Disney News: Exploring Pandora, Illuminations Dessert, Eat to the Beat Artists & More

Here are some exciting updates from the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.


Exploring Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Pandora – The World of Avatar is now open to Guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park.

The land itself serves as an amazing attraction for you to explore and interact with, and the area’s two experiences – the thrilling Avatar Flight of Passage and the family friendly Na’vi River Journey – are already wowing Guests. But did you know there are actually many other ways you can have fun throughout Pandora – The World of Avatar?

Here are seven must-do suggestions on how you can have the most immersive experience possible during your next expedition to Pandora – The World of Avatar.

1. Match With A Banshee – Already a Guest-favorite experience, the land’s Windtraders Merchandise shop is home to the Rookery, a nook where banshees reside, waiting to be “matched” with Guests.

2. Visit at Swotu Wayä (“Sacred Place of Song”) – Located in the heart of Mo’ara Valley, you can interact with a collection of instruments fashioned by the Na’vi. They are connected into the moon’s root system and as Guests play the instruments, the area just may respond with music and light.

3. Test Out A Na’vi Translator – Also found in Windtraders, this fun device helps you learn Na’vi words.

4. Dine at Satu’li Canteen – Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Satu’li Canteen offers one of the most interesting menus at the Walt Disney World® Resort. Featuring international-inspired cuisine, vegetarian options and specialty libations, it’s the ideal place to refuel on an expedition through the Valley of Mo’ara.

5. Help Regrow the Flaska Reclinata – One of the largest and most fascinating plants on Pandora, you can help this rare plant “re-seed” itself on Pandora simply through touch.

6. Channel Your Inner Na’vi – Windtraders offers a selection of Na’vi inspired merchandise. Here, you can buy your own set of Na’vi ears or a Na’vi tail. You can also get a Na’vi inspired look over at Colors of Mo’ara.

7. Get Camera Ready – Pandora – The World of Avatar is chock-full of unbelievable photo opportunities – from towering floating mountains, to surprising water falls and much more. And if you want professional pics, Disney PhotoPass guides are on-hand at multiple locations throughout the land.

Reservations Now Open for Frozen Ever After Sparkling Dessert Party: A Cool New Way to View Fireworks at Epcot

There’s now a delicious new way to experience “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” at Epcot®. Reservations are now open for the brand-new Frozen Ever After Dessert Party, the coolest dessert party with reserved seating to an amazing fireworks spectacular, delicious desserts and a special opportunity to enjoy the Frozen Ever After attraction!

The party, which takes place in World Showcase Plaza East, overlooking World Showcase Lagoon, will feature décor, drinks, desserts and snacks inspired by the beloved film, “Frozen.” You don’t have to worry about staking out the perfect spot to view the fireworks, because Frozen Ever After Dessert Party Guests will have reserved seating. Specialty cotton candy lemonade or “melted snow” and other non-alcoholic beverages will delight Guests of all ages. Adults 21 years and older can enjoy alcoholic beverages such as a piña colada, margarita or “Summertime Punch,” a refreshing blend of prickly pear syrup, vodka, lemonade and ginger ale.

Desserts and snacks will be served on three buffet stations, check out the menus below!

Hot & Cold

Olaf’s Warm Double Chocolate S’mores Pudding Cake
Elsa’s Warm Cottage Pudding with Salted Caramel Glaze
Hand-dipped Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Small Bites

Wandering Oaken’s Eclairons
Hans’ Key Lime Tarts with Red Glitter Glaze
Living Rock Crispy Bonbons
Anna’s Blue Velvet Cupcakes
Kristoff’s No Sugar Added Lemon Curd with Blueberry

Not So Sweet

Sven’s Fresh Fruits & Berries
Grand Pabbie’s Winter-spiced Snack Mix
Duke of Weselton’s Cheese Fondue served with Country Bread Cubes, Broccoli, and Grilled Flatbread

After “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” Guests of the Frozen Ever After Dessert Party will be escorted to the Norway Pavilion for a special ride on the popular Frozen Ever After attraction.

The Frozen Ever After Dessert Party is another exciting offering from the Enchanting Extras Collection, which allows you to enhance your vacation with one-of-a-kind Disney experiences. Cost is $79 for Guests ages 10 and above, $47 for ages 3 to 9—tax and gratuity included. Reservations are now open for dates beginning July 17, 2017.

New Photo Capture Available on Pirates of Caribbean at Magic Kingdom Park

Now at Pirates of the Caribbean in Magic Kingdom® Park, Disney PhotoPass Service is at the helm ready to capture whether a pirate’s life is for you, or if you’re more likely to strike your colors and run up a white flag.

As you prepare to exit a haunted grotto and dive into the Golden Age of Piracy, a Disney PhotoPass camera will capture the perfect treasure of your swashbuckling voyage.

To preview, purchase and download this attraction photo, you must be wearing an active MagicBand linked to your My Disney Experience account. Their photo will be automatically associated to your account, where it can be viewed alongside all of your vacation memories from Disney PhotoPass Service.

You can receive all of your Disney PhotoPass vacation photos from Walt Disney World Resort, including attraction photos, with Memory Maker.*

*Memory Maker is subject to the Memory Maker Terms and Conditions. Memory Maker includes photos taken during the applicable Memory Maker window. A MagicBand is required to receive certain attraction photos and other digital content. If Memory Maker purchased at the advance purchase price, any photos taken within 3 days from the date Memory Maker is purchased will not be included and must be purchased separately. Online registration required. Disney PhotoPass Photos in your account will expire pursuant to the expiration policy at Walt Disney World. Downloads are restricted to personal use only. Not responsible for missing, lost or damaged photos. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Valid theme park admission required for certain photo locations.

Record 32 ‘Eat to the Beat’ Bands to Perform during 22nd Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

A record 32 musical acts will rev up the Eat to the Beat concert series during the 22nd Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival Aug. 31-Nov. 13, 2017 at Walt Disney World® Resort.

Eleven new-to-the-festival bands, including Kenny G., Squeeze and 10,000 Maniacs, join 21 fan-favorite musical acts for a diverse lineup of pop hit makers to rock America Gardens Theatre stage throughout the festival’s 75-day run.

Other new acts to appear are: The Hooters, Baha Men, Lauren Alaina, Mark Wills, American Authors, Devon Allman, Postmodern Jukebox and Blue October.

Guests also can tune into their favorite returning bands that will include festival opening act Delta Rae. Concerts take place at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. daily. The lineup (subject to change and included in Epcot admission) includes:

Aug. 31-Sept. 1 Delta Rae “Bottom of the River”
Sept. 2-3 The Hooters NEW! “And We Danced”
Sept. 4-5 Baha Men NEW! “Who Let the Dogs Out”
Sept. 6-7 Fuel “Shimmer”
Sept. 8-10 STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas “We Built This City”
Sept. 11-12 Lauren Alaina NEW! “Road Less Traveled”
Sept. 13-15 Plain White T’s “Hey There Delilah”
Sept. 16-17 Sister Hazel “All For You”
Sept. 18-20 Air Supply “All Out of Love”
Sept. 21-22 David Cook “Light On”
Sept. 23-24 Everclear “Santa Monica”
Sept. 25-27 Sugar Ray “Every Morning”
Sept. 28-29 38 Special “Hold On Loosely”
Sept. 30-Oct. 1 Mark Wills NEW! “19 Somethin’”
Oct. 2-3 American Authors NEW! “Best Day of My Life”
Oct. 4-5 Christopher Cross “Sailing”
Oct. 6-8 Devon Allman NEW! “Ragged and Dirty”
Oct. 9-11 Dennis DeYoung: The Music of STYX “Come Sail Away”
Oct. 12-13 Taylor Dayne “Tell It to My Heart”
Oct. 14-15 Jeffrey Osborne “On the Wings of Love”
Oct. 16-17 Postmodern Jukebox NEW! Various Hits
Oct. 18-20 10,000 Maniacs NEW! “Because the Night”
Oct. 21-22 Toad The Wet Sprocket “Walk on the Ocean”
Oct. 23-24 Kenny G NEW! “Songbird”
Oct. 25-26 Billy Ocean “Get Outta My Dreams”
Oct. 27-29 Tiffany “I Think We’re Alone Now”
Oct. 30-Nov. 1 Hanson “MMMBop”
Nov. 2-3 Blue October NEW! “Into the Ocean”
Nov. 4-5 Living Colour “Cult of Personality”
Nov. 6-8 Boyz II Men “End of the Road”
Nov. 9-11 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy “Go Daddy-O”
Nov. 12-13 Squeeze NEW! “Black Coffee in Bed”

(Songs listed are for artist recognition only and may not be included in the concert play list.)

Festival-goers can also enjoy Eat to the Beat Dining Packages at 15 popular Epcot restaurants, guaranteeing a breakfast, lunch or dinner reservation and confirmed seating at a same-day Eat to the Beat concert. Reservations open in July 2017.

To learn more about vacation packages, please visit our Walt Disney World information page.