Virtual Queue Confirmed for Galaxy’s Edge

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A Virtual Queue will be used to manage access to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While Disney has yet to write about the virtual queue system on their own blog or Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge informational webpage, they did begin to hand out fliers to guests staying at Disney resorts, informing them of the system.

The flier confirmed that the virtual queue will load by “Boarding Group” when the land reaches capacity, just like in Disneyland.  The land will receive an “open” status when the park opens to guests and then close to a virtual queue only system as crowd levels demand. Guests will be able to check the land status either by opening up the My Disney Experience app, or by checking one of the Boarding Group display boards at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Here’s how Disney describes the virtual queue process in the in-room fliers:

•Ensure that you have the latest version of the My Disney Experience app downloaded.

•Enable push notifications to be notified when it is your turn to enter Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

•Launch the app and look for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge status and access

•If the land is open, proceed directly to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge via the entrance on Grand Avenue.

•If access for the land is via Boarding Group Only, then select to join the boarding group.

•Receive a push notification when your group is called. You can also check the digital status boards throughout the park.

On thing to note is that if you have an Oga’s Cantina or Savi’s Workshop reservation, you will be allowed to enter the land one hour prior to your reservation regardless of the land status.

Overall, it’s a simple process that will allow guests to spend their time doing other things at Disney’s Hollywood Studios rather than wait in line.

Disneyland used controlled access for their opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge only for a few hours on opening day before it was no longer needed.

 

 

Disney FairyTails Pin Event at Epcot

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Beginning Friday, August 9, the Disney FairyTails pin event will arrive at Epcot, celebrating all of Disney’s furry friends. Located inside World Showplace Events Pavilion in between the Canada and United Kingdom pavilions, the event will conclude on Sunday, August 11 which means three full days of pin trading fun!

Check out the event schedule below:

•Friday, Aug. 9 and Saturday, Aug. 10 (9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.): All Guests participating in the event must have a pre-purchased event credential. Guests will arrive at the Main Entrance and International Gateway.  Those in line prior to 7:45 a.m. will be escorted to World Showplace by a Cast Member. After that time, they may make their way to the venue on their own.

Please note: Only Guests with pre-purchased event credentials will be allowed inside World Showplace.

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Sunday, Aug. 11 (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.): Public Pin Trading Day is open to anyone with a valid Epcot admission ticket. Guests will be able to enter and leave World Showplace as they please to pin trade with other Guests.

 

 

Magic Kingdom Entrance Construction Update

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Beginning the week of July 29, the following operational impacts will go into effect as crews work to enhance the main entrance area at the Magic Kingdom Park:

•Security screening area at Magic Kingdom bus loop:

As construction begins on the current security screening area at the Magic Kingdom bus loop, security screening stations will be repositioned into a temporary tent.

During this time, there may be minimal impacts to guest flow for resort guests entering and leaving the park due to barricades in the area.

•West Boat Dock:

Work will also begin at the West Dock (servicing Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort). All resort watercraft will utilize the dock located between the monorail station and the ferryboat landing during this phase of construction

 

 

Additional Disney After Hours Dates Announced

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Additional dates are now available for Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with tickets on sale beginning May 30:

•Magic Kingdom Park: Aug. 22 and 29; and Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26

•Disney’s Animal Kingdom: July 2, 8, 15, 22, 29; Aug. 5, 12, 19, 26; Sept. 3, 9, 16, 23

•Disney’s Hollywood Studios: July 5, 12, 19, 26

Disney After Hours events enable guests to experience Disney theme parks after the park closes, which means less wait time for popular attractions and character greetings. These popular, ticketed events provide Guests with three hours of unforgettable adventures after the park closes

Event attendees can enter the park as early as 7 p.m. on event night.

Ice cream, popcorn and bottled beverages are also included with event admission, which is a separately priced ticket from daytime park admission.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios 30th Anniversary Details Announced

 

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Disney has just announced some of the special events and merchandise that will be revealed for Disney’s Hollywood Studios 30th Anniversary, taking place May 1, 2019.

This is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the past, present, and the new, exciting future of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Take a look at all that’s to come:

•View a Star Studded Celebration Parade – A Disney’s Hollywood Studios 30th Anniversary Star-Studded Celebration cavalcade starring Mickey and friends will begin at 10 a.m. and will head down Hollywood Blvd.

•Pick Up a Commemorative 30th Anniversary Guide Map & Button – Guests entering the park can grab a special 30th anniversary commemorative guide map and button.

•Grab Exclusive 30th Anniversary Merchandise – Special 30th anniversary merchandise will be unveiled on May 1, including a new adult T-shirt, baseball cap, Tervis 24-oz tumbler, MagicBand, ornament and much more.

Annual passholders can also shop for some items exclusively created for them. Merchandise can be found starting at 8 a.m. in Grand Park, while supplies last. (Please note: Merchandise will go on sale at 8 a.m., Disney’s Hollywood Studios opens at 9 a.m.)

•Taste Special Food & Beverage Items – A slew of special anniversary food & beverage items will be available throughout the park, including Kylo Ren Cupcakes, Incredibles Macarons, Tres Leches Verrine and many more.

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An official foodie guide will be announced next week!

•Stay For the Debut of “Wonderful World of Animation” – The park’s new nighttime projection show will light up the park for its official debut on May 1. Watch in wonder as the façade of the Chinese Theatre is magically transformed – displaying this stirring tribute to animation. Behold spectacular sequences celebrating themes like magic, family, adventure, romance and friendship. Each theme is brought to life through unforgettable moments from beloved films—like “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Incredibles,” “Coco” and many more. The show will debut at 9:05 p.m. just prior to the park’s “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” fireworks show.

 

 

 

 

Epcot Entrance Work to Begin April 18th

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As previously announced, work is underway across the Walt Disney World Resort to enhance the overall guest arrival experience at Disney’s theme parks and make it easier for guests to travel around the property.

This multi-phased transformation began at Disney’s Hollywood Studios last year with a new entrance allowing guests to enter the park from Osceola Parkway, and work has begun at the tram and parking lot areas at Transportation and Ticket Center.

Beginning the morning of Thursday, April 18, the following operational impacts will go into effect as we work to enhance the main entrance area at Epcot:

•Main entrance: During this initial phase of construction, guests coming from the parking lot will enter Epcot through the security screening area located at the eastside entrance.

Guests coming by monorail, bus, or taxi will continue to enter Epcot through the security screening area located at the westside entrance (closer to the bus stops).

•Trams: During construction, the load/unload zones for the main guest tram will reposition to temporary locations, resulting in an increased walking distance for guests. In addition, tram service will be separated between two tram lanes, similar to the tram service at the Transportation and Ticket Center. These trams will be referred to as the “West Tram” and “East Tram,” and they will service the following lots:

•West Tram lots: Journey, Amaze, Discover, Create

•East Tram lots: Imagine, Explore, Wonder

Party for the Planet Returns to Animal Kingdom

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To celebrate the beauty of our planet and all its creatures this Earth Day weekend, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will host the “Party for the Planet” on April 20-22, 2019.

Here is more about some of the activities that will be available to guests during the event:

•Animal encounters and educational excitement:

Guests will be able to discover living magic with special ambassador animals or watch animal keepers train and feed some of the creatures that live at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Is animal-themed artwork more your style? Check out the giant penguin sculpture made from reclaimed marine debris near the main entrance. The 11 ft. artwork celebrates Disneynature’s upcoming film “Penguins,” and ASE Educators are on hand to share how you can help keep our oceans clean.

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•Memorable photo props and rare character opportunities

It wouldn’t be a wild party without picture-proof, would it? Say “cheese” inside themed photo props and critter masks at several spots on Discovery Island daily.

Rare character friends have also been invited to pose and play with visitors, including Jiminy Cricket, Thumper, and Miss Bunny!

•Eco-eats, sweets and events

The popular Tiffins Talks hosted by the world-famous Imagineer Joe Rohde return for another year. Enjoy a feast and hear from the man himself about his adventures, designing Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and more in this event.  Advance reservations are strongly recommended.

•Earth-conscious merchandise

Treat yourself while treating the environment with several special merchandise offerings! Stop by Discovery island to check out whimsical fairy houses, jewelry made from recycled materials, and natural bath and body products.

For another opportunity to meet Joe Rohde, he’ll be signing a limited number of special prints in Mombasa Marketplace on Saturday and Monday.

DJ’s Ready, Set, Party Time Dance Party Coming to Hollywood Studios

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When Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy speeds into Disney’s Hollywood Studios on March 31, the world of Disney•Pixar’s “Cars” will unfold all around you, and the fun and excitement extend beyond the show into the courtyard outside Sunset Showcase, with special entertainment, photo ops, and more.

Piston Cup Champion Cruz Ramirez is stopping by to meet and take photos with all her fans, and DJ, the ultimate party on wheels, has hit the open road and made his way east, bringing his own incredible music mix to liven things up.

Several times daily, things kick into gear for “DJ’s Ready! Set! Party Time!” as Lightning McQueen’s Pit Crew arrives on the scene, getting everyone around DJ engaged in entertaining “Cars”-inspired dances and games. It all makes for some high-octane fun, starting March 31 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

 

SHOWTIMES (subject to change without notice):

10:00 a.m., 10:40 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 12:40 p.m., 1:05 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 3:40 p.m., 4:20 p.m., 5:00 p.m.

Aunt Polly’s to Open for a Limited Time

 

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Magic Kingdom Park guests are invited to take a lunch break from their pioneering adventure to enjoy food from Aunt Polly’s, a seasonally operated quick service restaurant located on Tom Sawyer Island. Aunt Polly’s will be open during lunch March 9-16 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Here are all of the limited time offerings:

 

Becky’s Buttery Biscuit BBQ Sliders with House-made Cajun Chips

Peanut Butter and Raspberry Preserve Sandwich with House-made Cajun Chips

Peanut Butter, Nutella and Banana Sandwich with House-made Cajun Chips

Soft Pretzel Sticks with choice of Dipping Sauce

Mississippi Mud Brownie A La Mode

Barq’s Root Beer Float with Vanilla Ice Cream

Odwalla Lemonade & Sweet Tea Slush

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