Tom Corless’s 10/16/15 WDW Photo Report (Disney Springs, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Etc.)

WDWNT on October 7, 2015

I managed to visit Disney Springs, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom over the course of the last week, so let’s take a look at what’s new and noteworthy in my latest photo report:

Construction of Town Center is coming along nicely

STK Steakhouse as seen from the top of the Orange Parking structure

New 4 parks ornaments

New Mickey Mouse food magnets were recently released

The expansion continues inside World of Disney

Cool new Mad Tea Party hat for sale

 

With the stage gone, the Chinese Theater is unobstructed for the first time since 2001 at Hollywood Studios

 

 

 

New “purchase with purchase” items available around the resort

 

There is a throw with a matching design inside this bag

 

 

New Fantasia ear hat ornament set

 

Work continues on Star Wars Launch Bay, opening in December

 

Billboard for The Force Awakens behind the Chinese Theater

 

One for Jungle Book as well

 

Sunset Showcase visible behind Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster

Pop Secret is now the sponsor of Fantasmic! at Hollywood Studios

 

The once temporary railing inisde the Great Movie Ride finally got a more permanent look

 

New antenna topper

 

Not sure I have ever seen Disney character dreidels before…

 

WITH INSTRUCTIONS!

 

Mulch, Sweat, and Shears had their final show on Saturday, the group is being retired as the park heads in a new direction

Moving to Animal Kingdom, 4 cranes loom over the AVATAR construction site

 

The hyena area on Kiliminjaro appears to be finished, just obscured from view by plants


GIRAFFE!

The new building on Discovery Island is coming along nicely

Disney Outfitters actually lost a room in the construction of the new building

Some years ago, the Art of Disney store would have started right about here

Disney Outfitters has a lot of great Conversation Fund merchandise

Work continues on the backside of the new building as well

You can find the Vampire Mickey popcorn bucket at Animal Kingdom

The Duffy meet and greet may be gone, but Shellie May is coming to Walt Disney World. The book is the first item to hit shelves.

VIDEO: New Projection Scene Added to the Finale of The Great Movie Ride

WDWNT on October 7, 2015

While it has been several months since the debut of the new Great Movie Ride presented by Turner Classic Movies, the ride continues to add new details. The rather dark room following the film montage at the end of the attraction added a large new projection very quietly over the last few weeks:

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The new scene can only really be experienced if you are in the second train on the ride, meaning you are parked to the right side during the film montage at the end. During the slightly longer trip this train takes back to the station, guests can look up and see some classic film moments from the montage before they “rise dramatically to their feet” and exit.

New Sunset Showcase at Hollywood Studios to Open with “Club Disney” on December 5th

WDWNT on October 7, 2015

When the new Sunset Showcase opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on December 5th, 2015, it will be host to Club Disney, the hottest spot in town for kids and characters alike. Guests can join Mickey and the gang and take to the dance floor in this electric club environment, where a DJ Club Host spins a mix of favorite Radio Disney Top 40 songs as the floor and walls come alive with vivid images from classic Disney animation.

Club Disney will also feature a seating area and snack station, where you can refuel and recharge – both yourself and your electronic devices – before heading out for more fun in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

 

The new Sunset Showcase venue is located behind Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster and will be accessed via the gateway next to the current entrance for that attraction. Club Disney is expected to run in the space through January, when a Villains offering is expected to move in.

Dates Announced for “Star Wars – Seasons of the Force” Event at Walt Disney World

WDWNT on September 3, 2015

Disney has confirmed that Star Wars: Season of the Force will arrive at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on January 8th, 2016, running until March 20th, 2016. The event will include special food, drink, and merchandise offerings, as well as a special fireworks show on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. All of the other offerings for the event will have already debuted by December 2015, including a new scene on Star Tours and the Star Wars Launch Bay attraction.

 

The event will replace Star Wars Weekends in 2016. There is still no word if Star Wars Weekends will ever return.

Jedi Training Academy at Hollywood Studios Ends October 4th, New Star Wars Show On The Way np

WDWNT on September 3, 2015

The long-running version of Jedi Training Academy that you know and love will have its final performances on October 4th, 2015 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

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To coincide with the upcoming release of The Force Awakens and Season of the Force, a new version of the show will debut later this year. The new show was already formally announced for Disneyland Park:

Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple

Coming in December, experience a twist on the Jedi Training experience when you will encounter new characters and a new villain from the popular Disney XD series, Star Wars Rebels.

The new villain is expected to be the Inquisitor. The new show should debut at Hollywood Studios by Thanksgiving.

RUMOR: Star Wars Weekends Being Retired, No More Mickey & Friends as Star Wars Characters

WDWNT on September 3, 2015

Star Wars Weekends has been perhaps the most popular annual event in the history of Walt Disney World since it was introduced in 1997, so much so that it became an annual event in the early 2000’s at the then Disney-MGM Studios. Well, after 16 fantastic events, it seems Star Wars Weekends is being shelved in 2016.

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Also, don’t expect to see Mickey and friends using the force anytime soon…

With Star Wars Launch Bay opening soon and the Season of the Force launching at both Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Star Wars will more permanently be permeating the Disney Parks stateside now through the opening of Star Wars land later this decade (construction starts in January on both coasts). With there being permanent Star Wars offerings in the parks outside of Star Tours and Jedi Training Academy, it seems Walt Disney World may elect to shelve Star Wars Weekends, at least for now. It is expected that some seasonal Star Wars offerings will still return around May the 4th annually, but any celebrity shows and involvement are not expected to return anytime soon.

Also rumored, it seems highly likely that Disney characters dressed as Star Wars characters are being retired in merchandise, logos, and meet and greet appearances. The decision was made along the same lines of the retirement of Hyperspace Hoopla a few years back as Disney and Lucasfilm are “re-positioning the brand” leading into the new films. Basically, it’s an image perception concern with Lucasfilm and Disney looking for a more serious tone with the brand.

Season of the Force Coming to Disney Parks -- This new seasonal event, beginning early 2016, brings new experiences to both coasts. In Tomorrowland at Disneyland park, guests will explore the Star Wars galaxy with special entertainment throughout the land, themed food locations and more. Guests also will be thrilled to climb aboard Hyperspace Mountain, a reimagining of the classic Space Mountain attraction, in which guests will join an X-wing Starfighter battle. At DisneyÕs Hollywood Studios, guests will close out weekend nights with a new fireworks spectacular set to the iconic score of the Star Wars movies. (Disney Parks)

 

There may not be any Star Wars Weekends, but Season of the Force is coming in January to Disney Parks

Season of the Force is expected to debut on both coasts in January 2016. The event will host Hyperspace Mountain at Disneyland Park and a special Star Wars fireworks show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Other offerings, such as the new destination on Star Tours: The Adventures Continue and Star Wars Launch Bay will debut in early December 2015, just ahead of the theatrical release of Episode VII. Again, no celebrity involvement is expected on either coast during Season of the Force.

While we still have confirmation from Disney on the cancellation, it is being strongly rumored at this time. Stay tuned for more information on this story as it develops.

Osborne Lights Dancing for the Last Time

WDWNT on September 3, 2015

This season will mark the 20th Anniversary of the Osborne Family Spectacle of (Dancing) Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Sadly, it will also be their farewell dance.

From the Orlando Sentinel:

After 20 years of millions of bright lights and holiday cheer, Disney announced Friday it is pulling the plug on The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.

“The display of lights has enjoyed a successful run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, going all the way back to when it first appeared on Residential Street,” Disney wrote on its official blog.

This will be the display’s 20th and final year, Disney said.

Disney said it plans to end the show to make room for new expansions and attractions, including Toy Story Land and Star Wars-themed land.

Walt Disney Co. Chief Operating Officer Tom Staggs announced Thursday the company will break ground for the new Star Wars attraction in 2016.

“Our heartfelt thanks go out to the family of Jennings Osborne for letting us share their family tradition year after year,” reads the post. “And thank you to all of you for being part of the spectacle with us.”

The light show will display nightly from Nov. 6 through Jan. 3.

Tom Corless’s 9/4/15 WDW Photo Report (Rivers of Light, AVATAR, Star Wars Launch Bay, Food & Wine, Magic Kingdom, Etc.)

WDWNT on September 3, 2015

I managed to visit all 4 of the Walt Disney World theme parks within the last week, so let’s see what’s new and exciting around the Vacation Kingdom of the World in our latest photo report:

The large columns in MouseGear are being refurbished

Cool light-up Oogie Boogie for sale

This great Pirates of the Caribbean coaster set was just released. It comes in a resin treasure chest.

Some new t-shirts have been released recently

There’s now a Winnie the Pooh MagicBand

There are also now Magic Sliders featuring theme park attractions

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There’s now a hard plastic iPhone 6 version of this case

A Maleficent hoodie…

With horns

The MyMagic+ credit card readers across property have been replaced with new versions featuring a flatter Mickey icon and a credit card chip reader on the side

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The monorail is open, but there are construction walls all over at the TTC

Moving over to the Magic Kingdom, work continues on the Skipper Canteen restaurant in Adventureland

A rather large expansion of the building taking place

The facade of the Country Bear Jamboree is being fixed up

A look at what will be the entrance to the Skipper Canteen in Adventureland

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New monitors for the safety pre-show at Space Moutain are being installed throughout the loading area

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No time was wasted in removing the Walt Disney World Speedway

This land will be used as part of changes to the entrance of the Magic Kingdom toll plaza

Over at Hollywood Studios, you’ll find this new Han Solo shirt

There’s also now a ladies’ section in Tatooine Traders

The Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost is now selling some of the displaced art from the Animation Gallery

They are also carrying Adventureland merchandise

Work continues to convert the Magic of Disney Animation into Star Wars Launch Bay

With the entrance now moved, the old entrance to Disney Junior is looking odd

More and more props are vanishing from One Man’s Dream as it is rumored to close. The temple head from Jungle Cruise is now gone too

Moving on to Disney’s Animal Kingdom

The new building on Discovery Island is nearing completion

The repainting of the existing buildings continues

Work continues on the new nighttime spectacular Rivers of Light

AVATAR construction as seen from the top of Everest

A rock formation to hide projectors for Rivers of Light is now in place

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Lots of work happening on Kilimanjaro Safaris as they prepare for the new nighttime version debuting in the spring of 2016

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Work continues on the hyena area

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GIRAFFE!!!

The Addax have been moved out of the former Zebra Glen area

The Scimatar-Horned Oryx now fill the finale scene

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Pizzafari is currently closed for refurbishment

Lots of work and repainting around Discovery Island right now

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Another look at Rivers of Light construction

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Just one owl post remains with the original color scheme

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AVATAR construction as seen from the park entrance

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Spotted this new shirt at MouseGear

Booths have started going up for the Food and Wine Festival starting on the 25th

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Sci-Fi Dine-In at Hollywood Studios To Test Breakfast Offerings np

WDWNT on August 3, 2015

Reservations are now open for a limited breakfast offering beginning November 1 at Sci-Fi-Dine-In Theater Restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Right now you can book through January 23.

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Breakfast will be served from 8-10:15 a.m. and includes breakfast pastries and choice of appetizer, entrée and non-alcoholic beverage for $23.99, $12.99 ages 3 to 9.

Attention, Earthlings… From November 1, 2015 to January 23, 2016, your favorite 1950’s drive-in diner, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, will offer a never-before-seen dining that Earth scientists  are now calling “Breakfast.”

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Do not be alarmed. This is only a test. During this period, participating humans will be able to travel back in time to experience the “glory days” of their favorite 1950’s drive-in theater diner—in the early hours of your solar day, also known as “Morning.” Visiting humans should be prepared to encounter an “out of this world” menu of “breakfast” items, including (to name just a few):

  • Puff Pastry filled with Scrambled Eggs, Crab, Asparagus and Gruyère Cheese with Roasted Tomatoes
  • Grilled Beef Tenderloin on Baby Spinach, with Bacon and Cheddar Custard on a Roasted Tomato and Cheesy Horseradish potatoes
  • Scrambled Eggs, Crispy Bacon, Sausage Links and Breakfast Potatoes
  • Macadamia Crusted Brioche French Toast with Mascarpone and Fresh Berries

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This limited-time experience is in addition to the regular lunch and dinner offerings. Thank you for your cooperation, Earthlings, and bon voyage!

New Villains “Club” Offering Starring Dr. Facilier Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on August 3, 2015

If you have been searching the DisneyAuditions.com website as of late, you may have caught this interesting string of auditions coming up soon:

 

 

If you were to open any of these auditions for further details, you would find exactly what Disney is looking for to be a part of this not-yet-announced new offering for DHS:

Disney Parks Talent casting is seeking dynamic Female Dancers, Male Comedic/Improv Actors, and Male Actors Who Sing for a new Disney Villains inspired entertainment offering at the Walt Disney World®Resort near Orlando, FL.

Seeking:
Dr. Facilier – Male, 20s – 30s, 5’11” and above. A master of magic and voodoo.  Charismatic baritone with pizazz. Sings “Friends On The Other Side.”

Comedic Male Actor– Inventive actor with a strong sense of comedic wit and timing. Portrays the club manager of Dr. Facilier’s Lounge. Well-polished with a bit of flair.

Female Dancers – Seeking versatile and exciting female dancers 5’2” and above. Must have excellent technique and a strong hip hop background. Acting ability a plus.

From the sounds of it, the show (or maybe dining experience) would feature a club owned by Dr. Facilier from Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. No more details have been released yet, but we will let you know more as soon as we do.