PHOTOS, VIDEO: Star Wars Land Construction Update at Disneyland Park for June 10th, 2017

Thanks to our friends over at Fresh Baked Disney, we have another weekly look at how the construction of Star Wars land is going over at Disneyland Park. Here is a look at the project as of June 10th, 2017:

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Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017

The race is on to complete the new riverbank for the Rivers of America before the 4th of July crowds arrive.

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Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017

Trees are being moved into place currently, a good sign as landscaping usually is one of the last phases of a project like this.

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Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017

Looking at the Star Wars site, we can see that they are getting close to enclosing the strange circular room which may be part of the pre-show experience for the “Battle Escape” attraction.

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Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017

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Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017

Meanwhile, the show building for Disney’s most advanced attraction ever built continues to grow…

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Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017

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Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017

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Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017

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Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017

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Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017

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Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017

Another look at this strange circular room which will present some special effect that will transport guests to the battle.

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Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017

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Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017

Back in Disneyland, the train trestle is getting painted.

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Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017

The riverfront looks to be nearing completion.

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Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017

A peek through a knothole reveals a pathway that will go along the shoreline and into Star Wars Land, passing under the train tracks.

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Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017

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Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017

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Star Wars Land construction at Disneyland Park, June 10th, 2017

VIDEO: Benicio Del Toro (A.K.A the Collector) Presents A Look Inside Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission Breakout

Just recently, the Collector made a little trip to the Disneyland Resort. Here is Benicio Del Toro, the actor who portrays him in the Guardians of the Galaxy Universe as he shares his excitement for the new ride coming to the Disneyland Resort in this video from the Disney Parks Blog:

Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout opens May 27th at the Disneyland Resort in California Adventure.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Queue, Pre-Show, & Astonishing Rocket Raccoon Animatronic Revealed for Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission Breakout

With Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout opening to the public this Saturday, May 27th, Disney is now sharing pictures and more from inside of this new attraction that is controversially replacing the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

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The queue features many of the Collector’s prized possessions, including Cosmo the Space Dog, brought to life by audio-animatronics technology. Other recognizable artifacts are on display as well from the MARVEL Universe, as well as a few fun Disney Parks references.

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The main pre-show experience takes place in The Collector’s office with an escaping Rocket Raccoon.

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Theme Park Insider has a fantastic tour of the queue with Imagineer Joe Rohde, who is basically the lead on all of the MARVEL theme park projects. The video includes both attraction pre-shows for you to enjoy, including a look at the AWESOME Rocket Raccoon audio-animatronic figure:

No video of the on-ride portion is available yet, but IGN offers a really good review of the on-ride experience and 4 of the 6 ride profiles/soundtracks:

My favorite part of all this news about the attraction today? These somewhat psychotic press photos of “guests” on the ride…

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Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission Breakout opens at Disney California Adventure on May 27th, 2017.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: New Preview Film & Model of Star Wars – Galaxy’s Edge Unveiled at Disneyland, Disney World

Guests visiting Star Wars Launch Bay at Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are now being treated to a new preview of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, opening in 2019 at both parks.

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A small section of the model of the entire land that was on display at the D23 Expo this year is on display now at Disneyland’s Launch Bay. Walt Disney Presents at Hollywood Studios has had a different section on display since September.


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In addition, the Star Wars Launch Bay film was updated on both coasts to include a new, never-before-seen preview of the 14-acre land coming to Disney Parks:

So, what do you think of this new preview?

Aladdin’s Oasis/Tahitian Terrace Restaurant Set to Return to Disneyland Park

Permits filed by Disney to the City of Anaheim seem to hint at a rehab for Aladdin’s Oasis in Adventureland at Disneyland.

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The permit states that the stage will be fixed up and expanded, the restrooms refurbished, and exterior walls altered and rethemed for the addition of a new pedestrian ramp.

This space opened as an Aladdin themed dinner show in 1993, but in 1995 became a restaurant-only location for the busiest park days. Now Aladdin’s Oasis serves as a meet & greet location and a space for occasional events. Prior to all of this, it was home to the Tahitian Terrace dinner show.

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Does this mean that a dinner show is returning to Aladdin’s Oasis, or will it be used in some other dining capacity (the space was used for “on-the-go” parade packages as recently as this year).

Stay tuned to WDWNT.com for new details on this story.

 

PHOTO: Full Size Groot, Star Lord and Gamora Meet and Greet Coming to California Adventure for ‘Summer of Heroes’

Beginning May 27th at California Adventure is when the summer celebration ‘Summer of Heroes’ takes off and will provide guests some ‘out-of-this-galaxy’ superhero encounters.

Speaking of the galaxy, Star Lord, Gamora, and the one and only Groot will be making their debut at Disneyland Resort!

You can meet them in the “Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off!” where you can show the Guardians your dance moves from earth! Groot will only make his appearances towards the end of the dance off. Also, the Groot coming to DCA will be a full ‘adult’ Groot, unlike the baby Groot meet and greet at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Here’s your first look at the gang:

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Summer of Heroes will also bring more excitement across Hollywood Land, including the Avengers Training Initiative featuring Black Widow and Hawkeye and heroic encounters with Black Widow, Captain America and your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. This includes the opening of the Guardian’s of Galaxy Mission: Breakout ride and the Guardians Dance off which all debuts May 27th at Disney’s California Adventure.

PHOTOS: ‘Kingdom of Cute’ Vinylmation Series Puts a Smile on Classic Park Icons at Disney Parks Next Month

A brand new vinylmation series is coming to the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, putting a happy face on some of your favorite theme park icons.

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This new series is called the ‘Kingdom of Cute’ and features classic Disney ‘icons’ such as Space Mountain, Dole Whips, the Sword in the Stone and many more, turned into cute and adorable Vinylmation figures!

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These vinylmations will be available at Disney Parks beginning June 2, 2017. Once available, they can be purchased at Disney Pin Traders and the WonderGround Gallery in the Marketplace Co-Op at Disney Springs, or at the Disneyland Resort at D Street and the WonderGround Gallery in Downtown Disney.

PHOTOS: Marquee Sign & Final Facade Details Revealed for Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission Breakout at California Adventure

With the opening just days away, the sign and other new details of the controversial facade for Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission Breakout were revealed yesterday at Disney California Adventure.

PHOTOS: Marquee Sign & Final Facade Details Revealed for Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission Breakout at California Adventure

As you can see, the finished product of the facade has been unveiled to guests, including the marquee which will welcome them to the attraction when it opens on May 27th.

PHOTOS: Marquee Sign & Final Facade Details Revealed for Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission Breakout at California Adventure

The sign is pretty ingenious in that is appears to have been first made to promote the Tivan Collection and the appearance of the trapped Guardians of the Galaxy, but Rocket Raccoon has had a little fun with it.

PHOTOS: Marquee Sign & Final Facade Details Revealed for Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission Breakout at California Adventure

Letters from “First Time on Display” are ripped off, used to spell out part of the attraction’s name (kudos to whoever figured out that this would work), with “Breakout” painted over the sign.

PHOTOS: Marquee Sign & Final Facade Details Revealed for Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission Breakout at California Adventure

These strange totems featuring items from the collection are also on display now outside of the attraction’s entrance.

Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission Breakout opens May 27th, 2017 at the Disneyland Resort.

REVIEW: Blue Bayou Has Disneyland Charm, But Food to Forget

The Blue Bayou is the most legendary and renowned restaurant at Disneyland (not counting the private Club 33), but why is that? It’s undoubtedly for the ambiance, with seating overlooking the bayou as boats from Pirates of the Caribbean slow fully list by. I’ve been here on four occasions over the years, and only one of those meals did I think was worth the price.

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I will warn you that these won’t be the best pictures we have posted, as we did not want to use a flash inside of the dark restaurant. Regardless, we will do our best to guide you through the menu via text.

Blue Bayou Menu (50th Anniversary Edition)

We visited Blue Bayou on March 17, the evening before the 50th Anniversary. The special menu and entrees were available for several days around the anniversary date, but we don’t know exactly when they reverted to the regular menu.

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Complimentary Bread

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Honestly, this was probably the highlight of the meal. It was warm and fresh, and if that’s a highlight of the meal, well then, we are probably in trouble moving forward in this review.

Blue Bayou House Salad

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The house salad was fine if you like blue cheese, but nothing special.

New Orleans Gumbo

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The gumbo is very good, as it always is. But there’s no reason to come to Blue Bayou for the gumbo when the same thing is served at the Royal Street Verandah. If you do have to chose between this and the salad, I would choose gumbo.

Broiled Filet Mignon ($46)

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Served with Blue Bayou Au Gratin Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, and Béarnaise Sauce. Choice of Blue Bayou House Salad or Cup of our signature New Orleans Gumbo

The filet was the best entree out of those we ordered. If everyone in your party wants a filet, then you probably won’t be as disappointed in Blue Bayou as we were.

Royal Street Seafood Jambalaya ($35)

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A robust combination of Shrimp, Sustainable Fish, Tasso Ham, Andouille Sausage, and Chicken with Louisiana Popcorn Rice. Choice of Blue Bayou House Salad or Cup of our signature New Orleans Gumbo

The jambalaya was good, but not great. It’s a decent budget option, but your money would be better spent elsewhere.

Fruits De Mer ($42)

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Pan Seared Red Snapper, Sautéed Shrimp, Scallop, and Hush Puppy, served on a bed of Spinach with Spicy Shrimp Sauce and Remoulade

This limited time dish (which may or may not still be available) was solid, but not fantastic. While nothing on the plate was bad, none of it tasted any better than anything you would order at a Red Lobster. Don’t get me wrong, I like Red Lobster, but I don’t want a $42.00 Red Lobster entree at Disneyland. The hush puppy was very good, too bad they only gave you one.

Bone-In Rib-Eye ($44)

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Blue Bayou House-made Rub, Seasonal Vegetables, and White Cheddar-Smoked gouda Mac and Cheese. Choice of Blue Bayou House Salad or Cup of our signature New Orleans Gumbo

This was not a great steak. It was a little tough and the flavor was almost nonexistent. If you want steak at Disneyland Resort, I’d highly recommend getting the filet instead or going to Steakhouse 55.

OVERALL

The Blue Bayou is a legendary restaurant and very difficult to get into compared to most other restaurants around the Disneyland Resort. However, the selling point here is not the food. Similar to Cinderella’s Royal Table at WDW’s Magic Kingdom, the draw here is the location and the ambiance. Much better meals can be had at Carthay Circle, Napa Rose, and even Steakhouse 55. If you’ve never been to Blue Bayou, it may be worth going once just for the experience, but the food is certainly no reason to come back for a repeat visit.

CONFIRMED: Disneyland’s New Fantasmic! Features Scenes for The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean, Aladdin, and Tangled

Disney today accidentally announced that Fantasmic! at Disneyland will return with new scenes and magic this Summer.

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When it returns (expected just before the 4th of July holiday, but may be delayed now), new scenes will include Pirates of the Caribbean, Aladdin, The Lion King, and Tangled characters. Further details on these scenes were not provided as of yet. This was confirmed today in a post by D23.com that has since been taken down for being posted before a formal release was made by Disney Parks.

The Pirates of the Caribbean sequence was first rumored right here at WDWNT.com in August 2016.