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New Star Wars Experiences Start At Hollywood Studios This December

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D-i_GqpTSoon, guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios will have the opportunity to experience Star Wars in the park in an all-new way – every day! New experiences will open starting Dec. 1, 2015 bringing that galaxy far, far away, a little bit closer.

Star Wars Launch Bay will take Guests into the Star Wars saga and the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, with special exhibits and peeks behind-the-scenes, special merchandise and opportunities to encounter Chewbacca and Darth Vader.

Star Tours – The Adventures Continues will be home to a brand new adventure inspired by the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens. During the opening months, we’ll make sure that everyone who rides Star Tours will experience the new adventure. After that, it will be up to the will of the Force.

We also have new information about “Star Wars: Path of the Jedi.” It will feature scenes from the complete Star Wars saga, also giving anyone new to the Star Wars galaxy an opportunity to get acquainted with the films.

Last, but certainly not least, is Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple, which will open in early December. This reimagined Jedi Training experience will take younglings to the secret site of an ancient Jedi temple where they will face Darth Vader along with the Seventh Sister – a new villain from the Disney XD series “Star Wars Rebels.”

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And work begins next year on the 14-acre Star Wars-themed land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. With construction underway, unfortunately, we won’t be able to offer Star Wars Weekends. While Star Wars Weekends has been a great way to enjoy the saga for a few days every year, now the Force will be with Disney’s Hollywood Studios every day.

With Star Wars Launch Bay, the new Jedi Training experience, “Star Wars: Path of the Jedi,” and a new destination in the Star Tours attraction opening in December, you’ll be able to step into the Star Wars saga every time you visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Starts Next Week at Magic Kingdom Park

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Anyone else having visions of sugarplums? It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Mickey, Santa and all your Disney friends are preparing for the return of our annual celebration, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! The special holiday festivities start Sunday, November 8, at Magic Kingdom Park with live entertainment, dazzling fireworks, a cheery parade and more!

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The party begins with a visit from Arendelle royalty for “A Frozen Holiday Wish,” presented on the Castle Forecourt Stage and featuring Anna, Elsa, Olaf and Kristoff. As a gift to the kingdom, Elsa lets it go and uses her icy powers to transform Cinderella Castle into a sparkling palace of ice.

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Later, it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride down Main Street, U.S.A. for “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.” Santa Claus, gingerbread men, elves, reindeer and other friends from the North Pole join Mickey and his pals for the happiest of holiday parades.

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New this year, the acclaimed contemporary a cappella group VoicePlay bring their amazing talents to the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland. VoicePlay, who appeared on the TV show “The Sing-Off,” combine incredible vocal harmonies and an inventive “music without music” sound to create an unforgettable holiday concert experience. Give them a listen between performances of “A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas.”

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Elsewhere in Tomorrowland, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café becomes Club Tinsel for the evening when Phineas and Ferb show up, and that’s not all! Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party also includes the “Celebrate the Season” show, cookies and hot cocoa, visits with Santa Claus in Town Square, a magical snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A. and favorite Disney characters on hand throughout the park to spread holiday cheer. To cap things off, “Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season” lights up the skies above Cinderella Castle with breathtaking fireworks and beloved music.

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Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is held on select nights, November 8 – December 18, and is separate from regular Magic Kingdom Park admission. Tickets are available now. Get yours before dates start selling out.

New Dishes on Menu at ESPN Club at Disney’s BoardWalk at Walt Disney World Resort

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Regulars know you arrive early on game day at the ESPN Club on Disney’s BoardWalk – and they also have their favorites on the menu. Recently, under the helm of Chef Anthony Gregorek, the menu has undergone a major makeover featuring several new dishes, giving the new menu a gastropub feel—bar favorites with an upscale twist.

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Those ESPN wings are still there, ditto the PB&J Burger and the chicken ‘n waffles, but today, we’re delivering a full listing of the delicious new dishes.

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New starters:

  • Bar Flats (the ESPN version of a flatbread with caramelized onion, bacon and beer-cheese fondue; tuna tartare; traditional margarita (mozzarella, tomato and basil); Mediterranean, and the seasonal flat.
  • Club Fries – chunky steak fries topped with ESPN chili, Cheddar and ale fondue, crumbled blue cheese, marinated tomatoes, crispy pancetta and green onion. Plenty to share.
  • Pan-fried potato and cheese pierogi topped with herb-infused sour cream and caramelized onions.
  • Crispy fried Florida pink shrimp with Cajun remoulade, Sherry aioli and grilled lemon.
  • ESPN House Chili with diced onions, shredded Cheddar, smoked bacon, pico de gallo and griddle cornbread.
  • Clam chowder with chopped bacon, herb oil and seasoned oyster crackers.

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New entrees:

  • Turkey Carver sandwich with roasted turkey breast, smoke Gouda, maple aioli, tomato and bitter greens.
  • Seafood mac & cheese made with seasonal seafood and citrus gremolata.
  • Sustainable catch with market vegetables.
  • Hand-breaded chicken breast sandwich with pepper jack cheese, tomato and lettuce on a toasted bun.
  • Petite top sirloin and grilled langostinos with house-made mac & cheese, Cabernet butter and market vegetables.
  • Craft beer battered fish and chips with Cajun tartar sauce and fries or cucumber salad.
  • Coffee-brined BBQ-spiced pork chop with fried potato hash and pickled vegetables.
  • Grilled Black Tiger Shrimp and andouille sausage “gumbo style” risotto, braised kale and grilled cornbread.
  • Bourbon-ale braised beef short rib with potato and roasted garlic gratin, watercress, pan gravy and market vegetables.
  • Pan-roasted chicken breast with Parmesan risotto, lemony chicken jus and market vegetables.
  • Sausage 3 Way: bratwurst, peppers and onions on pretzel roll; kielbasa and smoked bacon cabbage on a club roll; and Andouille with pickled vegetables on a poppy seed roll.
  • Vegetarian “Unplugged” with seasonal selections.

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ESPN Club also has an impressive craft beer list—over 54 varieties available, including a seasonal menu that boasts beers exclusively from the sunshine state. It’s also the only restaurant at Walt Disney World Resort to pair each entrée with a craft beer, so the flavors of the brew perfectly accompany your main course.