Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Page 16

REVIEW: Mobile Ordering Debuts at Walt Disney World Counter Service Restaurants, Does It Work?

WDWNT on May 18, 2017

A few weeks ago, we told you that Mobile Ordering through the MyDisneyExperience app was coming to select Walt Disney World Resort counter service eateries. Well, yesterday, during a special preview of Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we got to try out the service at the Satuli Canteen.

The latest update of the app is necessary to use mobile ordering, so make sure you download it.

Upon opening the updated app, it informs guests of the new service, even though it is in very limited testing.

Guests registered for a preview of Pandora: The World of AVATAR can utilize the service at Satuli Canteen, who plans to launch with the service when they open on May 27th.

All you have to do is go to the restaurant of your choice in the app (who offers the service, of course), and select the “Order Food” option.

As we told you before, the Dining Plan can not be used for this service, only credit cards.

Ordering is very simple as you just select an entree…

Once the entree is selected, you can then customize it as you wish.

You can pretty much remove any of the ingredients, which I thought was impressive.

When I selected a fountain beverage, the app even tried to up-sell me a Navi Flute Cup. Don’t be ridiculous app, I already have it!

You can take a look at what’s in your “cart” or “bag” at any time to remove or change the quantity of an item. Once it is to your liking (and you skip over the cup up-sell again), you can hit “Review Order Summary”.

The “Order Summary” screen gives you one final chance to look at the order, see the price, and purchase it. It will automatically use the credit card attached to your MyDisneyExperience account unless you change it at the bottom of this page. Then you can just hit purchase when ready.

Once you have pre-paid using your credit card on file, you get a confirmation message. At this point, you can go do whatever and return when you are ready to eat later that day. I, in fact, placed this order three hours before returning to Satuli Canteen. When I even got anywhere near the restaurant, a notification would pop up and ask if I was ready to dine there, a nice feature to have.

Upon reopening the app, you can find your pre-order in a separate box in “My Plans”, awaiting you to click the “I’m Here, Prepare My Order” button.

You will need to present your order number, so have this ready when you do retrieve your food.

Once you hit the button, then your food will be prepared. You don’t have to do anything until it tells you that your order is ready.

I kept the app open through the entire process, so I saw the 3rd light turn green and tell me that my order was ready to be picked up. If you close the app, you can still get a notification to go to the counter, as you can see below.

As I said above, when the food is ready, the 3rd dot will turn green and it will tell you to head on over.

This is when you visit the counter labeled for Mobile Order Pick-Up, and if all goes according to plan, you will have your food and drink within seconds of your arrival. Everything worked for us and it was super convenient. The other person I was visiting with used the regular ordering process and I had my meal in hand much faster than he did, so should this system continue to work in this fashion, I think Disney has a real winner on its hands.

Mobile ordering will be also be available for the following counter service locations at the four Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Springs at some point in the future:

ABC Commissary
Backlot Express
Columbia Harbor House
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
D-Luxe Burger
Electric Umbrella
Flame Tree Barbecue
Liberty Inn
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
Pinocchio Village Haus
Pizzafari
Restaurantosaurus
Satu’li Canteen
Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant
Tortuga Tavern

An exact start date for the service at all of these restaurants is still unknown, but we do know that at the very least Satuli Canteen will be using mobile ordering starting in May. More restaurants may be added in the future should the program prove successful.

Dining Packages Announced for The Music of PIXAR Live at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on May 8, 2017

Today, Disney announced dining packages for The Music of PIXAR Live at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Beginning May 26, 2017, you’re invited to indulge in The Music of Pixar Live! Dining Package—which includes one of many unforgettable dining options at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, along with reserved seating at the Theater of the Stars for the park’s all-new evening entertainment.

A showcase of popular Disney•Pixar songs, The Music of Pixar Live! features soundtrack selections from films like Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Monsters, Inc. and Up, as performed by a live orchestra. Plus, while the symphony plays, you can watch in wonder as it all comes together with movie montages, outtakes and interview clips from the very folks behind the music!

Featuring great food, cherished music and an atmosphere like no other, The Music of Pixar Live! Dining Package is a one-of-a-kind experience—one you won’t forget… and one you surely won’t want to miss.

Guests who purchase The Music of Pixar Live! Dining Package can enjoy one of three performances of The Music of Pixar Live! each evening—in addition to a meal at one of the following restaurants:

Hollywood & Vine

Breakfast – $39 per adult and $25 per child

Lunch – $52 per adult and $32 per child

Dinner – $57 per adult and $35 per child

Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano

Lunch & Dinner – $45 per adult and $18 per child

The Hollywood Brown Derby

Lunch & Dinner – $65 per adult and $22 per child

Important Dining Details

Each dining package includes an appetizer, entrée and dessert—or one full buffet, where applicable—along with a non-alcoholic beverage and one guaranteed seat for The Music of Pixar Live! held on the same day.

For reservations, please book online or by calling (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463.

Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

All prices listed do not include tax and gratuity.

Some dining plans are accepted—with one table-service entitlement required at Hollywood & Vine and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, and two required at The Hollywood Brown Derby.

A package which offers seating for both The Music of PIXAR Live and Fantasmic is also available.

Guests who purchase The Music of Pixar Live! and Fantasmic! Dining Package can enjoy one of three performances of The Music of Pixar Live! and the evening’s single showing of Fantasmic!—in addition to a meal at one of the following restaurants:

Hollywood & Vine

Breakfast – $44 per adult and $28 per child

Lunch – $57 per adult and $35 per child

Dinner – $62 per adult and $38 per child

Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano

Lunch & Dinner – $50 per adult and $21 per child

The Hollywood Brown Derby

Lunch & Dinner – $70 per adult and $25 per child

Reservations are now open by phone at 407-WDW-DINE (we were seeing issues with the online booking today).

Join WDWNT for Disney’s Hollywood Studios Appreciation Week 2017

WDWNT on May 8, 2017

Last year, WDWNT began to observe a new tradition called Disney’s Hollywood Studios appreciation day. The day was held on May 1st, the park’s birthday, the day it opened back in 1989. We celebrated with a full day of social media posts and more from the park to mark the occasion, but this year, we are extending our celebration into a full week!

Why are we doing this? Well, because even as the Disney-MGM Studios, this park has always gotten a lot of flack from guests. This has only gotten worse with the widespread closures and construction in the park, but we will take a week to remind everyone of all the great things there are too see and do at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. From Streetmosphere and Fantasmic, to Star Tours and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, we will cover and celebrate it all!

Here’s a schedule of events for the week:

May 1st, 2017
- Join Tom Corless for a day of fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Various attractions, entertainment, and more will be live streamed on Persicope, Facebook, and shared via twitter. If you join us in the park that day, Tom will also be handing out some cool stuff for those who find him in the park. Those watching at home will also have a chance to win a prize.
May 3rd, 2017
- The celebration continues on the 3-hour-long 50th episode celebration of WDW News Tonight, Wednesday at 9PM eastern time. The show will include segments about the park and its history, as well as the return of Cornac the Magnificent, Jeopardy, and WDWNT: The Match Game.
May 1st through May 5th, 2017
- A series of special articles will be published on WDWNT.com, including historical retrospectives, previews of things to come, dining reviews, and more. We will also release a week’s worth of new videos on our YouTube channel (which you should subscribe to, by the way).

We hope you will join us for a celebration of “The Hollywood That Never Was, But Always Will Be”, May 1st through the 5th, 2017!

PHOTOS: Awesome 3-D Haunted Mansion Phone Case Now Available at Walt Disney World

WDWNT on May 8, 2017

We have seen some cool iPhone cases at Disney Parks before, but this might be the coolest…

Retailing for $29.99, this case is only for the iPhone 7 and 6S models as of right now and was found at the Darkroom inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The case is modeled after Madame Leota’s tombstone at the Haunted Mansion attraction in the Magic Kingdom. While it may be a little wonky, the head is fully sculpted, making for a pretty cool replica.

What do you think? Will you be buying this?

REVIEW: “Guardians of the Galaxy” Baby Groot Cookies and Cream Cupcake at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on May 8, 2017

New for May 2017, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a specialty cupcake themed to the Guardians of the Galaxy, since the much anticipated Vol. 2 hits theaters this week (and Groot and Star Lord should be arriving at the park soon).

Baby Groot Cookies ‘N’ Cream Cupcake, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The cupcake is available at the Trolley Car Cafe, ABC Commissary, and at the Sunset Ranch Market eateries and costs $5.99.

Baby Groot Cupcake ($5.99)

Baby Groot Cookies ‘N’ Cream Cupcake, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The cupcake is cookie flavored and has a cookies ‘n’ cream icing on top (flavoring akin to an Oreo), along with a white chocolate Baby Groot and a chocolate cup filled with green icing.

Baby Groot Cookies ‘N’ Cream Cupcake, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

As far as Disney cupcakes go, this was one of the more unique ones considering the cookie-floated cupcake portion, which I really enjoyed. I wasn’t crazy about the icing as there was just way too much of it, but that’s kind of the reoccurring theme with the in-park treats. I hope they will make these cookie cupcakes again, but maybe it just needs different icing next time. It wasn’t bad, just kind of disappointing based on the description since I enjoy Cookies ‘N’ Cream snacks typically.

I’ll stick with my Darth Vader cupcake, thank you very much…

PHOTO REPORT: Disney’s Hollywood Studios 5/3/17 (New York Street Lives, Pirates Preview, Star Wars & Toy Story Land, Etc.)

WDWNT on May 8, 2017

Our latest photo report brings us to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the midst of Disney’s Hollywood Studios appreciation week for a look around at what’s new and exciting in tinsel town. Ready when you are C.B.!

Hooray for Hollywood

Streetmosphere characters Mayor Sonny Burbank and Evie Starlight welcome guests to the park.

Officer Percival Peabody of the Hollywood Police Department also ensures that guests walk, and not run to their first destination.

Happy 28th Anniversary

On May 1st 2017, Disney’s Hollywood Studios celebrated its 28th birthday!

The park of course opened as the Disney-MGM Studios in 1989, changing its name in Early 2008.

The only opening day attraction left standing at this point is the Great Movie Ride, but rumors persist of even that closing in the next 2 years.

MagicBand 2.0

For whatever reason, the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival MagicBand is now available at the Studios.

A number of older designs have been updated for the MagicBand 2, some even using the new white and black band base colors.

Star Wars Launch Bay

40th anniversary banners remain outside of Star Wars Launch Bay.

Wait times for the character meet and greets have been short lately. Chewbacca was posted as 20 minutes.

Only 15 for Kylo Ren.

Even the new BB-8 meet and greet has had short wait times.

That sadly hasn’t stopped guests from destroying the walls…

It’s a pretty cute meet and greet experience if you haven’t seen it yet:

New designs celebrating the 40th anniversary of Star Wars can be found at the D-Tech on Demand location inside of Star Wars Launch Bay.

Skywalker Vineyards wines are also available now. We actually bought a bottle and tried the new flight at the Brown Derby, so we will dedicate a post to this in the coming days.

PIXAR Displaced

Work continues on the Star Wars and Toy Story themed lands.

This barrier for Star Wars land continues to rise over the walls.

A peek through the walls at the beginning of PIXAR Place reveals the current state of Toy Story Land.

There appears to be a structure of some kind being erected in the middle of the Slinky Dog Dash rollercoaster now.

It appears that the coaster will barrel through it, whatever it is.

These pics from a few days later show some progress on the walls going up at the other end of PIXAR Place.

Pirates of the Caribbean: One Man’s Dream

The Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales preview has moved in at Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream.

The Moana meet and greet recently closed inside, leaving us to believe that the Star Lord and Groot meet and greet coming will be located here.

The exit is currently boarded up as well.

A costume worn by Javier Bardem in Dead Men Tell No Tales is now on display.

The preview is quite good, leading me to believe we might just be returning to form in the series.

New York Street Lives!

It is now certain that this lone standing section of New York Street will remain as modifications are being made to the structure.

Meanwhile, Star Wars Land rises next door.

Not only are the facades being touched up, but new elements are being added.

A new awning was installed at the end of the street.

With much of the original signage stripped, it will be interesting to see what becomes of this area.

The former Writer’s Stop lies behind walls, amidst rumors that this may be the Club 33 location for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. How cool would it be to either here through a facade on New York Street?

Star Tours

No trip to Hollywood Studios is complete without a ride on Star Tours.

In Tatooine Traders, a number of new items can be found.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Star Wars Land Leads to New York Street Being Expanded at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on May 8, 2017

While Star Wars Land may have eliminated quite a bit of the Streets of America, what’s left of New York Street appears to be getting extended…

Two new crossbeams now extend from the New York facades to what was the Writer’s Stop building. The days of this being a movie set may be numbered.

Once enclosed, it’s somewhat likely that this will tie into a repurposed Writer’s Stop space somehow. What could it be for? Club 33 perhaps?

We suspect more New York Street facade will go in this gap.

Meanwhile, construction on the Star Wars themed land continues next door.

The old facades are currently being touched up.

It should be interesting to watch what this space becomes. What do you think it will be?

Things I Miss (Retired Attractions, Shows, and Events) At Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Tom’s Top 7

WDWNT on May 8, 2017

Welcome to another edition of Tom’s Top 7, a continuing countdown of my favorite (and occasionally, least favorite) things at the Disney Parks around the globe. Why seven? Brakes, brakes… WHERE ARE THE BRAKES?!?

As we celebrate Disney’s Hollywood Studios Appreciation Week here at WDWNT.com, I couldn’t help but get swept up in nostalgia for the park of old, the days of the Disney-MGM Studios, and a theme park that doubled as a working production center. With that being said, I decided to take a look back at my personal most-missed-list of things you can no longer find at Walt Disney World’s third theme park. Here are my Top 7 Things I Miss At Disney’s Hollywood Studios…

1. Who Wants to be a Millionaire – Play It! (2001-2006)

Eventually replaced by PIXAR Place and Toy Story Mania, Who Wants to be a Millionaire -Play It! fit the Studios well. It brought the world’s hottest game show to the parks and allowed guests a viable shot of being in the “hot seat”, and even if they didn’t make it there, they could play along in the studio audience.

2. The Earffel Tower (1989-2016)

One of and arguably the most famous park icon of the Disney-MGM Studios was the Earfful Tower. The 130-foot tower was located in the Studio Backlot Tour backstage area of the park. Originally sporting the Disney-MGM Studios logo, it was altered to reflect the park’s name change in 2008. The Earffel Tower was reinstated as the park’s icon for a bit after the removal of the Sorcerer’s Hat in 2015, but it would be short lived. The tower was removed on April 29, 2016 to facilitate the construction of the park’s Toy Story Land. Its condition and whereabouts are unknown.

3. Disney-PIXAR Block Party Bash (2008-2011)

Replaced by the dreaded (and thankfully defunct) PIXAR Pals Countdown to Fun, this parade with lengthy show stops was a good change of pace for the park. While the floats rolled out down Hollywood Boulevard, unlike normal parades, they stopped for a full show containing interactive segments, dancing, gymnastics, and eventually, an explosive ending that launched logo Nerf balls into the crowd (which made for fun, free souvenir). I know not everyone loved this, but I thought it was a really good offering. Did it fit the park very well? No. Was it fun? Absolutely.

4. Star Wars Weekends (1997-2015)

While overall there were things I didn’t like about it (insane lines to get autographs, merchandise, and park overcrowding), I can’t deny that I have some amazing memories of Star Wars Weekends. Offered periodically at first, the event became an annual tradition in the mid-2000’s and a reason for many Star Wars fans to book a trip to Walt Disney World every Spring. Some of the highlights for me were the Celebrity Motorcade, A Conversation with Mark Hamill in 2014, and the Stormtrooper pre-shows (luckily, all of which I filmed and can share with you below).

Almost deserving of its own spot on this list was the Hyperspace Hoopla, where Star Wars stars danced-off against each other in a theme park comedy masterpiece. Lucasfilm mandated the show be removed after the 2013 event, and has since also eliminated any Disney characters in Star Wars character clothing.

5. Studio Backlot Tour (1989-2014)

An opening day attraction, the Studio Backlot Tour was a half-day experience that slowly was cut away to about a half an hour over 25 years. While I lament the loss of the original tour, I didn’t care much for the final version of the attraction. That being said, my final ride was an emotional one, saying goodbye to the trams, Catastrophe Canyon, the special effects tank, Walt’s airplane, and more of the remaining shell of what once made for a memorable experience. Without Residential Street and actual production to see, it wasn’t much of anything, but it was the last vestige of the “working studio theme park”.

6. Star Tours (1989-2010)

I love Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, but the original Star Tours will always hold a very special place in my heart. While it was incredibly dated by the end of its run, it was undoubtedly a classic that changed theme parks forever. I owe this attraction my Star Wars fandom as I actually rode this ride before I had ever seen a Star Wars movie. I loved the attraction so much that my dad took me to Blockbuster when we got home from vacation and bought me the VHS boxed set of the original trilogy. Kids, ask your parents what Blockbuster and VHS are.

7. (Yeah, Seven) The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (1995-2015)

I know this one still looms heavy in the hearts of many, myself included. The Osborne Lights were a staple of the Studios before they ever danced, but once the display moved to Streets of America and was sychirmnoized to music, it became an indelible piece of Walt Disney World history. It was everything the holidays at the parks should be: larger than life, covered in lights, a display of cutting edge technology, all while still being incredibly heartwarming. Will they ever return to Walt Disney World? With the amount of money being left on the table by not offering this, I can’t imagine a Walt Disney World theme park won’t someday host the lights one more time.

Sadly, the display was a victim of where it was. The only thing that made the display possible was a large, mostly underutilized empty street towards the back of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Not to defend Disney, but there is nowhere that logistically could make this work today. Disney Springs would be overcrowded as the offering would be made free, no resort hotel has the parking area large enough, and no park currently has a space that could handle it. The only hope I see is a custom built area that is an expansion of a park, otherwise the Osborne lights will likely never return to Disney World.

“Sorry folks, it was my first flight and I’m still getting used to my programming!” – Captain RX-24 (Rex)

While these offering can not be seen anymore at Walt Disney World, an exciting future awaits Disney’s Hollywood Studios. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little nostalgia for what was.

What do you think? Which of these was your favorite? Is there something else from the Studios that you miss? Let me know in the comments below.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Baby Groot & Star Lord of MARVEL’s Guardians of the Galaxy Now Meeting Guests at Walt Disney World

WDWNT on May 8, 2017

This morning, a new meet and greet experience debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios featuring Star Lord and Baby Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which of course also opened today in theaters.

The meet and greet is located inside Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream, replacing what was the Moana meet and greet experience.

The queue remains small, and just features some star projections over big galaxy images that cover the walls.

The meet and greet experience itself is pretty neat, featuring Star Lord and a living-character version of Baby Groot that can actually interact with guests.

See the pair in action in our video:

The experience is now open daily from open to close hours for the One Man’s Dream attraction and will remain through the 2017 holiday season.

Cars 3 Preview Racing to Hollywood Studios, California Adventure

WDWNT on May 8, 2017

Beginning May 12th at Disney’s California Adventure Park inside of the Bug’s Life Theater, and beginning May 26th at Disney’s Hollywood Studios inside of One Man’s Dream, Lightning McQueen will be making a pitstop to showcase a special preview of the upcoming movie Cars 3. Artwork and maquettes from the production will also be on display.

Cars 3 will be racing into theaters across America beginning June 16th, 2017.

Category: Disney’s Hollywood Studios

REVIEW: Mobile Ordering Debuts at Walt Disney World Counter Service Restaurants, Does It Work?

Dining Packages Announced for The Music of PIXAR Live at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Join WDWNT for Disney’s Hollywood Studios Appreciation Week 2017

PHOTOS: Awesome 3-D Haunted Mansion Phone Case Now Available at Walt Disney World

REVIEW: “Guardians of the Galaxy” Baby Groot Cookies and Cream Cupcake at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Baby Groot Cupcake ($5.99)

PHOTO REPORT: Disney’s Hollywood Studios 5/3/17 (New York Street Lives, Pirates Preview, Star Wars & Toy Story Land, Etc.)

Hooray for Hollywood

MagicBand 2.0

Star Wars Launch Bay

PIXAR Displaced

Pirates of the Caribbean: One Man’s Dream

New York Street Lives!

Star Tours

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Star Wars Land Leads to New York Street Being Expanded at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Things I Miss (Retired Attractions, Shows, and Events) At Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Tom’s Top 7

1. Who Wants to be a Millionaire – Play It! (2001-2006)

2. The Earffel Tower (1989-2016)

3. Disney-PIXAR Block Party Bash (2008-2011)

4. Star Wars Weekends (1997-2015)

5. Studio Backlot Tour (1989-2014)

6. Star Tours (1989-2010)

7. (Yeah, Seven) The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (1995-2015)

“Sorry folks, it was my first flight and I’m still getting used to my programming!” – Captain RX-24 (Rex)

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Baby Groot & Star Lord of MARVEL’s Guardians of the Galaxy Now Meeting Guests at Walt Disney World

Cars 3 Preview Racing to Hollywood Studios, California Adventure

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