BREAKING: Disney Creating Star Wars “Starship” Luxury Resort & Experience Attached to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on April 27, 2017

Disney is surveying guests about a possible Star Wars resort hotel experience at Walt Disney World, which would take place on an “actual” Star Wars Starship…

Concept Art, Star Wars "Starship" resort at Walt Disney World

Concept Art, Star Wars “Starship” resort at Walt Disney World

The survey is not being conducted by Disney, but rather by a contracted third party. The survey includes concept art and many details of what the experience would be like…

This all-inclusive, 2-night immersive resort experience at Walt Disney World would include:

  • The opportunity to experience a 2-day story set in the Star Wars universe
  • Be surrounded in a continuous, story-driven entertainment experience as it unfolds over the course of the 2-night stay
  • Have personal interactions with Star Wars characters, live performers throughout the starship (experience the story or simply observe the action according to personal preference)
  • Engage in the story with programs such as flight training, ship exploration, lightsaber training, and personalized secret missions (both on the starship and throughout the Star Wars themed planet)
Concept Art, Star Wars "Starship" resort at Walt Disney World

Concept Art, Star Wars “Starship” resort at Walt Disney World

While staying aboard an all-inclusive luxury “starship” at Walt Disney World, guests will stay in luxury accommodations offering:

  • All meals during your stay: buffet breakfasts, lunches, & signature evening dining
  • Featured entertainment & dinner shows
  • Exclusive park admission to the Star Wars themed land at the Walt Disney World Resort (a new land opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2019)
  • Star Wars starship amenities including pool area & water garden, fitness area, on-board cantina, and robotic droid Butlers

As of right now, the experience would be priced at roughly $900 to $1000 per guest.

Concept Art, Star Wars "Starship" resort at Walt Disney World

Concept Art, Star Wars “Starship” resort at Walt Disney World

So basically, in summary, the experience would include…

  • 2 nights in an immersive luxury resort that looks and feels like a Star Wars spacecraft (set check-in and check-out dates so everyone is immersed on the same “story” timeline)
  • Room(s) that accommodate(s) up to 4 people, with an interactive “view” (galaxy or pool/atrium)
  • Every meal from checking-in on day 1 to check-out on day 3 (5 meals total, including 2 buffet breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 2 signature dinners with evening entertainment)
  • 1 day of Walt Disney World theme park admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to visit Star Wars-themed land on day 2
  • Story-driven entertainment that unfolds over the course of your stay (including live character chance encounters, and the opportunity to watch or engage in the story through things like personalized secret missions, flight training, starship exploration, and lightsaber training)

While this is just a survey at this time, it is worth noting that the presence of concept art and the inclusion of the Star Wars themed land in these plans likely means that this is a pretty serious project at this point. Many of the experiences above also sound very similar to aspects of the the Star Wars land discussed in the panel at Star Wars Celebration Orlando.

Stay tuned as more information on this proposed project becomes available.

VIDEO: Behind the Scenes – Creating the Plants and Creatures of Pandora – The World of AVATAR

WDWNT on April 27, 2017

As Pandora: The World of AVATAR approaches its opening next month, Disney has released another behind the scenes look into this exotic land. Today the topic is on creating the lush wildlife, as well as the animals that live on the planet of Pandora. You will be able to hear and sense the animals all around you as you explore Pandora. Here is the video below from the Disney Parks Blog:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TdhmjbQS2c]

Pandora: The World of Avatar opens May 27th at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

PHOTO REPORT: Disney’s Animal Kingdom 4/18/17 (Pandora, Mr. Kamal’s Seasoned Fries, Anteater Returns, Etc.)

WDWNT on April 27, 2017

Our latest photo report brings us to Animal Kingdom as it draws nearer and nearer to the opening of its largest expansion in its 19 year history…

Welcome to Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

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Annie the Anteater returned to the Oasis recently. She was removed when the construction of Pandora began as she would have been bothered by the noise and such.

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Lots of Animals

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The Tree of Life is trail is closed while Disney is doing some work on the Tree. You can walk up both sides, but you can’t go under the tree.

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And now a gorilla in a bowl…

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BABY DUCKS!!!

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Sleepy lizards…

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A trip to the Maharajah Jungle Trek isn’t complete without seeing tigers.

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Pandora: The World of AVATAR

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The opening of Pandora looms over the park, just a few weeks away on May 27th.

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Walls off to the left of the bridge leading to Pandora were taken down recently.

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The second pin in the countdown to Pandora series was released recently.

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A look at the bridge from Nomad Lounge. Not much change to see these days as the project nears completion.

Nighttime lighting tests continue to happen in the area once night falls:

This and That

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NOW THE BABY DUCKS ARE SWIMMING!

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Some animal socks for sale.

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The Taste of Tiffins menu for lunch was significantly diminished as far as options.

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An up close look at the work happening at the Tree of Life.

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The projectors for the back of the Tree of Life can be seen from the path along the backside of the structure.

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The Mahindi stand in Africa is selling the Lotus Blossom glow cubes now.

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A new carousel horse pin set for sale around the Resort.

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The Digital Disney mystery pin set was also released recently.

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The Feeding Ground on Discovery Island also has the glow cube.

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Trilo-Bites now has a Smokey Bones Chocolate Shake.

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Mr. Kamal’s in Asia now has a seasoned-fries dish…

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Let’s ignore the misspellings…

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I expected this to be one of the worst theme park snacks I’ve ever had, but it honestly wasn’t bad.

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Some new cooling towels for sale at the parks, $16.90 each.

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The bar outside of Rainforest Cafe is now open regularly.

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It’s a nice spot to enjoy a drink.

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Hmmmm, looks familiar…

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It seems to have a giant hole in it it, just like a volcano at a certain water park under construction…

“it’s tough to be a bug”, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Maharajah Jungle Trek, & More Refurbishments Happening Over the Next Month at Animal Kingdom

WDWNT on April 19, 2017

Multiple areas of Animal Kingdom will be under construction in the coming weeks.

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Construction to enhance the Serka Zong Bazaar merchandise location at Expedition Everest began on April 17th  and will continue through May 12th. During construction, the location will remain open.

In addition to that, the FastPass+ touch points and entrance queue area at Kilimanjaro Safaris will undergo refurbishment from April 17 through May 12. A secondary queue will be used during the entire duration of this construction project.

“it’s tough to be a bug” will be closed April 24th through the 28th to accommodate work on the Tree of Life structure.

Finally, the tiger exhibit in the Maharajah Jungle Trek will undergo habitat enhancements through Friday, May 5. During this time, the tigers will be kept backstage and the viewing areas will be inaccessible to Guests.

Frozen Summer Games Returning to Blizzard Beach May 26th

WDWNT on April 19, 2017

Beginning May 26th, the Frozen Summer Games hosted at Blizzard Beach will be returning for their second year.

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The games are ‘games’ at Blizzard Beach (which are included in admission) where you can join Team Kristoff or Team Olaf to participate in a variety of activities, from Ice Pail Relays and a Snowball Toss to Ski Pole Limbo and Slide Races. Not only that, but there will be crafts, a live DJ, and for the first time in forever, a special Kristoff and Olaf character greeting location.

Frozen Summer Games begins May 26th at Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park. No end date has been announced.

VIDEO: Summer of Heroes Ad Brings MARVEL Heroes to Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on April 19, 2017

Today, Disneyland Resort released a TV spot for the Summer of Heroes event coming this summer to the Disneyland Resort, as well as making notice of the grand opening of the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout ride. Marvel’s greatest heroes swing, jump, and roll through Disneyland Resort in the ad, such as Captain America, Black Widow, and even Spider-Man. Take a look at the video right here from the Disneyland Blog:Yeah

Get prepared, Mission Breakout and Summer of Heroes starts May 27th.

CONFIRMED: Disneyland’s New Fantasmic! Features Scenes for The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean, Aladdin, and Tangled

WDWNT on April 19, 2017

Disney today accidentally announced that Fantasmic! at Disneyland will return with new scenes and magic this Summer.

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When it returns (expected just before the 4th of July holiday, but may be delayed now), new scenes will include Pirates of the Caribbean, Aladdin, The Lion King, and Tangled characters. Further details on these scenes were not provided as of yet. This was confirmed today in a post by D23.com that has since been taken down for being posted before a formal release was made by Disney Parks.

The Pirates of the Caribbean sequence was first rumored right here at WDWNT.com in August 2016.

VIDEO: Star Wars Takes Over Rock ‘ N’ Roller Coaster, Rogue One Joins Galactic Spectacular, Rey Appears, and More from Galactic Nights

WDWNT on April 19, 2017

Star Wars – Galactic Nights took over Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Friday, April 14th, 2017 during Star Wars Celebration Orlando, turning the park into a fanboy’s dream. While we are still formulating a review (as it is expected the event will return), please enjoy our videos of the various festivities:

Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster – Star Wars Edition

Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster drops Aerosmith and adds the magical musical core of John Williams in this attraction overlay. The ride portion is mostly dark except for some projections of stars, a nice upgrade over the last time this overlay was installed in December 2015 for the premiere of The Force Awakens.

Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away adds Rey

Rey from the new Star Wars trilogy joins the cast of this show for one night only.

Imperial March

Darth Vader and the stormtroopers march through Disney’s Hollywood Studios in this event exclusive offering.

Rogue One added to Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular

A Rogue One sequence replaces Both in Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular. You can see the Both version of the show below this one in case you are wondering what’s missing.

Stars in Cars Celebrity Motorcade

A celebrity motorcade welcomes the stars to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Galactic Nights Epilogue and Lanyard Reveal Moment

Right before the fireworks show, the event is recapped and the guest lanyards come to life with some Disney magic…

The Seventh Sister Reveals Her Face in Jedi Training

Just for this event, the Seventh Sister is turned into a face character in Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple.

Planetary Projections

The Chinese Theater is turned into a living canvas as tableaus of Star Wars planets come to life.

Celebrate the Saga 

Alright, they can’t all be winners. Witness this strange and almost useless stage show/powerpoint presentation on the history of Star Wars.

Photo-Ops

6 unique photo-ops were offered to guests during this event.

VIDEO: Learn More About Star Wars Land’s Reputation System, Attractions, and More with Full Celebration Orlando Panel

WDWNT on April 19, 2017

Yesterday, a special panel at Star Wars Celebration Orlando was presented celebrating “Disney Parks and Star Wars –  A Galaxy in the Making”. The presentation includes 40 minutes of talk about the Star Wars Land project for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, revealing new details we have not heard before. Learn all about building a reputation, helping bounty hunters, joining the First Order or the Resistance, piloting the Millennium Falcon, and more in the video below:

Due to copyright issues, Disney would not allow us to upload the behind the scenes video they stop to play in the panel, but you can watch it in all of its glory here:

The panel also began with the story of Star Tours and an announcement of a new destination from The Last Jedi, which you can watch below:

The new destination in Star Tours will debut in late 2017. The Star Wars themed land at Disney Parks will open in 2019.