Wheel of Fortune will be bringing Disney Parks magic to their viewers, as the television show celebrates its landmark 35th season. This special anniversary of America’s Game will include four weeks of Disney Destinations-themed shows, three of which will be taped in Epcot which is also celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.
“Disney and Wheel of Fortune are a magical combination of brands that give families opportunities to create memories together,” said Harry Friedman, Executive Producer, Wheel of Fortune. “When planning our 35th Anniversary season we could think of no better place to mark this memorable milestone than the Walt Disney World Resort.”
Wheel of Fortune will be packing up its iconic Wheel and puzzleboard and heading to Epcot where three weeks of shows will be taped over three days, October 10-12, 2017. The stage will be located next to World Showcase Lagoon, between World Showcase and Future World.
Wheel of Fortune’s “35th Anniversary at Walt Disney World” weeks will air during the November, February and May Sweeps periods. The first week will showcase the holidays at Walt Disney World. It will air the week of November 13, 2017, and feature contestants who are teams of a grandparent and grandchild. The second week of shows will air February 12-16, 2018. In celebration of Valentine’s Day, the shows will have married couples as contestants and highlight Disney’s Fairytale Weddings. The third week of shows taped on location will feature Disney fans and will air the week of April 30, 2018.
A fourth week of shows, “Disney Sea & Shore Week” will be taped at Wheel of Fortune’s home studio in Culver City, Calif., in November. It will air the week of January 8, 2018, and will highlight Disney Cruise Line.
Disney is providing a robust selection of prizes for contestants and viewers during the four weeks of shows. Contestants will be spinning for Disney gift cards, as well as Disney Cruise Line trips, vacations at Aulani – A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii, and Adventures by Disney prize packages. “Prize Puzzles” across the weeks will be Disney Vacation Club trips. Viewer giveaways will offer Wheel Of Fortune fans the chance to win family trips to Walt Disney World Resort.
In preparation for the shows, Pat Sajak, Vanna White and the Wheel of Fortune crew will shoot customized segments at Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Disney’s Wilderiness Lodge, and Disney’s Wedding Pavillion. Footage from Aulani, Disney Cruise Line ships and Adventures By Disney locations will also be used throughout the weeks of shows.