2015 Movie Slate for Walt Disney Pictures

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Walt Disney Studios has provided us with a list of their upcoming theatrical releases for 2015 as well as their release dates. Lets take a look at what awaits movie theater goers for 2015.

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“Strange Magic,” a new animated film from Lucasfilm Ltd., is a madcap fairy tale musical inspired by “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Popular songs from the past six decades help tell the tale of a colorful cast of goblins, elves, faeries and imps, and their hilarious misadventures sparked by the battle over a powerful potion. Lucasfilm Animation Singapore and Industrial Light & Magic bring to life the fanciful forest turned upside down with world-class animation and visual effects.

Release date: January 23, 2015

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Based on the 1987 true story, “McFarland, USA” follows novice runners from McFarland, an economicaaly challenged town in California, as they give their all to build a cross country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner), a newcomer to their predominately Latino high school, with whom they ultimately bond to buil not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well.

Release date: February 20, 2015

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A live-action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale, “Cinderella” brings to life the timeless images from Disney’s 1950 animated masterpiece as fully-realized characters in a visually-dazzling spectacle for a whole new generation.

Release date: March 13, 2015

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Life is an adventure for Maya, the clever and resourceful blonde-bobbed monkey in “Monkey Kingdom,” Disneynature’s new feature film set among ancient ruins in the storied jungles of South Asia. Maya’s world is forever changed when she welcomes her son, Kip, into her complicated extended family. Like all families, Maya’s has more than it’s share of colorful personalities and she’s determined to give her son a leg up in the world. When their longtime home at Castle Rock is taken over by powerful neighboring monkeys, Maya’s whole family is forced to relocate, and she uses her street smarts and ingenuity to lead them to untapped resources amidst strange new creatures and unsettling surroundings. Ultimately, they will all have to work together to reclaim Castle Rock, where Maya can hopefully realize her dreams for her son’s future.

Release date: April 17, 2015

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When Tony Stark jumpstarts a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as they battle to save the planet from destruction at the hands of the villainous Ultron.

Release Date: May 1, 2015

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In Disney’s riveting mystery adventure “Tomorrowland,” a jaded scientist and an optimistic teen embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and place.

Release date: May 22, 2015

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Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it’s no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by emotions – Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith). The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley’s main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate to a new city, house and school.

Release Date: June 19, 2015

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The next evolution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe brings a founding member of The Avengers to the big screen for the first time with Marvel Studios’ “Ant-Man.” Master thief Scott Lang must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats.

Release date: July 17, 2015

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Directed by Jon Favreau (Chef, Iron Man, Elf), based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories and inspired by Disney’s classic animated film, “The Jungle Book” is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi), a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves. But Mowgli finds he is no longer welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan (voice of Idris Elba), who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat. Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a captivating journey of self-discovery, guided by panther-turned-stern mentor Bagheera (voice of Ben Kingsley), and the free-spirited bear Baloo (voice of Bill Murray). Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, including Kaa (voice of Scarlett Johannsson), a python whose seductive voice and gaze hypnotizes the man-cub, and the smooth-talking King Louie (voice of Christopher Walken), who tries to coerce Mowgli into giving up the secret to the elusive and deadly red flower: fire. The all-star cast also includes Lupita Nyong’o as the voice of the fiercely protective mother wolf Raksha, and Giancarlo Esposito as the voice of wolf pack’s alpha male Akela. “The Jungle Book” seamlessly blends live-action with photo realistic CGI animals and environments, using up-to-the-minute technology and storytelling techniques to immerse audiences in an enchanting and lush world.

Release date: October 9, 2015

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Tom Hanks stars in Steven Spielberg’s Untitled Cold War spy thriller, which is the true story of James Donovan, an attorney who finds himself thrust into the center of the Cold War when the CIA sends him on the near-impossible mission to negotiate the release of a captured American U-2 pilot.

Release date: October 16, 2015

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“The Good Dinosaur” asks the generations-old question: What if the cataclysmic asteroid that forever changed life on Earth actually missed the planet completely and giant dinosaurs never became extinct? In theaters May 30, 2014, the film is a humorous and exciting original story about Arlo, a lively 70-foot-tall teenage Apatosaurus with a big heart. After a traumatic event rattles Arlo’s tranquil community, he sets out on a quest to restore peace, gaining an unlikely companion along the way—a young human boy named Spot.

Release date: November 25, 2015

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Lucasfilm and visionary director J.J. Abrams join forces to take you back again to a galaxy far, far away as “Star Wars” returns to the big screen with “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

Release date. December 18, 2015

Pirates of the Caribbean Authentic, Orange Bird Plush, & More Coming to Disney Parks Stores in 2015

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Disney today previewed many new merchandise lines and items that will be introduced at the Disney Parks in 2015, including the Polynesian Village tiki god mini-figure with flickering light torches pictured above.
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I know many of you will also be excited to see more Orange Bird merchandise, including this 7″ plush. Other items will include salt and pepper shakers,

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A line of dolls based on Disney attractions will launch next year, called Atttactionistas. The line will launch with many dolls including Mad Tea Party and Haunted Mansion dolls.

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More limited release t-shirts are coming to the Disney Parks online store next year.

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Like the Haunted Mansion in 2014, Pirates of the Caribbean will get an entirely new merchandise line in 2015.

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Later in 2015, limited release nutcrackers themed to park lands and attraction will debut.

RUMOR: The Very Latest On Possible Attractions For Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Earlier this year, we broke the story that the Backlot Tour was closing and rumors of a third track being added to Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Since then, rumors have been swirling about what guests will actually find if and when a Toy Story Land comes to fruition in that area of the park (keep in mind we’re not even talking about the other 2/3 of the Backlot area that should be cleared for other projects yet).

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At Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland, the Toy Story Land is made up of three attractions: RC Racer, Slinky Dog ZigZag Spin, and Green Army Men Parachute Drop. If rumors are true, only RC Racer from that group will make it to Walt Disney World.

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RC Racer is that one existing attraction that will be coming over to Hollywood Studios. The steel shuttle coaster launches guests back and forth, up and down the 80 foot tall track on what looks like orange Hot Wheels track.

Since Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree has tested so well at California Adventure, and since the proposed “Cheese the Mouse” version of the ride that would have been in Pixie Hollow in New Fantasyland was nixed, Disney will bring the ride to Toy Story Land as “Woody’s Round-Up”, where guests will ride with horse-drawn carriages that whip and whirl.

Last but not least, with rumors that Luigi’s Flying Tires at California Adventure will be replaced with a trackless, dancing car ride, the rumblings are that the ride system will be re-purposed for Buzz Lightyear at Walt Disney World. Since it hasn’t been built yet, it’s hard to gauge exactly what this is, but our guess is the dancing system will allow guests to tango with Buzz Lightyear in some way.

This is what we know so far and none of this information is official or even close to official (and anything not already under construction is always subject to change) and no announcement of this project is expected from Disney until at least August 2015 at the D23 Expo.

Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

WDW News Today’s 14 Biggest Stories of 2014

I know this is something most people will tell you at the end of every year, but 2014 really was one of the busiest years at the Disney Parks. Some of the largest projects in history began to take shape, and we saw more closures and entertainment changes than have ever happened in a 1-year period. With that being said, we fully expect things to be even crazier over the next few years on the road to AVATAR at Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, FROZEN at Epcot, and who knows what else that we are still waiting for an announcement on…

Here are the fourteen most read stories for WDWNT in 2014:

14) More Details & Concept Art Leaks for Downtown Disney’s Conversion to Disney Springs

Somewhat mundane, but it’s nice to see Disney Springs make the list. Certainly, we have spent a good deal of 2014 covering Downtown Disney’s makeover, and it’s good to see that some readers do actually care about the project.

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13) RUMOR: PIXAR Place Expansion at Hollywood Studios Imminent; 3rd Toy Story Mania Track To Be Constructed?

This story kicked off a rather insane week at WDWNT. Just a few days later, the Backlot Tour saga would unfold and give credibility to this story that most people deemed “impossible” or “unlikely”.

12) Concept Art and Full Details on EPCOT Center’s Never-Built Switzerland Pavilion, Including the Matterhorn!

While this was not a news story, it was pretty amazing. Every now and then, details about failed projects from the past emerge, but never entire proposal books on them. Readers were clearly as blown away as we were when they saw this.

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11) PHOTOS: New Lobby at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Unveiled

Our most recent story on the list and perhaps the most overall disliked change of 2014. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and the Villas and Bungalows at the resort open in early 2015 at the resort, so we’ll be watching the Polynesian a lot next year.

10) Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid in New Fantasyland to Close in Early 2015 for Ride Enhancements

We broke the story of changes coming to the Little Mermaid ride in Florida and it was met with a very mixed reaction. Either guests love this ride or despise it, and there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of middle ground, but Disney is determined to improve the modern dark ride next year.

9) “Frozen Fun” Event Confirmed for Disney California Adventure, Details Revealed

Our only Disneyland Resort story to make the top 14 in 2014, we managed to find the full line-up for Frozen Fun at Disney California Adventure a few weeks early. Everything listed in this post is now running at the park.

8) First Look: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2014 Event Map

There’s always one story that gets way more hits that it should or you expect it to., Last year, it was the now infamous soda post, this year, it’s a map.

7) CONFIRMED – Studio Backlot Tour Closes September 27th, 2014

Only hours after we posted the rumors of the Backlot Tour closing, Disney admitted to cast members that the ride had just days left to exist. An opening day attraction that was the focal point of the park was about to leave with little-to-no fanfare what-so-ever. Everyone was ready for this.

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6) BREAKING: Guests Can Only Ride Toy Story Mania Via FastPass+ This Week

Anger. Unbridled anger. Never have I seen so many people upset about something that wasn’t even affecting their vacation. A one week test where a standby line didn’t exist at Toy Story Mania was enough to set off everyone with just the idea that a system like this might ever be in place.

5) BREAKING: Turner Classic Movies to Present and Change the Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

A Great Movie Ride update has been rumored for as long as I can remember. Hell, Disney even thought about removing the ride in the late 1990’s. Luckily, TCM came around to take over and bring about an age where the Great Movie Ride will once again be the focus and the icon of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

4) RUMOR: Maelstrom at Epcot Closing September 28th for FROZEN Attraction?

We called it. Our date was a little off, but when we picked up on the sudden vanishing of Maelstrom from FastPass+ options at Epcot, it seemed like a FROZEN attraction was eminent. Several weeks later, Disney finally announced the closure of Maelstrom and that a FROZEN ride would be constructed in Norway at Epcot. Maelstrom closing at Epcot was certainly the most memorable in-park moment of the year.

3) BYE-BYE BACKLOT TOUR! Hollywood Studios PIXAR Place Expansion Coming, Many Current Attractions Closing Soon?

Early on a Friday morning, I was told the Backlot Tour was closing and Toy Story Land was coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. By 5PM that day, after hours of the Disney online community arguing over the rumor, Disney confirmed that the Backlot Tour was indeed closing. This was by far the fastest a rumor has ever crossed into reality and made for what I think was the most exciting and memorable day of the WDW News Today website.

2) RUMOR: 5th Walt Disney World Theme Park To Be Built Before 2021, Located Near Flamingo Crossings?

How could the first solid evidence of a 5th park not be such a huge story? Plenty of experts are still unconvinced that this might be real, but the realization that Disney purchased more land to set aside for conservation the following week seemed to make our rumor far more plausible. We’ll be waiting a long time to find out if this is true or not, but it’s certain that Disney is up to something at the very least.

1) CONFIRMED: The Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to be Removed in Early 2015

We have waited, and waited, and waited for this one. Since the demise of the Epcot wand, we figured it was only a matter of time until Disney erased the final temporary park icon. Our wish finally came true… only to be dampened by a strange and unexpected outpouring of love for the metal, out-of-place behemoth. Regardless, the Sorcerer’s Hat will be demolished in a few weeks time and what exactly the space will be used for announced at that time.

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With 2014 ending today, we begin to look towards 2015. While I can’t for sure say what Disney has in store for 2015, I can tell you that WDW News Today will be celebrating the Disney Parks like never before with a special year-long celebration (#WDWNT60). We’ll formally announce what we’re up to in a few days, but until then… HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sunglass Hut Stores Coming to Walt Disney World Theme Parks and Water Parks

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The Island Supply Co. in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom will now be a Sunglass Hut location, beginning January 8th. The store closed in the fall and was rumored to become a Jungle Cruise attraction shop, but apparently it was just for this Sunglass Hut takeover.

Similarly, Singapore Sal’s at Typhoon Lagoon will also become a Sunglass Hut location, renamed “Sal’s Shades”. More locations may be on the way after these two open in the coming weeks.

Sunglass Hut remodeled their Sunglass Icon Downtown Disney location into their flagship store back in 2011.

2014 Disney Parks Christmas Day Special To Get a Frozen Makeover

Frozen has not only found its way into many aspects of Walt Disney World Resort, but this Christmas, Disney will put a Frozen twist on its 31st annual Christmas Day telecast, appropriately renamed the Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration airing December 25, 2014, on ABC-TV.

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Robin Roberts of ABC’s Good Morning America will host the reimagined television special inspired by the blockbuster hit’s message of uniting family and loved ones. Roberts will lead the telecast from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida with support from ESPN and SEC Network personality Tim Tebow.

ÒGood Morning AmericaÓ Anchor Robin Roberts Hosts the 2014 Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration TV Special

ABC’s Robin Roberts hosts this year’s Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration.

They will be joined by Rob Marciano, senior meteorologist of ABC’s Good Morning America from the “The Happiest Place on Earth” at Disneyland Resort. Sarah Hyland, star of ABC’s Emmy award-winning show Modern Family, joins the fun from Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai‛i.

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Sarah Hyland performs from Aulani.

The festivities will also feature a special appearance by Miss America 2015, Kira Kazantsev, making this year’s Christmas special a magical Frozen celebration not to be missed.

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Miss America 2015, Kira Kazantsev

Disney Parks will celebrate this Christmas with more than a parade, but with a heartfelt wish for the holiday season, the coming together of loved ones and family. In keeping with the spirit of Frozen where two sisters are united through the power of true love, Disney will bring together three groups of families and friends who have been apart or separated for the holidays, providing the ultimate Christmas gift. The reunions will take place at three magical Disney destinations – Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, and Aulani – making these reunions bigger, brighter and merrier.

The joyous occasion will fittingly include a special rendition of the Frozen hit single, Let It Go, as performed by 12-year-old YouTube sensation, Lexi Walker.

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Lexi Walker performs Let It Go.

There will also be festive performances from some of today’s top musical talents at each of the various Disney locations:

  • Ariana Grande will regale Walt Disney World Resort guests with her new Christmas single Santa Tell Me and the Christmas tradition Last Christmas
  • Prince Royce adds to the merriment with I Want to Wish You a Merry Christmas/Feliz Navidad
  • The spotlight also will shine on special performances from the X Factor USA third and final season winners Alex and Sierra singing Love is an Open Door from Frozen
  • Yuletide cheer will be brought to the Hawaiian Islands by Gavin DeGraw, performing his latest single Fire and the holiday standard I’ll Be Home for Christmas
  • Laura Marano, of Disney Channel’s Austin & Ally, entertains viewers with her version of Do You Want to Build a Snowman? as posed by Princess Anna in Frozen

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Laura Marano also performs.

  • Trey Songz, Lucy Hale and Train will serenade audiences at Disneyland Resort in California with holiday favorites such as All I Want for Christmas is You, Mistletoe, and Shake Up Christmas

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Train entertains the Christmas Day special in Disneyland.

  • Country music superstar Trisha Yearwood will perform her hit single, Prizefighter, and the holiday classic, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Celebrate the most wonderful time of year with familiar Disney friends and holiday characters as they spread Christmas joy and cheer at Disneyland Park in California and along parade routes at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida:

*characters/floats subject to change

  • The Frozen stars of the parade, Elsa and Anna, return from Arendelle to join the royal court and ring in the holidays on Main Street, U.S.A. at Walt Disney World Resort
  • Olaf, the summer-loving snowman from Frozen, joins hundreds of Dance the Magic youth performers in front of Cinderella Castle for a musical number to In Summer
  • Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty makes her holiday debut as the steampunk-inspired fire-breathing dragon, as featured in the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
  • A new Club Penguin float joins the procession highlighting the holiday special, We Wish You a Merry Walrus
  • The superheroes of  Big Hero 6 take a break from saving the world to wish onlookers happy holidays
  • The National Cheerleaders Association and National Dance Alliance Performance Cheer Team, featuring 800 members from 41 states, entertain park guests lining Main Street, U.S.A.
  • Boys and Girls Club National Youth of the Year winner, Maryah Sullivan, appears in the regal coach from the upcoming live action film, Cinderella
  • Traditional Christmas favorites such as Toy Soldiers and Gingerbread Men get their time in the spotlight to make the season merry and bright
  • After a long night of delivering presents, the jolly man in the red suit, Santa Claus, finishes his route on Main Street, U.S.A.

The Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration airs December 25, 2014, on ABC-TV at 10:00 a.m. EST.  Other airtimes vary; check local listings in your market.

 

“Taste of Hollywood” Returns to Hollywood Studios for the Holidays

This Christmas season, Taste of Hollywood to Go at Disney’s Hollywood Studios returns with a delicious meal-to-go and a reserved seat for Fantasmic! From December 24 to 31, the popular Taste of Hollywood To Go option will be returning with a few new entrees, all of which include a reserved seat for Fantasmic!.

The adult menu features a choice of a vegetable sandwich served with ginger-marinated tomatoes and cucumbers, quinoa salad and chocolate cake; shrimp salad served with pita, ginger-marinated tomatoes and cucumbers and mandarin orange cheesecake; golden fried chicken served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, sweet corn and carrots and warm apple crisp; cold-cut roast beef sandwich with creamy horseradish served with classic potato salad, grilled asparagus and chocolate cake; or California sushi tuna roll served with avocado, orange and tomato salad, ginger-marinated tomatoes and cucumbers and spicy pecan-chocolate cluster.

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Kids’ choices include a power pack with strawberry yogurt, apple wedges, carrot sticks with ranch dip, fish crackers, an organic apple cinnamon and oatmeal snack-size sandwich bar or a turkey and American cheese wrap with strawberry yogurt, apple wedges, carrots with ranch dip and a seven-layer cookie bar.

Reservations are now open, and can be made by calling 407-WDW-D407-WDW-DINE up to 24 hours in advance. If you do not have a reservation, you can check the day you are in the park for availability. Meals can be picked up from Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner from 11:00a.m. to 8:00p.m. Choice of Fantasmic! showtime is based on availability, with the number of seats based on the number of meals purchased.

PHOTOS: Maelstrom Attraction Currently Being Gutted, FROZEN Ride at Epcot Is More Than An Overlay

If you had your doubts about the budget or just how extensive the work on the new Frozen attraction at Epcot might be, you may want to look at this…

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Photos from @JohnCFSS on twitter

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Photos from @JohnCFSS on twitter

The photos above were taken under the door at the attraction’s entrance, the former lobby of the Maelstrom ride in Norway of Epcot’s World Showcase. The word demolition comes to mind as it looks like they have in many places ripped walls out or at least stripped them down to the structural steel.

Since the announcement of the ride earlier this year, there has been much debate about the budget and how extensive the attraction update might be. These photos are the first real proof that at least the entrance and exit of the ride will be vastly different from Maelstrom. It is still unknown if the boat flume will remain, but some sources have claimed that the ride will be entirely new, and these photos may make that easier to believe. However, it is still possible that a boat ride is behind these walls. Only time will tell.

Photos from @JohnCFSS on twitter.

Frank Oz To Voice “Yoda” in “Star Wars Rebels”

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When I first saw this story, I kind of just brushed it off as no big deal. I kind of figured at some point the crew from Rebels would end up on Dagobah and meet up with Yoda (not that it is needed). Then I realized that “Frank Oz”, who was the voice and the man behind Yoda (that last part pertains to the Original Trilogy), is actually coming back to voice the character that he first helped give life to in The Empire Strikes Back.

In the previous series, The Clone Wars, Tom Kane provided the voice of Yoda. To have Oz come back is a bit of a big deal. Many people love imitating Yoda, but no one can voice Yoda like Oz does. A few months ago, James Earl Jones also came back to voice Darth Vader for Rebels. I just find it interesting that some of the original cast is contributing to the series.

The episode, “Path of the Jedi” will air Monday, January 5th, 2015 at 9PM on Disney XD. It will also be available a week before online through the Watch Disney App on Monday, December 29th.

Source: TVGuide.com

RUMOR: “Star Tours: The Adventures Continue” To Add Planets & Characters from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”

The site Star Wars Underworld is claiming that an inside source has informed them that the first Star Wars additions coming to Disney theme parks post-purchase will be additions to Star Tours: The Adventures Continue at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland  based on characters and locations from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”.

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Star  Tours: The Adventures Continue was designed by Disney Imagineers and members of Lucasfilm to easily insert new destinations and characters at any time. With the current iteration of the attraction, any new film sequences could be created and programmed separately and then exported to the ride. meaning any addition would result in little-to-no downtime for the attraction. We have speculated about these additions several times on our podcast, but this is this first outside report.

Recently, we reported that Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed that there will be a much larger presence of Star Wars themed attractions based on the new sequels and spin-offs. Adding new destinations based on “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” to Star Tours would seem to go along with his plans.

Stay tuned as more information becomes available