New Images & Details on the Disney Skyliner; Grand Opening Gala on New Year's Eve at The Edison

New Images & Details on the Disney Skyliner:

Since the D23 announcement on the new Disney Skyliner coming to Walt Disney World, many have been wondering about the new transportation system. Well as part of the 12 days of Disney Parks Christmas, more details and concept art on the new transportation system traveling the sky from Disney's Caribbean Beach, Disney's Pop Century, Disney's Art of Animation, Epcot, and Disney's Hollywood Studios. 

Select Disney Skyliner cabins will have iconic Disney characters incorporated into their exterior design to give the appearance that a Disney pal is riding along with guests, such as characters from the ‘Fab Five,’ figures from Disney attractions, fan favorites from movies, and more.

International Gateway at Epcot:

The design of the Disney Skyliner station at International Gateway at Epcot will be inspired by the park’s nearby European Pavilions, and will be covered with metal and glass canopies, hand-painted murals and ornamental steel structures that harken back to the early 18th century Art Nouveau style. Guests traveling to Epcot via the Disney Skyliner will be welcomed to the park with a rare birds-eye view of World Showcase.

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort:

The Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort station will be the hub of activity for Disney Skyliner. This station is inspired by the open air village marketplaces of the Caribbean and will showcase the nearby resort’s architectural detailing and color schemes. At this station, passengers will be able to transfer gondola routes to reach their destination, or are invited to sit and admire the waterfront resort setting.

Disney's Hollywood Studios:

The design style of the station at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will fit with that of the park’s main entrance and bus stations. Passengers traveling here from the Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort station can expect a new aerial perspective of the park’s iconic attractions, like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

Disney's Pop Century and Disney's Art of Animation:

Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will share a Disney Skyliner station that feels whimsical and contextual with both resorts. Upon departing the gondola station, Skyliner passengers will ascend over Hourglass Lake and enjoy a panoramic view of these two colorful resorts.

Stay tuned for future updates and an official opening date for the Disney Skyliner. 

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Grand Opening Gala on New Year's Eve at The Edison:

The Edison will host a Grand Opening Gala on New Year's Eve, an exclusive event for guests 21 and older, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Here are the details on the event:

The Edison at Disney Springs will host a dazzling gala Grand Opening on New Year’s Eve, showcasing its lavish Industrial Gothic-style, crave-worthy food and exceptional cocktails plus a truly spectacular lineup of world-class entertainment all within Central Florida’s newest entertainment hot-spot. The Edison’s doors will open at 7:30 p.m., allowing guests ample time to eat, drink and be merry, right up through a special midnight toast to ring in 2018. A fully immersive dining experience, The Edison features multiple themed areas to explore, such as the Lab performance space, The Ember Parlour, Telegraph Lounge, The Patent Office, The Tesla Lounge, The Radio Room, and the Waterfront Patio.

Tickets for The Edison’s New Year’s Eve Grand Opening are $150 and available to a limited number of lucky guests to purchase. The ticket price includes tray-passed hors d’oeuvres, live-action food stations and a wide selection of beer, wine and premium spirits from 8 p.m until midnight; plus, a selection of coffee, desserts and a celebratory midnight toast to ring in the new year.

A minimum age of 21 is required to attend this event. Guests arriving to The Edison Orlando are asked to adhere to our dress code.  Men may wear slacks, jeans or dress shorts.  No ball caps, sleeveless shirts or flip-flops are permitted.  Jackets are optional.

Tickets for the event, can be purchased on the Patina Restaurant Group website.

Disney Skyliner (Gondolas) Plus Minnie Vans Announced as New Transportation

We have talking about the gondolas coming to Walt Disney World for months and tonight during the Disney Parks & Resorts panel they were confirmed. The new transportation system will be called the Disney Skyliner.

The new transportation system will as previously reported connect Disney's Art of Animation, Disney's Pop Century, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and the International Gateway at Epcot. 

As seen in the concept art above, the gondolas will feature many of our favorite Disney characters as we travel around the Walt Disney World Resort. Construction has already begun on the towers at each station location for the Disney Skyliner. It is expected to be completed by 2019. 

This wasn't the only new form of transportation that was announced during the panel as the new Minnie Van Uber-like service was revealed.

“Since we’re all about exceeding guest expectations and making every aspect of your vacation uniquely Disney, we’re creating a new point-to-point transportation service in a way that only Disney can do,” Bob Chapek, President of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts said.

The Minnie vehicles will take you everywhere you want to go at the Walt Disney World Resort, and you’ll ride in Minnie’s classic style, in a Minnie-inspired Chevy Traverse. This new Minnie Van service is expected begin testing later this month at Disney's Boardwalk and Yacht Club Resorts. 

The service will cost $20 per car per trip and once tested will expand to several other locations throughout Walt Disney World.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

"Adventure is Out There" Trip Report Part 1

It's been three weeks already since my trip and it just doesn't seem possible that it went by so fast. You've seen my review of our stay at Pop Century and the review of the amazing Caring for Giants Tour. Now its finally time for the trip report a trip that was full of adventure. 

We left for the airport around 8:30 for our 10:00 flight, we have a small airport hence the no need to rush. Our flight left on time and we got to Sanford right at 12:30 and this is where the problems began. Our pickup ran into some issues and had to go back to the depot because there windshield wiper was broke. It arrived 45 minutes late only to be told he didn't have a pickup permit. We did finally get going but after some other people were dropped off at Universal, we arrived at Pop Century finally around 3:45 p.m, more than 3 hours after we were supposed to get there.

Finally home!!!

After a quick trip to our room we headed to the food court and had a light lunch then headed over to Disney Springs. My mother and I walked around Town Center and did some shopping. We hadn't been to Town Center yet so just enjoying the sights of the area is quite nice. They did an amazing job. We headed over to The Polite Pig for dinner.

While I have no pictures of the newest restaurant in Disney Springs, it is a very nice restaurant. The food is delicious and was one of my favorite meals of the trip. I got the brisket along with a side of the Mac & Cheese and my mother got the half chicken along with a side of bbq cauliflower. Both meals were excellent and I wish I had gotten the bbq cauliflower because the taste and flavor was amazing. The Mac & Cheese was good but that cauliflower was great. I can't wait to go back there again sometime.

After dinner we just walked around Disney Springs for a little while longer before heading back to the resort to head to the pool. The Hippy Dippy Pool was quite cool on this June evening but it was relaxing. After the pool we headed back to our room, we were turning in early because we were heading to Pandora and Animal Kingdom early the next morning.

We awoke early, probably our earliest wake up call ever on a Disney trip at 5:30 and were down to breakfast by just after 6 a.m. We wanted to be sure we were on the first bus to Animal Kingdom to get in line for Pandora and Flight of Passage.

We did get on the first bus to Animal Kingdom and we arrived to see a mass of people heading over to Pandora: The World of Avatar. Here is the line of people waiting to get into the land:

The mass of people and us were all let into Pandora around 7:45 and we walked straight to Flight of Passage. The line was moving quite nicely until we got into the caves of the queue. This is where we waited the most of the 2 and half hours that we were in line. The queue itself is half the attraction. 

After about an hour in the caves we got through to the lab area of the queue. This area in itself is so awesome especially the Na'vi in the tank. We got through the lab area and got to the final room before the lines for boarding the attraction. That is when the problem arose, we were in that room when all of a sudden the lights all came on. There was then an announcement that everyone need to evacuate the building and the ride was shut down. Since our 2 and half hour wait came to an end without even riding it and it being in the same building as Na'vi River Journey (our FastPass for that was gone too). 

It was almost 10:30 when that happened and since we had to head towards Kilimanjaro Safaris for our Caring for Giants tour. If you want to check up on my thoughts on the amazing tour and see amazing photos of Baby Stella, check it out here.

After our tour, it was already time for lunch. I had made a reservation on Tusker House under the Rivers of Light Dining Package. Lunch was great and the character interaction with Mickey, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy was amazing. It was really great for my mom as she loves Goofy.

After a wonderful lunch, I headed back to Pandora and went ahead and purchased my own interactive Banshee. Since, I had only a carry-on with our short stay I had to ship him to my house. He arrived later that week, meet Bert the Banshee.

After successfully adopting Bert, we started heading over to the Finding Nemo: The Musical. What an amazing show and it was so nice to get out of the hot sun. After seeing the show it was almost time for one of mine and my mother's favorite rides in Expedition Everest, what a great roller coaster. 

It really is a thrill and so exhilarating.

While we were eating lunch, I had gotten an email that since Na'vi River Journey was shut down during our FastPass once it came back up we could use it at anytime until end of park operation. We were also told if we went to guest relations they might be able to help us get on Flight of Passage because we waited so long and we didn't get on it. We headed back to Pandora and rode River Journey. 

The Shaman of Songs is so interactive and so life-like, Joe Rohde and Disney Imagineering really out did themselves with Pandora. It was such a peaceful boat ride along the river and hearing the sounds of the wildlife and from the Shaman of Songs was breathtaking. 

After that we headed over to Guest Relations and thanks to them they were able to get us a FastPass that could be used at anytime for Flight of Passage. Instead of heading straight to Flight of Passage we stopped at Pizzafari for a quick meal. Not my favorite but it was nice and quiet in there. 

We headed over to Flight of Passage and got right through the FastPass line in 15 minutes. When everyone says this is the best ride ever, they really are telling you the truth. Flight of Passage, and I won't spoil it for those who haven't rode it yet, is absolutely amazing and it doesn't disappoint. On a scale of 1 to 10 with the 10 being the best its a 12. That how awesome this ride is. 

We finished with Flight of Passage and it was already time to head back over to the Discovery River and see Rivers of Light. What an amazing show to see the reflections of the images on the water. I thoroughly enjoyed the show seeing the animals and the music was absolutely my favorite part of the show.

Once the show was over and traveling through the crowds to get back to Pandora for the Extra Evening Magic Hours exclusive to the new land. Cast Members scan guests Magic Bands to prove they are staying at a resort and they are then allowed to get in line for the ride. We waited another two hours for Flight of Passage. It was so worth it because the ride is that amazing. Here are some shots of Pandora: The World of Avatar at night.

After 17 hours at the park it was finally time to head back to the resort. It was such a successful day in both Pandora and at Animal Kingdom. 

That's all for part 1, next week I will dive into part 2 and our adventure to the Magic Kingdom. See you all real soon. 

Resort Review: Disney's Pop Century Resort

It's been a week since I've returned from my quick trip to the World and its time to review my stay at Disney's Pop Century from June 8-11. I had nothing bad to stay about the resort getting there was quite the trip though. We arrived at Sanford International Airport around 12:30 and our pickup service was 45 minutes late then after multiple drop offs at Universal and some resorts off-property, we didn't get to Pop until around 4.

Our room was in the 70's section of the resort in Building 10 on the third floor in room 351. It was a beautiful room, only thing was that we had a handicap accessible room which for once we didn't need. It was good enough though as we weren't in the room much. Before we headed over to Disney Springs we enjoyed a late and light lunch at Pop's Everything Pop quick service. We just shared the chicken nuggets and fries to hold us off until dinner.

After a few hours at Disney Springs, we headed back to the resort for a quick dip in the pool before turning in early because the next day was Animal Kingdom day. The water was on the cool side but was a refreshing way to end the day.

After what seemed like a short night's rest, we were up early and down for breakfast by 6:15 for of course some Mickey Waffles and bacon (a normal on any Walt Disney World vacation). We were in line for the bus to Animal Kingdom by 6:45. This was a long day as I will explain in my trip report in the future we were at the park for 17 hours that day. A day well spent at the park. We didn't arrive back at the resort to sleep until 1:15 in the morning on Saturday.

Waiting for the bus to Animal Kingdom

After sleeping in on Saturday, or at least what felt like sleeping in we were down for breakfast by just after 8 and in line for the bus to Magic Kingdom by 8:40. We amazingly got to the Magic Kingdom by 9:00. It was another beautiful day at the park where we spent over 12 hours there that day. Despite some rain showers, it really was a perfect two days at the parks. We left the park right after Happily Ever After and made it back to resort to unfortunately begin packing for our early flight in the morning. 

Overall, Pop Century is much like Art of Animation with its layout. It was a very nice resort for a quick stay and as always Disney theming is on point. One thing I do wish was that we received one of the newer rooms that have just been finished. They add a nice modern touch to the resort. I can't wait for my next trip out there, it just may be at Pop Century. To close out here are some photos I took with my phone as were leaving the resort. 

Stay tuned for my trip report on Pandora: The World of Avatar, the Caring for Giants Tour, plus seeing Happily Ever After live for the first time. 

Gondola Transportation System Just May be Coming to Walt Disney World

Last month, a well-known Disney news site uncovered what appeared to be a permit filed by Walt Disney Imagineering for a new transportation system. Many laughed it off and said it would just be too expensive for Disney to invest in at Walt Disney World. Then this past Friday, a "Notice of Commencement" was filed for the construction and infrastructure at 6 different locations that would correspond to the gondola's route.

The locations are located at Disney's Hollywood Studios, the International Gateway at Epcot, a station between Art of Animation and Disney's Pop Century, a station at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, a turn at the intersection near Buena Vista Dr. and Epcot Resorts Blvd. near the Speedway Gas Station, and a turn near Disney's Caribbean Beach Property. You can see the list hear along with a diagram of the route.

The "Notice of Commencement" is typically means that construction is set to begin soon, the plan Disney has in mind supposedly to have the new transportation system be completed for Magic Kingdom's 50th Anniversary in 4 years in 2021.

We should get a general feel with what they are building in the next few months once construction begins. We also should get an official announcement you would think in the coming weeks. What do you think about the Gondola transportation system that appears to be coming to Walt Disney World.