Disney News on Parade: 02/21/20
We have a very busy Disney News on Parade. Some of the highlights are shown in my video below. Check it out!
Galaxy’s Edge & Disney’s Hollywood Studios
We reference a few things in the video. First Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. Here guests are actively using the FastPass option. Remember that guests with special needs can use this option as well.
The result is long stand-by line waits, such as here where it’s 140 minutes at 3:00 pm in the afternoon. Remember that there is also a Standby line, which will probably get longer as well. But ask for an approximate wait time before entering.
This week I did a huge update to Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, to include not only what I discuss in the video but updated insights on obtaining a boarding pass to Rise of the Resistance. When you subscribe to our newsletter, you get complimentary access to this complete guide. I promise you Blue Milk if you can find a more comprehensive guide anywhere else in the galaxy. Definitely check it out!
In other galactic news, Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away is ending its run as of Saturday, February 22nd. I didn’t like how it blocked the view of the Chinese Theater all day, but I did like show. You can see the video here:
Behind the show new signage has been put in place for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
Before we get excited for this new attraction opening in less than two weeks from now, let’s take a moment to remember The Great Movie Ride. Be sure to check out my podcast and post that looks at 10 reasons why I love The Great Movie Ride.
Over in Toy Story Land, space has been carved out for the entrance to the new Toy Story Roundup Rodeo BBQ restaurant. Glad to see a new sit down restaurant. Not sure I needed another barbecue restaurant, but it contrasts to EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom as it will be a sit down.
A little further on there’s a preview of the new Onward film coming out on March 6th in theaters. Be sure to visit Walt Disney Presents to check it out. I thought better of the film after I saw the preview.
EPCOT
Take note that the Walt Disney Company declared that this week it isn’t Epcot or Epcot Center or Epcot ’95, but rather (hold down the shift key) EPCOT. It’s been kind of obvious for some time, as in the EPCOT Experience presentation shown below. Still, the announcement has been formalized:
We take the Skyliner from the Studios to EPCOT because it is simply crazy construction in former Future World. That’s okay because it gives us a chance to see ongoing construction on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Look toward the rear for a beige-colored fountain recently being added.
You can see the fountain from another view under the awnings:
The big news at EPCOT is the opening of the Regal Eagle Smokehouse. I’ve done both a podcast and post reviewing this. Be sure to check it out.
In other news, the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is closing this weekend. Probably my favorite of all the festivals, but the International Flower & Garden Festival is my second favorite, so we’re looking forward to that as well. It goes from March 4th (same day as opening for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway), to June 1st.
Can I just mention a great little place that isn’t getting enough attention. There was NO WAIT to see Mickey Mouse at the foyer to the Disney Pixar Shorts Theater. This is the place to get quality time with the boss.
Next door is a meet ‘n’ greet for Joy of Inside Out and for Ralph and Vanellope of Wreck it Ralph fame. Again, two great meet ‘n’ greet locations, which are a little more of a line from people stepping off of Journey Into Your Imagination. But still worth checking out.
Magic Kingdom
We’ll end our time by visiting Adventureland at The Magic Kingdom. One of the little gems of this park is the Swiss Family Treehouse. It’s due for a major rehab later this year, but we have a wonderful podcast and post that discusses little known leadership lessons from this film and attraction. We also have a video that walks you through the attraction if it’s been a while since you did it:
That does it for this week. We’re trying to do this at least twice a month, if not more often, so please stay tuned. And please subscribe to receive notices when we provide posts. Also, when you subscribe to our newsletter, you receive the complimentary Complete Guide to Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, complete with big updates, more photos and interactive maps throughout.
