Annual Passholder Previews Scheduled for New Moana Attraction

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

September 8, 2023

 

There’s no waiting in a virtual queue on your computer to grab a spot for the newest Disney offering this time around – you can head right to the attraction, no pre-registration required!

EPCOT’s Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will welcome guests for a special Annual Passholders preview later this month as the attraction gears up to open to the general public.  Cast member previews have also been ongoing.

The Preview Dates for Annual Passholders will take place at EPCOT from park open to park close on these dates:

• September 24 to September 29, 2023

• October 1 to October 4, 2023

“Journey of Water” harkens back to EPCOT’s mission of education as well as entertainment, and offers guests an exploration trail where they can “connect with water and discover its magical personality.” A series of both wet and dry paths encourage participants to interact with the experience, learning about water’s natural cycle from the skies to the seas. Some of your favorite characters from the film Moana keep an eye out for the guests throughout the lush vegetation and pathways. The attraction is located in the World Nature section of EPCOT, at the front of the park, with its entrance across from the Coral Reef Restaurant.

To participate in this preview, Passholders must have a theme park reservation for EPCOT on the day they would like to attend the preview. Reservations for other parks that day do not count; it must be an EPCOT reservation. Disney also notes that, “If you enter EPCOT without a theme park reservation after 2:00 PM, then you will not be eligible to participate in a preview that day.”  That means that even though Annual Passholders can normally come into the park without needing a reservation after 2:00 p.m., they will be unable to participate in the preview without first holding that EPCOT reservation.

To check in for the preview, head directly to the entrance to “Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana.”  There, you will show your active Annual Pass card, Disney MagicMobile pass, MagicBand or MagicBand+, along with valid photo identification to check in.

The preview is limited only to Annual Passholders; you won’t be able to bring guests on your card. Disney reminds, “Everyone in your party must be an Annual Passholder to attend this preview experience.”

“Journey of Water” is currently scheduled to open in late 2023.  There are no age or height restrictions to enjoy the new area.

 

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Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.

 

Jaleo’s “Flamenco Fridays” Kicks Off Your Weekend Fun

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

June 14, 2023

 

If you’re looking for something a little different to kick-off your summer weekends, look no further than Disney Springs, where Jaleo will be offering “Flamenco Fridays” for the month of June. Each Friday in June, at 7:30 p.m., authentic Flamenco dancers will join the fun and food to bring a festive atmosphere to Chef José Andrés’ tapas-style restaurant.

Among the many regional Spanish offerings is the restaurant’s celebrated paellas – you’ll know when they are ready because the chefs in the open kitchen will ring a cowbell and yell out, “Paella!” every time a new wood-fired paella is ready.  

 

In addition to the many choices of tapas-style small plates great for sharing with friends, Jaleo serves up delicious house-made sangrias during their daily Sangria Hour from 4-6 p.m.  The newly introduced (with a lengthy list of additions) summer menu also includes a chilled “Gazpacho Estilo Algeciras” ($10); and a really adorable and yummy looking “Cono de Atún ‘Gilda’” ($8.00), a set of mini-cones of tuna tartare.

 

You may also know Chef José Andrés from his other four restaurants in Chicago, D.C., Las Vegas, and Dubai, or from his work with “World Central Kitchen,” a humanitarian organization serving up millions of meals to communities in need, especially during times of devastating natural disasters.

 

You can make advanced dining reservations for the restaurant on the My Disney Experience app, or on the Jaleo website.

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Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.

A Blessed Easter to All of our DisneyBizJournal Readers!

Happy and blessed Easter to all!

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is one of the Disney-themed eggs hiding throughout World Showcase during EPCOT's limited time "Egg-Stravaganza Scavenger Hunt."  

(Seekers can purchase a special map and stickers at select merchandise locations, and hunt high and low throughout the gardens of the World Showcase pavilions to find these adorable larger-than-life decorated eggs. When you spot a character egg, add your sticker to the appropriate spot on your map. When you've located all of the eggs, you can turn in your Scavenger Hunt sheet for a special prize.)