The American Adventure lounge in World Showcase now has its main entrance walled-off. This does not happen routinely, even before the space is used prior to the park festivals.
This space has been used as the Chase Lounge at past Food and Wine Festival events, but may now be getting a conversion into Epcot’s Club 33. The spot would make sense as it offers great views and is connected via elevator to a kitchen downstairs.
While this is not confirmed and we are purely speculating, it does seem likely. However, the park does offer several other possibilities if this is not it.
Thanks to our friends over at Fresh Baked Disney, we have a look at how the construction of Star Wars land is going over on the west coast. We hope to make this a weekly column in collaboration with them, and hope you will enjoy watching the project come together, week by week and piece by piece.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
From inside of the park, guests can see work wrapping up on the new north edge of the Rivers of America, complete with a new path for the Disneyland Railroad. No re-opening date for these attractions has been given yet other than Summer 2017.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
The train rolling above the river should offer some spectacular views.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
As you can see, even though the Summer tourist season has begun, a lot of work remains to be completed.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
New themed pavement makes us giddy…
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
A lot of painting still to be done.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Heading up to the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure, we now look at Star Wars Land from behind.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Walls and steel continue to rise.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
We’ve seen a lot of construction over the last ten years, but nothing quite like this show building for the “battle” attraction. It is already being billed as the largest, most complex E-Ticket ever constructed.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
We can see the new tressle for the Disneyland Railroad in the distance.
Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, May 27th, 2017
Fresh Baked Disney also has a video of the construction that you should check out:
Joining with the Walt Disney World theme parks, Disney Springs will offer a preferred parking service starting June 1st.
Starting 6/1, guests can purchase preferred parking for $10 in the Lemon or Grapefruit lots conveniently located near West Side or Marketplace. Otherwise, parking at Disney Springs is free, and they do offer a valet service if wanted.
For a limited time, guests can enjoy a quick-service breakfast at Restaurantosaurus in DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The location will open with the park (including Extra Magic Hours mornings) and serve breakfast until 10AM from May 27th, through June 10th, 2017.
Selections will include Mickey Waffle Platters for adults and children, as well as a toppings bar featuring up to 12 different toppings including: warm syrup, whipped butter, walnuts, warm cinnamon apples, warm cherries, warm bananas foster, warm caramel, warm chocolate sauce, strawberry topping, whipped cream, sprinkles, and chocolate chips.
Cereals with milk, yogurt parfaits, and fruit cups will also be available.
In Celebration of the opening of Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, iTunes is providing a limited time offer on the film AVATAR.
The AVATAR Extended Collector’s Edition on iTunes is available at the reduced price of $7.99 (reg. $19.99) through June 5th. Exclusively on iTunes, the Extended Collector’s Edition will include a video behind the scenes look inside of Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The over eight minute piece features an in-depth look at how this dream world became a reality through the collaboration between Lightstorm Entertainment, led by James Cameron (Creator/Director of Avatar) and Jon Landau (Producer of Avatar), and the Walt Disney Imagineering team led by Joe Rohde, Creative Executive.
The Extended Collector’s Edition also offers a look at the filmmakers’ journey in the documentary Capturing Avatar, featuring interviews with the creative team behind the film. The set includes three versions of the film including a Family Friendly Audio version, plus over 45 minutes of never-before-seen footage, the Exclusive Alternate Opening on Earth, The Art of Avatar and more.
Visit apple.co/Avatar for this very special, limited time offer.
Pandora – The World of Avatar is now open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Following the success of the Satuli Canteen in Pandora: The World of AVATAR in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Pizzafari will launch the mobile ordering program starting next week.
Pizzafari is located just steps away from Pandora on Discovery Island.
The mobile ordering program allows guests to order at Disney counter service restaurants from their mobile devices and then pick-up the order when they are ready to eat. Check out our comprehensive review of the service to see how it works.
The Cool Ship in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom is now selling Pizza Frusta, described as being “a folded pizza-like snack that is easy to eat on-the-go”.
The Cool Ship is located near Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom
The Pizza Frusta is stored in a glass display that keeps it warm
Lets try this adequately described “pizza-like snack”…
The Cool Ship menu, which basically includes soft drinks, a souvenir cup, and Pizza Frusta
Pizza Frusta ($7.99) Available in Cheese and Pepperoni & Sausage
Pizza Frusta
Despite looking like Fast Food pizza that got into a massive car wreck, this wasn’t the most abominable item at Walt Disney World. That being said, they aren’t great either.
Tomato and cheese Pizza Frusta
The crust is kind of like a rather large puff pastry, crispy on the exterior, but doughy almost to the point of being uncooked on the inside.
Pepperoni and sausage Pizza Frusta
The cheese and meats are about the same as a Disney counter service pizza, not of the greatest quality, nor inedible. If you have ever had Digiorno frozen pizzas, then you know the flavor.
Cheese Pizza Frusta
I prefer the pepperoni and sausage one as it is at least a little more interesting, but choosing between these is essentially like picking your poison.
I personally would skip the Pizza Frusta unless you have kids in your party craving pizza at the Magic Kingdom. In that case, it’s a fast and easy way to grab a counter service pizza at the park.
Located steps away from The Mad Tea Party attraction in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom, the Cheshire Cafe (formerly the Enchanted Grove) has always served a selection of coffee drinks, and from time to time, some pastry desserts as well. Starting recently, the menu at this counter service window location was updated with two new offerings.
Cold Brew Coffee and Cheshire Cat Tails, new at the Cheshire Cafe in the Magic Kingdom
Allow me to introduce those new items to you: Cold Brew Coffee and Cheshire Cat Tails!
Cold Brew Coffee and Cheshire Cat Tails, new at the Cheshire Cafe in the Magic Kingdom
Cheshire Cafe Menu, June 2017
The remainder of the Cheshire Cafe menu remains pretty much as it was, long gone are the themed cake Cups you may remember from a few years ago. Guests were really big on those, but I had never had much success with them.
Cheshire Cat Tail ($4.49)
Cheshire Cat Tail ($4.49), Cheshire Cafe at the Magic Kingdom
The Cheshire Cat Tail is very similar to the “chocolate twist” treat that you will most commonly find around Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, available as Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery and Thirsty River Bar & Trek Snacks. However, while I do enjoy the Animal Kingdom offering, this was far superior in every way.
The pastry was fresh, soft, and flaky, filled inside with chocolate chips and a cream filling. The colorful icing here added an extra sweetness which made this (most likely) the best theme park pastry I have ever eaten. If you acquire one of these as fresh as we did, you are in for a real treat. This is seriously my favorite snack in all of the Magic Kingdom as of right now.
Cold Brew Coffee ($3.79)
If you like Cold Brew Coffee, then you can now find it at the Magic Kingdom now at the Cheshire Cafe. I don’t know what else to say about this except that it was Cold Brew Coffee and it was what you would expect it to be. The picture above is of the drink as it is served, but cream and sugar and such are available just around the corner from the service window, so guests may make this beverage to their liking.
It’s time to check on the latest progress on the expansion of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including the addition of the Star Wars and Toy Story themed lands. First-up, we have a video of the current progress to share with you:
Star Wars Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Work continues on what is left of New York Street and what will be the transition area into Star Wars Land.
Star Wars Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Star Wars Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
It is still unknown what is happening to the space that once was the Writer’s Stop, but we are hoping for a Sci-Fi Dine-In Lounge.
Star Wars Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
They are testing out different paint colors for the facades.
Star Wars Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Some structural steel is visible from the end of PIXAR Place facing into Star Wars Land.
Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
It is unclear exactly what is happening to Soundstage 12 adjacent to One Man’s Dream. Will it be re-themed to Toy Story or simply demolished slowly to ensure that One Man’s Dream will not have to close?
Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The Toy Story Land concept art was moved near the entrance to One Man’s Dream.
Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The walls then transition to a Toy Story theme just around the corner.
Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
A peek through the construction walls reveals the coaster track for the Slinky Dog Dash ride. You can get a better look at the track from above the park here.
Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
An opening date for Toy Story Land will be announced at the 2017 D23 Expo next month, but it is expected to be sometime in early 2018.
Our latest photo report brings us to the Magic Kingdom, so lets see what is new and exciting at Walt Disney World’s first park:
Road Work Rages On
Road work continues on World Drive to enhance the Magic Kingdom arrival and departure experience. Work is underway for a new “flyover” for access to Magic Kingdom resorts and completely reworked and expanded toll plaza for the Transportation and Ticket Center.
We snapped all of these pics while riding aboard the Epcot monorail.
Welcome to the Magic Kingdom
Happily Ever After
The Happily Ever After nighttime spectacular debuted a few weeks ago, taking over the park map.
The poster for the show replaces Wishes under the train station. It is also sponsored by Pandora… the jewelry, not the moon.
A number of Happily Ever After items can be found for sale in The Emporium.
An annual passholder shirt is available behind one of the registers.
Large crowds have been showing up nightly for the new show, so be sure to get there with plenty of time to spare if you care where you see it from.
If you would like our thoughts on the show, you can read them here.
We have a video of the premiere performance of thew show for you to enjoy:
We also have video of a special performance of the spectacular, which includes a live performance of the theme song at the end by the voices who recorded it for the actual show:
This and That
The attraction poster phone case designs are already gone from D-Tech on Demand. There is no word as to why they were pulled, but hopefully you were able to grab one before they were removed.
Some new MagicBand and phone case designs were made available recently.
I continue to love the fajitas platter at Pecos Bill’s, even with the yellow rice that replaced the previous iteration.
With the fixin’s bar, a kid’s meal can become a real feast.
Disney recently changed their bagged carrots for kids to a new brand. I’ve never heard of these…
The Disney Parks exclusive Jolly Roger Pop Funko figure is available again in Caribbean Plaza.
The rhino is still missing over at the Jungle Cruise.
The former hot dog stand in Frontierland now sells Mickey Pretzels and Churros.
The hearse is missing outside of the Haunted Mansion.
A new Under the Sea Treat cupcake is available at Prince Eric’s Village Market.
The interactive robot character iCan recently debuted in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom.
In my opinion, this is a million times better than PUSH ever was, engaging far more guests. He is portrayed by a pretty witty performer to boot, making this Streetmosphere for Tomorrowland, essentially.
His showtimes are listed on the timed guide, so be sure to catch him next time you visit the park.
See iCan, in action below:
I shouldn’t be allowed alone on Space Ranger Spin…
Some new items found in The Emporium.
This kids Rey shirt is pretty adorable.
NEW SULLEY PLUSH!
There is a ton of new mugs for sale in The Emporium.
Small candy dishes from the Neverland Collection, $12.99 each.
