PizzeRizzo

PHOTOS: PizzeRizzo, Muppets Eatery Soft Opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on November 18, 2016

The highly anticipated PizzeRizzo soft opened today ahead of it’s official opening on Friday, November 18th at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Located in the Muppets Courtyard area, the quick service pizza restaurant takes over the space formerly occupied by Pizza Planet by MuppetVision 3-D.

I didn’t take many pictures of the exterior as we have been staring at it at naesuem for several months now.

Many pictures are just rather plain, but some feature Muppets characters. You’ll have to look real close for the details at this restaurant.

My first stop was Rizzo’s Deluxe Supreme Banquet Hall as it was the most talked up feature of the restaurant.

It was fairly plain, but had fun lighting and music. In fairness, I haver been to banquet halls in New York that look just like this. But we’re not in New York apparently… more on that in a bit…

Pictures of New York landmarks can be found scattered around both the upper and lower floor seating areas.

This is the upstairs.

Some signs from the Streets of America were reused in the interior of PizzeRizzo, a nice touch.

The two “VIP” booths towards the back of the second floor are surrounded by Muppets caricature pictures.

The balcony upstairs offers nice views of the Muppets Courtyard (and a little bit of Star Wars construction).

The upstairs restrooms are fairly plain.

Some papers hanging upstairs allude to more of the restaurant’s storyline. A “ZARAT” review puts the restaurant in Downtown L.A., meaning Rizzo and his fellow rats have opened this Pizza restaurant far from New York. It is supposedly a secondary location to their New York one. There is also a reference to 1989, when the park opened.

1991 is a reference to when MuppetVision 3-D joined the park.

The lower level dining area, adjacent to where you order your meal.

We will have a full review of the menu for you in the next day or so, so stay tuned!

PizzeRizzo at Hollywood Studios Opens November 18th; Menu Revealed

WDWNT on October 31, 2016

PizzeRizzo – the classic family pizzeria owned by Rizzo – will open in Muppets Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on November 18. While enjoying personal-sized pies, guests will find décor inspired by Rizzo, as well as his extended family and friends who have visited PizzeRizzo over the years throughout the two-story eatery. Be sure to head upstairs to Rizzo’s Deluxe Supreme Banquet Hall, where there’s a wedding reception already in progress; join the party and show off your best moves under the disco ball.

Disney today shared some details of the menu for the first time. Entrees are served with a side Caesar salad, and include personal-sized Pizza Pies, available in four varieties—vegetable, pepperoni, meat lovers and cheese, as well as a Meatball Sub. If you’re looking for a lighter option, the Antipasto Salad features a bed of Romaine lettuce piled high with tomatoes, Mozzarella, Kalamata olives, ham, pepperoni, salami and Balsamic Vinaigrette.

For dessert, indulge in traditional Italian sweets like Cannoli and Tiramisu. Specialty drinks will also be available, including a non-alcoholic Peach Bellini, and a Wildberry-Basil Lemonade Limoncello in addition to beer and wine for adults.

What do you think of PizzeRizzo?

PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 10/18/16 (Star Wars, Toy Story, PizzeRizzo, Parking Expansion, ETC.)

WDWNT on October 24, 2016

Our latest photo report brings us back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to see the latest progress on the park’s expansion, PizzeRizzo, Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream, and more.

Welcome to Hollywood

Construction on the roadways around the park has expanded greatly, even beyond the main Walt Disney World Resort entrance on World Drive.

Entering Hollywood Studios from World Drive is quite the disaster currently as Disney prepares to move the entrance in the not-too-distant future.

There are currently two exit ramps to Animal Kingdom as the new one recently opened. No word yet on when the old one will close, but for now you can take two exits in a row to the same place.

The construction as seen from the World Drive road entrance.

AOTAS Hall of Fame Removal?

Rumor has it that the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame is being removed outside of the Hyperion Theater.

This and That

To make sure everyone knows they are back, a large sign was placed on the top of Oasis Canteen advertising the menu.

Celebrity Spotlight was averaging about an 11 minute wait, so Disney cut the capacity in half and now waits have been double the length at least.

Star Wars Land Construction

Two facades are all that remains of the Streets of America as land clearing is full speed ahead for Star Wars land.

For a better look, check out this week’s expansion video update:

PizzeRizzo and Gonzo’s Royal Flush

Gonzo’s Royal Flush opens a few weeks ago, but some signage was recently added to the exterior.

Work continues on PizzeRizzo which should be opening soon.

Some flags were recently hung, including the PizzeRizzo logo.

Tables and some wall art were recently installed inside.

Gone are the old planters, railings now separate the outside dining area from the walkway.

Some new lamps were installed by the staircase.

Dr. Strange and the Mystery in One Man’s Dream

The Doctor Strange sneak peek has finally begun inside the One Man’s Dream theater.

Walls are still up in The Legacy Continues area of the exhibit. It is still unknown exactly what the work is for.

The model of the fortress from Tokyo DisneySea is now gone. This model had been in the exhibit for a number of years.

More permanent walls are now up. The door was left open at one point, so I peeked in. There is literally nothing there except some ladders and other work tools.

The Doctor Strange preview is not much more than two of the film trailers put together, but the film looks interesting enough.

Toy Story Land

The tarps are back up over by the former Jack Sparrow location, so we no longer have a clear view of construction down on this side.

Land clearing continues back by Toy Story Midway Mania.

Raiders of the Lost Ark

As discussed in an earlier post, the ark from Raiders of the Lost Ark is now on display at the Great Movie Ride.

New Merchandise

Some new ladies shirts are available in the Disney Boutique collection.

The Disney Parks Attraction Poster Calendar for 2017 is now available, $24.99 each.

VIDEO: Backlot Turns to Dirt as PizzeRizzo Nears Completion at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on October 24, 2016

This week, PizzeRizzo in the Muppets Courtyard is nearing completion as the land clearing and demolition continues in the Backlot area of the park for Star Wars and Toy Story Land in our latest video expansion update from Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

VIDEO: Last Backlot Building Destroyed, Dr. Strange is Coming, and PizzeRizzo Nears Completion at Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on October 14, 2016

It’s time once again to check in on the latest progress of the expansion of Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

This update includes the latest progress on PizzeRizzo in the Muppets Courtyard, the demolition of the backlot for Star Wars and Toy Story Land, the construction of a Dr. Strange meet and greet inside One Man’s Dream, and more! Enjoy:

VIDEO: Get An Unobscured Look at Star Wars & Toy Story Land Construction in Our Latest Expansion Update

WDWNT on October 14, 2016

This week, with Hurricane Matthew coming through, some of the tarps and such that would regularly obstruct the views through the walls and fences surrounding the Star Wars and Toy Story Land construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios were temporarily removed. With those coverings gone, we got a nice clear view of exactly what is going on in the former Backlot area of the park, and we share that with you now in our latest video update of the ongoing expansion:

PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 10/12/16 (Star Wars, Toy Story Land, Hall of Fame Removal, One Man’s Dream, ETC.)

WDWNT on October 14, 2016

Work continues on two massive themed lands as a bevy of modest options prepare to open in the not-to-distant future at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. PizzeRizzo is nearing completion, the Dr. Strange preview has finally opened, and something else is brewing at One Man’s Dream in our latest photo report.

Welcome to Hollywood

The projection towers for Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular are indeed being repainted as the blue tower is already completed.

The beige tower still awaits a new paint scheme. I’m not sure these make the towers look any better, but at least someone is trying.

Hollywood Goes Rogue

Rogue One merchandise can be found throughout the park at various locations.

A Rogue One poster was also installed at the entrance of Star Wars Launch Bay.

A bevy of new D-Tech on Demand phone cases are available with Rogue One designs at Launch Bay.

Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame

Walls are up at the Academy of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame. Speculation is that this is being removed.

Doctor Stranger Things

While the Doctor Strange preview has opened, the rumored meet and greet has yet to materialize. Could this be a model of an upcoming project or something else?

Doctor Strange signage can be found all around the surrounding area.

Safe D Begins with Outlet Covers

Thankfully, someone realized that the Studio Store Coloring Station was dangerous, so outlet covers were installed.

The Writer’s Stop Closes

As we previously reported, The Writer’s stop is now permanently closed.

Streets of Rage

If you missed it, a great look at the Star War and Toy Story Land construction sites is offered in this week’s expansion update video:

Hurricane Matthew forced Disney to remove some netting and tarps around the construction areas this week, allowing us a better view of the construction of Star Wars land.

The base of the supports for the facades that once stood at the end of the street are all that is left of it.

Moving down towards Muppets Courtyard, there isn’t much left to see.

The fire escapes off of the New York facades all lay in a pile just behind the walls.

Work on PizzeRizzo continues, with the sign now appearing weathered.

Toy Story Land Construction

Meanwhile, a trip down to the old Jack Sparrow queue offers a look at what will be an entrance to Toy Story Land.

The old Prop Shop is now completely demolished.

We have to wonder how much longer this tree will be left standing.

This and That

Some Dr. Strange merchandise available at Mickey’s of Hollywood.

There is a Jack Skellington cupcake available at Sunset Ranch Market. Be sure to check out our review of the carrot cake treat.

PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 9/27/16 (Royal Flush Opens, Demolition Continues, PizzeRizzo, ETC.)

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

Our latest photo report trip to Disney’s Hollywood Studios comes to us courtesy of Jose Castillo. In this visit, we take a look at the continuing demolition in the Backlot, the latest progress on PizzeRizzo, the opening of Gonzo’s Royal Flush, and more.

Backlot Demolition Continues

The Backlot of Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been reduced to rubble. The space will someday be home to Toy Story Land and the Star Wars-themed land.

Two facades are all that remains of the Streets of America at this point.

Gonzo’s Royal Flush Opens

Gonzo’s Royal Flush opened next door to PizzeRizzo over the weekend.

Sadly, the interior of the restroom is not themed.. and yes, we made sure no one else was in the restroom before we took these.

Based on the last few new restrooms added in themed areas (like Tangled restrooms at the Magic Kingdom), we assumed these would be themed somehow, but they aren’t.

PizzeRizzo

PizzeRizzo is nearing completion next door in the former Pizza Planet location.

The exterior was being painted while we were outside.

The exterior lighting was also installed on both floors recently.

Some of the brick work on the main facade is being replaced now as well.

NewÂ Merchandise Stand

In our last report, we showed you the first of the new merchandise stands to arrive in the park’s Center Stage area. Since it was dark we figures it might be a good idea to show you what it looks like in the daylight.

Fixing the Towers

The control and lighting towers for the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular show are a bit of an eyesore, so it looks like Disney might be doing something to at least make them a little more tolerable.

A bunch of these strange markings could be found on both of the towers.

It appears that something will be tacked on to the sides of both towers.

PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 9/14/16 (Studio Catering Co. Demo, PizzeRizzo, New Merchandise, ETC.)

WDWNT on September 17, 2016

A lot can happen in a week, including the erasing of structures that have stood for over 27 years. Meanwhile, PizzeRizzo nears completion and a plethora of new merchandise invades Disney’s Hollywood Studios in our latest photos report.

If you haven’t seen our video update this week on the expansion of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you should probably preface this report with a watch:

Backlot Demolition for Toy Story Land

Studio Catering Co. and the adjacent Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure have been leveled, leaving practically nothing between PIXAR Place and Muppets Courtyard.

While the Backlot Tour entrance was still standing on Sunday, it has since been demolished.

The Prop Shop is still being emptied before it is the next structure to get demolished in the coming weeks.

The Studio Catering Co. has been reduced to rubble.

This and That

I caught Betty Shambles by surprise…

Now she is ready for her close-up!

Not sure how long ago this happened, but Sunset Ranch Market got a new sign to match the recent refresh of the area.

A new Buzz Lightyear plush was recently released.

PizzeRizzo

Work continues on the new PizzeRizzo in the Muppets Courtyard area.

This billboard was installed this week as the restaurant gets closer and closer to its yet to be announced opening date.

Over the last week, the windows were painted, lights were installed on the facade signage, and the Heckler Tomato was painted on.

New Merchandise

In my last photo report, I showed that men’s MARVEL shirts were now available at Keystone Clothiers. Well, now there are a few ladies shirts available as well.