PHOTOS, VIDEO: Theme Park Models Move Out of Walt Disney – One Man’s Dream for Beauty & The Beast and Other Movie Props

WDWNT on February 16, 2017

Over the weekend, the Beauty and the Beast Sneak Peek at Disney’s Hollywood Studios opened to guests.

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Beauty and the Beast is the latest movie preview to utilize the theater for a limited time, but this particular preview has brought about sweeping changes to the actual exhibit space.

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Gone are the models of Buena Vista Street, Paradise Pier, the Tree of Life, Mystic Manor, and Tokyo DisneySea, replaced with props from TV and film.

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The props from The Lion King on Broadway have found a new home in the case formerly occupied by the Tree of Life.

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Why the world needs more Star Wars props outside of Star Wars Launch Bay is beyond me..

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Some animation maquette can also be found here.

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There is a res with props from Disney Channel’s Descendants.

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The Beauty and the Beast film preview is in the adjacent theater.

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All of the signage and such was painted a new color, gone is the greenish-blue.

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I have to say, the preview itself has me far more excited for this film than I have been. I think Disney is going to be making even more money than they thought when this hit theaters next month. The preview does feature the entire “Belle” musical number, and because of this, the theater is crawling with cast members and security personnel watching to make sure no one films it. Seriously, this is not usually a thing with these previews at Hollywood Studios, but this one is being taken very seriously.

The losses to One Man’s Dream are upsetting. While the first two-thirds of the exhibit space are still there in all their glory, gone is the theme-park-heavy finale portion of the exhibit, undoubtedly a favorite of likely everyone who reads this site. So many wonderful models and exhibit pieces about after Walt’s passing were on display, likely now gone forever. While some expect this to change after the multi-year expansion of the park is completed, I would not. The new areas of the park being added do not add any new theater space or exhibit space, so I would doubt these “meet and greets” and movie previews and props will find another home.

While the average guest will enjoy seeing a prop from their favorite film, theme parks fans won’t have as much to enjoy when now visiting Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream.

RUMOR: Skyway Gondola Transportation System Between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios to be Constructed

WDWNT on February 16, 2017

This one is a bit wacky, but according to recent permits filed by the Walt Disney World, it seems that a Skyway-type gondola transportation system may be installed to transport guests between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (as well as a few resort hotels in between).

If you think Skyway systems are out of date, think again. New York City still utilizes such a system to and from Roosevelt Island and has proposed an additional system for the future, seen here.

If you think Skyway systems are out of date, think again. New York City still utilizes such a system to and from Roosevelt Island and has proposed an additional system for the future, seen here.

If the buildings on the permits are indeed for stations, the system would include stops at Epcot’s International Gateway, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, a shared station at the Pop Century and Art of Animation Resorts, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. See our illustration below:

The rumored route, stops and turns of Walt Disney World's new Skyway system.

The rumored route, stops and turns of Walt Disney World’s new Skyway system.

It’s no secret that Disney will not build a monorail expansion for cost and efficiency reasons, so would they build this instead? The timing seems right with the massive expansion work at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and soon-to-commence at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. The stations and turns are in spaces not currently used by any other structures or infrastructure.

The original Skyway attraction once operated at the Magic Kingdom park from 1971 until 1999. This new system would likely include much larger, enclosed gondolas, however (similar to the New York system pictured at the top of the article). It would be nice to have the Skyway back at Walt Disney World, in name at least. A modern homage to a classic Disney attraction that would now serve a real transportation purpose for many a guest.

The original Magic Kingdom Skyway

The original Magic Kingdom Skyway

We will keep you in the loop as more information on this rumored project becomes available.

Our thanks to the group of Disney World fans who pieced together this information!

REVIEW: Olaf Marshmallow Cupcake at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on February 6, 2017

The latest seasonal specialty cupcake at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is celebrating Olaf from Frozen. The cupcake features chocolate cake with a marshmallow topping, and a white chocolate Olaf on top.

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The cupcake is available currently at all of the Sunset Ranch Market eateries including Fairfax Fare, Rosie’s All-American Cafe, and Catalina Eddie’s for $5.59.


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The chocolate cake is not of the usual taste, it was lighter in the flavoring, more akin to a german chocolate actually.

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The frosting is marshmallow flavored and features crunchy “sugar crystals” on top of it.

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Overall, it is a pretty solid cupcake, but not my favorite. A marshmallow filling in the middle would have been neat and maybe helped with the lighter chocolate flavor of the cake. The icing also has a somewhat strange, toothpaste like consistency. It’s a good cupcake, but you should probably just save room for a different snack at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

PHOTO REPORT: Disney’s Hollywood Studios 2/6/17 (Star Wars & Toy Story Construction, Goodbye Starring Rolls & Kermit, ETC.)

WDWNT on February 6, 2017

Our latest photo report brings us back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to see the latest progress on the park’s massive overhaul, as well as some recent closures an removals. Let’s take a look…

Welcome to Hollywood!

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Work continues out in the parking lot on some of the park’s infrastructure.

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Beauty and the Beast: Live Action on Stage

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Some significant changes have come to Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage. A new pre-show featuring a song from the upcoming film was added…

Also, the Beast’s character costume was recently updated to the new style…

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This and That

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A new monorail mystery pin set was released, featuring all 123 monorails. They retail at $16.99 for a box of 2 pins.

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The chasers are actually kind of easy to figure out based on the character silhouettes and that only 4 monorail colors remain…

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As we informed you on Friday, the Starring Rolls Cafe is now indefinitely closed. No real reason has been given as to why as of yet, but we expect their to be an expansion of the often crowded Brown Derby Lounge.

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While I always liked this location, breakfast offerings at Trolley Car Cafe are similar and plenty of sweet pastries can be found next door at Sweet Spells on Sunset Boulevard.

Toy Story Land

For the most complete look at the current work on the Star Wars and Toy Story Lands, also be sure to check out our latest Hollywood Studios Expansion Update video:

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Work progresses on the Toy Story themed land behind PIXAR Place, with the maintenance bay for the Slinky Dog Dash coaster looming over the gate by the former Jack Sparrow attraction.
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From the edges of PIXAR Place, the removal of the MuppetVision balloon is surely noticeable. It’s easy to see how that would be visible from any land in the back of the park.

Star Wars Land

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The trees and such that once separated the Streets of America from Commissary Lane and Star Tours were recently removed and the walls expanded outward. This offers an unobstructed view towards other areas that has never existed within the park.

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It’s not even a construction wall, it is actually a chain link fence covered with a tarps twice over (to make sure I can’t see through it and get you guys some better pictures, I assume).

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It’s not the prettiest thing, but we’re gonna have to live with it for a while if we want Star Wars Land, and I do.

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With the trees gone, it is much easier to see in from the Tatooine Traders patio though…

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The ice cream is still standing, but the Kermit the Frog hot air balloon was removed last week.

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Hopefully the fountain will at least turn when all of this is done. PizzeRizzo just feels like a Muppets consolation prize at this point.
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The PizzeRizzo balcony offers some views into what was New York Street.

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PHOTOS, VIDEO: New Beauty and the Beast Pre-Show Premieres Ahead of Live Action Release

WDWNT on February 6, 2017

A new pre-show act has debuted at Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The act sings a song from the new film and then invites a father and daughter on stage to commemorate the moment. While the original release on this addition said that there would be a short dance for the pair, that did not happen during the performance we saw. Take a look:

The pre-show is being performed now through March 15th, 2017 before each show. If you are hoping to be chosen, it is likely smart to show up early and just hope for the best as only one father and daughter are chosen per show.

In addition, it appears that the Beast’s character costume in the show was updated a few weeks ago:


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So, what do you think of these changes?

PHOTOS, VIDEO: New Safety Pre-Show at Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster

WDWNT on January 29, 2017

Similar to the pre-boarding videos added last year to Space Mountain and Toy Story Midway Mania, Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios now displays safety and loading information in a 60 second video before guests enter the load area.

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The first screen is on the Lock ‘N’ Roll Parking garage.

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A second screen is located underneath.

The addition of these videos is to prepare guests better for the boarding procedures, in hopes of shortening wait times.

PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 1/26/17 (Star Wars & Toy Story Land, Goodbye Kermit & Darkroom, ETC.)

WDWNT on January 29, 2017

Our latest photo report brings us back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to see the latest work on the two major themed-lands being added to the park, as well as on a  number of smaller projects. Let’s head on in…

Welcome to Hollywood!

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Great Balls of Fire was playing on my radio while I was pulling in, which just made we wish that I had an ADR for the Sci-Fi-Fi Dine-In…

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There is a lot of ground being ripped out around the perimeter of the park to run some new utility related pipes and wiring.

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The large cranes towards the back of the park are quite visible from the parking lot.

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PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 1/26/17 (Star Wars & Toy Story Land, Goodbye Kermit & Darkroom, ETC.)

The current times guide for Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 1/26/17 (Star Wars & Toy Story Land, Goodbye Kermit & Darkroom, ETC.)

For a park that needs dining capacity, they don’t often keep many of the larger establishments open late.

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Many more benches were installed around this planter and the roasted nuts cart has returned in a new location.

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Toy Story Land

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Work continues on the Toy Story themed land for the park, with dirt being moved just behind Toy Story Midway Mania at the moment.

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You could make a little flip book of the next few pictures if you would like.

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The desolate alley between Toy Story Mania and the former Jack Sparrow attraction offers a glimpse at the building for the Slinky Dog roller coaster, Slinky Dog Dash.

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You can see it better in our last aerial flyover video:

PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 1/26/17 (Star Wars & Toy Story Land, Goodbye Kermit & Darkroom, ETC.)

Dirt obscures the view behind the gate.

This and That

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The signage o n the Joffrey’s cart by Tower of Terror was moved over so that guests could actually see the person serving them…

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Billboards for Beauty and the Beast and Born in China up behind the Great Movie Ride.

PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 1/26/17 (Star Wars & Toy Story Land, Goodbye Kermit & Darkroom, ETC.)

Sonny Burbank greeting guests outside of the Tower of Terror.

Fairfax Fare

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We enjoyed a lunch at Fairfax Fair consisting of the salad and a giant baked potato.

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A review of the baked potato can be found here, and a review of the new tex-mex menu here.

Mousecellaneous

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The Fantasia projection in the Great Movie Ride has finally been switched to digital HD. This was the last screen in the ride to still utilize physical film.

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The Disney Infinity play area in Star Wars Launch Bay is now closed. No word yet on what will replace it.
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Additional signage was added outside of Red Carpet Dreams to make sure that guests know who is meeting there.

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The remote control Mouse Droid is finally available, we found them at Tatooine Traders. They retail for $54.99 each.

Live Action “Beauty and the Beast” Preview & Props Coming to Hollywood Studios and California Adventure

WDWNT on January 29, 2017

Beginning February 10, guests visiting Disney Parks will be able to preview a scene from Disney’s epic new live-action adaptation “Beauty and the Beast” in sneak peeks planned for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.

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At Disney California Adventure park, the preview of “Beauty and the Beast” will be presented in 3D with special in-theater effects at the Sunset Showcase Theater in Hollywood Land, while guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will get to see this advance look at a segment from the film as part of the One Man’s Dream attraction. Each sneak peek location will also include a display featuring a collection of props and costume pieces actually used in the film’s production.

The props on display at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will include Belle’s iconic yellow dress and the Enchanted Rose from the film.

Plan to catch the 8-minute sneak peek from the film at Disney Parks starting February 10, and you can experience “Beauty and the Beast” when it’s released to U.S. theaters in 3D on March 17.