In our continuing series chronicling the changes at Disney’s Hollywood Studios over the last few months, the latest chapter brings changes to Hollywood Blvd., further progress on PizzeRizzo, and continuing demolition for Star Wars Land:
Following Dopey’s tremendous fall from the top of the Steamboat Willie Steamboat that regularly appears during the finale of Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World has pulled the Steamboat from the show and replaced it with a simple water-wall effect.
Thanks to @WDWResortRoblox on twitter for sending along the following screenshot from a live stream of “Fantasmic!” last night at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World:
The assumption is that the boat will be modified for the safety of the performers, but there has been no official word from Disney as of yet. There is no word on when the Steamboat might return to the show at this time, but seeing as it is considered the highlight of the show by many guests, one would assume it will be back soon.
More and more is vanishing from Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but don’t worry, socks and Star Wars are coming in our latest photo report:
Welcome to Hollywood!
The ABC Sound Studio radio tower was finally taken down since the theater has nothing to do with radio…
Path of the Jedi also got a fancy permanent sign
The Backlot Express menu also features calorie counts
Trees were removed around the Center Stage area to help with guest flow during fireworks
I’m hoping this whole area will be bulldozed and re-imagined once the expansion is complete because it is a disaster right now
The rather ugly show towers, the stage, and the loss of trees are really killing what was a spectacular view
The various equipment for the nighttime show up on the Theater isn’t helping…
Looking through the scrims at MuppetVision 3-D, we can see the latest demolition progress for Star Wars Land
Work continues on PizzeRizzo in the Muppets Courtyard
Walls were moved out the backside of New York Street to accommodate some tree removal
New light-up spinning top BB-8 key chain for sale
Only $12.99…
The Red Car Trolley cart on Sunset Boulevard is gone, replaced with a generic cart once used in the Backlot
The Trolley lines have come down a well. Sadly, it is unclear if this will return.
The baked potatoes have debuted at Fairfax Fare
Not only are there monorail socks, but Disney has released a ton of novelty socks at the parks as of late
New Toy Story baseball caps for kids
Some new “cute” character mugs. Surprised the Dopey ones haven’t fallen to the lower shelf yet…
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Tables in Wonderland members can get a special discounted ticket to Club Villain at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on September 2nd, 3rd, 9th, and 10th:
The event is regularly prices at $129.
Epcot prepares for the Food and Wine Festival and Biergarten unleashed a tremendous line of merchandise in our latest report from Epcot:
Prep work is in full swing for the 2016 Food and Wine Festival
A lot of work going on in MouseGear
A Build-Your-Own-Lightsaber kiosk was added to the Star Wars section
The Liquid Layer play area is closed for refurbishment… during the hottest time of the year…
Don’t worry, ti was just after 7… Yeah, 7…
Lighting rigs up by the Festival Center, not sure as to why
Some Norwegian art was added to the rather bare exit walls of Frozen Ever After
Germany had a number of merchandise items that were at least new to me
As much Rose and Crown merchandise as there is, Biergarten might have even more…
I also found this rather charming Rapunzel shirt for kids
When did Disney start selling their own Hidden Mickey book?
Today, Disney announced to entertainment cast members that the Main Street Electrical Parade at the Magic Kingdom will officially conclude October 9th, 2016 as their contracts will not be renewed at this time.
The parade returned to Walt Disney World in 2010 and replaced its replacement SpectroMagic, which was supposed to return at then of the Summer that year. The Electrical Parade’s run was extended indefinitely and SpectroMagic was left outside to rot until it was realized that the parade was beyond repair. The Electrical Parade has run at the Magic Kingdom on most nights since that June 2010 return.
This announcement comes on the heels of news last week that the new Electrical Parade, “Paint the Night” at the Disneyland Resort, will conclude on September 5th. One would suspect that Paint the Night will be moving to the Magic Kingdom based on these announcements, but nothing has been confirmed at this time.
Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.
UPDATE: Disney has just announced that the Main Street Electrical Parade will return to Disneyland Resort for a limited engagement.
Following up the announcement that the Main Street Electrical Parade will return to Disneyland Park in early 2017, it was also announced that the Pain the Night Parade will perform on select evening during the holiday season somewhere at the Disneyland Resort.
The announcement leaves Walt Disney World without a nighttime parade. It is possible that this move is to accommodate new nighttime entertainment at the Magic Kingdom coming sometime in the near future, whether that me a new parade or fireworks show.
A few days ago, we told you about the official announcement Disney was making for the Eastern Gateway project, a plan that will add a new parking structure, bus loop, and pedestrian entrance to the Disneyland Resort on the Harbor Blvd. side of the property. Today, Disney has released detailed renderings and plans for the project.
If everything goes according to plan, the Disneyland Resort entrance on Harbor Blvd. would be come a thing of the past, making the once nearby Harbor hotels and motels a much further trek from the resort, as guests would now need to walk south to a new pedestrian portal that will pass the new parking structure, transportation hub, and a security gateway before crossing Harbor on an elevated walkway that leads into the esplanade of the Disneyland Resort.
The path of the Disneyland Monorail would also be altered according to plans.
SOURCE – OC Register
While the project will relieve a lot of congestion around the resort area, it is worth noting that this may also be an attempt by Disney to entice guests to stay at a Disney Resort Hotel, now that the once-close Harbor Blvd. hotels will be much further from the magic. Disney is also adding a 4th resort hotel to the Disneyland Resort in 2021.
The new parking structure is approved, yet the overall project has still not be formally approved, however it is expected to be in the next 30 days pending any unforeseen circumstances.
I don’t remember the last time Disney offered a deal quite this good on 1-day tickets, but friends and family of Annual Passholders can get 1-day park hopper tickets for just $79.00 each. These tickets usually cost about $135.00 for Florida residents.
The offer is valid August 12th-September 30th, 2016. Annual Passholders must be present with a valid pass and the tickets can only be purchased at Walt Disney World theme park ticket windows.
