This is the weekly news, rumors and refurbishments update for Walt Disney World for the week of August 10, 2014.
Here are the four biggest updates from around the resort for the past seven days…
1. The Tower of Terror now captures video thanks to MyMagic+
Guests who have purchased a Memory Maker photo package that is linked to a MagicBand now get a complimentary on-board video of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
The Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the first attraction to use this MyMagic+ feature. The attraction will record clips during the fifth-dimension scene and the drop scene. After riding the Tower, the clips are put into a prearranged template to make a short personalized video.
Only guests with a Memory Maker package and a MagicBand will get the video. No action is required by the guest and there is no extra cost involved. It may take up to 24-hours for the video memento to show up on your My Disney Experience account.
The video memento is currently only available for the Tower of Terror, but more attractions are likely to follow.
2. The American Idol Experience will close later this month
Originally going to close in January 2015, the American Idol Experience will now close after August 30, 2014. No reason has been for the expedited closure.
It has been speculated the the Frozen Singalong will be placed in the theater come September. That location is also part of the highly anticipated Star Wars Land that will soon make its way into Hollywood Studios.
3. The Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights will be returning this year
In less than three months, the holiday season will be in full swing at the Walt Disney World Resort. One of the most popular displays is the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. I am pleased to announce that the show will return starting November 7, 2014 and run every night through January 4, 2015.
The show requires more than 5 million led christmas lights and installation along the Streets of America begin next month.
Many have speculated that the lights may not return after this year due to the rumored Star Wars expansion coming to the park. From what I hear, the show is too popular to remove and the Streets of America will remain during the expansion. The Spectacle of Dancing Lights is the most impressive holiday display I have ever seen and comes highly recommended.
4. The American Film Institute Showcase closed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The American Film Institute Showcase just closed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. AFI is the exhibit at the end of the Studio Backlot Tour. The exhibit displayed movie artifacts and memorabilia. My favorite prop shown at AFI was a lifeboat that was used in the film Titanic.
The closure is likely due to a contract ending and for some reason Disney does not wish to renew. The closure could be viewed as a sign that a future attraction may be in the works for that area. For now it’s all just speculation.
The Studio Backlot Tour will now continue to be operational, but guests will not exit through the AFI exhibit.
