A Blog About Disney Stuff

We’re here with a series of quick posts, “Disney in a Minute,” bite-sized nuggets of information that can better help you understand a Disney term or planning topic. Enjoy!

What is the Hub?

“The Hub” is one of those phrases that Disney aficionados throw around with ease, but might be confusing to the uninitiated. In Disney parlance, there are two common uses of this phrase.

For most guests, “The Hub” is the central circle at Magic Kingdom, comprising the area in front of Cinderella Castle, the popcorn carts, and the grassy fireworks viewing area. Basically it’s the middle of Magic Kingdom that’s not really part of any of the lands.

You could use it in a sentence like, “Meet me at the Hub in 20 minutes and we’ll grab a spot for the castle show.” Or, “The new Minnie popcorn bucket is available at the cart on the right side of the Hub.”

Another variation of this is the term “Hub Grass.” Hub grass is the grassy zone near the Casey’s Corner and Plaza restaurant outdoor seating areas. The Hub grass area might be reserved for events, but when the gates are open, anyone can use the Hub grass as a place to relax, have a snack, let the kiddos run around, or even grab a quick nap. The Hub grass has a mini cult following. Disney recently offered a tee shirt that said “Hub Grass is My Favorite Color.” Etsy sellers have also capitalized on this phrase.

The second use of the phrase “The Hub” is just for cast members (Disney employees). The Hub is the name of the internal online portal. Cast members use it to see their schedule, learn about policies, read news about the company, get weather updates for the parks, and much more. This Hub is only for folks who work for Mickey and is not available to guests.

While at Disney World, I have also heard people use “the hub” as a quick way to refer to their husband, but that’s not specifically Disney lingo.

Let us know what Disney topics you think need just a bit more explanation.

The post Disney in a Minute: What is the Hub? appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World (FL), disney in a minute, hub expansion

Get ready to once again learn the history of Arendelle, as the live show, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration is returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The show will return to the Hyperion Theater on October 5. It will be the same show that Guests have loved, with a few small adjustments to staging and the seating of the audience to keep physical distancing in mind.

For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration is a 25-minute musical recap that features the Royal Historians of Arendelle, Erik and Aria, who share a comedic retelling of the events of the first Frozen film.

The show actually debuted as a temporary offering during the Frozen Summer Fun LIVE event. It was so popular that the show moved to the larger theater and became a fan-favorite due to the comedic aspect of the Historians, as well as the ability for fans (especially little ones) to be able to sing their favorite songs.

Are you excited to once again visit Arendelle, hear the Royal Historians’ tale, and see Anna and Elsa?

The post Guests Are Returning to Arendelle – For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration is Coming Back appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Hollywood Studios, News, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, For the First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, Frozen

It’s actually the end of an era. Announced this weekend on their Facebook page, the popular staple of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra shared details that their last day of performing would be on October 3 at the Walt Disney World Resort.

While they haven’t currently been playing at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort due to COVID, the band has been performing, in parts, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as the Disney Society Orchestra since early August. Their shows featured musical highlights from favorite movies like The Little Mermaid, Toy Story, the Muppets and more.

In their message to their fans, they shared the following:

It’s  hard to find the words but, sadly, our days at the Grand Floridian are over. In fact, as of Oct 3, 2020, our days at WDW will come to an end as well. 

The company brought us out of furlough, changed our name to “The Disney Society Orchestra,” closed us out of the GF to play a show of Disney themed show tunes at the Theater of the Stars in Hollywood Studios. we’ve been playing 9 shows a day, 7 days a week since Aug 2nd. The music is a far cry from the closely knit harmonies & sounds we became known for at the GF but the guys are real pros and they sound great! 

Well…Two weeks ago, we got notice that the theater is going dark and our last day of work will be Saturday, October 3, 2020. As we all know, these are very uncertain times and can’t say what will happen from one day to the next. 

So after 32 years of playing together and playing music we love….we’re done. We are so thankful for the opportunity to play in a beautiful setting for the hotel guests and friends we have met & made over the years. We’ll never forget you and how wonderful you’ve made us feel. We will miss you! 

Thank you-thank you-thank you! 

 

 

The band also shared on their Facebook page that their last performances would not be at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, but instead will be at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the Theater of the Stars, which is where Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage is performed.

October is, unfortunately, always the time that Disney cancels contracts of popular performers and musical acts, due to it being the beginning of their fiscal quarter. This is, not the first time that much loved performers were not brought back. There is, of course, as their always is during these removals of popular entertainment offerings, a petition from fans for Disney to change their mind.

The band does state that they do have CDs available for purchase, for those who would like them. If you are interested, they indicate that you should message them on their Facebook page.

The post The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra To End Its Run at Walt Disney World appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: News, Walt Disney World (FL), Disney Grand Floridian Society Orchestra, Disney Society, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort