Fast and Furious Hollywood Drift, a new roller-coaster coming to Universal Studios Hollywood, won’t open until 2026 but construction is well underway with changes since our last construction update.

Fast and Furious Hollywood Drift Construction

Behind construction walls on the Upper Lot is a platform topped with coaster tracks. A track support is next to the platform on the right.

To the left, another platform is under construction, with a crane towering over it. The logo for Fast and Furious Hollywood Drift can be seen along the construction walls.

There are steel beams around the edges and underneath the platform.

Vertical poles line the top, with temporary wood walls behind them.

Fast and Furious Hollywood Drift is expected to take guests up and down the mountainside. There are many vantage points to view the construction site that descends toward the Lower Lot. Here’s a look at those platforms from another angle.

Behind the first platform is a third platform. Its support columns are surrounded by scaffolding.

Diggers have been clearing and moving dirt. There was some debris in the center of this dirt pile.

There are dozens of concrete forms on the hilly construction site.

On the far side (from the overlook near Minion Land) are two large concrete boxes. Inside one is a circle of rebar.

Most of the concrete forms are square or circular and topped with wooden boxes.

There are also large metal barrels with wooden structures around them. These caissons are essentially molds for concrete forms.

Further down the hill are dark poles in a row. There’s a pile of more poles nearby. It looks like wire fencing connects the poles.

The base of the crane is in a concrete and wooden square.

A map featuring PCL Construction branding is on a fence. It features four areas labeled A, B, C, and D.

Construction materials are stacked on the edge of the construction site, some wrapped in plastic to keep them protected.

Near the tram track are more concrete forms, caissons, and wire fences.

Universal is drilling into the ground and creating concrete forms as the foundational supports for the coaster.

The blue and white machine on the right is by Malcolm Drilling.

Drying concrete is visible inside this caisson. Wood in a square inside makes the form hollow.

Another Malcolm Drilling vehicle is on this flattened patch of earth.

White tarps with elements poking through them are on the wall below the concrete platforms.

Here’s that metal support we saw from the Upper Lot. It’s a dark triangular piece. The top of another support is just barely visible behind the wall.

A few giant drill bits sit nearby.

There’s more construction on the other side of the street.

The coaster will cover a large area of the theme park.

Wooden walls cut across this section of the mountain, creating dirt platforms at different elevations. The large concrete boxes here are the ones we were looking at earlier. A black tarp runs down from a platform towards the road.

Above the wooden walls are the first concrete forms and the crane that we noted.

The construction goes under the escalators connecting the Upper and Lower Lots.

Fast and Furious Hollywood Drift will feature a state-of-the-art ride system that allows for 360-degree rotation for each ride vehicle to mimic drifting cars. It will be the first high-speed outdoor roller coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood. The queue, on the Upper Lot, will be designed to look like a large brick garage. The ride vehicles will be modeled after actual cars featured in “Fast & Furious” films.

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 Drilling Underway for Fast and Furious Hollywood Drift Coaster Supports at Universal Studios Hollywood appeared first on WDW News Today.

Now that Disney’s newest drone show has taken Disney Springs by storm, you’ll probably encounter quite the crowds when you visit to see the show…unless you’re heeding our advice on how to OUTSMART the viewing area crowds.

The drone show crowds are massive!

If you’re someone who really wants to plus up your experience and pair your viewing with an exclusive spot (with elbow room) and possibly a meal, we’ve uncovered the BEST options for you!

Both of these exclusive experiences are located at Jaleo!

We’re big fans of the restaurant Jaleo and their extensive menu of tapas that showcase traditional and contemporary Spanish cuisine, like their massive pans of paella, hand-carved Jamon Iberico de Bellota, and wood-grilled Iberico pork.

Arroz con Pollo Paella

And it also helps that the restaurant is gorgeous inside and out…

Lots of natural lighting

… but one of its best features has to be the lakeside view from the back of the restaurant!

Lakeside seating

Jaleo is looking to enhance your evening experience while viewing Disney’s Dreams That Soar drone show by bringing two exclusive viewing options at the restaurant. Let’s take a closer look at each!

Jaleo’s first option allows you into their roped-off section to view the show. This option is offered on a first-come, first-served basis and will also allow you access to the restaurant’s full bar and nearby bathrooms (that’s a huge plus)! This option will only accommodate standing areas for viewers and to get in, you’ll need to pay $35.

Standing room area

When we spoke to the Cast Members at the restaurant, they said they’re currently encouraging viewers to arrive at least an hour prior to each show time if they want access to this area.

However, if you’re looking to grab a quick bite to eat while you’re waiting for the show to start Jaleo has an option for that, too! The restaurant has debuted a tasting experience where you’ll get to dine on tasty light plates and apps along the restaurant’s lakeside for $79. Here’s a peek at the menu offerings!

Jaleo tasting experience

You can also pair an espresso martini with your meal for an additional $12!

Add on an espresso martini

As you can see, it’s a pretty extensive list to choose from and has guaranteed seating for the show. If you’re looking to book a reservation for this option, Jaleo has advised that these reservations can be booked currently through Open Table. You’ll want to book a reservation at 7:30PM for the first drone showing and at 9:30PM for the second showing. It’s also helpful to note that since the tasting experience isn’t exclusively bookable on Open Table, you’ll want to make sure that Lakeside seating has been requested for each reservation so the restaurant knows you’re looking for the tasting experience.

The restaurant also kindly asks that each table limit their seated experience to 90 minutes from the time their first order is placed in an effort to accommodate more dining parties looking to experience the next show.

Disney Dreams That Soar

While there are plenty of viewing areas that you can take advantage of for free, these are just a few options that one of the neighboring restaurants that back up to the lake is offering to give those who want it a chance to truly enjoy the experience and show free of the bigger crowds and make it an evening you won’t easily forget!

So you tell us, is this a new tasting experience you plan on taking advantage of? Be sure to let us know your thoughts either way in the comments below and stay tuned with us at Disney Food Blog for all the latest Disney news.

Learn more about the crowds at the drone show here!

Would you pay for a tasting experience while watching Disney World’s newest nighttime show? Tell us why or why not in the comments below!

The post 2 Ways To BEAT the Chaotic Crowds at Disney World’s NEW Drone Show first appeared on the disney food blog.

Disney Dreams That Soar is a new nighttime drone show that just premiered at Disney Springs!

©Disney

The show features Disney stories that celebrate “the joy of flight with state-of-the-art drones choreographed to create designs in the sky” all paired with a “soaring” musical score interspersed with movie quotes.” We caught the show the first night it premiered — and so did lots of other folks, which created a bit of a chaotic scene leaving after the show. But, how big are the crowds, really?

Disney Dreams That Soar premiered with quite a bit of fanfare in Disney Springs — but that also meant quite a few fans showed up to take it all in, too! It’s an incredible feat of technology, so it’s no wonder that the show has become pretty popular and garnering some chaotic crowds. But, we did some investigative reporting to help figure out how you can beat the crowds at Disney Dreams That Soar — and we think it pretty much all comes down to skipping the first show.

Disney Dreams That Soar

We stopped by to check out the shows yet again and noticed crowds lined up long before the first show was set to start at 9PM. This created a bit of a problem for those looking to stroll through Disney Springs’ shops and restaurants — especially near those designated viewing areas.

The drone show crowds are massive!

We spoke with Cast Members who work at the restaurants surrounding the viewing area including Summer House on the Lake. They mentioned that they’ve had people make reservations for hours before the show to try and catch it — but not leaving when they’ve wrapped up their meal and lingering to catch the show instead.

And, while that’s not inherently a bad thing — it’s causing more stress on the restaurant and backing up their reservation times for folks with later reservations. Summer House has started asking those who are finished with their meals to grab a spot in the designated viewing area to catch the show.

Drone show crowds

However, you do have a couple of options if you’re trying to catch this new show while enjoying some dinner and drinks! Jaleo is offering an outdoor seating and tasting experience for $79 per person. You can book the experience through Open Table but will need to book seating for the 9PM drone show at 7:30PM and specify Lake View seating. If you want to book the second show at 10:45PM, book your dining reservation for 9:30PM and also specify Lake View seating.

Jaleo is also offering another option on a first-come, first-served basis and is standing room only in the roped-off bar area. This will cost you $35 per person and currently, the restaurant is recommending you arrive at least an hour early before show time for your best chance at a spot. Check out the tasting menu below!

Jaleo tasting menu

But if you ask us — you might just be better off waiting for that second show at 10:45PM! We tried it out and found that there were far fewer crowds and it was much easier to find places to catch the show, like the back patio at Starbucks and over by the food trucks!

Hardly any crowds

You can also get a pretty good view of Disney Dreams That Soar from the rooftop bar at the Coca-Cola Store, but you won’t be able to hear much of the show’s soundtrack. The music playing at the bar does a pretty solid job of drowning it out.

View from the Coca-Cola rooftop

We also found that the crowds leaving the show after it was over were much less chaotic and more manageable following the second show as well! So, if you can make the second nightly showing of Disney Dreams That Soar fit into your schedule — we highly recommend doing so. Otherwise, consider opting for Jaleo’s offerings or trying to view the show from somewhere unexpected. Just keep in mind that the show is best viewed from the designated viewing areas!

Crowds after the show

There are so many incredible scenes and characters represented in this new nighttime spectacular. Want to catch the show? It plays nightly at 9PM and 10:45PM from now until September 2nd, however, like most nighttime Disney shows, it could be canceled if there is inclement weather.

Be sure to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest news from Disney Springs and the rest of Disney World!

Catch Our FULL Coverage of Disney Dreams That Soar by Clicking HERE

Have you caught the new show at Disney Springs yet? Tell us in the comments.

The post How BIG Are the Crowds for Disney World’s NEW Drone Show REALLY? first appeared on the disney food blog.

Magic Kingdom in Disney World is definitely a magical place.

Magic Kingdom

The amount of dreams and magical moments that come true have to be uncountable at this point. However, there are a number of cringey things happening there that have us questioning if we’ll ever walk into the park again! Let’s talk about them

As we said, we’re going to go over some of the cringey things at Magic Kingdom that seriously have us questioning if we’ll ever go there again!

Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom

The Never-Ending Lines for Magic Kingdom Buses at the Hotels

Waking up early to catch the first bus to Magic Kingdom sounds like a good plan until you see the lines. The morning rush can make you feel like you’re waiting for a concert.

Bus stop at All-Star Movies

And trying to leave the park after the fireworks? Good luck. The crowds and wait times can be a real test of patience.

The Crowds and Castle Proposals

Magic Kingdom is the most nostalgic park at Disney World, but it’s also the most crowded.

Cinderella Castle Crowds

Trying to navigate through a sea of people, especially those getting engaged in front of Cinderella Castle (it can feel like it happens every five minutes), can be overwhelming.

Congested Walkways

Tied with that last item, congested walkways are one of my biggest pet peeves. People stopping in the middle of the path or clustering around shop entrances and exits can really bring foot traffic to a standstill.

Imagine stopping in the MIDDLE of all of this

It’s a surefire way to kill the magic when you’re constantly trying to dodge or navigate through human traffic jams.

Rope Drop Chaos

If you’ve ever experienced rope drop at Magic Kingdom, you know it can be utter chaos.

Rope dropping lines at Magic Kingdom.

The rush to get to the most popular rides can feel more like a stampede than a magical start to your day. It’s not exactly the enchanting experience you might have in mind.

The Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) Dilemma

Unlike the other parks, Magic Kingdom requires you to go through the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC). This is a problem unique to Magic Kingdom.

TTC

This extra step can make an easy escape incredibly difficult, especially when you’re tired after a long day and just want to get back to your hotel.

It’s a Snack Kingdom, Not a Foodie Paradise

While Magic Kingdom has some decent snacks, planning a full meal there can be tricky.

Delicious and golden

I usually find myself planning to have my meals outside of the park (usually in one of the resort restaurants) to avoid the underwhelming food options. It’s a shame when you’re in such a magical place but can’t find a satisfying meal.

Those Train Tracks

The old-timey charm of the tracks on Main Street USA loses its appeal when you’re constantly tripping over them.

Main Street USA Trolley Tracks

They’re a hazard for strollers, wheelchairs, and distracted walkers alike. Let’s just say that it’s not the most “magical” experience.

Getting Stuck on the Wrong Side of a Parade

If you’ve ever been caught on the “wrong side” of a parade route, you know the struggle!

Festival of Fantasy Parade

The parades are beautiful, but boy can they put a serious wrench in your plans if you’re not prepared. What should have been a quick walk to the next ride suddenly can turn into a lengthy detour if you’re caught on the “wrong” side.

Broken or Closed Attractions

Maybe it’s just my bad luck, but it seems like something is always broken or closed at Magic Kingdom.

Golden Oak Outpost when closed

I get that rides shut down for maintenance and shops close for refurbishments, but for some reason, I feel it happens more here than in any other park.

Haunted Mansion is CLOSED

Additionally, all those closures can cause other areas of the park to become even more congested as people flock to the few remaining available attractions.

Fantasyland crowds in Magic Kingdom

Those are just a couple of the cringey things at Magic Kingdom that seriously have us questioning if we’ll ever go there again, and we’d love to hear more about it from you! In the meantime, be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more tips, tricks, and resources to help you plan the BEST Disney World vacation possible.

9 Times Disney World Was TOO Cringey to Handle

What cringy things might cause you to skip out on any of the parks in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! 

The post 9 Cringey Things That Make Me Rethink Walking Into Magic Kingdom Ever Again first appeared on the disney food blog.