This is the weekly news, rumors and refurbishments update for Walt Disney World for the week of December 28, 2014.
Here are the three biggest updates from around the resort for the past seven days.
1. The Sorcerer’s Hat Icon at Disney’s Hollywood Studios begins demolition this week
This was the final week to get an unobstructed view of the Sorcerer’s Hat Icon at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. On January 7, 2015 walls will surround the former park icon to begin demolition.
There are no estimates to how long the removal process will take. Considering Disney’s work pace, I would guess that the removal of the hat and repaving of the area will be completed by March. I hope Disney will soon give more information into the removal process and how long they expect it to take.
The Sorcerer’s Hat is also expected to be completely demolished as there are no indications that it will be used somewhere else.
Once the Hat is gone, it will be interesting to see what the park icon will be. It could return to the Earful tower, but that can no longer be seen since the Backlot Tour closed in September of last year.
The Sorcerer Hat has already been removed from the park’s map and this is just the beginning for Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
2. A Frozen Holiday Wish continues for a little bit longer
Disney has extended ‘A Frozen Holiday Wish’ for an extra week. Originally, the castle show that features Queen Elsa lighting Cinderella Castle was going to end January 2. The castle would still be lit in shimmering ice until its removal mid-January, but the lights would simply turn on at dusk.
‘A Frozen Holiday Wish’ will now run every night at 6:30pm until January 12, 2015.
3. The Jungle Cruise and Dream Along With Mickey are closing for refurbishment this spring
A much needed refurbishment is in store for the Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom Park. The Attraction will close on April 13, 2015 and reopen May 9, 2015.
‘Dream Along With Mickey’ stage show at Magic Kingdom Park will not be having performances around the same dates, April 13, 2015 through May 20, 2015. This is due to the Central Plaza construction and installation of the new castle turrets that will provide lighting for the castle stage. The show itself is not likely to change.