All the Disney Parks in One Podcast
Disney Parks Podcast Show #414 – A Special Interview With Derric Johnson, Part 1
In this episode, Tony and Parkhopper John interview Disney Legend Derric Johnson creator of the Voices of Liberty and writer of Walt Disney World’s Candlelight Processional.
Disney is pleased to share a few of the details we revealed at tonight’s Star Wars: Galactic Nights panel. I was honored to be a part of this inside look at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge along with my fellow Imagineers Robin Reardon and Chris Beatty, and Doug Chiang from Lucasfilm, and now I’m excited to share the news with all of you!
Disney talked a lot about authenticity – how we are building a real place in the Star Wars universe and how we are working hard to get the details right. One of my favorite examples is the Millennium Falcon. We’ve all seen her on screen, but until you climb through that hatch, walk through her hallways, sit inside the cockpit, power her up and actually FLY her yourself, it’s not quite the same. Here is a photo of the inside of the ship as we are getting her ready and I can’t wait for you to see her yourself!
Additionally, Doug highlighted some other examples of the team’s progress, including building a fleet of full-size X-wing starfighters. One tap on the metal side of these ships tells you that they are real, and ready for action!
Disney also discussed the depth of storytelling you can find in this remote outpost. Chris shared some of his experiences researching the exotic markets of Istanbul and Marrakech. They were a great source of inspiration for the marketplace in our village where we can explore a rich collection of shops and merchant stalls. Chris shared a great example of one overseen by a Toydarian, one of the creatures we first encountered on Tatooine in “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.” So what does he sell? Toys, of course! Here is a piece of concept art for what that toy stall will look like.
And inside, you’ll be able to discover all kinds of fun and cool toys straight out of the Star Warsgalaxy. Exclusive to this outpost, all these offerings look hand-crafted by local artisans. We looked at some of them recently and they’re going to be really fun, unique, and completely in-story.
Check out all the Hollywood Studio Facts
Does your Garden Rock? Well ours does – at the 2018 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival – with 17 favorite artists whose hits span more than five decades. This year, our 25th event year, the Garden Rocks series features singers and groups from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and 2000s with hit-makers in a variety of genres including rock, pop, country, R&B and dance. We have brand new acts such as country favorites Lonestar, British rock legends Foghat; and Don Felder, formerly of The Eagles – along with returning treasures disco pioneers Village People and ‘80s supergroups like Night Ranger. 
The lineup also includes a few fan favorites such as Survivor, Smash Mouth and Rick Springfield, who are joining us for Garden Rocks this year. Here is this year’s lineup (subject to change without notice):
Garden Rocks performances are at America Gardens Theatre at [5:30], [6:45] and 8 p.m. every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and are included with Epcot admission. For more information on the Festival, check out EpcotInSpring.com. And keep checking back to the Disney Parks Blog, where we will have information on Garden Rocks Dining Packages Coming Soon!
Disney Parks Podcast Show #413 – Disney News For The Week Of December 18, 2017
In this episode, Tony and Parkhopper John discuss Star Wars: Galaxy’s news, Walt Disney Company buying 21st Century Fox, and Star Wars Episode 8 Review, and so much more
Disney Parks Podcast Show #412 – 2017 Disney Parks Podcast Holiday Gift Guide
In this episode, Tony and Parkhopper John share their suggestions for all your Holiday Gifts with their 2017 Holiday Gift Guide!
Members will enjoy more Moonlight Magic event dates than ever in 2018, with parties already confirmed for every month from January through November, with more dates still to come! To help you plan accordingly, Disney Vacation Club is pleased to share confirmed party and booking dates.
Disney Vacation Club Moonlight Magic 2018 The confirmed slate includes the first Moonlight Magic events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where the highly anticipated Toy Story Land is scheduled to have made its playful debut by the time Members take over the park. Also confirmed is a return to Disney California Adventure Park, where Paradise Pier is scheduled to have become Pixar Pier – headlined by the highly anticipated transformation of California Screamin’ into The Incredibles-inspired Incredicoaster!
Introduced in 2017 as part of Membership Magic Ever After, complimentary Moonlight Magic events invite Disney Vacation Club Members and special guests to turn Disney Parks into their own personal playgrounds at the end of the parks’ operating days. While attendees may get a jump start on the fun by mixing in with the regular crowd earlier in the evening, the real magic happens after the park has closed to the public. It’s then that privileged partiers discover shorter-than-usual wait times on popular attractions, meet off-the-beaten-path Characters, enjoy complimentary refreshments, let loose at dance parties and more.
Here’s a look at the confirmed 2018 Moonlight Magic schedule, including the dates on which online reservations will open for each event:
• Jan. 11 and 28, and Feb. 6 at Magic Kingdom Park
(Booking begins for Members with Resort reservations on the event dates Dec 7. Pending availability, booking opens for all Members on Dec 21.)
• March 21, April 17 and May 16 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
(Booking begins for Members with Resort reservations on the event dates Feb 8. Pending availability, booking opens for all Members on Feb 22.)
• May 30 and June 11 at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
(Booking begins for Members with Resort reservations on the event dates April 19. Pending availability, booking opens for all Members on May 3.)
• July 16 and Aug. 13 at Epcot
(Booking begins for Members with Resort reservations on the event dates June 6. Pending availability, booking opens for all Members on June 20.)
• Sept. 19 and 26, and Oct. 3 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
(Booking begins for Members with Resort reservations on the event dates Aug 30. Pending availability, booking opens for all Members on Sept. 13.)
• Nov. 15 at Disney California Adventure Park
(Booking begins for all Members on Oct. 4.)
Please note that, in order to allow as many Members as possible to enjoy Moonlight Magic, only one event date for each participating park will be available per Membership. Watch disneyvacationclub.com for additions to the Moonlight Magic event slate, as well as party hours and transportation information.
Earlier this year, we shared that Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort at Walt Disney World would undergo some transformations. Today we are excited to share new colorful details about those enhancements debuting late this summer!
Old Port Royale at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort will be reimagined as the port of entry where guests will check in before embarking on their island vacation. This centralized location will offer resort guests more convenient access to services, amenities and dining, including an all-new Centertown Market for casual eats, an all-new Shutters restaurant offering waterfront dining adjacent to the new Banana Cabana outdoor bar and lounge, and Calypso Trading Post for shopping.
Centertown Market will be expanded and enclosed, creating a quick-service restaurant with an indoor street market vibe. Guests will enter the space under a large palapa-like structure, accented with glowing colored light pendants made from glass bottles. The market will feature open shutters, wooden light posts, awnings, ornamentation and unique seating areas. Guests will also have access to the Grab n’ Go market for a specialty coffee and quick bites.
Shutters, a Caribbean-inspired table-service restaurant, will be located on the waterfront of Old Port Royale, transporting guests to a beachfront home in the tropical islands. Large open shutters will allow the sun to cast a warm light into the space adorned with handmade items that appear as they’ve been found on the islands. Leaves and floral design motifs will fill the space, celebrating the natural beauty of the Caribbean.
A festive poolside bar, Banana Cabana will be a great place to gather for food and drinks, immersing guests into the fun and relaxation of island life. Cabana-style drapes will flank seating areas and re-purposed steel drums will illuminate a central communal table made from a wooden boat.
Forget something? No worries! With its history of being the port’s import and export facility, Calypso Trading Post will offer shoppers Disney merchandise and other vacation essentials.
What changes are you most excited about? See details about Moderate resorts
During the D23 Expo this past summer, the Disney Skyliner transportation was announcedand the Disney Parks Blog has just shared additional artist renderings and details on how the new system will give guests a whole new view from the sky as they travel from select Disney resorts to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Iconic Disney characters will be displayed on the outside of select Disney Skyliner cabins giving the appearance of that character riding with guests.
“The design of the Disney Skyliner station at International Gateway at Epcot (pictured at top) will be inspired by the park’s nearby European Pavilions and will be covered with metal and glass canopies, hand-painted murals and ornamental steel structures that harken back to the early 18th century Art Nouveau style. Guests traveling to Epcot via the Disney Skyliner will be welcomed to the park with a rare birds-eye view of World Showcase.”
“The Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort station will be the hub of activity for Disney Skyliner. This station is inspired by the open air village marketplaces of the Caribbean and will showcase the nearby resort’s architectural detailing and color schemes. At this station, passengers will be able to transfer gondola routes to reach their destination, or are invited to sit and admire the waterfront resort setting.”
“The design style of the station at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will fit with that of the park’s main entrance and bus stations. Passengers traveling here from the Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort station can expect a new aerial perspective of the park’s iconic attractions, like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.”
“Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will share a Disney Skyliner station that feels whimsical and contextual with both resorts. Upon departing the gondola station, Skyliner passengers will ascend over Hourglass Lake and enjoy a panoramic view of these two colorful resorts.”
Cabins are going to slow down at the Disney Skyliner turn-station along Buena Vista Drive and guests will be able to see the mechanical and aerial elements that make up the Disney Skyliner.
As soon as we know an opening date for this exciting new transportation option, we’ll share it with you!
CHECK OUT the facts about Disney Resorts