It’s hard to believe that it was only done as a short test over 9 years ago with how much people talk about loving the Muppets Mobile Lab that once appeared at Epcot. You would think it had appeared at the park for years based on the legacy it has developed amongst fans. Well, starting today, guests can see the “living character” show at Epcot daily through the next 4 weeks.
The Muppets Mobile Lab returns to Epcot in 2016 for another test run
The show is critically acclaimed for its technology, including fully interactive characters who are a free-roaming audio-animatronics unit on wheels. The show also features that trademark Muppets humor that doesn’t miss even though the characters aren’t manned directly by human beings, much like The Muppets present Great Moments in American History over at the Magic Kingdom (which debuted yesterday).
Here is a video of one of today’s performances:
Now that is it back, I implore Walt Disney World to keep this offering. Please move this to Hollywood Studios and make this a regular offering. I have never met anyone who wasn’t wowed by the technology or who wasn’t amused by the humor of the program. Muppet Mobile Labs deserve a permanent home at the Disney Parks after this second testy run at Epcot.
Walt Disney Imagineering today shared an in-depth look at the model for the Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout attraction which will be replacing the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney California Adventure.
The model pictured here was created by Walt Disney Imagineering to guide the transformation currently taking place on the exterior of the attraction. Every shade and detail you see here will be replicated in full size, as designers, builders and artists work to bring The Collector’s realm to life here at the Disneyland Resort.
This “warehouse, fortress-like power plant” (as described here by Joe Rohde, Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering) is designed to be intimidating and imposing, but also shimmering and regal. It will be the ideal location for The Collector to secure and show off his most prized acquisitions, the Guardians of the Galaxy.
It does seem odd that Disney is acknowledging that they are changing the facade while the Tower of Terror is still open, but it is happening (see our photos from earlier today of the current state of the facade). It also is strange to see Disney devoting so much publicity to a facade that so many have taken to social media to attack. Regardless, it should be interesting to watch the rest of this process unfold over the next several months.
Our latest photo report brings us to the Magic Kingdom on its 45th anniversary weekend, but changes in the park certainly didn’t stop for the festivities. Rapid progress on the look of Tomorrowland continues, Stitch’s Great Escape has closed, and OK, we have some duck pictures.
Magic Kingdom 45th Anniversary
A special commemorative map was given out to mark the day.
The opening day resorts and the park also had complimentary buttons for guests.
The day began with a special welcome show at the Train Station:
Plenty of specialty merchandise was available (the line lasted over an hour at some points though).
The line wrapped around the Emporium and went down most of the street.
The main event of the day was a special anniversary ceremony at Cinderella Castle:
A special “Celebration Dog” was being served at Casey’s Corner:
Big Top Treats had some special candy apples.
Gaston’s Tavern and the Main Street Bakery were serving the infamous anniversary cupcake.
This time, guests could choose chocolate or vanilla cake.
The only piece of the open edition merchandise that came out on the 1st was this lanyard and pin set. That being said, most of the open edition items are currently sold out.
There’s a Tomorrowland mural under there, and no, it’s not by Mary Blair.
This and That
The Carousel of Progress finally got its new marquee sing, but you probably already saw that post…
The often congested Fantasyland bottleneck is now equipped with permanent signage for cast members to use. This only took 45 years.
Only 8 days before it happens, Disney releases a “Glowing Away Soon” shirt for the Main Street Electrical Parade. This shirt will be outdated in less than week. Why not put the final day on it? Oh, in case it gets rained out this weekend…
There is a fantastic photo-op at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe right now featuring Sonny Eclipse, “the biggest little star in the universe”.
New Space Mountain Lighting
After years of waiting, LED lighting was finally installed on the exterior of Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom and it looks fantastic!
MagicBand Interactivity Returns
Right after we reported that they were off, many interactive elements returned to the Magic Kingdom. The goodbye at “it’s a small world” was turned on, but has still been breaking a lot.
What do you get when some of Disney XD’s most popular characters take a trip to The Haunted Mansion? A fun and spooky good time for all as we see Ponyhead and Star kick of a group of stop animated shorts that will appear exclusively on Disney HD this month to celebrate the coming of Halloween.
Ponyhead and Star meet Leota:
Here is a sneak peek at next Monday’s clip that shows Pickle and Peanut bravely venturing into The Haunted Mansion graveyard as they encounter some classic Haunted Mansion ghosts. This will air next Monday, October 10th at 6:30PM on Disney XD:
Pickle and Peanut and Babyboo:
From D23:
For the 999 Happy Haunts of Disneyland Park’s Haunted Mansion, the spooky season is always in high gear. But most of us don’t kick into full ghost-and-goblin mode until October—and Disney XD has given us something to shriek about this morning. They’ve teamed up with Walt Disney Imagineering and the renowned stop-motion studio Stoopid Buddy Studios on a series of four spots that bring favorite characters from Star vs. The Forces of Evil and Pickle and Peanut into the world of the Haunted Mansion attraction.
All of the music and sound effects you’ll hear in the spots come from the original Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park, and the voices of the Haunted Mansion characters are the actual attraction voices, as well. Disney XD worked closely with Walt Disney Imagineering to feature details fans of the attraction will surely appreciate, from the tombstones seen in the graveyard—which are modeled after those seen at Disneyland—to the original character created just for these spots, Baby Boo. This is Baby Boo’s official debut—or should that be “de-boo”?—and you can only catch him in this spot, but the character was inspired by an original drawing for the attraction by legendary animator (and, of course, one of Walt’s Nine Old Men) Marc Davis.
The Grim Grinning Ghosts will be coming out to socialize on Disney XD throughout October. Ezra the Hitchhiking Ghost makes an appearance in the short that premieres during a Halloween-themed episode of Star vs. The Forces of Evil on October 10 (7:30 p.m. ET/PT); while Pickle and Peanut stumble upon Constance the Bride in the short that can be seen in an all-new episode of Milo Murphy’s Law on October 17 (8 p.m. ET/PT).
A large section of The Legacy Continues area is blocked off. This could be for a new exhibit, but this space is right next door to the theater where the Dr. Strange sneak peek is being shown.
Cast members at the exhibit have not yet been informed what is going on behind the walls. The One Man’s Dream exhibit is located inside of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Just in time for the Fall, Vans is releasing a brand new collection inspired by Pixar’s beloved franchise, Toy Story.
Known simply as the Vans x Disney•Pixar Toy Story Collection, the line features shoes, clothes, and accessories with a tremendous amount of attention to detail. Just look at the bottom of the shoes, they say “Andy” on them!
All of Vans’ most iconic styles are getting their own unique layover, including a variety of shoes just for babies. Seriously though, check out those slip-ons inspired by the toys from Sid’s house. You just know Randy Newman is rocking a pair of those.
Clothing includes a couple of shits, socks, and a hat, while on the accessories side you’ve got two new back packs, which will look great while you’re in-line for bag check at the parks.
The Vans x Disney•Pixar Toy Story Collection will be out on October 7. It’s worth checking out if you have any money left from the 45th Anniversary merchandise.
The Disney Parks Blog just announced today that a special “Indiana Jones Adventure Inspired” Funko Pop will be available for purchase through the Disney Parks online store on October 7th.
From Disney Parks Blog:
The next figure in our series of Disney Parks Exclusive Funko Pop! figures will be released on October 7, 2016 via the Disney Parks online store. Part of the Pop! Rides series, this figure features Indiana Jones in his rugged troop transport vehicle from the Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland park.
This figure is number 19 in their Pop! Rides series, and includes the replica ride vehicle along with a removable Indiana Jones figure. Retail is $40.00 (plus tax).
This item will only be sold on the Disney Parks online store.
This is great news for those people that wanted to get their hands on this years New York City Comic Con exclusive “Indy’s Ride” because this is the same one (minus the NYCC Limited Edition sticker). NYCC attendees had to jump through more obstacles than Indy himself to get the chance to bring this little guy home with them. You first had to register for a lotto several weeks ago and if by chance you were one of the lucky ones that were selected to participate in the purchase of Indy’s Ride, there was still no guarantee that you would receive one depending on the quantity that was available and how long the line was.
So here is your chance! Get these while they are hot! It does not appear that “Indy’s Ride” is available for preorder yet but DisneyParks online store should have it updated hopefully before October 7th.
Walt Disney Pictures has dated its live-action “Mulan” retelling for Nov. 2, 2018.
The film has been fast-tracked into production with Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver (“Jurassic World,” “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” and the upcoming “Avatar” sequel) penning the script. The two came on board in 2015 to rewrite the spec by Lauren Hynek and Elizabeth Martin.
A director has yet to be announced. A global casting search will soon be underway to find a Chinese actress for the role of Mulan.
I know not everyone is on board with so many live action retelling of Disney animated classics, but I am totally on board with this one…. if they do it right. I have always enjoyed “Mulan” and really appreciated that it introduced such a strong female role model. I feel that Mulan’s relationship with her father would play out very well on screen. Shan Yu was also one of the great Disney villains who was totally brutal and deadly and I am hoping they portray this properly on screen. I have no idea how they are going to handle Mushu and Cri-Kee in this one, but hope they tone down the comic relief aspect a bit. I can just imagine the battle scenes, especially the avalanche scene against Shan Yu and the Hun warriors.
Let’s hope they get this right, and if they do, it could be epic.
Walt Disney World is already warning all guests staying at Disney resort hotels that their vacations may be affected by Hurricane Matthew.
Guests at these resorts were left a voicemail by Disney telling them that their vacations may be affected and that they will be updated as soon as more information on the path of the storm is available.
Orlando is not set to be hit directly by the storm on its current path, but that can change. Regardless, some foul weather is expected at Disney World over the weekend.
Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.
With Hurricane Matthew looming, Walt Disney World is in many cases waiving cancellation fees for vacations booked by guests at Disney resort hotels.
Hurricane Matthew may effect Walt Disney World vacations
Disney is reportedly willing to work out arrangements with any guests staying at the resort Wednesday, October 5th through Sunday, October 9th, 2016. It is not guaranteed than fees will be wavered, but many guests are being offered full refunds without penalization upon contacting Disney.
