The show “Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be dark for two weeks in September.
The show will not perform September 13th-September 26th, 2017, but will return on the 27th.
This is not the first extended downtime the show has had this year.
Due to unplanned maintenance, Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort was supposed to temporarily move to the convention center for a few weeks this month, but that has now been moved to later this year.
The temporary location will operate from late-November-December 2017. No exact dates have been provided as of yet. With the exception of the location, nothing else about the experience will be different.
News From Jakku got their hands on some promotional art from “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” featuring Chewbacca surrounded by the cute little inhabitants of Ahch-To, The Porgs. Looks like these little guys will form a bond with Chewie and one seems to make it on board of The Millennium Falcon.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
L to R: Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo) and a Porg
Source: News From Jakku; Entertainment Weekly
Star Wars Fans Invited to “Find the Force” As Unprecedented Augmented Reality Event Sweeps the Globe for Force Friday II
Fans to reveal a new The Last Jedi character via social media
New product line for Star Wars: The Last Jedi launches globally at 12:01 AM September 1
More than 20,000 retail locations worldwide will become home to
augmented reality Star Wars characters from September 1-3
Following the global phenomenon of Force Friday in 2015, Disney and Lucasfilm today announced Find the Force, a global augmented reality (AR) event rolling out on Force Friday II (September 1) to commemorate the worldwide launch of new products inspired by Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
The pop-up AR treasure hunt aims to unite fans around the world in the battle against the dark side in a unique three-day event at over 20,000 retail locations across 30 countries. As fans turn up to take home new The Last Jedi products, they will have the opportunity to activate a unique augmented reality experience featuring Star Wars characters, including fan-favorites and new surprise additions from the film.
“Force Friday II is a major milestone in the countdown to Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Star Wars has always championed new technology, and we are excited that augmented reality will allow fans to experience the universe in a whole new way,” says Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm.
From September 1-3, retailers around the world will invite fans to Find the Force by taking part in an AR treasure hunt. Here’s how it works: first, download the Star Wars App, which is your one-stop-shop for all things Star Wars (those who already have the app will need to download the latest version). Then, visit any one of 20,000 participating retail locations to find a graphic that contains the Find the Force logo. When you scan the graphic using the Star Wars App, you’ll reveal a character, who through augmented reality, will appear in the room with you. You can then take photos, record videos, and share the experience on social media. Come back each day to reveal new characters (15 in total across the program’s three-day run). Click here for more information: www.starwars.com/findtheforce.
“Force Friday II puts fans right at the center of the action using augmented reality to bring our characters to life like never before. The technology theme continues in the Star Wars: The Last Jedi product line, which is our most innovative yet – we can’t wait for fans to see what’s in store.” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media.
Fans can download the latest version of the Star Wars App (v. 2.3 or higher) beginning Aug. 24 for an early look at the new Porg characters in AR before the AR treasure hunt goes live at retail.
By sharing photos or videos featuring the in-store AR characters on Twitter or Instagram using #FindtheForce and #Sweepstakes throughout Force Friday II weekend, fans in select global markets can participate in a sweepstakes for the chance to win the ultimate fan experience: tickets to the Star Wars: The Last Jedi premiere in December.
No Purchase Necessary. Enter sweepstakes between August 31, 2017 at 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time (“PT”)/3:00 p.m. British Summer Time (“BST”) and September 4, 2017 at 2:59 a.m. PT/10:59 a.m. BST. Open to legal residents in 50 U.S. + D.C., Canada (excluding Quebec), Australia, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, France, South Korea and Chile who are 18+ or the age of majority in their place of residence, whichever is older. Limit 15 entries per person. There is 1 Grand Prize available to be won (ARV: US $4,500). Grand Prize winner must travel to Los Angeles, California USA on or about December 12, 2017. Visit starwars.com/findtheforce. for Official Rules including details on how to enter, additional eligibility requirements, prize descriptions and limitations. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: The Walt Disney Company (Australia) Pty. Limited, Level 5, Chapel Street, South Yarra, Victoria 3141, Australia.
More information about Find the Force and a how-to video is available at www.starwars.com/findtheforce.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in U.S. theaters on December 15, 2017.
One of our readers was recently evacuated from the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at the Magic Kingdom during a routine breakdown and sent us some video from their experience:
While this doesn’t happen every day, it is not uncommon either.
What do you think? Do you hope to get evacuated from Disney attractions for a peek backstage or do you prefer to keep the magic a secret?
In addition to the “Eat to the Beat” Concert Series, featuring 11 new artists, guests will also want to look for new and returning acts in World Showcase at Epcot during this year’s Food and Wine Festival.
Suroît – New to Epcot, this renowned band hails from Canada’s Magdalen Islands in eastern Quebec. For four decades, their infectious sound has embraced influences from Cajun, Celtic, bluegrass and rock music. Join Suroît on the Mill Stage at the Canada pavilion, August 31 – October 1.
Margret Almer & The Bavarian Band – World-famous yodeler Margret Almer makes an encore appearance at Epcot this fall. She’ll be performing with The Bavarian Band at the Germany pavilion, beginning August 31 and continuing through the holiday season.
Musique Aramenco – Another returning favorite takes the stage at the Morocco pavilion September 1 – December 30. Musique Aramenco presents a fusion of traditional and modern Moroccan music.
Bodh’aktan – Back by popular demand, Bodh’aktan mixes Quebecois, folk and polka to make fantastic rock and dance music. After rocking stages across Quebec, the United States and Europe, this incredibly popular, kilted band is returning for an Epcot encore at the Canada pavilion October 2 – 22.
Raffy – This musical quartet makes their Epcot debut October 23 – November 26 on the Mill Stage. Raffy’s infectious energy has been embraced across Canada through a live tour, appearances on television and radio airplay of their first hit single.
Despite being announced as part of the merchandise lineup for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2017 at the Magic Kingdom, a line of Hocus Locus Villains Spelltacular merchandise (based on the show that is a staple of the party) was not released at the event.
Some sources claim the items were recalled due to some legal/copyright issue. Whatever the reason may be, the items are not expected to show up at any point unless the issue can somehow be resolved before the end of the Halloween season.
The merchandise was also completely removed from the original Disney Parks Blog post about the merchandise.
The Slinky Dog Dash will be the headlining attraction in Toy Story Land when it opens next Summer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but today, we’re getting our first look at the physical coaster trains for the ride.
The above leaked photo reveals pieces of one of the Slinky Dog trains being delivered to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney is expected to release official images this week once they are loaded onto the track at the ride. Until then, we’ll just have to settle for this somewhat blurry phone pic…
Calling all Orange Bird fans… beginning on September 8th, you can head on over to Pin Traders at Disney Springs or Pirate’s Bazaar at the Magic Kingdom to pick up this exclusive Disney Parks Orange Bird Pop! Vinyl. Like many other Disney Parks Exclusive Pops, don’t expect to see this one sit on the shelves for too long.
We made our way over to the first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party of 2017 last week, and of course, we had to try a wide variety of the desserts Disney had to offer. There were some desserts that unfortunately were sold out by the time we made our way to them, so do keep that in mind if many of these area must during your party visit. For a full list, you can check out our original story.
Chocolate tart filled with chocolate ganache and topped with peanut butter icing and a Haunted Mansion-inspired white chocolate portrait.
If you’re a peanut butter fan, you’ll love this one because it tastes a lot like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. This was probably the least favorite in the group just because it was too rich in that flavor. Sadly, due to the humidity, as soon as it was taken out of the fridge the portrait started to melt. This one is available at Liberty Square Market next to Hall of Presidents for $5.49.
Chocolate tart filled with chocolate ganache and topped with Oreo panna cotta and a white chocolate Haunted Mansion-inspired portrait.
Have you ever had the Grey Stuff at Be Our Guest? The Oreo filling in this dessert is exactly the same as what you would find the Grey Stuff. You can find this “dynamite” dessert at Aloha Isle for $5.49.
Chocolate tart filled with raspberry compote and topped with white chocolate mousse and a Haunted Mansion-inspired white chocolate portrait.
Our favorite Haunted Mansion dessert of the three we tried, this one has a raspberry compote in the middle and is absolutely delicious!! If you’re a fan of fruit and chocolate, check this one out at Storybook Treats for $5.49. Additionally, there’s a 4th Haunted Mansion dessert, unfortunately it was sold out by 9PM when we made our way to Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies.
A vanilla panna cotta, chocolate cake, vanilla buttercream, white chocolate and dark chocolate crisp pearls, dark chocolate curls and a white chocolate Jack Skellington.
I was the only one in the group that really enjoyed this, mainly because it was so rich. The vanilla cream at the bottom was the part I enjoyed the most. Designed to be eaten like a popsicle, this is a fun dessert that offers some good photo opportunities. Available at Sleepy Hollow for $5.49 alongside the infamous Pumpkin Waffles.
Bright orange Mickey Halloween Cupcake with chocolate cake filled with purple marshmallow fluff topped with orange vanilla buttercream, sprinkles and a white chocolate scarecrow Mickey.
Check out this cute cupcake available at the Main Street Bakery. This rich chocolate cupcake was pretty good, but the purple marshmallow filling made this one of the more unique specialty cupcakes of the last few years.
Not a bad option for $5.99 but the better item at the Main Street Bakery was…
Mickey-shaped Cinnamon Roll takes on a spooky twist with orange icing and a chocolate spider web.
This Cinnamon Roll was AMAZING! Take the standard Disney cinnamon roll and add orange and chocolate icing to it and that’s pretty much what you have here. This was far and away everyone’s favorite, and the best part is that its available outside of the parties as well. Sadly, the Starbucks pastry bag did a number of the appearance of ours, but you get the idea. Available for $6.29 at the Main Street Bakery.
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