We bring you a lot of stories every single day. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up. So in case you missed anything from our feed, we have rounded up all our stories in one place to get the news at a glance. Here is your Daily Recap for Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

• The soft opening hours for TRON Lightcycle / Run have been reduced.
• TRON Lightcycle / Run also will apparently not be honoring late arrivals for the virtual queue.
• The Main Street Electrical Parade may be returning to Magic Kingdom in 2024 (RUMOR).

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• We’ve tasted and reviewed multiple new snack items celebrating Earth Day and the 25th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, including the Golden Elephant Cupcake with Viva Gaia Tonic (includes gin) a Fruity Pebbles-topped Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail Sundae, the Bee Hive Mousse Dome at Creature Comforts (Starbucks), and the Bubbling Pink Lagoon Strawberry Lemonade with Vodka.
• Though separate from the Earth Day celebration snacks, the new Dino Dig Ice Cream Sandwich made an appearance at Dino-Bite Snacks.

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

• A 30% annual passholder discount has been introduced for reservation at Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
• Annual passholders can also expect a 35% discount on select rooms throughout Walt Disney World this summer.
• Walt Disney World has announced 30% hotel discounts for all guests throughout summer 2023.

New Merchandise

• New “Lion King” and “Zootopia” egg collections have popped up at EPCOT’s Eggstravaganza.
• Windtraders has unveiled a new “Avatar” AirPods case.
• A new limited edition Savi’s Workshop “scrap metal” pin is now available at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
• A new batch of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster merchandise is has launched at the Majestic Theater Shop.
• Mickey & Minnie have themselves a new Runaway Railway mug available for purchase.

Other Walt Disney World Resort News

• Walt Disney World has announced monthly themes for the company’s 100th anniversary celebration.

Disneyland Resort

• The Paint the Night Parade may be returning to the Disneyland Resort in 2024 (RUMOR).
• In celebration of Disney100, a new Mickey Mouse souvenir popcorn bucket will be released in both Disneyland Resort parks tomorrow, March 29.

Disney Cruise Line

• Disney Cruise Line is commencing a Disney Wish sweepstakes to promote the upcoming live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid”.
• Captain Minnie is debuting a new adventure-themed outfit on the new Disney Treasure ship.

Entertainment and Media

• The first full trailer for Pixar’s “Elemental” has been released.
• With layoffs and the total cut of Disney’s Next Generation Storytelling Department, the company will seemingly no longer be pursuing the development of a “metaverse”.

Disney+

• A premiere date has been announced for Marvel’s new “Secret Invasion” series on Disney+.

The Walt Disney Company

• Jeffrey R. Epstein, Disney’s Vice-President of Corporate Communications, is now one of the first to be removed in the company’s mass wave of layoffs.
• The new LEGO Spider Tank featured in “The Mandalorian” is now available for pre-order.
• New Marvel nuiMOs outfits and a Loungefly backpack will be arriving soon on shopDisney.

FIRST LOOK: ‘The Muppets Mayhem’ and AVATAR 3 Could Have a 9-Hour Directors Cut Coming To Disney+! – Disney Entertainment News Today 3/28

That’s it for today; we hope you enjoyed this Daily Recap. Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you tomorrow!

The post ‘Main Street Electrical Parade’ at Walt Disney World & ‘Paint the Night’ at Disneyland Rumored for 2024, Monthly Disney100 Themes at Walt Disney World Revealed, & More: Daily Recap (3/28/23) appeared first on WDW News Today.

This year, Central Florida Community Arts is presenting a season of Disney-themed programming to celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company.

Central Florida Community Arts “exists to serve and build community through the arts” according to their mission statement. The non-profit has the largest community choir and the largest community orchestra in the country, and many Cast Members participate in the programs. This year’s Disney-themed programming includes youth theatre presentations of “Mary Poppins” and “Aladdin Jr.,” concerts, and a celebration of jazz and animation.

Mary Poppins, April 22-23

One of the most popular Disney movies of all time is capturing hearts in a whole new way: as a practically perfect musical! Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances and received nominations for nine Olivier and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

The jack-of-all trades, Bert, introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family members how to value each other again. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren’t the only ones upon whom she has a profound effect. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that “Anything can happen if you let it.”

Tickets start at $20.

Once Upon a Dream: 100 Years of Musical Magic, May 4-5

This spring, experience a concert 100 years in the making as the CFCArts Community Choir presents Once Upon a Dream: 100 Years of a Musical Magic. Featuring nearly 250 voices, this immersive extravaganza will be a musical revue of Disney animated and live-action films from the last century. Featuring music from the early animated days of the 1920s to the animated renaissance of the 1990s, the recent smash hits of the last 20 years, and even a celebration of spectacular live entertainment from Disney Parks and destinations.

Ticket pricing:

• Standard $10
• Prime $15
• Prime Plus $20
• Premium $25
• Premium Plus $30
• Lap-held Children 3 and Under Free
• Groups of 8 or more save 20% off regular pricing

Aladdin Jr., May 12-13

Disney’s Aladdin Jr. is based on the 1992 Academy Award®-winning film and the 2014 hit Broadway show about the “diamond in the rough” street rat who learns that his true worth lies deep within. The story you know and love has been given the royal treatment! Aladdin and his three friends, Babkak, Omar, and Kassim, are down on their luck until Aladdin discovers a magic lamp and the Genie who has the power to grant three wishes. Wanting to earn the respect of the princess, Jasmine, Aladdin embarks on an adventure that will test his will and his moral character. With expanded characters, new songs, and more thrills, this new adaptation of the beloved story will open up “a whole new world” for you!

Ticket pricing:

• Standard Child (12 & Under) $10
• Standard Adult $12.50
• Premium Child (12 & Under) $12.50
• Premium Adult $15
• Lap-held Children 3 and Under Free
• Groups of 8 or more save 20% off regular pricing

Hand-Drawn Jazz: A Celebration of Music and Animation, June 17-18

From The Jetsons to The Simpsons… From The Incredibles to Cowboy Bebop… For as long as animators have been bringing stories and characters vibrantly to life, they have looked to innovative jazz composers to lend a sense of energy, improvisation, and unexpected whimsy to their creations. Why do these two colorful and kinetic art forms have so much in common? Join us for Hand-Drawn Jazz to find out!

Featuring over 30 incredibly talented local musicians in the CFCArts Big Band, Hand-Drawn Jazz will be an exploration and a celebration of the intersection of jazz and animation. With music from so many of your favorites like The Pink Panther, Toy Story, Looney Tunes, The Lion King, The Jungle Book, Aladdin, and Encanto, this will be a family-friendly concert experience full of great music, lots of laughter, and even a few creative surprises.

Don’t miss the biggest, baddest Big Band in town as they perform music from your favorite cartoons and animated movies as you’ve never heard them before!

Tickets start at $20.

Beauty and the Beast in Concert, September 7-8

Step into the enchanted world of Broadway’s classic, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, an international sensation that has been produced in 37 countries worldwide. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the timeless songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over thirteen years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. This concert version will bring you right into the magic!

The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.

Ticket pricing:

• Standard $10
• Prime $15
• Prime Plus $20
• Premium $25
• Premium Plus $30
• Lap-held Children 3 and Under Free
• Groups of 8 or more save 20% off regular pricing

Which Disney-themed Central Florida Community Arts performance do you hope to attend? Let us know in the comments.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The post Central Florida Community Arts Presenting Aladdin, Mary Poppins, and More Disney-Themed Programming for 100th Anniversary appeared first on WDW News Today.

Welcome back to another exciting day here at the Universal Orlando Resort. We’ve arrived bright and early to check in on all the latest updates happening around the park, so let’s get started at Universal Studios Florida.

Villain-Con has been making a lot of progress very quickly. There have been new banners added along the sides of the building and more details on the sign. There’s been new signage and details installed since this article, so check out the post here for the most up-to-date look at Villain-Con.

We were shocked to see the side of the Transformers building is being painted blue! It’s a very bright blue that looks like it could be trying to “hide” the building so it blends in.

While in the parks, Universal Orlando made an announcement for Halloween Horror Nights dates and tickets are on sale now! Following the announcement, new HHN 32 merchandise was made available at the 5 & 10 at Universal Studios Florida and the All Hallows Eve Boutique in Islands of Adventure. Take a look at all the new “See You in the Fog” merchandise here.

The posters in the E.T. Adventure queue have finally been updated. They look amazing. It’s nice to see this attraction getting some love. New Passports recently debuted, too. Let’s just hope we see some refurbishment on some on the animatronics.

Mardi Gras merchandise around the parks has been discounted. Most items are 30% off, including the cup carrier and Freestyle tumbler.

Over at Islands of Adventure, we were surprised to find Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure only had a 65 minute wait around noon. Last week’s spring break crowds are gone, but these low crowds won’t last for much longer.

The Betty Boop Store in Toon Lagoon has permanently closed. The new Passholder lounge will take over this location and we can’t wait to see it. Stay tuned for more Passholder perk announcements soon!

There are a few barricades up in Marvel Super Hero Island, most likely for a quick refurbishment to the pavement in the area.

Down by the lagoon in Port of Entry, it appears that a stage or some sort of structure will be built in this area. It’s most likely temporary and could possibly be used for filming due to the “Hot Set” sign, or maybe something for Grad Bash and Gradventure.

Thanks for following us around the parks today. If you wanna take another look at our full day in the parks, be sure to watch the video below.

For more Universal Studios news from around the world, follow Universal Parks News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news, visit WDWNT.

The post PHOTO REPORT: Universal Orlando Resort 3/23/23 (Halloween Horror Nights 32 Merchandise Reveal, Transformers Building Painted Blue, Villain-Con Update, and More) appeared first on WDW News Today.

In 1998, Disneyland introduced a New Tomorrowland. Headlined by the infamous Rocket Rods, which ran on the track once intended for the beloved PeopleMover, the overhaul of the classic themed land was an unmitigated disaster. Large attraction spaces for the CircleVision Theater and Mission to Mars became queues and restaurants respectively, Space Mountain was painted an unsightly copper color, and the land’s other new offerings were attractions that opened in EPCOT in 1994. Once Rocket Rods closed in 2002, Disneyland fans began to speculate about the future of the area. An effort to quickly correct the mistakes of 1998 was made in the mid-2000s when Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters replaced the queue of Rocket Rods. The land was slowly painted in shades of blue to erase the disliked copper-tones that were added. The classic Submarine Voyage was even brought back to life as a new attraction featuring characters from Finding Nemo. Despite all of this, questions remained about the future of the PeopleMover track and other unsuccessful venues from the overhaul.

Well, as early as 2008, Disneyland was planning to fix Tomorrowland.

In what is essentially a book documenting the possible 5-year-plan for Disneyland Park around 2008 (which we acquired at a recent auction), an entire section breaks down what was being worked on for another New Tomorrowland, one we are sadly still waiting on as of the writing of this piece. The page is broken into two segments, one featuring items that were already in development or negotiation, and another with the “Walt Disney Imagineering Master Plan” for the area.

Here’s what is listed:

• Monorail – In production
• Star Tours 3.5 – In development
• Chevron Initiative – In negotiations
• Wall-E Synergy Initiative – HISTA/Innoventions
• Beamway/Rocket Bikes – Investigate ride system
• Space Mountain/Forecort/HISTAS – Global 3D Strategy
• Rocket Jet Packs – Investigate ride system

As far as the items in production, the Disneyland Monorail Mark VII trains began debuting in July 2008.

Star Tours 3.5 was a reference to the timeline in which the new Star Tours: The Adventures Continue would take place, between Episode III and IV of the Skywalker Saga. This opened in 2011.

The Chevron Initiative is referencing the Disneyland Autopia, which was sponsored by Chevron from 2000-2012. This was speaking of the upcoming contract expiration, which did come to pass without Chevron renewing. Honda became the new sponsor in 2016, eventually updating the ride and adding ASIMO and his counterpart Bird to the attraction.

The Wall-E synergy initiative was likely referring to the “Living Character” Wall-E that Walt Disney Imagineering built but never got to use in public outside of some appearances at D23 Expo events and a few other non-park opportunities. There was even a backdrop for it at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at The Magic of Disney Animation, but it just sat there with no character ever materializing.

As for the WDI Master Plan, well, this is where things get really interesting.

The Rocket Bikes certainly do evoke some feelings of the TRON Lightcycle, and it is so strange that they aren’t specifically TRON vehicles given how close this was the the release of “TRON Legacy” in 2010. That being said, maybe this choice was on purpose to protect the secret of the new TRON Legacy Lightcycles which were not revealed at this time. Lucky for us, the concept eventually made its way into a roller coaster for Shanghai Disneyland in 2016 and the recently opened TRON Lightcycle / Run at the Magic Kingdom.

The concept art here shows single-file trains of Rocket Bikes zooming past what looks like the Astro Orbitor. They also appear to be on banked turns, an investment that wasn’t made for Rocket Rods and was eventually a big part of the reason why the attraction had to be retired.

Sadly for Disneyland, the PeopleMover track remains dormant, although rumor is that a new, shorter version of the PeopleMover attraction is currently in development.

The Global 3D Strategy is likely referring to the eventual use of the Magic Eye Theater, then home to Honey, I Shrunk the Audience, as a theater to preview upcoming Disney 3D films. While this did eventually happen, Captain EO Tribute ended up being the next attraction in the space, while the previews were relegated to Disney California Adventure for a while in different venues. After Captain EO Tribute closed, guests would find these film previews, for a period, in Tomorrowland.

Rocket Jet Packs appears to be using the same ride structure as the Astro Orbitor with two important changes: it is moved back to where it was formerly located on an elevated platform in the middle of Tomorrowland and the rockets have been turned into “jet packs”. While this didn’t materialize at Disneyland, it was in fact an opening day attraction at Shanghai Disneyland.

In this Creative Menu book, the Tomorrowland project is listed as a possibility for 2012, but with a choice between this project and a large Fantasyland expansion project. Neither of these actually materialized, but in fairness, the document did label both as plans “for the next 5 years or beyond.”

While we are still waiting for new developments for Tomorrowland at Disneyland, it is interesting to see that the problem has not only been known for at least 15 years, but there have been very real plans to correct it.

So, what do you think of these plans? Would you want to see the or other changes materialize in Tomorrowland at Disneyland? Let us know in the comments.

For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.

The post CONCEPT ART: TRON Lightcycle-Type Ride Was Envisioned for PeopleMover Track in New Tomorrowland at Disneyland, Jet Packs, Wall-E & More appeared first on WDW News Today.