Here is your latest News From the World of Disney for the period of December 30, 2017 – January 12, 2017.

• More awards bestowed upon Disney Destinations
• A new face on Kilimanjaro’s Safari
• Casting news all over the Disney movie-sphere
• 2018 Star Wars Days at Sea announced

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WALT DISNEY WORLD PARKS NEWS

December 30 – Walt Disney World was named the best Theme Park in the Travel Weekly 2016 Reader’s Choice Awards. (Link)

December 31 – Did you know Walt Disney World property actually crosses two different counties? Because of that the tax rate is different where Disney’s All-Star Resorts are located. On January 1, the rate for stays at the All-Star Resort increased from 6.5% to 7.5%. If you have a booking made before November 23, 2016 the old tax rate will apply. However, even if a booking was booked prior to November 23, if it is modified the new tax rate will apply. (Link)

January 2 – A 7-hour Star Wars Guided Tour will begin today (1/2) at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The cost is $129pp. (Link)

January 3 – Hollywood & Vine restaurant switched seasonal themes on January 7. Now through March 19 they will be celebrating Minnie’s Silver Screen Dine. (Link)

January 4 – “Delicious Disney, A Chef Series” released its schedule for 2017. The series, which can be booked individually, features stops at Cinderella’s Royal Table, Victoria & Alberts, Citricos, Flying Fish, Be Our Guests, and Markham’s at Golden Oaks. (Link)

January 5 – The dates for the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Food & Wine Classic have been announced. The dates are October 27-28. (Link)

January 5 – Rumors are swirling that Pandora: The World of Avatar will be opening sometime around Memorial Day weekend. This rumor got more gusto when the Discover Disney Florida resident ticket discount was released and they included a blackout May 27 – June 9, 2017 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. (Link)

January 4 – There is a new baby elephant roaming the savannah of Kilimanjaro’s Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Stella who was born late last year spent a short time backstage nursing, bonding with her mom, Donna, and getting to know the other elephants in the family. (Link)

January 6 – Walt Disney World was forced to cancel the half marathon portion of the Disney Marathon weekend due to bad weather conditions. (Link)

January 6 – Magic Kingdom will be testing a one-day dining plan January 12 – February 22. The package will include two quick service meal certificates (one for open to 4:00pm and one for 4:00pm to close). The cost will be $29.00 for adults and $12.00 children ages 3-9. The participating restaurants are Casey’s Corner, Columbia Harbour House, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café and Pinocchio Village Haus. (Link)

January 10 – The 10 new members of the Disney Parks Moms Panel were announced on the Disney Parks Blog. Congrats to the new members of this exclusive family! (Link)

January 12 – Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be hosting a Star Wars event the evening of April 14, 2017. Star Wars: Galactic Nights will feature among other things new and classic character encounters, special PhotoPass Star Wars themed backdrops and Seize the Saga Scavenger Hunt . The cost for this hard ticket event will by $137.39 (includes tax). (Link)

                          

DISNEYLAND NEWS

January 9 – Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival dates were released. This year’s event will take place March 10 – April 16. (Link)

January 11 – Disney announced additional FASTPASS locations and a new MaxPass. The additional FASTPASS locations will be Toy Story Mania and Matterhorn Bobsleds. MaxPass is a service which will provide unlimited downloads of their high-resolution PhotoPass images and enable the convenience of mobile booking and redemption of Disney FASTPASS return times – all by using the Disneyland App. Disney MaxPass will be available for an introductory price of $10 a day. (Link)

ADVENTURES BY DISNEY

December 30 – Adventures by Disney was named the best Adventure Tour Operator in the Travel Weekly 2016 Reader’s Choice Awards. (Link)

DISNEY MOVIE/ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

December 30 – Legendary Disney animator Tyrus Wong passed away at the age of 106. Wong was one of the animators of the Disney animated feature Bambi. (Link)

December 31 – Reports are saying that Disney will receive a $50 million payout on a contract protection policy as a result of the death of Carrie Fisher whose alter ego Princess Lei was set to have a very large role in Star Wars: Episode IX. (Link)

January 4 – Disney Channel’s Girl Meets World has been cancelled. The final episode will appear on January 20, 2017. (Link)

January 5 – The slate of Disney movies for 2017 was released. They include:

• March 17 – Beauty & The Beast
• April 21 – Born in China
• May 5 – Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2
• May 26 – Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
• June 16 – Cars 3
• November 3 – Thor: Ragnarok
• November 22 – Coco
• December 15 – Star Wars: Episode VIII (Link)

January 5 – Disney has tapped Wedding Crashers Director David Dobkins to direct a new family adventure about a father and son who win a chance to spend a night in the world’s greatest toy store the same night it is targeted by thieves. (Link)

January 8 – Should Princess Leia be an official Disney princess? There is a petition making it’s rounds on the internet urging Bob Iger to do just that. (Link)

January 9 – Zootopia won the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film. (Link)

January 9 – Cars 3 trailer was released. (Link)

January 9 – ABC’s The View will broadcast live from Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. (Link)

January 10 – A sing-a-long version of Moana will be coming to theatres around the country on January 27. It was also announced that Moana will be released on Blue-ray and DVD on March 7. (Link)

January 11 – George Lucas revealed plans to build a $1 billion museum in Los Angeles. (Link)

January 11 – Disney has officially announced that Woody Harrelson will be joining the cast of the young Han Solo film. Harrelson will join Alden Ehrenreich (Han Solo), Donald Glover (Lando Calrissian) and Emilia Clarke. (Link)

January 11 – The title track of the new Beauty & The Beast will be performed by Ariana Grande and John Legend. You will remember the original was brilliantly performed by Peabo Bryson and Celine Dion. (Link)

January 11 – With many moving parts to work out, Will Smith is in early talks to star in the Disney live-action remake of Dumbo as the father of the children who develop a friendship with Dumbo. (Link)

DISNEY CRUISE LINE

December 30 – Disney Cruise Line was named the best Family Experience Cruise Line in the Travel Weekly 2016 Reader’s Choice Awards. (Link)

January 12 – Disney Cruise Line announced their 2018 Star Wars Days at Sea. Dates for weeklong “Star Wars” Day at Sea cruises are as follows: January 6, 13, 20, 27; February 3, 10, 17, 24; March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; and April 7 & 14, 2018. All of these sailings will depart from Port Canaveral. (Link)

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Sue Nowicki is an alumnae of the 2014/15 Disney Parks Moms Panel. She splits her time between planning her next Walt Disney World vacation and being team mom to ten high-energy volleyball players where she fills the roles of secretary, navigator, head cheerleader, treasurer, athletic trainer and team psychologist. You can follow her on Twitter @JazzinDisneyMom.