CONFIRMED: Guardians of the Galaxy Ride at Epcot Will Be A Roller Coaster

As we have rumored on this site for some time, the Guardians of the Galaxy Ride coming to Epcot will indeed be a roller coaster attraction.

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AT D23 EXPO 2017, DISNEY PARKS CHAIRMAN BOB CHAPEK ANNOUNCES E-TICKET GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY ATTRACTION COMING TO EPCOT — Looking ahead to the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, Disney Parks Chairman Bob Chapek announced exciting plans across Epcot to realize the original vision of the park while making it more timeless and relevant than ever before, including a brand-new E-ticket attraction based on the rockin’ and action-packed world of Guardians of the Galaxy.

The Vice President of Epcot, Melissa Valiquette, confirmed that the attraction is a coaster to members of the media at the Epcot 35 celebration yesterday.

According to sources, the roller coaster will load guests in the former Universe of Energy attraction, launching guests through a tunnel into a 10-story tall show building. The coaster will reportedly be a first of its kind ride system, but it remains unclear how it will differ from a conventional ride.

The attraction will mark the very first roller coaster for Epcot in its 35 year history, the last remaining Disney Park on earth without one.

Minnie Van Transportation Expanded to All Deluxe Resorts at Disney World

While initially only available to guests staying at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club and Boardwalk Resorts, Minnie Vans have since rolled out to the Wilderness & Animal Kingdom Lodge hotels, as well as the Grand Floridian and Polynesian Village Resorts due to popular demand.

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Starting today, guests at Disney’s Contemporary Resort (as well as Bay Lake Tower) can now go to the front desk at the resort to activate the point-to-point transportation service for their use.

Minnie Vans is a paid transportation service that is operated by Disney and summoned through the Lyft app. Please check out our review to see how it works and if Minnie Vans will be right for you.

PHOTOS: Epcot 35 Starbucks Mug Released Today

Released today at the Fountain View Starbucks at Epcot, Guests will now find an Epcot 35 mug for sale.

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The mugs retail for $16.99 each and are available starting today. They will be for sale for the foreseeable future.

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BREAKING: Stitch’s Great Escape at Magic Kingdom is Now “Alien Encounter” Character Greeting

Apprently Stitch’s Great Escape at the Magic Kingdom is no more, replaced with the yet-to-open Stitch’s Alien Encounter Character Greeting in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom.

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No further details are available as of yet, but it seems likely that guests will be able to meet Stitch here starting soon (purely speculation on our part).

Stitch’s Great Escape went into seasonal operation last year, last open a few weeks ago for the busy summer season.

Photo courtesy of @1Ben_Laurence on twitter.

PHOTOS: Amazing Spaceship Earth Cupcake & More Treats for Epcot 35

Three adorable cupcakes have been created for the Epcot 35th anniversary celebration, all beginning Oct. 1, 2017.

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You’ll find the Flower Pot Cupcake at Sunshine Seasons, a vanilla cupcake with peanut butter and jelly filling, topped with edible flowers from The Land Pavilion.

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The grand and miraculous Spaceship Earth Cupcake is at Fountain View, a yellow cupcake with strawberry pastry cream filling and topped with a dome of cake covered in silver fondant.

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Finally, the Viking Cupcake can be found in the Norway pavilion. This vanilla cupcake with vanilla cream filling, blue and white buttercream icing and red sprinkles pays homage to the Norwegian flag and is topped with 2 cones to represent the iconic Viking horns.

New Coco-Inspired Exhibit ‘Remember Me!’ Open Now at Mexico Pavilion, Epcot

A new art exhibit has opened at the Mexico pavilion in World Showcase, featuring work from some prominent Mexican and Mexican-American artists.

The new exhibit shares the culture of Día de Muertos with Epcot guests. This two-day celebration, which takes place every year on November 1st and 2nd, usually includes delicious Mexican cuisine, festivals, parades, and live music.

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Art work in the gallery includes papel picado, sugar skulls, paper sculptures, and even some pre-hispanic items that showcase some earlier history of this major celebration.

Bridal Couple, the centerpiece of the exhibit, won’t arrive until next week, but when it does guests can look forward to seeing some contemporary sculptures that range from 2.5-10 feet tall.

Here is a collection of photos to show off some of what the exhibit has to offer.

No word yet as to how long this exhibit will remain, but it certainly adds more Fall-related entertainment options for those visiting Epcot.

Disney Is Working On A “Hocus Pocus” Remake For The Disney Channel

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Disney is bringing back a Halloween favorite, “Hocus Pocus”, for a whole new generation. A “Hocus Pocus” remake is currently in development that will introduce a brand new cast and will appear exclusively on The Disney Channel.

From Deadline:

Disney Channel is in early stages of development on a Hocus Pocus TV movie, a reimagining of the 1993 cult classic Walt Disney feature, which starred Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy.

The new take is being written by Scarlett Lacey (The Royals), with David Kirschner, producer on the original movie, on board to executive produce.

The 1993 film was written by Neil Cuthbert and Mick Garris, based on a story by Garris and Kirschner, and directed by zKenny Ortega. Garris hinted at a possible Hocus Pocus TV project in a recent interview.

The new Hocus Pocus iteration will have a new cast and a new director. Ortega, who has directed Disney Channel’s two biggest TV movie franchises, High School Musical and Descendants, is not involved.

Hocus Pocus chronicles what happens when three villainous witches, played by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker, are inadvertently resurrected in Salem, Massachusetts. The film has become a cult hit and a staple on Disney Channel and Freeform with annual airings.

Kirschner’s producing credits also include Curious George, An American Tail and The Addams Family TV series.

Source: Deadline