VIDEO: Learn More About Star Wars Land’s Reputation System, Attractions, and More with Full Celebration Orlando Panel

WDWNT on April 19, 2017

Yesterday, a special panel at Star Wars Celebration Orlando was presented celebrating “Disney Parks and Star Wars –  A Galaxy in the Making”. The presentation includes 40 minutes of talk about the Star Wars Land project for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, revealing new details we have not heard before. Learn all about building a reputation, helping bounty hunters, joining the First Order or the Resistance, piloting the Millennium Falcon, and more in the video below:

Due to copyright issues, Disney would not allow us to upload the behind the scenes video they stop to play in the panel, but you can watch it in all of its glory here:

The panel also began with the story of Star Tours and an announcement of a new destination from The Last Jedi, which you can watch below:

The new destination in Star Tours will debut in late 2017. The Star Wars themed land at Disney Parks will open in 2019.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Get a Bird’s Eye View of Star Wars Land & Toy Story Land Construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on April 6, 2017

It is once again time to take to the skies above Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a bird’s eye view of the construction of the park’s largest expansion, including Toy Story Land and the highly anticipated Star Wars themed land. We begin our journey with an aerial flyover video of the site:

Due to popular demand, I took the time to label a photo to better show where things are:

width=

As always, you can click the photos to enlarge them.

width=

In Toy Story Land, we can see a wall being constructed in front of the parking garage to block it from the view of guests while they are in the land.

width=

The new backstage facility behind Star Wars has taken shape since we last checked in. It will likely be the first piece of the expansion to be completed.

width=

If you look closely at the load station for the Slinky Dog Dash, you can see one small section red coaster track installed where guests will eventually board the toy vehicle.

width=

Not much else is happening in Star Wars Land, other than the wall we showed you in our expansion update last week. Otherwise, the ditch for the larger attraction continues to be worked on.

width=

width=

width=

The work south of the road, towards the bottom, is for the new parking entrance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

width=

width=

width=

Toy Story Land is expected to open in 2018, while Star Wars Land will officially open in 2019 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disney CEO Bob Iger Extends Contract Through 2019

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

On Thursday, the Walt Disney Company announced the extension of current CEO Bob Iger’s contract to July 2, 2019.  The complex nature of finding a suitable replacement has proven challenging in the years since Mr. Iger first announced his desire to retire.   Since it is a “robust process of identifying a successor and ensuring a smooth transition” the Board of Directors felt keeping the steady approach Mr. Iger has provided would best serve the Company.

width=

Robert A. Iger

In the release, the Independent of Lead Director of the Disney Board Orin C. Smith highlighted Mr. Iger’s success’s over his first 11 years as CEO.  Among those achievements are the 448% growth in shareholder returns while simultaneously increasing the market capitol of the company from $46 billion to $177 billion.

Mr. Iger expressed his gratitude in saying “leading this Company is a tremendous privilege, and I am honored to have been asked to continue serving as CEO” adding “even with the incredible success the Company has achieved, I am confident that Disney’s best days are still ahead”.

As part of his agreement, Mr. Iger will receive a $5 million dollar bonus for staying on.  In addition to the bonus, Mr. Iger will remain a consultant for the company for 3 years following his retirement.  Back in 2011, Mr. Iger announced his intentions to step down in 2015.  The departures of CFO Jay Rasulo and COO Tom Staggs left no clear successor within the company.  This latest extension marks the 3rd time that Mr. Iger’s contract has been extended since his initial announcement.

With Pandora: World of Avatar set to open this spring and both Toy Story and Star Wars Lands set to open by 2019, it makes sense that Mr. Iger would want to stay on for those openings as the acquisition of both Pixar and Lucasfilm have been huge success under the Iger tenure.

VIDEO: Take A Look at the Massive AT-ATs Coming to Star Wars Land

WDWNT on March 17, 2017

Today Disney has released a brand new video on the new Star Wars Lands at both Disneyland and Hollywood Studios. They give us a short look at the new AT-AT vehicles that will be in the massive E-ticket attraction where guests are caught in a battle. Here is the video below from the Disney Parks Blog:

Star Wars Land opens to the public at both Disneyland and Hollywood Studios in 2019. Stay posted on WDWNT for future updates on all things Star Wars Land in the years to come.

PHOTO REPORT: Disney’s Hollywood Studios 2/17/17 (Star Wars, Toy Story Land, Cupcakes, ETC.)

WDWNT on February 23, 2017

Our latest photo report brings us on a short trip to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Let’s see what’s new and exciting (or left, at this point) around the park!

Every Roll a Starring Rolls

width=

Even though Starring Rolls has closed, select treats from the location have found their way over to the Trolley Car Cafe, including the infamous peanut butter cupcake.

width=

There’s still no word on what will be occupying this space, but we expect an expansion of the nearby Brown Derby Lounge

One Movie Studio’s Dreams

width=

In case you missed it, the Beauty and the Beast sneak peek has opened in the One Man’s Dream theater, removing theme park models in favor of movie and television props. Be sure to check out our post for an in-depth look at the changes.

width=

Toy Story Land

width=

Walls now block our view into what will be the entrance to Toy Story Land between the former Jack Sparrow soundstage and PIXAR Place.

width=

Meanwhile, dirt continues to move just behind these walls, visible to guests.

width=

A peek through the rather larger holes in the gates reveals construction workers on the job, laying steel for the Toy Story attractions (Little Green Men Swirling Saucers in this case).

width=

width=

width=

A wall of trees makes the area seem slightly more inhabited than it did a few weeks back.

This and That

width=

This crazy new Buzz Lightyear flying toy is now for sale at the parks. It is hooked to a string, but takes flight when you push a button on the handle piece.

width=

width=

Getting artsy with birds on PIXAR Place.

width=

width=

Believe it or not, this is a completely different bird that landed on this letter a second after the other moved. Weird.

Happy Valentine’s Day

width=

A special Valentine’s Day cupcake is available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios currently, at select locations.
width=

It’s so pretty that you don’t even notice anything missing in the background, right?

width=

We decided to take it somewhere where we could have privacy… PizzeRizzo…
width=

width=

width=

It was just OK… the frosting was really thick but not very flavorful. The cake part was fine. At least it was pretty.

Star Wars Land

width=

Work continues on the Star Wars themed land, visible from the PizzeRizzo balcony.

width=

width=

width=

width=

Throwing in the Towel

width=

A selection of new kitchen towels can be found for sale around the parks.

width=

width=

width=

They are a little cheaper if you buy 3 sets.

width=

While the Darkroom is closed, the soda machine has a temporary home inside Celebrity 5 & 10.

width=

A new candle votive is available, featuring Cinderella Castle.

width=

AERIAL PHOTOS: Latest Progress on Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on February 23, 2017

The following aerial satellite images of the Star Wars and Toy Story Land construction sitesat Disney’s Hollywood Studios comes to us courtesy of NearMap. The latest images were captured on January 24th, 2017.

The below overall shot gives you a good idea of the scale of the project. Despite the fact that the walls at the end of PIXAR Place show art for Toy Story Land, that site is actually part of Star Wars, with the Toy Story area contained behind Toy Story Midway Mania.

width=

In the north-west corner is the large building that will contain all the “back-of-house” needs for the Slinky Dog Dash rollercoaster. What will be the load station is just to the right of it in the picture. To the south is the ride mechanism for Little Green Men Swirling Saucers. We can make out the interlocking tables that will take the saucers on a double figure eight pattern on one of two separate systems, just like Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree at Disney California Adventure.

width=

Not much has changed in Star Wars Land, just more land preparations for the two attractions.

width=

Below, a closeup of what should be the site for the “Battle with the First Order” attraction.

width=

Below are some nifty sliders where you can see the progress made between September 19th, 2016 with January 24th, 2017:

Star Wars Land will open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2019, while Toy Story Land is rumored to debut in 2018.

PHOTO REPORT: Disney’s Hollywood Studios 2/6/17 (Star Wars & Toy Story Construction, Goodbye Starring Rolls & Kermit, ETC.)

WDWNT on February 6, 2017

Our latest photo report brings us back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to see the latest progress on the park’s massive overhaul, as well as some recent closures an removals. Let’s take a look…

Welcome to Hollywood!

width=

Work continues out in the parking lot on some of the park’s infrastructure.

width=

Beauty and the Beast: Live Action on Stage

width=

Some significant changes have come to Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage. A new pre-show featuring a song from the upcoming film was added…

Also, the Beast’s character costume was recently updated to the new style…

width=

width=

width=

width=

width=

width=

This and That

width=

A new monorail mystery pin set was released, featuring all 123 monorails. They retail at $16.99 for a box of 2 pins.

width=

The chasers are actually kind of easy to figure out based on the character silhouettes and that only 4 monorail colors remain…

width=

As we informed you on Friday, the Starring Rolls Cafe is now indefinitely closed. No real reason has been given as to why as of yet, but we expect their to be an expansion of the often crowded Brown Derby Lounge.

width=

While I always liked this location, breakfast offerings at Trolley Car Cafe are similar and plenty of sweet pastries can be found next door at Sweet Spells on Sunset Boulevard.

Toy Story Land

For the most complete look at the current work on the Star Wars and Toy Story Lands, also be sure to check out our latest Hollywood Studios Expansion Update video:

width=

Work progresses on the Toy Story themed land behind PIXAR Place, with the maintenance bay for the Slinky Dog Dash coaster looming over the gate by the former Jack Sparrow attraction.
width=

From the edges of PIXAR Place, the removal of the MuppetVision balloon is surely noticeable. It’s easy to see how that would be visible from any land in the back of the park.

Star Wars Land

width=

The trees and such that once separated the Streets of America from Commissary Lane and Star Tours were recently removed and the walls expanded outward. This offers an unobstructed view towards other areas that has never existed within the park.

width=

width=

width=

It’s not even a construction wall, it is actually a chain link fence covered with a tarps twice over (to make sure I can’t see through it and get you guys some better pictures, I assume).

width=

It’s not the prettiest thing, but we’re gonna have to live with it for a while if we want Star Wars Land, and I do.

width=

With the trees gone, it is much easier to see in from the Tatooine Traders patio though…

width=

The ice cream is still standing, but the Kermit the Frog hot air balloon was removed last week.

width=

Hopefully the fountain will at least turn when all of this is done. PizzeRizzo just feels like a Muppets consolation prize at this point.
width=

The PizzeRizzo balcony offers some views into what was New York Street.

width=

PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 1/26/17 (Star Wars & Toy Story Land, Goodbye Kermit & Darkroom, ETC.)

WDWNT on January 29, 2017

Our latest photo report brings us back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to see the latest work on the two major themed-lands being added to the park, as well as on a  number of smaller projects. Let’s head on in…

Welcome to Hollywood!

width=

Great Balls of Fire was playing on my radio while I was pulling in, which just made we wish that I had an ADR for the Sci-Fi-Fi Dine-In…

width=

There is a lot of ground being ripped out around the perimeter of the park to run some new utility related pipes and wiring.

width=

The large cranes towards the back of the park are quite visible from the parking lot.

width=

PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 1/26/17 (Star Wars & Toy Story Land, Goodbye Kermit & Darkroom, ETC.)

The current times guide for Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 1/26/17 (Star Wars & Toy Story Land, Goodbye Kermit & Darkroom, ETC.)

For a park that needs dining capacity, they don’t often keep many of the larger establishments open late.

width=

Many more benches were installed around this planter and the roasted nuts cart has returned in a new location.

width=

width=

width=

Toy Story Land

width=

Work continues on the Toy Story themed land for the park, with dirt being moved just behind Toy Story Midway Mania at the moment.

width=

width=

width=

You could make a little flip book of the next few pictures if you would like.

width=

width=

width=

width=

width=

The desolate alley between Toy Story Mania and the former Jack Sparrow attraction offers a glimpse at the building for the Slinky Dog roller coaster, Slinky Dog Dash.

width=

You can see it better in our last aerial flyover video:

PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 1/26/17 (Star Wars & Toy Story Land, Goodbye Kermit & Darkroom, ETC.)

Dirt obscures the view behind the gate.

This and That

width=

The signage o n the Joffrey’s cart by Tower of Terror was moved over so that guests could actually see the person serving them…

 width=

Billboards for Beauty and the Beast and Born in China up behind the Great Movie Ride.

PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 1/26/17 (Star Wars & Toy Story Land, Goodbye Kermit & Darkroom, ETC.)

Sonny Burbank greeting guests outside of the Tower of Terror.

Fairfax Fare

width=

We enjoyed a lunch at Fairfax Fair consisting of the salad and a giant baked potato.

width=

A review of the baked potato can be found here, and a review of the new tex-mex menu here.

Mousecellaneous

width=

The Fantasia projection in the Great Movie Ride has finally been switched to digital HD. This was the last screen in the ride to still utilize physical film.

width=

The Disney Infinity play area in Star Wars Launch Bay is now closed. No word yet on what will replace it.
width=

Additional signage was added outside of Red Carpet Dreams to make sure that guests know who is meeting there.

width=

width=

width=

width=

The remote control Mouse Droid is finally available, we found them at Tatooine Traders. They retail for $54.99 each.

Kermit the Frog Hot-Air Balloon to be Removed for Star Wars Land at Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

The MuppetVision fountain at Hollywood Studios was temporarily turned into a planter to accommodate the Star Wars themed-land construction nearby, but it seems the galaxy far, far away will have a long-lasting impact on the look of the 1991 Hollywood Studios attraction.

The Kermit the Frog hot air balloon as it has looked since it was repainted in 2008 to remove references to the Jim Henson name.

The Kermit the Frog hot air balloon as it has looked since it was repainted in 2008 to remove references to the Jim Henson name.

It appears as if the iconic Kermit the Frog hot air balloon (which has loomed over the Muppets Courtyard for nearly 26 years) will be removed at some point over the next few weeks. Disney has not stated if the balloon will be reused somewhere else, but it doesn’t sound like the balloon will be returning as of this time.

width=

The balloon as it appeared from 1991 until 2008.

The balloon is being removed because it would be visible from inside of the Star Wars-themed land that is being constructed.