This is the weekly news, rumors and refurbishments update for Walt Disney World for the week of May 10, 2015.
Here are the three biggest updates from around the resort for the past seven days.
1. The Great Movie Ride roof finishes being repainted and the center stage is up for Star Wars Weekends
The patina effect on the roof of the Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been completed.
This is the attraction before being repainted.
Here it is during the first stage of being repainted.
This is the roof with the full effect.
Unfortunately, a stage was put up in front of The Great Movie Ride for Star Wars Weekends and later Frozen Summer Fun events.
This is the same temporary stage that has been up years prior but now sits where the Sorcerer’s Hat once stood. The stage will be up until September and a more elegant, permanent solution is being looked at for that area.
As a side note, walls are now down in front of Soundstage One next to Toy Story Midway Mania. The only visible change is that the doors and windows are now gone. This is the space that will house the third track in the Toy Story Midway Mania expansion.
2. Special entertainment line-up for Magic Kingdom’s 24-hour Coolest Summer Ever event
On Friday May 22, 2015 the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World will be open from 6am Friday to 6am Saturday morning.
Here’s the entertainment line-up for the special event.
- The extravaganza kicks off with some very special appearances in the Welcome Show as Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf join the rest of the gang welcoming everyone into the park.
- A Flag Raising ceremony will be held at dawn in Town Square, featuring the Reedy Creek Honor Guard.
- Some of your favorite stars from Disney Channel will be joining us as Grand Marshals for the “Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade” at 3 p.m.
- Over in Tomorrowland, Disney Channel Club Chill takes over Rockettower Plaza Stage from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., with DJ Frost leading a dance party with music videos from Disney Channel stars and sneak peeks of upcoming Disney Channel Original Movies “Teen Beach 2” and “Descendants.”
- Once things cool down in Tomorrowland, Rockettower Plaza switches gears for sing-along screenings of Disney’s “Frozen” from midnight – 4 a.m.
- There’s even more “Frozen” fun in store, when Olaf, Kristoff, Anna and Elsa put Magic Kingdom Park “on ice” with pre-parade appearances just ahead of the 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. performances of the Main Street Electrical Parade.
- Looking to dance the night away? You can join some of your Disney pals – all dressed in their PJs – at one of two late-night dance parties. Kick up your heels at the Frontierland Dance Party, near Country Bear Jamboree, from 2 a.m. – 6 a.m. At Cinderella Castle, Disney’s “Up All Night” Dance Party keeps things hopping from 2:00 a.m. – 5:45 a.m. with awesome DJ, stiltwalkers and lots of fun party people!
- As that 24th hour comes to a close, make your way to Town Square on Main Street, U.S.A., for a special finale moment with Mickey and the gang that you won’t want to miss.
3. New retail and dining locations announced for Disney Springs
13 new retail and dining are confirmed to be coming to Disney Springs.
Retail:
- Zara
- Tommy Bahama
- Lilly Pulitzer
- UNIQLO
- PANDORA
- UGG
- L’Occitaine en Provence
- Edward Beiner
Dining:
- Edison
- Sprinkles
- Blaze Pizza
- Vivoli Gelateria
- Tea Traders by Joffrey’s Tea
Disney Springs will be completed in 2016 and feature more than 150 dining, shopping, and entertainment venues.
