PHOTOS: Epcot Display Removed, Mission Breakout Added in Preparation for Walt Disney Presents at Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on August 29, 2017

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).

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It appears that this is where the models for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land will go.

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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.

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Finally, a new display went up showcasing different California attractions throughout the years, including the recent Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission Breakout.

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You can even pick up a Mission Breakout shirt while you are here…

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If you miss everything that was great about One Man’s Dream, you can always relive it in our video tour:

Survey Reveals Possible New Park Theme and Name for Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on August 29, 2017

With all of the demolition, removal, and construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it is no secret that most of the park that once existed is now history, which has lead many a guest to ask what the new theme of the park will be and why Disney hasn’t just renamed it already. Well, a recent focus group survey sheds some light on the possible new theme and a host of possible new names for the transitioning theme park.

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As described above (including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land), the park would now revolve around you being the star and jumping into your favorite movies, television shows, cartoons, and more, taking an active role in the story in every experience.

The survey goes on to ask the guest to pick from a list of possible new names for the park…

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For what it is worth, we were unable to verify the source of the focus group, but it looks pretty official. We’ll just have to wait and see if any of this comes to fruition now…

What do you think of this possible theme and the new names listed above? Also, don’t forget to check out our latest aerial tour of the construction at the park!

SOURCE: Mickey Views

PHOTOS, VIDEO: The Latest Progress on Walt Disney Presents, Star Wars Land, & Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on August 20, 2017

Our latest Hollywood Studios expansion update brings us the latest progress on Walt Disney Presents, Toy Story Land, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge:

Below, we also have photos of the progress on these three projects to share with you:

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Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream has begun its conversion into Walt Disney Presents.

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The catwalk that once connected the soundstage has been ripped away to make room for the entrance to Toy Story Land.

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A peek through a hole in the wall reveals the coaster track for Slinky Dog Dash, as well as some colored blocks that mark the first themed elements to appear in the land.

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The construction of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is visible from the end of PIXAR Place.

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The large structure you see here houses the Battle Escape attraction.

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VIDEO: Ride in the Last Car Ever on The Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on August 20, 2017

Last night, we were lucky enough to be at just the right place in line to be in the very last full car of guests ever on The Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Of course, I filmed the entire experience to share with you! Enjoy:

On a personal note, The Great Movie Ride was my second favorite attraction ever after the original Journey Into Imagination, so these last few days have meant a lot to me. I was overwhelmed by the success of the private event we held inside the attraction on Friday, and even more overwhelmed by everyone who came up to me or my parents just to say what a good time they had. Playing some small role in providing a proper and memorable farewell for other people who also loved this ride means so much to me and is a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life. Thank you to everyone who came to that event and helped to make it happen, and thank you to the Great Movie Ride for 28 years of wonderful memories with family and friends.

Of course, I’ll share more of my experience at the farewell and our event this week on WDW News Tonight. We’ll see you at the movies!

Grand Avenue at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is Just Queue Space to Enter Star Wars Land

WDWNT on August 20, 2017

Many have been asking, besides the Baseline Tap House, what is the purpose of the Grand Avenue area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? It’s a fairly big parcel and nothing more than this bar and lounge has been announced for it. What else is going in there? Well, the answer is the only dedicated queue space ever built for a land.

Photo by @bioreconstruct

Grand Avenue stands before Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in the former New York Street area. Photo by @bioreconstruct

Based on the absolutely monstrous demand that there is to see Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, this giant street will act as a queue just to enter the area. Guests will be able to exit to Grand Avenue or Toy Story Land, but entry to Toy Story Land seems unlikely for the opening months (maybe even years) of the Star Wars themed land. This info comes directly from an Imagineer working on the Florida version of the Galaxy’s Edge project.

So yes, there will be a theme park land at Hollywood Studios that is just queue space and a bar essentially.

While Grand Avenue opens this Fall, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will not be completed until mid-to-late-2019 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Baseline Tap House Facade Revealed, New Details of Grand Avenue at Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on August 20, 2017

Opening this Fall, what remains of New York Street at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will become Grand Avenue, a representation of modern day Los Angeles. Situated in the former home of the Writer’s Stop will be the Baseline Tap House, a new bar and lounge just steps away from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This week, the facade of the Tap House was revealed and lampposts are going up on the new street:

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The former Writer’s Stop now has a brick facade.

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Lamps have been installed all around the area, likely meaning it is not far from opening.

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The new area as seen from Star Tours.

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Hollywood Studios Expecting Huge Crowds for Great Movie Ride Closing, Operating Hours Extended

WDWNT on August 20, 2017

With The Great Movie Ride closing on Sunday, August 13th, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is adjusting some operating hours for attractions and dining inside of the park this weekend, August 12th and 13th.

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  • Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream will operate from park open until park close both days.
  • For The First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration is adding a 9:30AM show.
  • The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is adding a 10:45AM show.
  • Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner will open at 9AM and serve breakfast on August 12th only.

If you are visiting this weekend, expect huge crowds at Hollywood Studios and lengthy lines for The Great Movie Ride.

Mobile Ordering Expands to Three Disney’s Hollywood Studios Restaurants Over the Next Week

WDWNT on August 20, 2017

Following the success of the other establishments already running the program, three restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are joining Mobile Order through the MyDisney Experience app.

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The service will begin to be offered at Backlot Express on August 8th, ABC Commissary on August 14th, and PizzeRizzo on August 15th.

The service is already offered at Tomorrowland Terrace, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, Pinocchio Village Haus, Pecos Bill’s, and Columbia Harbour House at the Magic Kingdom, Electric Umbrella and Liberty Inn at Epcot, Flame Tree Barbecue, Pizzafari, Restaurtantosaurus, and Satuli Canteen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as well as D-Luxe Burger at Disney Springs.

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.

Sadly, Disney has confirmed that locations offering discounts will not be able to honor them through Mobile Order during the “launch period”, so guests will have to go to the counter and order the old way if they wish to get Annual Passholer, Tables in Wonderland, or any other discounts still.

SOLD OUT: “WDWNT Dessert Party IN The Movies” Offers Last Chance to Walk Classic Studios Attraction 2 Days Before It Closes

WDWNT on August 20, 2017

UPDATE: This event has completely sold out, and the waitlist is full as well. Thanks for your interest! If you are interested in similar events, please check out the Celebration 35 event being held by our friends at WDWCelebrations for information about an IllumiNations Dessert Party on October 1, 2017, and check out WDWNT’s Tencennial Celebration for information about our Private Breakfast to be held in the Living Seas Lounge on September 24, 2017.

 

Join WDWNT as we bid adieu to the centerpiece of Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. We have organized a private gathering to say goodbye to this spectacular Audio-Animatronics tour de force as only WDWNT.com can!

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Your ticket includes after-hours access to walk through The Great Movie Ride®, ending with a scrumptious dessert party, and featuring a talk by former Imagineer Brian Collins, who helped create script and staging for the attraction. On top of all that, helping Ryman Arts, the fine arts education institution co-founded by legendary Imagineer Marty Sklar.

All proceeds from this event will be donated to Ryman Arts in honor of Marty Sklar. In addition, you are welcome to add any additional donation amount to your ticket purchase to support this great cause!

Tickets are on sale now for $149.99 per person at http://wdwnt.com/tickets. Tickets are now SOLD OUT!

Please note that the number of tickets is extremely limited and we expect them to sell out rather quickly. Tickets are non-refundable, and non-transferable without the prior written consent of WDWNT LLC.

Park admission is not required to participate in this event.

Transportation to and from Disney’s Hollywood Studios® is required and not included in the ticket price. Please note that Disney transportation will not be available either before or after the event. The event meeting location will be outside of the park gates. Disney’s Hollywood Studios® operating hours on Friday August 11th end at 9:30 PM and you will not be permitted to wait inside the park for the event to begin.

This event is a private event organized by WDWNT LLC and is not organized, sponsored, or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company.

Participants are welcome to take photographs and video recordings for personal, non-commercial use only. Any type of live streaming or broadcasting during the event is prohibited, as well as flash photography or external video lighting. Participants who do not adhere to these restrictions or any other rules pertaining to Walt Disney World® Theme Parks may be ejected without refund. By purchasing a ticket to this event, you acknowledge and agree to these restrictions.

Appetizers Removed from Fantasmic Dining Packages at Hollywood Studios, Prices Adjusted

WDWNT on August 20, 2017

Beginning January 1st, 2018, the Fantasmic dining package at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be removing appetizers from the offering at the Hollywood Brown Derby and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano.

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Beginning January 1, 2018, Fantasmic! Dining Packages will include:

  • One entrée, dessert and nonalcoholic beverage at select full-service restaurants or one buffet (where applicable)
  • One voucher for guaranteed seating at Fantasmic! in a reserved area

The new pricing will be…

Mama Melrose Ristorante Italiano

  • Lunch/dinner – $42 adults; $18 children (plus tax and gratuity)

Hollywood & Vine

  • Breakfast (Disney Junior Play ‘n’ Dine) – $41 adults; $24 children (plus tax and gratuity)
  • Lunch and dinner (Minnie’s Seasonal Dine) – $59 adults; $35 children (plus tax and gratuity)

The Hollywood Brown Derby

  • Lunch/dinner – $62 adults; $22 children (plus tax and gratuity)

While the Brown Derby and Mama Melrose’s are $3 cheaper, that obviously doesn’t make up for  the loss of an appetizer in price. Hollywood & Vine’s pricing for the package is remaining the same.