Siemens Abruptly Leaves Spaceship Earth Corporate Lounge Before Contract End, Disney Taking Ownership Immediately

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

The Siemens VIP Center (formerly Base 21) behind Spaceship Earth was abruptly abandoned this week when Siemens left the space months ahead of the end of their deal with Disney Parks. Even though the contract is set to expire on September 30th, Siemens staff left the space forever on Monday, July 31st, 2017. Apparently the relationship between the two companies soured rapidly after Disney turned down a new monorail fleet for Walt Disney World that Siemens offered in lieu of compensation for a new sponsorship deal.

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Since 2007, Siemens employees could access the space to relax and enjoy refreshments, and Siemens executives had plenty of board room space inside to hold various meetings. If you have never been inside, be sure to watch our video tour below.

In a sign that another sponsor is not yet lined up and may not be at any point, Disney executives toured the space with Siemens staff ahead of their departure to decide what will stay and what will go. Siemens was supposed to return the Lounge to its original form upon departure, but Disney could choose to keep it as it is now. Regardless of what stays and what doesn’t, Disney is going to be taking over the entire corporate lounge and meeting space immediately.

Now the question is, will Disney use this space for internal meetings and such, or will they begin to hold special events in this building like dessert parties and such, also making the lounge and board room bookable for guests looking to hold special events in the park? Only time will tell, but the ability to enter this lounge for regular park guests is likely something people would happily pay for. Sadly, it seems it is too late to make this space the Epcot Club 33 location as construction has already begun on the upstairs venue at the American Adventure.

Siemens sponsorship is still present at Spaceship Earth and IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth and should be at least until September 30th, 2017.

Mobile Ordering Has Launched at Epcot Counter Service Restaurants

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

Following the success of the other establishments already running the program, Electric Umbrella and Liberty Inn at Epcot are joining Mobile Order through the MyDisney Experience app.

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Electric Umbrella quietly began the service on August 1st, while the Liberty Inn will join on August 7th, 2017.

The service is already offered at Tomorrowland Terrace, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, Pinocchio Village Haus, and Columbia Harbour House at the Magic Kingdom, Flame Tree Barbecue, Pizzafari, Restaurtantosaurus, and Satuli Canteen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as well as D-Luxe Burger at Disney Springs.

The mobile ordering program allows guests to order at Disney counter service restaurants from their mobile devices and then pick-up the order when they are ready to eat. Check out our comprehensive review of the service to see how it works.

Sadly, Disney has confirmed that locations offering discounts will not be able to honor them through Mobile Order during the “launch period”, so guests will have to go to the counter and order the old way if they wish to get Annual Passholer, Tables in Wonderland, or any other discounts still.

Additional locations will slowly be rolled out over the coming weeks.

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FIRST LOOK: Even More Merchandise Revealed for Epcot’s 35th Anniversary This October

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

We have already previewed two batches of merchandise that will be released to celebrate Epcot’s 35th anniversary this October (which can be seen here and here), but now we have even more of the merchandise line to share with you today.

While we don’t know the edition size or exact release dates of these pins, we do know they will be released on or around the anniversary date of October 1st, 2017.

The pins represent retired attractions, including the soon-to-close Universe of Energy.

The always popular hinged pins that open into three parts will be making an appearance as well.

The above pin and below boxed jumbo pin should be released on October 1st, 2017 (for obvious reasons).

The Spaceship Earth pin comes in the above box and will be rather large in size.

Among the other items being released are a keychain, magnet, and mug.

Epcot will celebrate its 35th anniversary on October 1st, 2017. No official events have been announced by Walt Disney World at this point, nor has any of this merchandise we have previewed.

VIDEO: Monorail Teal Gets Towed Through Epcot After Yet Another Breakdown

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

In what is becoming a somewhat daily occurrence, Monorail Teal apparently brokedown on the way to Epcot and required a tow.

The following video shows the monorail, filled with guests, being pushed past the Universe of Energy towards Test Track:

The monorail breakdowns have become a more pressing issue as of late, as the fleet continues to deteriorate rapidly. This comes just weeks after Monorail Blue broke on the Epcot loop, throwing a piece of the vehicle to the ground below and forcing the train to be towed to the Tranportation and Ticket Center. Of course, more routine breakdowns do occur on a regular basis as well.

Disney Lifting Annual Pass Block-Out Dates to Allow One Last Ride on Great Movie Ride, Universe of Energy

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

Walt Disney World will be lifting block-out dates in August on annual passes that would not typically allow entry to the parks during this time so that guests may say goodbye to two classic attractions.

While we don’t have the exact dates yet, Disney should be distributing that information to guests later this week. The adjusted block-out will allow these guests to enter Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios to ride the Universe of Energy and the Great Movie Ride one last time. Of course, guests will get to experience other things in the parks as well, not limited to these rides.

The Universe of Energy (Ellen’s Energy Adventure) and the Great Movie Ride both close forever on August 13th, 2017. The Universe of Energy will be replaced with a Guardians of the Galaxy thrill ride, while The Great Movie Ride will be replaced by Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

UPDATE: Silver and Weekday Select Annual Pass will have access to all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks starting August 1st. Weekday Select passes still will not admit guests on weekends, however.

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RUMOR: Lights of Winter Returning to Epcot for Holidays Around the World

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

Do you remember the Lights of Winter at Epcot?

Photo by Tom Bricker, Disney Tourist Blog

Photo by Tom Bricker, Disney Tourist Blog

The Lights of Winter were a staple of Holidays Around the World at Epcot for many years. These illuminated arches danced to holiday music on the bridge between World Showcase and Future World, long before even the Osborne Lights were synchronized to music.

Since being retired back in 2009, many Epcot fans have lamented the loss of these arches, mostly because Disney simply never replaced them with anything. The bridge has been barren ever since, remaining dark during the holiday season over the last eight years.

So it is very interesting that there is a pin being made for Holidays Around the World 2017 that features the long-lost Lights of Winter from Epcot’s past:

While the pin design could just be for nostalgia, it does seem strange to make an item dated for 2017 based on a past offering from eight years ago.

So, while there is no other evidence of their return, the existence of this pin does raise some questions. Disney has yet to formally announce the entire Holidays Around the World lineup for 2017 as of yet. And, the bridge where the arches once resided looks like it will be gone in the not-too-distant future thanks to the overhaul of the park that is on the way. Could this be a final farewell for the Epcot holiday offering and the park that once was?

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Mission Space Versions Will Have New Names When They Debut, No More Orange and Green Teams

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

When Mission: Space returns to Epcot in a few weeks time, gone will be the Orange and Green Team mission names, replaced with new monikers that will reflect the variations in the two versions of the ride.

The reanimated classic version, or Orange Team mission, will be renamed “Mission: Space – Mars”, while the completely new family-friendly version will go by the name “Mission: Space – Earth”. The new names reflect the destinations of the two different versions of the ride.

You can read much more about the update of Mission: Space here.

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New Mission Space at Epcot Launches August 13th with Lower Height Requirement Booster Seats

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

Starting August 13th, Epcot will relaunch the Mission: SPACE attraction with a brand new experience and an enhanced version of the “classic” ride.

The revamped Orange Mission, or Mission Space – Mars, has been enhanced with new HD video produced by the folks over at ILM.

The family-friendly Green Mission, now known as Mission Space – Earth, takes you on an exciting orbit around Earth. On this new adventure, you’ll take in sites like the Hawaiian Islands, Italy’s “boot” and the Northern Lights—as seen from space, of course—before finally landing at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

In addition to all the “mission” updates, Walt Disney Imagineering has also made this attraction more family-friendly. As we reported a few weeks ago, Disney today officially announced that the height restriction will be changed for the Green Mission side with the addition of new “X-2 booster seats”, allowing children 40-44” to ride.

Mission Space relaunches August 13th, 2017, which is also the last day of operation for the nearby Universe of Energy.

REVIEW: Epcot’s New Orange Creamsicle Cupcake Sweetens Up the Summer

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

The Fountain View Starbucks located in Future World at Epcot regularly changes up their specialty cupcake seasonally, so for the Summer season, they now have an Orange Creamsicle Cupcake. It looks pretty interesting, so we decided to try it.

Orange Creamsicle Cupcake, $5.99 at the Fountain View Starbucks at Epcot

Orange Creamsicle Cupcake, $5.99 at the Fountain View Starbucks at Epcot

So, how was it?

Orange Creamsicle Cupcake – $5.99

Orange Creamsicle Cupcake, $5.99 at the Fountain View Starbucks at Epcot

Orange Creamsicle Cupcake, $5.99 at the Fountain View Starbucks at Epcot

The cupcake is vanilla, featuring an orange-and-vanilla flavored icing, as well as a custard filling that has an orange peel zest.

Orange Creamsicle Cupcake, $5.99 at the Fountain View Starbucks at Epcot

Orange Creamsicle Cupcake, $5.99 at the Fountain View Starbucks at Epcot

 

Orange Creamsicle Cupcake, $5.99 at the Fountain View Starbucks at Epcot

Orange Creamsicle Cupcake, $5.99 at the Fountain View Starbucks at Epcot

Wile I’m personally not one for orange-flavored desserts, this one is absolutely incredible. The custard makes this quite special, and the cake was soft and fresh. The icing can be a bit much at time, but nothing you can control by eating this with a fork and controlling your icing distribution. Yes, I do take cupcakes this seriously as it is my job to do so.

Please do yourself a favor if you are visiting Epcot anytime soon and pick this cupcake up for a snack, especially if you love orange-flavored treats.

PHOTOS: Disney is Distributing Promotional Pamphlets on the Skyliner Gondola System

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

Guests at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort (or at least what is left of it at this point) can now find a small advertisement for the Disney Skyliner gondola system in their room.

The advert apologizes for the construction related to the new transportation system (nevermind the massive overhaul of Old Port Royal and all of of the other construction around the resort) and gives guests information about what exactly the Skyliner will be.

When completed, the system will connect Disney’s Caribbean Resort to Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the new Riviera Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort.

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