One of the cool new additions to the Darth’s Mall photo opportunity section at the 2013 Star Wars Weekends is this huge model of the Rancor that Luke Skywalker fought in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi. Here’s a fun timelapse video of… Read More »Star Wars Weekends Rancor Photo-Op Assembly Timelapse Video
Just returned from an evening of fun at Star Wars Weekends over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I don’t have time to write a full report this morning, but here are a few highlights. I arrived to late for most of the festivities, but was able to get into Darth’s Mall and catch the new Hyperspace Hoopla. Lots of great merchandise this year, both for the event and fresh from Star Wars too. There was a 10-minute queue just to get in to the store, then if you wanted photos, special merchandise, or a D-Tech figure, there were even more lines. Crazy.
Read More »Star Wars Weekends In Full Force at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
According to Disney construction was to have officially started on Disney Springs in early May. It’s now mid-month, so I set off to see what visible evidence there was of the pending transformation. Turns out not much. But there is a bit new at Downtown Disney since my last swing through, so I do have something to share with y’all.
Walls have gone up in the former comedy warehouse area of pleasure island.
Get used to seeing these everywhere soon
TSMM Fast pass machines ready and waiting
An outrageous story in the NY Post has been making the rounds today. According to the story, some rich New York moms are taking advantage of an unofficial $130/hr Disney World VIP concierge tour service that utilizes Guess Assistance Cards (GAC) to shorten some of the waits for the party. If true, this is a horrible abuse of a system that really is needed by those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to enjoy Disney’s wonderful theme parks without some assistance.
If you ask me, something is a little off in the story including some factually challenged details. The mom in question claims to have skipped a 2.5 hour queue for “it’s a small world.” Let me assure you that even on the 4th of July, the queue for IASW does not get that long. (Ask me again after MyMagic Plus adds totally unnecessary fastpass access to IASW, that fact may change.)
Read More »Are Rich Moms Really Cutting Queues With VIP Tours and GAC Cards?
It’s been a long time since I managed to make it to Disney’s Animal Kingdom for a walk-about. A shame because it’s my favorite park. Not for the rides or parades, there are better elsewhere on property, but for the beauty of nature. I love how Disney Imagineers built their own story about nature while still allowing plenty of room for the real version to flourish. How the two layers interact with each other adds a lot to my enjoyment of the park.
So without further ado, here are some of the new, or new to me, things I spotted on my walk this weekend:
New maps and guides have been unleashed upon the park. I like the animal guide, might encourage people to stop and smell the roses.
Looks like the new character greeting at the Discovery Island Beastly Bazaar is almost ready to open. Sounds like the big day is tomorrow.
Guests visiting Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom have begun to regularly encounter the opportunity to beta test the newest interactive attraction in the park — A Pirates Adventure: Treasure of the Seven Seas.
There are five maps to launch adventures with different variations. Each takes about 10 minutes to complete. So the pace is very quick. Of course, this is still early, that may change.
Here’s video from one of the families that were able to try it out:
Each adventure starts in the HQ building at the far end of Adventureland just past the Pirates of the Caribbean plaza. It’s the former home of a Kodak film kiosk. Not much need for those any more. Read More »A Pirates Adventure: Treasure of the Seven Seas Enters Beta Testing
When you think of top Walt Disney World attractions, you probably think Space Mountain, Soarin’, or the Haunted Mansion. Even when it comes to those lessor attractions, you probably have It’s a Small World and Buzz Lightyear at the top of your list, attractions that speak to a wide range of guests. But what about those attractions that you love but would never make anyone’s top ten list? What about the ones that you walk into and it’s like seeing an old friend, like they’ve become a part of your personal history? I’ve got a handful of those attractions that I love and I bet you do too.
5. The Boneyard.
As underrated attractions goes, the Boneyard suffers on two fronts: 1) It’s in a park that a lot of guests don’t even visit; and 2) It’s an attraction that you walk past on your way to bigger and better things. That’s too bad, because this play area is basically the best playground you’ll ever set foot in, with plenty of places to dig in, climb over and run across. For kids, the Boneyard offers an opportunity to run around rather than standing in lines. Adults can find a cool area to supervise–there’s only one way in, so kids can’t get too far. Visit the Boneyard late in the day because it will be difficult to get your kids out of here.Read More »Disney World’s Top Five Most Loved but Underrated Attractions
Part of what makes Disney so magical is the attention to detail. For instance, take Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there are a ton of little references to Disney movies and TV shows. Even if you don’t know what the reference is, it makes the experience richer… Read More »Magical Detail Gone Missing at Disney’s Hollywood Studios