PHOTOS: Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom Gets a New Look

WDWNT on June 7, 2016

Slowly over the last few years, we have seen Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom undergo a radical color change as various attractions have slowly received new, more colorful paint schemes. Carousel of Progress is the latest victim of the winds of change:

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The facade is mostly white, but one segment of the lower section sports the new look.

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I don’t know about you, but the color and styles remind me a lot of the old Space Mountain entrance…

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We’ll keep you updated on the “progress” as the facade continues to be painted (since this minor paint job seems to be major news to us Disney fans).

What do you think of the new look for the Carousel of Progress?

“Zootopia” Crosses The $1 Billion Dollar Mark At The World Wide Box Office

WDWNT on June 7, 2016

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Disney’s “Zootopia” has become the second Disney film to reach $1 billion dollars at the box office this year along with “Captain America: Civil War”. “Zootopia” has grossed $337 million domestically and $663 million international with a total world wide gross at the box office of $1,000,019,682.

Kind of like the tale of The Little Engine That Could, but this time the engine is a rabbit and a fox. Before this movie was released, most people never expected this film to come near to the $1 billion mark. There was no princess with ice powers, no superhero team trying to save the world, but what we did have was an animated feature that had a well written story for both children and adults, along with an excellent voice cast and memorable and fun characters. A very funny teaser trailer showcasing Judy, Nick and Flash, critical praise and positive word of mouth didn’t hurt things either.

Currently, the top 3 highest grossing movies for this year are all Disney movies:xsxsasax

 

And here is a list of the 20 Highest Grossing Disney Movies Of All Time:

Row Rank Title Studio Worldwide Domestic / % Overseas / % Year^
1 3 Star Wars: The Force Awakens Buena Vista $2,067.0 $936.7 45.3% $1,130.3 54.7% 2015
2 5 Marvel’s The Avengers Buena Vista $1,519.6 $623.4 41.0% $896.2 59.0% 2012
3 7 Avengers: Age of Ultron Buena Vista $1,405.4 $459.0 32.7% $946.4 67.3% 2015
4 9 Frozen Buena Vista $1,276.5 $400.7 31.4% $875.7 68.6% 2013
5 10 Iron Man 3 Buena Vista $1,215.4 $409.0 33.7% $806.4 66.3% 2013
6 12 Captain America: Civil War Buena Vista $1,131.5 $388.9 34.4% $742.6 65.6% 2016
7 18 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest Buena Vista $1,066.2 $423.3 39.7% $642.9 60.3% 2006
8 19 Toy Story 3 Buena Vista $1,063.2 $415.0 39.0% $648.2 61.0% 2010
9 20 Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Buena Vista $1,045.7 $241.1 23.1% $804.6 76.9% 2011
10 23 Alice in Wonderland (2010) Buena Vista $1,025.5 $334.2 32.6% $691.3 67.4% 2010
11 26 Zootopia Buena Vista $1,000.0 $337.2 33.7% $662.8 66.3% 2016
12 29 The Lion King Buena Vista $968.5 $422.8 43.7% $545.7 56.3% 1994^
13 30 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End Buena Vista $963.4 $309.4 32.1% $654.0 67.9% 2007
14 35 Finding Nemo Buena Vista $936.7 $380.8 40.7% $555.9 59.3% 2003^
15 40 The Jungle Book (2016) Buena Vista $895.1 $347.5 38.8% $547.6 61.2% 2016
16 49 Inside Out Buena Vista $857.4 $356.5 41.6% $501.0 58.4% 2015
17 63 Guardians of the Galaxy Buena Vista $773.3 $333.2 43.1% $440.1 56.9% 2014
18 66 Maleficent Buena Vista $758.5 $241.4 31.8% $517.1 68.2% 2014
19 73 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Buena Vista $745.0 $291.7 39.2% $453.3 60.8% 2005
20 74 Monsters University Buena Vista $743.6 $268.5 36.1% $475.1 63.9% 2013

Source: Box Office Mojo

VIDEO: Latest Disney’s Hollywood Studios Expansion Update – Pizza Rizzo, Star Wars Fireworks, and More

WDWNT on June 7, 2016

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As work continues at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there is so much more happening than just the construction of two new themed lands. There’s plenty of other changes happening around the park, and since it’s hard to see what’s happening way back in the demolition zone currently, this is where we will turn our focus in our latest video update:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkM5MgwWIYk]

REVIEW: STK Orlando at Disney Springs Begins Lunch Service, But Is It Worth Your Time?

WDWNT on June 7, 2016

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Hopefully you have already read our extensive dinner review of STK Orlando before you delve into this one, but STK quietly began offering a lunch service on June 1st so we decided to see if lunch was near as good as the (what I thought was great, albeit expensive) dinner offerings.

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First off, a lot of items carry over from dinner, which I don’t think is necessarily a bad thing. If you read my dinner review, I thought it was very good and seemed to be priced on par with similar steakhouses in the area. That being said, lunch adds just a few different plates to the mix: 4 burgers/sandwiches and 4 lunch entrees, which are smaller versions of dinner entrees.

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I had the STK Wagyu Beef Burger, which I was assured was essentially a larger version of the Lil’ BRGs offered as an appetizer. While the hamburger quality was certainly as good, I was not a big fan of the topping choices. The bun had great flavor, but the blue cheese and cherry peppers just didn’t work well together (of course the bacon was fine). I opted for the french fires as a side, which was my favorite part of my meal. I’m not sure if they just ran down to McDonald’s to get these, but they tasted just like their french fries. Seriously, they taste just like those you would find at McDonald’s, but expensive I guess…

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The Grilled Chicken Club was a disaster. The bread in no way held the sandwich together, ti just absorbed all of the juices and then proceeded to implode upon itself.

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The few bites we had of the sandwich together were good, but it was just too big of a mess to enjoy.

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Josh ordered the Crispy Mahi Mahi sandwich, which overall was everyone’s favorite. This was just about perfect: the bun, the sauce, and the perfectly cooked fish just made for a really pleasant taste. I would seriously come back for this, but I would skip the side salad I think as it was rather plain. Yes, I would get the McDonald’s french fries instead…

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Since we only had three of the lunch entrees, I won’t tell you that lunch at STK Orlando isn’t worth your time. If you refer to the dinner review, there are plenty of items carrying over to lunch that I would highly recommend (along with the Mahi Mahi sandwich), so the question really becomes when is the best time to dine here. The atmosphere for Lunch is fairly quiet, so if you are afraid of the slightest chance of loud music, I would go during the restaurant’s lunch hours. If you would rather dress up a little and get more of a dinner experience for your money, I would stick with dinner. Otherwise, I still highly recommend STK Orlando, I just wouldn’t recommend many of the lunch specific options.

PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 6/6/16 (Star Wars, Echo Lake Eats, Toy Story, ETC.)

WDWNT on June 7, 2016

There is a lot going on at Disney’s Hollywood Studios these days, so let’s take a look at what’s new and exciting in our very latest photo report:

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Welcome to Hollywood

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Trolley Car Cafe now offers two unique lunch sandwiches

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Work continues on the two fairly un-themed towers for the new Star Wars fireworks show

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Billboard for Finding Dory up behind the Great Movie Ride

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Displays for now-cancelled ABC shows still up in the ABC Commissary

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Writer’s Stop now has this sign outside to attempt to draw more guests in

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There are scrims up in the Muppetvision exit so guests can’t peek at the demolition nearby

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Lots of ads for The Muppets still up

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Oasis Canteen added a kid’s meal and a Mickey Brownie to the menu, check out our review to see what we thought of the nuggets…

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Finding Dory window display at Mickey’s of Hollywood

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A Finding Dory phone case available

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The projectors for the new Star Wars fireworks have been installed

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Meanwhile, the old speaker towers are being covered to match the surrounding buildings

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Echo Lake Eats opened recently

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This contains three food booths to help with the overwhelmed counter service establishments at the park

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Heading back to Oasis Canteen, we had to try the Mickey brownie

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It’s pretty cute…

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It was as pretty as it was terrible unfortunately, very dry and no flavor, certainly not anything that resembled a brownie at least…

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Still not much to see by the exit of the new Toy Story Midway Mania track

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Even though the area was cleaned out, the Tower of Terror bar idea has been shelved for now

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A new mug for sale at 5 & 10

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Pins have moved into The Darkroom for some reason, just open edition though

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Celebrity Spotlight finally got some permanent signage

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Work continues on Pizza Rizzo, the replacement for Pizza Planet

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Inside Muppetvision 3-D, a few new interactive elements await activation

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Another look at Pizza Rizzo

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Red Carpet Dreams also received new signage as well

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There are signs between the two meet and greets as well

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Instead of holding stroller parking for Mickey and Minnie back here, Chip and Dale have found a home here instead

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The speaker tower on Mickey Avenue is covered as well

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At the end of PIXAR Place, a merchandise cart and Churro cart have taken up residence where the new Toy Story Mania track exits

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Limited release Star Wars phone cases and MagicBands for sale, only at Star Wars Launch Bay

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The thrid track at Toy Story Mania is helping, just 55 minutes at 2:00PM on a weekend

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Honestly, the wait was probably even shorter than 55 minutes

Tony’s Town Square Restaurant to Offer NEW Electrical Parade Dining Package

WDWNT on June 7, 2016

Starting tomorrow, reservations can be made for a three-course lunch at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant which will include reserved viewing for the Main Street Electrical Parade, right in front of the flagpole on Main Street U.S.A.

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The dining package includes your choice of appetizer, entrée, dessert and a beverage.

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Cost is $45 for adults, $17 for children plus tax and gratuity, or is one table-service entitlement on the Disney Dining Plan. Reservations open June 7, and can be made by visiting DisneyWorld.com/dine or calling 407-WDW-Dine.

A “Splash” Remake Is In On The Way

WDWNT on June 7, 2016

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CNBC recently spoke with producer Brian Glazer during an evolution of Hollywood segment and was asked about one of his first movies, “Splash,” and Glazer dropped a bomb.

CNBC: “(Let’s say) you’re casting “Splash” today, who plays Tom Hanks’ role?”

Glazer: “I’m actually going to do “Splash” today and I can’t say.”

CNBC: “Wait, wait, what?”

Glazer: “I’m actually going to do it from the point of you of a….I can’t say anything about it except there is a movie star involved but I haven’t announced it.”

CNBC: “In your book you say that the original take on it was called “Wet” and it was written from the point of view of the mermaid.”

Glazer: “Yes! And that is what we are going to do. A version of that. But I cant tell you the twist.”

OK, so Glazer has confirmed that they are working on a remake of “Splash”, “possibly” called “Wet”, it will be told from the point of view of the mermaid, there is a Hollywood star involved and there is a twist. Any ideas of who could be starring as Madison, the mermaid in “Splash” originally played by Daryl Hannah, and what the twist could be? Some actresses names that come to mind for me are Emma Stone and Margot Robbie. As for the twist, maybe Madison stays instead of returning to the sea?

The original movie “Splash” brought about a few “firsts”. When it was released in 1984, it was Disney’s first movie under the Touchtone Pictures banner, which was also Disney’s first adult romantic comedy. It was also Tom Hanks first theatrical movie.  The movie was directed by Ron Howard and starred Tom Hanks as a man who as a child was rescued by a young mermaid from drowning. He is later reunited with her many years later and a romance is developed and soon Madison(Daryl Hannah) must make a choice to either stay with the man she loves or return to her her life at sea as a mermaid.

Source: Entertainment Weekly

 

BREAKING: Disneyland Resort to Add New Flagship Four-Diamond Luxury Hotel

WDWNT on June 7, 2016

The Walt Disney Company has submitted plans to the City of Anaheim to add a new luxury resort hotel to the Disneyland Resort. According to the OC Register, the hotel would be 700 rooms and be rated Four Diamonds by AAA. The proposed hotel will have a rooftop restaurant with a view of the fireworks over Sleeping Beauty Castle, as seen in this concept art.

Concept art of the rooftop restaurant at the proposed new hotel at the Disneyland Resort. The approximately 700 room hotel will be located on 10 acres on what is currently the Downtown Disney parking lot. The proposed hotel would be a AAA "Four-Diamond" hotel. //// ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Concept art of the proposed new hotel at the Disneyland Resort. The approximately 700 room hotel will be located on 10 acres on what is currently the Downtown Disney parking lot. The proposed hotel would be a AAA "Four-Diamond" hotel. - Date of photo: 06/06/16 - disney.newhotel -- Photo by: COURTESY, THE DISNEYLAND RESORT

Concept art of the rooftop restaurant at the proposed new hotel at the Disneyland Resort. The approximately 700 room hotel will be located on 10 acres on what is currently the Downtown Disney parking lot. The proposed hotel would be a AAA “Four-Diamond” hotel.
Photo COURTESY, THE DISNEYLAND RESORT

Concept art of the lobby for the proposed new hotel at the Disneyland Resort. The approximately 700 room hotel will be located on 10 acres on what is currently the Downtown Disney parking lot. The proposed hotel would be a AAA "Four-Diamond" hotel. //// ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Concept art of the proposed new hotel at the Disneyland Resort. The approximately 700 room hotel will be located on 10 acres on what is currently the Downtown Disney parking lot. The proposed hotel would be a AAA "Four-Diamond" hotel. - Date of photo: 06/06/16 - disney.newhotel -- Photo by: COURTESY, THE DISNEYLAND RESORT

Concept art of the lobby for the proposed new hotel at the Disneyland Resort. The approximately 700 room hotel will be located on 10 acres on what is currently the Downtown Disney parking lot. The proposed hotel would be a AAA “Four-Diamond” hotel.
Photo COURTESY, THE DISNEYLAND RESORT

Concept art of the swimming pool area of the proposed new hotel at the Disneyland Resort. The approximately 700 room hotel will be located on 10 acres on what is currently the Downtown Disney parking lot. The proposed hotel would be a AAA "Four-Diamond" hotel. //// ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Concept art of the proposed new hotel at the Disneyland Resort. The approximately 700 room hotel will be located on 10 acres on what is currently the Downtown Disney parking lot. The proposed hotel would be a AAA "Four-Diamond" hotel. - Date of photo: 06/06/16 - disney.newhotel -- Photo by: COURTESY, THE DISNEYLAND RESORT

Concept art of the swimming pool area of the proposed new hotel at the Disneyland Resort. The approximately 700 room hotel will be located on 10 acres on what is currently the Downtown Disney parking lot. The proposed hotel would be a AAA “Four-Diamond” hotel.
Photo COURTESY, THE DISNEYLAND RESORT

The hotel would be located at the northern end of the Downtown Disney parking lot, essentially behind the Rainforest Cafe and ESPN Zone, on the corner of Disneyland Drive and Magic Way. The footprint of the project will occupy ten acres of the Downtown Disney parking lot, but it will include a parking structure which will service the hotel and Downtown Disney. On the map below, the red rectangle represents approximately ten acres, the size of the entire project.  We’ve also identified several key locations to help you orient yourself.  The new hotel will be northeast of the current Disneyland Hotel (Fantasy Tower identified on map), and south of the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure, of which just a sliver appears on the map. Theme park views from the hotel will overlook the show buildings of Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.  Parts of the currently-under-construction Star Wars Land should also be visible, as it will be completed by the time the hotel opens in 2021.

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No theme has been announced for the hotel, but it will be designed by WDI.  Currently, the city of Anaheim has only two Four Diamond hotels – the Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.  Anaheim City Council last year adopted a plan to provide tax incentives for developers to build luxury hotels to attract higher-end visitors.  Since then, a number of new luxury hotels have been proposed, including two at GardenWalk, one at the site of the Anabella Hotel, and one at the site of the Anaheim Plaza Hotel and Suites.

PHOTOS: Celebrity Spotlight Opens at Hollywood Studios, New Olaf from Frozen Meet and Greet Experience

WDWNT on May 18, 2016

Starting today at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests can share a warm hug with Olaf from Disney’s Frozen…

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Entering on the Echo Lake side, guests can head to Celebrity Spotlight to meet Olaf from Frozen. The new experience features the lovable snow man with a fun summer backdrop. According to Disney, the character meeting in this location will rotate every few months, but there has been no word on how long Olaf will be featured here.

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The location (situated between the Star Tours area restrooms and the Star Wars: Path of the Jedi film) does not offer FastPass+, so you’ll probably want to get here early to meet Olaf if desired. Adjacent meet and greet experiences for Mickey and Minnie Mouse are expected to open very soon, but those experiences will enter through a separate queue on Commissary lane.

PHOTOS BY DIRK WALLEN