PHOTOS, VIDEO: Rivers of Light Nighttime Show Testing During Animal Kingdom Park Hours

While visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom yesterday, I was surprised to see that the viewing area for Rivers of Light was open for guests to explore, perhaps offering a seating area for some nearby eateries.

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Ae we explored, we noticed that techs for the show were out and turning things on.

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After playing with the two boats for a while, things went quiet, so we left.

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As evening fell, it was clear that the animal lantern barges had been rolled out, but they were not illuminated yet.

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However, once 7:30PM hit and the park closed, the boat and two of the animal lanterns illuminated.

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Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the show will debut soon, but it is a pretty decent sign at least.

We also have a video of the test to share with you:

So, what do you think?

VIDEO: Pandora – The World of AVATAR Entrance Uncovered at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Pandora: the World of AVATAR is nearing completion at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and now some of the strange elements we have seen covered for many months are starting to be revealed. In our latest video update, we take a look at the entrance to the land, the bridge to enter it from Discovery Island, and more work happening on the floating mountains above the land. Take a look for yourself:

http://https://youtu.be/oh6xgp_Vmsg

Pandora: The World of AVATAR will open Summer 2017.

Concept Art Released for Renamed “Miss Adventure Falls” at Typhoon Lagoon

 

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Formerly Miss Fortune Falls, the new attraction coming to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon in 2017 now has a new name and new concept art.

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Miss Adventure Falls family raft ride at Typhoon Lagoon

Miss Adventure Falls is an all-new, family-raft attraction owned by Captain Mary Oceaneer—a sea-faring treasure hunter whose haul was caught in a rogue typhoon and scattered across this tropical paradise years ago. Mary Oceaneer is a member of the Society of Adventurers and Explorers, made famous in various attractions around the world including Mystic Manor, the Jungle Navigation Ltd. Skipper Canteen, and Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, so the S.E.A. should tie-in in some fun ways in this new ride.

From your 4-person raft, feel a rush of excitement with family and friends as an aquatic conveyor belt chutes you into action. Then, hold on tight as you spy precious artifacts collected from all around the globe. If you’re lucky enough, you may even meet the captain’s old diving partner—an Audio-Animatronic parrot who’s still hunting for treasures at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park to this day.

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Miss Adventure Falls family raft ride at Typhoon Lagoon

The attraction is set to open March 2017 at Walt Disney World’s Typhoon Lagoon water park.

Splash Mountain Disney Parks Tsum Tsum Collection Released Today

A Disney Parks exclusive Tsum Tsum series was surprise released on the Shop Disney Parks App today. The series features characters from Splash Mountain.

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Again, these Tsum Tsum are available now, but only through the Shop Disney Parks app. There is no word as of yet if they will be released in the parks, but we can only assume that they will at some point in the future.

PHOTOS: Additional FuelRod Kiosks Added to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

 

The expansion of FuelRod continues at Walt Disney World as the swappable electronics battery has exceeded all expectations in just the first 6 months of its run at the Vacation Kingdom of the World.

Two new kiosks can now be found at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, one at PizzeRizzo, and another inside of Rock Around the Shop at the exit of Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster.

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FuelRod kiosk inside of PizzeRizzo at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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FuelRod kiosk inside of Rock Around the Shop (Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster exit) at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Be sure to check out our in-depth review of the FuelRod service, which by the way, is now also available at the Disneyland Resort.

Here is an updated list of kiosk locations at Walt Disney World:

  • Magic Kingdom
    • Tomorrowland Light and Power Co.
    • Big Top Souvenirs
    • Pecos Bill’s
    • Curtain Call Collectibles
  •  Epcot
    • Disney Traders
    • Camera Center (Future World)
    • World Traveler (International Gateway)
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios
    • Celebrity 5 & 10
    • Rock Around the Shop (exit of Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster)
    • PizzeRizzo
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom
    • Island Mercantile
  • Disney Springs
    • Marketplace Disney Photo Imaging
    • DisneyQuest
  • ESPN Wide World of Sports
    • ESPN Clubhouse Shop
  • Resort Hotels
    • Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
    • Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
    • Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
    • Disney’s All-Star Music Resort

Disney’s Hollywood Studios to Hold One-Night-Only After-Hours Star Wars Event in April

In alliance with Star Wars Celebration coming to Orlando, Disney will be holding an after-hours hard ticket event at Hollywood Studios called “Star Wars: Galactic Nights”. Star Wars: Galactic Nights will take place on April 14, 2017, from 7:00 PM to midnight. Tickets are available for $124 per child and $129 per adult (plus tax). It is $119.00 for adults and $113.00 for children if you are an Annual Passholder.

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Guests are invited to put on your finest Star Wars-themed costumes and attire (permitting costume guidelines), and walk the red carpet toward an intergalactic introduction—followed by a whole universe of event entertainment and interactive fun, from a park-wide scavenger hunt to Star Wars Character encounters and more.

Hollywood Studios attractions available throughout the event include:

  • Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
  • Star Wars Launch Bay
  • Star Wars: Path of the Jedi
  • Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple
  • Toy Story Mania!
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
  • The Great Movie Ride
  • Muppet*Vision 3D
  • Voyage of the Little Mermaid

The event also offers a wide array of exclusive offerings, including:

Inside the Saga – Celebrity Chat

After a brief pre-show warm-up featuring the hosts of the Star Wars Show, hear from a Star Wars feature film cast member. As your host asks question after riveting question, their stories will be yours—including what it was like to perform before an audience of millions.

Inside the Saga – Behind the Magic

Following a pre-show with the hosts of the Star Wars Show, learn what it takes to make some of cinema’s most beloved moments, as experienced by one of the Saga’s behind-the-scenes wizards. Their adventures will be yours as this special crew member explains all that goes into bringing the world—and worlds—of Star Wars to life.

Character meet and greets will also be a part of the event, including:

  • Stormtroopers on Patrol

As you board your shuttle at Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, get ready to come face-to-face with Imperial Stormtroopers patrolling the embarkation ramps in pursuit of a Rebel spy.

  • Ewok Encounter

While you adventure through the forest of Endor en route to your flight with Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, prepare for a curious encounter with a few furry village inhabitants.

  • Imperial March

Clear the way for Darth Vader as the feared-and-revered Sith Lord leads a battalion of Stormtroopers down Hollywood Boulevard during a dramatic Imperial March to the event stage.

  • March of the First Order

Clear the way for Captain Phasma as this ruthless commander leads her squad of Stormtroopers up Hollywood Boulevard in a daunting demonstration of the First Order’s obedience and strength.

  • Characters at Star Wars Launch Bay

Visit the Cantina at this popular Disney’s Hollywood Studios destination for a chance to interact with the most notorious bounty hunter in the galaxy, Boba Fett—and possibly even Darth Vader himself!

The event will also be host to an exclusive scavenger hunt. During the Seize the Saga Scavenger Hunt, you’ll be enlisted to find 8 takeaway clues located at each of the Star Wars photo backdrops. After gathering the clues, Guests will be encouraged to act out their very own mini scene or capture a heartfelt message about their love for Star Wars—and post your moment on social media during the event.

The event hub will be a stunning, interactive projection featuring iconic Star Wars scenery. After guests witness a celebrity motorcade leading to the Rebel Base, you head to the main stage to find your home for ongoing event information, hosted shows, interactive moments, a DJ dance party and more.

In addition, be sure to check out the following feature presentations:

  • The Star Wars Show on Location

Join the hosts of the popular starwars.com show as they interact with Guests like you… and film material for their weekly online program.

  • Celebrate the Saga

Throughout the evening, take off on an interactive journey that chronologically celebrates the milestones of 40 Force-filled years of Star Wars.

There will be photo-ops with backdrops from all eight films, as well, Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular and Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away will be presented during this event.

BREAKING: Disneyland Introducing a Paid Digital FastPass Service Called Disney MaxPass

Disney today finally announced the further expansion of FASTPASS to two of their most popular attractions — Toy Story Mania in Disney California Adventure park and Matterhorn Bobsleds in Disneyland park. However, the bigger news is that the eventual introduction of digital FASTPASS at the resort will be part of a paid service.

Later this year, Disney will launch Disney MaxPass, which will allow guests unlimited downloads of their high-resolution PhotoPass images, but also enable the convenience of mobile booking and redemption of Disney FASTPASS return times – all by using the Disneyland App. Disney MaxPass will be available for an introductory price of $10 a day. Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders also will have the opportunity to purchase Disney MaxPass on a daily or yearly basis.

Guests will continue to have the option of Disney FASTPASS service at no cost by obtaining FASTPASSES at attraction FASTPASS kiosks, just as they do today.

This contradicts rumors of the last year or so about the installation of the system and ensures that paper FASTPASS service will remain at the Disneyland Resort for the time being.

TONIGHT on WDW News Tonight (1/11/17) – FM RADIO PREMIERE – 2017 Preview, Paying for FastPass, Win a Rogue One MagicBand 2

Tonight on WDW News Tonight, we preview 2017 at Walt Disney World, talk about the possibilities of paid FastPass service, and you can win a Star Wars: Rogue One MagicBand…

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If you are in the Orlando area, you can tune in to 105.5 FM or AM 1520 WBZW at showtime. For those outside of the Orlando area, the show can be watched via video stream at listen.WDWNT.com on your computer or mobile device. You can also use WDWNT: The App to watch and chat along. The show also utilizes a live chat and the ability to call-in to interact with the show. WDW News Tonight is hosted by Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, but also features appearances by a number of other WDWNT correspondents and announcer Michelle Wargo.

Coming up on this week’s show:

  • A recap of the week’s news (with a WDWNT comedic twist)
  • Tom and Nick Are Angry About Things
  • A taste test of the new popcorn treats at the Disney Parks
  • The Wonderful World of Psychotic Comments
  • “Star Tours: Search for the Death Star Plans”, presented by Theme Park Connection
  • Who’s Hates Tom Now?
  • A large-scale discussion on what’s coming to Walt Disney World in 2017
  • And more!

We hope that you will tune in tonight at 9PM ET for another episode of WDW News Tonight!

If you missed our last show, be sure to watch it:

PHOTO REPORT: Disney Springs 1/12/17 (Paddlefish, Planet Hollywood, New Socks Store, Etc.)

 

Our latest photo report brings us to Disney Springs for a quick evening visit.

Starbright Holidays

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Starbright Holidays (the drone show) was still happening while we were visiting, it has since come to an end for the season. It’s worth noting that the Characters in Flight balloon had not yet been taken down for its refurbishment where it is getting a new-look balloon.

Planet Hollywood Observatory

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Work continues on the Planet Hollywood Observatory and Stargazers Bar (I thought it was lounge, but the sign says otherwise).

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Just the Hollywood sign was lighting up, no planet…

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See? The Stargazers Bar.

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Goodbye character-filled design. The new design will be devoid of any characters to better fit the theme and story of Disney Springs. Oh well.

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The Planet Hollywood entrance is still covered up.

This and That

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Columbia is selling Star Wars: Rogue One jackets…

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I don’t see the trooper wearing a Columbia jacket…

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A new store called Stance recently opened, and they sell socks.

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I would usually say that a store like this won’t last, but they have licensed Disney and Star Wars socks.

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They are a little pricey at over $15.00 a pair, but they are pretty neat.

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Work continues on The Polite Pig, set to open this year.

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These Star Wars stackable meal sets recently hit shelves. They are a little strange, but kind of cool I guess…

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They are $16.99 each.

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Over at D-Tech on Demand inside Marketplace Co-Op, a Star wars category was added to the phone case creation kiosks.

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Walt Disney World Marathon designs were available here.

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A new MARVEL comic books’ case.

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D23 members can pick up an exclusive phone case here as well.

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More of the stackable meal sets for sale inside of Once Upon a Toy.

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These new Mickey and Minnie model sheet art pieces were on sale at the Art of Disney, they cost $295.00 each.

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Paddlefish

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Work continues on The Paddlefish.

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The paddlewheel and smokestacks are back, which despite the new exterior, makes the boat look really fantastic.

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