RUMOR: Groot and Star Lord from Guardians of the Galaxy are Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

Rumors indicate that both the Groot and Star Lord characters from Guardians of the Galaxy may be coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World.

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We already knew that Star Lord would be coming per an audition posting a few weeks ago, but it now appears that Groot will be joining him in some capacity. It is unknown in exactly what capacity the two will be appearing at the park, but it may be something similar to the Dr. Strange show that was conducted in late 2016.

At Disney California Adventure, a meet and greet experience and other activities featuring Star Lord, Gamora, and Groot will take place over the Summer to celebrate the opening of the Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout attraction.

VIDEO: Take A Look at the Massive AT-ATs Coming to Star Wars Land

WDWNT on March 17, 2017

Today Disney has released a brand new video on the new Star Wars Lands at both Disneyland and Hollywood Studios. They give us a short look at the new AT-AT vehicles that will be in the massive E-ticket attraction where guests are caught in a battle. Here is the video below from the Disney Parks Blog:

Star Wars Land opens to the public at both Disneyland and Hollywood Studios in 2019. Stay posted on WDWNT for future updates on all things Star Wars Land in the years to come.

New Costuming Building Being Constructed at Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on February 23, 2017

As we all know, Hollywood Studios is undergoing some massive changes. As part of those enhancements, a new cast costuming building is being constructed.

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This new facility is needed to provide more space for the additional costumes needed for Toy Story Land and and the Star Wars themed land, as well as to replace the old facility.

The location of this new costuming department will be behind the Star Wars land in the southeast corner of the park, backstage. To make room for this new facility, the main entrance roadways are shifting to the east just after the main auto plaza.

Cast members will continue to access the Television lot from this area, and an additional stop sign will be placed at the entrance of the Television lot to ensure a safe arrival. No word was given on when this facility will be opening.

BB-8 Meet And Greet Coming To Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on February 23, 2017

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The Disney Parks Blog has just announced that BB-8 will be meeting with park guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this spring! The meet and greet will debut at Star Wars Galactic Nights.

From The Disney Parks Blog:

Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will have more Star Wars fun to look forward to this spring when BB-8, the loyal droid from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, begins character greetings at the park’s Star Wars Launch Bay.

BB-8 will appear in addition to Kylo Ren and Chewbacca, two characters from the Star Wars galaxy who guests regularly encounter at Star Wars Launch Bay.

Source: The Disney Parks Blog

PHOTO REPORT: Disney’s Hollywood Studios 2/17/17 (Star Wars, Toy Story Land, Cupcakes, ETC.)

WDWNT on February 23, 2017

Our latest photo report brings us on a short trip to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Let’s see what’s new and exciting (or left, at this point) around the park!

Every Roll a Starring Rolls

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Even though Starring Rolls has closed, select treats from the location have found their way over to the Trolley Car Cafe, including the infamous peanut butter cupcake.

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There’s still no word on what will be occupying this space, but we expect an expansion of the nearby Brown Derby Lounge

One Movie Studio’s Dreams

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In case you missed it, the Beauty and the Beast sneak peek has opened in the One Man’s Dream theater, removing theme park models in favor of movie and television props. Be sure to check out our post for an in-depth look at the changes.

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Toy Story Land

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Walls now block our view into what will be the entrance to Toy Story Land between the former Jack Sparrow soundstage and PIXAR Place.

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Meanwhile, dirt continues to move just behind these walls, visible to guests.

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A peek through the rather larger holes in the gates reveals construction workers on the job, laying steel for the Toy Story attractions (Little Green Men Swirling Saucers in this case).

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A wall of trees makes the area seem slightly more inhabited than it did a few weeks back.

This and That

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This crazy new Buzz Lightyear flying toy is now for sale at the parks. It is hooked to a string, but takes flight when you push a button on the handle piece.

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Getting artsy with birds on PIXAR Place.

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Believe it or not, this is a completely different bird that landed on this letter a second after the other moved. Weird.

Happy Valentine’s Day

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A special Valentine’s Day cupcake is available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios currently, at select locations.
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It’s so pretty that you don’t even notice anything missing in the background, right?

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We decided to take it somewhere where we could have privacy… PizzeRizzo…
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It was just OK… the frosting was really thick but not very flavorful. The cake part was fine. At least it was pretty.

Star Wars Land

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Work continues on the Star Wars themed land, visible from the PizzeRizzo balcony.

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Throwing in the Towel

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A selection of new kitchen towels can be found for sale around the parks.

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They are a little cheaper if you buy 3 sets.

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While the Darkroom is closed, the soda machine has a temporary home inside Celebrity 5 & 10.

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A new candle votive is available, featuring Cinderella Castle.

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Disney Closes Alternative “In-The-Know” Guest Entrance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on February 23, 2017

Disney is closing the secondary bag check and walkway used to enter Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

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This path was often used by more knowledgeable guests to enter the park, as fewer guests would travel this way. It also had its own dedicated security bag check and metal detector in recent years. It is located just off to the left of the Main park entrance shown above.

The path will now only act as a guest exit from the park. All guests will be required to travel through the main entrance and security checkpoint directly in front of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Academy Award Photo-Op Now Open at One Man’s Dream

WDWNT on February 23, 2017

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Starting today and running until February 26th, 2017, guest visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be able to ‘act like a super star’ in a one of a kind photo-op.

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This photo op features a backdrop complete with the iconic statuette from the Oscars, and will be located inside Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream.

Guests are encouraged to share their Disney’s Hollywood Studios “My Oscar Moment” using #Oscars @WaltDisneyWorld on twitter.

Jimmy Kimmel hosts The Oscars LIVE Oscar Sunday, February 26 at 7e|4p on ABC.

 

AERIAL PHOTOS: Latest Progress on Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on February 23, 2017

The following aerial satellite images of the Star Wars and Toy Story Land construction sitesat Disney’s Hollywood Studios comes to us courtesy of NearMap. The latest images were captured on January 24th, 2017.

The below overall shot gives you a good idea of the scale of the project. Despite the fact that the walls at the end of PIXAR Place show art for Toy Story Land, that site is actually part of Star Wars, with the Toy Story area contained behind Toy Story Midway Mania.

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In the north-west corner is the large building that will contain all the “back-of-house” needs for the Slinky Dog Dash rollercoaster. What will be the load station is just to the right of it in the picture. To the south is the ride mechanism for Little Green Men Swirling Saucers. We can make out the interlocking tables that will take the saucers on a double figure eight pattern on one of two separate systems, just like Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree at Disney California Adventure.

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Not much has changed in Star Wars Land, just more land preparations for the two attractions.

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Below, a closeup of what should be the site for the “Battle with the First Order” attraction.

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Below are some nifty sliders where you can see the progress made between September 19th, 2016 with January 24th, 2017:

Star Wars Land will open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2019, while Toy Story Land is rumored to debut in 2018.

BREAKING: Opening Date for Star Wars Land Announced

WDWNT on February 16, 2017

Disney today announced that the Star Wars themed lands at both Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will officially open in 2019.

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This marks the first date that Disney has given for the completion of the project on either coast.