Category: Construction

  • New Documents Raise Questions About A Possible Name Change For Epcot

    New Documents Raise Questions About A Possible Name Change For Epcot

    With the massive changes and reimagining of Disney’s Epcot, could the park also be getting a new name? Recently some official documents have come to light that show a new name for the park.

    In the documents, the park is referred to as “Epcot World Center.”  This is just pure speculation at this point, but it’s based in some pretty sound reasoning. These are official documents and for legal reasons names are usually extremely accurate.

    Paperwork to alter Epcot’s parking lot was filed by Disney earlier this month.  The plans shift parking to the east making room on the west side for new buildings and an 84-acre lake. It is suspected that these new buildings are the rumored Epcot entrance resort and it looks like the company has settled on area behind Living Seas pavilion for the resort.

    epcot-world-center-permit
    Source: Blog Mickey

    There is no official word on the possible resort, but an equally interesting fact is the possible new name found on these documents first reported by Blog Mickey.  They saw the name after they zoomed in on the images and it certainly begs the question… Does Disney have some sort of name change in mind?

    On the documents, the name is located in Future World right over spaceship earth, so it would seem it refers to the entire park and not just the World Showcase. It’s really a small change and Epcot is still in the name, but it certainly wouldn’t be the first name change for the park.

    When the park first opened in 1982 it was known as “EPCOT Center”. Then in 1994 and 1995 the parks name was changed to “Epcot ’94” and “Epcot ’95” respectively. The annual name change didn’t last long and since that time the park has been known simply as “Epcot”.

    It’s not immediately clear how “Epcot World Center” as a name, would tie into Future World, but perhaps with the addition of The Guardians of the Galaxy Roller Coaster and the rest of the changes coming to the park, it will make more sense once the entire park has gone though its full reimagination.

    It’s kind of nice to see “Center” back in the name and it’s a far better name than some of the recent names that had been thrown around for a possible Hollywood Studios name change.  Disney has since put the rumor to bed stating that “Disney’s Hollywood Studios name will remain the same for the foreseeable future“.

    Though the name on the documents hardly seems an accident we will still have to wait and see if there is any official word from Disney about a name change.

  • Disneyland Horses Kick Up Their Hooves During Main Street, U.S.A. Enhancements

    Disneyland Horses Kick Up Their Hooves During Main Street, U.S.A. Enhancements

    The horse-drawn streetcar track on Main Street, U.S.A., will be replaced in its entirety.  This will temporarily pause the operation of all Main Street, U.S.A. vehicles, giving the Disneyland horses a little break.

    They will be “on vacation” while enhancements are made on Main Street, U.S.A. Can’t you just picture these equine beauties living it up poolside, wearing sunglasses and floppy hats, cooling their hooves in a wading pool and sipping refreshing beverages from very long straws.

    Turns out, a vacation for a horse is very different than a vacation for people. Take a look at this Disney Parks video to see exactly how they are spending their vacation.

    In the absence of regular shifts on Main Street, U.S.A., these four-legged cast members are following their usual routines in order to keep fit—both physically and mentally. Each horse has a schedule for grooming, bathing, driving, riding and ground work. However, they do have more time for play, which is an important part of being a horse. Horses, after all, are herd animals and it’s important for their well-being that they have time to be together.

    One way in which this is accomplished is through “turn-outs,” which is the horsey term for “playdates.” The horses are turned out in an enclosed arena, in groups of three or four, and they run together, kick up their heels and just move as a herd. Inevitably, each horse will find that perfect spot of ground on which to roll over and stretch their back and legs. Total relaxation, equine style. Maybe our vacations aren’t so different after all.

    Disneyland’s refurbished Main Street U.S.A. is expected to reopen in late winter.

  • Latest Construction Update for Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios

    Latest Construction Update for Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios

    We’re back with another update on the progress with the Galaxy’s Edge construction at Hollywood Studios.

    The opening is still well over a year away and the anticipation is overwhelming, but at least we can get these little peeks at what they are up to and how the future land is shaping up!

    The awesome ariel shots show the massive project which is hard to appreciate from the ground. In the picture below you can really get a sense of the scope of the project.

    Galaxy's Edge Construction
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    The left arrow at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge rock work frame that can be seen from Grand Avenue. Smaller arrows at what may become a landscaped hill, and a section almost filled in with dirt.

    Here you can see Where they starting to block the view from the surrounding areas with a natural looking forest.

    Here you can see the high points in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge.  This is the current view from Grand Avenue.

    Galaxy's Edge Construction
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

     

    Galaxy's Edge Construction
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    Here is another great aerial view where we can see the current work on the buildings near the Millennium Falcon attraction in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. You can also make out the marketplace passageways taking form.

    Galaxy's Edge Construction
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    If you want to see more of the progression they have made so far take a look back here.  Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is set to open in 2019. Keep checking

  • Photos: Star Wars Land Construction Update

    Photos: Star Wars Land Construction Update

    Last week we brought your some construction updates on Toy Story Land, and this week we wanted to show you some of the latest construction progress on Star Wars Land known as Galaxy’s Edge.

    Set to open in 2019, we have we have long time to go, but these pictures give us some real perspective on how the new land is developing.

    These awesome photos from bioreconstruct show how fencing blocks off the land from the rest of the park.

    These are some really great aerial photos showing us the newest work in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, near the transition with Toy Story Land.

    Galaxy's Edge Construction
    Photo: @bioreconstruct
    Galaxy's Edge Construction
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    And here we get to peer into the Millennium Falcon attraction at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge.

    Galaxy's Edge Construction
    Photo: @bioreconstruct
    Galaxy's Edge Construction
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland park in 2019. The new land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is just one element of the multi-year transformation of the park, which also includes Toy Story Land, set to open in the summer of 2018.

  • AERIAL PHOTOS: Toy Story Land Construction Update at Hollywood Studios

    AERIAL PHOTOS: Toy Story Land Construction Update at Hollywood Studios

    One of the most anticipated openings for 2018 is Toy Story Land and now we have a look at some of the latest aerial construction photos at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. These aerial pictures give a fantastic view of the progress being made on the transformation of the former “Hollywood East” park.

    Slinky Dog Dash Scaffolding

    Overviews of Toy Story Land

    Woody’s Lunch Box Area

    These photos from Bioreconstruct give us a great birds eye view on the developments. Still plenty of work left to do, but we will keep you up to date as Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ newest toy box progresses.

    The 11-acre land will be themed around toys from the “Toy Story” movie series, like the Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster and Woody’s Lunch Box, a quick-service window serving soda floats and more. Another ride will be Alien Swirling Saucers, where aliens circling in flying saucers pull along rocket ships full of guests.