Tag: Hollywood Studios

New Details For Star Wars Resort Planned for Walt Disney World Resort

Disney has revealed more details about its theme park projects around the globe and at the D23 Expo Japan on Sunday, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek, gave us some new details on the upcoming Star Wars themed resort that promises to be ‘Unlike Anything That Exists Today’.

Last summer, Disney announced plans for an immersive Star Wars-inspired resort to be built at Walt Disney World Resort. The company now says that hotel will be “seamlessly connected” to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios set to open in 2019.

This first-of-its-kind resort will combine luxury with complete immersion into an authentic Star Wars story. Guests’ journey through space will start when everyone departs together for a multiday Stars Wars adventure by boarding a starship alive with characters and stories that unfold all around them during a voyage through the galaxy.

At the resort, guests immediately become active citizens of the galaxy and can dress up in the proper attire. Every resort window will also have a view into space. The opportunity for immersion at this resort will also stand out among all Disney resorts around the globe, as it will be seamlessly connected to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, allowing guests a total Star Wars experience.

February 12, 2018
New Concept Artwork For Toy Story Land’s Alien Swirling Saucers
Will You Be “Chosen” by the Claw? When you ride Alien Swirling Saucers after Toy Story Land Opens this summer you just might get the chance.

Here’s a first glimpse at the latest concept artwork for the attraction.

With blockbuster expansion continuing at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney is rolling out the red carpet for the new Toy Story Land opening this summer. Guests will get to play big in Andy’s backyard and also get to ride big on two family-friendly attractions planned for the new land and one popular fan favorite.

Inside a play set that Andy won at Pizza Planet, the Aliens will power up their flying saucers and spin you on a wild ride into space! You’ll get to climb into a toy rocket and hang on as aliens lead the way on an interstellar romp set to an intergalactic soundtrack of electronic space music. And if you’re really lucky, you just might get “chosen” by the claw!

For more about Toy Story Land, visit the posts below:
February 8, 2018
BREAKING: Hollywood Studios Name Will NOT Change In The Foreseeable Future

With rumors swirling around about the future of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and a possible name change, Disney finally addressed the issue in a recent statement. Disney put the rumors to rest stating that the parks name will not be changing.

“In response to questions we have been receiving, we also want to let fans know that the Disney’s Hollywood Studios name will remain the same for the foreseeable future since we are immersing our guests in a place where imagined worlds of Hollywood unfold around them from movies and music, to television and theater”, the company said in a statement.

Rumors of a name change for Disney’s Hollywood studios have persisted since Disney CEO Bob Iger, not so subtly, hinted about it at a shareholder meeting back in 2015.

“It’s not announced. We used to be MGM Studios, we changed to Hollywood Studios and we’re doing some significant work there right now that I guess will result in a name change,” Iger said at the meeting. “We’ll announce that we’re changing the name, but we won’t announce what we’re changing it to. How’s that?” he continued.

So the “foreseeable future” still doesn’t mean they won’t be changing the name one day. We still know that with the evolving nature of the park a name change may still be the park’s future.

Toy Story Land is scheduled to open this summer at Hollywood Studios, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens in 2019 and neither of those projects had been announced when Iger made his off the cuff statement.

We know that the idea has been seriously considered by Disney, because back in August several Disney fans had received a survey asking their opinions of several potential new names for the park. The internet blew up last week with speculation that “Cinemagine Park” had been settled on, from that list, as the parks new name. Perhaps Disney didn’t like the survey results or maybe it was the reaction to the possible name choice that was floating around. In either case it’s clear that Disney doesn’t want possible name change to be a distraction to all of the upcoming changes.

If Disney really wanted to make it clear the name would remain the same indefinitely, they might have chosen different language for their statement. But for now everyone can rest easy that “Cinemagine Park” is not the new name of the Park. Perhaps Disney feels the Hollywood name does fit the future of the park, but only time will tell.

February 7, 2018
Rumor: New Name For Hollywood Studios Has Been Decided
Disney may have finally settled on a new name for Disney Hollywood Studios. Several “Disney insiders” have reported that Disney has chosen “Disney Cinemagine Park” as the new name for the park. The possible new name isn’t one of the more popular choices, but here’s what we know so far.

Rumors of a name change for Disney’s Hollywood studios have been swirling around since Disney CEO Bob Iger, not so subtly, hinted about it at a shareholder meeting back in 2015.

“It’s not announced. We used to be MGM Studios, we changed to Hollywood Studios and we’re doing some significant work there right now that I guess will result in a name change,” Iger said at the meeting. “We’ll announce that we’re changing the name, but we won’t announce what we’re changing it to. How’s that?” he continued.

With the new direction the park is heading the idea of a name change wasn’t that far-fetched. There wasn’t really any more news on the topic until reports surfaced back in August that several Disney fans had received a survey asking their opinions of several potential new names for the park. Here is a list of the names they had to ponder:
- Disney Kaleidoscope Park
- Disney Storyverse Park
- Disney Hyperia Park
- Disney Beyond Park
- Disney Cinemagic Park
- Disney Legends Park
- Disney XL Park
- Disney Cinemagine Park
Now the rumor mills are in full swing again with reports that the company has decided on “Disney Cinemagine Park” as the new name for Disney-MGM 3.0. Co Author of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World Len Testa, posted on the WDWMagic forums about the change. “I also hear that Disney has settled on ‘Disney Cinemagine Park’ for the DHS rename.”

Rumor Update courtesy of @lentesta: Disney’s Hollywood Studios new name to be Disney Cinemagine Park? Full Rumor Tracker here: https://t.co/7JrHjp7GF6

— WDW Theme Parks (@WDWThemeParks) January 25, 2018

We should point out that Len Testa and his podcast co-host Jim Hill both were among those who said Disney had decided on “Hollywood Adventure” as the name before the surveys were passed out. Quite frankly I still hope that is true. Too bad it wasn’t on the survey.

Already many fans are not happy with the new possibility, and are complaining that its hard to pronounce and to spell. There are just as many changes happening at Hollywood Studios as there are rumors, and nothing is official until Disney says it is. So like all rumors, take it for what it’s worth.

For now we’ll hope it’s just a rumor, but a name change is most certainly coming. Many speculating that change will come before the opening of Galaxy’s Edge or at least right after. Regardless, we should see the name change within the next three years.
January 30, 2018
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!

Overview of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. pic.twitter.com/YtCuhfXj4E

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) January 14, 2018

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.

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.

Instant forest on the berm isolating Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. Seen from Pixar Place. pic.twitter.com/Y3i2JtD9UA

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) January 20, 2018

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

Photo: @bioreconstruct

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.

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

January 23, 2018
9 Things We Know About Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge So Far

1. It Opens Next Year! – Opening date is currently set at 2019. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at the Disneyland Resort will debut first and the land at the Walt Disney World Resort will debut second.

2. It’s Set On The Planet Batuu – At Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, guests visit Batuu, a remote outpost on the galaxy’s edge was once a busy crossroads along the old sub-lightspeed trade routes, but its prominence was bypassed by the rise of hyperspace travel. Now home to those who prefer to stay out of the mainstream, it has become a thriving port for smugglers, rogue traders and adventurers traveling between the frontier and uncharted space. It’s also a convenient safe haven for those intent on avoiding the expanding reach of the First Order. (See rendering at the top).

3. You’ll Be Able To Fly The Millenium Falcon – One of the land’s two signature attractions will put you in the cockpit of the Millenium Falcon, piloting the ship, shooting blasters or preparing for hyperspace – all while completing a critical mission. But how you perform on the mission holds even bigger stakes: perform with skill and you may earn extra galactic credits, while bringing the ship back banged up could put you on the list of a bounty hunter. End up on Harkos’s list and you may face a problem if you show up at the local cantina.

4. A Second Attraction Planned for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Puts You On A Star Destroyer – This attraction, “built on a scale we’ve never done before,” will make guests feel like they’re inside a hangar bay in the middle of a battle between the First Order and the Resistance. (The name of this attraction is still yet to be released).

5. A Cantina Will Serve Up Blue Milk – Only one F&B item has been announced for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge so far and that’s the blue milk Luke Skywalker made famous in “Star Wars IV: A New Hope.”

6. Expect To See Characters From A Galaxy Far, Far Away – Guests will also encounter many familiar faces inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, including BB-8, Chewbacca, members of the First Order and – among many others – Rex, the troublesome pilot you may remember from the previous version of a certain Disney attraction who takes on a new role in this land as the DJ at the cantina.

7. The Land Will Feature Marketplaces & New Toys – Imagineers looked to the exotic markets of Istanbul and Marrakech for inspiration for the land’s marketplace, where guests can explore a rich collection of shops and merchant stalls. One stall will be overseen by a Toydarian, a creatures fans first encountered on Tatooine in “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.” Here, guests will be able to discover all kinds of fun toys straight out of the Star Wars galaxy.

8. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Merchandise Has Already Been Released – The first Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge merchandise, available at select locations at the Disneyland and the Walt Disney World Resort, was released in December. The line currently consists of an assortment of men’s and women’s T-shirts, hats and more that feature faces and places familiar to Star Wars fans, including the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge logo, the Millennium Falcon, BB-8, DJ Rex and more.

9. You Can View A Portion Of The Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Model Right Now – A portion of the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge model is currently on display at the end of the Walt Disney Presents exhibit at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

January 13, 2018
Classic Hollywood Music Loops Replaced at Hollywood Studios

Add another change to the list for Hollywood Studios as it reimagines itself right before our eyes. The music loops known throughout the park, often playing music from Hollywood’s Golden Age, have been replaced as of today.

Change is hard and if you have loved Hollywood Studios since the day it opened in 1989 as Disney-MGM Studios, then this might be a hard one for you, but this is a change that is necessary for Disney’s vision of the park’s future.

Walt Disney himself knew that his parks would continue to change and evolve. “As long as there is imagination left in the world”, said Walt.

In a release from Disney they say, “Every great Hollywood story has a soundtrack that sets the tone and supports the narrative, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is no exception.”

They have now officially updated audio arrangements around the park and Disney says it will put a bounce in your step, and you’ll feel as if you’ve walked right into your own adventure.

Here is what you can expect to hear:
At the park’s Main Entrance, big band arrangements of familiar Disney tunes get your day started off right. As you enter the park, the music transitions to popular songs from the 30s and 40s, also in the big band style that comes to a crescendo as you approach the Chinese Theater. Throughout the park, the music complements each area’s setting and timeframe perfectly. From brassy horns near Echo Lake and jazz at the BaseLine Tap House, to the sounds of live performances outside Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, it’s music to your ears!

Of course, music is just one part of your experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There’s also the park’s unprecedented growth that features even more of what today’s Hollywood has to offer, whether it be in movies, music, television or theater.

In 2018, Disney is rolling out the red carpet for Guests to experience the first part of the park’s blockbuster expansion with Toy Story Land where Guests will step right into Andy’s backyard and play alongside his toys. And in 2019, another out of this galaxy land will come to life when Guests will play a starring role in their own story at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2019.

To quote Walt again, “We don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things”.

January 11, 2018
LEAKED: Slinky Dog Coaster Test Video in Toy Story Land

We’ve brought you several construction updates on the developments of Toy Story Land and the toy box is filling up nicely. Now we can do you one better with some really neat video that surfaced Saturday and gives us a great look at The Slinky Dog Dash attraction in action as they test it out.

In the video, uploaded by Mickey Views, we see the full train racing up a fairly steep incline and then gliding down around the corner as it traveled the track. It finishes up by seemingly springing up and down, like a slinky dog might do, as it fades out of sight.

Slinky Dog Dash is a family coaster themed as if Andy built it in his backyard using his Mega Coaster Play Kit and some of his other favorite toys. The attraction’s ride vehicles, inspired by the character of Slinky in the film, will send riders dipping, dodging and dashing around turns and drops Andy has created to stretch Slinky’s coils to the max.

In this new land guests will shrink to the size of a toy so they are able to explore Andy’s backyard, which is filled with toys from the “Toy Story” films.

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. Toy Story Land is expected to open summer of 2018.

January 7, 2018
Father’s Search for Son’s Lost Water Bottle Has a Fairytale Ending in Disney World

Disney is always a magical experience, but sometimes when you lose something special to you, it can be tough to just bottle it up. Just before christmas Paul Miller and his son were visiting Walt Disney World and his son lost a water bottle that was very special to him.

This is a water bottle that his son had taken to all his favorite places over the past 10 years. He lost in the queue while in line for Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios and since the bottle meant so much to him, Miller took a chance and sent out a tweet to Disney world.

Two days later there was a hint of progress as Disney replied asking him for a description of the item.

As it turned out Disney Magic was in the still air of the Tower of Terror and Guest Relations had recovered the water bottle. They quickly informed him that the item had been located and was on its way to a safe location.

What they neglected to mention is that on its way, the water bottle would be getting a VIP tour of the Tower of Terror by none other than, Dillion one of the Tower’s most well-known bellhops in the Hotel.

The bottle was transported outside where it got to enjoy a special view.

The Bottle was then escorted inside where is was offered some tea while it waited.

Somewhere along the tour Dillion even escorted the bottle on to the ride since it didn’t get the full experience before.

Finally the beloved water bottle made its way to Guest Relations where it could wait to be picked up.

Shortly after Disney sent a tweet informing Miller of that “he did enjoy his stay at the Hollywood Tower Hotel”, and they even invited him back.

Our pleasure! We hope you had a happy reunion with the water bottle, he did enjoy his stay at the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Be sure to drop in again soon! ⚡🛎️ pic.twitter.com/z3oxSnHp7a

— Walt Disney World Today (@WDWToday) December 23, 2017

Afterwards Miller took the whole thing in good spirit and laughed about how it even got to ride the attraction.

When he finally got the water bottle back, he posted a reunion photo with the caption, “pure happy”.

So all in all, it truly did have a happy ending. With a little bit of Disney Magic, the missing item ends up right back where it belongs.

We’re glad this story turned out well for Miller and his son, but we have to take a moment to recognize these amazing cast members. Guest Relations at Walt Disney World is like no other in the world and they can always turn a negative situation into a positive one. This lighthearted search, rescue and recovery is certainly going to give this family a magical memory that will last a lifetime.

January 5, 2018
Five Facts We Know About Toy Story Land

It’s 2018 and quite possibly the best thing about this year is the long-awaited grand opening of Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In this new land guests will shrink to the size of a toy so they are able to explore Andy’s backyard, which is filled with toys from the “Toy Story” films.

Here are five things we know about Toy Story Land so far.

1. You Can View The Toy Story Land Model Now At Walt Disney Presents – Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios can view the Toy Story Land model in person at the Walt Disney Presents exhibit. The full model is on display, as well as ride vehicle maquettes for both Alien Swirling Saucers and Slinky Dog Dash.

2. Slinky Dog Dash Looks Sweet! – This a family coaster themed as if Andy built it in his backyard using his Mega Coaster Play Kit and some of his other favorite toys. The attraction’s adorable ride vehicles were inspired by Slinky from the film and will send guests dipping, dodging and dashing around Toy Story Land.

3. Toy Story Friends Like Rex, Jessie, Sarge & Others Can Be Spotted In The Land – Late last year, Rex and Jessie were installed as a part of the Slinky Dog Dash attraction. A peek at the rendering of Woody’s Lunchbox hints at even more characters that will soon be added, like Sarge.

4. Guests Will Dine At Woody’s Lunchbox – Andy has used his lunch box and thermos to create a walk-up quick-service window that will serve up tasty meals and old-fashioned soda floats. In the rendering above, you can see that Woody’s Lunch Box is surrounded by some of Andy’s favorite toys and lunch items. Stay tuned to the blog in the coming months for specific menu details.

5. It Opens This Summer At Disney’s Hollywood Studios! – We don’t have an exact opening date yet, but be sure we’ll post it as soon as we know.

January 3, 2018