Trivia Thursday - 10/30

   In the spirit of Halloween, it seems fitting do the first Trivia Thursday question on the Haunted Mansion. The question is: What is the only other attraction in WDW besides the Haunted Mansion that contains people trying to hitch-hike?

   Leave your guess in the comment section. Have fun!

Magic Kingdom Opens Haunted Mansion Gift Shop

   The long-awaited gift shop for the Haunted Mansion attraction is finally here. Memento Mori, the gift shop name, is located at the exit of the attraction, after leaving the graveyard. The shop opened on October 1st, but it seemed fitting to leave this fun tidbit until Halloween. At Memento Mori, you'll be able to find t-shirts, home accessories, phone cases, sculptures, figurines, artwork, candy - the list goes on forever. Prices at Memento Mori vary form a couple of dollars to a couple hundred of dollars, so there is an item for every price range.

Soarin' At EPCOT To Get Some Updates

   Announced earlier this week, Disney officials have said that Soarin' will be getting a brand new ride film for 2016. The new video is said to contain a few of the same things, while also obtaining many new areas to see. Along with a new ride film, a new theater will be added. This is 1 of 2 rides to get this done. The same thing is happening over at DHS to Toy Story Midway Mania. The Rootin' Tootin' Shootin' ride is getting another track to mediate wait times. This should make these rides cut their wait times in half.

The current waiting line for Soarin' may also get an upgrade

Disney's Hollywood Studios Icon To Be Removed

   Released earlier today, the Sorcerer Mickey hat at Disney's Hollywood Studios is set to be removed in earl 2015. The icon was only supposed to be a temporary landmark for the "100 Years Of Magic" celebration in 2001, but eventually became a part of the Disney park family. The new icon for the park has not yet been announced, but leading Imagineers have hinted the Grauman's Chinese Theater may soon become to park icon again.

The Sorcerer Hat under construction in 2001

Avatar Land Aerial Views Revealed!

   In mid-January, ground broke for the brand new Avatar: World Of Pandora land at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The current plans call for a scenic walking trail through the Enchanted Forest as well as a boat ride through the same area. The current opening date for Avatar: World Of Pandora is set for mid to late 2017. Below is a current aerial photo of the progress on Avatar land.

Avatar: World Of Pandora as of May 2014

Move It! Shake It! Dance And Play It! Has Great Opening Weekend

   Debuting on Friday, October 24th, the brand new Move It! Shake It! Dance And Play It! Street Party opened to excited crowds. The newly rejuvenated Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! uses the same floats, but with a fresh paint job and the addition of a screen on the side of the float. Also, a brand new parade-leading float was added along with many characters. A cool new additive to the Street Party makes it even more interactive. With the help of the screens, they are able to do a Scream Meter. The screens will show a letter (A,B,C,D) along with a song. Whichever song gets the most screams is what will be played throughout the party.

The leading float of the parade!

Disney Reveals Plans For Animal Kingdom's New Nighttime Spectacular!

   Disney revealed yesterday plans and concept art for the new nighttime spectacular. "River Of Lights" is the new show coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom. "We promise that it will be unlike anything in a Disney park before!," said Disney officials yesterday. It will combine live music, floating lanterns, water screens, and swirling images. The show will take place on Discovery River, between Discovery Island and Expedition Everest. The opening date has not yet been announced.

Concept Drawing of "River Of Lights"

Disney's Polynesian Resort News!

   Released today, Disney's Polynesian Resort in Florida will return to it's original name: Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. The resort will also get a new Trader Sam's lounge and a newly renovated lobby. Also coming to the resort are Disney Vacation Club Villas! This now makes the resort DVC member-friendly!

Proposed New Lobby Look

Out With The Old And In With The New

   In recent weeks, we saw the closure of many popular Disney World attractions. At EPCOT, Maelstrom closed to make way for a Frozen movie-based ride. Also, the Backlot Tour and American Idol - The Experience! closed at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Recent accounts have reported that these closures aren't only making way for new attractions, but new lands! Star Wars Land is said to open in the current location of American Idol - The Experience! and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. Also, Cars Land, the popular land at Disney's California Adventure, is also said to be making it's way into DHS. The official announcement is going to be told at this year's D23 Expo. Now, we just wait for the announcement. Below is a map of what the new park may look like:

New Restaurant To Open At Disney's Boardwalk Resort!

   Released a few weeks ago, Disney's Boardwalk Resort in Florida will be opening a new restaurant, Trattoria al Forno. The new restaurant will serve fine Italian cuisine, such as Braised-Beef Bolognese with in-house made cavatelli and Chicken Breast alla Parmagiana with tagliatelle pasta. A tasty, seasonal risotto will also make it's way onto the menu. The restaurant will also be serving fine desserts and cappuccino as an after dinner delight! Trattoria al Forno is set to open in mid to late December.

Hello

Hello everyone,
   My name is Matt and I am a huge Disney fan. I thought that I would start this blog to keep everyone updated on all of the Walt Disney World news. I hope you all enjoy! If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section! Thank You!!!!