Toy Story Land brings the stories and characters from Pixar Animation Studios’ “Toy Story” films to life in a whole new way at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Andy’s turned his backyard into a theme park for Woody, Buzz Lightyear and all his other favorite toys, and we’re invited to play along!
When you explore this vibrant land, you feel like you’re the size of a toy, with stacks of blocks towering above you, festive lights strung overhead and even benches are made from popsicle sticks! The land’s three attractions – Slinky Dog Dash, Toy Story Mania! and Alien Swirling Saucers – offer fun for the whole family as you immersive yourself in the stories of your favorite toys.
Today we’re taking you “Behind the Magic” of Toy Story Land to learn more about this special place and how it helped transform Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Watch the video below to hear from Pam Rawlins, executive producer for Walt Disney Imagineering, and Roger Gould, creative director for Pixar Animation Studios’ theme park team, as they discuss everything from the land’s creative vision to how they added more “Slinkification” to Slinky Dog Dash. You’ll also get to see some amazing images of Toy Story Land in development.
As you can see, Toy Story Land is full of #DisneyMagicMoments all its own, and we’re thrilled to share this one with you today. For more moments like these, keep checking back with us here at the Disney Parks Blog.
From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com Filed Under: Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort, BtS, Toy Story Land, Video, WDW
It is almost the end of August–where did the time go? Today, Around the Universe covers a bucket full of new Universal news, discounts, ticket changes, and updates!
Passholder Appreciation Days
Courtesy of Universal Orlando.
Universal Passholder Appreciation Days are back! Running until September 30, 2020, passholders receive expanded discounts, exclusive dining options, and special offers. Current benefits include:
VIP Entrance at theme parks
Premier Passholder parking lane
Premier Passholder Universal Express starts at 2:00 p.m.
Premier Passholder Free Theme Park Admission for a guest August 17 – December 31, 2020
Premier and Preferred Passholders early park admission every day through September 30
Power and Season Passholders early park admission weekdays through September 30
Universal Passholder Appreciation Days are currently running until September 30, 2020.
Crêpes Ahoy!
In one of the positive additions in 2020, Universal opened a new crêpes stand in Universal Studios Florida. Located in Central Park across from Cafe LaBamba, the new stand sells snack-sized fresh crêpes; light, delicate pancakes rolled with a filling. Universal’s menu includes savory and sweet options including a vegan choice. For Derek Burgan the new stand also houses two Coke Freestyle machines for souvenir cup refills.
The early reviews give the stand thumbs up and a great option in lieu of the traditional pretzels, popcorn, and churro snacks. Hopefully, Universal keeps copying Disney Springs snack stands and we get some poutine soon (or is that at Green Eggs & Ham’s current menu).
Sapphire Falls Resort & Aventura Hotel Closures
Courtesy of Universal Orlando.
Closures are not just happening in the parks as Universal and Loews have announced Sapphire Falls and Aventura Hotel are closing Friday, August 21, for an indefinite amount of time.
We continue to evaluate our offerings and have decided to consolidate our hotel operations as we manage through current conditions. We will be operating the Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites and temporarily suspending operations at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort and Universal’s Aventura Hotel as of August 21. Guests with reservations at Sapphire Falls or Aventura will be accommodated at our other hotels.
Universal is offering Sapphire Falls guests accommodations at Royal Pacific Resort while Aventura Hotel guests are offered similar rooms at Cabana Bay Beach Resort. At this time Endless Summer Resort – Dockside has not yet opened and we expect guests with reservations there to be moved to Endless Summer – Surfside or Cabana Bay.
Untitled Dinosaur Coaster
Aerial look at part of the unannounced Jurassic Park roller coaster. Brown scrims at rock work theming in progress. Note the U-shaped path of caging in progress at right. pic.twitter.com/HUA5scIvgn
Over in Islands of Adventure, work is progressing on the first half of the unannounced Jurassic Park coaster. Rockwork, theming, and show scene installation is progressing, and if you look into the train shed building you can see coaster vehicles have arrived at the site. While the attraction has no name or opening date we expect this attraction to open the first half of 2021.
Halloween Horror Nights?
Halloween Horror Nights 2020 is canceled. Yes, it still hurts to say that. While we will not get to walk through the fog this year, Universal opened their yearly Tribute Store for a small taste of the event. This year’s store features four incredibly themed rooms: Frankenstein’s Monster, Halloween Horror Nights throwback, The Attic, and Beetlejuice. Each of the rooms includes exclusive merchandise such as this incredible Frankenstein’s Monster Mold-o-Rama machine.
The Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store is now open through the fall. The store is located in Universal Studios Florida next to Revenge of the Mummy.
Was your hotel booking canceled during the COVID-19 shutdown (March 20 – May 31, 2020)? Are you looking to, or have you, rebooked for some time this year? Universal is offering a free $50 hotel dining credit for any 2+ night stay at a Universal if your reservation was canceled this spring. This credit can be combined with other offers including Annual Passholder room discounts. To redeem, call 866-840-9900 with your canceled reservation confirmation number and your new confirmation number.
Here some other discounts and deals available:
Buy One (1) Two-Park, 2-Day Ticket, Receive Additional 2 Days Free – $234.99 per person plus tax (all guests)
Curious George Goes to Town (COVID-19, Reopening TBD)
A Day in the Park with Barney
Fear Factor Live (COVID-19, Reopening TBD)
Fast & Furious: Supercharged
Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
Camp Jurassic (COVID-19, Reopening TBD)
If I Ran the Zoo (COVID-19, Reopening TBD)
Jurassic Discovery Center (COVID-19, Reopening TBD)
Me Ship, The Olive (COVID-19, Reopening TBD)
Poseidon’s Fury
Storm Force Acceleration
What are your favorite Universal Orlando Annual Passholder benefits? Have you eaten at Central Park Crepes? Are you excited for the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
You asked and we are thrilled to announce over 60 Disney Gift Card designs are now available at shopDisney.com! You may recognize some of your old favorites among brand new designs featuring characters we’ve all come to love, including The Child featured in the Disney+ Original Series, “The Mandalorian.” From birthdays to national holidays, family celebrations to exciting vacations, there’s a Disney Gift Card for every occasion!
Looking to craft the perfect birthday present? Why not pair an adorable Mickey plush with a Disney Gift Card that has all of Mickey’s pals? Does your child want to embody their favorite princess or hero? Pair a costume with a Disney Gift Card that they can use to make their dreams come true. Or give your favorite Wilderness Explorer the coveted Grape Soda badge along with a Disney Gift Card featuring Carl, Russel, Kevin, and Dug. This one card opens up a world of possibilities!
Each design comes with a matching card carrier and space for your personalized message, making it the perfect way to send some magic to a friend you haven’t seen in a while, or family looking forward to their return to a Disney Park! As always, the Disney Gift Card has no fees and never expires, so you can redeem its balance for practically all things Disney at a local Disney store next week, or at Disney Destinations throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico for years to come!
You can also send a Disney Gift Card eGift to any valid email address for more immediate delivery. In a no-touch world, sending a Disney Gift Card eGift to a loved one doesn’t even require them to go to their mailbox! Like all of our gift cards, a TaDa Mickey Disney Gift Card eGift is redeemable for practically all things Disney and never expires. If you want to learn more about the Disney Gift Card program visit DisneyGiftCard.com.
In these extraordinary times, it’s a comfort to know that the magic of Disney lives on and whether you are watching your favorite Disney movies at home, creating stories of your own through play, or enjoying yourself at our Disney Destinations, we wish your family the most magical day!
The forecast cone for Tropical Storm Laura has included the Florida peninsula for several days now. While the track has slowly shifted to the west of Orlando, it’s still likely the area will feel some effects as this tropical system passes through. What can we expect?
The Forecast: Intensity and Track
Tropical Storm Laura is expected to pass close to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic through Sunday, and be located near the Florida Straits between the Keys and Cuba by early Monday morning. The storm should then travel through the Gulf of Mexico along Florida’s west coast throughout Monday and Tuesday, where it should strengthen into a hurricane and finally make landfall along the Alabama/Florida panhandle on Wednesday.
Possible variations? Absolutely. Tropical Storm Laura could also make landfall in south Florida and move north through the peninsula, or pass more west into the Gulf of Mexico. When you look at the forecast cone, notice how wide it gets at Days 4 & 5. The three-day cone, in white, is much more accurate. This gives us a good idea of where Laura will be through Sunday, and all the possibilities that model data is giving us from Monday onward.
11 AM Advisory Forecast Cone. Courtesy NHC/NOAA
As for intensity, wind shear is affecting Tropical Storm Laura today. By tonight or Saturday morning, Laura will begin entering a more favorable area for development. If the storm manages to hang on to its organized circulation today, chances of intensification in the warm waters north of Puerto Rico grow. This is where models differ on intensification, so we could really be looking at either a rainy depression or a strengthening hurricane on Saturday. It’s a wait and see for now.
The Forecast: Likely Impacts to Central Florida
Currently, the most likely impacts from Tropical Storm Laura will be an uptick in rainfall, including heavy tropical squalls. Storms and eventually rain-bands will likely push onshore Monday and into Monday night, when the storm’s center of circulation is located somewhere near the Bahamas or the Florida Keys. Monday will probably have a 70-80% chance of thunderstorms. Tropical storm squalls typically move very quickly and contain torrential rainfall, very gusty winds, and sometimes a chance of a quick tornado.
If you have plans in Central Florida this weekend, they likely won’t be affected by Tropical Storm Laura. Just be sensitive to the possibility of a potential storm Monday into Tuesday. If the storm suddenly intensifies and the forecast track wobbles it closer to Central Florida, locals will probably react by filling up their gas tanks and making a grocery store run. We’ll be watching closely over the next few days!
The sports world has been at home watching the NBA Restart being broadcast from the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort and now, in the midst of the 2020 NBA Playoffs, the competition is heating up!
As the rims rattle in the opening round, I’m pumped to announce that we’ve collaborated with the NBA to develop two all-new merchandise collections for fans at home who want to cheer in style for their favorite NBA team and celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Available beginning Aug. 24 at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort and on Aug. 31 on shopDisney.com, these new items from NBA Experience Collection commemorate the 2020 NBA Playoffs and feature a wide range of apparel and accessories. Check them out:
NBA Experience Make History Collection- Coming Aug. 24 to Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort and Aug. 31 to shopDisney.com
You can make history just like your favorite NBA team with the Make History Collection that highlights classic Walt Disney World Resort iconography alongside NBA motifs. From classic t-shirts for men and women to a new spirit jersey and hoodie, they all feature a Mickey Mouse-shaped basketball, so you’ll be ready to cheer on your favorite team!
Young NBA fans can also get in on the action with t-shirts celebrating the Playoffs and accessorize with a Minnie Mouse ear headband or Mickey Mouse ear hat. Then make a slam dunk by matching your looks with a shiny phone case or mini Spalding basketball.
NBA Experience Whole New Game Collection- Coming Aug. 24 to Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort and Aug. 31 to shopDisney.com
For those hardcore NBA fans, you’ll want to rock this sleek black, white and red collection featuring a variety of apparel and accessories! With a “Whole New Game” branded hoodie and two sweatshirts as well as an NBA Finals tank top for kids, you’ll look game ready in these stylish ensembles!
Check out even more apparel including spirit jerseys for kids and adults, a Spalding basketball and a new phone case! These products are sure to take this “Whole New Game” to a whole new level!
Products Celebrating Favorite Teams– Coming Aug. 24 to Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort and Aug. 31 to shopDisney.com
Support your favorite teams with the latest MagicBands, phone cases and water bottles all celebrating the 2020 NBA Playoff teams. The perfect way to rep your team in style!
Whether or not your team is in the race to the NBA Finals, there are still ways to celebrate with pins inspired by your favorites! From the Orlando Magic to the New York Knicks, take your pick!
These all-new NBA Experience collections are perfect for NBA and Disney Parks fans alike and offer another way to celebrate from home as the race to the Finals continues! So, visit shopDisney.com or Disney Springs to purchase these and other NBA Experience products and be sure to tune in to watch the NBA Playoffs on ESPN and ABC.
While the NBA Experience has not yet reopened, you can find these and other NBA Experience products at shopDisney.com and at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort.
From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com Filed Under: Disney Springs, Walt Disney World Resort, WDW
