Most of the news out of Walt Disney World over the past few weeks has been related to the phased opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge happening this summer or the impending reboot of Epcot. However, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been making a few quiet changes over the past few weeks that might have just slipped under the radar! Here are all the announcements, new additions, and changes coming to this park that you might have missed!
1. Aladdin movie preview coming to Walt Disney Presents next week
Now that Dumbo has safely landed in theaters, Disney is moving on to promiting its next live action adaptation: Aladdin. Beginning April 19, a sneak peek of this upcoming film will be presented as part of the Walt Disney Presents attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.This film releases on May 24th, after which we’d guess this preview will fly away on a magic carpet to make way for the third Disney lvie action adaptation coming this year, The Lion King, which releases this summer.
2. Guest Experience Team coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Image: Disney
- Booking, modifying, and recovering FastPass+ selections
- Navigating the My Disney Experience app
- Deactivating and reactivating MagicBands
- Sunset Boulevard – Near Tower of Terror FastPass+ kiosk
- Pixar Place – Near the entrance to Toy Story Land
- Echo Lake – Near the entrance to Path of the Jedi
- Center Stage – Near the Movie Cameraman Statue
3. Reservations now available for ABC Commissary
The ABC Commissary is currently being plussed up in advance of the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and is getting new decor, furnishings, and self-serve beverage station. And while these improvements are ongoing, Disney is testing out another new feature for this quick service dining establishment: reservations. Guests who make reservations via My Disney Experience for dinner at this location can also enjoy a “fast-casual” experience where they order at the counter and then have a seat while their order is prepared and then delivered to them.
4. Bo Peep meet and greet coming to Toy Story Land this summer
Image: Disney
Just in time for the summer opening of Toy Story 4, a new character will be coming to meet guests this summer: Bo Peep! This new character will be appearing in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios alongside characters Woody, Buzz and Jessie. No specific start date has been confirmed yet, but we will likely learn more about this upcoming character experience in just a few weeks as we get closer to the release of the upcoming Toy Story movie.
5. Sofia the First character meet and greet ending this week
Image: Disney
Sofia the First, who has met with guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the Animation Courtyard for the past five years, will be having her very last day at the park this Sunday on April 14th, before going back to Enchancia. She also no longer meets young guests at the Disney Junior Play n’ Dine character dining experience at the Hollywood & Dine restaurant, making this one character we probably won’t be seeing again for a long time (if ever again).
6. Fancy Nancy ready to meet guests in May
Image: Disney
Once Sofia the First leaves Disney’s Hollywood Studios the spot this character formerly occupied in the Animation Courtyard will be refurbished and then reopen in time for the 30th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 1, with an all-new backyard-inspired backdrop just for the all-new Fancy Nancy character greeting. In addition to meeting guests in the Animation Courtyard, Fancy Nancy has also been confirmed to be joining the aforementioned Disney Junior Play ‘n Dine lineup at Hollywood & Vine, along with other popular Disney Junior characters like Vampirina, Doc McStuffins and Roadster Racer Goofy.
