BREAKING: Stitch’s Great Escape at Magic Kingdom is Now “Alien Encounter” Character Greeting

WDWNT on October 7, 2017

Apprently Stitch’s Great Escape at the Magic Kingdom is no more, replaced with the yet-to-open Stitch’s Alien Encounter Character Greeting in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom.

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No further details are available as of yet, but it seems likely that guests will be able to meet Stitch here starting soon (purely speculation on our part).

Stitch’s Great Escape went into seasonal operation last year, last open a few weeks ago for the busy summer season.

Photo courtesy of @1Ben_Laurence on twitter.

PHOTOS: Epcot 35 Starbucks Mug Released Today

WDWNT on October 7, 2017

Released today at the Fountain View Starbucks at Epcot, Guests will now find an Epcot 35 mug for sale.

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The mugs retail for $16.99 each and are available starting today. They will be for sale for the foreseeable future.

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Minnie Van Transportation Expanded to All Deluxe Resorts at Disney World

WDWNT on October 7, 2017

While initially only available to guests staying at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club and Boardwalk Resorts, Minnie Vans have since rolled out to the Wilderness & Animal Kingdom Lodge hotels, as well as the Grand Floridian and Polynesian Village Resorts due to popular demand.

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Starting today, guests at Disney’s Contemporary Resort (as well as Bay Lake Tower) can now go to the front desk at the resort to activate the point-to-point transportation service for their use.

Minnie Vans is a paid transportation service that is operated by Disney and summoned through the Lyft app. Please check out our review to see how it works and if Minnie Vans will be right for you.

CONFIRMED: Guardians of the Galaxy Ride at Epcot Will Be A Roller Coaster

WDWNT on October 7, 2017

As we have rumored on this site for some time, the Guardians of the Galaxy Ride coming to Epcot will indeed be a roller coaster attraction.

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AT D23 EXPO 2017, DISNEY PARKS CHAIRMAN BOB CHAPEK ANNOUNCES E-TICKET GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY ATTRACTION COMING TO EPCOT — Looking ahead to the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, Disney Parks Chairman Bob Chapek announced exciting plans across Epcot to realize the original vision of the park while making it more timeless and relevant than ever before, including a brand-new E-ticket attraction based on the rockin’ and action-packed world of Guardians of the Galaxy.

The Vice President of Epcot, Melissa Valiquette, confirmed that the attraction is a coaster to members of the media at the Epcot 35 celebration yesterday.

According to sources, the roller coaster will load guests in the former Universe of Energy attraction, launching guests through a tunnel into a 10-story tall show building. The coaster will reportedly be a first of its kind ride system, but it remains unclear how it will differ from a conventional ride.

The attraction will mark the very first roller coaster for Epcot in its 35 year history, the last remaining Disney Park on earth without one.

UPDATE: Disney Confirms Jingle Cruise for Walt Disney World, Still Unknown for Disneyland 2017

WDWNT on October 7, 2017

A few days ago, we told you that it was being rumored that the Jingle Cruise seasonal overly of the Jungle Cruise would not return to either coast this year. Well, we now know it will at least be at one resort.

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Disney has informed us that the Jingle Cruise WILL return to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World for the 2017 holiday season. However, it remains unknown if it will return to Disneyland Park, but it at least sounds like, as of right now, that it will not be in Anaheim this year.

Despite not being promoted with all of the other seasonal offerings for this year, Magic Kingdom will add the holiday delight from November 2017 through January 2018. For whatever reason, California is looking to cut the offering, at least for this year. This is somewhat surprising as the Disneyland Resort relies on a mostly local audience who return every season for such overlays, as opposed to Walt Disney World where many guests are either first-timers or only return every few years.

The American Music Machine A Capella Act at Epcot is No More

WDWNT on October 7, 2017

The a capella music troupe known as American Music Machine that performed at the America Gardens Theater at Epcot is no more as of September 30th.

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A five-member, contemporary a cappella group, American Music Machine provided “performances that conveyed the global influence of American popular music”. The group’s repertoire included a diverse range of contemporary and classic American pop hits, all presented in a unique style created by ground-breaking vocal arranger Tim Davis, whose previous credits include the hit TV series “Glee.”

The act was quietly retired over the weekend, with no replacement announced or expected.

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PHOTOS: Redesigned Hocus Pocus Merchandise Finally Arrives at Magic Kingdom Halloween Party

WDWNT on October 7, 2017

After the merchandise with the original intended artwork was pulled from shelves at the first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party of 2017, there is finally Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular merchandise for sale at the after-hours Magic Kingdom events.

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The t-shirt retails for $29.99, while the tank top is $27.99.

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The ornament was released at the September 26th party and retails for $14.99.

Of course, all of these items are only available to party guests. It remains unknown what the reason was for pulling the original merchandise, but it is said to have been some legal quarrel over the rights to the artwork in use. Here is what the merchandise would have looked like:

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Our thanks to reader Stephanie Jensen for the shirt photos above.

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PHOTOS: Latest Construction Progress on the Disney Skyliner at Pop Century, Art of Animation Resorts

WDWNT on October 7, 2017

Work continues on the new Disney Skyliner gondola transportation system for Walt Disney World, with plenty of construction quite visible from the Art of Animation and Pop Century Resort Hotels:

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Pylone visible out in Hourglass Lake.

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Pylons are starting to rise on what will be the gondola station between the two hotels.

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The bridge between the two resorts is still open, but they needed to end bike rentals due to the tightened walkway.

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Imagine in a few years, you’ll be boarding a gondola with Disney characters on it, right here.

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No completion date on the project has been provided. The Disney Skyline will connect Epcot, Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Art of Animation, Pop Century, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

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