Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy Coming Early in 2019; New Image Unveiled for Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway

Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy Coming Early in 2019:

Toy Story Land may be opening tomorrow but today during the media event of What's Coming it was announced that a new show will debut in early 2019 at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, a high-octane first-of-its-kind new show that’ll put you right in the middle of the world of Disney Pixar’s “Cars.”

It will be located near Rock 'N' Roller Coaster (most likely in the Sunset Showcase Theater). In Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy you will come you’ll come face-to-face with racing legend Lightning McQueen, who is excited to showcase what he’s learned over the years with you – the next generation of rookie racers. Of course, as Lightning McQueen has discovered throughout his career, things don’t always go according to plan, and he has to think fast to get back on course. With friends Tow Mater, Cruz Ramirez and the gang from Radiator Springs on his side, Lightning gears up for the challenge.

Will you be ready to rev your engines up when Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy debuts early next year?

Source: Disney Parks Blog

New Image Unveiled for Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway:

Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy wasn't the only news to come out of the media event as a new image for Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway was also unveiled.

The attraction will totally immerse guests in a cartoon world and will feature a new catchy theme song created especially for the attraction.
The fun begins when you see the premiere of a new cartoon short with Mickey and Minnie preparing for a picnic. As they head out, they drive alongside a train and find out that the engineer is Goofy. Then, one magical moment lets you step into the movie and on Goofy’s train for a wacky, wild ride.

Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway although not announced officially is expected to open at Disney's Hollywood Studios sometime in Summer 2019.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Planet Hollywood Observatory is Finally Opened; Preview of Beauty & the Beast Coming to Disney Parks

Planet Hollywood Observatory is Finally Opened:

After weeks of speculation and delays, the Planet Hollywood Observatory officially opened today. The re-imagined restaurant transformed from its iconic globe into a 4-story stargazing observatory with new spaces including an outdoor terrace, a new menu with the help of Food Network's Guy Fieri, and an exciting new look and feel to the restaurant. 

Inside it’s an immersive theatrical dining experience, with each floor providing a different ambience, including the fabulous curated collection of film-making memorabilia and a 4,500-square-foot video wall the uses trompe l’oeil 3D technology – images with such realism that they appear to be in three dimensions.

Classic dishes remain on the menu but it is the new over the top burgers and sandwiches inspired by Fieri that highlight the new menu. Of course, we can't forget the hand-dipped milkshakes and generous sweets that highlight the dessert menu. Beer, wine and cocktails offer a little something for every taste, and Stargazers Lounge has a beverage menu that focuses on Florida craft beers (with 20 on tap) and 10 signature cocktails. The Stargazer Lounge has yet to open but will be soon.

Check out this quick video of Guy and a look inside the Planet Hollywood Observatory:



Source: Disney Parks Blog

Preview of 'Beauty and the Beast" Coming to Disney Parks:

Beginning February 10, guests visiting Disney Parks will get a special sneak peak into the live-action remake of Disney's animated classic, "Beauty and the Beast."

At Disney California Adventure park, the preview of “Beauty and the Beast” will be presented in 3D with special in-theater effects at the Sunset Showcase Theater in Hollywood Land, while guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will get to see this advance look at a segment from the film as part of the One Man’s Dream attraction. Each sneak peek location will also include a display featuring a collection of props and costume pieces actually used in the film’s production.

You can catch the 8-minute sneak peak of the film at Disney Parks beginning February 10 then experience the film as it waltz' into theaters March 17, 2017.

Special 2-Year Anniversary Note:

Today, marks the two year anniversary of It All Started With a Mouse and I just wanted to send a special thank you to you the readers. Never did I think two years ago, how I would continue to blog almost everyday. I also never thought I would be so involved in the Disney community which is amazing. Year 2 brought even more changes with the addition of me joining the podcast world.

The MouseLife family has helped me improve It All Started With a Mouse. Speaking of the MouseLife, I cannot wait to share with all of you what's coming very soon. Stay tuned. Thank you all so much don't forget that it was all started by a mouse and please continue living the MouseLife.

- John

New My Disney Experience Update to Include Directions; Club Villain to Return for Limited Time

New My Disney Experience Update to Include Walking Directions:

The next update on the My Disney Experience app will be coming soon and it will be somewhat of a major update. The new update will include a 'Get Directions' button that will allow guests to use their GPS on their phones to walk a route from attraction to attraction.

The new navigation feature will also extend to outside the parks that the guest would be currently in and provide directions across all of the Walt Disney World property including various transportation options. This was first reported by WDWMagic. What do you think of the new update coming to My Disney Experience?

Club Villain Returning to Hollywood Studios for Limited Time:

The very popular Club Villain will be returning to Hollywood Studios inside Sunset Showcase for a limited time beginning September 2. It will take place on Friday and Saturday nights through October 29th and also on Halloween night, October 31. The ticketed event will include fabulous performances, delicious food (voodoo sticky pig wings), bewitching cocktails, and enchanting encounters with some of our favorite Disney villains. 

If you forget what Club Villain is here is the description:

The mysterious Dr. Facilier will serve as host, welcoming his guests and “friends from the other side” into his parlor of mystical mishaps, with musical numbers and a wicked mix from his house DJ. Also stopping by to socialize will be several divas of evil: Maleficent, the Queen of Hearts, Cruella De Vil and the Evil Queen. Guests can also enjoy complimentary drinks from the Potions Bar, savor culinary delights from New Orleans and beyond, mingle with the villains and dance the night away.

Club Villain will be hosted twice a night with starting times at 5:15 and 8:30 p.m. You can learn more about Club Villain or make reservations by calling 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).

Rumor: Club Disney Already Ending at Disney's Hollywood Studios

While this is just a rumor and has not been announced by Disney, Club Disney appears to be at the end of its run at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The dance party with the 'Fab 5' dressed in unique costumes that was just opened at the Sunset Showcase theater in early December will apparently be ending on February 6. Cast members have already told of the closing even with no public announcement by Disney.

Disney had always maintained that the Sunset Showcase is considered a 'flex space' and will be changed accordingly with a variety of options. No word on 'Club Villain' that was very popular on the weekends and it's status at Sunset Showcase. Club Disney could even come back seasonally.

Kenny the Pirate said today that Club Disney could be replaced with something Star Wars related, like Star Wars Rebel Hangar which recently provided a dining experience to guests during the now extinct Star Wars Weekends. Or they could have Star Wars characters roaming around dancing with guests, same concept as Club Disney just replaced with our favorite Star Wars characters.

Considering, the state of Hollywood Studios and everything closing Disney needs to have a quick replacement. Since it is slated to close by end of day next Saturday, you would imagine that this would be confirmed by Disney in the coming days. Stay tuned on more information for the ending of Club Disney.

"Club Villain" to Debut in January at New Sunset Showcase; Tokyo Disneyland Announces 'Force Awakens' Plans

"Club Villain" to Debut in January at New Sunset Showcase:

"Club Disney" is debuting in December at Hollywood Studios at the new Sunset Showcase. Today, though Disney World announced that beginning January 16 on Saturday nights will become "Club Villain." This will be a hard-ticket dining event with tickets costing $99/person. The event says guests will dance the night terrors away with Dr. Facilier and evil-diva cohosts including Maleficent, Queen of Hearts, the Evil Queen, and Cruella De Vil. Here is the complete description from the Walt Disney World website:

Sunset Showcase loudly presents Club Villain, a frightfully fun dance-and-dine event—debuting January 16, 2016!

This spellbinding evening features decadent New Orleans delicacies like tender beef striploin rubbed with herbes de Provence, Voodoo sticky “pig wings” with citrus gremolata and spicy shrimp sautéed with Andouille sausage, tomato, okra and onions over creamy polenta.

Trick or treat yourself to fiendish cocktail concoctions—specialty alcoholic drinks plus beer and wine—hilarious stage-show numbers and up-close encounters with Disney’s most dastardly doomsday divas. Mix and mingle with mysterious Maleficent, hilarious Queen of Hearts, the delirious Evil Queen and the always fur-fetched Cruella De Vil—and wicked jams from our house DJ!

Tickets to Club Villain can be purchased for $99 per person, tax and gratuity included. Reservations are recommended and can be made up to 90 days in advance, either by booking online here or by calling (407) 939-3463.

Tokyo Disneyland Announces 'Force Awakens' Plans:

We are just 50 days away from the premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and Tokyo Disneyland announced its plans. Oriental Land Company owners of Tokyo Disneyland Resort announced some operational additions to the parks to celebrate the movie.

Here are some key dates:

• December 1 - New "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" to begin being sold at the resort
• Mid-December - E-Printed Tickets to the park at home will sport Star Wars-inspired designs
• December 18 - With the release of the movie, R2-D2 popcorn buckets will go on sale
• February 2016 - Like its North American counterparts Star Tours will introduce a brand new experience inspired by the 'Force Awakens
• Star Wars-themed monorail day pass tickets will also be introduced for a limited time

Will you be visiting Tokyo Disneyland to check out the new "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" experiences?

Club Disney Opening at New Sunset Showcase on December 4th at DHS; 'Force Awakens' Characters for Disney Infinity 3.0 Revealed

Club Disney Opening at New Sunset Showcase on December 4 at Hollywood Studios:

We finally know what's going in the building on Sunset Boulevard at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The Sunset Showcase will be an all-new special event venue that will premiere Club Disney on December 4th. The entertainment showplace is custom designed to host a variety of different experiences over time.

Club Disney will be hottest spot in Hollywood Studios for kids and characters alike. Kids will join Mickey and the gang on the dance floor in the electric club environment. A DJ Club Host will spin the perfect playlist of Radio Disney Top 40 hits as the floor and walls come alive with vivid images from classic Disney Animation.

Club Disney will also have a cool seating area and a snack station, you'll also be able to recharge your mobile devices. The Sunset Showcase and Club Disney open December 4th, 2015. Operating hours are to be announced so stay tuned.

'Force Awakens' Characters for Disney Infinity Revealed:

We found out back in August at the D23 EXPO that Disney Infinity's "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" Play Set would include Finn and Rey. Today, Disney Interactive and Lucasfilm revealed two more characters that will be available upon the play set's release on December 18 coinciding with the movie's release. Kylo Ren and Poe Dameron were the two new characters that will be released along with a 'Force Awakens' Power Disc set ($9.99). 

The figures will sell for $13.99 retail value and beginning today along with the play set are available for pre-order at major retailers. Precious few details have been released on the play set but we do know that it will coincide with the plot of the movie. Here are some stills that were released to keep us guessing on what will happen in gameplay. 

The first is of Kylo Ren and the First Order Stormtroopers, who look to be up against some rebels on a ship. The second is of our heroes Finn, Rey, and Poe who appear to be at the crash site on Jakku. More characters from the 'Force Awakens' are said to be announced for the future, including maybe Captain Phasma and BB-8. Stay tuned as we find out more details on the "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" Play Set for Disney Infinity 3.0.