Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Toy Story Land -- better at night!
In June, Toy Story Land opened at Disney Hollywood Studios. This land, covering what once was the Lights, Motors, Action! set and part of the Backlot Tour, brings guests into the world of Toy Story. This new land features three main attractions, Toy Story Mania, Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers.
Toy Story Mania is not a new attraction. It originally opened in 2008, but recently was refurbished with a new entrance, a third track, a revised queue and a new exit to connect with Toy Story Land.
Slinky Dog Dash is a moderate coaster, comparable to the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom Park, though smoother. It may not be best for toddlers, though those of older elementary age should be ok.
The Alien Swirling Saucers attraction is a clone of Mater's Junkyard Jamboree at Disney California Adventure, just with different theming and ride vehicles. The overall experience is the same and it's a fun twist on the Mad Tea Party at Magic Kingdom Park.
Also included is a fairly large restroom area and Woody's Lunchbox, a quick-service counter restaurant, though there is no inside seating - only outdoor.
Right away, guests will find it tough to find one thing in Toy Story Land: shade. There isn't much, aside from umbrellas strewn all over the place. This is one land that can get pretty warm in the dog days of summer (sorry, that pun was too irresistible). That's why I recommend visiting Toy Story Land at night. It's cooler and besides, the land also is lit up in tons of colorful lights, which makes it far more visually interesting and much more photographic.
One other benefit of Toy Story Land -- it give a good vantage point to see the construction of the nearby Galaxy's Edge.. but that's land for another time and another galaxy.
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
New Star Wars themed resort to be connected to upcoming Star Wars Galaxy's Edge at DHS
Source: https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2018/05/update-on-the-star-wars-immersive-resort-planned-for-walt-disney-world-resort/.
The official Disney Parks Blog has provided an updated on the planned Star Wars immersive resort coming to Walt Disney World. The new resort, already under development, will be constructed adjacent to Disney Hollywood Studios on the southern side of the park, which is where the new Star Wars Galaxy's Edge land already is under construction and slated to open in late 2019.
Based on the description given in the linked blog post above, it appears the new resort could be located somewhere in the shaded orange area on the photo below.
So far, there's no specific opening date, though it seems logical that the resort will be open in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World in 2021.
Given that this is planned to be a very immersive resort, it's quite likely that the room rate for this resort will be higher than anything we've ever seen for a Walt Disney World resort. One could almost consider this the first of a potential new class of resorts - the Ultra or Premium resorts.
It will be interesting to see how this new kind of resort goes over with guests. Based on the current (huge) demand at Walt Disney World, I have good feeling about this.
The official Disney Parks Blog has provided an updated on the planned Star Wars immersive resort coming to Walt Disney World. The new resort, already under development, will be constructed adjacent to Disney Hollywood Studios on the southern side of the park, which is where the new Star Wars Galaxy's Edge land already is under construction and slated to open in late 2019.
Based on the description given in the linked blog post above, it appears the new resort could be located somewhere in the shaded orange area on the photo below.
![]() |
Courtesy Google Maps |
Given that this is planned to be a very immersive resort, it's quite likely that the room rate for this resort will be higher than anything we've ever seen for a Walt Disney World resort. One could almost consider this the first of a potential new class of resorts - the Ultra or Premium resorts.
It will be interesting to see how this new kind of resort goes over with guests. Based on the current (huge) demand at Walt Disney World, I have good feeling about this.
Saturday, July 15, 2017
New theater coming to The Magic Kingdom, show yet to be announced
![]() |
Image copyright Disney. All rights reserved. |
Disney announced at the D23 Expo 2017 that a new venue for world-class entertainment is coming to Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom.
According to the Disney Parks Blog, the new entertainment venue will be based on the iconic Willis Wood theater in 1920s Kansas City, where Walt lived after he left Marceline. As the blog states, "it’ll fit well right off Main Street, U.S.A."
“Across Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, we’ve been upping the game in Entertainment with shows like Frozen Live at the Hyperion,” Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts said. “It’s been a huge hit at the Disneyland Resort, and I’m sure many of you have seen it. This new theater at Walt Disney World continues that streak by bringing a new venue for world-class entertainment to the world’s biggest park.”
So far, there have been no announcements about what this new theater will be used for. Based on the size depicted in this concept art - it will be huge, so there will be a lot of room for a major production. It also appears that this will go in Town Square, which means the probable end of Tony's Town Square restaurant and yet another move for the Mickey Mouse meet and greet (unless it is incorporated into this new plan).
What do you think may be coming to this space?
New space restaurant coming adjacent to Mission: SPACE at Epot
![]() |
Image copyright Disney. All rights reserved. |
At the D23 Expo, Disney announced that a new space-themed restaurant will be coming near Mission: SPACE at Epcot. According to the Disney Parks Blog, the restaurant will invite guests to travel into space for amazing dining experiences in the stars.
“We know our guests love dining at Epcot – and the restaurants really are out of this world,” said Walt Disney Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald, who shared a first look at the restaurant during the Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts presentation at D23 Expo 2017. “Now we’re about to create one that takes that literally,” he added.
The new space restaurant will be operated by the Patina Restaurant Group. Patina Restaurant Group operates several other restaurants at Walt Disney World including Tutto Italia and Via Napoli at Epcot and Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs.
No word yet on a possible opening date.
Paradise Pier at California Adventure to be rethemed to Pixar Pier
![]() |
Image copyright Disney. All rights reserved. |
At the D23 Expo 2017, Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek was joined by Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios John Lasseter to unveil plans for Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure, where the pier will take on a brand new look as more favorite Pixar characters and stories come to life, from The Incredibles, to Inside Out to even more Toy Story. Chapek also announced there is more Pixar in store during Pixar Fest at Disneyland Resort. Starting in 2018, this limited-time offering will include a new fireworks spectacular as well as special characters and entertainment moments.
Extraordinary Line-up of Experiences Coming to Disney Parks around the Globe
As part of the celebration, the Pixar Play Parade will return to Disneyland Resort – this time at
Disneyland Park – and the fan favorite Paint the Night Parade will move to Disney California Adventure, one of Disney’s longest parade routes.
Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios to open summer 2018
Disney conforms new goldola network coming to area south of Epcot
At the D23 Expo 2017, Disney announced a whole new transportation system called Disney Skyliner will give guests a birds-eye view of Walt Disney World Resort. This brand new system will connect Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century and Caribbean Beach resorts, as well as the proposed new Disney Riviera Resort, with Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot.
Construction already is underway on this project.
See this previous blog post for more about this ongoing project.
Construction already is underway on this project.
See this previous blog post for more about this ongoing project.
Tron rollercoaster attraction coming to Tomorrowland at Walt Disney World in a new space
![]() |
Images copyright Disney. All rights reserved. |
At the 2017 D23 Expo, Disney announced that the most popular attraction at Shanghai Disneyland is coming to Walt Disney World Resort. A thrilling, Tron-themed attraction will be added in a new area near Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom. Interestingly, as you can see from the design concept above, this new attraction will not replace the Tomorrowland Speedway, as initial rumors suggested. Instead, this attraction will be placed beyond the Speedway, where the current walkway between Tomorrowland and The Fantasyland Circus is. One interesting question remains - how will this impact the WDW Railroad?
New Mickey, Minnie attraction coming to Hollywood Studios, likely to replace Great Movie Ride
Disney remains at the cutting edge of deeply immersive, creative storytelling that draws guests into new worlds, and it is a legacy that lives on in every new Disney Parks experience. At the D23 Expo, Disney announced the first-ever Mickey-themed ride-through attraction, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, will come to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. With a new original story and lovable attraction theme song, this new state-of-the-art ride-through attraction will take guests on a journey inside the wacky and unpredictable world of Disney Channel's Emmy Award-winning “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts using new technologies that transform the flat cartoon world into an incredible dimensional experience.
As rumored, this attraction will replace the Great Movie Ride. It's unclear if the iconic Chinese Theater facade will remain. The Great Movie Ride will close in August.
Ratatouille, Guardians of the Galaxy attractions coming to Epcot; changes coming to Mission Space
![]() |
Image copyright Disney. All Rights Reserved. |
Looking ahead to the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, there are grand plans to complete the transformation that started with the debut of New Fantasyland in 2014. Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman, Bob Chapek, announced exciting plans across Epcot to realize the original vision of the park while making it more timeless and relevant than ever before. Patterned after the number one family attraction at Disneyland Paris, Ratatouille will be added in an all-new space in the France pavilion at World Showcase.
![]() |
Images copyright Disney. All Rights Reserved. |
Epcot will also see the addition of a brand new E-ticket attraction based on the rockin’ and action-packed world of Guardians of the Galaxy, the next step in how guests can encounter these characters at Walt Disney World Resort.
In Future World, a new Green Mission at Mission: SPACE will take guests on a stunning tour around the Earth, and an updated Orange Mission will make the trip to Mars even more spectacular. Adjacent to Mission: Space will be a new restaurant that will invite guests to travel high above the earth for an unforgettable dining experience.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)