Just minutes ago, Disney shared a sneak peek of what’s coming to Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including new details on the land’s attractions set to bring the world of Toy Story to life for guests.
In Toy Story Land, you’ll find yourself shrunk to the size of a toy to explore the world of Andy’s backyard with your favorite Toy Story characters, including Woody and Buzz. There are two new themed attractions being developed for Toy Story Land.
The first – Slinky Dog Dash – will be a family coaster attraction. The attraction features a coaster track that Andy has built all over his backyard using his Mega Coaster Play Kit, but as you know, he has a pretty amazing imagination, so he’s combined it with some of his other toys, according to Imagineer Kathy Mangum. Take a look at a concept video of Slinky Dog Dash that Kathy shared earlier:
On Slinky Dog Dash, you will zip, dodge and dash around many turns and drops that Andy has created to really make Slinky and his coils stretch to his limits.
The second all-new attraction in Toy Story Land will be Alien Swirling Saucers. This attraction is designed as a toy play set that Andy got from Pizza Planet, inspired by the first Toy Story film. Aliens are flying around in their toy flying saucers and trying to capture your rocket toy vehicle with “The Claw.”
As you rotate around the toy planets and satellites as part of the game, you’ll swirl to the beat of fun “Space Jazz” music developed just for this experience, Mangum said. The music, the lighting, and the sound effects will add to the flurry of your adventure while “The Claw” looms ominously over you.
Also today, Mangum shared an update that beginning Memorial Day weekend, even more guests will be able to experience Toy Story Mania with the addition of a third track.
Starting in early May, guests visiting Epcot will be able to spot Dory and some of her friends from the new film “Finding Dory” at the park’s “Turtle Talk With Crush” attraction.
Some of her new pals you can expect to spot within the attraction include Destiny the whale shark, Bailey the beluga whale and Hank the “septopus” (that’s a seven-legged octopus). Crush’s son and best pal Squirt will also be swimming by for the first time, as well you may spot Nemo and his dad Marlin.
“Finding Dory” swims into theaters on June 17, 2016.
Rivers of Light may not be ready to debut anytime soon, but Disney previewed what they could of the new nighttime spectacular for Animal Kingdom at last night’s media preview. Take a look:
What we have seen of the show so far looks visually stunning, and personally, I’m a big fan of the soundtrack so far. Whenever it does debut, this should be a real crowd-pleaser for the park. Hopefully it is soon…
Nighttime safaris are coming to Kilimanjaro Safaris this Memorial Day weekend, but we are already getting an in-depth look at what we can expect from this new offering:
Beginning May 27th, Disney’s Animal Kingdom park will be open nightly until 11pm through July 2nd. There is no word yet on if any Extra Magic Hours evenings will extend past this time, but cast members were informed of the new hours this afternoon.
It has also not been stated what the park closing time will be after July 2nd.
Disney Parks will welcome its first princess inspired by diverse Latin cultures. Princess Elena of Avalor will be appearing at Walt Disney World Resort this summer and at Disneyland Resort in the fall, following her television debut in a new animated series this summer on Disney Channel.
Kids and families worldwide will be enchanted by the story of Princess Elena, a bold, caring, funny and clever 16-year-old who is ascendant to the throne in the fairytale kingdom of Avalor. The series follows the story of Elena, who saves her kingdom from an evil sorceress and must now learn to rule with the support of her appointed Grand Council and some magical friends by her side. Elena’s adventures will lead her to understand that her new role requires thoughtfulness, resilience and compassion, the traits of all truly great leaders, while highlighting the importance of family and family traditions.
The inspiring story of Elena of Avalor will be shared in 33 languages in 163 countries on Disney Channels worldwide. And, Disney Parks, where universally enchanting stories come to life every day, will be the place where families can see Disney’s newest princess in person. At Walt Disney World Resort, Elena will appear in the Magic Kingdom. At Disneyland Resort, she will appear at Disney California Adventure. The Disney Princesses at Walt Disney World Resort will welcome Elena in August. Her Disneyland arrival date will be announced in the near future.
I took a quick stroll through Epcot, the Boardwalk and the Yacht and Beach Club earlier this week and have some newsworthy photos to share, so let’s take a look at what’s new and exciting:
The Circle of Life is still closed until April 22nd
Not sure that it actually counts as anyhting new for the event, but there are Flower and Garden Festival signs in Living with the Land
I don’t know what adding these signs does for the sake of the Festival…
The men’s restroom near Soarin’ is now behind walls
The Seas is carrying a lot of the new Finding Nemo related merchandise
New Epcot popcorn bucket features Mission:SPACE
We rode Journey Into Imagination (for some reason) and the train stopped between screens in the first room…. this ride is falling apart again.
Meanwhile, tarps are finally up for work on the new DVC member lounge which will be located upstairs
Haunted Mansion Tsum Tsum are available at ImageWorks
A new Stormtrooper shirt in MouseGear
Also, a new kid’s hoodie
There is now an entire line of compact mirror key-chains available
I think they have finally just given up on Ellen and the giant Dinosaur attacking her at the Universe of Energy as they have been gone for over a year now
Work continues on the Royal Sommerhus, which will officially open in June, but should actually soft-open sometime in May
Frozen Ever After is also set for a June opening, but we expect it to open in May as well
Over at the Boardwalk, work is well underway on the Ample Hills Creamery
As well as the massive remodel of Flying Fish
The Yacht Club has a lot of great new resort-specific merchandise
Going back to the Boardwalk, they have a lot of great, unique pieces as well
If you’re missing your sweet treats on the Boardwalk, they are now available inside the Screen Door shop
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Over the last month, I have heard a lot of people talking about a possible Guardians of the Galaxy overlay for the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Supposedly, Disney is looking to opt out of the licensing fees paid for the use of the Twilight Zone franchise in this ride at Disney Parks around the globe, as odd of an overlay as Guardians might sound like for it. Sounds pretty far fetched, right? Well, it isn’t. Actually, it’s all true according to sources.
Before you get too upset, from everything I have heard at this point, this only applies to Disney California Adventure. There are no plans anytime soon to overlay or replace the Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, especially with Disney and Sony working together on a feature film based on the attraction that also ties into the Twilight Zone franchise. Why overlay the California attraction? For a brand new theme park land for DCA – MARVEL Studios.
MARVEL Studios would encompass the last true expansion pad for the park, situated between Hollywood Land and A Bug’s Land. The area would be a natural extension of Hollywood Land, being a “working movie studio”. On the lot, guests could find a series on indoor and outdoor meet and greet experiences, as well as plenty of shopping and dining. One completely new attraction would greet guests according to current rumblings: a launch coaster featuring Captain America, showcasing elaborate show scenes between coaster ride portions. The other attraction would be near one of the two entrances to the new land: a Guardians of the Galaxy-themed overlay of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
With the current budgetary mindset in Disney Parks management right now, this makes a lot of sense. If they want to get MARVEL quickly and in a less costly manner into the California parks, this seems like a good answer. The Tower of Terror in California has never been as beloved or admired as much as the original attraction in Florida, and as long as an attraction of the same style existed, I find it hard to believe that any guests visiting the Disneyland Resort would actually care.
What would a Guardians of the Galaxy overlay for Tower look like? Who knows. I’m assuming there may be some material in the second Guardians of the Galaxy film which may lend itself to this attraction style, but until then, I am absolutely at a loss for how this makes sense. However, I don’t doubt Disney could make it work and make the overlay not feel so forced.
As always, things are subject to change and it sound like all of this is still in the very early design phases right now and very much subject to change. They still have an entire Star Wars-themed land to complete at Disneyland before this sees the light of day, and a lot can change between now and then. However, it certainly sounds like Disney is “hooked on a feeling” when it comes to Guardians of the Galaxy, so I expect to see an attraction based on these films sooner, rather than later.
Robert Downey Jr. Joins The Cast Of “Spider-Man: Homecoming”
The partnership between Marvel and Sony keeps expanding into the movies with Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man) joining Tom Holland(Spider-Man) in “Spider-Man: Homecoming” This will be the third reboot, yes I said third, for the Spider-Man movie franchise and if anyone in the Marvel Cinematic Universe can help make it be successful it is Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Iron Man and Tony Stark.
From The Hollywood Reporter:
It looks like the team-up of Spider-Man and Iron Man seen in Captain America: Civil War won’t be the duo’s last.
Robert Downey Jr., who plays the red-and-gold-armored Marvel character, has closed a deal to join the cast of Spider-Man: Homecoming, Marvel and Sony’s reboot of the web-crawling superhero, sources tell THR.
Tom Holland will star as Peter Parker/Spider-Man and is making his debut as the character in Civil War (and already garnering praise for his take on the role).
The movie establishes a key relationship between Tony Stark/Iron Man and Parker, and Homecoming will continue that thread.
According to many reviews, Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Holland have great chemistry in “Captain America: Civil War” and Tony acts as a mentor to Peter Parker as does Iron Man to Spider-Man.
Tony Stark Uses His Influence To Promote “Captain America: Civil War” Using The Eiffel Tower
Robert Downey Jr. has been definitely keeping himself busy lately. Recently he was out promoting “Captain America: Civil War” as Tony Stark and incorporated some STARK Technology to promote “Team Iron Man”. Check it out:
The Newest “Spider-Man” Movie Is Called “Spider-Man: Homecoming”; Logo Revealed
The title of the newest Spider-Man movie was actually leaked online a few weeks ago. The problem back then was no one really believed it because “Homecoming” just sounded, well, weird. Sony officially announced that “Spider-Man: Homecoming” was indeed the title and also revealed the official logo.
Even though this is the third reboot, yes, I am saying third again, this is the first Spider-Man film to take place in the MCU. As mentioned above, we will see Tony Stark and Iron Man make a visit but we can expect to see even more. My best guess is Samuel L Jackson as Nick Fury. Fury has been instrumental in bringing together all of the members of The Avengers and wouldn’t surprise me if he is under Fury’s watchful eye.
But what could Homecoming be about? Amazing Spider-Man #252 was released in May 1984 and it was titled “Homecoming”:
I actually have this issue and I remember that the significance of this issue was that this was the first time that Spider-Man began using his black costume that he obtained off world during Marvel’s Secret Wars. This is still my favorite Spider-Man costume but was later revealed that this costume was a living symbiote that was slowly taking over Peter. Peter eventually was able to escape the control of the symbiote and the costume quickly bonded with Eddie Brock who became one of Spider-Man’s most popular villains, Venom. I absolutely love this story and the symbiote story-line but no way will they be addressing this so soon. They also botched up this story once in “Spider-Man 3”. Curse you Sam Rami!
More than likely, Homecoming will relate to Spider-Man’s homecoming into the MCU. Spidey is finally home where he belongs. Lets hope that third times a charm!
Comparing “Captain America’s” Costumes In “Avengers: Age Of Ultron” And “Civil War”
“Age Of Ultron” (left) vs “Civil War” (right)
While looking at the promo art for “Captain America: Civil War”, I noticed a few changes to Captain America’s costume. At first glance, and especially in the trailers, the costumes look identical but if you look above you can see changes a bit more easier.
Here is a list of differences I was able to see:
CW costume has no red on the collar and chest. Mostly blue now.
CW shows blue on his bicep, larger red stripe. Ultron was white.
Costume seems darker now. Could be lack of red and white though.
Red stripe on leg is longer and straighter.
Star is different. Looks smaller or could be higher up.
Chest area is less segmented and more solid now.
Knee pads are smaller.
Gloves are shorter now.
Boots are new and black instead of brown.
Belts are slightly different.
VIDEO: Teaser For Marvel’s “Civil War II”; First Look At Panels
Here is our first look at some comic book panels and the synopsis for the sequel to the comic book series that the upcoming movie, “Captain America: Civil War” is (loosely) based on. But to start things off, let’s check out this cool teaser trailer:
This is it! War comes to the Marvel Universe this June as the Earth-shattering comics event of 2016 comes to comic shops with a jam-packed double-size issue! Today, Marvel is pleased to present your exciting look inside CIVIL WAR II #1, from chartbusting creators Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez! The fan-fave creative team that brought you INVINCIBLE IRON MANjoin forces once more to bring you a tale of hero against hero – and a Marvel Universe divided in two!
Ulysses – a young Inhuman with the power to profile the future has emerged. His new abilities send shockwaves through the superhuman community. Divided amongst themselves, will they use Ulysses to prevent danger before it happens? Or should they allow the future to unfold unaltered? As his new powers send shockwaves rippling across the Marvel Universe, battle lines will be drawn. Do you stand with Iron Man? Or will you side with Captain Marvel?
Will the heroes of the Marvel Universe wield the power of “predictive justice” to change the future or battle to protect tomorrow? Battle lines will be drawn. Lives will be changed. Heroes will fall. The comic book event that will have the world talking kicks off on June 1 in the double-sized CIVIL WAR II #1!
Plus – don’t miss two opening salvos of CIVIL WAR II this May! Head to your local comic shop on Free Comic Book Day for an exciting prologue to Civil War II by Brian Michael Bendis & Jim Cheung. Then, pick up CIVIL WAR II #0 by Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel – on sale later that month!
