Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Page 40

Star Wars Weekends 2015 Merchandise Preview from Star Wars Celebration VII

WDWNT on May 5, 2015

Our Star Wars Celebration reporter Brendt is in Anaheim all weekend enjoying the panels, exhibitors and other festivities at the world’s largest Star Wars party! He just sent us in some great photos of some of the merchandise that we will soon see at Walt Disney World during Star Wars Weekends 2015 (May 15 – June 14).

Disneyland 60th “Build a Droid” R2-D60. Will be made available at Star Wars Weekends as well as Disneyland’s 60 event. It’s not an LE item like they first told us.

Darth Vader Photo Frame!

Star Wars Weekends Autographs and Photo Book

Disney is really getting in baseballs lately. We have recently seen a new Pirates and Steamboat Willie baseball… and here we have a Star Wars version.

Star Wars Weekends Photo Frame

Lots of new plush on the way including this Cheif Chirpa Ewok!!!

A really cool Holographic R2-D2 in the “Build a Droid” line. We have been told to keep an eye out for more “Build a Droid” options and figures coming up.

Yup, that is a Darth Vader Mini Snow Globe. Would be amazing with a mini Hoth scene inside.

Star Wars Weekends 2015 mug seems a little bland.

No cards on these, they seem like just props in the display case. Too bad, I was excited for a Rancor action figure.

New additions to the Disney Character Star Wars action figure lineup. The Pluto as R2 from a previous series bundled with a new hologram version of Minnie as Leia! There is also a Pete as Jango Fett. He was in a previous series as Boba Fett.

D-Tech Tie Fighter Pilot and Jedi versions are new this year.

The 2015 May the Fourth and Revenge of the Fifth pins have an LE 5000 edition size.

Next, we will take a look at some of the pins that were produced for Star Wars Weekends:

Death Star Lanyard Medal

The droid mystery pins look absolutely incredible.

9″ Death Star Vinylmation with 3″ Death Star Trooper will be sold during Week 3 of Star Wars Weekends.

Star Wars Series 5 mystery 3″ set will include Jabba, Leia and Tie Fighter Pilot. There is also a Rebel Pilot Eachez.

Limited Release Weekends Logo Pin

Star Wars Helmets Pin Set

Jabba’s Barge Jumbo Hinge Pin opens up.

Boba Fett Slave IÂ Jumbo Hinge Pin also opens up.

Box Set with 2nd Death Star Pin

PHOTOS & VIDEO: Digital Movie Posters and New Digital Projectors Installed at The Great Movie Ride

WDWNT on May 5, 2015

While we wait for the full roll-out of the Turner Classic Movies overlay coming to the Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, some elements of the rehab have already been installed and are in use now:

While not turned on yet, the new digital movie posters in the queue are installed

Some new logos for the attraction were produced

Touchscreens are being installed with the various prop displays in the queue

The original logo poster will be sticking around thankfully

The pre-show “coming attractions” are now being presented via a digital projector

The same can be said for the finale film montage

While overall everything looked much crisper, there was clearly a lot of older film clips that didn’t make the conversion so well. Our theory is that this is simply the film that has been shown converted to a digital format with no restoration. Scenes from newer movies looked clear while the older ones looked brighter, but nearly as bad as they did before. With a new pre-show and finale film debuting soon, this is understandable as these clips will not be seen in this new digital format for very long before they are replaced.

We have a short video of the two films so you can see just how big the difference is in the projection quality:

Overall, it is exciting to see changes made and it shouldn’t be long until the new pre-show, finale, and such are installed.

Disney Testing System That Brings Food Straight to Your Seat at Fantasmic! & Backlot Express

WDWNT on May 5, 2015

Backlot Express and Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are currently testing a new system where guests can have items delivered to them after pre-ordering through a special app.

Mickey is now battling long lines at the Fantasmic! concessions

Guests with FastPass+ reservations or dining reservations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during this period are randomly being invited to this test via email. If invited, guests may download a special “Express Order” app. Guests can then order and pay ahead.

At Backlot Express, the test periods are as follows:

April 28-May 4: Guests may have a meal prepped at counter for pickup or to go (where they are then invited to bring it with them to their seat at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular).
May 5-May 12: Guests may have a meal prepped at counter to-go or have food delivered to their table.

At Fantasmic!, guests can use the app to order select food, beverage, and even merchandise items from their seat and then have it delivered to their seats during the pre-show. On nights with two Fantasmic! shows, this is only available for the first showing.

The app service uses bluetooth and location services on mobile devices.

PHOTOS: Walls Come Down In-Front of Chinese Theater, Former Sorcerer’s Hat at Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on May 5, 2015

WDWNT reader John Gibson sent us the following photos from Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The walls have come down around the former site of the Sorcerer’s Hat:

The walls are down and planters have rolled in

It appears the foundation from The Sorcerer’s Hat was kept to be the new “Center Stage” area

The new area isn’t finished yet, but should be soon

New palm trees have been planted

“Rebel Hangar” – Star Wars Lounge Dining Experience Added to Star Wars Weekends 2015, Reservations Open Now

WDWNT on May 5, 2015

Some of the Backlot Express restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will become the “Rebel Hangar”, a first-time-ever Star Wars lounge experience for Star Wars Weekends 2015:

Calling All Space Travelers!

Bring your tastes and take your place in this makeshift home of visiting pilots, renegades and smugglers. Enter the Rebel Hangar: A Star Wars Lounge Experience!

Once a thriving port in a system in the Outer Rim, this abandoned space now serves as a rest stop and hangout for cosmic travelers of all kinds.

Explore the bounty of sights and sounds as you pass through the entryway—framed by the remnants long-abandoned spacecraft and other vehicles. Then, get ready for Star Wars-inspired food and beverage offerings as only a galaxy far, far away can supply—such as:

Spicy pork wings topped with piquillo pepper sauce

Slider sampler featuring barbecue-braised brisket with coleslaw, and barbecued pulled chicken with arugula

Hummus with red pepper coulis, black sesame dust and corn tortilla chips

Key lime cake

Don’t miss your chance to enjoy these unique intergalactic offerings—be sure to book your reservation online or by calling (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463!

Rebel Hangar: A Star Wars Lounge Experience will be available every Friday, Saturday and Sunday during Star Wars Weekends—from May 15 to June 14, 2015, 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Reservation are available now but going fast, so hurry up and book today if you are attending Star Wars Weekends this year.

UPDATE: Disney has revealed more of the menu offerings:

Pilot’s Pomme Frites – these are tossed with parmesan cheese, garlic and parsley with a garlic aioli for dipping

Ensalada Naboo – seared chicken breast, bibb lettuce, grape tomatoes, watermelon radish, almond frica, and a parmesan-peppercorn ranch dressing

Lightsaber Bites – hand-dipped corn-battered knockwurst sausages with house-made chips and mustard dipping sauce

The Dark Fried – Chicken and Darth Vader waffles served with maple syrup and sweet barbecue sauce

Trio of Thermal Detonators – spicy pork wings topped with spicy piquillo-pepper sauce and slaw

Slider Sampler featuring “The Sith” barbecue-braised brisket with cole slaw and “The Jedi” with barbecued pulled chicken with arugula

Fruit and Cheese “Sabers” featuring Tillamook cheddar, Brie, goat cheese, pickled vegetables, crostini, cheddar crackers, blueberries, raspberries, honeydew melon, strawberry, olives and gherkins

Chips & Sith – hummus with red pepper coulis, black sesame dust, and corn tortilla chips

Yoda Key Lime Cake

Trio of Star Wars mini cupcakes, including Mini Darth Vader (chocolate-peanut butter), Mini Yoda (chocolate-hazelnut), and Mini Jabba the Hutt (salted caramel latte) served in the Han Solo Carbonite Souvenir Box

A new drink menu will also be available:

Imperial Blue – Maker’s Mark Whisky, Cointreau, Blue Curacao, sweet and sour, topped with Sprite

Tatooine Sunset – Stoli vanilla, Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, pineapple juice with grenadine

Rebel Red – Grey Goose vodka, Chambord, sour mix and a splash of grenadine

Dagobah Swamp Juice – Midori, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, sweet and sour, topped with lemon-lime foam

The Dark Side – Stoli vanilla vodka, Bailey’s liqueur, crème de cocoa and brownie garnish

Dirk Wallen’s 3/20/15 WDW Photo Report (Polynesian Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs, ETC.)

WDWNT on April 13, 2015

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen was all over the Walt Disney World Resort this week and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look at what’s new and exciting:

Starting at the Polynesian, the right side of the entrance is out from behind walls and looking good

The pool area is nearing completion also

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, work on the center of the hub is picking up speed

New planters await railings

The old Rose Garden is now being demolished as part of the hub expansion

The final remnants of the Plaza Swan Boats are being erased

Moving over to the Studios, walls are up around the former site of the Sorcerer’s Hat, at least through late-April

Strange to see this sight again, but if Echo Lake is demolished, it won’t be a sight for long

Over at Epcot, work continues on the mysterious “colorful” new Innoventions exhibit

Meanwhile, there is no visible progress on the Frozen attraction

Moving to Disney Springs, the Marketplace Co-Op has these Adventurer’s Club signs back in stock

These photos were taken just before the first pedestrian bridge was installed yesterday

The Town Center will rise upon this site over the next 12-14 months

One large structure is already rising

The small park area in front of Planet Hollywood and the Orange Garage entrance is nearing completion

New planters being installed outside Harley Davidson

No visible progress on STK Orlando, the supposed replacement for the BET Soundstage

The Hangar restaurant is now completely sealed, but still no announcement from Disney

The new Margarita Bar and pier in the Marketplace is coming along nicely

The BOATHOUSE, as seen from the Village Causeway

Still to early to tell, but this looks like one fo the facades that will hide the second parking garage from view

A lot of work still to be done on Morimoto Asia

Meanwhile, flags have gone up outside of the BOATHOUSE, leading us to believe it is nearing completion

Work on the dock is wrapping up

Another look at the Hangar Restaurant, whatever it might be…

50 Cent’s SMS Audio Announces Disney Parks Partnership, Set to Sponsor Star Tours

WDWNT on April 13, 2015

From Twice.com:

Delray Beach, Fla. — SMS Audio, the audio manufacturer helmed by rapper 50 Cent, announced it is has entered into a strategic alliance with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

As part of the agreement, SMS Audio is now the official headphones of Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, as well as of the Official Disney Fan Club. It will also be a sponsor of “Star Tours – The Adventures Continue” attraction at Hollywood Studios, and a sponsor of the Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend and Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend at Disneyland Resort.

SMS Audio’s products are currently sold throughout the resorts, and the new Second Edition Star Wars collection will be available later this spring. Products will also be featured at Disney’s annual Star Wars Weekends, and SMS will participate in the D23 Expo 2015: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, held this summer at California’s Anaheim Convention Center.

Brian Nohe, SMS Audio president, said in a statement that the company plans to build upon the partnership even further. SMS’s first Lucasfilms- (and thus Disney-) licensed products became available in May 2014. Nohe noted to TWICE a few months later: “A lot people questioned why we’d do that, and the reason is there’s a lot of Star Wars fans. They really appreciate quality product. … We sold out of our first couple runs of Star Wars products, and it’s doing fabulous.”

PHOTOS: Concept Art Exhibit for PIXAR’s “Inside Out” Opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on April 13, 2015

Yesterday, a new exhibit opened in the Production Gallery at the Magic of Disney Animation in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The new exhibit celebrates art from the upcoming PIXAR film Inside Out:

A panoramic view of the exhibit

Marquette statues and artwork make up the exhibit

There is for sure a theme park with a castle in Riley’s mind…

PIXAR clearly tried to delve into what places and ideas exist to a child… and there’s apparently some corporate synergy with this one…

There also might be a roller coaster through Riley’s mind…

The exhibit is now open, so go check it out while you wait for the release of Inside Out this June!

Photos by Kelly Derda

Jose Castillo’s 4/1/15 Hollywood Studios Photo Report (Toy Story Midway Mania, Doc McStuffins,

WDWNT on April 13, 2015

WDWNT Reporter Jose Castillo visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios this past weekend and has some great newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:

What will eventually be a new photo-op outside of the Great Movie Ride is for now just stroller parking

Meanwhile, Disney Junior’s exisiting queue is being turned into more meet and greet space for Doc McStuffins and possibly Sheriff Callie

Work continues at Stage 1 to expand Toy Story Midway Mania

You can see that they have started to rip off the old facade now

Star Wars Weekends 2015 Celebrity Line-Up Announced, Frank Oz & Ian McDiarmid Will Appear

WDWNT on April 13, 2015

Walt Disney World announced the celebrity line-up for Star Wars Weekends 2015 today:

Weekend I (May 15 – 17)

Ian McDiarmid: Senator/Emperor Palpatine (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace; Star Wars: Attack of the Clones; Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi)
Amy Allen: Aayla Secura (Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith)
Tiya Sircar: Sabine Wren (Star Wars Rebels)

Weekend II (May 22 – 24)

Warwick Davis: Wald, Wicket W. Warrick (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace; Star Wars: Return of the Jedi)
Silas Carson: Ki-Adi-Mundi, Nute Gunray (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace; Star Wars: Attack of the Clones;Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith)
Vanessa Marshall: Hera Syndulla (Star Wars Rebels)

Weekend III (May 29 – 31)

Warwick Davis: Wald, Wicket W. Warrick (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace; Star Wars: Return of the Jedi)
Daniel Logan: Boba Fett (Star Wars: Attack of the Clones)
Steve Blum: Zeb Orrelios (Star Wars Rebels)

Weekend IV (June 5 – 7)

Ray Park: Darth Maul (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace)
Jeremy Bulloch: Boba Fett (Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back; Star Wars: Return of the Jedi)
Ashley Eckstein: Ahsoka Tano (Star Wars: The Clone Wars; Star Wars Rebels)

Weekend V (June 12 – 14)

Frank Oz: Yoda (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace; Star Wars: Attack of the Clones; Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi; Star Wars Rebels)
Ray Park: Darth Maul (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace)
Peter Mayhew: Chewbacca (Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith; Star Wars: A New Hope; Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back; Star Wars: Return of the Jedi)
Taylor Gray: Ezra Bridger (Star Wars Rebels)

The event will also hold a new show called “Star Wars: Rebels” hosted by James Arnold Taylor, and the autograph opportunities are moving inside to a location on Commissary Lane which we assume to be the former audition space for the American Idol Experience.

Category: Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Star Wars Weekends 2015 Merchandise Preview from Star Wars Celebration VII

PHOTOS & VIDEO: Digital Movie Posters and New Digital Projectors Installed at The Great Movie Ride

Disney Testing System That Brings Food Straight to Your Seat at Fantasmic! & Backlot Express

PHOTOS: Walls Come Down In-Front of Chinese Theater, Former Sorcerer’s Hat at Hollywood Studios

“Rebel Hangar” – Star Wars Lounge Dining Experience Added to Star Wars Weekends 2015, Reservations Open Now

Calling All Space Travelers!

Dirk Wallen’s 3/20/15 WDW Photo Report (Polynesian Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs, ETC.)

50 Cent’s SMS Audio Announces Disney Parks Partnership, Set to Sponsor Star Tours

PHOTOS: Concept Art Exhibit for PIXAR’s “Inside Out” Opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Jose Castillo’s 4/1/15 Hollywood Studios Photo Report (Toy Story Midway Mania, Doc McStuffins,

Star Wars Weekends 2015 Celebrity Line-Up Announced, Frank Oz & Ian McDiarmid Will Appear

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