We’re walking you through a full tour of Fantasy Springs, the brand-new port opening at Tokyo DisneySea.

Fantasy Springs

Officially opening on June 8, 2024, Fantasy Springs, the eighth themed port of Tokyo DisneySea, draws inspiration from three Disney classics: “Peter Pan,” “Frozen,” and “Tangled.” The port is currently in soft opening to all guests on select days leading up to its official grand opening. On one of those days, we took a trip through the land, touring through the attractions, dining offerings, shopping, and more.

Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea

Rock Formations

Throughout Fantasy Springs, guests can encounter large rock formations with water elements, all themed to different Disney characters. At the front entrance, before passing through tunnels into the land, you’ll encounter formations themed to “Peter Pan,” Frozen,” and “Tangled.” Guests can also find characters from other Disney animated films including “Fantasia,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Pocahontas,” “Snow White,” and “Bambi.”

Fantasy Springs Gifts

On the first floor of the Fantasy Springs Hotel, you’ll find the only gift shop for the port: Fantasy Springs Gifts. During our visit, the shop was open to browse, but the new Fantasy Springs merchandise could not be purchased. Theming around the shop details the backstory of Fantasy Springs, sharing that a spirit in the magical Springs was responsible for carving all of the elements guests see around the port, after being inspired by characters she’d encountered on her journeys. A Duchess later discovered the beauty of the Springs, eventually building a grand palace (Fantasy Springs Hotel) to share the beauty with all her friends.

Peter Pan’s Never Land

Peter Pan’s Never Land is home to two attractions: Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure, and Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies. Guests can also head to Crocodile Dock, where they can board the Jolly Roger or take a look inside Skull Rock. Dining offerings include the Popcorn Wagon, serving up roast beef popcorn, and quick-service dishes at Lookout Cookout.

Frozen Kingdom

Frozen Kingdom may be the most fully realized “Frozen”-themed land yet. While it shares some similarities to Hong Kong Disneyland’s World of Frozen, the full-size Arendelle Castle, and Elsa’s Ice Palace on the North Mountain in the distance are quite impactful. Inside this area of Fantasy Springs, guests can ride Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey, pick up Yoo-Hoo Bread from Oaken’s OK Foods, and dine at the counter service restaurant, Royal Banquet of Arendelle.

Rapunzel’s Forest

Rapunzel’s Forest brings to life the world of “Tangled,” It has one attraction: Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival. Part of the attraction, but viewable for all guests walking through the land is Rapunzel’s tower complete with an audio-animatronic of Rapunzel singing “When Will My Life Begin” in Japanese. Guests can dine at the quick-service location, The Snuggly Duckling.

Watch our full video tour of the new land below:

Will you be visiting Fantasy Springs in Tokyo DisneySea? Let us know in the comments below.

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The previously rumored layoffs have begun at Pixar Animation Studios, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Pixar Layoffs Amid Company Restructuring

Leadership at Pixar will notify employees today of the reduction in staffing, with this marking he largest restructuring in the company’s history. However, top leadership will not be impacted.

According to the report, approximately 14% of Pixar’s workforce, totaling about 175 employees, will be let go from their positions. Prior to the layoffs, approximately 1,300 people worked at the studio.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, the layoffs are part of Disney CEO Bob Iger’s “mandate to return to a focus on quality, versus churning out content for streaming,” which was a priority for the previous CEO and his then-successor, Bob Chapek.

The layoffs were first reported as coming down the pipe back in January 2024, though the initial reduction was reported to be around 20%.

Pixar will no longer be focusing on direct-to-streaming titles or series, but rather on feature film releases. “Win or Lose,” however, is a Disney+ series from Pixar still scheduled to debut later this year.

Read the full memo from Pixar President Jim Morris to staff below:

Hello everyone. 

I have spoken to you many times over the last year about our pending move away from series production for Disney+, the return to our focus on feature films, and the reduction in our team that would accompany that. That day is here, and while it is not coming as a surprise to anyone, it is one of the hardest changes we’ve had to make, as it means we will be parting with a number of talented and dedicated colleagues and friends.

Today, leaders will begin the process of notifying employees whose positions are being impacted. Calendar invites to speak with a leader have already gone out to those individuals, and we anticipate we will have connected with everyone impacted by the end of the day. 

I want to assure you that will be providing extensive support as our colleagues start to transition out of the studio. We are committed to ensuring that their departure is handled with the utmost respect and care at every stage. This is important to me, and I understand how important this is to all of us in the Pixar community. I will host a brief Studio Meeting via Zoom this afternoon at 5:00 to talk more about today’s announcement.

Despite the challenges in our industry over the past few years, you have all consistently shown up to contribute, collaborate, innovate, lead, and do great work at this studio. I give you my deepest thanks, and for those who will be leaving us, I am hopeful that our paths will cross again, both professionally and personally.

Jim

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A new haunted house, Major Sweets Candy Factory, has been announced for Halloween Horror Nights 33.

Major Sweets Candy Factory is the third original house to be announced for HHN 33. Check out the full announcement below.

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Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is due to reopen this summer after a months-long closure.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Reopening Date

According to WDWMagic, the Disney’s Hollywood Studios attraction will officially reopen on July 27, 2024. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith closed on January 8 for a routine refurbishment, with a planned summer 2024 reopening. The year prior, it closed in February and reopened in May with no major noticeable changes.

It is unclear what, if any, changes could be expected when the ride reopens in July; however, the coaster’s launch system has reportedly been cause for extensive maintenance in the past.

Watch our full ride POV video of the attraction below:

Is Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster one of your must-do Hollywood Studios attractions? Let us know in the comments below.

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Guests visiting Walt Disney World will soon be able to catch a sneak preview of “Inside Out 2.”

“Inside Out 2” Sneak Peek at Hollywood Studios

Walt Disney Presents will screen a special sneak peek of the upcoming Pixar film, “Inside Out 2,” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The news was shared via a social media announcement from Amy Poehler, who returns as the voice of Joy, and Maya Hawke, who voices a new emotion, Anxiety. In the announcement, Poehler shared the following:

Coming soon to Walt Disney World Resort will be a super-secret sneak peek of our new film. Be sure to visit Walt Disney Presents inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort to catch an early look at the film. One that includes some friends of ours.

You can watch the full video of the announcement here:

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No specific date for the sneak peek has been shared yet, so stay tuned for updates.

“Inside Out 2” continues the story of Riley and her emotions from the 2015 film, “Inside Out.” Now, Riley’s emotions face teenage life, which includes a demolition of headquarters to make way for new emotions, including Anxiety. The film hits theaters June 14.

Will you be checking out the “Inside Out 2” teaser at Walt Disney Presents? Let us know in the comments below.

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