Category — w. Most Recent Stuff

FastPass+ for Avatar: Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey will become bookable March 24 for those visiting Pandora: World of Avatar after its opening May 27 (and staying in a Disney-owned resort or the Swan or Dolphin).

Revised Animal Kingdom suggested FastPass+ bookings and touring plans for those following my FastPass+ High Crowd Itinerary–which covers arrival dates from May 27 through August 5–are below.

FIRST SUNDAY ANIMAL KINGDOM DAY 1

MORNING PLAN

Book FastPass+ for Na’vi River Journey (10-11a), Finding Nemo: The Musical (noon show), and Rivers of Light (first show)

• Arrive 40 minutes before open
• At open, head to and ride Kilimanjaro Safaris
• See Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
• See Na’vi River Journey (FastPass+)
• Have lunch
• See the noon Finding Nemo: The Musical (FastPass+)
• See the Maharajah Jungle Trek
• See the 1.30 Flights of Wonder
• See it’s Tough to Be a Bug
• Head back to your hotel for a nap and dinner

EVENING PLAN

• Be back in the park by at one hour before Rivers of Light
• See Rivers of Light (FastPass+)—be in the FastPass+ line 30 minutes before show start
• Explore Tree of Life Awakenings and Pandora: World of Avatar after dark
• Ride, if you wish, Expedition Everest and/or Kilimanjaro Safaris after dark
• Head back to your hotel

SECOND SUNDAY ANIMAL KINGDOM DAY 2

Book FastPass+ for Avatar Flight of Passage (9.30-10.30a), Festival of the Lion King (11a show) and Kali River Rapids (11.45a-12.45p or later, given your travel schedule)

• Arrive 40 minutes before open
• At open, head to and ride Expedition Everest
• Ride DINOSAUR
• Ride Primeval Whirl
• Ride (if desired) Triceratops Spin
• Ride Avatar Flight of Passage (FastPass+)
• See the 11a Festival of the Lion King (FastPass+)
• Fit more exploring of Avatar: World of Pandora and seeing Maharajah Jungle Trails around your Kali River Rapids FastPass+

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DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK: MARCH 25 TO APRIL 2, 2017

The material below details next week’s Disney World operating hours, Extra Magic Hours, parades, and fireworks.

For more on March 2017 at Disney World, see this.

OPERATING HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 3/25/-4/2/17

The Magic Kingdom will be open from 9a-11p 3/25, 9a-10p 3/26, 9a-11p 3/27 through 4/1, and 9a-10p 4/2

Epcot will be open from 9a-9p every day

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open 9a-9p every day

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open 9a-9.30p 3/25 and 3/26, 9a-9p 3/270, 9a-9.30p 3/28, 9a-9p 3/29, 9a-9.30p 3/31, 9a-9p 3/31, and 9a-9.30p 4/1 and 4/2

EXTRA MAGIC HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 3/25-4/2/17

Saturday 3/25 Morning:  Animal Kingdom Evening: none

Sunday 3/26  Morning:  Hollywood Studios Evening: none

Monday 3/27 Morning: Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Tuesday 3/28 Morning: none Evening:  Epcot

Wednesday 3/29 Morning: none  Evening:  Magic Kingdom

Thursday 3/30 Morning: Epcot Evening: none

Friday 3/31 Morning:  Magic Kingdom Evening: none

Saturday 4/1 Morning: Animal Kingdom Evening: none

Sunday 4/2  Morning: Hollywood Studios Evening: none

PARADES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 3/25-4/2/17

The Magic Kingdom: Afternoon Festival of Fantasy Parade: 3p every day

FIREWORKS AND EVENING SHOWS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 3/18-3/26/17

Wishes at the Magic Kingdom: 9p every night

IllumiNations at Epcot: 9p every night

Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 8.30p every night

Star Wars Show and Fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9p every night

Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 8.45p and 10p 3/25, 3/26, 3/28, 3/30, 4/1 and 4/2

SHOW SCHEDULES FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 3/25-4/2/17

See Steve Soares’ site here. Click the park names at its top for show schedules.

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Welcome back to Fridays with Jim Korkis! Jim, the dean of Disney historians and author of Jim’s Gems in The easy Guide, writes about Walt Disney World history every Friday on yourfirstvisit.net.

THE FESTIVAL OF THE LION KING

By Jim Korkis

Because of the construction of the upcoming Pandora: The World of Avatar (to open May 27. 2017), the Festival of the Lion King stage show was relocated from Camp Minnie-Mickey where it premiered April 22, 1998 to the new Harambe Theater in the Africa section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom beginning June 2014.

This popular musical show is unique because, unlike most of the other Disney entertainment shows, it does not tell an abbreviated version of the famous animated feature’s plot. Instead, this theatrical experience is a tune-filled tribal celebration with audience participation and some unexpected surprises.

In order to accommodate the number of performances, there are three full casts, plus understudies, and all of them must be brought up to speed periodically with paid “pick up” rehearsals during the year to keep the show sharp. In addition, there is the large behind-the-scenes technical staff handling costuming, lighting, props, sound, and more.

The Festival of the Lion King was a last-minute placeholder for an area that itself was a last-minute addition when plans for a Beastly Kingdom section for the park were halted. Putting on a temporary show was cheaper than investing in building a ride attraction, quicker to create, and was also easier to change once a decision was made about exactly what the area should be.

Since its premiere in 1998, this joyous celebration has become the longest-running stage show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom with enthusiastic guests returning multiple times. The show was designed by Walt Disney World Creative Entertainment, but the performance venue was created by Walt Disney Imagineering.

The theater environment suggests an African savannah where an extraordinary group of humans and animals adorned in decorative feathers and ornate beads on 136 costumes have gathered to present a musical revue.

The action-packed The Festival of the Lion King is hosted by four human performers with Swahili names attired as traditional African tribal leaders: Kiume (“masculine and strong”), Nakawa (“good-looking”), Kibibi (“princess”), and Zawadi (“the gift”). They instruct the guests on how to participate with the performers several times during the show.

It wouldn’t be a true party without some of the cast from the original film! A twelve-foot-high animated Simba stands on Pride Rock keeping time to the pounding rhythm with his feet while interacting with the audience.

Lovable Pumbaa claims his tiny feet keep him confined to the massive Warthog float. However, his companion Timon gleefully struts to the center platform leading the audience in a vocal competition during the song The Lion Sleep Tonight. Since the beginning of 2009, Timon has sported an articulated head that allows his mouth to move when he is talking and his eyes to blink.

The impressive floats that serve as intriguing set pieces are actually recycled from The Lion King Celebration parade that ran at Disneyland from 1994-1997.

Along with performers in African tribal robes and various animal costumes, the center stage spotlights several specialty acts, include a group of zany, bouncing acrobats, tribal stilt walkers precariously navigating the area, a death defying fire juggler and a breathtaking high wire aerialist who soars high above the audience. Each increasingly amazing routine is choreographed to a memorable song from the classic movie.

A beloved audience favorite is the flexible gymnasts in yellow-orange skintight costumes called the Tumble Monkeys. These mischievous and energetic creatures wildly swing and flip on the overhead rings and bars as the hapless Timon tries to sing. Their extensive training includes not only the skillful and fast-moving routine itself but insight into how to move and think like a monkey, including grooming audience members in the front row.

*  *  *  *  *

Thanks, Jim! And come back next Friday for more from Jim Korkis!

In the meantime, check out his books, including Secret Stories of Walt Disney World: Things You Never You Never Knew, which reprints much material first written for this site, and The Vault of Walt: Volume 4, and his contributions to The easy Guide to Your Walt Disney World Visit, all published by Theme Park Press.

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DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK: MARCH 18 TO MARCH 26, 2017

The material below details next week’s Disney World operating hours, Extra Magic Hours, parades, and fireworks.

For more on March 2017 at Disney World, see this.

OPERATING HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 3/18/-3/26/17

The Magic Kingdom will be open from 9a-11p 3/18, 9a-10p 3/19, 9a-11p 3/20 through 3/25, and 9a-10p 3/26

Epcot will be open from 9a-9p every day

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open 9a-9p every day

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open 9a-9.30p 3/18 and 3/19, 9a-9p 3/20, 9a-9.30p 3/21, 9a-9p 3/22, 9a-9.30p 3/23, 9a-9p 3/24, and 9a-9.30p 3/25 and 3/26

EXTRA MAGIC HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 3/18-3/26/17

Saturday 3/18 Morning:  Animal Kingdom Evening: none

Sunday 3/19  Morning:  Hollywood Studios Evening: none

Monday 3/20 Morning: Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Tuesday 3/21 Morning: none Evening:  Epcot

Wednesday 3/22 Morning: none  Evening:  Magic Kingdom

Thursday 3/23 Morning: Epcot Evening: none

Friday 3/24 Morning:  Magic Kingdom Evening: none

Saturday 3/25 Morning: Animal Kingdom Evening: none

Sunday 3/26  Morning: Hollywood Studios Evening: none

PARADES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 3/18-3/26/17

The Magic Kingdom: Afternoon Festival of Fantasy Parade: 3p every day

FIREWORKS AND EVENING SHOWS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 3/18-3/26/17

Wishes at the Magic Kingdom: 9p every night

IllumiNations at Epcot: 9p every night

Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 8.30p every night

Star Wars Show and Fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9p every night

Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 8.45p and 10p 3/18, 3/19, 3/21, 3/23, 3/25 and 3/26

SHOW SCHEDULES FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 3/18-3/26/17

See Steve Soares’ site here. Click the park names at its top for show schedules.

Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook or Google+ or Twitter or Pinterest!!

Welcome back to Fridays with Jim Korkis! Jim, the dean of Disney historians and author of Jim’s Gems in The easy Guide, writes about Walt Disney World history every Friday on yourfirstvisit.net.

THE STORY OF ABRACADABAR

By Jim Korkis

The AbracadaBar at the BoardWalk opened in July 2016, serving enchanting elixirs and curious concoctions in the location previously occupied by SeaShore Sweets.

According to Disney publicity, “This little lounge was a former stomping ground for the famous magicians, boardwalk illusionists, and lovely magician’s assistants of the Golden Age. After a show, prestidigitators would gather to ‘conjure’ up new cocktails, swap magic tips and tricks, and stay up all night attempting to ‘out-charm’ each other with their extraordinary illusions.

“According to BoardWalk lore, it was on just such an evening that every single magician in the lounge vanished into thin air, and was never seen again …”

Now, after sitting vacant for nearly seventy-six years, it is back in operation to the general public.

It was on a Friday the 13th in September 1940 that the mysterious disappearance took place but since this private sophisticated social club was left exactly as it was decades ago the magic still remains strongly intact, and can be seen, heard, and savored in the bar’s signature cocktails including Elixir 13, a mixture of Lucid Absinthe and water that may have helped cause the magicians’ disappearance.

The rich and ornate area is decorated with enchanted ever-changing magic show posters, mystifying mirrors, and vintage props and tricks left behind decades ago including displays of locks and keys, cards, linking rings and magic wands.

Even the wall paper has hidden images of interlocking rings, doves, rabbits, card suits, handcuffs and other magical artifacts.

On one wall is a framed copy of The Boardwalk Bugle newspaper from Wednesday November 13, 1940 telling the official back story:

“The shocking revelations of a secret magicians’ lounge could point to new clues concerning the group of beloved illusionists who mysteriously vanished from our boardwalk weeks ago. Though, truth be told, we may be more perplexed than before.

“A custodian working at BoardWalk’s magic club made the surprising discovery late yesterday evening when he rested his mop against a false door leading into the secret room. By the look of the room’s peculiar décor – including magical accoutrements and shelves lined with curious elixirs – this is no doubt the clandestine hideout of our missing master magicians.

“But there’s just one dilemma…there are still no magicians in sight!

“After investigating the magicians’ hideout this morning, The Boardwalk Bugle noticed something extra out of the ordinary about this already peculiar lounge. Glasses filled with odd elixirs still sat on the countertops.

“Magic props and playing cards were scattered all about. And, stranger yet, all of the clocks in the room were set to thirteen past the hour – almost as if time froze and every magician disappeared on the spot.

“When we questioned the club owner about her knowledge of the hidden room and the possible whereabouts of the missing magicians, she repeated the same unhelpful news we’ve been reporting for weeks now: “A good magician never reveals her secrets!”

“According to multiple witnesses, the missing conjurers in question were last seen entering the loading area behind BoardWalk’s magic club on September 13th. All wore ostentatious costumes, and were accompanied by assistants, stagehands and crates filled with small animals – including doves, rabbits and the like.

“Suspicions only arose when the touring magician Laslow the Lucky failed to appear for his much anticipated matinee performance the following day. In addition to M. Laslow, it would appear that his assistant, multiplying rabbits and every illusionist on the boardwalk vanished along with him.

“Whether a good illusion or a simple misunderstanding, The Boardwalk Bugle will be certain to keep our dear readers informed about the whereabouts of our beloved magicians.”

*  *  *  *  *

Thanks, Jim! And come back next Friday for more from Jim Korkis!

In the meantime, check out his books, including Secret Stories of Walt Disney World: Things You Never You Never Knew, which reprints much material first written for this site, and The Vault of Walt: Volume 4, and his contributions to The easy Guide to Your Walt Disney World Visit, all published by Theme Park Press.

Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook or Google+ or Twitter or Pinterest!!

DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK: MARCH 11 TO MARCH 19, 2017

The material below details next week’s Disney World operating hours, Extra Magic Hours, parades, and fireworks.

For more on March 2017 at Disney World, see this.

OPERATING HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 3/11/-3/19/17

The Magic Kingdom will be open from 8a-12MN 3/11, 9a-11p 3/12, 8a-11p 3/13 through 3/17, 9a-11p 3/18, and 9a-10p 3/19

Epcot will be open from 9a-9p every day

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open 9a-8p 3/11, and 9a-9p 3/12 through 3/19

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open 9a-8p 3/11, and 9a-9p 3/12 through 3/19.

EXTRA MAGIC HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 3/11-3/19/17

Saturday 3/11 Morning:  Animal Kingdom Evening: none

Sunday 3/12  Morning:  Hollywood Studios Evening: none

Monday 3/13 Morning: Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Tuesday 3/14 Morning: none Evening:  Epcot

Wednesday 3/15 Morning: none  Evening:  Magic Kingdom

Thursday 3/16 Morning: Epcot Evening: none

Friday 3/17 Morning:  Magic Kingdom Evening: none

Saturday 3/18 Morning: Animal Kingdom Evening: none

Sunday 3/19  Morning: Hollywood Studios Evening: none

PARADES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 3/11-3/19/17

The Magic Kingdom: Afternoon Festival of Fantasy Parade: 3p every day

FIREWORKS AND EVENING SHOWS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 3/11-3/19/17

Wishes at the Magic Kingdom: 9p every night

IllumiNations at Epcot: 9p every night

Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 7.30p 3/11; 8.30p 3/12 through 3/19

Star Wars Show and Fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 8p 3/11; 9p 3/12 through 3/19

Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 7.15p 3/11; 8.45p 3/12, 3/14, 3/16, 3/18 and 3/19

SHOW SCHEDULES FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 3/11-3/19/17

See Steve Soares’ site here. Click the park names at its top for show schedules.

Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook or Google+ or Twitter or Pinterest!!