Big news on the intergalactic newswire today. Luke Skywalker, aka actor Mark Hamill, will be making his first ever appearance at a Disney Star Wars Weekends event. He’ll be one of the celebrity guests on June 6-8. Celebrity guests appear daily in the “Legends of… Read More »Luke Skywalker, AKA Mark Hamill, confirmed for Star Wars Weekends June 6-8
Katie Holmes has come a long way from Dawson’s Creek. Actually not too far, as that show was filmed up in North Carolina. Minnie Mouse donned her special polka-dot heart dress to poses with Holmes in the New York Street area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.… Read More »Minnie Mouse Meets Katie Holmes
Walt Disney World announced they will kick off this year’s Star Wars Weekends with a new merchandise event called Rebel Rendezvous, on Thursday, May 15. The event will take place between 10am and 5pm at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and will offer ticket holders the following:… Read More »Walt Disney World to Kick off Star Wars Weekends with Rebel Rendezvous Merchandise Event on May 15, 2014
Star Wars Weekends is approaching at light speed. If you want to make a big impression without a full on costume, you might try some of these nifty Star Wars themed hoodies from Thinkgeek.
This Tauntaun hooded sweatshirt is new to the Star Wars collection. I love the interior pattern, sure to be enough guts to keep you warm on chilly evenings.
Two other favorites are the Chewbacca Wookiee and Boba Fett hoodies.
Read More »New Tauntaun Hoodie, The Fashionable Choice at Star Wars Weekends
from Instagram Has ever a park icon been so universally loathed (pun intended) as the big blue Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Still, it has grown to possess a certain presence just by pure persistence. I couldn’t help but snap a few photos… Read More »Instapic: The Infamous Hat Icon
Disney’s heartwarming ode to love, ‘Blank – A Vinylmation Love Story’, is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for Valentines day weekend. Filmed entirely in stop-motion animation, Blank follows an unpainted Vinylmation as he finds himself on a quest that alters the destiny of his entire… Read More »See ‘Blank – A Vinylmation Love Story’ at Disney’s Hollywood Studios For Valentine’s Day
Musician Drake hosted the January 18, 2014 episode of Saturday Night Live, and one of the sketches was set at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Drake played an enthusiastic cast member at the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, who meets an audience volunteer who doesn’t speak English. As… Read More »Disney’s Hollywood Studios Featured in Saturday Night Live Skit Hosted By Drake
Normally at this time of year, I write a retrospective piece looking back at the year in Disney, but for personal reasons, I’ve decided now is the time to look forward, not back. Instead of recollections, I’m writing prescriptions.These are the things I believe will help Walt Disney World continue to compete for the hearts and wallets of their fans while fending off challenges from other entertainment options both near (Universal Orlando) and far (changing TV viewing habits at home, for instance)
I’ll try and limit myself to one or two recommendations each and something that can at least get started in 2014. I don’t intend each prescription to solve every woe, but it will at least make a significant difference in one or two major problem areas.
Magic Kingdom
The oldest theme park in Central Florida is showing its age more and more and suffers from serious stagnation in both attractions and entertainment (translation: a serious capacity issue). There is something they can do quickly to make a dent. As part of an overall project to update Tomorrowland, I prescribe for the park an indoor air-conditioned high-capacity theater capable of hosting shows similar to the Hyperion Theater at California Adventure. With multiple shows a day, this adds a lot of capacity, gives guests a place to cool off in the heat and humidity, and allows for a showcase for Disney’s latest animated musicals (Rapunzel Stage show anyone?). This is also something that could be accomplished quickly and with minimal in park disruption by setting the theater outside the berm. Additional revenue can be raised by hosting events in the space, something the Magic Kingdom is currently lacking.
EPCOT
This park has the highest capacity of all four parks. It has two wonderful festivals and an enjoyable Christmas overlay. These are wonderful for what they do to attract guests. However, the mission and vision of EPCOT has been ignored for too long, and many areas of the park are in serious need of rejuvenation. Let’s tackle the two sections of the park separately.Read More »Dr. John’s 2014 Prescriptions for Walt Disney World