WDW Daily News

Guests to Disney’s Hollywood Studios can now get an insider’s look at the new Toy Story Land that opens at the theme park next summer.  The sneak peek is part of the new Walt Disney Presents gallery that opened September 8. The gallery is home to a never-before-seen model of the new land, concept renderings and maquettes of attraction vehicles and icons.

Visitors to the gallery will also discover a model of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – another new land that will open in 2019 – and concept art of the new Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction also under development.  Guests will get an idea of all the fun and exciting adventures being conjured up as part of a multi-year expansion of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Walt Disney Presents – renamed and reimagined from the former One Man’s Dream attraction – offers a self-guided stroll through Disney history. From Mickey Mouse to the Magic Kingdoms, guests are transported into the life and legacy of the man who started it all – Walt Disney.

From sketches, photos and storyboards to models, costumes, artwork, props and more, Walt Disney Presents is a Disney history book open wide. On display in this multimedia, interactive space is the original Audio Animatronic Abraham Lincoln from the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Walt’s second grade desk is among dozens of other one-of-a-kind finds on view. A film presentation celebrates his amazing life story.

Walt Disney Presents explores Walt’s boyhood life in small-town America, the founding of his first cartoon studio and his many contributions to the film industry.

Guests see firsthand how his ideas began to grow beyond the silver screen, as he explored the world of three-dimensional entertainment, culminating in the creation of the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. That legacy inspires his namesake company to stay true to his vision of innovation and excellence in the fields of animation, film and television, theme parks, resorts and much more. The new lands and coming attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and theme parks around the globe continue Walt’s legacy.

Walt Disney Presents will also host character greetings as well as special sneak previews of upcoming Disney films.  For more information about the new Walt Disney Presents gallery and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, visit DisneyWorld.com.

Walt Disney Presents, a re-imagined version of the One Man’s Dream attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, officially opens its doors to offer a new look at the past, present and future of Disney Parks.

One of the exciting pieces of the “future” that Walt Disney Presents showcases is a model of the park’s Toy Story Land expansion, which will be on display for your Clients to view starting today.

The Toy Story Land expansion, which will open in Summer 2018, will shrink guests to the size of a toy and allow them to explore all the fun of Andy’s backyard, which as you can see in these images, has been delightfully filled with familiar toys and sights from the “Toy Story” films.

You can also see some of the charming detail our Imagineers have created for this new land and its two major attractions – Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers.

The Slinky Dog Dash attraction will be a family coaster themed as if Andy used his Mega Coaster Play Kit to build the ultimate coaster for Slinky. The land’s other major attraction, Alien Swirling Saucers, has been designed as a toy play set that Andy got from Pizza Planet, in which Aliens are flying around in their toy flying saucers and trying to capture guests’ rocket toy vehicles with “The Claw.”

But the Toy Story Land model isn’t the only exciting draw to Walt Disney Presents. Tracing Disney history from Walt Disney’s beginning sketches, photos and storyboards, the attraction celebrates milestones in Disney film and theme park history up through today and beyond. Expect to see models, maquettes, sketches, artist renderings, a portion of the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge model, concept art for the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction and more.

Walt Disney Presents will also continue to host greetings with characters like Star-Lord and baby Groot, plus special sneak previews of upcoming Disney films.

A flurry of fun will greet Guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios this holiday season. Festivities will include an immersive new nighttime experience that wraps all of Sunset Boulevard in holiday magic with jolly decorations, merry treats and beloved characters sharing their love for the holidays.

It’s all part of the holiday happenings that will take place Nov. 9 to Dec. 31. Guests will also enjoy returning seasonal fun throughout the park, including the popular “Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam!” nighttime projection and fireworks show and special holiday meals and dessert parties.  Of course, Santa will be there too!

• NEW! Sunset Seasons Greetings – This new holiday experience features spectacular projections of Mickey, Minnie and other beloved Disney characters sharing their favorite Christmas stories as a snowy Sunset Boulevard twinkles with stunning holiday decorations. Holiday magic brings billboards to life and transforms the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel into scenes of the season – a giant pile of Christmas gifts, a gingerbread house and a frozen winter wonderland! A frosty summer-loving snowman might even make an appearance to share his holiday wish! This fantastic and heartwarming experience runs continuously throughout the night.
• NEW! Enhanced holiday décor around Echo Lake – Extra-large ornaments, colorful garlands and a giant Christmas tree centered on the water will make Echo Lake the merriest of places this holiday season. Even Dinosaur Gertie will be dressed for the occasion with a dino-sized Santa hat.
• “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” Returns – The hit holiday show returns Nov. 9 sending beloved Disney animated characters on a spirited yuletide adventure to get Santa back to the North Pole in time for Christmas Eve. “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” combines state-of-the-art projections, fireworks, special effects and Christmas music to create a dazzling, one-of-a-kind holiday experience for guests – capped by a special message from Santa himself.
• “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” Dessert Party – Guests can wrap up their jolly holiday evenings with reserved viewing of the “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” nighttime spectacular. The nightly party includes holiday-inspired snacks, delicious desserts, wine, beer, and specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. A surprise Disney character will also join the fun, posing for pictures and signing autographs. This fun-filled special event is offered Nov. 9-Dec. 30, 2017. Book online at com/dining or call (407) WDW-DINE. 
• A new friend joins the cast of ‘For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration’ – Holiday fun continues at the Hyperion Theater as Anna, Elsa and Kristoff welcome Olaf to this popular sing-along celebration. Just for the holidays, the show will include, all-new songs from Disney’s new animated short “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure.” 
• Minnie’s Holiday Dine at Hollywood and Vine – Meet Minnie, Mickey, Daisy, Donald and Goofy for lunch and dinner celebrations centered on seasonal deliciousness. From Nov. 6-Jan. 7, the mouse-with-the-mostest will deck the halls for a banquet filled with holiday cheer and the joy of the season! To make a reservation, check availability and book online at com/dining or call (407) WDW-DINE.
• Santa Claus returns to the Once Upon a Time shop Nov. 9-Dec. 24 – The beautiful and vintage setting of the Once Upon a Time shop recalls bygone days of Santa’s visits to great department stores across the country. Santa will be at the shop daily to greet guests and listen to holiday wishes. Santa Goofy will step in Dec. 25-Dec. 31 after Old Saint Nick returns to the North Pole.

It’s a great time for guests to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. Here, they can take center stage in the worlds of movies, television, music and theater. They can blast off on an outer space adventure, hang tight in a “haunted” elevator,” ride a rockin’ roller coaster and much more. Plus, they can watch as movie magic comes to life during sturring stage shows, blazing stunt spectaculars and Disney Character experiences. Check out this video to see more!

The Slinky Dog Dash attraction, currently under construction in Toy Story Land, celebrated a major milestone today – National Slinky Day – with the reveal of the coaster’s first Slinky Dog ride vehicle.

Slinky Dog Dash is one of two major attractions coming to Toy Story Land, a 12-acre expansion that’s set to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® in Summer 2018. In Toy Story Land, guests will shrink to the size of a toy and explore the world of Andy’s backyard on two fun family attractions – Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers.

Slinky Dog Dash is a family coaster themed as if Andy built it in his backyard using his Mega Coaster Play Kit and some of his other favorite toys. The attraction’s ride vehicles, inspired by the character of Slinky in the film, will send riders dipping, dodging and dashing around turns and drops Andy has created to stretch Slinky’s coils to the max.

The second attraction, Alien Swirling Saucers, is designed as a toy play set that Andy got from Pizza Planet, inspired by the first “Toy Story” film. Aliens are flying around in their toy flying saucers and trying to capture your rocket toy vehicle using “The Claw.”

Let’s be real. Since The Great Movie Ride closed earlier this month, and other parts of the park closing up for remodeling or expansion, the Hollywood Studios name seems outdated.

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There’s a sweet new way for you to take in the spectacular sights and sounds of Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®—the new Fantasmic! Dessert & VIP Viewing Experience package.

As you check-in for this event, you will pick up a delicious snack box, which features a mix of sweet and savory items, at the Fantasmic! theater prior to show time. A special light-up credential will allow Fantasmic! Dessert & VIP Viewing Experience Guests to enter the special reserved viewing area.

The adult box features chocolate-covered strawberries, cheesecake, a chocolate cupcake, apple crisp, California trail mix and cheese and crackers. Kids will enjoy chocolate pudding with crushed chocolate cookies and gummy worms, confetti popcorn, grapes and a vanilla cake bite which features the star of Fantasmic! — Sorcerer Mickey. You will also receive a bottle of water and a specialty alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage in a light-up keepsake Fantasmic! cup.

The Fantasmic! Dessert & VIP Viewing Experience is another great offering from the Enchanting Extras Collection, which allows you to enhance your Walt Disney World® Resort vacation. The cost is $39 for adults and $19 for children ages 3-9. Book today by visiting DisneyWorld.com/dining or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

As we’ve previously shared, two new lands – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land – are currently under construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. But today we’re sharing a look at another area of the park that’s undergoing its own transformation.

Muppets Courtyard, along with a portion of the former Streets of America, is being re-imagined by Walt Disney Imagineering to become a new area called Grand Avenue. Inspired by the revitalization and the vibrant culture of present-day downtown Los Angeles, Grand Avenue is where vintage office buildings and warehouses are being converted to exciting new uses. You will soon see facades for “merchants” appearing in this area for a music shop, loft apartments, a tailor and more, with each window on the street featuring charming displays.

A highlight of Grand Avenue is sure to be BaseLine Tap House, which takes over a former F&B location. This new corner pub will feature California beers and wines along with a selection of small bites.

The current Muppets Courtyard will become Grand Park, an urban square off Grand Avenue surrounded by shops and restaurants like PizzeRizzo and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano. You can already see changes in the area, with the Muppets theater being renamed “Grand Arts Theatre” and boasting a brand-new marquee. But, not to worry – Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang continue to star in their hilarious and irreverent “Muppet*Vision 3D” show.

Grand Avenue will be opening to Guests this fall.

With Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land currently under construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, the park is truly in the middle of an exciting transformation.

Today, we wanted to share another park update that will very soon give you a thrilling, up-close look at what’s to come at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The One Man’s Dream attraction is currently being reimagined into Walt Disney Presents, which like its predecessor, will continue showcasing historic items from Walt Disney’s history, such as sketches, photos and storyboards. But wait – Walt Disney Presents will also act as a preview center where you can explore what’s next for the park. Starting in mid-September, you will be able to view concept art, ride vehicle maquettes and a never-before-seen model for Toy Story Land. A portion of the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge model also will be on display, as well as concept art for the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction.

The attraction will also continue to host greetings with characters like Star-Lord and baby Groot, plus special sneak previews of upcoming Disney films.

The “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” Holiday Dessert Party will return this year to Disney’s Hollywood Studios® at Walt Disney World® Resort! It’s one of the best ways for your Clients to enjoy the Holiday Nighttime Spectacular fireworks show.

In the courtyard of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, guests can enjoy multiple food stations, featuring holiday-inspired sweet and savory delights like warm cheese fondue with pretzel bread and flatbread, warm pumpkin pie and spiced-bread pudding with hand-dipped vanilla ice cream. The Liquid Nitro Station fires-up the party with chocolate mousse and choice of toppings, including salted caramel sauce.

Beer, wine and specialty cocktails are available for Guests over 21. Specialty non-alcoholic beverages are also available, and of course, the hot cocoa is a crowd-pleaser.

While a special VIP character comes to meet and mingle with dessert party-goers, guests won’t believe their eyes when they check out the festive lights wearing a pair of 3D HoloSpex® glasses they receive. The glasses turn bright lights into holiday holographic illusions such as gingerbread men and candy canes.

For parties Nov. 9-Dec. 15, 2017 the cost is $79 per adult, $45 for children 3-9, and includes tax and gratuity. For parties Dec. 17-31, 2017, the cost is $89 adult, $49 child (tax and gratuity included.)

Reservations are now open! Book by calling 407-WDW-DINE, or via DisneyWorld.com/dining.