Lucasfilm has announced the first two episodes of “Andor,” the next “Star Wars” Disney+ series will debut on August 31. Watch the teaser trailer below.
Total Film shared the first official image from the series, revealed at Star Wars Celebration, on Twitter.
The series begins five years before “Rogue One.” Twelve episodes have already been filmed for the first season and they have twelve more to go for the second season. The final scene of the show will connect directly to “Rogue One.”
It was originally announced the series would have five seasons, but later rumored that it had been shortened to three. Showrunner Tony Gilroy confirmed it will be two seasons, the first set over one year and the second set over four years.
With the official launch of the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction taking place tomorrow, it is almost time for Disney Parks fans and intergalactic outlaws alike to gear up!
One of Disney California Adventure’s most popular rides may remain closed during this holiday weekend. According to the OC Register, Radiator Springs Racers is currently closed and may soon begin testing. What’s Happening: Earlier this week, Radiator Springs Racers was closed after guests reported seeing smoke coming from one of the rides’ vehicles. Since the ride […]
Fans of the Clone Wars era of the Star Wars franchise can continue growing their collection with the latest helmet replica from Denuo Novo. Debuting today at Star Wars Celebration is the 501st Trooper Helmet Accessory that’s available for pre-order. (Please note this article contains affiliate links. Your purchase will support LaughingPlace by providing us a small commission, but […]
Dok-Ondar has a new series of collectible “Star Wars” coins, credits, and flan in his Den of Antiquities at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Credits are currency in the “Star Wars” universe. Dok is offering sets of Imperial and Galactic credits, as well as Calamari flan, another type of credit. The fourth set is collectible Mandalorian coins, but these are not exact recreations of actual coins used in “Star Wars.”
Mandalorian Coins – $29.99
There are four metal coins in the Mandalorian set, each a different color as though they are made from different metals.
They are all branded with a Mythosaur skull, the symbol of the Mandalorians. Mythosaurs were ancient creatures that inhabited Mandalore.
They have ridged edges.
The packaging reads, “There are many different types of currency used as a medium of exchange throughout the galaxy.”
Calamari Flan – $34.99
While the other coins and credits are made of metal, the flan feels like it is made out of plastic. They are the currency of the planet Mon Cala, the homeworld of Mon Calamari. Famous Mon Calamari characters include Admiral Ackbar and Lieutenant Bek.
They are iridescent and reflective. They mainly shine blue, but the light sometimes makes them look gold, green, or pink.
Calamari Flan first appeared in “The Mandalorian.” They were depicted on-screen as squishy and malleable, but these are hard.
Galactic Credits – $29.99
Galactic credits are rectangular pieces with different-sized squares and rectangles on top.
They are also each a different metal color.
Three are approximately the same size, while one is slightly smaller. They each have a different square and rectangle pattern.
The backs are flat.
Imperial Credits – $29.99
The Imperial credits are more square-shaped, with the Galactic Empire logo at the center.
All of these coin sets come in grey display boxes.
Dok-Ondar has stamped his logo in red on the box.
Each Imperial credit is a different color, but otherwise identical.
The Aurebesh along the bottom of each Imperial credit reads “R.O.W.E.” These same letters are on the credits seen on-screen, but it’s a mystery as to what they stand for.
Will you be collecting any of these coins? Let us know in the comments.
Check out more Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge merchandise:
Universal Orlando opened their all-new Summer Tribute Store today, themed as the Tribute Theater, which is showcasing three classic Universal films: E.T., Jaws and Back to the Future. Let’s take a look at some of the merchandise available in the store. The first room or “theater” is themed around Elliott’s bedroom from E.T. and smells very reminiscent of […]
Check out the wide variety of specialty food and drinks for Disney World’s summer after hours event here. After Hours Event It’s time to get your glow on because H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is back this summer and filled with all the delicious eats and sips you can imagine. Not only is this […]
If you’ve lived in the South, you know that die-hard Dr. Pepper fans feel strongly about their soda of choice. So we think it’s important to warn you now – there’s NO Dr. Pepper in Disney World! Disney doesn’t have anything against the soda, they’re just staying true to a partnership that Walt Disney himself set up.
Coke!
In this post, we’re taking a look at The Walt Disney Company’s looong history with Coca-Cola and how you’ll see this partnership in the parks now. And don’t worry — we’ll also show you some options for getting your beloved Dr. Pepper even while you’re in Disney World!
Disney’s History with Coca-Cola
We mentioned before that Disney’s partnership with Coca-Cola was established by Walt Disney himself. The two brands have been connected since at least 1955 and possibly even earlier than that. Although Disney has officially cited 1955 as the beginning of the partnership, a story released by Disney states that the company’s “relationship with Coca-Cola started in 1942 when Walt Disney first appeared on the Coca-Cola radio program ‘The Pause That Refreshes on the Air.’” A few years later, in 1950, Coca-Cola sponsored the Disney televised program “One Hour in Wonderland.”
Disneyland officially opened in 1955, and there were already several nods to the Coca-Cola partnership in the park. One of the most obvious was Coca-Cola’s sponsorship of Refreshment Corner, which is still open for guests and still has decor that nods to the soda company.
When Disney World opened in 1971, Coca-Cola again had some prominent sponsorships. You know Casey’s Corner on Main Street, U.S.A.? (Where you can get delicious corn dog nuggets with plastic cheese?) That spot used to be called Refreshment Corner (like the one in Disneyland), and it’s been sponsored by Coca-Cola since Disney World opened!
Casey’s Corner
Even with the change in name and theme, Coca-Cola still sponsors this spot. You can see evidence of the sponsorship in the decor and drinks menu. In fact, you’ll be greeted by the iconic bright red Coca-Cola logo before you even walk through the front door.
Casey’s Corner
So it’s safe to say that Coca-Cola has been a huge sponsor of The Walt Disney Company since before any theme parks even opened. But they’re not the only major soda brand to have their name on a sponsorship list.
Main Street, U.S.A.
When Disneyland first opened, both Coca-Cola AND PepsiCo were on the sponsor lists. You can still find some old Pepsi x Disney commercials if you do some digging on YouTube! And we’re not gonna lie — it’s a little bit weird seeing Pepsi cups inside the parks. We’re just so used to the Coca-Cola logo everywhere.
Since the 1980s, though, Coca-Cola has been the exclusive soft drink provider for many Disney parks, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The renewal agreement signed in 1990 between the two companies (which has been extended multiple times) dictates that “Coke products [are] the exclusive soft drinks at all Disney parks” and Coca-Cola can “use Disney characters in joint advertisements and promotions.”
Coca-Cola cup
However, in 2014, Disney signed an agreement with PepsiCo to make Pepsi the exclusive soft drink provider at Shanghai Disney Resort (which opened in 2015). According to Reuters, this change marked about 25 years since Pepsi had been sold in a Disney park. At the time of the agreement, “Disney said it currently ha[d] no plans to ink similar deals with PepsiCo to supply its other resorts.”
As of now, the only place you’ll find Pepsi in a Disney park is still Shanghai Disney Resort. So if you’re looking for Pepsi (or any other soda that’s not Coca-Cola, like Dr. Pepper) in Disney World, you’ll find it’s not quite as simple as it sounds to track down your preferred beverage.
Coca-Cola Is Everywhere in Disney World
Where Will You See Coca-Cola In the Parks?
You don’t have to look far to see evidence of Coca-Cola’s partnership with The Walt Disney Company. We’ve already mentioned that the company sponsors Casey’s Corner in Magic Kingdom and Refreshment Corner in Disneyland.
Casey’s Corner
You’ll see nods to Coca-Cola at the Pym Test Kitchen in Disney California Adventure, which features some larger-than-life soda cans in the decor, a couple of which have clear Coca-Cola labels.
Wow!
At both Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Disney World, you can find some very unique Coca-Cola products at Galaxy’s Edge. Instead of coming in the classic Coke bottle shape that you’d recognize anywhere, these drinks are served in containers that look like little plastic thermal detonators.
Coca Cola Bottle
So even when Disney is committed to the immersion of a land, they find a way to integrate Coca-Cola. While you’re traveling on Batuu, you can still get your favorite Coke drinks — they’ll just look a little different.
Unique Coca-Cola Bottles
Another obvious place to find Coca-Cola is at Club Cool in EPCOT.
Club Cool is back!
This store-attraction combo has a lot of Coca-Cola merchandise, from t-shirts to bottles to purses and more.
And if you visit Disney Springs, you’ll run into a BIG Coca-Cola store, which is home to even more merchandise than you’ll find in EPCOT.
Coca-Cola Store Rooftop Beverage Bar
At the top of this store is the Coca-Cola Rooftop Beverage Bar, where you can get fountain drinks, floats, Icees, cocktails, mocktails, and more. You can also taste different international sodas at this location, although the version here is not free. For $15, you’ll get 16 tasting cups that each have a soda from around the world.
There’s a different 50th Anniversary label for each of the parks, and you can find these bottles throughout Disney World.
How Has Coca-Cola Impacted Disney World?
The most obvious way Coca-Cola has impacted the Disney parks is that basically, the only sodas you’ll find in the parks are Coca-Cola products. According to Disney, “Coca-Cola products are exclusively served at all of the Walt Disney World resorts and theme parks.” That means no Pepsi, no Mountain Dew, and — yes — no Dr. Pepper.
Luckily, POG made a return just a few weeks later. When it returned, though, it tasted a little bit different. We did some investigating, and it turns out Disney World switched suppliers of the drink. They changed from Minute Maid (owned by Coca-Cola) to Nestle.
A Cocktail With POG Juice!
Disney didn’t give a reason for this change. You might be wondering why that’s possible — Nestle isn’t owned by Coca-Cola, so doesn’t that violate their agreement? Actually, no. Technically, Coke is the “exclusive supplier of carbonated beverages,” and since POG isn’t carbonated, Disney was fine to switch to a new supplier.
Jungle Juice with bubbles? Yes, please!
Besides affecting what you drink when you’re in Disney World, this partnership will also affect what you see. Be on the lookout for Coca-Cola’s logo, and you’ll realize it’s in a lot more places than you might think.
Coke bottles inside Drinkwallah
We’ve seen rustic signs for Coca-Cola in Disney’s Animal Kingdom…
Can you spot the Coke?
…you can find an old Coke machine in Chester and Hester’s…
Old Coke Machine
…you can’t miss the HUGE Coca-Cola cups at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort…
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
…and there’s even a Coca-Cola droid in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge!
Coca-Cola Droid
So apparently some design inspiration for the parks came from Coke’s longstanding history with the company.
So…No Dr. Pepper?
Basically, we’ve given you an extensive history lesson on Disney’s relationship with Coca-Cola to tell you this — you can’t get Dr. Pepper in Disney World. Dr. Pepper is owned by the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc., so it cannot be sold in the Disney parks.
50th Anniversary Coke
And you won’t find it at the McDonald’s on property either, because that’s still in Disney World (trust us — we’ve tried). To those of you who have a hard time living without this popular drink, we extend our sincerest condolences.
Disney World’s McDonald’s
But wait! You’re not completely out of options if you can’t survive a vacation without Dr. Pepper. Here are a few options for how to get your favorite drink during your upcoming trip:
Bring it from home. Just because Disney can’t SELL Dr. Pepper doesn’t mean it’s not allowed to enter the parks at all. You can pack your own drinks and bring them with you into the parks!
If you have a car (or if you use rideshare services like Uber or Lyft), venture outside of Disney World to a nearby fast food stop. There are plenty of places in Orlando that will serve you, Dr. Pepper, once you leave the gates of Disney World.
And if you’re willing to accept Mr. Pibb or Pibb Xtra as a substitute for Dr. Pepper, there are some places to find that drink in Disney World. We know from our Dr. Pepper-loving friends that Mr. Pibb isn’t always an equal substitute, and we apologize if anyone is offended by the comparison. But since Coca-Cola makes Mr. Pibb, you can find it on property.
Pibb Xtra
For example, you can get Mr. Pibb at the Coca-Cola Rooftop Beverage Bar, at the Speedway gas station just outside Magic Kingdom, and at Yak & Yeti in Animal Kingdom. Some hotel marketplaces or gift shops will also have Mr. Pibb in bottles that you can buy there.
Just Pibb Xtra
We know that having the right drink can be an important part of any vacation, so we hope this helps you out as you get ready for your upcoming Disney World trip! Keep following DFB for more of the latest news and best planning tips from the Disney parks.
Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!
With more than 750 pages, the 2022 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.
This morning, I had the chance to preview Universal Orlando’s Summer Tribute Store. This new version of the unique store concept is themed as the Tribute Theater, which is showcasing three classic Universal films: E.T., Jaws and Back to the Future. The facade for the store is reminiscent of a classic movie theater. The store is located […]
May 2022 is jam-packed with fun celebrations, events, and releases for Star Wars fans. We already celebrated May 4thin the parks, and now, the next couple of days are filled with even more galactic fun! There’s the Star Wars Celebration from May 26th through May 29th, the premiere of Obi-Wan Kenobi on Disney+ on May 27th, and the final Star Wars Nite in Disneyland on May 27th! And now that the Star Wars Celebration has begun, we got a peek at the event’s merchandise!
The Star Wars Celebration has kicked off at the Anaheim Convention Center, and so much is going on! There are panels, celebrity guests, merchandise, and more! And speaking of merchandise, we have a first look at what you’ll be able to buy. Even better? Some of this new merchandise is coming to Disneyland, including a Darth Vader Backpack.
If you’re into action figures, you can pick up some Vintage Box Set Figures celebrating the 45th anniversary of Star Wars: A New Hope. There’s a Stormtrooper, Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and Han Solo.
You’ll also find some fun new Star Wars Apparel. All of these items will be available at select stores throughout Disneyland Resort — but supplies will be limited, so you’ll need to grab them fast.
If you happen to be going to Star Wars Celebration, there’s even MORE stuff you can get, like the Darth Vader Spinner 20” Luggage by American Tourister which is making its debut at Star Wars Celebration. But don’t worry — it’s coming to stores soon, too!
Need some new reading material? You can get the Star Wars: The High Republic Book Set, which features three author-signed books: Light of the Jedi, The Rising Storm, and The Fallen Star. These are special editions of these books with “full-color interiors, deckled page edges, an oversized trim size, golden foil on the spines, and padded faux leather covers, hand-stamped with High Republic iconography”
You’ll also find an exclusive Star Wars x Citizen Star Wars Celebration Exclusive Watch Collection, featuring styles with the X-wing, Darth Vader, and Yoda.
You can also own a Kyber Crystal of your own with RockLove’s new Celebration Kyber Crystal Collection, which will feature necklaces inspired by some of the galaxy’s most iconic Jedi Knights, including Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, Anakin Skywalker, and Yoda.
Serious collectors won’t want to miss out on the Gentle Giant Ltd/ Diamond Select Toys Remnant Stormtrooper 1/6 Scale Mini-Bust inspired by “The Mandalorian.” There are only 1,000 of these, so you’ll have to grab one quickly!
There’s also a Gentle Giant Ltd/ Diamond Select Toys Imperial Commander 12” Jumbo Figure inspired by Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. This figure is even more exclusive: only 500 are available.
For those of you who collect bags, purses, and backpacks, hold on tight because there are a TON of new designs available. There’s a Bad Batch Hunter Mini Backpack and Wallet…
Finally, Star Wars Celebration attendees will have a chance to get their hands on two exclusive Thomas Kinkade canvas prints featuring art that captures iconic scenes and characters from Star Wars through the style of “narrative panoramas.”
Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!
With more than 750 pages, the 2022 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.
