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Friday, August 12, 2016

Epcot's Sum of All Thrills & Storm Struck to Close in Mid-September; Sneak Peak of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Merchandise

Epcot's Sum of All Thrills & Storm Struck to Close in Mid-September:



Long rumored to be seeing its end it appears at least according to reports that Sum of All Thrills and Storm Struck will be closing in Innoventions at Epcot September 14. This will leave almost the whole pavilion closed with the exception of Colortopia. Colortopia has been opened inside Innoventions for less than a year. 

Although it is said once the contract is up Glidden, that Colortopia will close as well. No announcement has been officially been made by Disney. Some think once it does close it will begin the major revitalization of Future World at Epcot. It has already been rumored that Ellen's Energy Adventure would also be closing sometime this year. 

As always these are rumors until confirmed by Disney but looks like the exhibits inside Innoventions will be saying goodbye sooner rather than later.

Sneak Peak of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Merchandise:

Our favorite Disney merchandise guru, Steven Miller gave us a sneak peak of the new merchandise being released for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. In a new Disney Parks Blog Unboxed, he revealed to us new t-shirts for men, women, and kids, special and limited edition pins, and so much more. 


In addition to the items shown in the video, which can be seen here, a brand new limited edition size of 3,000 retail MagicBand will be released. It will be released at the Emporium and Box Office Gifts on Main Street, USA. 


Other merchandise shown in the video will be available will be available in several locations. Here is where you can find them at:
  • Limited Edition, Limited Release Pins, and Special Ornaments will be available at Big Top Souvenirs inside Storybook Circus
  • Apparel at Mickey's Starship Traders in Tomorrowland and the Emporium
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party begins September 2 and carry on for 29 spooktastic parties at the Magic Kingdom. 



Thursday, August 11, 2016

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" Second Trailer Released

We've been waiting all week for this and it finally arrived just a few minutes ago. Absolutely amazing is all I can say about the new "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" trailer. And yes, we do just get a glimpse of Lord Vader himself. "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" will soar into theaters this December. Check out the new trailer below:

New Eastern Gateway Coming to Disneyland; Princess Elena of Avalor's Royal Welcome

New Eastern Gateway Coming to Disneyland:



During last night's excitement of the Main Street Electrical Parade ending its run at the Magic Kingdom and moving to Disneyland, Disneyland broke news itself. A new Eastern Gateway will be built by late 2018. It will provide a new arrival point for guests with more choices of access and parking. Being built on the East side of the park it will include a new parking structure with 6,800 spaces, a new transportation facility, and an elevated pedestrian bridge. Here is more from today's release on the Disney Parks Blog:
The largest infrastructure project in the Anaheim Resort Area in the last 20 years, the Eastern Gateway will make it even easier to get to the Happiest Place on Earth by providing an east-side entry point to the Anaheim Resort Area. The new transportation facility will be the arrival point for buses, taxis, bicycles and various shuttles that currently use the existing transportation facility located on the west side of Harbor Boulevard. The new pedestrian pathway and elevated bridge over Harbor Blvd. will directly link guests arriving at the parking structure and eastern transportation facility with the main entrance plaza.
With exciting projects happening on both coasts, stay tuned as you never know what will happen next in the world of Disney.

Princess Elena of Avalor's Royal Welcome:


Today, guests at the Magic Kingdom as well as fans watching live on the Disney Parks Blog enjoyed the Royal Welcome of Princess Elena of Avalor. During the ceremony Princess Elena was welcomed by Cinderella and Prince Charming in a show that will run daily now at the Magic Kingdom. 

The daily show will bring Disney's first princess inspired by Latin cultures on the Castle Forecourt Stage. For those of you that missed the live stream, the Disney Parks Blog posted the live stream replay on YouTube. You can check it out below:



That's not all for Disney Channel's new Princess as Princess Elena of Avalor has already been renewed for a second season. Princess Elena of Avalor can be seen Friday's on Disney Channel at 7 p.m. ET and 11 a.m. on weekend on Disney Junior.


Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Main Street Electrical Parade Ending its Run at Magic Kingdom Oct. 9, Moving to Disneyland


UPDATE #2: As of right now it looks like Paint the Night won't be coming to Magic Kingdom after all. According to Erin Glover from the Disney Parks Blog who responded to a comment on tonight's release that at this time there are no plans to bring Paint the Night to Walt Disney World.
Now of course this could change at any time and Paint the Night could eventually make its way over to the Magic Kingdom in Disney World.

UPDATE: Main Street Electrical Parade will begin its run for a limited-encore engagement at Disneyland in Early 2017. Paint the Night after ending on September 5 will return on select nights through the holiday season until the return of Main Street Electrical Parade at the beginning of the year.

Rumors got hot and heavy last week that the Main Street Electrical Parade at Magic Kingdom would be ending its run at the theme park. The rumors became even hotter when it was announced that Paint the Night in Disneyland would be ending on September 5. The rumors have now officially been confirmed as the Main Street Electrical Parade will be ending its run officially on October 9. 

The nighttime parade will move to Disneyland Resort for a limited time however no date has been announced when MSEP will begin at Disneyland. One would assume now that Paint the Night will be making its way over to the East Coast now that Main Street Electrical Parade will be moving to the West Coast. No official announcement has been made on Paint the Night moving to the Magic Kingdom. 

The Main Street Electrical Parade debuted in 2010 and is a nighttime procession filled with glowing, spinning floats that honor favorite Disney characters. Animated Disney films that are represented include “Alice In Wonderland,” “Cinderella” and more. During the parade, Tinker Bell lights the way with a wave of her wand and orchestrates half a million shimmering lights synchronized to a memorable soundtrack.

Of course you can stay tuned as more information on the Main Street Electrical Parade moving to Disneyland and possible move of Paint the Night to the East Coast should be out soon. 

New "Rogue One" High Resolution Stills Released Ahead of Tomorrow's Trailer

Tomorrow, the new trailer for "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" will be released during Olympics coverage on NBC. Today, however Lucasfilm released 13 amazing new high resolution stills ahead of tomorrow's trailer release. Check them out below:














Also, in case that wasn't enough to get you excited for tomorrow's trailer here is the teaser to get you excited for tomorrow.



Of course you can stay tuned for the trailer as it will be posted right here on It All Started With a Mouse once it is released.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Disney Highlights Reasons to Visit Disney World this Fall, Where's Rivers of Light?


Fall is a wonderful time to visit Walt Disney World, my visit to the World is in just 40 days. Today, the Disney Parks Blog highlighted its 12 Reasons to Visit Disney World This Fall, but one of its parks is missing. Animal Kingdom and its nighttime events are not even mentioned in the article. 

If you look at the hours for the park after September 5, the park goes back to closing at 7:30/8:00 sometimes even earlier than that. Not to mention we haven't heard any updated on Rivers of Light for months. The last update was in April when we heard that it was being delayed and that we were going to be getting the Jungle Book: Alive wit Magic nighttime show for the summer. Disney had said we would hear an update on Rivers of Light by the end of May. It is now August 9 and yet still no update. 


Now in recent weeks, the barges and the four main animal floats of Rivers of Light have been seen being tested on the Discovery River. There is some hope though as Touring Plans has heard an opening date of September 15, 2016 for Rivers of Light. 

The question remains though if that is the date why wouldn't they at least give us an update or mention Animal Kingdom in today's article. You have to imagine we will be hearing something on Rivers of Light with this proposed debut in just over a month. 

People like me are visiting Disney World this Fall and for many of us who haven't gotten to experience Animal Kingdom at night. We just want some information from Disney and the question remains: What's going on with Rivers of Light?


Monday, August 8, 2016

Save Up to 20% this Holiday Season at Select Disney World Resorts; Star Wars Rebels Season 3 Premiere Date Set

Save Up to 20% this Holiday Season at Select Disney World Resorts:



Planning a vist to Disney World this holiday season, well today Disney announced you can save up to 20% at select Disney World resorts. Guests visiting the most magical place on Earth, which truly magical during the holidays, may receive 10-20% off their resort stay depending on which resort. This offer is valid for stays between November 6 through December 23, 2016 (excluding the dates of November 11-12 and 23-25). To receive the discount, guests must book between today August 8 through October 8, 2016. 

Here are more details:

Select Disney Deluxe Villas -
20% off:
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas Jambo House and Kidani Village, Disney's Boardwalk Villas, Disney's Old Key West, Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, The Villas at Wilderness Lodge 

10% off:
Disney's Beach Club Villas and Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows - Studios Only

Select Disney Deluxe Resorts -
20% off:
Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boardwalk Inn, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Wilderness Lodge, Yacht Club

10% off:
Beach Club, Disney's Contemporary Resort, and Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

Select Disney Moderate Resorts - 
15% off:
The Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Coronado Springs Resort, and Port Orleans - Riverside

Select Disney Value Resorts -
10% off:
All-Star Movies Resort, All-Star Music Resort, All-Star Sports Resort, Art of Animation - Family Suites Only, and Pop Century

Offer Restrictions:


  • Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion.
  • Offer excludes campsites, 3-bedroom villas, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Little Mermaid Standard Rooms and Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.
  • Length of stay requirements may apply.
Star Wars Rebels Season 3 Premiere Date Set:


We have a premiere date set for Star Wars Rebels Season 3 and that is, Saturday September 24 at 8:30 p.m ET on Disney XD. The show introduces us to the return of the most sinister Grand Admiral Thrawn and a new character in the Bendu in the one hour premiere in the episode called, "Steps into Shadow." Here is the description of the episode:
Having established a secret base on Atollon, the Ghost crew, now led by a more powerful Ezra, strengthens the rebel fleet by acquiring new resources and recruits eager to stand against the Empire. However, the Imperial efforts to eliminate the rebellion are now being led by the coldly analytical Grand Admiral Thrawn, whose strategic, tactical, and cultural insights make him a threat unlike any they have faced before.
Here is the new TV spot released today for Season 3: