PHOTOS: Soundstage 4 Completely Demolished for Toy Story Land Entrance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

In preparation for Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, almost the entirety of the old Soundstage 4 building has been demolished.

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This building was home to portions of the Backlot Tour and Backstage Pass attractions when the park opened, in later years hosting the Narnia walkthrough exhibits, as well as the infamous Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow. It will now be the entrance to Toy Story Land, opening Summer 2018.

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I’m still anxious to see how they will theme this area as an entrance to the Toy Story area.

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A strange tall section of the soundstage is apparently staying, for what reason, we do not know. Again, we’ll have to wait and see exactly what this will be, but it still looks like a soundstage on one side.

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The Slinky Dog Dash rollercoaster lies off in the distance.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Toy Story Land Entrance, Coaster Track, and Star Wars Land Rise at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

It’s time to check on the latest progress on the expansion of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including the addition of the Star Wars and Toy Story themed lands. First-up, we have a video of the current progress to share with you:

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Star Wars Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Work continues on what is left of New York Street and what will be the transition area into Star Wars Land.

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Star Wars Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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Star Wars Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

It is still unknown what is happening to the space that once was the Writer’s Stop, but we are hoping for a Sci-Fi Dine-In Lounge.

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Star Wars Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

They are testing out different paint colors for the facades.

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Star Wars Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Some structural steel is visible from the end of PIXAR Place facing into Star Wars Land.

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Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

It is unclear exactly what is happening to Soundstage 12 adjacent to One Man’s Dream. Will it be re-themed to Toy Story or simply demolished slowly to ensure that One Man’s Dream will not have to close?

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Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The Toy Story Land concept art was moved near the entrance to One Man’s Dream.

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Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The walls then transition to a Toy Story theme just around the corner.

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Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

A peek through the construction walls reveals the coaster track for the Slinky Dog Dash ride. You can get a better look at the track from above the park here.

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Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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Toy Story Land Construction, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

An opening date for Toy Story Land will be announced at the 2017 D23 Expo next month, but it is expected to be sometime in early 2018.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Toy Story Land Entrance, Writer’s Stop Gutted, Star Wars Land Expands in Latest Studios Update

It has been a while since we have seen any major changes in the Hollywood Studios landscape, but now with the expansion of Disney’s Animal Kingdom complete, it’s full speed ahead to Toy Story Land and the much-anticipated Star Wars themed land.

We have a video of all of the construction to share with you below, but we’ll then share pictures and give you a more in-depth description of the work following that.

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We start over by MuppetVision 3-D…

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The former Writer’s Stop has been stripped down to its bare steel.

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A lot of work now happening in the area the was New York Street.

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The barrier of Star Wars Land is just steps away, still rising.

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A look from the balcony of PizzeRizzo doesn’t reveal much.

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Most of the facade of Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream is covered with tarps, with the image of Walt removed from the marquee.

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The backside of the marquee is completely gone.

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This area will be the entrance to Toy Story Land, but it remains unclear how this transition will work.

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For now, it appears that these original structures from 1989 will survive the demolition.

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At the end of PIXAR Place, the walls are now appropriately Star Wars-related, as Toy Story Land is not actually located on this side. The walls also extended right up to the exit of the 3rd track at Toy Story Midway Mania.

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The walls feature the artwork for Star Wars Land, but it is strangely not-centered and instead located in an alley behind some trees.

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A cast member access pathway is all that is down this alleyway.

As always, stay tuned for more updates on the expansion of Disney’s Hollywood Studios as it progresses.

PHOTO REPORT: Disney’s Hollywood Studios 5/3/17 (New York Street Lives, Pirates Preview, Star Wars & Toy Story Land, Etc.)

Our latest photo report brings us to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the midst of Disney’s Hollywood Studios appreciation week for a look around at what’s new and exciting in tinsel town. Ready when you are C.B.!

Hooray for Hollywood

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Streetmosphere characters Mayor Sonny Burbank and Evie Starlight welcome guests to the park.

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Officer Percival Peabody of the Hollywood Police Department also ensures that guests walk, and not run to their first destination.

Happy 28th Anniversary

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On May 1st 2017, Disney’s Hollywood Studios celebrated its 28th birthday!

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The park of course opened as the Disney-MGM Studios in 1989, changing its name in Early 2008.

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The only opening day attraction left standing at this point is the Great Movie Ride, but rumors persist of even that closing in the next 2 years.

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MagicBand 2.0

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For whatever reason, the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival MagicBand is now available at the Studios.

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A number of older designs have been updated for the MagicBand 2, some even using the new white and black band base colors.

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Star Wars Launch Bay

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40th anniversary banners remain outside of Star Wars Launch Bay.

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Wait times for the character meet and greets have been short lately. Chewbacca was posted as 20 minutes.

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Only 15 for Kylo Ren.

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Even the new BB-8 meet and greet has had short wait times.

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That sadly hasn’t stopped guests from destroying the walls…

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It’s a pretty cute meet and greet experience if you haven’t seen it yet:

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New designs celebrating the 40th anniversary of Star Wars can be found at the D-Tech on Demand location inside of Star Wars Launch Bay.

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Skywalker Vineyards wines are also available now. We actually bought a bottle and tried the new flight at the Brown Derby, so we will dedicate a post to this in the coming days.

PIXAR Displaced

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Work continues on the Star Wars and Toy Story themed lands.

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This barrier for Star Wars land continues to rise over the walls.

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A peek through the walls at the beginning of PIXAR Place reveals the current state of Toy Story Land.

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There appears to be a structure of some kind being erected in the middle of the Slinky Dog Dash rollercoaster now.

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It appears that the coaster will barrel through it, whatever it is.

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These pics from a few days later show some progress on the walls going up at the other end of PIXAR Place.

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Pirates of the Caribbean: One Man’s Dream

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The Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales preview has moved in at Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream.

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The Moana meet and greet recently closed inside, leaving us to believe that the Star Lord and Groot meet and greet coming will be located here.

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The exit is currently boarded up as well.

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A costume worn by Javier Bardem in Dead Men Tell No Tales is now on display.

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The preview is quite good, leading me to believe we might just be returning to form in the series.

New York Street Lives!

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It is now certain that this lone standing section of New York Street will remain as modifications are being made to the structure.

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Meanwhile, Star Wars Land rises next door.

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Not only are the facades being touched up, but new elements are being added.

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A new awning was installed at the end of the street.

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With much of the original signage stripped, it will be interesting to see what becomes of this area.

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The former Writer’s Stop lies behind walls, amidst rumors that this may be the Club 33 location for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. How cool would it be to either here through a facade on New York Street?

Star Tours

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No trip to Hollywood Studios is complete without a ride on Star Tours.

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In Tatooine Traders, a number of new items can be found.

Legendary Comedian Don Rickles Passes Away At The Age Of 90

 

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Legendary comedian Don Rickles has passed away at the age of 90.

Publicist Paul Schrifin announced that Rickles died this morning at his home in Los Angeles due to complications from kidney failure.

Rickles is best known for his various appearances on TV shows such as The Tonight Show and The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts. On the big screen, he is best know for roles in such films as Kelly’s Heroes and Casino but most Disney fans will remember him fondly as the voice of Mr. Potato Head from The Toy Story franchise.

In Disney Parks, he has portrayed Mr. Potato Head in the Toy Story Midway Mania attractions, as well as one half of William and Morris in the Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management.

PHOTO REPORT: Disney’s Hollywood Studios 4/4/17 (Star Wars Land, Toy Story, More One Man’s Dream Changes, ETC.)

Our latest photo report brings us to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to see the latest progress on the park’s massive expansion and more. Let’s take a look…

Welcome to Hollywood!

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PhotoPass services will remain at Sid Cahuenga’s, even now with Cover Story on Hollywood Boulevard reopened.

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Some repaving happening on Hollywood Blvd., long overdue based on the color difference.

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Will this be the end of the infamous metal lines in the ground on Hollywood Boulevard?

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The Darkroom and Cover Story have reopened as one larger store attached to the Celebrity 5 & 10.

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The Dark Room has mostly pins and MagicBands for sale.

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Cover story has a lot of smaller trinkets, as well as stationery and assorted other souvenirs.

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The openings between all three shops were greatly expanded for better traffic flow as well.

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The merchandise stand outside of Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster is now also sponsored by Hanes and has signage with a shop name.

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Signage outside of the former Starring Rolls Cafe now tells guests of many other dining options.

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You can see a large crane working in the former-Backlot area from the entrance of the Hollywood Brown Derby.

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

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:

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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

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

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

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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.

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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

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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.

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Toy Story Land

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

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

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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).

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

This and That

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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.

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Getting artsy with birds on PIXAR Place.

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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

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

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

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

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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

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

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Throwing in the Towel

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

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They are a little cheaper if you buy 3 sets.

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

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A new candle votive is available, featuring Cinderella Castle.

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

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.

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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.

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

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

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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: The Magic Kingdom 2/13/17 (Walls Everywhere, Tomorrowland Overhaul, Beauty and the Beast, ETC.)

Our latest photo report brings us to the Magic Kingdom as many refurbishments and enhancements continue through the less busy weeks of the year.

Welcome to the Magic Kingdom

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Work continues on the Magic Kingdom monorail station (and it remains open thankfully).

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Work continues on the Magic Kingdom train station.

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The Emporium remains open while work is done to the exterior.

Tomorrowland In Progress Today

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Sadly, the new paint scheme on the Tomorrowland rocks is already peeling.

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There are now Toy Story Snuggle Snappers for sale.

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Work continues on the rumored Joffrey’s Coffee location in Tomorrowland.

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Just a few days ago, there was just a foundation behind those walls.

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The Cool Ship has reopened, but the Cool Scanner remains under refurbishment.

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The exterior painting on Space Mountain continues.

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A look down at just the foundation for the coffee stand.

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The Cool Ship is looking good after its short refurbishment.

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Apparently, the guest relations location in Tomorrowland is still a thing, there was just no one working there the last time we visited.

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Some Beauty and the Beast phone case designs can now be found at the D-Tech on Demand kiosks here.

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As you can see, it was open again. I’m guessing they were understaffed the last time we visited.

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The refurbishment of Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe is underway, with the restrooms closed for remodeling.

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This kid asked me why the bathrooms are closed. I responded, “Kid, have you eaten here?”

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I’m not sure if it was done recently, but I noticed the old multicolored covering on the benches was gone and there was a new paint scheme on the walls.

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There is now a FuelRod kiosk inside of Cosmic Ray’s. The convenience continues to grow as you can find many of these in each park now.

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The work on the exterior has many of the windows covered.

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If you couldn’t tell, it is really dark inside right now.

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The work outside is to add more covered seating areas.

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Beauty and the Beast Taking Over

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I found the Beauty and the Beast MagicBand at the Magic Kingdom. It’s not the best one I’ve seen…

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Bonjour Village Gifts is now selling tons of merchandise from the new movie.

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Including the Belle doll which most think looks more like Justin Bieber in a dress…

This and That

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I’m no fan of Pinocchio Village Haus, but closing at 6pm seems a bit early. Even the @WDWToday twitter account tweeted at 6pm the other day that you should go eat here, but it was closed already…


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Inside, the electronic menu boards have been covered for a while, with these static signs placed over them for now.

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There are now candy-filled lightsabers for sale at the parks.

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Filled with off-brand M&M’s…

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You can get blue or red, but clearly the red is more popular.

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A new mug for sale in the Emporium.

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I thought it was neat that it has an emoji of the castle underneath instead of the usual logo.

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Pecos Bill’s has become my favorite quick service lunch spot over the last year. It seems this is where I end up every time there’s not something new to order elsewhere in the park.

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The new kid’s nachos dish is a pretty good value, and you can load it up as much as you want at the fixin’s bar.

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The taller trees on the riverbank were removed to help with the sight-lines for Tiana’s Riverboat Party.

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As you can see, this new, smaller tree was just planted.

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All sorts of emergency walkways and exits around the parks seems to be getting much brighter LED lighting for nighttime.

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Seen here, the stairway at the dock is brighter than the lights on the Riverboat.

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Tomorrowland Tonight

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The nighttime lighting on the Tomorrowland rocks looks great as it reflects off the water and makes a wave effect.

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New lighting was installed on the Progress City model along the Peoplemover and it looks great.

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Just two days later, the entire Joffrey’s Coffee kiosk was there (sorry for the blurry pics, but best I could do).

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Goodbye…

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The Wishes! poster acts as a decent reminder when you leave that you only have a few weeks left to see this legendary show.