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Disney News | Sam’s Disney News | August 2021 | Sam’s Disney Diary

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Disney News | Sam’s Disney News | August 2021 | Sam’s Disney Diary

What’s Happening at Walt Disney World?   Here is your update for August 2021!
What’s Happening at Walt Disney World?   Here is your update for August 2021!
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runDisney races will return to Walt Disney World Resort this fall, kicking off the runDisney 2021-2022 race season! The season will include four events:  Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon in November, the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend: January 2022, Disney Princess Half Marathon in February, and the runDisney Springtime Surprise in late March 2022. Visit rundisney.com for more.
The Time-honored flag retreat ceremonies returned to Walt Disney World and Disneyland, just in time for the 4th of July festivities. The flag retreat ceremony occurs daily at both iconic Disney parks, so please check with Guide for event timing
Disney News | Sam’s Disney News | August 2021 | Sam’s Disney Diary
Through August 12, the Disney Springs Flavors of Florida festival brings together over 30 restaurants and shops to celebrate the sunshine state. Disney shared a foodie guide that included Amorette’s Florida Sunset Éclair, Chef Art Smith’s Tender Fired gator bites, and Floradora cocktail. The city works pour hours has grouper tacos and a golden honey margarita.  The Coca-Cola rooftop bar has a Coca-Cola orange cream float, Everglazed donuts, and cold brew has a keyline pie donut.  How about Water Mellon Dole Whip, on a watermelon at marketplace snacks.  Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar has Florida shrimp tacos, with watermelon salsa. Morimoto Asia, Paddlefish, Paradiso 37, and Raglan road are all in on the festival.   And that’s just scratching the surface; check the Disney Parks Blog for more details.
In other foodie news, Disney Hollywood Studios expanded offerings at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, with new offerings at Docking Bay 7, including Batuuan beef & crispy stir fry, a roasted Endorian chicken salad, Hot Chicken Tip Yip, and Peka Tuna Poke.   And for dessert, check out the Outpost Puff.  A chocolate pastry filled with chocolate mousse and green milk sauce finished with Panna Cota and spiced pineapple.
Back on sunset blvd at Fairfax fare, some new over the top hot dogs have appeared including the Truffle Bacon Mac & Cheese Dog, Pretzel Dog, California BLTA Dog, and a Chicago “Hot Dog” salad.  And right next door at Hollywood scoops, check out the chocolate peanut butter explosion shake!!
The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) has presented the Disney Vacation Club with its ACE Project of Excellence Award for Disney’s Riviera Resort. One of ARDA’s most prestigious recognitions, this award recognizes the highest levels of excellence in the resort industry, considering the resort’s design and day-to-day operations.
Expanded to 129 days this years, Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, running NOW through November 20, features more than 20 festival-exclusive global marketplaces, with more coming later this fall.   This year seven new market places will premier, including the Noodle exchange with a traditional spicy Vietnamese beef pho and shrimp and coconut curry rice noodles with shiitake mushrooms.  The Refreshment Port near Canada will feature braised beef poutine and maple boursin cheesecake.  Canada will feature the famous Canadian Cheddar and Bacon Soup and Le Cellier Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with truffle-butter sauce.  Brazil will feature Brazilian Seafood stew and fantastic cheese bread.  The Donut Box near test track with the Candy jar donut, siracha glazed donut, the Crispy chicken donut, or take a box of four.   With Even more marketplaces coming October 1 including the Lobster Landing with lobster dips or lobster chowder. So much happening at the annual epcot food and wine festival, a Sam’s Disney News dedicated to the festival is on the way.
Disney News | Sam’s Disney News | August 2021 | Sam’s Disney Diary
The Avengers Quantum Encounter is coming to the Disney Wish, part of the World of Marvel on the latest Disney Cruise lines ship.   It’s more than a meal and more than a show: It’s something that has never been done before in a restaurant on land or at sea!
Speaking of the Disney wish, The Marceline Market is one of two quick-and-casual dining options. Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods will be the perfect place to grab a quick bite for lunch, dinner or anytime in between with Minnie’s ice cream, Daisy’s Pizza Pies, Mickey’s Smokestack BBQ, Donald’s Cantina and Goofy’s Grill, you’ll find something for everyone.
Alberta Falls, the proprietor of the Jungle Navigation Company Limited, is preparing for explorers at Disneyland Park and Walt Disney World.  Disney imaginers collaborated on this bicoastal project to create new characters who come from around the world, with an expanded storyline and some fun surprises for you to discover.   The enhancements include several new scenes and new characters from around the world – beginning with a trapped safari party that finds itself up a tree after their journey goes awry.
Behind the attraction premiered on Disney+, don’t miss our coverage of the event and press conference. https://youtu.be/Pi8FQ9zwx2g
At Animal Kingdom, a Baby Hippo and Gorilla were born just a day apart. You can spot the Gorilla on the Gorilla falls exploration trail, and the Hippo has joined the bloat in the Safi river on Kilimanjaro Safaris
More entertainment returns to Walt Disney World.  Wonderful world of animation returns to Hollywood Studios, and on August 15, Beauty and the Beast live on stage return, At magic kingdom monsters Inc. laugh floor returns August 8, and turtle talk with crush returns to epoch on august 21.
Walt Disney world shared a first look at the poster for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, Opening in 2022 at Walt Disney World Resort, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will invite you into a new kind of “storyliving” as you travel the galaxy in a finely appointed starship the  Halcyon Starcruiser
Disney News | Sam’s Disney News | August 2021 | Sam’s Disney Diary
On August 5, the Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort opens as does Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort opens, and inside the Magic Kingdom, the Columbia harbor house reopens..
As we get closer to the 50th-anniversary celebration, we learned more about HarmonioUS. Epcot’s new nighttime spectacular will move through three distinct chapters, inviting us to gather, celebrate the world’s countries and cultures, and create a bright tomorrow. “Harmonious” begins with a sunrise, and as the world awakens around us, we set out on a journey that takes us across the globe. It’s a dazzling and diverse feast for the eyes and ears, from the South Pacific home of “Moana” and a Middle-Eastern interpretation of “Aladdin” to “The Jungle Book” in India, China’s legend of “Mulan,” the European nations that inspired “Brave” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” and so much more.

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Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros

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Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros SamsDisneyDiary Sam’s Disney Diary

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Gran Fiesta Tour Starring, The Three Caballeros, is housed within the pyramid-shaped Mexico Pavilion at Walt Disney World’s Epcot. The attraction opened in April 2007, replacing the El Rio Del Tiempo attraction, becoming the first World Showcase attraction to feature Disney characters! The Three Caballeros from the 1944 Disney Film of the same name.
Like every Disney attraction, the grand fiesta tour has a story. As we make our way to the rear of the Mexico pavilion, the attraction begins with concert posters. It appears that we are just in time for a three caballeros’ performance tonight!!!
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring, The Three Caballeros, is housed within the pyramid-shaped Mexico Pavilion at Walt Disney World’s Epcot. The attraction opened in April 2007, replacing the El Rio Del Tiempo attraction, becoming the first World Showcase attraction to feature Disney characters! The Three Caballeros from the 1944 Disney Film of the same name. Like every Disney attraction, the grand fiesta tour has a story. As we make our way to the rear of the Mexico pavilion, the attraction begins with concert posters. It appears that we are just in time for a three caballeros’ performance tonight!!! We board our boat for a scenic ride around a Mayan pyramid with an active volcano in the distance. The boat passes by the main dining area for the San Angel inn Restaurante. A node to Disneyland’s Blue Byou restaurant and the Pirates of the Caribbean. As we make our way down the opening tunnel, we See Panchito and Jose introducing themselves, only to realize that Donald Duck is Missing?! Dónde Está Donald Duck?
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros SamsDisneyDiary Sam’s Disney Diary
The search for Donal sends us on our journey through Mexico, we need to find Donald in time for the concert. The journey takes us through multiple scenes of live-action footage combined with the animated Caballeros searching for Donald. They eventually find him dancing to a mariachi band with locals; Panchito and Jose pull Donald away just in time for the concert in Mexico City, complete with Fireworks. From the attractions opening until late 2015, the performance was a projected cartoon. In late 2015 the concert scene of the attraction was updated to include the Three Caballeros animatronics from the Mickey Mouse Revue. Mickey Mouse Revue was an opening day Walt Disney World attraction, making the animatronics 50 years old. This video includes the concert scene with both the Animated and animatronic versions. Which do you prefer?

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Disney News | Sam’s Disney News | Christmas in July 2021 | Sam’s Disney Diary

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Disney News | Sam’s Disney News | Christmas in July 2021 | Sam’s Disney Diary

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Disney News | Sam’s Disney News | Christmas in July 2021 | Sam’s Disney Diary

It’s Christmas in July… 2021
Fireworks are Back!!!   Both Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom and Epcot have restored the nighttime fireworks, with Happily Ever After returning to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Epcot forever returning to Walt Disney World Epcot!  Covid-19 social distancing precautions have been relaxed, with attractions returning to full capacity – and Pre-Shows returning. Including Dinosaur, Mickey, and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, The Haunted Mansion and more! 
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Holiday entertainment, whimsical decorations, seasonal food and drinks, special merchandise and more are all part of the 2021 Holiday Season at Walt Disney World Resort starting November 12, 2021
And this year, all of the celebrations honor the resorts 50th anniversary during the World’s most magical celebration.
At Magic Kingdom Park Main Street, U.S.A., will be decked for the holidays with seasonal décor and in the evening, special holiday projections will appear most nights on Cinderella Castle, alternating periodically throughout the night with the castle’s transformation into a Beacon of Magic as part of the park’s 50thanniversary celebration.
“Disney Very Merriest After Hours,” a new ticketed event, begins Nov. 8 and continues on select nights through the holiday season. The four-hour experience with feature “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks,” Disney characters throughout the park, holiday music and décor, treats included and more. The event will be open to a limited number of guests after regular park operating hours, with lower wait times on more than 20 available attractions. Tickets will go on sale in August, with an early purchase window available to guests of select Disney Resort hotels.
Disney News | Sam’s Disney News | Christmas in July 2021
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Sunset seasons Greetings will transform The Hollywood Tower Hotel, into the Hollywood Holiday Tower With Projection effects magically transform the park icon into snowy Arendelle, a Muppets gingerbread masterpiece, a Toy Story toy hotel, and a Dickensian village inspired by “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.” This holiday show will also alternate with the tower’s nightly transformation into a Beacon of Magic.
“For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” will feature a festive finale starring Olaf.
Santa Claus will bring some North Pole cheer to a motorcade down Hollywood Boulevard.
Minnie Mouse will host a meal at Hollywood & Vine, joined by her pals in their holiday finest – and Santa, too!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

The Tree of Life – becomes another Beacon of Magic most nights during the 50thanniversary celebration and During the holiday season, there will be even more magic inspired by nature as the holiday edition of Tree of Life Awakenings also takes place most nights.
Disney characters will set sail down Discovery River, accompanied by joyful songs of the season.

Disney News | Sam’s Disney News | Christmas in July 2021
Disney Springs

The Walt Disney World shopping, dining and entertainment district will transform into a winter wonderland, full of sparkling lights, enchanting décor and holiday surprises.
The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll will feature elaborately decorated, Disney-themed trees, including some inspired by “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.”
A magical snowfall will add a touch of wonder for holiday shoppers at surprise locations.
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar will become Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar with delightful décor and a delicious limited-time menu filled with festive favorites.
Disney Springs is the perfect place for guests to make their holiday shopping lists and check them twice, with a wide array of Disney holiday merchandise, including ornaments, matching family pajamas, Spirit Jerseys and more.

Disney Resort Hotels

Iconic trees and other seasonal touches will turn Disney Resort hotels into holiday hideaways.
Select resorts will feature intricate gingerbread displays perfect for holiday photographs … and inspiration for holiday treats.
Select resorts will offer holiday menus at restaurants, as well as other specialty food and drinks.

And at EPCOT

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will return Nov. 26 – Dec. 30 and will feature Holiday Kitchens around World Showcase, performances by Voices of Liberty, a Cookie Stroll and more.

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Disney Behind the Attraction (All New Disney+ Series)

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Peek beyond the magic of Disney Parks to discover what’s Behind the Attraction! The all new Disney+ original series, From Executive Producers Dwayne Johnson (yes that Dwayne Johnson, and Yes we will be joing behind the Jungle Cruise Attraction), along with producer Brian Volk-Weiss of (The Toys that made us, the movies that made us just to name a few), we get to explore how Imagineers filled the Haunted Mansion with 999 happy haunts, how the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ transformed into Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! and why Space Mountain took so long to launch. From the 1950s to today, from Jungle Cruise to “it’s a small world” to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Disney Parks attractions have amazed millions.
Fireworks are Back!!!   Both Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom and Epcot have restored the nighttime fireworks, with Happily Ever After returning to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Epcot forever returning to Walt Disney World Epcot!  Covid-19 social distancing precautions have been relaxed, with attractions returning to full capacity – and Pre-Shows returning. Including Dinosaur, Mickey, and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, The Haunted Mansion and more! 
And this Disney+ original series is the story of how they did it. With archive footage and interviews with the people that did it, it is a firsthand account of the ideas that lead to the attraction we all know and love today.
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While Walt may have told us “It all started with a Mouse”, we know it all started with Walt Disney, the man.  While today’s imaginers strive for the 360-degree immersive experience, they are really attempting to replicate what Walt created with Disneyland in 1955.   I would argue that MainStreet USA is the first fully immersive land in any Disney park, taking us out of reality into a storytelling environment.  In hindsight it seems so simple, but it continues to be the goal of every Disney Imagineer since.
The first season of “Behind the Attraction” will premier on Disney+ July 21, 2021 – with five of the ten episodes available on day one.  Including  Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Star Tours, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and Space Mountain.  Jeffery Epstein of D23 called the original series “a fun, enchanting show that gives viewers an exclusive peek behind the curtain of the most beloved attractions and destinations at Disney theme parks and resorts around the world. “
I had the opportunity to participate in a D23 press conference focused on the new Disney+ original series, “Behind the attraction”.  The video above includes some highlights from that virtual press conference.   Here are the details of what to expect in Season 1.
“Behind the Attraction” is executive produced by Dwayne Johnson (“Jungle Cruise”), Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Brian Gewirtz and Kevin Hill from Seven Bucks Productions, and Brian Volk-Weiss (“The Toys That Made Us”), Robin Henry and Cisco Henson from The Nacelle Company. Brian Volk-Weiss directs the series.  Here is a closer look at the first five episodes.

Behind the Attraction Sams Disney Diary
Jungle Cruise:Join a skipper for the story behind Jungle Cruise, and try to spot the backside of water! When Walt decided to create the original immersive attraction, he tasked Imagineers with building a river in the Southern California desert AND the mechanical animals to populate it. Lead designer Harper Goff and horticulturist Bill Evans scrambled to get it all built in time for Disneyland® Park’s grand opening in 1955. Guests have been cruising its waters ever since. Dwayne Johnson also appears in this episode where he discusses his childhood memories of the attraction and his favorite joke from the skippers.
Haunted Mansion:Welcome, foolish mortals, to the Haunted Mansion — enter if you dare! When Walt Disney developed the attraction, he didn’t specify if it should be funny or scary. Ultimately, it became a perfect blend of both. Haunted Mansion proved so popular that it inspired several later iterations, including the chilling Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris and the weird and wonderful Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland.
Star Tours:Lightspeed to Endor! A long time ago…Disney created Star Tours, a thrilling simulator attraction that takes guests to a galaxy far, far away. It inspired Imagineers to build a whole new land — Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. There, guests can use the Force to explore the remote outpost of Batuu and the cutting-edge attractions Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

Behind the Attraction Sams Disney Diary
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror:Discover the ups (and downs!) of creating this gravity-defying attraction set in the eerie world of Rod Serling’s renowned “Twilight Zone” television series. Then hold on tight as Imagineers reimagine the Disney California Adventure version as Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! Learn what it took to build the attraction — and what it takes to ride it!
Space Mountain:You’re about to hear the story of Space Mountain in T-minus 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…launch! Walt’s vision of an attraction that simulates space travel was a design challenge Imagineer John Hench tackled head on, creating a signature structure now in Disney Parks around the world. Imagineers continued the tradition by creating another thrilling indoor attraction, the landmark TRON Lightcycle Power Run at Shanghai Disney Resort.

Additional episodes in Season 1 include:

The Castles: Castles are at the heart of Disney Parks around the world. The original at Disneyland® Resort in California quickly became a symbol of The Walt Disney Company on par with Mickey Mouse. Hear the unique story behind each one and learn how Imagineers designed and built them.
Disneyland Hotel: Disneyland® Resort with no hotel — what?! It almost happened. Check in to see how Walt got it built. Envisioned as an extension of the Park, funding for the hotel proved hard to come by, so Walt struck a deal with producer Jack Wrather. Jack would own the hotel, but Walt’s name would be on it. Together, they made it into an immersive experience, setting the stage for all Disney hotels to come. After Jack’s death, The Walt Disney Company bought the Disneyland® Hotel. Today, Disney operates dozens of hotels worldwide.
 “its’ a small world”: It all began at the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair! If a chance encounter between an Academy Award®-winning actress and Walt Disney hadn’t taken place, this beloved attraction might never have been created. With its signature, unforgettable song, its flume boat ride design, and AudioAnimatronics® figures, it was a huge success. Versions were designed and built in Disney Parks around the planet, proving that it really is a small world, after all!

Behind the Attraction Sams Disney Diary
Trains, Trams, and Monorails: All aboard! Everything moves at Disney Parks, especially the guests — by land, water, and air! Walt loved locomotion of all kinds — trains, trams, monorails, and boats. They’re all fun, but Walt also believed the monorail could help cities end traffic. The vast transportation network at Walt Disney World Resort is a testament to that. Every Disney Park built since has continued this tradition, creating transportation systems to whisk guests efficiently to their destinations.
Hall of Presidents: This unprecedented presidential attraction in Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom brings our commanders in chief to life. Walt created the world’s first human Audio-Animatronics® figure based on his childhood hero, Abraham Lincoln. Honest Abe helped launch this revolutionary technology that populates Disney Parks today. Who knows what the future holds for this mesmerizing Disney technology?

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Sam’s Disney News July 2021

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Sam’s Disney News July 2021

What’s Happening at Walt Disney World?   Here is your update for July 2021!
Fireworks are Back!!!   Both Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom and Epcot have restored the nighttime fireworks, with Happily Ever After returning to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Epcot forever returning to Walt Disney World Epcot!  Covid-19 social distancing precautions have been relaxed, with attractions returning to full capacity – and Pre-Shows returning. Including Dinosaur, Mickey, and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, The Haunted Mansion and more! 
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Sam’s Disney News July 2021
Fireworks are Back!!!   Both Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom and Epcot have restored the nighttime fireworks, with Happily Ever After returning to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Epcot forever returning to Walt Disney World Epcot!  Covid-19 social distancing precautions have been relaxed, with attractions returning to full capacity – and Pre-Shows returning. Including Dinosaur, Mickey, and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, The Haunted Mansion and more!    In California, Mickey’s Mix Magic returns to Disneyland to light up the night, celebrating Mickey and Minnie.
Additional dining offerings have opened at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. It’s a long list at Disneyland, including Tiki Juice Bar, Alien Pizza Planet, Ogas Cantina, Docking Bay 7,  The hungry Bear, Refreshment Corner, Corn Dog Castle, and Trader Sams at the Disneyland Hotel.  Disney World Offerings include Sebastian’s Bistro at Caribbean beach, Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village, The Tusker House at Animal Kingdom, and the New BoardWalk Ice Cream Shop on the boardwalk.  Starting July 15th, guests can dine “underneath the lovely London Sky” in the newly reimagined Citricos at Disney Grand Floridian  Resort & Spa. The garden setting, inspired by Mary Poppins Returns, will be surrounded by the glow of decorative lamps and chandeliers.  Booking is available NOW! Trail’s end is reopening at Disney’s Fort Wilderness, and at Magic Kingdom, Casey’s Corner and the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor are set to open on July 7.  Along with Dino Diner and Eight Spoon Café at Animal Kingdom.  Disney Springs also announced that Salt & Straw, a popular location at Downtown Disney in California, is coming to Disney Springs next year.  Stay Tuned for more on that.
Sam’s Disney News July 2021
Disney announced additional details for the World’s Most Magical Celebration. The 18-month long event Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort starts on October, 1 2021. “Disney Enchantment,” a new nighttime spectacular, will kick off the celebration at Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom, Taking us on an adventure of wonder and empowerment, inspiring everyone to believe in magic.  The new show will bring immersive projections effects that extend from cinderellas castle down Mainstreet USA.  Over at Epcot, HarmonioUS will take center stage, the largest nighttime speculator ever created for a Disney park.  The show will bring the globe together at World Showcase Lagoon with a celebration of Disney Music.  A tribute to the stories and songs that unite us, embracing new technical magic that incorporates pyrotechnics, choreographed moving fountains, lighting and media in new ways. “HarmonioUS” will invite you to travel the globe through new interpretations of classic Disney songs as you’ve never heard them before, reimagined in more than a dozen languages by a diverse group of 240 artists from around the world.
October, 1st will also see new daytime entertainment at Animal Kingdom. “Disney KiteTails,” at the Discovery River Amphitheater.  Performers will fly windcatchers and kites of all shapes and sizes, with elaborate three-dimensional kites along the water depicting Disney animal friends, including Simba, Zazu, Baloo and King Louie.  The Kites will dance through the sky to the beat of favorite Disney songs in an uplifting, vibrant experience for the whole family.
Sam’s Disney News July 2021
Mickey and Minnie, our hosts for the 50th Anniversary celebratioin, will be joined by their pals Donald Duck, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto, along with Chip ‘n’ Dale, all sporting their own custom-made EARidescent looks beginning October 1.  They will also be taking part in an all new “Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade” several times a day.
The celebration will also feature Disney Fab 50, 50 characters sculptures that will be displayed across all four theme parks along with surprising ways you’ll be able to interact with these beautiful sculptures as part of the 50th anniversary celebration.
The end of the 2021 Epcot Flower and Garden festival, July 7, brings the opening of the 2021 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival just a few days later.  Beginning July 15 and lasting a incredible 129 days.  The Food and Wine Festival will feature Global Marketplaces with international flavors, including dishes from Hawai’i, Australia, Germany, Canada and Greece, along with some new spicy, savory and sweet plates.  Additional marketplaces will be added to Morocco and the American Adventure in July with even more added this Fall.
Over at the Magic Kingdom, Un Poco Loco a new musical number based on Disney and Pixar’s Coco will be added the Mickey’s Philharmagic.  The new addition will make its debut at Disney California Adventure and Disneyland Paris on July 17.  The new scene will be part of the 50th anniversary celebration at Walt Disney World.
Sam’s Disney News July 2021
We got a first look at the redesigned guest rooms at Disney’s Contempary Resort. All nine floors in the main building are being refurbished with a “dash” of the incrediables.  The new rooms blend a monorail motif with some favorite characters from the Incredibles, including Jack-Jack, Frozone, and Edna Mode. The resort’s lobby restaurant, The Wave… of American Flavors, is also scheduled to be refurbished before the 50th anniversary.  While Disney hasn’t confirmed anything just yet, it feels like the perfect place for an “Incrediable Steakhouse”
A new Baby Giraffe joins last month’s baby zebra on the Killamingello Safair over at Animal Kingdom.
Not to be left out, Disney Cruise Lines announced more Holiday Cheer than ever coming in the Fall of 2022.  The all-new “Halloween on the High Seas” and the “Very Merrytime Cruise” along with the first fall sailing on the all-new Disney-wish.
If you’re an attraction fan like me, don’t miss the premier of the New Original Disney+ Series Behind the Attraction.  The 10 part series dives into the amazing history of our favorate Disney attractions with never before seen footage and photographs directly form the Disney archives, including interviews with Walt.  Speaking of imagination, this month Disney introduced the Disney Imagination Campus designed to inspire the next generation of creative thinkers and doers  for more details visit disneycampus.com
Oh and Happy Birthday Donald Duck!!!  Who celebrated his 86th birthday with Make-A-wish Kid Sasha – You’re the best, Donald.
All that and more, this time on Sam’s Disney News

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Disney Springs on Walt Disney World Resort TV (July 2021)

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Disney Springs on Walt Disney World Resort TV (July 2021)

Welcome to Disney Springs, a world class destination where you can experience unique boutiques, one-of-a-kind flagship stores, water front dining and unforgettable entertainment you can’t find anywhere else.  Disney Springs is Your Place to be with four captivating neighborhoods and over 150 unique destinations.  The Landing, West Side, Marketplace and Town Center.  Get all the latest as of July 2021, as seen on Disney in-Room Resort Television.

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Walt Disney World – The Hall of Presidents (a brief history)

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A brief history of Walt Disney’s Hall of Presidents

A brief history of Walt Disney’s Hall of Presidents
“One Nation Under God”.  That was the original idea for what would become Walt Disney World’s Hall of Presidents.  The original concept would have been an addition to Disneyland’s Main Street USA.  Library Street would have featured Edison Square and The Hall of Presidents, as seen on 1958 Disneyland park maps.   The original concept was wax figures of all the US Presidents, which lead to the idea of animating the models.  Those thoughts and beliefs lead to the first Audio-Animatronic figure in human form: Abraham Lincoln.That figure was the most advanced ever produced and featured in the Illinois Pavilion at the 1964 world’s fair.  The attraction relocated to Disneyland as Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, and guests can still experience an updated version of that original.
With Walt Disney World’s construction in 1971, technology had advanced enough to complete Walt’s Original vision of the “Hall of Presidents.”  The plans from Disneylands Liberty Street and Edison Square were revised and reworked to become The Magic Kingdoms Liberty Square.  The original Hall of presidents featured all US Presidents through Richard Nixon, the sitting President when Walt Disney World Opened in 1971.
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A brief history of Walt Disney’s Hall of Presidents
The show remained unchanged, focused on the early history of the United States for 22 years.  In 1993 the show was completely updated and focused on more current issues.  In addition, Bill Clinton, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George Bush were addicted to the Presidential lineup, bringing us up to date.  Since then, the Hall of Presidents has been updated for each new administration.  In 2001 George W Bush was added, and in 2009 Barack Obama lent his voice to the attraction recording a short speech and reciting the Oath of office of the Presiden to the United States.  The 2009 version also included an extensive update to the lighting and projection systems, the original Abraham Lincoln speech was restored, and George Washington became the third speaking President.  In 2017 Donald Trump was added, reciting the Oath of Office and a short speech.
This edition of SamsDisneyDiary features the 2017-2021 version of the attraction.  Presented for Historical reference, if history serves correctly, the Hall of presidents should see a scheduled refurbishment sometime in late January 2021 and reopen in time for the 4th of July 2021 with a new President.  But, the Covid-19 Pandemic has us living in uncertain times; either way, look for The Hall of Presidents to be on the refurbishment list at Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom soon.  The refurb is a standard procedure and nothing out of the ordinary, though I’m sure we will see some attention-grabbing headlines “Hall of Presidents Closes.”  Be sure to subscribe to SamsDisneyDiary and we will have the latest updates as soon as possible.

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ALL NEW! Must Do Disney Resort TV (July 2021) No More Stacey?

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Must Do Disney July 2021

You made it, You’re here at the Walt Disney World Resort.  And if you like me, the first think you do is turn on that resort TV and tune to the Must Do Disney Channel.   The channel looks a lot different these days, in fact, completely different.   This is how the channel looks in July 2021.  Welcome to Walt Disney World Resort.
You made it, You’re here at the Walt Disney World Resort. And if you like me, the first think you do is turn on that resort TV and tune to the Must Do Disney Channel. The channel looks a lot different these days, in fact, completely different. This is how the channel looks in July 2021. Welcome to Walt Disney World Resort.
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The Best of Disney Music: A Legacy in Song Part 2 (1993)

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The Best of Disney Music: A Legacy in Song Part 2 (1993)

Hosted by Glenn Close, this special television special is introduced by the then CEO of the Walt Disney Company, Michael Eisner.   This is part two of a two-part special first televised May 21, 1993
Hosted by Glenn Close, this special television special is introduced by the then CEO of the Walt Disney Company, Michael Eisner. This is part two of a two-part special first televised May 21, 1993
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