Walt Disney World News and Rumors 11/24/14 - 11/30/14

News and Rumors are gathered from various different sources. All rumors are rumors and are to be taken as such.
News

Magic Kingdom

• There's a new indoor queue for Peter Pan's Flight that guests can experience.

Epcot

• The Paul McKenna Band has now debuted at the UK Pavilion. They are an acoustic folk band outside the Crown and Crest shop.  

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Turner Classic Movies has signed a deal to partner and sponsor The Great Movie Ride. They will be re-working the pre-show and will be re-doing the finale movie.

Downtown Disney

• The Food Truck Park on Downtown Disney's West Side has officially opened. The Food Trucks typically open around 4:00 p.m. 

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Great Movie Ride to See Changes at Disney's Hollywood Studios...Now Let's Brainstorm

Well...that news came out of left field! I'm sure by now you've read all about how Turner Classic Movies is partnering up with Disney to sponsor the Great Movie Ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

I came across the news late last night, but thought immediately, wow...that's a perfect pairing.  Honestly, could you get a more perfect sponsor for this attraction, which tells the history of movies via audio anamatronic? Currently, the refresh of the attraction will just see additions in the pre-show (with a video featuring TCM host Robert Osborne providing illuminating insights from the movies) and an updated movie montage, which is a main feature, found at the end of the attraction. All of these changes are expected to take place in Spring 2015.

But let's take a look further....what if that isn't all that happens with this rehash of this attraction? What if, in the future, after some of the new things that are rumored for this park officially open, this attraction can go down for a good, lengthy refurbishment that is so desperately needs.

If we could imagineer anything to update this attraction, what would we do? This is what I'm most excited about, because for an attraction that hasn't seen a massive refurbishment since it opened, we now have a greater possibility that some of the show scenes could be updated and the script could see changes.

That's really the first change I'd like to see.  Forget adding new scenes right now.  I would love to see a new script.  Something that's a lot more fluid than it is right now. For those who don't know, the script for Great Movie Ride must be said word for word with no changes or additions from the Cast Members. Personally, I'd maybe like to see something where the Cast Members could have a little more fun, like they can with the Jungle Cruise. It would spice things up a bit....because I mean, not every Cast Member's favorite genre is the horror film.

Of course, if we're blue skying things, I'd like to see a few scenes swapped out for new ones.  Perhaps we could see the Tarzan scene go. While Tarzan is a great film, it's probably one of the easiest to remove. This scene also seems to have a lot of space you can work with...maybe it could be cut up into two show scenes.

I'd also like to see the Fantasia scene removed. If you're a Disney nerd, you know that that scene was temporary when Disney over did it on the budget while building the attraction, so they kept the "tornado" motif from The Wizard of Oz (which is what the scene was originally supposed to be), but replaced it with a video screen of Fantasia instead to tie everything in.

The hard part to me is deciding what new scenes to put in the attraction. I'd say we could try for Star Wars, as that's clearly a classic, but I mean, there's already an attraction based off the movie in the park (and there's likely gonna be more here soon...) so, that's out.  There's Harry Potter...nope...wait...that belongs to the park across the way.  Then there's Lord of the Rings, but I think that that camp would rather have a full land, ala The Wizarding World than just have a single scene depicted in an attraction like this. Of course, those are "recent" movies that have become blockbusters and withstood the test of time. 

Is there a classic movie that's not depicted that I think would work? Maybe an It's a Wonderful Life scene? That movie lives on with its annual showing each year.

See that's where the problem lies with me...what movies should replace what scenes in The Great Movie Ride, if the attraction was to get a decent refurbishment?  Clearly, it's a lot more difficult than it looks to pick a good replacement.

So, that's where I ask you to help.  Let me know in the comments or on the Facebook page, or on Twitter, your brainstormed ideas for which movie scene should be replaced and what movie should replace it. 

If you like this article, I shamelessly ask that you spread the word about A Disney World After All!  Share it on Twitter or Facebook...pin the photos on Pinterest, hit up the Google + emblem...just let others know about us here!  Also, make sure to LIKE our Facebook page and find me on Twitter, I'm @RikkiNibs!      

Walt Disney World News and Rumors 11/17/14 - 11/23/14

News and Rumors are gathered from various different sources. All rumors are rumors and are to be taken as such. 
 
News

Epcot

• This year's Epcot Flower and Garden Festival will feature Anna and Elsa topiaries, who will be found in the World Showcase Plaza section.  Chip and Dale will join the main front topiary display.  Ten new mini-gardens will be added to the festival, as well as a southwest desert garden.  Finally new artists will be performing in the Flower Power Concert Series that include Gin Blossoms and Pablo Cruise. 
• Guests can now make Advanced Dining Reservations for Spice Road Table beginning on December 2.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• The Comedy Warehouse will return for the Holidays from December 21 - January 4.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

• Flame Tree Barbeque will be closing for a remodel beginning January 5. More covered areas will be installed and the work is expected to be done by April.

Disney Resorts

• The Gingerbread House is officially open at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort.
• At Disney's Polynesian Resort, the children's club, which was known as Club Disney, will now be known as Lilo's Playhouse.

Downtown Disney

• The new parking garage has officially opened for guest use.

Rumors

• Could Be Our Guest Restaurant be offering breakfast the beginning of March.
• A new area in the Africa section could be called Africa Marketplace.  It will feature a restaurant called Harambe Marketplace, which will feature walk-up windows and African-inspired cuisine. In addition, this new section will feature a shopping area and the whole area will allow to ease congestion from Africa to Asia. The section should open in Spring 2015.
• In addition, a new table service location could be added to Discovery Island.  Part of Pizzafari will be turned into a sit down location.

Download the brand NEW Disney Food Blog Guide to the 2014 Holidays.  Find out about this year's holiday festivities.

Walt Disney World News and Rumors 11/10/14 - 11/16/14

News and Rumors are gathered from various different sources. All rumors are rumors and are to be taken as such.  


Walt Disney World News


Magic Kingdom

• The Christmas Day Parade taping schedule will take place on December 8 and 9.

Epcot

• New Holidays Around the World performances will be taking place at Mexico, Morocco, and China this year.  They will include“Fiesta de Navidad” in Mexico, featuring colorful dancers and mariachis, who celebrate the holiday customs of Mexico.  In Morocco, a storyteller invites guests to join her on a journey to experience the festivals, holiday traditions, and celebrations of the country. And the China pavilion will see the Chinese Lion Dance, to honor of major holidays, the Lunar New Year and Lantern Festival.

Disney Resorts

•  At Disney's Contemporary, they have a new gingerbread decoration up.  It's a Frozen theme with Mary Blair stylization.
• A new and temporary princess dining experience will take place at Citricos for breakfast and brunch from January 8 - March 3. The meal will offer breakfast and brunch and be known as Cinderella's Dining at Citricos. This dining experience is taking place because Cinderella's Royal Table will be closed for a two month refurbishment during roughly the same time period.
• The pools at Disney's Art of Animation Resort will see quick refurbishments.  The Big Blue Pool will be closed from November 17 - 19, the Flipping Fins pool will be closed from November 20 and 21, and the Cozy Cone Pool will be closed from November 24 - 26.

Downtown Disney

• The Festival of the Season has officially kicked off. Guests can meet Santa from now until December 24.  After December 24, guests will get to meet Santa Goofy!

Rumors

• The Intermission Food Court at Disney's All-Star Music should open a few weeks early from its refurbishment.  It is now expected to reopen on December 3. 
• The Illuminations Holiday tag may very well not feature Walter Cronkite any longer.

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Walt Disney World News and Rumors 11/3/14 - 11/9/14

News and Rumors are gathered from various different sources. All rumors are rumors and are to be taken as such.   

 
News

Magic Kingdom

• Jack Skellington, dressed as "Sandy Claws" is appearing at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Baymax and Hiro Hamada from Big Hero 6 are now meeting guests at the Magic of Disney Animation.

General Walt Disney World News

• For guests who get Disney PhotoPass photos taken, you now have the option to get animated Magic Shots.  They can be downloaded just like regular photos for those who purchase the Memory Maker package.

Rumors 

• The third theater for Soarin' looks like it is probably a go. 
• The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights may likely not return in the same form next year.

Download the brand NEW Disney Food Blog Guide to the 2014 Holidays.  Find out about this year's holiday festivities.

What You Should Know About Printing your Own Phone Cases at the D-Tech On Demand Store

This past September, I was super excited. You see, it was my first time every stepping foot into the brand new Marketplace Co-Op at Downtown Disney.  This unique shopping experience works like this:  There are six different boutique shops all located under one roof.  Each shop specializes in something unique, such as sports memorabilia, kitchen wares, fashion accessories, and yes, even electronic merchandise.

While I was super stoked to spend my money at Centerpiece (which sells unique and themed plates, glasses, etc) the other place I was dying to visit was D-Tech On Demand.  You see, I have an iPhone 5c and it's not easy to find phone cases I like for my particular phone.  I, of course, want a Disney case which displays my love.  Add on top of that the fact that Disney doesn't really sell many offerings in the department of 5cs to begin with.

Enter this brand new store.  Here, you can customize a case to fit your desires.  (In addition, the store does sell pre-made cases as well as other electronics supplies like headphones and more.)

So I was pretty well sold on getting a new phone case even before I stepped foot inside the small boutique. (My original one, which was originally white, was no longer that color thanks to makeup...tip for future me...never ever buy a white phone case ever again.)

So, first things first...I walk up to one of the many kiosks that are found in the center of the room.  You first pick out what kind of phone you have.  They have options for many different brands and they add new ones all the time.

I chose iPhone 5c and then it was time to decide the design I wanted. Here, you can scroll through to figure out which backing design I wanted.  They had tons of options based off of many things, such as random Disney stuff, characters, and even DVC status.  You have four different categories you can choose from. The one thing I wish they had was the option to have more Disney Theme Park cases.  I feel that that is an area where they are sorely lacking, but I digress. 

Once you choose your case backing design, you then get to choose what color bumper.  Now because I have a 5c, I can only choose colored bumpers, but I believe if you have any other kind, you can choose from black or white.  As you can see, I had a few different choices, but purple is my favorite color and I liked how it matched the background the best.

After I chose what color bumper, I got to decide if I wanted to include text on the case.  Text does cost extra.  I opted not to include text because honestly I liked the plain case just the way it was.

From there, I hit confirm and sent my phone to the main ordering system. Easy peasy!

But I wasn't yet done.  Because before they can print my phone, I have to pay for it. So, I went over to the register where they found my phone.  This was the only part that was difficult because there is only one register.  So, if there are a few people ahead of you in line, you may have to wait a while.

The other nice perk I found out is that this store accepts Annual Pass discounts!  Score!

The case cost about $40, but with my AP discount, it brought it to about $36.  Of course, that's subject to change at any time.

From there, they print out your phone case in this handy dandy printer!  It takes about 10 minutes total.

I think they did a fantastic job. The case was WELL worth the money it cost. I think Disney cases are extremely durable and they feel very high quality. I have been happy with every single case I've ever bought from Disney and I will absolutely purchase a case from D-Tech On Demand again!  (Now...if they can get more Walt Disney World specific cases there, that would be great...)

What do you think? Would you ever buy a case from D-Tech?  Have you bought one before? Let me know your thoughts in the comments or on the Facebook page.

If you like this article, I shamelessly ask that you spread the word about A Disney World After All!  Share it on Twitter or Facebook...pin the photos on Pinterest, hit up the Google + emblem...just let others know about us here!  Also, make sure to LIKE our Facebook page and find me on Twitter, I'm @RikkiNibs!      

Walt Disney World News and Rumors 10/27/14 - 11/2/14

News and Rumors are gathered from various different sources. All rumors are rumors and are to be taken as such.   


Walt Disney World News

Magic Kingdom

• A Frozen Holiday Wish castle lighting ceremony for the holidays will begin on November 5 and will last until December 31.  The show will feature Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and Kristoff in this updated version that replaces Cinderella's Holiday Wish. 

Epcot

• B’net Al Houwariyate, the new Moroccan musical group has debuted at the Morocco Pavilion. 

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Big Hero 6 MagicBands are now available for purchase only in this park.

Downtown Disney

• The new parking garage officially opens for guests on November 20.
• Two new restaurants have been officially announced for Disney Springs. The first is called The BOATHOUSE and will feature upscale, waterfront dining, as well as the opportunity to go on various waterfront cruises along the waters of Disney Springs. It is slated to open in Spring 2015.  The second restaurant is called Morimoto Asia and is brought to us from Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto.  This restaurant will feature Pan Asian dishes and will open in the Summer 2015.  Both restaurants will open in The Landing section of Disney Springs.

General Walt Disney World News

• On-ride photos are now automatically being linked to guest's My Disney Experience profiles thanks to guests wearing their MagicBands.  For guests who do not have MagicBands, they may have the photos added to their My Disney Experience accounts by touching your RFID ticket medium to the reader located at the attraction's on-ride photo area.  Guests can then choose to purchase the photos after their trip, if they so choose.  Previously, guests would have to decide to purchase the on-ride photo immediately.

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