Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2022 Edition

[redboat45]

I like this new concept art SO MUCH BETTER than that giant building/tower thing they originally planned. I hope they have some nice benches in the garden area.

 

[mrsap]

Site Plan Shows Updated Layout of World Celebration Neighborhood Coming to EPCOT

In the site plan, we can see Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana taking up the northwest section of World Celebration. The newly announced CommuniCore Hall and Plaza will take over the southwest section of World Celebration. The recently opened Connections Cafe and Eatery (sandwiches, pizza, and desserts) is featured in the northeast section and Creations Shop is in the southeast corner of the neighborhood. In the center is the newly announced EPCOT Gardens and Dreamers Point sits behind Spaceship Earth.



And here’s the area in concept art form.

 

[mrsap]

NEW DETAILS:​

MagicBand+ Launching this Summer, ‘Hey Disney!’ Later this Year at Walt Disney World Resort​

Are you ready to interact with Disney magic in all new ways? This summer, Walt Disney World Resort will launch our newest wearable, MagicBand+, followed later this year by the “Hey Disney!” digital voice assistant. Both products will enhance guest visits throughout the 50th anniversary celebration and beyond.

If you already own a MagicBand, you understand how this technology makes visits to Walt Disney World more convenient with just a tap of your band when entering parks and guest rooms*, making retail and dining purchases*, and creating magic moments with Disney PhotoPass service. MagicBand+ will do all that and more.

Use MagicBand+ to Bring Sculptures to Life

You may have seen the golden character sculptures throughout the four Walt Disney World theme parks during the 50th anniversary celebration. Soon, you’ll be able to use MagicBand+ to bring the sculptures to life and interact with them on the “Disney Fab 50 Quest.” You can also dive deeper into the experience using the Play Disney Parks mobile app to keep track of which sculptures you’ve found. The more you find, the more features you can unlock with digital achievements and an augmented reality feature that will give you a glimpse into your favorite characters’ worlds.

MagicBand+ Invites You to Join the “Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters” Experience

Over in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, MagicBand+ invites you to join the “Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters” experience, where you’ll use your band to find numerous virtual bounties hidden throughout Black Spire Outpost. MagicBand+ will be your guide, vibrating and lighting up to show if you’re on the right path. You can then use the augmented reality thermal viewer in the Play Disney Parks app – which reveals what’s behind locked doors in Black Spire Outpost – to uncover your virtual bounty**. Once your mission is complete, the local guild master will reward you with galactic credits.


Experience Nighttime Spectaculars in a New Way with MagicBand+

You can also experience nighttime spectaculars in a new way as you’ll see your MagicBand+ light up and complement the magic in the skies! It’s a dazzling way to join in the celebration and create unforgettable memories at the theme parks.

These experiences will be available with MagicBand+ and will launch when the new wearable goes on sale this summer. Disney Resort hotel guests and Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will have the option to purchase at a discounted, pre-arrival price. You can still use existing MagicBands and Disney MagicMobile, available on eligible devices, to enjoy other features, such as park entry*. The original MagicBand wearable will continue to be available for purchase as well.

MagicBand+ will be available at Disneyland Resort later this year. Some of the features will vary between Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. We’ll have more to share on that soon.

Magical New Digital Voice Assistant – “Hey Disney!”

There’s a magical new digital voice assistant ready to bring Disney characters and stories to life called “Hey Disney!” Using Alexa technology for supported Amazon Echo devices, you’ll be able to ask all the useful questions – weather forecasts, set timers and alarms, etc. – and get answers from more than 25 popular characters including Mickey Mouse, Olaf, Rocket and Groot, Princess Tiana and many more. Plus, when you stay at select Disney Resort hotels, you can use “Hey Disney!” to learn helpful information about your vacation, order room amenities and more. Wondering when the next bus to EPCOT leaves or need to request more towels for your room? Just ask the Disney Magical Companion, a new character who will interact with you via “Hey Disney!”

‘Hey Disney!’ will begin rolling out in select Disney Resort hotel guest rooms across Walt Disney World later this year as part of our 50th anniversary celebration. Access will be offered as an optional, complimentary feature during guest stays. “Hey Disney!” will also be available for purchase for supported Amazon Echo devices via the Amazon Alexa Skills store, inviting Disney fans to make every day at home more magical. In the future, MagicBand+ will work with “Hey Disney!” by pairing with supported Amazon Echo devices to enhance some “Hey Disney!” experiences. More details will be released soon.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

Hasn’t been mentioned today, make of that what you will.

Ugh, it was still on the plan like 5 months ago.

 

[Tess]

Has there been any indication of when all of this Epcot stuff will be completed?

"Soon". . .

 

[jpeterson]

Ugh, it was still on the plan like 5 months ago.

Whenever they go quiet on a project I just assume that it's cancelled. Sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised when it comes back around.

 

[mrsap]

Work Being Done To Board Walk Area of Disney’s Yacht Club Resort​

You can see that an area of the Boardwalk Walkway is blocked off and construction crews hard at work.

Construction signage is up at Walt Disney World.

You can see from these images that the wooden planks have been pulled up from the walkway.

It looks as if they are being replaced.

 

[bbeagle]

Has there been any indication of when all of this Epcot stuff will be completed?

No.

I would expect that Dreamers Point, the center landscaping and Moana Journey of Water would be completed by October for the anniversary of Epcot. These are all landscaping - Disney is not building any complex rides or buildings. Moana is the most complicated, but it's well on its way already.

I would expect that the Communicore Hall and Plaza won't be completed until Spring 2023.

Hopefully Disney will give us guidance on their real estimates.

 

[1lilspark]

No.

I would expect that Dreamers Point, the center landscaping and Moana Journey of Water would be completed by October for the anniversary of Epcot. These are all landscaping - Disney is not building any complex rides or buildings. Moana is the most complicated, but it's well on its way already.

I would expect that the Communicore Hall and Plaza won't be completed until Spring 2023.

Hopefully Disney will give us guidance on their real estimates.

communicore hall and plaza at least on paper seem more like a tear down re-build of the building that housed starbucks/character spot/club cool and the greenery area where they used to have "The Chew" booths for F&W so I can easily also see those complete or close to it in 5 months time

I can see Play and a few other projects both in FL, CA and internationally that are in the works now (or announced at D23 if they are in a smaller scale) being planned to open October 16th 2023 for the companies 100th celebration

 

[mrsap]

Showtimes Removed for Future KiteTails Performances at Disney’s Animal Kingdom​

The Disney website has removed showtimes for KiteTails at Disney’s Animal Kingdom starting May 27.

The show is expected to be changed, and this update could indicate the day we will see those changes in the park.

Disney stated they are “shifting the focus of the show so guests will be able to experience [it] from anywhere around the Discovery River Lagoon, with shorter and more frequent performances throughout the day.”

 

[BrianL]

communicore hall and plaza at least on paper seem more like a tear down re-build of the building that housed starbucks/character spot/club cool and the greenery area where they used to have "The Chew" booths for F&W so I can easily also see those complete or close to it in 5 months time

I can see Play and a few other projects both in FL, CA and internationally that are in the works now (or announced at D23 if they are in a smaller scale) being planned to open October 16th 2023 for the companies 100th celebration

Yeah, I like that it matches better. Honestly, they probably should have just kept that half of the building though!

 

[mrsap]

Star Lord References Classic EPCOT Attractions Including Horizons, Universe of Energy, and Kitchen Kabaret in Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind​

Video:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1522237399149035526

 

[Brocktoon]

Star Lord References Classic EPCOT Attractions Including Horizons, Universe of Energy, and Kitchen Kabaret in Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind​

Video:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1522237399149035526

I love Chris Pratt (check out his Parks & Rec outtakes reel) ... but does it oddly seem like he's phoning this performance in? It may be more that he was just breaking character and improvising which he's been known to do .. and the look on Zoe Saldana's face

 

[Mr. lncredible]

Yeah, I like that it matches better. Honestly, they probably should have just kept that half of the building though!

But… the smells. That whole west side needed to be torn down to bedrock to get rid of that stench.

 

[mrsap]

Netting Installed on Frontierland Rooftops to Secure Tiles at Magic Kingdom

It looks like Disney is either performing some repairs or concerned about the state of the tile rooftops in Frontierland as netting and clamps have been installed to secure tiles above guest walkways. Here’s a look at the work!

 

[mrsap]

Join Us as We Ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind for the First Time​

*Photos and videos!!

 

[BrianL]

But… the smells. That whole west side needed to be torn down to bedrock to get rid of that stench.

True, but it also smelled on the other side at MouseGear. Did it come from teh building or some sewer line below? Either way, I do hope they fixed that.

 

[umichigan10]

But… the smells. That whole west side needed to be torn down to bedrock to get rid of that stench.

It was the only way possible they could get the sage down there to get rid of whatever beast was causing the odor

 

[mrsap]

World Discovery Umbrellas Installed at EPCOT​

As the design language of EPCOT continues to take shape, newly repainted umbrellas have been installed in World Discovery as work in the area wraps up* with the opening of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind later this month (*PLAY! Pavilion gets the same status as Bruno).

 

[mrsap]

New Details Revealed About the Transformation of EPCOT​

(Pretty much the same information released today, but put out by DPB)