Skip to content

walt disney world

Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Its Unknown Future (part I)

earful-tower-dhs

I’m like most Disney theme park fans, I hear rumors all the time, some of them are more legit than others, but it can be hard to tell which actually have some nuggets of truth. To help with this, I have a rule – I don’t believe anything until Disney actually breaks ground on the project. But that doesn’t mean I can’t speculate about the latest rumors. So, keeping my rule in mind, here’s my latest understanding of changes coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The Sorcerer’s Hat is getting moved. If it’s possible to save the hat (which isn’t a given considering how much steel and concrete when into placing it at DHS) there are a couple of options as to where it will end up. It could go where it should have been placed originally – the Christmas Tree planter in the lakeside plaza out on front of the park. There it will provide a great moment as guests arrive from the bus, parking lot, or friendship boat dock. It can continue to house a store just like the little shop outside of Disney’s Animal Kingdom does. Plus, you’ll be able to view the hat from 360 degrees, which you really can’t in the park. Another likely location would be Disney Springs where it would fit in nicely in the modern west side area.

Moving the hat is rumored to be the first step in what will be a major makeover for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This will likely happen over a period of many years, but the park is expected to get (we’ll try and figure out the order of these later): Star Wars land, Toy Story play land, Cars Land (junior edition), a new parking lot entrance and extra parking spots, a performance corridor for parades, and a placemaking overlay on the order of Disney’s California Adventure (possibly with an entirely new entrance plaza).
Read More »Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Its Unknown Future (part I)

It’s Official: Sorcerer’s Hat Coming Down at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Ding-Dong the hat is dead. A Disney spokesperson has confirmed that Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat will be removed from the center of Disney’s Hollywood Studios as they embark on a change that will re-imagine the central hub of the park. Disney spokesperson Bryan Malenius stated, “Work… Read More »It’s Official: Sorcerer’s Hat Coming Down at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney and Southwest Air Add Pixie Dust to First Flight on New Route to Orlando

The passengers and crew of the first Southwest Air flight on their new route from Dallas to Orlando, were in for a big surprise… Walt Disney World flew in the Dapper Dans barbershop quartet and a “Jungle Cruise” skipper, plus a lot of special treats… Read More »Disney and Southwest Air Add Pixie Dust to First Flight on New Route to Orlando

50th Anniversary of Disneyland Ambassador Program ceremony held on both coasts

50 years ago Disneyland introduced the Ambassador program. Walt Disney wanted a host to act as a representative of the park for community events, tv shows, as well as to play host to VIP guests and foreign dignitaries. That first host was Julie Reihm (now… Read More »50th Anniversary of Disneyland Ambassador Program ceremony held on both coasts

Downtown Disney Transforming into Disney Springs – October 2014 Construction Update

03-dtd-disney-springs-foodtruck

Here’s our latest look at the progress on converting Downtown Disney into Disney Springs. Lots of work going on near the Marketplace, the area of Pleasure Island that will become “The Landing,” and even on the Westside. The Parking garage looks good and the special pedestrian bridges are starting to take shape too. The only hitch for the parking garage is whether Disney can get final approval from the state to build the I-4 off-ramp that leads directly into the garage.

A few new ‘stores’ have been set up near Fulton’s Crabhouse. Looks like a way for a few concepts to get introduced to Downtown Disney crowds without a full store. If these work, they’ll probably move to one of the new shopping districts in The Landing or Disney Springs.

I have not idea why the volcano is undergoing construction again, considering it just opened earlier this year. But the rest of the construction has really started to move toward the final phases.

Below the jump, I’ve added a photo gallery with some highlights and a few details that didn’t make it into the video:

Read More »Downtown Disney Transforming into Disney Springs – October 2014 Construction Update

Refurbished Astro Orbitor is spectacular at night

The Astro Orbitor at the Magic Kingdom recently came out of an extensive refurbishment. They took everything off the top of the platform and did maintenance for two months. It’s all back together now and looking better than ever. As one of the main Weenies… Read More »Refurbished Astro Orbitor is spectacular at night

Harmony Barbershop to Close for 2 months in 2015

Getting a haircut at the Magic Kingdom is a tradition for many families, including ours. In fact, our son has only had hair cuts at that location, all of them by Michal. If you’re like our family, or just plan an early 2015 trip to… Read More »Harmony Barbershop to Close for 2 months in 2015

New Haunted Mansion store, Memento Mori, opens at Magic Kingdom

Memento Mori, the new Haunted Mansion themed store, took over the old Yankee Trader location. It just opened on Monday and I swung by to take some pictures and video. Since the old Gypsy Cart got relocated by Rapunzel’s Tower, the kitchen themed merchandise had… Read More »New Haunted Mansion store, Memento Mori, opens at Magic Kingdom