Disney Closes Alternative “In-The-Know” Guest Entrance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on February 23, 2017

Disney is closing the secondary bag check and walkway used to enter Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

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This path was often used by more knowledgeable guests to enter the park, as fewer guests would travel this way. It also had its own dedicated security bag check and metal detector in recent years. It is located just off to the left of the Main park entrance shown above.

The path will now only act as a guest exit from the park. All guests will be required to travel through the main entrance and security checkpoint directly in front of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

VIDEO: The Dating Game, Gondolas, Transportation Talk and More on WDW News Tonight

WDWNT on February 23, 2017

Last night on WDW News Tonight…

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Hosted by radio veterans and life-long Disney fans Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, WDW News Tonight is a live, weekly, audio and video program presented on 105.5 FM, 660 AM, and AM 1520 WBZW in Orlando, Florida, as well as online at WDWNewsTonight.com every Wednesday from 9-11pm EST. The show covers the Walt Disney World Resort and other Disney news. The show combines the latest headlines, comedy, trending vacation topics, call in games, and in-depth discussions to bring Disney fans a one-of-a-kind 2-hour program covering the Disney Parks. While the show is being live-streamed in both audio and video, listeners and viewers also interact via a live chat online. The show is also available on demand as an audio download, online audio stream and can be watched live or recorded on YouTube.

Joffrey’s Coffee Magic Kingdom Kiosk Gets a Name and Exclusive Beverage

WDWNT on February 23, 2017

The previously announced Joffrey’s Coffee kiosk at the Magic Kingdom now has a name: Revive.

The Joffrey's Coffee kiosk's location near Space Mountain and the Tomorrowland Stage.

The Joffrey’s Coffee kiosk’s location near Space Mountain and the Tomorrowland Stage.

Joffrey’s Coffee has confirmed our speculation that the construction near Space Mountain is for the new kiosk. Opening in March, the location will even offer a beverage exclusive to Magic Kingdom Park, the “More S’mores Latte”, made of espresso, rich chocolate sauce, sweet marshmallow syrup, whipped cream, graham cracker sprinkles and marshmallows. The new drink will be available hot or iced.

PHOTO REPORT: Disney’s Hollywood Studios 2/17/17 (Star Wars, Toy Story Land, Cupcakes, ETC.)

WDWNT on February 23, 2017

Our latest photo report brings us on a short trip to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Let’s see what’s new and exciting (or left, at this point) around the park!

Every Roll a Starring Rolls

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Even though Starring Rolls has closed, select treats from the location have found their way over to the Trolley Car Cafe, including the infamous peanut butter cupcake.

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There’s still no word on what will be occupying this space, but we expect an expansion of the nearby Brown Derby Lounge

One Movie Studio’s Dreams

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In case you missed it, the Beauty and the Beast sneak peek has opened in the One Man’s Dream theater, removing theme park models in favor of movie and television props. Be sure to check out our post for an in-depth look at the changes.

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Toy Story Land

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Walls now block our view into what will be the entrance to Toy Story Land between the former Jack Sparrow soundstage and PIXAR Place.

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Meanwhile, dirt continues to move just behind these walls, visible to guests.

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A peek through the rather larger holes in the gates reveals construction workers on the job, laying steel for the Toy Story attractions (Little Green Men Swirling Saucers in this case).

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A wall of trees makes the area seem slightly more inhabited than it did a few weeks back.

This and That

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This crazy new Buzz Lightyear flying toy is now for sale at the parks. It is hooked to a string, but takes flight when you push a button on the handle piece.

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Getting artsy with birds on PIXAR Place.

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Believe it or not, this is a completely different bird that landed on this letter a second after the other moved. Weird.

Happy Valentine’s Day

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A special Valentine’s Day cupcake is available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios currently, at select locations.
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It’s so pretty that you don’t even notice anything missing in the background, right?

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We decided to take it somewhere where we could have privacy… PizzeRizzo…
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It was just OK… the frosting was really thick but not very flavorful. The cake part was fine. At least it was pretty.

Star Wars Land

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Work continues on the Star Wars themed land, visible from the PizzeRizzo balcony.

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Throwing in the Towel

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A selection of new kitchen towels can be found for sale around the parks.

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They are a little cheaper if you buy 3 sets.

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While the Darkroom is closed, the soda machine has a temporary home inside Celebrity 5 & 10.

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A new candle votive is available, featuring Cinderella Castle.

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VIDEO: A Behind the Scenes Look at the Costumes in Rivers of Light

WDWNT on February 23, 2017

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Rivers of Light is Disney’s new ‘kiss goodnight’ at Animal Kingdom and features stunning water projections, an array of colors, a fantastic musical score, and even some live actors to help effectively portray the magic and story to audiences. Recently, Disney released an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how the intricately designed costumes were created for this one-of-a-kind show. There are 4 unique costumes, each representing the different elements of earth, fire, water, and air. Disney Imagineering Creative Entertainment has collaborated with New York costume designer Irina Kruzhilina produced these wonderful costumes that reflect Native American, European, and Far Eastern cultures. From the Disney Parks Blog, here is the video behind the scenes look:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVAek1nCehA]

Each costume is so complex that they required 81 different embroidery motifs, 180 different fabrics, and more than 250 different beads. On top of that, they also used ancient weaving techniques, and ancient dying techniques to make this look top notch as if an Indian tribesman made it themselves. Rivers of Light officially debuts tonight, February 17th, 2017.

BB-8 Meet And Greet Coming To Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on February 23, 2017

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The Disney Parks Blog has just announced that BB-8 will be meeting with park guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this spring! The meet and greet will debut at Star Wars Galactic Nights.

From The Disney Parks Blog:

Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will have more Star Wars fun to look forward to this spring when BB-8, the loyal droid from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, begins character greetings at the park’s Star Wars Launch Bay.

BB-8 will appear in addition to Kylo Ren and Chewbacca, two characters from the Star Wars galaxy who guests regularly encounter at Star Wars Launch Bay.

Source: The Disney Parks Blog

CONFIRMED: Expansions of Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs Resort Hotels

WDWNT on February 23, 2017

From the Disney Parks Blog:

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Whenever it’s time to share exciting news about a new expansion project, I remember one of my favorite Walt Disney quotes. “We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

Today, we are thrilled to share with you that changes are on the horizon at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort over the next two years and let me tell you, there is a lot to be excited about!

The expansion at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will include a new 15-story tower that will add 500 rooms, featuring suites and concierge level services. The resort will also refurbish its current resort rooms and transform its landscape with floating gardens and an island oasis that connects the resort through a series of bridges.

The new tower overlooking Lago Dorado, the resort’s centerpiece lake, will allow guests to experience something truly unique, rooftop dining with panoramic views of popular nighttime fireworks from nearby Disney theme parks.

Also during this exciting time, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort will be reimagined with new additions to the resort’s current marketplace, Centertown, including new waterfront dining and retail shopping areas. This centralized location will offer the resort’s guests more convenient access to services, amenities and dining.

At Walt Disney World Resort, many of our guest’s magical memories start at one of our 27-themed resorts each and every day, which is why we will always continue to “move forward” and “create new experiences” that are integral to the overall resort experience!

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RUMOR: Coronado Springs Resort to Be Remodeled into Business Deluxe Resort

WDWNT on February 23, 2017

A few months ago, we told you about the upcoming expansion of the convention center at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Well, it seems there is more to this story.

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Rumor has it that Coronado Springs will become Walt Disney World’s first and only business-class deluxe resort. The idea behind this will be to send all business and convention guests primarily to Coronado or to Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts (which are currently in the process of expanding their convention space). Eventually, the convention center at Disney’s Contemporary Resort should close, likely after both expansions at the other resorts are complete.

The plan for Coronado Springs includes a massive remodeling and expansion of the Resort’s main building (which includes the demolition of some existing guest rooms), sweeping room remodelings, and more.

Of course, this story remains a rumor until there is confirmation from Disney on the matter.

New Disney Store Retired Attraction Limited Release Shirts

WDWNT on February 23, 2017

Disney has done it again! They have released more vintage Disney tee shirts for a limited time! If you like any of the shirts below you will want to get your order in before Thursday February 23, 2017! The t-shirts are just $27.99 and the long sleeve shirt is $34.99.

Fort Wilderness River Country Tee for Adults

Splash down for a fashion flashback from Disney’s vacation kingdom wearing this classic ringer tee dedicated to River Country at the Fort Wilderness Resort. Get yours today at the DisneyStore.com.

Dedicated to River Country at the Fort Wilderness Resort, available for a limited time only.

Dedicated to River Country at the Fort Wilderness Resort, available for a limited time only.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Backlot Tour Logo Tee for Adults

Tour a working tv and movie backlot of the 1990s wearing a fashion flashback from Disney’s Hollywood Studios in this timeless souvenir tee. You can order yours from the DisneyStore.com.

Avflashback from Disney's Hollywood Studios in this timeless souvenir tee.

A flashback from Disney’s Hollywood Studios in this timeless souvenir tee.

Figment Long Sleeve Tee for Adults Epcot

Live in the 80’s with this Journey into Figment’s imagination for a 1980s fashion flashback from Epcot Center in this long sleeve all-cotton tee. Pick up yours at the DisneyStore.com.

Journey into Figment's imagination for a 1980s fashion flashback from Epcot Center.

Journey into Figment’s imagination for a 1980s fashion flashback from Epcot Center.

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New Costuming Building Being Constructed at Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on February 23, 2017

As we all know, Hollywood Studios is undergoing some massive changes. As part of those enhancements, a new cast costuming building is being constructed.

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This new facility is needed to provide more space for the additional costumes needed for Toy Story Land and and the Star Wars themed land, as well as to replace the old facility.

The location of this new costuming department will be behind the Star Wars land in the southeast corner of the park, backstage. To make room for this new facility, the main entrance roadways are shifting to the east just after the main auto plaza.

Cast members will continue to access the Television lot from this area, and an additional stop sign will be placed at the entrance of the Television lot to ensure a safe arrival. No word was given on when this facility will be opening.