Farewell to The Great Movie Ride & Universe of Energy; Stitch Goes Back to Seasonal Operation

Farewell to The Great Movie Ride & Universe of Energy:

Today, we say farewell to two classic original attractions and since it was announced at D23 it hasn't gotten any easier in saying goodbye to them. Both The Great Movie Ride and Universe of Energy will close forever at end of operation tonight. Universe of Energy/Ellen's Energy Adventure will close as of 7:00 p.m. ET and The Great Movie Ride will close at 9:30. 

Both rides will make way for new attractions but the nostalgia of both attractions will live on forever. I will always remember riding The Great Movie Ride all throughout my childhood learning about the movies. I loved seeing the Mary Poppins scene and of course the classic ending scene from "The Wizard of Oz." It is a bit sad to see the last original opening attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios go away.

Now while I am going to miss The Great Movie Ride tremendously, I have a special place in my heart for Universe of Energy. I have always enjoyed this attraction both before and after the Ellen update. While many have enjoyed taking a nap in this attraction I have always thought this was one of the more interesting and learning experiences for an attraction. It's the original dinosaur ride. 

While Universe of Energy will see its own way into extinction after tonight, I am going to sorely miss hearing the "Stupid Judy" joke, seeing the beautiful creatures we call dinosaurs, and of course who could forget Bill Nye. This is one of those rides that I have so many memories on from when I was younger.

With that before the tears start flowing, I say farewell to the both of these amazing attractions. The memories from both will last a lifetime.

Stitch's Great Escape Going Back to Seasonal Operation:

Guests have one more week to see Stitch's Great Escape at the Magic Kingdom before it closes down probably until the holiday season. Stitch will have his final day of its Summer Operation schedule next Saturday, August 19. Beginning the next day on August 20 it will go back into season operation. It still remains clear what the fate of Stitch's Great Escape for now but rumors are still circling around the possibility of a new Wreck-It-Ralph attraction taking its place. 

Walt Disney World Lifts August Blockouts for Annual Passholders; New Names for Mission: Space Missions

Walt Disney World Lifts Some August Blockouts for Annual Passholders:

In less than 3 weeks, we will be saying goodbye to The Great Movie Ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Ellen's Energy Adventure at Epcot to make way for new attractions. Since the announcement was made at the D23 Expo just a few weeks ago, many Annual Passholders who have been blocked out for the Summer were worried they may not get one last to chance to ride the two attractions before they close.

That was changed today, as Passholders got notification that Walt Disney World would be lifting the blockout dates early.

Now guests with Silver and Weekday Select Annual Passes will be able to start visiting Walt Disney World beginning August 1. This will give them almost two weeks to enjoy these two attractions one last time.

Source: The Laughing Place

New Mission: Space Missions Will Get New Names:

When Mission: Space returns in just a few weeks guests riding the attraction will no longer be choosing between the Green Mission and the Orange Mission. The two missions will have new names when the attraction opens. 

The classic Orange Mission will now be called "Mission: Space - Mars." The new kid-friendly mission that was the Green Mission will now be called, "Mission: Space - Earth." The new names reflect where each of the missions go on their destinations. 

Source: WDW News Today

Guardians of the Galaxy, Ratatouille, New Space Restaurant, & More Coming to Epcot

We all knew since November that changes were coming to Epcot, we just weren't sure what. Over the last months rumors have been swirling and some were confirmed tonight some seem like they will be announced at a later date. Here is what they announced:

Ratatouille Attraction is Coming to France Pavilion, New Film Coming to China Pavilion:

A new Ratatouille-inspired attraction will be coming to the France Pavilion in World Showcase. It will be similar to the 4-D attraction Ratatouille: The Adventure that opened at the Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris in 2014. Guests will be able to shrink to Remy’s size and scurry to safety in a dazzling chase across a kitchen with the sights, sounds and smells of Gusteau’s legendary Parisian restaurant.

The attraction will expand the pavilion and the good news for many fans is that Impressions de France will remain at the pavilion. The new attraction is expected to be completed in 2021.

Also of note a new film is coming to the China Pavilion almost like a Soarin' type exploration that will take you around the country. No other details were released.

Guardians of the Galaxy Attraction Replacing Universe of Energy Plus Updates to Future World:

We all knew it was coming it was just when. A Guardians of the Galaxy-inspired attraction is coming to Epcot and replacing Ellen's Energy Adventure and the Universe of Energy. The pavilion and Ellen's Energy Adventure will have its final day of operation on August 13, 2017. 

Epcot’s brand new E-ticket attraction will be based on the rockin’ and action-packed world of “Guardians of the Galaxy” and is the next step in how guests can encounter these characters at the Walt Disney World Resort. Epcot just may be the perfect place for a “Guardians”-inspired attraction as you can see in the photo above – Peter Quill (aka Star Lord) actually visited Epcot as a kid! The attraction is also expected to be completed by 2021.

That's not all as Future World will see a major overhaul to the whole are as seen in this concept art.

Mission: Space which saw its refurbishment extended recently will have two new missions when it opens back up. This led to talk about the other breaking news.

New Space Restaurant to Placed Right Next to Mission: Space:

A brand new restaurant experience is coming to Epcot with a space theme. The restaurant will be built adjacent to Mission: Space and will invite guests to travel into space for an amazing dining experience in the stars.

Disney Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald had this to say, "We know our guests love dining at Epcot – and the restaurants really are out of this world. Now we're about to create one that takes that literally."

The new space restaurant will be operated by the Patina Restaurant Group. Patina Restaurant Group operates several other restaurants at Walt Disney World including Tutto Italia and Via Napoli at Epcot and Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs. More details on the new space-themed restaurant will be shared in the future, so stay tuned.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Permits Filed Around Universe of Energy Pavilion; Stitch's Great Escape to Open for Summer Months

Permits Filed Around Universe of Energy Pavilion at Epcot:

Months ago in fact last year, reports began surfacing of the demise of Ellen's Energy Adventure at the Universe of Energy Pavilion in Epcot. Those rumors included a rumored TRON coaster and a Guardians of the Galaxy coaster replacing the ride and pavilion. Rumors kind of died down for a while as the fate of the attraction was rumored to be saved.

That is until Friday when permits were filed by Walt Disney Imagineering with South Florida Management District. In the permits filed it showed plans to reroute a drainage canal behind Universe of Energy and creating two new retention ponds to hold additional runoff from “onsite improvements that will add impervious area.”

While this doesn't confirm what will happen to Ellen's Energy Adventure it does leave tons of questions and assumptions that the attraction will be going away sooner rather than later. Rumors have been swirling back to the TRON coaster since reports of Disney's fear of Universal's rights on Marvel characters and attractions not being built east of the Mississippi. Even though Guardians of the Galaxy never was part of Universal's parks. Fear is that once they appear in "Infinity Wars" that Disney will no longer have the rights to them. 

Disney of course files permits like this all the time and this could just be for an update to the attraction. One would think we might just hear the exact fate of the Universe of Energy Pavilion and Ellen's Energy Adventure during July's D23 Expo where we expect to hear some news on the overhaul of Epcot as a park. Stay tuned for future news on this subject right here on It All Started With a Mouse.

Stitch's Great Escape Returning to Operation for Summer Months:

Stitch's Great Escape, which has been in seasonal operation since late last year, will returning to operation for at least the upcoming busy Summer months. The attraction will be open daily from next week on May 27 through August 19, 2017 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. It will then be closed again for the Fall. 

Stitch and his meet & greet will also be moving from Town Square to Tomorrowland, outside Carousel of Progress, beginning today May 21. 

Source: WDW News Today

New DuckTales Logo Revealed; Possible Universe of Energy Closing Date?

New DuckTales Logo Revealed:

Check out the new "DuckTales" logo that Oh My Disney! revealed before tonight's airing of ABC's Dancing with the Stars. Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez along with her partner Valentin Chmerkovskiy are dancing to the DuckTales theme song.

The relaunched series will premiere on Disney XD in 2017. The new logo is described as "a thrilling throwback, not only to the original Emmy-winning animated series, but also to the original source material in the comic books written by Carl Banks."

Possible Universe of Energy Closing Date?

Get ready for another outburst from Disney fans because according to rumors a Universe of Energy closing date has been revealed. According to WDW News Today, cast members have been informed that the closing date for Ellen's Energy Adventure in Epcot will be in January 2017.

That attraction will close for what will likely be the rumored Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster. The announcement that was supposed to be made during the San Diego Comic-Con was delayed. Now, you can look to hear the official announcement within the coming months at Disney World's D23 event, Destination D. This is according to rumblings within the company.

Now of course none of this is official so you can take it with a grain of salt until Disney makes the official announcement. Stay tuned until then though as the rumors continue to grow stronger that we will be saying goodbye very soon to Ellen's Energy Adventure.

Note: This is coming to you as I sit here in my room at Disney's Caribbean Beach. The first two days of this vacation have been absolutely amazing. That is of course besides the rain that has been pretty wicked. Blogs for the rest of week will be by chance of whether I'm in the room enough. They will resume back to normal next week along with some extra special trip report blogs. 

Universe of Energy to be Replaced with Guardians Roller Coaster?; Disney Parks Moms Panel Search 2017

Universe of Energy to be Replaced with Guardians Roller Coaster?:

WDW News Today has received an update on the rumor that began last month that Universe of Energy would be replaced with a "Guardians of the Galaxy" attraction. Today, they revealed that the pavilion inside Epcot's Future World would be demolished and a new "Guardians of the Galaxy" roller coaster will be built.

The roller coaster would feature both elaborate scenes and a long roller coaster portion that is very similar to the rumored Captain America coaster for Disney California Adventure. Right now though any rendering that are being kept secret by imagineering do not feature the name Marvel or "Guardians of the Galaxy. This is due to the fact of the legal restrictions that Disney has of building any Marvel attractions in Disney World. 

Of course Guardians of the Galaxy wasn't part of the Marvel deal when Disney bought the rights. Hence, the reason this attraction would be able to be built at Epcot. Disney of course has not made any official announcements but one might expect an announcement could be coming within the next few months. 

I sure will miss Universe of Energy, while it is outdated, I maybe one of the few that enjoyed the attraction. No, I didn't enjoy it because it allowed me to nap but for the memories of when I was a child and seeing those giant animatronic dinosaurs for the first time. Now, I enjoy it because who doesn't love Ellen and Bill Nye the Science Guy. 

Disney Parks Moms Panel Search 2017:

The Disney Parks Moms Panel announced today that they would begin their search for new panelists for 2017 beginning next month on September 7, 2016. Here are the details released this morning on the Disney Parks Blog:

The application window will open at 12:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 and close at 12:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, September 14, 2016. The first round application process includes short essay questions, basic information questions, and a sample question similar to what you’d find on the Disney Parks Moms Panel website.
This September marks the 10th year of the annual search for new panelists. The first Moms Panel search launched in September 2007 and since then more than 140 moms, dads, grandparents have helped other guests with decisions and planning logistics around all types Disney vacations.
The Disney Parks Moms Panel focuses on nearly every type of Disney vacation including Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, runDisney and events at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. And because the site is available in four languages, we hope to find panelists fluent in Portuguese, French, and Spanish.

Will you be applying to be apart of the 2017 Disney Parks Moms Panel? 

Rumors, Rumors Everywhere: What Could be Coming to Disney World; Will Disneyland Forever be Discontinued?

Rumors are brewing at both Epcot and Magic Kingdom. Today, WDW News Today and Blog Mickey certainly got the internet rumbling about certain attractions coming to Epcot, most likely a "Guardians of the Galaxy" overlay somewhere in Future World.

It comes down to two rumored locations and while nothing has been announced or confirmed it does seem plausible that where they could put the new attraction would definitely work. WDW News Today is reporting the Mission: SPACE would be getting the overlay from the Marvel superheroes in a similar attraction to the TRON: Lightcycle Power Run that just opened over in Shanghai Disneyland. 

On Blog Mickey, the rumor is that we could soon be saying goodbye to Ellen's Energy Adventure (I am weeping a little on this one) in which Disney pours millions into the new ride. They had no word on what type of attraction would be. They did say that it would be Phase 2 of a project in which Phase 1 would focus on Innoventions. 

While this just a rumor and nothing is confirmed it does seem like Disney is testing the IP market after the recent success of the "Frozen Ever After" attraction in the Norway pavilion that just opened last week.

The next rumor up is once again being reported by WDW News Today, that The Muppets are coming to Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom in a new attraction. It has not yet been announced by Disney yet but testing is apparently imminent. 

Here is what they are hearing:

"The rather lengthy facade refurbishment of the Heritage House seems to have been for this new attraction which will have The Muppets teaching and interacting with guests concerning U.S. history. The Muppets characters, which were reportedly built in a collaboration between the Jim Henson company and Walt Disney Imagineering, will be appearing high above guests in the second story windows of Liberty Square."

There is no other info out at this time but stay tuned as I'm sure we will be getting some news from Disney on the new Muppets attraction if the rumors are true. Not sure about "The Guardians of the Galaxy" overlay as those are just rumors at this point in time.

Will Disneyland Forever Fireworks be Discontinued?:

The Disneyland 60th Diamond Celebration will officially end on September 5th, but will the Disneyland Forever fireworks show also be going away that day. The original rumor that the spectacular fireworks show would be discontinued at the end of the celebration due to budget cuts, first reported by WDWNT. 

Today however, WDW Info (The DIS) is reporting that it may not be discontinued just because of budget cost but due to the current launch area for the fireworks in Toontown. The rumor indicates that guests visiting Disneyland may not enjoy fireworks at the park for at least 6 months. This would allow Disney to build a new launch site. 

Disney has not commented on what will happen to Disneyland Forever so this remains just a rumor as it stands. As always stay tuned on It All Started With a Mouse for all your Disney rumors, news, and all other things Disney.