Disney’s Hollywood Studios

One Man’s Dream? Gone? From DHS?

As a rule, I don’t like to dive into rumors, but this one seems like it may be real, given other information available. Walt Disney One Man’s Dream appears to be another attraction placed on the chopping block for the anticipated Re-Imagining of Disney’s Hollywood Studio.

Along with Voyage of the Little Mermaid, One Man’s Dream may be scheduled to close as early as the end of September 2015. At this time, there is no word on if it may be relocated to another park, or re-opened under another moniker after once the park is completed.

And, while I know that there are many people out there who never knew who Walt Disney was, I believe it is still important to save something of the LEGACY of the man responsible for so many smiles, on so many faces! It is my sincere hope that this is not the Disney boards way of erasing Walt from the company! Instead, just a temporary displacement of something that allows us a small glimpse into the man whose name is Walter Elias Disney!

Hopefully, we’ll know more after the D23 Expo coming up in a few weeks!

Thanks for reading, my friends! I hope you have a Blessed and Magical day!

Idol, Innoventions, and “it’s a small world” at WDW

When the American Idol Adventure closed last year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, much speculation was being batted around like a ball during baseball season. For now, an answer has been given. The Superstar Television Theater will be renamed the Hyperion Theater and will be the host theater for this year’s version of the “For The First Time In Forever” Frozen Sing-Along celebration. This name change may sound a little familiar as it pays tribute to the original Disney Studio in California.

EPCOT’s Innoventions West appears to be closing down. There are several exhibits have already closed and the remainder are expected to close down by the end of May 2015. Gone is the Test The Limits Lab, soon to be joined by IBM Think. Surviving the first cut are The Great Piggy Bank Adventure, Where’s The Fire, the Videogame Playground, and the Disney VISA Character Meet and Greet area. It is not clear if these existing areas will be closed permanently, or moved to other areas of EPCOT. This has not been officially announced by Disney, so we will have to see what happens.

Finally, a couple of quick refurbishments were announced for the Magic Kingdom. “it’s a small world” and Space Mountain will be shutting down for a couple of days. Small World will be closed April 14 – 17 and Space Mountain will be closed April 20- 23. There was no word on what the brief updates will include.

Thanks for reading, and have a Blessed and Magical day, friends!

Changes Soarin’ at WDW

Walt Disney always said that things in the parks would continue to evolve and change as imagineers came up with new ideas and technologies. Well, this week saw a completed refurb and a few announcements of new enhancements at Walt Disney World.

First, Under The Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid recently completed a short refurbishment that saw enhancements to the scenes. Most notably, some added fish and the use of additional black lighting to bring out the glow of this dark ride. I can’t wait to see this one in person!

Walt Disney World announced two rides would be getting a little more space to help with crowds. These changes have been rumored for sometime, but we now know that a third track is being added to Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This additional track will hopefully help shorten wait times in the stand-by line. We shall see!

And, at EPCOT, Soarin’ will have a third theater added to help swallow larger crowds. The new theater will have a new screen and an upgraded movie system. I am assuming that it will be going digital, but that hasn’t been confirmed at this point! Once this third theater opens, the other two will be upgraded with new screens and the upgraded movie system. A completion date hasn’t been released, but most guesses are in the fall of 2016.

Cinderella’s Royal Table reopened in THE Castle! I can’t wait to see the new pictures, but at this point, no word on any improvements to the menu. Stay tuned!

Have a Blessed and Magical Day, my friends!!

magical_matthew

Is The Freeze On For Norway at WDW?

As you may have heard by now, the Norway Pavilions in the World Showcase at EPCOT may be going under an extended refurbishment during the off-season. What does this mean? That is the question that many in the Disney community is wanting an answer to, and quickly!

There has been some speculation that Maelstrom may receive a FROZEN overlay, others think it may be completely turned into a FROZEN attraction. Still others are hoping that it will be a simple update, with some fresh paint and a few screws tightened up.

What I have heard, is that the country of Norway has ceased any support for the pavilion from a financial standpoint. I hope that the officials of this beautiful country decide to help supplement any refurbishment that may take place, if they hope to have a say in what type of changes might be made. Otherwise, there may be a bit of Sven and Olaf in the place of some of the Vikings!

It is only my opinion, at this time, but I think that FROZEN should NOT be a part of the Norway pavilion, as I believe it cancels out the original ideas of the Disney Imagineers in presenting something about the cultures of the countries of the World Showcase! I like Maelstrom as it is! It is a bit of a unique experience, and I get chills when I see the scenes, as portrayed, in this attraction that allows me to see just how beautiful this land is, and the hard work it has taken to make Norway the country that it is today!

So, where should FROZEN go? I truly think the best place would be at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! With the closing of the American Idol Experience, one has to wonder if the success of the Frozen Summer Fun may be getting a more permanent venue? Makes sense to me, but at this point, we will just have to see how it all comes together!

For now, we’ll just sit back, and see what develops! If you have any thoughts, please share them in the comments section below!

Thanks for reading and may you have a Blessed and Magical day, my friends!

First Impressions: Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios found me with a big smile on my face! This was my first visit to this park, because it simply didn’t exist the last time I visited WDW. As I made the walk down Hollywood Blvd toward Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat, I was looking around at all of the facades and found myself in a sense of wonder! I believe that Walt would be very proud of how this park turned out.

There is something here for everyone to enjoy! Thrill rides are covered with Tower of Terror, Rockin’ Rollercoaster, and Star Tours: The Adventure Continues. If you like classic Disney style rides you will find Toy Story Midway Mania fits that bill quite well. Live shows will round out your day with Beauty and The Beast, The Little Mermaid, and the nighttime spectacular Fantasmic! If you’d like to learn more about how stunts are put together for movies, drop by Indiana Jones or Lights! Motor! Action!

Whatever your likes, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has it!

I really enjoyed my first visit to DHS, and am looking forward to my next visit coming up in just a few months. Look for a trip report when I get back with my thoughts on a few of the food venues.

Thanks for reading, and have a magical week!