Epcot’s New Mission: Space Will Launch in August, Booster Seats & Lower Height Requirement Likely Coming

WDWNT on July 22, 2017

Mission: SPACE at Epcot has had a tumultuous history. It opened to great fanfare in 2003 as the most realistic space simulation on the planet, a new-age thrill ride the likes of which the world had never seen before, but after being too intense for many (to put it politely), they were forced to introduce two different “teams”, or versions of the ride in 2006. While Orange Team Mission kept the original version intact, Green Team Mission used the same film with a much gentler ride profile that was minus any g-forces. It’s like watching Mission: Space from a rocking chair in my opinion.

New attraction poster for Mission: Space at Epcot

Announced over the weekend at the D23 Expo, in just a few weeks, guests will be able to enjoy new adventures at Mission: SPACE – an updated Orange Mission and a brand-new Green Mission.

The updated Orange Mission will make an even more visually stunning trip to Mars thanks to a new film animated by the folks over at ILM, while the all-new Green adventure will allow guests to blast off for a completely different orbital adventure around planet Earth. A new film with the gentler motion of Green in mind seems like a good idea, as the gentler version of the original just never really seemed to click with guests.

From what we are hearing, not only will Green boast a completely new mission, but booster seats should be made available so that Disney can lower the height requirement for this version of the ride. Disney has continually said they are trying to make Epcot more family friendly in this overhaul, and this Mission: Space update certainly screams that.

Among other changes expected are a reworked queue and a completely new pre-show (at least for Green Mission). It is unclear if Gary Sinese has returned for the new pre-show, but both rides should have their own unique versions.

Disney is stating Mission: Space will re-open this August at Epcot, although internet sources are still claiming it will be this October. I guess we’ll have to wait and see which of those is correct…

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VIDEO: In-Depth Review and Analysis of Every Disney Parks Announcement Made at the D23 Expo 2017

WDWNT on July 22, 2017

Last night, Tom Corless, Jason Diffendal, Ron D’Anna, Scott Smith, and Patrick Hackett sat down to discuss, in depth, all of the amazing announcements made at the D23 Expo 2017. From TRON Lightcycle Power Run, to the overhaul of Epcot, and from the new Riviera Resort to the Skyliner system, last night’s live program covered every bombshell announcement mad by Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek on Saturday. In case you missed it, you can catch the entire show here:

This show will also be available on audio form on this week’s WDW News Today Podcast.

CONTEST: Enter to Win a Disney Mickey Mouse Emoji Fidget Spinner from WDWNT

WDWNT on July 13, 2017

Unless you have been living under a rock for the last few weeks, you undoubtedly know what a Fidget Spinner is. Well, Disney is already in on the strange, spinning toy craze and is selling Emoji Fidget Spinners at the U.S. theme parks.

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Mickey, Minnie, and Stitch variations are available in black or white colors for $14.99 each. The character faces illuminate with multi-color flashing lights upon contact.

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While I may not personally understand this trend, knowing how much these are in demand, we thought it might be something cool to give away here on the blog. Here’s how to enter and win one of the two Fidget Spinners seen above:

  • Comment on this post below with why you want this Disney Emoji Fidget Spinner in 50 words or less (be creative)
  • Be sure to use a valid email address when commenting as this is how we will contact the winner
  • A winner will be chosen based on our favorite comment
  • Winner will get to chose one of the two Fidget Spinners pictured above
  • Entries will be allowed until 12:00AM eastern time U.S. on Tuesday, June 27th, 2017

Good luck!

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UPDATE: Disney Confirms Donald Trump Will Speak, Sets New Opening Date for Hall of Presidents

WDWNT on July 13, 2017

Disney has finally made a statement about their ongoing update of the Hall of Presidents attraction at the Magic Kingdom.
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According to News 13…

“The same thing that we’ve done with other presidents, is the same plan we have for President Trump,” said Jacquee Wahler, Vice President of communications (Walt Disney World).

They went on to clarify that Donald Trump and his audio-animatronic figure will speak in the show, just as the last 3 presidents added have.

Disney also stated that the attraction will re-open in late 2017, citing “technical problems” as the reason for the delay.

REVIEW: Jalapeno Cream Cheese Pretzel Lives on at Typhoon Lagoon

WDWNT on July 13, 2017

My all-time favorite Walt Disney World snack was always the Jalapeño Cream Cheese Stuffed Pretzel that used to be available at the theme parks. A few years ago, both this treat and the simpler Cream Cheese Stuffed Pretzel vanished, but that version did return to a few locations in recent months. I’m proud to announce that there is one place at Disney World that you can still get this spicy and doughy treat, and it’s the Typhoon Lagoon water park.

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Jalapeno Cream Cheese Pretzel ($5.00)

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Here it is, appearing just as I remember it. A pretzel this special deserves a photo shoot…

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Alright, enough of that. How is it? Just as good as I recall. The hot and spicy cheese inside is flavorful, not overly spicy to the point that an adverse person would not enjoy it. The pretzel had just the right amount of dough as well, making for a perfect combination. The crunchy exterior is a nice change from the usual to boot.

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I would be crazy enough to say this alone is worth a trip to Typhoon Lagoon, but the rest of the park isn’t bad either. That’s a joke, there’s much more to do there than just eat a pretzel…

PHOTOS: More Happily Ever After Merchandise (Including Poster) is Coming to Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on July 13, 2017

Disney today previewed three new merchandise items related Happily Ever After at the Magic Kingdom. These items come in addition to those we have showed you in the past.

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A light-up head band is coming later this summer.

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Also coming later this summer is an open edition pin.

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Last but certainly not least, the attraction poster for the show is now available through Art on Demand. Guests should look for it under the “Attraction Poster” section in the kiosks at Art of Disney locations. There are three paper and three canvas options available for printing. Guests can also have their image framed and shipped.

Young Child Hospitalized After Incident at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

WDWNT on July 13, 2017

A 5-year-old was airlifted to the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children on Monday after the child nearly drowned at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort at Walt Disney World.

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The boy is alright and was last listed as “well” in condition. The pool was closed following the incident as it became the scene of an investigation by police. Lifeguards at the resort were interviewed regarding the child’s predicament following the airlift. It is unclear exactly what happened, it is simply being called a “water emergency”.

The incident is far from the first at a Disney resort, and not even the first at the 5-year-old Art of Animation hotel.

UPDATE: Disney Denies Media Reports, Claims Extensive Theater Upgrades Responsible for Hall of Presidents Opening Delay

WDWNT on July 13, 2017

/></p> <p>The following statement was just issued by Thomas Smith, Editorial Content Director for Disney Parks on the <a href=Disney Parks Blog:

Since the Magic Kingdom Park opened in 1971, The Hall of Presidents has brought together a one-of-a-kind look at the office of the President of the United States through film and the magic of Disney’s Audio-Animatronics technology. Despite some media reports to the contrary, President Trump will have a speaking role in The Hall of Presidents, like every president since 1993. We have been working closely with the current White House — just as we have with previous administrations — and the president’s recording session has been scheduled. The attraction will re-open in late 2017.

Whenever we refurbish one of our attractions, we take the opportunity to consider a broad range of enhancements. In this case, The Hall of Presidents is getting a new show, and a complete theater upgrade including a new sound system, lighting and high-definition projection system. The multi-screen viewing experience you may have seen in prior versions of the attraction is returning with an even wider vantage point of our country’s history.

The statement was forced by the media firestorm that followed our piece on the delayed re-opening of the Hall of Presidents. Of course, Disney did confirm that President Trump would speak in the attraction after that, but erroneous reports from media sites that there was some sort of tension between the White House and Disney pretty much left them in need of some public post on the topic.

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Rey Has Joined the Cast of Star Wars – A Galaxy Far, Far Away at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on July 13, 2017

With the return of the Star Wars – A Galaxy Far, Far Away stage show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios today, the glorified character photo-op has added Rey from The Force Awakens to each performance.

Rey on stage at Star Wars - Galactic Nights back in April

Rey on stage at Star Wars – Galactic Nights back in April

This was first seen at the Star Wars – Galactic Nights event back in April, and you can see our video of Rey’s first appearance in the show below:

It is expected that she will appear in every show moving forward and this is now a permanent addition.

Magic Kingdom to Close at 6PM to Accommodate 2017 Christmas Party Events

WDWNT on July 13, 2017

The Magic Kingdom will close one-hour before the beginning of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on event nights in 2017, a change from years past.

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Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Duffy wave to Magic Kingdom guests as snow falls on Main Street, U.S.A., during ” Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” at Walt Disney World Resort. The festive processional is one of the happy highlights of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a night of holiday splendor with lively stage shows, a unique holiday parade, Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season nighttime fireworks, and snow flurries on Main Street, U.S.A. The special-ticket event takes place on select nights in November and December at Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Ryan Wendler, photographer)

In previous years, the park would close at 7pm just as the party was beginning. To better accommodate guests arriving for the parties and to help clear out day-guests earlier, the Magic Kingdom will close to non-party guests at 6pm on each event night this year. Basically, attraction queues and the park entrance will no longer admit non-party guests starting at 6PM.

It is unclear at this time exactly how this will affect the usual park procedures in preparing for the party.

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