Concrete Poured for 'Guardians of the Galaxy' Coaster at Epcot

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.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

The Last Jedi Trailer Coming Tomorrow, Stitch Meet & Greet Opens, and More

"Star Wars: The Last Jedi" Trailer Coming Tomorrow:

The next trailer for "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" is in fact premiering tomorrow during halftime of the Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings Monday Night Football game on ESPN. Star Wars on its social media pages officially teased the trailer this morning. 

Get ready. Trailer tomorrow. #TheLastJedi pic.twitter.com/woC9KF4GH8

— Star Wars (@starwars) October 8, 2017

Guests visiting Disneyland more specifically Downtown Disney can watch the premiere of the trailer on a giant screen outside of AMC Downtown Disney Theaters 12. The fun will begin at 5 p.m. with a live DJ, trivia, giveaways all while counting down to the premiere of "The Last Jedi" trailer. Tickets for "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" will in fact go on sale officially after the premiere of the trailer.

"Star Wars: The Last Jedi" soars into theaters on December 15.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

New Stitch Meet & Greet Opens Up at Magic Kingdom:

The new Stitch's Alien Encounter Character Greeting officially opened up at Magic Kingdom. The new meet & greet is indeed in the former queue of the current seasonally operating Stitch's Great Escape. 

The hours for the meet & greet will be from 10:30 a.m. until 7 p.m., hours for the character greeting will fluctuate daily. Disney is still saying that Stitch's Great Escape will operate seasonally saying that the ride is not closing for good. 

Rumors have been swirling since last year since the attraction began operating seasonally that the ride would be replaced with possibly a Wreck-It-Ralph attraction. Many expected an announcement during the D23 Expo, but to no avail there was no announcement. Stitch's Great Escape is expected to be replaced before Walt Disney World's and Magic Kingdom's 50th Anniversary in 2021.

Walls Go Up Around Universe of Energy:

It was inevitable that it would happen but walls have officially gone up as of yesterday around the Universe of Energy. Construction has already begun on the new Guardians of the Galaxy rollercoaster that is expected to be completed by 2021. Ellen's Energy Adventure and Universe of Energy closed August 13. 

Source Image: WDW News Today

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. 

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? 

My Top 5 Favorite Attractions at Epcot

Well here we are back again with part 2 of my favorite attractions. Today we are going to Epcot and I will be sharing my top 5 favorite attractions. I will repeat from yesterday, I am in no way saying these are the best in the park. This is all my opinion so without much more to say, let's get on with it. Here are My Top 5 Favorite Attractions at Epcot:

5.) The Seas with Nemo & Friends in The Living Seas Pavilion:

Here starting at no.5 is The Seas with Nemo & Friends is one of my favorite attractions in Epcot. In this wonderful ride in the Living Seas pavilion jump on a clam-mobile and re-live the Disney/Pixar film, Finding Nemo. I thoroughly enjoy this ride and at 25 it makes me feel like a kid swimming with the fish along with hearing the story of Nemo. You get to meet all the Nemo characters plus real fish are swimming in the aquarium behind the projections. I enjoy this ride because not only is it a fun ride it is quite a learning experience for my niece and nephews, when they are on trips to the World with us. This ride opened in 2006 so it is still a relatively new ride. I enjoy this ride so much and that is why it is no. 5 on my favorite attractions at Epcot.

4.) Journey into Imagination with Figment in The Imagination Pavilion:

Use your senses and imagine what you can do. In at no. 4 is Journey into Imagination with Figment. Figment one of my all time favorite characters makes this ride one of my favorites in Epcot. Do I miss the Dreamfinder? Yes, I do but I will ride this ride without a doubt in my mind every time I'm at Walt Disney World. It is such a fun ride and Figment is funny. Join Dr. Channing as he guides you through the Imagination Institute open house as he takes you through labs to learn about our 5 senses (sight, sound, smell, taste and touch). Although, you only get through sight, sound, and smell before the eccentric Figment has other ideas for you. The ride goes along with music of "One Little Spark," a catchy little tune that may just get stuck in your head after the ride is over. This is a fastpass ride, but generally there is no wait to get on. Journey into Imagination with Figment is no.4 on my favorite attractions at Epcot.

3.) Ellen's Energy Adventure in The Universe of Energy Pavilion:

Go back in time and join the dinosaurs as we join Ellen DeGeneres in number 3 in my favorite attractions at Epcot in Ellen's Energy Adventure. This long dark ride, almost 45 minutes long, to be exact is amazing. I love how Ellen and my favorite scientist Bill Nye the Science Guy take us on a journey to learn where energy began. We start out learning that Ellen is dreaming about winning Jeopardy but needs the help of Bill to win. So he takes Ellen back to when the Universe began with the Big Bang Theory. We then enter my favorite part where you ride through a world of animatronic dinosaurs. I mean even as a kid I loved this ride and the big part of it was the dinosaurs. Once through the dinosaurs your taken to watch 3 giant screens that take you through learning about different uses of energy past, present, and future. The ride ends with Ellen winning Jeopardy after coming back from her trip with Bill Nye. This ride is another way to get out of the heat and rest your feet for a little bit. That is why Ellen's Energy Adventure is in at number 3 of my top 5 attractions at Epcot.

2.) Test Track Presented by Chevrolet:

I loved the first version and I love version 2.0 of this attraction even more. In at number 2 in my favorite attractions at Epcot is Test Track. This ride really gives you the thrill like you are driving your own car. In this updated version you now get to create the car you're going to be testing. Even when you go back on the ride you can use the same car you created before or create a new one. Definitely one of my favorite rides in Epcot. I love how the ride is so realistic as it takes it through different performance tests as well as how safe the car. The ride which originally took you through almost like a very loud lab to test the car, now take you through a much quieter tests that make you feel like you're in Disney's Tron. Once done with the ride a car created by one of the guests in the vehicle is chosen a winner for best car created. It certainly creates some competition among family members of who's car is the best. This ride is a fastpass ride and usually has a long wait no matter what time of day, so plan in advance. The ability to create your own car, the thrill of feeling like driving your own car, and the competition the ride bring out in family members is why it's number 2 on my list of favorite attractions at Epcot.

1.) Soarin' in The Land Pavilion:

There is nothing like hang gliding over California in my favorite attraction at Epcot. Number 1 in my top 5 favorite attractions at Epcot is Soarin'. This ride takes you on a tour of the Golden State in a hang gliding simulated attraction that makes you feel that you are actually hang gliding. You get to see the sights and even the smells of this beautiful smell. You get to tour the Golden Gate Bridge, the Redwood forests, Napa Valley, Yosemite and more as you end your trip in the most magical and the original starting point in Disney theme parks in Disneyland. My favorite is how Disney makes it so magical that you can smell the oranges and the pine trees soaring over the great tour of California. It really is an amazing ride. It is experience that everyone should enjoy on their trip to Epcot. I know my family and I ride this multiple times on our trips to Disney World. This ride always is busy and fastpasses are a must no matter what time of day. I can't tell you enough how great this ride is and that is why Soarin' is number 1 in my top 5 favorite attractions at Epcot.

This Day in Disney History:

On this day, February 8th, 14 years ago Disney open's it second Anaheim theme park in Disney's California Adventure along with it's new hotel the Grand Californian.

Also in 2012, Disney announces on the 11th anniversary of Disney's California Adventure, an expansion of the park that is now Buena Vista Street and Cars Land today.

Daily Disney Quote:

"Animation offers a medium of story telling and visual entertainment which can bring pleasure and information to people of all ages everywhere in the world."

Walt Disney

This ends Part 2 of my series of my favorite attractions in each of the theme parks. Tune in next week  for the final two parts. Tomorrow is another day and I end like I always do in the words of Mickey Mouse, "See Ya Real Soon."