CONCEPT ART: New Over-Water Dining, Updated Look at Tower at Coronado Springs Resort

WDWNT on July 22, 2017

Since the announcement of the project, we have had only one piece of concept art to go by for the massive expansion of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. New art recently released show another look at the 15-story hotel tower being added, but also the new walkways and over-water restaurant being added.

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The new art sits on a large board in the resort’s lobby.

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New art shows the tower in a 3D rendering, gold and white in color, subdued compared to the original artwork. It is unclear which art piece is more accurate to the final product.

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Unannounced previously, there is a fairly large dining establishment being erected over the water. This comes in addition to a rooftop restaurant that will be located in the tower.

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The concept art clearly shows a bar, but there is also a plethora of seating to the right side, possibly for a lounge or table service experience.

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The piece above shows the layout of the new additions, with the over-water structure connected via a new three-pronged walkway. The new 15-story tower, reconfigured parking lot, and another new bridge can be seen to the right side.

The expansion of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will be completed in Summer 2019.

D23 Expo Rumors – A List of Every Announcement Expected for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

WDWNT on July 22, 2017

The last month leading to the D23 Expo 2017 has been a crazy one, as there is a larger than usual list of expected announcements for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek to make on Saturday, July 15th at 3pm. Below, we cover what we expect to be announced. While not all of these will likely be “confirmed” come this weekend, they are highly likely to be.

Unlikely rumors that could see announcement on Saturday include the Star Wars Luxury Hotel, Zootopia at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the DVC wing of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and a massive expansion of Walt Disney Studios Paris, but the timing for these doesn’t seem right, whether they are going to happen or not.

Stay tuned for updates from the presentation when it begins at 3pm Pacific time today!

VIDEO: Controversial New Auction Scene Debuts in Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland Paris, Other Additions

WDWNT on July 22, 2017

Today we are getting a first look at the new auction scene for Pirates of the Caribbean coming to the U.S. parks thanks to the soft-opening of the Disneyland Paris attraction from its multi-month renovation.

The scene has been changed from the selling of the redhead to the selling of treasures, as expected. I have requested the translation of the scene from a good friend (Hi Steph!) and the main gist of the new scene is that the auctioneer is now ready to start the auction, but remarks that the jewels are a bit garbage. He also remarks about the shyness of the redhead.

The new anamatronics are very convincing, but it seems to have lost the heart of the original scenes. The video below also includes other changes and additions to the attraction.

What do you think of the new scene? Do you think it’s a worthy replacement? Let us know in the comments!

 

BREAKING: Disney World’s Uber-Like Service To Be Called “Minnie Vans”, First Details Emerge

WDWNT on July 22, 2017

Information has started being shared with cast members at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts about the long-rumored “Uber-Style” service Disney World will be launching, and no it is NOT called Duber, rather it will be called Minnie Vans.

Guests at these resorts and the Boardwalk will be a part of the initial test for this service, rolling out slowly over the next few weeks. A team of Chevrolet Traverse vehicles will be utilized, which makes sense considering the corporate sponsor for Test Track is Chevrolet and they have an overall deal with WDW. Given the name Minnie Vans, we expect the truck to be polka-dotted in some way, a play on Minnie Mouse’s classic look, but that’s just a guess.

Guests can expect a flat rate to anywhere on property when utilizing the Minnie Vans service once it launches. While we don’t have an exact number, we expect the rate to be between $15 and $20 a ride. Additional information on the proprietary app or how guests will be able to use the service are scarce right now.

We expect a formal announcement either from the Disney Parks Blog or at the D23 Expo this weekend.

PHOTOS: An In-Depth Look at the Star Wars Land Model for Disney Parks, D23 Expo 2017

WDWNT on July 22, 2017

This is a panoramic shot of the entire model on display at the “A Galaxy of Stories” Pavilion at D23 Expo 2017. Note that this is the Disneyland model, but we expect the Walt Disney World version to be very similar. To give you a general overview, the large mountainous structure on the left side is the show building for the battle escape attraction, while on the far right is the Millennium Falcon attraction. In the center is the village area, which will contain the Cantina, the Dinner Show Restaurant, and mostly as-yet-unannounced Shopping and Entertainment offerings.

 

Plenty of Star Wars vehicles adorn the area.

A close-up of the left side of the village area.

You can plainly see the Millennium Falcon sitting in the area in the back, right side of the model.

Here’s a wider shot of the right side showing the Millennium Falcon ride’s show building.

Another perspective of the right side of the model.

Stay tuned to WDW News Today for more breaking news about Star Wars Land coming from the D23 Expo 2017!

 

 

PHOTOS: Trackless Ride Vehicle Revealed for Star Wars Land’s “Battle Escape” Attraction

WDWNT on July 22, 2017

Revealed tonight at the D23 Expo 2017, we received our first look at the 8-person trackless ride vehicle for Star Wars Land’s massive E-Ticket attraction known simply to most as Battle Escape.

The vehicle is referred to as a First Order Fleet Transport and features an astromech droid attached to the front of it. While we don’t know exactly why we will be riding in this vehicle, we hopefully will be getting more information before the end of the D23 Expo this weekend.

For a look at the Star Wars Land model revealed tonight, check out our video.

Possible Star Wars Land Name Leaks, Is It Galaxy’s Edge?

WDWNT on July 22, 2017

Through some clever looking through the coding on the Disney Parks Blog, it seems as though the name of the Star Wars themed land for Disneyland and Disney World may have slipped out ahead of tomorrow’s announcement.

If the coding is correct, the name of the land will be Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

A formal announcement is expected tomorrow at the D23 Expo one way or the other.

CONFIRMED: Ratatouille, Guardians, New China Film, New Table Service Restaurant Coming to Epcot – D23 Expo 2017 News

WDWNT on July 22, 2017

Bob Chapek has just confirmed that Epcot will be getting a major overhaul. Tom Fitzgerald took the stage to say that the Ratatouille attraction from Disneyland Paris will be coming to the France pavilion at Epcot, as we told you last month.

AT D23 EXPO 2017, DISNEY PARKS CHAIRMAN BOB CHAPEK ANNOUNCES NEW RATAOUILLE ATTRACTION COMING TO EPCOT — Looking ahead to the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts 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. Patterned after the number one family attraction at Disneyland Paris, Ratatouille will be added in an all-new space in the France pavilion in World Showcase at Epcot.

Confirming news that we first brought to you back in June of 2016, Chapek announced the new E-Ticket attraction based on Guardians of the Galaxy will be coming to Future World in the Universe of Energy pavilion. As a relief to Epcot fans, we see from the concept art that the existing show building will remain intact.

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.

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.

Also announced was a new film for China, which will be a new seamless, digital Circle-Vision 360 technology. We mentioned a new China film last month in our “A Brave New Epcot” article.

An additional mission type will be coming to Mission: Space when it reopens later this year (something we also mentioned in last month’s “A Brave New Epcot” article).

Additionally, Tom Fitzgerald announced that a new table service restaurant will be opening adjacent to Mission: Space.

AT D23 EXPO 2017, DISNEY PARKS CHAIRMAN BOB CHAPEK ANNOUNCES A NEW RESTAURANT COMING TO EPCOT — Adjacent to Mission: SPACE will be a new restaurant that will invite guests to travel high above the earth for an unforgettable dining experience.

 

 

CONFIRMED: Star Wars Land Named “Galaxy’s Edge”, Rex Will Appear in Cantina – D23 Expo 2017 News

WDWNT on July 22, 2017

Bob Chapek has just confirmed at the D23 Expo Parks & Resorts presentation the rumor we noted yesterday that the new Star Wars land will be called “Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge”.

Also, Rex from Star Tours will be in Star Wars land as the DJ at the Cantina.

New concept art from the two major attractions was also shown.

AT D23 EXPO 2017, DISNEY PARKS CHAIRMAN BOB CHAPEK ANNOUNCES NEW DETAILS OF ATTRACTIONS PLANNED FOR STAR WARS: GALAXYÕS EDGE — Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek shared new details and a glimpse inside the two attractions planed for Star Wars: GalaxyÕs Edge coming to both Disneyland park in Anaheim, Calif. and DisneyÕs Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Fla. in 2019.

AT D23 EXPO 2017, DISNEY PARKS CHAIRMAN BOB CHAPEK ANNOUNCES NEW DETAILS OF ATTRACTIONS PLANNED FOR STAR WARS: GALAXYÕS EDGE — Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek shared new details and a glimpse inside the two attractions planed for Star Wars: GalaxyÕs Edge coming to both Disneyland park in Anaheim, Calif. and DisneyÕs Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Fla. in 2019.