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    Historic Transformation of Epcot Continues at Walt Disney World Resort

    Sweeping lineup of new experiences will make the real fantastic in a celebration of curiosity, discovery and the magic of possibility
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    LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Walt Disney once said EPCOT “would always be in a state of becoming” – it is a place that changes with the times. Over the next several years, the Walt Disney World Resort theme park will live up to that promise in a whole new way as it continues the biggest transformation of any Disney park in history, bringing the next generation of immersive storytelling to life through a plethora of new attractions and experiences.

    EPCOT will be unified with four neighborhoods that each speak to important aspects of the world and its people: World Showcase, World Celebration, World Nature and World Discovery. These neighborhoods will be filled with new experiences rooted in authenticity and innovation that take guests to new destinations, where the real is made fantastic in a celebration of curiosity, discovery and the magic of possibility.
    World Showcase
    • World Showcase will continue to be a celebration of culture, cuisine, architecture and traditions – infused with new magic.
    • The France pavilion will feature the much-anticipated attraction Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, where guests will shrink to the size of Chef Remy and race through Gusteau’s restaurant on a wild adventure. Joining this family-friendly experience in the France pavilion will be a delicious new restaurant, La Crêperie de Paris, offering both table- and quick-service options and a menu from celebrity chef Jérôme Bocuse.
    • Also in the France pavilion, the classic “Impressions de France” film is now joined by the new “Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along,” directed by Don Hahn, producer of both the animated and live-action versions of this tale as old as time.
    • “Harmonious” will be one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney park. It will celebrate the way Disney music inspires people the world over, carrying them away harmoniously on a stream of familiar songs reinterpreted by a culturally diverse group of artists from around the globe. “Harmonious” will feature massive floating set pieces, custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics, lasers and more.
    • “Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360” is now playing in the Canada pavilion with new scenes, a new musical score by Canadian composer Andrew Lockington and new narration by award-winning actors Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy.
    • Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue, the new fast-casual restaurant at The American Adventure pavilion, serves classic American backyard barbecue and home-style craft brews. The restaurant takes its name from Sam Eagle; the beloved Muppet hosts a centennial cook-off – a salute to all cook-offs … but mostly barbecue.
    World Celebration
    • World Celebration will offer new experiences that connect guests to one another and the world around them.
    • The EPCOT entrance plaza is transforming, welcoming guests with new pathways and sweeping green spaces that beautify the entryway. Bridging the past, present and future of EPCOT will be a new fountain at the base of Spaceship Earth featuring three majestic new pylons.
    • As guests pass Spaceship Earth, they will discover a breathtaking new view of World Showcase from Dreamers Point. World Celebration will also feature a new statue honoring the legacy of the original dreamer, Walt Disney, plus beautiful natural environments and global design elements filled with Disney magic and surprises, including a story fountain celebrating the power and music of iconic Disney storytelling.
    • Surrounding this enchanted garden will be new retail and dining locations, along with a newly reimagined festival area that will be home to ever-changing events in a unique new environment.
    World Nature
    • World Nature will be dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty, awe and balance of the natural world. It will include The Land and The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilions.
    • Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will be the first Disney Parks experience inspired by the hit Walt Disney Animation Studios film. This lush exploration trail will invite guests to meet and play with magical, living water. Just like Moana’s friend the ocean, water will have a personality of its own, helping guests learn how to protect the natural water cycle in a fun and engaging way.
    • The Land pavilion’s new film, “Awesome Planet,” showcases the beauty, diversity and dynamic story of Earth. The 10-minute show features in-theater effects and an original musical score from Academy Award-winning® composer Steven Price.
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    World Discovery
    • In World Discovery, stories about science, technology and intergalactic adventure come to life.
    • Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be the first “other-world” showcase pavilion at EPCOT. The adventure starts in the Galaxarium, a planetarium-like exhibition that explores the similarities and mysteries of the formation of Earth’s galaxy and Xandar. Guests will be invited to learn more about the treasures Xandar has to share – until the moment when the Guardians of the Galaxy arrive, and adventures across the cosmos ensue. The attraction will feature a new innovation from Walt Disney Imagineering – a storytelling coaster that rotates 360 degrees to focus guests on the action, including the first reverse launch on a Disney coaster.
    • In an expansion of the Mission: SPACE pavilion, the new restaurant Space 220 will be a culinary experience offering the celestial panorama of a space station, including daytime and nighttime views of Earth from 220 miles up. Guests will board a space elevator for a journey to the Centauri Space Station, home to an incredible dining experience. Along the way, viewports will give guests real-time perspective as they travel high above the planet. Once they arrive, guests will enjoy fantastic meals and drinks while taking in views that are truly out of this world. Space 220 will be operated by the Patina Restaurant Group.
    ​Guests can visualize these exciting plans for EPCOT at Walt Disney Imagineering presents the EPCOT Experience in the Odyssey Events Pavilion. Here they discover engaging and interactive exhibits that showcase the relentless innovation, energy and excitement driving the park’s future throughout this unprecedented period of transformation. More information on other previously announced experiences coming to EPCOT will be provided at a later date.
    For more on EPCOT and Walt Disney World Resort, visit WDWNews.com and DisneyParksBlog.com.
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    Jolly Creek Orlando Media Event Update

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    Last week Renée ​made her way over to Jolly Creek in Orlando to take in their Holiday event. 

    The holidays have definitely arrived in Orlando with this fun event featuring some great music, lights and more. Check it out! 

    You can see more details about Jolly Creek including how to get your own tickets here. 
    Written by Renée ​Girard
    Tonight we’re at Central Florida’s brand new holiday event, Jolly Creek!
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    The lights look amazing!
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    ​It’s a brisk 65 degrees in Florida this evening. Let it snow! 
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    The Jolly Creek Society Orchestra play some holiday classics. Love these guys!
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    ​The dancing, color-changing tree was a crowd favorite.
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    It was awesome to get a night ride on an airboat. Definitely a very Florida Christmas!
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    And at a safe distance, you can also meet Santa. On an airboat!
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    Some tasty treats are available, including the festive Florida Frosty drink. 
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    ​Thanks to Jolly Creek Holiday Festival for inviting us tonight! Definitely worth the visit to have a uniquely Florida Christmas experience!
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    ​I almost forgot to mention the vendor marketplace at Jolly Creek. I bought a Disney Christmas catnip pillow that my cat is absolutely obsessed with and now I wish I got more than one!
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    Throwback Thursday Update: Six Flags Magic Mountain - November 19, 2011

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    Welcome to a special Throwback Thursday! 

    For this (and future) Throwback updates, we're going to pretend it's not 2020, and treat this just like we would any update that we would do. 

    So welcome back to Six Flags Magic Mountain exactly 9 years ago today!

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    Written by Gregg Condon
    Welcome to Magic Mountain. A few holiday decorations are starting to show up around the park. 
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    It was a beautifully overcast day at the park
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    Fall has definitely arrived at Magic Mountain. This is easily my favorite time of year to visit. 
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    Roaring Rapids is closed for it's yearly refurbishment. 
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    The Sky Tower was open so I was able to head up and get some pics of the Deja Vu removal. 
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    The entire back side of the park is closed while they remove the coaster and do some work on the surrounding area. 
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    Parts of the coaster are sitting out back ready to be shipped off to New England. 
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    Sad to see this ride go, but our loss is New England's gain. 
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    A look down at the recently opened Superman Escape from Krypton, and the recently closed Log Jammer which closed down just a few weeks ago on Halloween. 
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    No portions of the flume have been removed yet, but the lake has been drained. 
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    Tatsuuuuuuuu! 
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    We see you Gold Rusher! 
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    Lots of buses in the lot today
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    More of the colors of fall at the park. Some remnants of the metro are still here, rumors are that the rest of the track will be removed soon. 
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    Tidal Wave is also closed for it's yearly refurbishment. 
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    Looks like Buccaneer is getting some TLC this off-season. 
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    Looks to be a pretty extensive rehab. 
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    Love it when parks take the time to take care of their classic rides. 
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    You can see a bit more of the Metro track peeking out through the trees. 
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    The final splashdown of Log Jammer is still there. It will be interesting to see how much this area changes over the next year or so. 
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    Wonder if the restaurant will reopen when the new ride arrives? 
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    That's going to wrap it up for this update! We're still waiting to see what's going to be announced for the former Log Jammer spot (or what's going to replace Deja Vu). Can't wait to hear!! 
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    CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE CANCELS ADDITIONAL CRUISES AS IT WORKS TO MEET CDC REQUIREMENTS TO RESUME OPERATIONS IN 2021

    Carnival Cruises
    ​MIAMI, Nov. 18, 2020 – As it continues to build and implement its plan to meet the requirements of the Framework for Resuming Cruise Ship Operations Order issued on Oct. 30 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Carnival Cruise Line notified guests and travel agents that it has cancelled additional cruises for the first part of 2021, including:
    • All embarkations from U.S. homeports from Jan. 1-31.
    • Additionally, Baltimore, Charleston, Jacksonville, Long Beach, Mobile, New Orleans and San Diego embarkations through Feb. 28.
    • Embarkations on Carnival Legend out of Tampa through March 26.
     
               Carnival is in the process of building a gradual, phased in approach to resume guest operations, which will focus initially on Miami and Port Canaveral, to be followed by Galveston.  Consistent with CDC protocols, Carnival Horizon arrives in Miami this week, and Carnival Breeze will be the next ship back to the U.S.   In total, 16 Carnival ships are currently following the CDC process for an eventual resumption of guest service in the U.S. in 2021, including Carnival Conquest, Dream, Ecstasy, Elation, Freedom, Glory, Liberty, Miracle, Panorama, Pride, Sensation, Sunrise, Sunshine and Vista.  Mardi Gras, which is under construction in Finland, will also enter service in 2021.

              With this announcement Carnival’s operations are paused in the U.S. through Jan. 31, 2021.  In addition, Carnival had previously cancelled certain other itineraries on four ships (Magic, Paradise, Valor, and Victory/Radiance) that are scheduled for required dry docks in the first half of 2021, with the plan to return them to operations after maintenance work and upgrades are completed.  Carnival previously cancelled operations in Australia through March 2, 2021.
    ​
    “We are committed to meeting the CDC requirements and keeping our guests and business partners informed of our progress,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.  “The entire Carnival team appreciates the great support of our guests, travel advisors and business partners, and local officials in our homeports and destinations.” 
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    Night of a Million Lights at Give Kids The World Village

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    A couple of nights ago, Renée ​had a chance to check out the amazing Night of a Million Lights at Give Kids The World Village. 

    Give Kids The World is one of our all time favorite charities, and the one we support each and every year on Giving Tuesday. Hope you'll join us this year. 

    Check out the update for this amazing event. 
    Written by Renée ​Girard
    The other night we visited the Night of a Million Lights at the Give Kids the World Village. Being a huge fan of holiday light displays, I knew walking in immediately that I was going to love it.
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    ​Lots of local Orlando businesses and attractions took part in the event, each decorating a house or area with lights themed to what they represent. 
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    ​Lots of theme parks have houses at the village, including Fun Spot, SeaWorld, Legoland, and even Holiday World.
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    The folks from Universal Orlando Resort took over the dinosaur mini golf area, and it’s awesome! 
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    ​You can meet (at a distance) a masked-up Santa Claus too. 2020 is weird. 
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    ​The beautiful Disney houses, from Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella. 
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    Crazy to think that we would normally be out and about at IAAPA this week. But good to see they have a house at Night of a Million Lights .
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    ​There is no wrong way to go - there are lights everywhere! 
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    In addition to the lights, you can also learn what Give Kids the World Village does and explore other areas. In the Castle of Miracles and Star Tower, it is covered with stars personalized by each child who has visited. There are thousands, simply amazing.
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    ​In the pool area, complimentary hot cocoa and ice cream is offered, as well as additional food and beverages, and merchandise to purchase. 
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    ​The Ripley’s Believe It or Not house brought out quite a few unique items for their display. 
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    ​Light speed! There are photo ops galore, and this Star Wars house certainly is a great one.
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    ​Among the houses is a Christmas tree trail, where you can take a selfie with a gingerbread friend. 
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    If you need the perfect Christmas Instagram photo, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for those!
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    Honestly cannot say enough good things about Give Kids The World Village Night of a Million Lights event. It is absolutely worth visiting, as well as supporting such an amazing cause. 
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    While it was a wonderful experience, I do hope they open the village to kids again soon.
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    Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll

    Disney Springs Walt Disney World
    Last week Renée made a quick trip out to Disney Springs to check out the Christmas Tree Stroll. 

    Looks like a great time, check it out! 
    Going on the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll!! 
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    All of the Christmas trees from the previous year’s tree trail are spread out all over.

    ​It’s a fun way to see the decorations and get your steps in!
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    Once you complete the Christmas Tree Stroll, stop by one of the redemption spots to receive your prize!
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    For more information on the Christmas Tree Stroll and the other events going on at Walt Disney World this holiday season, check out the info here. 
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