UPDATE: Guests at Some Disney Resorts Being Moved Due to Hurricane Matthew

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

Guests staying at some Disney resorts hotels at the Walt Disney World Resort are being moved for their safety.

Hurricane Matthew having its effect already on the Walt Disney World Resort.

Hurricane Matthew having its effect already on the Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney is offering a change of accommodations for guests at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds. Disney is offering these guests rooms at many of their other resort hotels on property and not any one specific resort.

The accommodation changes are being made today as Disney hopes to have these guests out of Fort Wilderness by Thursday.

BREAKING: Parking Structure Being Built for Disney’s Hollywood Studios Along World Drive

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

A parking structure is finally being built for Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort. Too bad it is just for cast members.

parking-structure-site

The new cast member parking garage for the park will be located just across World Drive, adjacent to the new fireworks launch site for the park. Work on the structure has already begun along with the new entrance and exit ramps for the park that we already told you about. Cast members will walk safely over traffic on a bridge over World Drive once the parking structure is completed.

The structure will assist with guest parking as it will free the current cast member parking lot for guest parking (or maybe just for the rumored Indiana Jones expansion somewhere down the line).

Disney has yet to announce the existence of this project, but should shortly.

Composer Michael Giacchino Is Now Scoring “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”

WDWNT on September 26, 2016

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Alexandre Desplat was set to compose the score for “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” but due to the reshoots that occurred earlier this year, he has now been replaced by Michael Giacchino.

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We have heard for months rumors that Disney executives were not happy with the first cut of “Rogue One” and as a result the film had to go through 6 weeks of reshoots. We still dont know how extensive these reshoots were but I have heard rumors that they may have reshot 40-50% of the film.

It does appear that due to the amount of time that the reshoots took, it created a scheduling conflict with original composer, Alexandre Desplat, and he had to move on to other projects.

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I don’t think we could have asked for a better composer than Michael Giacchino, whose list of scores includes Star Trek, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Up, Inside Out and Zootopia.

According to The Hollywood Reporter:

Michael Giacchino, the composer behind such films as the Star Trek reboot and Pixar movies ranging from The Incredibles to Inside Out, will score the upcoming pic, stepping in for Alexandre Desplat, who was originally slated to work on the movie.

The recent reshoots are behind the switch, according to sources.

Rogue One underwent extensive reshoots this summer that saw writer Tony Gilroy take on a filmmaker role during the shoot and the postproduction process as Disney and Lucasfilm sought to clarify story and tonal issues for the pic that is set to open Dec. 16.

But the reshoots also altered the scoring calendar and Desplat, who won an Oscar for The Grand Budapest Hotel, was no longer available. Disney and Lucasfilm then turned to Giacchino, who has a long relationship with the studio and its various divisions.

For Pixar, the maestro created the music for Incredibles, Ratatouille, Up (for which he won an Oscar), Cars 2 and Inside Out. For its live-action film division, he has worked on Sky High, John Carter and Tomorrowland. For Disney Animation this year, Giacchino scored its surprise hit Zootopia. And he’s making his Marvel Studios debut with Doctor Strange, which opens Nov. 4. (With Rogue One, he will end up working for all four of Disney’s film arms.)

Giaachino will now become the first composer to work on a Star Wars movie other than the film series’ iconic mainstay, John Williams, who is slated to return for Star Wars: Episode VIII.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

PHOTOS: Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory Interior Gutted During Overhaul

WDWNT on September 26, 2016

The Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter is currently closed for a massive overhaul, but I’m not sure we expected the work to be this drastic…

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

One of the doors on the restaurant had the covering ripped off from inside (albeit slightly), so we took a peek inside. As you can see in the pictures, the interior has been completely gutted for the most part and new kitchen equipment is awaiting installation.

This is what the interior looked like before:

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

It is unknown if the original theme of the restaurant will stay, but it doesn’t look reassuring to me. It is possible that the large props and such will be moved back in when the construction is done, but only time will tell.

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

For those who may be unaware, this location is the main counter service offering for the resort. While it is closed for refurbishment, the former table service location inside the resort has been turned into a temporary counter service location to meet the needs of guests staying here.

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter is scheduled to reopen in the Fall of 2016. No exact opening date has been set by Disney as of this time, so stay tuned for more information.

What do you think? Would you like to see a new theme for this eatery or would you like to see the old theme return with a refreshed look?

VIDEO: Incredible First Look at the Death Star DLC for Star Wars Battlefront

WDWNT on September 26, 2016

It has been a while since we’ve heard anything about the Death Star DLC, but we now have confirmation that season pass holders can jump in starting on September 20.

EA posted a new trailer for the DLC, which you can see below, that showcases the new maps, weapons, and yes, Chewbacca.

https://https://youtu.be/eRtNR_1fMv4

Of course Chewie isn’t the only new hero that will be added in the DLC. Bounty hunter Bossk makes his debut appearance and offers players more variety in their arsenal of heroes. Each character offers a variety of new abilities, including Chewbacca’s roar, Multi-Bolts, and ground slam, as well as Bossk’s health regeneration and Micro-Grenades.

Battle Station is the DLC’s main attraction though, as it will put players in the action of the famous Death Star battle (who knows which one). Battle Station will feature three distinct phases of action. In phase one, players will fly X-Wings and fight off incoming TIE fighters. Phase two takes place inside the space station where an on foot battle will commence. Finally in phase three, players will fly through the trenches of the Death Star to take it down for good, or until the next sequel.

As usual, the DLC will be available for season pass holders first, so players looking to buy the DLC separately will have to wait at least another two weeks.

VIDEO: Final Pieces of New York Street & Studio Tour Bulldozed for Star Wars & Toy Story Lands

WDWNT on September 26, 2016

It’s time once again for a Disney’s Hollywood Studios expansion update. This is a pretty big one as it includes our final glance at the Streets of America and the removal of all traces of the original Studio Backlot Tour, the headlining attraction from when the park opened back in 1989.

We will have photos of the wreckage later this week in a photo report, but the above video does a pretty good job showing the size and scope of this project.

VIDEO: Part 3 Of The Superfan Created #GOROGUE Video Series

WDWNT on September 26, 2016

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Time is running out for the heroes of the “Go Rogue” YouTube series, with just two installments left to outwit the Empire in this fan-created, toy-sized adventure. Written, directed and produced by a team of Star Wars superfans, the original four-part stop motion story stars key toys from the new “Rogue One” line before they hit stores Sept. 30. Chapter 3 is live on Star Wars YouTube.

The series follows the imagined adventures (no film spoilers!) of “Rogue One” toys as they try to track down the building instructions to the LEGO Star Wars Death Star set that have been misplaced by the Empire. Chapter 3 features the first look at the Hasbro RAPID FIRE™ IMPERIAL AT-ACT™ in action, which can be controlled remotely by smart device, as well as now familiar characters in new toy forms and scale sizes, such as Hasbro’s 3.75” action figures. Additionally, some special effects in Chapter 3 were created using the Hasbro Star Wars StudioFX™ App that launches for free on Sept. 30*.

Chapter 2 left off with Jyn Erso and an unlikely group of heroes recovering half of the Death Star building instructions. In Chapter 3, the Rebels seek the second instruction book on rain-soaked Eadu, but the Empire has beaten them to the prize. Will they be able to outsmart the scheming Director Krennic to escape with the instructions and their lives?

The four-part “Go Rogue” series has been embraced by fans worldwide, with the first two installments garnering more than 5 million views to date. The series kicks off a global UGC contest beginning Sept. 30 that asks fans to share their own “Rogue Stories.” More information is available at StarWars.com/GoRogue for ages 13+, and for parents of kids ages 8-12, have them visit Disney.com/MyRogueStory.

*About Hasbro Star Wars StudioFX™ App

Create your own Star Wars movie or #GoRogue UGC entry set in a galaxy far, far away with the Hasbro Star Wars StudioFX App! Recreate battle scenes with Hasbro figures and vehicles, and bring the action to life with visual and sound effects from the films. Simply stage the figures, choose which special effects to use, press record, and select when the effects are added to each scene. Unlock additional effects by collecting and scanning compatible Hasbro Star Wars products. With more than 50 unique effects, the Hasbro Star Wars StudioFX App gives fans the force needed to create their own Star Wars movie magic. Available for free on iOS and Android devices beginning Sept. 30.

RUMOR: Possible Universe of Energy Closing Date for Guardians of the Galaxy Ride at Epcot

WDWNT on September 26, 2016

According to cast members who work at Epcot’s Universe of Energy, they have been informed by managers of a closing date for the Ellen’s Energy Adventure attraction.

Epcot's Universe of Energy

Epcot’s Universe of Energy

If the cast members are to be believed, the attraction will shutter in January 2017 to make way for the rumored Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster attraction. The Guardians of the Galaxy ride is likely to be announced at the upcoming Destination D event by Bob Chapek according to internal rumblings at the company.

The Guardians of the Galaxy ride for Epcot was originally slated to be announced at Comic Con alongside the Mission: Breakout attraction replacing Tower of Terror at Disney California Adventure. It seems as though the Epcot ride was simply not completely “green-lit” in time to make the announcement a dual one.

Do keep in mind that much of what you read above is still in the realm of rumor at this time (as is anything until finally confirmed by the Walt Disney Company), but with the rumblings growing stronger and stronger each day, it is seeming more and more likely to become a reality.