We learned on Sunday that the village inside Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge would be called Black Spire Outpost. Today, the Disney Parks Blog confirmed the location of the exclusive Star Wars immersive resort planned for Disney's Hollywood Studios.
It is currently in development on the south side of Disney's Hollywood Studios, just east of World Drive. It will be seamlessly connected to Galaxy's Edge which will allow guests to fully immerse themselves into the story of Star Wars.
This experience stands out among all of our destinations around the globe. Families visiting this destination will board a starship that comes alive with characters and stories that unfold all around them during their voyage through the galaxy – and every cabin window has views of space! Guests visiting the multi-day adventure will also be welcome to participate as a resident of the Galaxy by dressing in Star Wars-inspired attire.
Stay tuned for future updates on the immersive Star Wars Resort and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in the coming months.
During last night's Star Wars: Galactic Nights at Disney's Hollywood Studios, we got some new details on Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Last week it was officially announced that Galaxy's Edge would open Summer 2019 in Disneyland and late Fall 2019 at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. Guests will travel to the outer rim to the planet of Batuu and last night we learned that the village on Batuu will be called Black Spire Outpost.
The largest settlement on the planet Batuu, Black Spire Outpost is an infamous stop for traders, adventurers, and smugglers traveling around the Outer Rim and Wild Space. Off the beaten path, this outpost has become a haven for the galaxy’s most colorful — and notorious — characters. Widely known for the petrified remains of its once towering ancient trees, the spires now stand guard across the river valleys and plains and have long captured the imagination of travelers to this planet. To the first settlers, these petrified spires became more than just landmarks; they became the heart of the outpost itself.
That's not all as we got our first look as the full size AT-AT's that are part of the unnamed Battle of the First Order attraction where guests will hop on a Resistance transport and be taken right into the middle of the battle. Guests will also see a familiar character from the saga will be recognized while visiting Batuu in Nien Nunb.
There was more as there will be a stall full of creatures from the Star Wars universe on Batuu. This will include the famous Loth-Cats that may just be walking around the planet itself much like the rumored droids that will be roaming Galaxy's Edge. Loth-Cats are from Clone Wars as well as most recently ended "Star Wars Rebels" series.
We are getting closer and closer to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and stay tuned to hear even more details about Batuu and Black Spire Outpost in the coming months.
Just Announced: Opening Seasons for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge:
It is official as the Disney Parks Blog just announced a short while ago that Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge will open in Summer 2019 at Disneyland and late Fall 2019 at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World.
To get us even more for the new fully immersed land they dropped another sneak peak of what guests can expect when they enter the new world:
As announced a few weeks ago Edna Mode from "The Incredibles" will be making her debut at Disney Parks. Today, we got our first look and when she will make her official debut at Walt Disney World and Disney California Adventure Park.
At Walt Disney World, Edna Mode will make her debut at the Magic Kingdom starting this weekend when "Incredible Summer" kicks off for Memorial Day weekend. Guests will be able to visit the Incredible Tomorrowland Expo to party with the characters from "Incredibles 2" including Edna Mode herself.
At Disney California Adventure, she will be jetting over to greet with guests on June 15 just in time for the debut of "Incredibles 2" as part of Pixar Fest. Edna Mode will continue to favor us with her presence to celebrate the opening of Pixar Pier later this Summer.
Dates Announced for Festival of the Holiday and Candlelight Processional at Epcot:
We have one more announcement today from the Disney Parks Blog. Today, they announced the official dates for Epcot's International Festival of the Holidays and the famous Candlelight Processional. The International Festival of the Holidays will return on November 18 through December 30. The Candlelight Processional will open for the first time ever on Thanksgiving this year on November 22 and run through December 30.
The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays invites guests to discover holiday cheer throughout the park and across all 11 World Showcase pavilions. Special entertainment, storytellers, seasonal favorites at Holiday Kitchens, and eye-catching holiday decor are all part of the fun. Evenings during this time are topped off with a special holiday presentation of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.” The Candlelight Processional, a holiday must-do for many Epcot guests, is a retelling of the traditional Christmas story read by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by a massed choir and live orchestra.
Stay tuned in the coming months as the narrators will be announced for the Candlelight Processional as well details on the always popular dining packages.
Disney quietly yesterday confirmed that a new signature restaurant will come to the Japan Pavilion in Epcot. Back in January, rumors surface about a new signature dining experience coming right next to the current Mitsukoshi store in the Japan pavilion. Here are the details of the confirmation in yesterday's announcement:
While we’re on the topic of Epcot, I have one more exciting announcement: an all-new table service restaurant will be coming to the Japan Pavilion in World Showcase, offering guests a signature dining experience inspired by the natural beauty of Japan. The setting will draw from both nature and takumi, which means “artisan” in Japanese, and the relationship between Japanese craftsmanship and the natural world will be evident throughout the space. This new restaurant will be operated by Mitsukoshi USA, which operates the merchandise, restaurants (Teppan Edo and Tokyo Dining), and kiosks in the Japan Pavilion. Once completed, the restaurant will add to the rich tapestry of authentic cultural experiences available to guests in World Showcase.
No details on when the restaurant will open but this will be the second new restaurant coming to Epcot in the next few years. Stay tuned for future updates on both Japan Signature Dining Restaurant and the Space-themed restaurant in Future World.
After years of fun and shenanigans it appears the fun has gone to the wayside at Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. The team that runs the Walt Disney World Today account on Twitter all but confirmed it over the last few days:
Hi Randy. We are continuously updating our offerings throughout Walt Disney World Resort and are currently working on what's next for Whispering Canyon. We apologize for any disappointments and will pass along any feedback to the appropriate leadership teams.
— Walt Disney World Today (@WDWToday) May 12, 2018
Here is the list of all shenanigans that many guests have enjoyed over the years of what guests would say that would get the shenanigans going:
Wear a Hat or T-Shirt from Universal or Sea World
Tell your server you spent the day at an attraction outside of WDW
Tell the server whose birthday or anniversary it is
Have your kids "egg him/her on"
Have one of the males in the group ask where the restrooms are
Claim your straw is not long enough
Chew gum
Ask the server where you can buy some chewing gum in WDW
Ask for ketchup (every single ketchup bottle would be brought to your table)
Order a soda for breakfast
Rumor has it that the reason for the fun ending is that guests above the restaurant were apparently claiming it was to loud. I sure will miss the fun the next time at Whispering Canyon Cafe.
Space-Themed Restaurant in Epcot Location Revealed:
Last summer, during the D23 Expo a Space-themed restaurant was announced for the future of Epcot but no other details were announced. For months rumors have been swirling about two possible locations for the restaurant. One location was the former Wonders of Live pavilion which has been being worked on for the last few months and the other location being in between Mission: Space and Test Track.
Today, the Disney Parks Blog confirmed that the location for the space-themed restaurant will in fact be located in Future World in between Mission:Space and Test Track. The restaurant will be developed in a brand new area between the two 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.
There is no official completion date or even a name as of yet for the Space-themed restaurant in Epcot.
According to WDW News Today, reports are that the hotel that is not officially announced for the entrance of Epcot, will begin construction soon. An official location is not confirmed but 27 permits were filed today for a project near the entrance of the theme park.
All the filings today are under the same name, 'JPEC8060', and all the same address for the Avenue of Stars. This will be around the perimeter road in the backstage area that encircles Epcot. With that many filings though the Epcot Entrance Resort certainly fits that description.
We still await Disney to officially announce the resort.
This Sunday is a day we celebrate all Mother's and if you are visiting Disney Springs this Sunday, mom's will have quite the selection of places to celebrate their day. Here is a list of just some of the choices mom's can choose from:
Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante – A special buffet will be served Sunday, May 13, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., featuring gems like mascarpone French toast, poached hen egg and quinoa kale salad and hand-carved NY strip steak. The regular lunch menu will also be served. Reservations available at Maria&Enzo’s.com.
Enzo’s Hideaway – To celebrate Mother’s Day, Enzo’s Hideaway will offer a Prix Fixe menu of Italian specialties including ahi tuna crudo, ricotta gnocchi, pasta frutti di mare and trio of homemade gelatos. Moms will also receive a complimentary glass of Prosecco when dining on Mother’s Day.
House of Blues Restaurant & Bar – Celebrate Mother’s Day at the restaurant’s famous Gospel Brunch – a soulful experience that includes an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet and live entertainment. Choose between the 10:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. seating based on availability.
Paddlefish – Take in seafood and scenic views of Disney Springs aboard an iconic Mississippi riverboat. The regular Sunday brunch will also be available.
Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant – Check out The Rollicking Raglan Brunch, May 12 and May 13, 2018, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The menu will include traditional Irish favorites, and live entertainment will be featured from noon to 4:00 p.m. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
STK Orlando – A Mother’s Day weekend brunch buffet will be offered Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The buffet will include an omelet station, smoked salmon platter and an assortment of desserts including tres leches cakes, churros and cotton candy.
Sweet Treats – Grab Mom dessert or a sweet treat at Sprinkles Cupcakes, The Ganachery or Amorette’s Patisserie.
You can make reservations now for Mother's Day this Sunday, May 13 by calling 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463, or by visiting WaltDisneyWorld.com.
New Concept Art for Disney H2O Glow Nights at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon:
A few weeks ago, Disney announced a new nighttime ticketed event coming to Disney's Typhoon Lagoon this summer called, Disney H2O Glow Nights. Today, we got new concept art for the new nighttime party.
With glowing beach balls, inner tubes and other lighting effects, Disney H2O Glow Nights is a rare opportunity for guests to experience Typhoon Lagoon under the moonlight. On select nights beginning June 21, Typhoon Lagoon becomes a luminous, nighttime hotspot featuring a DJ Dance Party on the beach, plus special character meetings with Buzz, Woody and Jessie from Pixar’s “Toy Story,” as they visit Typhoon Lagoon for the first time. And let’s not forget about our host, Partysaurus Rex, who is inviting guests to this one-of-a-kind experience.
Party games, unique food and beverage offerings, and all the attractions with minimal wait times will be available to guests of the party. Tickets for Disney H2O Glow Nights cost $55 for adults and $50 for children ages 3-9 (plus tax). Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.disneyworld.com/h2oglownights or by calling (407)939-1872.
Earlier this week, 960 trucks’ worth of concrete was poured to create the foundation of what will soon take shape as Epcot’s mammoth “Guardians of the Galaxy”-themed roller coaster attraction. The attraction is on track to become one of the world’s longest enclosed coasters. To house it, a new facility is being built adjacent to the existing Universe of Energy building.
Check out the video below that the Disney Parks Blog shared today as a behind the scenes look:
The brand new 'Guardians of the Galaxy' roller coaster is set to debut in time for Walt Disney World's (Magic Kingdom) 50th Anniversary. This summer though to get your 'Guardians' fix, Star-Lord and Gamora will take guests on musical journey through the cosmos in "Guardians of the Galaxy - Awesome Mix Live!" that will be a part of 'Incredible Summer' at Epcot's American Gardens Theater. This will run June 9 through August 19 running 5 times a day.
Stay tuned for future updates on the 'Guardians' coaster coming to Epcot.
The countdown is on as Toy Story Land will be officially open in less than 60 days when it debuts on June 30 at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Yesterday, we got several sneak peaks of the new 11-acre land including some special live looks inside the land on ABC's Good Morning America, The View, The Chew, and on Nightline.
We got a full ride-through on the newest family coaster that will debut in the land in Slinky Dog Dash. Andy has used his Mega Coaster Play Kit to build the new family coaster in his backyard. Check out the full ride through below:
As announced a few weeks ago Wheezy will appear inside Toy Story Land during their ride on Slinky Dog Dash.
Yesterday, Walt Disney Imagineers shared them installing Wheezy and how they brought him to life in a sneak peak video on the Disney Parks Blog. At the end of the attraction, Wheezy will be singing, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” assisted by Mike (the tape recorder), who's provided him with a microphone, and Mr. Spell, who “texts” funny commentary. The friends are surrounded by a collection of toys, including a Rubik’s cube, a canister for a game called Pick-Up Snakes, toy wooden blocks spelling out F-U-N, and toy packages for an RC Car and a triangle puzzle game, all framed by a towering book, Mr. Pricklepants Songs for Singing. Check out the behind the scenes look below:
That's not all as we got our first up close look at the ride vehicles on Alien Swirling Saucers. At Alien Swirling Saucers, an attraction that's been designed to look like a toy from Pizza Planet and placed in Andy's backyard next to his Buzz Lightyear’s Star Command playset, Aliens fly around in their toy flying saucers while “The Claw” appears overhead. As guests whirl around the toy planets and space stations as part of the game, they’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.
Entertainment in the land will include 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.
Toy Story Land in Disney's Hollywood Studios opens June 30.
