Our latest photo report brings us to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the midst of Disney’s Hollywood Studios appreciation week for a look around at what’s new and exciting in tinsel town. Ready when you are C.B.!
Hooray for Hollywood
Streetmosphere characters Mayor Sonny Burbank and Evie Starlight welcome guests to the park.
Officer Percival Peabody of the Hollywood Police Department also ensures that guests walk, and not run to their first destination.
Happy 28th Anniversary
On May 1st 2017, Disney’s Hollywood Studios celebrated its 28th birthday!
The park of course opened as the Disney-MGM Studios in 1989, changing its name in Early 2008.
For whatever reason, the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival MagicBand is now available at the Studios.
A number of older designs have been updated for the MagicBand 2, some even using the new white and black band base colors.
Star Wars Launch Bay
40th anniversary banners remain outside of Star Wars Launch Bay.
Wait times for the character meet and greets have been short lately. Chewbacca was posted as 20 minutes.
Only 15 for Kylo Ren.
Even the new BB-8 meet and greet has had short wait times.
That sadly hasn’t stopped guests from destroying the walls…
It’s a pretty cute meet and greet experience if you haven’t seen it yet:
New designs celebrating the 40th anniversary of Star Wars can be found at the D-Tech on Demand location inside of Star Wars Launch Bay.
Skywalker Vineyards wines are also available now. We actually bought a bottle and tried the new flight at the Brown Derby, so we will dedicate a post to this in the coming days.
PIXAR Displaced
Work continues on the Star Wars and Toy Story themed lands.
This barrier for Star Wars land continues to rise over the walls.
A peek through the walls at the beginning of PIXAR Place reveals the current state of Toy Story Land.
There appears to be a structure of some kind being erected in the middle of the Slinky Dog Dash rollercoaster now.
It appears that the coaster will barrel through it, whatever it is.
These pics from a few days later show some progress on the walls going up at the other end of PIXAR Place.
Pirates of the Caribbean: One Man’s Dream
The Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales preview has moved in at Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream.
The Moana meet and greet recently closed inside, leaving us to believe that the Star Lord and Groot meet and greet coming will be located here.
The exit is currently boarded up as well.
A costume worn by Javier Bardem in Dead Men Tell No Tales is now on display.
The preview is quite good, leading me to believe we might just be returning to form in the series.
New York Street Lives!
It is now certain that this lone standing section of New York Street will remain as modifications are being made to the structure.
Meanwhile, Star Wars Land rises next door.
Not only are the facades being touched up, but new elements are being added.
A new awning was installed at the end of the street.
With much of the original signage stripped, it will be interesting to see what becomes of this area.
The former Writer’s Stop lies behind walls, amidst rumors that this may be the Club 33 location for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. How cool would it be to either here through a facade on New York Street?
Star Tours
No trip to Hollywood Studios is complete without a ride on Star Tours.
In Tatooine Traders, a number of new items can be found.
Disney California Adventure will celebrate the opening of Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission Breakout one day before its official debut with a special hard-ticket event.
Guardians of the GalaxyñMission: BREAKOUT! (April 20, 2017) The all-new attraction Guardians of the GalaxyñMission: BREAKOUT! debuts May 27, 2017 at Disney California Adventure (Richard Harbaugh/Disneyland Resort)
Guests will be able to ride the new attraction throughout the party, enjoy a live DJ spinning an “awesome mix”, and meet Marvel superheroes including Black Widow, Hawkeye, Spider-Man and Captain America. There will also be a panel discussion with some of the Imagineers who worked on Mission Breakout, and inside the Animation Building, you’ll be able to learn how to draw one of your favorite superheroes.
Guests will receive a $15 food and beverage voucher, a decoder card, and a tote bag with a limited-edition pin, hat and comic book for attending.
The event will be held May 26th from 7:00PM to 1:00AM and tickets are $150 each for any age. Parking is not included, but guests are able to enter Disney California Adventure up to one hour before the start of the party.
Last night, many of the new effects and pyro for Happily Ever After at the Magic Kingdom were tested out for the very first time and were visible to guests around the Magic Kingdom resort area. If these photos are any indication, we are in for an amazing new nighttime spectacular…
Happily Ever After at the Magic Kingdom, photo by Disney Photo Snapper
These photos show a lighting test, which at first looks similar to what we see in Once Upon a Time, but just wait until you see how they have amplified the effect…
Happily Ever After at the Magic Kingdom, photo by Disney Photo Snapper
Mind you, these photos were taken from far outside of the park. Pretty amazing, huh?
Happily Ever After at the Magic Kingdom, photo by Disney Photo Snapper
If you look closely at Cinderella Castle, you may even spot some stars created by lasers being projected onto the face of the classic icon.
Happily Ever After at the Magic Kingdom, photo by Disney Photo Snapper
Tonight on WDW News Tonight, we celebrate 50 episodes with Jeopardy, WDWNT: The Match Game, the return of Cornac the Magnificent, and more…
If you are in the Orlando area, you can tune in to 105.5 FM or AM 1520 WBZW at showtime. For those outside of the Orlando area, the show can be watched via video stream at listen.WDWNT.com on your computer or mobile device. You can also use WDWNT: The App to watch and chat along. The show also utilizes a live chat and the ability to call-in to interact with the show. WDW News Tonight is hosted by Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, but also features appearances by a number of other WDWNT correspondents and announcer Michelle Wargo.
Coming up on this week’s show:
A recap of the week’s news (with a WDWNT comedic twist)
An In-Depth Discussion about Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Tom, Nick, and Michelle are Angry About Things
The Wonderful World of Psychotic Comments
“Jeopardy – The WDWNT Edition″ and “WDWNT: The Match Game” for prizes provided by WDWNT: The App
Who Hates Tom Now?
And more!
We hope that you will tune in tonight at 9PM ET for a very special episode of WDW News Tonight!
If you missed last week’s show, be sure to watch it:
Imagine having some fun, reciting some classic Star Wars lines…and the legendary Mark Hamill is your surprise co-star. Well, that happened to a few lucky fans, as seen in the video below — and it’s all in support of Star Wars: Force ForChange‘slatest fundraising campaign.
You can now enter for the chance to win the grand prize in Star Wars: Force for Change and Omaze’s epic Star Wars “Past, Present, and Future” campaign benefitting UNICEF and Starlight Children’s Foundation. Plus, if you enter this week, you’ll be in the running to win a special bonus prize: lunch in Los Angeles with Hamill, along with two tickets to a pre-screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Fans who enter today at Omaze.com/StarWars will have the chance to win the grand prize, encompassing all three prizes in the campaign: Stay at Skywalker Inn, tour of the archives and the Ranch, and a screening of Star Wars: A New Hope; join the cast and attend the Star Wars: The Last Jedi premiere and exclusive after party; and visit the set, meet the directors, and have the chance to appear in the untitled Han Solo movie.
Since 2014, Star Wars: Force for Change and UNICEF have joined together to help improve the lives of children around the world. With the support of StarWars fans, the collaboration has raised more than $9 million to help the world’s most vulnerable children. To date, Star Wars: Force For Change has helped UNICEF save the lives of over 30,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition through the distribution of over 4 million packets of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food Packets (RUTF) around the world.
Starlight Children’s Foundation is joining Star Wars: Force for Change as the initiative’s newest charity beneficiary in 2017. Through a $1 million grant, Star Wars: Force for Change supports the foundation’s core programs which are designed to bring comfort and joy to hospitalized kids through Starlight’s network of more than 700 children’s hospitals, clinics, camps and other partners across the US. Star Wars: Force for Change and fan donations through this campaign will also provide new Starlight programs, like fun, comfortable Star Wars-themed Starlight Brave Gowns, to tens of thousands of hospitalized children across the country.
The Star Wars “Past, Present, and Future” campaign runs until May 11; a different prize has been awarded each week, all themed to honor all eras of the saga:
Past – Stay at Skywalker Inn, tour of the archives and the Ranch, and a screening of Star Wars: A New Hope
Present – Join the cast and attend the Star Wars: The Last Jedipremiere and exclusive after party
Future – Visit the set, meet the directors, and have the chance to appear in the untitled Han Solo movie
Grand Prize – One winner will receive the Past, Present, AND Future prizes!
Bonus – Lunch with Mark Hamill and a pre-screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Fans are encouraged to follow the campaign at Omaze.com/StarWars for exclusive updates.
So enter now. We’ve got a pretty good feeling about this.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Void where prohibited. Promotion begins 12:01 AM Pacific Time (PT) on April 11, 2017 and ends at 11:59 PM PT on May 11, 2017. Must be at least eighteen (18) years old and a resident of an eligible domicile to enter and win prizes. Residents of of Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Malta, North Korea, Singapore, Sudan, Syria, or Thailand are not eligible to enter. Sweepstakes consists of four (4) prize drawings; odds of winning a prize depend on number of entries received for each drawing. For free entry: (i) send postcard to Sponsor at P.O. Box 866, 9942 Culver Blvd, Culver City, California 90232 and write the following statement: “I have read and agree to the Star Wars: Force For Change Official Rules” and send by applicable mail date; or (ii) visit www.omaze.com/starwars. Prizes that include being filmed in a movie scene do not guarantee that such footage will be included in the final movie. Travel and accommodations are at Sponsor’s discretion and subject to availability and change. Winner and guest may be required to pass a background screening or security check to receive a prize and/or reward. Visa conditions may apply. All taxes are winner’s responsibility.
Rewards are separate from sweepstakes prizes. Some rewards are limited in quantity. Not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook®. Residents of certain territories may be required to successfully complete a trivia question to qualify. For full sweepstakes entry requirements, methods & entry periods, prize details, list of rewards and all limitations & restrictions, see Official rules at www.omaze.com/starwars. Sole Sponsor: Omaze, Inc., P.O. Box 866, 9942 Culver Blvd, Culver City, California 90232.
The Walt Disney Company has announced Disney Digital Network, an umbrella network containing all of Disney’s digital-first platforms to deliver more focused and carefully curated content to an audience of over one billion.
The network is made up of over 300 social media channels that bring The Walt Disney Company’s characters and stories to more creators/influencers and vice versa.
Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media Chairman Jimmy Pitaro expounded on the new network with:
With an audience of over one billion highly-engaged followers, the Disney Digital Network is one of the most impactful publishers in digital media. This network extends our stories to the platforms Gen Z and Millennial audiences are on every day, with diverse editorial voices that integrate top creators and influencers.
Under the Disney Digital Network, Disney owned multi-channel networks like Maker Studios will join with other Disney editorial branches to form one unified channel of voices. Disney Digital Network includes the following brands:
● Oh My Disney, the ultimate digital destination for a daily dose of Disney, capturing the zeitgeist of what is happening in the moment through a Disney lens.
● Disney Style, which explores the intersection of beloved Disney stories and characters with what’s trending in fashion, nail art, hairstyles, cosmetics, and more.
● Disney Family brings parents and children together through the wonderful world of Disney crafts, DIYs, recipes, and activities featuring their favorite characters and stories.
● Babble, which has assembled some of the most vital and vibrant voices in the parenting community to share their experiences and give readers a forum to bond and learn.
● Polaris, which features original content from a community of gaming personalities, including a mix of talk shows, animation, and games-to-life content, in a tone that reflects gaming culture’s broad influence over popular culture.
● Star Wars.com and Star Wars app, the digital destinations for all things Star Wars. The network programs content for Star Wars fans of all ages through Star Wars social and digital platforms.
With everything under the same brand, Disney plans to use their lineup of platforms and content creators to bring unique ways of sharing content with a variety of audiences. Not all content will be Disney focused, though now Disney has a means of leveraging their personalities to help push their brands.
Disney’s in-house branded content service, Disney Co/Op will also join in on Disney Digital Network, allowing advertisers to partner with Disney to create new “custom campaigns” that better tailor to the needs of advertisers and sponsors. Through Facebook Anthology, advertisers will be able to gain insight to leverage partnerships with social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Disney is also actively pairing their digital content programming with their broadcast and cable assets at ABC, Disney Channel, and more (presumably even ESPN). This way advertisers can use specific marketing campaigns to reach audiences across all platforms, not just ones specific to the internet.
Throughout 2017 Disney will rollout a variety of video programs that will be available across Disney Digital Network, including:
● Science and Star Wars: An episodic series that explores, explains, and demonstrates the parallels between the science fantasy of Star Wars and the real-world scientific breakthroughs the saga has inspired. Join show host Anthony Carboni and his rotating roster of IBM Researchers, scientific experts, guest stars, and Watson, to explore and experiment with technology that isn’t so far, far away anymore. Presented by IBM; Facebook exclusive through Facebook Anthology.
● Oh My Disney Show, Season 2: Comedy, news, trends, and sketches combine in this always-on show built for every Disney fan’s feed.
● Club Mickey Mouse: Club Mickey Mouse is a digital-first variety show that celebrates the original show of yesteryear but brings it into the present-day with a diverse cast of talented young creators, and, of course, everyone’s favorite mouse. Presented by HP Inc.; Facebook exclusive through Facebook Anthology.
● Disney IRL: Oh My Disney brings iconic animated Disney characters and moments to real life, surprising people on location and our viewers at home.
● COIN: COIN is an animated action-comedy on Polaris with a distinct, game-inspired aesthetic that follows a team of misfits tasked to save their world. Brought together by time traveling robot Crohnobot, Donovan (a gruff plumber quick to anger), Kid Victory (a master of weaponry), and the Sisters Vicious (twin masters of illusion who hate each other) must defeat super-villain Gamovah and retrieve the coin of Chorder before it’s too late.
● Disney Design Challenge: The best and brightest young designers are invited to push the boundaries of their art form to create beautiful, innovative, and memorable works inspired by Disney films. In the first season, we challenge students in the fashion design program at Otis College of Art and Design to create an eight-look clothing line inspired by Disney’s “Frozen.”
● Disney Magical Starts: This show is for the parents who want to spend more time creating experiences with their kids, but don’t know where to start. Our host parents and their kids help you tackle every day, and every new season, from holidays to back-to-school, with meal ideas, activities, crafts, tips, and more. And with a little help from our beloved Disney characters, family time is even more magical.
The overall consolidation of the various networks that will form Disney Digital Network will result in bringing the once 60,000 YouTube channels that made up Maker Studios to a more focused roster of 1,000 creators.
New for May 2017, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a specialty cupcake themed to the Guardians of the Galaxy, since the much anticipated Vol. 2 hits theaters this week (and Groot and Star Lord should be arriving at the park soon).
Baby Groot Cookies ‘N’ Cream Cupcake, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The cupcake is available at the Trolley Car Cafe, ABC Commissary, and at the Sunset Ranch Market eateries and costs $5.99.
Baby Groot Cupcake ($5.99)
Baby Groot Cookies ‘N’ Cream Cupcake, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The cupcake is cookie flavored and has a cookies ‘n’ cream icing on top (flavoring akin to an Oreo), along with a white chocolate Baby Groot and a chocolate cup filled with green icing.
Baby Groot Cookies ‘N’ Cream Cupcake, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
As far as Disney cupcakes go, this was one of the more unique ones considering the cookie-floated cupcake portion, which I really enjoyed. I wasn’t crazy about the icing as there was just way too much of it, but that’s kind of the reoccurring theme with the in-park treats. I hope they will make these cookie cupcakes again, but maybe it just needs different icing next time. It wasn’t bad, just kind of disappointing based on the description since I enjoy Cookies ‘N’ Cream snacks typically.
Over the last week, I have seen a number of rumors circling the internet about a volcano-themed roller coaster possibly being constructed in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom. I find the rumor strange for a number of reasons, first because it seems likely that a TRON roller coaster is being constructed in the park in the next 4 years (why build 2 roller coasters simultaneously?), but secondly, because we have been hearing for over a year now about Walt Disney World’s plans for a new resort hotel themed around a volcano.
Another Disney Parks Volcano – Mount Prometheus, Tokyo DisneySea
About a year ago, a reliable source informed us that Disney was looking to build a new luxury resort in the Magic Kingdom area, one that would have a large volcano at the very center of it. Around the volcano would be all manners of recreational activities, including pools, slides, a lazy river, live entertainment, dining areas, and more.
Original (and still possible) proposed site for volcano-themed hotel
Last I had heard, the project was slated for the land between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Disney’s Contemporary Resort, but the project may have actually moved closer to the Magic Kingdom now. In fact, it might be inside of it, located behind Pirates of the Caribbean and the Jungle Cruise.
The space in the Magic Kingdom rumored for a volcano roller coaster is more likely going to be home to a luxury resort themed around a volcano.
Now, it is possible that this somehow has morphed into a roller coaster or that is a competing idea for the space, but this resort has been on the table for a while and seems likely to happen one way or another. The project is still in the development phase, so it could be quite a while until we hear anything official from Disney on the fate of the parcels, but the rumor seemed relevant with all the talk of Magic Kingdom volcanoes going on at the moment.
Stay tuned as we will update you on the story as more becomes available on it.
Each May, we take the time to honor and showcase the love we have for our moms; that day this year is May 14th, Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day is when we celebrate all that our moms have done for us and what better way then to spend it at Walt Disney World?
This Mother’s Day, Disney Springs has put together some special offerings and promotions to ‘pamper’ your mom with. Take a look at the flyer below:
As always, you can click the images above to make them larger. Some of the offerings you can expect to find are 10% off all purchases over $40 at Basin, 3 macaroons in a chocolate jewelry box for only $20 at Amorette’s, and much more!
Each offer is different and has a different ending and starting date, so pay attention to those. We hope you can use these promotional offers to get your mother something nice!
