PHOTOS: Walls Come Down Revealing Completed Rivers of Light Viewing Area to Guests Today

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

The Rivers of Light show may be behind schedule, but the new viewing area for the nighttime spectacular is out from behind construction walls and the details that can now be found just across the path from Expedition Everest are among the best ever seen in any Disney theme park:

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On the Asia side, guests using FastPass+ to see the show will be greeted by this gateway

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A second Asia FastPass+ entrance is just as intricate

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The details are what you would expect from Animal Kingdom

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Even the FastPass+ scanners are gorgeous, featuring flowers that are a nod to floats seen in the show

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The section just outside of the Theater in the Wild is not as intricate

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Photos by WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen

VIDEO: Demolition Ramps Up as Guests Get First In-Park Glimpse at Star Wars Land in Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

Demolition is happening and fast at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s no secret that Disney wants to complete both Toy Story Land and the Star Wars themed land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as quickly as possible, and in just one week they have leveled whatever was left of the Premier Theater. Meanwhile, the first signage showing guests Star Wars land concept art has gone up in the park:

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Last week’s update shows the Premier Theater still standing on one side, but also the latest progress on Pizza Planet and Toy Story Land on the other side of the park:

PHOTO REPORT: Animal Kingdom 4/12/16 (Tiffins, Rivers of Light, Preferred Parking, ETC.)

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

I made a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom over the weekend and took some newsworthy photos to share, so let’s take a look at what’s new and exciting in the park:

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A lot of guests are actually paying the $15 up-charge for Premium Parking at Animal Kingdom

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Meanwhile, the non-Disney/charter bus stop is finally nearing completion

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What we believe to be a restroom facility for Pandora: The world of AVATAR visible just over the walls at the front of the park

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Work continues on Tiffins and the Nomad Lounge

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Barges carrying construction vehicles still out on the water for Rivers of Light as work on the show continues

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The viewing area is ready, but the show is not

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At Expedition Everest, the screens in the queue have been uncovered again

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Not sure when, but these should start interacting with guests soon

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A look towards Pandora from the heights of Everest

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Out by Flame Tree BBQ, guests can find speakers for Rivers of Light that haven’t quite been installed yet

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New rockwork hides speakers and lighting for the show

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In addition to dog tags and magnets, guests can now own pins of these faux Star Wars attraction posters

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The new poacher props on Kilimijaro Safaris are now being mentioned by drivers, stating that poachers had been caught on the reserve

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The preferred parking section was still pretty full by the time we had left

BREAKING: Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios to Add Themed Bar Inside

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

It’s no secret that Disney’s Hollywood Studios is pretty short on attractions right now, but they are also in serious need of some new food and beverage services as well given the loss of many dining establishments in the Backlot section of the park. To better serve guests, they are going to be adding a themed bar/lounge at the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction.

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Now, before you get too excited, the bar is not located on the beautiful balcony and it is not the infamous Tip Top Club from the attraction storyline either, but rumor has it that the bar will offer Hollywood Tower Hotel themed beverages.

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The bar will be located where this desk was at the ride’s exit

The bar will be located at the exit of the attraction, across from the PhotoPass area, just before you enter the Tower Hotel Gifts store. There is now word yet on if there will be seating, but the bar will be installed very quickly starting immediately.

REVIEW: Oasis Canteen Digs Up New Sweet-and-Spicy Chicken Nuggets

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

For as long as I can remember, Oasis Canteen at Hollywood Studios has served funnel cakes. Suddenly last week, they debuted an all-new menu with chicken nuggets.

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Not only are regular chicken nuggets offered either in an adult or kids meal, but there are also sweet chili-glazed chicken breast nuggets.

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I of course had to order the sweet-chili glazed nuggets as I have been missing the spicy buffalo nuggets recently removed from the nearby Backlot Express.

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Let’s start with the good: the nuggets. These are pretty perfect. I love the mix of spicy and sweet in the flavoring. While I would personally pick the buffalo sauce over this, I understand that I’m in the minority who usually choose spice over flavor. I would equate this sauce to a sweet and sour sauce you might find at a Chinese-style restaurant. Regardless, these are great and turn the ubiquitous chicken breast nuggets into something more exciting (and flavorful) and actually worth ordering versus other counter service offerings.

My only  problem here was with the side offering. Carrots and celery aren’t a bad thing, they just weren’t good in this dish. I don’t know if it’s the place they are being stored at in this booth or what, but they just didn’t taste great. The chips are chips, which is a nice addition if you can’t offer fries I guess.

Overall, the chicken is the star and main offering, so if those are great, I guess that’s good enough. I’ve never been wowed by a counter service side dish that wasn’t the house-made chips, so I won’t start complaining about the other side dishes now (even though fries here would be an improvement). Regardless, I will be stopping here again for the sweet chili-glazed chicken nuggets.

PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 4/13/16 (New Star Wars Store, Expansion Progress, Pizza Planet, ETC.)

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

I visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Sunday to see what was new and exciting regarding all of the ongoing projects in the park, here’s what I found:

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Welcome to Hollywood Studios

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Where the park map almost fits on one panel!

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Additional signage around the park to help guests find their way through the construction

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Pizza Planet continues to be ripped apart, now the entire awning is gone

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New billboard behind Great Movie Ride

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Disney is getting ready to launch more interactive elements in the parks, including these screens at Cover Story which should soon have guest’s pictures appearing in them

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Temporary graphics fill the screens right now

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The braille map of the park was updated

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Don’t worry everyone, the carrot cake cookie is now at Sweet Spells…

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Captain America Civil War merchandise has invaded Reel Vogue next door

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Work was finally completed on Sunset Ranch Market and most of the seating area is now covered

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Legends of Hollywood no longer has Frozen merchandise, it’s now a Star Wars store

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Death Star sweatpants anyone? I’d make a thermal exhaust port joke but it would be in bad taste…

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Even the table has a Star Wars theme

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Work continues on the projectors for the new Star wars fireworks show

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Work also continues on the new meet and greets for Olaf, Mickey, and Minnie

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Concept art now up on the walls by Muppetvision for the Star Wars themed land

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Even at this size, you still can’t make out a lot of the details for the new land

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New Hollywood Studios ornaments available

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There’s a few of these…

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The new meet and greet facility from the ABC Commissary side

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There are now ads for the Jungle Book preview on the work walls on Mickey Avenue

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No visible progress yet on demolition where Toy Story Land will be

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Maps were added to the walls as guests are apparently getting lost

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The front of Legends of Hollywood has Star Wars posters and signage now

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A new Peter Pan ear hat now available

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PHOTOS: Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster Debuts New Interactive Element

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

A few weeks ago, we showed you the new interactive element at the end of “it’s a small world”, which shows guests personalized farewells as they float by. Now guests walking through the queue of Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will see customized posters as they walk by…

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The element uses the guest’s first name and hometown to create a personalized performance poster. It also displays the current date.

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The element is just the latest aspect of MyMagic+ to come online. Similar elements are still expected to debut at Star Tours, Muppetvision 3-D, Toy Story Midway Mania, Expedition Everest and other attractions in the coming weeks.

PHOTOS BY BRIAN CAREY

View “Star Wars Land” In 360 Degrees With Characters And Vehicles Lending A Hand

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

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The Disney Parks Blog just posted a photo that will take you behind the scenes with a 360 degree view of construction that has begun in Disneyland.

From Disney Parks Blog:

Today, we’re excited to celebrate the official groundbreaking at Disneyland park in California and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida with this exclusive 360-degree photo, produced with help from our friends at Littlstar, from the 14-acre construction site at Disneyland park. Keep a sharp eye out for some of the unique resources that are being brought to the project.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

PHOTO REPORT: Disney Springs (Town Center From Above, New Phone Cases & MagicBands, New Star Wars Merch, ETC.)

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

I visited Disney Springs earlier this week and there was plenty of new items to see, so let’s take a look at what has changed in our latest photo report:

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The Town Center will open in phases beginning May 15th

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Work continues on the new bus loop

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The Coca-Cola Store is coming along nicely

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A Jungle Book photo-op is located near the AMC

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Jungle Book banners up as well

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STK off in the distance

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Windows were finally installed last week

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Work continues on The Edison

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The Town Center as seen from The Landing

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Work continues on the kiosks near Fulton’s

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A fountain has been installed as well

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Fulton’s is now closed to be turned into a new concept

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The other new kiosk across from Fulton’s

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The buildings near T-Rex Cafe are coming along nicely as well

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B.B. Wolf’s is also nearing completion

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As is the Aristocrepes

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Walls up near the old bus loop, now in its final days

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Custom MagicBands and phone cases can now also be ordered at Disney’s Pin Traders

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Many new phone case designs can be found here

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Work progresses on the new home of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

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Once Upon a Toy now has the new Hoth sand playset in stock

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There’s also now a latex Dewback toy

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If they can’t sell guns at Disney Parks, I guess these Boba Fett blasters will have to do

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New Twenty Eight and Main t-shirt designs have been released at Marketplace Co-Op

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This shirt features the original Spaceship Earth opening line but the current logo

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More phone cases could be found at Marketplace Co-Op

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Walls up near the Marketplace stage

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World of Disney now also has sections that are dedicated to certain characters or brands

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Some new t-shirts

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Disney PArks are starting to make more and more socks

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New Marie ear hat

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MAd Tea Party coffee mugs for sale

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A new Disneyland mug for sale at World of Disney

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I can’t believe it, but there is now an Ortensia plush on sale to go with Oswald

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Another look at the new structures in the Marketplace

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Again looking towards the Town Center

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We then went up to the Morimoto Asia balcony to get a better view

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This building won’t be ready by May 15th…

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Signage for D-Luxe Burger already installed

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Another STK sign waiting to be installed

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Another look at The Edison

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Windows now installed at the entrance of STK as well

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New Star Wars Vinylmation were released recently

Disney Bakery, “Amorette’s”, Opens May 15th in Town Center at Disney Springs

WDWNT on April 20, 2016

Amorette’s Patisserie, a new shop opening in the Town Center of Disney Springs on May 15th, showcases the work of Walt Disney World Resort pastry chefs in a whole new way.

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Just like many of the new areas coming to Disney Springs, Amorette’s Patisserie also has an elaborate backstory. Established as one of the first shops in Town Center (circa 1900’s) and passed down through the generations, the patisserie is currently owned by artistic sisters Kara and Sara, where they pour great care into designing and creating the most unique and artistic pastries, since “Amorette” means “little love” in French.

Classic and contemporary cakes and pastries are the stars in this high-end pastry shop where guests can watch pastry chefs decorate signature cakes in the on-stage finishing kitchen. Every item features boutique-style packaging, inspired by old-fashioned hatboxes, lending to the sophisticated feel of the location.

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Menu items will include classic macarons, pavlova, chocolate-chocolate chunk cookies, eclairs, New York-style cheesecake, opera cake and sacher torte. Special sweets have names like “Reflection in Memphis” (peanut blondie with bacon, banana and chocolate) and Strawberry Fields of OC (strawberry mousse with basil sugar and lemon curd). Amorette’s Signature Cake is 10 layers of delectable flavors and textures.

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Amorette’s features a few beverage options as well. Sip a Champagne or sparkling wine with your pastry, or go straight for the Amorette’s Hot Chocolate Ganache, a cupful of sippable chocolate with Chantilly and shaved dark chocolate on top. You also can opt for a glass of cold milk, coffee or tea.

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Amorette’s Patisserie will open on May 15 with the rest of Town Center, and beginning May 22, you can pre-order Amorette’s Patisserie cakes by calling 407-934-3500 with 72 business hours advance notice.