The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! – Disney Outlet Store Update for October 2020

Welcome to the latest edition of The Magic, The Memories, and Merch!, the longest running monthly look at the Disney Outlet Stores in Orlando and we’re here on the ground in Florida at the Outlets (addresses for both stores are at the end of every report) along with Christela “Clearance” McC out in California. Ready to see what we found?

Reminder that the Disney Outlet Stores in Florida are run by Disney themselves, with the workers inside actual Cast Members. So while many other stores in the area are under “Thunderdome” rules, they are running a much tighter ship at the Disney stores. As we have covered in previous reports, there are social distance markers on the outside of the store along with a Cast Member keeping track of how many guests are in the store at any given time. There is signage both outside and inside the store reminding guests of the new procedures, including which facial coverings are allowed.

The winner of the bad timing award this year in Hollywood was Pixar’s Onward. Originally released on March 6, Onward was the last Disney movie released to theaters right before the coronavirus shut down. Granted, the film had many things going against it – including what I would argue was an awful marketing campaign – but COVID made sure there was no chance for any good word of mouth to spread and turn the film into a sleeper hit. After just its second week in theaters, many chains across the country shut down. This led to the fast tracking of Onward to be released April 3 on Disney+. However, unlike Hamilton and The Mandelorian, buzz for Onward didn’t skyrocket once it was available on the streaming service. It settled quickly into its spot of Just-Another-Good-Pixar-Film.

However, I personally loved Onward. That should come with a caveat that I played Dungeons & Dragons growing up and am a huge fan of the fantasy genre. There was almost no chance I wasn’t going to love it. All that said, I couldn’t name a single character in the movie despite enjoying it, so it comes as no surprise that this month had a whole bunch of Onward-related merchandise at the Outlets.

First up is this shirt. Originally $19.99, now $7.99.

This large figure toy set was pretty neat. Originally $49.99, now $24.99.

I loved that the back of the box went with the theme of Manticore’s Tavern from the film, a place similar to Chuck-E-Cheese for kids.

Plush for all the main characters was reduced to $9.99.

Here is the plush for two side characters of the movie. The pet dragon Blazey and the Manticore’s Tavern mascot. Blazey was originally $19.99 while the mascot was $26.99. Both reduced to $9.99.

Sometimes you see things that just make you ask…

WHY?

A bunch of “new to the Outlets” plush appeared this month, including Fear from Inside Out.

Dory and Muppet Babies’ Fozzie the Bear.

Mickey and Minnie in Easter Bunny costumes. Both were originally $21.99, now $9.99.

The history of Star Wars is filled with characters created just to make action figures, but the droid D-O seemed especially tacked onto The Rise of Skywalker. Reduced to $7.99.

This print of young Han Solo was originally $150. Can you imagine?!

These two prints feature Chewie and Han Solo are also based off the film Solo: A Star Wars Story. Originally $39.99, now $20.99. Rogue One gave me such hope for the Star Wars franchise outside the Skywalker Saga, and then Solo came along and crushed me. I can’t think of a movie which retroactively makes other – much better – films worse. You don’t even have to include the laughable way they shoehorned in how Han got his name (which has to be one of the biggest eye rolling moments in the entire decade). Take for example that for 40 years people thought Han was a hot shot pilot who – while braggadocios – was such a talented guy that he took a “hunk of junk” and turned into into one of the best ships in the galaxy. Solo gave us the real answer. Nay Nay. Han took over by far and away one of the coolest spaceships in the galaxy and turned it into a hunk of junk.

I know that there are many people reading this who will defend Solo with their dying breath (thankfully taking a break from knighting up for other unwatchable movies like John Carter and Tron: Legacy) but there is a reason the Star Wars brand went from an ambitious plan of putting out multiple Star Wars films a year to immediately taking a long break after Solo. Thankfully, The Mandalorian show proves that Star Wars can be great again.

Another one of those Disney expensive pin sets that seem to be targeting a demographic of about 15 people. This set features the Knights of Ren who are absolutely amazing in still photographs, concept art, and backstory, but get destroyed in about a total of a minute and a half of screen time in The Rise of Skywalker. Reduced to $14.99.

This blind box pin set was originally $19.99, now “just” $8.99. I sure hope there is more than just one pin in each box. This box features the “good guys” of Star Wars.

And this one features logos for the “bad guys” of Star Wars.

Whole bunch of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge grand opening pins were available. Originally $15.99, now $4.99. I’m not sure how these pins ended up at the Outlets because people who insist they are very smart repeatedly told me that even if the Galaxy’s Edge crowds were low, lower crowds mean “happier” guests and “happier” guests spend more money.

Speaking of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, this grand opening lanyard featuring the Falcon was originally $15.96, reduced to $7.99. Throughout the year we’ve seen a whole bunch of SW:GE grand opening merchandise hit the Outlets; including t-shirts, pins, lanyards, and more. What’s most amazing about that is the merchandise itself was made so that it could be sold in Batuu at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Probably wasn’t a good sign that SW:GE merch made it to the Outlets even before the land officially opened.

I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what this Star Wars thing was. It looked like a deck of cards but the original price was $54.99. It has been reduced to $26.99. Just Google’d it and – Dear Lord – this is a jumbo PIN.

Yoda Mickey Ear hat. Originally $24.99, now $7.99.

Chewbacca ears, same price.

EPCOT World Showcase magnet. Wonder if we’re gonna see the Morocco flag replaced with one featuring Walt Disney Imagineering. Or maybe it will just be a dollar sign “$”. Price was “Red” reduced to $3.99.

Alice in Wonderland-themed magnet. Reduced to $3.99.

Drink holders featuring Cinderella. Does not seem “on brand” for me considering the character, but what do I know. Originally $14.99, now $7.99.

Speaking of princesses, these iPhone cases have been reduced from $29.99 to $7.99. Love these two.

I thought I “framed” this photo perfectly at the store and am just seeing now that I cut off the “Di” in “Disney Princess.” Well, back to school for more Theme Park Photography lessons!

Princess-themed keychains were all reduced to $3.99. These were pretty cute.

There seemed to be hundreds available for every princess except Aurora. Sleeping Beauty was down to just one left.

Princess themed tumbler. Originally $24.99, now $14.99.

Cool Expedition Everest coffee cup. Originally $16.99, now $5.99.

I’d say you could use this Rivers of Light cup to pour out the fanboy tears mourning its loss, but I don’t think it had any fans. Reduced to $5.99.

This Flying Buzz Lightyear seemed interesting. Originally $20.65, now $12.99.

Thought this Buzz Lightyear inside a spaceship was cute. Originally $19.99, now $9.99.

This Buzz magnet is just weird though.

Jewelry featuring characters from Toy Story. Originally $29.99, now $11.99.

I don’t understand these lanyards at all. There’s one featuring Dumbo, another themed to Minnie Mouse, and a third featuring the Rainbow Unicorn from Inside Out. They are HUGE. People are supposed to be wearing them around their neck all day?

Here’s the front of the Dumbo one.

And what are you supposed to be holding in the lanyard? Your driver’s license? A Disney park ticket? I don’t understand anything about these.

We go from lanyards I don’t understand to my arch-nemesis… METAL EARTH. There has actually been some really cool pieces of Metal Earth released in the Disney Parks Collection, including this Ark of the Covenant from Indiana Jones. Originally $14.99, now $7.99.

I bought one, but you know I’ll never end up making it. Instead let’s look at a completed one which was finished by the Metal Earth Master, Captain Cruiseline Scott Sanders of the world famous Disney Cruise Line Blog.

The only thing that I dislike more than putting together Metal Earth is the year 2020, so of course I bought a pair of these 2020 Glow Glasses. If it’s under $1, Disney is basically daring me not to buy it.

Olaf pen.

It also “lights up.”

For whatever reason, a small plastic Dory toy.

I’m not sure what the sign means when it says “pop” but this was a pen.

This on the other hand was literally a “pop.” A lollipop you couldn’t eat. I don’t understand the point of it. $6? WHAAAAAAT?!

This is another one of those things that makes me think I’m living in an episode of Black Mirror. This premium Mickey bar thing is a wallet. Originally $19.99, now $7.99.

Oh, you think I’m kidding?

There were a TON of keychains this month. Not only did we have the thousands of princess ones we looked at earlier, but there were also seemingly a thousand of these keychains, each featuring one letter of the alphabet.

This one is designed to look like an old timey key chain for a Tower of Terror hotel room. I liked that. Reduced to $5.99.

Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster.

keychain_aerosmith_399

Big Head Mickey and Big Head Minnie keychains. Reduced to $3.99 each.

Keychains upon keychains upon keychains!!!

I can’t take any more keychains, let’s look at more stuff. Wait, what the heck is this?!!!

Seriously, what is this?

These bizarre disco-ball things were originally $29.99, now $12.99.

I don’t know how this picture got in here, but I think it means we need to take a quick break from Florida before I lose my mind.

 

So let’s head on out to CALIFORNIA where Christela McC is here to show us items from a Disney Outlet Store located closer to Disneyland. Unlike Florida, California didn’t get their normal parks shipment during the month. Mostly just clothes and a few random items here and there. The amazing discounts on top of the clearance prices that we talked about last month have also gone away.

First up is one of those shirts that make you wonder what Disney is thinking. A parent has to buy this for their kid, so the parent is essentially calling themselves a troll? Originally $19.99, now $6.99.

You know TouringPlans’ own Guy Selga would rock this shirt. That Disneyland castle is a little too big for me though. Needs to be about 10% smaller to be truly in scale. Originally $24.99, now $9.99.

Next up we have some Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge shirts. First is this one featuring DJ Rex in Oga’s Cantina. Originally $24.99, now $9.99.

Believe it or not this sweatshirt is based around The Droid Depot. How about that bonkers strap across the chest. This looks like the shirt characters from “the future” would wear in Horizons. Originally $54.99, now $22.99.

Kid’s Galaxy’s Edge sweater. Now this is where Disney can get confusing. Star Wars has it’s own language “Aurebesh” which you will see all around Batuu. But Disney also created this hybrid font that has our alphabet written in the style of Aurebesh, and is also what you’ll see on Cast Members name tags in the land. This “Without Equal” sweater, which for whatever reason features a Stormtrooper, was originally $39.99, now $17.99. Keep in mind, in the Star Wars universe, Stormtroopers are generally made fun of. In Season One of The Mandalorian, a joke was made about a former Imperial sharpshooter and he sniped back “I wasn’t a Stormtrooper!” while another episode had two Stormtroopers trying to make a simple shot with their blasters. Long story short, I have no idea what this “without equal” is referring to.

Star Wars denim jacket. I can see someone cutting the sleeves off this and turning it into a “social club” vest. Original price $79.99, now $39.99

Fantasyland windbreaker jacket. Originally $49.99, now $24.99

Pixar windbreaker jackets. Originally $49.99, now $24.99. I love Pixar as much as anyone but how dumb does this look?

On the other hand, this Haunted Mansion zip up hoodie look pretty sharp. Originally $54.99, now $19.99.

This zip up hoodie is half Jack Skellington, half Sally, all creepy. Originally $49.99, now $19.99.

Keep in mind these Toy Story leggings are made for ADULTS. Originally $34.99, now 14.99.

Power Line leggings were same price.

Mickey Mouse as the Easter bunny socks. Reduced to $5.99.

Mickey-shaped Christmas ornaments. Originally $24.99, now $15.99.

How next level bonkers is this headless Minnie toothpick holder? It’s like she’s TRYING TO FIND HER HEAD?!!! Reduced to $3.99.

Forget what I said, California is too nuts for me. Thanks Christela, but it’s time to head back to Florida.

Let’s check out some clothing, and first up are items from the Villains After Hours event. This was a hard ticket party at the Magic Kingdom that was scheduled to occur on various dates from February through July, but ended up only taking place on a couple dates earlier this year before the parks were shut down. Villains After Hours had a special stage show, a few enhancements to Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean, and the contractually obligated specialty food and drink component. Here are some of the special party merchandise shirts. Both were originally $29.99, reduced to $9.99.

This Villains After Hours shirt was originally $39.99, now $12.99.

In the past, almost all of the items in the Disney Outlet Store were discounted. There were always “regularly priced items,” but they were mostly snack items like Goofy Candy Co. stuff or things which had just come out at the parks. Now the Outlets have several areas dedicated to merchandise which is being sold at full retail, like these two shirts. Both are $36.99.

Loved this one. $29.99.

You can see the sign above this Eiffel Tower shirt that marks one of the “Regular Price” sections.

I thought the Eiffel Tower shirt perfectly summed up my thoughts of Soarin’ Around the World, something also echoed in this meme which was featured in last weekend’s “controversial” edition of the SATURDAY SIX.

I’d tell you the price of the Paris shirt but this is the picture I had when I got home.

Whoops!

Most of the clothing was still heavily discounted though, including this Goof Troop shirt. Originally $34.99, now $12.99.

I adore this shirt of Toy Story Land and wish there was a whole line in this style. Also wish they made a toy monorail out of a milk carton like “Andy” made it, filled with little green alien toys. I’d buy it. Originally $19.99, now $9.99.

Toy Story Land sweatshirt. Originally $29.99, now $12.99.

Woody hoodie. See what I did there? Originally $46.99, now $19.99.

Something about this Wishables shirt is just plain wrong. Originally $24.99, now $12.99. And no, I’m not upset that they replaced my beloved Tsum Tsums!!

Kid’s Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster shirt. Originally $24.99, now $9.99. This one gets an “UGH” review from me.

This Soarin’ shirt is much better. Originally $19.99, now $9.99.

Test Track shirt ain’t that bad either. Originally $19.99, now $9.99.

“Make sure to ADR BOG at MK for DD, DS, and DH before we have to leave for DAK but not too early as we have to travel from CSR.”

(originally $39.99, now $14.99)

Maleficent glow wings. Reduced to $9.99.

A collection of clothes for the younger set.

This onesie is a great one. Originally $19.99, now $9.99.

We also got some of the weird clothing from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Both of these were originally $54.99, now $19.99. That’s right, we were discounted 3 DOLLARS LOWER than out in California. Disney is finally fair to Florida!!

Apparently no one bought a single one of these ridiculously high priced Droid Depot garb because here’s another one. Originally $49.99, now $19.99.

Disney Polo-like shirts. Left one was originally $70 (!!!!!) now $29.99 while the one of the right was “just” $59.99, now $19.99.

Tower of Terror shirt that glows in the dark. Originally $24.99, now $9.99.

Rare to see this much Indiana Jones merchandise at the Outlets in one month. Both of these were originally $49.99, now $29.99.

Fantasyland jacket originally $49.99, now $19.99. That’s $5 less than the Outlet in California! The Animal Kingdom jacket was originally $49.99, now $14.99.

Let’s check out some Christmas items, starting with this Chip & Dale shirt.  Originally $24.99, now $4.99.

There were Christmas ornaments featuring Mr. Incredible and Dash. Both originally $21.99, now $4.99.

However all these ornaments weren’t discounted at all.

This Christmas-themed Starbucks tumbler was ceramic and had a lot of weight. Didn’t see a price on any of them.

I honestly think I would have bit on this Christmas table runner if it was down to $19.99. Original price was $59.99.

Here’s the back which shows both designs.

Buzz Lightyear hat. Originally $24.99, now $7.99.

Who knows why this Pride hat is labeled “Disney Head Band.”

These Minnie Mouse-themed hats were originally $27.99, now $7.99.

While these two were originally $24.99.

This Wilderness Explorer’s Mickey ear hat was originally $24.99, marked down to $7.99.

Dole Whip ear hat was reduced to $4.99.

Lord, grant me the strength…

(originally $19.99, now $7.99)

These cool poisoned apple candle holders were not discounted. $19.99.

We’ll close with two items from the Outlets this month which can sum up 2020 in a nutshell.

SEE YOU NEXT MONTH!

BEFORE YOU ASK: There are actually two Disney outlet stores in Orlando. Both are in Orlando Premium Outlet shopping complexes, and they are called Disney’s Character Warehouse, presumably because The Land Of Misfit Toys was already trademarked. There is one Character Warehouse located on International Drive close to Universal Studios (4951 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819), and the other is on Vineland Avenue, right across I-4 near the exits to Disney World (8200 Vineland Ave, Orlando, FL 32821). They do not ship. There are items at the Outlets that you can buy both in Disney stores along with the Shop Disney Parks app, but you will be paying full retail for the items. For our CALIFORNIA OUTLET trips, @ChristelaMcC goes to the Las Americas outlet in San Diego. It is located right off the last U.S. exit.

I often get asked “which store is better?” That depends. Vineland is close to Walt Disney World, while the I-Drive location is a hop, skip, and jump away from the Universal Orlando Resort. The Vineland Disney Outlet Store is much, MUCH bigger than the I-Drive location. However, the Vineland outlets in general are much, MUCH busier than I-Drive. Each have their pros and cons, and ultimately they carry much of the same items. For a Disney Outlet Store FAQ, check out this SATURDAY SIX Presents: Everything You Wanted To Know About The Disney Outlet Stores (But Were Afraid To Ask)

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Very Special Editions & MilestonesTribute to O.O.G.Four Year Anniversary SpecialFirst Pandora ItemsFive Year Anniversary Special & Outlet Hall of FameMajor Changes Come to the OutletsCamera Hat; the Outlets Reopen after Coronavirus shut down

We also did an edition of Magic, Memories, and Junk for a non-Disney owned Outlet Store, and for you merch addicts like myself, you may also enjoy a look at the official Disney merchandise available on the Disney Cruise LineCastaway Cay, and at the Orlando International Airport. Want to see our favorite WDW resort-specific merchandise? Well, CLICK HERE!

If you liked what you read here, you may enjoy THE SATURDAY SIX articles every week on the TouringPlans.com blog and you can follow your humble author on Twitter (@derekbugan).

The post The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! – Disney Outlet Store Update for October 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

PHOTOS: Chow Down on the NEW “Buon Appetito” Kitchenware Collection at the Italy Pavilion in EPCOT

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Ciao from EPCOT! If you’re someone who loves to cook, there’s a new merchandise collection at the Italy Pavilion that might just be your missing ingredient! The “Buon Appetito” collection, part of the “Cucina Italia” series, features kitchenware decorated with pasta in the outline of Mickey Mouse’s head. It’s Topolino made with tagliatelle! Let’s take a closer look at what’s cooking! “Buon Appetito” Plate – $14.99 “Buon Appetito” Ladle-Shaped Dish – $17.99 “Buon Appetito” Shaker – $16.99 “Buon Appetito” Kitchen […]

The post PHOTOS: Chow Down on the NEW “Buon Appetito” Kitchenware Collection at the Italy Pavilion in EPCOT appeared first on WDW News Today.

PHOTOS: NEW Christmas Mickey 2020 MagicBand Arrives at Walt Disney World

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Christmas merchandise continues to arrive at the Walt Disney World Resort. We found a new Christmas MagicBand today at Discovery Trading Company inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. The MagicBand joins a slew of 2020 Christmas items, from apparel and decor to music boxes and pins. Let’s take a look at the colorful Christmas MagicBand, which sells for $29.99. The MagicBand’s design matches the onesie pajamas that are also available. A closer look reveals Santa Mickey, snow flakes, ornaments, and […]

The post PHOTOS: NEW Christmas Mickey 2020 MagicBand Arrives at Walt Disney World appeared first on WDW News Today.

PHOTOS: Check Out the Rivers of America in Magic Kingdom Completely DRAINED!

Things definitely look a little bit different around the Rivers of America today!

Rivers of America Before the Water was Drained

If you’re headed to the Haunted Mansion today in honor of the spooky holiday, you might notice something a little strange along the way. We recently noticed that the water level of the Rivers of America was lower than normal — but now, it’s completely drained!

Just a few days ago, we spotted some shallow(er) waters at the Rivers of America

Rivers of America

…but today, things are at a whole different level — literally! While strolling past the Rivers of America in Magic Kingdom, we noticed that the water is now completely drained!

Water Drained at Rivers of America

Both the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island, which are located on the Rivers of America, are currently down for lengthy refurbishments.

Rivers of America Drained

We’ll continue to keep an eye on the progress at the Rivers of America, so stay tuned for more updates!

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure has reached a major construction milestone!

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!

Get Your Copy of the 2020 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!

With more than 750 pages, the 2020 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs!

With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.

Click here to order your copy of the 2020 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2020 to save 25% off the cover price today! Your order will include a FREE instant download of the 2019 Edition of the Guide!

Use code WDW2020 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today!

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Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. 🙂

What is your favorite Magic Kingdom attraction? Let us know in the comments!

The post PHOTOS: Check Out the Rivers of America in Magic Kingdom Completely DRAINED! first appeared on the disney food blog.

NEWS: Cast Member Chat and Downtown Disney Operational Updates Added to Disneyland App!

The Disneyland app has received some exciting new additions!

©Disney

The Disneyland app is a great resource for guests looking for the latest details needed for planning their visit. And now, the app has received some new features that make it even more helpful for guests!

The latest version of the Disneyland app now includes a chat feature, which allows guests to speak with a Cast Member about any questions they may have about their upcoming visit to Disneyland Resort.

Screenshot from the Disneyland App

Users can access the Chat with Us function from the main menu within the Disneyland app.

Screenshot from the Disneyland App

And that’s not the only new addition! Moving forward, guests will also see operational updates for the Downtown Disney District within the Disneyland app.

Screenshot from the Disneyland App

So, if you’re looking for the latest updates from Downtown Disney, the app is the place to go! To access these new features, be sure to download the latest version of the Disneyland app so you can stay in the loop!

5 HUGE details you might have missed from the Disneyland theme park guideline announcements

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

Do you have an upcoming trip to the Downtown Disney District planned? Let us know in the comments!

The post NEWS: Cast Member Chat and Downtown Disney Operational Updates Added to Disneyland App! first appeared on the disney food blog.

PHOTOS: Gate Added to Goat Exhibit at Kilimanjaro Safaris in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

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Construction has been pretty slow over at the site of the future goat exhibit at Kilimanjaro Safaris lately, but a new addition has us feeling pretty “gate!” But before we get to the big addition, we also noticed that more wooden poles now line the pathways around the exhibit And as we move towards the exhibit, we can see that even more poles of varying lengths have been placed in the dirt area around the shack. But now we get […]

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DFB Video: Latest Disney News: BIG Rise of the Resistance Changes, Performer Layoffs & Extended Holiday Hours

Hey friends! We’re back with another DFB Video and today, we are talking about the latest Disney news!

Walt Disney World Resort entrance

This week, more Cast Member layoffs were announced, park hours have been extended during the holiday season, and more health and safety measures have been put in place that will affect the way you ride Rise of the Resistance!

Check out all this and more in our newest DFB Video!

 

Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes!
Check out our latest video and then comment below: How do you feel about these Disney World opinions?

The post DFB Video: Latest Disney News: BIG Rise of the Resistance Changes, Performer Layoffs & Extended Holiday Hours first appeared on the disney food blog.

The 7 BIGGEST Things You NEED to Know About Rise of the Resistance’s New Boarding Group System

77% of our respondents have FAILED to get on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, but Disney has instituted a few changes recently that may make things easier for you to grab a boarding group!

Rise of the Resistance

They updated the system so that anyone eligible from your friends and family to obtain a boarding group at the time you’re requesting one will be automatically selected as part of your party when you’re trying to get a boarding group, and they’ve installed plexiglass barriers that could potentially increase the ride’s capacity. Now, Disney has announced another BIG change coming to Rise, and we’ve got ALL the details you need to know about it.

What’s Changing (Generally)?

Right now, in order to get a boarding pass for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance you must have a valid park ticket, a valid Park Pass reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and you must have already entered the park and be standing inside when the clock hits 10AM to try to grab a boarding group. You then have another chance at 2PM to see if you can try to board this super popular attraction.

Live Stormtroopers in Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Starting November 3rd, however, a new system will be put in place. You’ll still need a valid ticket to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and a valid Disney Park Pass reservation for the day you want to visit. BUT you’ll be able to access the virtual queue system and try to get a boarding group for Rise of the Resistance starting at 7AM on the day of your park reservation from OUTSIDE of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as long as you are “nearby.”

Let’s unpack that a bit and go over exactly what you’ll need to get a boarding pass.

Your Checklist

1. Valid Park Ticket

Just like how it works under the current system, you will still need a valid park ticket for the day you’re trying to get a boarding pass for.

Rise of the Resistance

So, if you want to get a boarding pass for November 4th, you’ll need a valid park ticket for Disney’s Hollywood Studios for November 4th.

2. Park Pass Reservation

Again, exactly the same as the current system, you will still need a valid Park Pass Reservation for Hollywood Studios for the day for which you want to get the boarding pass.

Lieutenant Beck on Rise of the Resistance

So, again, if you want to ride Rise of the Resistance on November 4th, you’ll need to make sure that you have a Park Pass Reservation for Hollywood Studios for November 4th already in place BEFORE you try to sign up for the boarding group. You won’t be able to sign up for the boarding group unless you have the Park Pass reservation.

3. My Disney Experience

Again, just like before, you’ll need to make sure that you have already downloaded the My Disney Experience mobile app and created an account through it.

Rise Preshow

You also need to make are that you have linked and assigned all park tickets in your party. Make sure to get all of this set up in the My Disney Experience app WAY ahead of time so you aren’t rushing on the day of your visit to Hollywood Studios.

4. Sign Up For the Boarding Group From Somewhere “Nearby”

When 7AM hits, you can then try to sign up for a boarding group through the My Disney Experience mobile app from somewhere “nearby.” Specifically, Disney’s announcement specified that you can sign up for a boarding group “before you leave your Disney resort hotel, or wherever else nearby you might be at that time.”

Rise of the Resistance

We reached out to Disney about how far “nearby” is exactly, and whether there would be any distance requirements. How close exactly do you need to be to Disney World or Disney’s Hollywood Studios specifically in order to sign up for a boarding group? The Cast Member we chatted with told us that there “isn’t a set distance.” 

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

We also asked another Cast Member specifically whether we’d be able to sign up for a Boarding Group from a place about 15 minutes away from the park and the Cast Member we chatted with said we would be able to sign up from that location.

5. Got a Boarding Group? Head to Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

If you got a boarding group, congratulations! Head over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios when you’re ready to enjoy the park until your group is called. Keep an eye on the My Disney Experience app. It will let you know what boarding groups are being called at the moment and when your boarding group has been called to ride.

Rise of the Resistance

Under the current system, you then have a specific time window (typically 1 hour) to go to the attraction’s entrance and join the queue. Disney has not officially announced that this time window will be changing in any way just yet. But, we did speak to one Cast Member through chat who indicated that you need to be IN the park when your boarding group is called. Otherwise, you might lose your spot.

Screenshot from Disney Chat

If you want to be extra cautious, plan to be in the park in advance of when you expect your boarding group to be called just in case.

6. Didn’t Get a Boarding Group? Head to Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

If you weren’t able to snag a boarding group at 7AM, you’ll still have ONE more chance to possibly ride Rise of the Resistance. You can try to sign up for a boarding group on the My Disney Experience app again at 2PM, BUT you MUST BE INSIDE Disney’s Hollywood Studios in order to sign up for this one.

Rise of the Resistance

Our advice? Make sure you’re inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios well in advance of 2PM so you don’t have to be scrambling and stressing out at the last minute, wondering if you’ll make it past the park gates in time!

7. Seating Arrangements

When Rise of the Resistance reopened after the park closures, new health and safety measures were instituted where only one party is seated per vehicle. So, that meant if you were a party of 1, you would typically ride the attraction in a vehicle entirely by yourself!

Rise of the Resistance

Recently, however, plexiglass was installed in the attraction vehicles at Rise of the Resistance to increase guest capacity on the ride.

Disney has even said, “To try to maximize the number of boarding groups we’re able to accommodate while adhering to current health and safety guidelines, we recently added a clear barrier between the two rows of seats on each First Order Fleet Transport vehicle inside the attraction. This enables us to invite more guests to board Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance each day.”

Rise of the Resistance with Plexiglass Barrier

When we rode Rise of the Resistance right after the plexiglass was installed, we noticed that the Cast Members were still seating just one party per vehicle. But, during our most recent trip, Cast Members were in fact seating two separate parties in the same vehicle, separated from one another by the plexiglass barrier. You can see the party sitting in front of us in the picture below, but we were separated by the plexiglass barrier.

Rise of the Resistance

This should mean that more groups are able to ride and that more people can get on Rise throughout the day!

That’s what we know at the moment about the updates and changes coming to Rise of the Resistance, but we’ll keep updating this page as we learn more. If you have any specific questions for us, let us know in the comments below!

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The post The 7 BIGGEST Things You NEED to Know About Rise of the Resistance’s New Boarding Group System first appeared on the disney food blog.

Legendary Scottish Actor Sir Sean Connery Passes Away at 90; Starred in Disney’s “Darby O’Gill”, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”

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According to multiple sources, Scottish actor Sir Sean Connery has died. He was 90. Connery is best known for portraying British secret agent James Bond in seven Bond films. He last played 007 in 1983’s Never Say Never Again. The actor also starred in a handful of Disney-produced features over his many decades in film. Connery retired from acting in 2006. Connery first appeared in a Disney film in 1959’s Darby O’Gill and the Little People. He played Michael McBride, […]

The post Legendary Scottish Actor Sir Sean Connery Passes Away at 90; Starred in Disney’s “Darby O’Gill”, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” appeared first on WDW News Today.