BREAKING: New Star Wars Fireworks Show and More Coming to Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on March 5, 2016

As rumored, a new Star Wars fireworks show is on its way to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but so are some other new entertainment offerings.

The Force will officially awaken at the park April 4, with the debut of the brand new Star Wars stage show, “Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away.” The new show will play out iconic moments from the film saga on Center Stage (in front of the Chinese Theater), and will feature appearances from Star Wars characters like Kylo Ren, Chewbacca, Darth Vader and Darth Maul.

Also starting April 4, Captain Phasma will begin leading a platoon of First Order stormtroopers on a march from Star Wars Launch Bay to Center Stage multiple times each day.

And starting this summer, there will be a new Star Wars fireworks show, “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular.” This new nightly show is the next generation of the current Star Wars-inspired fireworks show. The show will combine fireworks, pyrotechnics, special effects and video projections that will turn the nearby Chinese Theater and other buildings into the twin suns of Tatooine, a field of battle droids, the trench of the Death Star, Starkiller Base and other Star Wars destinations. The show will be punctuated with a tower of fire and spotlight beams, creating massive lightsabers in the sky. This new show will reportedly be the most elaborate fireworks display to take place in the history of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Toy Story Midway Mania Closed 3/15, Third Track Opens Summer 2016

WDWNT on March 5, 2016

In a rather sudden announcement, Disney has stated that they will have Toy Story Midway Mania closed on March 15th, 2016 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

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Disney is stating the closure has to do with work related to the addition of a third ride track which they now confirm will open Summer 2016. Any guests with FastPass booked for the attraction on March 15th will get a FastPass for a different attraction on that day.

How Will The “Eternal Sunset” of Kilimanjaro Safaris New Nighttime Adventure Be Achieved? We Now Know

WDWNT on March 5, 2016

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When Joe Rhode further elaborated on the new nighttime version of Kilimanjaro Safaris debuting this spring, we all kind of wondered what exactly this meant:

Starting in spring, guests will get to experience the African savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in a whole new light: amid the orange glow of the setting sun. During the nighttime adventure, guests can extend their travels on the safaris into the evening.

How would Disney achieve a “eternal glow of sunset”, even into later evening hours? Well, last night we accidentally figured this out.

While at a media event for Zootopia, our private chartered bus drove through the backstage area at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Not only did we drive right past the astonishing construction site for Pandora: The World of AVATAR, but we then came upon a bright series of lights in the otherwise pitch-black backstage area. The glow was coming from a series of custom-shaped, very large LED screens that clearly had raised up over the back of the Savannah, providing the backdrop of a bright orange sunset. Now clearly, these screens will give guests the illusion that the sun is still setting, but it will also take additional lights throughout the experience to properly light areas for both guests and animals alike.

Of course, we were not allowed to take any pictures since we were backstage, but we did solve one of the greatest mysteries of this new project. While we still can only confirm that the African Wild Dogs will be out for the nighttime safaris, we still have no idea what other species of animals will be joining them. Hopefully we will hear more on this exciting addition soon.

In the realm of more concrete details revealed last night, we did get to see one of the new entertainment acts for the “Discovery Island Carnivale”, which will entertain guests nightly once the nighttime Kilimajaro Safaris and Rivers of Light debut this spring.

Stay tuned for more info on all of the nighttime offerings for Animal Kingdom as they become available.

CONCEPT ART: Disney Reveals New Art and Details of Star Wars Land

WDWNT on March 5, 2016

For the first time since the 2015 D23 Expo, Disney shared new details (as promised during the Disneyland 60th TV special) on the Star Wars themed-lands coming to Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

I crudely took photos off of my television screen for now, we will share higher-res images as soon as we can:

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A short video was shared of the Millennium Falcon ride, where guests will not only take the controls of the classic vessel, but control the guns as well. It will be fully interactive and guests will be in complete control.

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A short video was also shared of the attraction where guests are racing against time in the midst of a battle between the First Order and the Resistance.

The special stated that guests will be transported to another world, where they can interact with roaming aliens and droids, peruse a huge marketplace, and even taste the local delicacies.

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Among the dining options will be a cantina, and the newly announced dinner show type establishment that promises to be beyond belief.

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Excited yet?

PHOTO REPORT: Animal Kingdom 2/23/16 (Rivers of Light, AVATAR, New Food, ETC.)

WDWNT on March 5, 2016

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen and myself visited Animal Kingdom recently and has some newsworthy photos to share, so let’s take a look at what’s new and exciting around the park:

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The shop outside of Riverside Depot switched from pins to hats and plush

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The Hipster Mickey 9″ Vinylmation is now available

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It’s expensive…

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These cute character plush were released recently

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The weather at the parks has been really fantastic the last two weeks

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Work continues on Rivers of Light, which should soft-open the last week in March

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One entry area for the show is out from behind walls

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Some of the seating areas at Flame Tree BBQ are now being repainted

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Work continues on Tiffins and Nomad Lounge

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Some of the booths around the Tree of Life have some pretty interesting menu items, like these cheese grits with pulled pork that Dirk enjoyed

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He was not a big fan of the 3 cheese pasta bake though

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From Everest, we see more of Pandora: The World of AVATAR taking shape

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Work continues outside and inside of Disney Outfitters

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A look at Rivers of Light from across the river

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Flights of Wonder still closed for enhancements to the theater

PHOTO REPORT: Disney Springs 2/24/16 (Coca-Cola, The Town Center, ETC.)

WDWNT on March 5, 2016

Myself and WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen both made trips to Disney Springs over the last week and have so me photos to share of the continuing construction projects in the area:

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A look at the bus loop

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Looking toward the Town Center

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The new foliage on the parking garage was installed last week…

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Someone already threw garbage in it…

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While hard to see, the interior of Planet Hollywood has been gutted

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Glass panels being installed on the face of the Coca-Cola location in Disney Springs

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No visible progress on STK

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Work slowly coming along on the Edison

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Looking out towards the Town Center from The Landing

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The new buildings near Marketplace are coming along quickly

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This new building by the Village Causeway went up fast

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A Marie Magicband was released recently

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Movieland Series Vinylmation now available

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As are Zootopia Vinylmation

PHOTO REPORT: Epcot 2/25/16 (Maelstrom Facade Removed, Flower & Garden Prep, ETC.)

WDWNT on March 5, 2016

I stopped into Epcot for the evening on Monday and took some photos around the park, so let’s take a look at what’s new and exciting around Future World and World Showcase:

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Welcome to Epcot

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What we believe to be OSHA-demanded exit stairways being installed all around the Epcot monorail station

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Spiral staircase coming in on this side

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Epcot is getting ready for the Flower and Garden Festival, which of course begins on Wednesday

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Soarin’ is still closed

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I’m more inclined to think Circle of Life will return based on what the entrance looks like now, but expect some changes to the film at the very least

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I guess we’ll use the stairs…

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The lower floor men’s restroom being fixed up during these closures

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The butterfly garden has a long way to go

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The new musical playground is massive

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A lot to do in a week

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It was a slow roll-out, but all of the character topiraries have the updated look now

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Tic Toc Croc got new eyes and eyebrows

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LOOK OUT!

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This was a meet and greet space in France, but Aurora has moved out

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You still have a few days to see the Black History Month exhibits at the American Adventure

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Walls up for festival offerings near Germany

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Lots of tarps up in the China pavilion

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Anna and Elsa in Norway

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The tarps in Norway are now making it clearer that major facade changes are being made for Frozen Ever After

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Here you can see the facade was actually stripped and a new one is being put on

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Also, the hole in the rockwork is being sealed, so say goodbye to seeing the boats from outside

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Work continues on the meet and greet experience next door

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The Cars palyground returns in Future World

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New Test Track antenna topper

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Somehow missed this one released earlier in the month

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All of the merchandise is MouseGear is being shuffled around again, but none of the existing signage is correct now

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This is not home decor

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Yes, this has toys, but also now all Princess items

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Some Zootopia merchandise in stock, but something tells me it will not be enough come March 4th…

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Epcot items moved half-way across the store

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New Snow White and Jiminy Cricket shirts

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Infinity and Playmation now make up an island in the middle of the store

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The Gateway Gifts sign lives on…

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Another staircase on the other side of the monorail station

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The PIXAR Party Comes to Walt Disney World August 26-27, 2016

WDWNT on March 5, 2016

Disney has finally announced the registration and event dates for the PIXAR Party, the highly anticipated 2016 Trading Event at Epcot:

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You’re invited to a party! But not just any party, a Pixar Party Trading Event, August 26-27, 2016 at World ShowPlace in Epcot at Walt Disney World. Join us as we celebrate 30 years of Pixar Animation Studios magic from theatrical film releases, beloved shorts, cherished stories from the Vault, and more. No doubt it’s going to be a rootin’ tootin’ time. Race you there!

Registration for this year’s pin trading event will take place on April 28, 2016.

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We are committed to providing a great experience for all our attendees. Please read below for details.

Things to Know Before You Register

  • Introduced at last year’s event to ensure that all attendees have equal access to the trading boards, we will again provide each Pixar Party Trading Event attendee with vouchers to use for the trading board experience. Guests will have the opportunity to trade at the boards a designated number of times during the two-day event.
  • As a reminder, it is also important to note that Walt Disney World Resort has updated park rules regarding items that may be brought into the theme parks. Guests should be aware of the restrictions on bags (including suitcases, backpacks, trailers, wagons) and folding chairs.  Please carefully review the list of prohibited items and other park rules at. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/park-rules/.
  • You are welcome to bring Vinylmation™ figures to trade with other Guests, however we will not sell Vinylmation™ figures nor offer Vinylmation™ trading activities at the event.

Walt Disney World & Disneyland Introducing Seasonal Tiered Ticket Prices, Price Increases Coming

WDWNT on March 5, 2016

We told you earlier today that we expected new seasonal tiered ticket pricing to be introduced at Disneyland Resort, well now we are being told it will also be coming to Walt Disney World.

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In addition to annual price increases across all forms of tickets, one-day tickets for all parks will move to a seasonal, tiered pricing scale. Depending on the season you plan to visit, a one-day ticket can cost more or less. The tickets are broken into three “seasons”: Value, Regular, and Peak. We do not have info on what the pricing or dates for specific pricing will be, but is should be announced or go into effect this weekend.

We will share more info once it becomes available on this breaking story.

30 New Shops and Restaurants Announced for Disney Springs This Summer

WDWNT on March 5, 2016

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Beginning May 15th, 2016, the following shops and restaurants will be opening, in phases, at Disney Springs:

  • Anthropologie
  • kate spade new york
  • LACOSTE
  • Under Armour
  • M·A·C Cosmetics
  • Vince Camuto
  • Vera Bradley
  • Lucky Brand
  • Oakley
  • Coca-Cola Store
  • TROPHY ROOM
  • ALEX AND ANI®
  • Na Hoku – Hawaii’s Finest Jewelers Since 1924
  • Shore
  • American Threads
  • Volcom
  • Kipling
  • francesca’s
  • Melissa Shoes
  • UNOde50
  • Johnston & Murphy
  • Everything But Water
  • Free People
  • JOHNNY WAS
  • Columbia
  • Sperry
  • Luxury of Time by Diamonds International
  • Sephora
  • D-Luxe Burger
  • Amorette’s Patisserie
  • Tablas Frontera
  • Homecoming – Florida Kitchen and Shine Bar