While not much work has happened since The Universe of Energy closed at Epcot last week, the iconic water feature outside of the 1982 Future World Pavilion has now been drained.
The water feature may or may not return, with the marquee being replaced by a Nova Corps ship from the Guardians of the Galaxy film franchise.
The Guardians of the Galaxy ride will open before 2021 at Epcot.
On the heels of the successful rollout at many other restaurants, Walt Disney World will expand the Mobile Order program through the MyDisneyExperience app to several previously unannounced establishments later this year.
Here are the restaurants now adding the service later this year:
No exact date for these additions has been given as of yet.
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.
While initially only available to guests staying at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club and Boardwalk Resorts (and then expanded to Disny’s Wilderness Lodge last week), a few additional resort guests are now able to take advantage of Disney’s Minnie Van service due to popular demand.
Starting today, guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani Village and Jambo House) can now go to the front desk at the resort to activate the service for their use.
Minnie Vans is a paid point-to-point 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.
The Tokyo Disneyland Grand Circuit Raceway attraction closed forever back in January as the park embarks on its largest expansion ever, but now the vehicles from that extinct Tomorrowland attraction have crossed the ocean and made their way to the Magic Kingdom.
The cars are currently visible from the TTA Peoplemover attraction, located behind Space Mountain.
It is unclear if Disney will reuse the full cars or is simply breaking them down for spare parts for the Tomorrowland Speedway.
The cars are the very same model as those used at Orlando’s Speedway attraction.
Cinderella’s Royal Table at the Magic Kingdom will be closing for a short refurbishment in 2018.
The restaurant inside of Cinderella Castle will be closed February 28th through March 2nd, 2018. The restaurant is available for reservations once again starting 3/3.
Early this morning, we made our way over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and noticed that of all signs relating to The Great Movie Ride including the marquees and side theater banners had been removed. These items have been up on the Chinese Theater since the park opened back in 1989, so it is strange to see them gone.
The Great Movie Ride attraction marquees are gone
New signs have been added and references to the upcoming Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction have been removed already for some reason…
While we were at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we made a stop over at Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream as it prepares to become Walt Disney Presents. Below you’ll see photos of the old Florida Project display (which featured Walt Disney discussing his plans for Walt Disney World and what would later become EPCOT Center).
It appears that this is where the models for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land will go.
The original One Man’s Dream film is back for the time being and in the pre-show area, you can currently find costumes from Doctor Strange, Saving Mr. Banks, and the Descendants.
Finally, a new display went up showcasing different California attractions throughout the years, including the recent Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission Breakout.
You can even pick up a Mission Breakout shirt while you are here…
If you miss everything that was great about One Man’s Dream, you can always relive it in our video tour:
It has been a little while since the last time we took to the skies over Disney’s Hollywood Studios to see the progress on the expansion of the park, but the time has come to see how Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land are shaping up from above.
I wish it were a joke, but there is clearly just as much construction zone at Hollywood Studios as there is active, in-use park area.
Over in Toy Story Land, track was completed for Slinky Dog Dash, and now the picket fence barrier behind it is being painted. On the lower right, you can see the new entrance to Toy Story Midway Mania taking shape, on the lower left is Alien Swirling Saucers.
Here we see the Slinky Dog Dash coaster traveling behind the Alien Swirling Saucers attraction.
A backstage facility near Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is already nearly completed.
Above, we see work continuing on the Millennium Falcon attraction.
More of the two centrifuges that will hold the carousel of simulators for the ride, featuring many Falcon cockpits for guests to ride in.
A look across Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge towards Toy Story Land.
Looking back at Toy Story Land, we see the Slinky Dog Dash building at the very back, the Alien Swirling Saucers middle-left, and the small counter service location for the land to the right.
In this shot, we can see both the current and future entrances to Toy Story Midway Mania.
Moving back to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, here we see the construction of the massive show building for the “Battle Escape” ride.
The World Drive entrance offers a close encounter with the attraction.
To the left is the show building for “Battle Escape”, to the right is the circular base for the pre-show experience which will happen before guests board the Imperial Transport.
Here we see the entrance to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, with PIXAR Place looming in the distance.
Here is where Grand Avenue meets Galaxy’s Edge, view obscured by MuppetVision 3-D and the Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway building (you know, what was The Great Movie Ride) at the top of the picture.
As we pull back, we get a better look at the scope of the projects, as well as the roadway and parking lot enhancements being made.
Zooming into Grand Avenue, we see a patio area nearly finished for Baseline Tap House, as well as trees and lampposts all along the street.
Behind MuppetVision lies the strange, concrete barrier between Grand Avenue and Galaxy’s Edge.
Another look at the Battle Escape attraction.
Now moving towards the Millennium Falcon.
Beginning this Friday, guests visiting Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom will be able to pick up a new “Country Bears” Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card at the Firehouse on Main Street U.S.A. This special event card will be distributed separately (and in addition to) the regular Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card packs you’re given at this location. Guests must register to play with their party ticket and event wristband in order to get one. Yesterday, Disney released a new update for the My Disney Experience app for both iOS and Android, bringing a bunch of new features to the app. Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will now be able to renew their pass on the app directly on their mobile device. Additionally, guests using the Disney Dining Plan will now be able to track how many meal and snack credits they have remaining directly on the app, and for guests staying on property, they will now be able to track charges made to their room using MagicBands. Guests can download this update (version 4.8) directly from the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store.
Country Bears Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Card Coming to 2017 Halloween Parties
My Disney Experience App Update Brings AP Renewal, Dining Plan & Credit Card Tracking
