Announced back in July, the BaseLine Tap House officially opened as part of the new Grand Avenue area at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The new area opens the remnants of the former Streets of America in the park which closed last year because of construction on Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story Land.
BaseLine Tap House sits among the vintage office buildings and warehouses that represent the glory of Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles. Formerly known as the Figueroa Printing Company, this re-purposed print shop specializes in beer and wines from the Golden State of California, featuring craft ales, lagers and cider as the stars of the drink menu, along with California wines on tap and specialty cocktails that you won’t want to miss! If you can’t decide on one drink, then try one of BaseLine’s customizable beer flights, with up to 126 possible combinations of craft beers! Rounding out the drink menu, the pub also offers gourmet non-alcoholic lemonade and soda on tap.
Also available besides the delicious beverages being served, BaseLine will offer up small plates to satisfy their palate such as a Bavarian pretzel with mustard and beer-cheese fondue, spiced almonds, and even a charcuterie board highlighting a variety of California cheeses.
The Tap House is located just around the corner from Sci-Fi Dine-In on the now Grand Avenue and will be open daily from 11:00 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.
Yesterday, was a sad but monumental day for Disney's Hollywood Studios. We saw the closure of many attractions including Streets of America, Lights, Motors, Action! Stunt Show, Studio Catering Company, Mike and Sulley Meet & Greet, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids! Play Set Adventure, and the Earffel Tower. With these closures we will see the beginning of construction for the future of the park for Toy Story Land and Star Wars Land.
With the closures as well that meant the walls officially went up over night. Essentially a 1/3 of the park is now closed off. The area where Muppet Vision 3D and what soon will be a re-themed restaurant that was Pizza Planet is now called Muppets Courtyard. This was discovered last week before the changes came to the new map for the park.
Now the construction walls that now inhabit the park for the foreseeable future that went up overnight.
Now on the walls near Toy Story Midway Mania you can see concept art for Toy Story Land. The one photo you can speculate where Star Wars Land will meet with Toy Story Land inside the park. Check it out:
Upper Corner you can see the assumed area where Star Wars Land will connect with Toy Story Land
Pictures are courtesy of @Bioreconstruct on Twitter.
Other Disney World Notes:
Today, also Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away stage show began a day early at the Studios. The Inside Out Meet & Greet with Joy and Sadness began at Epcot. Also in Epcot, The Circle of Life did not reopen as its refurbishment was supposed to end today.
That's all for today, its certainly the beginning of great future for Hollywood Studios. Its certainly needed it.
We all knew it was coming eventually, for years now Lights, Motors, Action! at Disney's Hollywood Studios has been rumored to be closing. With August's announcement of Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land, it was speculated that it may even stay open during construction since it seats 5000 guests. That is not true however as the Disney Parks Blog announced just a short while ago that the attraction is ending its run on April 2, 2016.
Here is what the Disney Parks Blog said:
"In order to bring our new lands to life, the first steps of the expansion will be happening soon. We wanted to let you know that Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show and nearby locations around Streets of America will be closing on April 2, 2016. The Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show attraction will continue its daily shows until the closing date.
While the new areas of the park come to life, we’ll continue bringing new things to Disney’s Hollywood Studios such as the recent opening of Star WarsLaunch Bay, the nighttime spectacular “Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular” and Sunset Showcase."
So with the closing of Lights, Motors, Action! and the remaining attractions around Streets of America major construction should be beginning right after the closures on April 2. Stay tuned for more information on what will be the largest-ever expansion at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The Disney Parks Blog promises to share more information soon.
First off Happy New Year, 2016 is off and running and so is the Disney news. Last night's live stream of the 'Fantasy in the Sky' fireworks on the Disney Parks Blog was the perfect way to ring in the new year. I hope everyone had a wonderful start to their new year as well. I would also like to thank each and everyone that reads what is put out the blog for making 2015 such a great year. I'm hoping 2016 is just as good if not better for It All Started With a Mouse.
Multiple Offerings Ending at Hollywood Studios on Monday:
In preparation of the construction of both Star Wars and Toy Story Lands at Hollywood Studios, multiple offerings on the Streets of America will be permanently ending at end of business day Monday, January 4th. With the last night of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights ending on Sunday, two character meet & greets will be ending.
The Lightning McQueen & Mater as well as the Phineas & Ferb meet & greet will be ending in preparation for the incoming construction. Also closing on Monday will be the recently built Joffrey's Coffee kiosk.
This is just speculation and not anything I've heard however I believe the Lightning McQueen & Mater meet & greet will eventually return once Cars 3 hits theaters in a few years. No word on any other removal of attractions on Streets of America or any other nearby establishments that have long been rumored to be going when construction on Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land begins. Stay tuned for details.
"Zootopia" Trailer Released, Sneak Preview Coming to Disney Parks:
Yesterday, on New Year's Eve (or as they are calling it Zoo Year's Eve.) the second trailer for Disney's Zootopia was released. The trailer features the new song "Try Everything" sung by one of the film's stars and Grammy-winning artist, Shakira. Here is the trailer:
The Disney Parks Blog also released that guests will be able to get a sneak preview of the film at Disney Parks beginning January 21. At Disney California Adventure, the preview will be shown inside the Bug's Life Theater with special in-theater effects. At Disney's Hollywood Studios, the preview will once again be shown inside the One Man's Dream attraction where guests will see advance clips from the film.
Zootopia is a melting pot, where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything. But when rookie Officer Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, con-artist fox, Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman), to solve the mystery.
Walt Disney Animation Studios brings "Zootopia" to theaters in 3D on March 4. The film is directed by Byron Howard (Tangled, Bolt) and Rich Moore (Wreck-It-Ralph, The Simpsons) and is produced by Clark Spencer (Wreck-It-Ralph).
For months we have been speculating that the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights would be ending at Disney's Hollywood Studios. With yesterday's news from Disney COO Tom Staggs that construction would begin next year in 2016 for both Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land. Today, the Disney Parks Blog confirmed that this the 20th year of the Osborne Lights would be the final year.
The Disney Parks Blog had this statement on the ending of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights this morning:
"In order to prepare for some incredible experiences coming to the park, including the recently announced Toy Story Land and a Star Wars-themed land, we will not be able to present The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights in the future. Our heartfelt thanks go out to the family of Jennings Osborne for letting us share their family tradition year after year. And thank you to all of you for being part of the spectacle with us. Here’s to making more memories in this, the 20th and final year."
The Laughing Place reached out to the Osborne family and received a quote from Breezy Osborne (Jenning Osborne's daughter) who was the initial inspiration for the show. She said:
"My family and I are more than grateful for the opportunity and experiences that Disney World has given to us, and most of all, given to millions and millions of people around the world. My greatest childhood memory was able to live on for an additional 20 years and it was also able to be experienced by so many-something you can’t really put into words unless you’ve walked under that incredible glow. When the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled the lights on our home go dark, Disney came in and literally made magic happen. I wish there was a bigger phrase than Thank You as they allowed this magnitude of celebration be a part of their park for so long. I have a feeling the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights will be brighter than ever this year."
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights wasn't the only closing announced for Hollywood Studios today. The final performance of Mulch, Sweat, and Shears will be October 10 after an 11-year run at the Studios.
Although, Disney has made no comment on the ending of the band.
Here are some of the photos I captured back in December 2013 when I first experienced the Osborne Family Lights.
