Category: News

  • Toy Story Mania Closing For A Week To Prep For Toy Story Land

    Toy Story Mania Closing For A Week To Prep For Toy Story Land

    The Toy Story Midway Mania! attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is scheduled to be closed for an entire week this June in preparation for the opening of Toy Story Land. According to Disney the attraction will be unavailable June 11-18 and is expected to reopen on June 19.

    The closure will allow work to progress on the reconfiguration of the main entrance of the attraction. Currently Toy Story Mania’s entrance and exit are located in the park’s Pixar Place area, but after Toy Story Land opens they will both be located in the new land. When it reopens, the entrance will remain in Pixar Place until it permanently moves to Toy Story Land for the grand opening of the new land.

    Toy Story Mania will also return to full capacity on May 20 2018, with all three tracks becoming available following queue reconfiguration work. FastPass+ reservations should already be available for rides beginning May 20, if there not already booked up.

    When Toy Story Land debuts on June 30, guests will “shrink” to the size of a toy and join in on the fun Woody, Jessie, Buzz, and Andy’s other beloved toys are having in Andy’s backyard. Here, guests can ride Slinky Dog Dash, a roller coaster Andy has assembled from his Mega Coaster Play Kit, take a spin on Alien Swirling Saucers, walk through a new carnival game box to experience Toy Story Mania!, grab a tasty snack at Woody’s Lunchbox – and meet some of the characters from “Toy Story” films!

    Check out the list below for more stories on the new Pixar experiences coming to Hollywood Studios.

     

  • Disney Files Permit For Another Magic Kingdom-Area Project

    Disney Files Permit For Another Magic Kingdom-Area Project

    Disney filed another permit on Monday with the South Florida Water Management District seeking to use a 30-acre site south of the theme park for temporarily stockpiling fill. The project which is named in the documents as “Stolport Stockpile” plans to use the area for “temporary stockpiling of earthwork”.

    stolport project

    The project is most likely named “Stolport Stockpile” because it sits just east of the old STOLport. The Lake Buena Vista STOLport, or “Short Takeoff and Landing” port was built in 1971 to serve as a private airfield for Walt Disney World guests and employees.

    This immediately brought up speculation about if the project might have something to do with a revamp of the airport, but documents included in the filing show it appears to be related to Disney’s “Project 89”. Disney filed permits for “geotechnical work” at the site of Disney’s former River Country water park back in March.

    According to those permits, Disney is going to “Conduct geotechnical investigation to assess the suitability of subsurface soils”.  In layman’s terms, they will be drilling to evaluate the soil conditions at the River Country site.

    No one knows for sure what Disney’s plans for the area are, but many have speculated that a new Magic Kingdom resort could be in the works and it’s likely another DVC resort. At this point Disney hasn’t released any information about what either project is for.

  • Disney Announces More ‘Avengers’ Movies Could Happen And New Marvel Franchises

    Disney Announces More ‘Avengers’ Movies Could Happen And New Marvel Franchises

    After the worldwide and record-breaking success of “Avengers: Infinity War,” more “Avengers” movies could still be made Disney announced on Tuesday.

    Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger discussed the future of the franchise beyond Phase 3 with analysts in a recent earnings call. Iger told analysts that next year’s “Avengers 4” would have a “significant conclusion”, but still hinted at a future for the Avengers Franchise.

    “Given the popularity of the characters and given the popularity of the franchise, I don’t think people should conclude that there will never be another ‘Avengers’ movie.” Iger said.

    Although next year’s “Avengers 4” is being billed as the end of the journey for many of Marvel Studios’ favorite heroes, it still won’t be the end of the Avengers. “There’s certainly a lot more stories to tell, a lot more characters to populate those stories with,” Iger said.

    Bringing together more than 20 Marvel superheroes, “Avengers: Infinity War” set a new box office opening weekend record for North America raking in more than $250 million at the box office. The film also set the record for the fastest film to cross the $1 billion mark and it achieved that milestone in just 11 days.

    Directors Joe and Anthony Russo shot the as yet untitled follow-up back-to-back with “Infinity War.” There have been no details released on the plot of the film which is due to be released in May 2019.

    Iger also teased the MCU future with what he called a “franchise beyond Avengers”, noting that there were some 7,000 characters in the Marvel universe that could be explored in film.

    All this came after Disney announced quarterly profits that were above Wall Street expectations in large part because of the success of Marvel’s “Black Panther”. Disney has two other Marvel movies already set to be released within the next year – “Ant-Man and the Wasp” in July, and “Captain Marvel” in March 2019.

  • Space-Themed Restaurant Planned For Epcot Now Has A Landing Spot

    Space-Themed Restaurant Planned For Epcot Now Has A Landing Spot

    Last summer, Disney announced that a one-of-a-kind, space-themed restaurant is currently planned for Epcot that’ll offer guests amazing meals and a spectacular view – from high above Earth. Today they announced that this new restaurant will be built in a newly developed area located between the park’s Mission: SPACE and Test Track attractions.

    Once completed, the restaurant will invite guests to travel to space for an amazing dining experience in the stars. The new restaurant will be operated by the Patina Restaurant Group, led by Nick Valenti, which operates several other restaurants around Walt Disney World Resort, including Tutto Italia and Via Napoli at Epcot and Morimoto Asia and Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante at Disney Springs.

    But Epcot guests don’t have to wait until the restaurant opens to enjoy a thrilling adventure in space. Last summer, the park’s Mission: SPACE attraction launched new experiences: the enhanced Orange Mission offers a truly intense experience that lets guests feel the force of an actual space launch en route to Mars; while the all-new, family-friendly Green Mission takes guests on an exciting orbit around Earth.

    And this summer – starting June 9 – Star-Lord and Gamora from “Guardians of the Galaxy” will take guests on a musical journey through the cosmos in “Guardians of the Galaxy – Awesome Mix Live!” as a part of Walt Disney World’s “Incredible Summer” offerings. Guests can catch “Guardians of the Galaxy – Awesome Mix Live!” at the America Gardens Theatre at Epcot, five times a day from June 9 through August 19.

  • Ticket With Pre-Selected Fastpasses Now Offered At Disney World

    Ticket With Pre-Selected Fastpasses Now Offered At Disney World

    Disney is now offering a new option for tickets. The resort now offers a one-day, one-park ticket that include pre-selected FastPass+ experiences linked to the tickets.

    Fastpasses for three attractions will be linked to the tickets at the time of purchase. The fastpasses linked to your ticket depend on which theme park you plan to visit. This new ticket option costs the same as a regular 1-day tickets with no preselected Fastpasses. The only limitation is that the FastPass+ selections linked to the ticket but must be used the next day and at the scheduled time.

    Guests can choose from several preselected options, here’s the rundown:

    MAGIC KINGDOM

    • Fantasyland Classics: It’s a Small World, Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Mad Tea Party
    • Futuristic and Frightful Fun: Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Haunted Mansion and Tomorrowland Speedway
    • Pint-Size Adventures: The Barnstormer, The Magic Carpets of Aladdin and Pirates of the Caribbean
    • Whimisical Escapades: Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Monsters, Inc Laugh Floor

    EPCOT

    • Immersive Explorations: Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land and The Seas with Nemo & Friends
    • Delightful Encounters: The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Turtle Talk with Crush and Journey into Imagination with Figment

    DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

    • Sensational Stage Shows: Beauty and the Beast- Live on Stage, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along, and Voyage of the Little Mermaid
    • Movie-Inspired Excitement: Muppet Vision 3D, Star Tours-The Adventures Continue and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!

    DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM

    • Prehistoric and Whitewater Thrills: Dinosaur, Kali River Rapids and Primeval Whirl
    • Wild Performances: Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo-The Musical and It’s Tough to be a Bug!

     

  • ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ Is Fastest Ever To $1 Billion at Global Box Office

    ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ Is Fastest Ever To $1 Billion at Global Box Office

    “Avengers: Infinity War” marks yet another milestone this weekend crossing $1 billion worldwide at the box office in just 11 days, becoming the fastest film to reach that mark. The global gross through Friday is $974.5 million.

    “Infinity War” will take in around $122 million domestically this weekend which will push it over the $1 billion mark when you include international totals. Marvel’s Black panther also recently hit that milestone and making this Marvel’s sixth films to hit $1 billion, and the 17th Disney production to cross that threshold as well.

    Last weekend Marvel’s newest superhero flick raked in an estimated total of $258.2 million at the US box office over the weekend, blasting past “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” by almost $11 million, with the snap of a finger, making it the highest-grossing opening weekend of all time.

    The film stars Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chadwick Boseman, and Zoe Saldana just to name a few. They reunite two years after the events of “Captain America: Civil War” for “Infinity War,” which also stars Josh Brolin as Thanos, the intergalactic force bent on destruction. Joe and Anthony Russo directed the film which was written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.

  • Meet The Redhead From Pirates of the Caribbean Ride In Person At Disneyland

    Meet The Redhead From Pirates of the Caribbean Ride In Person At Disneyland

    Guests have been chanting “we wants the redhead” for years and now they are finally getting what they want! Arriving soon at Disneyland park will be a fierce and independent pirate known as Redd and she’ll soon be in New Orleans Square Disneyland where you can actually meet her in person.

    The redhead has been part of the auction scene in the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction since it first opened, but last year Disney announced that it would be reimagining that section of the ride. The attraction has already opened in Disney World with its new scene and refurbishment for the attraction at Disneyland is currently underway.

    Red Head Pirates of the Caribbean

    In Disney World’s new version the famed redhead is no longer being auctioned off. She has a new look and a new attitude! Now she sports a rifle and clearly isn’t taking any guff from any scurvy pirates.

    A bit mysterious by nature, Redd travels to various ports throughout the Caribbean—selling rum and collecting coin.  She has been given a full back story and even told Disney when asked if she knew Captain Jack Sparrow, “That Sparrow owes me a new ship. Wouldn’t be surprised if he found himself in irons once more. If you see Mister Sparrow, I’m lookin’ for ‘em!”

    Redd is no longer anyones bride, auctioned or otherwise, and according to Disney it seems she’s only married to the coin!

    Keep an eye out for Redd this summer strolling around New Orleans Square!

     

  • Two Baby Zebra Born at Walt Disney World Resort

    Two Baby Zebra Born at Walt Disney World Resort

    The folks over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are seeing stripes today!  The park has just announced the births of two female Grevy’s zebra foals. Originating from Africa, Grevy’s zebras are the most endangered species of zebra, with approximately 2,500 in the world.

    The first foal was born April 26 to Laylee, and the second was born May 1 to Zuri. Currently, the foals are nursing and bonding with their moms backstage. All will join the herd on Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail overlook soon.

    Baby Zebra

    These zebra births mark another success for Disney’s animal care experts and the Species Survival Plan, a program through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums that helps ensure a diverse, healthy population of threatened and endangered species. These zebra foals are making an important contribution toward the worldwide conservation and understanding of the Grevy’s species, which will help ensure a future generation for these endangered animals.

    Our commitment to the care and conservation of Grevy’s zebras goes beyond our park. Through the Imperiled Species Conservation Project (ISCP), which gives our cast the opportunity to personally support the species they love through existing conservation programs, Disney has made contributions toward the care and protection of Grevy’s zebras in the wild. Recently, two of our zebra keepers traveled to Kenya through the ISCP to participate in the Great Grevy’s Rally, a population survey used to document the total number of Grevy’s zebras in the wild.

    The conservation work our cast has contributed with Grevy’s zebras is just the beginning. Later this year, several other cast members will travel across the world to support endangered animals such as painted dogs, dolphins, gorillas, Guam rails and kingfishers, rhinos, sharks and vultures.

    Our cast is the most valuable resource we have in delivering on world-class animal care and conservation. It makes us proud to see our cast making a difference, developing stronger interaction and partnering skills, and sharing their experiences with our Guests.

    Take a look back on some of the recent births and conservation efforts at Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

    You can learn more about zebras and Disney’s efforts to reverse the decline of at-risk animals in the wild by visiting DisneyAnimals.com.

     

  • First Look: Alien Swirling Saucers at Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World Resort

    First Look: Alien Swirling Saucers at Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World Resort

    Walt Disney Imagineering released new images Wednesday of the highly-anticipated Alien Swirling Saucers attraction, which is part of the Toy Story Land expansion of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

    Toy Story Land will “shrink” guests to the size of a toy and allow them to explore Andy’s backyard – and all the fun he’s set up for his toys to have. At Alien Swirling Saucers, which is an attraction that’s been designed to look like a toy from Pizza Planet and placed in his backyard next to his Buzz Lightyear’s Star Command playset, Aliens fly around in their toy flying saucers while “The Claw” appears overhead. As you whirl around the toy planets and space stations as part of the game, you’ll swirl to the beat of a fun electronic space music soundtrack that includes eight songs that may sound familiar, but will be heard in a quirky way you’ve never experienced before. Guests will also see pizza details throughout the attraction, including pizza columns, a pizza space station and the Planet Pepperonia.

    Alien Swirling Saucers is one of two new attractions planned to debut at Toy Story Land on opening day. The other is Slinky Dog Dash, where guests can take a ride on a roller coaster Andy has assembled from his Mega Coaster Play Kit – and placed Slinky and Jessie on top. Guests can also walk through a new carnival game box to experience Toy Story Mania!, a current guest-favorite attraction at the park.

    Green Army Men

    In addition to experiencing attractions in Toy Story Land, guests can also be entertained by the Sarge and the Green Army Man Drum Corps, who will march through the land several times a day and stop to play “Sarge Says” with guests, and other games with a larger-than-life Pixar ball and crayons. Guests also have the option to join in on their interactive boot camp to see if they have what it takes to become an official recruit in Andy’s Backyard.

    For more on what to expect when Toy Story Land opens on June 30, check out the list of related blog posts below.

  • First Look: Toy Story Land Merchandise Coming To Walt Disney World

    First Look: Toy Story Land Merchandise Coming To Walt Disney World

    Oooooohhhh!!!  Disney just shared a first-look at some of the fun merchandise that will be available exclusively at Toy Story Land when the area debuts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on June 30.

    Toy Story Land Merchandise

    First up, guests can make a fashion statement with these playful headbands inspired by characters featured in Toy Story Land, with styles inspired by aliens and Slinky Dog.

    Toy Story Land Merchandise

    Guests can find this Light-Up Slinky Dog, which doubles as a toy and fashion accessory, with playful light-up rings.

    Toy Story Land Merchandise

    Also available will be “I Played There” commemorative T-shirts for kids that will let the world know they were among the first guests to experience Toy Story Land.

    Of course, shopping for these adorable items is just one way guests can enjoy themselves when Toy Story Land opens on June 30. Guests will also be able to ride Slinky Dog Dash, a roller coaster Andy has assembled from his Mega Coaster Play Kit, take a spin on Alien Swirling Saucers, a galactic play set that Andy won at Pizza Planet, or walk through a new carnival game box to experience Toy Story Mania!, which has been a guest-favorite attraction at the park since it opened in 2008. Now expanded with a third track, the popular attraction will allow even more guests to take aim at 3D objects – using everything from baseballs to cream pies – in a variety of whimsical, fast-paced games. Families can also head to Woody’s Lunch Box in Toy Story Land for tasty meals and old-fashioned soda floats.

    Which item above is your favorite? Tell us in the “Comments” section below. And be sure to stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog over the next few weeks for more coverage on this exciting expansion.

    Check out the list of related posts below for more on Toy Story Land, opening on June 30!