A Disney Parks exclusive Tsum Tsum series was surprise released on the Shop Disney Parks App today. The series features characters from Splash Mountain.
Again, these Tsum Tsum are available now, but only through the Shop Disney Parks app. There is no word as of yet if they will be released in the parks, but we can only assume that they will at some point in the future.
The expansion of FuelRod continues at Walt Disney World as the swappable electronics battery has exceeded all expectations in just the first 6 months of its run at the Vacation Kingdom of the World.
Two new kiosks can now be found at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, one at PizzeRizzo, and another inside of Rock Around the Shop at the exit of Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster.
FuelRod kiosk inside of PizzeRizzo at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
FuelRod kiosk inside of Rock Around the Shop (Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster exit) at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Be sure to check out our in-depth review of the FuelRod service, which by the way, is now also available at the Disneyland Resort.
Here is an updated list of kiosk locations at Walt Disney World:
In alliance with Star Wars Celebration coming to Orlando, Disney will be holding an after-hours hard ticket event at Hollywood Studios called “Star Wars: Galactic Nights”. Star Wars: Galactic Nights will take place on April 14, 2017, from 7:00 PM to midnight. Tickets are available for $124 per child and $129 per adult (plus tax). It is $119.00 for adults and $113.00 for children if you are an Annual Passholder.
Guests are invited to put on your finest Star Wars-themed costumes and attire (permitting costume guidelines), and walk the red carpet toward an intergalactic introduction—followed by a whole universe of event entertainment and interactive fun, from a park-wide scavenger hunt to Star Wars Character encounters and more.
Hollywood Studios attractions available throughout the event include:
The event also offers a wide array of exclusive offerings, including:
Inside the Saga – Celebrity Chat
After a brief pre-show warm-up featuring the hosts of the Star Wars Show, hear from a Star Wars feature film cast member. As your host asks question after riveting question, their stories will be yours—including what it was like to perform before an audience of millions.
Inside the Saga – Behind the Magic
Following a pre-show with the hosts of the Star Wars Show, learn what it takes to make some of cinema’s most beloved moments, as experienced by one of the Saga’s behind-the-scenes wizards. Their adventures will be yours as this special crew member explains all that goes into bringing the world—and worlds—of Star Wars to life.
Character meet and greets will also be a part of the event, including:
As you board your shuttle at Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, get ready to come face-to-face with Imperial Stormtroopers patrolling the embarkation ramps in pursuit of a Rebel spy.
While you adventure through the forest of Endor en route to your flight with Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, prepare for a curious encounter with a few furry village inhabitants.
Clear the way for Darth Vader as the feared-and-revered Sith Lord leads a battalion of Stormtroopers down Hollywood Boulevard during a dramatic Imperial March to the event stage.
Clear the way for Captain Phasma as this ruthless commander leads her squad of Stormtroopers up Hollywood Boulevard in a daunting demonstration of the First Order’s obedience and strength.
Visit the Cantina at this popular Disney’s Hollywood Studios destination for a chance to interact with the most notorious bounty hunter in the galaxy, Boba Fett—and possibly even Darth Vader himself!
The event will also be host to an exclusive scavenger hunt. During the Seize the Saga Scavenger Hunt, you’ll be enlisted to find 8 takeaway clues located at each of the Star Wars photo backdrops. After gathering the clues, Guests will be encouraged to act out their very own mini scene or capture a heartfelt message about their love for Star Wars—and post your moment on social media during the event.
The event hub will be a stunning, interactive projection featuring iconic Star Wars scenery. After guests witness a celebrity motorcade leading to the Rebel Base, you head to the main stage to find your home for ongoing event information, hosted shows, interactive moments, a DJ dance party and more.
In addition, be sure to check out the following feature presentations:
Join the hosts of the popular starwars.com show as they interact with Guests like you… and film material for their weekly online program.
Throughout the evening, take off on an interactive journey that chronologically celebrates the milestones of 40 Force-filled years of Star Wars.
There will be photo-ops with backdrops from all eight films, as well, Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular and Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away will be presented during this event.
Disney today finally announced the further expansion of FASTPASS to two of their most popular attractions — Toy Story Mania in Disney California Adventure park and Matterhorn Bobsleds in Disneyland park. However, the bigger news is that the eventual introduction of digital FASTPASS at the resort will be part of a paid service.
Later this year, Disney will launch Disney MaxPass, which will allow guests unlimited downloads of their high-resolution PhotoPass images, but also enable the convenience of mobile booking and redemption of Disney FASTPASS return times – all by using the Disneyland App. Disney MaxPass will be available for an introductory price of $10 a day. Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders also will have the opportunity to purchase Disney MaxPass on a daily or yearly basis.
Guests will continue to have the option of Disney FASTPASS service at no cost by obtaining FASTPASSES at attraction FASTPASS kiosks, just as they do today.
This contradicts rumors of the last year or so about the installation of the system and ensures that paper FASTPASS service will remain at the Disneyland Resort for the time being.
Our latest photo report brings us to Disney Springs for a quick evening visit.
Starbright Holidays (the drone show) was still happening while we were visiting, it has since come to an end for the season. It’s worth noting that the Characters in Flight balloon had not yet been taken down for its refurbishment where it is getting a new-look balloon.
Work continues on the Planet Hollywood Observatory and Stargazers Bar (I thought it was lounge, but the sign says otherwise).
Just the Hollywood sign was lighting up, no planet…
See? The Stargazers Bar.
Goodbye character-filled design. The new design will be devoid of any characters to better fit the theme and story of Disney Springs. Oh well.
The Planet Hollywood entrance is still covered up.
Columbia is selling Star Wars: Rogue One jackets…
I don’t see the trooper wearing a Columbia jacket…
A new store called Stance recently opened, and they sell socks.
I would usually say that a store like this won’t last, but they have licensed Disney and Star Wars socks.
They are a little pricey at over $15.00 a pair, but they are pretty neat.
Work continues on The Polite Pig, set to open this year.
These Star Wars stackable meal sets recently hit shelves. They are a little strange, but kind of cool I guess…
They are $16.99 each.
Over at D-Tech on Demand inside Marketplace Co-Op, a Star wars category was added to the phone case creation kiosks.
Walt Disney World Marathon designs were available here.
A new MARVEL comic books’ case.
D23 members can pick up an exclusive phone case here as well.
More of the stackable meal sets for sale inside of Once Upon a Toy.
These new Mickey and Minnie model sheet art pieces were on sale at the Art of Disney, they cost $295.00 each.
Work continues on The Paddlefish.
The paddlewheel and smokestacks are back, which despite the new exterior, makes the boat look really fantastic.
The new look balloon for Characters in Flight was inflated today at Disney Springs.
The new design features no characters, a request made by Disney in keeping the new story of Disney Springs cohesive.
The Epcot International Festival of the Arts doesn’t begin until tomorrow, but the fantastic Figment topiary behind Spaceship Earth is already up:
Stay tuned for more coverage of the first annual Epcot International Festival of the Arts, starting tomorrow.
Following a short refurbishment, the Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa reopened recently featuring a number of interior changes and a drastically new menu.
The restaurant is tucked in the back of the main building, towards the marina area, so many guests are not even aware that it exists. This often makes it a quiet getaway from the rest of Walt Disney World, but it can get busy from time to time.
A completely new station was built featuring desserts, pastries and sweets from the Grand Floridian Bakery, as well as a selection of coffee and specialty beverages.
The self serve dessert case is well stocked with amazing looking treats.
There are also assorted pastries available.
A look at the overall menu.
Next up is the sandwich and pizza station.
And of course, there is the much improved sandwich bar. No more hot dog served in a baked potato here…
Gasparilla Island Grill is the latest counter service establishment to receive Coke Freestyle machines and they have tow of them which work using the Rapid Fill technology in Disney cups.
Coffee, hot cocoa, iced teas, and more are also available.
Not much has changed over at the condiment station.
Some quick grab and go options by the registers.
You can sit indoors and outdoors here and they will bring your food to when it is ready either way.
I prefer outdoors if the weather is nice as the atmosphere in the marina area is always really enjoyable.
OK, enough of that, let’s talk about the food!
One of the big selling points of the new Gasparilla Island Grill is the new pizza-making process…
Each pizza—which cooks in 90 seconds at 840 degrees—is served on pizza dough made in-house daily by Chef Erich’s team at the Grand Floridian Bakery.
You could really taste the difference here and this was a big step u in quality for counter service pizza at Walt Disney World. The sauce was really sweet, so don’t expect New York-stlye here, but the overall flavors of the personal pie were really good. The distribution of the toppings could have been a little better, but really I’m just nitpicking here. If you want a quick pizza, I would highly recommend getting one here.
Described as “Grilled Chicken and Ham on a Brioche Bun served with French Fries”, there is actually a whole lot more going on in this sandwich. There is also some sort of strawberry jam in here and a good amount of arugula. Jam of any sort isn’t my favorite thing to eat, but overall I thought this sandwich was really good. The bread was nice and fresh and the ingredients in the sandwich all blended together really nicely. Grilled chicken sandwiches at Walt Disney World’s counter service restaurants aren’t often very good, but this is one that I would order again.
Now, for what you have all been waiting for… dessert! This coconut pot de creme might be my favorite dessert I have ever had from a quick service establishment. I love coconut, so if you don’t, obviously don’t order this, but I can’t imagine a scenario where anyone wouldn’t think this is amazing. The crust holds together a rich coconut creme, which is accented nicely by the whipped cream and coconut shavings on top. I will be back for this over and over again. Grand Floridian Executive Chef, Scott Hunnel personally recommended this to us as his favorite when we were picking out desserts, and I can see why.
As good as this cupcake looked, it did not have a taste that matched. Overall, I found it to have little chocolate flavor and the coconut material in the middle did little to enhance it. Next time, I think I’ll have to go for the Minnie Mouse Cupcake, because this just did not deliver the promises made by its beautiful exterior. It wasn’t dry or poorly made, it just didn’t have any flavor.
I have always loved Gasparilla Island Grill, but this new menu is a giant leap forward in quality, putting this restaurant towards the top of the list for the absolute best counter service eateries in all of Walt Disney World.It is also one of the few that offers some sort of late night menu and remains open 24 hours a day. I am anxious to try more of the new menu soon, so expect another review (if I can keep up, there are literally dozens of reviews I have in process waiting to be posted) in the not-too-distant future.
Our latest photo report brings us to the Magic Kingdom for new merchandise, new alcohol, and much more.
In case you missed it, 2017 merchandise is now available everywhere around the resort.
Some new vintage-style Walt Disney World shirts have started to appear.
A number of locations are removing the “hanging” vertical napkin holders and replacing them with these.
Yes, I ate at Pecos Bill’s again.
And now, a few pics from Once Upon a Time.
Casey’s Corner is now offering a hot dog of the month,. The first one is a macaroni and cheese dog.
This new Mr. Potato Head mug is now for sale, depicting him how he once appeared in Toy Story Midway Mania at Hollywood Studios.
He will return when Toy Story Land opens in 2018, this time located at the entrance of the attraction.
A really neat idea, Walt Disney World is now selling postcard coloring books.
There are also two additional versions, one with Princesses and one with PIXAR characters.
They retail at $9.99 each.
The new ferryboat sign finally arrived at the Magic Kingdom boat dock.
The Walt Disney World Railroad is closed for refurbishment currently.
The exterior of the Emporium is also under refurbishment.
The City Hall restrooms are closed again.
Disney has announced that the Kingdom Cabanas at the Magic Kingdom will be discontinued on February 17th, 2017. The Cabanas were already discounted up until this date and many have already been removed.
Magic Kingdom Cabanas are Being Removed
