Donald Trump is Going to be in The Hall of Presidents at the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on November 18, 2016

With the results of the United States presidential election official, it is now a certainty that a Donald Trump audio-animatronics figure will join the ranks at the opening-day Magic Kingdom attraction, the Hall of Presidents. The attraction of course includes every United States President in history.

Donald Trump to join the Hall of Presidents at the Magic Kingdom

Donald Trump to join the Hall of Presidents at the Magic Kingdom

That being said, there are unanswered questions. Will he have a speaking part? What other changes will be made to the show?

With the election of Bill Clinton in 1993, Disney started adding current presidents with speaking roles actually recorded by the Commander in Chief. Clinton, Bush, and Obama all had these starring roles in the show, but will Trump? Certainly there was a lot of uncertainty when George Bush took the office of President, but Disney still went through with it. It will be interesting to see if Trump is simply added to the show or if he is given the same opportunity that was given to the last 3 Presidents of the United States.

Either way, if you enjoy the “A Celebration of Liberty’s Leaders” version of the Hall of Presidents, you have until January 17th to see it at the Magic Kingdom.

PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 11/9/16 (Star Wars, Muppets, Doctor Strange, Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster, ETC.)

WDWNT on November 18, 2016

We head back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for our latest photo report, checking in on Star Wars land, the continuing progress in the Muppets Courtyard, and much more around the Hollywood that never was, but always will be in our minds. At least what is left of it…

Rock ‘N’ Roller Closed-ster

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Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster is closed for refurbishment.

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The gates were closed and the courtyard off limits to guests while the work is being done.

Doctor Strange Arrives

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The area was still being set up when we arrived at park opening. Kind of “strange” that Toy Story Mania exits into Bleecker Street…

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The Doctor Strange show marks the first regular offering to guests with a MARVEL character at Walt Disney World. The Guardians of the Galaxy briefly appeared at the Unleash the Villains event a few years back.

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The show performs 5 days a week at the park.

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Children are chosen from the crowd and then trained in the mystic arts by Dr. Strange.

This and That

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A Moana billboard has gone up behind the Great Movie Ride.

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A new enclosed space is being built inside One Man’s Dream. Whether this is for some meet and greet or the AVATAR model remains to be seen.

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An enclosed space would allow for the AVATAR model to change between daytime and nighttime view, which it did at the D23 Expo.

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Some Rogue One art for sale at Star Wars Launch Bay.

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A giant Darth Vader action figure statue also for sale.

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The removal of the AOTAS Hall of Fame continues.

The Muppets Planter

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As we reported, the MuppetVision Fountain has been temporarily turned into a planter while nearby construction on Star Wars land takes place.

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Seating is already in place at PizzeRizzo, set to open on the 18th.

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A really large crane has appeared at the Star Wars land construction site.

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Mousecellaneous 

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Streetmosphere out in front of Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster while it is closed.

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Reel Vogue now has a large selection of The Nightmare Before Christmas merchandise. Note that the frames on the display art is reminiscent of the stretching room portraits from the Haunted Mansion.

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Guests can find prepackaged candy apples should they not want to wait in the line at Sweet Spells.

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An Admiral Joe Fowler sweatshirt was released in the Twenty Eight and Main collection.

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Some new vintage style Mickey Mouse shirts for sale, some featuring the original Magic Kingdom map artwork.

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Polynesian Village Resort Now Offering Paid “Pool Cabana” Rentals

WDWNT on November 18, 2016

Guests staying at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort can now reserve the Oasis Pool patio shade structures (kind of like a cabana) for a half or full day starting November 13th.

Oasis Pool shade structures at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

Oasis Pool shade structures at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

They will be able to be reserved for $25 for a half day or $40 for a full day. Reservations can be made by calling the reservations center, DVC member services, or through a la carte at the resort concierge.

The rental simply includes the rental of the space with no additional amenities included. The shade structures were previously open for all guest use on a first come, first serve basis.

Crepes Return to AristoCrepes at Disney Springs with New Menu

WDWNT on November 18, 2016

Just days after switching to seasonal operation and menu, the AristoCrepes at Disney Springs has brought back crepes and it’s names.

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The savory crepes are gone and what remains are three of the sweet crepes. You can find the old menu in our original review of the AristoCrepes. The new snack items that were introduced after the crepes were removed are still available as well.

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The sweet crepes temporarily moved to Amorette’s Patisserie in the interim, but are now back at AristoCrepes. Amorette’s now has a separate crepe menu:

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Bob Iger Announces More Hotels will be Built at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resorts

WDWNT on November 18, 2016

In today’s quarterly earnings call, Disney CEO Bob Iger stated that Disney will be looking to build more resort hotels in the not-too-distant future at both the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort.

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Of course, a new resort hotel has already been announced for the Disneyland Resort, but the call seemed to hint that more would be constructed following that. At Walt Disney World, there are no announced new resort projects other than the ongoing expansion at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Rumors do point to an expansion of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and an additional tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort sometime in the next few years.

Iger stated that they were not ready to announce any of these or other resort projects at this time.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Testing Additional Guest Relations Location

WDWNT on November 18, 2016

Just as they have tested at the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme parks, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will now test the addition of an auxiliary guest relations and ticket sales location out in the park.

Hollywood Junction at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Junction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Starting November 18th, guests can find help with ticket sales, ticket upgrades, and special event bookings at Hollywood Junction on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard.

While the locations in the other two parks are much further away from the existing guest relations location, there honestly just isn’t anywhere else for this to go at Hollywood Studios. At least is is pretty centralized and should be easy for guests to locate.

You may recall that this space was used in the past for some guest relations functions, but has been shuttered for some time now.

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory Returns 11/19 with New Design & Menu

WDWNT on November 18, 2016

The Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory will return to Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter on November 19th, 2016 with a new design and new menu. It has been closed since July of this year.

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The new interior will keep the original theme, but now feature new design elements such as a nearly completed parade float for guests to see.

A full menu is not available at this time.

Full List of Disney Springs Black Friday Shopping & Dining Deals

WDWNT on November 18, 2016

Credit to Disney

Black Friday will kick off at Disney Springs on November 25-26. With earlier opening hours at 8 a.m. and deals in every neighborhood, Disney Springs provides a one-of-a-kind shopping experience with extra entertainment and breakfast offerings including mimosas and small bites from dining locations across the property. While all of the special offers are subject to availability, there’s a lot to choose from.

The following locations will open early on November 25 and 26 (operating hours subject to change):

  • 6:30 a.m. – Starbucks Marketplace.
  • 7 a.m. – Starbucks Westside; Walt Disney World Bus transportation
  • 8 a.m. – All Disney Springs stores, Erin McKenna’s, Wolfgang Puck Express, Ghirardelli, Dockside Margaritas, The Daily Poutine, Outdoor Vending Carts, Marketplace Snacks, Food Trucks.
  • 9 a.m. – Frontera Cocina, Bongos Express.
  • 10 a.m. – Paradiso 37.

World of Disney and other familiar favorites will feature great deals while supplies last: A Vera Bradley “Midnight with Mickey” hipster bag for $24.99 at Marketplace Co-Op, Storm Trooper Action Figures for $14.99 at Star Wars Galactic Outpost, just to name a few.

Additional locations will offer special sales and promotions, including the following:

  • APEX by Sunglass Hut and Sunglass Icon: 60% off original prices of select styles
  • Curl by Sammy Duvall: Save up to 40% on select merchandise and enjoy “gift with purchase” items throughout the store
  • Levi’s: 40% off entire purchase
  • Lilly Pulitzer: Spend $75 and receive a free pair of earrings; spend $150 and receive a free necklace; spend $500 and receive a free jewelry box
  • Lucky Brand: Save 40% off all merchandise, excluding “rare finds”
  • Pandora Jewelry: Free bangle with $125 purchase
  • Savannah Bee Co.: Receive a free jar of Whipped Honey with Passion Fruit with every purchase, while supplies last
  • Superdry: Buy 2 items, get 1 free in store
  • The LEGO Store: Save up to 50% off select merchandise, while supplies last (Nov. 25 only)
  • Vince Camuto: Save 40% off entire purchase plus additional door busters at 50% off
  • Volcom: Save 40% off all Volcom-branded merchandise

With more than 60 locations planning special sales and great promotions, Disney Springs will definitely become “the place to be” for shopping this Black Friday. Check back for more participating locations.

UPDATE: Crocodiles Return to Living with the Land

WDWNT on November 18, 2016

Removed after the alligator incident at Walt Disney World this summer, the faux crocodiles in the Living with the Land attraction at Epcot recently returned after being missing for several months.

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Despite this, the American Alligator display on the attraction remains empty still.

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