BREAKING: Disney Announces “Indiana Jones 5”, Gives Release Date

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Indiana Jones will return to the big screen on July 19, 2019, for a fifth epic adventure in the blockbuster series. Steven Spielberg, who directed all four previous films, will helm the as-yet-untitled project with star Harrison Ford reprising his iconic role. Franchise veterans Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall will produce.

“Indiana Jones is one of the greatest heroes in cinematic history, and we can’t wait to bring him back to the screen in 2019,” said Alan Horn, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios. “It’s rare to have such a perfect combination of director, producers, actor and role, and we couldn’t be more excited to embark on this adventure with Harrison and Steven.”

Famed archaeologist and explorer Indiana Jones was introduced in 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark – one of AFI’s 100 Greatest American Films of All Time – and later thrilled audiences in 1984’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, 1989’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. The four films have brought in nearly $2 billion at the global box office.

PHOTO REPORT: Disney Springs 3/14/16 (TAG Opens, New Character Eateries, ETC.)

I visited Disney Springs over the weekend to see the new TAG store in the Marketplace Co-Op, so here are some newsworthy photos of what’s new and exciting around what once was Downtown Disney:

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The Town Center bus loop should open by April

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Looking towards the Coca-Cola store and Planet Hollywood

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More glass installed on the facade of the Coca-Cola store

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The Planet Hollywood sign was removed recently

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The sign was installed for STK

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Morimoto Asia now has a check-in desk near Jock Lindsey’s to help guests find the restaurant

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A look at the construction of the Town Center

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Work continues on the two small kiosks and new fountain near Fulton’s

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We found out what the two food kiosks on the Village Causeway will be…

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B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. features a brick chimney…

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Then across the causeway…

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ARISTOCREPES

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The new paint scheme on many of the Marketplace buildings is now complete


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Inside Marketplace Co-Op, Disney Cruise Line Dry Dock is now located in the center of the store

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TAG also has opened in the former space of Zoey and Pickles

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The store is beautifully themed

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Another look at Dry Dock, which has exclusive Cruise Line merchandise you won’t find elsewhere

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World of Disney has a new paint scheme as well

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The LEGO store is currently being painted

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REVIEW: Diamond Horseshoe Begins Table Service Dining; Quite Possibly the Worst Disney Restaurant Ever

On March 13th, the Diamond Horseshoe in Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom began a table service dining offering. For $33.00 for adults and $19.00 each for children ages 3-9 (plus tax), guests can enjoy all-you-care-to eat portions.

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Pick one, but you can get more of anything and everything anyway.

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There is no live entertainment offered, just music playing from the machine on stage.

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The location offers one unique drink offering for $5.50 extra, a “prairie punch” which is a frozen watermelon lemonade. It was way too sweet, not very good.

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The upstairs is sadly not being used, but there is about 100 seats downstairs in use.

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The tableware matches those found at Liberty Tree Tavern and Skipper Canteens since the kitchen is being shared for this venue as well.

To start, the table is brought cornbread and a “frontier salad”…

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I actually really enjoyed the salad with the cornbread croutons, the dressing had a nice kick to it as well.

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You can’t beat cornbread, but this was not as good or as fresh as it is at say Trail’s End or Boatwright’s.

Then there is the entrees…

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The turkey was the best of the entrees, but it still wasn’t all that good. Its placed on top of cornbread, but it did little to enhance the flavor.

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I liked the ham even though it was over-salted, but the beans were not all that tasty.

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The beef was quite possibly the worst entree I’ve ever had in a theme park (outside of Lombard’s at Universal probably). I wish I could more adequately describe how bad it was, but I’m not even sure what it tasted like. The mashed potatoes were fine, just nothing special.

For dessert, they offer a brownie and an apple tart with Craisins…

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This was OK, but nothing extraordinary about it.

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The brownies were horrendous. They had been sitting out for a while, but there was almost zero taste. It was like eating moist cardboard.

If you couldn’t tell by this review, Diamond Horseshoe is bad, very bad. Under no circumstances should you waste your time and/or money here. You will be much better off indulging in the new menu nearby at Pecos Bill’s or even eating the mediocre BBQ sandwiches from Tortuga Tavern. Luckily, this offering is temporary and concludes May 30th, but honestly, the effort to make this worth any amount of money was minimal. It’s pretty much all-you-care-to-eat counter service swill.

Most of the food was cold, none of the entrees were very good, and the specialty drink was just awful. Outside of the exceptional service from the wait staff, this was one of the worst dining experiences I have ever had.

This is only being used to handle the abundance of guests who need to eat in the park during this busier season, but if they ever plan to bring this back, I would hope they revamp the menu.

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Walt Disney World Testing “Upcharge” Premium Parking at Theme Parks

I’ve always been surprised that Walt Disney World never offered any sort of premium parking at their theme parks for those interested, but it looks like they will finally at least test the concept next week.

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Beginning March 15th and lasting for just a few days, guests parking at the Magic Kingdom or Epcot will have the option of paying for a premium parking space closer to the park entrance (or at least a monorail or ferryboat). The charge for the premium parking is $15 above the regular $20 charge. There is no word yet on what the charge will be for resort guests or annual passholders, but we would assume that they would pay just $15 since they are already offered complimentary regular parking.

The exact locations of the premium spaces are unknown at this time.

Narcoossee’s Adding “Wishes!” Fireworks Dessert Party

A new limited time special event is being added to Narcoossee’s every Friday in March, “The Narcoossee’s Wishes Dessert Party at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa”.

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Guests can enjoy signature desserts and beverages beginning 30 minutes prior to the fireworks and up until 15 minutes after Wishes concludes. The party includes desserts such as canals, cheesecake, fruit tarts, brownie bites, and more.

Guests can book this experience by calling 407-824-1400 and leaving a message of their interest. The cost is $59 plus tax (gratuity included) per guest. There is no word yet on if this will be extended past March 2016.

PHOTOS: Interactive Finale Finally Debuts at “it’s a small world”; More To Come

In the earliest days of speculation about MyMagic+, we reported about the installation of various interactive features in attractions that would allow guests to interact with the environment via RFID technology in MagicBands and ticket media.

In January of 2013, the finale scene of “it’s a small world” at the Magic Kingdom was completely rebuilt. In October of 2013, we were the first to bring you video of a series of screens installed in that new finale scene of “it’s a small world”. The scene included new screens that we reported would eventually give personalized farewells to guests as they reached the end of the ride.

Well, 3 years after work on the scene initially began, it is finally functioning…

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It seems Disney may finally be ready to roll out these “StoryMaker” elements that were installed years ago when MyMagic+ was initially rolled out. These elements include this finale scene, but also interactive elements installed but not activated inside Star Tours, the Hollywood Brown Derby, MuppetVision 3-D, and Expedition Everest, just to name a few.

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The elements will use information read from the RFID media the guests are carrying, such as their names or park photos, to create personalized moments. This technology will also allow characters at meet and greets to know the names of the guests they are meeting or cast members at various locations to know when a guest is celebrating a special occasion.

We will have more on these new elements as they continue to roll out.

Big Thunder Mountain Still Getting New Finale, Refurbishment Rescheduled for Fall 2016

Don’t worry, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at the Magic Kingdom is still getting that exciting new ending scene filled with projection mapping, we just have to wait a little longer to get it.

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The refurbishment to change the scene was rescheduled this week, now taking place from August 8th through November 18th, 2016. The refurbishment was originally set to take place from April through July, but was moved due to heavy crowds expected during the early summer months this year.

New Episode of “WDWNT: Nerd Alert” Airs Friday At 9PM

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In this weeks episode the gang talk about:

  • “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” comes home next month.
  • Finn Jones cast as “Iron Fist” and the nternet overreacts as usual.
  • Is Sony’s solo “Venom” movie a good idea or not?
  • Is J Jonah Jameson moving to Gotham City?
  • Daisy Ridley reveals opening scene of “Star Wars: Episode VIII”.
  • What is “Star Wars: Space Bear”?
  • “Star Wars Battlefront” update: You’re no hero, Greedo (and you too Nien Nunb).
  • Comic Book Reviews. Why so many Number 1’s?

Join Joe Hogarty, Patrick Hackett, Ron D’Anna, Jack McCarthy and our newest member of the team, Fedra Ekres!

WDWNT: Nerd Alert Season 2, Episode 2 can be heard Friday at 9PM on Listen.WDWNT.com

This episode will be available for download through WDW News Today: Original Programing  and iTunes!

VIDEO: Official Teaser For Disney’s New Mobile Game “Disney’s Magic Kingdoms”

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Gameloft and Disney released a new trailer for Disney Magic Kingdoms, an upcoming game for iOS, Android and Windows devices.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsnnUtoqCV8

Disney Magic Kingdoms allows players to enter the timeless world of Disney and relive magical moments of the Parks by building fun attractions like Mickey’s Fun Wheel, Astro Orbiters, and Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor, and share spectacular moments with beloved Disney characters from Disney•Pixar’s Wall-E and Toy Story, Disney’s Tangled and more.

Visit the game’s newly launched website: www.disney-magic-kingdoms.com where fans can also pre-register for unique rewards when the game releases soon.

Source: Gameloft.com