Tag: disney world

A First Look At New Entrance For Toy Story Mania! Attraction

On Friday Disney announced on ABC’s Good Morning America that Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will officially open June 30 2018, but we also got to see a new look at the entrance for Toy Story Mania!

The attraction has been a guest-favorite since it opened in at the park in 2008, but it now makes up part of the new land and guests will now walk through a new carnival game box to experience the Midway Mania.

Now expanded with a third track, the popular attraction will put even more guests in the action taking aim at 3D objects – using everything from baseballs to cream pies – in a variety of whimsical, fast-paced games.

February 17, 2018
Toy Story Land Officially Has An Opening Date

Toy Story Land is set to open this summer and today we have an official opening date. Disney has announced the highly-anticipated toy-filled land inspired by the beloved “Toy Story” films, will open to guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios June 30, 2018.

When it opens, guests visiting Toy Story Land 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 take a ride on Slinky Dog Dash, a roller coaster Andy has assembled from his Mega Coaster Play Kit and topped off with Slinky and Jessie. Check out the time-lapse video below above of one of Slinky Dog Dash’s first test runs.

Families will also be able to take a spin on Alien Swirling Saucers, a galactic play set that Andy won from Pizza Planet. Here, adorable little green aliens swirl about in their flying saucers with guests in tow in their rocket ship toys, while “The Claw” hangs overhead.

Guests can also 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 put even more guests in the action taking aim at 3D objects – using everything from baseballs to cream pies – in a variety of whimsical, fast-paced games.

February 16, 2018
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.

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.

February 16, 2018
The Disney Corner Now Open at Disney Springs
The Disney Corner is now open at Disney Springs! It is a magical two-story store filled with princess fun, Minnie must-haves and selfie-worthy spots galore.

It’s a delightful shop for women and girls, but this new retail venue is open for a limited time while The World of Disney is being remodeled. So make sure to make plans to visit during your next outing to Disney Springs.

The opening is being celebrated with a full weekend of special surprises all the way through Sunday. Shoppers should be on the lookout for extra in-store magic. Here’s is the details on what you can expect:
- Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018: All day long, enjoy a cute-as-a-button special surprise with every Disney Corner purchase, while supplies last.
- Friday, Feb. 16, 2018: Experience a karaoke style princess sing-a-long, every hour on the hour.
- Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018: Disney PhotoPass photographers will be roaming the store from noon to 4:00 p.m., capturing memories for guests willing to strike a pose.
- Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018: Be surprised!
If you can’t make it this week, there’s still plenty of time to visit and discover toys, dolls, apparel and accessories for princess’ of all ages. Construction on The World of Disney is expected to be completed in phases throughout 2018, so it should be open through out the year.
February 15, 2018
The Dapper Dans Delivered A ‘Singing Villaintine’ to the Haunted Mansion

Everyone is celebrating Valentine’s Day today, but on Tuesday Disney Parks was celebrating Villaintine’s Day and they brought in the Dapper Dans to help.

It was a perfect day to celebrate all Disney villains and the fun they add to Disney films or attractions – and no attraction houses more “creepy creeps” who “pretend to terrorize” than the Haunted Mansion.

When they started making plans on how to celebrate Villaintine’s Day, one question came to mind – what would happen if we sent the cheerful, happy-go-lucky Dapper Dans quartet from Main Street, U.S.A., to deliver a Singing Valentine to none other than Master Gracey at the Haunted Mansion? Check out the video below to watch as the Dapper Dans’ “vocalize” their Singing Valentine into a Singing Villaintine.

February 14, 2018
Avatar Flight of Passage Honored with Award for Outstanding Visual Effects

The Visual Effects Society (VES) announced the winners of their annual VES Awards last night, honoring outstanding visual effects in motion pictures, television and other Media. Avatar Flight of Passage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom won the award for Outstanding Visual Effects in a Special Venue Project.

Avatar Flight of Passage is an innovative 3-D ride experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom that allows guests to soar over the incredible landscape of Pandora on the back of a mountain banshee.

This multi-sensory experience uses cutting-edge technology and intricate special effects like never before. Guests can actually feel the banshee breathe beneath them as they fly high above floating mountains, plunge through ancient caverns and skim across roaring oceans.

This marks the second major industry award for this attraction as it also picked up a Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement: Attraction.

February 14, 2018
Valentine’s Day Foodie Guide For Disney Parks

Love is in the air on Valentine’s Day and at Disney Parks, love is in the food too! If you love the sweet tasty treats that come along with the most romantic day of the year, then Disney Parks are the place to be.

There are plenty of sweets to go around this year for Valentine’s Day at the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. Whether you’re spending the day with that special someone or just celebrating the company of good friends, our chefs have developed some amazing desserts that everyone can enjoy. Here’s your guide on where to find all the Valentine’s Day goodies!

At Walt Disney World Resort, there are plenty of lovely sweets to go around. Starting at Disney Springs with the popular Amorette’s Patisserie, you’ll be able to order a couple new desserts from Feb. 11-17. The first is a “Beauty and the Beast”-themed Rose Petit Honey Cake with Grand Marnier-soaked strawberries, rum roasted pineapple and honey Chantilly cream. The second is a Strawberry Champagne Toast Dessert – strawberry mousse with a Champagne gelée Feuilletine crunch and strawberry pâté de fruit. You’ll also find some delicious hand-dipped chocolate strawberries!

One of the staples of Valentine’s Day is chocolate, and if you’re in the mood for it, then The Ganachery is the place to go! And it’s just a quick walk from Amorette’s Patisserie. This year, the chocolate shop is offering an array of gourmet ganache squares and special desserts like Valentine’s Day-themed Chocolate Lollipops and Raspberry and Dark Chocolate Marshmallows. One of the special ganache squares being featured this year is Strawberries and Champagne featuring Cinderella’s Coach, and you can even order a chocolate ganache pairing with Rosa Regale.

In addition, locations all over Disney Springs are celebrating with special offerings.

At Magic Kingdom Park, take a stroll to the Main Street Bakery to find a special Valentine’s Day Cinnamon Roll from Feb. 11-17. Or try the chocolate-covered strawberry-inspired Milkshake of the Month at The Plaza Restaurant: a Strawberry and Chocolate Milkshake topped with whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, a strawberry and chocolate shavings. And at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café you’ll find hand-dipped white and dark chocolate strawberries!

If you’re at Epcot, Fountain View will be offering a Valentine’s Day Chocolate Cupcake with strawberry white chocolate mousse, strawberry buttercream, chocolate ganache drips, disco dust, a chocolate heart ganache and strawberry crispy pearls from Feb. 13-14. And for Valentine’s Day only, Sunshine Seasons will offer a decadent heart-shaped Red Velvet Cake with strawberry mousse filling, chocolate pearls and edible flowers.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park will have a Valentine’s Day Cupcake at Creature Comfortsconsisting of chocolate cake with strawberry buttercream topped with chocolate and strawberry crispy pearls, mini heart sprinkles and a chocolate-covered strawberry.

Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts – Riverside and French Quarter are offering a special Chocolate Strawberry Cupcake at Riverside Mill Food Court and Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory. And at Sassagoula, you’ll find a Strawberry Beignet Sundae with chocolate ice cream, whipped cream, strawberry drizzle and heart-shaped sprinkles, YUM!

Roaring Fork at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will offer a Chocolate Cupcake with Chambord cream filling and topped with raspberry ganache icing, raspberry chocolate hearts and crispy pearls. And BoardWalk Bakery at Disney’s BoardWalk will be serving up a Valentine’s Day Red Velvet Cupcake with chocolate-cherry filling and a ganache-dipped chocolate red rose.

At Intermission Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, you can find a Chocolate Strawberry Whoopie Pie, a Red Fruit Cupcake and a Raspberry Ganache Cheesecake. And at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and Disney’s Old Key West Resort, you’ll find a Chocolate Raspberry Cupcake, and at Satatoga Springs only you can also get a beautiful gift box with chocolate-covered strawberries.

On the west coast, Disneyland Resort has a few items as well, such as Cherry Vanilla Cotton Candy! This scrumptious snack will be available at various outdoor vending locations throughout both Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park. And speaking of candy…at various candy locations across the resort, you’ll be able to find Valentine’s Day goodies like a Red Rose Cake Pop, a Pink Minnie Apple covered in caramel, chocolate and pink sugar, and Pink Chocolate Crispies and Cake Pops drizzled with red icing. You’ll also find February’s Gourmet Apple of the Month – the Black Forest Cherry Caramel apple with cherries, nuts and chocolate drizzle!

On Main Street U.S.A in Disneyland park, Jolly Holiday Bakery Café will have adorable heart-shaped Strawberry Macarons, and over at Blue Bayou Restaurant you’ll be able to order Sweetheart Toast Sparkling Cider. And If you’re looking for some delicious Valentine’s Day ice cream, then look no further than Clarabelle’s Hand Scooped Ice Cream at Disney California Adventure park where you can get a Valentine Sundae! This sundae has scoops of vanilla and strawberry ice cream and is topped with strawberry topping, a chocolate-dipped strawberry and pink peppermint whipped cream and comes served in a hand-made waffle cup. And for the smoothie lovers out there, a Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie will be available at Schmoozies!

February 14, 2018
John Stamos and Caitlin McHugh Honeymoon at Walt Disney World

John Stamos and his new bride Caitlin McHugh spent their honeymoon at Walt Disney World and what better place to celebrate such a magical occasion than the most magical place on earth. The celebrity couple are well documented Disney fanatics and Stamos even proposed to his new bride while they were visiting Disneyland back in October.

The 54 year-old actor posted a photo on Saturday of the newlyweds sharing a kiss in front of Cinderella’s castle, donning matching bride and groom mouse ears of course.

#oneweek (and they said it wouldn’t last) #happiestmanonearth #happiestplaceonearth @waltdisneyworld

A post shared by John Stamos (@johnstamos) on Feb 10, 2018 at 3:36pm PST

“#oneweek (and they said it wouldn’t last),” he wrote in the post and called himself the “#happiestmanonearth.” Caitlin McHugh, a 31-year-old model and actress, also posted a pic of the two celebrating their recent nuptials.

Perfect way to begin our #happilyeverafter Can you guess who we’re #disneybound -ing as? (Hint: I’ve painted the walls in the tower in the background)

A post shared by Caitlin McHugh (@caitlinskybound) on Feb 11, 2018 at 6:08am PST

The pair posed for the photo in front of Rapunzel’s Tower which McHugh captioned, “Perfect way to begin our #happilyeverafter”. She also dropped a hint as to who the newlyweds were Disney Bounding as… Can you guess?

The two were married last Saturday at The Little Brown Church in Studio City in a small ceremony and the reception was held at Stamos’ home in Beverly Hills. The couple have been married just over a week and McHugh is pregnant with their first child.

Congratulations to these two love birds on their happily ever after.

February 12, 2018
D23 Expo Japan Complete Recap on New Experiences For Disney Parks

During D23 Expo Japan 2018, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek revealed new details about major expansions in progress across Walt Disney World Resort leading up to the 50^th Anniversary.

From reimagined favorites to new ways you can encounter Super Heroes, Jedi, classic characters and life-long Pixar pals, here’s a complete look at what was announced.

Toy Story Land

The fun will soar to infinity and beyond beginning this summer with the opening of Toy Story Land. This playful new 11-acre land will transport guests into the adventurous outdoors of Andy’s backyard where guests will feel like they have been shrunk to the size of Woody and Buzz, as they are surrounded by oversized toys. Using toys like building blocks, plastic buckets and shovels, and game board pieces, Andy has designed the perfect setting for this land that includes two major new attractions.

Slinky Dog Dash is a family-friendly coaster that will send riders dipping, dodging and dashing around turns and drops through the world of Andy’s toys. Guests can also spin around with little green aliens aboard Alien Swirling Saucers and quick refreshments will be on tap at Woody’s Lunch Box.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

This highly anticipated new land is set to open in 2019, both at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Park – on a grand scale – including the creation of a full-sized fleet of X-wing star fighters and a life-size Millennium Falcon starship.

The totally immersive land will include two jaw-dropping attractions that allow guests to have control of their experiences. One attraction will put guests in the middle of a battle between the First Order and the Resistance—inside a Star Destroyer. In the second attraction, guests will have the chance to fly the Millennium Falcon – the most famous ship in the galaxy. Throughout the land, guests will also have the chance to interact with Chewie, the lovable BB8 and members of the First Order, plus wander through a toy shop in the street market run by a Toydarian, one of the creatures from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

Immersive Star Wars-Themed Hotel

Fans can live out their Star Wars adventures beyond the theme parks with an immersive experience at a groundbreaking new Star Wars–themed hotel concept. The epic new experience will take guests to a galaxy far, far away and will be seamlessly connected to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the new land set to open in 2019 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Unlike anything that exists today, the new luxury resort will completely immerse guests in an authentic Star Wars story. The journey through space begins the moment guests arrive, as everyone boards a starship and departs together for a multi-day Star Wars adventure. An opening date for the new hotel has not been announced.

Guardians of the Galaxy Attraction at Epcot

Larger-than-life Super Heroes will descend upon Epcot with the opening of a Guardians of the Galaxy attraction. Based on the rockin’, action-packed “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies, this one-of-a-kind family attraction will feature a brand-new, innovative ride system – and will be one of the longest enclosed roller coasters in the world! Coming to Epcot Future World, the new attraction will open in time for the 50^th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort in 2021.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The first ever ride-through attraction themed to Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will delight guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios beginning in 2019. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will feature a new original story and lovable theme song, as it takes guests on a journey inside the wacky and unpredictable world of Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts. New technologies will transform the two-dimensional cartoon world into an incredible multi-dimensional experience.

A New Family-friendly Show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Just in time for the 20th Anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a new, family-friendly show will debut at the theme park April 22. Featuring Russell and Dug from Disney•Pixar’s “Up,” guests will get a chance to see their favorite Senior Wilderness Explorer and his furry friend as they discover bird species from around the world.

California Adventure Park

Pixar Pier will open June 23 at Disney California Adventure park featuring four whimsical neighborhoods representing beloved Pixar stories with newly themed attractions, foods and merchandise. The opening of Pixar Pier will also include the Incredicoaster – a super combination of character figures, lighting and special effects that will bring the Parr family racing alongside you in a high-speed adventure.

And also coming in June at Disney California Adventure is a dazzling new float for the popular “Paint the Night” parade featuring Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl and Frozone from “The Incredibles.”

Disneyland Paris

As many of you know, Disneyland Paris is re-imagining one of its resort hotels into Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel. During D23 Expo Japan, we got a sneak peek into one of the rooms that will open at Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel in 2020.

And we also saw that the Marvel Super Hero universe will come to Walt Disney Studios Park, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will be totally reimagined as a high-speed, hyper-kinetic adventure where guests will team up with Iron Man and their favorite Avengers.

Keep it locked right here on Disney Dorks for all the latest updates and details about these amazing upcoming experiences and attractions.

February 12, 2018
D23 Expo Reveals New Details For Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Hollywood Studios

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is the first Mickey-themed ride-through attraction and it is opening in 2019 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and after the D23 Expo Japan on Sunday we now have some exciting new details about the attraction.

Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, Bob Chapek, announced the opening year and showed how they are pulling out all of the stops to make Mickey’s first attraction an unbelievable experience for everyone. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will feature a new catchy theme song created especially for the attraction as well as a new experience that defies logic that we’re calling 2 ½-D. No glasses required.

On the attraction, the fun begins when you see the premiere of a new cartoon short with Mickey and Minnie getting ready for a picnic. As they head out, they drive alongside a train and find out that the engineer is Goofy. Then, one magical moment lets you step into the movie and on Goofy’s train for a wacky, wild ride.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will put you inside the wacky and unpredictable world of a Mickey Mouse Cartoon Short where you’re the star and anything can happen. And for the first time, we shared a preview of what the cars will look like when you board the attraction for a zany, out-of-control adventure filled with surprising twists and turns.

The teams helping create the attraction are currently working with partners at Disney Television Animation—the people who create the popular and award-winning Mickey Shorts – to keep the characters and story authentic and to make sure you’re able to step through the movie screen and join Mickey and his friends like never before.

February 12, 2018