EPCOT – threestrandswdw

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!!

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Makin Memories…Sing Along!!

I’m sure that many of my fellow Disney World friends will remember that song from the Imagination Pavilion at EPCOT Center. I loved the song, and I loved the film that followed, Magic Journeys. But, what I really love is how we have the ability to save the memories we have made while in the parks.

When I first visited WDW, it was just Magic Kingdom and EPCOT! And, about the only means to keep memories were Instamatic Cameras, 35mm Cameras, or 8mm film. My first trip, I took an 8mm film camera. I was amazed at how that camera was able to capture the vivid colors of Disney. My second trip, and subsequent trips over the next 4 years, was a Fuji AX-3 35mm and again, it was a really nice method to capture the magic in pictures!

Today, we have a larger variety of equipment to use and it can be quite confusing. We have our cell phones with cameras and video capture. There are I Pads, but most of us find it hard to enjoy our fireworks when someone sticks one in the air. Digital cameras come in many different styles from palm sized to full 35mm style bodies, and allow immediate reward when you capture that perfect picture. And then, there are the newer generation of video cameras. Many make use of Hi-Def and digital media. They are quite small and light and when it comes to the images…WOW!!

So, whatever your method of Making Memories that last, the important thing is to make sure you have some sort of record to share and pass on to your kids. Taking pictures is Making Memories!

Thanks for reading! Have a blessed and magical weekend!