It’s time once again to check in on the latest progress of the expansion of Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
This update includes the latest progress on PizzeRizzo in the Muppets Courtyard, the demolition of the Streets of America & Studios Catering Company for Star Wars and Toy Story Land, and more! Enjoy:
Since the announcement of “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History”, we have been asked many times when exactly the new show in Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom would debut. Today, we have that information.
“The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History”
While not yet released to the public by Disney, internal documents state that the show will debut on October 2nd, 2016. Since it is not announced yet, this date can be delayed (similarly to Rivers of Light), but that is at least the targeted start date for The Muppets invasion of Liberty Square.
The Magic Kingdom will be introducing a dining package for Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade, starting October 10th, 2016.
Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade
The package replaces the one offered for the Main Street Electrical Parade. The Main Street Electrical Parade will conclude on October 9th, so rather than cancel the program, Disney will move it over to the afternoon parade.
The dining package still takes place at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant and is a prix fixe meal priced at$45 per adult and $17 per child, plus tax and gratuity (one dining plan table service credit). Guests are given a voucher to enter a special viewing area after their lunch.
Disney’s festival of Fantasy Parade is offered daily at 3PM at the Magic Kingdom.
This package can be booked beginning September 13th, 2016.
Last week, the original World of Color nighttime spectacular returned to the Disneyland Resort after an 18-month hiatus. The replacement show, “World of Color – Celebrate!” never really connected with guests during the Diamond Celebration, leading Disney to restore the original with some minor modifications.
Changes to the show include:
Of course, you can compare the current version to the original with the below video (as we were there for the very first show ever back in 2010):
What do you think? Are you happy to have the original World of Color back at Disney California Adventure?
Our latest photo report brings us to Epcot, just days before the Food and Wine Festival takes over for its longest run in park history. Crowds are light now, but things are just starting to heat up…
Soarin’ Around the World was posted at a 5 minute wait, so I decided to time it…
We edned up walking straight into the pre-show, a total wait of 3 minutes and 45 seconds. Crowds were light most of the weekend, but should pick-up very soon.
If you haven’t heard about the floor in Imageworks, check out my post from over the weekend.
A new open edition Princess mystery pin collection is available.
Is it art?
Loving this bottle opener available at the Germany pavilion.
A fairly new Germany t-shirt.
Looks like America has a new booth for the Food and Wine Festival.
Morocco does as well, noticeably nicer than the predecessor,
With the success of the ceramic Chip mug, there is now a plastic version for children.
A new series of bags featuring Mickey and Minnie can be found around the resort.
Over the last year, I have noticed a lot of guests wearing the MU hat from Monsters University. I guess Disney noticed this too, because it is now available just about everywhere…
La Cantina de San Angel has discontinued the recently introduced breakfast service as the Mexico pavilion no longer opens at 9am along with Norway. Lunch service here now begins at 10am.
The Sum of All Thrills inside Innoventions will close on Tuesday.
Stormstruck in Innoventions is also closing on Tuesday. Colortopia will be the only existing exhibit as of next week (and that weird Nanooze thing I guess).
A new Frozen shirt available at the exit of Frozen Ever After.
Alberta Bound is back playing the Mills Stage in Canada for a limited time.
Some Cutter spray could be found alongside the bug repellent lotion at some kiosks around the park.
Some new Disney Boutique shirts available inside MouseGear.
On October 1st, Jim Shore will release a Hatbox Ghost statue at Disney Parks. Guests can pre-order this now online.
CHAPTER 2 STARS NEW TOYS FROM “ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY”
What happens next? Find out in Chapter 2 of the fan-created Go Rogue YouTube series. Written, directed and produced by a team of Star Wars superfans, the original four-part stop motion story stars key toys from the new “Rogue One” line before they hit stores Sept. 30.
With the first installment embraced by fans worldwide, topping 2.7 million views since its Aug. 31 release, the series follows the adventures of “Rogue One” toys from Hasbro, LEGO, FUNKO, JAKKS Pacific, Mattel and Disney Store as they try to track down the building instructions to the LEGO Star Wars Death Star set that have been misplaced by the Empire.
Chapter 1 left off with Jyn Erso fleeing with the instructions to the LEGO Death Star. Up next, she must learn to rely on an unlikely group of heroes. Only by working together can this newly formed band of Rebels outsmart the Empire and restore freedom to the Galaxy.
The four-part #GoRogue series kicks off a global UGC contest beginning September 30that asks fans to share their own “Rogue Stories.” More information is available at StarWars.com/GoRogue for ages 13+,and for parents of kids ages 8-12, have them visit Disney.com/MyRogueStory.
Source: Star Wars
A lot can happen in a week, including the erasing of structures that have stood for over 27 years. Meanwhile, PizzeRizzo nears completion and a plethora of new merchandise invades Disney’s Hollywood Studios in our latest photos report.
If you haven’t seen our video update this week on the expansion of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you should probably preface this report with a watch:
Studio Catering Co. and the adjacent Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure have been leveled, leaving practically nothing between PIXAR Place and Muppets Courtyard.
While the Backlot Tour entrance was still standing on Sunday, it has since been demolished.
The Prop Shop is still being emptied before it is the next structure to get demolished in the coming weeks.
The Studio Catering Co. has been reduced to rubble.
I caught Betty Shambles by surprise…
Now she is ready for her close-up!
Not sure how long ago this happened, but Sunset Ranch Market got a new sign to match the recent refresh of the area.
A new Buzz Lightyear plush was recently released.
Work continues on the new PizzeRizzo in the Muppets Courtyard area.
This billboard was installed this week as the restaurant gets closer and closer to its yet to be announced opening date.
Over the last week, the windows were painted, lights were installed on the facade signage, and the Heckler Tomato was painted on.
In my last photo report, I showed that men’s MARVEL shirts were now available at Keystone Clothiers. Well, now there are a few ladies shirts available as well.
A Disney Parks exclusive Baymax mug is now available.
I guess you get happier as you drink more coffee…
A bit pricey, but it is a fairly large ceramic mug.
Some March Magic-esque character sports team mugs are now available. Here’s hoping we get some new sports team jerseys with these designs.
The backs of the mugs are pretty cute as well.
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe at the Magic Kingdom serves more food to more guests everyday than any restaurant on the planet earth. That doesn’t mean it is good though…
While I have never been a fan of the food here, the daily performance by Sonny Eclipse, his amazing astro organ, and the Space Angels is typically what brings me into the place, even if I know I’m not going to have a particularly good counter service meal. Sometimes you just want chicken nuggets, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
My most recent trip to the establishment wasn’t prompted by a urge to see “the biggest little star in the galaxy,” but rather to see the return of cheese sauce to the restaurant after a few years, the addition of another new sauce, and a new vegetarian option.
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe Menu
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe Menu
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe Toppings Bar
Of course, one of the reasons many guests like Cosmic Ray’s is the toppings bar that is offered.
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe Toppings Bar
A sriracha spicy aioli sauce was recently added to the toppings bar. More on that later.
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe Toppings Bar
Cheese Sauce ($1.00)
While the return of cheese sauce is a nice gesture, there just has to be a better way. In olden times (a few years back), hot cheese sauce was complimentary and offered at the toppings bar both here and at several other locations around the Walt Disney World Resort. It now is a pre-warmed container you can buy for $1.00.
Cheese Sauce ($1.00)
While it is a generous portion, it is mostly flavorless and adds nothing to the french fries.
Cheese Sauce ($1.00)
While this might be something good for nachos or pretzels, it just doesn’t work here. I would save your dollar and not even bother with this.
Sriracha Spicy Aioli
While the loss of the cheese sauce so long ago was devastating to some, the addition of this complimentary sriracha aioli is a pleasant addition. Again, as said in every review, I enjoy spicy, and as the name states, this is spicy. That being said, it is still flavorful and not overly spicy to the point where many guests will not enjoy it. This sauce goes really well with the fries.
Falafel Burger ($11.99)
Recently added to the menu is a vegetarian option: a falafel burger. $11.99 is a little pricey for a meatless burger, but it is a specialty offering that is likely not made in-house and is ordered in low quantities, so it is nice that it is even offered.
Falafel Burger ($11.99)
It isn’t the prettiest thing, but it is pretty decent. If a bun the quality of D-Luxe Burger was offered, I think this would be a really solid addition, but the horrid bun currently offered at Cosmic Ray’s really holds this back.
Falafel Burger ($11.99)
The burger itself is a little dry, but that is why the Tzatziki sauce is offered.
Falafel Burger ($11.99)
Falafel Burger ($11.99)
Again, it isn’t terrible and it’s still a viable option for any vegetarian who is being made to dine at Cosmic Ray’s, but on the other hand, the Falafel dish at Skipper Canteen is a little heavier and a little cheaper at that.
Over the weekend, the 2016 version of Haunted Mansion Holiday debuted at Disneyland Park as part of the HalloweenTime festivities. New for 2016, guests will find a new gingerbread house, as well as a new moving Sally figure in the graveyard scene. Enjoy:
Main Street USA’s roving reporter character, Scoop Sanderson, will no longer be regularly appearing at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Holland Hayes, who has portrayed the character for as long as I can remember, revealed on Facebook that his entertainment contract was not renewed and that his last day will be October 8, 2016. Comments from the actor state that he will substitute when available for vacations and call-outs of other Main Street characters.
Scoop Sanderson is leaving the Magic Kingdom
While the character dates back a few decades at the park, Scoop Sanderson was best known as a “Disney Pin Expert” during the height of the craze in the early 2000’s. Scoop’s afternoon pin talks inside the old Exposition Hall Theater at the Magic Kingdom were attended by hundreds of guests daily. The character saw a decline in popularity with the decline in pin trading over the years (although still beloved by those in the hobby), in recent months not even trading pins with guests.
As with any entertainment offering of the last few years (barring The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic), fans have started a “Save Scoop” campaign in hopes of making the park change its mind on the contract. To date, none of these campaigns have ever brought an entertainment act back from cancellation.
No other citizens of Main Street did not have their contracts renewed this year. Disney has made no public statement on the matter as of yet.
