Minnie Van Service Officially Begins at Walt Disney World

The Minnie Van service officially began today at Walt Disney World at select resorts. It is now available at both Disney's Boardwalk and Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts.

Through a collaboration with the US’ fastest growing rideshare service, Lyft, guests at these resorts can arrange their own private Disney vehicle right from the Lyft app on their smartphone. With Minnie Van service, Disney cast members will then whisk you away to wherever you want to be at Walt Disney World Resort. This service accommodates up to six guests and provides two versatile car seats so even the tiniest of passengers can travel in style!
Minnie Van service will be available between 6:30 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. (subject to change). Guests staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts can learn more by visiting their Bell Services desk.

The service costs $20 per trip and will eventually expand throughout the Walt Disney World Parks & Resorts.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

The Jawas Are Leaving Hollywood Studios; Great Movie Ride "That's a Wrap!" Merchandise

The Jawas Are Leaving Disney's Hollywood Studios:

Yesterday, appears to have been the final day guests were able to greet and trade with the Jawas at Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney's Hollywood Studios according to Kenny the Pirate. This doesn't mean they are going away forever just that for now they are being retired from meet & greets as well as trading with them. 

Rumor has it that Rey will begin meeting with guests along with BB-8 at Star Wars Launch Bay. Rey recently began appearing along with other favorite Star Wars characters in the stage show, Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away. Rey has yet to appear for any kind of meet & greet at the park. 

While the Jawas are going, one could only hope they will return when Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opens in 2019.

Source: Kenny the Pirate

Great Movie Ride "That's a Wrap!" Merchandise to Hit Disney Parks & Online:

During Friday's, Disney Park Blog Meetup with their farewell to The Great Movie Ride, it was revealed that Disney would be releasing special Farewell merchandise. The Great Movie Ride is slated to close for good on August 13, 2017 where it will be replaced by Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway. 

The "That's a Wrap!" merchandise will be available late this week in Walt Disney World. Some of the items will be released on Disney Store online on August 10, 2017.

D23 & TCM to Celebrate The Great Movie Ride; Muppet Vision 3-D Closes Unexpectedly

D23 & TCM to Celebrate The Great Movie Ride:

We are all in a somber mood as soon one of the original rides at Disney's Hollywood Studios when The Great Movie Ride closes for good on August 13. On August 12, D23 and TCM will be celebrating The Great Movie Ride to give us one final goodbye to the classic attraction here are the details:

OVERVIEW

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club and TCM Backlot: The Ultimate Turner Classic Movies Fan Club are joining together to invite members of both fan clubs to celebrate the farewell of The Great Movie Ride!

DETAILS
Experience begins promptly at 7:15 a.m. at the entrance of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Check-in will begin at 7 a.m. Please do not arrive before 7 a.m. Due to the nature of this unique experience, late arrivals will not be accommodated.

Available to Gold and Gold Family Members
You will be required to show a photo ID. Members will be required to show their D23 Membership Card.

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club and TCM Backlot: The Ultimate Turner Classic Movies Fan Club are joining together to invite members of both fan clubs to celebrate the farewell of The Great Movie Ride!

Attendees will have the opportunity to experience the star-studded cinema attraction one last time during a behind-the-scenes experience before Disney’s Hollywood Studios opens to the public on Saturday, August 12.

This complimentary event will include a private attraction experience with special guests, a delicious breakfast at The Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant and a one-of-a-kind gift created just for attendees!

NOTE
D23 Gold and Gold Family Members may register a ticket for themselves and one (1) guest.
Due to the nature of this experience, all attendees must be at least 21 years of age or older to partake in this D23 experience.
This experience does not require admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests will need to have or purchase admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios if planning to return to the theme park once the experience concludes.
Food allergy and restrictions must be communicated to our Guest Services team prior to the event.
There is a limited number of reservations available. D23 Members will be required to provide their membership number when reserving tickets. Tickets may be picked up only with a valid photo ID AND D23 MEMBERSHIP CARD. D23 Members who do not bring their membership card may not be admitted to the event. Ticketed Members who do not attend the event forfeit their place as well as all experiences, benefits, and gifts associated with the event.
All D23 Special Events are subject to change without notice. There are no cancellations or refunds, and tickets are not transferable.

PLEASE BE ADVISED: Filming, photography, and other recording will take place at Walt Disney World Resort during the event you will be attending. By entering the premises, you irrevocably consent to and authorize The Walt Disney Company, its affiliates, successors, and assigns (collectively “Producer”), to photograph you, make sound recordings of you, and use such photographs and recordings throughout the world, for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity, including, but not limited to, television broadcasts and home entertainment products, including, but not limited to, home video and DVD. All such photographs and sound recordings will be the sole property of Producer.

The experience is complimentary, registration for the event will open Tuesday, August 1 at 10 a.m. PT for D23 Gold and Gold Family Members. 

Source: D23

Muppet Vision 3D Closes Unexpectedly for Short Refurbishment:

Today, Muppet Vision 3D closed unexpectedly for a very short refurbishment. The ride will be closed from today through August 2. Disney didn't give any reason for why it was closed down. 

Source: WDW News Today

Legendary Disney Imagineer & Walt's Right Hand Man Marty Sklar Passes Away

What can be said about Marty Sklar that probably hasn't already been said. While I have never met him, listening to him as he would talk about Disney he just wasn't a man who worked at Disney he was a fan just like us. Marty Sklar passed away unexpectedly late last night at the age of 83. It is hard to imagine Disney at all without Marty, he will be truly missed. As a friend said we as fans talk about "what Walt would have wanted," but Marty was one of the only few who actually knew what Walt wanted.

Here is what Thomas Smith wrote last night from the Disney Parks Blog which includes quotes from the likes of CEO Bob Iger, Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek, and fellow Disney Imagineer Bob Weis.

Legendary Disney Imagineer Martin A. “Marty” Sklar passed away in his Hollywood Hills home on Thursday. He was 83. During an illustrious career spanning 54 years, Marty worked closely with Walt Disney and was instrumental in creating, enhancing and expanding Disney’s creative vision. Named a Disney Legend in 2001, he is best remembered and revered by fans around the world for his work bringing Disney’s theme parks to life.“Everything about Marty was legendary – his achievements, his spirit, his career,” said Bob Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “He embodied the very best of Disney, from his bold originality to his joyful optimism and relentless drive for excellence. He was also a powerful connection to Walt himself. No one was more passionate about Disney than Marty and we’ll miss his enthusiasm, his grace, and his indomitable spirit.”Born in New Brunswick, N.J., on February 6, 1934, Marty was a student at UCLA and editor of its Daily Bruin newspaper when he was recruited to create The Disneyland News for Walt’s new theme park in 1955. After graduating in 1956, he joined Disney full-time, and would go on to serve as Walt’s right-hand man—scripting speeches, marketing materials, and a film showcasing Walt’s vision for Walt Disney World and Epcot. During this period, he also joined WED Enterprises, the forerunner of Walt Disney Imagineering, and he would later become the creative leader of Imagineering, leading the development of Disney theme parks and attractions for the next three decades. He retired as Executive Vice President and Imagineering Ambassador on July 17, 2009, Disneyland’s 54th birthday. Disney marked the occasion by paying tribute to Marty with the highest Parks and Resorts recognition, dedicating a window in his name on Disneyland’s City Hall. “Marty was the ultimate Disney Imagineer and Cast Member. From his days working as an intern with Walt to just two weeks ago engaging with fans at D23 Expo, Marty left an indelible mark on Disney Parks around the globe and on all of the guests who make memories every day with us,” said Bob Chapek, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “He was one of the few people that was fortunate to attend the opening of every single Disney park in the world, from Anaheim in 1955 to Shanghai just last year. We will dearly miss Marty’s passion, skill and imaginative spark that inspired generations of Cast, Crew and Imagineers.”Bob Weis was one of those Imagineers. “Marty was one of Walt’s most trusted advisors and helped turn his most ambitious dreams into reality. For us, it’s hard to imagine a world without Marty, because Marty is synonymous with Imagineering,” said Weis, President, Walt Disney Imagineering. “His influence can be seen around the world, in every Disney park, and in the creative and imaginative work of almost every professional in the themed entertainment industry.”Marty’s impact and achievements were recognized with a number of prestigious awards and accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement award from TEA (Themed Entertainment Association), induction into the Hall of Fame of IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions), and the prestigious Professional Achievement Award from UCLA.He also authored several books about his experiences and adventures at Disney: Dream It! Do It!: My Half-Century Creating Disney’s Magic Kingdoms (2013), and One Little Spark!: Mickey’s Ten Commandments and The Road to Imagineering (2015).Marty is survived by his wife of 60 years, Leah; son Howard and his wife, Katriina Koski-Sklar; grandchildren Gabriel and Hannah; daughter Leslie; and grandchildren Rachel and Jacob.Marty and Leah were two of the founders of the Ryman Program for Young Artists, a project of Ryman Arts, a nonprofit foundation whose purpose is to teach and mentor “traditional” drawing and painting skills to talented young artists in Southern California. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Marty’s name to Ryman Arts at www.rymanarts.org.

Like I said earlier it hard to image a world without Marty Sklar, much of what we know today in the parks is because of Marty. I would have loved to meet with him in person like he did with many Disney fans. I know that on behalf of myself and even my friends at the MouseLife podcast send our deepest condolences to not only just the Sklar family but whole Disney family. We have a little less magic in our hearts from the loss of Marty Sklar. Rest in Peace, Marty.

Online Check-In Now Available on My Disney Experience App

The My Disney Experience App just received another new update this time that will allow guests to check-in online. Here is the rundown from the Disney Parks Blog:

Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels will be able to use Disney’s Online Check-In service on the My Disney Experience mobile app, expediting their arrival while providing additional convenience, flexibility and customization of their experience. The feature enables Guests to start the check-in process up to 60 days before their arrival, bypassing the need to visit the front desk and giving families the opportunity to begin their vacation as soon as they set foot in Walt Disney World Resort. Guests complete their check-in by unlocking their room, when it is ready, using the MagicBands sent to them prior to their arrival.

With just a few taps on your screen, guests can make room requests, add credit card information, authorize charges, submit an estimated arrival time to help prompt room access, and receive notification when your room is ready. Note: Room requests are not guaranteed and guests must provide consent to receive notifications.



Guests can begin the online check-in process at any point up to 60 days prior to their Walt Disney World vacation.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

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

Introducing the New Baseline Tap House in New Grand Avenue Area at Hollywood Studios

Just announced is the new Baseline Tap House coming to a brand new area called Grand Avenue at Disney's Hollywood Studios this Fall. The area near where the former Writer's Stop is being re-imagined to capture the spirit of present-day Downtown Los Angeles, showing vintage office buildings and warehouses representing the  different vibrant districts and cultures of the city. 

One of the brand new hot spots will be the brand new Baseline Tap House which will be a cheerful corner pub specializing in beers and wines from California. It will be in a quaint brick building and will celebrate the revitalization of Downtown Los Angeles by paying homage to the building’s former life as the Figueroa Printing Company, a mom-and-pop print house that had ties to the Disney studios in nearby Burbank. 

The space (the old Writer's Stop building) will retain many of its cool architectural and mechanical details with exposed walls and old printing equipment and artifacts, blending the past and present in an inviting space. Outside is a charming tree-shaded terrace, perfect for a relaxing break in the day.

California craft ales, lagers and cider are the stars of the drink menu. California wines on tap along with specialty cocktails are not to be missed either. A gourmet non-alcoholic lemonade and soda on tap round out the drink selection. If you’re feeling a little hungry try one of the small bites that will include a Bavarian pretzel with mustard and beer-cheese fondue, spiced almonds or a charcuterie board featuring California cheeses. Baseline Tap House will open daily at 11 a.m.

Source: Disney Parks Blog