REVIEW: Sushi Lands in The Cool Ship at the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

The Cool Ship in Tomorrowland recently started selling sushi. Let me say that again in case you think that was a typo… The Cool Ship (a large red rocket ship stand) in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom (the park that has had challenges serving guests mildly exotic food at Skipper Canteen) is selling sushi (the Japanese preparation and serving of specially prepared vinegared rice combined with varied ingredients such as chiefly seafood, vegetables, and occasionally tropical fruits).

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The Cool Ship is steps away from the Tomorrowland Speedway, because if you’re going to eat sushi at the Magic Kingdom, it is best to do so while inhaling gas fumes. There’s a reason Tomorrowland Speedway cast members get hazard pay.

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The Pizza Frusta is already gone (shocking) and this fancy glass case now houses the sushi offerings and gives guests a preview to assure them it will at least look edible.

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YUM, LET’S EAT SOME SUSHI FROM THE FUTURE!

California Sushi Roll $4.99

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The California Roll is probably going to be the most popular offering here, so let’s start with that. Ummm, it was good. Surprisingly good. This isn’t going to change your life, but the fact that this is something I wouldn’t turn down if offered again is pretty amazing. It has been pointed out that these offerings are just sent over from the Mitsukoshi locations at Epcot, so they are of the same quality and taste. I enjoyed the optional eel sauce on the side, but it may not be for everyone based on how salty it can be. All dishes come with four pieces, wasabi, ginger, and there’s the eel sauce with this one if you would like.

Spicy Sushi Roll $4.99

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The spicy roll consists of a spicy sauce and Yellow Fin Tuna and was my personal favorite. It has a nice kick to it and tasted fresh, probably the thing you would least expect from theme park sushi sold at the Magic Kingdom. I’d love to write a hilarious review where this was bad, but I can not tell a lie: this wasn’t unenjoyable. There was supposed to be a sauce with this, but they couldn’t find it…

Edamame Salad $3.49

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The edamame salad is just OK, but could be refreshing and is a nice healthy Disney Dining Plan snack option. That being said, the sushi rolls are also one snack credit, so you might as well just get one of those. Also, this edamame salad could probably use a little more edamame SINCE IT IS IN THE NAME.

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RUMOR: Epcot Adding Future World Hotel That Will Stand Over the Park’s Entrance In Front of Spaceship Earth

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

Imagine walking into Epcot from the parking lot and walking under or through a giant hotel before you reach Spaceship Earth. If plans are approved, this may very well be the scene at the entrance area of Walt Disney World’s 35-year-old vision of the future.

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If approved, the resort will stand at one of two proposed sites (seen above), either between The Land and The Seas pavilions in Future World, or directly over the entrance to Epcot, most likely connecting to the preexisting monorail station in some way. If the design located in front of Spaceship Earth is approved, it shouldn’t block the view of Spaceship Earth completely, but rather be used to frame the famous structure between towers or something of the sort.

It is no secret that the Walt Disney Company sees a lot of promise in the idea of resorts connected to or inside of the theme parks. This isn’t a new concept as Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Hotel Miracosta are already in existence (both opened way back in 2001), as well as the Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland Paris, which is sprawled out in front of the park’s entrance, requiring guests walk under it to enter the park. Disney has also already announced a Star Wars hotel that would in theory be connected to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, home of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Guests pass under the Disneyland Hotel in Paris to enter Disneyland Park.

Guests pass under the Disneyland Hotel in Paris to enter Disneyland Park.

The resort would be part of the ongoing expansion and re-imagining of Epcot, which is already announced to include a Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster, a Ratatouille family ride, a space restaurant, and a new seamless Circlevision film for the China pavilion.

The hotel is still in the very early stages of development, which means it could end up in front of Spaceship Earth or off to the side, or maybe not even happen at all. Either way, should it happen, it will offer quick and easy entrance into Epcot from the front of the park and offer unparalleled views of Future World.

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Give the Gift of Travel with Limited Time Discounts on Disney Cruise Line

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

You can now access special offers on select Disney Cruise Line vacations in early 2018. Request your quote today at www.smallworldbigfun.com/disneyfans. These great discounts can help make a Disney Cruise Line vacation the perfect holiday gift.

Book now and save 20-25% off prevailing rates as quoted by Disney Cruise Line for a Verandah Stateroom with Restrictions (Category VGT)* on select 5-night and 7-night cruises departing from Florida on January 6 and 7, February 17 and March 17, 2018.

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Eligible for 25% off prevailing rates as quoted by Disney Cruise Line for Verandah Staterooms with Restrictions (Category VGT):

  • 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise with Star WarsDay at Sea from Port Canaveral on March 17, 2018 on Disney Fantasy – Drop anchor in Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Falmouth and Disney Castaway Cay, with 2 unforgettable days at sea.
    • $2,191 per person, based on double occupancy. Taxes, Fees, and Port Expenses of approximately $106 per person not included.
    • Book now through December 1, 2017.

Eligible for 20% off prevailing rates as quoted by Disney Cruise Line for Verandah Staterooms with Restrictions (Category VGT):

  • 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise with Star WarsDay at Sea from Port Canaveral on January 6, 2018 on Disney Fantasy – Chart a course to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Falmouth and Disney Castaway Cay, with 2 unforgettable days at sea.
    • $1,568 per person, based on double occupancy. Taxes, Fees, and Port Expenses of approximately $122 per person not included.
  • 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise with Star WarsDay at Sea from Port Canaveral on February 17, 2018 on Disney Fantasy – Set sail to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Falmouth and Disney Castaway Cay, with 2 unforgettable days at sea.
    • $1,925 per person, based on double occupancy. Taxes, Fees, and Port Expenses of approximately $123 per person not included.
  • 5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise with Marvel Day at Sea from Miami on January 7, 2018 on Disney Magic– Cast off to Cozumel and Disney Castaway Cay, with 2 unforgettable days at sea.
    • $960 per person, based on double occupancy. Taxes, Fees, and Port Expenses of approximately $106 per person not included.

These discounts are available for a limited time. Contact Small World Big Fun today.

* Important Details on Verandah Staterooms with Restrictions (Category VGT)

  • Valid for new bookings only.
  • Rates based on double occupancy.
  • Full payment is required at the time of booking for all Guests and is non-refundable.
  • Full legal names of all Guests are required at time of booking and no name changes are allowed.
  • Specific stateroom will be assigned at a later time, based on availability.

* Additional Important Details

  • Rate does not include port transfers, trip insurance, gratuities or Port Adventures.
  • Not combinable with Disney Vacation Club Points.
  • The number of staterooms allocated for this offer is limited.
  • This offer cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts.
  • Rates are in U.S. dollars.
  • Offer subject to Disney Cruise LineTerms and Conditions.

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PHOTOS: Giant Star Wars AT-AT Popcorn Bucket Arrives at Disney Parks

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

We have seen some amazing popcorn buckets being sold at Disney Parks recently, but this one has the power to destroy a rebel base on Hoth…

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Available at the Tomorrowland popcorn cart in Disneyland Park, guests can now take home a classic AT-AT filled with popcorn.

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The price is a little steep at $25.00, but it is pretty cool and looks to be quite large. Luckily, Disneyland is limiting just one per guest to make sure that everyone gets one.

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This “bucket” should also be arriving at Walt Disney World soon, likely being sold at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Oh, and don’t expect there to be a lot of popcorn in it…

Our thanks to @Tarihc78 on twitter for the photos!

BREAKING: Tokyo Disney Resort to Spend $2.7 Billion on Further Expansion by 2025

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

Kyodo News is reporting that the Oriental Land Company, the operator of Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, is planning to spend roughly 300 billion yen ($2.7 billion) to expand the two existing theme parks, sources with knowledge of the matter said Wednesday. The company plans to start constructing the new areas that will expand the existing parks by 30% by 2025, one of the sources said.

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This expansion would come after the ongoing projects already announced, such as the Fantasyland expansion, Soarin’, and more.

To free up space, a parking lot adjacent to the parks within the sprawling Tokyo Disney Resort complex in Urayasu just outside of the capital will be turned into a multistory garage. The company is also looking to acquire additional land for these projects.

Oriental Land has entered negotiations on the new areas with Walt Disney Company, which licenses the rights to properties from Mickey Mouse to Star Wars, with the details to be ironed out by next May.

The investment, the company’s largest since pouring 340 billion yen into the 2001 opening of DisneySea, is aimed at attracting older people and visitors from abroad to boost ticket sales that have stagnated amid Japan’s falling birthrate and competition from rivals such as Osaka’s Universal Studios Japan (who has been quite successful with their clone of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and has Super Nintendo World on the way) and other Disney parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong. The expansion will also serve to ease overcrowding at the two existing parks.

The new areas may carry a Japanese theme to appeal to foreign tourists, a source said. So… Disney Japan Adventure?

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TONIGHT on WDW News Tonight (11/29/17) – Season Finale, Thanksgiving Leftovers Game, Ranking Disney Springs & Resort Restaurants, and More!

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

Tonight! We play Thanksgiving Leftovers, we rank every restaurant at Disney Springs and at the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels, and it’s our last show until 2018 since we are located inside of The Edison complex…

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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.

Coming up on this week’s show:

  • A recap of the week’s news (with a WDWNT comedic twist)
  • An in-depth discussion ranking every restaurant at Disney Springs and all Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
  • The Wonderful World of Psychotic Comments
  • “Thanksgiving Leftover Games” for prizes provided by WDWNT: The App
  • And more!

We hope that you will tune in tonight at 9PM ET for another episode of WDW News Tonight!

If you missed last week’s show, you can watch it below:

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Annual Passholders Get a Free Holiday Magnet Starting 12/1 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

Annual Passholders visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios December 1st through the 17th, 2017 can a special holiday magnet for free.

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The Mickey Mouse Passholder Magnet seen above (a Christmas version of the usual AP magnet) can be picked up at the Mickey’s of Hollywood, Celebrity 5 & 10, and Once Upon a Time shops on Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard.

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The magnets are limited to one per pass holder with valid annual pass and ID and are available while supplies last. Disney is not responsible for replacing any lost or stolen magnets, so you may not want to put this one on your car…

Disney & Fox Are Meeting “Again” To Discuss The Possible Acquisition Of Fox By Disney

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

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We recently reported that Fox had met with Disney looking to strike a deal that would have Disney potentially acquire Fox. Nothing official was announced by either side, but it sounded from various sources that both sides could not reach an agreement and any kind of deal was off.

It was kind of disappointing to hear that those talks broke down, but now according to Deadline, those talks have started up again and it sounds like it is possible that we may hear some good news very soon. It still sounds like if both parties come to an agreement, Disney would get the film and TV Studios, and Fox would still retain the sports and news properties.

From Deadline columnist, Mark Fleming Jr.:

FLEMING: I just want to start with a juicy rumor that is fast gaining steam in town today, that Disney is progressing speedily toward that rumored acquisition of Fox. The version I heard has the Murdoch clan keeping possession of sports and news properties, and the rest of TV and the film studio going to Disney. Radio silence right now from both studios, and given how Disney made the Marvel and Lucasfilm deals under the cone of silence, if this happens we’ll probably only know it when it’s announced.

I have provided a link to the article, but to be honest, the Deadline article mostly discusses how the recent sexual harassment charges could possibly affect the movies that both studios own and whether those involved should be stricken from the history of both, and other, companies.

It seems that most analysis feel that Disney’s acquisition of Fox would make sense and benefit both companies. Other major companies, such as Comcast and Verizon, have also shown interest in acquiring Fox. But I think it’s a good sign that Fox seemed to have reached out to Disney and that they are meeting again.

We will keep you up to date if any news breaks regarding Disney’s acquisition of Fox, but until then, we will be waiting for Disney or Fox, or even another company, makes an official announcement.

Source: Deadline