Tag Archives: News

Sep 2 2019

Fun Facts About Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

After years of waiting, the highly anticipated Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has finally opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. Disney has been slowly releasing information about the new land over the last few months and now we have some fun facts and trivia to enjoy courtesy of Disney:

From an authentic Star Wars cantina on the Outer Rim of the galaxy to exotic creatures, military encampments and daring missions aboard the Millennium Falcon, guests will find plenty of stories to explore as they live their own adventures inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. 

By the Numbers

  • Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge spans more than 14 acres, making it the largest single-themed land expansion in Disney Parks history.
  • More than a dozen venues fill the land, including Resistance and First Order encampments, a spaceport and a bustling marketplace.
  • Two attractions will entice guests to live their own Star Wars adventures – Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
  • The Millennium Falcon docked in the Black Spire Outpost Spaceport measures more than 100 feet long.
  • Among the ancient-looking spires across the lands, the tallest is more than 130 feet high.
  • The land was created with more than 200,000 square feet of rock work and approximately 260,000 square feet of themed plaster.
  • More than 7,000 props were created for the land.
  • Nine different retail locations in the land offer nearly 700 unique items, ideal for those looking to take a memory of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge home with them.
  • There are more than 120,000 possible combinations for constructing a lightsaber using all the available pieces in Savi’s Workshop – Hand built Lightsabers.
  • There are nearly 280,000 possible combinations for constructing an R-series or BB-series astromech droid using all the available pieces in the Droid Depot.
  • Five locations within Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge offer guests a chance to purchase food and beverages. The land’s menus feature more than 50 distinct, out-of-this-world items.

Did You Know?

  • Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge marks the first time a full-size, 100% complete Millennium Falcon has ever been built.
  • The chess-type game played on the table in the Millennium Falcon main hold and lounge is called Dejarik; guests can sit at the table inside Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, and the game is available for purchase in the Toydarian Toymaker marketplace stall.
  • At Black Spire Outpost, the droid in charge of music at the local watering hole, Oga’s Cantina, is DJ R-3X, the former Starspeeder 3000 pilot from Star Tours.
  • For the soundtrack inside Oga’s Cantina, Walt Disney Imagineering commissioned musicians and composers from around the world to craft original music for a galactic playlist.
  • Kowakian Monkey-Lizards and Porgs are among the “critters” guests will find at the Creature Stall in the marketplace. These are just a few of the many items guests may purchase during their visit.
  • Academy Award-winning® composer John Williams created an all-new suite of themes written especially for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and its attractions.

Development Timeline

  • The Walt Disney Company acquired Lucasfilm Ltd. In 2012.
  • Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has been in development since 2014.
  • Walt Disney Company Chairman and CEO Bob Iger announced Star Wars-themed lands would open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios while at the D23 Expo on Aug. 15, 2015.
  • Construction in Disney’s Hollywood Studios began in April 2016.
  • To operate the land, 1,700 new jobs were created for Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
  • In addition, jobs were created due to the support of both small and large Florida-based companies contributing more than 5,500 local trade, artisan and construction roles to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

If you’re going to be at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during the opening weeks of Star Wars: Galaxy’s edge, I hope to see you there!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Are you excited to check out Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Sep 1 2019

Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up September 1, 2019

Here’s the Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up for September 1, 2019!

Latest Disney World Enthusiast Articles

Tip Of The Week

If you happen to have an important game you would like to watch while you are in Disney World, head over to the Boardwalk Inn and checkout the ESPN Club. This family-friendly restaurant offers over 100 video monitors with global satellite feeds showing every sporting event imaginable, plus a 108 square foot video wall. This place is a sports lover’s dream.

Looking for more tips like this? Click here!

Polynesian Village ResortDisney Did You Know

If you wanted to stay in all the guest rooms in all of the hotels and resorts currently open on Walt Disney World property (at a rate of one per night), it would take decades.

Walt’s Words

“When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable.” 

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501 WaysFeatured Book

UPDATED! The difference between an average and an outstanding Walt Disney World trip is in the details. Kristi Fredericks helps make your dream vacation a reality with her numerous tips and tricks to save money, time, and sanity while at the happiest place on earth in her new book “501 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Walt Disney World Vacation”. For more information, to read an excerpt, or to purchase, please click here.

dwe logo small size white bkgdComing Up Next Week

Next week I’ll have some planning information plus all of the latest Disney World news!

Have a wonderful week!

Aug 30 2019

A Transformed Epcot Is On The Horizon

Of all of the announcements that were made last weekend at D23, the transformation of Epcot is the one I am personally most excited about. When Epcot opened in 1982 it quickly became my favorite park. Classics like Horizons, World of Motion, Universe of Energy, CommuniCore, and of course the original Journey Into Imagination are just a few of the many things that I still miss from Epcot’s early years. Over the last couple of decades, Epcot has begun to show its age, and I am thrilled to hear that Disney is investing in its updating and transformation. Change is never easy, neither is letting go of things we love, but I am hopeful and looking forward to enjoying the Epcot of the future for years to come.

Here are the first details and photos of Epcot’s transformation courtesy of Disney:

Walt Disney once said Epcot “would always be in a state of becoming” – it is a place that changes with the times. Over the next several years, the Walt Disney World Resort theme park will live up to that promise in a whole new way as it continues the biggest transformation of any Disney park in history, bringing the next generation of immersive storytelling to life through a plethora of new attractions and experiences.

Epcot will be unified with four neighborhoods that each speak to important aspects of the world and its people: World Showcase, World Celebration, World Nature and World Discovery. These neighborhoods will be filled with new experiences rooted in authenticity and innovation that take guests to new destinations, where the real is made fantastic in a celebration of curiosity, hands-on wonder and the magic of possibility.

World Showcase

  • World Showcase will continue to be a celebration of culture, cuisine, architecture and traditions – infused with new magic.
  • The United Kingdom pavilion will welcome the first attraction inspired by Mary Poppins. Guests will step in time down Cherry Tree Lane past Admiral Boom’s house, then enter Number 17, home of the Banks family, where their adventure will begin.
  • In 2020, following the limited-time run of “Epcot Forever,” the new “HarmonioUS” will debut as the largest nighttime spectacular ever created for a Disney park. It will celebrate how the music of Disney inspires people the world over, carrying them away harmoniously on a stream of familiar Disney tunes reinterpreted by a diverse group of artists from around the globe. “HarmonioUS” will feature massive floating set pieces, custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics, lasers and more.
  • In summer 2020, the France pavilion will offer even more for guests to discover, including the much-anticipated attraction Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, where guests will shrink to the size of Chef Remy and race through Gusteau’s restaurant on a wild adventure. Summer 2020 will also see the debut of a delicious new restaurant in the France pavilion, La Crêperie de Paris, offering both table- and quick-service options featuring a menu from celebrity chef Jérôme Bocuse.
  • Also in the France pavilion, the classic Impressions de France film will be joined by the new “Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along,” debuting in January 2020 and directed by Don Hahn, producer of both the animated and live-action versions of this tale as old as time.
  • “Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360”will debut in January 2020 in the Canada pavilion with new scenes and a new story.
  • In the China pavilion, “Wondrous China” will take guests on a spectacular journey across the country, filmed and presented in a completely seamless 360-degree digital format.

World Celebration

  • World Celebration will offer new experiences that connect guests to one another and the world around them.
  • The iconic Spaceship Earth will remain a voyage through time as the journey transforms to reflect the power of storytelling to unite the human experience. New narration and an entirely new musical score will focus on the moments and ideas that define the story of humanity. Guests will follow a magical “story light” that brings the entire experience to life in dynamic ways, giving each scene energy and beauty that ties the entire journey together.
  • A new pavilion will be the perfect place for live events, and the home base for Epcot’s signature festivals. It will provide a stunning elevated view of the entire park and an ideal spot to witness Epcot’s nighttime spectacular. This beautiful three-level structure will have one of the most remarkable architectural designs at any Disney park, featuring a plaza level, a middle expo level, and a park that sits in the sky on the top level.
  • Epcot’s entrance plaza will be transformed with new experiences that connect guests with the world around them, welcoming them with a reimagined fountain, new pathways and sweeping green spaces that beautify the entryway. The design will pay homage to the origins of Epcot.
  • As guests exit Spaceship Earth, they will discover a breathtaking new view of World Showcase from Dreamers Point. World Celebration will also feature a new statue celebrating the legacy of the original dreamer, Walt Disney, plus beautiful natural environments and global design elements filled with Disney magic and surprises, including a wishing tree in an enchanted forest and a story fountain celebrating the power and music of iconic Disney storytelling.

World Nature

  • World Nature is dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty, awe and balance of the natural world. It will include The Land and The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilions.
  • Journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana” will be the first experience inspired by the hit Walt Disney Animation Studios film. This lush exploration trail will invite guests to meet and play with magical, living water. The water will have a life of its own – just like Moana’s friend, the ocean – and guests will learn about the importance of the natural water cycle.
  • The Land pavilion’s new film, “Awesome Planet,” which showcases the beauty, diversity and dynamic story of the planet, will begin welcoming guests in January 2020.

World Discovery

  • In World Discovery, stories about science, technology and intergalactic adventure come to life.
  • Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be the first “other-world” showcase pavilion at Epcot. The adventure starts in the “Galaxarium,” a planetarium-like exhibition that explores the similarities and mysteries of the formation of Earth’s galaxy and Xandar. Guests will be invited to learn more about the treasures Xandar has to share – until the moment when the Guardians of the Galaxy arrive, and adventures across the cosmos ensue. The attraction will feature a new innovation from Walt Disney Imagineering – a storytelling coaster that rotates 360 degrees to focus guests on the action, including the first reverse launch on a Disney coaster.
  • An expansion of the Mission: SPACE pavilion, the new restaurant Space 220 will be a culinary experience featuring the celestial panorama of a space station, including daytime and nighttime views of Earth from 220 miles up. Guests will board a special elevator for a journey to a space station that is home to an incredible dining experience. Along the way, viewports will give guests real-time perspective as they travel high above the planet. Once they arrive, guests will enjoy fantastic meals and drinks while taking in views that are truly out of this world. Opening this winter, Space 220 will be operated by the Patina Restaurant Group.
  • The PLAY! pavilion will open in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. In this digital metropolis, guests will discover an interactive city bursting with games, activities and experiences that connect them with friends, family and beloved Disney characters – both real and virtual – like never before. As part of this new pavilion, guests will have the chance to help legendary fashion icon Edna Mode on her quest to rid the world of uninspired style, or make a splash competing in a water-balloon fight hosted by Huey, Dewey, Louie and Webby.

Guests will be able to visualize these exciting plans for Epcot when doors open October 1, 2019, for Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience in the Odyssey Events Pavilion. They will discover engaging and interactive exhibits that showcase the relentless innovation, energy and excitement driving the park’s future throughout this unprecedented period of transformation.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

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What are your thoughts on the transformation of Epcot?
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Aug 29 2019

Top Ten Things To Do Inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge At Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The highly anticipated land Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has finally opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. With so much to see, do, eat, and drink throughout Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, you might be wondering what are the top things to experience once you make it inside. Every Padawan to Jedi Master, has their own ideas on what’s the best plan of attack. No matter how your mission unfolds, be sure to take a few moments to check out these top ten “must-do” experiences inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge according to Disney:

At more than 14 acres, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the largest single-themed land in Disney Parks history, packed with immersive storytelling that allows guests to live their own Star Wars adventures. With so much to take in, here are 10 “must-do” experiences for guests inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge:

Fly the “Fastest Hunk of Junk in the Galaxy” in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

The Millennium Falcon is a Star Wars icon, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge makes dreams come true for guests who’ve wished to step aboard the “fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy.” In Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, they strap into the Falcon cockpit and take the controls as pilots, gunners or flight engineers on a mission to deliver smuggled goods while avoiding any … unnecessary entanglements.

Stroll the Black Spire Outpost Marketplace

Black Spire Outpost in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is home to a bustling marketplace, full of vendors showcasing wares from across the galaxy. Guests can pick up authentic Batuuan attire with a stop at Black Spire Outfitters, start a collection of toys at Toydarian Toymakers, or peek into the cages in the Creature Stall. The marketplace’s twisting pathway is just waiting to be explored, with something new to see seemingly around every turn.

Take a Swig of Blue Milk

Ever since Luke Skywalker sat down for a family meal in “Star Wars: A New Hope,” Star Wars fans have had this burning question: What does Blue Milk taste like? Now at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, they finally have their answer. The Milk Stand in Black Spire Outpost offers both Blue Milk and Green Milk, delicious frozen blends with dashes of fruity accents.

Grab a Bite to Go at Ronto Roasters

Whether it’s the large podracing engine hanging overhead, the former smelter droid turning a spit of meats or just the savory smells wafting by, Ronto Roasters is sure to grab guests’ attention. This quick-service location offers mouth-watering Ronto Wraps and sweet-or-spicy Nuna Turkey Jerky, as well as a selection of specialty beverages.

Craft a Lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop

Constructing a lightsaber is a rite of passage in the life of a Jedi, as this elegant weapon from a more civilized age is attuned to its owner through the Force. Guests in Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers feel the presence of the Force as they craft their own lightsabers, customizing them with various hilts, décor and the all-important kyber crystals.

Build a Droid Inside the Droid Depot

Droids can be some of the most loyal companions in the entire Star Wars galaxy, and now guests have the chance to build and customize their own astromech friends at the Droid Depot. Patrons pick pieces and parts off a conveyor belt to construct one of two core models (R-series or BB-series), which can then interact with elements throughout Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Drop By for a Drink at Oga’s Cantina

The heartbeat of Black Spire Outpost, Oga’s Cantina is a place where even the blaster-bolt scorches on the walls tell a story. Guests can gather to share their own tales from around the galaxy as they enjoy exotic beverages served in unique vessels and listen to spirited musical entertainment from DJ R-3X, the former droid pilot from Star Tours. Whether sidling up to the cantina’s counter or sliding into one of the establishment’s back booths, this is the best place to catch up on local gossip, make a new friend or form a new alliance.

Hack Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge with the Play Disney Parks Mobile App

When accessed inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the Play Disney Parks app transforms guests’ mobile devices into their very own Star Wars: Datapad. They can then scan the contents hidden inside containers, translate languages, and tune into communications happening throughout the land. Guests can also use this tool to hack into droids and door panels (what the locals call “slicing”) to unlock additional stories.

Support the Resistance or the First Order to Gain Outpost Control

Using the Play Disney Parks mobile app, guests can play together in a game called “Outpost Control” that takes place across the land. Guests can choose to support either the Resistance or the First Order by hacking the blinking light panels next to doorways throughout Black Spire Outpost. The faction that controls the majority of these panels first wins the game and demonstrates their allegiance to their side’s cause. The conflict plays out multiple times throughout the day.

Be on the Lookout for Kylo Ren, Rey and Other Star Wars Characters

Guests should keep their eyes open as they explore Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, because they may encounter heroes of the Resistance or agents of the First Order. Supreme Leader Kylo Ren lands at Black Spire Outpost and gathers Stormtroopers to help him hunt for Resistance fighter Rey. Guests may also encounter Millennium Falcon co-pilot Chewbacca or Resistance spy Vi Moradi.

If you’re going to be at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during the opening weeks of Star Wars: Galaxy’s edge, I hope to see you there!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Are you excited to check out Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Aug 28 2019

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Coming To Walt Disney World

If you were watching the coverage of D23 this weekend, you probably heard some of the details that were released about the new resort currently being built near Disney’s Hollywood Studios….Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. There are so many things to be excited about here…the immersive experience, the design and detailing that only Disney can do, the one-of-a-kind experience, just to name a few. While no official opening date or pricing has been released, rumors are that we are looking at well over a thousand dollars per person per night. Here are the first details and photos courtesy of Disney:

A Star Wars vacation experience unlike anything Disney has ever created before will fully immerse guests in a galaxy far, far away when Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser debuts at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will offer a two-night itinerary where all guests arrive and depart at the same time, similar to Disney Cruise Line. Unlike any typical cruise, though, guests can become the heroes of their own Star Wars stories in a new type of immersive experience that only Disney could create.

Guests will cruise the galaxy in style aboard the Halcyon, a starcruiser known throughout the galaxy for its impeccable service and exotic destinations. Onboard, they will stay in well-appointed cabins, experience onboard dining, make a planet-side excursion to Black Spire Outpost on Batuu, and much more. Throughout the journey, guests will be invited to delve deeper into their personal adventures by participating in onboard activities, interacting with characters, crew, other passengers they meet, and becoming part of the action and the broader Star Wars saga:

    • The adventure begins when guests arrive at the Galactic Starcruiser Terminal at Walt Disney World and check in for their two-night experience.
    • Guests will be invited to enter a Launch Pod for transport into space. Through windows above, they’ll see themselves leave the real world behind as they jump to hyperspace and draw closer and closer to the Halcyon.
    • When the Launch Pod docks with the Halcyon and the airlock opens, guests will step into the ship’s main deck Atrium to begin their journey through a galaxy far, far away.
    • A visit aboard the Halcyon becomes a multi-day story that interweaves with members of the crew, other passengers, familiar Star Wars characters, and an excursion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
    • The all-immersive experience also features entertaining activities, such as:
      • Wielding a lightsaber while facing off against a training remote, where guests just may discover their own connection with the Force.
      • Visiting the starcruiser’s Bridge to learn about ship systems and how to operate them, including navigation and defense – skills that may just come in handy during a journey through this adventure-filled galaxy.

Fun Facts – Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser

    • Every window in the Halcyon– including those in each cabin – has a view of the galaxy beyond, with ever-changing vistas as the ship progresses from place to place.
    • Guests will be able to explore the Halcyon and perhaps discover hidden spaces deep in the mechanics of the ship – perfect for uncovering secrets … or holding secret meetings.
    • Choices guests make during their adventure will help determine how their Star Wars stories progress.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

What are your thoughts on Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!