(More) Changes at The World

Disney has just announced:

     The Studio Backlot Tour at DHS will be closing as of September 27th in the name of "future enhancements".

 Disney's Hollywood Studios Backlot Tour Closing

 Ooooh. I am ever so hopeful that a new Cars Land is in the works!!!

It’s all in the name of progress, or as a Disney representative told us, “future enhancements”. The Studio Backlot Tour at Disney’s Hollywood Studio will give its final tour on Sept. 27, 2014. - See more at: http://attractionsmagazine.com/studio-backlot-tour-attraction-closing-later-month-disneys-hollywood-studios/#sthash.2tdLCcgj.dpuf

It’s all in the name of progress, or as a Disney representative told us, “future enhancements”. The Studio Backlot Tour at Disney’s Hollywood Studio will give its final tour on Sept. 27, 2014. - See more at: http://attractionsmagazine.com/studio-backlot-tour-attraction-closing-later-month-disneys-hollywood-studios/#sthash.2tdLCcgj.dpuf

And ....
     The Maelstrom ride at Epcot's World Showcase Norway Pavilion will be replaced by a new attraction based on "Frozen".   

 Frozen ride replacing Maelstrom

Some folks are not happy with this.

 new Frozen-attraction stirs up controversy

Two things:
  I hope it's better Imagineered than the 'Under the Sea Journey of the Little Mermaid'  over in Fantasyland.


  I wonder if the movie at the end of the ride will remain. (probably not)

The movies at Norway, China, France, and Canada are some of favorite Epcot things. And yes, I do wish that ALL of the countries would have one.

So many changes!!

Disney Springs, Coming Along

We have pretty much been avoiding DownTown Disney lately because of all the construction, but last week we wanted to have a look (and have an Earl's sandwich), so we braved the traffic and I have to say that the changes are very interesting.


The 1st of the new parking garages:

The new Starbucks on the WestSide:
        (there is another one open in front of the World of Disney store)

Looks like Mannequins is being 're-imagined':

This is going up right across from Paradiso 37 (just there on the right):

Something big on the waterfront:

And a new bridge (?) across the water:

The new Disney Springs is shaping up to be pretty awesome.

Save Off Kilter !!

The WDW Powers-That-Make-Decisions recently released this message:

Over the coming months, we’ll be introducing new entertainment acts at Epcot, refreshing some of our existing acts and retiring a few others.

Namely: Off Kilter (Canada),  Mo'Rockin (Morocco),  The World Showcase Players (United Kingdom),  Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps

.... their final performances the week ending September 27. We thank them for all they’ve done to make the Epcot Guest experience enjoyable and memorable.

 The Disney Parks Blog announced their replacements:  

B'net Houariyat, a traditional Berber music and dance troupe in Morocco;  Sbandieratori Flags, a corps of dynamic flag-waving performers in Italy; a 'thrilling' lumberjack-inspired show in Canada; Scottish Musical trio, a Celtic folk music ensemble at the United Kingdom .... more." 

Whoa whoa whoa ...  Wait a minute....
Off Kilter is a very very popular act. Very. Popular.
They are just about the only reason I go to Epcot in the afternoon. Sorry, Disney-Powers-That-Make Stupid Decisions, I just don't think that a lumber-jack inspired show will ever replace Off Kilter, no matter how 'thrilling' it might be.

 

There's a grassroots campaign going on Facebook to save Off Kilter.   The Facebook page is called "Save Off Kilter"

The petition can be found here:

https://www.change.org/p/the-walt-disney-company-keep-off-kilter-in-epcot-s-canada-pavilion

Food and Wine 2014

The 2014 Food & Wine Festival is looming (Sept 19th-Nov 10th).    Remember when it used to be only 3 weeks?



Now that the list of kiosks and menus is out,

 food-wine-marketplaces

 I've been working diligently to make my list of must haves and wanna tries.     Note: This takes several trips!


  Must haves:
 
Belgium: Belgian Waffle - chocolate -or- berry compote ?? Mmm, undecided, probably....both!  Potato and Leek waffle? Undecided.

Canada: Cheddar cheese soup & Filet Mignon. Definitely.

France: Beef Bourguinon and Creme Broulee. Absolutely.

Hawaii: Pork Slider. Another definite.

Hops & Barley: Florida Beef slider and carrot cake.

Mexico: Rib-eye taco, sweet corn cheese cake.

Scotland: Vegetarian Haggis. I was very pleasantly surprised by this last year.  And the Crannachan (new).

Fife & Drum: Ghirardelli Sundae.  Uh oh. Trouble here. I love Ghirardelli's

Intermissions Cafe: Key Lime tart.

  Wanna Tries:

Desserts: Frozen s'mores (beverage). Sounds interesting.

New Zealand: Venison sausage. Not me, Hubby wants to try it.

 Puerto Rico: Sorullitos and bolitas de queso.

Refreshment Port: Croissant doughnut and the Dole Fruit Squish'em. 

   AND don't forget: 

Only a few Must Sees this year:

Richard Marx  (Oct 13-14)  My sis and I see ALL of his shows everytime he's here (which is not often enough).

Wilson Phillips (Oct 27-28) Missed 'em last time.

.38 Special  (Nov 1-2)  Love the boys from Jax! Donnie Van Zant will be missed!

Disney Girls

 These Disney girls have something to say about that!

Confession # 24 : Changes- Like and Dislike

WDW has made / and is making / a lot of changes lately, some I've liked a lot, some not so much ...

   The new Fantasyland:

Tried 'Under the Sea-Journey of the Little Mermaid' - nicely themed, but unless you're six, just eh.

I do like the Le Fou Brew and am excited about the new '7 Dwarfs Mine Train' (although a CM friend said it was 'just okay').

Loved Toon Town Fair (now gone), totally dislike Storybook Circus.

Overall: not so hot.

    Then there's Hyperion Wharf  Disney Springs.

Looks like more shopping and dining, fewer things to do.
I wish that a few of the clubs would have been kept (Comedy Warehouse, Adventurer's Club, maybe one dance club). It would have given those of us over 18 something to do at night after the parks close.

The new multi-level parking garages will definitely ease the parking place shortage. And hopefully the traffic engineers will design everything perfectly.

Overall: I've felt that DTD need a face-lift for a while, so mostly YAY.

    The Polynesian Resort will return to its original name, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort.
  "The sweeping renovation happening now also includes a new food and beverage experience opening for guests next year, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto — based on the popular themed lounge at the Disneyland Hotel in California." Disney parks Blog

  

 

 Photo: Orlando Attractions Magazine

From the look of the artist rendering of the new lobby, the waterfall and 'rainforest feel' will be gone.  Booooo.

Aaaand, a new DVC resort is being built over the lake, like a real South Seas resort, too cool.

Photo: Orlando Attractions Magazine

Overall: Mostly like.

Now this is what I'm truly excited over....

Coming over at the Animal Kingdom:

Pandora, The Land of Avatar    

This sounds most interesting!

New rides (on a Banshee!) and a nighttime show: Rivers of Light!

Photo: Disney Parks Blog

Pandora-the-land-of-Avatar-name

Avatar-land-Animal-Kingdom-Disney

Since Camp Minnie-Mickey is gone to make room for Pandora, The Festival of the Lion King has been relocated to a new theater in Africa (where it belongs!). It looks so much better than the former location, more in keeping with the African theme! 

Overall: Bring it ON!

Happy 25th, DHS!

Disney's Hollywood Studios has been open 25-years today!     

The Hollywood Tower of Tower is my most favorite ride of all WDW rides.

And Toy Story Mania is loads of fun.










I love the little things that you might not notice as you rush around:

Know what this is??

A net full of jello.



Hint: It's an homage to a very special person.

Say it out loud. Say it fast.

Here's 'a ton of bricks' ... don't let it hit you.

Ever noticed this? 

Stop and pull the rope!!

I also enjoy the American Idol Experience. There are some talented people out there!

DHS remains my favorite WDW park ... even with some changes.

What changes you ask?


Remember  Residential Street?

It was the original location of the Osborne Lights... and I really liked them much better back there.

It was bulldozed to make way for the stunt show arena.

Remember "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire"?

Now it's the location of Toy Story Mania, which I like a lot, but  wish it could have been built elsewhere so that  WWTBAM could have stayed.




And I do so hope that Carsland (like at Disney California Adventure) will come to the Studios!!!

Star Wars Weekends 2014

May 16 - June 15

Disney Hollywood Studios: Star Wars Weekends

NEW this year:

the "Star Wars" Dine-In Galactic Breakfast! at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant. 

At dinner, Disney characters get dressed up for Jedi Mickey's "Star Wars" Dine at Hollywood & Vine. 

Both of these exciting new character dining experiences will be offered only from May 4 through June 15, 2014.

Check it out here: May-the-fourth-be-with-you

Disney Parks Video

Halloween at D's Animal Kingdom

Just came across this:



Loved the tigers!

Disney Picture of the Day

Just adorable: