW: Link)

March 12 – Are the Dole Whip or Citrus Swirl your favorite treats to cool off on a hot day in the Magic Kingdom? If so, you will find them in a new location as Aloha Isle, home of the Dole Whip, and Sunshine Tree Terrace, home of the Citrus Swirl, are switching spots. (Link)

March 13 – The Walt Disney Company held its annual shareholders’ meeting on March 12 in San Francisco, CA. The major announcements to come out of the meeting included the announcement that “Frozen 2” will indeed be released (as if we didn’t already know that) and that original directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck have again signed on to direct. The second big announcement was that Disney’s Hollywood Studios could be undergoing far more than a couple of new attractions. CEO Bob Iger let it slip that there is a potential name change in the works for the theme park as well. Star Wars Land, maybe? (Frozen: Link/ DHS: Link)

That’s all the news for now. Follow me on Twitter @JazzinDisneyMom for more Disney news.

Latest News From the World of Disney: September 11, 2015

Other posts by this author:
”The Descendants” Movie Review
Disney by Land, Disney by Sea: Part 1 & Part 2
”Tomorrowland” Movie Review
Best Walt Disney World Smartphone Apps
Restaurant Review – Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – The Way Life Should Be
A Day in the Life of Disney’s FastPass+ Service