New this week is the release of new ceramic tumblers at all Starbucks locations across Walt Disney World. Earlier this week we showed you the Magic Kingdom version, now we’re bringing you a closer look at the Disney’s Hollywood Studios version available for $21.99 at Trolley Car Café.
A closer look reveals the Hollywood Tower Hotel, Disney Animation, Fantasmic, Carthay Circle, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
It’s time once again for a Disney’s Hollywood Studios expansion update. This is a pretty big one as it includes our final glance at the Streets of America and the removal of all traces of the original Studio Backlot Tour, the headlining attraction from when the park opened back in 1989.
We will have photos of the wreckage later this week in a photo report, but the above video does a pretty good job showing the size and scope of this project.
For those who were wondering if some of New York Street and the Streets of America at Disney’s Hollywood Studios would survive the upcoming expansion of the park, I think the following photos will answer your question…
Streets of America Being Removed
An entire large section of the street adjacent to MuppetVision 3-D was removed early today. This comes on the heels of the first small piece that went missing just a few days ago.
Streets of America Being Removed
The street is being removed to make way for the Star Wars themed land and Toy Story Land that will be added to the park in the coming years.
Streets of America Being Removed
We will provide further pictures and video of the “damage” later today, but it looks like the Streets of America and New York Street could be removed from the park in a matter of days.
Out thanks to @Osborne_Lights on twitter for the pictures!
Earlier this week, we flew over Disney’s Animal Kingdom to give you a better look at the construction of Pandora: The World of AVATAR. Today, we take flight over Disney’s Hollywood Studios to view the wreckage and remains of the Streets of America and Backlot area of the park, with demolition now nearing completion. This land clearing is of course to make way for the Toy Story Land and Star Wars themed area coming to the park in the next few years:
An overall view of the work site, including the tree clearing to accommodate the move of the car toll plaza to a new location, making more room for the Star Wars land.
The viewing area of the former Lights, Motors, Action show is being slowly gutted.
This is the area where the cars once performed for guests, now a pile of rubble.
The backdrop for the tank area at the Backlot Studio Tour remains, but a fair amount of it has been leveled.
Most of this area next to the cast parking garage will be Toy Story Land.
The first pipes and pieces of infrastructure have arrived on site for the new areas.
Just a few structures remain of the Streets of America.
This was a street just 6 days ago.
We also have a short video overview of the demolition to share with you:
Have you ever noticed that Steven Tyler’s hand in the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster pre-show video kind of looks like something that could be considered an “obscene hand gesture”? For the sake of any younger members of our audience, I won’t write the name of it here, but you likely know what I am talking about if you have been on this attraction. Well, Disney has now digitally removed the gesture after 17 years…
Here is how it used to look:
Steven Tyler Hand Gesture on Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster
It does seem kind of odd to remove it digitally 17 years later, but enough of the world has noticed it by now. From time to time I’ve ever heard guests yell out the name of the hand gesture, so I can somewhat understand Disney’s decision to keep the attraction family friendly.
What do you think? Is it ridiculous that Disney removed it? Or was it the right decision?
On Sunday, I attended the very first of the newly revamped “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios”, the latest version of the event we provided you a review of back in January. The largest change is in venue as the Florida heat and rain finally convinced Disney to find a new, indoor home for the food and beverage portion of the evening. That new home is Star Wars Launch Bay and Disney used to opportunity given with the move to revamp a number of the offerings and the logistics of the event.
The party is $69.00 for adults and $39.00 for children ages 3-9 (includes a souvenir Chewbacca stein for each guest) and advance reservations are highly recommended. All food and drinks pictured are included with that price. The event is hosted nightly.
The dessert party portion of the event now takes place inside of Star Wars Launch Bay.
Check-in is done at what was going to be the FastPass+ verification podium, but FastPass+ was never rolled out to Launch Bay, so now it is just used for this process.
Even outside of what is the main dining area for the event, there are tables for guest use. The area can b ea little cramped, so it is nice that they are encouraging guests to roam around Launch Bay while still enjoying their treats.
The main area roped off from other guests is to the right of the Kylo Ren meet and greet on the bottom floor.
Here, guests will find a similar, yet upgraded experience compared to what was offered before.
New items include a flatbread with 2 different sauces, sugar cookies, an R2-D2 cupcake, and a Darth Maul red velvet brownie.
The skewers, formerly referred to as sabers but changed for legal reasons (too many kids fighting with them I guess), are still here.
The flatbread is served with both a black bean dip and a roasted red pepper hummus. While I will miss the biscuits, this probably makes a little more sense at a dessert party.
The blue milk panna cotta is still offered as well.
My favorite treat, the Freeze-fried Nutella Truffle has stayed on as well, offering a treat that is as fun to watch being made as it is to devour seconds later.
Many of the fun dessert names were removed, but they are still as good (maybe even a little better given that the elements do not take their toll on the food as much when it is inside).
Above is a photo from January when the bread pudding was referred to as “Space Debris”.
The Darth Maul eclair was replaced with a Red Velvet Brownie, a definite upgrade.
The Star Wars dessert parties have to be my favorite just for the presentation alone. The photo opportunities are great and are sure to be something cool to show friends and family when you get back home. On top of that,l almost everything is absolutely delicious.
The new R2-D2 cupcake is my least favorite of the 3, although I’m not really sure it was more than a vanilla cupcake with a sugar covered icing. The BB-8 and Darth Vader cupcakes are still phenomenal, with the first being lemon flavored and the later chocolate & peanut butter.
They also provided a number of toppings, including ice cream, for the bread pudding.
The table settings were a nice upgrade and they would reflect the room you were dining in.
Tables available up by the Cantina in Launch Bay.
The drink menu saw the largest amount of changes, replacing all 6 specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
I started with the Galactic Punch.
Josh started with the Light Speed Margarita.
The Cosmic Citrus Twist, pictured above.
The Swamp Milk was my favorite of the new bunch, unique in look and flavor.
Non-alcoholic options included Guava Juice and a Watermelon Lemonade.Soft drinks in cans, water, and coffee are also available.
I took some video around the dessert part in Launch Bay to give a better idea of the atmosphere inside:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcCIe7gaqIg]
The viewing area itself has not moved, but it is being set-up differently and has a much smaller footprint.
A picture of it set-up earlier in the evening, seen above. The check-in process for the party begins at Launch Bay at 8:00PM. My suggestion would be to be there at 8PM and get the most for your money. You can have an hour and a half in that space, which is more than enough to enjoy everything there. Cast members walk the party attendees over around 9:15PM, but there is nothing to stop you from heading over a little earlier to ensure you have a good spot. Now, no one in the viewing area audibly complained that they couldn’t see, but I like to have a front row view, unobstructed, so we walked over to the area around 9:05PM and were situated right against the rope behind the new children’s section.
When the tables were here for the old party, shorter tables to accommodate the wheelchair guests were provided up front. This section up front is now for children and could be used for those in wheelchairs as well.
This was honestly the perfect view of the show as I have been unimpressed with the sight lines for it from nearly every other spot around the Center Stage area. Being up against the rope will give you plenty of space from anyone of adult height, and if you are traveling with kids you can have them right in front of you in the children’s section.
I took a video from the section to show just how good the view is. Also, the show has been polished up with some new effects over the last few weeks, si it may be worth another look:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNhNGkWdtaU]
Overall, I think Disney has increased the value here. The decorations and venue are a vast improvement, the improvements that I think finally make this worth $69.00. It is by far the best view of the show available and if you are looking to appease any Star Wars fans in your group, this will do it. I don’t often feel these dessert parties are worth it, but this really is the only one I think delivers at its price point. Alcoholic drinks, endless desserts, good atmosphere, and the perfect viewing of the nighttime spectacular (along with a neat souvenir, albeit not exclusive to the event) come together for a very worthwhile package for the Star Wars fan.
While the Season of the Force event is not coming by name to Hollywood Studios, it seems everything but the Fireworks show has come to fruition by December 1st at Walt Disney World, including a wide array of Star Wars themed food and beverage options around the park.
Backlot Express is running an entirely new menu from top to bottom, offering some of the items from the Rebel Hangar that was offered for Star Wars Weekends 2015.
The Death Star and Millennium Falcon glow cubes are back.
Yes, there is now a $24.99 popcorn bucket…
Two new cupckaes are being made now as well, in addition to the Darth Vader
Min & Bill’s also has some items, including the return of the Blue Milk Shake!
So, what are you going to be getting?
While no name has been revealed, Disney CEO Bob Iger accidentally confirmed a name change for Disney’s Hollywood Studios during the Q & A portion of today’s Disney Shareholder Meeting.
An announcement of the new name will be made at some point in the future, but Disney was clearly not ready to announce the change today.
With the removal of the Studio Backlot Tour, the Sorcerer’s Hat, the American Idol Experience, and the Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow, along with the on-going expansion of Toy Story Mania, and the upcoming overlay of the Great Movie Ride, among all of the rumored changes to be made to the park, the announcement should not be a surprise, but the Disney’s Hollywood Studios name was just changed from the Disney-MGM Studios in 2008.
Stay tuned as more information becomes available on this breaking story.
Thanksgiving and Christmas haven’t happened yet, but chances are, you’re already thinking ahead and starting to make plans for New Year’s Eve. If you’re going to be ringing in 2015 at Walt Disney World Resort, here’s a rundown of some of the entertainment that’s planned for this year’s celebration.
Tell us in the comments below, what are you doing New Year’s Eve?
The Urban Barricades had some fun directing traffic around Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot and the Magic Kingdom.
